Summoning?
Hibiscus feared more Disaster Beasts calling friends and bringing several incomplete intelligent subspecies. Glancing at the Fallen Zone center, deep and dark magic power was indeed rising, even carrying Knowledge Poison contamination, disturbing.
Simultaneously she noticed the half-remaining Obsidian actively dispersed excess flesh into a crow, cold gleam flashing in its mouth.
The desperate strike accumulated until now pierced through the Magical Girl's palm, burning a bloody hole.
Of course it knew this level was meaningless. Taking this opportunity to rush toward the Fallen Zone center with all its might—as long as reaching there and awakening several more eggs, absolutely possible—
But the next moment, four Temporal Cross-Sections enveloped the Obsidian crow. Upper and lower gaps were blocked by pale palms respectively—it had become Hibiscus's prisoner, time magic completing the seal. At this moment it despairingly witnessed four Hyacinths each manifesting to maintain one cross-section, echoing with the main body for complete blockade—a dragnet with nowhere to go.
"Point creates line, line creates surface, surface creates volume."
Hibiscus murmured: "I thought I could create cross-section cubes through avatars—too unstable. The concept is correct but ability falls short, should involve Sands of Time's next stage. But instability itself counts as an attack, don't you think? Disaster Beast that will be remembered by no one—you're just a passerby."
Whoosh!
All Time Slice avatars vanished. Without maintaining stability, the overlapping cross-sections pressed against each other.
Before the absolutely magnificent phenomenon, mere damage targets were insignificant. Instantly Obsidian's remaining flesh was devoured completely, while spacetime collapse seemed to chain-react, continuing.
"Combination of Growth Stage and Blooming Stage skills—even the user faces some risk... Let's call you Time Collapse."
Just in case, Hibiscus flew at full speed from the battle center. Behind her, the conceptual phenomenon fusing Sands of Time's current ultimate strike collided with each other, finally breaking through the stability critical point, releasing astonishing might.
First came kaleidoscope-like refraction, as if millions of mirror fragments overlapped.
Then mutual fusion, collapse, and spread—in a blink extending from Fallen Zone depths to core zones—no, even outer areas witnessed it, terrifyingly vast in scope.
Everyone witnessing this believed Blooming Stage Magical Girls could probably shake continents, possessing capabilities to annihilate large nations at will. Then a series of phenomena confirmed the speculation—wherever the kaleidoscope reached produced energy tides like typhoon passages, volcanic eruptions, and seismic movements.
The center completely disintegrated. Power occurring in the South Pacific created obvious reactions across millions of square kilometers, shaking New Zealand bases.
Crack crack crack!
The new technique Time Collapse maintained dozens of seconds before beginning to weaken toward conclusion.
But the aftereffects weren't finished. At this moment everyone in Salvation Church and pickup forces witnessed the dense infection factor magic storms protecting Fallen Zone depths dissipate. Sky turned azure, white clouds dotted, faintly showing a rainbow bridge. Lingering for half a century, once thought to become geographical phenomena-level objects finally declared defeat. That magnificence visible even from space satellites collapsed thunderously, ripples blooming like flowers, fragrant aromas spreading.
They represented the world's gaze witnessing miracles—one strike breaking open Disaster Beast armies' home field advantage, clearing lands that continuously bred and transmitted deadly infectious diseases.
Originally it was a brutal giant—now killed. The hero who slayed the giant was undoubtedly Hyacinth.
Even the human faction was so shocked, let alone Disaster Beasts. They'd thought they could follow the intelligent subspecies to scavenge advantages—who expected that guy was just an empty shell? Didn't struggle much before being cleaned up by Hyacinth, leaving them stranded.
High-tier Disaster Beasts were first to recover and flee.
They couldn't even beat pre-breakthrough Hyacinth, let alone now. Run as far as possible—absolutely couldn't linger in battle.
"Domain Projection!"
Suddenly a starry sky background covered the entire area. The vast horizon truly gave a sense of round sky and square earth—imagine how wide Nan Zhiyi's interference range was this time.
"Think you can come and go as you please after harming our Salvation Church members?"
Stellar gravity dragged a 50-kiloton nuclear warhead whooshing away at super speed, drilling toward Disaster Beast cluster directions in Fallen Zone depths, detonating remotely the next moment. A muffled bang like sky dropping heavy hammers stirred surging energy. A mushroom cloud rose, brilliant blinding light.
