Even if you're a corrupted magical girl, you still have to try to redeem yourself.

"Huh? Ah?" Inuyama Baqi still didn't quite understand the meaning of the random things Helica had thrown out, and stood there dumbfounded, asking a few questions.

"According to Nishio Reki herself, she started the endless cycle of reincarnation for someone. Later we also learned that she was doing these things for Yuuki Eri, but we don't know why she did them."

“Yes, that’s right, and then?” Baki asked.

"No matter how many cycles there are, there is always a beginning. If I'm not mistaken, this is the beginning of that tragedy."

Herlica's gaze grew colder, as if she were speaking to Baki, or perhaps muttering to herself.

“In the past, every nightmare we experienced was just a psychological shadow, a very bad possibility, but not the real reality.”

"But Nishio Reki's nightmares are different! Completely different! I've been wondering why our experiences are so different from what we know, why there's such a big discrepancy. The answer is obvious, isn't it?"

"It was Nishio Reki. Her choice brought about a complete upheaval in the world we know. This happened before all of Nishio Reki's nightmares began!"

"I don't know what your junior dreamed about. My nightmares and Mizuno Yu's nightmares are abstract and illogical, but Nishio Reki is different. This is something she personally experienced, and it will definitely lead to a tragedy."

"Even a fictional dream can drive someone to the brink of collapse; imagine if it were to happen again..."

"No, no, I was being too optimistic. It's not that complicated at all. What if, the moment this beautiful dream is shattered, Nishio Reki realizes that she is about to begin another cycle of despair, and all the memories of failures flood her brain all at once? What do you think would happen?"

"However, after so many time travels, Nishio Reki still hasn't found the correct solution. Is it really possible that we can find an answer here that the real-world Nishio Reki has been searching for for so long without success?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! In other words, this nightmare is simply unsolvable!"

Chapter 161 Rising Sun

These are the few bombs that could potentially detonate Nishio Reki's nightmare.

The first thing to be affected is the wine that exists in that underground cathedral, a kind of ominous magic that Yuuki En calls ominous.

No one knows what it is or where it came from, which is undoubtedly a huge problem.

In fact, Baqi had a chance to find some clues, but the situation at the time was quite special, and she was interrupted by Kuroba Laisheng.

Next, Inuyama Tomoe's attention was focused on dealing with Kuroba Ryouse, but she was led astray by Kuroba Ryouse. After defeating Kuroba Ryouse, she was worried about attracting other magical girls, so she directly contacted Tenrai Helica, who was with Yuuki Yukino and the others. As a result, she was unable to see the full view of the underground cathedral with her own eyes.

It's true that Tomoe didn't handle this matter perfectly, but to blame Tomoe for it is a bit much.

To solve this problem, we can only wait until the winter break ends and St. Eternal Academy officially starts classes, then Baqi can find an opportunity to visit when no one is around.

The second is Saint Hymne, who disappeared after being defeated once in the real world and once in this dream.

No one knows where she went or what kind of conspiracy she is plotting, but she is definitely someone we have to be careful about.

Third, there's Yuuki Yuki, who might fall into darkness—no one knows the real reason for her fall, and even if the real Yuuki Yuki asked, Nishio Reki would brush her off with low-level rhetoric.

However, neither of them was particularly worried about this. Yuuki Yuki had entered the dream with them, and as long as Yuuki Yuki woke up, nothing unexpected would happen.

Furthermore, Yuuki Yukino's corruption must have had a trigger, and it is highly likely related to the time bombs they were listing.

So as long as we put the matter of reviving Yuuki Yuuki on the agenda, optimistically speaking, there's nothing else that's a big deal.

Actually, there is another possibility that could cause suspicion (and trouble), which is Kuroba Kiyo, who has already been dealt with by Inuyama Tomoe.

However, given that Kuroba Reisei has already been turned into fireworks and seems unable to cause any more trouble, it will be excluded from the calculations of the two of them for the time being.

All four possibilities mentioned above are things that Inuyama Tomoe and Tenrai Herika felt they were capable of resolving after discussing them.

As for the problems they can't solve, those are issues on par with those of the original magical girls.

Considering that enemies in dreams are weaker, and that there might actually be a problem involving the original magical girl, the original magical girl that appears is also a product of the dream and wouldn't be very strong.

