"The Source of Beasts, right?"
Molu agreed, "Indeed, if I can think of this, there is no reason the White Wolf cannot. She was willing to betray her country for rely two Sources of Beasts; it's implausible for her not to covet the one you possess."
"I might not be able to protect this thing from a fully capable Card Player."
Erald Sparrow stated the facts in a calm tone, "If the other party uses force, or even threatens the safety of Fangting City to demand the Source of Beasts from , I'll need your assistance."
"My assistance? You an to have help you defeat that 'Canna'? Unfortunately, my true self is still within the realm, so I can't co to Fangting City."
The doll in the magic mirror shook its paw, "This incarnation of mine practically has no combat ability. Not just Card Players, even your juniors could easily defeat this incarnation."
It spoke with certainty, as if truly incapable, but Erald Sparrow did not speak, simply continuing to watch the magic mirror expressionlessly.
The doll in the mirror paused for a few seconds, seemingly waiting for sothing. Seeing that Erald Sparrow gave no reaction, it couldn't help but say boringly, "Really, such an unadorable younger generation. Can't you throw a line at a ti like this?"
"So?" Erald Sparrow nodded, "Do you have a solution?"
"You're so convinced I will help you?" Molu found this rather strange, "What if I really can't do anything? After all, this doesn't concern , right?"
Erald Sparrow sighed sowhat helplessly, "I think a Gemstone Scepter shouldn't say that a traitor attacking the city is none of their concern."
"From the standpoint of a Magical Girl, yes," Molu countered, "But I am after all a Gemstone Scepter. Even if I am morally upright, I must consider the broader benefits."
"From a beneficial perspective, you presumably wouldn't tolerate others laying hands on the Source of Beasts."
Erald Sparrow analyzed calmly, "You specially ca to Fangting to build a research institute; obviously, you had plans to conduct research here. Even if our deal is successfully concluded and the Source of Beasts is in your hands, you would have to consider the problem of it being stolen by others."
"Hmm... it seems I can't refute that. Such clarity of thought should not be underestimated, youngster."
The doll in the mirror first assud a thoughtful pose, then nodded in so agreent, "Then I will tell you, there is no need to worry. Even if the other party is the fugitive 'Canna', what follows will be..."
— "Thud!"
Before Molu could finish speaking, Erald Sparrow felt a strong impact on the wooden door behind her.
The door to the reception room was abruptly pushed open, and Erald Sparrow, who had been resting against it, was knocked to the ground. The magic mirror in her hand flew out from her grasp, landing several ters away, leaving only Molu's sowhat puzzled voice calling out from the mirror.
Erald Sparrow stood up, bracing herself from the ground, and turned to look towards the door, only to see the Magical Girl calling herself "Canna" who had arrived unannounced at her back, now looking at her with interest.
"Indeed, my sense was right, it's a Magical Girl!"
She held a wine glass brought from the dining table in her hand, with a slight flush of inebriation on her cheeks, "Semi, you lost the bet!"
"To think it's really a Magical Girl?"
The Black Cat Fairy floated out from behind her, eyeing Erald Sparrow with a mix of surprise and uncertainty, "Indeed she is... but it's so strange, why didn't I feel anything?"
"Like I said, you fairies have too singular a mode of perception," the girl said with so self-assuredness, smiling confidently, "In this aspect, I'm more professional than you."
"Are you Fangting City's Magical Girl? What are you doing here?"
But anwhile, Semi paid her no further attention, instead focusing intently on Erald Sparrow, "Did that man inform you to co here?"
Earlier at the dining table, Yuan suddenly spoke up, feeling the presence of Magical Power and then directly headed for this room. Although Semi thought such behavior was reckless, out of necessity, she had followed along.
Even though she followed Yuan into the adjacent reception room, she actually had no idea: Did Fangting City's Magical Girl co with good or bad intentions? Was she aware they ca from Claw Mark? Without knowing such information, she didn't know what action to take at the mont.
Truth be told, Semi did not wish to resolve things by force.
Because it always worried that Cornflower in Fangting City possessed great strength, a direct confrontation might lead to a disastrous conflict. In its opinion, the risk of a head-on battle was much higher than outsmarting or negotiating with the enemy, so it should not resort to fighting unless there was no other choice.
That was also why it attempted to use dialogue to confirm the other party's stance, wanting to know if its cover had really been blown.
"I received a notification about an unknown Magical Girl entering Fangting."
In response, Erald Sparrow glossed over and did not dwell on Lin Yun's actions, summarily going through the reason for her presence here, "So I ca to confirm your identities and intentions."
"Confirm identities?"
Semi's ears noticeably perked up, but quickly relaxed again, "What would you like to know?"
"Your code nas, identification numbers, positions, and missions."
With the sa line of thought as Semi, in order to avoid exacerbating the conflict and leading to a direct confrontation, Erald Sparrow decided to repeat the old trick after a brief contemplation, again pretending not to know that the other party was Claw Mark, "It might be a bit offensive, but I need to ensure that you truly are Magical Girls from the realm."
Her attitude also confused Semi.
It had already prepared itself for the possibility that it was discovered and braced for a tough fight. However, the attitude displayed by Erald Sparrow suggested that she was not yet certain they were Claw Mark, indicating that there might still be room for maneuver.
Should we talk so more?
Thinking this way, it was about to continue along Erald Sparrow's line of inquiry, but it saw Yuan stretch out her hand to stop it.
——"No need to act anymore, young lady."
Her expression slightly tipsy yet her tone confident, she shook her head with a laugh, "I heard you earlier, behind the door; you said 'Source of Beasts'. You clearly know why we're here, right?"
"Huh?" Semi turned its head in surprise to look at her.
The previously indifferent expression on Erald Sparrow's face beca even more tense.
"Since that's the case, there's no need for further pretense. We're from 'Claw Mark', and we ca to Fangting City to retrieve the Source of Beasts from Cornflower, and incidentally accomplish so other tasks."
Yuan brought the cup to her lips, taking a light sip, "You're a Magical Girl from Fangting City? Then you should know where Cornflower is, don't you?"
"...So your purpose is indeed the Source of Beasts." Seeing her intentions exposed, Erald Sparrow no longer pretended. She took a few steps back, picked up the magic mirror from the ground, and slipped it into her sleeve. The wide cuffs of her dress acted like a storage bag, concealing the magic mirror without any outward sign of bulging.
After doing this, she looked at the group in front of her with so wariness, "What do you want with it?"
"Want to know?"
Exhaling the sll of alcohol, Yuan moved a few steps closer to Erald Sparrow; her height, a good half head taller, created an oppressive aura, "Then first answer my question, young lady, are you acquainted with Cornflower, do you know where Cornflower is?"
Erald Sparrow lifted her head, eting her gaze fearlessly, "I am under no obligation to answer your questions..."
Before she could finish, however, a sense of alarm suddenly surged in her heart. She felt a chill on her back, as if so danger was rapidly approaching.
Clang!
Without a mont's hesitation, Erald Sparrow almost instinctively activated her magic gear, layers of threads overlapped behind her forming a shield-like masterpiece, fending off the attack from behind.
But that was all it did – fend off the attack. She hadn't even been able to see what it was that attacked her.
What was worse, after having used her magic gear, she realized that trouble was far from over. Yuan, looking at the threads around her, revealed a sowhat knowing smile.
"...Although I had a hunch, it still requires a test of skill to be sure it's you."
She gently placed her wine glass aside on the table, the drunken look on her face gradually fading away,
"Cornflower."
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