"Hmm... got it, it seems this situation might be more serious than I imagined."
After listening to Emerald Sparrow's explanation, Emerald released the hand supporting her cheek and looked up, saying, "At least from what I understand about Her Majesty, this isn't something that can be resolved by simply admitting fault and expressing your stance when you face her."
"I don't think I was wrong at that time."
Emerald Sparrow looked at her seriously and said, "I will reflect on whether I was too impulsive back then or if my words towards those in power were too harsh. But if you ask me to apologize to her in order to become the Sapphire Wand, then even now, I would never do such a thing."
"Ah, you young people... alright, alright, do you think I can't hear what you're saying?"
Emerald sighed again, "I didn't expect you to give in, so the reason I'm here today is to discuss a solution to this problem. Zhe Helan, you tell her."
Zhe Helan nodded in agreement, and continued with Emerald's words:
"So, Cornflower, we already know your situation, and in my personal opinion, it doesn't conflict with our original plan. From the start, we never expected to simply use words to send you back to your position."
"And this plan fully complies with the law: according to the Kingdom's old regulations, if a Magical Girl violates the law and is sanctioned by the Kingdom, restricting her freedom and range of activities to a certain extent - including serving time in prison or being exiled - as long as she has the ability to act, she can offset the sanction by achieving merit."
"We've checked the records, and although historically it's rare for exiled citizens to return, there is precedence. Most notably, 185 years ago, a Magical Girl who was sentenced to exile for 300 years was able to return to the Magic Kingdom because of significant merit, and was later praised and employed by Her Majesty. Ultimately, she even rose to the pinnacle of power, becoming the Ruby Wand 80 years ago."
"From this case, your situation can be remedied, as there is precedent for 'an exiled person returning to the Kingdom to become a Wand.' And during a dynasty's rule, having precedent means 'this matter is much easier.'
This was Emerald Sparrow's first time hearing such gossip related to Pigeon Blood Red.
In her knowledge, of the current four Gemstone Scepters of the Kingdom, Emerald and Golden Green Cat's Eye were relatively familiar to her, while Pigeon Blood Red and the new diamond who replaced Purple Diamond were individuals she knew little about.
"Are you saying I should find a way to achieve merit like her, so the Royal Court will proactively lift my exile?"
Emerald Sparrow couldn't help but frown, "It sounds a bit too idealistic. Not to mention whether the merit can be recognized by them, what exactly should I do to achieve merit?"
"Regarding this point, please rest assured, ma'am."
Zhe Helan was not swayed by Emerald Sparrow's skepticism and maintained her demeanor, bowing in salute, "We already have some clues and leads, and this conversation is also preparation for this matter."
"Specifically how?" Emerald Sparrow leaned back slightly, resting against the back of her chair.
"Specifically, today's qualification certification assessment might actually be an opportunity."
Zhe Helan smiled, "Firstly, everyone present knows that this year's assessment will be the first assessment observed by the Queen after two Queen's Years. The Royal Court's emphasis on this matter is evident by how many extra shifts and meetings were held at the Exam Institute. Similarly, since the annual assessment criteria have always been processed by our faction, we can also verify this indirectly."
"Perhaps one of the concerns you have is whether 'ordinary merit will be recognized by Her Majesty.' We've also considered this, but if the occasion of achieving merit happens to restore the Kingdom's dignity and pleases Her Majesty, such as... this assessment?"
She spoke casually, and other members of the Magical Affairs Institute all showed deep agreement, even Emerald chose to acquiesce. However, Emerald Sparrow suddenly realized something, slightly widened her eyes.
"Are you saying that this qualification certification assessment will be an opportunity to achieve merit?"
But she quickly controlled her facial expression, maintaining a calm demeanor, "Why? Are you saying organizing this assessment well is considered great merit?"
Zhe Helan chuckled lightly, "No doubt, organizing this event to be grand and spectacular, selecting those impressive newbie Magical Girls is indeed our task, but merely this level of 'merit' is definitely not enough."
"And coincidentally, quite recently, our informants stationed at the underground entry points have sent some interesting intelligence."
"Oh, pardon my digression, regarding this point, I feel it's necessary to explain to you, that near Luennolay there indeed exist underground entry points, where many people trying to avoid official scrutiny attempt to pass through, and most of the time those passing through these points are smugglers or black-market operatives. But actually, they don't know, whether these underground entry points or the black intermediaries making fake documents or identities, they all operate backed by us—in other words, in Luennolay nothing can escape our eyes. They exist only because they haven't truly harmed the Kingdom's fundamental interests, thus no one bothers them."
"But back to the point, our informants, recently over the past two months, received several batches of red-marked targets from the Material Realm. Based on subsequent investigations, though it's impossible to pinpoint the specific identities of these red-marked targets, their origins can be determined—Black Ash Dawn, and Claw Mark."
"This means, there have already been several batches of people from Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark, who have infiltrated Luennolay."
Almost as Zhe Helan expressed this, Emerald Sparrow had turned her head to look at Emerald next to her.
Because she knew, the things Zhe Helan was talking about were definitely not new to Emerald. So, the things she had discussed with her in the morning, Emerald probably already had her own thoughts.
And Emerald just stretched lazily, slowly extended her left hand, smiled mischievously at Emerald Sparrow, making a pinching motion as if expressing the meaning of "control."
Meanwhile, Zhe Helan's report continued:
"Our informants dare not excessively track their actions, but based on subsequent covert surveys among citizens, it was discovered—most of these groups have been constantly active around the Academy District, and the reason they are lying low to this day might only be one, they are still waiting for something to happen."
"Therefore, we might deduce that these individuals want to act when the assessment begins."
Zhe Helan smiled, "And we can become the sparrow behind the mantis."