In the gray-white world, countless throwing knives floated in the air, aimed at the throats, eyes, temples, and every artery of the six Holy Relics except Snow Maiden, their precision representing professional medical-level knowledge.
At this moment, Hibiscus released her usually bound silver hair, letting it cascade down—Jin Yulu discovered it reached past her waist.
Fortunately, she gave all three some strands of hair touching their bodies to avoid simultaneous suspension.
So time magic could be used like this!
"You all have very troublesome Knowledge Poison contamination that's hard to eradicate. Treating you in this completely clean operating room couldn't be more appropriate. Don't move—I'll give you medicine."
Recovery potions distributed to field teams had to use diluted versions because complete system potions required personal use by the master, including Knowledge Poison cures.
Hibiscus administered potions to the two girls, as Erina's "you understand" expression refused.
For her, timely replenishing ink containing magical power was sufficient. Theoretically, vital points or injuries didn't exist—attacks from relics never hurt fundamentals. As long as she didn't court death, she wouldn't die. Survival ability was top-tier.
At this moment, the girl in the painting was more curious about time suspension's spectacle, looking around vigilantly, inevitably nervous.
Wanted to escape.
After all, Erina and the entire Church were strangers. A Magical Girl's creation meeting a Magical Girl Organization felt somehow inferior.
The pressure from the so-called world's number one made her want to flee.
"In that case, healing is finished."
Hibiscus understood the strongest technique magic painter product itself carried super-strong Knowledge Poison—who contaminated whom was uncertain. Since so, she was happy to save one dose—everyone happy. Of course, this confirmed she knew certain inside information. Even a non-Church strongest magic user was beginning to believe deeply in the prophet—truly a beautiful misunderstanding.
Feeling surging vitality within, Jin Yulu and Beatrice sighed in relief. The healthy feeling was too good—completely refreshed.
Back to peak condition.
Seeing everything smooth, Hibiscus released the suspension lasting to the 25th second.
The moment the world returned to normal, throwing knives given inertial influence by time suspension pierced targets one by one, enhanced with three Growth Stage Magical Girls' origin power to easily break through Holy Relic defenses—100% hits on vital points, all critical strikes.
Thanks to fused relic physical qualities they wouldn't die, but couldn't avoid suffering greatly. Vital point strikes basically removed combat effectiveness—excellent killing efficiency.
Hibiscus glanced at the treasury, seeing garrison troops nearly scared witless. Unexpectedly, Holy Relic guards were all defeated in an instant—what cards remained? Right, cursed relic Scarecrow should still be...
Time Stop.
After a moment of confusion, clearly the silver-haired girl held a scarecrow head, the smooth cross-section emanating a dangerous aura.
"Such dangerous goods shouldn't remain in the world." Before finishing, Hibiscus suddenly erupted origin, detonating magical power to blast the relic to smithereens.
Both garrison and Magical Girls were dumbfounded.
The relic that remotely curse-killed countless Mercenary Alliance executives and just achieved ambush success was gone? They didn't even have time to understand operating mechanisms.
Relics could be completely erased? If possible, they wouldn't have built the treasury, since its main function was imprisoning troublesome items that liked causing problems yet couldn't be utilized, stubbornly difficult to destroy despite various methods. Yet at this moment, Magical Girl Hyacinth told everyone it was feasible—simply overturning common sense, trampling years of accumulated so-called relevant research underfoot.
Unknown to them, the true principle was taking control with full relic compatibility qualifications, finally destroying with complete mastery using Growth Stage's massive origin—very clean.
Hibiscus wasn't unwilling to control Scarecrow but the runaway risk was too great. Sorry then.
Farewell forever.
In just a few breaths, Jin Yulu, having taken recovery potions, already stood and moved her body, aura vigorous, making people wonder if she could fight another full match. This scene made garrison scalps tingle, losing fighting spirit. How were they all endurance types?
If not for the cursed relic's sneak attack on comrades earlier, victory or defeat was still uncertain. No, earlier was just disadvantageous—who knew how much more Protea was hiding?
"Will you gentlemen step aside gracefully or wait for me to act?"
