Although with these negative elements, Mo He's appearance could still be considered "cute", and even her fragile and melancholic temperament seemed somewhat endearing, it was undeniable that her condition could not be described as "good".
Perhaps it was because Emerald Sparrow had not made any movements for a long time, or maybe because Mo He was particularly perceptive, in any case, while Emerald Sparrow was quietly observing and thinking, Mo He had already finished chanting the Requiem and looked towards Emerald Sparrow.
Not until Emerald Sparrow had also finished chanting did she touch her bangs, and spoke, "You... seem to have been watching me all this time?"
It was also because of this movement that, in that moment, Emerald Sparrow finally saw the right hand that had been hidden in the other's sleeve.
In the Garden Defense Battle, Mo He had been injured in her true form by an enemy and had her right hand cut off. Such deep spiritual injuries cannot heal naturally like ordinary Magic Body injuries, so Mo He had almost permanently lost that hand.
At least, that is how it should be in Emerald Sparrow's memory.
But now, what stretched out from Mo He's right sleeve was a claw covered in black fur, resembling a certain animal, or more accurately, like a cat's claw.
Whether it was the short phalanges, the slightly protruding claw tips, or the paw pads and meat balls on the palm, it was undoubtedly in the shape of a cat's claw.
Having not expected the other party to so straightforwardly point out her actions, or perhaps distracted by the sight of the other's hand, Emerald Sparrow hesitated briefly before straightforwardly admitting it, and then asked, "Your hand... what happened to it?"
"It's a Prosthetic Limb."
Mo He blinked and then placed the cat-like right hand next to her face, lightly grasping twice, "It's just that it looks like a fairy's claw because it uses some Fairy techniques."
To be honest, Emerald Sparrow always felt it was not quite like a fairy's claw, but she couldn't quite place the difference.
"If you're curious, Captain, you can touch it."
Seeing Emerald Sparrow not speaking, Mo He reached out her right hand, "To me, it's no different from an ordinary right hand, and it works well."
"Thank you, no need." Emerald Sparrow's eyes twitched, she didn't actually reach out to touch, and chose to decline.
Mo He withdrew her hand expressionlessly, but the naturally downturning corners of her eyes made her face seem somewhat disappointed, "I thought you'd like it."
"It's just simple curiosity, I meant no offense."
Emerald Sparrow coughed lightly, shifting her gaze away, "Honestly, I feel like you've changed a lot compared to before."
"You're right, I am indeed different from before."
The topic shifted, and Mo He no longer stared at Emerald Sparrow but turned her gaze to the tombstone in front of her, "On the other hand, Captain seems the same as before, no change at all."
"...No, I've changed too."
Emerald Sparrow looked at the box of gas cloud cakes, though very slowly, but magic particles were already beginning to dissipate from its surface, like sand lifted by the wind, "It's been a long time, Mo He."
Mo He nodded, yet her gaze still rested on the tombstone, "Captain, before you left, you told me you wanted to find a life and happiness of your own, did you find it?"
Emerald Sparrow didn't immediately answer her.
She couldn't remember if she had really said such things before, but she remembered what she was thinking at that time, undoubtedly, it was similar to what was being mentioned.
As for the answer to that question, if the Emerald Sparrow from years ago were to answer, she might have unhesitatingly given a "yes", as at that time Lin Yun had completely let go of the past and even planned to never become a Magical Girl again. But now, she opened her mouth but couldn't give a proper answer.
After a moment, she could only say this, "I indeed found what I wanted and have my own happiness."
This statement, probably could only be considered half the true answer, yet Emerald Sparrow did not continue to explain, nor did she intend to reveal the other half.
She could sense Mo He's mental state was generally not very good. Rather than detailing her own situation too much and possibly causing emotional distress, it was better to answer more vaguely. Moreover, the present herself and Mo He were just old acquaintances who had met by chance, and Mo He had niether the position nor the responsibility to listen to her experiences.
Even though Mo He still called her "Captain", and for some reason could see through the disguise Emerald had made for herself, recognizing her identity under the "Long Dan" makeup at a glance. But, it doesn't mean she can legitimately adopt the role of "Captain" and pour out too many thoughts without boundaries.
It is now twenty years after the Garden Defense Battle, no matter if it is herself or Mo He, neither are at the age that could be called teenagers anymore. A "Captain" is probably just a social norm to decrease distance. Just like when she meets her old classmates from the Material Realm whom she hadn't seen for ten years, she still uses old titles like "Class Leader," "Committee Member," merely hoping that these names would help them quickly rekindle their old friendship amidst the long span of time, having forgotten the specific modes of interaction between them.