Starting as a Magical Girl, I Alone Shall Rule for Eternity

"All the identifications are finished. The deceased should be Dujuan, the free witch-association Magical Girl who joined two years ago."

Amid the blaring sirens, Peony rubbed her eyes. "The residual corrupt magic should have been completely burned away by Shion. Dujuan suffered severe trauma and reverted from her transformed state, so she looked no different from an ordinary person."

Keke, who had been nervously waiting at the side, instantly relaxed and beamed as she turned to Silver Lotus. "Captain, captain, look—Peony said she was a member of the Witch Association. See? I told you Teacher Shion must have had her reasons!"

"Don't celebrate too soon."

Silver Lotus snorted. "Even if she was from the Witch Association, that doesn't mean she deserved to die. Some are just pitiful people who were led astray... According to procedure, once someone loses combat capability they should be detained and sent to the tribunal. Only after a full investigation can the tribunal carry out a witch trial. Shion killing someone privately is completely illegal and against regulations. If the casualty happened during the fight it might be different, but she clearly neutralized the opponent and still executed her. That's just too hateful."

Keke thought for a moment. "Maybe Teacher Shion felt threatened?"

"...How did you figure she'd feel threatened?"

Two core members of the Azure Cloud Sect were standing nearby; even if Shion really had lost combat capability, there wouldn't have been any real danger.

Silver Lotus, a little speechless, continued, "Even if she truly deserved death, we could arrest them and interrogate them to find other Witch Association members. From every angle, Shion's killing is wrong. Stop always taking her side, okay?"

"I'm not taking her side." Keke said softly. "Isn't it Captain Silver Lotus who's biased? Is it because you got thrashed by Teacher Shion before, so you hold a grudge?"

"I'm not." Silver Lotus immediately put on a stern face. "I always handle official business impartially and have no personal motives. The Azure Cloud Sect is an illegal organization after all—I just worry you'd be influenced by them. Even if this death wasn't innocent, it doesn't mean they never killed innocents before."

Peony yawned.

She should have been off duty today, but the sudden commotion with the Witch Association and the Azure Cloud Sect forced her to come back and work overtime.

The Disaster Control Bureau doesn't pay overtime...

She had been searching for Witch Association members and for Jiang Si, and then was called to the scene.

All because Silver Lotus and Keke couldn't stop arguing about the identity of the person Shion killed.

Ah, she really wanted to go home and sleep. Why did she have to help kids argue and hunt for evidence...

"Purple Magical Girls are just like that." Peony said lazily. "Those who fall into her hands rarely live. It's not a new thing. Instead of criticizing her, it's more like the Witch Association didn't watch their step—bad luck..."

Keke agreed, "Exactly, exactly."

Silver Lotus immediately pulled her squad member aside. "Don't make things worse!"

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"Keke already likes members of the Azure Cloud Sect, and you're defending them. What if they trick her away? She’s a newcomer we worked so hard to recruit for the Disaster Control Bureau!"

Peony suddenly realized, "Oh..."

In truth, the Bureau's official stance toward the Azure Cloud Sect was ambiguous. Apart from fighting over Disaster Beasts, the Sect didn't have many direct clashes with the Bureau, but its conflicts with the Witch Association were fierce.

To the Bureau, it would be ideal if the Witch Association and the Azure Cloud Sect weakened each other, allowing the Bureau to step in and take down both illegal organizations at once.

Many people inside the Bureau disliked the Azure Cloud Sect—take Su Shan of the security department, for example. Although Silver Lotus didn't like that old hag, Su Shan's loyalty to the Bureau was unquestionable, and she detested any group opposing the Bureau, including both the Witch Association and the Azure Cloud Sect.

Silver Lotus's older sister Yin Luo also hated the Azure Cloud Sect, so Silver Lotus's dislike was partly influenced by her sister.

Of course, there were Bureau members who had a soft spot for the Azure Cloud Sect—for instance, Peony. She valued the two precognitive Magical Girls and, after so many encounters, had developed some feelings; after all, they never killed and had even helped her once or twice.

They were just kids with sharp tongues and poor manners.

