Los Angeles, Eagle Company new headquarters building, boardroom office.
Gallup strode out of the room after ending etings, closing the door behind him. He loosened his blue tie and removed his jacket, fanning his cheeks while muttering: "Really tiring. Those financiers, executives, and partners are vampires—Satan should take them away. Don't you think so?"
He greeted the black-robed nun erging next, whose chest bore Winter rcenary Company's symbolic badge.
Katrin, Holy Relic, subordinate to Pasha's laboratory institution convent.
Though with little military achievent and generally not appearing in circles, she'd always been responsible for Winter Company's North Arican branch liaison work—actually renowned for managent skills. This ti commanded by Chairman Burr to lend assistance.
"I shouldn't answer that question."
"Still resentful about the Edo arrest case? I've apologized to Ms. Pasha and compensated. Besides, the Chairman sending you also nds relationships, right?"
"...I'm not one to hold grudges over small matters, otherwise wouldn't help you lobby the board."
Katrin thought the real loss was severing channels that should have connected with the Salvation Church. Now Minase Kaori remained silent—visiting her family showed peaceful moods but unwillingness to reveal more. The family route was also destroyed. More importantly, Pasha's boss being attacked was unforgivable in her view—most respected person being ambushed was unacceptable.
But Quincy, who led that battle, now faced military tribunals, while Gallup's severe setback was a sufficient lesson.
"Actually Your Excellency isn't worth my hostility."
"I always feel your gaze is sharp and speech like cursing."
They glared at each other montarily, then laughed heartily. Though superficially bickering, both were quite satisfied with this cooperation—rcenary groups won one round.
Catastrophic Disaster Beast swarms were nearly eliminated, but didn't an armies suffered no losses during this period. Actually, except Arctic war zones benefiting from strong concentrations preserving large grassroots combat power, garrison forces everywhere were severely damaged or depleted. Distributed to individual nations definitely ant military power decline.
rcenary companies clearly understood that as official manpower withered or suffered damage, they'd definitely strike back—this Eagle Company dispute was exemplary.
Power must remain in their own hands.
Half a century ago, Holy Relic versus army wars seed long past, but historical grievances persisted. Actually, veterans like Pasha and Philona still harbored resentnt. Though uninterested in politics, their inclinations definitely influenced successors.
Over ti, subsequent Holy Relics beca more self-centered, gradually distancing from officials.
Counterasure organization leadership tried using personnel adjustnts to ease conflicts, creating "you in , in you" situations.
Thus "Holy Relic Treaties" erged—proper privileges yet allowed, these contracts once dominated long peaceful periods. But now tis changed dramatically:
Years of national armies suffering losses, delegating power to rcenaries resulted in military monsters. The decisive event was this catastrophic war again causing regular army heavy losses. Ultimately, power balances shifted—both sides would redefine respective positions and determine power ecology through gas.
The Salvation Church was also important.
Magical girl organizations seed third-party forces, but considering their purpose was seeking rights—from whom? Still had to cut at from established rulers. Therefore, Church actually shared strategic interests with alliances.
rcenary leadership saw this clearly, so attitudes toward magical girls were positive—previous minor misunderstandings were forgotten.
Past conflicts weren't worth ntioning—current interests mattered.
"Director Gallup, I was also entrusted with sothing—please keep it safe."
Katrin produced an exquisitely packaged box containing a band-aid, but careful attention revealed Knowledge Poison traces—this was a relic.
Holy dicine.
Seeing was believing. Long ago, Gallup heard of liquid-state relics called miraculous elixirs capable of healing everything, even resisting conceptual Knowledge Poison aftereffects. Stored in Antarctic relic bases, legendary ancient Holy Relics like Snow Maiden and few others could deploy them. After all, using so ant less—couldn't replenish. Nobody knew how much remained after so many years.
"...Seems you discovered it." After bitter smiles, Gallup lifted his collar showing a festering area near his heart.
During the Brain Devourer siege, he bore the most damage, almost single-handedly serving as shield blocking high-tier Disaster Beast physical attacks. Most serious was his heart nearly being pierced.
Opponent attacks contained contamination difficult to remove, plus combat environnts of extre cold worsened wounds. Thanks to the Holy Relic superhuman constitution, otherwise would've been corroded to putrid flesh long ago. Recently he'd nearly prepared funerals.