Hibiscus slightly released an oppressive aura. Thunder descended from the sky, surrounding the treasury building, ready to dismantle it anytime like war drums. This oppressive aura intensity came from three-in-one self-circulating Magical Girls, using celestial phenomena for personal use. In terms of strength, almost counting as one skill, overturning defensive fortifications in one breath.
Boom!
The moment gates collapsed, they had to retreat from positions to shelter floors, or Hyacinth might immediately slaughter—they had to buy time for Snow Maiden and others.
"Quickly cover Holy Relic forces, don't conserve, fire all ammunition—"
Facing artillery fire filling the sky, Hibiscus waved for Jin Yulu to stop, just protect the two fragile teammates—leave this to her. The silver-haired girl lightly stepped on ice, spreading a crack, then violently lifted tens of thousands of tons of glaciers into the air to intercept fire coverage. Explosions rose and fell, heat waves rolling, yet couldn't shake this seemingly casual defense.
No magical reaction—just origin eruption power let her display such might. Moving mountains and filling seas was effortless.
Low-level mythology magic couldn't achieve this.
Hibiscus's style wasn't taking hits. The next moment she swung a distant punch, wrapping released origin power into surging torrent flames that split ice sheets, burning sky and boiling sea, easily breaking outer fortifications.
Her footsteps crossed raging flames, her figure becoming more magnificent in fire sea reflections. Glaciers melted revealing rock layers, then becoming lava hissing and boiling endlessly.
Drastic temperature changes made solid walls laughable—crumbling at touch, wide open.
Telekinesis!
The silver-haired girl pushed both hands outward, turning the fire sea with melted ice and snow mudflows into a thoroughfare—a broad road without obstacles.
Beatrice stared dumbfounded, murmuring, "So Senior Hyacinth is this strong without using any magic?"
"Not that exaggerated. Thanks to everyone consuming a wave, I'm picking up scraps—didn't expect enemies to be exhausted. If I came directly to Antarctica, I'd probably fall into hard battle too." Hibiscus appeared to think seriously.
Everyone glanced back at Holy Relics still not recovered, thinking too modest—with time magic's efficiency at crushing weaklings, not immediately fully liberating would mean defeat.
Hidden time magic skills instead made the Relic Treasury side wary, watching Church members approach but not daring to use powerful lethal relics. After all, according to intelligence, Hyacinth could leap through time to delete serious damage effects—one failed strike meant it's over.
What to do?
Suddenly cold air swept past, frosting both road sides into an ice age, even ice sheets slowly closing.
Earth-shaking power spread—this force came from nature. Hundreds of millions of years of mountain-building movement and plate collisions replayed at this moment. The fragile region ravaged by various forces became a toy, now baring fangs at Salvation Church.
"Cowards are hiding." Erina pointed behind.
Originally unconscious Holy Relics disappeared, their auras hidden in glaciers without trace.
Since initial-sight kills were easy, simply don't show themselves. Though this enemy approach was humiliating and strange, it was better than being defeated by Hyacinth at first glance—take a gamble.
Island-level massive glaciers pressed down. Just movement creating rolling stones was threatening enough, especially for weak Beatrice and Erina in the team who might face mortal danger.
World Serpent complete transformation!
The golden dragon coiled its scaled body, forcibly stopping the closing glaciers with tremendous energy.
"If counting as having battle strength, it's still two against seven now. What tricks can you pull?"
Before Jin Yulu finished, she coiled in place, shattering ten-thousand-ton glaciers. At this moment she became a true fire dragon, surrounding air boiling with hissing sounds as everything dissolved and withered—no match at all. She suddenly raised her head skyward in roar, Dragon Breath ascending to become meteor showers splashing down, dyeing earth crimson as glaciers further became surging floods, no longer threatening.
She was too excited—rarely fighting alongside Hibiscus again, opponents sufficiently valuable. Home field advantage? Defeat you where you're strongest.
"Well done, let's finish this quickly."
Hibiscus fully spread mental perception. Sure enough, Holy Relics still hid in ice depths—panoramic view, hide-and-seek too clumsy.
Time Slice!
