Chapter 188: Chapter Sixty: The Plan

This seems to be the most reasonable answer for now.

However, the moment he said those words, Lin Yun himself felt it was far too exaggerated, so he frowned as if negating his own statement.

— "I thought so too, at the very beginning."

At this moment, Masei Enka took over the conversation and added, "After all, the organization Claw Marks is far younger than the Black Ash Dawn and the Resistance, yet it has displayed numerous new technologies in recent years. It is hard not to suspect that they possess research and academic talents among them."

"As for Su Shengzi, that woman has always been rather indifferent to morality and ethics, so it is not strange that she would take the path of betraying the Magical Girls."

"So, after losing contact with that woman for many years, I had this idea: I kept watching the movements of Claw Marks, and later studied the list of those who defected back then to confirm everyone's identity. By comparing them, I tried to deduce whether Su Shengzi was among them."

She stated, "However, the result surprised me greatly. It seems she indeed was not on the list."

"... Seems?" Lin Yun latched onto the descriptive word in Masei Enka's statement.

"Yes, seems. If someone joined Claw Marks and never engaged in a single activity in the Material Realm, never did anything bad, and always hid within the Interstice, then our Investigation Bureau truly could not find them."

Masei Enka shrugged: "After all, if we don't even know such a person exists, how can we find out who they are?"

"But is not leaving the Interstice such a rare thing?"

Hong Siyu, who had been on the side, finally found a chance to interject and asked strangely, "After all, the Kingdom is also hunting down these people from Claw Marks, right? Just hiding in the Interstice like this, surely no one would chase them in there to catch them. Thinking about it, hiding all the time isn't a bad thing, is it?"

"Provided they are truly afraid of the pursuit, sisters."

Masei Enka sighed: "You haven't been in the Kingdom for so many years, so you probably don't know much about Claw Marks. Do you know how many of the many Magical Girls who defected with Bai Lang have conducted activities under the guise of Claw Marks in the past decade?"

"How many?" Hong Siyu clearly had no intention of wasting brain cells on this matter, so she asked without thinking.

"All of them."

Masei Enka didn't beat around the bush: "In fact, it wasn't just those who defected back then; later, some Magical Girls gradually joined Claw Marks, and as far as I know, these people have also made grand appearances under the identity of Claw Marks."

"When a policy of covert operations would be more beneficial to Claw Marks' goals, yet they chose to make such a grand display?" Lin Yun countered.

"Just as you said, no one knows what they are thinking. If I could figure out what they are thinking, I would have already been officially promoted to Patrol Officer."

Masei Enka sneered: "But regardless, for the people of Claw Marks, appearing in public like this seems to be the norm."

This statement made Lin Yun fall into thought for a moment.

Because he thought of the two Claw Marks members who had visited Fang Ting City.

Whether it was Cuique or Oriole, although their purposes could be said to be unfriendly, in terms of their entrance, they could truly be described as "open and aboveboard." One or two of them would rather arrange a fight with someone directly in broad daylight, so straightforward it was confusing.

Was this style a matter of personal preference? Or a rule within Claw Marks? Or perhaps taking it a step further, could it be some kind of cover?

It was not that he was worrying unnecessarily; recalling the original identity of the leader of Claw Marks—Bai Lang—he found it hard to believe these things were all aimless.

Just as he had told Masei Enka before, since the matter involved the Gem Scepter, he had no choice but to overthink it.

Of course, with insufficient information, such thinking would inevitably yield no definite answer. Moreover, he was unwilling to maliciously speculate about his old friend, so regarding the issue of "whether Su Shengzi disappearing into the Interstice was to join Claw Marks," he set it aside.

"After my injuries heal, let's go to the Interstice to find her together."

So he spoke, defining the matter: "Let's not think badly of this for now. Let's assume she is fine and just staying there. Since she has been in the Interstice for so many years, rushing now is useless; we must wait until we are fully prepared before setting out."

After all, going to the Interstice was hardly safe even for Flower Card Magical Girls; going there in his current state would only be offering himself as fodder.

"Is your injury really treatable?"

Hearing this, Masei Enka raised an eyebrow: "Is the Chief confirmed to be able to do it?"

"They managed to save Hong Siyu even when she turned into that state before, so I have no choice but to believe it."

