Pacific Region Anti-Disaster Beast Combat Headquarters.
Walking out of the building, Josh touched the golden dal in her hand and the Major General rank on her shoulder, feeling sowhat unreal. Never thought she'd one day bask in spotlights and receive praise, even being proclaid "milestone figure in human Anti-Disaster Beast history"—exaggerated enough. Truly unpredictable world affairs.
Don't look down on Major General—actually Anti-Disaster Beast war zones used independent promotion systems. Under this structure the highest was Lieutenant General, with rit supporting General rank not yet appearing.
Everyone agreed the initial Holy Relic who organized first allied victory deserved General rank, but that ti lacked systematic military ranks anyway.
Trivial matters weren't Josh's concern—just enjoy rare leave.
"What are you spacing out here for?" Gallup, walking out of headquarters next, smiled and tossed his dal, grinning: "Mission accomplished, debt to Pasha repaid. I'm here to say goodbye."
"Both of us being alive is indeed worth celebrating. After this incident my evaluation of you rose a bit."
"Don't need to say that directly to the person..."
"So I'm reminding your company from a colleague's standpoint: casually disposing of magic talent holders damages humanity and might attract attention from that Salvation Church group. Relay to your superior General Quincy, along with my regards."
Josh couldn't warn more intelligence, only sharing her speculation.
Her mind flashed to conversations with Magical Girl Hyacinth, filling her with doubt—why couldn't their appearances be traced no matter what?
Very strange.
One person living in modern society could hardly avoid leaving traces, but the Salvation Church easily managed it.
Since the Island 24 war exposed their true faces, global intelligence agencies exhaustively investigated all related materials, determined to dig out their ancestors' eighteen generations and act quickly. Yet they found nothing—despite such heavenly beauty and special hair, eye colors not drawing attention was incredible. So how did magical girls live in ordinary society?
The only certainty was the Salvation Church's considerable influence.
Josh continued: "Magic talent holders have countless connections with magical girls. If General Quincy tries creating superhuman troops, he definitely can't avoid conflicts."
"Right, but he's never the type to listen to advice. Moreover, the plan involves too much to possibly terminate. You think how many people we've sent to laboratories? Dying doesn't matter—what matters is soone coming out to expose." Gallup sneered: "Those are that lord's original words."
"You're quite outrageous."
"Many people have no choice, becoming more obsessed facing Disaster Beasts."
"..."
"But still thanks for the reminder. Anyway, Dr. Brunhilde and I are returning ho—see you later."
"Take care."
They waved goodbye. Josh standing at headquarters entrance watched Gallup stride away—this man always full of enthusiasm and frankness. One Island 24 battle gradually restored his forr feeling, while being more reliable than before.
How other war zones fared wasn't her business anyway—when the sky falls, tall people hold it up. Humans were quite self-fighting regarding specific troop sacrifice issues.
Josh removed the military jacket, tying it at her waist while silently gazing at Edo City undergoing repairs everywhere. She was waiting for soone to talk face-to-face.
Soon four blue-robed nuns with synchronized movents and black veils walked out from revolving doors.
"Good morning, Pasha..."
Halfway through speaking she saw her colleague leading a uniford schoolgirl—at most junior high age. Though young, the mature rational atmosphere between her brows was striking—perhaps extraordinarily gifted.
"What's with that expression like priests target little boys, so nuns might target little girls?"
"Just feel minors should stay away from battlefields."
"She's the most outstanding magic talent holder I've found, even claiming care from Lady Hyacinth... Miss Minase, explain to General Josh yourself."
Even through veils, one could feel the East Continental Director's solemn attitude—quite an equal dialogue atmosphere. Seasoned rcenary leadership naturally wouldn't fully believe a junior high student's words, but necessary to sell face to that rising prominent figure.
So theoretically the process of transfer to Arica's research center was terminated, with considerable talent holders including Minase Kaori still retained.
Pasha was happy to help.
Not only because of comradeship with Hyacinth, but hoping to befriend the Salvation Church through this. Though these girls provided vague, untruthful intelligence and didn't dare use "Great mory Recovery Technique," at least it proved magical girls' attention.
Arica's headquarters, claiming vast troops and isolated between two oceans, was sowhat presumptuous. Edo was more likely directly within the Salvation Church's power projection range—couldn't be careless.
Josh as a blind person didn't need to see anything—from her old partner's ntal fluctuations she guessed roughly.
