Explosive!
Even with Hibiscus's usually calm personality, looking at the system comment page made her mouth twitch.
Too outrageous. Vaguely sensing Nan Zhiyi's admiration was already difficult enough—though she didn't reject getting close with beautiful girls, she always felt the other party's feelings carried a hint of danger and didn't dare respond directly. Really hard to handle, and now you tell me there are other experts?
Not just the person involved—after reading this shocking statement, netizens were equally stunned, posting things like "waiting for updates," "you come on stage," "shipper charm moment."
Hibiscus didn't share their joys and sorrows—the latter were purely watching for entertainment.
【Let me explain in detail】
【Why must we figure out the "emotional conflict behind the lunar battle" topic? Because never underestimate the terror of causal system's strongest magic. In a sense, Manjusaka is a fate weaver comparable to the Fairy King, just unconsciously. Actually her favorable protection allowed White Hyacinth to rise through the ranks, ultimately helping push forward Dark Hyacinth's plans】
【Usually carefree but with super high battle IQ, Jin Ruochu definitely noticed, which is why she felt lost and guilty for so long】
【We can't say Magical Girl of Light world's fate was influenced by some specific person, but Fortune and Misfortune was definitely continuously exerting force, inducing everyone's fate lines to slide toward unfathomable territory】
【Remember how Prophecy Books failed or went dormant in the mid-late period? Because they couldn't bear the burden of unconscious influence on Manjusaka—really hard on a relic】
【Quoting battle power faction: Time magic reverses fate, causal magic continuously influences fate】
【So responding to Manjusaka's feelings is itself saving world fate】
【Understood, applause】
Netizens gave unanimous praise. Usually when discussing character preferences they'd fight each other, but rarely they quieted down for peaceful coexistence. You really can't say this shipper doesn't have a point—with many original screenshots as examples, it actually seems plausible.
Many even began analyzing whether the two truly had feelings from expressions, actions—after all, this involved the two strongest magics mutually influencing.
Previously HyacinthxManjusaka shippers existed, but everyone just had fun. Today looking carefully, there might actually be legitimacy.
【I found new evidence: The Fairy Queen mentioned the Calamity Witch archetype even before Manjusaka's complete awakening—probably not just prophecy, but representing Fortune and Misfortune magic intertwining with her fate】
【Seems like emotional line, but might actually hint at a dark conspiracy line in Magical Girl of Light worldview】
【Indeed, remember how global disasters intensified after the Management Bureau attack? Very likely Manjusaka's grief caused magic to rampage then】
【Please don't mention that part, HyacinthxManjusaka shippers are scared】
【Already appreciated enough】
【Famous scenes must be tasted. Anyway everyone here counts as Magical Girl of Light hardcore fans who've seen it—no fear of spoilers, let's watch details again】
Hibiscus became interested, staring at the short clip being uploaded to comments. Really curious what segment made people both fear and love it—should be a famous scene from some major incident. Since it was closely related to her, of course she had to observe carefully, maybe hiding key intelligence.
Just as the girl looked over, she saw flames everywhere in the scene, devastation, countless people fallen.
Most conspicuous was the towering black glass building—the majestic Management Bureau headquarters with imposing momentum, now turned into a torch.
Rumble!
Explosion sounds never ceased. Through the screen she actually felt heat waves, the image even faintly trembling, giving immersive feeling. Obviously some attack scene with official-marked magical girls lying scattered motionless. Human military reinforcements in the distance were simply corpse-strewn—they stood in place uniformly beheaded, headless bodies standing in rows quite horrifying, as if a line had swept away everything along the route, including building complexes behind the army also shaved off.
Half the vast city was cut short like harvesting wheat—what power.
Wisps of magic power in the air gathered in a black uniformed girl's hands. She patted dust off her red cotton shoulder cape, then snapped her fingers.
Salvation Church-marked magical girls gradually appeared around, led by a white-green Regalia girl gathering together in surrounding formation, with three people at the center.
Standing before Hyacinth and Dandelion was a phoenix-robed palace-dressed woman, clearly covered in wounds yet not retreating.
"Poppy, first spell master among magical girls. I sincerely invite you to join the great cause of seeking rights for our compatriots."
"Impossible. You're dreaming."
"Then I'm very sorry..."
The scene instantly lost color. In the still world, only Hyacinth and Dandelion remained active. The latter activated domain, wrapping Poppy tightly in a starry sphere and imprisoning her—whether she wanted to or not, she had to come along.
After Sands of Time lifted, only Jin Ruochu and a girl identical to Hibiscus remained in the encirclement, except she looked more immature, seemingly panicked.
