"The World's Enemy, which had engulfed the entire building, was certainly a formidable entity, but that alone wasn’t enough. After all, the World’s Enemy was prey that heroes, villains, and magical girls could handle with relative ease.
Even within this building, the sa principle applied. This was the headquarters of a villainous organization. Most of its mbers were either close to ordinary humans or even weaker. However, not everyone fit that mold.
'Hmm— A blackout followed by monsters like these? How inconvenient.'
There were those whose physical abilities far surpassed even the average superhuman, individuals who could endure a nuclear explosion right in front of them, and even mages who had transcended logic after arriving from another world.
If the World’s Enemy were the only adversary, these individuals could resolve the situation given enough ti. Yes, if the enemies were solely monsters and enough ti was afforded to them.
However, their enemies were not limited to the monsters, and ti was certainly not on their side.
'What the hell is this thing? Ugh, why is it so slimy—?'
One creature, immune to physical attacks, devoured a brawny fool who relied solely on muscle.
'Ugh—!? Wait, is this... is this bad?'
The owner of an impenetrable barrier that could withstand even nuclear blasts was overwheld by sheer numbers.
'Oops, got after all.'
A grand mage who had transcended reason fell victim to a trap that was impossible to evade upon the first encounter.
Having dealt with the executive officers of the villainous organization one by one, Aile turned her gaze once again toward the scientist, biting her lip hard. Beyond the darkness, deeper into the building, Snowah and Eight were holding hands.
'That damned bitch...!'
Aile clenched her teeth so tightly that a small fragnt broke off. Then she recalled the captured mbers of the villainous organization and the citizens she had taken outside, letting out a sly grin.
Yes, she had co up with an excellent way to tear those two apart—or better yet, make them fight against each other.
'Let’s see just how virtuous you can be.'
Aile’s magic once again engulfed the entire building.
*****
I pointed to the suddenly revealed monsters. Although they surrounded us from both the front and back, unlike the previous creatures we had encountered, these ones showed no signs of hostility.
Considering how the other monsters had imdiately charged at us or lashed out with tentacles upon seeing us, this was truly peculiar.
"...You’re right. They’re not attacking us."
"What kind of event is this...?"
"Can’t you figure it out with that brilliant brain of yours?"
"Even I can’t deduce everything just by looking at it, you know?"
Snowah, still harboring the earlier incident in her mind, made a sarcastic jab at . Before we could argue further, the faces of the shadowy monsters began to crack. The darkness shattered, and light returned to their features, partially restoring their human appearances.
"Wh-what is this—?"
"What’s going on...?"
"Save —please!"
Behind us, five civilians scread in terror.
"Eight? What’s going on—why are you there—"
In front of us stood Vira, an executive of the villainous organization, calmly trying to assess the situation.
Voices ca at us from both directions. While the civilians were frantic, crying for help, Vira began recounting her experience with a cold deanor.
"I was fighting the monsters, got caught. I don’t rember much after that. And now, I’m here."
"Understood. Vira, just stay where you are. I’ll co back to save you later."
"Later? That’s cold—can’t you save a little faster?"
As we exchanged lighthearted remarks, a sharp scream erupted from the civilians’ side. Turning around, I saw that their bodies were slowly vanishing.
"Save ! My—my arm! My leg!"
"Aaagh! It’s happening to too!"
"What the hell is this?! What’s going on?!"
While the panicked civilians scread, even the composed Vira quietly spoke up.
"...Eight? My body feels... off too."
"Ah—don’t tell ."
With my sharp mind, I quickly grasped the situation.
In front of us stood an executive of the villainous organization.
Behind us were five civilians.
...And now, both groups were simultaneously disappearing.
It didn’t take long to understand what was happening. This was a scenario I had often discussed with Aile.
The Trolley Dilemma.
Aile was forcing to make a choice. My comrades or the civilians—she wanted to choose which side to save.
*****
"Pffft—ahaha!"
Watching from the shadows, Aile burst out laughing. Look at that bewildered face. That’s what happens when you hang around with a bitch like her.
No matter what choice he made here, Eight would inevitably end up separated from Snowah. A magical girl like Snowah would undoubtedly choose the civilians, while Aile knew Eight’s personality well enough to be sure he’d save the one person he was familiar with over strangers.
‘Go ahead, fight. Let the rift between you two grow deeper and deeper—until it’s completely irreparable.’
Even if they didn’t fight here, it didn’t matter. There were still plenty of sacrifices left. Aile had plenty more dilemmas in store to tornt Eight.
However—
—You’ve crossed the line, Aile.
Suddenly, Eight spoke. Aile tilted her head, puzzled, as she watched him.
—Did you really think that throwing into a situation where I had to choose would make abandon one side?
What she didn’t know was that Eight wasn’t that kind of person. He’d always find a way to save everyone, even if it ant sacrificing himself. He’d never blindly accept the solutions others forced upon him.
In an instant, Eight pulled sothing from his pocket and activated it.
Aile’s eyes widened in disbelief as the hostages standing before Eight vanished in the blink of an eye.
—We’ll et soon, and then you’re getting a spanking.
"Ugh—!"
At those words, Aile felt her heart pound wildly in her chest. She knew it was wrong, but she almost considered sneaking him into her room...
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