North Arica, Washington D.C., Disaster Beast Counterasure Organization Headquarters and Joint Military Staff.
In the conference room, Josh, sitting in the front row of the long table, was dozing off, causing her colleague Dorothy beside her to poke her and whisper: "Pay attention, General Croft is getting to the key point about confronting rcenary expansion."
"I'm not interested in infighting."
Josh looked toward the head of the long table where the Chairman was a white-haired elderly man wearing a right eye patch. Though aged, his military uniform accentuated a robust physique that appeared quite imposing.
Many had forgotten Croft's prowess, but he had actually been active in the previous generation's Catastrophic Disaster Beast subjugation war, personally commanding allied forces from all sides to victory. He was an unfathomable Holy Relic, and calculating from ti, his fusion degree was longer plus magic enrichnt—this ever-victorious general would only be more terrifying.
Seeing Croft's gaze sweep over, Dorothy actually timidly shrank toward Josh, pretending to be a frightened little rabbit.
The commanders from various regions gathered together, but the only ones with truly good relationships were these two who managed the Pacific East and West war zones and happened to be from the sa period.
"...I'm also very regretful about the current situation," Croft said frankly.
"Especially annoyed with those guys who like political performances—they couldn't even handle one Quincy and instead provoked assassination. Simply ridiculous. Now they're all looking for our protection, suddenly concerned about personal safety? We don't have that many personnel." After complaining a few sentences, he added: "But orders must be executed. We'll strengthen vigilance and continue pushing judicial strikes."
"We can't not give the rcenaries so lessons directly," soone suggested maliciously. "Need to physically destroy a major company, otherwise they'll continue being arrogant."
"Agreed."
"Should have managed them long ago."
The military high command had actually been displeased with rcenaries for a long ti, just ignoring most friction while maintaining cooperation.
Croft waved his hand to silence the conference room, then said coldly: "I heard soone embedded large amounts of virulent infectious disease pathogens around Okinawa Island, preparing to launch an attack on Winter Company. Don't worry, I don't want admission but to remind you this matter is very serious..."
"Who's ssing around in my jurisdiction!" Josh slamd the table and stood up.
Facing her gaze, so colleagues turned their heads away or simply ignored her. Strictly speaking, that area wasn't quite Pacific jurisdiction but on the periphery, which is why it was chosen as the point of attack. As for the locals, consider them unlucky.
Moreover, such long preparation had already caused so leakage, producing quite a number of infected entities that were difficult to extinguish. The arrow was on the string and had to be released.
Dorothy pulled down her furious colleague to sit down, otherwise a major battle might break out.
General Croft continued: "There's another very important matter regarding the senator assassination case. I have a good personal relationship with Miller and learned he wanted to intervene in this matter, so I sent so personnel to protect him, but they all died for unknown reasons. The bodyguards never even approached their supposed protectee. But we know Miller miraculously remained unhard. We already have so investigation results—the Salvation Church intervened in this matter."
Beep!
The projector displayed an image of the state legislature entrance, showing several assassins suddenly flying backward. The process was actually very blurry, but the scene was indeed strange.
Then ca several car chase videos that were even blurrier.
From details, the Miller couple were definitely in this car throughout, but why was it empty after a rocket hit?
Slowing down to the extre, a thick shadow appeared in the fra extending from the car toward the sky—too blurry, super high speed distorted the filming, but enough to prove things weren't simple.
Croft explained: "There were certain amounts of magic power traces at the scene, definitely not from the Miller couple. If we set the scenario, as far as I know, no Holy Relic could do this so cleanly, so it wasn't our people, much less rcenary people."
The Salvation Church!
The world-renowned first supernatural organization with indisputable strength, especially after the recent catastrophe war proved their ruling position.
By now everyone realized the magical girl association definitely had few mbers and small influence.