"Manjusaka, your magic is too boring. I won't hurt you—stay at the Management Bureau and bring them misfortune. Look around, all this is thanks to you. You're simply my lucky star."
Jin Ruochu looked pained, but she still endured heartache to ask about her greatest concern, because her companion was trembling.
"...Are you and Hyacinth twin sisters?"
"She and I have a relationship far more intimate than sisters, right? Come, Hyacinth, return to my side."
"I can, but please definitely guarantee Little Jin's safety." The silver-haired girl said timidly, as if mustering a lifetime's courage to squeeze out these conditional words. "After all, I've done so much—there's some merit, right?"
"We always keep promises."
In the scene, the immature silver-haired girl walked toward the blood-soaked silver-haired girl. At this moment Jin Ruochu wanted to grab something but was helpless. She could only comfort herself thinking—at least they're twin sisters. Even if the other is a demon, she wouldn't harm blood relatives. Though the Salvation Church was terrifying, at least it was a destination. So the pink-haired girl lowered her hand, giving helpless yet blessing eyes...
Gulp!
The moment her partner contacted the other party, her body melted and shattered, sinking into water-like fusion with the Time Priestess. She gently spread her arms then embraced forcefully.
"Take care of yourself." After speaking, White Hyacinth merged into the main body without a trace, as if never existing.
The Time Priestess in the flames laughed heartily: "What a wonderful journey. My clone had great fun playing with you. I received the memories—I probably won't forget you for life, Manjusaka."
Then she turned and left, leaving only the pink-haired girl kneeling in ruins, pounding the ground with both fists while crying, her voice desperate and heart-wrenching.
The scene ended abruptly.
This was Hibiscus's first time witnessing original footage—indeed well-produced with sufficient frame rate, exquisite character designs. Just this segment had maxed special effects. Music, storyboarding, and direction were all impeccable. After all, she understood editing somewhat and could see many careful touches—worthy of a national-level work's luxurious production.
Returning to the plot itself, no wonder Jin Ruochu suffered massive psychological trauma after this, once considered neurotic by netizens.
The Management Bureau headquarters she viewed as home was destroyed, respected teachers captured, life-and-death comrades disappeared...
Plus this hellish scroll—anyone would break down.
Hibiscus had done nothing yet felt her heart clench. Why did she feel somewhat sorry for Jin Ruochu? No, what did the Time Priestess's actions have to do with her? Don't compare—that guy was quite scummy.
She also noticed something different. Actually the Time Priestess showed an imperceptible trace of sadness when absorbing the clone—White Hyacinth represented a past period.
Both had already bonded, just carrying too much that blocked their vision, causing them to keep missing each other.
Netizens also noticed details:
【Rewatching once, the atmosphere really is different. I was young then and didn't understand—never realized HyacinthxManjusaka shipping had early signs】
【What I wanted to see was this】
【Time Slice White Hyacinth symbolizes the path that could have been taken—no Salvation Church, no hardships... instead releasing true self. So Jin Ruochu had always liked the real Boss Mu, but this one had somewhat performative personality, always stubbornly persisting, resulting in two non-intersecting parallel lines】
【Never expected childhood-shipped CP had hidden plot—love it love it】
【This battle was quite brutal. Fortunately Protea later brought Begonia and Roselle in time, otherwise with so many dead, even save points plus equivalent exchange couldn't revive them】
【You're all my heroes. Thanks to T1-tier time magic and causal magic double-stacking hard support, otherwise Magical Girl of Light worldview would have gone killing-crazy early】
【Right, so when they died it completely turned dark】
【Couldn't hold it】
【Precisely why what truly pained Jin Ruochu was White Hyacinth's permanent disappearance. From then on, she never again had a long-term partner to entrust her life to. Magical Girl Manjusaka still inevitably walked toward loneliness. Though later protagonist halo helped her participate in event after event, no one truly entered her heart. Probably after defeat in lunar battle, the Time Priestess showing vulnerability amid falling cherry blossoms reminded the girl of her first love】
【If life were only like first meetings, why should autumn winds sadly fan painted screens? At this moment Jin Ruochu understood her own feelings and misfortune's price】
【Pain, too painful, enough from you all】
【This must be fake medicine—netizens are lying to me. I see through it all, hahaha】
【So what exactly did our long argument prove?】
【Proved Manjusaka indeed likes Hyacinth. She never gave up on her partner—no condescending self-assumed salvation, simply path disputes deciding victory】
Speakers unintentional, listeners intentional. For netizens, meaning didn't matter, but the focused Hibiscus felt moved. Originally thinking Jin Ruochu was the type who relied purely on naive optimism to overcome crises through plot armor, but she had flesh and blood—agreeing with ideals didn't mean agreeing with methods. Heart-to-heart distance wasn't far...
