Vol 2 Chapter 157: The Return Journey and Confrontation
The dinner gathering ended as midnight approached.
Emerald declined the offer from several Magical Affairs Court staff to escort her back to the Research Court, so on the return trip, only Veronica shared the carriage with her.
Compared to the peaceful and heartwarming scenery during their earlier journey, the nighttime streets of Rune Norrey appeared much colder and quieter.
Emerald leaned against the seat back, eyes closed without speaking, seemingly attempting to rest as she had on the way there. However, after maintaining this posture for some time without managing to fall asleep, she reluctantly opened her eyes.
"Too much sleep today..."
She groaned with slight frustration.
Like an elderly person, she used the armrest to lift herself upright and turned her gaze toward Veronica sitting across from her. Veronica sat primly with her hands folded, her expression blank and eyes slightly lowered. She showed no reaction even when Emerald looked at her, clearly lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Are you really that unhappy?"
Emerald deliberately initiated conversation: "You've had that 'someone owes me money' look since before dinner. Is there something unsatisfactory?""...No."
Veronica raised her head to glance at Emerald: "I'm just contemplating some matters."
"What matters?" Noticing from the passing scenery that they still had some distance to the Research Court, Emerald pressed further.
"Personal matters. Unrelated to you or them." Veronica shook her head.
"Them" naturally referred to the Magical Affairs Court members.
"You could still share them."
Emerald imitated Veronica's posture, sitting upright like a proper lady: "This is a rare instance of me caring for my junior. I'm offering you the opportunity to borrow my wisdom as the Research Court's chief. Shouldn't you make good use of it?"
"I fear I'm unworthy of such honor," Veronica retorted sarcastically.
"I don't recall gunpowder being on tonight's menu."
Emerald delivered a dry joke: "What exactly has you so upset? Is it because you still don't want to become the Scepter of Gems and feel we're all forcing you?"
Veronica glared while Emerald squinted back at her, creating a brief stalemate.
"...Not exactly."
After a moment, perhaps realizing Emerald wouldn't let this go, Veronica sighed: "I'm not that irresponsible. At this point, continuing to escape won't solve anything, so I was already planning to agree with your proposal."
"Earn merits, atone for sins, then become the Scepter?" Emerald summarized.
"Correct."
Veronica nodded: "But the problem lies in the method of earning those merits."
"Still worried about your children?" Emerald spread her hands: "Does our plan still fail to reassure you?"
"That's one reason."
Veronica acknowledged: "But regarding this, I'll communicate with them upon returning and respect their own wishes. If they genuinely wish to take the certification exam early, you must involve me in formulating and implementing the security measures."
"Reasonable demand," Emerald agreed. "But this doesn't seem sufficient to explain your foul mood."
"...Perhaps not."
Veronica paused: "Truthfully, even proceeding this way, I still find this approach morally questionable. That I'm participating and benefiting from it makes me feel rather despicable...but I know I've already made my choice and prepared myself, so I've no right to criticize you about it."
"Mhm, so?" Emerald remained noncommittal: "Then what's really got you so explosive?"
"You've been playing me, Emerald."
Veronica's expression remained blank: "You knew all along that Claw Marks had infiltrated Rune Norrey, even knew some had connections with me, likely had already contacted me—yet you pretended ignorance."
"That's slander, junior."
Emerald puffed her cheeks slightly: "Could it be I was respecting your privacy by not discussing your social circle? Plus, not everyone present was necessarily informed, so discretion was necessary?"
"So you did know?" Veronica stared intently.
"Of course I knew," Emerald admitted shamelessly: "Tulip—or should I say the Claw Marks Magical Girl now codenamed 'Golden Snake'—is quite notorious. No matter how well she disguises herself, our informants could deduce her identity through multiple verifications. After all, they're exposed while we operate in shadows, as you know."
"What about them meeting me?" Veronica pressed.
"How would I know that? Didn't you just tell me?"
Emerald spread her hands: "Though without concrete information, simple logic suggests if I were Claw Marks, I'd certainly try recruiting you. While I don't know how they learned you're in Rune Norrey, any meeting would naturally involve discussion."
"You're well aware many of them were once Rune Norrey's soldiers—defenders of this very city beneath your feet," Veronica stated.
"Indeed," Emerald nodded.
"Yet now you endorse the Magical Affairs Court's plan to use bait to lure them in, sacrificing them for your benefit," Veronica advanced step by step.
"What's the issue?" Emerald tilted her head.
"They were this nation's heroes," Veronica asserted.
"No longer, junior."
Emerald spoke softly: "They differ from you. While many may still consider Cornflower a hero, they...I must tell you the truth—they're merely traitors to the state, nothing but terrorists now."
"Then why did they 'become traitors'? People who once fought for this nation's glory—what turned them into terrorists?"
Veronica persisted relentlessly: "There must be reasons. This world contains no causeless love or hatred. What led them to this point?"
"I don't know, junior."
Though her questions struck at the heart, Emerald merely gazed calmly: "I lack that answer. Or perhaps I know fragments, but sharing those would neither provide full truth nor prevent you suspecting my honesty. This is knowledge you must seek yourself."
"You may uncover massive scandals or merely tragic trivialities, but neither concerns me. As Rune Norrey's master, guardian of its countless citizens, my duty—my fundamental obligation—is securing benefits for my city and the Research Court. My conscience is clear."
"If you object to my plans, find them unreasonable, distrust your former comrades would betray you, or believe deeper truths remain buried..."
"Then grasp all power within your reach. Uncover all truth accessible to you. Then prove me wrong—show me where and how. State your alternatives."
Here, Emerald closed her eyes:
"Climb higher—whether through the Scepter of Gems' authority or attaining greater power as a Magical Girl...Ascend further, junior. Only then can you halt what you deem 'wrong.' Otherwise, you'll remain like them—mere sediment swept along by the tides."