But so what? Paper data, numbers, power and wealth were insignificant in the field of fighting Disaster Beasts. Actually, achievents were greater than everything, most persuasive. The Salvation Church with the most beautiful record to date could be called experts in this area, sufficient to be called a major power in many people's minds.
Magical girl intervention was worth noting.
For the military, their supported senator being safe was good news, but most people were wary of the Salvation Church. Could only say the news was mixed, and didn't rule out the possibility of the Church cleaning up both sides.
Croft asked: "Do you think we should proactively contact Senator Miller's bodyguard?"
Josh answered: "No need. After all, magical girls always seem rather aloof. They don't like being approached, probably thanks to the psychological shadow Quincy created."
"I understand Miller—served with that guy. He's smart. Without security anxieties, he can definitely cause trouble for the rcenary Alliance... Seems he originally planned to use this to attract the magical girl organization, then use them as backing to continue attacking rcenary companies for political capital. So don't worry about Miller's situation. Focus on investigating small companies—thods can be more forceful."
As old comrades, both sides understood each other's personalities. They knew how to cooperate without communication—people were cunning but not as crazy and unreasonable as Disaster Beasts.
"Roger."
Everyone responded in stern unison.
They would not only cooperate with Senator Miller but more importantly support the official hardliners he represented.
What remained was determining matters about striking major rcenary companies, such as directly attacking regions Winter Company was responsible for while framing them, and the Hawk Company trial wouldn't stop. Both sides would compete around legal principles, underhanded tactics, and other aspects.
At the eting's end, Croft expressed wanting to call his old comrade Miller to check in, even ntioning the benefits of mobile phones and urging the military to quickly equip them.
After ending, the group left the towering headquarters building.
At the entrance steps.
Josh shaded her eyes with her hand, gazing at the sunny opposite shore that appeared bright but actually had dark clouds gathering over the Atlantic, brewing storms. She asked her companion: "Dorothy, how's the situation in your war zone?"
"Numbers decreased. From observation data, so Disaster Beast groups that should have broken out of the fallen zones encountered complete elimination at the edges—the type where none remain."
"Unless deploying a deep-sea fleet, it wouldn't be that fast. But since neither you nor I know, it proves another force is at work. As far as I know, only the Church can eliminate large-scale Disaster Beast communities without anyone knowing."
After comparing information, the two discovered attack numbers in their respective war zones had sharply decreased—sothing that would have been unthinkable in the past.
Undoubtedly, that Lord Hyacinth was beginning to intervene in events.
...
California Governnt Office.
Miller, sitting at the head of the office desk, was chatting on the phone with the other party, occasionally bursting into laughter and talking about their gun-carrying experiences together. Obviously enjoying the conversation, the busy secretaries around him saw this and quietly closed the door as they left.
Only Julia and another person remained in the room. She carefully prepared a cup of coffee and solemnly handed it over.
Jin Yulu nodded in thanks and continued maintaining her sitting-like-a-bell posture, motionless. Even the cat kept in the office, usually timid and fearful of strangers, showed no wariness.
She was working as a bodyguard while not forgetting her main job as an enforcer. That's right—even being a Fortune 500 company senior executive counted as part-ti work. Her real profession was: whoever dares threaten Hyacinth gets punched away, taking on one or a group, never stopping daily ditation and rest.
Julia felt the atmosphere was sowhat awkward.
Both sides should chat about sothing to break this silence, but she couldn't find a topic for the mont.
Or rather, the other party subtly emanated pressure that made people uncomfortable.
The uninvited bodyguard, Ms. Imperial Flower, was a person of few words and many actions. In the 48 hours since their cooperation began, she hadn't slept, eaten, or drunk—truly beyond human. If transforming into a dragon was shocking, then such violation of normal physiological rules was horrifying. After spending ti together, the couple realized this was just the tip of the iceberg of magical girl power—indeed belonging to life level sublimation.
Holy Relics seed invincible but actually just had abnormal endurance. They still needed supplies, at least unable to maintain solo combat until recently.
