Persuasion

"I think I understand what you mean."

Larkspur took a deep breath. "Thank you for your high regard and kindness, but unfortunately, there are two reasons why I cannot agree to your request."

As she spoke those words, she felt a slight tremor beneath her feet; clearly, the airship had taken off while everyone was talking.

Given the current atmosphere, Larkspur's answer was extremely inappropriate. After all, both Emerald, the one in power, and her subordinates like Zhe Helan, had shown considerable enthusiasm for "electing Larkspur as the new Sapphire Scepter." To refuse at this moment would be tantamount to slapping them in the face.

However, as Larkspur herself said, she had reasons to refuse.

Fortunately, even though she said such blunt things, and several members of the Magic Affairs Institute in the group visibly showed regret and disappointment, Zhe Helan remained unfazed.

"Please speak," she replied, keeping her head bowed.

Seeing her rationality, Larkspur knew she didn't need to offer any further explanation and went straight to the point. "Firstly, I am still officially an exile forbidden from entering the Kingdom. This is an order from the Rose Palace, and I have already expressed my obedience. Even now, standing here, I have crossed the World Gate almost smuggled myself in. Therefore, I cannot violate the Kingdom's regulations, and the Kingdom would never accept me as someone 'deserving of exile'."

"Yes, this is indeed a problem that we need to solve." Zhe Helan nodded in agreement.

"Secondly, I carry a certain hatred within me. I am destined to seek out my enemy and exact revenge at some point. I do not know when or in what form this journey of revenge will end. The worst-case scenario is that I myself will lose my life along the way. Therefore, it is impossible for me to remain in the Magic Kingdom for long, or even become a Gem Scepter."

Larkspur continued, "Actually, there was a third reason: I didn't approve of that person... or rather, I didn't approve of the Royal Court of this country. At least twenty years ago, I was unwilling to work with him and become one of those scheming, despicable people."

"I see. So what changed your mind about the third reason?" Zhe Helan seemed to have truly become a listener, promptly asking in response.

"Because in these twenty years I have learned that ignoring it will not make ugliness and decadence disappear on their own."

The tremors of the floor reminded everyone that their altitude was increasing, so Larkspur shifted slightly to the side, placing her hand on the back of a chair. "Someone has to step up and do something, and I'm willing to take the initiative so I can change things and avoid the most unacceptable outcomes."

Zhe Helan continued to listen silently with her head down, as if she were pondering something.

A short while later, she raised her head, looked at the Larkspur, and said earnestly, "Very well, I understand. Now, please allow me to summarize your meaning."

Larkspur nodded without speaking, simply gesturing for her to continue.

Then Zhe Helan began her summary. "... The two problems you mentioned that still exist are both external obstacles: one is your identity, and the other is the hatred you bear."

"As for the third problem that originally existed, you said it no longer exists. Can I understand that... now that the first two problems have been solved, you are willing to become the Sapphire Scepter from a subjective point of view?"

"Yes," Larkspur replied directly.

"Then, please allow me to report to you that, regarding the two issues you mentioned, His Excellency and I have already prepared contingency plans."

Zhe Helan smiled and said, "Both of your questions are actually not questions at all."

"Tell me about it?" Larkspur raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, that's actually the main topic we wanted to discuss today. Please have a seat."

Zhe Helan first arranged for Larkspur and Emerald to sit in the seats of honor at the dining table, then quite naturally stood next to Larkspur's seat and calmly said, "First of all, regarding your second question, I don't think any of us here actually mind that much."

"Perhaps you feel that the Gem Scepter should bear the decision-making and responsibility of the entire institution. In order to maintain the normal operation of the Magic Affairs Institute, we need your scepter to always handle the administrative affairs of the Magic Affairs Institute."

"But that's not actually the case. The Magic Affairs Institute does need its own Gem Scepter, but once the Magic Affairs Institute has the scepter, it doesn't really matter where the scepter owner is or what he's doing."

