Private Conversation

When the airship reached its highest point, the waiters brought out the dinner dishes from the kitchen, and the banquet officially entered its second half.

Perhaps it was because the topics discussed earlier were too sensational that the conversation became much more subdued in the latter half. Of course, it could also be because everyone could sense that the main character of the dinner— the Larkspur himself—was not in high spirits.

The employees of the Magic Affairs Institute who were seated at this gathering were not tactless. Even if there were a few slow-witted ones, they would obediently follow the atmosphere and not cause any trouble. So after that, the dinner party took on a more Material Realm atmosphere.

The subordinates of the Magic Affairs Institute, holding glasses of red wine, kept trying to chat with Larkspur, currying favor and even flattering her. Larkspur responded to them with social skills that had almost become muscle memory. In an instant, amidst the clinking of glasses, the previously somewhat aloof atmosphere eased considerably.

Aside from the occasional mention of operational details, no one discussed the distribution of profits or scheming among themselves. They chatted about gossip from the Magic Affairs Institute and the rumors circulating in high society. If an uninformed person were to witness this, they would probably think it was just a harmonious and friendly gathering of magical girls.

Finally, the dinner party ended in a harmonious and joyful atmosphere, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.

In the end, no one asked Larkspur for his opinion on the operation or for any instructions. Even Emerald just made casual, rambling jokes, as if she wasn't the one who had used a quarter of Luen Nore as bait.

But Larkspur knew very well that it wasn't that they didn't care; they were simply choosing this method to wait for her response.

Before leaving, the last person to come forward and toast Larkspur was Zhe Helan. However, unlike her previous boastful talk, this time she deliberately chose a time when everyone else had left and it was just her and Larkspur.

"Lady Cornflower"

She bowed slightly and lowered her voice, saying, "If what I said before was what I should say as the Education Selection Office of the Magic Affairs Institute, then now I would like to convey some of my personal views to you."

She raised her glass, paused, and said, "Regarding the question you asked me earlier, it's about my opinion on the 'recommendation of you as the Gem Scepter's proposal. From a public perspective, the Magic Kingdom needs a Sapphire Scepter, the Magic Affairs Institute needs a Dean, and we staff need a leader with real power... However, personally, I don't really have a clear idea."

"My reason tells me that you are the most suitable person to become the Sapphire Scepter, and the one with the best chance of using this power well. But my emotions also tell me that doing so would inevitably cause you to lose something in the process."

"I've only been in the government of this country for less than twenty years. In those twenty years, many of my peers were probably still sighing in despair over Flower Card, or even frowning over a few scratches on Letter Card, but I've already risen to the position of Education Selection Office."

"Many people say I have a natural talent for politics, that I'm a born politician, and that my talent gives me an edge over others. But I know for sure that's not the case. I initially entered this workplace, or rather, the political arena, with certain goals and dreams, and I worked tirelessly to climb the ladder to achieve certain ambitions. But when I finally reached this position, I found that I was completely different from who I was at the beginning."

"Have you ever heard the story of the 'Ship of the Vast Sea'? A ship is constantly damaged and its parts are constantly replaced during its voyage. When all the parts on the ship have finally been replaced, is it still the same ship?"

"Compared to my past self, I am now like these two ships."

At this point, Zhe Helan's face remained expressionless, but Larkspur could sense that she wasn't simply wallowing in self-pity, but genuinely troubled and contemplating the issue. "Those worn-out, replaced 'old parts' are what I mean by 'losing.' Although they will be replaced with new components, those lost parts are destined never to return."

"Looking back now, I can't even remember what function those 'old parts' served, or how they influenced my past self. But without a doubt, as they were discarded, I, the magical girl 'Zhe Helan,' was gradually becoming a completely different individual from my past self."

"If possible, I don't want you to follow the same path as me."

"Perhaps your willpower is stronger than mine, perhaps your beliefs are more noble than mine, perhaps you can resist the alienation brought about by the environment, and even become the one who changes the environment... I will fantasize like this, to convince myself, to tell myself that you are very suitable to become the Gem Scepter."

"But in the end, I found it still wouldn't work. I felt I needed to tell you my concerns. I'm worried that if you become the Gem Scepter, you'll gradually become unlike yourself."

"Please believe that in this country, in this world, there are many people who want you to change, but there are also many who don't. Undoubtedly, I deeply respect you as you are now and want to be loyal to you as you are, but if it comes to placing you on the throne, I haven't really thought it through... because I don't want you to change too much."

"So, if you have any complaints about our work or any opinions about the topic, I actually hope you can tell us instead of remaining silent. Because if you do, I will feel very uneasy."

"I feel I should emphasize to you that we are truly loyal to you, not just for the position of the 'Gem Scepter.' That is to say, if you genuinely despise these things and do not wish to become the Gem Scepter, we will not retract our oath. Rather, if that is the case, please tell me or us your new goal, so that we can better serve you."

"That's all I wanted to say, and I hope it can be a genuine reference for you, rather than something you do to accommodate the purposes of 'this group'."

After saying this, Zhe Helan downed the red wine in her glass in one gulp and gave Larkspur a somewhat enigmatic smile.

But the fact that the other party had gone this far only made Larkspur feel more confused.

"To pledge complete allegiance to me, and not to the Sapphire Scepter?"

The other person lowered her voice, indicating that she didn't want the conversation to become the center of attention, so Larkspur also lowered her voice. "Why? What's the point? If we exclude my status as a 'former candidate for the Sapphire Scepter,' I'm just a nominal Inspector of the Investigation Institute, and I have absolutely no connection with your Magic Affairs Institute or even the Research Institute."

Zhe Helan's smile widened.

Without immediately offering an explanation, she simply placed her wine glass aside, her expression gradually turning serious as she slowly straightened her already tall figure.

Then, she raised her hand, slowly bringing her palm up to her temple, palm facing outward.

"Rosam ducat, Luna serve."

She spoke in a perfectly standard Kingdom accent, uttering a phrase that was all too familiar to Larkspur:

"I hope that whatever form it takes, you will get what you want. Best wishes, sir."