Chapter 218

On the morning of the first day of the New Year, after the revelry of New Year's Eve the day before, the entire city of Fang Ting remained in a state of tranquility.

In the past, the Donghua Prefecture had a tradition of setting off fireworks and firecrackers during the New Year; people placed their hopes of "driving away the Remnant Beasts" in these simple explosive devices, letting their wishes echo through the city's streets and alleys along with the crisp sounds of the New Year. However, as times changed, some research results indicated that these stimulating explosive sounds were more likely to provoke the Remnant Beasts hidden beneath the city, increasing unnecessary losses. Thus, this tradition, originally meant to drive away the Remnant Beasts, had waned precisely because of the existence of the Remnant Beasts.

On this rare day, Lin Yun also had a few days of leave that were not entirely complete; the reason it was incomplete was that he still had to visit the Anomaly Bureau from time to time to inspect, comfort the staff, and ensure the normal operation of the entire Anomaly Bureau; the reason it was leave was that, aside from inspections, he indeed had no more complex work, granting him quite a bit of personal time.

So, Director Lin, who did not need to go to work, got up very early on the first day of the New Year, drove alone through streets that could be described as empty, and went to the commercial office building next to the Anomaly Bureau.

— "So, you've come here to seek refuge?"

Controlling a doll that looked like a pure-blood fairy, Emerald lifted her head from the research table covered in tubes and asked in a lazy tone.

"What is this strange term 'seek refuge'? I'm just here to fulfill the agreement."

While expressing confusion at Emerald's words, Senior Cuique took a purple-black crystal from her sleeve and placed it before Emerald: "Here, I've finished using this thing, now I'm returning it to you."

"What is this... oh, it's a Beast Source."

Emerald muttered in a muffled voice, flicked the purple-black crystal twice with the doll's claws, then held it upside down in her claw, gazing at it as if observing something: "It is indeed good that you returned it on time, but actually, there was no need to be so urgent."

"Who was it last night who was desperate for me to return it immediately after finishing it?"

Senior Cuique couldn't help but droop her eyelids: "Because you emphasized it so much at the time, I specially rushed over on a holiday morning to deliver it, and now you're telling me it wasn't necessary?"

"Ah... well, actually, that can also be credited to you guys."

Emerald waved it off: "Originally, I only had one Beast Source on hand, so naturally all experimental data had to be derived from it. But because you guys fought that Claw Mark successor last night, I also collected quite a bit of data at the scene. Oh my, oh my, it was surprisingly useful."

"The scene? Data?"

Several key words from Emerald's mouth made Senior Cuique frown subconsciously: "So you were there at the time?"

"I was, but also wasn't."

Emerald continued to play with the Beast Source in her hand: "I still have a few backup clones; although their performance and quality are far inferior to the one I'm using now, completing some simple tasks is no problem. I just casually sent a clone to follow you guys to the suburbs. If you won, I naturally just needed to collect a little data; if you lost, I couldn't really let Claw Mark kill you guys, could I?"

Her words sounded logically complete, yet Senior Cuique felt something was wrong no matter how she thought about it; one of the core issues was, could Emerald really be so kind-hearted?

"You're thinking I could really be so kind-hearted, right?"

As if using mind-reading, Emerald suddenly opened her mouth and asked.

"How did you know?" Senior Cuique, having been exposed, was not angry at all and asked directly.

"I guessed; after all, every time you see me, you write the big characters 'do not trust' on your face."

Emerald glanced at her sideways: "I have no intention of reiterating my noble qualities as an old-school magical girl, but I have the standing to tell you at this opportunity that I am always sincere regarding transactions I initiate myself."

"Specifically manifested in?"

"Manifested in that I value the completion of transactions and will formulate a series of safeguard measures."

Placing the Beast Source in her hand into a container on the research table, Emerald carefully stored it away: "In this process, I also pay great attention to the self-will of the transaction counterpart and will not do any unnecessary things. For example, regarding the transaction between us, have you felt my protection over these two months?"

"No."

Senior Cuique looked at Emerald suspiciously: "Putting aside whether I felt it or not, your method, to my ears, sounds less like 'protection' and more like 'surveillance' and 'stalking', doesn't it?"

Both of them paused simultaneously.

"No, that phrasing absolutely will not do, successor."

After the pause, Emerald quickly spoke to stop her: "If we ignore my subjective goodwill and arbitrarily speculate on my actions with malice, then the relationship between us will develop an irreparable gap."

"In other words, if we don't consider any 'subjective goodwill', you indeed stalked me?"

Senior Cuique widened her eyes slightly: "Your Excellency the Chief, truth be told, although I consider myself to have estimated the lower limits of the Gem Scepter's character, this kind of... have you really gone to such lengths?"

