The two people in front of the glass room had tense expressions and furrowed brows.
Being in the thick of it, both Dorothy and Josh understood that a super weapon relic wouldn't cool down the suppression against rcenaries, but would instead trigger further attacks, giving the higher-ups confidence. After all, principles similar to the Ring of Levitation were enough to make people's imaginations run wild, with symbolic significance even greater than the power itself.
Of course, the power wasn't bad either. A relic that could trigger teor bombardnt didn't sound mysterious at all, but it was simply brutal—anyone would have to think twice before acting.
They could almost foresee a city turning into a sea of fire under teor shower bombardnt, more environntally friendly and pollution-free than nuclear bombs.
"Not entirely correct."
Josh stroked the special magic power, her blood-red eyes gazing at the compass as she murmured: "Actually it has another function—divining the location of high magic power reactions. Your magic power serves as the divination signal, with the teor shower pointing the way, though it happens to have so striking capability."
"What kind of weird operating thod is that? Completely misunderstood, right?" Dorothy held her forehead with a wry smile. "Pre-epoch thinking is really strange."
"No, it is essentially a weapon—divining location then delivering strikes. But precision, signal feedback, calibration and such need careful study. Without understanding these, it doesn't deserve to be on the battlefield."
"Is there a possibility? That the Pacific had a high magic power reaction convergence point at that ti."
This speculation sparked associations:
Logically, it should have chosen the largest fallen zone, but why did it deviate to another direction? Though the teor shower guidance was vague, it should have been very purposeful.
Magic power from "humans" would prioritize divining similar targets, obviously the relic understood it as "similar entities," right?
Only Magical Girls would warrant such elaborate guidance.
So the Astral Compass had both positioning and lethal functions, indeed similar to missiles. This way it probably couldn't rate top secret level, since it lacked conceptual attacks and wasn't mysterious enough, so it would be greatly discounted against so powerful Origin-protected targets. Though it sounded regrettable, it definitely belonged to the category of existence that could overturn warfare systems, and could be set to specifically target Holy Relics, with strong execution capability for decapitation operations.
As generals, the two imdiately realized the strategic value—at worst, it added another offensive thod.
Josh murmured, "The glowing stone representing the Pacific direction has dimd considerably, needs magic power supplentation, and there should be a reason why it didn't hit."
Dorothy shrugged and continued, "Of course, if according to your speculation Hermit Island was there, space coordinates alone could block it, not to ntion they've always been under so strange fate protection. Whether investigations being obstructed or the judge being attacked recently..."
"Therefore the Astral Compass is more suitable for frontal battlefields."
"Seems I had too high hopes. Finding relics comparable to the Prophecy Book, Holy Spear, Ring of Levitation isn't easy."
"Enough to serve as a trump card."
"Anyway, my task is to guard it well. How the higher-ups decide is their business." With that, Dorothy pressed the password, and a thick alloy shell wrapped around the glass room. "Since you rarely co, let's go take a walk and see how back-to-nature my work environnt is."
She led her old colleague out of the office building. Adjacent to the excavation site was simply a forest sea—humid and hot, with insects buzzing, full of primitive feeling.
Even helicopters had difficulty flying in and might lose direction. Looking up, not even a trace of sunlight could be seen, with dark depths beneath the treetops.
Dorothy pointed to knife-carved marks on a tree trunk. "Every year, large numbers of illegal immigrants travel from Colombia all the way to xico. This is the last country they must cross, after which they'll reach the border, like a pilgrimage journey. But they don't know that dreamland is becoming increasingly unstable... I heard many big shots are starting to lean toward rcenaries."
"That's normal, since many political donors were already connected to private military forces."
"Actually, I received an earnest invitation from Red Cedar Company."
" too."
"The invitation was sent to the excavation site." As soon as Dorothy finished speaking, a chill rose behind Josh—this at least represented rcenaries gradually closing in on positions.
Even if she didn't care about politics, she should understand the final mont of choosing sides had co. Honestly, of course she didn't want civil war to break out, but one side hoped to use national power to concentrate vast resources for combat, while the other hoped to use rcenary cannon fodder as much as possible without affecting normal operations—they couldn't convince each other.
Military decline wasn't just due to a series of conflicts, but also because everyone was tired of entities that commandeered huge resources.
But what made them think rcenaries gaining power wouldn't further exploit resources?
Josh thought of many things in an instant, but when the words reached her lips, only the purest intention remained: "I just feel that after accidentally fusing with a relic, finding a place to use my abilities would be fine. Logically, any employer should work. But I gradually realized rcenaries lack restraint in their actions—I absolutely cannot associate with them."
"I just want to go it alone."
Dorothy was more straightforward. Anyway, her relic was destined to be incompatible with normal society, and she was happy with that. She just wanted to hear her longti colleague's opinion before making a decision.
