Washington, New Allied Forces Staff Headquarters building had shadowy figures constantly moving furniture.
From the upstairs reception hall's floor-to-ceiling windows, Elsa saw everyone bustling about. This place would soon beco a brand new Anti-Disaster Beast combat center, destined to lead a magnificent period of history. As for who was stronger or weaker, only ti would tell—her mission was rely getting a share.
She stared at Bull's reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window, holding the "three-article agreent" docunt Hibiscus had ntioned, nodding.
Emotional reactions were also positive.
"...Sorry, Miss Elsa, our sluggish efficiency kept you waiting so long. Above all, we fully agree to your organization's requirents and will establish Magical Girl related information databases to coordinate with you all."
"I'm honored. Of course, authority must be handed to us."
"Speaking of which, you should dislike information exposure, right? Why allow database establishnt?"
"Future Magical Girl awakenings will inevitably be under great attention, hard to hide. Might as well discuss in advance." She suddenly turned cold: "Moreover, any misuse will face Church pursuit capabilities, even destructive attacks along information transmission chains. You've witnessed this, right?"
Both smiled to ease awkwardness.
Honestly, this long tug-of-war negotiation wasn't pleasant. rcenaries had been openly and secretly delaying, then hit opposition attacks completely interrupting procedures.
Result: causality magic had to intervene to help stabilize situations.
If not for their recent joint combat, Elsa's style would definitely question their control then severely extort additional compensation. But she now knew Church ambitions were vast—too lazy for petty gains. Seeing her attitude, Bull was unwilling but had to admit rcenary Alliance's scale absorbing military easily caused indigestion, even now suffering malnutrition.
"Since we've reached this point, I'll give you accumulated Magical Girl materials." He handed over a file folder.
"Quite a lot."
"We've always investigated and collected intelligence, just didn't take further action due to Church. Next depends whether you're willing to recruit."
"Then advance thanks." Elsa secretly sighed—worthy of official investigation.
"Incidentally tell you: so Magical Girls are forming associations themselves. Though small-scale far inferior to you, clues indicate hidden yet powerful experts exist."
"Mm, thanks for reminding—no need to worry."
She'd consulted organization leader about similar problems. According to Hibiscus's planning, current resource base wasn't enough to absorb all Magical Girls—might as well allow so autonomous groups replacing ruling power vacuums. Many official factions were watching—don't show overly aggressive ambitions to control everything.
If the Church eagerly monopolized all Magical Girls, it would definitely cause suspicion, disadvantageous for developnt. Even Bull's current reminder counted as digging pits.
Regarding controlling hearts and preventing calculations, Senior Hyacinth was first-class with maxed defense, not making mistakes.
Bull initiated new topics: "Heard that famous Five-Color Narcissus Company is close with Administration? Won't hide from you—we originally valued their signature product too, pity too many beat us to it."
"Everyone can completely cooperate and win-win. I never eat alone."
Elsa maintained short sentences throughout, basically not revealing attitudes while giving cold feelings.
Really troubleso.
This guy seed to ramble east and west but actually never left key probing points, constantly observing her reactions—almost instinctive subconscious behavior.
Hard to call it malicious—so overly sensitive politicians just liked beating around bushes, actually watching your performance to judge.
She vaguely felt pressure from the old fox. The more she faced off with Bull, the more she felt peer Hibiscus pressuring him to contain gold content. That definitely wasn't achievable through prophetic information gaps alone. If idiots claid prophet status, it'd be laughable instead. Key was Boss Mu, who'd been through bloody battlefields and mixed with various gangs—she'd seen all types from rogues to show-offs to decent people, easily handling re neurotics.
"Director, don't be so distant."
Bull quickly corrected: "I'm not criticizing the Administration for stealing Five-Color Narcissus Company connections, but hoping you participate in computer engineering developnt."
"So you an letting magical power help them complete faster?" Elsa understood.
"Your organization should have received news—actually Pacific war zone isn't going smoothly. We need more new equipnt, especially communication technology. The developing computer engineering fits well."
"Coincidentally, I happen to be eting their people."
"I've conveyed the ssage. Seems you have arrangents—won't disturb then."
Bull indicated the conversation's end, then had Sid chat casually with Magical Girl Chrysanthemum while seeing her off, returning after a while.
Only confidants remained in the office, finally allowing sighs of relief. Actually, how could they not feel pressure? Not ntioning Administration backed by the rising Salvation Church, just Elsa's record wasn't simple. Ask how many died in Justice Departnt lawsuits? Indirectly or directly dying from various shootings, gas poisoning, marsh gas explosions, car accidents—claiming no fear was lying.
