MHGA Chapter 357: The One Who Was Once a Demon
"It's right to keep doubting me—because I really was once something called a demon."
The Winged Lion sat up in Madoka's arms, locking eyes with her. In its pupils, the symbol of infinity shimmered faintly as it spoke.
"The reason I invited you to become the Master of the Dungeon… is because I genuinely want to taste the flavor of your desire and emotions. Of course, only now that I can ensure I won't cause harm to any of you."
The Winged Lion pointed at Madoka, continuing calmly: "Before, I hadn't fully sensed it—but ever since you learned your story, the thing in you that draws me in… is beginning to swell."
"Your confusion and hesitation aren't because of yourself." The Winged Lion looked at Madoka—the girl who outwardly seemed timid and gentle, yet whose soul was strong and unyielding. "Your doubt comes from others."
"I wasn't mistaken. You won't fall into despair… Even if you truly feel despair, your heart will still hold onto hope until the very last moment."
"I adore your emotions. I understand how precious they are among humans. That's exactly why… I want to make a trade with you. I want to savor your emotions—to satisfy my own desire."
The Winged Lion spoke these words with utter calm. "I know… after learning what that being called Kyubey has done, you'll likely reject everything I've said. But that only makes me want you more."
"Why is it that from human desire… such beautiful feelings can emerge?" the Winged Lion said with a sigh. "I should have noticed it earlier. Amid all those endless desires, your souls still harbor wondrous visions… Indulging in desire, yet unable to cast off dreams—clinging to fantasy for solace even after mastering reality."
"If I had realized that earlier… the previous Master of the Dungeon born from me might not have turned out the way he did."
"But if I had done that sooner, perhaps the sins I committed would have been even worse." The Winged Lion made no effort to hide its past mistakes.
"…But my hesitation won't bring about a better solution either," Madoka said softly, her head lowered. "No matter how many times Homura repeated the time loop, she never found a successful answer. And we… we only get one chance…"
"Maybe…" Madoka pursed her lips, but didn't continue.
"Seeing you like this… I think I've started to dislike Kyubey." The Winged Lion sighed. A flicker of confusion appeared on Madoka's face.
"The Incubators… that's what they're called, right?" The Winged Lion began to count:
"They exploit the natural limit of time—luring girls into becoming Magical Girls. In exchange for their stored karmic potential, they grant wishes and extract their souls into Soul Gems…"
"And then… they do everything they can to harvest the energy released when those girls fall into despair—when hope turns to hopelessness…"
"Such… waste."
The Winged Lion continued: "All that hope those girls hold… and yet those creatures try every trick to steer it into despair, just to use it as fuel?"
"Worse still… they themselves don't feel even a sliver of emotion. In their civilization, emotions are considered a disease?"
A deep disgust spread across the Winged Lion's face. "What boring beings."
Hearing the Winged Lion speak that way about Kyubey, Madoka was stunned for a moment—then smiled faintly.
But the Winged Lion went on: "If I were to say now, 'form a contract with me and become the Master of the Dungeon'… it would be taking advantage of your moment of weakness."
It gently placed its paw on Madoka's hand. "I don't want to harm someone with a will like yours. So…"
"I want you to believe in those Hunters."
The Winged Lion continued: "Don't make a sacrifice like that. For both you and for those who care about you… it would only bring pain."
"..."
Madoka gently stroked the Winged Lion, then finally nodded.
"Homura… Mami-senpai… Kyoko… Sayaka… Will their fates truly change?" Madoka murmured to herself.
"They will," the Winged Lion nodded. "Of course they will."
"Then… what about the other Magical Girls? All the despair and pain Kyubey caused… all the girls who were deceived and turned into Witches…"
"They'll be saved too," the Winged Lion replied gently. "Kairo Retsu hasn't forgotten a single one of those who can still be saved."
Because… Kairo Retsu had already spoken with the Winged Lion.
He had asked the Winged Lion to try saving the Magical Girls of Madoka's world—to consume the despair in their hearts, and to use its infinite magic to replenish the emptiness in their Soul Gems.
And the Winged Lion… agreed.
Because when Kairo Retsu made that request, the flavor of his soul… was something the Winged Lion simply couldn't refuse.
In exchange for the emotions he'd tasted from Kairo Retsu back then, the Winged Lion had promised to do it.
And now… it lay curled in Madoka's arms, eyes half-closed, gazing up at her.
Perhaps… it was no longer anything like the demon it once was.
The ideals that burst forth from humanity's tangle of desires… the Winged Lion found itself growing ever more drawn to them.
It realized it was beginning to develop a new kind of desire—one to protect humanity.
But as that thought took hold, the Winged Lion also felt something was off. Such a desire… wasn't what humans called "desire," was it?
They called it… ideal.
"I've changed again…"
Inside the Birdcage, the battle had entered its climax.
Those who could still effectively damage the Shagaru Magala were pushing themselves to their absolute limits, launching all-out assaults.
The Chaotic Gore Magala had already cycled through countless rounds of injuries and partial regeneration—nearly exhausting the Hunters' entire stockpile of healing items.
As for the Shagaru Magala… its vitality, too, had been whittled down by the relentless assault. Even its wounds were healing more slowly than before.
Kairo Retsu saw a glimmer of hope—a chance to defeat the Shagaru Magala. But the cost… was that their side had also spent far too much energy.
Some fighters had already been forced to withdraw due to injuries. The Hunters had prioritized protecting the Created Beings, moving the exhausted or wounded ones as far from the frontlines as possible.
Only a few were left who could stand and face the Shagaru Magala head-on—and they were locked in a battle of attrition, exchanging blows in midair.
The first among them who began to falter…
Was Hibiki.
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