Expecting Disaster Beasts not to cause trouble was pure fantasy.
After hearing military news, Salvation Church Magical Girls felt pressure—all channels confird Fallen Zone changes.
However, Hibiscus seed to have anticipated this, saying casually: "Don't forget they ate nuclear firecrackers inside, not to ntion magical power revival accelerating—our strengthening proves this point. Is there no good news?"
"Of course there is." Elsa continued gesturing at the map to explain: "The military has already cleared New Zealand coasts and constructed new forward positions. Specifically, look..."
She handed everyone a thick stack of reports—precisely military internal staff news.
"I also have channels."
Yeta, who had recovered for a while, excitedly brought over an antenna television, then her arc-filled palm slapped hard. The screen flickered but truly showed images. Facts proved that though old, reliable performance was also important—military and consur goods were two different concepts. For the current Salvation Church, dia tools capable of receiving outside news under magical enhancent were definitely military supplies.
Of course, besides this, submarine optical cables safeguarding networks were also being laid—signals would be more reliable in the future.
"You did excellently." Hibiscus praised generously.
Magical Girl Edelweiss was not only the first attack speed buffer but possessed various auxiliary abilities thanks to lightning attributes—the more modern, the more useful. No wonder netizens said so attributes guaranteed T1 just by having them, and once used correctly, counted as human rights cards.
Since that was the case, they read reports while combining television and radio information. After all, official tone and stance were themselves kinds of intelligence:
"Salvation Church provided detailed Fallen Zone intelligence to New Allied Forces, possessing extrely high strategic value. Chairman Bull directly stated "completely opened the situation" and expressed gratitude for this organization's contributions"
Very sensible.
Old cooperation partners renewing bonds was quite comfortable—you understood operating interpersonal relationships.
rcenary Group leadership almost entirely praised the Church's contributions, after all they'd genuinely helped greatly, providing Fallen Zone strategies without courtesy.
Otherwise unimaginable how many lives would need to be filled in to exchange for this precious information—incalculable.
Of course, publicity resources weren't given freely. The reason for promoting Magical Girl Organizations was incidentally boosting morale. Both creating "world's first supernatural association support" legitimacy and expressing "our allies are strong" subtext—ultimately still building their own confidence.
People's previous jaw-dropping impressions of the Church's powerful combat records now beca halos, full of security, practically carried along.
Naturally, morale was indeed very important.
Hibiscus understood Bull's well-intentioned operations stemd from various purposes, but she welcod them. Good reputation was free—it often brought invisible benefits.
For example, Magical Girl Narcissus trio had long admired their reputation, naturally trusting the Church and Managent Bureau with good basic favorability. Therefore, they actively helped and smoothly beca mbers. Previously, without official endorsent, it would definitely be troubleso.
News continued: "New Allied Forces 250,000 troops stationed at New Zealand frontlines"
"Staff etings indicated that considering varying infection disease concentrations across regions, attack focus would be placed on South Pacific"
"Reliable intelligence shows Salvation Church serving as vanguard for this operation, having departed ahead of military forces. According to route calculations, most likely already entered core zone edges..."
dia had considerable credibility describing general progress—after all, this wasn't a human civil war. Even publishing plans openly mattered little. Currently, New Allied Forces perford adequately, completing long-standing clearance of Disaster Beasts surrounding New Zealand's North and South Islands. Incidentally ntioning Five-Color Narcissus special dicine's remarkable effects—battlefields were the best testing, their evaluation was simply:
Miraculous cure.
Thanks to it, military forces drove straight in almost ignoring infection disease, also purifying New Zealand coasts eroded for years.
As for command itself, shared intelligence was more detailed than the dia.
Hibiscus opened the briefing. Though a few pages, information was sufficient—absolutely large quantities.
So far, they'd paid 320 casualty costs to develop 600,000 square kiloters, annihilating 2 large-scale Disaster Beast clusters.
From any angle, this counted as victory, but from report tone, the situation wasn't good—opponents were too durable, ammunition consumption becoming astronomical. Material costs might be set aside, but human lives mattered. Current trends suggested future evolution into situations requiring massive sacrifices for each step forward.
Prospects weren't optimistic.
"......Did we help so much yet they still complain about difficulties? Try being vanguard if you dare."
After reading the report, Jin Yulu couldn't help complaining. Though everyone understood Instructor Miss was always strict with others and triply strict with herself, military advance obstruction was indeed unexpected—originally thought they could punch straight through to core zones.
Current obstacles were massive forces stunned by Disaster Beasts' intricate pressure networks—vanguards and leaders ford another kind of defense line.