"Perhaps His Excellency can share his insights on this with you."

After she finished speaking, she handed the conversation to Emerald.

Emerald had been given the message, didn't put on airs. She simply grunted and continued Zhe Helan's words, saying, "She's telling the truth."

"Truth?"

Larkspur also looked at Emerald: "Does that mean that as long as someone with a Gem Scepter takes office and becomes the power center of that academy, then she can do whatever she wants afterward?"

"Theoretically, it's possible."

Emerald nodded. "Although in practice, you still need to make many important decisions, there's not much tedious work involved; your subordinates can handle it. In fact, for most magical girls, there are plenty who have worked in their organizations for over a decade and still don't even know what their own scepter looks like."

"Then why do you lock yourself in the lab every day like you're in prison?" Larkspur asked curiously.

"What nasty things are you saying? What do you mean by going to jail? It's because my hobby is doing academic research!"

Emerald rolled her eyes at her. "Use your brain and think about it, young man. If the Five Great Institutes of government in our Kingdom really had to handle every little detail personally, do you think the Finance Institute could still operate like this after all that has happened? Or that crazy girl, Pigeon Blood, could manage so many miscellaneous affairs in the Civil Governance Institute? Impossible, okay?"

"I understand. In other words, even if I become the Sapphire Scepter, I can choose to set off for revenge at any time."

Larkspur nodded. "What if you chose me, but I die out there? Wouldn't all your efforts have been for nothing?"

"Then don't go and get yourself killed!"

Emerald gave him a look of utter disappointment and exasperation. "You're already the Gem Scepter, can't you call on more men when you're seeking revenge? Can't you ask that old hag from the Investigation Institute to give you some manpower? Can't you ask me to arm your team? Does your revenge have to be a one-woman show? Can't you have help from others?"

"I never thought that way. As long as I can kill my enemy with my own hands, I don't mind using any means necessary."

Larkspur shook her head. "However, this is ultimately my own personal grudge, and I don't think I should let others risk their lives for my private affairs..."

"Alright, stop right there."

Emerald squinted and raised her hand to stop Larkspur from continuing, "I'm asking you, when you say revenge, is it for your teammates, for Sakura?"

"Yes, not just Sakura, but also those comrades who sacrificed themselves to investigate the truth, such as Sakura's teammate Tea Rose ..." Larkspur added.

"Alright, so whether it's Sakura or the Tea Rose you mentioned, aren't they magical girls? Theoretically, shouldn't they be under the jurisdiction of your Magic Affairs Institute?" Emerald questioned.

"Strictly speaking, they are..." Larkspur probably knew what Emerald was going to say, "Are you trying to tell me that after I become the Sapphire Scepter, this matter will be a matter of official business for me, not a personal vendetta?"

"It's always been done strictly according to official procedures."

Emerald chuckled, "The Investigation Institute even lost an Inspector at the beginning because they investigated too hastily. During that time, they were like mad dogs, biting people indiscriminately in the Interrealm and Material Realm. They even captured a Black Ash Dawn Ash Attendant and killed him. Who dares to say they weren't doing their job properly? It's just that they lacked the ability, and in the end, they came up with an invalid conclusion that 'the murderer is already dead'."

"Is that so?" This was the first time Larkspur had heard of the Investigation Institute's involvement in Sakura's death case. Before that, all she had heard from Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye was pass the buck and bureaucratic jargon.

"If you really become the Sapphire Scepter, then the old hag probably won't mind telling you more."

Emerald sneered, "You know, her forte is speaking to people in one way and to people in another."

"I see."

This time, Larkspur was truly convinced.

If becoming the Sapphire Scepter truly allowed her to reopen the investigation into Sakura's death, and to use the power of the Kingdom to find the murderer and even seek revenge, then perhaps she really needed to do it. Even if it was all just a sweet lure.

"Then, what about my identity?"

Having said all that, there was no point in dwelling on it any longer. So, she raised her final question.