"Ding-dong~ Ding-dang~ Ding-dong~ Ding-dang."
A simple yet lodious tune echoed softly.
Sitting alone in an empty prison cell, Veronica stared at the magic mirror in her hands.
As it connected to the other party, the mirror played not only a refreshing and pleasant tune but also displayed tiny, adorable fairies fluttering across the screen, dancing in midair.
At a glance, Veronica looked just like a child holding a toy, making it hard to believe she was initiating a serious conversation.
After waiting for several dozen seconds, the fairies’ dance finally stopped, and the mirror’s display shifted, revealing a young girl’s face.
Wearing a professional smile, the girl bowed politely to the mirror and said, "Greetings, ma’am. Please state the purpose of your call."
Although Veronica didn’t recognize her, she could easily guess her identity just from the golden top hat perched on her head—she was an Investigation Bureau operator, likely serving as a call relay.
"The captain of a squad nad Cat Tail gave this magic mirror, saying soone needed to speak with ."
Veronica inclined her head slightly in acknowledgnt, keeping her explanation brief. "My alias is Veronica."
"Understood, Lady Veronica. Please wait a mont."
Without questioning her further, the smiling girl gave another bow through the mirror before turning away, presumably to verify the details of the call.
Veronica stared at the now-empty mirror surface, her expression unreadable.
Not long after, once the verification was complete, the girl reappeared and bowed again with the sa impeccable courtesy. "Greetings, Inspector Veronica. I will now transfer your call to the Director’s study."
As soon as she finished speaking, the magic mirror’s display shifted, changing to a lavishly decorated room.
The walls were lined with towering bookshelves, their heavy wooden fras packed with ancient tos inscribed in unfamiliar scripts. Even through the mirror, the scent of old books seed to linger in the air. A few aged oil paintings and photographs adorned the upper corners of the room.
At the center of the space was a grand writing desk, accompanied by an opulent armchair. The chair’s backrest and seat were covered in thick velvet, while its armrests and fra were adorned with gold inlays and embedded chrysoberyl cat’s-eye gemstones, exuding sheer extravagance. On the desk lay several handwritten manuscripts, delicate ornants, and an elegant tea set. A steaming teacup rested in a porcelain-white hand, its owner seated in the armchair, smiling faintly at the magic mirror.
She was a girl who appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old.
Her figure was slender and graceful, draped in a magnificent silver-white gown embroidered with golden patterns and shimring green sequins, giving her an air of refined elegance. Around her wrist, she wore a simple yet sophisticated gemstone bracelet, and a golden robe hung lightly over her shoulders. Unlike the standard robes worn by Investigation Bureau mbers, hers shimred brilliantly, exuding an aura of distinction.
Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, each strand as smooth and luminous as silk, glimring as though dusted with gold powder. Her face was well-proportioned, her long lashes accentuating her delicate yet noble features. Though elegant, she did not appear aloof.
But the most striking feature was her eyes.
Her clear amber irises housed sharp, vertical pupils. The corners of her eyes were subtly elongated and slightly upturned, reminiscent of a feline’s gaze—agile yet profound. There was an unplaceable sense of tilessness within them, evoking an irresistible curiosity.
—Just as expected.
Upon seeing the girl in the mirror—the one referred to earlier as the "Director"—Veronica’s expression remained unchanged, though the corner of her lips twitched slightly.
Within the Magic Kingdom, only one person held the title of Director in the Investigation Bureau. The woman before her was none other than Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye, one of the elite Jewel Scepter Magical Girls, who stood at the very pinnacle of authority and power.
Though the Jewel Scepters were revered figures, only a rare few ever had the privilege of eting them in person. Many Magical Girls went their entire careers without once speaking to one.
If anyone else were in Veronica’s place, they would likely be overwheld with awe.
But Veronica remained indifferent.
After all, this wasn’t her first ti dealing with Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye.
As an officially designated Inspector, Veronica was nominally under the jurisdiction of the Investigation Bureau, making this woman her superior. But what exactly she wanted from her this ti remained to be seen.
"It’s been years, Miss Veronica—though I hear you now go by that na instead of Yatsushirogiku."
The girl’s first words carried a subtle teasing tone, contrasting with her otherwise formal deanor. "When was our last eting? Ah… was it during Her Majesty’s grand jubilee?"
Veronica’s lips parted slightly. After a brief pause, she maintained her cold expression and offered a courteous bow. "As you said, it was nineteen years ago, Director."
"Excellent. That ans my mory isn’t failing ."
Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye nodded slightly. "According to your report, a Magical Girl calling herself ‘Scarred Claw’ appeared in Fangting City recently, and you defeated her. Since you’ve received the magic mirror I sent, I assu the prisoner transfer has been completed?"
"It has."
Veronica’s answer was as brief as ever.
"Efficient as always, Miss Veronica."
Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye’s tone lifted slightly, showing a hint of satisfaction. She then raised her golden eyes. "Now, ensure there are no uninvited listeners around. The next part of this conversation is private."
Veronica glanced at the doorway, where she spotted Hong Siyu standing there with a pleading look.
Ignoring his pitiful expression, she gestured for him to leave with a slight nod of her chin before returning her gaze to the magic mirror. "I can confirm. Please proceed."
"Alright. Let’s start with the first matter at hand."
Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye pulled out a small notebook and flipped it open, settling on a specific page. "This is bad news. It concerns the previous generation of Magical Girls from Fangting City—the ones who joined the Investigation Bureau to uncover the truth behind Sakura’s death."
A sharp twinge ran through Veronica’s chest. "Who?"
The golden-haired girl lowered her eyes again, scanning the page in her hand before calmly reading aloud:
"Alias: ‘Tomi.’ Assigned to the Binhai City investigation squad. She encountered a high-ranking mber of Black Cinders Dawn, engaged in battle, and—while covering her team’s retreat—was ultimately killed."
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