Vol 2 Chapter 151: The Revelation
"So according to you, even if you follow my orders from now on, any objectives I want to achieve through the Magical Affairs Court must still be presented externally as 'Research Court demands'?" After some thought, Veronica summarized: "Without this pretense, nothing can be accomplished?"
"To be precise, using the Research Court's name increases the probability of success because it forces other factions to consider the matter openly and weigh the pros and cons," Folding Crane Orchid explained. "After all, they too have policies and projects they want to push through. If they help us achieve some goals, they might gain our future support in return."
"Most power exchanges in the Magical Affairs Court follow this rule: I help you once, you owe me a favor to be repaid later. It's like a card collection game - when a faction accumulates enough favors from all interested parties, they can attempt to forcefully advance an agenda."
"How many favors has your faction collected?" Veronica pressed.
"Excluding those already spent, the Investigation Court owes us twice, and the Finance Court once," Folding Crane Orchid answered smoothly. "The Civil Administration Bureau recently wanted to add a new department to their faction. This proposal has been deadlocked for a long time. If we help them succeed, we'd gain one favor from them."
"What about the Director of Permanent Education Selection? Which faction backs her? The Royal Court?" Veronica questioned.
"You could say that, but privately everyone knows she represents the Royal Court nobles rather than the Royal Court itself," Folding Crane Orchid said. "The Director herself comes from aristocracy and has always been part of their circle, so she serves as their public representative."
"But both deputy directors are Royal Court appointees?" Veronica seemed confused.
"This is the two deputy directors' compromise with the other four Scepters," Veronica realized. "Because the Magical Affairs Court's authority inherently checks the other four Courts. If magical girl logistics and deployments get blocked, the other Courts' operations and interests would suffer. So the Scepters of Gems would inevitably intervene and never easily relinquish control."
"Exactly, Your Excellency. Your wisdom and insight are truly admirable." Folding Crane Orchid bowed again, perfectly playing the subordinate role and offering emotional validation. "To the Scepters, the Magical Affairs Court cannot be a purely Royal Court organ that easily implements their will. The Court must remain as it is - this 'paralyzed' state is precisely the outcome they desire."
"...Truly worthy of the Scepters of Gems." Veronica couldn't help glancing at Emerald as she made this assessment.
"I'll take that as praise for my political maneuvering," Emerald shrugged, utterly unbothered. "Try seeing it from my perspective - our Research Court has the strictest talent requirements in the entire magic nation. If academically gifted magical girls get poached by other institutions, or if our research-focused, combat-inept girls lack proper benefits, how could the Court function? We can't entrust our survival to others' control."
"And now you're casually handing this 'survival' to me like child's play?" Veronica eyed her skeptically. "Or is your real goal having me manage your Research Court's interests in the Magical Affairs Court - nominally taking power while actually serving as your assistant?"
"Relax, junior. Think deeper - I'm not scheming against you." Emerald raised a calming hand. "If you insist on an explanation for my actions, my answer remains the same as before: this is simply an investment."
Veronica's breath caught.
"...You want me to become a Scepter?" After a long pause, she asked Emerald in a peculiar tone. Fresh chapters posted on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩
"To speak candidly - yes." Emerald raised both hands in a surrender gesture. "Compared to clutching one-fifth of unreliable, intermittent power fragments just to prevent others' schemes, having a Sapphire Scepter who owes me favors would simplify matters tremendously."
"This game of scattering funds across factions to paralyze an institution while scraping minor benefits has grown tiresome, junior. Frankly, aside from the newly appointed Pigeon Blood and our current Diamond, Purple Diamond, who still relish this amusing backgarden power play..."
Emerald emphasized "current Diamond," paused meaningfully, then continued: "The rest of us are thoroughly weary - whether it's me, those noble faction dignitaries, or that old hag from the Investigation Court."
"A Magical Affairs Court without Scepters of Gems - fractured and completely dysfunctional - is merely tolerable. But in truth, an operational Court with its own Sapphire Scepter who maintains alliance with us would be ideal."
"The only uncertainties are how to ensure this Sapphire Scepter remains 'one of us,' and how to install this person in position." Emerald narrowed her eyes at Veronica. "This is the truth behind our 'deal' and my goodwill toward you, junior. Everything is exactly as you see it."
Veronica fell silent.
Instead of questioning Emerald further, she turned to Folding Crane Orchid and spoke slowly: "...And what about you?"
"Before pledging loyalty to you, we were the Research Court's partners, so we supported the Chief's decisions," Folding Crane Orchid replied with bowed head. "Now that we've sworn allegiance to you, your views are ours."
"You know what I'm asking, Director." Veronica's expression remained blank. "If you want me to accept your loyalty, give me the answer I seek."
Folding Crane Orchid hesitated briefly, her face briefly showing perfect confusion before recomposing into calm demeanor.
"We are people of the Magical Affairs Court, Your Excellency." She seemed to collect her improperly revealed emotions, adopting greater humility.
"We too want our own Scepter of Gems."