The Magic Kingdom is a nation where the monarchy surpasses all else.
The Queen's authority is supreme, her words are truth, her majesty is inviolable.
For such a kingdom, the certification examination of the Queen's Year is a grand ceremony that must not fail nor be sabotaged. During this period, should Claw Mark and Black Ash Dawn achieve any unspeakable goals and disrupt the examination, it would undoubtedly be a major blow to the kingdom's face.
Taking into account that the Queen herself might even be present, this blow would turn into humiliation, a betrayal. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this would definitely be an event to anger the Royal Court, and even provoke their thunderous wrath.
However, everything has two sides. The more unacceptable Claw Mark and Black Ash Dawn's conspiracy is to the Royal Court, the more glorious the achievement of thwarting their plot becomes. As the saying goes, the bigger the storm, the more valuable the fish, returns always coexist with risks.
These truths, Emerald Sparrow understands completely.
Yet, when this plan was truly laid before her, she found herself unable to voice her agreement.
"... This is gambling with the safety of all examinees, putting them in danger."
But as she rebutted, she found her words so feeble: "The juniors in my own team are also taking the exam, I cannot agree to this plan that would endanger them."
"You need not worry about that."
Zhe Helan lightly explained: "We never intended to truly use the children as bait. After all, protecting the juniors is our responsibility as their seniors. Therefore, we have already begun deploying defensive magic techniques and traps in the examination site to ensure that the damage from these terrorists' actions is minimized."
"However, there can't be no damage at all; some loss of venues and equipment is inevitable."
Emerald corrected pointedly: "The casualties of personnel should be minimized where possible, but material losses must occur. Otherwise, the Royal Court may not realize the severity of these infiltrators."
"As you say, Chancellor."
Zhe Helan smiled: "Incidentally, the Finance Court has recently encountered some issues in accounting. Their preliminary report put the figure at 300 million Fab, so our financial losses this time..."
"Luennolay is the base for the Research Institute. If this city is attacked, the institute will undoubtedly suffer more losses than other institutions." Emerald closed her eyes.
"Yes, that should indeed be the case. Coupled with the needs from the other two institutes and the Magical Affairs Institute's Royal Court delegation, conservatively estimated, this attack might already have cost us 1.5 billion Fab in losses."
Zhe Helan showed a deeply pained expression: "Yet even so, we must face the pain head-on. We will contact the Finance Court faction in advance, and they will have the reports ready."
"Then that faction of the Finance Court will owe you two favors."
Emerald added: "Two favors should suffice for you to have a good talk with the current Purple Diamond. We can't let her disrupt things every time."
Just like that, through a few words, the two of them settled on a certain distribution of benefits following this "attack".
During this process, Emerald Sparrow remained silent, knowing that these decisions did not require her input, and her thoughts were on another dimension of the issue.
—"So, in your plan, how should those among Claw Mark or Black Ash Dawn be handled in the end?"
After they reached a certain conclusion, she asked in a tone that she herself was unsure of: "Subdue? Capture? Or perhaps the most violent, execution on the spot?"
"We cannot possibly kill all the enemies, Chancellor, as that would be too cruel, and Her Majesty the Queen is merciful, so some should be forgiven."
Zhe Helan immediately answered: "However, you also understand that those who lead, who strategize, must be the most hostile towards the kingdom and the gravest sinners. Such people cannot be allowed to roam free."
"Because they know exactly how much loss their plan has caused, and if there are any alive who tell the truth under interrogation, and it doesn't match your accounting numbers." Emerald summarized expressionlessly.
"Your wisdom." Zhe Helan saluted.
At this point, the outline of the plan was already clear.
All the doubts in Emerald Sparrow's heart were resolved, from the schemes that Emerald plotted with her, to how beings like herself and Mo He, "illegal entrants," could exploit gaps in immigration, and why this year's certification was so special yet seemed to be lax in management... All the answers connected into a line, forming a complete truth in her mind.
However, with the emergence of this truth, it brought her more questions.
One point she was reluctant to dwell on too much was, when Emerald had so openly approached her for a transaction regarding the Source of Beasts back then, and by "chance," unintentionally revealed to Claw Mark the whereabouts of the Source of Beasts through her. Was it from that moment on that everything was set as a trap?
Moreover, for one like Emerald, who usually seems to lack guile, what about White Wolf, or rather, the former Purple Diamond? As the Gemstone Scepter, did she truly step into the snare willingly?
The Investigation Bureau, Civil Administration Institute, and Finance Court, also beneficiaries, did they play some roles in this as well?
Unfortunately, she temporarily had no way of knowing the answers to these questions.
The only thing she could be certain of was that in this event, already shrouded in layered calculations, there would inevitably be a scapegoat, ultimately losing everything, bearing all the blame.
She couldn't help but think of Mo He.
When he stopped her that night, revealing Claw Mark's movements to her, what kind of feelings did he hold?
And now, as she sat in the banquet hall, participating in the machinations between the Magical Affairs Institute and the Research Institute, was she really worthy of such sincere trust from him?
There was no doubt that if Emerald Sparrow truly desired to become the Sapphire Wand at this moment, regardless of sacrificing certain things, then the path before her would be clear and smooth.
She only needed to continue refining this plan with Emerald and the people from the Magical Affairs Institute, and then using her connection with Mo He to deceive Claw Mark, it would be easy to capture them all, ensuring everyone on the kingdom's side received the benefits they deserved.
The cost was merely the deaths of some "terrorists," the deaths of "kingdom traitors," and afterward, no one would pursue it, as Claw Mark themselves were just a forgotten group in the corner.
But, is this truly what she should do?
Once again, Emerald Sparrow felt she was standing at a crucial crossroad in her life.
What, ultimately, should she choose to do?