Interlude II: The Deal Behind the Scenes

"I understand the situation completely. Thank you for your hard work. The Investigation Institute will appreciate your efforts."

In the bedroom bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a girl's voice echoed from the mirror on the table. A girl in a golden robe, smiling, nodded slightly to the mirror. "I will dispatch magical girls from the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau to assist in the pursuit of Black Ash Dawn as soon as possible, and I will also give you corresponding rewards and compensation, Miss Larkspur."

"You know that's not what I want to hear."

Across the mirror, the girl in the blue dress said expressionlessly, "If you're just going to spout official platitudes, then that's enough, Dean."

The incident occurred after the attack on the night of the Full Moon Festival. Larkspur contacted the Investigation Institute. Because the matter involved the true high-ranking Black Ash Dawn, Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye accepted the conversation.

After Larkspur finished describing the whole story, she didn't show any particular reaction, simply giving a very official but utterly useless reply as usual.

This greatly displeased the Larkspur, which led to the conversation described above.

"Official tone... You seem to have something else to say?" The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye appropriately expressed a hint of confusion.

A porcelain teacup had appeared in her hand without her noticing. She seemed to have intended to end the conversation, but now had to stop what she was doing. "Very well, if you'd like, perhaps we can fill in some gaps."

"I have no intention of continuing to play games with you. You lied to me, Dean." Larkspur said bluntly.

"...I don't understand what you mean, Larkspur." The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye blinked.

"You couldn't possibly be unaware of the cause and effect of this incident."

Larkspur lowered her eyes slightly. "You know everything that happened in Eastern Hua Prefecture, and what Black Ash Dawn did. Their every move has been under your watchful eye. In two years, more than a dozen magical girls have disappeared, and a large number of civilians have been sacrificed. You have sent investigation teams here more than once, and you have even captured quite a few villains to take Kingdom. Are you telling me that you really know nothing?"

"You seem to have a great misunderstanding about me, Miss Larkspur."

The hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye shook its head, saying, "The Gem Scepter and the Investigation Institute aren't as powerful as you imagine. The Investigation Institute only knows that they have plans in Eastern Hua Prefecture, but it can't know in detail what they've done in each city."

"Your Excellency, Dean."

Through the mirror, Larkspur stared at the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye: "Do you think I'm a fool, or is your investigation team a fool?"

"No one is a fool. You are all outstanding members of the Investigation Institute, and you are also a hero in this incident, Miss Larkspur."

Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye said quite sincerely, "You know, although the Investigation Institute has been investigating the series of disappearances in Eastern Hua Prefecture, the mastermind Black Ash Dawn is very well hidden. In particular, the culprit this time—Moth—holds a high position in the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau. With the limited manpower of the Investigation Institute, it is impossible to get past such a complex network of forces to reach the truth. If it weren't for you, my colleagues at the Investigation Institute might not have been able to solve this case yet."

For some reason, even though Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye was very proper in their conversation, Larkspur felt inexplicably irritated.

This is also one of the reasons why she has never liked the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye —this person can always stay out of things without getting involved, and her attitude towards everything is smooth and ambiguous, making it impossible for people to figure out her true thoughts.

I came with a questioning attitude, but it was like punching cotton; there was neither a conclusion nor a satisfying result, only a deep sense of powerlessness.

But she knew she couldn't show her emotions in front of this person. Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye was good at hiding herself and good at understanding others. Exposing her emotional tendencies to Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye wouldn't solve anything; instead, it would leave more room for him to take advantage of her.

Even if she has some dissatisfaction with this person, she must maintain a balance.

"Praising my achievements cannot cover up your deception, Your Excellency Dean."

So she suppressed the urge to speak coldly and continued expressionlessly, "I need an explanation."

The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye put down its teacup.

"The Investigation Institute failed to play its due role in this incident. As its director, I express my deepest regret and reflection. I am also very grateful for your efforts and achievements, and I extend my deepest sympathy and concern to all the affected citizens of Fangting City."

She lowered her eyes, her expression tinged with pity. "From now on, the Investigation Institute will do its utmost to complete the pursuit of the remnants of the Black Ash Dawn. If Miss Larkspur has any needs, we will also provide as much disaster reconstruction material as possible to compensate the injured employees and civilians of the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau."

Is this the explanation you wanted?

"This is not, Your Excellency the Dean."

The Larkspur remained indifferent. "You know what I want."

"... I think if you've come here today just to interrogate me, there's no need for such a detailed account of the events in Fangting City."

The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye slightly raised their eyelids, and its cat-like vertical pupils fixed on the Larkspur:

"So, what do you need me to do for you, my... prospective colleague?"

Now, let's get to the main topic.

The Larkspur sighed softly to herself.

She knew she wouldn't get the truth from Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye, so she could only try to squeeze some benefit out of them. Their attitude clearly indicated they agreed with the hidden meaning in Larkspur's words: either explain the truth or offer compensation.

If Larkspur were just an ordinary magical girl, she wouldn't be qualified to negotiate like this—as one of the oldest Gem Scepter in the Magic Kingdom, the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye could simply ignore everyone.

But she wasn't; she was once a candidate for the Gem Scepter.

She is not acting as Inspector of the Investigation Institute, but as a candidate for the Sapphire Scepter, or even beyond, expressing her dissatisfaction to the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye, using this identity to coerce the other party into making a choice.