Multiple magical incidents in Ningfeng Harbor proved deep connections with the Church. Many viewed it as their headquarters—necessary to consider that city's perspective.
Blood-eye vision focused on the uniford girl made her eyebrows raise.
"...Miss Minase, you have many friends."
"You can actually see us!"
Kaori said quietly, this assertion accompanied by layered voices. Surrounding dwelling sprites and specters sighed together—vaguely visible kappa, tengu and other forms. Under sunlight they were lazy and spiritless, looking unwilling to move. Yet gazes firmly locked on several adults beside the girl, poised to pounce and tear apart the next mont.
She appeared calm and smiling, showing no wariness toward ard guards in headquarters courtyard—strong person's composure.
Josh's mouth corners slightly raised: "I like your temperant—definitely destined for achievent. But let's return to the topic. Miss Minase contacting rcenaries intends intervening in Disaster Beast battlefields? Actually I recomnd the regular military, even setting an independent structure for a genius like you..."
"Hey, don't openly poach in front of others." One Pasha embraced the girl, a voluptuous figure enveloping her with maternal tolerance.
Too incongruent for Josh who knew the scientific madwoman's background.
"You ca uninvited first, asking what I wanted? Both rcenary and military invitations end here."
Minase Kaori slightly pushed away Pasha, directly eting both gazes coldly declaring: "I've decided where to go—no need to waste effort. Moreover, we all share one thing: respective contacts with Hyacinth. So can we return to proper topics?"
Silence on scene.
Even with Pasha and Josh's extensive experience, they had to admire—today's era produced precocious children, couldn't easily underestimate minors.
They didn't know Minase Kaori was bluffing throughout—from when the other party sought magic talent holders, she'd been deceiving, using the Salvation Church as tiger skin to avoid notorious experintal centers plus escaping many "inhumane" services.
Like conscription actually being mandatory, officials outsourcing to rcenaries whose thods were always rough—often beating, threatening, coercing, or at minimum locking in dark rooms for days.
Thanks to Minase Kaori's stress-induced magic awakening showing a few tricks that settled things.
Summoning system, Hundred Demons Night Parade.
The mont abilities appeared she understood so basic knowledge, but currently too weak—had to rely on backing.
Fortunately, records existed of Magical Girl Hyacinth's school rescue operation with confird witness testimony, so claiming "I was invited by that lady" truly held deterrent power. Coincidentally, many dostic fan religious groups and political groups erged, plus rcenary leader Pasha being relatively gentle... Multiple factors made Minase Kaori always well-fed and housed. Even if so doubted authenticity, they dared not cross the line.
First, Hundred Demons Night Parade had already scared unconscious a floor of people—power was real.
Second, want to taste Abyssal White Whale treatnt?
Minase Kaori ntally thanked Lady Hyacinth, the Salvation Church, magical girls countless tis... Because knowing such support existed let her navigate among various big shots, even now refusing military and rcenaries.
Host Pasha coughed to diate: "Everyone hasn't eaten lunch yet—I know a good sushi place. Co, my treat."
The nun pulled both toward their destination.
Arriving at said sushi place, Josh realized it was a mbers-only private club—locally called ryotei.
Originating from the Edo period, generally where political figures privately discussed certain deals. Besides delicious delicacies and attentive service, the specialty was a large "confidentiality fee"—definitely ensuring no leaks. Actually, which wall didn't have cracks? Just being here proved mutual trust while creating tacit understanding.
Though historical criticism of ryotei politics existed, it actually often undertook foreign guest reception, state banquet preparation functions—counted as top luxury service.
En route was quite lively—the reconstructed city frequently encountered social activist groups loudly proclaiming "Thank great saviors," "Officials deliberately avoid magical girls' achievents" and such missionary activities. Even politicians promised cooperation as campaign pledges seeking votes...
Cluster Type Disaster Beast incident damage gradually repaired, everyone active again—perhaps overly active.
Private room.
Three people exchanged intelligence while eating, explaining respective etings with Hyacinth.
Though all concealed details, general direction was correct.
Monts later Pasha said straightforwardly: "I have a premonition: the Salvation Church will definitely attempt integrating magical girl groups."
"Very difficult, even probably impossible." Josh firmly concluded: "Superior attitudes are quite determined—can't directly extract elite forces from various countries evolving into a new race, moreover they possess natural transcendent power. High levels won't let go."
"What superiors, high levels? You yourself count as one of the highest decision-makers. It's your attitude that's rejection—you worry about established order disruption."
"Yes."