"You really endured well—shouldn't be for boss authority?" Katrin asked.
"Of course."
"Then for what exactly?"
Gallup took deep breaths: "Mr. Quincy helped greatly once—couldn't ignore those favors. Besides, the company embodied everyone's efforts—couldn't let outsiders devour everything... Speaking of which, would the treasury guardian actually give special approval?"
He clearly knew such strategic resources involved enormous interests—many tis preferring death over usage, just that dying again would be dangerous.
"Ms. Philona saw your deteriorating condition then, privately finding General Walpole hoping he'd give you the Holy dicine ant to offset Holy Spear. This delay was awaiting treasury approval—Snow Maiden even argued with certain stubborn fellows."
"This matter definitely wasn't easy—what's the price?"
At this point, Gallup still hadn't taken the band-aid. If unacceptable prices existed, needed renegotiation.
Katrin stated frankly: "In exchange, Snow Maiden will lead the treasury cutting all external contacts, maintaining Antarctic mobility for unknown periods..."
Tension increased!
Bluntly speaking, relic treasury stored massive over-spec powers while basically under official control—equivalent to one of two tense nations' nuclear submarines disappearing into sea. The threat was obvious.
"Don't ntion these." Gallup took the Holy dicine band-aid, imdiately applying it. "Feels good—should completely recover in days."
"Good then. Let's go sit at our company."
Katrin ca with Pasha's orders—assistance for repaynt, two rcenary giants would connect more tightly.
They left the building together but saw reporters surrounding completely. A guest welcod them—Senator Miller, who orchestrated this Eagle Company airdrop executive event.
Hostile visitor with ill intentions.
Lightning-quick, Gallup and Katrin exchanged glances—eye contact sufficed. Regardless of what banner the senator carried, at least courtesy was necessary, especially maintaining surface peace before so many dia.
The nun automatically stepped back, acting low-key. Never attracting attention, she naturally wouldn't be cara-focused.
Instead, Gallup adjusted his suit and tie, laughing heartily while approaching. Opposite Miller also seed familiar, shaking hands.
They appeared quite harmonious, standing together before nurous flashlights smiling and chatting, yet hadn't said a word so far. One waited for the other's first move; another was brewing.
"Congratulations Mr. Gallup on assuming Eagle Company Chairman position."
"Thanks to your efforts."
"Speaking of which, after Arctic joint combat, what's your view of the Salvation Church?" Miller's gaze grew sharper. "Can they be allied friends?"
Gallup smiled superficially while internally chaotic, as if returning to annoyingly dealing with board foxes. You guys deployed scattered attacks that eventually converged for strikes—really annoying. Honestly, he wanted refusal but nurous caras created pressure. If unable to handle such scenes, would definitely be looked down upon by peers.
While struggling, he heard Katrin's magic transmission from behind: "Don't answer directly—pause."
Holy Relics had achieved such precise magic control? Worthy of Pasha's confidants—always sensitive to combat fields. Gallup's heart moved, seemingly his injury preoccupation with affairs neglected training.
"Counter-question about motive speculation, then express unrelated actual views. Say with ..."
"Are you planning Church cooperation? Indeed, I think their contributions were great."
Gallup served as gaphone.
"Exactly." As if long anticipated, Miller bit down and continued asking: "Heard your company holds so magical girl materials—could we exchange information?"
This statent was sensational—crazy? Everyone knew how protective the Salvation Church was about information. Don't forget how company landmark buildings suffered building-block demolition. Did you think state capitol buildings were sturdier than military fortresses? This public statent could even be interpreted as provocation.
No, dia enjoyed creating provocative topics—now it was lively.
Reporters worked harder pressing shutters, flashlights and clicking sounds continuous, capturing Gallup's sowhat stunned expression.
To this day, he still rembered that silver-haired military figure who killed gods and buddhas alike—first killing him once, then execution-style killing boss Quincy. Even Catastrophic Disaster Beasts attacking suffered defeats. Nothing she determined couldn't be accomplished.
Including punishing you.
Gallup cold-smiled at the senator who dared test the Church without knowing limits, repeating Katrin's words:
"Very sorry, we might need to organize lost materials—it needs ti. But unimportant—key is you definitely have developnt relationship plans with them?"
