Chapter 61: The Round God's Emissary! Civil War: Illusory God vs. Za Warudo!
『 "Mami Senpai, do you still remember why Bebe came to be with you?" Homura asked casually.
"Ah, that, it feels like it happened a long, long time ago," Mami Senpai's eyes flickered with recollection.
"Back then, there was only one magical girl in Mitakihara City."
"The only one who supported and encouraged me was Bebe. If it weren't for this child, I definitely wouldn't have made it." Bebe lay on Mami Senpai's black stockings, and Mami Senpai gently stroked Bebe's head.
However, what made Mami Senpai happier now was that she had gathered so many companions around her.
Madoka, Kyoko, Homura, and Sayaka were all capable of standing on their own.
"But now that I think about it, maybe these are the days I used to dream of—a way of life that accepts the fate of being a magical girl."
"I can't believe it's this fulfilling and happy."
Madoka also showed a happy, blissful smile; she felt the same way.
"Mami Senpai, could you get me another cup of water?" Homura requested.
"Ah, my apologies, how thoughtless of me. I'll go boil some water right away," Mami Senpai turned to leave. Homura transformed into a magical girl without the slightest hesitation.
Madoka was startled, but Homura had already activated 'Za Warudo!'
Everything around them froze solid!
The tenderness in Homura's eyes turned dark and icy. She grabbed the equally frozen Bebe with one hand.
Under Homura's control, Bebe recovered from the stasis, and the doll clutched in the girl's hand immediately let out an unknown whimper.
"The farce ends here. I remember your true identity. I remember who you used to be. Fabricating everyone's memories and trapping us inside a false Mitakihara barrier."
"Only you, Bebe, could accomplish such a thing!"
Seeing this, Bebe's pale little face showed innocence, and it spread its hands, whimpering. But the next moment, Homura gripped its neck tightly.
"What exactly is your goal! What fun is there in playing with us like this!" Seeing that Bebe still refused to tell the truth, Homura leaped out of Mami Senpai's home, carrying Bebe with her.
Memories... they are troublesome. As long as one detail is recalled, the rest of the superfluous memories surface one after another.
That's right, she remembered now: Tomoe Mami. She was very bad at dealing with that girl.
That girl was too strong-willed, too strained, yet inwardly more delicate than anyone else. Revealing the truth in front of that person was always too cruel and painful.
Homura flashed along with Bebe—the surrounding scenery grew increasingly blurry, and Bebe's figure was vividly etched onto the buildings.
"I originally intended to just keep forgetting how many hearts I have trampled on until now..."
Homura's expression was unreadable. She violently pressed Bebe against a wall with her right hand and yelled, "Confess now! What is the purpose of this roundabout method?"
Bebe let out a painful, unknown whimper. But just then, Bebe seemed to sense something and looked toward Akemi Homura's ankle.
The next moment, a yellow ribbon appeared, dragging Homura toward the front, passing through every location Homura had just traversed.
The one who arrived was none other than Tomoe Mami Senpai!
"I originally wanted to see what you were going to say, but I can't just stand by and watch you be bullied, Bebe, like this," Mami Senpai gazed coldly at Akemi Homura. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "Is Bebe really that strong? Could it be that the head of a magical girl increases the witch's power? Is Bebe behind all of this?" ]
[ Da Vinci-Chan (Type-Moon): "But wasn't there a scene earlier where Akemi Homura turned into a witch?" ]
[ Sakata Gintoki Sakata (Gintama): "Well, Madoka turned into Madokami before, didn't she? And she showed up here all the same." ]
[ Kogoro Mouri (Detective Conan): "In my opinion, this witch named Bebe somehow avoided the Law of Cycles, then created this witch barrier, fooling the magical girls inside!" ]
[ Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan): "Alright, we can rule out... never mind, I'm afraid Uncle will beat me up. It's fine as long as everyone knows." ]
[ Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail): "So this is all Bebe's conspiracy, but everyone has been brainwashed by Bebe. Next, Homura will act as the savior, breaking this false world all by herself?!" ]
[ Hiruzen Sarutobi (Naruto): "That's right. In our world, this girl might be the inheritor of the Will of Fire!" ]
[ .....]
