Mercenary Alliance Headquarters.
One of Pasha's clones remaining at command headquarters looked in amazement at inland radar showing fewer and fewer targets, with many dispatched fighter squadrons even reporting empty returns, seeing only scattered flying Disaster Beast corpses on the ground.
Looking again at the ocean battlefield frontlines, benefiting from preemptive advantage, allied forces pressed forward all the way, having converted to victory momentum gradually increasing Disaster Beast casualties.
Not just their efforts, but logistics supply was equally important—fortunately rear production kept up or it would have been terrible.
If the Blackwind Wing had been allowed to rampage, it would definitely have caused catastrophic consequences.
Pasha temporarily withdrew attention to contact frontline combat avatars. Through mental relics they could share all senses and even thoughts with each other, like a mini gestalt consciousness, so rear messages could immediately reach the other side—this was good news:
"Large-scale infection disease confirmed contained. Cause temporarily unknown but you can unleash more power—probably don't need to conserve energy for rear battles."
"Understood."
Rather than notification, it was shared thinking—naturally supporting one's own judgment.
All modified Disaster Beast individuals under Pasha's control threw themselves into ocean depths, directly attacking seafloor space rifts, instantly staining the sea with blood.
Holy Relics mainly played key point breakthrough roles in large-scale warfare. The real protagonists now were humanity's sea-land-air integrated combat systems. Land-based missiles launched like they cost nothing, blanketing monster legions, while carrier aircraft maintained continuous long-range suppression and used flexible movement to precisely target some Disaster Beast commanders. Warships formed a steel great wall, their main task driving away enemies and preventing leader Disaster Beasts' Magic Power Release from invading. The entire battlefield was orderly, advancing step by step.
The sea demon responsible for coordinated command let out roars attempting petrification, but unfortunately the next moment was offset by pale green light—Philomena's spore rain.
Good thing she was there.
Life-force-containing spores actually matched petrification criteria perfectly, having them consume this power ensured military safety, equivalent to directly disabling one of the sea demon's area damage weapons.
Many regular army soldiers sighed that if such support had existed during Island 24's battle, it might have been easier.
But history had no ifs. Most times, unofficial relic holders didn't associate with or remained wary of military forces. Both sides held some powerful secret weapons—true cooperation happened in wars like this concerning civilization's fate.
Philomena even had leisure to ask a Pasha: "What? Seeing you so actively engaged, did headquarters send good news?"
"I'm just opening a path for fellow Holy Relics."
"Those assault-type monsters don't need worrying about. You should want to absorb Disaster Beast materials to reserve for Faceless One."
The nun changed topics to discuss the other side: "Indeed there's good news. The previously rampaging Blackwind Wing disappeared from radar reactions—eyewitness reports should come soon. Someone helped us deal with that disgusting thing."
"Capable of killing the currently fastest Disaster Beast that even air forces couldn't handle for a while, probably only the Salvation Church. Sure enough they've been watching the battlefield—truly mysterious."
"Interested?"
"Doesn't matter. I just need to work normal hours." Philomena remained characteristically indifferent.
As longtime partners, Pasha knew this was just surface—actually she was interested in researching relics and the previous epoch.
Nobody wasn't interested, especially complete relic fusion adaptees.
Many Holy Relics dying young was closely related to relics absorbing life force from bodies. Theoretically speaking, Faceless One and Life Spores had lived what would be considered long lifespans in normal human terms due to their characteristics, but the pain and suffering endured was no small matter. People naturally wanted to feel better—understandable. Therefore Philomena continuously collected Disaster Beasts to strengthen relics, as did Pasha. Both didn't know how much the other had hidden.
The nurse-uniformed girl suddenly spoke: "Originally I shouldn't have been able to stop the sea demon's large-range petrification so easily, and likewise it shouldn't have been able to instant-cast..."
"What are you trying to prove?"
"Planet Gaia's free-floating magic power has become more active. The most concentrated places are space rifts, but not limited to them—the whole world is changing. The Salvation Church previously mentioned a supernatural era might be correct. I guess relics were created during a magic-rich period, so adapters will be greatly strengthened next."
Philomena was attempting to have spores parasitize ordinary Disaster Beasts to absorb their life force—efficiency doubled, comparable to large-scale bombing.
Since Blackwind Wing spread infection disease to humans, couldn't she return the favor?
Facts proved the effect was good. A relic originally specialized in large-scale battlefields was strengthened to give Disaster Beasts a head-on blow.
Large corpses continuously floated on the sea surface. Though no wounds existed, they grew fungal threads and even mushroom-like substances. The next moment they bloomed with puffs, throwing more powder into the air. Even powerful vanguard Disaster Beasts had their movements hindered and fell into weakness.
This waxed while that waned—victory was clear.
