Ch.1818. Before Epilogue – Success, Escape.

Yes, if you’re asked a question, you’ll focus on that person.

So, I just need to deliver this gift to the Association President later without asking any questions and then leave.

The first question came from a man seated at the back, opposite from where I was sitting.

“Thank you for always saving us citizens! Do you have a most memorable battle…?”

Blanc, seated on the stage, spoke into the microphone.

“Ah… my most memorable battle… Several come to mind. Handling the monster that appeared in the Han River during a solo mission was memorable, but hmm. I think it would be that time.”

If it’s a battle memorable for Blanc, it should be at least that level.

Fighting me is just like a warm-up exercise for her.

That’s what I thought to myself as I quietly listened.

“Indeed, my first battle remains most vivid in my memory. Looking back, I should have caught Vine then. Ah. Really… it’s such a shame. That cheeky little brat has grown too much.”

What did she just say?

Cheeky little brat? She thinks she’s not a brat herself?

She’s a student too, so what? Hah. Really.

“There are many other memorable moments, but meeting Vine for the first time that day stands out. A persistent nemesis, indeed. Next question, please?”

Before I knew it, the microphone had been passed to a child in front.

Fortunately, the child was sitting in a direction away from me, so I could avoid Blanc’s gaze coming my way.

But then, the child’s question was,

“Big sister Blanc! So who wins when you fight Vine? That small Vine, if you go like this! You could catch her right away! She looks smaller than me and seems weaker too. Is a strong magical girl like you just going easy on her?”

What?

A question I could hardly ignore pierced my ears.

Well, let’s hear what Blanc has to say.

“Ahaha… Vine is stronger than our friend here thinks? Despite looking young, she’s an enemy whose thoughts are hard to read. After every battle ends, the weakness I discovered disappears, making her such a troublesome opponent. Besides, while her basic physical abilities might be slightly inferior, she uses such a variety of weapons that she’s difficult to figure out. From the start, even in close combat as you mentioned, Vine evades very well. With that small body of hers.”

“B-but! Big sister Blanc, one hit with that finishing move would take Vine out right away! The one that knocked down that huge monster in one shot!!”

“Haha… If you mean that technique called the finishing move, Vine would probably dodge it. Easily. It takes a lot of preparation time, and the preparatory movements are already all in Vine’s head. Vine is a clever enemy. Quite so. That’s what makes her annoying. Really. Just like her alias, ‘Tendril.'”

How annoying. She has the nerve to say that while being Eden’s biggest obstacle.

Even for such an irritating and annoying woman, our Eden can accept everyone.

I need to make a special effort to save that Blanc.

To Eden, our ideal paradise realized in full.

How much time passed during the Q&A session?

Some asked about the daily life of magical girls,

While some adults asked the Association President about policy matters.

As time flowed toward the end,

An employee, thinking the question time was wrapping up, announced to everyone:

“It seems we’re running out of questions. So, we’ll conclude our schedule here! Ah, for autographs and other personal requests… Oh, you’re okay with that? Yes, those who wish may come up to the platform! Please maintain order. It would be heartbreaking if you came all this way only to return home injured!”

I had originally planned to hand this box to the Association President personally, but I didn’t expect they’d create time like this.

Hmm, most people went to Blanc, with few approaching the Association President.

Indeed, people prefer magical girls to old men like him.

So, I could approach the Association President more easily.

“Um, excuse me…”

“Ah, young friend! Why come to me instead of Blanc over there?”

“I-I… grateful for your hard work… M-my mother asked me to give you this…!”

And I handed over the candy box I had been holding.

Inside was a bomb, though.

It wouldn’t activate unless the Association President himself opened it, and due to the illusion technique, even if someone else opened it, they wouldn’t notice.

Plus, the bomb would only activate when the Association President was alone, or if opened, it would remain undetectable.

A gift solely meant to eliminate the Association President, the leader.

Not a gift for the Association President,

But a gift for Eden. A gift to help bring salvation to this world faster.

“Oh? Th-thank you! Please tell your mother I’ll enjoy it. I’m truly grateful. And thank you too.”

