Starting as a Magical Girl, I Alone Shall Rule for Eternity Chapter 93

Camellia looked at the Disaster Control Bureau's grand welcoming ceremony with some trepidation.

Starting from the entrance, several trains were blowing their whistles, draped with banners that read, "Welcome the Central Bureau Magical Girl Inspection."

On both sides, people were blowing trumpets, beating drums, and playing string instruments; the honor guard and band were out in full force.

Was Beihai this extravagant and decadent?

Camellia murmured a small complaint in her heart.

They were always complaining to the Central Bureau about insufficient funding, saying they couldn't do this or that, but it turns out they're super rich.

They even have the spare capacity to put on such a show.

Welcoming her were Beihai Disaster Control Bureau's former Magical Girl team captain, Li Yi, the ever-present security team captain Susan, and the Magical Girl Peony.

Currently, Keke still hadn't received permission to enter the Disaster Control Bureau—the former bureau chief was forced to retire, and the new chief, upon taking office, was swamped with a pile of matters and simply hadn't gotten around to this issue.

After all, Li Yi couldn't transform, and the Monthly Report Team and another Magical Girl usually worked in other departments.

Iris had run off to Jiangming and hadn't returned yet today.

It was said she planned to return to the Central Bureau first with Qingying.

Looking at the defensive capabilities of the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau, Camellia couldn't help but sigh.

If this were any other region, this place would probably be breached and occupied by the Witch Association in less than a day.

"Welcome, Miss Camellia, for your inspection."

Li Yi wasn't very good at these things; every time such occasions arose, Susan was the one who stepped forward.

Her blonde hair paired with her unsmiling expression was perfect for greeting guests at a time like this.

At the very least, Camellia, who originally didn't have a good impression of the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau, politely gave a slight bow after Susan spoke, just about to say something.

"Welcome, Miss Camellia, for your inspection!"

The honor guard behind Susan shouted in unison.

Camellia gave a little shiver but still hugged her Incubator tightly, putting on a little adult-like demeanor.

"There's no need to spend so much money. I'm not here to take up a post; I'm just here to inspect the bureau's situation."

Beside her, Peony waved her hand grandly. "Don't worry, Miss Camellia. Our bureau wants to spend money, but we don't have any! This was left for us by Miss Iris. She booked it for a month and paid in advance, so we might as well use it."

"Oh, oh. It's Sister Iris... then it's fine..."

After a moment's pause, Camellia nodded, her expression softening a bit.

After all, Iris's style was well-known among the Magical Girls at the Central Bureau; no one was unaware. Moreover, Camellia and Iris were somewhat acquainted...

Seeing the other party's attitude wasn't so bad anymore, Li Yi then led her towards the Disaster Control Bureau, asking as they walked, "Miss Camellia, what you saw outside back then, are you sure it was an A-level Disaster Beast?"

"Absolutely!" On Camellia's shoulder, the Incubator spoke up first. "Not just an A-level Disaster Beast, but one with the potential to advance to an S-level Disaster Beast! You need to understand, S-level Disaster Beasts are formidable monsters comparable to Full Bloom Magical Girls. Every appearance is a major disaster!"

"It's not confirmed yet, Little An, don't talk nonsense."

Susan rubbed her forehead.

She, of course, knew it was the work of her Sect Master.

When Jiang Si returned, Lady Bingtang and the true disciple Dandelion had been keeping watch.

The Sect Master going outside Beihai to undergo tribulation had been notified to her early on—within the Azure Cloud Sect, not just inner disciples, even outer disciples knew that after reaching a certain level of strength, one needed to undergo tribulation to temper oneself.

Because this was basic knowledge in the Azure Cloud Sect. However, most Magical Girls had to undergo heart tribulations. In the eyes of the Disaster Control Bureau, this was actually when Magical Girls encountered difficulties and broke through mental barriers to advance further.

Of course, the Sect Master naturally needed to experience the more difficult heavenly thunder tribulation; the stronger one was, the greater the tribulation they had to undergo.

