The banquet ended close to midnight.
Erald refused the requests from several Magical Affairs Institute employees to escort her back to the Research Institute, so on the way back, she shared the carriage only with Erald Sparrow.
Compared to the tranquil and warm scenery along the way there, Luennolay at night appeared far more desolate.
Erald leaned against the back of her seat, her eyes tightly shut, not saying a word, seemingly intending to nap a bit on the road just like on the way there. However, after a while, she was still unable to fall asleep, so she opened her eyes reluctantly.
"Slept too much today..."
She groaned in slight frustration.
Like an old person, she lifted her upper body by holding onto the armrests, directing her gaze towards Erald Sparrow seated across from her. At this ti, Erald Sparrow had her hands folded, sitting quite properly in her position, her expressionless face slightly lowered, and even though Erald looked at her, she had no reaction, clearly contemplating sothing in her mind.
"What's wrong? Are you really that upset?"
So Erald resolutely spoke up, initiating the conversation: "Since dinner, you've had the look of soone who is owed money. Is there sothing you're dissatisfied with?"
"...No."
Erald Sparrow lifted her head at the words, glancing at Erald: "I'm just pondering so questions."
"What questions?" Seeing the street scene outside the carriage and realizing there was still a ways to the Research Institute, Erald asked.
"It's my own business, unrelated to you or them." Erald Sparrow shook her head.
The "them" naturally referred to the mbers of the Magical Affairs Institute.
"But you can still talk it over."
Erald imitated Erald Sparrow's posture, sitting upright like a true lady: "This is a rare concern from soone older, giving you a chance to utilize , the wisdom of the chief of the Research Institute. Shouldn't you take advantage of it?"
"I'm afraid I can't handle it." Erald Sparrow retorted with a bit of irritation.
"I don't recall any gunpowder on our dinner nu."
Erald made a cold joke: "What exactly has got you so displeased? Is it because you still don't want to beco the Gemstone Scepter, feeling like we're all pressuring you?"
Erald Sparrow glared at her, and she squinted back at Erald Sparrow, both of them holding their ground for a while.
"...It's not that."
After a mont, perhaps realizing that unless she said sothing, Erald wouldn't let it go, Erald Sparrow sighed: "I am clear on priorities; evading the issue wouldn't solve anything for as things stand now, so I had already planned to agree with your plan."
"rit for clency, and then becoming the Scepter?" Erald reiterated.
"Correct."
Erald Sparrow nodded: "But the problem lies in the thod of gaining rit."
"You're still worried about your children?" Erald shrugged: "Our plan still can't give you peace of mind?"
"That's one reason."
Erald Sparrow nodded: "But regarding this point, I will communicate with them when I return, respecting their own will. If they truly wish to pass the assessnt and acquire the Validation Card sooner, you all must let participate in the formulation and execution of the security plan."
"A reasonable request." Erald nodded. "So this doesn't seem to be worth your gloom."
"...Perhaps."
Erald Sparrow paused: "To be honest, even doing this, I still feel the matter is not quite justified, and I find myself profiting from it rather distastefully... But I know I have already made my choice and am prepared, so I have no right to bla you all in this matter."
"Hmm, so?" Erald responded noncommittally: "What is the true reason you're speaking so abrasively?"
"You're playing , Erald."
Erald Sparrow's face showed no expression: "You clearly knew early on that soone from Claw Mark had infiltrated Luennolay, and even knew so of them had connections with , possibly even having made contact with , yet you pretended to know nothing."
"That's slander, youngster."
Erald slightly puffed her cheeks: "Isn't it possible I was just respecting your personal privacy, not wanting to discuss your social circles without your consent, especially as not everyone present may be in the know, so I had to keep your secret?"
"So you did know all along?" Erald Sparrow stared at her.
"Yes, I knew all along." Erald nodded boldly: "After all, Tulip, or now the one codenad 'Golden Snake,' the Claw Mark Magical Girl, is quite famous; even if she disguises herself well, our informants can still deduce her identity through various verifications, since, as you know, they are in the open and we're in the shadows."
"And what about them eting ?" Erald Sparrow continued to ask.
"How could I possibly know that? Isn't it you who inford ?"
Erald shrugged: "However, even without definite information, just thinking a bit leads to the conclusion that if I were soone from Claw Mark, I would certainly try to pull you in. Although I don't know why they know you're in Luennolay, it seems that if you et, there would inevitably be so exchanges."
"You are well aware that many among them once were soldiers of Luennolay, of this very city beneath your feet," Erald Sparrow said.
"Yes." Erald nodded.
"But now you agree with the plan proposed by the Magical Affairs Institute, to lure them and make them sacrifices for your gains." Erald Sparrow pressed.
"Is there a problem with that?" Erald tilted her head.
"They are heroes of this nation." Erald Sparrow looked at her.
"No, they are not, youngster."
Erald spoke softly: "Unlike you, perhaps many still regard Cornflower as a hero, but they... I must tell you a truth, they are just traitors to the kingdom, rely a bunch of terrorists."
"Then why did they 'beco traitors'? A group who once fought for the glory of this country, why have they now beco a group of terrorists?"
Erald Sparrow pressed relentlessly: "There has to be a reason; there can't be love and hatred in this world without cause. Why did they co to this point?"
"I don't know, youngster."
But Erald just looked at her, her gaze steady: "This is sothing you need to discover."
Reviews
All reviews (0)