At least this person didn't care about rumors and didn't mind corpses, so the two could actually communicate.
"You've got it wrong. What's more serious than secretly defecting is the ergence of a narrative that 'fighting Disaster Beasts is Magical Girls' job'—they've surpassed our achievents in just a few moves. But I think every side's efforts are important."
"What does that an?"
"Because we fought desperately to maintain a normal society, normal Magical Girls were born. It's like eating the fourth stead bun and getting full—you can't prove the first three were useless, right? Conversely, rcenary order will produce abnormalities, resulting in everyone heading to hell together. I saw through those scumbags long ago, so I won't accept the invitation. And don't forget, the Relic Treasury can turn the tables anyti as long as they're not afraid of Knowledge Poison."
"I thought you'd persuade , or threaten to hunt down if I dared betray."
"That would only push people to the opposing side."
"You succeeded. I have to stay, at least this excavation site work must continue. I heard Egypt's magic crystal production is decreasing—we must fill the production gap."
"I have good news here. The Magical Girl Managent Bureau will announce news about the next move, related to operations against fallen zones," Josh said.
"So not helping either side? Well, if they don't commit to either side, that's fortunate. Anyway, let's leave it at that."
Dorothy looked like she was seeing off a guest. From her expression, compared to firmly committing to one side, she preferred to remain aloof.
"Take care."
Actually, Josh had a judgnt she didn't voice—possessing the Astral Compass as a focal point would definitely not be peaceful. Life often goes against one's wishes.
......
Clover Office.
What was originally a small standalone building now gathered massive amounts of data, with countless files piled like small hills. After all, it also served as the Managent Bureau's temporary headquarters, private fund managent institution, and a series of other tasks—simply overwheld.
In such crowded file stacks, Miyuki was lying on a dical bed resting, with Elsa beside her applying dicine from a reagent bottle.
It was produced from so healing concentrate provided by Hyacinth, diluted and enhanced by Stephanie and Joan, now one of the most standard equipnt within the Salvation Church.
"Damn, it hurts so much. What happened to the healing magic product?"
"You should bla yourself for training too excessively with Senior Imperial Flower, causing muscle strain. Others have the strongest Mythology Magic and can heal imdiately. Our Miss Butterfly Orchid exhausted her magic power and needs ti to recover."
"Don't worry, I benefited greatly. I can feel it—even the Seedling Stage isn't far away. Indeed, I should practice more."
"I need to work hard too."
Elsa nodded thoughtfully. Recently busy with Managent Bureau affairs, she had neglected training, and her combat ability might have declined rather than improved.
Previously, she positioned herself as support, sitting in the rear to exert influence or as an assassin, determining victory with one true strike. But facing Dandelion, she was almost completely crushed.
Admittedly, her condition was poor then and she lacked fighting spirit, but it wouldn't have changed the result. Additionally, learning that Senior Manjusaka, who summoned teors and served as vanguard in the Black Tide battle, belonged to the causality type shocked Elsa. So even Fortune and Misfortune magic that required indirect thods for killing dared to fight head-on, with impressive battle records—not at all like support personnel, undoubtedly battle-hardened core strength.
If that was the case, what reason did Elsa have to hide in the rear? She must shoulder responsibility.
Must fight.
Miyuki's hot-blooded atmosphere infected her. This joint training organized by the Salvation Church couldn't be missed. First familiarize with abilities, then fight when reaching the Arctic. Ti was tight with no room for negligence—she should make actual contributions.
Coincidentally, the task Senior Hyacinth assigned earlier was to issue a statent in the Church's na. Once this trivial matter was finished, she'd have ti.
"Get up quickly once you've recovered."
Elsa patted Miyuki's small belly with defined abs, causing another round of muscle pain complaints.
At the sa ti, Maho, Fuka, and Tsukine also entered the dical room, saying the press conference was fully prepared. Especially the latter was radiant—obviously having reached Triple Awakening after infection removal, in an unprecedented excellent state. Now the entire Clover team's morale was high.
"Anyway, we're not facing reporters for the first ti, and I've already applied care status to them—they won't make things difficult. Let's announce matters as usual."
The group walked to the lobby downstairs, imdiately greeted by cara shutter sounds.
Though they had stopped idol activities, their fa had only increased. Having entered the halls of power as one of the world's power groups was much better than the entertainnt industry. The current Managent Bureau was the hottest thing.
Reporters who usually fired rapid questions or even condemned with words and writing all behaved obediently in Magical Girl territory, waiting for the hosts to speak.
Elsa looked around and said: "The fundraising foundation will continue operating through professional agencies, naturally maintaining consistent transparency with real-ti tracking and monitoring. Everyone should have questions about this. The reason is simple—the Salvation Church will conduct a suppression campaign against the Arctic catastrophe-affiliated Disaster Beast fallen zones."
