NOVPUB"I think I understand what you mean."
Emerald Sparrow took a deep breath, "Thank you for your regard and favor, but unfortunately, there are two reasons why I cannot agree to your request."
As she spoke these words, she felt a slight tremor beneath her feet. Clearly, the flying airship had already taken off during their conversation.
In the current atmosphere, Emerald Sparrow's response was certainly untimely. After all, both Emerald, the authority figure, and Zhe Helan and others of her subordinates had shown considerable enthusiasm for "nominating Emerald Sparrow as the new Sapphire Wand." To refuse at this moment was akin to slapping them in the face.
However, as Emerald Sparrow herself said, she had reasons for refusal that were not to be ignored.
Fortunately, even though her words were so blunt that several members of the Magical Affairs Institute in the group visibly wore expressions of regret and disappointment, Zhe Helan's face remained unchanged.
"Please, go on." She merely continued to bow her head, echoing thus.
Seeing her rationale, Emerald Sparrow knew there was no need for unnecessary explanations. She straightforwardly said, "First, I am still officially banned from entering the Kingdom as an exile, which is an order from the Rose Palace, and I have already expressed my compliance with it. In fact, standing here now, I have crossed the Boundary Gate in a nearly smuggler-like manner. So, I cannot go against the Kingdom's regulations, nor could the Kingdom itself acknowledge someone like me, who should rightly be exiled."
"Yes, that is indeed a problem we need to solve." Zhe Helan nodded in agreement.
"Second, I carry a certain hatred upon me. I am destined, at some point, to seek out my enemy and take revenge. I don't know when this journey will end or in what form. The worst possibility is that I myself may lose my life in it. Therefore, I cannot stay long-term in the Magic Kingdom, let alone become a Gemstone Scepter."
Emerald Sparrow continued, "Actually, there was originally a third reason, and that is my disagreement with that person...or rather, my disagreement with this country's Royal Court. At least twenty years ago, I was unwilling to work with them and become one of those who grovel for power."
"I see, then what changed your mind about the third reason?" Zhe Helan seemed as if she truly became a listener, promptly asking back.
"Because over the past twenty years, I've learned that avoiding things will not make ugliness or corruption disappear on their own."
The vibration of the floor reminded everyone that their altitude was increasing. So, Emerald Sparrow moved a bit to the side, placing her hand on the back of a chair: "Someone must stand up and do something, and I am also willing to take this opportunity to grasp the initiative in things, so that I might change some things and avoid results that I find most unacceptable."
Zhe Helan continued to listen in silence, yet she seemed to be pondering something.
Before long, she raised her head, looked at Emerald Sparrow, and seriously said, "Alright, I understand now. Then, allow me to boldly summarize your stance."
Emerald Sparrow nodded, without speaking, merely gesturing for her to proceed.
So, Zhe Helan began her summary: "The two problems you mentioned still exist as external obstacles: one is your identity, and the other is the hatred you carry."
"Regarding the third problem that no longer exists, can I understand it as...if the first two problems are resolved, you are willing to become the Sapphire Wand from your subjective intent?"
"Yes." Emerald Sparrow spoke bluntly.
"Then, please allow me to report that regarding these two problems you mentioned, both I and the Chief have already prepared contingency plans."
Zhe Helan smiled, "These two problems of yours actually may not be problems at all."
"Let's hear it?" Emerald Sparrow couldn't help raising her eyebrows.
"Alright, actually this is also the main topic we wanted to discuss today. Please, have a seat first."
Zhe Helan first arranged for Emerald Sparrow and Emerald to sit at the guest seats at the dining table, and then naturally stood beside Emerald Sparrow's seat, calmly saying, "Regarding your second problem, I feel that those of us present are not that concerned."
"Perhaps you think that the Gemstone Scepter should bear the entire institution's decisions and responsibilities. To maintain the normal operations of the Magical Affairs Institute, we need you, the Scepter, to always handle governmental affairs within the Institute." 𝒏𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
"But, in actuality, it is not so. The Magical Affairs Institute does indeed need its own Gemstone Scepter, but as long as the Institute has a Scepter, where the Scepter is personally and what they are doing is actually not important."