Pasha also achieved certain results. Controlled Disaster Beasts responsible for scouting had precisely located space rifts. Releasing magic power to disrupt their operation could obstruct enemies.
Her frontline perspective proved the Salvation Church's provided map was quite accurate, even considering Disaster Beast and rift alterations to seafloor topography.
Ridiculous!
Magical girls predicting Disaster Beast's approximate scale was shocking enough—this wasn't even important. They even considered subsequent terrain changes. Pure prophecy could hardly explain this. As if they'd long glimpsed historical trajectory development and brought along details—seamless.
Pasha shook her head, dismissing excess thoughts, continuing to maintain suppression with allied forces and advance triumphantly.
At the same time, avatars stationed at headquarters sent messages:
Switzerland reported back—confirmed Salvation Church's Hyacinth, Imperial Flower and a new magical girl had acted to kill Blackwind Wing. Not only that, they were still rushing about striking flying Disaster Beasts carrying infection disease. Currently inland virus warfare situation was completely reversed. Worthy of them—one deployment brought thunderous offensive capturing Disaster Beasts that left allied forces helpless. No wonder rear supply became increasingly stable—unknowingly sweeping away threats.
Returning to the frontline battlefield itself, there was no lack of good victory reports. After completing precise location of rifts, what awaited Disaster Beasts would be increasingly powerful attacks.
Most importantly, they'd lost defensive power, with losses far exceeding humans. Victory was now clear.
Philomena stretched and sighed: "Always feel most developments are within the Salvation Church's expectations. Why are they doing this?"
"Not important. Anyway the North Atlantic battlefield is about settled." Pasha's tone remained full of doubt. "But from now until year-end, Disaster Beasts won't be peaceful. We've merely passed one exam, got a good start, but doesn't represent an end."
The nun gazed at the smoke-filled sea surface and sighed.
...
Berlin International Airport.
Land called "Europe's crossroads" was full of busyness, especially during wartime with tense atmosphere and many flights departing like escapes. Even with frequent frontline victory reports, many panicked people chose temporary avoidance, so a hastily landing private jet stood out conspicuously.
Sunlight through oval windows made Jin Ruochu stretch.
A flight attendant brought a blue suit jacket and said: "Director, people from the Drug Regulatory Bureau, Mercenary Alliance Procurement, and Military Logistics are already waiting."
"I'll be right there."
Properly dressed and having combed her smooth long hair, she nodded satisfactorily at the mirror. Without makeup yet with exquisite, moving features—naturally unadorned. Indeed magical girls never lacked looks. Powerful meant beautiful, so the world's most beautiful person must be Hyacinth.
Dismissing distracting thoughts, Jin Ruochu entered work mode, not rushing to deplane but taking the secretary's report to read rapidly.
This trip's objectives, besides incidentally receiving field mission support for Hibiscus, Jin Yulu and a newcomer, another task was actually more important:
Purification series miracle drug market development.
Father once said merchants don't assess where to go by danger level—go where there's money.
Infection disease-ravaged land urgently needed efficient, cheap, strong medicine, even somewhat desperate, like hoping for stars and moon finally getting a lifeline. Thanks to Hibiscus's forward intelligence, Five-Color Narcissus Company had shipped considerable products before Disaster Beast warfare began. Though losing money, at least initial pathfinding laid groundwork.
Now there was war, disaster struck—you finally understood miracle drugs were indispensable, so European parties flocked to purification series, eager for rapid market introduction.
No rush, take it slow.
Let them be neglected to know opportunities were hard-won, or they'd really think the company couldn't do without them.
Jin Ruochu held multiple production lines including real estate, electronic technology, hedge funds, Disaster Beast materials, never caring whether single industries made money. Or rather, Five-Color Narcissus Company's "gang-style management" had plenty of money-making methods when pushed, able to handle attitude-giving guys as long as confidence was sufficient.
Her trip's focus was opening markets—who received didn't matter.
Moreover, before departure the girl had specifically consulted father. Changfeng Group's helmsman, with considerable European industry, gave hands-on guidance including people to contact, personalities, market conditions, interpersonal relationships, unspoken rules and covert tactics—all revealed.
Facing an increasingly independent, self-reliant daughter, what could Jin Changfeng say? Immensely proud, finally seeing Jin Ruochu actively seek instruction, he immediately taught everything without reservation.
Go ahead and do it.
Besides herself, some magical girls were arranged to run business together, treating it as bringing along newcomers. According to Hibiscus's meaning: "We need more grassroots management personnel, at least can't let others' formations intimidate us." So the Church gave these details to juniors.
For newbie magical girls it also counted as participating in work employment—why wouldn't both sides be happy?
After brewing mental drafts, Jin Ruochu deplaned. The other side's contact personnel had waited long. Both sides met, shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
After brief chat they entered main topics:
Earnestly requesting purification series miracle drugs comprehensively enter European markets, with all approvals during this period being compliant and legal with green lights, hurrying large-scale production—the faster the better.