"What do you mean by 'gone to such lengths'? Don't speak as if my character has completely failed, okay?" Emerald reacted violently.

"No, but, clearly between us we can be said to have a mutual transaction, temporarily a half-alliance relationship. But behind the scenes you are both stalking and 'collecting data' and such, and you beautify it by calling it 'transaction safeguards'; just hearing it sounds like purely villainous behavior, doesn't it?"

Senior Cuique extended a finger expressionlessly, pointing at the fairy doll before her: "Now I'm actually a bit curious, what level is your so-called 'protection' specifically? Only when we go on field missions? Or when I'm at the Anomaly Bureau? Or perhaps..."

"Only field missions! Only field missions!"

Emerald waved the doll's short little claws: "Think about it for a moment; I certainly wouldn't go to monitor the Anomaly Bureau and your magical girl bases, right? It brings me no benefit, and I have no reason to care about your personal lives, right?"

"Really?" Senior Cuique put one hand on her hip.

"Really." Emerald nodded repeatedly.

"Then, regarding this topic, I actually have one last question." Senior Cuique said calmly.

"Hmm... please ask?" Emerald agreed with difficulty.

Senior Cuique nodded slightly, maintaining the hand-on-hip posture, and said in a gentle tone: "When I first arrived, you said I came over to 'seek refuge'; what exactly did you mean?"

Silence.

In the vast laboratory, for a moment there was only the faint sound of various instruments operating.

"Haha, it was probably because when you arrived I was still sleeping, I was groggy, and brought my sleep-talking into reality?" After a while, Emerald, like a faulty machine that finally resumed operation after a stutter, scratched her head and laughed.

"I see, so it was sleep-talking, now I can understand."

Senior Cuique also clapped her hands in agreement, her expression pleased: "It surely wasn't eavesdropping on others' conversations while monitoring the magical girl bases, and it definitely wasn't seeing others' family matters while monitoring the Anomaly Bureau, right?"

"Of course, who needs to ask?" Emerald took the opportunity to retreat.

"... Let's talk about the Claw Mark matter again."

Seeming to know that continuing to argue on this topic was meaningless, Senior Cuique sighed, as if truly putting it aside: "If the identity of the Claw Mark leader is indeed as you said, then this person... well, I don't know her much; in your opinion, is it likely she will continue to send people to Fang Ting City?"

"You're worried that if Bai Lang fails this time, she will continue to send more personnel next time?" No longer resembling the half-asleep, lazy figure from a few minutes ago, Emerald spoke thoughtfully, like an old senior truly worrying herself sick over the safety of Fang Ting City.

"Mm."

"Based on my personal understanding of her, the possibility of this is not small, because Bai Lang is a person who will not give up until she achieves her goal; once she sets her mind on something, no matter how complex or tortuous, she will definitely find a way to complete it."

"That is truly admirable." Senior Cuique said expressionlessly: "So Claw Mark will definitely come again?"

"Mm, definitely." Emerald said quite affirmatively: "Of course, variables do exist; for example, who comes, how many people come, and the final result will most likely be different."

"Are people like Kite this time numerous within Claw Mark?"

"Which aspect are you referring to?"

"All of them: strength, personality, stance... although it's not appropriate to ask you this question, Claw Marks of her type probably account for..."

"You should take that question to that old witch in the Investigation Bureau, youngster."

Emerald shrugged and said, "After all, I don't run the Investigation Bureau. Even if I have a rough understanding of the backgrounds of these traitorous magical girls, I can't investigate every detail of each of them as clearly as the Investigation Bureau can."

"What's the proportion? Do you know?"

"Probably less than one percent. A case within a case."

Emerald said helplessly, "To be honest, I advise you not to expect that the next ones to come will be this so-called 'moderate faction.' Bai Lang knows for herself that she made a mistake in selecting people, so the subordinates sent next time will only be the most vicious kind. Rather than hoping for the enemy's mercy, it's better to make yourself strong. We should go to the Realm as soon as possible and resolve your injuries."

"I know. I was just asking; I don't expect any mercy from the enemy."

Senior Cuique said calmly, "Although I remember very clearly that I seem to have never mentioned to you that this enemy was a 'moderate faction'."

Silence fell over the research room once again. And this time, it lasted longer than the previous two times combined.

"This kind of thing definitely doesn't need you to say it. After all, since this enemy could stay in Fang Ting City for so long without doing anything bad during that period, how could they be an extremist faction?"

After waiting for quite a while, Emerald barely managed to speak: "Moreover, when she was active in Fang Ting City, I also sent a substitute to keep an eye on her. It's not difficult at all to reach this conclusion through reasoning, right?"

