Separation of Powers

(Miluno)

"Hmm, nowadays, only I can transform those old guys in the 'Supreme Council' into witches. It's not just about technique, it's about skill... My thorny tentacles are quite flexible, you know?"

Aldebaran's menacing thorns reached out towards me, but I blocked them.

Ever since she pierced me from behind, I've been on guard against those annoying rattan canes.

She shrugged and continued, "So, neither the 'Supreme Council' nor A-Ji's side dares to make a move against me rashly. They all know I have my own agenda, but I am irreplaceable to both sides. In order to prevent me from completely siding with one side, they dare not impose too many restrictions on me. This is also a kind of check and balance."

After saying that, she started munching on the sunflower seeds I had brought her.

Is it irreplaceable?

"That's right. The Supreme Council holds onto power tightly, and A-Ji wants to get a share of it with the witch. But I have no interest in power. When your abilities are outstanding enough, even those in power must bow down to you... and even entrust their lives to me."

"So you want to act to improve your status?"

"Status and power are different. My goal has always been to increase my own value, and power is merely a byproduct of that process."

In response, the little thing in my head spat out a mouthful of empty phlegm.

"Pah, hypocrite!"

My view on Aldebaran is similar; he talks a lot about being indifferent to fame and fortune, but in reality, he's still scrambling to climb the ladder of success.

However, there's no need to expose her here. After all, I'm here to discuss the deal with her, and there's no need to make things unpleasant.

I went straight to the point and asked:

"So when will you give me the technology for the Witch Domain?"

"Don't worry, I haven't rescued Betelgeuse and the others yet."

I knew this would happen; it's that time of year again when it comes to whether to pay first or deliver the goods first.

Why should I believe you won't go back on your word?

"Do I look like such an untrustworthy person?"

"Of course, I don't trust you at all."

She calmly countered with:

"If that's the case, how can I trust you?"

However, that's exactly what I was waiting for her to say.

"Haven't you always claimed to be an ally? If you are an ally, you should show some sincerity now. Besides, even if you hand over the Witch Domain research to me, it takes time to master new technologies. How can you expect to master them so quickly? Even if it's just for the sake of subsequent technical support, we wouldn't refuse to release them."

"Etc!"

Aldebaran spat out the sunflower seed shells from his mouth.

"Wait a minute, I never said I would provide you with technical support. A research project is a research project, and whether it can be solved depends on the capabilities of your research department."

She's only responsible for setting the questions; if she can't master the technology, it's because the researcher isn't working hard enough.

Although that's what was said at the time, upon closer inspection, the real power lies with Aldebaran.

She demanded that we hand over three witches, including Betelgeuse. We couldn't do anything about that, but her research topic... that leaves a lot of room for maneuver.

"A monkey show!"

Even the little creatures understood the trap in Aldebaran's words.

"Alright, then release them first."

In the end, I had to make concessions and compromises.

"But ultimately, it's all an act for the 'Supreme Council.' Whether you can take them away... depends on your strength."

I wasn't in a hurry to go back.

Just like how I feel uncomfortable if something doesn't go well when I visit my brother's house at Huazhong Agricultural University, going straight back also makes me feel like I've missed out on something.

So, under the guise of a visit, I wandered around Aldebaran's research tower in protective gear, while also doing some tampering.

Aldebaran didn't stop me, so I wandered up to the Magical Girl Soldiers dormitory on the fourth floor.

The little thing is chattering in my head:

"Miluno, how could you agree to that guy's request? You don't actually believe she's one of our own, do you? I'm more like one of our own than she is!"

So you're just someone who "seems like one of us" after all?

The little thing quickly denied it.

"That's not what I meant! I meant she's untrustworthy!"

Of course I know Aldebaran is untrustworthy; that little dwarf is like a cunning fox, someone who won't suffer the slightest loss. But the reason I agreed to her request was to get her to actually hand over what we wanted... You see, since she's putting on a show for the 'Supreme Council,' she certainly doesn't want the rescue operation to fail, right?

If she refuses to hand over the items first, then we should put on a more serious show in our cooperation with her.

"Ha! You're such a bad thing!"

Although she was scolding me, why did her tone sound like she was praising me?

I was just praising you!

The Magical Girl Soldiers' dormitory, which roams the four-story building, is divided into forty-eight rooms. Although the area is not large, each Magical Girl Soldiers has her own bedroom.

This arrangement is not hard to understand.

Aldebaran didn't want them to experience waking up to find their roommates on a suicide mission, so it downplayed their connections and instead focused on maintaining harmony as a whole.

"Since they're so frustrated, why not just lead them in rebellion against the 'Supreme Council'? The Monster aren't as strong as the witches."

No.

The "Supreme Council" possesses Indigenous Relics such as Annihilation Bomb.

Think about it: humans can't beat mountain gorillas with their bare hands, but what about when they have guns and cannons?

Think about it again. Given this world's incredible infrastructure capabilities, repairing the Betelgeuse's Great Crater wouldn't take long, but that massive crater has been preserved. Why is that?

That was the "Supreme Council's " intimidation of Aldebaran and Sun Ji.

Moreover, my cheap father-in-law has the idea of transforming the "Supreme Council". Aldebaran really dares to rebel, he might be suppressed by Fomalhaut. She can only maneuver freely if she is caught between the two. If she is at odds with both sides at the same time, she will not be able to survive.

These three points, including herself, are in a relationship of mutual checks and balances, yet also of mutual collusion...

"That's a great analysis! I thought you were just a reckless woman who only acted on instinct!"

The little thing clapped its hands loudly in my ear.

The water on the Other Side is deep enough, and the situation beneath the surface is probably even more complex, but that's not what I'm concerned about.

"Sniff..."

The little thing sniffled like a dog.

"Miluno, there's a Magical Girl Soldiers acting strangely in this living room."

"Um?"

Is there anyone more out of place than me wearing protective gear indoors?

"This."

A highlighted arrow appeared above the head of a gray-haired Magical Girl Soldiers. Dressed in rather plain clothes, she sat alone in a corner of the living room, secretly observing the actions of the other Magical Girl Soldiers. Her behavior was suspicious and she seemed anxious.

Of course, she also secretly observed me.

The little thing said again:

"She might not be Magical Girl Soldiers, but a witch who has infiltrated the area."

A witch? What does that mean?

"She has a highly pure Simulacrum Factor within her... She is... a witch created by Monster!"