V4: Chapter 36: Shirayuri-sama and the Fox Priestess... What's this?

Chapter 36: Shirayuri-sama and the Fox Priestess... What's this?

Tension filled the room.

I braced myself, expecting the village chief to attack, but perhaps because the Magical Girl was there, he didn't seem to have any intention of doing so... he slumped to the floor in disappointment.

"...Since things have come to this, I'll tell you everything. This village once had a guardian deity named Shirayuri-sama..."

Shirayuri Village.

According to him, long ago, this village had a guardian deity in the form of a fox named Shirayuri-sama. She helped the villagers who were attacked by outsiders every day, and was a good neighbor to them. The relationship with this guardian deity began to change only in the last few years.

"Shirayuri-sama suddenly... requested a sacrifice. At first, I refused, saying I couldn't do such a thing. But the next day... the next day... my wife was gone...!"

The village chief's shoulders trembled with anger and sorrow as he recounted the story. He must have been remembering the horrific scene. Although what he had done should never be forgiven, it was... an unbelievable act.

"I heard that my son and daughter were next, and I... what have I done...!"

"Grandpa..."

The man known as Sadamune approached the man who had knelt before him. The village chief must have been fighting doubt and fear alone.

What's done is done; all we, who live in the present, can change is... the present and the future.

"President Squire."

"I know, Satellite."

I waved my wand and transformed into a Magical Girl in a pink outfit. The reason I transformed here was to express my intentions for what was about to happen.

"Will you guide us to that Shirayuri-sama?" (Chinatsu)

"Yes, that's about all I can do... So at least..."

For Squire, who can read memories, guidance wouldn't be necessary. Even so, the fact that she asked him for help... must be her way of showing consideration.

".... Please destroy this custom...!"

"Leave it to us!" (Shizuku)

We nodded to each other and slowly began walking towards the back of the mountain.

The time for the decisive battle... was fast approaching.

★

"…That's certainly creepy." (Shizuku)

"It's not a ghost, it's an external enemy, right? Then it should be easy, right?" (Amane)

"I hope so…" (Chloe)

We walked through the dimly lit forest with the now-dejected village chief and Sadamune. Even though it was daytime, the sky was cloudy and the dense foliage made it quite dark.

Deep in the forest, even further in.

Standing before a moss-covered, crumbling shrine, 'something' seemed to recognize us, turning a head-like part towards us.

"A SACRIFICE… GIVE ME!"

"I can't bear to hear that."　

The area was filled with ominous magic. A colossal body reaching towards the sky, a black, grotesque form resembling a mollusk or mud. It was undeniably there, possessing a will of its own.

It must have realized we had no intention of offering a sacrifice. From its eyes, which shouldn't have been there, I sensed a clear intention to harm us!　

"Gwooooooooooooo!"　

A rumbling sound, like an earthquake, echoed throughout the area, shaking the trees.

That gigantic body raised its arms and moved towards us────　

"───Crush it, [Ice Mirror]."　

───It was crushed in a single blow by a gigantic Ice Mirror that appeared from above. A heavy thud echoed, and the ground literally shook.

The battle… ended in one blow.

Even if it was the type that needed its core destroyed, regeneration would be difficult since its entire body was flattened.

"What...?" (Sadamune)

"It's... alright. It's a level that even Flamma can handle." (Shizuku)

"That easily...?" (Village Chief)

Ignoring the bewildered village chief, I approached the crushed giant. Well, I had anticipated this; after all, we are the cornerstone of this country's defense.

We are the TOP of the Top. 

If I can defeat the Demon King alone, how could this full team possibly struggle?

"To think something of this level was hiding... it must have been specialized in stealth?" (Chloe)

"If we missed it when the gate opened, the search would be difficult." (Chinatsu)

That said, it would have been a tough job for anyone but a mid-level or higher magical girl. And I was hoping that the materials from this Enemy could at least be used for the village's reconstruction... but I can't think of a use for this amorphous mud. It seems cursed, too.

"I've been looking around, but... there's something inside the shrine." (Tinkerbell)

"Really? Could it be a survivor of a shipwreck...?" (Shizuku)

With a single-minded hope, I approached the crumbling shrine. It must have been a magnificent building once, but... due to the passage of time and what seemed to be the aftermath of an old battle, it was now a shadow of its former self.

I felt a force repelling something from the shrine, but...

"Hmph!"

As I brought my right arm closer, something invisible crumbled away with a shattering sound. I heard a sound like something bouncing inside; the creature inside was probably still... alive.

"....help me....?"

I froze for a moment at what I saw inside the shrine. It wasn't a human... it was a fox with two tails. It wasn't injured, but it seemed to be malnourished. It looked like it could die at any moment.

