Lna

  ***

  Today, me and Lloyd are on an outing. Recently we learned about a special bakery that has been selling various suspicious goods. Now, it wasn’t suspicious in a criminal way, but suspicious in a reincarnation way. Not only that, but these goods were coming from someone our age. Although we don’t have any for sure proof, we think others are in the game as well. Well, we know now thanks to this girl in front of us. Nissia Carter, according to Lloyd’s memory, she’s one of the game’s many saint candidates. We know that she’s reincarnated because she introduced cinnamon buns into this world. Because of that, we made our way out here in secret with only a few guards with us, chief being Gavin. A man with a husky voice, who cimed to be as stealthy as a shadow…

  “Hey, wait!” Gavin called out to Nissia, who was making a run for it.

  “I told you this wouldn’t work.” I said.

  “Hurry up, they’re getting away!” Lloyd whispered to her, before following them.

  “I mean, she’s kind of slow, we got time.” I followed regardless.

  The two of us followed them around a corner and we saw Gavin holding Nissia with a hand over her mouth.

  “You know this looks bad…” I muttered.

  “Yeah, I think you’re right…” Lloyd agreed.

  “Ah, she saw us.” I said.

  “Stop right there evildoer!” A cheerful voice called out from the sky.

  In a beam of white light, a shadow appeared.

  “By the Moonlight Blossom’s glow, no evil shall escape my watch! Justice which shines from the moon bathes all in a pale light. All evil surrenders to the keeper of justice! Magical Girl Charming Melody!” The beam of light shattered into iridescent rose petals and in its center was a girl, no older than thirteen in a white and gold frilly dress with some sort of moon themed staff.

  “What?” Gavin asked.

  ““What?”” The two of us asked.

  “Why is there a magical girl here?” Lloyd asked.

  “I don’t know, you’re the one who pyed the game.” I reminded him.

  “Nothing like this ever happened.”

  “Do you think she’s reincarnated too?”

  “I’m not sure. There were random events in the game so maybe this is just a rare one?”

  “Well what do we do? Clearly she thinks Gavin is a kidnapper.”

  “I’m not sure. Should we just go out and expin things?”

  “What’s she doing?”

  “Is she going to attack?”

  “EVILBEGONE!” The magical girl said.

  And just like that, Gavin was gone. I saw a fsh of what looked like him flying off into the distance, but I can’t be sure.

  “Is… is he going to be alright?” I asked, looking off in the direction that he flew.

  “He’s an essential character, he’ll be fine.” Lloyd said.

  “I don’t think we can count on game logic…” I said.

  “Just don’t think about it.” He said. “How should we go about talking to them?”

  “Seriously, what if he died?” I asked. “How would we expin this to the others?”

  “Look. Just. Just forget about him.” He said. “Let’s-”

  “Don’t do drugs!” The magical girl said as she flew off into the night sky.

  ““…”” The two of us watched her go.

  “What kind of game did we get stuck in?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  “I…” Lloyd hesitated. “I don’t know…”

  Evelyn

  ***

  Great job me! Evil has been vanquished! Well, not really. I may have stopped some minor crimes, but I saw a lot of weird looking creatures in the woods as I was flying between towns. Flying down, I saw that they were demons, and there were a lot of them. It’s definitely going to take more than one night to deal with them all. Having dealt with as many as I could, I headed back home before the sun rose. Looks like I’m going to be sleeping in again. Flying in my window, I closed it and checked to see if anything was out of pce. As expected, everything was fine. No one came to visit me as I was away. Welp! Time to sleep! Let’s hope that I meet Orion again.

  Closing my eyes, I saw a fsh of memories from back in the Dark Woods. Using my breathing exercises, my mind cleared and soon I drifted off to sleep.

  Feeling my body in a dream-like state, I opened my eyes and found myself in a sea of stars. Both above and below me, they shone in every color imaginable with gaxies and nebus lighting up this dark pce. In front of me was a gazebo with a table set up as if for a tea party. Sitting there was my tutor, or rather my friend, Orion. She was a tall woman with raven bck hair in a fine bck suit. She is the sister of the moon goddess Celistia, and she has been watching over me for quite some time. Seeing me approach, she stood up and smiled.

  “Welcome back.” She greeted me. “How was your day?”

  “Pretty good.” I smiled, running up to hug her. “I went out and beat a bunch of criminals and demons.”

