"What is that?"
Hermit Island's main pilot Anri Sakagami put down her binoculars, eyes red and teary. She had just been observing the surroundings when she saw a white-hot light, just like the flash grenade she'd taken when captured by mercenaries.
While rubbing her eyes, she saw co-pilot Ruan Manyue suddenly throw a punch, spatial magic Door-Knocker beginning to transmit layer by layer.
One flickering door after another appeared in the airspace ahead. In an instant, the air cleared and vision opened up, revealing the white-hot light's full appearance: it was the result of ultra-high altitude cloud refraction.
"Some kind of thunderstorm phenomenon. We need to pay attention to meteorological monitoring."
Magical Girl Dieffenbachia's spatial ability wasn't just surface-level door effects. Precisely speaking, it made contacted targets spatially permeable, and with power improvement could achieve transmission. For instance, striking the air in front yet dispersing all infection disease, storms, and erosive magical power within hundreds of meters—the premier choice for pioneering missions, also quite considerable for damage.
The soft-natured sister mastered magic capable of spatial killing power, while the strong-willed sister mastered the most entangling time magic.
Magical Girl Rose smiled at this phenomenon—this partner was indeed quite cute.
"Is piloting still normal?"
Hibiscus's inquiry came through the intercom. She quickly answered: "Everything's smooth, but you need to have Miss Helen increase ocean current power, otherwise the speed's too slow."
"Mm, received. But we're also researching the spatial movement effects of Thousand-Li Viewing Mirror fusion with elemental magic, and incidentally using Mountain Building Movement to clear a safe passage without reefs. Your piloting situation needs to wait a bit."
"Seniors handle your own business—everything's completely fine here." Anri Sakagami smiled.
Meanwhile, at Hermit Island's advancing direction beachhead, Disaster Beasts pounced one after another then were blasted away by magical bombardment.
Hibiscus closed the intercom watching the lively battlefield. Though nominally counting as exercise warfare, it was no different from real combat. Jin Yulu, who usually liked interfering with instruction, sat alone on seaside rocks drinking fruit juice while watching, giving no suggestions and letting Magical Girls judge for themselves.
Rumble!
They formed formations in orderly fashion, taking turns bombing with various diverse magic providing comprehensive care. Ordinary Disaster Beasts immediately collapsed completely.
Organization was most important in frontal warfare.
Disaster Beasts lacking any discipline were equivalent to fighting individually. If facing ordinary soldiers, they might forcibly compensate gaps through individual physical strength, but before Magical Girls with similar power, speed, and endurance, they exposed a series of weaknesses:
Reckless charging, not knowing how to avoid attacks, loving to cluster, rejecting cooperative coordination—these stacked factors led to one outcome: death.
Hermit Island didn't even deploy countless stockpiled modern military equipment. Relying solely on Magical Girl formations achieved better casualty ratios—no, it should be said killing hundreds of Disaster Beasts with zero deaths. Under organizational gaps, army versus army loss ratios would be greater than human versus pig.
More importantly, this operation introduced systematic logistical support.
Jin Ruochu, responsible for this aspect, constantly instructed: "Flowering Crabapple, pay attention to saving combat area files separately. Squad leaders, try not to leave saved areas."
"Healing Rain coverage will end in 50 seconds. Unicorn prepare to step up for rotation."
"Where are the mana potions?"
"Though I'm asking, that doesn't mean you should pile things on the beach. Use temporary teleportation arrays for transport—very convenient on the island."
Originally from civilian background knowing nothing about military management, the pink-haired protagonist miss was increasingly taking shape. In fact, after several long-distance Disaster Beast campaigns, veterans could mostly serve as non-commissioned officers. Precisely because numerous grassroots commanders existed, the Church's amazing tactical execution was implemented. Including Jin Ruochu—definitely generals rising from ranks, quite impressive.
Hibiscus instead became relatively idle. Besides monitoring island surroundings, there was nothing to do, or more precisely, serving as ultra-long-range radar cooperating with two newcomers.
