"Right. Managent Bureau signals those Magical Girls who've already joined or been forced to join other organizations."
Hibiscus answered Elsa's question.
Admittedly, the Church was obviously developing toward governance, but currently essentially remained an institution, an enterprise. You couldn't expect all industry employees to co to one company, right? Even the original work actually had various Magical Girl Organizations taking turns on stage—unifying mountains and rivers wasn't easy.
One institution's appeal was quite limited unless the Church issued "sovereignty claims" saying they wanted to establish a nation, only then having legal basis to unite all compatriots.
But that would be suicidal—definitely becoming everyone's target, absolutely brain-damaged.
So far, Hibiscus's managent thinking remained within enterprise fraworks. Mutual poaching, job-hopping, even resignation were completely acceptable, while the Church should beco the organization best at retaining people—the destination of all choices.
"I understand."
"Never be too forceful. Give choices rather than grab people. Magical Girls willing to join will find the Managent Bureau themselves."
Elsa asked seriously: "Boss, are we making talent reserves for so future? Will you beco Your Excellency, Your Lordship and such?"
The title change stirred Hibiscus's heart. In her holand's context, only major figures like senators deserved being called Your Excellency—even originally everyone struggled whether to use Your Highness, Your Majesty when addressing Washington, finally choosing Your Excellency or General. People couldn't lack ambition. Elsa, willing to serve loyally, gazed at a grand prospect, protecting Magical Girls while surpassing her father politically.
So she could either establish independent factions during turbulent tis or unhesitatingly bet everything on the Church when things clarified.
"Yes. Magic enrichnt is inevitable. Even without our promotion, people will still die, survivors converting to magic talent holders, more Magical Girls erging... The Church will be elevated to history-making heights, or eternally infamous."
"Both count as good news to ."
"That's not sothing philanthropist celebrities could say," Hibiscus smiled lightly.
Elsa said aningfully: "Isn't there a saying? Let the world rember for ten thousand years."
"Current stage, step by step is fine. Our era actually hasn't co yet—might as well leave it to Holy Relics."
World order transformations always needed forerunners before kings. Those firing first shots wouldn't necessarily harvest final victory fruits. Anyway, Magical Girls could afford waiting. Besides, descending fairies were also worth utilizing.
Persuasion to advance?
I advise you not to rush. The Church must make crucial moves at crucial monts.
Elsa understood the sa logic, hearing this made her more convinced of the boss. The more they worked together, the more she experienced Magical Girl Hyacinth's stability, maturity, and strategy. History always chose soone to complete missions—nothing heroically narrative about it, but mission achievent upper limits depended on leaders themselves. In her view, Hibiscus was an enlightened ruler capable of pioneering order.
"Speaking of Holy Relics, I heard news that many military-affiliated people were actually poached by rcenary companies, with lots of ard friction in the process."
"Normal."
"Military hardliners are discussing activating a cursed item from the Relic Treasury. Very little information about it, but the chanism should be similar to mine and Senior Manjusaka's—able to remotely kill many people through so special connection."
"Releasing news is also a form of deterrence."
Hibiscus had heard of this thing. Previously netizens ntioned it in passing using code nas, and she didn't need to bear Knowledge Poison by asking.
Having Fortune and Misfortune, Love and Hate trump cards already, let them play with re cursed relics. Besides, that thing could only launch attacks against non-magic-power strong individuals.
"That relic easily causes indiscriminate killing, spreading through rcenary company targets. So we might get implicated."
Elsa always maintained cooperation with Winter Company—definitely facing attacks. She'd naturally be fine, but what if sothing happened? Anyway, so military people were too extre, completely disregarding rules—obviously both sides' conflicts reached new heights.
Truly crazy.
"Also, the judgnt about deliberately releasing news isn't necessarily correct. There's word that Central Arica just unearthed a relic combining divination positioning and powerful strikes. Such secret weapons should be hidden, right? But sohow it leaked—like a sieve."
Elsa, once inclined toward official positions, felt frustrated by iron not becoming steel.
Hibiscus pursued: "This relic type wins through first-strike surprise victory, so intelligence is crucial. Could the responsible officer be betraying?"
"Impossible. General Dorothy has always firmly supported General Croft, and she's mainly responsible for fallen zone affairs, unfamiliar with excavation work. Should be grassroots infiltration. Thinking back, having a major figure parachute in to command should've suppressed local interest groups, but unfortunately she's not skilled at politics. Good results finally erged but wind leaked again. Regardless, clearly the military had to use treasury deterrence."
