Fallen Zone Core Circle Base No. 1 military port.
Clear skies, pleasant sunshine, sea breeze carrying bursts of fragrance drifting from Hermit Island.
People ca and went between the two strongholds, exchanging large quantities of supplies including military equipnt, since they'd hastily docked with quite a few things before. Now the Salvation Church needed to travel light, while the expeditionary fleet also consolidated forces—the brief stay was ending.
They completed work while chatting and laughing, especially Magical Girls using various colorful thods to move shipping containers, drawing frequent praise and expanding horizons.
Though the escort period was just a few days, both sides counted as comrades-in-arms, a rare sense of relaxation in the crisis-filled Fallen Zone.
Thanks to Salvation Church.
Setting aside the previous encounter battle, the reason no Disaster Beasts disturbed them during base repairs was largely due to the Magical Girls' deterrence—otherwise there would probably be wave after wave of harassnt with unpredictable consequences. Precisely because the Church was a super reliable ally, they were even more precious and hard to part with.
On the base embanknt, leisurely Hibiscus and Josh stood side by side, from this direction perfectly positioned to gaze at the horizon wreathed in black clouds.
The Fallen Zone depths didn't welco the weak. Dense, almost substantial magic power wrapped in massive infection factors that even Black Jar's neutralizing virus could barely shake. Only magic creatures could pass safely—awakened Magical Girls, Holy Relics, and such. The threshold was quite high. Moreover, according to intelligence, even the water inside was deadly—ten thousand killing opportunities, every move fatal.
"...So your organization really plans to et those guys?"
"Yes."
"You have your considerations. I won't say unnecessary words, but so classified matters should probably be ntioned now." Josh said quietly: "We've sent over a thousand people to the Fallen Zone depths. Without exception, all disappeared without trace. Now thinking of so many intelligent Disaster Beasts, they probably extracted intelligence from captives."
Hibiscus showed no surprise or sighs, continuing to listen attentively:
"To be honest, in the 5 years after the Pacific islands completely fell, we occasionally received ssages like drift bottles—not contact, but we knew so situations..."
"Human settlents once existed in the Fallen Zone depths, eking out survival. So Disaster Beasts even maintained mutual non-interference, like livestock farming—you understand. But for so reason one day they were driven toward the Fallen Zone center, and sporadic drift ssages ended there."
"Your Excellency, I must remind you that high-tier Disaster Beasts probably understand humans well. This isn't a war with completely unequal information."
Finally Josh sighed.
ntioning compatriots surviving in the Fallen Zone stirred guilt.
Too much ti wasted initially led to increasingly worse results. Wave after wave of complications created today's situation—as military personnel, she bore unavoidable responsibility.
"Rember those high-tier Disaster Beasts' speech and behavior? Simple mory reading abilities couldn't achieve that. They should have genuinely witnessed human life, or at least have mories of living among them." Hibiscus shrugged. "I don't deny it's quite scary, but precisely because of this, investigation is necessary."
Speaking, she glanced at Hermit Island floating quietly on the sea. Despite its imposing magnificence, it was actually grounded.
No fuel.
To fully activate spatial teleportation next ti required at least one complete high-tier Disaster Beast corpse—probably ordinary ones wouldn't suffice, best to sacrifice a hegemon. Easier said than done?
"Though your organization is definitely going for another or several objectives, I won't stop you—no position to prevent it either. But please rember, we'll guard the Fallen Zone depths' infection-sparse areas, ready to respond anyti."
"Don't worry, I'll report safety if things go smoothly."
Facing Josh's sincerity, Hibiscus responded likewise. Anyway, the military would continuously reinforce around the base—support was just a gesture.
Even if not necessarily useful, it didn't prevent her from showing goodwill. The two looked at each other montarily, then smiled. Pleasant mood—despite just ending fierce battle, they couldn't help clenching fists with boiling blood.
Their journey fighting side by side would conclude. Though brief contact, it wasn't the first ti. Unexpectedly, the connection from Island 24's strategy battle continued until now—such honor.
"By the way, does the Fallen Zone's magic situation represent the world's future?"
"Many people guessed it. I have nothing to hide—yes."
"So we're actually guarding a world destined for massive sacrifices? Just one link in this great evolutionary history?"