"I say just use nuclear bombs to clear the way." Nan Zhiyi's words were shocking: "Previously not doing so was lacking maps, unable to precisely call strikes. Now it's different."
"Right, the illustrated guide wrote Disaster Beast residential areas clearly." Jin Ruochu agreed.
"You all haven't experienced grassroots soldiers' Anti-Disaster Beast combat. I lived in such situations—fighting gradually seed to return to WWI-era human wave tactics. Can't evolve like that, otherwise recapture war equals losing half, more disappointing our investnt."
"Wait."
Hibiscus suddenly interrupted everyone's discussion.
"Speaking of large-scale destructive weapons, why must it be nuclear bombs? Those things are uncontrollable and spread radiation, while we have better choices. Rember?"
Before finishing, the silver-haired girl waved her hand. The ground first raised a mirror surface, then floated a thermos-like pitch-black object filled with ominous aura. Black substantialized magical power continuously revealed its terrible nature. Don't look at it lying obediently in Magical Girl Hyacinth's palm now—actually it only obeyed this strongest one. Other tis, appearance ant creating slaughter.
The world's unique viral effect—even in the expert-filled Relic Treasury, it counted as notoriously infamous, national treasure level: Black Jar.
The simple na seed to carry people's fear, attempting to conceal that terrifying power, lest they rember how much killing it caused when excavated in Egypt 100 years ago—like hell.
Magical Girls looked wary yet admired the Church Leader daring to think this way.
"I believe Bull shared difficulties with us because he's thinking of solutions. So let's return. Destination: New Zealand temporary command center."
......
Kunlun Mountains.
Besides the cultural status called "ancestor of ten thousand mountains," when truly witnessing the 2500-kiloter mountain range, one couldn't help feeling small—heaven and earth vast, green mountains bearing snow. This super terrain stretching from Pamir Plateau west to Qaidam River east influenced the Eurasian plate, distant views of cloud seas wrapped in wind and snow.
Ordinary aircraft couldn't reach it, so Colonel Li Yingge and Katrin coming to receive ancient Holy Relics chose simpler thods:
Without borrowing any transportation, directly forcing through.
A great roc with over 8-ter wingspan shuttled through cloud seas, feathers frozen by ice then rapidly lting. The damp feeling made the uniford girl sniffle and sneeze.
Even top fusion warriors reacted sowhat—after all, the world's third pole wasn't built for nothing.
The roc below made sounds: "Are you alright? Too hard?"
"Fine, not hard at all. In comparison, Miss Katrin rushing here from Winter Company's Los Angeles branch was more troubleso—long journeys are most tiring."
"Yeah, having to help President Pasha share official duties while bringing along Mr. Gallup's new manager—truly exhausting. Compared to trivial matters, I prefer field work like now—quite nice, like tourism."
As soone with transformation-type relics, she disliked repetitive fixed life—novelty enabled progress.
Going out was refreshing.
Both chatted and smiled, actually tacitly understanding one thing: contacting ancient Holy Relics was best with rcenaries present. After all, command systems had changed—notification needed, at least face-to-face coordination to confirm situations. Otherwise, like Snow Maiden who didn't understand regulations and human relations or deliberately ignored them when eting Pharaoh—improper, easily causing disturbances.
They arrived together at Kunlun's west side, following Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's altitude while feeling strong airflow turbulence, wind howling constantly.
Magnificent golden areas rivaling catastrophe war regions—at this mont, overlooking from clouds showed mountains upon mountains, andering and twisting. Li Yingge took out a compass—as expected, it malfunctioned. So magical power was interfering.
Even birds wouldn't fly over this area. If there were passers-by, they were either enemies or friends.
Katrin couldn't help shaking ice from her wings: "Transformation state can't last much longer. How do we et later? I wasn't told."
"I was only ordered to reach designated areas."
"Troubleso."
Ancient Holy Relics possessed nation-destroying level destructive power—definitely strategic weapons. During usual sleep, they were relatively fragile. Rather than defending, better to simply hide. So awakening them often required series of complex confirmation procedures. This protected both sleeping ones and visitors.
According to researchers' conclusions, current world magical power revival levels couldn't support large numbers of high-tier Holy Relics active—honestly sleep.
"Sorry, Colonel, I need to rest briefly."
"Conserving strength is also part of your mission. We can observe on the ground too."
Then the roc dove down to a mountaintop, trying to land gently yet still causing snow to surge and roll with rocks, nearly triggering avalanches. Perennial snow zones moved everything—making one wonder why sleep here specifically?