Susan had received the news and had been making preparations within the Disaster Control Bureau to prevent bureau personnel from going to cause trouble and ruining the Sect Master's tribulation.

She hadn't expected the Central Bureau's Magical Girl to arrive today.

Fortunately, no major disaster occurred. If they had hindered the Sect Master's tribulation, she would have committed a grave sin.

But it was actually an S-level Disaster Beast?

Although she didn't know what he did, Susan still felt a wave of admiration. As expected of the Sect Master, he could create such a big commotion...

Susan tried hard to make the image of the Sect Master in her mind become Shion's form, but Jiang Si kept popping into her head from time to time, making it impossible for her to fix the Sect Master's image as that petite, beautiful purple-haired Magical Girl.

She shook her head violently, trying to clear everything from her mind.

She couldn't go on like this, Susan. If this continues, what difference is there from having a crush on Jiang Si?

Jiang Si was, after all, the Sect Master, and also Keke's older brother, and also, also...

Wait, maybe having a crush on Jiang Si wasn't actually a problem?

Suddenly realizing this, Susan's heartbeat accelerated wildly.

"What's wrong, Susan?" Peony beside her immediately noticed her reaction was somewhat abnormal and touched her forehead. "Do you have a fever?"

"No." Susan immediately brushed off Peony's hand and took a breath. "It's nothing. I'm just worried about whether that Disaster Beast might reappear, and if the Witch Association has other schemes."

"Don't worry." Camellia beside her immediately said. "We've already checked. The lightning didn't leave any traces. Neither that poor unlucky young man nor the Disaster Beast survived. They probably won't reappear."

"It's because my ability wasn't enough; I couldn't stop them..."

As the girl spoke, she began to blame herself. Li Yi went over to comfort her for a couple of sentences.

The four of them passed through the cloud layer and entered the Disaster Control Bureau building. The honor guard and the performance hall stopped there. Camellia finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She was still very nervous with so many people around.

But now there were only four people, and they were inside the Disaster Control Bureau, so her expression gradually turned stern.

As an inspection envoy, even though she had just stepped into Blooming and her strength wasn't that formidable, she represented the Central Bureau.

Naturally, she needed to display authority and presence, especially since the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau had consistently received poor evaluations from the Central Bureau over the years. She naturally needed to interrogate them properly.

"Let's go to the conference room first."

After saying this, the three current and former Magical Girls of the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau exchanged glances.

They all knew the main event was about to begin.

This time, the Central Bureau sending an inspection envoy was naturally not that simple.

After entering the conference room, as soon as Li Yi closed the conference room door, the entire room suddenly went dark.

Turning around, they saw Camellia had turned off the lights and strode towards the podium at the far end, silently starting to arrange things on it.

Susan smiled slightly, walked to the side to prepare tea, leaving only Peony and Li Yi standing awkwardly at the entrance, unsure what to do.

The conference room was now only lit by faint light from the curtains and the sounds from the table. The entire space began to exude a oppressive atmosphere, instantly making Peony and Li Yi feel like they were seeing something unclean.

Li Yi recalled the gazes and presence of her parents back then.

It made Li Yi start to miss her sister.

Peony thought of her time working at the school.

Damn teacher meetings and damn head teachers! I've already resigned, and they're still chasing after me!

"Please take your seats first."

Peony and Li Yi looked at each other, both seeing the discomfort in the other's eyes. They had no choice but to walk towards the table to find seats and prepare to sit down.

"Huh?"

Camellia rummaged through the podium but didn't find what she wanted. "Where's the computer in your conference room?"

"...Because it was basically never used, the former bureau chief sold it off a long time ago."

"Little An, record that: misappropriation of public property."

The Incubator immediately pulled out a laptop from who knows where, opened it, and started clacking away at the keys.

"Wait a minute, the former bureau chief, that was..."

"Please take your seat."

"..." Li Yi was stunned and sat down speechlessly.

"? Did you sell the projector too?"

"How could we? We never had one from the start."

Camellia nodded. "Embezzlement of public funds, lining one's own pockets. I see."

"Hey! I say you..."