"Help you... no, wait I'm scared of echinococcus..." (Shizuku)

"Oh dear, isn't this child..." (Lux)

To put it simply, I was conflicted about what to do with this fox. It was unusual, but I couldn't handle the care it would have afterward... and above all, I was scared of echinococcus...

"Hey! I don't have any infectious diseases, just help me already!"

The voice boomed, and I was a split second late in realizing it was coming from the fox. The village chief, who had been watching, came walking towards us with unsteady steps.

"Shirayuri...-sama?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for my pathetic state..."

It seemed to have been a touching reunion, but even so, we couldn't keep up with this turn of events.

★

"To put it simply, she's a demon. And a type similar to us succubi." (Lux)

While Lux was explaining this, the girl with fox ears continued to munch on the sweets we had.

A two-tailed fox... or rather, a girl with thick eyebrows and fox ears, who had transformed from a fox completely devoid of dignity.

"I used to be quite the 'glamorous' girl no ja!" she claimed, but even that seemed questionable.

"Are you... Shirayuri-sama?"

"Yes, I was living quietly in this village... but a few years ago, that monster started to take up residence here."

It seems she had been holed up in that shrine, pursued by that monster. That explains why the monster and the cross-dressing custom didn't quite fit together. I wondered if perhaps the original Shirayuri had transformed...

"She seems quite familiar with our culture for a demon..."

"When I speak like this, boys react well. They're happy saying things like, 'Noja loli?'"

It was a rather mundane reason, but if she possessed succubus-like characteristics, it might make sense.

Choking on a chocolate pie, she washed it down with orange juice and continued to nourish herself with potato chips in one hand.

Before I knew it, a third tail had sprouted.

"So... why did you start that cross-dressing custom?"

"Of course little girls are cute, but... there's something really good about seeing cute boys wearing girls' clothes, looking embarrassed... it's really arousing..."

"Hey shouldn't we just eliminate this guy as an External Enemy?"

That was a pretty messed-up reason, or rather, a perversion.

Probably for food... but how many boys and girls' sexual desires has this guy corrupted by?

★

"Ugh... Okay, I should be able to move somewhat without problems now... I'm so grateful again, Magical Girl Satelli—..... hmm ... Magical Girl Satellite!? Please, please, please don't destroy me...!" (Shirayuri)

"I'm famous, aren't I?" (Satellite)

"Well, of course. Satellite, who defeated the Demon King, is famous in the demon world, regardless of good or evil, right?" (Lux)

Seeing her trembling and clutching her shoulders, I started to feel like I was the bad guy. And I hadn't even used a single magic yet.

"I'm not going to do anything, and besides, it was Gracia ​​who defeated that monster..."

"There are two TOP Magical Girl here?!... It's over for me! It's over..."

It would be disgusting to finish off the little fox girl now that she's started crying even more. But leaving her alone is a little scary too. If I wanted to clear up the blame completely, it would be easier to just destroy her here.

"T-Then how about this! I can grant you power! But only to those with talent!" (Shirayuri)

"No, I don't need it..." (Shizuku)

What am I supposed to fight against if I'm given any more power? I'd rather lose, actually.

Contrary to my feelings, reality was cruel.

"Only Satellite-sama is suitable..." (Tinkerbell)

I really don't need it, seriously. I want to refuse with all my might. But Shirayuri-sama, still terrified, seemed confused and unreasonable, and it seemed the conversation wouldn't progress unless I accepted.

Reluctantly, truly reluctantly, I indicated my agreement...

"Well, if that's the case, I suppose I'll take it?"

"You want it after all!? Heh heh, leave it to me!"

The fox girl, finally able to understand, crossed her arms with a smug look on her face.

This is so annoying, can I just go home...?

"If you go home now... things will get... complicated." (Squire)

"I know, I know, but..." (Satellite)

"I'll pour my magic into you and awaken a special power. You'll be able to use supernatural powers and your strength will increase, you know? Amazing, right!" (Shirayuri)

It was a power that was way too late now, I'm definitely not going to use it.

"Hmm... oh, what talent you have. My magic is pouring in like the ocean..." (Shirayuri)

"Ah, I see (monotone)" (Satellite)

I got tired of trying to pretend and answered naturally, but I could definitely feel an unknown power flowing into me. But how long is she planning to pour it in?

"Whoa, what talent... no, wait a minute, that talent is just too big...!" (Shirayuri)

The number of tails was rapidly decreasing, and even when it was down to just one, it didn't seem like it would be full, so I instinctively pushed her away. 　

"Ah... ah... I almost died...!" 