〜Puella Magi Madoka Magica World〜
"Go, Homura!"
Knowing that this was an illusion constructed by a witch, Madoka cheered on Homura on the screen.
That world was indeed beautiful, but it was ultimately false. Even if such a world was beautiful,
wasn't it just a bubble?
But... in that case, Homura would have to fight alone. A faint pain surged in Madoka's heart.
And she would have to fight Mami Senpai.
Would Homura... win?
Madoka couldn't help but look at the bullet comments scrolling across the screen.
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Barrage〜
/High energy ahead!
/In Madoka Magica, those who attack are all fiercely protective wives.
/Queen of the Armory vs. Unlimited Gun Works.
/What a joke! What are you doubting? Senpai is the Phantom God of Civil War!
Madoka, who had been worried, suddenly froze, murmuring in surprise.
"Mami Senpai... Phantom God of Civil War...?"
What does that mean? Madoka was confused.
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone also realized the reason Tomoe Mami was immune to the time stop: it was the ribbon wrapped around Akemi Homura's ankle.
As to when it was wrapped, they weren't sure, but it was undoubtedly before the time stop.
As expected of Tomoe Mami, everyone sighed. Although Mami Senpai was the first to depart originally, her power was undeniable.
In terms of pure strength, aside from Madoka, even Homura was slightly lacking.
Time Stop versus Unlimited Firepower? Everyone watched the screen with interest.
.....
『 "So, what exactly is going on here?" Mami Senpai asked, narrowing her eyes.
"...You've been fooled by Bebe. This is not the real Mitakihara. Everyone has been implanted with false memories," Homura said coldly.
"Wait... Akemi-san, what's wrong with you?" Tomoe Mami, thinking Akemi Homura had gone mad, felt a twinge of concern.
Homura tossed Bebe away, intending to shoot it directly, but Mami Senpai intercepted the shot with her ribbon. Homura noticed that the bullet hitting the ribbon produced a sound like steel colliding.
"No matter what, are you going to protect that thing?" After failing to break the ribbon, Homura understood something.
An object cannot exist in both a complete and broken state at the same time, so in a time-stopped state, the ribbon cannot be severed.
And Mami Senpai's meaning was very clear: she would absolutely not back down!
The smell of gunpowder grew heavier. In this frozen world, Homura made the first move.
Countless bullets sliced through space, shooting toward Bebe, and Mami Senpai did not hesitate either. The muzzle flashes from her long guns intercepted all of Akemi Homura's attacks!
It was as if countless brilliant fireworks had bloomed in the sky.
Catalyzed by their respective magic, the bullets fired by both sides were like lines of death that could not be crossed!
As both sides continuously anticipated each other, the bullets suspended in space constantly blocked both their firing trajectories and their space to dodge!
Space seemed to be cut up. Half the city was shrouded by the stopped barrage from the two of them.
Eventually, the space for their fight became so cramped that there was no avoiding it. Within the entire stopped time, only the sound of their breathing remained.
Realizing that Mami Senpai's strength was terrifying, Homura voluntarily released the time stop.
The next moment, the sound of tens of thousands of bullets colliding echoed throughout Mitakihara City!