Senior Cuique said nothing, staring silently at Emerald.

"Hey, at least say something to agree!"

Feeling extremely uncomfortable under that gaze, Emerald couldn't help but protest: "I've already tried so hard to come up with reasons. Can't you show some understanding at a time like this, youngster?"

"Rather than the issue of understanding or not, the thing that troubles me now is what reaction I should actually make."

Senior Cuique shook her head: "Although I have always had a psychological expectation regarding the moral floor of the Chief, it is still hard to believe once it is truly confirmed. And in principle, I shouldn't forgive such behavior of yours, but the transactional relationship stands here, and I seem to have no reason to unilaterally terminate it. This makes me, right now, not know what expression I should make."

"Then could you please act a little more considerate? At least say a couple of words like 'I don't mind' or some other formalities, to leave a little face for an old person?" the doll asked, tilting its head.

"Although I would very much like to do so, since this concerns personal privacy and safety, I don't want to beat around the bush."

"Sigh, you youngster."

Emerald sighed: "Didn't I say before? Continuing to dig deep into this topic will only create a rift in our cooperative relationship. If you insist on digging to the root, isn't it just going to make everyone very awkward?"

"Then I actually have another proposal." Senior Cuique spoke up.

"What proposal?"

"Let's talk openly. For smooth cooperation going forward, I need your formal statement."

Pulling a small chair from the side, Senior Cuique sat down: "I have figured it out. For me now, whether for myself, my companions, or the city, it seems that only finding a truly meaningful partner and ally can make things slightly more stable. I want to know if there is a possibility for you and me to become allies with more aligned interests."

"Allies with aligned interests..."

The doll on the swivel chair scratched its chin in a somewhat human-like manner: "I see. Your meaning is that you need to confirm whether you and I are on the same side?"

"It is not confirmation, but exploration."

Senior Cuique's attitude was firm: "If the result of the exploration is that we can cooperate more deeply, then I can turn a blind eye to this kind of 'protection.' If the result is that we cannot walk the same path, then our transaction may have to end here. Next, I will not go to the Realm according to your plan."

"That's a bit unreasonable."

Emerald's eyes widened: "Sending you to the Realm is to help you heal your injuries. It is clearly something done for your own good. How has it turned into a condition for bargaining with me?"

"For me it is 'healing injuries,' but for you, for the Research Institute, and even for the entire interest group related to you, is it really that simple?"

Senior Cuique looked at her calmly: "We both know my true identity, and we both clearly understand why I am in this situation now. The impact of me, being like this, stepping into the Realm again should only be greater than what I know. If I'm not mistaken, going to heal my injuries should only be the first stop of the itinerary. The so-called 'assessment' is only the last stop. What arrangements are waiting for me in between?"

"Hmm... Surprisingly, I can't find an angle to refute. However, I also don't think this question needs to be explored."

Emerald pondered: "After all, although it is called a transaction, right now only I am the one making the offer, isn't that so? I should have the power to bargain."

"If you are asking about this, then actually you have two other bidding opponents."

Senior Cuique held up two fingers: "The first, without a doubt, is Bai Lang. Although I don't know the reason, the Claw Marks have already clearly thrown me an olive branch. This counts as an option for me."

"Bai Lang? Her?"

The doll looked incredulous: "You would really go to the Claw Marks at this critical juncture?"

"If there were other options, I wouldn't go."

Senior Cuique closed her eyes, then opened them again, her gaze lowered: "But if it is for the safety of me and my companions, when there are no other options, I might consider Bai Lang's proposal."

"I don't think she, as a bidder, possesses the same competitiveness as me."

Emerald made a judgment: "I need to hear the other opponent you mentioned."

"You don't know?" Senior Cuique asked, puzzled.

"Why would I know? It can't be Black Ash Dawn, can it?"

"Hmm... how should I put it?"

"Don't joke, youngster. It can't possibly really be Black Ash Dawn, can it?" The doll couldn't help but widen its eyes.

"No, of course not. The Claw Marks are already an option below the bottom line for me; Black Ash Dawn is even less of an option."

Senior Cuique denied: "I am just thinking, if we don't discuss stance and sins, but only discuss reputation and character, between the Dean and Black Ash Dawn, who is more trustworthy?"

This question made Emerald fall into thought as well. After a while, she tentatively gave an answer: "... Black Ash Dawn?"

"As expected?"

Senior Cuique seemed to have reached the same conclusion: "But for me now, trying to take a gamble doesn't seem impossible."

"That old witch clearly never made an offer to you. I haven't received a single whisper of news."

