Chapter 92: Gold-Green Cat

Dingdong~ Dingdang~ Dingdong~ Dingdang.

A simple yet melodious tune sounded.

A person sat alone in an empty prison cell, Cuique staring at the magic mirror in her hands.

While the magic mirror was calling the other side, not only did a fresh and pleasant melody play, but occasionally, several adorable fairies flew across the mirror's surface, dancing in midair.

If one judged only by appearance, Cuique now looked exactly like a child clutching a toy—no one would guess she was making a call.

After waiting for dozens of seconds, the fairies' dance on the mirror finally stopped, and the image on the other side connected, revealing a girl's face.

The girl wore a professional smile, bowed slightly to the mirror, and spoke with polite formality: "Hello, my lord. Please state the purpose of your call."

Although Cuique did not recognize the girl, merely seeing the golden hard hat atop her head allowed her to guess her identity—she was from the Investigation Bureau, likely a call intermediary.

"The investigation team leader named Cat's Tail gave me this magic mirror and told me someone wanted to contact me."

Cuique gave a slight nod, returning the girl's bow, and briefly stated her purpose: "My codename is Cuique."

"Understood, Cuique my lord. Please wait a moment."

Without questioning Cuique's words, the smiling girl bowed slightly again through the mirror, then turned and left—clearly to verify the details of this call.

Cuique stared at the empty mirror, expressionless, lost in thought.

Not long after, once verification was complete, the girl reappeared on the other side of the mirror. She bowed once more, maintaining perfect etiquette: "Hello, Cuique Patrol Master. Your call will now be transferred to the Director's study."

As she spoke, the mirror's image shifted, and the scene quickly changed to a room filled with elegant furnishings.

The entire room's walls were lined with thick bookshelves; even through the mirror, one could almost sense the rich scent of aged books. The shelves were stacked with ancient texts written in unknown script, and in the upper corners hung several old oil paintings and photographs.

Beside the central desk sat a luxurious armchair, its back and seat wrapped in thick velvet leather, adorned with metal armrests and backrests inlaid with gold-green gemstones, exuding extraordinary opulence. The desk was piled with handwritten manuscripts and delicate ornaments, beside which rested a refined tea set. A steaming teacup was held in a porcelain-white hand; its owner sat in the armchair, smiling faintly at the mirror.

It was a girl who appeared about sixteen or seventeen years old.

The girl's figure was slender and elegant, clad in a luxurious silver-white gown embroidered with golden thread and faint green sequins, giving an impression of grace and freshness. On her wrists she wore a simple, elegant gemstone bracelet, and over her shoulders hung a golden magical robe—but unlike ordinary Investigation Bureau members, this robe shone with exceptional brilliance on her.

Golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, each strand like translucent silk, shimmering with faint glimmers as if dusted with gold powder. Her face was symmetrical, her lashes thick, her features refined yet subtly noble, never imposing.

But what left the deepest impression was her eyes.

In her translucent golden irises were sharp, vertical pupils. Her eyes were long and slightly upturned, like a cat's—lively yet profound, carrying a subtle air of age that stirred curiosity.

Of course.

Seeing the figure in the mirror—the "Director" the girl had mentioned—Cuique remained expressionless, but her lips twitched slightly.

Only one person in the magical realm could be called Director by Investigation Bureau members: the one who governed the Investigation Bureau under the Gem Scepter—the Gold-Green Cat's Eye.

As the pinnacle of magical girl power and authority in the realm, the Gem Scepter bearers were naturally the focus of public attention, yet very few ever met one in person. Even among magical girls, many never spoke to a single Gem Scepter before retiring.

Anyone else in Cuique's position would surely feel honored.

But Cuique's demeanor was cold.

After all, this was not the first time she had dealt with Gold-Green Cat's Eye.

As a nominal Patrol Master, Cuique's file was filed under the Investigation Bureau, making this Gold-Green Cat's Eye her nominal superior. This time, she had no idea what game the woman was playing.

"It has been many years since we last met, Miss Cornflower, who now calls herself Cuique."

The other's first words contradicted her formal tone, laced with subtle mockery: "When was our last meeting? During Your Majesty's grand celebration?"

Cuique's lips moved slightly; after a moment, she bowed with cool composure but perfect etiquette: "As you say, thirteen years ago, Director."

"Good. My memory has not failed me."

Gold-Green Cat's Eye nodded slightly: "According to your report, a magical girl calling herself Clawmark appeared recently in Fang Ting City and was defeated by you. Since you've received the magic mirror I sent, has the handover of the suspect been completed?"

"Completed." Cuique replied tersely.

"Highly efficient, as always, Miss Cuique."

Slightly pleased, the girl on the other side of the mirror lifted her gaze slightly: "Now, ensure no unsuitable listeners are nearby. This is now our private conversation."

Cuique glanced at the door and saw Hong Siyu standing there, her expression pleading.

Ignoring her resentful gaze, Cuique tilted her chin slightly, signaling her to leave, then returned her focus to the magic mirror: "I can confirm. Speak."

"Very well. Let me begin with the first matter of this conversation."

Pulling out a small notebook from beside her, Gold-Green Cat's Eye opened it to the needed page: "The first matter is bad news—about the previous group of magical girls from Fang Ting City, the children who joined the Investigation Bureau to investigate Cherry's death."

"Who?" The description made Cuique's heart tighten.

Glancing at Cuique, Gold-Green Cat's Eye lowered her eyes again, studying her notebook:

"Codename 'Tumí.' She joined the coastal city investigation team. She fought a high-ranking member of Black Ash Dawn, was overwhelmed, and ultimately sacrificed herself holding the rear."

(End of Chapter)