She reminded: "Miss Helen, you don't need to work so hard. We're not specifically requiring maintaining 30 knots."
After a full Regalia transformation, the blue-haired Magical Girl Hollow Bubble wiped forehead sweat, saying vigorously: "I just joined your organization, Boss. Of course I should contribute more, and this is being responsible for everyone's safety."
In comparison, Zoe was much more relaxed.
Mountain Building Movement magic holder's job was clearing a path, crushing all sharp reefs along the way—easy and effortless for her.
Magical Girl Mirror Grass waved her hand and the sea surface exploded. Rocks that might become obstacles continuously shattered, finally opening into a broad highway.
According to agreement, the Church could naturally act freely, but they should clear a shipping lane incidentally, at least not so treacherous as to constantly wreck ships. This would lay groundwork for later New Allied Forces large-scale coordinated attacks, then tear open New Zealand coastal areas in one breath.
"Gold!"
Suddenly Zoe picked up rice-grain-sized natural ore from the beach, couldn't help exclaiming.
"Great! I usually pay attention to gold elements when using magic, but almost never dug out natural ore. Just arrived at the Church and had this chance."
"Your magic has improved." Hibiscus encouraged.
Usually outgoing and lively Zoe rarely blushed, scratching her head: "I couldn't do it alone. It should also be thanks to Senior Manjusaka giving everyone luck blessing, so I plan to make this gold into micro-sculpture as an organizational memento."
"Miss Zoe is thoughtful. Indeed, we should establish a corporate memorabilia hall. I think it's feasible, right, Hibiscus?"
Nan Zhiyi approached with a stack of documents, smiling and waving hello.
"I also agree."
Hibiscus remembered netizens had previously sent some pictures of Salvation Church internal organization, indeed including so-called memorabilia with considerable cultural atmosphere—sounded good. Given time, these things would serve as precious historical research materials, because their owners deeply influenced civilization's course. Whether their contributions or destruction couldn't be easily erased—names passed down to posterity.
Nan Zhiyi handed over a roster recording the Church's magical power level growth over this period: 120 Third Awakening, 625 Second Awakening.
Others not counting as combat power were excluded—just-awakened ones. Overall data remained good, especially progress was obvious. Precisely this data supported the organization daring to conduct a voyage of exploration, and during just 5 days of sailing, some progressed from Second to Third Awakening.
Additionally, trends suggested several more would reach Seedling Stage. The Church's overall strength grew daily.
She pointed at the roster: "Now do you think it's enough to explore Fallen Zone depths?"
Hibiscus answered: "Honestly, I'm still uneasy, but circumstances changed. That white-hot light just now reminded us we need to hurry."
Caution ensures ten thousand years.
Hibiscus naturally understood this principle, but increasingly rioting Disaster Beasts didn't give time for careful consideration. Being cautious didn't mean missing opportunities—otherwise everyone fighting would become defense versus defense. When necessary, should actively attack Fallen Zones to tear open breaches and create opportunities.
She murmured: "Now counts as training phase, but if planning active offense, must prepare for sacrifices."
"Hibiscus, don't force yourself to decide alone. You bear the greatest responsibility after all."
Witnessing the silver-haired girl's slightly worried expression, Nan Zhiyi felt heartache but could only hold her hand, interlocking fingers transmitting warmth. Besides this, she couldn't console much—decision-makers were often lonely.
No one saw farther than prophets, so only Hyacinth bore everything. All along, she'd built the organization while moving among various powers.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"Actually, showing you the roster also wants to express something: the Church is already strong enough."
"Right, they're sufficient to implement appropriate tactics. Grasping this measure is crucial." Hibiscus glanced at the beach.
"Completely correct. Look, in just the time we talked, a batch of Disaster Beasts was finished." Nan Zhiyi pointed distantly. "When we nearly died facing Vanguard Disaster Beasts, did we guess it would be like now? As the world's largest Magical Girl Organization, we have both will and ability to change anything. If Fallen Zone's mad Disaster Beasts try further expansion, they need to ask the Church's opinion."