Whatever, people had unusual quirks. Your strength showed in others having to tolerate you, even investing resources for projects in wilderness.
"The scenery changed!" Li Yingge suddenly realized: "Doesn't match mountain range distribution we saw from above."
Only now did she pat her forehead with realization. The above instructions to reach here ant clues were obvious—nearly missed due to lazy flying. But even so, quite profound—required magical talent and mature training to discover traces. At this mont, Li Yingge compared maps and completely understood.
"It's Illusionist's work."
"Heard of her—like Witch, possessing relatively comprehensive synthetic technique abilities. More like cultivation than relic nature."
"Seems rcenary companies investigated quite thoroughly."
"Overstated—we just heard rumors plus inherited so materials."
Li Yingge sighed: "Less than a year—Salvation Church, catastrophic Disaster Beasts, Holy Relic civil war. Wonder how much the Pharmacist accepts? Will she be angry?"
Suddenly, a figure flickered ahead, finally revealing a woman in white snow combat gear. She smiled and waved, introducing herself: "I'm Illusionist, responsible for guarding Pharmacists to ensure undisturbed sleep ditation. Also, she won't mind power struggles' small matters."
The ancient Holy Relic's transcendent attitude was expressed through the white-clothed woman.
Then they exchanged pleasantries before being led deep into mountains under their host's guidance. Unexpectedly, as altitude rapidly decreased and vegetation increased, there was even lush feeling.
Vegetation zones changed dramatically with altitude—every hundred ters brought different climates, quite amazing.
"Few regions can do this through natural environnt alone, so I used so magical power."
"So there really are places in the world with different climates every few steps?" Katrin looked around curiously: "That's truly magical."
The group chatted while walking down from towering steep mountain slopes. Scenery constantly changed, and monitoring base shadows gradually erged from clouds—actually building clusters existed here, benefiting from remoteness to conduct relic and Knowledge Poison research.
Mountain foot.
Illusionist pointed ahead at a small house: "We should awaken the Pharmacist now."
She led Li Yingge and Katrin inside, suddenly opening up—buildings were just surface camouflage. Actually, before them spread flower fields... no, various strange herbs with fragrant air. Reportedly from plant-type Disaster Beast corpses, burial sites producing countless precious herbs, though accompanied by infection disease—antidote and poison coexisting, only one person could suppress the latter.
In the flower field center sat a black-haired woman in plain clothes, ditating motionless. Herb vines crawled over her body like wearing outer garnts.
Knowledge Poison!
Witnessing this posture instantly made all three feel headaches, even nosebleeds. This represented Knowledge Poison infection constantly surrounding, both self-protection and controlling relic erosion.
"Speaking of which, how exactly do we awaken her?" Katrin asked: "Attack?"
Li Yingge cast similarly curious gazes.
"Don't look defenseless—even missile bombardnt leveling everything here wouldn't harm the superior." Illusionist murmured: "She said she'd actively awaken when necessary, troubling no one."
However, Pharmacist showed no signs of waking intention.
Three exchanged glances, stunned. Actually, they all thought others possessed awakening ans but kept hiding them. Now good—turns out none of you had any. Everyone stood in the herb field center, unable to fathom how this ancient Holy Relic would self-return.
Li Yingge suggested: "Our talking is loud enough to wake soone. Otherwise, use magical power to pat her body?"
Illusionist shook her head.
"The superior possesses a relic nad Container—the body itself, capable of containing excessive magical power amounts. Years of accumulation are extrely terrifying, with protective barriers unbreakable. Contact is useless. Moreover, sleep is at the ntal level—she's currently equivalent to an independent consciousness relic, quite special. Can't speculate from human or any biological perspective."
"......Actually, many researchers suspect whether the superior counts as a Holy Relic or sothing else. Only Knowledge Poison's signature dispelled doubts."
After this explanation, Li Yingge and Katrin felt confused, thinking it was indeed strange.
First impressions made Pharmacist feel full of discord.
Like a Buddha statue—seemingly human yet not, perfect bone structure, outstanding temperant, yet felt no connection to the world. Very distant, that powerful magical power separated too much distance—mysterious and unfathomable.
"Another figure indistinguishable between relic and body, similar to my superior." Katrin murmured.
Crack.
Suddenly bone-popping sounds accompanied the black-haired woman slowly rising. Only then did they notice loose, robe-like clothing. She moved without warning with chanical-like discomfort that quickly normalized.
Finally, Pharmacist opened her eyes—black and white yin-yang pupils. Along with that smile brought trendous pressure, as if targeted by high-tier Disaster Beasts.