"If it were before, I wouldn't care, but the infection battle was too dangerous. When necessary, the Church must intervene."
"I understand."
Elsa just needed to provide information for Hibiscus's attention—no need for more words. Excellent superiors would judge themselves; too much chatter might ss things up.
Next she reported on North Pole battle aftermath.
Coalition forces had good news here—driven weak Disaster Beasts heading south were thoroughly taught lessons by various bases, easily picking up scraps. However, they did reciprocate, such as giving Managent Bureau operations full convenience.
Another matter: so-called "Island 24.5" related files declassified, with officials acknowledging Church sovereignty over Hermit Island.
This handling defined an important pre-epoch site as fallen zone island, so naturally recoverers could occupy it. This matter was settled.
Tacit understanding forever.
Hearing this, Hibiscus laughed it off. Though long past caring about so-called recognition, considering its changes was indeed interesting. Behind-the-scenes promoters released goodwill, increasingly favorable toward the Church.
She'd always developed organizations step-by-step yet was interpreted as tily assistance—whatever.
Besides this, Elsa brought another ssage: recent Antarctic expedition "accidents" reportedly involved Disaster Beast attacks with Magical Girl rescue.
Too many elents combined. Everyone knew so-called expeditions were rcenary Alliance minions seeking relic treasuries, making noise attracting Disaster Beasts, then getting Magical Girl help. So you're also eyeing the treasury? The ice-cold continent was unexpectedly lively.
North and South Poles competing for liveliness.
Curious, Hibiscus asked: "Any word on that Magical Girl's characteristics?"
"The other party didn't display much ability, just so strange events." Narrator Elsa also looked puzzled. "This person stayed overnight on the ship. A patrolling person curiously looked and found the bed empty, instead a huge villa graffiti on the wall. Dayti returned to normal."
"I guess so illusion-concealing magic, possibly rumors with embellishnt. After all, Magical Girls never lack various wonders—quite reasonable."
Elsa wasn't curious about Antarctic affairs. Episodes from expeditions weren't worth ntioning.
But hearing this, Hibiscus beca interested: "Very interesting ability display. If it were , I wouldn't need illusion effects that leave deep impressions on people. So the wall painting should be magical chanism application, and this person doing this in strange environnts must be highly skilled and bold."
"Rumors aren't credible. What patrolling person just looking? Clearly rcenary people had bad intentions, probably wanting to kidnap her while sleeping."
"So they might have had friction."
Elsa changed topics: "Antarctic liveliness precisely proves rcenary Alliance actually fears Relic Treasury. Military deterrence works, but this institution leans independent—wouldn't casually activate dangerous relics. If it were , I'd make big publicity while actually misdirecting, attacking treasury costs too much. Might as well create smokescreens covering other matters."
"Probably news soon. Have your Managent Bureau pay attention too, test those rcenary companies—they probably hide so Magical Girls."
"Your Excellency, do I need to arrange so hatred curses to intensify their infighting?"
Sudden suggestions were cold yet fitting Church positions. As political creature, Director Chrysanthemum made a keen judgnt.
Hibiscus was tempted.
Current stage suited using small force for great effect. If military and rcenaries tore apart and fought, definitely creating larger windows. But speaking of it, was the Church weak enough to need strategic buffer periods? No need to let things escalate over this.
Long-standing stability made her consider additional interests.
Now both sides faced off tensely, forced to tacitly accept Salvation Church remaining outside. But couldn't rule out contingency plans targeting themselves. Once Magical Girls imdiately intervened, very likely triggering situations. Don't think causality magic left no traces—opponents should have reverse-tracking thods.
"We'll wade through muddy waters eventually, but not now. Before complete fighting breaks out, the Church takes no asures. Just do defensive work to avoid involvent."
Hibiscus resisted temptation. To forge iron, one must be strong. Whenever wanting to ddle in trouble, ask yourself: are you tough enough?
The Church was still too tender.
Elsa replied: "If so, I'll have the Managent Bureau reduce activities. Magical Girls willing to join us should find us themselves—easier than the Church. Let's wait and see."
"Be careful yourself too. If staying outside, watch for those with ulterior motives."
"No, I plan to train more on Glacier Island, striving to break through to the Growth Stage earlier or at least better master magic."
"That's even better. Find anyti if needed."
After thanking, Elsa hurriedly left, always appearing busy, running around for various matters without showing fatigue. The entire Church Leadership had this atmosphere—so might suspect Hibiscus had so miraculous morale-boosting ability.
She didn't plan to idle either. After all, the recent series of intelligence was very important. Though the Church wouldn't interfere, corresponding preparations were needed, otherwise suffering heavy losses just the sa.