Unstoppable attacks swept forth, splitting glaciers and shaking earth to hit targets precisely. Every move struck areas with densest magical power to remove combat effectiveness—from enemy detection to damage effects, complete suppression without suspense.
For Snow Maiden, this was simply a nightmare. Unexpectedly her hiding was seen through, injured once more.
She still had remaining strength for complete liberation and another battle, but was it worth it? If this continued, who would win amid rubble? Right, her side lost through wavering.
Thinking this, Snow Maiden actively lowered magical power reaction and aura.
Hibiscus sensed the atmospheric change and declared loudly, "My intent isn't killing anyone, just doing some minor destruction. Just hide well."
Hearing this, both sides reduced magical circulation efficiency, originally activated relics ceased.
The garrison couldn't gamble on this possibility. Though the Church had never had fierce friction or casualties with human forces so far, no one wanted to be the precedent. Better retreat than demand surrender.
"These guys really know how to save face." Jin Yulu mocked, "I thought they'd fight to the last moment, but they're not stubborn after all."
"Because military high command hasn't handled the legitimacy issue well either. After all, cursed relics have already caused many innocent casualties. Moreover, the Relic Treasury has always been relatively independent. Technology and experience determine that whoever dominates trends must try to ensure their status—guaranteed profit regardless of drought or flood."
Finishing, Hibiscus raised a solid mirror fragment that flew and spun.
Temporal Cross-Section.
The mirror slice cut through barriers contaminated with Knowledge Poison without obstruction, striking the building complex's main body to split it into fragments.
Destruction from time magic's strongest current first output skill toppled the myth that had been impregnable for half a century. The magnificent form emitted rolling smoke and dust, flames reaching the sky, central technique reactions immediately disappearing. People inside could only hold their heads and lie flat, praying not to be affected. At this moment, the entire Relic Treasury prostrated at Magical Girl Hyacinth's feet—victory decided.
They lost the key battle, unable to support North American allied military headquarters.
"Done." Hibiscus finalized.
"Thank you all for extending aid. Fighting alongside makes us comrades, but excuse me from accompanying further. Sorry, I'll leave first."
Without explanation, Erina became an ink trail sliding across ice into the distance—amazingly fast and flexible. If she intended to leave the battlefield, probably only very few methods could stop her.
Seeing this, Beatrice and Jin Yulu looked at Hibiscus together. What now?
"The treasury still contains unused autonomous powerful relics. Provoking those guys would be very troublesome. Better quit while ahead—time to withdraw."
Don't push too hard, or Snow Maiden might decide on mutual destruction. When victory battles become life-death battles, it benefits no one. Since combat objectives were achieved—even exceeding by destroying cursed relics—best leave quickly.
Hibiscus finally glanced where Erina disappeared, showing a meaningful smile. What is leaving? Hiding rather, just like a shy rabbit.
As a hot-blooded manga protagonist setting products, she understood dealing with enemies but was filled with strangeness toward allies—far from mature enough.
Temporary separation was fine.
The strongest technique magic was special—wait for now. Since she currently couldn't solve what happened to her master, might as well stop here.
Salvation Church members didn't linger, exchanging simple healing curses before preparing to leave. The battle plan wasn't finished. Returning wasn't more dangerous than coming, as variables might exist at Hidden Island's scheduled arrival position—in any case, move quickly.
World Serpent carried the two soaring into clouds, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Antarctica's sky was returning to calm.
Snow Maiden, releasing layer upon layer of ice sheet concealment, stood on the white wasteland gazing at the departing World Serpent, watching long until finally sighing in relief.
Each served their master.
This cold heart could hardly be called angry, hateful, or fearful—emotions long worn away. Just some regret that battle couldn't continue. As Relic Treasury Commander, she couldn't abandon allies for personal satisfaction of complete liberation.
Behind the Commander were Holy Relics who had somewhat recovered, especially Witch with medical soldier abilities suffering lightest injury, busily using healing curses to repair everyone.
"Hyacinth should know our abilities and held back, or I'd definitely die first."
She still had lingering fear of the earlier unmatched time suspension.