With that single strike, half the city was reduced to ruins, utterly devastated. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Frenda (A Certain Magical Index): "Aaaah! This is the ability I want! If I could awaken weapon and time abilities, I'd be the boss of ITEM!" ]
[ Mugino Shizuri (A Certain Magical Index): "? Fre/nda? What did you say?" ]
[ Yoshikage Kira (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure): "Oh~ It looks like we're about to see Bites the Dust!" ]
[ Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure): "Having Za Warudo canceled upon contact is truly a flaw! And girl, Road Roller! Road Roller! It's only perfect when consumed with a Road Roller and Za Warudo! If you had used the Road Roller, you would have already won!" ]
[ Reimu Hakurei (Touhou): "What difference does it make if you get touched or not, with your three seconds of Za Warudo?" ]
[ Kaname Madoka (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "Um... what does 'Phantom God of Civil War' mean? Does anyone know?" ]
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "Hiss. Doesn't that just describe Mami Senpai~? Look, when facing enemies, Mami Senpai always fails to survive until Walpurgisnacht~, but when facing magical girls, Mami Senpai fights fiercely~. She critically struck Kyoko with one shot before~, and now she's bombarding Homura~. Who else could be the Phantom God of Civil War~ but Mami? Though Madoka, you're quite the insulter". ]
[ Kaname Madoka (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "Ah... that's not what I meant, Mami Senpai, let me explain." ]
[ .....]
〜Puella Magi Madoka Magica World〜
"...Haha,"
Mami could only use an awkward laugh to ease the tension.
After all, she seemed to be... a bit too aggressive toward her own people?
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Seeing Akemi Homura falling into a disadvantage, everyone felt a bit tense.
Could it be that Tomoe Mami's ability was truly that powerful? Even Akemi Homura, who controlled time, was losing ground.
What would Akemi Homura do next?
.....
〜Type-Moon World, Carnival Phantasm Worldline〜
"What excuse are these magical girls using for their battles?"
The church personnel watched the fight between the two girls with secret alarm, simultaneously feeling a twinge of envy.
Why did they always have to cover things up with gas leaks or exploding propane tanks?
—
『 The violent impact reduced everything around them to rubble and ruin, leaving the area devastated.
Homura knew she couldn't defeat Mami Senpai, so she reactivated the time stop and pulled out a handgun.
Mami Senpai's expression, which had been cold, gradually turned to shock and panic!
Because Akemi Homura had aimed the gun at her own head!
"BANG—!" 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto): "Wait! Is Homura giving up hope?!" ]
[ Orochimaru (Naruto): "That child persevered through countless despairing cycles. If she gives up so easily, then I can only assume everything before my eyes is an illusion." ]
[ Belial (Ultraman): "Humans, truly sickening and unsightly creatures." ]
[ Koyanskaya (Type-Moon): "This child, Homura, is too cruel to herself, and she understands the magical girls' weakness too well, doesn't she~" ]
[ .....]
〜Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World〜
"Hey, kid, wanna buy an apple?"
His vision gradually cleared. Natsuki Subaru awoke from the intense pain, his face pale, gasping for breath.
He... hadn't he just died?! Could it be...!
He had a nightmare?!
—
『 "No, don't!" Sure enough, seeing Akemi Homura's action, Mami Senpai frantically pulled the ribbon, attempting to make Homura dodge the bullet.
The bullet grazed her forehead, blood splattering. And at that exact moment, Homura violently lifted her right foot, and the bullet she fired precisely pierced the ribbon!
Za Warudo—
Time stopped. Akemi Homura and Tomoe Mami were no longer in contact. 』
『 .....』
〜JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Part 3: Stardust Crusaders Worldline〜
Seeing this scene, Dio couldn't help but burst into maniacal laughter.
"Hahahahahaha, you fell for it, Mami-da! This is my Akemi Homura's escape route-da yo!"
This human named Akemi Homura was becoming more and more to his liking!
If possible...
"Stop being human! Become the Ultimate Life Form, Akemi Homura-da!"
( Translator-kun: Is this how Dio talks?? )
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone felt a sense of admiration for Akemi Homura. She not only understood magical girls, but she was ruthless to herself, and she dared to gamble!
Of course, this was also exploiting the information gap that the Soul Gem was the true body.
Next, would it be Mami's moment of death?
But could Homura really bring herself to do it?
.....
『 Time stopped, and Homura's blood splatter had yet to fall in mid-air.
