lovenovelstory Chapter 76 Young People
Chapter 76 Young People
Inside the laboratory of the emerald scepter—
As arranged by the Emerald Scepter, she first led the Azure Phoenix to her laboratory.
At this moment, Qingluan sat on the testing device, and streaks of green light swept across her body.
"It will be over soon, Commander."
While staring at the various data parameters on the screen, the emerald scepter scribbled and drew on the tablet computer beside it, occasionally uttering all sorts of strange exclamations.
Qingluan stared at the ceiling, recalling everything that had happened that day, and a surge of anger suddenly welled up inside her.
Many things that I couldn't understand before seemed to become clear after I learned Zhang Menglin's true identity.
"Zhang Menglin".
Qingluan suddenly cried out.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Commander? Is something bothering you?" The emerald scepter replied casually without even looking up.
"I just suddenly realized something. Although you're using the Star's funding to do research and have indeed achieved some success, the direction of your research seems... a bit problematic, doesn't it?"
Upon hearing this, the emerald scepter looked up at the blue phoenix, but quickly lowered its head again: "Why do you say that, Commander?"
"Stop playing dumb."
Qingluan sat up from the testing table.
"In order to establish an armed force belonging to the material world, I set three core research plans for you, do you remember them?"
The emerald scepter turned around and nodded slightly: "Of course I remember. Find a way to transform into a magical girl without relying on a magical kingdom. Or convert existing magical girls into combat power where the stars reside... or strengthen the combat power of mages so that ordinary people in the material world can also have the power to fight against the beasts."
"That's right."
Qingluan crossed her arms and began to settle accounts with the emerald scepter.
"But you've only completed one and a half of these three routes."
"You did manage to 'convert existing magical girls into our fighting force,' which is what that hypnotic brainwashing device did. But that's only a temporary fix; the brainwashing device can only brainwash those who have already become magical girls. The method to become a magical girl is still in the hands of the Kingdom."
"As for 'becoming a magical girl without relying on a nation'... you've only completed half of that. The physical modification technology has indeed turned me, a man who could never become a magical girl, into a woman with the potential to become one. But to awaken, I still need the 'Seed of the Heart.' Ultimately, I still can't escape the nation."
"And most importantly, the enhancement magic that enables the material world to defend itself... in this respect, we can say that we have made no progress at all! The strongest magician in the material world can only barely be compared to the weakest 'seed-level' magical girl."
If the magicians cannot stand up, then the fate of the material world will forever rest on the shoulders of magical girls.
"I used to think that there were some technical difficulties involved in enhancing magic. But now that I know your true identity, I have to question the nature of the problem."
At this point, Qingluan frowned slightly, staring intently at the emerald scepter.
"Actually, you never intended for the research on enhancing mages to succeed from the very beginning, did you?"
"The core of the technical support you provided to the Star Kingdom is to ensure that the source of power remains in the hands of the magical kingdom."
As Tan Qingluan launched into a long tirade of accusations, the cynical smile on the emerald scepter's face gradually faded.
"...Commander, this is just a difference in research priorities. Don't overthink it."
"Think too much?" Qingluan snorted coldly, jumped off the testing platform, and took a step closer.
"Does granting the material world the power of self-defense truly instill fear in a nation?!"
"Fear? I wouldn't call it that." The emerald scepter also turned around. "If the material world itself possesses the power to fight against the beasts, then it will be less convenient for the kingdom to manage."
"Inconvenient to manage?" A flash of anger appeared in Qingluan's eyes. "Isn't it inconvenient for you to continue your lofty 'control' of the material world?"
The emerald scepter did not immediately refute, but instead looked Qingluan up and down with a strange gaze.
"...Commander, what's wrong with you today? You weren't this angry when we were together before. Ever since I saw you this morning, you've been breathing on me. Did something upset you?"
"Because this is the first time I've ever met you 'high-ranking' people who rule two worlds!"
Qingluan raised her head without backing down, staring intently at the other party.
"Hmm? You've met 'Zhang Menglin' a long time ago, how can you say it's the 'first time'?" The emerald scepter began to laugh it off, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
"Stop playing dumb. In the past, when I saw the disgusting decisions made by the kingdom, I could only keep my dissatisfaction to myself. Now that I've met the 'Supreme Scepter' in person, of course I'm going to have a clear-cut debate with you! I'll show you just how arrogant and conceited the magical kingdom's actions truly are!"
Upon hearing the word "arrogance," the emerald scepter's gaze finally turned cold: "If the Kingdom were truly arrogant, it wouldn't keep sending magical girls to garrison the material world. Commander, haven't you realized by now that the Kingdom... genuinely wants to help the material world fight against the beasts?"
"Sorry, I can't tell!"
Qingluan took another step forward.
"You sent people to garrison the area simply to maintain the living environment of the material world. Only with a large enough population in the material world can a continuous stream of girls with the potential to become magical girls be born!"
"The kingdom turns talented girls into magical girls and sends them into battle. Once they survive and yearn for great power, you can then naturally bring them into the kingdom to fill the gap in magical girls."
The blue phoenix moved forward again, seemingly confident of victory—
"No matter how you try to find excuses or package it, this kind of 'talent siphon'—"
"...You're getting a little too excited, young man." The emerald scepter suddenly interrupted her.
The way the Azure Phoenix was addressed in the conversation had changed.
But Qingluan, caught up in her anger, was completely unaware of the shift in atmosphere; she even thought she had won the argument.
"What? Feeling guilty now that I've exposed the truth?! What the nation is doing is essentially treating the material world as a blood-producing farm—"
Before she could finish speaking, the emerald scepter, which had been standing a few meters away, suddenly appeared in front of Qingluan. Before she could react, a hand grabbed Qingluan's collar. Then, Qingluan felt her feet lighten, and she was lifted up and quickly pulled backward, slamming against the wall with a "bang."
"Ugh—!"
The impact on its back caused Qingluan to let out a muffled groan.
Before this petite blue-haired girl, the emerald scepter lowered its head slightly, its long green hair falling on both sides of Qingluan's face.
In those green eyes lies a majesty that has traversed countless ages, overlooking all living beings.
The emerald scepter coldly stared at the Azure Phoenix, who was pinned against the wall, and began to unleash its rage:
"Young man, don't be so ungrateful."