  “Good job.” She hugged me back. “Knowing you, they didn’t stand a chance.”

  “I sent a guy flying!” I said.

  “Very good.” She said.

  She patted my head and the stress from my day faded away. To think that this woman used to be my arch-nemesis! Oh yeah, I didn’t mention this earlier, but this woman is actually Madam Corvis Rue! Why don’t I vanquish her? Well, she’s a god, so I physically can’t, and her crimes didn’t really target individuals, just organizations. They are still crimes, but she didn’t go around waving a gun and robbing pces. Financial crimes are a bit beyond a humble magical girl, like myself. Not only that, but she’s been really rexed as of te and has even been teaching me various things! She’s a good person.

  Separating from her, she urged me to take a seat and I did so. I took a sip of tea as she took her seat. As always, it was delicious. Sinking into my chair, I feel at ease…

  Shadow 38

  ***

  Since Master Eytell inherited the Eytell family title, things have changed. He had become more busy managing nds and other responsibilities. Not only that but he needed to make various public appearances. Though he always seemed to be in a bad mood, he seemed even more irritable as of te. And he wasn’t the only one who changed. His wife, Lady Apine, had a sudden change of heart. Once a modest woman, she was funting her new found wealth and having parties with friends and family, all of it being paid for by the Eytell estate of course. I never took her for a particurly vish woman, but I suppose wealth changes people. We’re lucky that she isn’t involved with us.

  We expected that things would remain the same, however one day a piece of shocking information reached us. A letter from a group of mercenaries in the Dark Woods. A child by the name of Evelyn Eytell was found living in the forest. We were ordered to move immediately. The Royal hunt, which just so happened to be scheduled soon, was to be used as cover for our movements. The Regents easily changed the location of their hunt for a chance of rescuing the sole heir of the Eytell family.

  As the campsite for the Regents were set up, I was sent out to identify the child. Truth be told, I had my doubts, but soon enough I was to learn the truth. Arriving in the camp, I saw signs of a battle. Bloodstained tents being washed, injured being healed, and graves still being dug. Fearing for the safety of the child I quickly searched her out. She wasn't what I expected. The Eytells are known for having golden blond hair and bright eyes, this child had bck hair, and simirly dark eyes.

  Not taking her appearance at face value, I used the magical tool I was given. This device could read someone’s magical aura and determine their closest living retives, as long as their mana was already known. Given that only six of these exist in The Empire, this tool’s value was not to be underestimated. Sneaking up on her at night, I scanned the child as she seemed to gaze out bnkly at the sky. Sure enough three retives showed up. The former Duke and Duchess, as well as Master Eytell. This was the child. With her identity confirmed, I sent out a messenger bird and took up guard duties nearby.

  As I did so, I heard various… strange stories… As expected, not long ago the camp was attacked by demons. Not by any simple demon, but rather a swarm led by a talking demon. They were almost wiped out. And then Lady Eytell did something strange… She took the form of a goddess and defeated the demons with magic. It was unbelievable. Even as they talked about it I doubted my ears. One of their leaders, Aura, a former noble, ordered them to silence. It seems that they were afraid of the Empire knowing of her powers. For such a fanciful story, one wouldn’t need to do this. No one in their right mind would believe that a malnourished child could take the form of a goddess and defeat demons. When one lies, they do one of a few things. Make themselves seem better, make someone seem worse, or to hide an inconvenient truth. Why lie about a fairy tail. And what is this “pale moon” that they speak of?

  …

  Soon enough the escort arrived. With guards from the Regents, Eytell household, as well as other shadows such as myself, we brought Lady Eytell back to the Empire as quickly as possible. Upon my return I gave Master Eytell my report. He was doubtful, though he didn’t reject the rumor. I along with others was ordered to keep watch over Lady Eytell for any signs of this so-called goddess.

  …

  Lady Eytell is being bullied by Lady Apine and the servants she brought in. It started out with small slights. At first I thought the maids cked professionalism. However I noticed them speak up as soon as Lady Eytell came into earshot. “Disgusting” they called her. “Ghost,” “Ghoul,” “Cursed.” It wasn’t just me who was hearing this. Other Shadows reported hearing the same. Master Eytell seemed to brush them off. None of this name calling seemed to bother Lady Evelyn, however we still wrote down names.

