Showdown

"So, according to you, even if you take orders from me from now on, and I want to achieve certain goals through the Magic Affairs Institute, I still have to publicly claim that it's the 'Research Institute's need'?"

After a moment's thought, the Larkspur concluded, "Without such a pretext, nothing can be accomplished?"

"To be precise, using the Research Institute's name can increase the probability of success, because it will make other factions put this matter on the table and weigh the pros and cons. After all, they also have their own policies and projects that they want to promote. If they can help us achieve some of our goals, then perhaps they can win our support in the future."

Zhe Helan explained, "Most of the time, the power exchanges within the Magic Affairs Institute follow this Rule: if I help you once, you have to help me once in the future when I need you. It's like a card collecting game; once a faction has collected the favors of all the other stakeholders, they can try to forcefully push forward with a certain issue."

"How many favors did your faction gain?" Larkspur pressed.

"Excluding those that have already been used up, the Investigation Institute currently owes us twice, and the Finance Institute owes us once."

Zhe Helan answered fluently, "The Civil Governance Institute recently wanted to add a new department to its faction. This issue has been deadlocked for a long time. If we help them win this battle, we can gain a favor from the Civil Governance Institute."

"What about the remaining Education Selection Office? Who is behind her? The Royal Court?" Larkspur asked, puzzled.

"That's one way to put it, but everyone knows in private that she's backed by the Royal Court family and nobility, not the Royal Court itself."

Zhe Helan said, "That person in charge of the Education Selection Office also comes from a prestigious family. She has been a member of the nobility from the beginning, so she stands in the forefront as a representative of the interests of the nobility."

"Both vice deans are clearly Royal Court's people?" Larkspur asked, puzzled.

"The vice-deans are directly responsible to His Majesty. They are merely acting on His Majesty's personal will, so they must be impartial and selfless, and also free from worldly desires."

Zhe Helan said meaningfully, "However, more importantly, if they get involved themselves, many things will no longer be internal affairs of the Magic Affairs Institute."

"This is a compromise between the two vice-deans and the other four scepters."

Larkspur herself realized, "Because the Magic Affairs Institute's authority naturally has a restraining effect on the other four institutes, if it gets stuck in the logistics and deployment of magical girls, the actions and interests of the other four institutes will also be affected. Therefore, the Gem Scepter will inevitably intervene, and they will not easily let go."

"Yes, Your Excellency, your wisdom and vision are admirable and worthy of respect."

Zhe Helan bowed again, placing herself entirely in the position of "subordinate," thus providing ample emotional support. "For you scepters, the Magic Affairs Institute cannot be an institution entirely belonging to the Royal Court, one whose will can be easily implemented. The Magic Affairs Institute should be as it is now, and can only be as it is. Such a 'paralyzed' Magic Affairs Institute is the result they desire."

"... Truly worthy of being called Gem Scepter." Larkspur couldn't help but glance at the Emerald on the side and remarked.

"I'll take this as a compliment on my political maneuvering."

Emerald shrugged, seemingly unfazed. "You should try to see things from my perspective. Our Research Institute has the highest requirements for specific qualities of talent in the entire Magic Kingdom. If all the magical girls with academic talent are recruited by other institutions, or if our magical girls who specialize in academics but are not good at combat don't receive the benefits they deserve, how can the Research Institute operate? We can't just hand over our lives to others, can we?"

"So you're just going to hand over your 'life and fortune' to me so casually?"

Larkspur looked at him with disbelief. "Or is it that your real purpose is to have me help you manage your Research Institute's interests within the Magic Affairs Institute, and I'm here nominally to take over the power, but actually to be your assistant?"

"Relax a bit, young man. Think about it again. I'm not plotting against you."

Emerald raised her hand in a gesture of calm. "If you insist that I explain the purpose of my actions, then my answer remains the same as before: it's simply an investment."

The Larkspur caught its breath.

"... You want me to be your scepter?" After a long pause, she asked Emerald in a rather subtle tone.

"To be frank, yes."

Emerald raised her hands, this time in a gesture of surrender. "Rather than holding a one-fifth fragment of power that works only occasionally, just to prevent others from framing me, I think a Sapphire Scepter that I have a personal relationship with, or even that owes me a favor, would make things much simpler."

"I'm tired of this game of constantly throwing money around in other organizations to build up factions, just to paralyze that organization while grabbing a little profit in return, young man. In fact, aside from Pigeon Blood, who hasn't been in office long, and our current Diamond, Miss Purple Diamond, who are still enthusiastic about this interesting Garden power game..."

Emerald emphasized the word "current Diamond" slightly, paused for a moment, and then continued, "Everyone is already fed up, whether it's me, those bigwigs in the aristocratic faction, or that old hag from the Investigation Institute."

"Magic Affairs Institute that is completely crippled and utterly dysfunctional without its Gem Scepter is merely a tolerable state. But in reality, the ideal Magic Affairs Institute would be one that possesses its own Sapphire Scepter, functions properly, and has an alliance with that scepter."

"The only two destabilizing factors are how to act to ensure that this Sapphire Scepter is 'one of our own' and how to get this person to sit in the Gem Scepter's position."

Emerald looked at Larkspur, her eyes narrowing slightly. "This is the truth behind our 'deal,' and also my way of showing goodwill to you, young man. Everything is as you see it."

The Larkspur fell silent.

She didn't ask Emerald any more questions, but instead looked at Zhe Helan beside her and slowly asked, "... And what about you?"

"Before pledging allegiance to you, we were partners of the Research Institute, so we will support Your Excellency's decision."

Zhe Helan lowered her head and replied, "And now, we have pledged our allegiance to you, so your opinion is our opinion."

"You know what I'm asking you, Miss Education Selection Office."

Larkspur remained expressionless. "If you want me to pledge my allegiance, give me the answer to what you want."

Zhe Helan paused for a moment, her expression revealing a perfect hint of bewilderment, but this bewilderment quickly transformed back into composure.

"We are from the Magic Affairs Institute, Your Excellency."

She seemed to suppress her emotions, which she shouldn't have shown, and instead spoke with even greater humility:

"We also want our own Gem Scepter."