*Thump—!* Camellia took out a seal and stamped it on the table.

"Please sit!"

"..." Peony immediately became obedient and sat down meekly beside Li Yi.

Camellia glanced at the notebook, then also sat down with a serious expression.

"It is now 8:24. Before you is the Disaster Control Central Bureau East China Region Magical Girl Grand Study Inspection Envoy, Instructor, and Lecturer, the Magical Girl Camellia."

"Every word you speak will become the standard for the Central Bureau's future evaluation of the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau. I hope you will be careful, cautious, and honest, taking responsibility for every statement."

As she spoke, she stamped the seal again. "Otherwise, my power as an inspection envoy is unlimited."

Camellia's small frame suddenly emitted immense authority, making Li Yi inwardly groan.

Without any time to prepare, it had suddenly begun. The inspector's manner immediately made her visualize her parents before they got angry.

That seal was probably a magical tool used to record and detect lies. Li Yi had heard her sister mention before that inspection envoys carried such items.

This was bad. They were passive from the start. They would probably face endless questioning next.

Camellia's lips curled up imperceptibly. The training from her senior before departure was indeed useful. As expected of a senior, it was effective immediately.

"My, my, how high and mighty." Susan placed tea in front of Camellia, speaking with a touch of disdain, looking down at the petite inspector girl. "Sounds like something you big shots from the Central Bureau, who don't understand the difficulties on the ground, would say."

Then, completely unafraid, she sat in the first seat closest to the podium, slightly lifting her chin, her attitude arrogant and somewhat cold. "Ask whatever you want."

Li Yi gave her a thumbs-up in her heart.

Well done, Susan! You didn't disgrace our Beihai Disaster Control Bureau! Just like that, pull the momentum back!

Camellia, however, nodded indifferently.

"Resisting inspection. Little An, keep recording."

Peony and Li Yi covered their faces, unable to bear watching.

...

Jiang Si opened the window and took a deep breath.

The air this morning was good, but even better was the continuous magic power transmitted from his own Nascent Soul.

Yesterday's negotiations with his Witch Association colleagues not only secured the great medicine of two Complete Witches.

He also learned the locations of Witch Associations in other cities. Twins had also told him which city's Witch Association had more Disaster Beasts.

As targets for his own eight-sided support.

He stretched his limbs. While stepping into the Nascent Soul stage was indeed pleasantly surprising, and he even knew this path was unobstructed.

In reality, it only stabilized his own strength at Seedling Peak Perfection.

It was slightly disappointing.

If based on his own comparative theory, his main body should have advanced to a level comparable to Golden Core Peak Perfection, not the Seedling Peak Perfection that was a whole major realm lower.

But the tribulation had already been undergone. Saying he didn't advance at this point.

Contradicted cultivation theory.

But what kind of person was he, Jiang Si? Having long communed spiritually with the Azure Cloud Sect's predecessors, how could he not have anticipated this situation?

This matter was utterly ordinary, nothing more than lacking the necessary conditions.

The cultivation classics in his mind numbered in the thousands; he could easily list several situations:

Not having cultivated a life-bound technique—thinking carefully, he indeed hadn't developed a unique [Spell] belonging to his main body yet.

Not having refined a life-bound magical treasure—waiting to get the knuckle dusters back from Ruo Yun, he could start considering refining a life-bound artifact.

Incomplete cultivation method, innate deficiency—the Witch Association's Disaster Beast method was ultimately an inferior product. Fortunately, his improvements still couldn't achieve greatness. No matter, he could continue to humbly seek advice later.

Jumping levels too quickly, needing to consolidate—the Flame Emperor back in the day consolidated for three years after advancing from king to emperor. My physical body jumped from early Seedling to Seedling Peak Perfection in just a few days. Consolidating more is not a bad thing.

Lacking a mouthful of innate qi to refine—the spiritual energy here is so scarce that even the heavenly tribulation needed me to arrange it myself. At worst, I can disperse my cultivation and start over later.