  Soon things escated. Meals which were to help her in her recovery were deyed or simply “forgotten”. Again, nothing was done. Lady Eytell seemed to shift her activities into the night. For every meal that was kept from her, she entered the kitchen and ate something herself. There’s something that I have to note. Her meals weren’t something someone of her status should be eating. It’s not like she had the skill to cook something even remotely simir to that. They consisted of simple roasted meats, some left out fruits and raw grains. Again. Nothing was done. She didn’t compin and Master Eytell did nothing. I know I can’t show myself to her, but leaving her a treat should be allowed, right?

  Tutors which were supposed to come to teach her were fired, along with any servant who expressed their concern. It was obvious who was the culprit behind this. Lady Apine. One of the rare times the family ate together, Lady Apine expressed her desire for a grand party for one of her retives' friends, to which Lady Evelyn asked her how expensive it would be and even called it wasteful spending. I thought for sure that she was about to strike her. As Lady Eytell’s protector I know I shouldn’t think this, however I wish she did. At least then I could strike her down and we can all be done with her plotting. However as Master Eytell was there, she restrained herself.

  The pn for the party was dropped. Furthermore, all of Lady Apine’s future spending was closely monitored by Master Eytell. Overnight her access to the Eytell family’s purse strings was cut off. A small victory, though Lady Eytell’s treatment didn’t get any better. Rumors spread throughout the town about Lady Eytell. False stories of her cruelty towards servants and even to her own brother spread like wildfire. It was obvious who was responsible. In the end, Master Eytell did nothing. It seems like nothing will come of it unless Lady Eytell brings it up herself. However, if she knows, she doesn’t care. If she doesn’t, obviously, she can do nothing about it. Given that she has never left the estate, and has no one informing her about outside events, it’s clear that nothing will come of this. Like many of the other Shadows, I worry for her future.

  …

  I observed Lady Eytell as she wandered the estate grounds. As noted from other Shadows, she seems to have picked up swordsmanship. Given her ck of teachers, she is suspiciously skilled and getting better every day. Where has this knowledge come from?

  …

  One day, as the sun set, Lady Eytell’s movements became suspicious. She locked her door and covered every st gap that her room could be seen through. Once the windows were closed, something strange happened. She stood in the middle of her room and a fsh of light engulfed her. In a moment, her appearance changed. From a frail and deathly pale child, she turned into a healthy looking thirteen year old with long brown hair, a strange dress, and an even stranger staff.

  With a smile, she vanished from my sight. No, rather she became almost see through. I had to look closely to see her. It was as if I was looking at her reflection in a piece of gss. I could still see her, but also through her as well. She wasn’t quite invisible, but close to it. Next she moved to the window, opened it up, and flew out into the darkening sky. With the speed she was moving, I was unable to follow her even if she had moved on a surface I could stand on.

  I quickly ran to inform Master Eytell. Us Shadows that were on the property were put into high alert and waited for several anxious hours… Eventually she returned. After closing the window, she became visible, returned to her normal body, and simply went to sleep as if nothing happened. As she slept, I informed Master Eytell as other Shadows inspected her for any abnormalities. Aside from her obvious health issues, she seemed fine.

  The next day, reports come in from a town in the distance about an abnormal incident. Apparently a girl was spotted flying through the sky by one of our Shadows, along with several beams of light across various known demon nests. The description of the girl matched what I saw Lady Eytell transform into. Not only that, but Shadows who were guarding the regent’s children heard the name “Magical Girl Charming Melody” along with a bright fsh.

  Clearly, that is what this form is called, though what exactly a Magical Girl was, is unknown. Obviously it means a girl who is magical, however that alone would include every female noble as well as a sizable number of commoners. Lacking information, we were ordered to simply observe.

  …

  Over the past month, Lady Eytell has left the Estate multiple times as this “Magical Girl.” With each of her outings, the name was heard more and more from commoners, and known nests of demons which even knights would have trouble with, were cleared out in fshes of light. It would seem that this “Magical Girl” was stopping petty crimes and destroying demons. Could Lady Eytell be the reincarnation of the saint? No, its unlikely. Every saint, without fail, had blond hair. Although Lady Eytell had blond hair, the Magical Girl does not. Not only that, but she's wiping out demons with ease. Even saints of the past have difficulty fighting them. Only a god has that much power, but Lady Eytell was no god. Melody however…

  Grayburne