So while Silver Lotus worked hard to paint the Azure Cloud Sect in a negative light, Peony casually offered a counterargument.

Hearing that Silver Lotus worried Keke might be taken by the Sect, Peony immediately changed her tune. "Actually, the captain's right. Unilateral killing is wrong—the Azure Cloud Sect has no such authority. Their disciplinary violations must be strongly condemned! Keke, you should be careful around them. If they dare kill Witch Association members today, tomorrow they might kill Bureau people, and the day after could be a city massacre. Do not go down the wrong path."

If you go down the wrong path, the Bureau will have one fewer grunt and my workload will never shrink...

Seeing Peony suddenly take Silver Lotus's side, Keke couldn't argue and simply obediently said, "Oh."

But she didn't really hear any of it.

From the first meeting, Silver Lotus had not spoken favorably about the Azure Cloud Sect and constantly painted them as terrifying and evil.

However, Keke did have some inward agreement.

Teacher Shion might have had reasons, but killing someone was still a huge shock for a middle schooler...

The girl inside her—mysterious and cool on the surface, with a soft kindness—suddenly showed a ruthless decisiveness that clashed with her cute appearance.

Since being rescued by Senior Kingfisher back then, Keke had followed news about various Magical Girls and had never seen the words "Magical Girl" and "murder" in the same sentence.

In the Magical Girl world, such brutality was truly rare...

Holding her Magic Wand, Keke realized for the first time her power wasn't only for fighting Disaster Beasts.

Power is power; it doesn't discriminate targets. It can destroy Disaster Beasts—and it can kill people.

Feeling the somewhat terrifying magic pulsing inside her, she perceived the heavy burden of being a Magical Girl.

Looking up, various machines had been brought in: trucks, bulldozers, excavators. To ensure the battle between Disaster Beasts and Magical Girls didn't disrupt citizens' lives, city maintenance services responded swiftly.

This was also one of the major expenses for the Bureau. Maintaining such rapid response capability was always costly.

Amid the engines' rumble, Keke followed Silver Lotus outside and suddenly said, "Teacher Shion told me I'm better suited for the Bureau, not the Azure Cloud Sect."

Peony pretended not to hear and jogged to the roadside to mount her electric scooter.

That sounded like a lot of trouble—best pretend she didn't know and go back to sleep...

Silver Lotus looked back at the junior she had finally found and softened her tone a bit. "Looks like she still has some conscience."

"I don't think Teacher Shion would lie." Keke emphasized, then continued, "I'm really not suited for the Azure Cloud Sect. My strength is weak, I'm timid, and I'd only slow them down."

"Not that bad..."

"Only the Bureau would suit me."

"Why do I feel like you're looking down on the Bureau?"

"No, just being honest."

"..."

Seeing her captain silent, Jiang Keke took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and de-transformed out of sight. "Captain Silver Lotus, I want to become stronger. More mature."

"I want that too."

The short de-transformed girl muttered under her breath, then said, "Tomorrow let's go find Hyacinth senior. We'll do special training and beat that arrogant purple shorty! Hyacinth is the strongest Magical Girl in BH City!"

"Can she beat Teacher Shion?"

"...Anyway, she's the strongest Magical Girl in Beihai."

Keke understood and didn't press further, just changing the subject. "Also, captain, you're not taller than me."

"I'll grow taller sooner or later!"

...

When Jiang Keke got home, Jiang Si was sitting at the dining table.

Two dishes were on the table, one vegetarian and one meat—leftovers from yesterday.

He must have just showered; his hair was still damp and his clothes were clean and new.

Actually, not long after Teacher Shion left, Silver Lotus had contacted Peony and confirmed Jiang Si was fine and at home.

So the two of them calmly argued about who Shion had killed, even calling Peony over.

Keke set down her bag, took off her shoes, and slipped into slippers.

"What were you doing?"

Jiang Si sat very upright while eating, meticulous and precise, always giving off a tense, pressuring presence.

Keke wasn't intimidated at all and answered coolly, "Bureau duty."

When she went to the bathroom, Jiang Si asked again, "Why hasn't the floor been fixed?"

"My Second Uncle said he has no time. Next month."