After all, it's an external path Nascent Soul, weak enough—No! A good external path is no worse than the orthodox one. Once I open the path to heaven, mine will also be an orthodox Nascent Soul!

Contemplating these extremely important matters, Jiang Si came out of the bedroom. After washing up, he saw Keke dressed in formal attire.

She even wore a bit of light makeup, looking much more spirited than usual.

She wore a pair of red leather boots she had been reluctant to wear before, looking as formal as if going out on a date.

He thought for a moment. Middle school students dating seemed a bit too early.

But then again, thinking about those parents, they probably wouldn't care about such things, so he didn't plan to interfere either.

With the power of a Magical Girl, she shouldn't get bullied anyway.

Walking to the door, he asked, "You don't have class today?"

Keke: "It's a holiday today."

"Oh."

Keke stiffly turned her head to look at Jiang Si. "When will Teacher Shion come?"

Only then did Jiang Si remember he promised her yesterday that Shion would come.

Even on a holiday, she still wanted a Magical Girl teacher to come for extra lessons.

As a student, Keke was undoubtedly outstanding.

Jiang Si glanced at the time. "She'll be here in a while."

Keke looked at her older brother again. Jiang Si was already at the door changing his shoes. "Aren't you going to wait for Teacher Shion to arrive?"

"No, I have things to do today."

After all, he still needed to properly plan the cultivation path for the Nascent Soul Dao. He had to go to the Azure Cloud Sect in the afternoon.

"Ah..."

Keke immediately stiffened. "It's, it's just me and Teacher Shion talking?"

"You're not that little anymore."

Faced with her older brother's statement, Keke immediately made a bitter face.

Not that little is true, but isn't it a bit inappropriate for me to tell Teacher Shion about this kind of thing...

But seeing Jiang Si's unyielding attitude, Keke didn't dare say anything.

When their relationship was bad before, she naturally wasn't afraid of Jiang Si. At worst, he'd beat her to death.

Later, after becoming a Magical Girl, she also thought, at worst, she'd beat Jiang Si up. Since their relationship was like that anyway, it didn't matter.

But after their relationship eased a bit, much of her past fear of her older brother returned.

Back when Jiang Si got angry, not just her, even their parents would give in.

Although at home, Jiang Si almost never got angry; most of the time, his attitude was one of indifference.

"Get along well, don't argue."

Jiang Si habitually instructed before heading out.

Keke felt a bit speechless.

How would she even get into an argument with Teacher Shion?

He's really worrying for nothing.

But thinking about having to tell Teacher Shion herself that Jiang Si actually likes Kingfisher, Keke felt uneasy.

Would she take her anger out on me and deal with me together?

But then she thought Teacher Shion wasn't that kind of person, even though she seemed to really like Jiang Si...

However, in her heart, the thought of the two of them breaking up stirred up an emotion she couldn't tell was expectation or joy.

That emotion even made her feel somewhat relieved.

She didn't know if this emotion came from Teacher Shion not being taken away, or from her older brother not being taken away.

Or perhaps both.

Keke took a deep breath, patted her cheeks, and told herself not to overthink.

She carefully tidied up her appearance once more.

Come on, Keke, you can do this!

...

Sitting on the podium, Camellia tensed her body, looking serious.

"First, I'd like to ask, does your Beihai Disaster Control Bureau know the mission of a Magical Girl?"

"To earn money?"

That was Peony, former teacher.

"...To protect others?"

That was Li Yi, current captain.

"Cut the nonsense! What does this have to do with what we need to discuss!?"

That was Susan, eager to regain the upper hand, high school dropout.

The girl on the podium, however, surprisingly shook her head. "I know you're anxious, but don't be in such a hurry."

"Before that, I'd like to show you something."

The Incubator immediately pulled out a small projector from who knows where again, plugged it into the laptop, and after some fiddling, images appeared on the white wall behind the podium.

"Regarding breast development issues, we have always conducted in-depth research to benefit all women..."

"Ah, ah, ah, wrong one, wrong one!" Camellia hurriedly turned off the video and opened a new one.

Amidst melodious and infectious music, Camellia picked up her tea again, pretending to be calm. "This is the right one."