Snow Maiden disagreed, "Salvation Church seems to attack everywhere making enemies, but actually never takes hatred upon themselves, won't leave too many blood debts. If everyone held life-death battle resolve, the scene would be completely different."
"As the first priority cursed relic in the planned decapitation operation has been destroyed, do we still have ability to help allied forces?"
"Useless."
Holy Relics looked at each other, unanimously viewing the treasury building ablaze.
Who could predict from beginning to end this super building supposedly capable of withstanding nuclear strikes would be played with like a stick, finally broken by a bored Hyacinth in one move?
Top-tier Magical Girls had obviously higher upper limits by a large margin.
So-called Knowledge Poison barriers and various defensive relic-generated walls couldn't stop Church high-end combat power. Actually, Protea had already damaged to dangerous edges earlier—just a little force would pierce window paper. Even when Scarecrow's sneak attack succeeded, they didn't think they'd won. World Serpent in adversity would make things more difficult, outcome still uncertain.
Ultimately, they even lacked sufficient resolve for this battle. Crazy orders created misgivings, not decisive enough.
Years of joint Anti-Disaster Beast combat experience actually both planted seeds of internal strife and made everyone emphasize basic bottom lines. Fighting was possible but mutual destruction benefiting outsiders wasn't—orders to completely trigger all cursed relics served no one's interests.
Good now.
The entire treasury's signals were cut, functions paralyzed, raging fires... Offensive hopes were gone—at most ensuring no relic runaway rampage.
Witch looked at this scene, murmuring, "Did we do right?"
"Don't think about that mess. Look—even our Commander boss doesn't care," somewhat recovered Trident stretched lazily to comfort. "At least everyone survived a test—consider it a war game."
"First that girl in the painting, then World Serpent, then even Hyacinth joining the fun. Several strong ones taking turns serving us—really unlucky enough."
"Exactly proves we did well before—a thorn in various forces' sides, same in future."
"I'm not as optimistic as you. Think carefully—we've missed the optimal 72-hour support window. No matter what, we can't intervene in mercenary-military strife, only wait for new superiors' arrangements. Maybe still familiar faces, but controllers become the Mercenary Alliance. From another angle, Holy Relic treaties will be more privileged—some benefits for us."
Trident was usually cheerful but decisive in battle, proving his essential careful thinking—understanding this layer earlier than anyone.
Times would change.
"Report Commander, we found surveillance recordings missing."
"Should be taken by the Church... They probably want to intercept some clues. No matter, continue repairing fortifications, treating wounded. Don't stay outside too long or Antarctica's weather will kill people."
Snow Maiden gazed toward the horizon where sea met sky, seeing brilliant light tearing through layers of blizzard fog, bringing warmth.
The weather improved. If forcibly connecting mystical divination meaning, was it good? Ironic enough—everything was general trend. Actually, she was prepared for the Mercenary Alliance ascending to hegemony.
But what about Magical Girls hiding behind? So far the Salvation Church advanced step by step—simple interest exchanges would never make them act.
They must have designs.
This time President Bull and others rising was just rehearsal. Probably in prophet Hyacinth's eyes, having someone else perform power-seizing theater was perfect. After all, they were still young, could wait, might as well instigate others as royal vanguards. Whether you erred or succeeded, the Church never lost.
Could the Mercenary Alliance's many smart people not see through this? No, mutual benefit.
"Everyone, if people come later under inspection or support treasury pretenses, what do we do?" Snow Maiden asked a sensitive topic. "Would you fight for it?"
"My only superior is you. Others don't matter."
After the Witch stated position, everyone echoed—each old fox throwing the ball back, all depending on the Field Commander's decision.
"...Many people think so, so Bull's plan will go very smoothly. Since so, we needn't interfere in anything extra. I'll release that research ship's frozen state—consider it goodwill."
Finishing, Snow Maiden strode toward the coast—clearly a giant icebreaker, fully 50,000 tons but firmly trapped motionless.
