"It has nothing to do with me, I didn't start this project."
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In the Emerald's laboratory that afternoon, the pudgy Fairy Doll spread its hands and said quite bluntly, "Even if you ask a hundred more times, my answer will still be the same. The Realm Research Institute has never conducted any research project related to the 'Gate of Ascension.'"
"I believe you, Your Excellency the Chief, but even if the Research Institute itself has never studied the Gate of Ascension, what about the peripheral projects funded by the Institute?"
Sitting beside the low table opposite her, Emerald Sparrow, with one hand on her knee and the other propping up her cheek, said, "Otherwise, it might be a private project invested in by the Gemstone Scepter, or maybe it's those 'friends' of yours doing personal research in secret..."
"Of course not, I'm not playing word games with you."
Emerald exhaled helplessly, "I am answering your questions very seriously right now, and that is 'this matter truly has nothing to do with me,' junior."
Hearing this, Emerald Sparrow blinked, not saying much, only looking at Emerald with some surprise.
Emerald immediately voiced her displeasure, "What? Does it sound that unbelievable?"
"Indeed, it's quite unbelievable."
Emerald Sparrow nodded honestly, "After all, you've said before, 'it's arrogant to not allow any technology within the capabilities of a Magical Girl that you can't master yourself.' It wouldn't make sense not to investigate such seemingly significant rumors."
"I really ought to have you as my Chief Secretary, little ancestor. My current secretary isn't as good at digging up my past as you are."
The Fairy Doll rolled its eyes, which was hard to imagine such an expressive gesture appearing on a seemingly simple doll, "But you should also know, the premise is that it's actually a piece of technology... I'm a scholar, not a detective. There are so many rumors in the world; how could I possibly investigate each one as if it were true? It would make more sense to focus on those with some factual basis, right?"
"Are you saying, 'the rumor about the Gate of Ascension' isn't credible?" Emerald Sparrow inferred another meaning from Emerald's words.
"No time, no place, no witness reports; even as a rumor, it's a completely unsubstantiated product."
Emerald was frank, "Honestly, if you hadn't brought this matter to me, I would probably never even remember such a term."
"Then, how should I explain the record I saw on the Green Tower?" Emerald Sparrow frowned.
"It's sufficient to prove that decades ago, someone indeed tried to investigate something in Fangting City."
Emerald crossed her legs with her doll's body, "However, there is no clear evidence to link the record you obtained with the 'Gate of Ascension.' After all, even the internal records of the Abnormal Strategy Bureau you mentioned don't explicitly mention the name 'Gate of Ascension.' For now, our connection of that record to it relies more on subjective inference."
Emerald Sparrow responded softly, "I'm not so stubborn as to easily bite into a rumor as fact, for now, whether the record has anything to do with the so-called 'Gate of Ascension' is still unknown. However, there's one thing that I'm a bit concerned about..."
"The records on paper seem to match up with the year you, or I should say your wife, became a Magical Girl, is that what you mean?" Emerald recalled.
Emerald Sparrow nodded, "Although it may seem a bit too sensitive, I always feel this part is not just a coincidence."
"Alright, I understand."
Emerald had a moment of realization, "Since you've put it this way, then I will take note of this matter. In a few days, I'll investigate the resource movement in this state of the realm from decades ago, and I'll also set up a team to research information related to the 'Gate of Ascension.'"
"Good." Emerald Sparrow agreed.
"Mm." Emerald confirmed as well.
Then, the two of them fell quiet at the same time.
After a moment, Emerald Sparrow raised an eyebrow curiously, looking at Emerald, "Then what?"
"What then? Do you think there's something lacking in this arrangement?" Emerald retorted.
"You agreed to this matter just like that? Without any other conditions?"
Emerald Sparrow was skeptical, "Technically, this isn't part of our previous trade. Shouldn't you be using this opportunity to ask for something else?"
"Forget about it, with your current state, aside from the Source of Beasts, what else could I possibly find tempting?"
Emerald dragged out her voice, sounding quite resigned: "Don't always overcomplicate things, and don't always assume the worst in others, junior. Consider this as my additional investment."
Emerald Sparrow contemplated this for a moment, then tentatively said, "Then... thank you?"
Emerald accepted the somewhat uncertain gratitude gracefully, "Of course, if you really feel indebted and uncomfortable about it, I happen to have something for you to do right now."
"What is it?" Emerald Sparrow asked.
"It's something that concerns you as well, the disguise I mentioned before that you'll need when you go to the realm next."
The Fairy Doll straightened up, holding the armrest of the chair, "Do you still have the fake Heart's Gem I gave you before? Did you bring it?"
Emerald Sparrow reached into the pocket of her dress, searching for a bit, then took out the sprout-shaped Heart's Gem, "I brought it, yes. Does this thing have any other function?"
"Not right now, but it will in a moment."