Watching everyone's fun comnts, Hibiscus felt embarrassed instead. Family knew family affairs—throughout she'd been mysterious maintaining deterrence, avoiding having pretenses punctured to reveal few people and lacking elites.
Fortunately she'd initially seized initiative establishing "ancient mysterious organization" setting, so current concealnt wasn't strange—otherwise would've burst the balloon long ago.
The Chairman was smart, definitely had suspicions, just unnecessary to ntion.
【One thing I don't understand: why was Red Cedar Company so willing to easily hand over people with such volu】
【Just understand it as job-hopping】
【Things must connect. First, this worldline Church advertised extensively letting everyone understand controlling magic power to strengthen, so spaceti twins beca more troubleso, originally unrestrained. Moreover, Hyacinth raising this point equaled alliance dialogue prerequisites. Sid wisely displayed initiative, avoiding embarrassnt of leader Bull reminding himself, conversely gaining favor—otherwise why bring him along?】
【Damn, are we watching the sa work? Your interpretation I completely couldn't think of】
【Those who understand, understand】
【According to OP, the Chairman faced interception arriving, so military strike intensity is strong with determination. Showed more intelligence than original work, but unknown if convertible to combat power】
Hibiscus deeply agreed. From current intelligence, military clearly held advantages—at least news reported over 24 large military contractors sealed, more bases taken over.
Without determination might now worry about betting on wrong sides, but conversely, rcenaries having advantages would make the Church worthless.
Sending charcoal in snow beat adding flowers to brocade.
Ten thousand steps back, even if betting investnt failed didn't matter. At worst she'd go all-out fiercely deterring the military back to negotiation tables, because if you could hurt others, they'd willingly talk and possibly "recruit" using unified front value for settlent.
Salvation Church didn't bet on advantage sides—winning earned more, losing could still raise prices.
Hibiscus reached this thought and shared her understanding with netizens, asking if it was feasible. After all, she alone decided requiring broad input and absorption—next steps were crucial.
【Correct】
【Done for, cute White Hyacinth daily receiving your suggestions finally corrupted, directly calculating both rcenaries and military】
【This is called learning wisdom, don't be like Ti Priestess daily collecting protection fees】
【Before war, better arrange Glacier Island sowhat as backup. What? Already started? Why so fast movents—how rich are you?】
【Church in prosperous tis—what's wrong with so construction?】
【@Hyacinth, currently Bull's told plan indeed matches original work's general flow—he didn't lie about this. But then both important target suppressions suffered heavy losses, especially in Antarctica. Research center's stockpiled Disaster Beast armies are quite strong—a major early dungeon, more needing group suppression than treasury, otherwise letting infection spread again would be unthinkable】
【Original rcenary Alliance suffered big losses here, causing long periods of unstable foundations, giving Director Chrysanthemum opportunities to expand Managent Bureau influence】
Hibiscus's heart tightened.
She continued replying: "I plan to allocate most people and those skilled in army combat to research center."
Currently Salvation Church most lacked group combat specialists. Everyone also cultivated experience in repeated Disaster Beast training battles—equally effective against military. As for psychological pressure, none existed—Magical Girls inherently craved battle.
【Allocation indeed no problem, treasury side needs elite suppression】
【Now Church strength is sufficient, trump card Hyacinth stationed at headquarters as strategic reserve, other main forces split to handle one battlefield each suppressing targets】
This matched Hibiscus's thinking perfectly.
【I rember research center is a large dungeon map with quite detailed settings. @Hyacinth, map setting collection sent】
What appeared was sprawling buildings covering 50 square kiloters, ard to the teeth—fundantally a fortress stronghold. Surface showed no obvious ventilation, seamless and impregnable, giving solid impressions. Cubes sat on Hudson Bay sea level, facing cold winds steadfastly, snow-covered and immovable.
Hibiscus carefully observed without finding obvious breakthrough points. Must rely on Ti Slash to forcibly cut open? This battlefield needed large-scale siege specialists.
The surface appeared as an artificial island but actually hid mysteries—underground internal space probably much larger.
Setting collection showed underground parts extending in all directions with permanent fortifications, dug 600 ters deep enough to defend nuclear strikes. Direct assault definitely wouldn't work. Infiltration? Who knew what was actually inside?
Since daring to display openly, definitely had backing. Direct fierce attacks might fall into opponents' traps—unsafe.
Storm assault?
If not considering target losses, many thods existed, but ultimately the Church just needed suppression or delay—unnecessary to create slaughter and blood feuds.
