Episode 144 – The Lord of Endless Evolution (4)
“Here it comes.”
“Go ahead and meet them.”
In the dim sea, they peered into an endless darkness from the deck of a stealthy warship.
Karin, who had been yawning next to Lee Min-hyung, was the first to notice. Soon, everyone’s gaze turned in that direction. The justifications were certainly present here, but a strange tension lingered in the air.
The opponent was a reckless individual who would not hesitate to use any means necessary, facing down an entire nation alone.
“I didn’t expect you guys to be waiting for me. How did you know?”
Someone swiftly crossed the dark sky and landed right at the edge of the deck. The metallic sound of landing echoed as a silver armor glinted in the flashing lights.
“I am an official of the Republic of Korea, combating chaos, and we are the Frontier, a coalition of magical girls and humanity protecting the order and justice of our land.”
Lee Min-hyung, slightly flinching at Shia’s unwavering stare, introduced their group first.
At the same time, Shia’s eyes sparkled. The magical girls gathered from Korea were distinctly different from the ones modified with Razak’s essence seen in China.
“Who are you, unidentified magical girl? Unauthorized aliens are not allowed in our land.”
Lee Min-hyung questioned her identity, something no one had heard until now.
“I am…”
But this time, she did not hide herself.
“I am Magical Girl Shia.”
Placing her hand on her chest, it was the moment when her identity and name were revealed for the first time. Everyone was shocked by her unexpectedly candid demeanor.
“Alright, Magical Girl Shia. Which country do you hail from?”
“I cannot say.”
In response to Lee Min-hyung’s question, Shia glanced at Tigger on her shoulder. Tigger shook its head, signaling her to withhold information. Thus, Shia did not speak the truth about her homeland.
“…Then what exactly is your purpose? Why do you wish to come to our land?”
“To meet Takilas.”
“!!!”
Their impromptu immigration check collapsed in just two questions. Everyone buzzed with turmoil at her nonchalant statement.
For everyone present, the name was certainly not light.
Lee Min-hyung bit his lip, and Karin sighed, shaking her head. The others shared similar reactions.
“Why do you want to meet that girl? Don’t judge hastily. She’s not someone you can easily approach.”
In the midst of this, a new question was posed by Aria, who was standing a step back.
“…You.”
At that moment, Shia was startled to see Aria, who had her arms crossed, standing back.
Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Aria hesitated for a moment.
They were already acquaintances. Back then, however, Aria was merely a fragment of a soul, while Shia was busy summoning Asmael.
“That can’t be.”
“W-what are you doing? Stop right there! Now!”
Regardless of the shock around them, Shia fixed her gaze on Aria and slowly walked toward her. Those around her aimed their guns to try to stop her, but halting her steps was impossible.
“Stop it.”
A flustered Aria hurriedly jumped forward to block her. Shia’s footsteps came to a halt right in front of Aria.
Though both appeared to be of similar age, they stood facing each other mere inches apart.
“I see it. Though faint, I can clearly see it. The fate you carry.”
“You…”
“The candidate for the hero who everyone thought would not appear in this era.”
Shia’s holy power of insight perceived something akin to Takilas’. Takilas had initially discovered and led the efforts to unearth Aria’s heroic qualities, which now caught Shia’s attention as she had rapidly matured.
“Explain why you’re acting this way, starting from the beginning.”
Aria, trying to hide her bewilderment, reflexively grabbed Shia’s hand as it reached up to touch her cheek. Despite holding Aria’s hand, Shia remained in a trance-like state.
It was as if she were spellbound.
Aria couldn’t help but recall something familiar when she looked into those eyes. It was as if a young fan was seeing their beloved celebrity in person for the first time.
“A holy and pure power, selected by fate and trials, rests within you as the next hero! It is time for you to step forward. Even now, wicked villains are performing human sacrifices to empower themselves with blood and life. Please save this world that is suffering and becoming tainted.”
“W-what?!”
Caught off guard by Shia suddenly kneeling and appealing to her, Aria hurriedly looked around.
But everyone around was equally shocked, eyes wide open as they witnessed this unexpected situation.
Karin discreetly took a step back.
“W-what are you talking about?”
“I understand. Originally, there was no saint to guide the hero, so I can imagine how confused you must feel.”
Rising from her spot, Shia nodded knowingly. Her heart was pounding wildly.
A genuine saint who helps heroes fight evil was a destiny she had long dreamed of.
Yet, Aria couldn’t wrap her head around the situation where a girl who seemed only a year or two younger than herself suddenly knelt and spoke of heroism.
“But born under the star of heroes, it should be fine now. I will help you eradicate all the evil in this world!”
“W-what?!”
Aria gasped in panic and struggled as Shia grabbed her hand. However, Shia’s strength had the upper hand.
“Director.”
“Let’s pull back. It seems we’ve encountered an unforeseen variable. Still, no bloodshed has occurred, so that’s enough.”
With a sigh, Lee Min-hyung began preparations for withdrawal.
*
“Good. Now let’s have a serious discussion.”
“No, please let go of that girl first.”
“There is no one here who can do what you can’t do by force, Aria.”
In a covert space prepared inside the warship, Lee Min-hyung chuckled while looking at the girls sitting across from him.
As Aria expressed her frustration, Shia fixated her gaze solely on her.
“I can’t understand your words. Things like being a hero or destiny.”
Aria, taken aback by Shia’s sparkling childlike eyes, evaded her attempts to hold her hand.
“I understand completely.”
Shia was still in a daze meeting her long-cherished idol.
She had longed to learn about the mindset and behavior of a saint, which included educating and guiding the heroes.
Heroes often don’t realize they are heroes. Thus, the saint always helped awaken them and lead them on the right path.
Empowering them to possess the strength to slay the demon king and fighting alongside them with their lives. Saints and heroes were one.
“I am not a hero. I… I failed.”
“No, the power you possess is evident. Additionally, no failure can bring a hero to their knees.”
Aria shook her head as she recalled her own corrupt descent, reflecting on her past failures.
However, Shia’s stance remained firm. To her, the hero was an integral part of her faith, making denial impossible.
“I will help you. We must fight together, Hero.”
“Slaying? What exactly are we fighting against?”
Lee Min-hyung, who had been quietly listening to Shia’s remarks with sparkling eyes, interjected just then. Alongside this, Shia’s expression changed as she answered, almost incredulously.
“Naturally, the evil of this world.”
“So what exactly is that evil? For instance, is it the incident currently happening in China?”
“If you are willing to side with justice, you must act. The magical girls too.”
With an encounter with an unexpected hero, Shia, filled with determination, shared the information she had gathered about the unfolding situation on the continent.
The details were shocking enough that even Aria gasped, and Lee Min-hyung’s expression stiffened.
“The more you hesitate, the more lives will be lost. If no one steps up, we cannot stop them.”
“…It’s a matter of a foreign land. It’s not easy to move.”
His utmost priority was national interest. Ultimately, the magical girls, too, were part of the populace. For the sake of judgment, he could not carelessly mobilize them.
“However, it’s true that a line has been crossed.”
Aria murmured under her breath, reflecting those sentiments.
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