Vol 2 Chapter 150: Authority

"So you need to understand the scope of power we currently hold, is that correct?"

Folding Crane Orchid, the leader, nodded with a composed smile returning to her face: "I understand. This is a perfectly reasonable request. Allow me to explain the current power distribution within the Magical Affairs Court."

She took a step forward from the group and cleared her throat:

"Since Your Excellency has been away from the nation for years, you might not be aware of our current situation. As an institution directly under Her Majesty the Queen, interfacing with both the Royal Court and the Rose Palace, the Magical Affairs Court currently has two deputy directors appointed from the Royal Court nobility. These deputies don't usually exercise power, but when formal negotiations between our court and the other four courts are required, they serve as our representatives."

"Additionally, there are currently five Flower Card Magical Girls in the court, all holding senior positions—Directors of Permanent Education Selection. These five directors are the ones who actually execute affairs and wield authority. You could say the real power of the Magical Affairs Court is currently divided among these five directors."

"Regrettably, while the five of us could theoretically push through any decision collectively, our political views rarely align in practice."

"It's somewhat embarrassing to admit, but senior magical girls nationwide know our court's authority is divided externally. Each director has relatively fixed collaborative partners—I, for instance, am the one responsible for liaising with the Research Court and advocating for their interests."

She paused briefly here, glancing at Veronica, likely to give her time to process the information or ask questions.

Though Veronica had some prior knowledge of the Magical Affairs Court's situation, this was her first time hearing specific details like "there are five directors." Another point particularly caught her attention—

"Isn't it somewhat inappropriate for you to say these things in front of the Research Court's Chief?" she couldn't help asking.

To her, while this explanation seemed objective, combined with earlier pledges of loyalty, it could be interpreted as expressing dissatisfaction with external forces.

"It's quite alright, Your Excellency. If the Chief didn't want us speaking of these matters, this meeting wouldn't be happening today."

Folding Crane Orchid bowed gracefully to Emerald, then offered Veronica an additional courteous nod: "In fact, everything I'm saying now prioritizes serving you above all else."

"...Thank you?"

After glancing sideways at Emerald and confirming her apparent indifference, Veronica suppressed her discomfort and calmly accepted the goodwill: "Alright, I think I understand now. So you represent the faction aligned with the Research Court, and none of the other four factions' members are present today, correct?"

"Exactly, Your Excellency," Folding Crane Orchid affirmed.

"Very well... but I feel my question remains unanswered."

Having decided to assume this authority, Veronica strove to appear more poised, at least maintaining composure before these "new subordinates": "What I most want to understand now is—within the Magical Affairs Court's division of responsibilities, what specific authority do you possess to execute or even formulate plans?"

"We have the authority to interface with the Research Court, Your Excellency," came the reply.

"That's all?" Veronica struggled to maintain her calm facade.

"In practical terms, yes."

Folding Crane Orchid remained expressionless: "Without the Research Court's recommendations or endorsement, we essentially can't formulate any plans or approve any applications."

"And nominally?"

Veronica pressed further: "Your court has so many departments—there must be functional differences. I recall several department heads among you, correct? Don't your departments' responsibilities differ from others?"

"Those distinctions exist, Your Excellency."

Folding Crane Orchid glanced back at her companions before continuing with practiced poise: "Nominally, we possess authority to receive and respond to public feedback;

organize internal events while establishing rules and allocating rewards;

compile weekly, monthly, and annual reports with verified data for submission to deputy directors and Her Majesty;

document significant achievements and contributors for recognition and publicity;

establish annual certification standards and publish them externally..."

Her rapid-fire delivery of complex sentences overwhelmed even a magical girl's concentration and processing speed, leaving Veronica slightly dizzy. After this exhaustive enumeration, she added: "...Of course, exercising these authorities requires either no objections from other factions, or their collective forgetfulness that we possess such capabilities."

"...Is there any realistic chance of these conditions being met?" Veronica asked, frowning as she mentally organized the information.

"Perhaps theoretically, but not in my fifteen-year tenure."

Folding Crane Orchid's smile remained radiant: "After all, without the Research Court's directive, they'd likely oppose everything. And expecting them to forget about any unclaimed authority is equally improbable."

Now Veronica fully understood.

Returning to an earlier topic—what stereotype magical girls hold about the Magical Affairs Court's work.

That stereotype would likely be: deadweight.

With too many factions, each protecting its own interests, inevitably showing favoritism toward their own people, every Magical Affairs Court employee operates with multiple allegiances—each a double, triple, or even quadruple agent.

A once-popular anecdote among staff featured a now-imprisoned magical girl who achieved the pinnacle of Magical Affairs Court espionage—six simultaneous allegiances. While being courted by the Royal Court and the other four courts, she secretly established an illicit channel in the material world, accepting bribes to distribute more Heartstone Seeds to certain cities, thereby increasing their magical girl populations.

This prodigious feat earned her unimaginable resources, forcibly elevating her to Strong Flower-tier strength. When exposed, she'd already secretly contacted the Claw Marks, planning to defect—until numerous anonymous tip-offs foiled her plans, resulting in life imprisonment the day before her intended escape.

Her success stemmed from the court's perpetual internal deadlock, where most initiatives stalled indefinitely, earning its reputation as an "authority vacuum." Even as a six-way agent, failing all her masters' requests raised no eyebrows—stagnation being the Magical Affairs Court's norm that everyone had come to expect.