More painful.
Hibiscus had previously noticed Jin Ruochu wasn't rule-following, never opposing actions so far—both sides could completely cooperate.
Truly after all this trouble, the biggest gain was one point: Magical Girl Manjusaka was definitely trustworthy.
Even she might not withstand such trials that the other endured—no wonder she was the undisputed protagonist, highlighting "beautiful, strong, tragic" to gain massive popularity.
The silver-haired girl gazed toward Ningfeng Harbor's direction. The coastline occasionally showed teleported supplies and equipment, with domesticated Disaster Beasts diligently transporting and assembling. Island building complexes were taking initial shape—definitely no worse than Management Bureau headquarters later.
She resolved to build a safe haven protecting magical girls from infighting.
"...Thank you everyone. After seeing so much I roughly understand. Anyway, I'll focus on relationships between magical girls. Of course, those things come later—current priority is solving laboratory issues. Recent intelligence indicates Eagle Company is expanding recruitment scale—that's the key point."
【Any plans?】
"Of course—worst case, storm the base directly."
【Put aside those character chef topics just now. Back to business. @Hyacinth, advise you not to wade into America's laboratory muddy waters】
Unexpectedly, Hibiscus saw the system display corresponding suggestion: Terminate plan.
Reward: Large Health Recovery Potion ×1, Large Mana Recovery Potion ×1.
Abandoning plans actually gave such generous rewards—in other words, executing plans would be more generous but more dangerous. Strange, previously everyone had no issues with the magical girl rescue plan.
【We changed our minds because that post was very inspiring. Since Jin Ruochu can change fate more deeply than imagined, then some causal relic can too】
【Relic mechanisms relate to Disaster Beasts and magic—you can understand as simple realization of one or more specific miracles】
【Same root, same source—old setting】
【Because knowledge poison is too severe, plus plot faction in optics expert discussion groups isn't certain of conclusions. For caution we won't explain specific principles. Just telling you one thing: Eagle Company can somewhat combine Prophecy Books with another causal relic to create traps. If Salvation Church small teams rashly act, mostly meat buns hitting dogs—going but not returning】
This was Hibiscus's first time hearing such clear, direct warnings. From netizens' tone, it was probably quite serious.
Eagle Mercenary Company was never benevolent, having countless connections with the official regular military, with strength backed by national power—very difficult to handle.
In the original storyline, even when state machinery was mostly severely damaged, it didn't affect their rise to dominance. Their decisiveness and organization were obviously excellent—definitely not opponents solved in one or two attempts, very troublesome.
Honestly, Hibiscus didn't plan prolonged fighting either. Her strategic goal was rescue, but now warned this wouldn't work.
"No other methods?"
【If not acting this time, the company will conduct electric shock, poison stimulation awakening experiments. Rescuing after torture versus rescuing after fright has different meanings—I want to be hawkish】
【Oppose, strongly oppose. Can't let Hyacinth fall into danger—not just her, even Protea, Dandelion and Manjusaka would face danger】
【Did you watch that post for nothing? Don't underestimate magical girl bonds】
【Stop arguing, think of solutions quickly】
Watching everyone's heated discussion gave Hibiscus a headache.
Netizens talked too much. Hoping to read information from fragments was optimal usage, but when opinions differed while discussing plans, it was chaotic demons dancing—none accepting others, quite antagonistic.
Actually she'd already decided—regardless of dragon pools or tiger dens, she should break through. As saying goes, not entering tiger dens, how to get tiger cubs?
Emotionally, magical girls were facing harm—couldn't sit by without helping, otherwise Hibiscus wouldn't forgive herself for being intimidated at crucial moments.
Rationally, if experiments really discovered intelligence, revealing mysteries while implicating the Salvation Church would make hard-earned deterrence vanish—like a clown circus troupe. Don't underestimate authority collapse's malicious effects—many empires toppled thus.
Entrepreneurial-stage Hibiscus wouldn't allow rising period obstruction—must advance stepping on opponents' corpses.
She definitively posted:
"Thank you all for reminders, but regardless I won't change plans. Reasons are too many—no need to elaborate. To all friends I just want to say—"
"If I retreat so easily, I definitely couldn't grow into the Time Priestess you mentioned. Current situation is difficult—after all, early boss fights mean opponents are definitely strong. But was the original storyline easy? Anyway I'll continue executing plans."
