My ex-girlfriend is a magical girl junior?

Chapter 146 After weighing the options, Ji Ying's confession

Upon hearing Xingxian's words, Jiying felt a cold sweat uncontrollably seep from her forehead.

A secure, intermittent communication? Such a connection exists between magical girls and a kingdom?

She was completely unaware of this clandestine communication method, and naturally never considered using the identity of "Starfrost" to conduct the so-called "timed communication".

All her attention was focused on how to conceal her identity, how to improve her strength, how to protect those around her, and how to deal with Jingjue, that treacherous and cunning enemy.

Worse still, she used the same excuse as before, describing the alias "Star Frost" as her collaborator, an independent entity that is the only remaining Crescent-class in Jiangchuan City.

Now, Xingxian's question has undoubtedly put her in an extremely awkward situation.

If she directly denies it, saying that her collaborator is unaware of this method of communication, it will only make Xingxian have deeper doubts about the professionalism and identity of this "collaborator".

If they admit that they are "collaborators" who are unwilling to contact her, wouldn't that confirm Starfrost's dereliction of duty as a magical girl, or even the suspicion that she might have ulterior motives?

This is undoubtedly a fatal blow to her future plans to use the identity of "Starfrost" to unite and guide other magical girls.

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, but on the surface, she still tried her best to maintain the composure and calmness that belonged to Jiying.

To prevent Xingxian from developing a deeper negative impression of Xinyue, whose true identity was actually her, she immediately seized upon a suspicious point in Xingxian's words and countered, "Since even urgent distress calls can be intercepted, why are you so certain that this so-called 'timed communication' won't be intercepted by the enemy lurking in the shadows as well?"

Upon hearing this, Xingxian gently shook his head: "Emergency distress signals, because of their stronger energy fluctuations and clearer direction, are more easily targeted and blocked by the enemy. However, timed secure communications are completely different."

"It's more like background noise blending into the everyday magical environment," its main purpose being simply to inform the kingdom that I'm still safe.

"Unless the enemy possesses a terrifying ability to completely paralyze the entire area's magic network, achieving complete interception is virtually impossible."

She paused, then turned her sharp gaze to Ji Ying, her tone somewhat complicated and confused.

"So, your collaborator—the one who hasn't been in regular contact—is probably not because she can't, but rather—unwilling?"

Faced with Xingxian's question, which was almost direct and strongly implied, Jiying fell silent again, knowing that she could not refute it, because she really had not conducted any so-called "timed communication".

She did not choose to continue using weak excuses, because she did not want to influence Xingxian's judgment of the current situation with false information, which could lead to more serious consequences.

So she simply nodded slightly: "I see. Perhaps—she really was unable to maintain regular contact with the kingdom for some reason that we are not yet aware of."

This answer neither directly admitted nor completely denied, but left room for interpretation and reserved the possibility of a defense for the future "Star Frost".

Upon hearing Ji Ying's somewhat ambiguous answer, Xing Xian's beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating that she had developed a rather negative impression of that "negligent" Crescent-level companion.

However, she did not dwell on the issue, as understanding the actual situation and potential threats in Jiangchuan City was more important at the moment.

She took a deep breath, composed herself, and then said, "In that case, Jiying, I hope you can help me make contact immediately. I want to meet with all the magical girls who are still active in this city as soon as possible to learn about the information they currently possess."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ying felt a slight stirring in her heart. She knew that this was a signal that Xing Xian was preparing to formally intervene in the affairs of Jiangchuan City, and it was also the key to whether they could establish a deeper level of cooperation.

Unfortunately, her "Tears of the Stars" will take several more days to fully repair, which means that her important collaborator, "Starfrost," cannot meet with Starstring immediately.

Therefore, she could only shake her head slightly and say with a hint of apology, "I'm sorry, Miss Xingxian, my collaborator is not in this city at the moment, and may—it will take a few more days before he returns."

"If you'd like to meet the other two Stardust-level newcomers first, I can help you contact them."

"Not in this city?" Xingxian's tone suddenly rose a few decibels, her face revealing undisguised surprise, and—a trace of barely suppressed anger.

"Where did she go?! Why would she, as the last remaining Crescent Moon-level soldier, suddenly leave the city she's responsible for guarding at a time like this? Doesn't she know how critical the situation in Jiangchuan City is right now?"

"What if, during this time, the two newcomers encounter an infiltration of the erosion-level void that they cannot handle, or what if the enemy lurking in the shadows attacks the newcomers?"

"This is simply—an incomprehensible dereliction of duty!"

A barrage of questions burst forth from Xingxian's mouth, revealing her shock and anger.

In her view, such behavior of abandoning one's post in a time of crisis is no different from directly pushing one's comrades and the city one is protecting into the abyss.

Jiying clearly perceived Xingxian's drastic emotional fluctuations, as well as the strong dissatisfaction and disappointment she felt towards that "irresponsible New Moon" in her words.

After a moment of silence, she was engaged in a fierce internal struggle and weighing of her options.

She recalled the excuse she had made up for Liuli and Yinxue that "Xingshuang had to leave Jiangchuan City for a week due to an urgent matter."

The original intention of that explanation was simply to prevent the two girls from worrying too much about the damage to their "Tears of the Stars," and it was essentially a lie out of protection and good intentions.

But now, facing the powerful, experienced Inspector Xingxian who already harbors some trust in him—

If I continue to use the same excuse, not only will I fail to dispel her doubts, but she may also develop a deeper misunderstanding and irreparable resentment towards "Xingshuang," a persona I will need to rely on in the future, which would seriously affect any possible future cooperation.

She realized that Xingxian was different from Liuli and Yinxue.

Liuli and Yinxue are juniors who need my careful care and patient guidance. Some cruel truths and complex considerations are perhaps not suitable for them to know for the time being.

Xingxian, on the other hand, seems more like a potential ally with whom one can have an equal dialogue and even fight side by side in the future.

To truly gain the trust and support of a potential ally, more honesty is needed.

Moreover, if Xingxian could understand that "Xingshuang" did not leave irresponsibly, but because of some unavoidable reasons.

Therefore, Xingxian's negative impression of "Xingshuang" may change, which will be more beneficial for the future activities of "Xingshuang" as a pseudonym, as well as for establishing a deeper cooperative relationship with Xingxian.

Even if doing so might risk her "white lie" to Liuli and Yinxue being unexpectedly exposed at some unpredictable moment in the future—

But after weighing all the pros and cons, Jiying still made a decision.

She took a deep breath and met Xingxian's scrutinizing and disapproving gaze with an open attitude.

"Miss Xingxian, my collaborator did not intentionally leave Jiangchuan City at this critical juncture, but rather—he had no choice but to make this claim."