1novels Chapter 86 So it was you, kid!
Chapter 86 So it was you, kid!
"..." The Azure Scepter seemed to understand something. "So, you went to participate in the War Between Worlds... not voluntarily?"
"Well... it's not entirely fair to say it wasn't voluntary."
Arc Moon raised her head, her gaze becoming slightly more serious.
"Because at the beginning, it was just a small-scale battle, and no one expected it to become so fierce later. Since I was a Flower-level character, I was immediately appointed as a squad leader, leading several young magical girls."
"Later, the situation worsened, and those kids were simply unable to fight on the front lines. If I had chosen to say 'I want to retreat' at that point because I was afraid of the trouble, I would have been a deserter. I couldn't abandon my team... so I had no choice but to grit my teeth and lead them all the way through."
"Of course... to be honest, what I was thinking at the time was how to protect them while also holding the line. This troubled me for a long time, and the only thing I could do was... find a way to withstand the pressure. At least until the end of the war, I protected everyone in the squad. In that respect, I should... be considered a qualified 'captain'."
"..." The Azure Scepter looked at the somewhat embarrassed Crescent Moon, its heart filled with mixed feelings. Although this guy was a lazybones, he was also a hero who shouldered responsibility.
"So, the third question."
The azure scepter pressed on, "Since you possess such a strong sense of responsibility, why have you been so extremely negligent in your defense duties in Round Garden City over the past two years?"
"Uh...that's absolutely true, I can't refute it at all..."
Arc Moon regained her embarrassed expression. "But there's a reason for that! Because in Round Garden City, I met some really, really outstanding juniors! They are really serious about their duties as magical girls, and they are full of energy every day! So, it was only natural that I handed over the daily patrol and cleaning tasks to them to gain experience."
The Azure Scepter looked speechless. "...You've dumped all the guard duties on your juniors. Don't you feel embarrassed at all?"
"Hehe... I'm a little embarrassed sometimes. But I really trust them!" Arc Moon smiled, as if she truly believed it in her heart.
"Those two newcomers... Suwei and Dongnuan, although they are still immature and their faces are full of worries about their studies... I see in them the sincere brilliance that belongs to magical girls. Compared to me, who always wants to slack off, they are the ones who truly carry the hope for the future."
"That's why I entrusted the daily duties of magical girls to them. I believe that one day, even without me, they will be able to become great figures who can stand on their own."
Seeing the genuinely gentle smile on the crescent moon's face, the Azure Scepter's doubts were largely dispelled.
At least from what I've observed so far, Hu Yue isn't as terrible as Qing Luan claims. Xia Li hasn't accused Hu Yue of anything excessive she's done to her either.
Or rather, one should feel at ease entrusting one's daughter to this righteous messenger willing to protect the new flame.
With that thought in mind, Azure Scepter put down the documents in his hand.
"Alright, then... one last question."
She stared intently at the crescent moon.
"You weren't on the list of recipients of floral tributes at this award ceremony. What are your thoughts on that?"
Hearing this question, Arc Moon felt a little disappointed, but she still tried to calm herself down.
"...I think this is normal. I also strongly agree with this result."
The crescent moon looked at the azure scepter with utmost seriousness.
"I am very aware of my own contribution on the battlefield. Apart from keeping my teammates alive, I was basically a fringe observer. Compared to the three big shots who made great contributions, it's not a big deal that I didn't get a flower card."
The Azure Scepter was somewhat surprised. She had thought that Arc Moon would have some obsession with its centuries of lifespan and honor.
"Didn't you ever really think, 'I should actually get a karuta too'?"
Upon hearing this, for some reason, images of those figures who never returned from the mud- and blood-stained front flashed through Arc Moon's mind.
"Yes... I have thought about it, who wouldn't? But... compared to me, who is comfortably playing games in the rear... those comrades who fought on the battlefield until their last drop of blood was shed, and finally rested in the earth... only they are more deserving of this award."
Seeing the other party's serious expression, the Azure Scepter confirmed it—
You can actually get flower cards by playing the crescent moon.
While she may not have met the standard in terms of contributions, she absolutely deserves this honor in terms of the "spirit" of magical girls.
Entrusting your daughter to her... is actually not a bad choice.
With this in mind, the Azure Scepter made up its mind. At the final confirmation meeting in the royal court later, it would jointly propose with the Emerald Scepter to award the Crescent Moon Flower Plaque.
In the document, slightly exaggerating the achievements of the Crescent Moon wouldn't be a big problem. I believe Her Majesty will seriously consider the joint nomination from two supreme rulers.
"Arc Moon, is there a magical girl named Azure Phoenix by your side?"
Finally, the Azure Scepter confirmed the matter of the Azure Phoenix.
"Hmm, she only awakened as a magical girl about a month ago, why are you suddenly asking about her?"
"It's nothing, it's just that there aren't many detailed files on newly awakened magical girls at the Magic Academy, so I asked you about it." With that, the azure scepter looked down at the water glass on the table. "So, what's your relationship with Qingluan?"
"Uh... she's kind of my... good friend, I guess? She's currently living with me."
Arc Moon pondered for a few seconds, but still decided against revealing that "Qingluan is my maid." After all, while Qingluan had indeed been taking care of her as a maid, she didn't want to portray Qingluan's status as too lowly, and she also didn't want to appear too useless in front of the Azure Scepter…
Having a maid to take care of even their daily life... that sounds a bit too lazy...
However, the crescent moon's hesitant attitude led the Azure Scepter to a strange interpretation.
As expected... the two of them are already living together, which means that they must have that kind of relationship, right? It also proves that Qingluan must be a yandere woman... she can't let her daughter be affected.
"Crescent Moon, what's the relationship between your two junior magical girls in Round Garden City and Azure Phoenix?"
Azure Scepter intends to start by examining the relationship between them.
"Yeah, they have a pretty good relationship. Qingluan often patrols with them." Huyue's expression was quite proud.
"Are you sure... they don't have any conflicts? Like, they actually have some kind of conflict with Qingluan, but they're keeping it from you—"
"Absolutely impossible!" Arc Moon said confidently. "After all, I personally brought Suwei and Dongnuan into the magical girl world. Don't I know them well?"
...Hmm, it seems that at least on the surface, they are getting along quite well...Hmm? Wait a minute?
The azure scepter, which had just breathed a sigh of relief, seemed to realize something.
The azure scepter's gaze towards the crescent moon gradually filled with murderous intent—
Suwei, is it you who brought me into the world of magical girls...?
Good grief, so it was you who tricked my daughter into becoming a magical girl!