But thinking that way is too optimistic. The original magical girls could directly descend into dreams, as everyone witnessed in Helica's dream, so no one can guarantee that it won't be the same this time.

If it really is related to the original magical girl, and that person really did descend into Nishio Reki's dream and deliberately cause him a huge problem, then there's truly no hope for him.

After thinking so much, we still have to put it into practice. Yuuki Emi used to always quote this famous saying when making plans: "Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."

In short, the two of them reached a final agreement to resolve all the troubles first, if necessary.

Whether this method will work or not is up to fate.

In this almost unsolvable dream, no one knows whether the difficulty will be simpler than in reality because it cannot be replicated one-to-one, and no one knows whether doing so will inadvertently help the nightmare pass.

In short, after hearing what Helica said, the two of them completely lost their initial good mood for the New Year.

……

While waiting for the sunrise, the two of them idly chimed in with the other girls, but they didn't really listen or think about what they were saying.

Later, the two of them huddled together at the back of the line, pretending to discuss something. Seeing that they were having a good time, no one else bothered them.

Although it's not a good thing to do this, they do need some time to calm down.

Waiting, waiting, time ticked by, second by second.

Finally, the seemingly endless darkness on the distant horizon began to change.

The pitch-black sky gradually faded from the darkness, like a layer of dusty glass being constantly wiped cleaner, with more and more light shining through the hazy night.

At first, I just felt that the darkness had lessened, then the twinkling stars began to blur, and finally disappeared completely into the sky.

Then, specks of blue began to emerge from the darkness, becoming increasingly distinct and dazzling, until the entire sky was gradually covered in blue.

Then, the deep blue gradually turned into a light purple, easily reminiscent of the demon outfit that Yuuki Yuuki once wore. However, Yuuki Yuuki was now wearing a light pink kimono and chatting and laughing with Nishio Reki in front of her.

The first rays of dawn heralded the arrival of daybreak, and soon the outline of the shrine became clearer in the morning light. The vermilion torii gate, the upturned eaves, and the huge buildings constructed of traditional wood all revealed their true forms in the fading darkness of night.

Also reflected in the image are the waiting queues.

People, dressed in kimonos or warm coats, gathered in small groups. The crowded environment was surprisingly quiet as everyone waited for the first rays of the New Year's sun to shine down.

As the sky gradually brightened, the once quiet crowd began to stir.

The children ran around excitedly, swinging their handbags; the girls discussed interesting things at school or online, and made plans for the future; the adults chatted in twos and threes, sharing their hopes and wishes for the New Year.

"There are quite a lot of people." Inuyama Baki crossed her arms and looked at the crowd around her that was gradually becoming more lively. She couldn't help but sigh, then turned her head to look at Tenrai Helica, who had been standing next to her since they had chatted.

"Tsk, indeed."

Helica wasn't in a good mood, although she knew the day the nightmare would erupt was probably not too far off, and it was even less likely that her daily life would completely collapse on the first day of the new year.

But when she thought about her own unpleasant suspicions, and the fact that Baki had approved them, Helica couldn't muster any interest in enjoying the New Year.

The people around them, however, were clearly unaware of the two girls' inner turmoil, happily queuing in front of the shrine as if they belonged to a completely different world from Inuyama Tomoe and Tenrai Herika.

Baqi wasn't in a good mood either, but seeing that Helica was in the same low mood as her, she didn't want the negative energy between them to start a vicious cycle. So she could only pretend to be relaxed and take the initiative to comfort Helica.

"Alright, let's first properly visit the shrine, enjoy the first day of the new year, and then go back and get a good night's sleep. Even in our dreams, we should keep a happy mood, right?"

"Nonsense, I know that without you saying it. We can worry about it after we've visited the shrine and gone back." Helica pouted and stopped talking.

Baqi raised her eyebrows and turned her gaze back to the crowd in front of her, and to the back of the pink-haired girl in a pink and white kimono who she could not ignore, smiling and talking to the people around her.

Another period of waiting.

Gradually, the streetlights on both sides of the street went out, and the colorful lights decorating the shrine also dimmed, and the surrounding environment darkened once again. (Baba Lin Si Leng Wu)

But people seemed even more excited, looking forward to the darkness before dawn passing quickly so they could see the light of the new year sooner.