Hibiscus called Dandelion.
"Let's slightly withdraw funds, especially ensuring healthy cash flow or we'll collapse when facing risks. From current looks, chaos will continue for a while. Panic isn't good for economics."
"You're right. Major market indices are all falling, everyone's under pressure."
"...Then there shouldn't be anything worth noting. Anyway, temporarily unrelated to the Church. Maintain training."
"Speaking of which, didn't you forget sothing?" At this, Dandelion smiled teasingly: "We started school. Dormitory registration, attendance rosters, campus cards—all need updating, plus miscellaneous new sester activities... Yesterday even Manjusaka returned to her diocre university to submit materials. Ningfeng Harbor University District is similar."
Hibiscus imdiately was dumbfounded, instinctively glancing at the ice and snow outside, then wryly smiling while patting her forehead. What to see—this was the Arctic, couldn't feel spring.
Trouble—not even showing a proper reporting attitude wasn't good.
"Don't worry, I handled things. Congratulations on entering first year second sester, Student Hibiscus."
"Thanks, sa to you."
Suddenly Dandelion tossed a carp pendant—lying in her palm slightly cool, should be plastic material, with Political Science and Law University emblem on back. Though crude workmanship, it had sentint—remarkably one of Hibiscus's few connections to alma mater.
"Gift souvenir, limited quantity. I queued 2 hours to get it."
"One word from you could reserve a bunch, right?"
"Detours themselves have aning. What lingers isn't footsteps but mories there."
Dandelion girl smiled, tossing her pendant while sighing: "Tell , how many relationships in the world can accompany from childhood through entire cold window studies into careers? Fate alone can't explain it. For , this counts as real magic."
"......"
Hibiscus often wondered why in the original work, the steward miss and Ti Priestess could smoothly join the Church imdiately upon reunion. Didn't you consider more?
Actually she considered too much but couldn't overco regret. Clearly lifelong companions—why should one college entrance exam scatter everyone to distant places? Back then, with dead parents and disabilities, Dandelion was even more lancholy. When eting childhood friends in foreign lands, how could she not feel destiny's call?
Don't explain to what you're doing—please let join.
Long separation viewed as sharing joys and sorrows after hardships, longevity viewed as accompanint despite fate's twists... Two different worldlines yet sa sentint. Fundantally, Dandelion interpreted it as bonds.
Hibiscus couldn't help grasping her hand, making the latter slightly freeze at this sudden gesture, face reddening.
Wait, it was just holding hands.
"Let's go out for a walk. The sun rarely ca out for a few minutes."
Hearing this, Dandelion discovered clear skies with snow paused.
Noisy sounds from the training ground direction slightly quieted. Even Jin Yulu carefully withdrew her transformation to avoid blocking vision. World Serpent sweeping across horizons added dreamlike colors.
Arctic winter gave impressions of cold, but the coldest season had passed after all. Moreover, for Magical Girls it was nothing. They could cross oceans to co here—so good, having magic—so good, being able to continue accompanying important people—even better. At this mont, accompanying Hibiscus out, Dandelion felt sunlight on her face, warmth flowing throughout her body, gathering in her heart with endless ripples, magnificent snow scenery filling her vision.
Their feet crunched on coastlines—unclear if gravel or snowflakes.
Distant floating ice had a polar bear lying with two cubs that stayed close beside her. Both sides made eye contact, causing this mother to yawn with a lazy atmosphere.
Winter was ending, and the Disaster Beasts had quieted too.
Dandelion smiled: "People often say every step from the pole leads toward ho, eventually arriving. Now with the Church so large, it still feels like every step is brand new. I'm very uneasy. Student Hibiscus, thankfully you're always steering."
"That feeling isn't wrong. Magical Girls have keen minds and we're at the storm's center—actually everyone's the sa."
"I've always been the hardworking type, not caring about talent, but your magical performance proves people can indeed show amazing talent suited to their environnt. You're not like Manjusaka or Elsa with scholarly family backgrounds, actually using conventional knowledge to solve supernatural problems. You're different—you adapt like soone born in a magical world."
"Is that so?"
Hibiscus knew it was probably thanks to accepting various information from netizens, not even limited to Magic Girl of Light. Seeing much naturally made one calm and composed.
"I always worry about trivial matters, while you invest so deeply you forgot the opening ceremony. I dare say no one in the world is prepared to enter a brand new supernatural era—you're already ard and ready."
"Forgetting school registration can be interpreted this way? I'll reluctantly accept it."