"The process matters most."
Hibiscus couldn't see more distant things, and Josh wouldn't ask. Actually they both understood that reaching this point, whether wavering mattered little—no one could flee mid-battle. To put it bluntly, they just needed soone to give affirmative answers as support. After brief exchanges, they waved goodbye, each returning to duties. After all, being in the South Pacific Fallen Zone, they dared not relax for a mont.
anwhile, Hermit Island and the base completed handover.
When the last warship entered the berth, soldiers couldn't help applauding amid cheers. At least they completed missions while staying alive—extrely fortunate, even stronger than many colleagues performing other tasks. The hardest part was over; the rest relied on garrison work.
"Long live the Church!"
"Wish you great military fortune."
"Rember to say sothing when you return."
Many among them reluctantly waved goodbye, clearly understanding future hardships. The base would receive follow-up reinforcents later, but the Fallen Zone always had enemies watching like tigers. Comparatively, the Magical Girls faced more arduous tasks. Actually quite a few weren't optimistic, since everyone knew no one who went to the Fallen Zone depths ever returned—they could only send blessings.
The silver-haired girl walking down the embanknt about to return to Hermit Island suddenly stopped. Ahead stood a woman with black and white heterochromatic eyes—clearly she had sothing to say and had waited long.
"...Miss Hyacinth, my Regalia na is Kale, summoning magic, Soul Possessor holder."
"Thank you for your honesty. Our future cooperation should be more convenient."
Hibiscus sincerely nodded. Even understanding basic information through intelligence didn't an personal revelation had no value—this symbolized trust.
"To be honest, I believe your organization has moral conscience and sufficient strength, more importantly long-term vision. You're the necessary path for dealing with future world variables. After all, Magical Girls care more about magic revival progress than ordinary people, and you're already considering it. Right?"
"Of course."
"I won't ntion pretentious nonsense. In any case, if you have any difficulties, please speak up. Though I'm quite cowardly, with this Pharmacist body I dare go anywhere."
Kale solemnly made support promises.
"I'll rember that. See you then, and wish you smooth sailing too." Saying this, Hibiscus waved and left.
Hermit Island's beachhead bustled with activity. eting Hibiscus's eyes were supply containers—Josh's generous gesture of simply giving excess resources to allies as gratitude.
Anyway, Base No. 1 had established contact with the rear, backed by the entire Pacific Theater with continuous logistics supply. Instead, Salvation Church needed them more.
Unable to refuse such kindness, Nan Zhiyi as general manager had to accept.
Don't take what's offered for free.
At this mont she was directing Magical Girls using various thods to move containers weighing dozens of tons each, sending them one by one to bunker warehouses. After repeated battles, everyone understood that high-tier Disaster Beasts loved big scenes and wide-area attacks—bottles and jars needed proper handling.
"How is it, Hibiscus? Those military people didn't make things difficult, did they?" She unconsciously smoothed her hair to avoid dust.
"Everything went smoothly—they can handle it themselves. Plus I got new intelligence: human settlents once existed in the Fallen Zone, and scouting forces also entered over the years, totaling over ten thousand people. They might have beco information sources for intelligent Disaster Beasts... putting it nicely. Actually there should be no survivors, and it ans Disaster Beasts possess considerable intelligence."
Hearing this, Neru's expression darkened as she bit her lip.
"Don't worry, Water Lily. Maybe so people were trapped, or Disaster Beasts spared them." Jin Ruochu comforted. "There might still be survivors."
"No, if any exist they're likely alienated beings twisted by Disaster Beasts. Better to put them out of misery."
As a person from a fallen nation, Neru solemnly replied, even like pleading.
Everyone mostly understood. Since Disaster Beasts could be tad, couldn't humans be kept as livestock? This deduction was ntioned in Hudson Bay Test Center materials, because they actually observed similar phenona in so small Fallen Zones—not groundless.
The Magical Girl Organization inheriting massive research center data naturally thought of this, but tacitly didn't ntion it because those humans shared common characteristics:
Physical contamination to the point of mutation.
Hibiscus changed topics: "Let's not discuss that. Everyone should know one operational objective is rescuing Magical Girl Tulip. Any opinions? Opposition or support? Speak up now."
