MHGA Chapter 366 – First Encounter with Kyubey
Although she was questioning the Winged Lion, Mami Tomoe knew that this Witch was no longer her concern.
She still had Sayaka Miki by her side… and Mami had just witnessed Kairo Retsu's battle.
Savage, overwhelming strength—able to crush the Witch's attacks—and defense that let him stand still without being harmed by the familiars.
If the man really were an enemy, she wouldn't be able to fight him while protecting Sayaka.
Not to mention that strange being—the Winged Lion—that could purify her Soul Gem.
But the Winged Lion seemed to sense Mami's thoughts.
"We are not your enemies. I truly like your kind."
"If possible, I hope more people in this world can be like you—full of positive emotions," the Winged Lion spoke gently to Mami and Sayaka. "As for the Witches, we only want to observe their ecology."
"Only through understanding your opponents can you better overcome them… I'm sure you understand that logic as well."
"I've always—truly loved humans," the Winged Lion concluded calmly.
"..."
Kairo Retsu, having finished dealing with the Witch, happened to walk over just as the Winged Lion said that.
Beneath his helmet, his face was filled with exasperation.
"The Witch has been secured," Kairo declared boldly, speaking in a firm voice to the girls. "As Guildmaster, I guarantee this Witch won't be able to harm anyone ever again."
"Guildmaster?" Sayaka tilted her head.
But Mami's attention was elsewhere—shocked to see that the Witch's barrier was already dissipating.
That enormous Witch, restrained by an electrified trap, was now slumped lifelessly on the ground.
As the barrier fully disappeared, the dim building was bathed in golden sunset light streaming through the windows. It reflected off Kairo's armor, letting Mami and Sayaka finally get a clear look at what he was wearing.
It wasn't metallic armor—it was made from some kind of unknown creature, its tough plating covered in deadly spikes. The design was sleek and dangerous.
His helmet concealed his eyes, and an orange glow flickered out from the eye slits.
"I think I understand why you came here," Kairo said, looking at Sayaka. "If you're looking for Madoka Kaname, she's already been returned home. You're Sayaka Miki, right? Madoka mentioned you. You'll find her at home now."
"Really?!" Sayaka's eyes lit up in joy. "That's great—she's okay…"
"As for why we captured the Witch, I won't hide it," Kairo turned to Mami. "You must have noticed—Witches and their Familiars in this city are becoming increasingly agitated, right?"
"That's due to the Frenzy Virus. It's also the reason we came to this city."
He extended his hand.
"So, can we talk? The both of you."
"..."
Mami hesitated for a moment, then reached out to shake Kairo's hand.
"In that case… come to my home."
Behind his helmet, Kairo smiled brightly.
As long as they could talk, that was enough. With words, he could change minds.
Besides—he remembered that Kyubey often stayed with Mami.
A perfect chance to let the Winged Lion get a look at it and figure out just what that thing was.
"But… what do you plan to do with the Witch?" Mami asked, looking past Kairo at the restrained creature.
Kairo simply snapped his fingers.
"Don't worry. The Felynes will transport it back to our base—"
"Felynes?"
Mami blinked—and then saw a group of upright-walking cats emerge from an empty corner of the room, pushing a massive cart.
These Felynes worked swiftly, smoothly loading the Rose Garden Witch into the cart and wheeling it away. Just as silently, they disappeared into the same empty corner from which they had come.
"Th-The cats… vanished?!" Sayaka cried in shock.
Kairo confirmed the Witch's retrieval and extended his hand to Mami.
"Shall we go, Mami Tomoe?"
"Let's sit down and talk."
——————————
As Kairo and the Winged Lion followed Mami on the way to her home, elsewhere in Mitakihara City, Homura Akemi had already eliminated who-knows-how-many Kyubey.
Originally, Homura had intended to continue the extermination—but as she calmed down, she realized something.
Her reason for looping was Madoka. If Madoka died, her grief would forcibly trigger the next loop.
The fact that she was still in this timeline meant Madoka hadn't died.
Now composed, Homura stood on a high vantage point, thinking about where Madoka could have gone.
She had slaughtered many Kyubey, yes—but Homura knew it wouldn't deal real damage.
Kyubey had backups. Her actions were just venting.
"…Madoka…"
Clenching her Soul Gem, she saw that its taint was visibly increasing—
A reflection of her emotional instability and rising negativity.
Back at Mami's apartment building, just as they reached her door, the Winged Lion on Kairo's shoulder suddenly stood up, leapt lightly into the air—
And vanished into thin space.
"Huh?" Mami blinked. "Where did it go?"
"Probably sensed something interesting," Kairo replied casually. "No worries. It's still a responsible Felyne. It'll be back soon."
"So it's a Felyne too?" Sayaka asked curiously. "Felynes… they really feel like something out of a fairytale."
Kairo smiled but didn't answer.
He followed the two girls upstairs.
When Mami opened her front door, a white creature with a large tail and strange ears leapt from above and landed on the living room table.
"Welcome home, Mami," Kyubey said in its ever-adorable tone.
It then turned its attention to the tall man who had followed Mami in—now without his armor.
"So this is Kyubey, huh?"
Kairo narrowed his eyes. "Didn't think I'd really get to see you."
He bared his teeth in a smile.
"Hello there, Kyubey—"
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