Homura raised her long gun, aiming at Tomoe Mami's Soul Gem. But seeing Mami Senpai's anxious and panicked expression frozen on her face, Homura ultimately chose not to deliver the killing blow.
She aimed the muzzle at Mami Senpai's right leg, then released the time stop ability. 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone revealed an expression of "I knew it." Although Homura had recovered her memories, she still held warmth in her heart.
The current Akemi Homura only wanted to break the witch's barrier, not kill everyone.
So, all she had to do was kill Bebe?
Thinking this, everyone next showed expressions of disbelief, even shock.
.....
『 The instant the bullet passed through the thigh, the imagined spray of blood did not appear. Instead, it twisted and coiled.
It turned out that Mami Senpai had created a Ribbon Doppelgänger at some point.
Not only did it nullify Homura's damage, but it also tightly bound Homura!
"Your magic is indeed impressive, but you shouldn't constantly assume you have an advantage over others," Mami Senpai said lightly, looking at the bound Homura. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Tatsumi (Akame Ga Kill): "...Eh?! Mami Senpai is too strong! That was a time stop! She didn't even need to react!" ]
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "No, Mami Senpai was already prepared. That's why Mami Senpai is truly the Phantom God of Civil War~" ]
[ Mamika Kirameki (Re-Creators): "I understand now why Mami-senpai earned the title of 'Phantom God of Civil War.'" ]
[ Sakata Gintoki Sakata (Gintama): "Is this a battle?! This is a mind game! Those magical girls, every one of them is more twisted than the last!" ]
[ Illyasviel Von Einzbern ⦍Magical Girl⦎ (Type-Moon): "Th-that's not true! Magical girls are wonderful!" ]
[ .....]
〜Spy x Family World〜
"Waku, waku! Are magical girls the real spies?!"
Anya's eyes widened excitedly!
The impression of Mami being powerful, terrifying, beautiful, and shocking was already etched in her mind, but she never expected magical girls to play psychological warfare!
It was too cool!
"Anya wants to be a magical girl too!"
But after shouting that, Anya looked around nervously, afraid that a certain little white creature might pop out.
—
『 The powerless Homura informed Mami that Bebe was a witch, an enemy of magical girls!
Mami Senpai countered that their enemies were Nightmare!
But saying this, Mami Senpai couldn't help but freeze!
Their enemies were Nightmare... then what were Nightmares? A sense of confusion left Mami Senpai standing still.
Just then, a fire extinguisher shot in, along with a throwing knife. As smoke exploded, Akemi Homura was carried away.
Mami Senpai didn't pursue, only wondering what exactly was going on!
"I'm sorry, let me explain all of this." A cute girl appeared behind Mami Senpai, her eyes flickering, somewhat afraid to look at Mami Senpai.
"You are... Bebe?!" Mami Senpai said in shock.
Meanwhile,
On the other side, after Sayaka rescued Akemi Homura, she informed Homura that Bebe was indeed a witch, but not the mastermind.
Homura was startled.
Why... did Sayaka also know about the existence of witches?
Sayaka didn't hide it and explained, "Because this is my mission."
"Besides, don't you find it strange?"
"A witch capable of deploying a barrier large enough to recreate the entire Mitakihara City—she doesn't attack or kill other humans, she just traps us inside, and then does nothing else. Isn't that too strange?"
"The witch controlling the barrier, her purpose must be to maintain the status quo, right?"
"In other words, who benefits the most from the current situation?"
Homura realized something was wrong and prepared to activate the time stop, but the instant the hourglass started, Sayaka stopped her with her long sword!
"Are you planning to escape into your own time again?" Sayaka laughed coolly and handsomely. 』
『 .....』
〜Puella Magi Madoka Magica World〜
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Barrage〜
/Sayaka is so cool!
/Dragon King Returns, Sayaka!
/The current Sayaka is part of the Law of Cycles!
/Madokami's Divine Messenger! Sayaka!
Madoka's expression was subtle. Seeing such a cool Sayaka, she felt a little unaccustomed to it.
—