You had no evidence proving connections, yet everyone knew while unable to prosecute. Dignified Magical Girl Chrysanthemum remained safe and active on world stages.
"What did the President probe?"
"How could he? She's not one of those ntally weak idiots—clever and firm, no flaws. Insufficient experience can be supplented with caution. Seems Hyacinth understands cultivating juniors well."
"Plus Senator Miller's contributions. As I know, he gave much guidance," Sid said quietly: "And he once opposed rcenaries."
"This business uses opposition as ans, power as purpose. Being allies now doesn't matter. I know you're reminding about fickle politicians, but we can't afford any enemies—whether upcoming recapture of occupied zones or slightly longer-term uninvited guests... Are you certain?"
"Prophecy Books have made deductions—fairies will indeed descend in future, accompanied by evil among them."
"Previous era legendary things appearing one by one."
Bull felt very wronged.
Military pressure forced him to counterattack then sit in today's position, but upon taking over found landmines everywhere—simply sitting on exploding toilets.
Sid's attitude was positive: "Salvation Church is much more active than before—either strength increased or ideology changed. Regardless, better than fighting separately. We can mobilize more forces than predecessors."
"I accept your comfort. Now ti for next eting with General Josh."
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
Los Angeles.
Five-Color Narcissus Technology Company new product launch site.
As Chairman, after finishing publicity rounds, Hibiscus hurried backstage. After all, it wasn't suitable showing her face too much—rather departnt manager Jin Ruochu, who often brushed presence, was more appropriate. Just give her a stage, and actually the female lead had full field control ability.
She swept away usual unlucky aura, sky-blue custom suit highlighting capable style, pearl jewelry decorating neck—overall simple yet graceful.
Besides Elsa, Jin Ruochu was sufficiently upper-class and relatively familiar in circles—none other than her.
"Let hear your applause, your cheers—not for this company, but welcoming the new intelligent era—"
"Long live!!!"
Clamorous voices responded to her encouragent. After Hibiscus's opening introduction, atmosphere reached fever pitch. Everyone had to admire such epoch-making products. History chose Five-Color Narcissus Company—honor belonged to this mont. Destiny's gears would be pushed by such young people as everyone shared brilliant honor together. Cheers continued, thunderous applause.
dia celebrated even more—so-called smartphones, new communication technology, operating systems, computing power iterations were all major tech events.
Facts proved optimistic social expert Jin Ruochu indeed controlled it well.
Having supervised production throughout while cramming howork, she vividly described series of new products. Only she knew that last year she'd probably freeze up helplessly. Following Dr. Mu and Church training created progress.
Current is incomparably moved.
Getting excited, Jin Ruochu made victory gestures toward VIP seats then laughed loudly. Flashes and shutters recorded this mont—sufficient for magazine covers.
Below, Hibiscus nodded in response—one encouraging look gave her surging power, super doubled.
anwhile, accompanying Xiang Yunyao reported: "Currently we've conquered various encoding translation, touchscreen sensors, network protocols and other difficulties. Next generation is also planned—should quickly catch up with senior's described materials. Though still difficult, everyone has leads."
"Good then—maintain progress without rushing. Everything's difficult at the start. We've taken the most crucial step—take it slowly from here."
"Why not anxious anymore?"
"You must leave ti for market enclosure, cultivating users, creating closed-loop ecosystems centered on us, building high walls and raising prices... Anyway, organization spending increases—must plan early."
"I see—senior is already a qualified big capitalist."
Hibiscus smiled without speaking. Don't look at surface wealth—actually little money spent on herself. Currently large funds were invested in Administration base construction. Plus R&D and reproduction burned more money—expansion was the only path.
Though netizens didn't ntion what to do after lighting tech trees, increased knowledge and accumulated experience gave her clear planning:
Monopoly.
Perhaps difficult under today's relatively strict legal and mature anti-monopoly backgrounds, but that was insufficient cleverness. For example, current specific dicines basically belonged to monopoly operations.
New infections' rampage made Changfeng Group withdraw from vertical segnts, even handing over resources.
Hibiscus had to be worthy of Jin Changfeng's blood-selling investnt. Moreover, Salvation Church's step-by-step growth needed money everywhere. Playing financial gas was one thing, but it didn't an imrsing in them. Real productivity counted as influence. Later, Magical Girl Organizations would definitely co forward—better lay power territory foundations beforehand to avoid trouble. Even with few mbers and insufficient scale, preparing first didn't hurt.