Thanks to Pacific War Zone garrison forces signing contracts with Five-Color Narcissus Company proving drug effectiveness, or they wouldn't dare easily decide. Military forces had so many soldiers already experiencing effects—even with many unclear components, couldn't care about that now. Special circumstances, special handling—capable first. At this moment everyone facing Jin Ruochu had only one emotion:
Urgent urgent urgent.
Though the Blackwind Wing had fallen, people still suffering infection disease needed medicine—no time to lose.
Originally prepared with a series of rhetoric planning tug-of-war, the girl didn't expect such speed. What situation? Seemed truly urgent enough.
You don't play tricks with me, I'll be sincere too. As for whether the other side had ill intentions to deceive—no need to consider. Before magical girls one step from Seedling Stage, living beings' emotions had no hiding.
Jin Ruochu took only 2 hours to determine all matters.
Perfect completion.
Everyone settled a billion-dollar order in the luxury private room of the airport lounge cafe—sounded quite magical. When they left hurriedly with briefcases, leaving empty seats, Jin Ruochu still didn't quite believe it, always feeling she might have been deceived...
"Customer, your coffee." The waitress lady suddenly slipped, causing scalding coffee to fly through air and drench the suited lady completely.
The scene fell silent—not daring to believe what would happen offending such wealthy, noble figures?
They were naturally very worried, after all those who'd left the private room recently included government officials, corporate executives, and even military people frequently appearing in news.
The manager quickly bowed: "Extremely sorry, I'll reprimand her. We'll definitely compensate for your losses."
"No problem, this is a lucky day—we should all be in good moods."
Jin Ruochu didn't even bother wiping coffee off herself, generously giving the waitress a stack of bills as tip. Though still suspicious, seeing the distinguished guest's happy expression, she no longer doubted. A small episode subsided. She was indeed very happy, because successive misfortune meant the previous business belonged to the fortune category. From this, Five-Color Narcissus Company got its largest order since establishment.
Settled.
She was quite joyful inside, wanting to immediately call the whole group to announce, incidentally telling President Nan Zhiyi: "I helped you earn back where you lost money"—not sarcasm, mainly expressing slight competitive superiority.
Competing over what? Actually Jin Ruochu didn't know either, just felt some inexplicable competitiveness, probably wanting to help Dr. Mu more...
"Almost forgot the most important thing!"
After briefly cleaning coffee stains and changing clothes, the girl immediately set off, driving toward villa districts.
Before the Edo battle, Nan Zhiyi, who controlled the company during its makeshift stage, bought houses worldwide, using market fluctuations to bottom-fish many properties distributed across major cities, including Berlin. If the Chairman truly foresaw the future, then President Miss always had sharp insight into markets.
Jin Ruochu's other task was creating a third fixed spatial teleportation array, preparing footholds in advance for recruiting Western Continental magical girls—top priority.
Estimated: this North Atlantic Disaster Beast invasion's leaked magic aura would promote another awakening surge.
As someone who'd been through it, Jin Ruochu knew magical girls best received accurate guidance, or magic rampage easily caused great disasters. Anyway, be prepared. Additionally, this villa was the agreed meeting point with Jin Yulu and Hibiscus.
Still at the estate entrance, Jin Ruochu felt several unfamiliar magical girls' magic reactions inside the villa.
Good guy!
Entering, she saw as expected an outdoor barbecue party ongoing, with chief chef naturally being Senior Sister Hyacinth, plus Jin Yulu helping, and some unfamiliar faces of magical girls. Though appearing somewhat restrained, their emotional fluctuations were stable, seeming quite respectful toward the silver-haired girl—both sides should be communicating happily.
Worthy of charismatic magical girl—one trip brought back so many people.
Seeing the pink-haired girl unconsciously entering weak transformation state, Hibiscus waved hello. This action made everyone notice the newcomer—the famous Lady Manjusaka.
The silver-haired girl smiled: "Let me introduce everyone—identification code Cherry Blossom Storm, Magical Girl Manjusaka. Everyone knows this part. Few know this sister is the Church's lucky star, our most excellent product operations officer. She brought victory news to see us."
"You have such confidence in me?"
"Since you're taking action, naturally it's easily accomplished."
Hearing this, Jin Ruochu nodded very satisfiedly, hands on hips laughing loudly. Right, she'd just achieved another victory.
The first batch of miracle drug orders worth ten billion dollars didn't mean there wasn't more to follow. Once they witnessed the power of completely curing infection disease, they'd definitely add more orders. By order scale, comparable to large passenger aircraft manufacturers throwing out orders, but profit was much higher. So far nobody knew exactly how Five-Color Narcissus Company's miracle drugs were produced, even R&D departments were completely unrelated information technology plus a few show-piece biological laboratories.
