Urging for more updates, then turning into a magical girl.

Chapter 77 Cooling Down the Fire

"Heh, what 'talent drain'?"

The emerald scepter sneered.

"You keep saying we've drained the material world of talent, but have you ever considered that without the magical girl status and powers bestowed upon them by the kingdom, those so-called 'talents' would just be ordinary people!"

"Since this identity and power were bestowed upon them by the nation, what's wrong with the nation taking back the power when they no longer serve the nation or bear the responsibilities of magical girls?"

The emerald scepter drew close to Qingluan, their noses almost touching.

"You accuse the nation of forcing magical girls to choose between 'retiring and returning to an ordinary life in the material world' and 'joining the nation to retain their power,' calling it an arrogant system."

"But without a nation, they would have been just ordinary people from the beginning. Returning to the material world is equivalent to the nation not existing. Moreover, the compensation they received is fair and commensurate with their contributions over the past ten years. Where is the grievance or injustice in this reasonable agreement?"

Qingluan gritted her teeth, wanting to refute, but couldn't find a suitable angle to start.

"And you, Cheng Qi."

The title "Emerald Scepter" was a direct reversal to the commander's real name, and the tone became increasingly sarcastic, "Don't try to put on this righteous and awe-inspiring act here."

"You accuse the nation of arrogance and us of monopolizing power, but how noble are your actions? When you used the brainwashing device to control the Crescent Moon, you had no qualms whatsoever. 'Zhang Menglin' ​​said this device could increase the combat power of the Star's location, and you used it with great enthusiasm, didn't you?"

With her other hand, the emerald scepter gently patted Qingluan's cheek. "You're not ashamed at all after becoming a magical girl. Think about it, what you've done is steal the magical girl power of the kingdom to oppose it, isn't it? Taking power from us and then demanding that we unconditionally share that power with the material world, do you think that's appropriate? In my opinion, you seem to enjoy it, Commander."

"We are different!"

Qingluan, her sore spot touched, struggled slightly in a fit of anger and embarrassment. "My methods may be somewhat underhanded, but my purpose is for the future of the material world, for—"

"Don't make me laugh, young man."

The emerald scepter interrupted her again, its eyes filled with contempt.

"You've resorted to such despicable methods as brainwashing, and now you come to talk to us about your goals? We're all the same kind of scoundrels who will stop at nothing to achieve our objectives, so let's not look down on each other. Don't try to glorify your methods as 'for the future of the material world' in front of me."

"If you want complete self-defense, then the kingdom will grant your wish and recall all the magical girls to the kingdom. How about it? Let's see how long the material world can hold out with only magicians present."

"The underlying logic for maintaining stability in the material world is that the nation has diverted its power, so the material world benefits. If you say that the nation is after the fact that girls in the material world can be transformed into magical girls, then you should think about it again. At this stage, is the nation dependent on the material world, or is the material world more dependent on the nation?"

Looking at the emerald green scepter that suddenly seemed completely different, Qingluan suddenly realized something.

The Supreme Scepter... Although their exact ages are unknown, they are all ancient monsters who have lived for at least a hundred years.

Having experienced countless power struggles, the baptism of war, and the dark side of human nature, their minds can no longer be judged by common sense.

So in the face of such beings, everything I did was probably just a rebellious child playing house in their eyes.

Previously, when faced with her long-winded arguments and accusations, the Emerald Scepter wasn't rendered speechless. It was simply because, in the eyes of adults, a child's impotent rage was not worth refuting, and she couldn't be bothered to argue with a "child."

But when children go too far, adults will slap them to make them realize the reality.

Having figured this out, Qingluan suddenly felt a sense of dejection.

It wasn't just a difference in strength; in the battle of wits and experience, I was completely at a disadvantage. Continuing to argue would only lead to further humiliation.

Seeing that Qingluan had stopped struggling, and seemed to have calmed down considerably, the expression on the emerald scepter changed at lightning speed.

The terrifying pressure, like Mount Tai pressing down, vanished.

"Hehe, that's more like it."

The emerald scepter's face once again displayed a frivolous, grinning expression. She loosened Qingluan's collar, and with a gentle lift, picked up the petite blue-haired girl, then placed her back on the testing table.

"I'm sorry, Commander, I was a little rough just now. I hope I didn't hurt you?"

As she spoke, the emerald scepter helped Qingluan straighten her somewhat disheveled clothes.

The heated argument we just had seemed like it never happened.

Seeing the other person's face change so quickly, Qingluan sat on the testing table and couldn't help but lower her eyelids.

"...Zhang Menglin, aren't you angry at all?"

If it were me, and someone pointed at me and mocked me for ages, even if I eventually beat them, I would definitely be burning with anger inside. How could I possibly be all smiles in the blink of an eye?

"Huh? Why would I be angry?"

The emerald scepter stepped back half a step, put her hands behind her back, tilted her head slightly, and showed a surprised expression on her face.

"I have the utmost respect for you, Commander. Besides, how could an adult get angry over something like this?"

She leaned closer, smiling as she looked at Qingluan's cool and lovely face.

"I just felt that your overly serious demeanor just now didn't match your adorable appearance at all. Children are better off being cute."

"..."

Having learned a harsh lesson, Qingluan still felt somewhat awkward, but she understood that talking about ideals and justice in front of these people wouldn't work; only a pure exchange of interests could create the most stable relationship.

"How much longer will the physical exam take? If it's done... then we can probably go to the Azure Scepter to discuss the 'cooperation,' right?"

Qingluan simply leaned back and closed her eyes.

"You seem... quite excited to meet the other Supreme Scepters?"

"...I don't have any expectations."

"Hehe, your current mindset is just right. If you were still in that irritable state, you'd be breathing heavily on everyone you meet, and then our cooperation wouldn't be possible."

Qingluan tilted her head slightly, half-opened her eyes, and glanced at the emerald scepter that was busy on the control panel in the distance. She seemed to understand the purpose of the emerald scepter just now.

That guy just now... was he trying to cool me down?