Hibiscus's open stance made forums briefly silent then explode with more replies:
【Perfect score—you as a magical girl are perfect】
【Right, worst case we brainstorm. Even if top rule-type relics combine, so what? We have strongest magic cards too】
【Saying a thousand or ten thousand, I absolutely oppose early boss room challenges, but if the goal isn't victory, just rescue, should be sufficient】
【From original late-stage performance, human faction Holy Relics always reserved strength—60% for external war, 110% for internal war. If they completely fuse relics or liberate power, probably hard to end well. Must grasp proper force... But current-stage human technology hasn't fully matured either—can fight. Moreover there's optics expert think tank】
【Must fight—one punch opens, prevents hundred punches coming】
Hibiscus liked this, quite agreeing with this viewpoint. After all, not picking fights didn't mean fights wouldn't find you.
On surface she'd assembled 4 strongest magical girls of each system, but actually many compatriots had average potential and foundations—elites were few. Couldn't abandon them.
Only a complete-structured race could survive future storms—indispensable. Retreating now would definitely leave troubles.
This battle was unavoidable.
【Though somewhat elevating too much, I still want to say: how a social rights entity first enters history's stage is crucial. Like bourgeoisie launching revolutions establishing constitutional monarchy, working class launching strikes promoting social welfare... Humans eat this violence approach】
【Using assassination to force Eagle Company submission, political mediation to extract people, hypnosis to smooth connections... many plans exist, but none as practical as fighting once】
【Setting aside narrow ethnic nationalism, let's think differently: how a newborn race stands among world races is crucial. If you didn't win status through struggle, it would crumble before long. Protea tried for magical girls—willing submission brought contempt, wariness and control. She should thank the Salvation Church hardliners always existing】
【Fought out united front value】
【Hmph, don't underestimate my intelligence network. Actually you've been Hibiscus's supporter since childhood, right?】
【I didn't understand as a child—entering society I realized Boss Mu was correct】
【Since deciding to struggle, only tactics remain】
【Setting enthusiasts don't be intimidated by causal relic descriptions—we have causal system's strongest magic. But key is time system magic. You can remain unshaken by fate or even reverse it—Sands of Time's next stage: Time Slash】
【Accompanying time deletion can handle rule constraint effects from causal relics plus Prophecy Books, but too late—Seedling Stage hasn't even begun】
【Difficult】
Hibiscus wanted to say actually she had leads, but didn't dare boast and didn't speak. Sometimes the final step required long walks.
Blamed herself for neglecting magic training while busy with island construction. Seemed magical girl exercise routines needed intensity again, otherwise even Salvation Church's first dark horse Jin Yulu would catch up.
【Facing strong mechanism environments, no other methods—your own mechanisms must strengthen too】
【Weak? Practice more. Time Priestess is Time Priestess, Hyacinth is Hyacinth. If you insist comparing with another worldline, why not compare birth to now?】
【Recommend simplest, most brutal plan: extremely release magic, drain magic power then fully recover. Repeatedly raise limits】
Beep!
[System generated suggestion with corresponding reward: Small Mana Recovery Potion ×5.]
Hibiscus immediately understood this was feasible, so she replied thanks then hurriedly closed comments page. From now on, no more slacking. Must race against time—at latest after mid-September, Eagle Company would conduct next-stage experiments, even dissection. Though for audiences it only existed in background settings, she couldn't sit by. Before then, must break through dragon pools and tiger dens.
Time stop.
With a thought the world lost color. Though "contact cancels" mechanisms existed, it had no casting time—as long as one lived, magic could activate seamlessly.
Previously some battle power factions cross-work comparing settings said some time abilities actually had casting time—sounded awkward. Any skill with casting lag would easily be crushed by stat monsters, right? Not giving time stop opportunities meant winning. In other words, Magical Girl of Light worldview magic priority was quite high.
Hibiscus didn't know what mysterious rule-type relics humans possessed, but she had full confidence in Sands of Time.
Looking around, all phenomena were still with only herself active. Conversely, could she specifically stipulate what to pause? Since the original Time Priestess could pause only ground to create planetary tearing, proving this move could limit range.
Similarly, Hibiscus had actually touched the surface—like Edo battle using time flow changes to pluck Abyssal White Whale from sea.
Coordinate systems, inertia... thoughts opened slightly.
Next moment time stop approached limits, but gray range attempted shrinking to limit scope. However, it was fleeting—with her current control, still far below standard, unable to support magic deep development.
Hibiscus gripped the small magic advancement stone and all corresponding fragments, then meditated while remotely controlling Disaster Beasts to continue working. Must quickly reach Sands of Time's new stage.