Vol 2 Chapter 162: Rune Norrey Branch of the Magical Affairs Court
Within the magic nation, influenced by the authority wielded by the "Five Great Courts," the cities where these courts reside are also known as the "Five Capitals."
These Five Capitals consist of Rune Norrey, home to the Research Court; Domria, where the Investigation Court is located; Vanaheim of the Civil Administration Bureau; Oration of the Finance Court; and Hemwine, seat of the Magical Affairs Court. These five cities enjoy a status subtly higher than others due to the courts' presence and consequently shoulder responsibilities that other cities need not bear.
In the imaginations of many gossipers, these Five Capitals and their respective courts should theoretically govern separately, with each Scepter of Gems controlling their own city and power, standing in opposition to the others. However, for administrative convenience—with the exception of the Investigation Court and Research Court, which remain distinct—the other three courts establish branches in each other's territories.
After all, whether concerning civil administration, finance, or magical affairs, the management involved is intricately tied to the magic nation's daily governance. Even in Rune Norrey, the stronghold of the Research Court, there remains a need to handle these matters.
Though the Research Court's Magical Girls could disregard these jurisdictional boundaries and overstep their authority within this city without facing repercussions from the other three courts, having an official presence and maintaining mutual respect is still preferable to causing offense. Thus, within Rune Norrey, there exist offices belonging to the Civil Administration Bureau, Finance Court, and Magical Affairs Court.
On a particularly clear and pleasant day, the Rune Norrey branch of the Magical Affairs Court welcomed a group of long-awaited "guests."
For the employees of the Magical Affairs Court assigned to such a backwater post, their positions were essentially sinecures. They neither could nor dared to voice any objections regarding the Research Court's internal personnel arrangements. Their duties consisted solely of stamping applications and reports sent to their office by the Research Court or forwarding documents they lacked the authority to approve to Hemwine. Asking even a single extra question risked being seen as overstepping.
These low-level employees, devoid of real power or responsibility, could generously be called "members of the Five Courts" or "officials." But if one were less charitable, labeling them "mascots" wouldn't be inaccurate either.
Thus, when these mascot employees, on this fine day, welcomed a group of "real power players" from Hemwine, their already minimal authority was instantly overridden.Or perhaps, these "guests" weren't truly guests in the conventional sense—in some ways, they were the rightful masters here.
To receive these genuine "superiors," the branch's mascot employees had gone all out, thoroughly cleaning the aged office building days in advance.
Since the Rune Norrey branch of the Magical Affairs Court held no real authority, it naturally lacked any substantial budget. Even servants were absent in daily operations. The mascot employees had personally taken up brooms and rags, clearing out unused rooms and discarding piles of meaningless clutter. They then scrounged up relatively presentable furniture—even surrendering their own desks and chairs—to furnish two passable offices.
Then, early this morning, these employees—who typically made a habit of slacking off, arriving late, and leaving early—had already gathered at the office building, quietly awaiting the arrival of their visitors.
As morning passed, the branch's director—a Magical Girl whose rank was actually lower than a department head at the main court—found herself unable to focus on any documents.
Outwardly, she still sat upright at her desk, meticulously reviewing stacks of reports from the Research Court. But she knew full well that while her eyes scanned the words, none of them formed coherent sentences in her mind.
The coffee at her side had been refilled repeatedly. Her legs beneath the table had trembled to the point of numbness. In this endless, torturous wait, she finally heard the sound she'd been longing for.
*Creak.*
The aged wooden door was pushed open from outside, and a staff member in formal attire entered with visible urgency. Before she could speak, the director cut her off:
—"You've already knocked on my door three times today. First, to tell me the number of celebratory fireworks at the entrance was wrong; then, that the banquet venue had changed; and finally, that the new clumsy hire spilled tea on the rented formalwear. I hope this time you bring something actually useful."
"It is useful! Absolutely useful!"
The messenger nodded, stammering: "Director, they're here."
"What?" The director's eyes widened as she asked for confirmation.
"The ladies from Hemwine—they're here, Director."
The employee finally caught her breath and hurriedly added: "They'll be at the building any moment!"
"Oh, by the Queen! Why didn't you say so earlier?"
The director cursed under her breath, hastily pushing aside the documents and standing. "Well? Take me to them!"
"Yes!"
The employee had no time to feel slighted by the director's words—her fear mirrored the director's, if not exceeded it. She couldn't afford to offend these visiting dignitaries from Hemwine; any one of them could dock half a year's pay with just a glance.
When the employee and director rushed to the building's entrance, a group of Magical Girls in Magical Affairs Court uniforms had just alighted from their carriages and were approaching.
As one of the nation's Five Courts and to some extent representing the Royal Court's authority, the Magical Affairs Court's uniforms were the most ornate among the five.
The Magical Girls wore black single-shoulder draped robes—asymmetrical, with the right shoulder sleeveless while the left side cascaded to the ankles in an arc, its hem embroidered with layered golden runes. Beneath the matte robes peeked dark gold silk linings that glimmered like molten gold at dusk when they moved.