She then briefly explained operating system internal markets, introducing developers, engineering software concepts to Xiang Yunyao.
Magical Girl minds caught on imdiately.
Technique abilities seed to have lower average floors, but everything required suitable teaching thods. Trash was just misused resources—let alone magic miracles. Xiang Yunyao-led technique magic girls research group specializing in technology was advancing triumphantly.
"...I understand—senior ans also developing various software targeting segnted professional fields, making it essential for governnt and enterprises?"
"Far from just that—think how to move gaming consoles up? Entertainnt stimulates consumption."
"Your vision seems certain about future sothing."
Hibiscus shook her head: "For great figures, seeing through slightly longer-term developnt isn't difficult. What determines our gaps is whether we can realize it. Prophecy isn't miraculous—you can treat it as morale boosting. Fundantally depends on our own hands."
"Senior, hasn't anyone told you your thinking patterns are very positive, really like religious leaders?" Xiang Yunyao joked.
Reassuring.
Magical Girl Hyacinth appeared to outsiders as overwhelming through strength alone, but organization internal mbers knew senior's greatest charm was always pointing directions firmly, serving as backbone anyti. Moreover, adaptability, judgnt, and strategic planning couldn't be explained by prophecy—specific tactical execution often required Hibiscus's oversight.
Otherwise those cunning old foxes would have stripped Church's mysterious veils clean long ago.
Just as the two conversed, suddenly Elsa appeared at neighboring VIP seats, sitting down and carefully smoothing dress pleats, beaming as she waved greetings.
"All settled—probed several tis but everything went smoothly."
"I never expected him to yield easily, even felt final monts would beat around bushes. But without destroying the reputation completely."
"No next ti."
Elsa reported everything in detail, explaining the rcenary Alliance would gradually transfer this intelligence system plus large amounts of funding and authority. Also including her eting with father and Miller's evaluations.
These conversations used shielding techniques for protection plus magical power transmission—safe enough.
Hearing this, Hibiscus's eyes lit up admiringly: "I've never t Party Whip yet he gives such high affirmation? Flattered. Must assign his daughter more important tasks."
"Anyway, I understand scheming with President Bull isn't ordinary people's work—too exhausting."
"No matter—after this press conference, inspect a bit more then return. On others' territory is ultimately inconvenient, hiding and concealing."
Besides this, Hibiscus received many system-related suggestions and rewards—scattered bits about power managent. Plus she'd promised various think tanks reports. Today's accumulated materials needed good organizing. Civil scenes required technical polishing to avoid boredom...
Before finishing, stage Jin Ruochu had ended demonstrations.
An epoch-making technological progress grand event was just beginning.
Hibiscus thought she'd psychologically prepared for this packaged tech product sale's impact, but popularity still exceeded imagination.
After the press conference, the venue auditorium remained packed like festival celebrations, seamlessly connecting banquets becoming perfect interpretations of fa and fortune scenes. Needless to say, another round of lively socializing with non-stop wine glasses and business smiles making faces cramp.
Really tiring.
She finally realized this was all aftermath from Magical Girls climbing tech trees: one leap after another left people dazzled—one move was comprehensive mastery.
Almost could say Five-Color Narcissus's novelties completed "production-study-research" closed loops upon release.
Nominally employed large numbers of mathematicians, computer engineers, technicians, etc., but those without core secret access weren't very clear either. Actually, research group leader Xiang Yunyao's theoretical knowledge was insufficient, but with technique magic she was like CNC machine tools—hand-making chips wouldn't be difficult given ti. Of course, having her handle professional discussions would probably be half-empty bottles clanking, giving impressions of absolutely once-in-a-century intuitive genius.
The party involved was quite embarrassed with rare shy blushing expressions. Fortunately Jin Ruochu helped smooth things over—this cented tech nerd stereotypes.
Hibiscus knew this evaluation was accurate.
Original storyline rarely depicted Xiang Yunyao, but the character belonged to "Administration research group mbers," producing many strange technologies. Later even laser cannons, intelligent robots, liquid tals, miniaturized energy sources appeared—unlimited potential, once providing massive equipnt.
Pity by then it'd entered god-level fighting stages where powerful Magical Girl forces often had surface-level output. The world was too chaotic with nowhere to shine—also regrettable.
If these forces were used for construction, they'd be enough for world leaps and bounds.
But now the Church was already doing this—only unified, strong Magical Girl Organizations could achieve it.