"On this point, perhaps the Chief can share some insights with you."
With that, the conversation was passed to Emerald.
Emerald, who had the conversation passed to her, did not put on airs. She simply grunted and continued from where Zhe Helan left off: "She's telling the truth."
"The truth?"
Emerald Sparrow also looked at Emerald, "You mean as long as there's a Gemstone Scepter in office, becoming the power center of that institute, then she can do whatever she pleases next?"
"Theoretically, yes."
Emerald nodded, "Although in practice, many important decisions still require you to make, generally there's little tedious work. Your subordinates can handle these tasks. In fact, for most Magical Girls, working in their agency for years and never even knowing what their own Scepter looks like is quite common."
"Then why do you lock yourself up in the lab like it's a prison every day?" Emerald Sparrow curiously asked.
"What kind of unpleasant talk is that, calling it a prison? That's because my hobby is academia, research!"
Emerald gave her a sidelong glance, "Activate your brain and think, youngster. If in our Kingdom, the Five Major Institutes had to have the Scepter personally attend to every detail, do you think the Finance Court could still operate as it does now after everything it's been through? Or could that crazy girl, Pigeon Blood Red, manage all the miscellaneous affairs of the Civil Administration Institute? Impossible, right?"
"I understand now, so if I become the Sapphire Wand, I can choose to go seek revenge at any time."
Emerald Sparrow nodded, "Then, what if you choose me, and I die outside? Wouldn't all your efforts be in vain?"
"Then just don't court death, right?"
Emerald wore an expression of exasperation, as though striking a parched nail, "You've become the Gemstone Scepter; can't you bring some subordinates for revenge? Can't you ask the old hag at the Investigation Bureau for some manpower? Can't you have me arm your team? Does your revenge have to be a solo mission? Can't others help?"
"I never thought that way; as long as I can have my enemy in my hands, I don't mind using any means."
Emerald Sparrow shook her head, "However, this is ultimately my private vendetta. I believe I shouldn't involve others risking for my private matters..."
"Alright, stop right there."
Emerald squinted her eyes, reaching out to stop Emerald Sparrow from continuing, "I ask you, is this revenge for your teammates, for Ying?"
"Yes, not just for Ying, but also for those companions who sacrificed to uncover the truth, like Ying's teammate, Tumi..." Emerald Sparrow supplemented.
"Well, then, whether it's Ying, or Tumi as you said, aren't they Magical Girls, theoretically under the charge of your Magical Affairs Institute?" Emerald questioned.
"In strict terms, they are." Emerald Sparrow roughly knew what Emerald wanted to say: "You want to tell me that once I become the Sapphire Wand, this matter becomes public business for me, not a personal vendetta?"
"It's always been public business."
Emerald chuckled, "The Investigation Bureau initially lost a Patrol Envoy because they rushed the investigation too hastily. During that time, they were like mad dogs biting randomly in the interworld and Material Realm. Black Ash Dawn even captured an Ash Envoy and got them killed; who dares to say they weren't handling official business? The only difference was their lack of capability, which led to an 'offender already dead' ineffective conclusion in the end."
"Is that so?" This was the first time Emerald Sparrow heard about what the Investigation Bureau had done in the case of Ying's death. Before this, all she heard from Golden Green Cat's Eye was passing the buck and bureaucratic jargon.
"If you really become the Sapphire Wand, that old witch might not mind telling you more things."
Emerald sneered, "You also know, speaking like humans to humans and like ghosts to ghosts is her forte."
"I understand now."
This time, Emerald Sparrow was truly persuaded.
If becoming the Sapphire Wand would really allow her to reopen the investigation into Ying's death, and with the Kingdom's power, help her find the culprit and even avenge, then she might indeed need to do this. Even if it might all just be a sweet bait.
"Then, what about my identity?" She thus raised her final question.