"Don't be nervous. I just slept long and am not adapted to magical power restraint." Before finishing, the invisible aura suddenly dispersed.
"Superior, you awakened so simply?"
"Don't make seem like a sluggard. Actually, I continuously read surrounding emotions like dreaming, then naturally awakened when necessary."
Easier said than done. Seeing this, three laughed awkwardly. Collecting wide-area information involving ntal realms represented ridiculously strong magical power—higher than rumors suggested. This added confidence to the South Pacific war.
Since reaching this point, Li Yingge and Katrin imdiately introduced themselves and explained their purpose.
Trying to briefly describe current situations—too much happened this year, so they picked key points.
Originally quite nervous since hosts always displayed unfathomable authority, but gradually discovered Pharmacist was a rare listener—never interrupting, answering everything, occasionally extrapolating. Quite like intimate friends, making people feel refreshed.
"......So this is the current situation. We hope you, responsible for the Pacific Theater, can support command." Li Yingge carefully asked: "Is it convenient?"
"Yes."
"That simple?"
"Otherwise? Duty-bound. I promised before sleeping to definitely act when necessary. You all inexplicably think ancient Holy Relics are taboo. Ultimately, everyone strives for one cause—whether Bull or Croft, the important thing is the big picture. They're also clever—fighting without breaking, at least not causing too serious losses. Otherwise, it would be very disappointing.". I promised before sleeping to definitely act when necessary. You all inexplicably think ancient Holy Relics are taboo. Ultimately, everyone strives for one cause—whether Bull or Croft, the important thing is the big picture. They're also clever—fighting without breaking, at least not causing too serious losses. Otherwise, it would be very disappointing."
Pharmacist's evaluation carried subtle sharpness—obviously if things displeased her, she wouldn't mind acting.
Hearing implications, several smiled without delving deeper. Everyone knew this figure was formidable even among ancient Holy Relics—originally famous for pharmaceutical thods, later participating in several large Disaster Beast cluster siege activities with brilliant records full of crushing dominance. Thanks to her guarding the Pacific, they withstood Disaster Beasts.
Today's relatively stable pattern owed her contribution.
Moreover, she'd never fought at full strength—combat processes were always relaxed and easy, hiding too many thods. A person full of mysteries.
One thing everyone rembered but deliberately forgot: Pharmacist had no past.
Half a century ago, when recently invaded Disaster Beasts continued ravaging everyone to distraction, she appeared from nowhere to pacify one side, power delimiting peaceful seas.
In a sense, the first purely supernatural force establishing regional patterns.
This involved more than fists—more importantly, ans of balancing interests with all parties, very similar to what Magical Girl Hyacinth did today. Such active people would naturally be investigated. Major intelligence agencies continuously examined Pharmacist, pointing to one answer:
Blank.
Suddenly appearing, suddenly rising, finally using lightning speed to build power barriers, blocking further investigation.
Half the Western Pacific Theater's intricate relationships involved Pharmacist—how to investigate?
Command urgently awakened her not just wanting anchor-level force but more importantly, this veteran represented legitimacy endorsent, enabling fuller mobilization of Pacific Theater strength. Otherwise, many wouldn't submit to or trust Chairman Bull. Of course, sa during Croft's period. In short, South Pacific campaigns couldn't work without any support.
Li Yingge and Katrin, having received missions, were quite anxious, thinking they'd be made difficult. Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
"But before leaving, I want to show you sothing."
Pharmacist led three to this base's monitoring station center. Several white-coated researchers greeted them before leaving. Finally, they reached a sealed chamber containing an ancient bamboo scroll.
The terrifying pollution hit them head-on, making two outsiders extrely wary. Obviously not daring to think carefully, yet minds forcibly twisted, unrecognizably uttering that na:
"Oracle Book?"
"Right. It's always been separately kept from Prophecy Book—that half in Relic Treasury for misdirection, this volu existing inconspicuously under my guardianship. Of course, storage thods aren't the point—key is that as one of the top relics, pollution is weakening."
This statent made Li Yingge and Katrin exchange glances, thinking: You call this weakening?
Whatever, she'd been monitoring continuously so definitely no mistake. In a sense, even good news—but what did it represent specifically?
Pharmacist explained the truth word by word:
"As you see, it's not pollution decreasing but world strength rising, increasingly accommodating their full potential. In other words, magical power revival processes are rapidly improving. I suspect you know the source too—Fallen Zones. If this process is too fast without adaptation opportunities, many people will die."
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