As the music gradually intensified, the dark screen displayed the smiling faces of different women. Then the images faded, and in an emotional broadcaster's voice, the video title gradually appeared—"Magical Girl Grand Study."

Then they heard Camellia say, "Magical Girls must know what they are fighting for. This is the Central Bureau's promotional video. I hope you can watch it carefully and then feel the responsibility you bear and the weight of the term 'Magical Girl.'"

Li Yi noticed the number in the lower right corner of the video—33min.

Huh?

Were they going to watch the whole video?

Here? Now?

Really?

...

"...In short, miracles and magic are not free. We must fight for our own wishes and also for the happiness of everyone!"

The impassioned narration accompanied by emotional music came to an end. The three who finished watching the video each let out a long sigh.

Finally over...

Then they saw Camellia clicking a few more times, and a new video started playing—

"Magical Girl Grand Study 2: The Predecessors."

"..."

Camellia played several videos in succession.

By now, the three Magical Girls from Beihai in the conference room had been force-fed over three hours of inspirational speeches until they were dazed, slumped in their seats with lifeless eyes.

That should be about enough...

Camellia thought. She had followed the procedure taught by her senior: first, use the inspection envoy's authority to pressure them with presence, taking the initiative to her side. Then, in the name of the Magical Girl Grand Study, disrupt their rhythm. Use her identity as an instructor to play a series of study videos, imparting the virtues that Magical Girls of our Disaster Control Bureau should possess.

After all that, if she then started questioning them in the role of a judge, even the most ill-intentioned Magical Girl would have her conscience awakened, right? She wouldn't keep lying through her teeth...

And they probably wouldn't attack her either. There had been cases before where inspection envoys were injured by local Disaster Control Bureaus.

Camellia must be careful and cautious.

Her first inspection mission must be completed perfectly!

Thinking this, as she took out a USB drive, she saw the three below suddenly look shocked, snapping out of their daze.

"Wait, there's more?!"

"It's over now." Camellia blinked, opened the contents of the USB drive, and displayed PPT slides about BH City and its surrounding economic development, as well as the development status of the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau.

"These were made from report documents provided by the former Beihai Disaster Control Bureau chief."

"After you finish looking at these, we'll start answering my questions."

After the three finished watching, Camellia noticed out of the corner of her eye that Susan and Peony exchanged a glance and sighed helplessly, no longer possessing the aggressive momentum from the beginning. Her heart relaxed a bit.

Great, everything is going exactly as the senior predicted. It works.

The path is open; now just move forward! Thinking this, Camellia put down her teacup, picked up the seal, and stamped it on the table again.

"Now, the questioning begins."

Camellia's tone suddenly shifted. "Why is the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau so weak? I've also looked into it. Your Magical Girls are pitifully few, and you don't even have a single Blooming Magical Girl."

"Does this mean your Beihai Disaster Control Bureau has been negligent in its duties, never taking work seriously these past few years? There aren't few Magical Girls in Beihai. I've walked around the city; there are quite a few Magical Girls. However, they aren't employed by the Disaster Control Bureau. Instead, they are members of the free Magical Girl organization, the Azure Cloud Sect. Am I right?"

Seemingly not expecting Camellia to suddenly shift tactics, Susan opened her mouth, about to refute, but Camellia didn't give her a chance. She continued with a serious face, interrogating:

"I've heard that when you first arrived, the Beihai government specifically halted a project to allocate funds to you. Yet the Disaster Control Bureau made a complete mess of it, wasting all the resources. Not only did the original project incur losses, but the investment in the Disaster Control Bureau also yielded no returns. The recently mobilized resources were all wasted. It could be said the losses were severe."

Susan tried to interrupt her. "This has nothing to do with the current state of the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau..."

"How could it have nothing to do with it!"

Another loud stamp of the seal, like a judge delivering a verdict, interrupted the other side's defense.

Camellia fired off a series of prepared questions from the computer. My turn, my turn, still my turn.