Minase Kaori, who'd been wolfing down food, suddenly looked up to refute: "Don't forget Lady Hyacinth said 'welco the future transcendent age'—the general trend is irreversible. Pardon my frankness, General, you're sowhat stubborn."
"You little brat——"
Before Josh could truly anger, the latter was already cowering while Pasha cooperatively embraced her tightly.
How did you two look like mother-daughter encountering undisciplined soldiers? What are you doing—when did these two develop such tacit understanding?
"Relax, I won't argue with junior high students. Rather, children like you are among my fighting reasons." After speaking, Josh took a deep breath: "But I'll communicate with you at adult cognitive levels. So things must be clear—it's not us rejecting change, but how many people depend on stable order for living? They may be ordinary but are national foundation, a people's essence, humanity's hope. Casually talking about disruption—what about their lives?"
"Currently the Salvation Church is dedicated to opposing Disaster Beasts, but that's just one thod. They never forget a society where everyone transcends and becos holy—right?"
"Very beautiful, even I anticipated it."
"They should clearly announce plans, including but not limited to organizational structure, personnel allocation, resu files... Child, this step is called trust—like everyone eating together and toasting. You neither toast nor co to table—I only have suspicion left."
Josh delivered a long speech in icy tones, presenting facts and reasoning.
Welco to the great Anti-Disaster Beast Alliance gaining new mbers, but we can't not understand each other.
As one decision-maker she had to take responsibility—otherwise discuss human society's future with a bunch of people lacking social traces?
"Marx said people are comprehensive of all social relations. Having discuss the world with a bunch possibly lacking basic human moral ethics—can't do it."
Pasha poured wine for Josh across from her, then smiled: "If I were 50 years younger, I'd probably say when high officials like you make decisions, when do you carefully consider people? Now hypocritically caring about so-called countless small family fates? Then we'd argue and part ways..."
She showed reminiscent atmosphere.
"Half a century taught to first agree with others' views then 'supplent' with my own opinions—doesn't hurt harmony and has persuasive power."
"Yet you still said this to ."
"Because you're my friend, moreover there's a child present—hope she learns sothing... Back to topic. If the Salvation Church really is a group completely lacking social traces, then I advocate launching slaughter to eliminate magical girls."
The shocking statent stunned both Josh and Minase Kaori, then they heard laughter.
"First agree with the opponent's view and be more extre, use slippery slope fallacy to urge reflection, also laying groundwork for my upcoming views..."
"Stop explaining yourself—hurry up."
"Miss Minase's existence proves one fact: magical girls are definitely humans themselves, just producing another face."
"Why isn't she changing now?"
"Because her realm hasn't reached it—far from those 'adult forms.' So you can completely trust them. The Salvation Church is a new transnational interest entity—they have the sa needs as ordinary people."
Pasha, with scientific background, hit the nail on the head, opening new perspectives:
Magical girls could be understood as a form—this explained why they lacked any social traces. Such assumptions eliminated worries about the Salvation Church lacking basic ethical common sense.
Rather, such hypotheses best fit answers.
Minase Kaori was overjoyed hearing this—after all, she'd worried about not being qualified as a magical girl candidate. Now thinking, maybe just not ti yet.
Too good.
Josh's eyes lit up, similarly active thinking recalling many details for mutual verification. She didn't imdiately respond, but silently picked up food to taste, wanting to savor and contemplate, then frowned: "How does sothing that clearly looks like cake taste completely like rice? Whatever, can't get used to it."
"Whether you can get used to it or not, you have to taste it first rather than make prejudgnts. Right?"
Pasha probed aningfully, and the latter replied: "I never planned any forceful asures. On the contrary, I'd love for soone to properly manage magic talent holders."
"Wrong, we need to redefine. Magic talent holders and magical talent holders are two different things. The forr at most are relatively sensitive or one-in-ten-thousand suitable for relics. The latter are young girls who will sooner or later grow into god-like forms."
"Hearing such descriptions from a nun is strange."
"God? Being powerful enough makes one a god. Tis have changed—faith can't gather people's hearts, only big fists work. Everyone becos hardliner supporters. From my standpoint, rcenaries hope to introduce new Anti-Disaster Beast forces. Otherwise always having private military companies bear sacrifices while being coveted by you officials for relics is too troubleso. This industry has been stagnant for half a century—more power benefits ."
rcenary companies had long been fed up with constraints from all sides. The essence was private violent ard entity groups hoping to further break free from bindings.
Mind your own business, huh?