However, everyone looked at each other without replying. After a mont Jin Yulu added:
"Don't feel pressure. Seeking opinions is part of organizational legitimacy. If opposition is majority, we'll enter as special operations."
Salvation Church already possessed 6 Growth Stage Magical Girls, completely capable of dividing ace combat power. If combined with suitable magic coordination, perhaps required costs would be lower. So collective voting essentially decided specific action routes, since plans without majority support were aningless.
Suddenly Ruan Manyue raised her hand, timidly asking: "Do seniors think we'll be burdens?"
"Absolutely not." Hibiscus answered seriously: "In combat, the more diverse magic types around you, the more strategic value. Just existing there has aning."
She promptly took out thick draft papers, handing them to Jin Yulu with instructions: "Above are magic coordination plans—focus training on them from now on."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then let's continue voting."
Facing such solemn occasions, the Magical Girls didn't dare slack off. After discussion, voices gradually clarified. Thanks to the Church's current expedition personnel being rely 800, collective democratic decision-making was easy. Half an hour later, they reached conclusions:
Everyone raised right hands showing agreent—the answer was obvious.
Anri Sakagami explained: "My reason is simple—I was rescued, so I should rescue others. Speaking broadly, this righteousness is Salvation Church's deepest foundation. If we violate it, my conscience won't rest, and it would damage everyone's judgnt facing similar events in future."
"Even if we do nothing, Disaster Beasts will co for us anyway. We should launch full decapitation operations to damage hegemons." Miyuki gave hard-line explanations.
"Magic loss of control can make communication environnts around the Fallen Zone harsh? Quite exaggerated—I want to see for myself." Zoe looked curious.
The strongest elental type, naturally interested after hearing.
Half of the 8 strongest magics gathered in one organization—how could that not bring satisfaction? From seniors' daily strength displays, even the sa realm would show gaps due to magic quality, displaying dominant-level performance. Unconsciously everyone developed collecting hobbies, hoping more talented people would join. After all, when the organizational family grew stronger, everyone shared the glory—how could they not care about personal interests?
Setting aside benefit calculations, emotion was also important. Did helping people need piles of reasons? Not Church-like at all.
They cleanly completed voting rounds—unanimous agreent. At this point, nothing to shrink from. Entering Fallen Zone depths was decided from the start.
"Good, I love this kind of decision—just like pre-boss battle mobilization." Always excitent-loving Jin Ruochu was most thrilled.
"Depart—"
Hibiscus unhesitatingly gave orders. Since making judgnts, no room for regret. Imdiate departure, racing against ti. Every delay equaled letting Disaster Beasts sharpen knives in preparation—wouldn't that be walking into a trap?
Taking advantage of war damaging high-tier Disaster Beasts' strength to charge in with full force was appropriate.
Almost as her thoughts moved, Hermit Island's operating formations rumbled loudly, driving the massive object to slowly turn around.
Though spatial teleportation consud greatly, that belonged to squeezing the relic Thousand-Li Viewing Mirror's power—what relation to island control formations? Therefore when Hibiscus controlled with full power, it still provided so propulsion, thus becoming transportation. Under the base's opposite shore's widespread attention, Hermit Island actually forcibly changed direction, activating over 30-knot speed. Giant waves roared, the sea surface rolled and surged like storms—heading to Fallen Zone depths in such high-profile manner was crazy enough.
Not only that, Tropical Cold Current and Mountain Building Movent magics assisted—the forr providing high-speed sea routes, the latter clearing reefs along the way to open shipping lanes.
"Goodbye."
Hibiscus looked back with parting words, then steered with full power.
Suddenly a teor rose from Base No. 1, entering high altitude to explode with bang after bang. Circle after circle of energy spread ripples, clearly eliminating persistent electromagnetic interference, even making many signal devices buzz back to life. Obviously from so relic or special technology—finally cleared.
Facts proved New Allied Forces still retained so incredible thods, worthy of their foundation.
"I couldn't stand days without signals anymore. Now at least we can listen to broadcasts." Jin Ruochu's sigh represented everyone's feelings.
"...There's another reason—Pseudo Magnetic Field power weakening." Gazing at the distance, Hibiscus sighed. "Let's listen to outside news first."
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