Maintaining her momentum to pressure them like this, while secretly using magic to employ Blooming-level Magic Suppression, exposing all the problems of the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau, preventing them from even thinking of making excuses.

Only then could she get the most truthful answers!

Everything was prepared according to the senior's training. Combined with my careful and cautious operation, I can definitely safely and perfectly complete the Central Bureau's inspection mission!

You can do it, Camellia!

"Are you so anxious because you have a guilty conscience?"

However, Susan's leisurely sentence reversed the flow. "Miss Camellia, do you truly have a thorough understanding of the current Beihai?"

...

Walking on a secluded park path, Jiang Si looked at the few not-very-high-level Grief Seeds in his hand and sighed.

It was getting harder and harder to find higher-level Disaster Beasts in Beihai.

He then experimented.

His magic power couldn't expand to cover the entire city. After all, he was only at Seedling Peak Perfection; he could only cover half the city.

Moreover, the magic consumption rate was much faster than in Magical Girl form.

He had almost forgotten what the magic consumption rate was like during the Seedling period.

But it might also be that Polluted Magic itself had a faster consumption rate.

Speaking of which, this Magical Girl's magic power had a major flaw at Full Bloom. From a traditional cultivation perspective.

Actually, this magic power is probably just the spiritual energy of the mortal world, right?

After reaching a certain realm, spiritual energy either becomes difficult to advance with, or starts having various flaws that affect one's realm.

After becoming an immortal, one needs to upgrade the spiritual energy to immortal qi, to advance further at a fundamental level.

Looking at it now, this Polluted Magic isn't actually polluted magic, but true immortal power.

It's just that, for various reasons, its form isn't apparent.

The so-called pollution is more like a positional difference causing a favorable imbalance...

The Azure Cloud Sect had also sent a message, saying the Central Bureau had sent someone to inspect again.

He wasn't very interested in the Disaster Control Bureau right now.

He just let the Azure Cloud Sect disciples handle it themselves.

Now that he had mastered the method of controlling Disaster Beasts, the fastest way to quickly strengthen his power was to create and control more Disaster Beasts.

He needed the support and assistance of Witch Associations in nearby cities.

Now that he could be considered the overall person in charge of the East China region, Witch Associations in other cities should also provide him with resources.

Unfortunately, Beihai currently had almost no powerful Disaster Beasts, only trash C-level and D-level ones. Even controlling them would be meaningless.

He wanted to try if his method could control A-level Disaster Beasts.

According to previous information, in neighboring Hulin City, the Witch Association had accumulated Disaster Beasts for over ten years.

Hulin City had always been judged by the Disaster Control Bureau as similar to Beihai back in the day.

Because there had been no Disaster Beasts or Magical Girls for many years, it was considered an uncontaminated area.

Therefore, the Disaster Control Bureau hadn't established a branch in Hulin City. However, due to Beihai's previous experience, Hulin City still retained a Disaster Beast monitoring agency. Once a Disaster Beast appeared, nearby Disaster Control Bureaus would be quickly notified to handle it.

But a simple monitoring division couldn't detect the Witch Association's movements. The elite Witch Association members who had been lurking in Hulin City for ten years had secretly bred hundreds, even thousands, of Disaster Beasts, forming an army.

They were just waiting for the right moment to take down the entire Hulin City in one go.

Presumably, the moment they were waiting for was him.

If there could be some battles, that would be even better.

Having just advanced to Nascent Soul, he definitely needed some practical combat training to consolidate his realm.

He had thought coming out for a stroll might lead to some opportunities.

But Beihai nowadays couldn't even find a single Witch Association member.

Morals were declining; opportunities were getting harder and harder to come by.

After finding and dealing with a few more small Disaster Beasts, Jiang Si finally stretched.

He was pretty much fully familiar with it now.

His coordination with the Nascent Soul was becoming more and more seamless. He didn't even need to control it; the Nascent Soul could actively supply him with magic power.

Continuing would just be a waste of time.

He glanced sideways at Yumo hiding in the corner. This girl's ability to conceal her aura was getting stronger and stronger.

Sometimes even he couldn't sense her.

