Transform into a magical girl after getting off work

The banquet ended close to midnight.

Emerald refused the requests from several Magical Affairs Institute employees to escort her back to the Research Institute, so on the way back, she shared the carriage only with Emerald Sparrow.

Compared to the tranquil and warm scenery along the way there, Luennolay at night appeared far more desolate.

Emerald leaned against the back of her seat, her eyes tightly shut, not saying a word, seemingly intending to nap a bit on the road just like on the way there. However, after a while, she was still unable to fall asleep, so she opened her eyes reluctantly.

"Slept too much today..."

She groaned in slight frustration.

Like an old person, she lifted her upper body by holding onto the armrests, directing her gaze towards Emerald Sparrow seated across from her. At this time, Emerald Sparrow had her hands folded, sitting quite properly in her position, her expressionless face slightly lowered, and even though Emerald looked at her, she had no reaction, clearly contemplating something in her mind.

"What's wrong? Are you really that upset?"

So Emerald resolutely spoke up, initiating the conversation: "Since dinner, you've had the look of someone who is owed money. Is there something you're dissatisfied with?"

"...No."

Emerald Sparrow lifted her head at the words, glancing at Emerald: "I'm just pondering some questions."

"What questions?" Seeing the street scene outside the carriage and realizing there was still a ways to the Research Institute, Emerald asked.

"It's my own business, unrelated to you or them." Emerald Sparrow shook her head.

The "them" naturally referred to the members of the Magical Affairs Institute.

"But you can still talk it over."

Emerald imitated Emerald Sparrow's posture, sitting upright like a true lady: "This is a rare concern from someone older, giving you a chance to utilize me, the wisdom of the chief of the Research Institute. Shouldn't you take advantage of it?"

"I'm afraid I can't handle it." Emerald Sparrow retorted with a bit of irritation.

"I don't recall any gunpowder on our dinner menu."

Emerald made a cold joke: "What exactly has got you so displeased? Is it because you still don't want to become the Gemstone Scepter, feeling like we're all pressuring you?"

Emerald Sparrow glared at her, and she squinted back at Emerald Sparrow, both of them holding their ground for a while.

"...It's not that."

After a moment, perhaps realizing that unless she said something, Emerald wouldn't let it go, Emerald Sparrow sighed: "I am clear on priorities; evading the issue wouldn't solve anything for me as things stand now, so I had already planned to agree with your plan."

"Merit for clemency, and then becoming the Scepter?" Emerald reiterated.

"Correct."

Emerald Sparrow nodded: "But the problem lies in the method of gaining merit."

"You're still worried about your children?" Emerald shrugged: "Our plan still can't give you peace of mind?"

"That's one reason."

Emerald Sparrow nodded: "But regarding this point, I will communicate with them when I return, respecting their own will. If they truly wish to pass the assessment and acquire the Validation Card sooner, you all must let me participate in the formulation and execution of the security plan."

"A reasonable request." Emerald nodded. "So this doesn't seem to be worth your gloom."

"...Perhaps."

Emerald Sparrow paused: "To be honest, even doing this, I still feel the matter is not quite justified, and I find myself profiting from it rather distastefully... But I know I have already made my choice and am prepared, so I have no right to blame you all in this matter."

"Hmm, so?" Emerald responded noncommittally: "What is the true reason you're speaking so abrasively?"

"You're playing me, Emerald."

Emerald Sparrow's face showed no expression: "You clearly knew early on that someone from Claw Mark had infiltrated Luennolay, and even knew some of them had connections with me, possibly even having made contact with me, yet you pretended to know nothing."

"That's slander, youngster."

Emerald slightly puffed her cheeks: "Isn't it possible I was just respecting your personal privacy, not wanting to discuss your social circles without your consent, especially as not everyone present may be in the know, so I had to keep your secret?"

"So you did know all along?" Emerald Sparrow stared at her.

"Yes, I knew all along." Emerald nodded boldly: "After all, Tulip, or now the one codenamed 'Golden Snake,' the Claw Mark Magical Girl, is quite famous; even if she disguises herself well, our informants can still deduce her identity through various verifications, since, as you know, they are in the open and we're in the shadows."

"And what about them meeting me?" Emerald Sparrow continued to ask.

"How could I possibly know that? Isn't it you who informed me?"

Emerald shrugged: "However, even without definite information, just thinking a bit leads to the conclusion that if I were someone from Claw Mark, I would certainly try to pull you in. Although I don't know why they know you're in Luennolay, it seems that if you meet, there would inevitably be some exchanges."

"You are well aware that many among them once were soldiers of Luennolay, of this very city beneath your feet," Emerald Sparrow said.

"Yes." Emerald nodded.

"But now you agree with the plan proposed by the Magical Affairs Institute, to lure them and make them sacrifices for your gains." Emerald Sparrow pressed.

"Is there a problem with that?" Emerald tilted her head.

"They are heroes of this nation." Emerald Sparrow looked at her.

"No, they are not, youngster."

Emerald spoke softly: "Unlike you, perhaps many still regard Cornflower as a hero, but they... I must tell you a truth, they are just traitors to the kingdom, merely a bunch of terrorists."

"Then why did they 'become traitors'? A group who once fought for the glory of this country, why have they now become a group of terrorists?"

Emerald Sparrow pressed relentlessly: "There has to be a reason; there can't be love and hatred in this world without cause. Why did they come to this point?"

"I don't know, youngster."

But Emerald just looked at her, her gaze steady: "This is something you need to discover."