Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Chapter 33: Strategy

"The Countermeasure Bureau in Nanyun City replied yesterday. They said their Seeder had already submitted a report to the Magic Kingdom and confirmed that there was indeed a Seeder registered under the name 'Moko,' though the related records were completely blank."

It had been several days since Veronica had taken down the Egg-tier Ravager. Lin Yun and Hong Siyu were driving together to the Countermeasure Bureau.

Flipping through the files in her hands, Hong Siyu sat in the car and spoke in an emotionless tone, "As for the previous Seeder of Fangting City, 'Nini,' who went missing, the Kingdom’s response was, 'The matter has already been filed. Please contact the new Magical Girl to continue the previous investigation'...? Strange, was this case reported to the Kingdom beforehand? And they're not even considering sending reinforcements?"

"...I expected as much. Probably has something to do with me."

Hearing Hong Siyu’s words, Lin Yun, who was driving, suddenly sighed. "When I retired, I should’ve erased my name from the Investigation Bureau’s records."

To the local Countermeasure Bureau, his identity as a Magical Girl was a hidden card. But to the Magic Kingdom, it was not.

Magical Girls in the Material World gained their powers and, after ten years of service, would reach their retirement period. At this stage, they had two choices:

One, they could join the Magic Kingdom, where magic was abundant, becoming native citizens and resolving issues like magic depletion while continuing their role as Magical Girls.

Two, they could stay in the Material World but retire from being a Magical Girl, receiving a substantial sum from the Kingdom—enough for financial freedom for the rest of their lives—and enjoy a peaceful retirement.

Most Magical Girls who had fought for ten years and grown tired of battle would choose to retire. Others who didn't want to lose their magic or their youthful appearance would settle in the Magic Kingdom instead. But regardless of the choice, there would always be a record kept by the Kingdom.

However, there was one exception to these rules—“Lifetime Magical Girls.”

When a Magical Girl made enough significant contributions in critical situations, the Royal Court could grant her this title. From that moment on, neither aging nor injury would cause her to lose her powers, and she was free to stay in either the Kingdom or the Material World as she pleased.

Both Lin Yun and Aya fell into this exception.

Because of this, even though Lin Yun had officially ceased activity, his alias was still on the Royal Court and Investigation Bureau’s records. His retirement location—Fangting City—was also noted.

No further information was listed, but it was enough for people to know that there was an "old veteran" in Fangting City.

"You seem pretty familiar with the Investigation Bureau, Senior?" Having retired through the standard process, former Magical Girl Hong Siyu understood these bureaucratic details but was still somewhat puzzled.

"I held the title of an Inspector, so I had some dealings with them in the past."

Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Lin Yun clicked his tongue. "I can even guess who made the decision."

"So... no reinforcements?" Hong Siyu leaned back against her seat, holding the documents.

"Which means we should focus on recruiting new people." Lin Yun was just as helpless.

But honestly, it was better this way, he thought. He had no desire to reconnect with certain "old acquaintances."

"Recruiting new people... Right now, it's just the three of us, right?" Hong Siyu counted on her fingers. "How many more would be ideal?"

"No idea. Also, don’t count me."

Lin Yun corrected her with a displeased expression. "I don’t want my comeback to be known."

"Alright, alright—I’ve heard you say that so many times my ears are growing calluses."

Hong Siyu pretended to cover her ears, brushing the comment off. "But if you keep taking action, word will eventually spread, won’t it?"

"Then we’ll deal with it when it happens."

Lin Yun's words ended the conversation, and the two of them didn’t bring up the topic again for the rest of the drive.

As the car approached their destination, the Countermeasure Bureau’s building gradually came into view.

The Countermeasure Bureau wasn’t a secret organization. However, its mode of operation varied depending on the city it was in.

In Fangting City, the Bureau operated openly as an official institution, with its headquarters established right in the downtown area.

The car passed the security checkpoint, where Hong Siyu presented her credentials. After a brief verification, they were granted entry into the Bureau's premises.

Adjusting the steering wheel, Lin Yun glanced at the towering building outside the window, his mind filled with thoughts.

His request for a meeting had been accepted after several days. Not only that, but the meeting was arranged within the Countermeasure Bureau itself, and he was going to be received by the current Bureau Director.

There was no doubt—if the Director was meeting him personally, it meant the matter was being given significant attention. The only question was whether this attention came from goodwill or had other implications.

"Relax, don’t look like you’re walking into a battlefield. Our Director isn’t that strict."

Walking alongside Lin Yun into the building, Hong Siyu teased, "She’s actually pretty chatty. If you have any questions, just ask away."

"You seem to have a high opinion of her."

Lin Yun glanced at the key points of his outfit, a little surprised. "You complain about your colleagues all the time on the phone. I thought there weren’t many people here that you liked."

"Shh! Don’t say that in the office!"

Hong Siyu immediately signaled for him to be quiet. After checking that no one was nearby, she lightly smacked him. "Are you trying to scare me? If my colleagues hear that, won’t they think I’m badmouthing them behind their backs?"

"I think the right word here is ‘exposed,’ not ‘misunderstood.’"

Reaching the elevator, Lin Yun pressed the button. "Which floor?"

"Eleventh," Hong Siyu answered before adding, "When I first started working here, the Director helped me a lot. You can tell she’s someone with a strong sense of purpose. Even though she doesn’t have magic and can’t tap into the supernatural, she does everything she can."

"Is that so?" Lin Yun’s expression remained neutral, but he became slightly more interested in the upcoming meeting.

The elevator rose swiftly with a quiet mechanical hum, the floor numbers on the display changing rapidly. Before long, they reached the eleventh floor.

Exiting the elevator, Lin Yun followed Hong Siyu deeper into the hallway. After turning a corner, he saw a pair of grand wooden double doors along the wall.

Hong Siyu stepped forward and knocked lightly. After a voice from inside called, "Come in," she turned to Lin Yun and gestured invitingly.

Straightening his collar, Lin Yun stepped into the office behind the doors.

The first thing he saw was a full-length window, bookshelves standing solemnly on either side, and a massive desk in the center.

Behind the desk stood an elderly woman, rising to greet him with a formal bow.

"Hello, Mr. Lin Yun."