Just as Hibiscus silently pondered, more and more people toasted with even flattering words.
"Hello, heard your company's next generation products will also focus on electronic communications. Though we're just precision component suppliers, we're confident about quality..."
"I manage a private fund—interested in hearing about financial products? Even customizable if willing."
"Make friends..."
Fortunately, Hibiscus had long seen such scenes without being intimidated. Unlike slightly nervous Xiang Yunyao and other researchers, she handled it smoothly while mixing faces for future relationship facilitation.
Five-Color Narcissus Company was now a hot commodity.
But it had never had listing plans, leaving many unable to participate in shares, scratching their heads anxiously. So they desperately curried favor, beating around the bush about listing intentions. Unfortunately, this young boss played tai chi defensively, watertight with strict lips. Because she simply had no plans—rather than worrying about whether to go public, better to complete technical breakthroughs first. Hibiscus wasn't interested in capital gas.
How could they just probe for intelligence while she got nothing in return? After casual chatting, she steered topics toward the new rcenary Alliance, indeed catching so hearsay:
"Boss Mu, have you heard? Not just Pacific war zones—even North Atlantic Fallen Zone Disaster Beasts are very active."
"Weren't they always relatively well-behaved? Only made big troubles before catastrophe onset."
"This blas the research center. During chaotic fighting with the Church, so modified Disaster Beasts actually leaked through ocean currents into Fallen Zones, stirring up storms with continuous fishing boat attack cases."
"A bunch of idiots."
Hearing this, Hibiscus didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Successfully suppressing the research center but causing accident spillover—fortunately further news said Disaster Beast riots were contained.
"Overall, new allied forces' thinking is creating results against the largest Pacific Fallen Zone first."
"Right, President Bull already talked with General Josh."
"You're all too optimistic. I'm not hopeful at all. After Holy Relic civil war, how much strength do they have left? Hey, not being beaten by Disaster Beasts would be thankful."
"You clearly have insufficient intelligence. Actually considerable numbers of ancient Holy Relics never acted, plus predictions say magical revival will intensify these days, possibly causing Disaster Beast attack events. Then public opinion will force them to mobilize—so allied forces are reacting early. Otherwise they'd definitely embarrass themselves later..."
Hibiscus didn’t press further, but she understood: New officials’ “three fires”—what did coup victors need most?
Establishing authority.
Disaster Beasts happened to hit gun muzzles. Regardless of Bull's ruthlessness, large-scale military action was definitely needed. Perhaps he gained various war zone support through this—anyway, for garrison forces, having battles to fight was fine. Military-industrial complexes were often practical.
On the other hand, active Disaster Beast auras would also cause massive Magical Girl awakenings.
Salvation Church's current scale was sowhat awkward—neither strong enough to stir winds and rains creating order, nor weak enough to be unable to shake situations. Everything was sowhat related to you...
"Don't look so bitter—co have a drink."
Jin Ruochu, who'd been shoulder-to-shoulder with juniors, raised her glass invitingly. Her watery face showed slight blush with flirtatious eyes. She patted Hibiscus's shoulder while filling her wine glass.
"You're drunk."
Logically, Magical Girl constitutions couldn't get drunk, so this implied Fortune and Misfortune price effects—be careful.
Jin Ruochu giggled confusedly: "Right, there is so price, but won't just be tipsy levels. Maybe sothing big is coming. I have premonitions—one thing going smoothly often ans what follows won't be good—cough cough!"
"Great contributors should rest well. Xiang Yunyao, take her to hotel rooms."
Just as Hibiscus spoke, several guests tilted back and collapsed, dead drunk and unable to be carried. Everyone was respectable people yet drunk like this? Probably alcohol was judged by causality magic as harmful toxins to the master, using damage transfer to randomly select lucky audience mbers. Now there was another drunk while Jin Ruochu rubbed her eyes, slightly perking up.
Even if the party involved clamored about drinking more, couldn't stay long—better quit while ahead. Moreover, Hibiscus had long tired of flattering banquet atmospheres.
Woo—
Suddenly Disaster Beast alarms echoed across the sky.
People who'd been drinking and toasting first froze then panicked greatly—after all, they were right in Los Angeles on the west coast, a proper coastal city and first attack target.
anwhile, oppressive aura belonging to powerful Disaster Beasts swept over—sudden weather changes with rolling thunder. The banquet hall imdiately beca chaotic with crowds pushing, trampling, even fires. Originally well-dressed people beca panicked, crawling and rolling.
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