No exaggeration intended. After all, the Salvation Church as an organization differed from any other civilian association—from the beginning, its foundation carried military coloration.
Moreover, after long training, it finally welcomed transformation. Current battle conditions sufficiently demonstrated this. When Magical Girls cooperated in rotating bombardments, Disaster Beasts completely exposed organizational inadequacy weaknesses. Casualty ratios continuously expanded yet showed no intention of retreating, also benefiting from another skill:
Aggro pulling.
After advancing to Growth Stage, Elsa's causal magic control was superior and showed conceptual nature.
She created a "hatred monster circle" in the area—everything within 10 kilometers was called over to fight. No shortage of conflicts.
Hibiscus watched the bright yellow Regalia girl's dedicated yet enjoyable appearance, couldn't help smiling with relief. In the original work, Management Bureau's first director only grew to this extent before regretfully exiting, but she absolutely wouldn't allow that to happen again.
"You're quite right. Now the Church's options are incomparable. We ourselves count as part of strategy. Since that's the case, advance another 200 kilometers into the zone."
Hearing this, Nan Zhiyi transmitted orders: "Everyone rest a bit."
Simultaneously, Small Universe domain projection activated. Surging gravity forcibly pulled Disaster Beasts away from Hermit Island. In this instant, Elsa also lifted hatred—under two forces, they were thrown far away like broken plastic bags by waves, unable to pursue at all.
Because two major resident magics had closed internal-external communication, ordinary Disaster Beasts couldn't break through.
Mournful cries carried on the wind, seemingly regretting their status of coming when called and leaving when dismissed—even Disaster Beasts couldn't hold it together.
One round of conflict ended.
Hibiscus conveyed her decision to Anri Sakagami and Ruan Manyue, responsible for Thousand-Li Viewing Mirror operation. The two spatial magic users corrected direction along sea charts, leaving peripheral areas to advance one step toward the core. At this moment, even she raised 100% vigilance, witnessing cloud seas part, mist gradually scatter, various pressures increasing rather than decreasing.
In comparison, Magical Girls were quite relaxed, all resting.
"Such rich magical power atmosphere—even I feel stronger. Magic output should advance further. Indeed, danger and opportunity coexist."
"Awesome, so awesome."
"No wonder we came to stroll through the Fallen Zones—it's to strengthen everyone's training, right?"
Hearing juniors' discussions, Hibiscus explained: "Right, that's also part of the reason. Feel it well—future magical power revival will be more intense than this."
The dignified Magical Girl Hyacinth's sudden revelation shocked everyone into stopping their activities and staring. What's your situation? Don't casually announce super-heavyweight news.
To ordinary members, seniors were great prophets and fortune-tellers—their words represented future world trajectories.
Were they experiencing some enlightenment moment?
Hibiscus continued: "I've mentioned to you that Withering Stage Magical Girls can interfere with planetary motion or even destroy, or high-intensity output, right? But from Growth Stage performance, it's hard to imagine becoming that exaggerated after 3 more levels. Do you feel this way? Then you're right. The principle is simple—besides personal effort, becoming stronger must combine with historical process."
"For example, when magical power revival reaches its peak, our world will change profoundly. Third Awakening power might differ little from current Seedling Stage."
"Think again—aren't higher realms more terrifying? In a sense, without cultivation, just lying there, magical power revival's environment alone could let you level up sitting still. Right now, each of us is in a suppressed state—my power is the current world's limit, not Growth Stage's limit."
Domineering enough!
Magical Girl Hyacinth directly stated she'd touched the world's limits? If someone else said this, they might be looked down upon, but for her, it seemed normal.
The more you trained magical power, the more you'd experience what terrifying triple-element complete advancement represented.
