Chapter 46: Chapter 46: A Trio of Girls Goes to the Library [2].
From the very beginning, Ayane’s unit had known it wasn’t the only one working for the organization, but it wasn’t common to see so many groups gathered in the same place.
Reina stopped acting carefree.
"This isn’t a normal meeting."
Misaki answered.
"They summoned too many."
Ayane looked over the other units.
"All the active cells in the city."
Misaki looked at her.
"All of them?"
"At least all the ones I know."
Reina swallowed, though she tried not to let it show.
"Then something big happened."
"Or something big is about to happen."
Ayane said.
One of the double doors opened, and another woman appeared. She was older than the first, wearing a golden insignia on her chest and an expression that tolerated no interruptions.
"All summoned units, enter in an orderly manner."
The conversations died down immediately, and the groups began to move.
Reina looked at Misaki, who said nothing.
Ayane stepped forward, and they followed her.
The chamber on the other side was enormous.
It was circular, with descending tiers leading toward the center. The lights were dim, just bright enough to see, and ancient-looking symbols were carved into the walls, though several technological panels had been installed among them.
At the far end of the chamber, atop a raised platform, hung a thick veil that stretched from the ceiling all the way to the floor.
Behind the veil stood a figure. It couldn’t be seen clearly; only the silhouette of someone seated perfectly still was visible.
That was the Grand Mother.
Everyone present lowered their heads, including Ayane.
Reina did the same, and Misaki didn’t take even a second to follow suit.
No one spoke, and the chamber fell into complete silence.
Then, from behind the veil, a voice echoed.
"Raise your heads."
Everyone obeyed.
The Grand Mother’s voice wasn’t loud, nor did it sound hurried, but every word carried absolute authority.
Everyone present felt their bodies respond before their minds did.
It wasn’t simple fear. It was a kind of obedience that required no immediate punishment to command respect.
"You have been summoned because the situation has changed."
No one interrupted. The silhouette behind the veil barely moved, yet everyone watched it as though even the slightest gesture mattered.
"The recent events in Star City have proven that our projections were incomplete."
Ayane kept her gaze lowered, Misaki didn’t dare move, and Reina, who normally would have made some sarcastic remark to herself, couldn’t think of a single joke.
The Grand Mother continued.
"The magical girls have appeared alongside anomalies, and they are altering the expected course of events."
The word "anomalies" lingered in the chamber, and Ayane’s fingers tightened ever so slightly.
’Is she talking about Noah Reed?’
A woman standing beside the platform stepped forward, revealing herself as the spokesperson. She wore a long black uniform with white trim around the collar and held a sealed folder against her chest.
"By order of the Grand Mother, this emergency meeting is now in session."
Everyone present bowed their heads once more, and the spokesperson opened the folder.
"The contents of this meeting are classified at the highest level. No member may reproduce, record, transmit, or imply any of the information discussed in this chamber outside these walls."
The Grand Mother spoke again.
"Anyone who fails to comply will be corrected."
The entire chamber answered in unison.
"Yes, Grand Mother."
Their collective response was firm, without hesitation or resistance.
The spokesperson continued.
"First agenda item: the origin of corruption."
Reina felt her breathing stop for a brief instant.
Misaki also raised her gaze slightly.
Ayane showed no visible reaction, but her eyes hardened.
Until that moment, corruption had been treated as a force they used, controlled, or released depending on the mission. A dangerous energy, yes, but one as useful as any tool.
However, the spokesperson had said "origin," implying they were about to reveal something important.
The spokesperson began speaking, making it clear that none of what was said could ever leave the base.
The expressions on everyone’s faces gradually changed.
Some lowered their eyes.
Others became unnaturally still.
Reina completely lost her smile.
Misaki clenched her fist so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Ayane maintained her outward composure, but her breathing grew slower.
The Grand Mother remained behind the veil throughout the entire explanation.
After a long while, the spokesperson closed the folder.
"Second agenda item: immediate response to the anomalies."
The chamber grew tense.
Reina glanced sideways at Ayane, but Ayane didn’t return the look.
The spokesperson continued with classified information.
When the meeting came to an end, the Grand Mother spoke one final time.
"From this moment forward, every unit will act with absolute discipline, no unnecessary improvisation, no personal mistakes, and no compassion that interferes with the objective."
Everyone bowed their heads.
"Yes, Grand Mother."
The silhouette behind the veil remained motionless.
"You are dismissed."
The order alone was enough for the units to begin filing out in silence.
No one argued, asked questions, or dared request clarification.
Reina, Misaki, and Ayane left with the others, escorted by base personnel, and none of them spoke until they reached one of the outer corridors again.
Reina was the first to break the silence.
"That was..."
She stopped and didn’t finish the sentence, prompting Misaki to look at her.
"For once, I agree that you don’t know what to say."
Reina didn’t answer with one of her usual quips, making Misaki even more uncomfortable.
Ayane kept walking without looking back.
"Forget any personal impulses."
Reina looked up.
"What?"
Ayane spoke in a low voice.
"The Grand Mother gave an order, and we will obey it."
Misaki nodded.
"Yes."
Reina took a second longer before answering as well.
"Yes."
Ayane stopped in front of the elevator. Her face was calm, but there was something rigid in her gaze.
"Corruption has an origin."
Reina and Misaki looked at her as Ayane continued.
"And if the magical girls are connected to that origin, then this is no longer just a battle between them and us."
The elevator doors opened, and Ayane stepped inside while Reina and Misaki followed.
Before the doors closed, Reina cast one last look at the underground base.
The organization was far larger than any magical girl had realized until now, and what was happening on the surface was only a small part of something that had been unfolding for far longer.
The elevator began to rise, and none of the three spoke.
Noah still didn’t know it, but the war he thought he understood had just changed.
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