Wrong!
Julia thought she should think of sothing to open conversation, but how do ordinary people communicate with magical girls? Always felt like there was no common language.
Jin Yulu noticed the other party's emotions and simply spoke first: "Madam, don't be too formal. I have experience with guard duty. Silence is just for vigilance."
"...Speaking of which, has your side made no demands so far?"
"I did co with objectives and was even given authority to reveal so information. If this can make you feel more at ease, then I'll state conditions now: promote approval of all import pharmaceuticals currently in the entire approval process."
Miller's phone call had just ended, and all three present imdiately realized the key point.
Half the answer was revealed!
This condition almost indicated the Church had connections to pharmaceutical interests. Although large amounts of drugs were stuck in regulation annually, limiting it to just the current new batch narrowed the scope considerably. If they were willing to follow the trail, they'd definitely gain sothing. Moreover, it was equivalent to the Church proactively lifting a corner of their mysterious veil, instead giving people a sense of security.
Having desires was better than being desireless—otherwise everyone would be constantly anxious.
They weren't worried about fraud at all. To prevent possibilities like bribery, Miller had already dismissed his bodyguard team, leaving life and death in her hands.
No bodyguard was stronger than Imperial Flower. If Imperial Flower were an assassin, they'd accept their fate—that simple.
Before departure, Jin Yulu had received Hibiscus's authorization to make interest exchanges. As for slight exposure risk, it wasn't worth ntioning—being secretive wasn't the Church's goal.
The Miller couple, who had navigated politics and business for many years, exchanged glances and imdiately understood each other—the other side had expert guidance, sacrificing so secrecy to show sincerity in exchange. Of course, they couldn't rule out using smokescreens to lower their guard. But the clever part was precisely this—they indeed felt more at ease and unconsciously beca increasingly dependent on the mysterious Church.
"Acceptable."
Miller agreed without hesitation but added one more sentence at this relaxing mont, as if possessed:
"Especially regarding infectious disease treatnt."
His sharp gaze swept across the girl's face, though sunglasses blocked part of her expression. That face remained impassive as water—this bit of probing probably ant nothing to a non-human.
Miller had originally been wary of Five-Color Narcissus Company but now couldn't be sure. Most importantly, he didn't dare easily investigate and damage relations, though he always left himself an escape route before speaking.
"I an General Croft just called to warn that Winter Company headquarters region might face infectious disease strikes. So desperate military figures are trying to directly credit rcenaries this way—probably not easy to handle."
Jin Yulu, receiving the intelligence, instinctively wanted to report but felt it posed no threat to magical girls. Moreover, her mission didn't include intelligence gathering options.
Just wait for one-way contact—she needn't worry about the rest.
"Thank you for Senator Miller's reminder. Please rest assured, we already have general preparations." Jin Yulu casually lied. "I just need to give headquarters advance warning."
"Right, that prophet should have already anticipated such things?"
Miller sighed. Hearing this, Jin Yulu snapped back to realize this possibility existed, imdiately nodding. After repeated probing, both reached consensus on Hyacinth's farsightedness.
Beside them, Julia watched in bewildernt, feeling both sides had so misunderstanding, but the atmosphere beca more harmonious.
Bang!
Suddenly shattering sounds!
Faster was a figure flashing to the window like lightning. The glass behind the main desk chair disintegrated, debris falling like raindrops with a clatter. Everything happened too fast to react—even when the loud noise subsided, the couple hadn't thought to duck and cover.
They stared blankly as Jin Yulu withdrew her extended arm and opened her palm, gripping a long, sharp large-caliber sniper bullet still smoking.
"Fortunately the enemy shot from 1000 ters away. Kinetic energy decay plus breaking through bulletproof glass—otherwise I might not have reached it."
Miller muttered in shock: "Not fast enough rather than unable to react?"
"Wait a mont."
Seeing the female bodyguard gripping the bullet and building up power, the sniper on the other end broke into cold sweats and cursed, preparing to retreat but losing consciousness.