Dandelion suddenly gripped the silver-haired girl's fingers hard, making her pretend to wince and submit, then she rolled her eyes.
"You go ahead and stay busy. If there's nothing to do, just howork. I'll bring you the textbooks I picked up later."
With that, the girl strode toward the residential area—apparently deliberately making a scene to find an exit excuse. Her heart was beating too fast, hoping for a mont's peace.
Hibiscus also returned to the office.
She summoned Manjusaka, who was responsible for North Arican new markets, calling her back temporarily. Don't worry about that side for now—just honestly develop themselves. Now the Salvation Church wasn't as cash-strapped as before. Especially with the Managent Bureau coming to the surface, many businesses could be conducted openly, only earning more. So peripheral worldly influence managent could slow down. At this mont, she had a sense of approaching storms.
Not a sense—news was already fabricating "certain rcenary company under investigation," "reconsidering Holy Relic treaty feasibility," and such.
Indeed a bunch who treated words like farts. The Church was right not to agree to similar Holy Relic treaties.
In other words, when the biggest legacy "privileges" from the last civil war began being challenged and questioned, it ant collapse of ritual and music. Even official dia held such tones—showing conflict spillover.
Perhaps there was information she'd overlooked so far, and Growth Stage Magical Girls should be able to withstand stronger Knowledge Poison.
When in doubt, ask netizens.
Hibiscus locked herself in the office, edited the Ice Flower battle, then uploaded it. Since promising to report safety, definitely couldn't wait too long—punctuality was virtue.
The video included the entire Salvation Church Arctic journey, naturally covering training battles, even uniquely recording so daily small activities. Ending with that Ice Flower battle, guaranteed full special effects and substance throughout, over 30 minutes duration. This ti more like diary format rather than big scene highlight reel, ensuring quantity and satisfaction for everyone's enjoynt.
Now Hibiscus understood—soone would always produce good edits, each mountain higher than the last. Her amateur three-legged cat skills needn't embarrass herself.
So Hyacinth's account just provided raw materials, trusting people's talents. Moreover, the system would help correct flaws—remaining footage might hide clues. Like last ti learning about nuclear submarines from Aurora battle, this ti used in Ice Flower war, future might even target strategic nuclear submarines, dismantling their nuclear weapons.
She wasn't rushing to ask questions—deliver first, treating it as repaying everyone's advice.
【What docuntary-level image quality, so many wide angles plus overhead shots, actually all live filming. Host, did you really take a trip to the Arctic?】
【From star positions, this should be winter half-year polar night—too rigorous, this is called excellence】
【Co back quickly, afraid you'll freeze】
【Where I live, yearly minimum minus 10 degrees is unbearable, yet you ran to the Arctic in winter, when there's no sun at all—absolute adventurer】
The video comprehensively covered from Bering Strait to North Pole, every segnt exquisite and clear, even occasionally featuring polar bears adding charming touches.
Using voyage log format presented different seascape changes, plus Disaster Beast elents—truly substantial.
Strong visual contrast between Hermit Island and Arctic Circle scenery touched hearts deeply, as if experiencing polar scenery together.
【Another major production after catastrophe war, I call it 'Arctic Chapter 2' with consistent high quality. This ti all large-scale group battles, unlike the Aurora duel which was one-on-one decapitation operations】
【Our Church directly slaughtered through fallen zones—tell , are Disaster Beasts afraid?】
【Wait, did we miss several updates? How did everyone break through? Are your Church founders level-up linked?】
【Originally strongest magic holders would represent highest advancent levels. In the original work, Manjusaka always lagged one or two levels because she didn't accept herself and remained suspicious of causality magic, so strength couldn't keep up with first tier. Later recalling her true heart led to soaring progress. Moreover, Magical Girl power's cutting edge was basically among Imperial Flower, Ti Priestess, Anemone, and Peony】
【To so degree, all strongest magic owners being first tier, other T0s sotis keeping up, sotis falling behind—this was specially depicted】
【So-called strongest was never just because everyone discussed it, but also had special status given by plot】
【Hyacinth being first is fine】
【Combat power doesn't matter, I only care about relationship developnt. Feel like the most magnificent scene throughout was Magical Girl Dandelion's star track magic—quite moving. Hyacinth is blessed】
【Ice Flower: So nobody cares about , right?】
Hibiscus smiled watching everyone's discussions. Indeed, Dandelion's gift style was experience itself—the feelings she brought were precious.
But letting chatter continue wasn't good either. Perfect ti to ask about those concerning matters.
User Comments
0 comments from readers