Three days after the new specific medicine's debut.
Under the client's strong request, Hibiscus officially announced as Chairman and CEO of Five-Color Narcissus Technology Branch a series of messages including "new generation infection specific medicine officially entering the market," becoming a rare high-profile activity since the company's establishment.
Though it was the military's proposal, it also benefited the organization. By now, the Church Leader needed a more public identity to establish prestige.
Times had changed—hiding more would only lose discourse power positions.
Previously, Magical Girls were constrained by insufficient strength, looking before and after. Now the Mercenary Alliance and new allied forces clearly expressed support for the Salvation Church while transferring considerable power. Plus the hard strength to even deal with the Relic Treasury—what was there to fear from exposure? Moreover, Hibiscus stepping forward didn't mean revealing weaknesses. On the contrary, attracting spotlights concealed more secrets.
At the press conference.
Co-seated Li Yingge actually undertook more publicity tasks, frankly telling the media: "After internal review, we confirmed Five-Color Narcissus Company's product reliability, so we accelerated approval procedures. This complies with protocols, and we believe they can achieve success in the market."
Military confirmation blocked questions that should have arisen. Since it was equivalent to military custom products, nothing more to say—battlefield testing definitely had the highest value.
One reporter was more curious about Hibiscus: "May I ask how the Chairman views personal debt exceeding 110 billion?"
"That's naturally thanking investors for their trust in me."
Facing the subtle attack, she smiled and brushed it off. Joke—money I borrowed with skill. Rising prosperity has nothing to do with growing holes. Anyway, all debts count as free money. The strong never lose.
But she sensed hostile emotions—obviously some people wanted to create difficulties or test her. The confrontation had begun.
"What direction will your company's next business strategy take?"
"As everyone knows, we started in the vertical segment of specific medicines with little involvement in other areas, but accumulated experience in computers is feasible."
"Convenient to reveal new products in this area?"
As someone who'd been following information engineering development throughout, Hibiscus answered fluently, easily replying to related questions, meeting moves with countermoves. It actually became a new product preview conference. She understood this should be Jin Ruochu's blessing effect, making public opinion favor her.
Causality Fortune and Misfortune could designate a target to gain support in specific situations—like making Hibiscus the center of attention.
Beside her, Li Yingge looked confused then realized the atmosphere wasn't quite right.
The opening lines had some ill intent, not in the outline script. Though she also hoped to ask something, she didn't want cooperation partners to lose face—otherwise the military would also lose status. Fortunately, the atmosphere suddenly shifted as everyone returned to normal press conference routines: following the script. The young, wealthy, and famous Boss Mu inevitably aroused jealousy, but overall she still handled it easily without worry. Political and business circles were better at dealing with media.
One hour later.
The press conference ended with Li Yingge on edge, while Five-Color Narcissus Company representatives Hibiscus, Jin Ruochu, and Nan Zhiyi appeared composed and calm.
She once again marveled at heroes emerging young.
"...Since so, our joint press conference ends here. I must quickly return to frontline positions. Your company just maintain supply according to the agreed contract priorities."
"Please rest assured—without trust, one cannot stand. The company will strictly follow contract contents." Hibiscus's affable smile was convincing.
"Speaking of which, I can introduce you to investing in the Administration Development Foundation. You know, it has strict qualification reviews but high returns. Many established enterprises can't squeeze in despite breaking their heads, and the platform effect is obvious. Interested?"
"We young enterprises originally didn't expect this—then we'll trouble the Commander."
The two looked deeply at each other then waved goodbye.
The final probing words produced no results. Expert exchanges were often difficult to see results, moreover the military probably still wasn't certain about connections with the Church.
Both sides tacitly completed one cooperation, everyone happy. No need to get to the bottom of everything.
Nan Zhiyi suddenly reported: "Miss Elsa coordinating with the Mercenary Alliance in North America sent back news—currently negotiating those three-article conditions. As you expected, they're delaying. But clearly promised to support Ice Island's Administration, already transferring over 20 billion dollars. What do you think, Jin?"
No surprise.
"Continue advancing negotiations, just voice our position. Wait—as the Pacific war situation changes, they'll change attitudes."
"What about the computer laboratory? According to Miss Elsa, it's going smoothly. We've added 20 related magic users and will soon launch what you mentioned... smartphones?"
"Far from just that—a series of supporting products must also keep pace."
"Those are progressing normally. After all, some engineers aren't as forward-looking as you, slacking a bit."