Research center solidity exceeded Hibiscus's expectations but wasn't discouraging. Having this intelligence sufficed—better than going in blind. Her information already exceeded the rcenary Alliance's, and the target wasn't conquest.
She continued flipping through setting collections when suddenly seeing a Magical Girl research departnt!
"Everyone, what's this about?"
【Need you ask? If rcenaries did it, wouldn't officials secretly try too? Relatively humane】
【This makes it convenient—righteous cause. Thanks to unfortunate compatriots' contributions. Hyacinth clearly established Managent Bureau properly recruiting displaced Magical Girls, yet still won't see reason. Do our Salvation Church's words not work? You seem sowhat deserving of lesson】
【From tribal perspective, can allow so Magical Girls' spontaneous organizations to exist temporarily, but facing non-ally control behavior must teach lessons】
【No need so serious. Actually research center combat will is questionable—heavy guards avoid rather than et battle, won't fight you desperately. Besides, military main forces went striking rcenaries—they lack decent combat power】
【Bull should be finding Church work while preventing research center from going crazy releasing Disaster Beasts】
【Makes sense】
Hibiscus remained vigilant, continuing to ask about defending Holy Relics' specific abilities and special Disaster Beasts' attributes. After careful comparison she relaxed—current Church strength could handle it.
But the research center was just an appetizer—expecting civilian and research staff institutions to fight bloody battles was ridiculous.
Truly impregnable with powerful offensive capabilities was the terrifying Relic Treasury.
Hibiscus had caught wind of Relic Treasury from various intelligence channels, though further information from rcenary Alliance hadn't arrived yet, but she already knew so situations.
Most dangerous relics concentrated in the Antarctic Relic Treasury.
80% couldn't activate or had harsh conditions, couldn't maintain permanent effects, but existence itself counted as deterrence.
Remaining usable included prophecy twin books, holy dicine, disaster curses... already formidable, not to ntion so integrated relic bodies also there. Holy Relics could display full power with obvious ho advantages. Conventional firepower needn't ntion—quantity sufficient.
Hibiscus said: "Just now Bull promised maintaining contact transmitting intelligence, but I don't think rcenary Alliance can grasp much detailed information. Any hints from everyone?"
Wanting hints, not specific information.
She needn't guess that place harbored massive Knowledge Poison—unauthorized peeking definitely problematic.
【Hyacinth already figured out rules. Indeed, treasury's most troubleso aspect is permanent Knowledge Poison anti-reconnaissance, even usable for combat】
【Treasury barrier itself has virulent contamination, plus ancient Holy Relic Snow Maiden who can utilize contamination stationed, from conventional forces to nuclear bombs—a complete independent military district. Don't expect suppression. Conversely, if they forcibly break out even repeatedly strengthened Salvation Church couldn't withstand, so step back thinking about creating disturbances】
【Right, then test how many extermination attempts Magical Girls can withstand】
【Quality over quantity troops—must send experienced, maximum pressure resistance, extrely adaptable personnel. I think everyone's hearts actually have one answer】
【Magical Girl Imperial Flower】
【This ti still need World Serpent on stage, super high error tolerance, whatever various relic abilities forget about first-sight kills, no need to think chanisms—just do it. Jin Yulu ranks top in combat intelligence】
【Rember bringing Miss Beatrice, encyclopedia magic can offset so Knowledge Poison, first-class counterasure card】
【I can't imagine how refreshing this combination is】
【Surrounding Relic Treasury garrison is also formidable, sending scale forces would waste however many, better elite breakthrough delaying ti from start. Best use wheel tactics, let Jin Yulu and Beatrice squad delay longer then reserves continue】
【Must correct one point: not delay but prevent. According to timing calculations, cursed relics are nearing loss of control, later causing tens of thousands in upper society to be curse-killed】
【Haven't seen original work but must complain—good assist, simply blundering frequently】
Hibiscus frowned. By this calculation rcenary Alliance definitely already had many curse casualties, just Bull forcibly concealing.
Bitter strategy?
This way treasury side would feel ineffective and increase intensity, control loss risk rising repeatedly—victims sacrificing for relic rampage.
Ruthless enough. Now Hibiscus realized how much weight lay behind Bull's statent "including myself can be sacrificed as chips for betting"—simply desperate. For him this was rely one gaming elent—casualty numbers never mattered. Winners would gain riddled upper structures rapidly taking over everything.
Didn't match Salvation Church interests—minor disagreent here.
