Plan

This seems to be the most reasonable answer at present.

However, when Lin Yun said those words, she felt that it was too exaggerated, so she frowned as if she was denying herself.

"That's what I thought too, at the very beginning."

At this moment, Asō Madoka chimed in, adding, "After all, Claw Mark is a much younger organization compared to Black Ash Dawn and the Resistance Army, yet it has demonstrated many new technologies in recent years. It's hard not to suspect that they have research and academic talents among them."

"As for Su Shengzi, that woman has a rather weak sense of morality and ethics to begin with, so it's not surprising that she would go down the path of deviating from the magical girl genre."

"So, after losing contact with that woman for many years, I had this idea: to keep an eye on Claw Mark's movements, and later even studied the list they took when they defected to confirm the identity of each person. By comparing, I could deduce whether Su Shengzi was among these people."

She stated, "But the result surprised me; it seems she really wasn't among them."

"... It seems?" Lin Yun grasped the descriptive phrase in Asō Madoka's words.

"Yes, it seems that if someone joins Claw Mark and never engages in any activity in the Material Realm, never does anything bad, and just stays hidden in the Interrealm, then our Investigation Institute really wouldn't be able to find out."

Asō Madoka shrugged. "Since we don't even know this person exists, how can we find out who they are?"

"But is it really that strange to not leave the Interrealm?"

Hong Siyu, and asked curiously, "After all, the Kingdom is also hunting down these people from Claw Mark, right? Just hiding in the Interrealm like this, at least no one will chase them in and catch them. Thinking about it that way, hiding isn't such a bad thing, is it?"

"The premise is that they're genuinely afraid of being hunted down, sisters."

Asō Madoka sighed, "You've been away from the Kingdom for so many years, so you probably don't know much about Claw Mark. Do you know how many of the magical girls who defected with White Wolf have actually operated under the Claw Mark's appearance in the last decade?"

"How many?" Hong Siyu clearly didn't intend to waste her brain cells on this matter, so she asked without even thinking.

"All."

Asō Madoka didn't keep anyone in suspense. "It wasn't just those who defected back then; later on, several magical girls joined Claw Mark, and as far as I know, these people also made a big show of themselves as Claw Mark members."

"The strategy of covert operations would have been more advantageous to Claw Mark's target, so why did they choose to publicize it so openly?" Lin Yun asked rhetorically.

"Just like you said, nobody knows what they're thinking. If I could figure them out, I would have been officially promoted to Inspector long ago."

Asō Madoka chuckled, "But in any case, it seems that showing one's face in public like this is the norm for people with Claw Mark."

This statement made Lin Yun fall into deep thought for a moment.

He was reminded of the two Claw Mark members who had visited Fangting City.

Whether it's Sparrow or a kite, although their intentions can be described as ill-intentioned, their manner of making their entrance can truly be described as "open and aboveboard." One or two of them seem to be challenging someone to a fight in broad daylight, so blatant that it's baffling.

Is this style a personal preference? Or a rule inherent in Claw Mark? Or even further, could it be some kind of cover?

It wasn't that he was being overly pessimistic, but considering the original identity of the leader of Claw Mark — White Wolf —he found it hard to believe that these things were just baseless speculation.

As he had previously told Asō Madoka, the matter involved the Gem Scepter, so he couldn't help but think about it.

Of course, without sufficient information, such thinking would not yield a definite answer. In addition, he was unwilling to make malicious assumptions about his old friend, so he put aside the question of whether Su Shengzi's disappearance in the Interrealm was due to seeking refuge with Claw Mark.

"Once I've recovered, let's go to the Interrealm together to find her."

So he spoke up, defining the nature of the matter. "Let's not think the worst for now. Let's assume she's alright and just staying there. She's been in the Interrealm for so many years, there's no use rushing things now. We need to wait until we're fully prepared before setting off."

After all, even for a magical girl like Flower Card, going to the Interrealm is hardly safe. In his current state, he would just be a sitting duck.

"Is there any cure for your injury?"

Asō Madoka raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "Is the Chief truly certain it's okay?"