Of course, I’m grateful too.

For accepting the bomb yourself.

“Y-yes! Hehe…!”

And I ran away as if embarrassed. Perfect.

Since the event was ending anyway, I could simply go down the stairs and exit through the main entrance, easily completing my mission.

Hah, I’m really tired today.

To be this exhausted when the sun hasn’t even set yet.

I guess even villains experience mental stress.

After leaving the Association, I attempt to communicate with Ellie.

Inside the Association, she could only receive my video and audio.

Now I want to hear Ellie’s voice too.

Couldn’t even communicate like this inside the Association since we might get caught.

“Ellie!! I finished everything! Did you see it all?”

“Yes! Vine, you did well! They said you can return now. Come back quickly. I miss you so much!”

“Me too, Ellie. Sigh. I want to take off this disguise quickly. It’s really not a character that suits me.”

“You need to remove the disguise after going a bit further. We can’t let your hidden identity be exposed!”

“Ellie, I know. When I get back to headquarters, I’m going to eat candy.”

“Hmm, if you mean the candy box, Section Chief 4 earlier…”

“What?! Him again?! Ugh, this won’t do. For our ideal, I should beat up Section Chief 4 first…”

“Vine! Be patient for now. I have plenty of candy too. I’ll feed you, so let’s postpone punishing Section Chief 4. Okay? You have a mission today too.”

“Sigh, that’s right. Realizing our ideal is really difficult. Yeah.”

“But the world we’ll create with the Boss will truly be fulfilling.”

“Right. Ellie, can you check around? Is it okay to remove my disguise around here?”

“Yes, no surveillance, come back quickly.”

“Okay, I’m coming.”

Today, I should ask Ellie to let me rest my head on her lap.

* * *

The Association President looked down at the gift box he had received from a young girl.

A meticulous box with small jewel decorations.

After barely shaking off staff members who insisted he shouldn’t take it because they didn’t know what was inside,

And after passing a few inspections, he brought in the box.

“Hmm, it’s from a child. What’s there to worry about?”

Saying that, the Association President slightly twisted the latch on the box to unlock it.

The hinges unfolded, opening the wooden box.

Inside were numerous fruit-flavored candies.

That girl also had a subtle fruit scent about her.

Blanc had looked at the child with slightly suspicious eyes,

But after observing carefully, she had returned saying the child was cute.

Remembering this, the Association President put the fruit-scented sincerity of that cute girl into his mouth.

A sweet grape-flavored candy.

For the sake of ensuring that the smiles of such small and precious children would not disappear, Eden must never be allowed to rule this world,

Today too, the Association President gained strength from this thought.

* * *

That day, at Eden headquarters.

Section Chief 4 entered the meeting with a blackened face.

I didn’t know why, but Ellie had returned the candy box to my room, so it should be fine.

I received a lap pillow and pats from Ellie.

Well, actually, Ellie barely stopped me from immediately firing a laser at Section Chief 4’s room for complete annihilation.

If Ellie hadn’t stopped me, the Boss would have had to appoint a new Section Chief 4.

But why is that Section Chief 4 sunburned?

He must have been hit by a bomb while out on a mission, as there were burn marks scattered on his head.

“Hey, Section Chief 4. You know you’re alive thanks to Ellie. Otherwise, the Boss would have been appointing your successor.”

“Hey, squirt. Sigh. Never mind. How did you…”

“What?”

At that moment, the Boss interrupted our conversation with his dignified voice and issued an order.

“Both of you, be quiet. Section Chief 4, ensure you maintain a neat appearance when attending meetings. Vine, have you completed preparations for today’s mission?”

“Yes. Everything from monster preparations to testing the new weapons is complete. I await your orders.”

“Good, I believe my most trusted Vine can handle it. I’m rooting for you.”

“Thank you! I will certainly live up to your support!”

“Our Eden is not far from achieving its aspiration. Everyone, let’s do our best until the end for the world we dream of.”

All the executives in the meeting room chanted in unison.

The contradictory evil named Eden has begun its song.

There is nothing that can stop it.