Jiang Si frowned slightly. "Give me his number."

"It's in my bag. Get it yourself."

She wasn't worried he'd snoop through her phone—he never showed any interest in those things. Even if she put it in front of him, Jiang Si wouldn't bother to look. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

When she finished washing and returned, Jiang Si had already hung up the call.

"Tomorrow at four in the afternoon he'll come fix the floor. Keep an eye on things."

"Okay."

How she'd persuaded Second Uncle, Keke didn't know and didn't want to ask.

When she came to eat, Jiang Si habitually stood and shoveled the remaining food down quickly before heading to the kitchen to wash dishes.

"Wait."

Keke called to him. "I have something to ask."

"No time."

Used to that reply, Keke continued anyway. "Did you meet anyone from the Witch Association today?"

Jiang Si, washing dishes, raised an eyebrow. "You mean that nonconformist with the seed on his forehead?"

"Yes, him."

"Met him."

"Did you see a woman in black robes?"

"No."

This was the longest conversation the siblings had had in three years.

After she spoke, Keke didn't ask more and Jiang Si stayed silent. After finishing the dishes and putting them away, he walked out and Keke placed a wristband on the table.

"Wear this. The Bureau issued it."

"What is it?"

"A protection device so members of the Witch Association won't target you." Keke's tone was cold. "All Magical Girl family members receive them."

"No need."

Jiang Si headed upstairs. "Just take care of yourself."

She wasn't surprised by his reaction.

Keke tossed the Bureau wristband onto the shoe cabinet. Wear it or not—she didn't have the patience to persuade him.

If something happened, it would be his own doing; it wouldn't be her problem.

After storing the leftovers in the fridge, Keke had little appetite and drank some water before going to her room.

After calling Captain Silver Lotus to tell her about the situation, Silver Lotus sounded a bit unhappy.

"How could he be like that? I'll go talk to him tomorrow!"

"Doesn't matter. Honestly, I think letting the Witch Association teach him a lesson wouldn't be so bad."

"As long as there's no life danger... Tomorrow I'll go speak to him. Keke, don't worry about it—I’ll tell him!"

"Don't worry. I'm used to it."

Listening to Yin Li's indignant voice, Keke couldn't help but laugh. "You used to defend Jiang Si so much before."

"Hmph. I said I'm impartial—only right and wrong matter, not the person. Same for Shion and Jiang Si."

"Okay, okay, perfectly fair and impartial Captain Silver Lotus."

With the phone pressed to her ear, Keke trimmed her toenails and asked, "You have the day off tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, I'm off."

"Why does your class, senior year one, have make-up classes on Saturdays?"

"Our class loves studying and asked for it..."

"Sure..."

Silver Lotus sighed. "Can't be helped. It's an advanced class—extra Saturday lessons are a must."

"Balancing school and Magical Girl duties—Silver Lotus is amazing."

"Just average. Hyacinth senior is better. After I handle your brother tomorrow, we'll go to Hyacinth senior for special training."

"Okay."

They chatted about typical girly things before Silver Lotus hung up.

Now she was sitting in the patrol car next to driver Yueji. After the call ended, Yueji slowly asked, "You didn't tell her Peony's evaluation of Jiang Si, did you?"

Silver Lotus rubbed her temples. "No need to bring it up now. It's not confirmed yet. If we later find there's nothing wrong, we'd only have needlessly worried Keke."

"Her tone didn't sound like someone who worries about her brother."

"The siblings seem to have a bad surface relationship, but as the only family they probably still care—maybe," Silver Lotus muttered. "And perhaps Peony's ability is malfunctioning—maybe she simply couldn't see Jiang Si before but could now."

"Unlikely. Peony said ever since you asked her to find him she couldn't see Jiang Si—past and present—until Jiang Si returned home."

Yueji looked worried. "Compared to the Azure Cloud Sect, Jiang Si's ties with the Witch Association are more likely. The Azure Cloud Sect only recruits Magical Girls, but Jiang Si contacted Witch Association members and, given his inexplicable physical strength, you must prepare yourself."

Silver Lotus sighed and leaned against the car window, staring into the dark outside.

This is really a big problem...