The whole world couldn't guess this stuff was purely magical—medicine catalyzed by specialized healing spells could resist Disaster Beast influence. Essence wasn't treatment but removal.
From now on people wouldn't talk about infection disease with fear—it would become a historical term.
Jin Ruochu said: "Dr. Mu, introduce me to some new companions."
"Of course."
Hibiscus told the pink-haired girl about dozens of awakening-stage magical girls in the villa courtyard's basic situations in detail, even including types of unawakened magic that they themselves might not know.
She wasn't relying on netizen spoiler intelligence for judgment—after all, original plus derivatives could hardly cover all magical girls.
She needed basic understanding of the Salvation Church and even worldwide powerful magic.
When fighting Blackwind Wing, Hibiscus had a guess: special Disaster Beasts keeping distance upon seeing her—did this prove it actually knew magic types? Sure enough, attempting to use Origin to resonate with opponent magic caused different fluctuations, representing categories. Only Seedling Stage control could accomplish this.
If battles occurred between magical girls, confirming magic intelligence was top priority because it was the first variable. For this, Hibiscus naturally wanted to master information as much as possible.
Of course, excessive vigilance was unnecessary.
Newcomers were mostly encountered while she, Jin Yulu, and Yeta chased flying Disaster Beasts, with considerable portions actively joining—enthusiasm itself represented relatively high basic loyalty. Moreover, believe in attraction between magical girls—everyone being together was the best interest.
Especially Jin Yulu was very satisfied with proactively joining magical girls, actively communicating with these juniors and establishing initial exchange.
According to her statement: "For expanding territory and bullying people, mercenaries work fine. For defending home and country, volunteers must go up—even conscripts aren't necessarily reliable. Enthusiasm is worth a thousand gold. Similarly, magical girls actively proposing to join are trustworthy—they'll become the Church's future backbone..."
Hibiscus believed Jin Yulu's judgment.
As the world's first magical girl association, the Salvation Church's advantages were too obvious, becoming awakening-stage girls' first choice, with pioneering appeal incomparable.
In the original storyline, just this point was full of twists.
The Management Bureau appeared too belatedly because official attitudes were unclear and wavering, not knowing whether to control or treat equally. Over time the best opportunity was missed. If you don't intervene in power vacuums, those who revered violence more than humans would spontaneously form power organizations, resulting in a hundred schools of thought contending for a long period. Though mid-early period Imperial Flower established the Management Bureau with official support, it had already missed unification timing, with planted troubles finally causing magical girls to fight each other.
So Hibiscus very much focused on managing the Salvation Church, at least giving everyone a place to belong.
She described in detail this long-distance pursuit battle, treating it as sharing current infection disease concentration areas with the product director lady.
Jin Ruochu listened in amazement—not because fighting flying Disaster Beasts was dangerous, but couldn't figure out how Dr. Mu again gathered a large batch of magical girls? You came to war? Clearly took a stroll through the talent market, with enthusiastic response.
Congratulations—unknowingly our Salvation Church had become magical girls' first choice enterprise.
At this thought she felt somewhat lost, thinking the time for companionship was reduced again. The pink-haired girl's face sank like water, unconsciously clenching fists and sighing.
Next moment Jin Ruochu suddenly saw Hibiscus place a flower crown on her head.
"This trip I went to 12 countries in total. Because I always led combat zones toward wilderness, I often encountered local specialty flowers and collected them casually. World Tree Realm spreads a saying: magical girls are humanity's flower spirits. Has some truth, so it should match you well."
She smiled sweetly while arranging the flower crown for the pink-haired girl.
"...Always able to touch others' soft spots with precise timing. Dr. Mu, you should be a psychological counselor instead."
"That would easily hear all sorts of negative information. I'm actually not a good listener, but I'd be happy to hear your story. Like how did you negotiate this order?"
"Nothing spectacular."
"Seems you were well-prepared, or even smooth situations would make people nervous."
Jin Ruochu didn't know whether to say Dr. Mu was too good at praise or the other party was naturally gifted at always finding suitable angles to warm her heart, sweeping away fatigue.
She suddenly stepped forward to embrace and lift the silver-haired girl. Since Hibiscus still held ladles and plates, she couldn't easily break free, caught off guard hearing the former's spoiled shout: "Too great, Hyacinth! As soon as I get off work I have food—you're simply a motherly magical girl! You must praise me hard—I made the Church take a solid step forward. I want to eat your braised pork ribs——"
Jin Ruochu spoke while bouncing up and down, giving Hibiscus a roller coaster experience. Surrounding magical girls looked shocked, thinking how enthusiastic and unrestrained.
"Now I know you really need a psychiatrist."
Both looked at each other then laughed heartily, flowers trembling with laughter. This rare moment of beautiful time was precious.