Jin Yulu shaded her eyes gazing into the distance, confirming the bullet was sent back intact. That unlucky bastard's head exploded on the spot—force control was quite good. But from a professional perspective, the assassin was undoubtedly first-rate, just chose a challenge no one thought possible under such defenses. At the sa ti, security personnel burst into the office. Originally prepared for the senator's death and their own dismissal, they finally sighed in relief.
After several deep breaths to finally calm down, Miller straightened his collar and instructed: "Don't over-publicize lest my daughter worry."
"Yes, sir."
He said quietly: "Thank you for saving again."
"No problem, part of the job." After pondering a mont, Jin Yulu said: "As I know, the rcenary Alliance has begun budget consolidation and is planning the final elimination of the last large-scale Disaster Beast group in the Arctic. Those guys should settle down."
Miller nodded with lingering fear but didn't drop his suspicions at all. In his view, the Church's demands were far outweighed by their contributions—soone else must be bleeding.
...
Hermit Island.
Receiving Jin Yulu's regular contact ssage, Hibiscus beca increasingly vigilant. All signs indicated the infectious entity outbreak event was imminent.
But she was prepared. At this mont the entire island was heading north toward Okinawa Island waters—the infectious entities' inevitable future path. Just guard the transportation route—no need for further interference.
It should be like this, but Hibiscus received a new system notification:
[Completed suggestion "Ensure Miller's Itinerary Activities Are Not Interfered With By Force" Reward: Lottery Chances ×10, Small Health Potion]
Jin Yulu's mission was perfectly accomplished.
Assassination activities targeting the senator couldn't continue indefinitely—there had to be limits. Having reached this point, they had to retreat in the face of difficulties. Presumably large rcenary companies had realized the seriousness of magical girl intervention and were restraining all parties. Just that information transmission needed ti and negotiation processes, so that sniper bullet aid at Miller could be viewed as a period.
Moreover, Hibiscus estimated the military had intervened to suppress it. Though relatively less efficient, their capabilities were decent. With their deterrence, assassination activities wouldn't continue.
Of course, no need to withdraw Jin Yulu for now—after all, senators ant natural intelligence centers. More interaction wouldn't hurt, especially since both sides had established interest exchanges that needed to see results.
Regardless, the infectious disease specific dicine was about to open North Arican markets—also a good thing.
Beep!
[Notification: Received suggestion "Obtain Infectious Disease Cultivation Dish Relic From Okinawa Island Military Base" Reward: Relic-Related Knowledge, dium Magic Advancent Stone Fragnt ×1]
Hibiscus couldn't pass up this rare magical advancent opportunity.
She didn't rush into action but inquired with netizens for intelligence, finally confirming the system's so-called "cultivation dish relic" codenad "Black Jar" looked like a thermos, had no aptitude holders, yet could actively dilute and absorb Disaster Beasts' infectious magical power. Over ti it could cultivate plagues that killed everything, equally capable of removing certain degrees of infectious disease. Once used with "Holy dicine" to avoid much infection.
But with magical enrichnt's effects on it, Black Jar could no longer neutralize infectious diseases but greedily absorbed their power for accumulation.
Officials most familiar with relics imdiately realized it could be weaponized, turning to prepare attacks on rcenaries...
【Really don't want to live】
【Don't underestimate these two groups' heaven-defying degrees—each more black-hearted than the last】
【@Hyacinth, the reason we didn't tell you about this relic is because it's indeed useless—besides indiscriminate damage, basically no function, or treat it as a deterrent signboard】
【Might as well deduce according to Boss Hibiscus's new world line. If directly seizing Black Jar indeed fits separately warning both sides. Moreover, don't forget it's already—now there are more magical girls, so in Edo, plus infectious disease relic aura will definitely attract large numbers of Disaster Beasts】
【Holy shit, almost forgot this】
【Right, and recently Hermit Island has been hunting fallen zone Disaster Beasts, equivalent to driving the remainder toward civilized world—will definitely form large-scale base attacks】
【Seems can't be lazy and directly transport original work intelligence. Actually the "Hyacinth Simulated Life" the post already reminded everyone—focus is on synthesizing and deducing various information. Original work isn't all correct or has changed. Must be cautious. We optical fra think tanks can't drag down】
【Hyacinth is reminding everyone to change perspectives for appreciation】
Not really.
