Chapter 63: The Mastermind’s Gambit

She had everyone ushered out of the room. Kuonji Mashiro, the magical girl reportedly kidnapped by the Dark Organization, stood alone by the window, gazing out.

Her thin, silken nightgown lay half-open, casually draped over her form. It revealed her meticulously cared-for, delicate, milky-white skin, subtly outlining the defiant, shapely curves so characteristic of her.

There was no sign of her being kidnapped; rather, she seemed as relaxed as if she were at home.

This was, of course, entirely natural.

After all, the ‘Dark Organization’ mentioned in the reports was merely a front for her disguised warriors.

How could she possibly kidnap herself?

“Honestly, does Miss have to handle everything herself…?”

Most villainous young ladies in literature are typically fools who fail to grasp the situation. They possess no real skills, yet are solely defined by their arrogant and malicious personalities.

Mashiro, however, was different. While her personality was far more malicious than any found in a typical shoujo story, she possessed the capabilities to back up her arrogance.

Regardless of how awful she appeared, she consistently maintained a calculating mind, always strategizing how to make judgments and decisions that suited the circumstances.

Anyone who truly believed her to be a brainless beauty with a large chest had likely already been buried, along with their fantasies.

Even a prominent figure of the former branch chief’s caliber was no exception.

“I was clearly helping you, Ling Xing. Without the resolve for bloodshed and change, the Dark Organization could never truly resist the magical girls.”

Arrogance and hubris only truly hold meaning as a performance when there’s an audience.

Alone in the room, Mashiro’s soliloquy carried a noticeable lack of her usual hostility.

She knew that her warriors could never truly defeat Ling Xing. Managing to completely disrupt the mission, even partially, in Ling Xing’s presence was already an exceptional feat.

It was precisely for this reason that she felt perplexed.

Why would Ling Xing, a member of the Dark Organization, aid her enemies? Those allied forces were clearly adversaries the Dark Organization would inevitably have to confront once it rose to power.

As long as the Dark Organization’s objectives remained constant, she would eventually wage war against both the magical girls and the allied forces. Those individuals were ultimately enemies that had to be eliminated.

Wouldn’t it have been ideal to seize the opportunity and eradicate them then?

“…Nevermind. Go ahead and indulge in your little game of playing magical girl, playing hero, Ling Xing.”

It should have been a win-win situation. She could have used the Dark Organization’s name to mask her true operations, while Ling Xing would have gained renown for opposing the organization, building her reputation to become a genuine resistance force against the magical girls.

Now… at least her own objectives remained unchanged.

Numerous experiments funded by the allied forces had been seized and burned by her during Ling Xing’s intense battle. Only the final, most crucial parts remained hidden beneath the tower.

Previously, she hadn’t succeeded due to the inability to quickly deal with the tentacles, but now, with ample preparation, it was time to resolve that issue.

She would handle it herself.

Ding-a-ling—

Her terminal chimed.

Mashiro’s plump, soft legs crossed and lifted as she leaned back on the sofa, answering the call.

“Young Miss, the mission is complete. I’ve ‘invited’ the reporter, and the news has been published as per our agreement.”

“Mm, well done. Now, issue an ultimatum to Darklier. Tell them to inform Ling Xing that if she doesn’t want the reporter hanging dead outside her home, she should come speak with Miss obediently.”

From the moment she arrived here until now, Mashiro had ceaselessly been thinking.

Since the plan had gone awry, it was only natural to revise it—just as she was doing now.

“And tell her this: if Ling Xing kneels and begs Miss, then Miss might just consider releasing that sickly, useless little girlfriend of hers.”

If she wanted to play hero, then Mashiro would play along.

Even if it was just a reporter she’d met by chance—as a hero, Ling Xing would be compelled to intervene.

If Ling Xing were clever enough, she would understand the deeper implication.

If Mashiro had the capability to abduct people close to Ling Xing, then she could just as easily come for Dal, the person Ling Xing cherished most.

It was simply out of some consideration that Mashiro hadn’t made a move yet.

No sooner had the failed ambush concluded than Mashiro had already woven her next plan.

If Ling Xing were to remain ignorant, passively waiting for time to pass and reacting only when necessary—then all would be lost.

If Ling Xing truly chose to sit idly by.

“Yes, Young Miss. I’ll see to it immediately. Please, I ask that you exercise some patience before I return, and refrain from engaging alone for now…”

“Impertinent! When did Miss ever need your advice?! The Longsword Armor is ready. Even a C-rank magical girl couldn’t withstand Miss’s firepower!”

“Yes, I overstepped…”

Too impatient to listen to the other party’s cautious explanations and apologies, Mashiro impatiently hung up the call.

To her, it was all utterly meaningless nonsense.

Although her magical girl rank was only D, she differed fundamentally from conventional magical girls.

She was a magical girl who excelled at combining technological armaments with magic. This meant that, when adequately equipped, she possessed firepower and defense far exceeding her rank compared to ordinary magical girls.

Coincidentally, she was also the young lady of the Kuonji family, commanding vast resources and armaments, along with extensive connections and influence at her disposal.

She could deploy not only the seemingly futuristic lightsabers, thermal carbines, and hyperspace teleporters used by her warriors. She could also unleash even experimental-grade armor like the Longsword Armor from the Pacific Front, deploying it here regardless of cost.

Therefore, she truly had no reason to fear.

The magical girl organization here was only overseen by a C-rank magical girl. As long as she didn’t face two factions simultaneously, Mashiro didn’t believe she would lose in a one-on-one fight.

What’s more…

Mashiro picked up a small, exquisite pastry from the table and casually popped it into her mouth.

She chewed, swallowed, then inelegantly ran her pink tongue over her cream-stained lips and fingers.

This was clearly not a gesture befitting aristocratic etiquette, but she paid it no mind.

Impatience, arrogance, a thirst for excitement—Kuonji Mashiro detested waiting and monotony. Were it not for the constraints of public perception, she wouldn’t even bother with so-called etiquette, nor would she adopt the inefficient pretense of aristocratic grace while dining.

If she hadn’t been born into a noble family like Kuonji, constrained by the identity and labels of a young lady, her inherent nature would likely have made her a magical girl even more unrestrained than Blazing Blade.

No…

Blazing Blade couldn’t compare to her.

“Prepare the Longsword Armor. Miss will personally take action! The Longsword Armor must be kept in a state where it can be deployed at any moment!”

Mashiro ordered loudly.

Once the Longsword Armor was deployed, her disguise—that of being ‘kidnapped by the Dark Organization’—would instantly fall apart.

Therefore, it was imperative to ensure that its deployment would unequivocally eliminate all enemies, deal with every witness, and secure an undeniable victory.

Before that, she would send out disguised combatants to test the situation.

“Yes, Young Miss! Ah, the member monitoring Nuonuo has activated a hyperspace transfer. Young Miss, would you like to see her?”

“Have her come to Miss’s prep room. Don’t delay Miss’s sortie preparations.”