Vol 2 Chapter 149: Paying Respects

Among the Magical Girls of the magic nation, there had always been certain stereotypes about the advantages of working in each of the Five Great Courts.

The most relaxed Research Court lacked real authority;

the most powerful Investigation Court was overly demanding;

the well-connected Finance Court couldn't buy prestige;

and the prestigious Civil Administration Bureau lacked connections.

Each of the four mainstream Courts had its own pros and cons, forcing every Magical Girl to carefully consider before choosing a career: Was she suited for this work? Could she obtain what she desired here? Were her qualifications suitable for advancement within this system?

But when the topic turned to the Magical Affairs Court, these stereotypes completely transformed into something else entirely...

—"Esteemed Lady Cornflower, greetings. It's been a long time. I'm Folding Crane Orchid, Flower Card number 13011, currently serving in the Magical Affairs Court as Director of the Permanent Education Selection Department."

After leading a group of Magical Girls in performing a full kowtow to Veronica, the tallest-looking Magical Girl who had taken the initiative straightened her upper body and introduced herself first.

From her movements, she seemed to have originally intended to stand up after completing the salute, but after her gaze briefly swept over Veronica's head, she expressionlessly lowered herself again, quickly adjusting her posture to a half-kneel: "The Magical Affairs Court has long been without a Scepter holder, leaderless and indulging in debauchery, with everything waiting to be rebuilt. Your arrival has filled everyone with immense excitement. We were just gathered together envisioning a bright future for the Court, hence our delayed welcome. We beg for your punishment."

As the self-proclaimed "Folding Crane Orchid" finished speaking, a slightly shorter girl beside her who looked like a literary type followed up: "I'm Larkspur, Character Card number 13314, Minister of External Affairs at the Magical Affairs Court. We've long awaited your arrival and pay our respects, Lady Cornflower."

After introducing herself with perfect decorum, the girl paused briefly. Seeing that another Magical Girl beside her wasn't speaking up, she kicked the person beside her at an angle she thought Veronica couldn't see.

The kicked Magical Girl seemed to suddenly realize it was her turn to speak and hurriedly said: "Ah, oh, Character Card number 13877... my codename is Rosemary. I... uh, am Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department. I've also been looking forward to our Court having its own Scepter. Welcome to take charge, Lady Cornflower!"

"Greetings Lady Cornflower, I'm Snowball, Character Card number 14053..."

"Character Card number 13692, Bird of Paradise..."

The kneeling Magical Girls announced their numbers and names in turn, and no matter how welcoming their words were about the arrival of the "Sapphire Scepter candidate," they all maintained a proper and restrained enthusiasm.

To be honest, this was Veronica's first time witnessing such a scene.

Every one of these Magical Girls showing respect before her—even pledging loyalty in their words—was at least a Character Card holder. For most Magical Girl teams in the material world cities, Character Card level was already sufficient to be a team leader. And based on their self-introductions, besides high-ranking officials like Folding Crane Orchid, there were numerous department ministers and deputy ministers present—even the most junior Magical Girls among them held important positions.

Even though she had once been a city defense team leader, a corporate department head in her past life, and was now director of Fangting City's Anomaly Policy Bureau, never before had she so profoundly felt the tangible weight of the word "power."

Yet while experiencing these feelings, she couldn't muster any sense of reality about her situation.

After all, just ten minutes ago she had been en route to an unknown destination, completely unaware of what awaited her. Now here she was receiving pledges of loyalty from a large group of Magical Affairs Court members, who seemed ready to install her as the Sapphire Scepter immediately. The contrast was so stark her thoughts hadn't even caught up before being forced to face this abrupt reality.

There was one other thing that particularly bothered her.

"...Did you reveal my true identity?" She couldn't help but turn to Emerald beside her and whisper the accusation.

"Mmm, but only here."

Emerald said matter-of-factly without changing expression: "Don't worry, everyone here is a friend, one of us. No one would reveal something like 'Cornflower has returned to the nation.'"

"I remember you made that same promise to me before?"

"Necessary exceptions must be made. Come on, you should listen to their reports first." Emerald lazily smacked her lips, casually brushing past the topic.

By the time Emerald finished speaking, the self-introductions from the Magical Affairs Court staff before them were only halfway done. Each person seamlessly passed the baton to the next in such smooth succession that Veronica couldn't find an opportunity to interrupt them.

After all, having already heard several introductions, interrupting now would appear as if she couldn't be bothered to hear the rest—too disrespectful to the remaining guests.

"...Please rise, everyone."

Thus, only after the final Magical Girl completed her introduction did Veronica finally get a chance to speak, signaling they needn't continue the formalities.

For anyone craving power, the scene of everyone kneeling and pledging loyalty would surely satisfy them—someone less strong-willed might immediately become intoxicated by the allure of authority. Yet for Veronica, this feeling was fleeting. Upon reflection, she only felt it somewhat inappropriate.

So after everyone stood up, she continued:

"I've heard all your introductions—you're all pillars of the Magical Affairs Court. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. But I was merely a Sapphire Scepter candidate before, not an actual Scepter holder. Such formalities are more than I deserve. There's no need for such deference—we should treat each other as colleagues."

These words instantly stunned the Magical Affairs Court members who had been immersed in the atmosphere of "harmony between ruler and subjects."

Even the seemingly most decisive Folding Crane Orchid was left speechless by Veronica, only able to blink before silently looking toward Emerald.

—"Enough, since you're already here, there's no need for such modesty."

Fortunately, Emerald did speak up promptly: "This was our agreed plan—I'll help you reclaim some authority over the Magical Affairs Court. Everyone present has already recognized you, which is why they've gathered here."

"But I'm truly not the Sapphire Scepter," Veronica insisted.

"How perplexing then, young one. How exactly do you plan to take over—or under what pretense will you assume authority over the Magical Affairs Court and command them?"

Emerald spread her hands: "Did you want to order them around as a city Magical Girl team leader?"

"The Royal Court would never approve me for this position anyway. Any pretense would be meaningless," Veronica narrowed her eyes.

"The Royal Court won't know," Emerald said abruptly.

"What did you say?"

"I said the Royal Court won't know."

Emerald repeated: "As I said, only those of us present today will know of this matter. No one will learn of this gathering through any channels. Starting tomorrow, everyone here will still be free Magical Girls belonging to the 'Research Court interest' faction."

"Hidden in plain sight?" Veronica unconsciously said the phrase.

"Mmm-hmm."

Emerald hummed in affirmation: "So then, what do you plan to do? Or are you going to tell me you have no interest in power and don't want any of this?"

Veronica fell silent for a while.

No one knew what she was contemplating, and with Emerald not pressing her, the other Magical Affairs Court Magical Girls could only watch her with nervous anticipation. Fortunately, she soon closed her eyes as if reaching some decision:

"I need to know what aspects of authority everyone here controls."

Her words, though phrased as a question, left no doubt about her answer.