Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 147: Veronica's Decision

Vol 2 Chapter 147: Veronica's Decision

The worst possible scenario had come true.

That was Veronica's immediate thought upon hearing Emerald's words.

If Tulip had already defected, then Mohe—who had traveled with her and repeatedly mentioned joining a certain "team"—was undoubtedly involved as well.

The team Mohe had spoken of joining was none other than Claw Marks.

Veronica wasn't entirely unprepared for this revelation. In fact, she should have known all along—she simply hadn't wanted to believe it.

She couldn't accept that Mohe and Tulip, of all people, would become members of Claw Marks, an organization no different from terrorists.

As comrades who had fought together in the Inter-Realm War and stood on the frontlines during the Garden Defense, neither Mohe nor Tulip were merely "fellow Magical Girls" in Veronica's eyes.

The Garden Defense had been a life-changing battle for many Magical Girls who participated. Those who survived it all carried a certain shared quality etched into their hearts.

In that sense, both Mohe and Tulip were people who could "share Veronica's feelings" and understand her particular grief and pain.

Because they understood the same pain, they naturally developed similar outlooks on life—even similar emotions. And precisely because their emotions had once aligned so closely, Veronica found it especially hard to believe they would act in ways that betrayed those feelings.

While Veronica hadn't worked with Tulip enough to grow particularly close, Mohe—or Nina, as she'd been known when they served in the same squad—remained vivid in Veronica's memories. Neither the Nina of her recollections nor the seemingly changed Mohe of today could be reconciled with her image of Claw Marks.

"What's wrong? Finding it hard to accept?" Emerald, now half-sitting up, observed Veronica's reaction with interest. "Judging by your reaction, you must've seen her recently—within the past few days, I'd guess?"

"...I should be able to accept it. I just can't convince myself," Veronica admitted, avoiding the latter part of Emerald's question. "Because I can't understand why she would do this."

"Of course you can't understand. If everyone could figure out what Claw Marks wants, the magic nation would have descended into chaos long ago," Emerald said, closing her eyes and waving a hand dismissively before adding with a laugh, "Actually, based on the list we've compiled, aside from the Finance Court members who left with Purple Diamond, most of the original Claw Marks defectors came from Rune Norrey's city defense forces. I was even investigated by the Royal Court over it—what a hassle."

From Emerald's perspective, if she truly had nothing to do with these events, it was indeed an undeserved misfortune. But Veronica focused on the first part of Emerald's statement: "Most came from the city defense forces... does that mean—"

"Yes, it suggests many Claw Marks members likely defected due to the Garden Defense—or rather, the war's aftermath," Emerald casually confirmed Veronica's speculation, then quickly added, "Ah, though I was a key combatant back then, don't lump me in with them."

"...While it's easy to jump to that conclusion, I can't agree with it." After considering this information, Veronica shook her head. "As someone who experienced that war firsthand, I don't see how its aftermath could drive them to such extremes."

This wasn't just her view of Mohe and Tulip—it was a defense she mounted for all of Rune Norrey's city defense forces, for every Magical Girl who survived that war.

"Is that so? But even someone like you chose to distance yourself from the nation, wanting nothing more to do with these matters, didn't you?" Emerald, who had been half-lidded until now, opened her eyes fully. Though her smile remained, the atmosphere grew heavy, as if facing a beast rousing from slumber. "Let's be honest—they may have simply gone a bit further down the path than you."

"But they're different from me. I was banned from entering the magic nation—" Veronica began to argue, but Emerald cut her off.

"—Tell me, girl, did you really become who you are now just because of that ban, that so-called 'exile'?" Emerald's tone remained lazy, yet carried undeniable force. "Or will you claim you felt differently during that year after the war, or during the Great Beast Disaster?"

Veronica fell silent.

It wasn't that she couldn't answer Emerald's question, nor that she had secrets to hide—but because she'd realized once again that there must be hidden circumstances behind all this.

As she'd once told Mohe, twenty years had passed, and too much had happened—enough to change a person, even a whole group of people. And now, she still knew so little about these "former comrades."

Was the ideal Mohe described something they all pursued? What was the true purpose of that stronghold they'd built in the Material Realm's wasteland? Why did Claw Marks members act so recklessly, causing disturbances everywhere?

These mounting questions were doubts Veronica couldn't share with Emerald.

To discuss them would mean revealing Mohe's whereabouts. If Veronica could be certain Mohe had turned to evil, she wouldn't hesitate to report her. But now, doubts had taken root in her heart.

She knew Claw Marks couldn't possibly be an organization of good people—whether it was the Magical Girl codenamed Sparrow, who radiated malice, or the enigmatic Yuan, who followed no rules. Both had come to Fangting City with ill intentions.

Yet she also knew better than to judge the whole by a few parts. Her current understanding of Claw Marks remained woefully incomplete. The few members she'd met and secondhand accounts she'd heard were far from enough to piece together the full truth.

Her intuition told her not to make judgments before uncovering everything.

So she wouldn't mention Mohe.

Her only concern now was how to warn Emerald about the danger at the assessment site—convincing her without revealing her source.

Yes, this much she wouldn't conceal.

The upcoming national assessment would involve not just Fangting City's juniors but countless Magical Girls from across the realms. Veronica couldn't gamble with their safety.

If lives were at stake, even if it meant acting against Mohe's interests, even if it meant a nominal "betrayal" of Mohe's trust, she would—she must—pass on this warning.

This was Veronica's decision after careful consideration: she would hide the fact that Mohe had contacted her, but she would share any information affecting the assessment's safety.

However, as she pondered how to phrase her warning, Emerald spoke again:

"Enough—we've strayed too far. I don't expect you to answer me directly, so let's return to the original issue. The Magical Girl codenamed 'Tulip' has defected—she was among the first to follow Purple Diamond into Claw Marks and may now be a core member. Whether you accept it or not, this is fact."

"...Understood." Though the interruption broke her train of thought, Veronica showed no outward reaction, merely nodding calmly to acknowledge the information.

"Good, then we're done here. Anything else you'd like to discuss?" Emerald's tone had regained its usual flippancy. "If not, you may go. Just be sure to dress formally and return later."

"I... what?" Veronica, still mentally drafting her warning, froze at Emerald's sudden declaration. "Return later? Why?"

"Official business. I'm taking you somewhere." Emerald stated it as if discussing the weather.

"Where?" Veronica pressed.

"Hmm, I suppose you could call it a party? A banquet? Though the scale might only qualify as a dinner gathering." Emerald mused before shrugging. "Regardless, the form doesn't matter. The point is, tonight I'm introducing you to some people."