And Emerald was obviously not very satisfied with this answer: "If you think that just bringing up my old rival can serve as capital for bargaining, you are underestimating me too much, youngster."

"The Dean indeed has not discussed the issue of deep cooperation with me."

Senior Cuique admitted the fact in Emerald's words: "However, I can also confirm that if I go to find her now, I can definitely get a corresponding offer from her mouth."

"Impossible." The doll shook its head. "Absolutely impossible."

"I don't think so."

Senior Cuique remained unmoved: "Although her attitude so far has been vague, and can even be said to be somewhat terrible, I believe in her nose for profit. I am very clear about my value as a political commodity."

"Calling yourself a 'political commodity' directly is a bit too pathetic, youngster."

"Am I not?" Senior Cuique asked lightly.

"You... sigh."

Emerald seemed eager to say something, but stopped short before the words left her lips: "Forget it, I'll just tell you directly. That old witch will never make you an offer."

"Why?"

"No reason. If there must be one, it's that my quote is her quote."

Emerald shook her head. "I'm laying all my cards on the table here, so I won't repeat myself. Do you understand?"

"I see... So I'm indeed worth more than I imagined." Senior Cuique blinked.

"Hmm." Emerald remained noncommittal.

"In other words, I do have the power to raise my price on the spot."

Senior Cuique drew her conclusion: "Does that mean if I tell you to stand up and pour me a cup of tea right now, it's no problem?"

"Hey, don't push it!" Emerald immediately protested.

"No?"

"Look at my short arms and short legs. Do I look like someone who can pour tea for you?"

The doll stretched out its round body, displaying its tiny legs and paws: "Besides, there's no tea in my lab!"

"Then give me some Resonance." Senior Cuique stared straight at her.

The doll immediately jumped down from the swivel chair, rummaged through cabinets and drawers to pull a small box from some unknown corner, ran back to the workbench, and "crash-clatter" dumped a pile of Resonance from fallen beasts onto the table, pushing it before Senior Cuique.

"I said, don't push it!" she added, emphasizing the point.

"If you want to make threats, I think it's best to back them up with action... but never mind."

Senior Cuique finally sighed: "I already know."

"If you have any other demands, just say them straight!"

Emerald wore an expression of giving up entirely: "Anyway, once you make a demand, after today, you'll never be able to jump ship!"

Senior Cuique was about to say she already understood, that they were both sensible people and there was no need to pretend confusion where it wasn't needed. But before she could speak, a flash of inspiration struck her mind.

She suddenly thought of a question she could ask.

"Your Excellency, Chief."

"What?" Emerald replied in a bad mood.

"Last night, something happened at our Fang Ting City outpost. You must know what it was, right?" Senior Cuique suddenly asked.

"What happened? Which incident are you referring to? The two youngsters in Bai'an City knocking over the hotpot while clearing the table? Or the tallest girl in your whole team washing the same plate twice because she got distracted while doing dishes? Or your daughter asking in her room if she could call you 'mom'? Or Chaoyan shouting your name in her own room..."

"My daughter's business!" Senior Cuique immediately interrupted, eyeing Emerald with a "I knew it" look.

"You don't need to stare at me like that. Although I admit I did look, let me clarify: I'm not a voyeur. I simply wanted to know if you or your team had any injuries after fighting the Claw Marks, and whether Bo Xue's condition was stable."

Emerald crossed her paws: "In any case, if you're just using this to attack me, I absolutely will not admit it."

"I'm not so naive as to think I could attack the character of a Gem Scepter holder with something like this."

Senior Cuique shook her head: "The reason I bring this up is because my next question is related to it."

"Huh? What do you mean, asking me for family emotional counseling?"

For some reason, as if a switch had been flipped, Emerald did a carp leap straight up from her chair: "You want to ask for my advice on your parent-child relationship? I'm good at that!"

"No, not that either."

Senior Cuique pressed her lips together, her gaze sharpening slightly: "It's just... if what I'm about to say seems impossible to you, just pretend you didn't hear it."

"Hmm... go on?"

"It's just..."

Senior Cuique paused for a moment, then hesitantly spoke: "If I really plan to provide the child with both 'mother' and 'father' emotional care in the coming days, meaning I want both identities to coexist in specific situations, do you have any useful equipment on your end?"

"I'm not saying I plan to have the two identities form a family or anything. But since I really intend for the Magical Girl identity to act as the child's mother and provide the missing part of familial affection, I might need to consider occasional identity conflicts. That is, if I need to conceal it... are you listening?"

Emerald actually stopped listening to what Senior Cuique said afterward.

Of course, if you ask why she couldn't listen and what she was thinking, it was actually very simple. Just one word.

— "Huh?"