Lin Yun gestured toward Hong Siyu: "The specific treatment plan has also been finalized, but it cannot be carried out yet."

"Why?" Masei Enka asked, confused.

But after her question left her mouth, no one answered her immediately.

Not only was Lin Yun crossing his arms, hesitating to speak, but Hong Siyu on the side also seemed somewhat reluctant when mentioning this matter, with some hidden worry in her expression.

"So why?" Masei Enka asked again.

Seeing that the two still didn't reply, she leaned forward, her gaze through the sunglasses meeting Lin Yun's, and asked almost face-to-face: "Don't stir up someone's curiosity and then play games here! What is the reason?"

Lin Yun held her gaze for a long while, and after a stalemate, slowly averted his eyes: "Because we have to go to the Kingdom."

Silence fell over the office for a moment.

"... What do you mean, where did you say?" After a long silence, Masei Enka stepped back two paces, as if she hadn't heard clearly, and asked again.

"We have to go to the Magical Kingdom." Lin Yun said expressionlessly.

"... Hah?"

In the Director's office, for a moment, only Masei Enka's voice of shock and suspicion echoed around.

It was no wonder she was so surprised; in fact, if Hong Siyu on the side hadn't already heard about it from Emerald, she would be just as surprised at this moment.

Because everyone on the Fang Ting City team knew that the Magical Girl Senior Cuique, formerly known by the codename Cornflower, had been personally banned by the Queen of the Kingdom from entering the Magical Kingdom.

Although the Queen never stated what the consequence of violating this ban would be, there was no doubt that provoking the Queen in the Magical Kingdom was absolutely the most unwise behavior.

"Do you plan to sneak in?" Masei Enka suddenly laughed heartily. "Saying such things in front of me, an Investigation Bureau Magical Girl? Are you not afraid I will arrest you right now?"

"Not quite a sneak-in yet."

Lin Yun said calmly: "According to Emerald's plan, she will help me forge an identity and sneak in during next year's qualification certification exam. At that time, many Magical Girls will be entering and leaving the Kingdom, making it easier to blend in."

"Isn't the difference between this and a sneak-in just doing it openly? Have you thought about the consequences if you get caught? Will it be any better than a sneak-in?" Masei Enka continued to ask with a smile.

Her behavior made Lin Yun sigh inwardly.

Because he knew that the brighter Masei Enka smiled, the less it meant she was in a good mood; in fact, her way of expressing anger or dissatisfaction was also just a smile.

And this plan, which sounded extremely risky, was clearly the source of her dissatisfaction.

"Emerald promised to provide cover. At that time, I will also seek the help of our Dean. Anyway, if anything really goes wrong, escaping will definitely not be a problem."

However, as the conversation reached this point, Lin Yun could only continue to explain: "Moreover, I have verified the fake identity provided by Emerald. Although it contains some of her personal quirks, it is indeed impeccable in terms of rationality. I can perfectly play the role of an ordinary examinee, act normally like an examinee, and then leave."

"You mean? You are going to sneak into the Kingdom with that group of examinees, and then you, a dignified Flower Card, plan to take an exam with a bunch of little girls?" Masei Enka narrowed her eyes.

"Ahem... ahem..."

Lin Yun couldn't help but cough dryly a few times: "Using an examinee's identity to sneak in, participating in the exam is inevitable, but I only need to get a relatively poor score and fail normally. It won't affect other examinees. There are so many Magical Girls who fail the qualification certification every year; this is very normal."

"And then? Will your injuries heal once you go to the Kingdom?" Asami Enka looked suspicious. "What kind of miracle pill could possibly achieve such a thing?"

"I don't know, but I can only choose to believe."

After composing his emotions, Lin Yun looked at her seriously. "Right now, I need power. Whether for the children, for Anya, or even for going to find Su Shengzi next, I need corresponding power. And looking across the entire Kingdom, only Emerald can give me that promise. Continuing to hesitate will change nothing."

"... I understand."

Unsure of her attitude toward this, Asami Enka sat back on the sofa with an unchanged expression. "Then have you considered? Next year is the Queen's Year."

"I know."

"You know? Sister, you know and still plan to execute such a crazy scheme?"

