Luo You headed to the frontlines.
In truth, by the time she arrived, the enemy’s assault on the supermassive star rings had already come to an end. Among the countries along the boundary sea, a total of nine supermassive star rings had been attacked; five of them suffered fundamental destruction to their hulls and could no longer be used, while the remaining four were also damaged to varying degrees.
There was no saving them.
It was worth mentioning that one supermassive star ring had been knocked down directly from twenty thousand meters high, the reason being the intervention of a peak Dragon-class dimensional beast—utterly unstoppable.
The sight of such a colossal star ring crashing into the boundary sea was apocalyptic. The compressed seawater surged over the coastal defense dikes, submerging an entire city and resulting in devastating losses.
This was exactly where Luo You was headed.
The work was the same as always: disaster relief.
“After confirmation, seven supermassive star rings in Longguo were attacked. Of these, the rings in Zone 24 and Zone 31 have been declared lost, with heavy casualties still being estimated.”
“For Jiahe City, which suffered especially severe disaster, rescue teams have already set out, and the Ministry of Finance has issued three trillion in funds for relief efforts…”
“The intensity of this attack is unprecedented; its cruelty and maliciousness are unheard of, an outright challenge to the very bottom line of world peace. The government will resolutely crack down on any lawbreakers suspected of endangering national security, whatever the cost…”
Upon arriving here, Luo You could see that in the nearest city, the news channels were endlessly broadcasting statements from heads of various major departments. The entire nation had entered first-level wartime readiness.
Among so many countries along the boundary sea, only the supermassive star rings on this stretch of land received such “special attention”—of the nine star rings attacked, seven were theirs.
This was to be expected, for Longguo was the cornerstone of stability in this region. Undermining social stability here was the most effective way to disrupt the international order.
It was precisely for this reason that a peak Dragon-class dimensional beast would strike and bring down a supermassive star ring, causing catastrophic losses.
However, unexpectedly, the other five rings managed to hold their ground. The invading enemies were all slain. According to statistics, 236 enemies attacked the supermassive star rings, half of them fusion warriors, with several dozen at Ghost-class.
Such a massive operation meant the enemy suffered staggering losses—enough to make them cough up blood.
“Targeting Longguo so specifically—could it really be just to undermine social stability?” Luo You couldn’t help but doubt.
She felt there had to be another reason.
“By the way, could the Wrath-Eater Giant Spirit still come to ambush me?”
But with the Black Candle Giant Spirit already released, Luo You couldn’t imagine what motive those people would have to target her again.
Still, it was better to remain vigilant.
“…Where will the Black Candle Giant Spirit make landfall?” At that moment, Luo You’s magical girl personal terminal lit up.
It was a message broadcast by the Ten Seats to all magical girls.
From now on, all personnel will be officially assigned specific ranks. During this period, lower ranks are under direct command of higher ranks, all leaves are cancelled, and the entire force is to enter full alert.
“Eh—”
Luo You deliberately drew out her voice.
Well, not that she really cared.
Still, the impact of this announcement was tremendous.
Until now, magical girls outside the Ten Seats had always been a loosely organized group with no real authority. Now, however, that was changing, and their operation was directly shifting to a military-style hierarchy.
There had been a similar arrangement during the boundary sea tide four years ago, but it only lasted for half a month.
Soon, Luo You received an email on her magical girl personal terminal.
“Upon evaluation by the Ten Seats, magical girl Golden Scale is hereby granted the title of First Rank. You are expected to fulfill your role as a leader and uphold the duties of a magical girl…?”
Below the Ten Seats, First Rank was the highest grade. Regardless of jurisdiction, a First Rank magical girl held the authority to lead lower-ranked magical girls, assuming the area was in a leaderless state.
Being assigned First Rank did not necessarily mean one was the strongest, but certainly indicated exceptional leadership.
“They really aren’t afraid I’ll lead people into Wangou, are they?” Luo You let out a sly, mocking laugh.
Still, she had no intention of fulfilling these duties—she had always been a lone wolf.
“So I finally found you…”
“…?!”
Luo You instantly felt a sharp presence behind her. Turning, she saw her wayward daughter slowly descending before her.
“I saw the news about you and hurried over. You really made me search…” Luo Zi Ning was panting heavily, her face frighteningly pale, and her eyes brimming with anger.
She looked travel-worn and her clothes bore stains of things unclean…
Luo You’s gaze sharpened. “Did you go to subdue the Black Prison Giant Spirit?”
At this, Luo Zi Ning straightened her back even more. “That’s right. Now you’ll never be able to boast to me again.”
Luo You decided to ask about the situation on site—there was still much she didn’t know.
So she deliberately provoked Luo Zi Ning: “Must have made a fool of yourself, right?” “I suppose so.”
To her surprise, Luo Zi Ning didn’t retort.
It wasn’t regret for her performance, but regret for her own powerlessness—she had been forced to release the sealed Black Prison Giant Spirit. That fact was killing her inside.
A bit sullen, Luo Zi Ning demanded, “Something as important as subduing the Black Prison Giant Spirit—why didn’t you take part? Where were you before this? If you’d been there…it would never have ended up like that.”
It was, indirectly, an acknowledgment of Golden Scale’s strength.
“They didn’t call for me.”
Luo You shrugged, unconcerned, and that attitude only made Luo Zi Ning angrier.
“What were you doing before this?! At such a critical moment, what have you even accomplished?” “Obviously I’ve been running around behind the scenes. I might not look it, but I’m actually quite busy.” “Then may I ask, what great feats did you manage to pull off?”
“Can’t say.”
“Heh! So easy for you… Just three words and you brush me off…”
Disappointment and mockery filled Luo Zi Ning’s eyes as she smiled lightly, “If you won’t let anyone know what you’re doing, isn’t it just whatever you claim? With all your free time, why didn’t you save a supermassive star ring, huh?”
“Fool!”
Luo You snapped, her voice harsh and commanding, making Luo Zi Ning, who’d been slightly slouched, straighten up at once.
“Actions that truly change the course of battle are never carried out in the open. The work done behind the scenes is what determines the outcome. If you can’t even grasp this basic truth, how dare you question me?!”
Having never seen Golden Scale angry before, Luo Zi Ning felt a sudden fear.
“You think just because you took part in subduing the Black Prison Giant Spirit and picked up a few tricks, you can stand above me and criticize? Try to understand the real nature of things before you act! Xing Yue is far more perceptive than you!”
Luo Zi Ning turned pale at Luo You’s rebuke.
She knew the words were true, yet somehow, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Golden Scale exerted a natural pressure of superiority over her.