"Push them—quickly research finished products for market launch. Five-Color Narcissus Company's business territory needs another expansion round. Anyway, we'll need to invest in the Administration later. Priority is reorganizing while absorbing Magical Girls, focusing on surface operations." Hibiscus took a deep breath: "Ice Island construction, Administration framework, new product promotion—all cost money."
Jin Ruochu said proudly: "They definitely won't expect this is fundamentally left hand to right hand. The Salvation Church wins either way—that's the benefit of large scale."
The group left the press conference site.
Next, Hibiscus closely monitored the situation. Fortunately, no accidents occurred. News almost unified in positive reporting:
"Five-Color Narcissus Company launches new version specific medicine suppressing this round's expanding special infections, Ningfeng Harbor disaster contained"
"Let's approach the story behind this enterprise's founding team..."
"According to reliable sources, the rising Five-Color Narcissus pharmaceutical company will also participate in the Administration Development Foundation, undoubtedly affecting negotiations between Director Elsa and President Bull"
"Exclusive report: How will the upcoming smartphones revolutionize people's lifestyles"
Hibiscus thought this was indeed worthy of publicity resources gained after connecting with the military, matching her efforts. Good—reputation never hurt. For informed Magical Girls, it was honorable, and understanding the closed-loop relationship between Five-Color Narcissus, Salvation Church, and Administration was convenient.
She wasn't surprised by fame spreading worldwide—after all, she'd experienced Magical Girl Hyacinth's identity once. The key was whether it would remotely help Elsa's negotiations.
The Mercenary Alliance with increasingly stable thrones wasn't easy to defeat in verbal battles.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
Near New Allied Forces Staff Headquarters.
Just leaving the hotel, Elsa was surrounded by reporters in a bustling crowd, bombarded with rapid-fire questions.
Including but not limited to "Will there be no press conference after three days of meetings?" "Can you describe in detail the Church's role in that battle?" "What are the reasons for inability to advance?" "When will idol activities restart?" and similar questions.
Magical Girl Chrysanthemum's public image had always been amiable, having nothing to do with the Justice Department's serial accidental casualties. So she faced questions with smiles.
Miyuki, responsible for playing bad cop, glared fiercely at everyone, instantly creating silence.
The old partner now served as bodyguard—black suit and pants with earpiece, clean and efficient, heroic and spirited, more than ten strong men's human wall. Her gaze was like needle pricks, making crowds retreat and clear a path.
Can't provoke her.
Though newly arrived, Miyuki already had several "glorious deeds." Since Elsa was very hateable while in gun-free territory, assassination attempts were frequent. Each time she would strike hard, beating them on the spot with punches landing on flesh. Even several times she beat gunmen half-paralyzed before cameras, instead earning praise as everyone's simple psychology found it satisfying and refreshing—swift revenge.
Everyone understood: you could reason with Elsa, but Miyuki wouldn't give good faces. Scholars meeting soldiers couldn't reason clearly.
But distant reporters still kept coming, continuous shutter clicks.
Elsa smiled faintly in response: "No schedule today temporarily. Since cooperation partners are willing to wait, we can too. Everyone understands and accommodates each other."
Neither humble nor arrogant tone revealed no attitude.
She clearly knew some reporters were shills with mercenary missions to probe, so lips must be sealed. So what about tug-of-war? She could wait. Instead, more and more forces extended olive branches to the Administration, even the Five-Color Narcissus Company was secretly exerting effort.
"Director, do you plan to meet anyone?"
"No reception arrangements. I just want coffee and random shopping, maybe even fly to California hometown for vacation..."
Before finishing, a car stopped at the hotel entrance. Miller opened the door and waved with a smile: "You wouldn't refuse even my invitation, would you?"
The opposition party whip's sudden arrival left media unprepared, momentarily stunned. Elsa, who'd planned a strategic retreat, nodded with flickering eyes. Father and daughter being in the same capital but always too busy to meet was indeed improper.
"Let's go."
"Julia's here too. Bring your friend along—no outsiders, let's drive around."
Mentioned Miyuki was slightly stunned. Logically, Miller's family of three going out made her superfluous—inexplicably nervous. But Magical Girl keen intuition told her she couldn't refuse—rare opportunity. From another angle, would a senator immersed in politics for years just be polite?
While hesitating, Elsa patted her back, almost pulling Miyuki into the backseat. Driver Miller hit the gas leaving the hotel, making reporters eat exhaust.