So fierce!
Everyone could hardly believe it, since that would require at least army group scale, which was why progress had been delayed. The Arctic was still in winter.
But thinking again, Magical Girl Organizations always acted with thunderous montum, with unfathomable strength.
"...We're also part of the operation. For peace, for civilization, it's our duty. Therefore we'll disappear from public view for a while. Similarly, Managent Bureau and Salvation Church operations will tend toward low-key. The organization's goal remains fighting Disaster Beasts themselves. We have no interest in current coalition situations and don't care—we have our own action policies."
"So it can actually be understood as a kind of closed training?" A reporter appropriately picked up the topic.
"Yes."
"Miss Elsa, how do you view the tense conflict where the rcenary Alliance accuses the United Forces of keeping large amounts of relics without disclosure?"
Those who spoke favorably naturally had to appropriately mix in sharp topics.
"First, your question is very unprofessional. Where's the tension? In my view, everyone is united and working together." Elsa glared coldly. "Second, we support every rights protection action—that's business between them."
No one was surprised by the deflecting plus non-stick pan answer—just like her father, first attacking the question then stating completely irrelevant views.
"Could you reveal whether Managent Bureau headquarters site selection has continued to advance?"
"Possibly in the Arctic."
Elsa's straightforward revelation surprised everyone—why choose such a remote location? They couldn't believe their ears. But regardless, the Church always acted flawlessly with their own considerations—asking wouldn't get answers anyway.
......The subsequent Q&A had almost no substance, with both sides going through the motions to complete work, then going their separate ways. Even the Clover Office temporarily closed.
They released a clear signal: regarding suppression operations against catastrophe remnants, we're serious.
One stone stirred up a thousand waves. For those who generally paid attention to Salvation Church actions and even hoped they'd intervene, it was destined to disappoint. The Magical Girls who had always remained aloof didn't plan to get involved, or rather, the original society had deeply hurt the organization, causing them to harbor vigilance.
Anyway, the "worldly transcendence" persona was maintained.
Through Elsa's mouthpiece, Hibiscus expressed her genuinely uninterested attitude—whether you believe it or not, I'm slipping away.
Of course, before leaving, she didn't forget to release goodwill through Winter Company, clearly stating that her side at least had no interest in interfering with the rcenary Alliance—returning Pasha's favor.
Both sides negotiated pleasantly. Even without interest exchange, when business fails, benevolence remains—not being enemies was enough.
rcenary leadership was satisfied. Though they once hoped to win over the Church, they knew their own business—mutual suspicion was inevitable. Since they wouldn't run to the military side, that was good enough for rcenaries to focus on dealing with officials.
They didn't notice that at the sa ti, Five-Color Narcissus Company also announced suspending market business expansion to enter a dormant period, adding a trace of tranquility to the world.
To increase credibility, Elsa even later announced the general action range.
Then the Clover team left through Edo's teleportation array. Thus all Salvation Church Magical Girls assembled on Hermit Island, targeting the distant Arctic Circle for the second ti.
Gentle breeze, calm seas—a good day for sailing.
Hibiscus and Anri Sakagami on the highlands together stabilized the island's gliding, with ti and space magic ensuring precise guidance.
Splash!
Surging tides represented the island moving at 30 knots, parting vast amounts of seawater. Fortunately, they sought secluded routes or the commotion would definitely be huge. anwhile, the outer edges were filled with clouds and fog to conceal from view. Even if they passed fishing boats along the way, the other party wouldn't think an island was hidden inside.
Tis are different now. This Hermit Island voyage was slow and didn't activate spatial relic guidance acceleration.
Originally rushing urgently to the Arctic catastrophe front was because they feared the coalition would be broken through. This ti was to hunt materials while securing positions early—not so urgent, should give the situation so ferntation ti.
At this mont, the radio beside Hibiscus broadcast news:
"According to reports, Arctic defenses express support for Managent Bureau operations, promising to provide all military supply support."
"According to insiders, the rcenary Alliance is issuing invitations to United Forces through extensive connections, claiming so generals have already responded, though this ssage remains unverified."
"An Antarctic research fleet suffered accidental sinking, with witnesses claiming evidence of combat..."
Quite lively!
With intelligence channels from all sides, Hibiscus naturally understood the ins and outs. Compared to surface confrontation, both sides were constantly poaching, with individualism prevailing.
Many couldn't see an end to fighting Disaster Beasts, so might as well treat it as business and simply join the rcenary camp to make money together.
The Managent Bureau's announced suppression operation actually secretly fanned the flas, once again confirming the narrative that "Magical Girls prefer actively striking Disaster Beasts"—implying no intention to intervene. I'm going to cool off in the Arctic, you can make whatever fuss you want just don't involve us. Whether they believed it or not, as long as soone was willing to think with "the Church doesn't participate" as a premise, both sides could mind their own business.
