“These organizations are like cockroaches; clear out one batch and another pops up. *Tsk*.”
“Ah, the inferiority of human nature; it’s a problem that’s hard to solve.”
“We didn’t have much energy to worry about them before, but we can’t do that now…”
In the Conference Room of the Constitutional Department, the leaders of the shadows that had troubled these worlds for a long time were discussing several pressing issues.
After the threat of the Demons was eliminated, several problems that had been hidden under that threat became a thorn in the side of the Magic Department. However, this particular difficulty made things quite awkward for the Magical Girls.
This was because the problem originated from within humanity itself.
Apart from the Magical Girls, various organizations, large and small, existed across the world. Some were established by Magical Girls whose goals differed from the Magic Department, while others were founded by ambitious humans.
Regardless of their origins, they all served as obstacles to the Guangfa Department’s goal of unifying human society.
They could naturally handle the pure-black organizations with ruthless methods, but the gray organizations were much harder to deal with.
And among them, the most difficult gray organization to handle was called Eternal Night.
One shouldn’t forget that Eternal Night had never shown any regard for the rules set by the Guangfa Department in the past. This organization should definitely be categorized as an Evil Organization.
However, the Boss of Eternal Night was Monice, one of its founders was White Night, and now Luo Xiangyue was also over there. Could the Guangfa Department move against them? Did they even dare?
If the Magic Department couldn’t even touch an organization like Eternal Night, which leaned more toward black than gray, their legal justification for going after other gray organizations would be completely destroyed.
When people pointed at their noses and asked why only they were being arrested while Eternal Night’s members were left alone, how would the Magic Department answer?
The Magical Girls still valued their reputations and couldn’t bring themselves to act with such double standards.
“Now that the threat of the Demons has been eliminated, we need to consolidate our strength and restore the vitality of our civilization… It is not appropriate to start a major conflict at this time,” Cecilia, who was sitting at the head of the table, said while resting her chin in her hand.
These gray organizations had indeed committed many illegal acts before, but for now, the Magic Department would turn a blind eye and give them one chance. If they continued to cause trouble, they couldn’t blame the Magic Department for being heartless.
“I agree. Their strength is not to be underestimated. Some organizations even possess a lot of talent.”
“Exactly. As long as they are willing to contribute to the revival of human civilization, they are our good partners.”
“But letting them off completely doesn’t seem right either, does it? How about making them pay a fine?”
—
“How much? This much?!” Looking at the fine handed to her with wide eyes and a dropped jaw, Jiu Ye let out a cry of disbelief.
She looked up at Xiao Mimi, who had delivered the fine.
“Mimi, if you want me to sell myself, you can just say so!”
“Don’t talk nonsense. This truly came from Headquarters. They said your Eternal Night is the most typical of examples and must not be treated lightly,” Xiao Mimi waved her hands repeatedly, indicating she wasn’t as bad as Jiu Ye thought.
Although she really did want to kidnap Jiu Ye to be a poster girl for her Café, she only thought about it.
‘After all, a human-shaped kitty was someone I should keep to myself and enjoy; I don’t want to show her to outsiders.’
“But this is too much…” Jiu Ye looked at the long string of zeros on the fine, questioning her life choices.
Did Eternal Night truly have this many assets until now?
The economic situation of Eternal Night had actually always been a bit delicate. Research was an incredibly expensive endeavor, especially the kind of research Monice conducted.
The reason Eternal Night could maintain itself for so many years without going bankrupt was entirely due to the high quality of its products. Every Evil Organization had to purchase supplies from Eternal Night, which was essentially like paying tuition.
Despite being such a profitable monopoly, most of the money earned was basically handed over to Monice, who burned through it instantly.
This was even more true recently. Most of their regular customers had been taken down by the Magic Department, and the two strongest bosses of the organization were both absent. Eternal Night had almost reached the point where they couldn’t even pay the electricity bills or staff salaries.
Now they were being asked to pay this fine? That was truly absolute madness.
“But Sister Frost Moon is also in Eternal Night; she’ll definitely have a way,” Xiao Mimi chuckled.
She felt that Jiu Ye didn’t need to worry about these problems at all. What kind of organization was Eternal Night? It had a Full Bloom-Class Magical Girl as the Boss and the Savior Hero as the second-in-command. Could something still go wrong?
Jiu Ye’s ears drooped. She took another peek at the astronomical figure on the fine, still feeling unhappy.
“It’s still so frustrating. Mimi, I’m going to bite you!”
“Eh, don’t just pounce on me… Don’t bite me there!”
—
“Huh? Huh?!” Her eyes widened as she glanced at the fine. Monice recounted the precise figure, which included even the smallest change, and felt like she was being targeted.
*Slap!* She slammed the fine onto the desk. Without a word, she made a harassing call to the Vice Minister of the Magic Department.
A few seconds later, Cecilia’s projection appeared in Monice’s room.
“What is this fine all about? Tell me, how do you have the nerve to write down this number!” Monice pointed at Cecilia’s nose and began to scold her.
The blonde girl, a Heavenly Messenger, wore a constant smile. Only after Monice finished her tirade did she speak up to explain. “It can’t be helped. Who told you that Eternal Night is the organization with the most severe problems?”
The Evil Organizations that the Magic Department had previously taken down with lightning-fast methods all had more or less technical support from Eternal Night behind them.
This was an issue that Monice couldn’t talk her way out of no matter how she tried. Thus, all those issues combined into this astronomical fine.
“Understand my difficulties. We can’t let your Eternal Night off just because you and Dark Moth have a good relationship with us, right?” Cecilia smiled, speaking the script she had prepared long ago.
Business was business. They were very grateful to Monice and Luo Xiangyue, but they had to maintain appearances.
If Eternal Night wasn’t fined, other organizations would surely have many complaints when they were fined. If Eternal Night was fined, it would be harder for other organizations to deny their dues.
“We can’t afford this fine!” Monice slapped the table again.
From its establishment until now, the total cash flow of Eternal Night hadn’t even reached this amount!
“That’s simple. We’ll give you a loan so you can pay off the money first.”
“You’re actually that kind-hearted?”
“Heh, what’s our relationship? As long as you make more time in the future to come to the Magic Department and assist with research, it’ll be fine.”
Now Monice understood. ‘So you guys were actually targeting me all along!’
The fine was just a front. The Magic Department’s real goal was her—they wanted to trick her into working for them for free!
“I want travel expenses and overtime compensation!”
“…Fine, it’s a deal!”