Hibiscus felt a headache from netizens' enthusiastic interpretations—inexplicably becoming noble again. Your filters are too thick.
Anyway, no harm. Since they were willing to suggest more seriously, that was good. Indeed so—after her repeated changes to historical progress, the new world line was already unrecognizable. What mattered was adapting to circumstances. Blind reliance wouldn't work.
With this thought, Hibiscus controlled Hermit Island coordinates toward Okinawa Island military base.
Coastlines bathed in sunshine, calm winds and waves, seagulls crying. Unfortunately this belonged to the last tropical scenery. Sailing out of tropical and subtropical zones would inevitably bring temperature drops.
【Planet Gaia current Disaster Beasts should beco increasingly violent due to magical enrichnt, pursuit and interception, and magical girl auras everywhere—can't rule out possibilities of attacking military bases. For them, relics emanating strong infectious magical power might be second only to high-level compatriot blood】
【Ti to eat again, family】
【Garrison forces will cry】
【In the original work, infection ultimately still broke out. Though contained by Director Chrysanthemum midway, damage spread to Ningfeng Harbor—but that infectious disease wasn't maximum intensity】
【Military should have mastered more materials for cultivation dishes, because Arctic war severely damaged Disaster Beasts】
【Ridiculous. Probably those monsters never imagined that even after death they'd continue harming humans as weapons—precisely from human hands. I really like this design in simulation lines. Indeed fits Light Magic's tone. Many are ambitious yet create their own traps, reaping what they sow. Magical girls and fairies carrying certain fairy tale atmospheres are fine—early-mid period Holy Relic struggles are each more pitfall than the last】
【Don't rush everyone—everyone can eat boorangs, one by one】
【I suddenly thought of sothing: watching Okinawa Island military base is also Chrysanthemum's magical girl team—they'll probably be attracted】
【Fucking server-wide broadcast whenever sothing happens】
【Anyway, intervening won't hurt. If seizing Black Jar, it's equivalent to having nuclear arsenals. When you're wary thinking I possess large-scale destructive weapon power, I really do】
Hibiscus took everyone's advice to heart. Actually she wasn't interested in collecting relics, but containing infectious disasters served Church interests—otherwise it'd be a lose-lose outco.
She was controlling Hermit Island at the altar center, speeding toward the destination. Thanks to just absorbing large amounts of material fuel, Thousand-Li Viewing Mirror operated at full power, cutting waves, tearing through mist, crossing currents, shuttling through storm eyes toward East Asian island chains.
Fortunately most magical girls went ho for vacation—otherwise they'd encounter spatial turbulence effects.
Disaster Beasts on Hermit Island showed jubilant celebration. Everyone was accustod to this, even anticipating where they'd create slaughter next.
Buzz!
Suddenly the mirror door beside Hibiscus opened, dropping out a pink-haired figure. Jin Ruochu rubbed her head dizzily: "I ca to tell you pharmaceutical regulations relaxed—how did I encounter speeding! Where are we going?"
"You should also know the intelligence. Possible infectious entity outbreak event—I'm going to join the fun."
"As I know, joining fun never exists in Hyacinth's life options."
Hibiscus smiled faintly: "Didn't we always say we wanted to fully arm Hermit Island? We're taking a treasure—a large-scale destructive weapon comparable to nuclear bombs."
"Does it have an owner now?"
"Heaven doesn't take what it offers—I'll take it."
"I love this about you."
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