Miller nodded, saying to caras: "Actually I received so conceptual plans from General Josh, like establishing special departnts composed entirely of magical girls allowing Church personnel dispatch... But just rough drafts needing all-party support."
His composed attitude made both Holy Relics feel threatened.
This person pressed step by step with hidden killing intent.
As if completing missions, Miller's subsequent statents beca politician wheel-talk. Through gaphone Gallup, he sparred with Katrin remotely—both sides' aningless pleasantries lacked nutrition.
Minutes later, he waved goodbye while walking and saying: "I firmly believe your company will provide more feedback to California people."
Gallup replied with fake smiles: "Of course, we'll bear social responsibilities."
Reporters are still unsatisfied, crowding the new big boss. But Katrin signaled bodyguards blocking dia while they got into stretch limousines, quickly leaving trouble zones. From now situations were clear—Miller seed risky but actually self-preserving. This official faction defeat might bring political retribution, so simply used Salvation Church hype topics introducing another party force, plus citing General Josh's banner.
Old comrades knowing roots—rcenary leadership knew her as partner, absolutely reliable. As official faction representatives, definitely difficult opponents requiring caution.
"I really can't handle these guys."
Gallup gritted teeth sighing. Opposite Katrin crossed legs, cupping chin thoughtfully.
"...If sensing correctly, Miller was actually very afraid."
"Afraid? He was arrogant."
"Vigorously promoted things ending badly definitely gave opposition ammunition. Besides, park shooting cases remained unresolved—probably even suited fellows were intimidated by rcenary styles. If higher-ups pushed further, soone might need sacrificing."
"I don't understand these complex complications." Hearing this, Gallup shrugged, muttering: "I don't want connections with Salvation Church anymore."
Faceless One and Life Spore resurrections included warning dangers—killer auras made bodily functions tremble constantly. That feeling was terrible.
Unfortunately, later 24th Island wars, Los Angeles battles, Arctic battles all encountered them—unlucky enough.
Was there a possibility: he lived under misfortune influences?
Too unlucky.
Seeing Gallup's expression changes, Katrin sighed—indeed this guy wasn't suited for managent positions. Unfortunately, you must step up, otherwise positions would go to outsiders.
"Might as well support Miller's concepts—after all, general trends show Church and our interests align. But so information needs advance confirmation. Tell honestly—how much magical girl materials remain in laboratories?"
"Hard to answer 'how much'—file libraries except initial Hyacinth-Quincy battle damage plus water and fire... nas and photos unrecognizable."
Katrin frowned: "Files generally intact with most information yet only nas and appearances unmatched?"
Gallup nodded seriously.
Very strange—anyone not stupid could see this whole affair reeked of terror. So miraculous power erased magical girls' information. Moreover, subsequent files experienced loss, damage, or ineffectiveness—seeming cursed, further confirming Church information protection as forbidden territory.
"That Hyacinth has many powerful magical girls—doing such things isn't strange."
"So I don't want connections—too abnormal."
"No problem. Though Church forces are large, Holy Relics are also strengthening." The nun smiled faintly: "Nearly at Winter Company—then sothing good to show you."
Limousines drove from Eagle Company toward waterfront.
Falling silent, Katrin and Gallup began watching street scenes together—occasionally armored vehicles, tanks, and massive military supplies. After all, nations bordering two major oceans, even if not main battlefields, still faced frequent Disaster Beasts with continuous chaos—24-hour artillery fire.
Though thanks to the Church repelling Catastrophic Disaster Beasts, didn't an affairs concluded—everywhere still struggled in aftershock fires.
Christmas was approaching with neon lights flashing and snowflakes flying, sowhat diluting tense atmospheres.
Gallup's mood recovered slightly, feeling efforts weren't wasted. But he still noticed street ambulances one after another—many infection cases loaded and taken away. Having experienced countless battlefields, he knew infection disease spread terror. If more infected bodies rampaged, Christmas would be too lively—definitely big news.
"Aren't special dicines very effective? Why not distribute more?"
Hearing this, Katrin looked like who's the local—Eagle Company's returning new boss obviously lacked understanding of hotown surroundings' drastic changes.
"Because approvals haven't passed."
"Huh?"
"So regulatory departnts think drugs lack public components with insufficient transparent processes. Besides, Five-Color Narcissus Company was always mysterious. Most importantly, pharmaceutical groups and their product operations officers didn't reach agreents—now only scattered channels, no official large-scale trade."
