"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"
Wait—don't tell me. I didn't just absorb my comrades' Holy Sword fragments… I absorbed Freed's factors too!?
While I stood frozen in shock, Freed started to casually explain how he got here.
"After the Church extracted all the sword factors from me, I got kicked out. Then Grigori, those watchdogs of God's children, canned me too. So I started job-hunting, but, y'know, every group's got its radicals. A few exorcists thought it'd be safer to off me before I joined some sketchy new group, so they came after me~."
Well… I could kind of understand that. He was part of the Church originally, and anyone who knows his psychotic tendencies would absolutely see him as a threat.
"When I got expelled, they confiscated all my weapons. And without anyone to bless them with light energy, even I got backed into a corner. I barely escaped, but I was bleeding out and collapsed on the side of the road. That's when I swore, 'I'll kill them all for this—every last one!' …And right then, I met Magical Girl Milky."
...Okay, what!?
"He—Milky, I mean—picked up my battered body so gently, saying: 'With love and a hug, Milky Milky Healing Hug~!' Then he hugged me, and poof—my wounds and stamina were healed. It was like the holy aura flooding through me purged all my hate and rage. 'Nyo! If you're hurtin', don't say anything. Just watch Milky with me, nyo. It'll show you how this world's full of love, hope, and peace, nyo. Everything else can wait, nyo,' he said. So I sat there, empty, and just watched Milky with him. Over and over, he preached Milky's greatness. Before I knew it, my empty heart was full of Milky. And I realized... the world is so full of light!!!"
…Okay, no. That was definitely brainwashing! He was in a near-death state and then got hit with a massive spiritual wave and binge-watched magical girl anime! Of course his mind snapped!
"But Milky wasn't just about watching anime, y'know? That guy and his comrades—real comrades—chose to become Milky themselves. They fought for the world's happiness. I was so moved! So I trained hard to master Milky Magic, and now I help people in need while fighting evil across the world!"
…That explains the terrifying muscles, I guess? But still, why the bulging physique? From the glimpses I'd seen on TV, Milky-related characters usually fired glittery magic beams, not biceps!
And judging by his massive build—easily triple what it was the last time we met—it was obvious this "training" had been entirely muscle-focused.
Freed finished his tale and turned to Siegfried, who had been holding his head the entire time.
He looked like a man being forced to stare at the worst mirror in existence—one that reflected a version of himself as a beefcake magical girl.
"I get it, bro. I really do. You're just like I used to be. But if I just hug you and share Milky's love, you'll realize your mistakes!"
"Like hell I will!!"
Siegfried backpedaled in a panic as Freed spread his arms and slowly advanced, wearing a serene, saintly smile.
"D-Don't come near meeeee!!"
"BDOOSHAAAA!!"
Siegfried panicked and swung his demon sword wildly.
Freed took the blow head-on and was engulfed in smoke—but only for a moment.
He emerged, bleeding and wounded, but still standing tall with his arms outstretched, ready for a hug.
He didn't flinch. He didn't care. His willpower was so overwhelming it felt almost… transcendent.
Was he enlightened or something!?
"Fufu~ Brother, you're such a rascal~ But it's okay. As your little sister, I'll accept all of you with open arms~ In my Milky Angel Mode☆!"
"Stop calling yourself my little sister!!"
Despite Siegfried's protest, Freed's body ignited with overwhelming fighting spirit. Twin blasts of pure white aura erupted from his shoulder blades, looking like angelic wings.
It made me want to cry for a whole bunch of reasons.
"Milky always helps people, stands up to evil, and protects what matters most! That's why I never skip back training—to show people a back they can trust!"
You actually said "back training"!? What happened to Milky Magic!?
But… honestly, looking at those titanic back muscles now rippling with energy, I could believe he could stop any attack like an impenetrable wall.
"Screw this!!"
Siegfried, usually the calm and collected type, completely snapped and charged in.
His sword flashed in all directions, unleashing a storm of slashes.
But Freed didn't fall. Even the mighty Gram couldn't pierce beyond the surface of his skin, and lesser swords simply bounced off.
Even his light sword shattered on impact.
Siegfried retreated a few steps, panting.
"Pain, suffering, fear… if you've got love, you can endure it all~"
Freed, still grinning through the blood and wounds, looked almost joyful. It was terrifying.
I glanced at Siegfried's demon swords—they were shaking.
At first, I thought it was from hitting something that solid… but I was wrong.
His five demon swords suddenly surged with aggressive aura, forcibly wrenched themselves from his grasp, and shot through the air—
—and stabbed themselves into the ground behind me, hiding in my shadow.
I looked back. The hilts were peeking out, like they were spying from behind a corner.
Were they stalking him? Or more like… children hiding behind a parent?
Sure, I'd heard that some sacred and demonic swords had semi-sentience, but this was just too much. I get it—they were scared of Freed. Who wouldn't be?
Siegfried stood in shock, muttering, "This can't be happening…"
"Let's end this, big bro. Your downfall? You never knew the love of Milky. If you'd treated those demon swords with love, things might've turned out different. Now that you're awake, the first thing you need to do is watch every single Chapter of Milky."
"Milky Angel Hug of Divine Revelation~!"
Freed floated gently toward him, then wrapped Siegfried in his colossal arms.
CRACK. SNAP. CRUNCH.
Bones made sounds no bones ever should.
Siegfried collapsed, defeated—spiritually and physically—buried into the earth.
So… that was Milky Magic. (Distant stare.)
I mean… no. I know it's not. I'm just too mentally exhausted to argue anymore.
I felt my mind nearly slipping into another dimension when Freed turned to me.
"Clink!"
The demon swords behind me shuddered again.
"Hahaha! Looks like you and the sword babies have really bonded~! You're part of the Gremory household, right? So much love there! I'm sure they'll grow up just fine under you~! Soooo…"
With a burst of speed I couldn't even track, Freed appeared behind me.
He gently hugged the sword blades that were still embedded in the ground.
"Next time, help him out properly, okay? Otherwise, I'll personally teach you Milky values~"
He winked.
The swords rattled violently.
If they were human, they'd probably be nodding as fast as possible.
Satisfied, Freed rose into the air on his aura wings. Wait—he can fly with spirit energy!?
"Well then, I gotta go! There are people out there who still need Milky's help! Things are tough here, but I'm sure you'll be fine~ Looks like the swords are on your side now. And hey, if you're ever really about to die again—I'll come running~"
…That last part was the most terrifying bombshell of all.
"...So if I'm about to die, he gets summoned. Yeah… I definitely need to get stronger. Like, seriously. I never want to see him again. You guys—will you help me?"
Talking to swords might look crazy to an outsider, but in response, they glowed with a powerful aura.
Looks like I've finally earned their full support.
Once this mess is over, I should talk to Azazel-sensei about finding a way to remove just Freed's Holy Sword factor. If that's even possible…
With that thought in mind, I hurried back to where the others were.
…For the record, I asked Azazel-sensei later.
He said:
"Impossible."
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