"If they could even save Hong Siyu that state, then I have no choice but to believe them."

Lin Yun gestured to Hong Siyu and said, "The specific treatment plan has been finalized, but it can't be implemented yet."

"Why?" Asō Madoka, puzzled.

But after she asked her question, no one answered her immediately.

Not only did Lin Yun cross her arms and hesitate to speak, Hong Siyu, standing to the side, also seemed somewhat troubled when it came to this matter, even showing some worry on her face.

"So why?" Asō Madoka asked again.

Seeing that the two still didn't respond, she leaned forward, met Lin Yun's gaze through her sunglasses, and asked almost face-to-face, "Don't pique people's curiosity only to keep them in suspense! What's the matter?"

Lin Yun stared at her for a long while, then slowly looked away after a tense silence. "Because I'm going to the Kingdom."

Silence fell over the office for a moment.

"... What do you mean? Where did you say we're going?" After a long silence, Asō Madoka took two steps back, as if she hadn't heard clearly, and asked again.

"We're going to the Magic Kingdom." Lin Yun said expressionlessly.

"... ha?"

For a moment, only Asō Madoka's surprised and doubtful voices echoed throughout the entire director's office.

It's no wonder she was so surprised. In fact, if Hong Siyu hadn't already heard about it from Emerald, she would have been just as surprised as her.

Because everyone in the Fangting City Squad knew that the magical girl, Larkspur, formerly known as Cornflower, was forbidden from entering the Magic Kingdom by a decree personally issued by the Queen of the Kingdom.

Although the Queen has never stated the consequences of violating this prohibition, there is no doubt that provoking the Queen in the Magic Kingdom is the most unwise thing to do.

"You're planning to sneak in?" Asō Madoka suddenly laughed heartily. "Saying something like that in front of me, a magical girl from the Investigation Institute? Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you right now?"

"At least it's not illegal immigration yet."

Lin Yun calmly said, "According to Emerald's plan, she will help me forge an identity so I can sneak into next year's qualification assessment. At that time, there will be a large number of magical girls entering and leaving the Kingdom, making it easier to slip through the cracks."

"Isn't the difference between this and smuggling just being open about it? Have you thought about what will happen if you get caught? How much better will it be than smuggling?" Asō Madoka continued to ask with a smile.

Her behavior made Lin Yun sigh inwardly.

Because he knew that the brighter Asō Madoka's smile was, it didn't necessarily mean she was in a good mood. In fact, her only way of expressing anger or dissatisfaction was through a smile.

This seemingly risky plan was clearly the source of her dissatisfaction.

"Emerald promised to help cover for us, and I'll also try to get help from our Dean. In short, if anything goes wrong, running away is definitely not a problem."

However, having reached this point in the conversation, Lin Yun could only continue explaining, "Furthermore, I've confirmed the false identity provided by Emerald. Although it contains elements of her personal quirks, it's undeniably plausible. I can easily impersonate an ordinary examinee, act normally like one, and then leave."

"You mean? You sneaked into the Kingdom with those other test-takers, and now you, a Flower Card, are planning to take the exam with a bunch of girls?" Asō Madoka narrowed her eyes.

"Cough cough..."

Lin Yun couldn't help but cough a few times. "If I sneak in as a candidate, I'll still have to take the exam, but I just need to get a poor score and fail normally. It won't affect the other candidates. So many magical girls fail the qualification certification every year, it's normal."

"And then? Your injuries will heal after you go to the Kingdom?" Asō Madoka asked suspiciously, "What kind of miraculous medicine could do that?"

"I don't know, but I can only choose to believe."

After composing himself, Lin Yun looked at her earnestly. "Right now, I need power, whether for the children, for Anya, or even for finding Su Shengzi. I need the corresponding power. And looking across the entire Kingdom, only Emerald can give me this promise. Continuing to hesitate won't change anything."

"... I see."

It was unclear what her attitude was towards this, Asō Madoka sat back down on the sofa without changing her expression. "So, have you considered this? Next year is the Queen Year."

"I know."

"You knew? Sister, you knew and still planned to carry out such a crazy plan?"