Imaginably, Disaster Beast clusters rushing home in panic suffered heavy losses—usually very hard to catch opportunities for precise strikes when gathered.
After fully releasing magic, Nan Zhiyi knelt gasping for breath, but her face showed brilliant smiles because Hibiscus in the sky gave thumbs up. With her current perception detecting ability, it was enough to prove the strike effects were immediate.
All Hermit Island members erupted in cheers celebrating their narrow escape from death.
They embraced each other, jumped, or wept with joy—finally soothing wounds, clearing clouds to see sun. The Church's most difficult prolonged battle so far reached conclusion.
The Magical Girls would never forget this short few-day journey. Everyone left traces carved in history.
Nothing in the world was better than regaining what was lost. Just moments ago, considerable members had lost combat capability, were surrounded, transmission blocked. At the critical moment it was again Hyacinth who withstood pressure. The bitter battle with intelligent subspecies was heart-wrenching, especially when initially hanging by a thread truly made people think the Church would lose its leader. Fortunately everything was safe, everyone happy—the organization survived a severe test.
"I'm back."
The instant Hibiscus landed on the beach, Magical Girls lifted her high. For them, Hyacinth had been a lifesaver countless times.
"Hooray, we finally survived—let's return quickly."
"Thanks to senior, seems the will won't be needed."
Hibiscus announced loudly: "I declare Salvation Church's Fallen Zone operation officially concluded. Victory belongs to us—enemies have suffered such heavy losses they're fleeing in panic. Also, let me introduce a newcomer. Welcome to joining us, Miss Tulip."
Hearing this, everyone's gazes focused on the red-haired girl. She generously replied: "I have no name—just use the Regalia designation. If you have good names, that works too."
Fallen Zone hardships left no negative damage, instead making her personality warm and likeable.
"Since you don't mind, I'll think of one: Coral Red. Like a codename fitting the Church's style, from the seabed color of your origin island, also from your hair. How about it?"
"Good, you can also call me Coral Red."
This self-designation made Hibiscus smile knowingly—exactly the pseudonym the strongest elemental Magical Girl used when entering human society in original side stories.
Of course, that story wouldn't begin now. With her together with the Church, everything was brand new.
The silver-haired girl pointed toward the North Pacific shouting: "Heroes, time to return!"
Hermit Island, relieved of heavy burdens, sailed at full speed toward Fallen Zone core circles, cutting through waves, drawing white wake lines on the sea surface. The magical storm at the former border zone was destroyed by Hibiscus's Time Collapse strike, so passage was unobstructed. The weather phenomena that supposedly separated both sides completely vanished.
The island ship performing joyous atmosphere on the horizon made pickup forces smile knowingly.
Carrier island command room.
A messenger was hurriedly reporting: "Yes, sir, confirmed the Church launched nuclear strikes against Disaster Beasts... This isn't important?"
He stammered unprepared, then had the phone taken by Josh who answered: "President Bull, you want to confirm the previous magic technique's source? That's right, it was Hyacinth—that lady is now a Blooming Stage Magical Girl."
The other end fell silent—the entire headquarters was silent.
After a moment Bull spoke: "Even we had clear sensations here. Probably reached continent-destroying regional capabilities. Measuring military quantity and equipment numbers has become meaningless. Among supernatural forces, someone finally appeared that we can't even measure. But don't overthink—focus on pickup. Though we didn't help much, Miss Hyacinth always remembers kindness."
Then superiors hung up communication, the deep fatigue hidden within making Josh sigh how fast times changed.
In contrast, two Ancient Holy Relics were very interested, even starting commentary in front of everyone.
"If aiming to destroy Container relics to sublimate origin power, plus sufficient material supplements, maybe barely enough to restore that strike's might." Pharmacist held her chin muttering to herself. "But I'm not certain because we must consider Fallen Zone high-magic environment correction effects. What about you, Miss Snow Maiden?"
"Very difficult."
"Even if it's extremely difficult, you should have ideas, right?"
"If it were me, I'd completely liberate Memoir releasing Knowledge Poison, then take out Heart of Profound Winter for complete resonance with surrounding magic... That's relics' new liberation level. Those who tried never came back."