Normally, such a dignitary wouldn't dare relax so much, but today he was in good mood—two Magical Girls were adequate bodyguards.
The car reached suburban forest along state highways.
Scenic beauty, lake light and spring colors.
North American continent's winter had passed, everything warming, full of vitality. Forest warning signs about bears added wild beauty.
Miller said leisurely: "Actually, another reason mercenaries are delaying is Bull's insufficient fulfillment capability. After all, he gently controlled old military groups—not ruthless enough, can't be ruthless. Many oppose him. Without my party whip lobbying, it'd be more troublesome. So agreeing to ally demands early would easily discount execution, pointlessly destroying trust."
"But how do I confirm you're not here as lobbyist asking me to slow pressure?"
"You girl actually playing this with me—use your magical abilities to sense whether I'm lying." Miller laughed heartily without taking offense.
Elsa held her forehead sighing: "My mission is very arduous, also supervising new electronic product markets, but the first task advances slowly."
Anxious.
Bearing Salvation Church's mission while deeply valued by Senior Hyacinth—if she messed up, she couldn't forgive herself. But domestic situation complexity exceeded imagination. Couldn't use magic to randomly kill in such tense situations—wouldn't that be worse?
Suddenly Miller opened the car trunk, taking out a double-barreled shotgun and expertly loading it, eager to try.
Only then did she notice a mother bear with cubs being chased by a male bear entering view. With her mind full of complex thoughts, Elsa hadn't noticed. Even without malice, it was hard for Magical Girls to perceive—somewhat careless.
Seeing this, Miyuki further blocked Julia.
"Elsa, if I asked how to save this mother bear, how would you answer?"
"Kill the male bear."
Before finishing, a gunshot rang out, never missing. A several-year-old bear cub fell instantly without movement, blood splashing grass, frightening birds. Such a bizarre scene left the three companions dumbfounded—what operation was this?
However, next the mother bear, having lost her cub, actually went into heat under the pursuer's provocation, soon performing life's great harmony—not a moment's sadness for her child's death.
"Don't be that insistent nagging male bear. Why doesn't the mother bear respond? Catch the key point—it's actually very fragile."
Miller continued loading while murmuring: "Good luck—found good teaching material for my precious daughter. Otherwise I worried how to explain this complex mess clearly. Anyway, help the Mercenary Alliance establish prestige. Just let certain key opposition figures get entangled in scandals. You find pressure points, you handle operations. Finally I end their political lives. Do more, learn more—you're my only child."
Elsa smiled faintly: "Dad, animal protection organizations will trouble you for this."
"You won't report me, will you?"
"If you also give me a shotgun."
The two then smiled and each fired once, sending both bears to meet God, then set up barbecue racks while gathering firewood. Families should be complete—whether prey or hunter.
Witnessing everything, Miyuki didn't know how to evaluate this. Amazing—always felt Elsa would show new sides constantly. Because idols best understood packaging and hiding?
Julia poked the girl laughing: "They're like this—always surprising actions, occasionally playing like children, nowhere to vent energy wanting to wrestle bears. You'll find it interesting getting to know them slowly."
"I deeply agree."
Miller family dinner ended in lively atmosphere.
Miyuki, native to Edo, had never tasted bear paw delicacy in her dietary system—full of wildness and power while freshly hunted, guaranteed fresh. First-class ingredients plus Julia and Elsa's cooking skills made delicacies—rough yet heroic.
She cut meat from bear paw, finding it chewy and solid with pepper aroma hitting her nose.
According to hunter Miller's evaluation: "Mating behavior just proved their health—excellent ingredients," so he showed off hosting everyone.
What fortune.
Miyuki initially pondered table etiquette, soon abandoning formality. Under Elsa's recommendations, deliciousness went down smoothly with lingering fragrance and strong satiety.
Julia retrieved fine red wine from the car, pouring glasses for everyone. Obviously the couple came prepared, long wanting to see their daughter returned from long business trips.
After three rounds of wine, Miller suddenly spoke: "As I know, many big shots are silent about Salvation Church, already treating them as equals. You know how difficult this is? Harder than killing them. That Relic Treasury battle was key—if theoretically destructible trump cards were suppressed, they became afraid. This move was insightful. Elsa, how much advice did you contribute?"
"Very ashamed—I couldn't help much strategically. Core intelligence was in Senior Hyacinth's hands."
"Right, even I know little about Antarctica."