Asami Enka shrugged. "If it were an ordinary year, you sneaking in like this, relying on the Headmistress and the Chief working together, would surely be able to completely suppress this matter of yours without any problem. But have you thought about what the Queen's Year means? Her Majesty the Queen will personally come to observe the assessment! If you are recognized by her at that time, it won't just be you; the two of them will be punished as well!"

"I will perform some disguise on my appearance."

Lin Yun continued to state calmly. "If she only sees from a distance and does not verify up close, she won't discover me. And even if Her Majesty the Queen of the Kingdom comes in person, she won't go so far as to single out and make things difficult for an obscure little examinee."

"... This is too dangerous. I really cannot agree, sister." Asami Enka shook her head. "I think you simply lack a correct understanding of the Wang Ting of our Kingdom because you were once appointed as a Sapphire. You think Her Majesty the Queen is so benevolent, but actually..."

"I am very clear, Asami."

Lin Yun cut her off. "I can even say I know what kind of person the Queen is better than you. Because I have seen her, I have seen her with my own eyes, and the conversation between her and me, I still will not forget to this day."

"You think based on the acquaintance of having met her once, she will let you off after exposing you?" Asami Enka bared her teeth slightly, looking at her with an inexplicable gaze.

"No, she will retaliate fiercely because I once refused her invitation."

Lin Yun spoke decisively. "Whatever severe punishment the rules can give her, she will give. It is even not impossible for her to exceed the rules. Absolute power brings absolute caprice. Depriving the Heart Gem and the Magic Source... no, even execution is very normal."

"Then you still want to go?"

"According to Emerald, I must go, because the thing that can restore my injuries absolutely cannot be brought to the Material World."

Lin Yun continued. "And this was already me breaking the agreement first. Not entering the Magical Kingdom, or even not using the power of a Magical Girl, were my agreements with the Queen. Even if I am truly discovered, it is only my own doing."

He put on this attitude, and for a moment, even Asami Enka didn't know what words to use to dissuade him.

At this moment, it was Hong Siyu who spoke instead. "But, Senior, you don't need to go to that extent, right? The Chief said your injuries can be stabilized temporarily. As for fixing the Heart Gem, waiting another year shouldn't be a problem. Even Little Lulu and the others could simply wait until next year to take the exam together. During this year, I should be able to help Fang Ting City deal with relatively tricky enemies, and even Enka can..."

"Because of this."

Lin Yun's voice suddenly underwent some change.

Clearly, the previously clear and steady male voice suddenly showed a trend of transforming into a sharp female voice, even vaguely sounding like two people speaking at the same time.

Then, right in front of the two people, the Heart Gem in Lin Yun's pocket suddenly emitted light. Immediately after, the adult male who had been standing there suddenly turned into a little girl.

He had transformed into the appearance of Senior Cuique.

"... Transforming here? What's wrong? Is the problem you mentioned about your true form?" Asami Enka leaned back slightly.

"No, it's not that I want to transform for you to see. It's that I just couldn't suppress the overflow of the Heart Gem's magic anymore."

After transforming into Senior Cuique's appearance, Lin Yun's tone also became more indifferent. "This is the aftereffect of me completely destroying part of my magical armor before. I will occasionally be unable to maintain a human form."

"I have heard of this."

Asami Enka nodded. "Although the Headmistress told me about it as a joke, this is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes. Is this aftereffect serious enough that you must go get it cured immediately?"

"No."

Senior Cuique shook her head. "If it were just this, even if it is becoming more and more out of control, it wouldn't be enough to make me risk stroking the Queen's tiger whiskers."

"So?"

"The problem is, a few days ago when I tried to use my magical armor, something happened."

Senior Cuique said this, reached out and pulled out several strands of magic threads. The glowing blue magic threads were stretched open between her hands, pulled straight and taut, displayed before the other two. "Can you see any problem?"

Hong Siyu and Asami Enka could only lean in to take a look. After a brief observation, they each gave different answers:

"The color is lighter?"

"The thickness of the lines has increased?"

Hearing these answers, Senior Cuique only shook her head.

She held the magic threads in her hand and stretched her hand forward again, until she had almost placed the thin lines right in front of the two people. Only then did she free up one finger and point to a bright spot on one of the lines, saying:

— "It's knotted."

(End of Chapter)