Chapter 50: The Meaning of an Inspector

"That sounds like a massive government..."

Xia Liang couldn't help but look upward, lost in imagination: "Magic Kingdom—hearing that name, I thought it would be like a place from a fairy tale world."

"If you only look at the surface, it is indeed like a fairy tale."

Hong Siyu shook her finger once more: "But unfortunately, the Magic Kingdom isn't just a fairy tale. Managing the vast force of magical girls in the material realm alone requires a lot of manpower, and on top of that, there is the need to govern the civilians living within the kingdom; a structured administrative organ is indispensable."

"In that case, the meaning behind the identity of a magical girl sounds even heavier..."

Lin Xiaolu looked a bit sullen: "It feels like they are mysterious and powerful heroes in the eyes of the public, but in reality, they still can't escape worldly power."

"That is precisely the symbol that magical girls are still 'human' and have not transcended beyond it."

Her words were full of childish wishful thinking, yet they stirred a sigh from Hong Siyu: "Because they still have attachments, desires, and connections with people, the world of magical girls is equally filled with complex interpersonal relationships."

"Is that why there are bad magical girls?" Xia Liang followed up by asking.

"Yes, that is why there are bad..."

Hong Siyu was just about to continue along with her line of questioning, but stopped after realizing the content of the statement, a look of confusion appearing on her face: "Who told you that?"

Xia Liang looked toward Lin Xiaolu, and Lin Xiaolu frowned quite candidly: "My contact said so, why?"

"Ah, then I can probably guess what the situation is."

With the confusion resolved, Hong Siyu looked enlightened, then nodded: "Then I will speak openly. Bad magical girls do indeed exist because of this. Just as there is a distinction between good citizens and criminals in our material realm, you cannot guarantee that everyone's character is kind."

"Don't the Sowers look at whether one's heart is pure when choosing a magical girl?" Lin Xiaolu glanced at Moke.

"To be precise, the Sowers only look at whether you have talent in magic and soul," Hong Siyu shrugged.

—"I can't see that kind of thing you're talking about; it's the Heart Seed that judges the wishes in your hearts."

Moke also interjected: "However, for children whose hearts are full of dark thoughts, the Heart Seed shouldn't react."

"Even if they are truly kind-hearted when chosen, a magical girl's term of service is a full ten years; no one knows if their mindset will change during that period."

Hong Siyu looked at the two girls in front of her, her tone flippant: "Look at me, for example. Ten years ago, I definitely wouldn't have imagined that I would still be single now."

No one responded to her.

The example she gave was so sensitive and painful that the two girls fell silent for a moment.

"Eh, aren't you going to laugh? I consider myself to have used a very embarrassing matter as a joke," Hong Siyu said, slightly surprised.

"How should I put it, laughing at something like this feels a bit..." Lin Xiaolu looked away.

"If you've been retired for ten years, then you are already..." Xia Liang also revealed a slightly sympathetic smile.

"Don't be like that, your reaction makes me very awkward!"

Hong Siyu couldn't help but pat the sofa: "Fine, forget it! I shouldn't have made that kind of joke. Back to the main topic! Let's continue talking about bad magical girls!"

"Listen carefully! From the past until now! Once a magical girl who violates regulations and discipline appears, the Investigation Court will dispatch a specialized investigation team to collect evidence, and then arrest the offending magical girl."

"Besides that, if there are magic-side criminals other than magical girls, such as mages, when these people cause major negative impacts, the Investigation Court will also be dispatched to investigate and arrest them."

"You can understand the Investigation Court as the police of the magic side. From the lowest-level mages to the highest-level magical girls, and even Flower Card girls, as long as they violate the rules, they will become targets for investigation and arrest."

"And our Heterodox Bureau deals most with the Investigation Court and the Magic Affairs Court. You could even say that as long as it involves magical girls, we are subordinate agencies to these two major courts."

"As for the Inspectors, they are special personnel within the Investigation Court, specifically tasked with investigating extremely severe criminal cases. Because the threshold for serving as an Inspector is basically the Flower Card level, there aren't many of them in total. Generally speaking, if they are dispatched, it means something major has happened."

Having said this, Hong Siyu picked up the tea Xia Liang had brought over: "Now you know, right? What kind of big shot the identity of Inspector that Cui Que holds really is."

The long-winded conversation made her feel a bit dry, so she pressed her lips to the cup, wanting to drink the tea to moisten her throat.

"So, actually, she counts as one of your direct superiors?" It was at this moment that Xia Liang asked with a look of innocence.

"Pfft—cough, cough, cough!"

Spitting out the tea she had just taken into her mouth, Hong Siyu coughed violently: "How... could you come to that conclusion?"

"Well, look, the Inspector is a big shot in the Investigation Court, right? And you said the Heterodox Bureau is a subordinate of the Investigation Court, so isn't the Inspector your superior too?" Xia Liang counted on her fingers, earnestly sorting out the logic, "Or is it because the official rank is too high that she can't manage you?"

"Cough, to be precise, Inspectors don't manage affairs; they only focus on investigating cases."

Pulling out two tissues to wipe the corners of her mouth, Hong Siyu explained to Xia Liang: "Although they have great power and the Heterodox Bureau must try its best to cooperate with them during cases, they generally do not, and have no obligation to, interfere with the operations of the Heterodox Bureau."

"Of course, on this basis, Cui Que's identity as an Inspector and her situation are even more special, which is why she can linger in one place like this and slowly serve as your introductory mentor."

When she said this, Lin Xiaolu seemed to have remembered something and stared at Moke not far away. Moke, meanwhile, was playing dumb, even whistling to pretend that nothing was the matter.

"You are currently under the protection of Cui Que, so you can avoid dangerous things, avoid the Magic Kingdom and truly complex interpersonal relationships, and study in peace. But you must also be prepared; such a life will not last long."

Finally, this was how Hong Siyu summarized it.

Based on her understanding of Lin Yun, with his thoroughly awkward personality, he must be like a clam, never willing to speak of these things to others.

He would think that these matters are not suitable for children to know too early, so he explains nothing, only hiding it in his heart, thinking alone, and bearing it alone.

And since he made his comeback under the codename "Cui Que," the many actions he has taken clearly have deep-seated plans. Yet those plans were something even Hong Siyu, who was once his companion, could not fathom.

The reason she said so much as soon as she arrived today, even speaking of things that might be too complex for children, was actually because she hoped they would know more, understand more, and then take action to actively seek out Cui Que to learn more.

And her final concluding remark clearly touched the two children, who each revealed different expressions.

Lin Xiaolu's emotions were very direct; just looking at her expression, one could clearly feel her reluctance regarding the fact that "Cui Que will leave." Xia Liang's expression control was good, but she also showed a look of contemplation.

The clock on the living room wall moved quietly, crossing the eleven-thirty mark, heading toward twelve o'clock, which represented noon.

—"Speaking of which, Big Sister, I have one more question."

After some thought, Xia Liang suddenly asked: "Since you said that Inspectors don't actually manage affairs, then who exactly in the Investigation Court is responsible for dispatching magical girls?"