Shirayuri-sama, looking younger than before, cautiously observed my expression.　

"You, who are so loved by magic, what do you intend to fight?" (Shirayuri)

"I wonder what I intend to fight..." (Satellite)

"Such wonderful magic, I'm getting drunk ♡" (Shirayuri)

"Please, please, give me some break...!" (Satellite)

This matter was left under the purview of the association, requiring further observation. It seems that interaction between moderate demons and humans had already begun before Lux and I met.

★

On the way back from the forest, the two villagers had complicated expressions on their faces. Many emotions must be swirling within them... but even if I spoke to them, it probably wouldn't improve things much.

"Your sins... will be judged in the appropriate place later. Until then, don't die, and atone for them." (Squire)

"You saw through everything... As expected of someone from the Magical Girl Association..." (Village Chief)

"That is the only atonement that can be performed for the dead." (Squire)

It seems Squille has finished her conversation with the village chief, so that should be the end of it for now.

I was about to turn on my heel and head back to the car, but... something felt wrong with my body.

I was hot, burning hot, my head and bottom were burning hot. Thinking I might have been poisoned, I turned towards Shirayuri-sama, and at that moment...

"Satellite, you..." (Gracia)

"Well, well, you look quite cute, don't you?" (Lux)

"...Huh?" (Satellite)

A mirror made of ice slowly approached me. On my head, which was as cute as ever, were... fluffy fox ears. And from my backside, two fluffy tails had sprouted. 

"What does this mean, Shirayuri-sama?!" 

"What's that? I don't know... it's scary. Maybe your affinity for magic was too high..."

Since it would disappear once I got used to manipulating magic, I gave up, got into the car to avoid being seen, and left the village.

Unbeknownst to me... four 'beasts' were watching my retreating figure.

★

In the end, the incident in Shirayuri Village came to a close. While not the best possible outcome, it was probably the best possible result in that situation. After all, we can neither change the past nor resurrect the dead.

The atmosphere in the car wasn't exactly somber...

That's because everyone was captivated by me... my ears and tail. I certainly didn't have the courage to revert to my civilian form with my tail still attached.

"Oh my, Satellite-chan has turned into a fox, hasn't she?" (Lux)

"Those really are fox ears. The smell...it doesn't smell that much like an animal, does it?" (Chloe)

"Hey, stop rubbing them... and don't smell them!" (Satellite)

It was a complicated feeling to have my fox ears being messed with as they pleased, especially since I already had human ears. But the fact that I wasn't too confused was probably a benefit of my high aptitude, right?

"Hey, Amane-chan and Chinatsu-chan, why are you grabbing my tail..." (Satellite)

"Really, sorry. Fluffiness... is good for motion sickness." (Chinatsu)

"Wow, it's so soft and cute! Satellite-sama's tail... huehehe." (Amane)

Even though getting carsick was unavoidable, this was tough.

My tail was being grabbed from both sides, and my ears were being played with from behind. I was already confused by the sudden appearance of unfamiliar organs on my body, and then this treatment... I just couldn't bear it. Or rather, I'm just unfamiliar with how to apply pressure and move it.

"Sigh, haa..."

The tail, which is being sniffed with a face buried in it, feels more than just itchy...

"W-wait a minute... any more than this...♡" (Satellite)

"It's fine, isn't it? It's not like anything's going to be lost." (Chinatsu)

"It's not going to be lost, but... my dignity...♡" (Satellite)

My tail and ears were incredibly sensitive, no... too sensitive. I suppose it can't be helped since I'm a half animal now, but I could feel the touch of their fingers and even the breathing of their buried face.

"Mmmph, you're gripping a little too tight..." (Chinatsu)

"Thanks, but really, I can't.....ughhh ♡"

He's holding me tightly in both arms, I wasn't told I'd be this sensitive...!

"Hmm, oh my, you twitched? So you can feel it, huh?" (Lux)

"You're so cute, like a pet, hehe." (Chloe)

Don't blow so hard on me, I'm at my limit.

"Ah, I love you, Satellite-sama ♡ Kiss kiss ♡" (Amane)

"Wait, hold on───'Ahhhh' ♡"

As I felt her lips pressing against my tail, my body twitched and stiffened. I tried to move to escape the pleasure, but the seatbelt wouldn't allow it. My only luck was that Chinatsu-chan was the only one who noticed my condition.

"I-I'm so sorry... Please stop at the next service area..." (Satellite)

"Sorry, Satellite. Fluffy~" (Chinatsu)

"Ugh!? Again...!?" (Satellite)

For now, I firmly resolved to always carry a stuffed animal with me when riding in the car with Chinatsu.