Just by following him, she could progress to this level. She had probably stepped into the threshold of "Contemplation Entering the Dao." It was truly gratifying.

He must also make Keke speed up her progress.

Checking the time, he took out the Miracle Seed.

Time to go back and give Keke special training.

...

Beihai Disaster Control Bureau, conference room.

While Camellia was spacing out, Susan continued, "Do you truly understand Beihai's current economic development?"

"This has nothing to do with the questions..."

"Only children think it has nothing to do with it!" Susan immediately reprimanded.

Camellia's hands trembled slightly behind her back.

Is, is this right?

This scenario wasn't in the preset plan. Why can she still refute me?

Shouldn't she be scared by Camellia and honestly answer questions?

What should I do now?

Susan, having turned the tables, questioned aggressively, "If urban development has nothing to do with the Disaster Control Bureau, then why does the Disaster Control Bureau ask the city government for money? The money in the city government comes from citizens' taxes. If you take citizens' money, you must ensure their safety and lives! How can it have nothing to do with the Disaster Control Bureau? Your Jiangming City's Disaster Control Bureau has developed well these years, but what about its economy? What about the employment environment? In the end, when the Witch Association controlled half the city, what remedial measures were taken?"

Camellia sniffled.

Why am I the one being questioned now?

So strange, what did Camellia do wrong? Why is the direction completely off?

Senior, what should I do about this situation now? Camellia doesn't know.

Camellia finally mustered her courage. "Then has the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau done so well these years? The losses you caused..."

"You don't need to ask the citizens of Beihai. Just ask Jiangming and other nearby cities; who doesn't know our Beihai Civil Engineering is number one under heaven?" Susan said proudly. "Beihai's economic development in recent years is evident to all. No matter how many Disaster Beasts appear, they have never affected BH citizens' travel. Doesn't this count as the Disaster Control Bureau's contribution?"

Li Yi and Peony both brightened up, nodding repeatedly.

"As for the losses, we don't deny the losses from back then."

Susan sighed. "I don't want to make excuses, but the fact is, even if we hadn't come, the Beihai government back then planned to halt the project. They just used us as a reason. Later, they pinned the entire failure on us. The intricacies here, you're still young, you can't grasp them. I don't blame you."

Camellia snapped out of her daze and nodded subconsciously.

Oh no, my mind is starting to wander. I didn't hear clearly what Miss Susan said.

I really want to call the senior...

After taking a long, deep breath, Camellia said softly, "I see. It's my fault for not investigating clearly. However, the Disaster Control Bureau's main task is still to eliminate Disaster Beasts..."

"That's why there's the Azure Cloud Sect."

Susan said solemnly. "We intentionally fostered a free Magical Girl organization capable of protecting Beihai, reducing expenditures and the pressure on the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau. Isn't it the same wherever Magical Girls protect the city?"

Li Yi coughed, lowering her head, carefully counting the ants on the ground.

Even though there weren't any ants inside the Disaster Control Bureau.

Peony excitedly clapped beside her. "That's right! This is our Beihai Disaster Control Bureau's strategy! How could you kids understand! This is the method of adults! As expected of Susan! You saw right through the former bureau chief's plan!"

"Shut up."

"Oh."

With one sentence from Susan, Peony quieted down. "Anyway, that's how it is. Because we intentionally transferred the tasks of dealing with Disaster Beasts and the Witch Association to the Azure Cloud Sect, we had more spare capacity to develop the Civil Engineering Team, using more allocated funds to benefit citizens and promote Beihai's economic development. As for evidence..."

"Did you really look carefully at the economic report records you just displayed? How many cities' economies compare to our Beihai? And the Azure Cloud Sect always appears in time to handle problems the Disaster Control Bureau can't solve. Once is a coincidence, but every time? Miss Camellia, do you want to go check?"

Although Li Yi and Peony felt like sitting on pins and needles, they still kept straight faces and looked at Camellia.

"I object."

Camellia raised her hand, interrupting Susan's lengthy discourse. Then she took out her phone. The phone was in a teddy bear protective case, fluffy and very cute.

