Vol 2 Chapter 153: The Reason for the Conflict
"The issue of identity does complicate matters sowhat."
Erald's expression grew more serious when addressing this topic: "Undoubtedly, before we can truly push you into the position of the Scepter, we must first obtain Her Majesty's approval..."
"But there was conflict between us."
Veronica emphasized her situation: "I don't believe that simply reappearing before her now would lead to any reconciliation between us."
"Then we should first understand the nature of this 'conflict' you ntioned."
Erald showed a curious expression: "So would you mind sharing with us? What exactly caused the conflict between you and Her Majesty back then?"
This question wasn't answered imdiately, as Veronica had fallen silent.
However, everyone present knew Veronica was weighing her options, so no one pressed her, patiently waiting instead.
After a mont, Veronica sighed.
"After withdrawing from the battlefield back then, many doubts arose in my heart."
She began: "Among these doubts were questions like 'what exactly does the magic nation expect Magical Girls to do?' and 'what are Magical Girls in the nation's eyes?' There was also 'is the Boundary truly unforgivable?' Many of these questions I can barely recall now. But I began questioning the aning of my participation in that war, in that slaughter. I even started doubting whether the magic nation truly represented justice."
"We're all aware of this, youngster."
Erald explained lightly: "Not just a nation, even a small team or organization—once there are enough people, all sorts will erge, including bad ones. No organization can guarantee its purity, not even the magic nation."
"...My doubt wasn't about whether there were bad people in the magic nation."
Veronica paused: "What I wanted to know was, in that war, the 'Garden Defense,' were we shields for the good, or accomplices to the bad? Did winning that war indirectly fulfill certain bad people's goals?"
"That's rather hindsight of you, youngster."
Erald tilted her head, propping her cheek with one hand: "In war, rely protecting ourselves took all our effort, not to ntion the countless civilians in Rune Norrey behind us. Winning the war saved all of Rune Norrey, even countless civilians of the nation—how could that possibly be a bad thing?"
"I know. I'm not saying we should have surrendered or handed victory over. Magical Girls should protect everyone, Magical Girls should stop invasions—this is a belief we all share. In that situation, aside from fighting with all our might to repel the enemy, there really was no other choice."
Veronica took a deep breath: "But precisely because of this, precisely because every Magical Girl I saw was so kind, so pure, so noble—they gave their lives in desperate situations with the belief of saving lives... that's why I couldn't accept it. I couldn't believe this belief was being exploited, used by so to fulfill their vile desires."
"Ha, sounds almost like an accusation against ."
Erald blinked: "After all, back then, the highest command of Rune Norrey was in my hands. I was the one who sent those children to which battlefield, who gave them which orders. Or, to put it more cruelly, I was the one who 'decided how they would die.'"
"But you were protecting this city, not acting out of personal motives, weren't you?"
Veronica looked at her expressionlessly: "After all, you personally went to the front lines and nearly beca the first Scepter of Gems in history to be killed."
"I must correct the rumors about —while I fought a tough battle, it wasn't quite that dangerous."
Erald closed her eyes and waved a hand: "But the rest isn't wrong, youngster. I'm glad you can recognize my efforts in this matter."
"That's one reason I'm willing to work with you."
Veronica's gaze returned to the center of the table: "In any case, after hearing so unverified news and realizing the Inter-Realm War might not have been as simple as it seed—that my comrades' sacrifices might be tainted—I was furious. And just then, the person from the Rose Palace granted an audience."
"You seem quite unwilling to properly address Her Majesty," Erald remarked.
"During that eting, I learned so truths."
Ignoring Erald's comnt, Veronica continued as if no one else were present: "But when I voiced my doubts and sought answers, the results left ... disappointed."
"Her Majesty refused to answer you?" Erald asked.
"No, she answered, at least so of it."
Here, Veronica's expression turned odd: "But these answers either confird the war wasn't pure or were just... strange."
"Strange?"
"Yes. I don't know how to describe it, but it felt like her answers had nothing to do with my questions."
Veronica carefully chose her words: "Even when she remained silent on certain questions, that silence itself felt..."
She trailed off completely.
As if struggling to find the right words, Veronica paused for a long ti before continuing: "...Never mind. Looking back now, it was probably just my imagination. I was overly sensitive back then, overreacting to many things, which is why a simple conversation gave such strange feelings."
"But one thing was certain: upon learning the Inter-Realm War was indeed inglorious, unjust, and impure, my anger overwheld all other emotions."
"I shouted at her, demanding to know what this nation truly saw Magical Girls as—what our dreams, our beliefs, our emotions, the very criteria used to select Magical Girls, were supposed to an. Did all these things have to be trampled into worthlessness, our efforts made into a joke, just to satisfy certain people?"
"And in response, she only asked one question in return—"
—["So, are you willing to pledge loyalty to and beco my Scepter of Sapphire?"]
["If you swear to now, you can be crowned as the head of the Magical Affairs Court as the 'hero of the Garden Defense.'"]
This question, Veronica could never forget.
Hearing it, the fury that rushed to her head, overwhelming all reason;
the disappointnt that extinguished all passion;
the grief that engulfed everything—such complex emotions were perhaps the first she'd ever experienced in her life.
"...And so, at that mont, I refused without hesitation, declaring loudly: 'I don't want to be any damned Scepter of Gems. Every child who died, every child still lying in the sanatoriums, deserves to be a Scepter of Gems more than I. Do you want to betray their sacrifices, steal their efforts, and beco a fraud?'"
With this, the answer beca clear to everyone at the table. Veronica looked up at them again:
"And this was my final statent to her."
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