Hibiscus no longer paid attention to these mouthpiece platitudes.
She asked: "Anri, you're traveling far again. What did your family say?"
"Actually they were quite satisfied after getting the company employnt notification. I revealed my activities, and everyone felt much more at ease after learning about Managent Bureau matters."
Magical Girl Rose once again marveled at the convenience of causality magic. Just getting connected to Elsa caused favorability to skyrocket, imdiately removing all suspicion and no longer questioning the child's independent behavior.
"So you connected yourself, the Managent Bureau, and the company?"
"Sorry, I also let it slip montarily, but my family is very tight-lipped and definitely won't leak anything."
"Don't worry, I'm not blaming anyone. The talk of leaks is outdated—as the situation develops, we can't hide anymore." Hibiscus spoke frankly: "Sooner or later, the disguise between company and Managent Bureau will be revealed, so we need to manage the new institution well."
"I understand, Senior."
After going through so much, Anri Sakagami had matured considerably, increasingly having the temperant to stand on her own. She had developed so judgnt about her seniors' decisions.
"Let's talk about sothing else. How's your magic progress?"
Hearing this, Magical Girl Rose smiled proudly. Her slender jade fingers traced a thin mbrane in the air—soft and elastic like jelly, but actually a deford state of Rainbow Fortress. It also ant the user's hair ornant Regalia had developed to a new stage—telekinesis.
She got inspiration from the battle with Butterfly Orchid. Since the opponent could pull magic power to cause barrier changes, why couldn't she actively do it? Indeed, magic had evolved sowhat.
Two of the three elents were settled. What remained was just familiarizing and solidifying foundations, then naturally entering the Seedling Stage Magical Girl—so-called thick accumulation leading to breakthrough. Especially under various seniors' leadership, progress could be called rapid.
"You're doing very well."
Hibiscus praised sincerely. Worthy of being the third Managent Bureau director in the original work—her potential was definitely qualified, just lacking experience.
Just then, magic power content in the air suddenly increased. Every magic creature felt physically and ntally comfortable—this was energy tides and Disaster Beast fluctuations from the Arctic fallen zone.
Though still far from the Bering Strait, seasonal winds had already carried vast magic power in greeting.
The beach imdiately beca lively. Jin Yulu blew her whistle to assemble—as instructor, she naturally wouldn't miss this excellent opportunity. She shouted: "Prepare to intercept Disaster Beasts, especially newcors watch carefully. After fighting Disaster Beasts, we'll fight you as exercises—"
Seeing this, Anri Sakagami cast an inquiring look. Hibiscus beside her nodded. "Don't worry, I can calibrate the course alone."
"I'll perform well."
She imdiately entered full transformation state and flew directly away from the highlands.
Jin Yulu's words were actually also reminding Hibiscus. The island's outer magic barrier under the island master's control actively let through so Disaster Beasts. Clouds and fog temporarily ceased, cool wind blew, carrying fierce roars. Newly joined first awakening mbers could just observe. Those above that level joined the battlefield. For safety, adding Nan Zhiyi's domain projection to circle out an area, eliminating slightly stronger Disaster Beasts and leaving only experience packs for juniors.
Simply breaking it down and feeding it mouth-to-mouth. But it should be this way for rapid progress—much better than the original work's lack of systematic training causing massive casualties.
Though the thod was primitive "veterans leading newcors," effectiveness was what mattered. Currently manageable.
The Disaster Beasts Hibiscus let in were similarly weak, at most vanguard level, about the sa as Triple Awakening or slightly stronger. Under full group assault, they posed no problem. According to correspondence, vanguards were actually slightly stronger than Triple Awakening, with Boss Disaster Beasts almost touching Seedling Stage.
Unfortunately, there were too many exceptions.
Strongest series magic and T1 tier magic were obviously much stronger than sa level, almost invincible. For example, when the 4-person squad cooperated against bosses, they slaughtered wildly—after all, the galactic warship team could strike wherever pointed.
Switch to ordinary Magical Girls like Detective, Imitator, Encyclopedia—don't expect magic help, relying entirely on Origin and Regalia.
So combat power and life level weren't linked. Be careful of misjudgnt.
Among Magical Girls, the gap between talented and diocre was too large. Not everyone beca powerful through magic—more relied on the other two elents for support.
Similarly, among Disaster Beasts existed vanguard, boss, high-tier types, as well as ordinary species, special species, catastrophe-affiliated classifications. Even specialized scholars couldn't accurately categorize them, since they might change through devouring at any mont. So at most letting in vanguard level.
Splash!
Stephanie launched jade-green Healing Rain, representing the start of battle. But in Hibiscus's eyes, this elental magic had much larger range than before with doubled effects.
"How did everyone suddenly get stronger? Really a case of seeing soone with new eyes after three days apart."
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