Camellia connected her phone to the computer, opened a folder, and clicked on one of the videos.

On the large projection screen behind her appeared a taxi driver.

Peony thought he looked familiar, and was even more sure when he started speaking.

That road rage driver who had driven her before!

"The Disaster Control Bureau? Hah, I can't be bothered to talk about them. They love glory and deceive both superiors and subordinates. Their favorite thing is to immediately claim the Azure Cloud Sect's merits as their own. Corrupt, really damn corrupt! But what can you do? They have thick skin. Shamelessness is a virtue..."

After the video ended, the entire conference room fell dead silent.

Camellia tilted her head, examining Susan. "What about this one?"

After a long silence, Susan brushed back her blonde hair and said earnestly, "Camellia, you need to understand, the more practical work you do, the more people you'll offend. You can never avoid one or two people who don't understand or even oppose you."

"But I have over a dozen more here." The inspection envoy selected another video in the folder. "Should I play them all for you?"

"No need."

Susan immediately refused, then sighed. "I know the public doesn't understand or support us."

"You just said the public supports you."

"There will always be those who support, but also those who don't. Half and half."

"But here, I don't even have half."

"The sample size is too small; surveys can have deviations." Susan coughed.

Peony and Li Yi both sighed.

Even Susan probably couldn't hold on anymore. There's a limit to blatant lying.

Now that their true state had been completely exposed by Camellia, there was really no way to cover it up...

The Central Bureau inspection envoy is truly terrifying.

Captain Susan, you've already done your best. This is enough.

You didn't need to face an opponent you couldn't possibly defeat...

"But, the Azure Cloud Sect is actually a branch under our Disaster Control Bureau."

However, with just one sentence, Susan made the two of them look at her with newfound respect.

A lie that couldn't even fool a child, spoken with such conviction.

What a sense of belief this was!

Camellia tilted her head, didn't refute, but instead looked at Li Yi and Peony and asked, "Is that true?"

Both of them nodded repeatedly.

Camellia fell silent for a moment, then revealed a relaxed smile, giving a small nod. "Okay."

The other three also breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally managed to bluff through.

Then Camellia, while packing her things, said somewhat apologetically, "Let's stop here for now. Where's the restroom? I need to use it. I think I drank too much tea."

After someone showed her the way, Camellia walked out alone, trotting into the corridor.

Her originally somewhat naive smile gradually turned into one of panic. She hugged her Incubator, her tone a bit urgent.

"It's over, it's over! Little An! The entire Beihai Disaster Control Bureau is already filled with Azure Cloud Sect people! Magical Girls from the Disaster Control Bureau would never so obediently watch the Grand Study for so long and dare to refute an inspection envoy. There must be something wrong with all of them..."

As she said this, Camellia suddenly felt a bit dizzy.

Then she noticed that the picture frames in the surrounding corridor, which originally depicted various Magical Girls, had all turned into Four-leaf Clovers.

Four-leaf Clover...

She suddenly remembered something.

Back at that place with the rolling heavenly thunder, she seemed to have seen a Four-leaf Clover.

A Four-leaf Clover floating in the air. Because the lightning was so dazzling, she hadn't paid attention.

While wandering around BH City, she had also seen it in many people's eyes...

And just now, in the teacup she drank from, a Four-leaf Clover had also appeared.

Why had she only realized it now?

A chilling cold air rose from the depths of her heart. Whether from dizziness or cold, Camellia felt she could barely stand.

Why had she and Little An, back then, so decisively believed that the S-level Disaster Beast's birth had failed?

The Disaster Beast's birth failed?

Why?

Was what they saw the truth?

"Little An..."

She tried hard to call her Incubator, only to find the Incubator also looked dazed, its pupils reflecting Four-leaf Clovers.

So many, so many Four-leaf Clovers.

Her consciousness gradually drowned in a sea of Four-leaf Clovers.

Did the S-level Disaster Beast really not get born?

So scary, Beihai...

After the Four-leaf Clovers gradually disappeared,