Heart of Profound Winter's continuous doubled freezing equaled sealing technique. Internal object decay would be very slow, like super-refrigerator storage—even fragile human bodies could maintain long periods. So the ten-thousand-ton ship before her seemed like an ice lump but was perfectly safe. Originally she planned using it as prisoner bargaining chip, but now seemed unnecessary.
Splash!
Snapping fingers, melted water washed the entire ship.
Mercenaries inside coughed continuously, just realizing they'd been sealed so long—that period probably equivalent to death. Fearful gazes stared at the culprit, not daring imagine why the opponent suddenly showed mercy... Wait, why was the Relic Treasury all broken and ruined?
During their unconsciousness, very intense battle occurred—earth overturned, life destroyed. Even thousand-meter-thick Antarctic ice sheets were fragmented.
The Mercenary Alliance might manage but couldn't spare hands, leaving only one possibility.
Could the heavily guarded Relic Treasury be taught a lesson? What force could do it? How much combat power dispatched?
Before they figured it out, Snow Maiden issued eviction orders, "Situation as you see. Go back quickly, bring facts to President Bull. This is all ending. Also, we hate disturbance—you should show necessary respect."
"Until we meet again."
Saying so, she turned and left decisively.
Mercenaries on the icebreaker were still shaken, more convinced of their guess. Truly exaggerated—really was Salvation Church acting to suppress the Relic Treasury.
Though involving various variable factors, war emphasized results. This organization proved with actions their expertise extended to non-Disaster Beast battlefields.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
Washington, Disaster Beast Countermeasure Organization Headquarters.
Its more famous name was "Allied Military Command," once dominating half the world's military in catastrophe battles. This landmark building always gave magnificent, towering impressions, but now was surrounded by countless armored vehicles in triple layers, heavily armed mercenaries patrolling the perimeter, forbidding approach.
Moreover, all necessary routes were strictly blockaded with checkpoints—any disturbance would face fierce suppression.
Commercial plaza big screens broadcast announcements of "comprehensive martial law under Emergency State Law due to meteor strike damage."
Fooling who?
What meteors were smart enough to specifically hit command posts, bunkers, arsenals? Really had eyes. But dwelling on it now was meaningless. Ordinary citizens could only stay home with doors and windows tightly shut, staying out of it. They understood the mercenaries and military, who had been accumulating conflicts, would finally determine a winner. Headquarters control would completely decide the battle's direction.
Busybodies climbed rooftops to gaze toward the building, seeing helicopters circling with cannons aimed at the top floors, sky occasionally swept by fighter jets, their roar shattering glass.
This wasn't war—more like a slightly large-scale coup.
All broadcasts, television, radio, or newspapers repeated the emergency state without further explanation, only more and more troops.
The entire city was shrouded in tension, the smell of gunpowder in the air making people uncomfortable, though some found it pleasant.
Bull smiled at the floor-to-ceiling window, inhaling the gunpowder scent, then turned to look at countless suited figures held at gunpoint, smiling faintly: "Some people like drugs, some like smoking. I smell gunpowder and feel invigorated."
"Because it reminds me I'm still on the battlefield—never let your guard down. For instance, uncooperative fellows must be dealt with quickly to avoid backstabs and regret."
Dead silence.
Those gathered here included many allied military high-ranking officials, though more civilian personnel. Facing such formations, they were basically scared stiff and obedient, yet some hardliners still refused.
Holy Relic battlefields were at the Mercenary Alliance's European headquarters. Bull, who planned all this, had victory assured.
Official high-end combat power was actually heavily divided. For example, capable people like Josh and Dorothy had to return to war zones they'd guarded for years because he set off some "firecrackers" in fallen zones to provoke Disaster Beasts—you had to return for defense. Others protected important personnel, supported research centers or treasuries, while remainder had to attack Mercenary Alliance Headquarters.
The overall situation was decided—opponents couldn't stir up much.
Bull just received news: Salvation Church achieved overwhelming victory against both major institutions, strongest Magical Girl Hyacinth moving between north and south poles to establish absolute advantage.
He was shocked. Beyond happiness, he even felt some fear because the cooperation partner's action efficiency was unbelievably fast—special forces-level execution, guaranteed mission completion. This heavy punch hit wherever pointed, leaving targets scattered without resistance. So the Magical Girl Organization was more terrifying than imagined.
