Vol 2 Chapter 157: The Return Journey and Confrontation
The dinner gathering ended as midnight approached.
Erald 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 nightti streets of Rune Norrey appeared much colder and quieter.
Erald 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 so ti 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 Erald looked at her, clearly lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Are you really that unhappy?"
Erald deliberately initiated conversation: "You've had that 'soone owes money' look since before dinner. Is there sothing unsatisfactory?"
"...No."
Veronica raised her head to glance at Erald: "I'm just contemplating so matters."
"What matters?" Noticing from the passing scenery that they still had so distance to the Research Court, Erald pressed further.
"Personal matters. Unrelated to you or them." Veronica shook her head.
"Them" naturally referred to the Magical Affairs Court mbers.
"You could still share them."
Erald imitated Veronica's posture, sitting upright like a proper lady: "This is a rare instance of 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 nu."
Erald delivered a dry joke: "What exactly has you so upset? Is it because you still don't want to beco the Scepter of Gems and feel we're all forcing you?"
Veronica glared while Erald squinted back at her, creating a brief stalemate.
"...Not exactly."
After a mont, perhaps realizing Erald 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 rits, atone for sins, then beco the Scepter?" Erald summarized.
"Correct."
Veronica nodded: "But the problem lies in the thod of earning those rits."
"Still worried about your children?" Erald 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 in formulating and implenting the security asures."
"Reasonable demand," Erald 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 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?" Erald remained noncommittal: "Then what's really got you so explosive?"
"You've been playing , Erald."
Veronica's expression remained blank: "You knew all along that Claw Marks had infiltrated Rune Norrey, even knew so had connections with , likely had already contacted —yet you pretended ignorance."
"That's slander, junior."
Erald puffed her cheeks slightly: "Could it be I was respecting your privacy by not discussing your social circle? Plus, not everyone present was necessarily inford, so discretion was necessary?"
"So you did know?" Veronica stared intently.
"Of course I knew," Erald admitted shalessly: "Tulip—or should I say the Claw Marks Magical Girl now codenad '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 eting ?" Veronica pressed.
"How would I know that? Didn't you just tell ?"
Erald 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 eting 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," Erald 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?" Erald tilted her head.
"They were this nation's heroes," Veronica asserted.
"No longer, junior."
Erald spoke softly: "They differ from you. While many may still consider Cornflower a hero, they...I must tell you the truth—they're rely traitors to the state, nothing but terrorists now."
"Then why did they 'beco 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, Erald rely gazed calmly: "I lack that answer. Or perhaps I know fragnts, 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 rely tragic trivialities, but neither concerns . As Rune Norrey's master, guardian of its countless citizens, my duty—my fundantal 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 forr 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 wrong—show where and how. State your alternatives."
Here, Erald 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—re sedint swept along by the tides."
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