diymy Chapter 71 The Essence of "Where the Stars Are"
Chapter 71 The Essence of "Where the Stars Are"
"Since you've already admitted that you are Zhang Menglin, you should know my background very well."
Qingluan stared at the green-haired magical girl before her: "You clearly knew that 'Where the Stars Are' was opposed to the magical kingdom. As the Supreme Scepter, you even had an avatar infiltrate the upper echelons of Where the Stars Are... Why didn't you wipe us all out?"
"uh-huh?"
The emerald scepter put a large spoonful of ice cream into its mouth and mumbled something indistinctly.
"Commander, you can't say that. Rebels... there are different kinds in this world."
The other party flicked the spoon in his hand slightly, looking relaxed and carefree. "If you are the kind of dangerous elements who want to overthrow the rule of the country, kill innocent people indiscriminately, and endanger the security of the material world... then as the supreme ruler, I certainly cannot sit idly by and would have sent people to exterminate you long ago."
"But in reality, although 'Where the Stars Are' claims to be rebelling against the nation, what you are doing is actually actively maintaining the stability of the material world."
"Whenever ferocious beasts appear in the city, 'Hime-head Four' always intervenes. What difference is there between what you've done and our magical kingdom sending magical girls to protect the material world?"
"To put it bluntly, you're basically a free security team that doesn't take a salary from the government and even provides your own food. Why should I exterminate these 'rebels' who work for free?"
Hearing these words, which were unclear whether they were praise or not, Qingluan's eyes instantly sharpened, and her petite body involuntarily straightened. In that instant, the imposing, dignified aura of the "Where the Stars Are" Grand Commander returned—
"Don't confuse us with your magical kingdom. Your magical kingdom is high and mighty, claiming to be the protectors of this world, enjoying the respect and faith of ordinary people. But all of this is built on your 'talent drain' from the material world!"
Qingluan ruthlessly revealed the inner workings of the magical kingdom—
"According to your rules, magical girls in the material world must retire after serving for ten years. They have to give up all their magic and return to the material world, becoming ordinary people again. If they want to retain the superhuman power of magical girls, such as flying and teleporting, and their youth, there is only one way... join the magical kingdom and become your residents."
"While not all magical girls enjoy fighting and killing, some will choose to relinquish their powers and return to the material world to enjoy their later years. However, human nature cannot withstand the test. For most magical girls who have mastered extraordinary powers in their teens and are accustomed to flying freely in the sky, how many can truly let go of them?"
"Therefore, their only option is to join the kingdom!"
Qingluan extended her right index finger, pointing directly at the emerald green scepter opposite her.
"And so, those talented magical girls from the material world were absorbed here by you with the lure of eternal youth and the promise of a permanent position within the system. The power that originally belonged to the material world was left behind in the kingdom!"
"The result is that you've drained the material world of its talent! Once danger strikes, we can only helplessly wait for you to send people from your kingdom to rescue us. When you're happy, you send magical girls to guard the city; when you're not, you let the material world's cities fend for themselves."
"The material world... has become a vassal of your magical kingdom! Is it reasonable for us to entrust our fate to a privileged class that is high above us?!"
"And my true original intention in establishing 'Where the Stars Are' is also my greatest wish in this life—"
"It means establishing a defense force truly belonging to humanity itself, independent of your nation's control, right here in the material world! The power to protect humanity can only be controlled by humanity itself. The security of the material world must be led by the material world itself."
"This is the fundamental difference between us and you!"
Qingluan's voice was resounding.
This is her true belief.
She admires the purity of magical girls, but she absolutely disapproves of the arrogant system of the magical kingdom that monopolizes power and treats the material world as its subservient entity.
"Clap clap clap—"
A moment later, the emerald scepter put down the spoon in its hand, clapped its hands lightly, and wore a very affected expression of admiration on its face.
"That was brilliant. Truly worthy of being the leader of 'Where the Stars Are'..."
The emerald scepter smiled broadly, then its tone turned smug.
"But Commander, don't forget I'm also Zhang Menglin. I already know these 'Where the Stars Are' concepts, so why repeat them to me?"
Qingluan's newly formed imposing aura faltered slightly, then she glared at the other party, "I'm not saying this to Zhang Menglin, but to the 'Supreme Scepter' of the Magic Kingdom!"
Hearing this emphasis, the emerald scepter shook its head regretfully. "Sigh, it's really not cute. Such a serious look really detracts from such an adorable face."
"However, now that we've come this far, you probably understand why the Magic Kingdom hasn't wiped you out all these years, right?"
"As I just said, the Nation is happy to have you 'principled' traitors left behind to maintain stability in the material world."
"More importantly, you make a clear distinction. As for magical girls who shirk their responsibility to protect and defect from the country, or those with twisted minds who want to do evil in the material world, you 'Where the Stars Are' will not only refuse to accept them, but will even take the initiative to clean up your ranks."
"Of course, in my opinion, it's actually quite wasteful. That's why 'Zhang Menglin' developed the brainwashing device not long ago. If we encounter another runaway magical girl next time, we'll just hand her over to the Starry Sky for brainwashing."
The emerald scepter revealed a mocking smile and tilted its head slightly.
"Hmm, I've gone a bit off-topic. In short, you've unknowingly become a filter for the material world. Why not keep you around?"
Qingluan's doubts were largely dispelled, but she still had some suspicions: "...Is this why the kingdom tolerated us?"
"Of course, that's why. I'm giving this answer from the perspective of the magical kingdom, and also because of our long-standing 'friendship'."
The emerald scepter smiled broadly and spoke gently.
However, Qingluan crossed her arms and let out a disdainful sneer.
"Heh. If any other magical girl said that, I might believe it. But for such words to come from the mouth of the 'Supreme Scepter' is just too unbelievable."
"At least the reason of 'friends'... is just a complete excuse! To be honest, Zhang Menglin, there must be other reasons why you can tolerate the existence of 'Where the Stars Are'."