As time passed, the colors of the sky began to become richer, as if a bucket of paint had been splashed on it.

A faint golden light began to appear on the distant horizon, and the crowd erupted in excitement, turning their gazes to it, awaiting the arrival of that thrilling moment.

The magical girls who have been waiting for so long are no exception. As magical girls, they are still girls at heart, full of hope and longing for beautiful things.

"Senior, the sun is about to rise. Have you decided what kind of wish you're going to make?" Sakura Hanako's hands hung naturally in front of her as she looked up at the distant horizon, her deliberately calm tone masking her boundless excitement.

"Yes, I've already thought it through." Mizuno Yu was much calmer, nodding slightly after a moment's thought.

"I want to make a wish that everyone can be happy forever! Not just us, but everyone! May the weather be good and the crops abundant! May the country be prosperous and the people at peace! That's great, isn't it!" Yuuki Yui stretched and said to the others.

"Xiaoyuan's wish is really in Xiaoyuan's style, but isn't it a bit too big? It's hard for the gods to bless everyone." Nishio Reki chuckled, tightening his shoulder bag and hugging it tightly to his chest.

"Huh? Is that too big? Then bless everyone in Moonsea City!" Yuuki Yui rolled her eyes and thought for a moment, then suddenly changed her mind and made her wish smaller.

"Senior Yuuki, Tsukimi City is quite big, isn't it? It's really not enough to bless everyone in Tsukimi City! Besides, there are corrupted magical girls in Tsukimi City! Are we going to bless even those bad guys?" Sakura Hanako gestured a few times.

“Even a corrupted magical girl… sigh, never mind, then… then… how about just protecting us few?” Yuuki Yuuki stammered a few more times, seemingly deep in thought, before changing her mind once again.

"Hey, you shorty with blond hair, enjoy yourself! What can't the two of us do? Stop being so grumpy. What if Xiaoyuan and Nishio Reki get suspicious?"

Baqi nudged Helica's face with her elbow, and before Helica could react, she walked over to Yuuki Yuki's side and joined the discussion, raising her voice.

"I've heard that if you say your wish out loud before you make it, it won't come true."

Helica was a little annoyed by the push, so she looked ahead and saw Yuuki Yuki complaining in a serious tone in her increasingly clear vision.

"Huh? How come Inuyama-kun knows about this? If that's really true, then the gods are really stingy!"

"At worst, you can just change your wish. Saying that the gods are stingy is more likely to make you less favored by them." Helica sighed, put her hands behind her head, and leaned in casually.

“That makes sense, but… isn’t there any deity in Moonsea City? The kind that can grant our wishes?” Yuuki Yui nodded and said casually.

Yuuki Yukina didn't mean anything by it, but the observant Tenrai Herika overheard it and remembered it.

A deity who grants wishes.

Yes, of course.

However, that god is much more dangerous than ordinary gods; He will grant any wish, whether it is a good one or a twisted one.

If possible, I really don't want to run into that guy.

Forget it, thinking about it any longer will only make me feel worse.

There was one more thing that Helica felt she needed to do, and should do immediately while the opportunity presented itself.

After all, Yuuki Yuki has already mentioned it.

Since she has already determined that this is Nishio Reki's nightmare, why does Yuuki Yuki, who was pulled into the nightmare along with them, possess different powers, and why hasn't she woken up?

Helica's brain capacity is not large, and she doesn't have the energy to consider so many complex matters.

This can't be a nightmare for both of them, so if we could wake Yuuki Yuki up, the problem would be much simpler.

Without hesitation, Helica went straight to Yuuki Yuuki's side, revealing a nonchalant expression, and spoke to Yuuki Yuuki.

"Yuki Yuuki, I suddenly have a question for you."

"Hmm? What's the problem?" Yuuki Yukina didn't know what Tenrai Herika wanted to say. She just tilted her head in confusion, revealing a cute little puzzled expression.

“Let’s have a private talk. Come on, step back a little.” Helica grabbed Yuuki’s sleeve and pulled her back a bit.

This obvious action was not done in secret; everyone, including Nishio Reki, saw it clearly.

After pulling Yuuki Yuki further away, Helica, as if worried that others might overhear their conversation, suddenly raised her voice and shouted at the magical girls over there.