Vol 2 Chapter 155: The Connected Truth
The magic nation is a country where royal authority supersedes all else.
The Queen's power stands above everything, her words are absolute truth, and her dignity cannot be challenged.
For such a nation, the qualification certification examination during the Queen's Year is a grand ceremony that must not fail or be disrupted. If Claw Marks and Black Ember Dawn were to accomplish their hidden agenda during this period and sabotage the examination, it would undoubtedly deal a severe blow to the nation's prestige.
Considering that the Queen herself would be presiding over this examination, such a failure would transform into outright humiliation and treachery. Without exaggeration, this would certainly provoke the Royal Court's wrath and possibly even trigger a storm of fury.
Yet every coin has two sides—the more unacceptable Claw Marks and Black Ember Dawn's schemes are to the Royal Court, the more illustrious the achievement would be for those who thwart them. As the saying goes, the greater the storm, the more valuable the catch; reward always walks hand in hand with risk.
Veronica understood all these principles perfectly.
However, when this plan was actually laid before her, she found herself utterly unable to voice her agreement.
"...This is gambling with all the examinees' safety, putting them in danger."
Yet even as she objected, her words felt feeble to her own ears: "My junior teammates are also taking this exam. I can't possibly approve a plan that endangers them.""Regarding that, please rest assured."
Folding Crane Orchid explained lightly: "We never intended to truly use the children as bait. Protecting our juniors is our duty as seniors, after all. We've already begun deploying defensive spells and traps throughout the examination grounds to minimize casualties when the terrorists strike."
"Though some damage is inevitable—certain facilities and areas will certainly be affected."
Emerald meaningfully corrected: "We'll prevent human casualties as much as possible, but material losses must occur. Otherwise, the Royal Court might not fully grasp the severity of these infiltrators' threat."
"Exactly as you say, Chief."
Folding Crane Orchid smiled: "Coincidentally, the Finance Court has been having some auditing issues lately. Their preliminary estimate is 300 million francs in losses, so our financial damages this time..."
"Rune Norrey is the Research Court's stronghold. If this city is attacked, the Research Court's losses would naturally exceed other institutions." Emerald closed her eyes.
"Indeed, that should be the case. Factoring in the needs of the other two Courts and the Royal Court faction within the Magical Affairs Court, conservative estimates suggest this attack may have cost us 1.5 billion francs."
Folding Crane Orchid adopted a pained expression: "Yet even so, we must face this tragedy head-on. We'll coordinate with the Finance Court faction beforehand—they'll prepare the reports."
"And then that Finance Court faction will owe you two favors."
Emerald added: "Two favors should be enough for you to negotiate properly with the current Diamond-rank, to prevent her from causing trouble every time."
The two women thus alternated speaking, settling some unspoken distribution of benefits from this upcoming "attack" within mere sentences.
Throughout this, Veronica remained silent, knowing her input wasn't required. Her thoughts dwelled on another matter entirely.
"So in your plan, how exactly should we handle these Claw Marks or Black Ember Dawn members in the end?"
She spoke up after they reached their conclusion, asking with emotions even she couldn't name: "Subdue them? Arrest them? Or most violently—execute them on the spot?"
"We can't kill all the enemies, Your Excellency. That would be too cruel, and Her Majesty the Queen is merciful—some deserve forgiveness."
Folding Crane Orchid immediately responded: "However, as you know, the ringleaders who devised these plans harbor the deepest hostility and bear the heaviest sins against our nation. Such individuals cannot be left unchecked."
"Because they know exactly how much damage their plan was supposed to cause. If any survivors confessed under interrogation, their statements wouldn't match your fabricated loss reports." Veronica summarized expressionlessly.
"Your wisdom is unparalleled." Folding Crane Orchid bowed.
By now, the rough outline of this plan had become clear.
All Veronica's doubts were finally answered—from Emerald's motives in making deals with her, to how "illegal visitors" like her and Mohe could exploit immigration loopholes, to why this year's qualification exam seemed unusually lax in management despite its significance... All these answers connected like threads, weaving a complete truth in her mind.
Yet this revelation only bred more questions.
One thought she hesitated to examine was whether Emerald had intentionally sought her out to trade for the Beast Origin, then "coincidentally" used her to leak information about its whereabouts to Claw Marks. Had everything been part of a scheme from the very beginning?
If even Emerald—who usually seemed guileless—could orchestrate this, what about White Wolf, the former Purple Diamond? As a Scepter of Gems, had she truly just walked into this trap?
Had the Investigation Court, Civil Administration Bureau, and Finance Court also played certain roles as stakeholders in this affair?
Regrettably, answers to these questions eluded her for now.
The only certainty was that in this event already shrouded in layers of schemes, there would inevitably be scapegoats—those who would ultimately lose everything and bear all responsibility.
She couldn't help thinking of Mohe.
What had Mohe truly been feeling that night when she stopped Veronica to reveal Claw Marks' movements?
And now, as Veronica sat in this banquet hall participating in the Magical Affairs Court and Research Court's machinations, was she truly worthy of such trust?
Undoubtedly, if Veronica was determined to reclaim her position as Scepter of Sapphire at any cost, a smooth path now lay before her.
She only needed to keep working with Emerald and the Magical Affairs Court to refine this plan, then use her connection with Mohe to deceive Claw Marks, effortlessly capturing them all. This would deliver all promised benefits to the nation's factions.
By completely betraying Mohe and indiscriminately opposing Claw Marks, she could ensure her daughters' safe exam participation while eliminating additional risks. She could even "earn merits" smoothly and regain her position among the Scepters of Gems.
The price would merely be some "terrorists" and "traitors" dying—afterwards, nobody would investigate, because Claw Marks were ultimately forgotten outcasts. Mohe was just a comrade from twenty years ago—neither their bond nor any shared interests could outweigh her children's safety and the power the nation could offer.
But was this truly what she should do? Just because something benefited her, did that make it right?
Once again, Veronica found herself standing at a critical crossroads in her life.