"If we must talk work, you know—responsible for Administration, occasionally deployed. Like the research center battle, paralyzing garrison organization. Church assigns work requiring both civilian and military understanding."
"Very dangerous?"
"Dad, what work is absolutely safe? Moreover, I've gained enough—effort should match rewards while repaying Senior Hyacinth."
Elsa was quite satisfied with current position—challenging yet increasingly comfortable, strongly experiencing the Salvation Church organization's step-by-step development and growth. She was in an excellent observation position finding paths in historical torrents, benefiting greatly.
Not just for herself, but for the Five-Leaf Clover team, for Miyuki, broadly helping all Magical Girls.
Love and Hate magic wasn't full of curses—it could also benefit the masses.
Magical Girl Chrysanthemum no longer rejected herself but embraced all possibilities, stepping onto broad roads, advancing alongside Church comrades.
At this moment, Elsa felt incomparably refreshed—vast sky and sea, seemingly even breaking some magical shackles. The Growth Stage barrier towering before her probably wasn't so impregnable.
Miller said with relief: "Previously I always wanted you in politics, finding good seniors to guide you, building credentials early. Now I've changed my mind too. Higher positions mean more constraints—can't do anything, hindered everywhere. Taking over deeply rooted, completely rotten organizations—how can it compare to stages where you can freely display abilities from scratch? I believe your choice. Relatives also agree—this is one of the family's most correct strategies."
"So easy?"
"Your cousins and such will replace our traditional constituency ranges. If you don't do senator work, plenty will."
"Then I'm relieved." Elsa took a big bite of meat.
"Almost finished eating. I'll drive you back—complete your work early." Miller became more serious: "Hyacinth is a stronger ambitious person than Bull with higher limits. She'll never lack followers in future, so you must secure elder positions."
The picnic interlude ended amid serious discussion. During this, Miyuki and Julia basically couldn't join topics—these father and daughter were too telepathic.
The day after returning to New Allied Forces Staff Headquarters.
Elsa sued all research center detention case-related institutions, departments, and personnel under the pretext of "protecting Administration subordinate member rights."
As for why they happened to oppose Bull's forces? Must be coincidence. Anyway, all city law firms profited wildly, sending letters frantically. Everyone knew this idol young lady's previous Justice Department massacre record—following her guaranteed wins, free lawyer commissions.
A legal dispute sweeping political circles advanced rapidly with incredible efficiency.
Her famous battle taught courts harsh lessons—just be tool people responding to us. As NPCs, no one cares about you. If daring to intervene in disputes themselves, prepare for both political and physical life termination.
Usually slow, delayed procedures full of judicial trading became unobstructed before Elsa.
Should be high-profile.
Initial thinking was wrong—urging was useless. As one of Salvation Church's few external managers, she should voice loud propositions serving final goals.
Expert exchanges revealed next routines immediately.
Then Bull led Mercenary Alliance related forces launching various tax, leak, affair investigations—obviously coordinated offensives.
Both sides undisguisedly beat drowning dogs. Though he was embarrassed needing Magical Girl help, meat at his lips must be swallowed, so he simply joined forces with Salvation Church.
Elsa still hadn't stopped acting.
She temporarily received orders from Hibiscus to "interact more with enterprises funding Administration to cover Five-Color Narcissus Company's entry"—counting as sharing pressure.
Always having Magical Girl Chrysanthemum and Five-Leaf Clover team represent Church external activities was too tiring. If a highly valued enterprise assisted, it'd be much more convenient. Newly entered Five-Color Narcissus Company was undoubtedly most suitable. So Elsa began mobilizing behind-the-scenes fundraising foundation power for lobbying, also appropriately dealing with similarly young peer Boss Mu. Both victorious meetings.
Externally, it was just Administration contacting investors while making new allies.
Through enterprise connections plus Miller's old father's operations, even controversial Elsa won Congressional speech opportunities.
Overall situation decided.
Love and Hate magic meeting speech environments was perfectly suited venue. After "painful recounting of stakes," research center related case investigations implemented, implicating numerous political enemies.
Coincidentally, Miller authorized "Independent Investigation Committee" nominations—outcomes already visible.
Old father didn't forget the final assists for daughter's smooth work. Anyway, no loss—committee credential recipients all owed favors.
Including party whip, Elsa and Bull's three-person joint setup completed century-scale massive trial cases with over 200 items involving thousands of people, representing former Allied Forces Staff Headquarters related personnel no longer having political influence.
Storm dust settled.