Asō Madoka shrugged. "In an ordinary year, you could easily get in like this, and with the Dean and the Chief Prosecutor working together, they could probably cover it up completely. But have you thought about what Queen Year means? Her Majesty the Queen will personally observe the assessment! If she recognizes you then, not only you, but both of them will be punished!"

"I will use some disguise."

Lin Yun calmly stated, "If she only sees me from a distance, rather than verifying it in person, she won't notice me. And even if Her Majesty the Queen of the Kingdom were to be present in person, she wouldn't specifically name and harass an unknown candidate."

"... This is too dangerous, I really can't agree with it, sister." Asō Madoka shook her head. "I think you simply lack a proper understanding of our Kingdom's Royal Court because you were once appointed as Sapphire, and you think Her Majesty the Queen is so benevolent, but in reality..."

"I know very well, Asō."

Lin Yun interrupted her, "I could even say I know the Queen better than you do. Because I've met her, seen her with my own eyes, and I still remember our conversations to this day."

"Do you think she'll let you off the hook after you've only met her once?" Asō Madoka grinned slightly, looking at her with a strange expression.

"No, she will retaliate fiercely because I refused her invitation."

Lin Yun stated firmly, "She will punish me as severely as she can within the Rule, and it's not impossible for her to go beyond the Rule. Absolute power brings absolute arbitrariness; stripping me of the Heart Gem and the Mana Source... no, even execution is perfectly normal."

"So you still want to go?"

"According to Emerald, I must go, because anything that can heal my injuries absolutely cannot be brought to the Material Realm."

Lin Yun continued, "And this was originally my breach of the agreement. Not setting foot in the Magic Kingdom, and even not using the power of magical girls, were all agreements between me and the Queen. Even if I am discovered, it is only my own fault."

His attitude left even Asō Madoka at a loss for words to dissuade him.

At this moment, it was Hong Siyu spoke up, "But, senior, you didn't need to go to that extent, did you? The Chief said he could temporarily stabilize your injuries. As for repairing the Heart Gem, waiting another year shouldn't be a problem. Lulu and the others can even wait until next year to take the exam together. During this year, I should be able to help Fangting City deal with some of the more troublesome enemies, and even Yuan Xiang..."

"Because of this."

Lin Yun's voice suddenly changed.

It was quite obvious that the previously clear and steady male voice suddenly began to transform into a high-pitched female voice, even vaguely sounding as if two people were speaking at the same time.

Then, right in front of the two of them, the Heart Gem in Lin Yun's pocket suddenly lit up, and immediately afterward, the adult man who had been standing there transformed into a little girl.

He transformed into the shape of Larkspur.

"... Transform here? What's wrong? Is the problem you're talking about your True Form?" Asō Madoka leaned back slightly.

"No, it's not that I'm going to transform for you, but I just couldn't suppress the magic of the Heart Gem from overflowing."

After transforming into the form of Larkspur, Lin Yun's tone became even more indifferent. "This is a side effect of completely destroying a part of my Magic Armament before; I will occasionally lose my ability to maintain a normal human form."

"I have heard about that."

Asō Madoka nodded. "Although the Dean told me this as a joke, this is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes. Is this aftereffect so serious that you need to get it treated immediately?"

"No."

Larkspur shook his head. "If that were all, even if it's getting increasingly out of control, it wouldn't warrant me risking provoking the Queen."

"So?"

"The problem is, something happened when I tried using the Magic Armament a few days ago."

As Larkspur spoke, she reached out and pulled out several magic threads. The shimmering blue magic threads stretched taut in her hand, revealing themselves to the other two. "Can you see any problems?"

Hong Siyu and Asō Madoka had no choice but to step forward and take a look. After a brief observation, they each gave different answers:

"The color has become paler?"

"The thread has become thicker?"

Upon hearing these answers, the Larkspur simply shook its head.

She pulled on the magical thread in her hand, stretching her hand forward until the thread was almost in front of both of them. Then she freed up a finger and pointed to a bright spot on one of the threads, saying:

"It's knotted."