Underneath, they wore pearl-white high-collared tailored shirts with exquisite embroidery at the cuffs and necklines. The sleeves' triple-fold design rested just below waist belts, drawing attention to the knee-length slate-gray A-line skirts and ankle boots adorned with enameled toe caps.
The leading Magical Girl gracefully stepped before the director, extending a hand clad in semi-transparent black lace gloves with a disarmingly warm smile: "Greetings. Might you be Director Hydrangea of the Rune Norrey branch?"
"Y-yes, that's me."
The director called "Hydrangea" nodded repeatedly, her smile verging on obsequious as she studied the other woman. "And you are...?"
"My code name is Folding Crane Orchid."
The leading Magical Girl provided her designation, her overly long black hair—tied into a ponytail—swaying with the motion. She maintained her amiable smile as she regarded the director. "Perhaps you've heard of me?"
"Folding Crane Orchid..."
The director's mind raced. Her gaze flicked to the silver brooch on the other's chest, then swiftly matched the code name to a identity from memory. Without hesitation, she extended both hands to lightly clasp the offered fingertips before withdrawing to perform a curtsy. "Your presence honors our humble branch, Director of Permanent Education Selection."
"No need for formalities, Director."
Folding Crane Orchid gave a slight nod. "We are all merely public servants for this nation and Her Majesty. There's no hierarchy among us. We've come to Rune Norrey on official business and hope not to inconvenience you overmuch."
"Of course not! Having you here to guide our work is an honor."
The director produced a handkerchief from her sleeve to dab at the cold sweat on her brow before stepping aside to make room. By now, the branch's other employees had emerged from their offices to gather at the entrance. "Allow me to introduce our colleagues. We all welcome your arrival."
The other employees mimicked their director's curtsy, and Folding Crane Orchid's group returned the gesture without airs, easing some of the tension.
After this brief exchange at the entrance, Folding Crane Orchid spoke again: "We appreciate your warmth. However, the journey has wearied some of our members. Might there be somewhere we could rest before discussing work matters?"
*You've been staying in Rune Norrey for days already! Today you just took a carriage from the Emerald District—how could that tire you out?*
The director internally scoffed, though her obsequious smile never wavered. "Ah, my oversight. We've prepared office spaces for you. Please follow me."
With that, she shot a glance at the employees behind her, who obediently cleared a path.
The visiting Magical Girls from Hemwine trailed behind Folding Crane Orchid and the director, carrying various bags and cases.
However, as they proceeded, one Hemwine employee maneuvering a suitcase happened to pass a corner just as a branch employee emerged while wiping damp clothes, head lowered.
The distracted branch employee failed to notice the approaching figure and continued straight ahead, nearly colliding. The Hemwine staffer reacted too slowly to avoid impact entirely—while she dodged bodily contact, her suitcase took the brunt of the collision.
*Thud!*
A hollow, resonant sound echoed through the hallway.
Every Magical Girl's attention snapped toward the pair. The Hemwine employee paled when the suitcase was struck, while the branch employee—finally looking up—turned ashen upon realizing her mistake. "Ah... s-sorry, ma'am."
The Hemwine worker's mouth opened as if to speak, but after glancing at her suitcase and then at Folding Crane Orchid—who shook her head slightly—she swallowed her words.
"Watch where you're going."
She stiffly delivered this reprimand before hefting the suitcase clear off the ground, nearly carrying it away.
After this minor incident, the Hemwine contingent finally reached their assigned offices with the director. The space had been outfitted with desks, chairs, cabinets, and even some potted plants—hardly luxurious, but certainly tidy and fresh.
"This is the larger office. There are also individual offices next door. Shall I show you?" Sensing the inexplicably tense atmosphere, the director cautiously inquired.
"No need, thank you."
Folding Crane Orchid smiled, though her expression had cooled noticeably since their arrival. "We have matters to discuss privately and won't trouble you further."
"...Very well."
The director unconsciously swallowed, glancing around to find all the visiting "dignitaries" watching her for some reason. She instinctively retreated a few steps. "Then I'll... take my leave?"
"As you wish," Folding Crane Orchid replied.
The director closed the door behind her and, once a few paces away, practically fled the scene.
This left the Hemwine Magical Girls standing in the office, exchanging looks of utter doom before their collective gaze settled on the suitcase that had been jostled earlier.
No one spoke.
Only Bird of Paradise wore an expression of conflicted hesitation. After a deep breath, she reluctantly reached out.
Then she opened the suitcase.
—*Cough! Cough-cough-cough!*
The instant the lid lifted, a series of short, sharp coughs erupted from within. A petite Magical Girl sat up inside, one hand gripping the suitcase's edge while the other clutched her abdomen.
After several coughs, she finally caught her breath, then clambered out with visible effort, dusting off her dress before standing with a weary expression. "What exactly happened?"
Still, no one answered.
All eyes turned to Folding Crane Orchid—after all, it had been her idea to smuggle their superior, the Scepter of Sapphire, into the branch office inside a suitcase, only for her to get knocked in the stomach during the critical moment of held breath.
Thus, Folding Crane Orchid—typically unflappable in any situation—found herself in the rare position of being utterly speechless.