Magical Girl Organizations hoped for new order affinity toward themselves with certain voice—couldn't tolerate excessive losses. Relatively weaker rcenaries versus military used mutually destructive thods, but Church could be more flexible.
Hibiscus wouldn't be stupid enough to expose rcenary Alliance's bitter strategy—would act herself, like stopping Black Jar, stopping cursed relics.
Simultaneously comnts section showed an image:
Scene was prison cages with a 3-ter tall gaunt scarecrow opening bloody maws devouring Disaster Beast corpses, body covered with blood vessels filled with long nails. Matching people's impression of cursed dolls but too evil—that gorging appearance seed human yet not, adding horror. Say this thing could remotely curse? Probably could personally charge in and punch opponents to death.
Additional description: Codena: Scarecrow could curse-kill through providing target information, death presenting as poisoning or heart attacks but with ulceration.
Seed simple but actually had many vague points. What level information? Effect ti? Limited to non-magic power users.
Moreover, this thing automatically ford "you're similar types, might as well curse together" collective punishnt—more usage ant more serious, high potential risks.
Netizens called it big data roll call.
Hibiscus further reading found specific chanism sections triggered headaches—couldn't use Knowledge Poison resistance here, so she stopped observing. In glimpses saw Scarecrow possessed combat power.
So devouring Disaster Beasts was both supplentation and hunting? Treasury kept an incredible pet.
【Above all, general data sent out, but don't focus too much or might attract curses】
【Wait a mont】
【Aren't we forgetting soone: Artist Miss. I rember history posts ntioning if she infiltrated treasury might trigger disturbances early. Now with Hyacinth breaking through to Growth Stage might drive sa-level peers active, estimate big chaos coming】
【No, Relic Treasury has experts like clouds plus endless chanism kills—not one person can handle. Besides, Artist Miss can't be asured as Magical Girl】
【Anyway this doesn't affect Church plan execution】
Hibiscus picked up: "I'll try recruiting that person you ntioned, but can't spare attention now. According to current situations, treasury will definitely strengthen defenses, so might as well have attack research center first showing face, then real main target is treasury, traveling back and forth using temporary teleportation arrays."
As everyone discussed frequently, battle plans in her mind grew clearer.
【Good move of feinting east while striking west】
【Indeed, research center lacks combat power but definitely has sufficient area and hardness, ordinary siege thods ineffective】
【Not entirely right. Magical Girl Dieffenbachia's door-knocker can easily breach nuclear shelter fortifications. Main issue is current delivery efficiency too poor—opening doors one by one isn't that delivering? Still ti magic more reliable, just peel off turtle shell and rest is manageable】
【rcenary Alliance side should have movents. Don't look at Bull always ntioning life-betting—actually most deliberate. So key departnts should be infiltrated and controlled】
Hibiscus replied: "We'll maintain contact for confirmation, then update everyone with news."
When comnts closed, constantly erging suggestions were dazzling—varied, rarely seeing such long strings. But she wasn't happy because this only represented one thing:
This ultra-large operation was extrely difficult.
Hibiscus checked system's newly refreshed suggestions, as expected closely related to recent conversations:
[Suggestion "Suppress Research Center, Ensure Disaster Beasts Don't Overflow, Coordinate Tactics With rcenary Alliance" Reward: Lottery Chances ×10, Small Origin Advancent Stone Fragnt, Small Regalia Advancent Stone Fragnt]
[Suggestion "Suppress Relic Treasury, Beware Dangerous Relics And Knowledge Poison Erosion" Reward: Large Enhancent Potion ×1, 50 Free Attribute Points]
[Suggestion "Interrupt Relic Scarecrow's Skills" Reward: Small Recovery Potion ×3]
Rich rewards represented danger.
Hibiscus was never money-focused but interested in rewards while understanding their implied difficulty. Even the rcenary Alliance was cautious—she should be more wary. If the research center focused more on science, Relic Treasury was inherently designed for battle preparation—internal or external, always in tense combat readiness.
But agreed basic troop deploynts she wouldn't change. Full-load spatial relics would provide flexible confidence.
Understanding all this, Hibiscus stretched preparing to leave the office.
"Ah!"
Opening the door coincidentally bumped Manjusaka, startling her. Exactly slipping underfoot into her embrace—with Hibiscus's reaction speed naturally could support but oddly lost balance and fell backward. Pink and silver hair tangled ssily together, fragrant winds assaulting, a pair of rising and falling chests feeling different rhythms.
The atmosphere felt strange. At this mont Manjusaka couldn't tell if it was good or bad luck, couldn't help grabbing Hibiscus's clothes corner with embarrassed apologetic smile.