The Salvation Church Leader rarely displayed ambition, but every action interpreted heroic spirit. She was walking an unprecedented, unparalleled most arduous strongest path.
"Wait, doesn't this mean Fallen Zone expansion faintly echoes Planet Gaia's world magical power revival process?" Academic achiever Nan Zhiyi immediately grasped something wrong. "So its extension is irreversible to some degree? After all, it fits the general trend."
"Your mind turns really fast."
Hibiscus's answer equated to revealing the essence, inevitably making Magical Girls' hearts complex—both celebrating lying down and getting stronger while worrying about Fallen Zones.
Jin Yulu surveyed the circle, saying loudly: "Don't think about those twists and turns. You need to know magical power rich zones can exist healthily, but Disaster Beasts can be eliminated."
"Completely correct. Speaking broadly, the entire world will eventually become a super magical power abundant zone. But Disaster Beasts needn't be kept. Fallen Zones are Fallen Zones thanks to their ravaging. What we can truly prevent is not letting these beasts interfere with civilization—we've long been irreconcilable enemies."
Before finishing, the silver-haired girl pointed distantly at the coastline beyond.
After tearing through peripheral mist, they welcomed the core zone. The scene before them greatly differed from imagined harsh weather:
Azure sky, white clouds, calm winds and still waves. For the first time in days of sailing, Magical Girls witnessed sunshine, warmly brushing the beach. Everything was so enchanting, like a vacation spot.
Provided the sea didn't float so many strangely-shaped monsters with tumors.
"Scenery-ruining tumor monsters."
Inheriting her old father's sharp tongue, Jin Ruochu immediately cursed, very displeased with special-ability Disaster Beast phenomena produced by Fallen Zone internal competition.
Not just her—other Magical Girls also showed disgust. Though they'd seen this too many times, now appearing in beautiful scenery, the strong sense of discord impacted worldviews, disgust index rising sharply.
Looking carefully, these Disaster Beasts unlike peripherals wouldn't directly pounce on them, instead occasionally devouring each other, or simply seals lying on beaches patting bellies without caring.
Really imagination-poor appearance—basically native creatures plus some mutation characteristics...
"Wait, they haven't formed their own ecology, have they?"
Nan Zhiyi's guess awakened those watching the excitement, unanimously thinking of a terrible notion: Disaster Beasts had completed deep embedding into Planet Gaia's native ecology within Fallen Zones. Did this represent that from biosphere perspective, they couldn't even be called invaders? The scene before them clearly formed their own faction, content and satisfied—many individuals even lacked interest in Magical Girls.
When commonly known violent monsters no longer paid attention to you, don't rush to celebrate—perhaps more crucial things were happening. Thinking deeply was truly nauseating.
Disgusting.
As native Planet Gaia beings, witnessing a group of foreign abnormalities taking root here only made them feel chills down their backs—stronger than pure threats. As if touching something more essential... my world was deeply interfered with by some bizarre things.
If left unchecked, would descendants have to live together with them?
Look at those normal fish in the sea—actually beginning symbiosis. Was this scene a corner glimpse of the future world?
Hibiscus stood with one hand on her hip, gazing and murmuring: "So even knowing it's long-term warfare, must fight on. Actually, the military hasn't clarified this level of intelligence."
"The reason I didn't say initially was wanting everyone to see personally—quite horrifying, right?"
"Only children who grew up on Planet Gaia, raised in the background of resisting Disaster Beasts with all humanity united, can comprehend the terror. This nausea based on specific cultural atmosphere is bone-deep."
Netizens couldn't understand.
People who never truly breathed Planet Gaia's air couldn't produce such strong disgust toward Disaster Beasts—this came from biological instinct. The genes responsible for reproduction were afraid, fearing future contamination by these fellows, ultimately becoming a lump of bizarre shapes.
Probably even the world itself was rejecting this festering sore, to no avail.
"Stop standing around. Take photos, make records, then transmit to the military. Let them properly understand what's happening here."