The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye chose the latter.

"I have two requests."

So Larkspur took out her prepared speech and said, "My first request concerns the allocation of magical girls. I want you to assign me the authority to dispatch and transfer these three magical girls, White Rose, Little Brocade, and Bo Xue, within the Magic Affairs Institute."

"What do you mean?" The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye's vertical pupils remained fixed on the Larkspur, as if they could see right through him.

"Transfer them to Cornflower's team," Larkspur replied earnestly.

"You want to be their absolute authority, so that no one but the Queen can bypass you to order those children around?"

The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye asked, "Why? You seem to have a lot of distrust towards the Magic Affairs Institute?"

"To be honest, I have absolutely no trust in the Kingdom Royal Court."

Larkspur remained expressionless. "Having gone through so many dangerous incidents, I cannot entrust the lives and deaths of my daughter and her descendants to the Magic Affairs Institute. Therefore, give them to me."

"... You seem to have some misunderstanding about the functions of the Investigation Institute, Larkspur."

After Larkspur made his demands clear, the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye gradually regained its relatively gentle demeanor, raised its finger, and tapped the teacup as if in distress. "We are merely on the same level as the Magic Affairs Institute, and it is impossible for us to interfere in their affairs."

"The Magic Affairs Institute is nominally under the direct control of the Royal Court, but in reality, all the magical girls within the institute have affiliations with the other four major institutions. It's fair to say that the power has long been divided up among you. Do I need to remind you of this fact?"

Larkspur countered by banging on the table, "My refusal of the Sapphire Scepter was actually beneficial to you all, indirectly helping you protect your interests. Now that it concerns the Magic Affairs Institute, I don't think you have a reason to refuse me."

"I don't think I need to remind you that rumors shouldn't be believed, and the Gem Scepter doesn't have that much power."

Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye smiled and shook her head, "However, if you insist on this, then as an individual magical girl, I do have some friends in the Magic Affairs Institute who can accomplish this. I can ask them to take care of it."

"The second thing."

Having received the other party's promise, Larkspur didn't bother with any more pleasantries and immediately moved on to the next point. "You've been investigating the truth about Sakura's death for two years now. What exactly have you uncovered during that time? Tell me now."

The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye smiled at her without saying a word.

"Your Excellency, Dean?" Larkspur called out calmly.

"... I didn't expect such a simple request." The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye narrowed its eyes slightly.

"I'm not someone who likes to make things difficult for others," said Larkspur without expression.

"You're making me feel indebted, Miss Larkspur."

Continuing to tap her teacup with her fingers, the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye said, "Because I can't really give you much information."

"You've been investigating for two years."

The Larkspur reminded her again, "Don't tell me there's no conclusion at all."

"No, there was indeed a result, but it might be somewhat different from what you expected."

Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye replied, "Because you already know this conclusion—the murderer is from Black Ash Dawn."

"Who?" Larkspur pressed.

The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye shook its head.

"We know it's Black Ash Dawn, but we can't find the specific killer?"

Larkspur said indifferently, "How exactly do you expect me to believe you, Dean?"

"It's not that we can't find it, but this result... seems a bit strange."

The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye raised its vertical pupils. "According to recent investigations and eyewitness records, a group of Black Ash Dawn members did indeed leave Fangting City some time after Sakura's death, and they are suspected of carrying the Heart Gem disappeared when Sakura died."

"And then?" Larkspur clenched his fist.

"Then, their bodies were found a week later in the Wasteland outside the city." The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye lowered its gaze slightly. "All dead, not a single survivor."

Where is Sakura's Heart Gem?

"Stolen again."

The room fell silent.

"You mean..." Larkspur opened her mouth, trying to maintain her composure, but she couldn't bring herself to say the answer that she found hard to accept.

"Yes, if this investigation is correct, the real killer of Sakura is probably already dead," Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye provided the answer.

The Larkspur remained silent for a long time.

"... I don't believe that answer."

After a long pause, she spoke again, "If Sakura's Heart Gem was stolen, then the person who did it might also be connected to her death."

"I don't deny it." The Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye nodded calmly.

"Therefore, the next direction of the investigation should be to find out who stole Sakura's Heart Gem."

"We will try in this direction."

"... Then I have no other requests."

Larkspur took a deep breath. "I'm sorry to have taken up your time. Thank you for listening to my request, Dean."

After she finished speaking, she reached out and touched the mirror, intending to end the call.

"There's one more thing, Larkspur."

However, the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye's voice came from the mirror again. "As I said before, I didn't actually fulfill this second request."

The Larkspur stopped what it was doing, looked at the other person again, and waited for the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye to explain further.

Seeing the Larkspur's face reappear in the mirror, the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye slowly said, "What I want to say is that the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau in Fangting City, because of this incident, is actually riddled with problems and has lost its proper function, isn't it?"

"Yes, Your Excellency the Dean."

"Have you considered restoring its functionality yourself?"

"... Restore it personally?"

Larkspur raised an eyebrow. "This doesn't seem to have anything to do with the work of magical girls. This should be a matter for your Investigation Institute and the city government."

"No, I don't mean for you to assist the government in rebuilding the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau. What I mean is that the position of director of Fangting City is currently vacant."

Shaking his head, the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye placed his hands on the table, his expression somewhat playful:

"So, are you interested in this position?"