"So, what you mean is, even if you follow my orders from now on, if I want to achieve certain objectives through the Magic Affairs Institute, I still have to publicly claim that they're 'needs of the Research Institute'?"
After thinking for a moment, Larkspur summarized, "Without that pretext, nothing can be pushed forward?"
"More precisely, using the Research Institute's name increases the chances of success, because it makes the other factions consider the matter openly and weigh its pros and cons. After all, they have policies and projects of their own that they want to advance. If we can help them achieve some of their goals, we may be able to secure their support for us in the future."
Zhe Helan explained, "And most exchanges of power within the Magic Affairs Institute follow this Rule: I help you once, and when I need you later, you help me once. It's like some kind of card-collecting game. Once a faction has collected favors from every other interested party, it can attempt to force through an issue."
"How many favors has your faction collected?" Larkspur pressed.
"Excluding those already spent, the Investigation Institute currently owes us two favors, and the Finance Institute owes us one."
Zhe Helan answered without hesitation. "The Civil Governance Institute recently wanted to add a new department to its faction. That proposal has been deadlocked for a long time. If we help them win this battle, we can gain one favor from the Civil Governance Institute."
"What about the remaining Education Selection Office? Which side stands behind her? The Royal Court?" Larkspur asked in confusion.
"You could say that, but everyone privately knows that the noble families of the Royal Court stand behind her, rather than the Royal Court itself."
Zhe Helan said, "That member of the