"Planet Gaia world was suppressed for too long—magic power is gradually dissipating, changing the ceiling. We indeed won, but history's wheels never wavered. Look—"
Kale pointed toward the window horizon. At the farthest point representing the Fallen Zone center, black clouds filled the sky above.
It represented intelligent subspecies auras.
Seeing this, all military personnel were on high alert. Many sighed skyward feeling this was more ominous than auspicious—possibly facing another intelligent subspecies.
Just now they'd personally witnessed the strongest Magical Girl Hyacinth confronting one. She should be able to win, but destructive power was hard to say—slight carelessness would involve them as mercilessly crushed background elements.
But the next moment, a deep passage suddenly appeared in the sky. Stronger magic power suppressed it—sacred, warm yet carrying magnificent might, firmly locked on.
The originally active Fallen Zone center immediately fell silent. Unfortunately the passage wasn't long-lasting, rapidly dissipating.
Josh was completely puzzled: "Fairies! Helped again—how many allies does Hyacinth still hide?"
"Who knows." Kale shrugged.
Snow Maiden was bored and began meditating with closed eyes.
Magical Girls on Hermit Island felt most directly. Everyone unanimously gazed toward the distant Fallen Zone center, seemingly seeing several translucent-winged delicate girls waving hello, then magic power disappeared. Everything happened too fast for mutual communication. Blame the Fallen Zone center intelligent subspecies' true cultivation ground for being too troublesome, forcing partial power to be restrained.
They finally breathed relief. After all, if more intelligent subspecies charged up, casualties couldn't be guaranteed. Now seeing everyone happy, at least the organization returned safely.
"Dr. Mu, those guys will still appear, continuously emerging like elite monsters, right?" Jin Ruochu asked.
"Right."
"And part of the reason we could win this time was its incomplete state?" Nan Zhiyi pressed: "Don't be so reckless next time—you don't know how worried I was, like riding a roller coaster."
Jin Yulu said quietly: "I felt that black guy was forced into action."
"Correct. A complete intelligent subspecies exists between Blooming Stage and the next level, similar to Hegemon Disaster Beast positioning. Even ordinary same-level Magical Girls would find suppression difficult. They're strong, but you needn't worry—there's still preparation time. Step by step."
Comfort from Magical Girl Hyacinth made everyone relax. Having withstood another test and secured the strongest title, she was indeed convincing.
Victory was undeniable.
"Don't think about those trivial details. Now just enjoy victory—we're back. That's more important than anything."
Hibiscus's words made everyone beam with joy, the atmosphere becoming much livelier.
Then Salvation Church continued increasing speed, using elemental magic, relic power, and magic output together, racing at top speed. Fed up with the Fallen Zone's terrible environment, they wanted to leave early. Everyone couldn't wait to return to land.
Finally Hibiscus glanced back at the Fallen Zone center's still dense, undissolvable dark magic power, even slowly dissipating to depths, replenishing some losses.
More tenacious than imagined, but now everyone wasn't without fighting capability. Future meetings would tell.
Simultaneously.
Hermit Island had successfully rendezvoused with pickup fleets. Both sides' personnel immediately celebrated loudly with occasional fireworks. They'd almost given up hope of keeping whole corpses—now returning safely, how could it not be moving? Won? Even the once-called life forbidden zone Fallen Zone depths could be charged through—the world felt vast.
"Do you girls know what big news you made?" Josh, standing at the carrier deck edge called loudly: "Hyacinth, you're the most courageous I've seen."
"Let those voices be—compared to external influence, I'm more grateful you came to make this trip."
"Even though we didn't help much?"
"Not just anyone dares rescue in such situations, plus close contact might bear political risks, right?"
"That's wrong." Kale laughed heartily: "Your trip involved nuclear bombs and earthquakes, tsunamis—in recorded human history, only Pharaoh... and very few others are comparable. Relax—The Salvation Church is a power no one can ignore. If anyone lacks insight, I'll handle it."
Hibiscus nodded: "Then thanks in advance."
"Rest assured—who dares trouble heroes who saved the world again?"
Seeing this, Josh gave Kale a slightly reproachful look. The latter not only met it unhesitatingly but smiled proudly—representing Pacific Theater supernatural combat group's strong support behind them.
Always felt this expedition let the Salvation Church completely win hearts—even Ancient Holy Relics favored them. Really smooth in all directions, skilled at maneuvering.