Bull was glad both sides weren't enemies. Since so, certain stubborn ones who also received news would be even more afraid.
The trump cards they'd hoped for were defeated. Many became disheartened, including Croft. He and important personnel entering Cheyenne Mountain Military Base were being ordered to "retire"—representing higher-ups' choice.
Who you used didn't matter? Rather, Bull was more suitable for the great task, and others saw he'd reached agreement with the Church, beneficial for future order.
Perfect.
Those stationed at European headquarters had trump cards like Pasha and Philomena for entanglement and delay—they would bring good news.
Remaining small elite forces and large numbers of mercenaries headed straight for Washington to control the situation, including the president himself. This move was extremely risky—any link failing meant death.
While pondering, the office door opened as General Sid entered, nodding at him.
Bull's face showed joy: "Colleagues at European headquarters withstood the most difficult test. Our allies also let the whole world see nothing was truly impregnable. The answer is clear enough, right? Are there still some diehards dissatisfied..."
"This is demonic rebellion!"
Hearing curses, his smile grew wider, sending chills down spines.
"If everyone cooperated obediently, I'd be troubled lacking targets to make examples of. Now you can implement your loyalty."
Bull grabbed the resistor's collar with one hand, dragging him to the floor-to-ceiling window, then kicked through the tempered glass. Instantly, high-altitude airflow rushed into the room, slapping faces. Ordinary people would feel dizzy just glancing at the traffic below. Not fearing heights meant not being high enough—now it could evoke humanity's primal terror.
"Last chance—completely submit to my control. Let that voice enter your mind. Strong will isn't for use here. Think again carefully..."
"Bastard!"
Before finishing, Bull released his hand, letting him scream as he fell from high altitude. In one breath, no more sound.
He shrugged, pointing at the floor-to-ceiling window behind him: "Everyone knows I'm easygoing. Don't make me act against my conscience with violence. Give yourselves a chance too, okay? Ladies and gentlemen, please relax all your defenses."
Everyone prostrated under black gun muzzles. When genuinely terrified from the heart, certain whispers flowed into minds, involuntarily sinking into them.
Relic Instigator's power flowed slowly with Bull's persuasion.
Success.
His relic was actually very weak—lowest-grade ordinary level, at most enhancing physical qualities plus some persuasion, but most importantly, it was suitable.
Because of poor performance, Knowledge Poison cost was low, basically not affecting daily work, while ensuring Bull had some self-protection ability. Moreover, when timing was right, it could make people genuinely convinced. Nothing remarkable—many hypnosis techniques could achieve this. But he understood seizing opportunities, like these countermeasure organization high-ranking members gradually becoming devoted, helping him through the post-power-seizure takeover period sufficiently.
From beginning to end, Bull's thinking wasn't particularly dependent on any single force—the most crucial step required his personal action.
Going straight to enemy headquarters was most difficult, arduous, and risky, so nobody else was suitable. The boss charging ahead was more persuasive.
After this building completed suppression, Washington District officials came smiling, both sides completely confirming Croft's retirement and the urgent priority of calming situations to avoid greater casualties.
For them, it was just a game—winner takes all.
Mercenary Alliance had always acted obedient, even willing to bear losses. Conversely, the military made things bigger and bigger, even preparing serial curse killings. Ridiculous—didn't you know how many politicians played revolving doors with military contractors? Everyone's choice was obvious. Tactless fellows should leave early.
"It's over."
Bull sat before the floor-to-ceiling window murmuring to himself, overlooking the modern metropolis's steel forest magnificence, unable to suppress laughter—that satisfaction was moving.
People beside him were silent as cicadas, not daring respond, but eyes without exception showed eager expectation. Regardless, they'd witnessed a power monster ascending the throne—everyone would share benefits. Betting lives and winning—all was well.
"Now nobody's taking blame for us. Work honestly—the new allied military must be extra careful."
Rising from humble beginnings to peak heights, a road accompanied by countless controversies—how would posterity judge?
Much to do ahead. He'd stepped from behind scenes into history.