"No, even though we could technically call it a mutual trade, and we are somewhat allies at the moment. But then you skulk around, 'collecting data' and what not, and you have the nerve to call it 'trade assurance.' Just hearing that sounds like the pure conduct of a scoundrel, doesn't it?"
Emerald Sparrow reached out emotionlessly and pointed at the fairy doll in front of her: "Now I'm actually a bit curious, what exactly do you mean by 'protection'? Is it just when we go out on field missions? Or when I'm at the Abnormal Strategy Bureau? Or is it perhaps..."
"Only field missions! Just field missions!"
Emerald, flapping the doll's tiny claws, said, "Think about it. I would surely not spy on the Abnormal Strategy Bureau or the Magical Girl's base, right? It would serve me no purpose, and I have no reason to concern myself with your personal lives, right?"
"Really?" Emerald Sparrow stood with one hand on her hip.
"Really," Emerald nodded vigorously.
"Then, regarding this topic, I do have one last question," Emerald Sparrow said calmly.
"Um... What is it?" Emerald reluctantly agreed.
Emerald Sparrow nodded slightly, maintaining her hands-on-hips posture, and spoke in an even tone: "When I first arrived, you said I was 'seeking refuge.' What did you mean by that?"
In the vastness of the laboratory, only the faint sounds of operating equipment filled the air.
"Ha, ha, it's probably because I was still sleepy when you came. I must have confused my dream talk with reality," Emerald said after a while, scratching her head and laughing as if a faulty machine had finally resumed operation.
"I see, so it was just sleep talk. That I can understand," Emerald Sparrow agreed, clapping her hands, her expression pleased: "It couldn't possibly be because you overheard someone else's conversation while surveilling the Magical Girl's base, nor did you see someone's domestic situation while spying on the Abnormal Strategy Bureau, right?"
"Of course, needless to say," Emerald quickly took the out.
"...Let's get back to the matter of the claw marks," Emerald Sparrow, seemingly knowing there was no point in quibbling over the topic any longer, sighed as if she truly let go: "If the leader of the claw marks is really as you said, then this person... Well, I don't know much about her. In your opinion, is it likely that she will continue to send people to Fangting City?"
"Are you worried that if White Wolf doesn't succeed this time, more people will come next time?" Fully awake now and no longer drowsy, Emerald pondered before speaking, as though truly concerned for Fangting City's safety.
"Based on what I know of her, it's not unlikely, because White Wolf is someone who won't stop until she achieves her goal. No matter how complicated or twisted, she will always find a way to see it through."
"That's quite admirable," Emerald Sparrow said expressionlessly: "So you're saying the claw marks will definitely come again?"
"Yes, definitely," Emerald spoke with certainty: "Of course, there are variables, like who comes, how many people come, and the end result will most likely differ."
"People like Kite this time, how many of them are there within the claw marks?"
"Which aspect are you referring to?"
"All of them, strength, personality, ideals... Although it's not quite appropriate to ask you this question, in that group, roughly how many are there type of claw marks?"
"You should ask that old witch at the Investigation Bureau that question, youngster," Emerald said, spreading her hands: "After all, I'm not in charge of the Investigation Bureau. Even though I have a general understanding of the background of these renegade Magical Girls, I don't have the resources to gather every piece of information on each one of them like the Investigation Bureau does."
"Do you know the proportion?"
"Probably less than one percent. The rarity among rarities," Emerald said helplessly: "Honestly, I would advise you not to hope for someone of the so-called 'moderate faction' next time. White Wolf knows she made a mistake in her choice of people, so whoever she sends next will only be the most ruthless kind. Instead of hoping for the enemy's kindness, it's better to make ourselves stronger. We should go to the country as soon as possible to heal your injury."
"I know, I was just asking. I'm not really expecting any mercy from the enemy,"
Emerald Sparrow said calmly: "Even though I clearly remember that I never mentioned to you that this time's enemy was of the 'moderate faction.'"
The silence once again fell over the laboratory. And this time, it lasted longer than the previous two combined.
"That kind of thing, you don't need to say it, after all. If the enemy has been in Fangting City for so long and didn't do any harm, could they really be from the extremist faction?"
After a long wait, Emerald finally spoke up reluctantly: "And when she was active in Fangting City, I also had a lookalike monitoring her. It's not difficult to deduce this conclusion through reasoning, right?"
Emerald Sparrow said nothing, silently staring at Emerald.
"Hey, at least respond to me!"
Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze, Emerald couldn't help but protest: "I've been trying hard to think of excuses; can't you, as a youngster, show a little consideration at a time ?"
"Rather than whether to show consideration or not, what's troubling right now is what kind of reaction I should give."
Emerald Sparrow shook her head: "Although I've always had a mental expectation of the Chief's moral minimums, it's still somewhat unbelievable to have them confirmed. And in principle, I shouldn't condone such behavior, but our trade relationship stands, and I seemingly don't have the reason to unilaterally terminate it. This leaves me unsure of what expression I should wear right now."