One-way traffic

"You don't actually think you can see through everyone, do you? Don't make me laugh."

"Listen to me, kid. I don't care what you think, but don't try to impose your ideas on others."

"Everyone here is striving for their own goals; they are not as weak as you think."

It's not as weak as I imagined?

"I'm sorry, I... I didn't quite understand..."

"...That's it."

He clicked his tongue in utter boredom and continued speaking.

"Whether they are good people or bad people like me, they all have their own goals and are always striving for them."

"Everyone living here is striving and fighting for their own goals; everything they do is genuine and hard-earned, so..."

That is the meaning that the strongest monster wanted to convey.

"Don't just throw around words like 'salvation' without my permission. What does a kid like you even know about 'salvation'?"

The so-called salvation is not something that can be done so easily.

That's right.

This statement couldn't be more fitting coming from Accelerator.

“Listen to me carefully. So-called salvation is something that only kind people like heroes can do. You may be a kind little devil, but you could never be a hero.”

"True salvation isn't as simple as just saying a few words... Ah, like that."

He closed his eyes and couldn't help but recall that situation.

—In the instant he was struck in the face by that hedgehog-headed man with the strange right hand.

"True redemption is to defeat all obstacles, even the weakest person can overcome the strongest with their own beliefs and save everything they truly want."

"This is what salvation should be."

Tsk.

While talking about this, I also recalled those unpleasant times.

Accelerator frowned angrily and opened his eyes.

"…But."

If it's just like that...

“But if that’s the case… um, Mr. Yifang.”

The girl blinked and looked at her questioningly.

"Aren't you... a hero too?"

"what?"

"You see, you really have saved everyone many times, haven't you? Whether it's Mami-senpai, Hatsune Miku, or even me, you've saved us all. So, looking at it that way..."

"What kind of bullshit are you talking about, brat? These are completely different things, don't you understand?"

He directly interrupted Madoka Kaname before she could say anything.

“I’m a villain, a top-tier villain. I can’t stand the fact that what I’m about to do will involve you unrelated ordinary people, so that’s why—”

"But... in that case, isn't this kind of behavior just like what a hero would do?"

Kaname Madoka couldn't help but feel a little scared, afraid that she would be scolded by Accelerator again after she finished speaking.

...Huh?

Coming to her senses, she blinked and looked directly at the person in front of her.

Silence...?

Under Madoka Kaname's gaze, Accelerator stopped scolding him as he had done before.

He fell silent, as if deep in thought.

His face remained expressionless, revealing neither joy nor sorrow, nor even the slightest change in expression.

Did I say something wrong...?

Kaname Madoka couldn't help but feel a little scared. She was afraid that she had said something wrong and angered Accelerator.

"Um, Mr. Accelerator! I didn't mean to say that, um... please don't be angry—!"

He seemed to snap out of his daze and looked at Madoka Kaname.

…No.

It should be said that he was right beside her.

Boom—! He raised his hand, and the hurricane transformed into a wind spear, piercing the air at a speed surpassing sound.

Bang! A white figure was sent flying by his attack.

Madoka Kaname hadn't even realized what was happening yet.

"Oh dear... it seems they really won't even give me a chance to speak."

A shadow emerged from the grass on one side.

Kyubey is someone that both Accelerator and Madoka Kaname are familiar with.

"Even if we don't sign a contract, shouldn't I at least be allowed to say a word?"

"Shut your mouth, you little punk, who the hell do you think you are?"

He had no liking for Cupid.

Accelerator immediately blocked Madoka Kaname's path, glaring at her and cursing.

"Get out of here right now, or do you want to experience more ways to die?"

"Alright, but I do have some advice for you."

Cupid shook his head and continued.

"Witch's Night is not as easy to defeat as you think... If you treat it so lightly, you will be the ones who lose."

"So, whatever happens next, I will keep a close eye on everything."

"Will you be able to defeat Witch Night, or is Madoka Kaname destined to become a magical girl? I'm really, really looking forward to it!"

It bounced its body lightly.

As if he had anticipated it, he dodged the First Axe's gunfire.

"Don't do that. Your body's reserves are limited. You've already slaughtered tens of thousands of us. If you continue, it will curse your soul..."

"Ah, you're right... It's best to let that so-called curse take effect before I lose my temper."

Even Kyubey dared not continue speaking.

Although the body has a large reserve, it can achieve an effect similar to infinite resurrection.

But, who knows.

No one can predict just how far this white-haired monster, which has already begun to riot, will go.

It wagged its tail and darted into the bushes on the side.

Accelerator was too lazy to even kill it anymore.

Just like a game of billiards, it might be fun at first, but after playing it countless times, you'll eventually feel genuinely tired and disgusted.

It's getting late.

"I think I should go home soon."

"Yeah, it's about time the kid went home hungry for dinner."

Accelerator stopped caring about Madoka Kaname.

Her house was very close by, not far away, so close that even if Kyubey really wanted to do something, he couldn't do anything at all.

Everything that needed to be said has already been said.

…Although, what Madoka Kaname said earlier had caught his attention in some way.

It seems that I have always been playing the role of the villain.

Do not…

It should be said that they were acting.

But what is the actual situation?

Just as Madoka Kaname said, how big is the difference between so-called villains and heroes?

Or is there no difference at all?

Before he knew it, he realized that Madoka Kaname was no longer nearby.

It seems they've already gone home.

Accelerator shook his neck and turned around.

"So, the troublesome brats have all left."

"Shouldn't you pop out from the shadows and play hide-and-seek?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps sounded.

Accelerator looked calmly at the girl in front of him.

A girl with long, straight black hair.

It's Homura Akemi.

"You seem to have gotten used to my abilities."

"We've seen this kind of sloppy entrance all the time; there's no need to get used to it."

So, since it has appeared in front of me, it must want to say something to me.

Accelerator recalled that he seemed to have rejected her last time.

Even if a confession between male and female high school students is rejected, there is usually a period of indifference. Has this guy come looking for me again after only three days?

"It's not convenient to talk here."

Homura Akemi gently tossed her hair aside and said calmly.

"If you don't mind, let's go to my house and have a chat."

"This time I want to have an in-depth discussion with you."

Chapter 122 I've already experienced all of this.

night.

The city of Mitakihara was already enveloped in the glow of the night, the bright lights illuminating this seemingly ordinary city.

until a certain moment.

"Alright, it's about time to get started on what needs to be done."

— Two people appeared at the very top of a building.

There were two men, who looked to be about the same age.

The only difference is that one person has black hair, and the other has black and blonde hair.

These two people once appeared in another world along with the number one esper in Academy City.

"What should we do next? Judging from the current trend, are we going to do one of those boring things again?"

"It's just a slight intervention at the critical point; the rest is up to them."

The man with dark blond hair walked to the edge of the building.

"I've heard it's called Witch's Night, right?"

"Ah, that thing seems to be the strongest power in the world so far, but if someone makes it come true, it might even create something stronger."

"There's no need for that; this alone is enough."