Transform into a magical girl after getting off work-Chapter 592 - 151: Showdown

"So, according to what you mean, even if you all follow my orders next, if I want to achieve certain objectives through the Magical Affairs Institute, I still must publicly declare it as 'the demand of the Research Institute'?"

After pondering for a moment, Emerald Sparrow summarized: "Without such a designation, nothing can be implemented?"

"To be precise, using the name of the Research Institute can increase the probability of success to some extent, because it will make other factions consider the matter openly, weighing the pros and cons. After all, they also have policies and projects they want to implement, and if they can help us achieve some goals, perhaps we can garner their support in the future."

Zhe Helan explained, "Most of the time, the power exchange in the Magical Affairs Institute follows this rule: I help you once, and in the future, when I need you, you have to help me. It's like collecting cards in a game. When one faction has collected favors from all other interest groups, they can attempt to push through an agenda by force."

"How many favors does your faction have?" Emerald Sparrow asked further.

"Excluding those that have already been used up, currently the Investigation Bureau owes us twice, and the Finance Court owes us once."

Zhe Helan replied fluently, "Recently, the Civil Administration Institute wants to add a new department to its faction. This issue has been at an impasse for a long time. If we help them win this battle, we can gain a favor from the Civil Administration Institute."

"And what about the Teaching Selection Department? Which side is her backing from? The Royal Court?" Emerald Sparrow was puzzled.

"You could say so, but privately everyone knows that her backing is the nobles of the Royal Court, rather than the Royal Court itself."

Zhe Helan said, "The head of the Teaching Selection Department is also from a noble family and has been one of the nobles from the beginning, so she stands publicly as a spokesperson for the interests of the nobles."

"Aren't both vice deans from the Royal Court?" Emerald Sparrow was confused.

"The vice deans need to be directly accountable to His Majesty and merely represent His Majesty's will, so they must remain impartial and refrain from personal desires."

Zhe Helan hinted, "However, more importantly, if they themselves intervene, many matters would no longer be internal affairs of the Magical Affairs Institute."

"It's a compromise between the two vice deans and the other four scepters."

Emerald Sparrow realized, "Because the scope of the Magical Affairs Institute's power naturally suppresses the other four courts, if logistical and deployment issues regarding the Magical Girl are obstructed, the operations and interests of the other four courts are also affected. Therefore, gemstone scepters will inevitably intervene and cannot easily let go."

"Yes, Your Excellency, your wisdom and vision are truly commendable."

Zhe Helan bowed again, fully placing herself in the position of a "subordinate," providing ample emotional value: "To the respective scepters, the Magical Affairs Institute cannot be an agency belonging entirely to the Royal Court to easily implement their will. The Magical Affairs Institute should be, and can only be, in the current state of 'paralysis' that they desire."

"...Truly worthy of the Gemstone Scepter." Emerald Sparrow couldn't help but glance towards Emerald and commented as such.

"I'll take that as a compliment to my political maneuvering."

Emerald shrugged indifferently, "You should consider from my perspective; our Research Institute is the institution in the entire Magic Kingdom with the highest requirements for the specific qualities of talents. If those with academic talents are recruited by other institutions, or if our academically specialized but less combative magical girls do not get the appropriate benefits, how will the Research Institute continue to operate? We can't let others control our destinies, can we?"

"So now you can hand over your 'destiny' so childishly to me?"

Emerald Sparrow was full of disbelief, "Or is your true purpose to have me help manage your Research Institute's interests in the Magical Affairs Institute? I'm ostensibly here to assume power but in reality, serve as your assistant?"

"Relax, young one, think a bit more; I'm not scheming against you."

Emerald raised her hand in a placating gesture, signaling 'calm down': "If you insist on having me explain the purpose of my actions, my answer remains the same, it is merely an investment."

Emerald Sparrow was momentarily speechless.

"...You want me to be a scepter?" After a while, she used a rather subtle tone to question Emerald.

"To be honest, yes."

Emerald raised both hands, this time making a 'surrender' gesture: "Compared to holding one-fifth of sometimes functioning, sometimes not pieces of power just to prevent someone else from framing me, I find having a Sapphire Wand who is on good terms with me or even owes me favors makes things simpler."

"I've grown tired of playing this game of throwing money around in other institutions to win over factions, just to paralyze them and seize some small benefits. Besides the Pigeon Blood Red, who hasn't been in office long, and our current diamond, Miss Purple Diamond, who are still keen on this interesting back-garden power play..."

Emerald slightly emphasized the term 'current diamond' before she continued, "everyone else is quite weary, be it me, the few nobles' leaders, or that old witch from the Investigation Bureau."

"Without a Gemstone Scepter, a fragmented, completely stalled Magical Affairs Institute is only a tolerable state. But in reality, having a functioning Magical Affairs Institute with its own Sapphire Wand allied with me is ideal."

"The only two uncertainties are how to proceed to ensure the Sapphire Wand is 'one of us' and how to put the person in the position of Gemstone Scepter."

Emerald looked at Emerald Sparrow with slightly narrowed eyes, "This is the truth of our 'transaction,' and it's my token of goodwill to you, young one, as you can see."

Emerald Sparrow remained silent.

She did not ask Emerald any more questions but turned her gaze once more to Zhe Helan, slowly opening her mouth: "…And what about you all?"

"Before pledging loyalty to you, we were the Research Institute's partners, so we would support the Chief's decisions."

Zhe Helan bowed her head in response: "And now, having pledged our loyalty to you, your view is our view."

"You know what I'm asking you, Miss Teaching Selection Department."

Emerald Sparrow's face was expressionless, "If you want me to accept your loyalty, give me the answer I want."

Zhe Helan paused for a moment, showing a touch of confusion that was appropriately exposed, but soon, this confusion was replaced by a kind of

"We are from the Magical Affairs Institute, Your Excellency."

She seemed to tidy up emotions she shouldn't reveal, proceeding with more humility:

"We also want a scepter of our own."