Openly welco new forces joining, simply having civilian association-natured Salvation Church dilute suppressive postures toward themselves. The industry would definitely welco a second spring.
Current various tax investigations, anti-monopoly, outrageous restrictions, public opinion pressure made Pasha quite annoyed—too botherso.
She hoped to have an experintal environnt not constantly targeted, carefully researching Disaster Beasts, relics and infection disease-related dicines... Yet other broken matters piled up everywhere, simply wanting to explode on you. So various companies should unite more closely.
What disgusted Pasha was that so in the rcenary Alliance beca officials' dogs.
Like Eagle Company having close ties with Arica's War Zone, practically wearing the sa pants, turning deaf ears to her stance welcoming magical girls—bunch of cowards.
People with crooked butts deserved suppression...
Sensing Pasha's rare display of anger, Josh silently put food in her bowl to interrupt her thoughts, then said: "I understand your considerations. If this is lobbying for magical girls, I accept. The world needs more ti to get along and adapt with them."
"Miss Minase, I must apologize for the shock you've suffered. In the war zones I'm responsible for, such press-ganging won't happen again."
"As for where you want to go, or simply being an ordinary person, I won't interfere."
As a newly promoted general, Josh made the final decision, setting the tone. Though Kaori couldn't fully understand the powerful determination behind it, she knew the other party was serious and breathed relief in gratitude.
After the most crucial topic passed, the three's atmosphere gradually eased.
Pasha asked: "What are your plans next?"
"Taking Island 24 doesn't an holding it—must continuously reinforce. This Disaster Beast catastrophe, regardless which side it starts from, fallen zones will definitely have major movents."
"...I'll also prepare. But you needn't be too nervous—humanity has opened up the situation, no need to worry."
"Really envy your optimism." After sighing, Josh touched Minase Kaori's head: "You don't need to share your plans. Students should study more, first grow into healthy children before talking about saving the world. Otherwise, the greater the ability, the greater the destruction..."
"I can help."
Pasha lightly kicked the girl under the table.
"When people slightly retreat, you follow up. Don't be deceived by the goodwill she creates—consider your own interests and losses before any action, be careful of being manipulated."
Josh rolled her eyes at her old partner, thinking I'm not the type to coax children.
"Don't rush. The place where you can truly display your abilities is the Salvation Church—they'll co find you sooner or later. We're not good destinations. People grow healthily by interacting with their own kind. You're a sensible, smart child—I don't recomnd you joining garrison forces."
"Didn't you just invite ?"
"Because I hadn't figured out you have firm beliefs, expectations, and special talents. If you possessed magic yet had psychological vulnerabilities, I'd absorb such talent without hesitation—she's too suitable for transformation into a super soldier. Under my command you'd grow into an independent iron-blooded warrior, dedicating everything to humanity's cause... Unfortunately now I know you're not suitable."
During conversation, Josh stared deadly at the girl's eyes. Empty blood-colored pupils made the latter shiver all over with goosebumps from head to toe.
Pasha watched smilingly as gazes moved between the two. Back then the great general also looked like a rookie—now quite a sense of inheritance, feeling years younger.
"Must pay attention, Miss Minase—you count as an open magical talent holder, troubles are inevitable. When Eagle Company gets wind, they'll definitely demand, though I'll stop them but won't avoid hassles."
"I also won't let them use kidnapping thods again... Wait!" Josh suddenly realized: "Why did we forget the Ningfeng Harbor kidnapping incident?"
Dead silence.
Thinking carefully, hadn't Gallup initially kidnapped two girls then died once?
Though many details and traces were concealed beyond investigation, they shouldn't have completely ignored it—as if so invisible force deflected attention, hiding in corners, walking into mory, ultimately like now where even rembering could hardly restore truth.
Pasha, who handled this matter, felt it most clearly.
She murmured: "Right, so extrely diluted yet far-reaching knowledge poison—effect being existence dilution. Seems Ningfeng Harbor indeed has major problems."
Josh slapped her thigh laughing heartily, speaking frankly: "Well done—so scum in your rcenary companies needed cleaning up. So the Salvation Church already clashed with them once. This is good—we don't need to agonize over answers. Wait for another large-scale conflict and things will be clear. If they're too extre, my stance is suppression."
"...Indeed. Then my stance is things will be satisfactorily resolved. Want to bet?"
The two's code-like conversation left Minase Kaori stunned, but intuition told her many intertwined relationships would see resolution—she could only be a witness for now.
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