After Hibiscus's reminder, Magical Girls awakened as if from dreams and began bustling, even capturing some live specimens.
Without any extra explanation, just witnessing the tragic situation firsthand made everyone understand how important their current cause was—no longer just protecting civilization, but the entire world couldn't be occupied by these monsters.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, deep roars came from nearby coasts. Finally, Disaster Beasts moved due to Magical Girls' rich energy reactions, faintly surrounding but not daring to attack.
Both sides actually presented a standoff posture—neither dared act directly. Even the Church understood this place was full of strangeness, best not to be rash. For many Disaster Beasts, this was the first time seeing such upright-walking magical power creatures. They felt very fragrant but more clearly understood the opponents' flickering pressure wasn't to be underestimated. Though both sides developed hostility, they unanimously chose to wait and see, resulting in deadlock.
"If you're worried about instant-kill abilities, let me try—"
Jin Yulu transformed into half-beast form, claws scooping up a Disaster Beast. Instantly, dark green poisonous gas escaped, yet even scales were corroded.
Pop—crushed.
Then Nan Zhiyi's voice belatedly arrived: "Just now I was searching the illustrated guide. Simply put, this thing's just a pufferfish, and bottom-tier ordinary species at that. As you saw—making up numbers."
Before she finished explaining, Jin Yulu on the other side went on a killing spree, wiping out a small curious Disaster Beast group.
However, at this moment, Hermit Island's Disaster Beasts excitedly gathered over, looking like they were begging to be fed. Seeing this, everyone cast inquiring gazes toward feeder Hyacinth.
"......I don't know why either. It seems because Fallen Zone Disaster Beasts are relatively nutritious, fellow creatures are more worth devouring, plus they have targeting allure for each other. Perhaps ordinary Magical Girls don't matter to them anymore—better to eat more kindred."
Even Hibiscus couldn't hold it together explaining this herself.
Really ruthless.
Fallen Zones' extremely harsh survival conditions actually deeply changed Disaster Beasts themselves, increasingly inclined toward cannibalism.
Their abnormality even infected Hermit Island's tamed Disaster Beasts to some degree—though it might also be because everyone usually liked feeding "livestock" kindred meat.
In any case, this land had become an existence that should be eliminated by both sides.
"Collect some live specimens, check sea charts, organize materials. We'll stroll around the core zone edges and call it mission accomplished. Before military cooperation launches large-scale attacks, shouldn't penetrate too deep alone. Stop here."
"Report." Elsa raised her hand: "The military received our message and replied. They're mobilizing forces..."
Splash!
Yeta, flashing with lightning arcs all over, collapsed on the ground panting. Seeing this, medical team members helped her up for treatment—after all, thanks to her help strengthening electromagnetic waves.
She looked up at massive electrical energy accumulating in the upper atmosphere, murmuring: "If I hadn't advanced, I might have fainted from exhaustion. The electromagnetic environment here is very special. Besides Fallen Zone's own pressure entanglement, there are magical rewriting traces—must be careful. How to put it? Like being overturned by some powerful force's subsidiary derivative effects."
Yeta already counted as Seedling Stage Magical Girl—her judgment had reference value.
Hibiscus nodded: "I understand. I also suspected this point, but important is continuing investigation. Rest well first. Back to business, Elsa, what message did the military send? Also explain to everyone."
"Command's actions are faster than expected. They've already assembled the first batch of 4 fleets entering peripheral areas, following our incoming route."
As she spoke, she showed everyone a map.
"Hermit Island maintains 180 kilometers distance from the fleet, within carrier aircraft coverage, also able to conduct mid-range data transmission through early warning aircraft. We're comparing electromagnetic environment differences between core and peripheral zones—otherwise, rash intrusion might face danger."
"Additionally, they've already encountered medium cluster-scale Disaster Beasts in considerable numbers. Should be something fighting deeper, driving away weaker ones."
Elsa's relayed military intelligence also confirmed the crisis.