Gallup frowned: "Definitely causes black market price explosions—cheap drugs speculated to special dicine levels."
"Actually Five-Color Narcissus Company doesn't want black market profits but can't open North Arican markets—currently tends toward laissez-faire." Speaking, Katrin smiled faintly: "Uneven spoils distribution."
"Thinking carefully, we indeed know little about this rising enterprise..."
Recalling information was also ambiguous and mysterious.
Gallup gazed outside seeing busy or celebrating figures, plus people lying on streets holess despite holidays—all human conditions. For him, peaceful days felt sowhat unreal—tired, weary, everything annoying.
"I suddenly rembered sothing—for politicians, many family situations get publicized during campaigns. Why haven't I heard about Miller having children?"
"What do you want to do!"
"Don't make Eagle Company people all seem like kidnappers."
Katrin joked once, then answered: "Currently Miller's 3rd consecutive term—by political circulation, he counts as senior senator with great local influence and federal voice. Image-wise: no bad habits or serious scandals, happy family, healthy parents, often attending public activities with wife, one daughter studying abroad..."
While thinking, the nun couldn't help covering her forehead, suddenly realizing her known information abruptly stopped with logical chain interruption violations.
Strange.
Noticing situations, Gallup said faintly: "World's truly wonderful—so many undiscoverable secrets exist. Salvation Church always mysterious, that Five-Color Narcissus Company unknown background, even senators hide things."
"You an investigations should begin?"
"Ever played gas? We're like investigators facing events—don't rush for answers themselves. Slowly, keep rhythm—truth will surface."
When discussing unusual powers, Gallup's confident feelings were unconsciously convincing. Seeing this, Katrin stopped pursuing.
They tacitly chose not investigating—after all, current energy focused on power struggles with armies. Didn't need additional provocations—let nature take course.
Katrin brought Gallup to Winter Group's Los Angeles subsidiary underground.
They took elevators deep into dark underground. With ding sounds, doors opened to vast, spacious areas—forcibly excavated underground hundred-ter caves.
Wrong!
Distant Disaster Beast groups were constantly digging rocks while arching soil for reinforcent—specially treated, looking much more stable.
Before Gallup could ask, a familiar face approached—unseen since 24th Island attacks.
Professor Brunhilde excitedly explained: "Thanks to Five-Color Narcissus Company's communication computing support, I can send primitive signals remotely controlling Disaster Beast activities, as you see. But more importantly, these special rhythms relate to magic power—guiding qualified users can rapidly enhance magic power control. What do you think this ans?"
"Holy Relics can achieve magic power release."
Gallup hit the mark—the perceptive one had realized nearby Katrin's superior magic control, especially just now's single-person transmission was unthinkable.
Not only that, entering underground laboratories, he obviously felt wound improvent with strength increases. In other words, humans now vaguely explored Holy Relic training thods—perhaps gradually bidding farewell to previous individual random developnt eras.
Brunhilde proudly said: "Plus through so guidance, ordinary Disaster Beasts can even spontaneously obey your commands."
He indicated Katrin try—she stepped forward, actually hissing steam becoming larger Disaster Beasts with low roars.
Magic power release!
Pressure like wind sweeps swept entire underground test sites.
Gallup finally understood transformation ability relics could mimic to this degree—even origin auras were superior. Disaster Beasts were precisely famous for this. Correct—that transford Disaster Beast's surface faintly showed floating dust circles, similar to high-tier Disaster Beast external magic barriers.
Simultaneously, ordinary breeds prostrated submissively with even ferocity suppressed—not techniques but pure pressure gaps breaking thresholds.
Next mont, Katrin returned to human form, panting: "As you see—effects aren't bad?"
"Are there fixed thods?"
"Indeed so training experiences exist—basically researched jointly by Professor Brunhilde, Boss Pasha, and Ms. Philona. Don't worry—next we'll promote within rcenary Alliances. When army people notice, it'll be too late."
"So we'll choose necessary timing using advantages to establish certain results?" Hearing this, Gallup keenly caught plan traces.
Katrin smiled without words—actually she had no idea about high-level specific sches.
As for Gallup, he cared even less. What truly moved him was relics' further power. If completely controlling current magic, basically ignoring ordinary firepower—like those Church mbers soaring through sky and earth. The future was incredibly anticipated.
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