"Sorry, actually I'm accumulating bad luck for upcoming actions."
The pink-haired girl straightened slightly, face flashing regret and fatigue—sowhat tired.
She said: "Overseas subsidiaries I made adjustnts..."
Hibiscus waved interrupting the report.
"Not the ti now—such small matters what are they? Shouldn't you rest more? Let's change to light topics." The silver-haired girl poured Manjusaka's favorite cola. "Treat it as resting for upcoming actions."
"Just sentint. You know I just returned from university—actually settling master's thesis. This matter's finished."
"Great, congratulations Philosophy Master Manjusaka-student." Hibiscus raised her glass draining it.
Manjusaka's eyebrows curved like crescents, smiling. The originally numb enrollnt for diploma herself was actually happy at this mont. Reason was simple—companions led by Doctor Mu gave unlucky Young Miss's life completely new aning, long-missed family atmosphere. When you enjoyed bustling about, ti unknowingly flowed—suddenly another life milestone ended.
Graduation.
Ordinary people would imrse in scholarly tis, but because always accompanied by accidents Manjusaka was always alone, lacking such mories. Instead welcoming another life segnt—nothing wrong, everyone parting ways as passing travelers.
"Actually I spent effort graduating early. Anyway, nothing important—might as well escape early since donated money wasn't wasted."
"I quite care about studies—can't understand rich people's world."
Manjusaka tapped the table and pouted: "Doctor Mu, don't talk to so formally. We've long been comrades on the sa starting line."
"We should indeed get serious. This battle is different from the past—really fighting elite regular forces."
Hibiscus inevitably felt so tension, responsible not only for Magical Girls but even for opponents. Bullets have no eyes—once war starts, who knows what will happen? She had to think more.
"Don't worry."
Suddenly Manjusaka embraced her waist from behind, feeling that tassel-like silver hair's fragrance brushing her face, hoping her luck would reach all those she wished to bless.
"Thanks, but maybe now isn't ti to slack off. Should announce the plan."
As she finished, the office desk phone rang. Hibiscus answered—indeed from the rcenary Alliance. They'd secretly taken over several core institutions with Holy Relic battles occurring, both sides with wins and losses. From current status, counterattacks had begun. Military control over local battlefields was weaker than expected despite spreading wider. Additionally, only one ssage mattered to the Salvation Church: treasury location confird.
The rcenary Alliance had used so inconvenient-to-reveal "destiny relic" to anchor favorable developnts within three days—could only help this much.
Big fish surfaced—opportunity lost wouldn't return.
According to treasury secrecy principles, it would move again within 48 hours, but Bull claid "so cooperator infiltrating and sabotaging will delay another 24 hours"—three days total.
Similarly, rcenary Alliance best completed control of crucial departnts within this period. The Chairman with control-type relics would begin a global life-or-death chase—ti was the most precious ally.
Hibiscus holding the phone while signaling Manjusaka to gather etings—one hour later the entire organization mobilized.
They'd received massive intelligence from sources beyond rcenaries—now truly stormy everywhere.
News reports no longer concealed, openly presenting "so rcenary companies exhibit traitorous behavior" and "baseless accusations against military are aningless." Contradictions couldn't be reconciled. Rather than wait for war to drag Magical Girls in, better to actively join.
Going all out.
In the eting room, Hibiscus adjusted her watch to 72-hour countdown. Around her, Jin Yulu, Manjusaka, Dandelion, Elsa, Ruan Xinyue, and Ruan Manyue—seven people capable of independent command in war were assembled.
Core Triple Awakening mbers handled organizing remaining forces, selecting suitable support ability mbers to accompany, others staying behind.
Opponents were ace elites—Church must present highest specifications too.
Hibiscus said: "Additionally, research center reports they'll receive reinforcent guards on the fourth day and have begun releasing Disaster Beasts. Be careful."
Dandelion replied: "Don't worry, I'll handle coordination here."
"Mm. Early on I'll stay at Hermit Island coordinating both battlefields with temporary teleportation arrays. Probably can't help much, so leaving it to you. Research center operations can start early, Relic Treasury must ti precisely since they're most dangerous... These are detailed intelligence."
While still speaking, the silver-haired girl produced a thick stack of docunts without warning—clearly printed building blueprints.
"Distribute them, morize everything."
The Ruan sisters were dumbfounded—so prophecies were real, everyone's calm reactions definitely not the first ti. No wonder allowing newcors like them to participate—the prophet's trust represented a predetermined future.
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