In any event that changes the world, the part reported to the public is only the tip of the iceberg, a drop in the ocean.
The actions visible on the surface account for less than twenty percent of the whole, while the real struggle happens in the shadows.
Take the time when the atomic bomb was developed, for example. Ordinary people only saw the newspaper headlines—‘First Atomic Bomb Test a Success’—and smarter folks knew there were scientists and engineers working hard behind the scenes.
But these are all things that can be seen. Very, very few people know what goes on in the dark.
For example, counter-infiltration, catching spies, dispatching agents to other countries to investigate atomic bomb principles, protecting scientists abroad so they can return safely, secretly mobilizing resources without arousing suspicion… and so on, and so forth.
All of these are actions and battles fought in secret.
Without these behind-the-scenes efforts, those working openly, no matter how hard they struggle, would never see the hope of victory.
【Is Lord Xingyue like that, too?】 Luo Zining suddenly held her breath.
Xingyue didn’t hesitate to do something so destructive to her own reputation, choosing to hide in the background—was she laying the groundwork for the endgame?
Jin Lin too?
No… Could it be that Jin Lin and Xingyue are in this together?
“I’m not working with Xingyue.” Luo You spoke up on her own.
“Eh?”
“Strange, isn’t it? People who act behind the scenes each have their own paths and actions, and they’re not known to others. Maybe you think that sounds chaotic, but it has its benefits too. Just ignore it.”
“So sly… you’re all playing at being secret heroes.”
Luo Zining grumbled in frustration, but soon bent at the waist. “I apologize for what I just said.”
“Mm, the young can be taught.”
Luo You nodded in satisfaction. “Now, tell me about the details of dealing with the Black Prison Colossus. Why was it released again after being sealed?”
“Can’t say.”
“Ah?” Luo You frowned. “Is this because I won’t tell you my plans?” “Please, I’m not that petty. Senior Manjusaka herself put a gag order on it.” Someone used Akabane’s inherent magic, exploiting the properties of divinity particles, attempting to become a flawless Luminal-class creature.
If this news got out, it would cause a massive upheaval.
If the human government found out it was possible to artificially create flawless Luminal-class beings, there’d be all sorts of new complications.
For example, they’d demand the enemy be captured alive out of greed… cover up information… and then, driven by their own greed, cause disaster—only to need magical girls to clean up the mess afterward… That’s how human history has always gone.
To keep teammates from being crippled by greed, only those present at the scene could know the truth.
Luo Zining suddenly wondered if Manjusaka would also switch to covertly investigating this matter next.
“Jin Lin, tell me, if someone wanted to use divinity particles to absorb the source of a Luminal-class dimensional beast, could they become a flawless Luminal-class fusion warrior?”
“Huh?”
Luo You looked up, dismissive. “As if! Wishful thinking.” If it were that easy to become a flawless Luminal-class creature with divinity particles, she’d have broken all the rules long ago.
So-called fusion warriors only get their power from the dimensional beast itself, because their bodies are fused together.
But no matter how gifted a fusion warrior is, it’s impossible to fully inherit—let alone surpass—the power of the original dimensional beast. Let alone if the material is Luminal-class; even if you have a Luminal-class specimen, no one could inherit its full strength. Wangchuan was a perfect example back then.
At this point, Luo You also noticed that Luo Zining’s question was probably related to the Black Prison Colossus being released.
“However… if you used something else to help, maybe it’d be possible.” Luo You added.
Luo Zining didn’t press further and asked, “…Will you go to subdue the Black Prison Colossus later?”
“No.”
“Hah!?”
“The Black Prison Colossus is nothing. The real threat is the Black Candle Colossus—it’s already on the way.”
“Then there’s no time left!?” Luo Zining cried out in alarm.
The Black Prison Colossus hasn’t even been sealed yet, and now there’s an even bigger headache on the horizon.
“Will you fight the Black Candle Colossus, then?”
“No.”
“Then what are you going to do!?”
“Not telling you. Mind your own business and stick to things ‘on the surface.’” Luo You walked away again.
This Jin Lin…!!
Luo Zining gritted her teeth in frustration. Why does this girl, who’s only been a magical girl for two months, always criticize her with such confidence!?
And every time she’s annoyingly right, leaving Luo Zining with nothing to say!
Is she really a magical ‘girl’? Or some magical ‘housewife’ back for a second career?
Luo You went to the frontier to look for Zhizhi.
The so-called frontier was now a shadow of its former self—black smoke everywhere, the falling snow had turned black, and Zhizhi stood alone on high ground, staring into the distance at the Black Prison Colossus, fingers laced on her chest, deep in thought.
The most direct method would be to use Zero-Rank Magic again to seal it, but there would need to be several more Tenth Seats on-site to guard against enemy attacks.
But right now, the biggest issue was a lack of manpower.
Other places were in dire need of support too.
“What are you thinking about?”
“U–• Jin Lin? What are you doing here?”
At the sight of her, Zhizhi immediately shot to her feet.
Aha! At any rate, I’ll win a round against this little brat first!
Zhizhi lowered her head and charged, but Luo You easily pulled her little head into an embrace, taking the chance to thank nature’s generosity.
“Zhizhi, be good~ Don’t be nervous. Tell Mama, what happened here? Why was the Black Prison Colossus released?”
Zhizhi pushed her away, cheeks flushed. “What are you saying!? Are you really doing this in a place like this?” “Then what were you about to do to me?” “I was going to headbutt you.”
“That’s not very filial of you, is it?”
“Shut up, you’re not my mom. I’m your superior right now! Why are you here?!”
“Just wanted to ask the same thing you did.”
Of course, Zhizhi wouldn’t say anything.
But afterward, Luo You, with the authority of a mo~~ther, pushed Zhizhi to the very edge of her limits.
“I’m not telling you anything.”
Zhizhi stubbornly turned away. She wasn’t in the mood for this kind of mother-daughter play.
Meanwhile, Xingyu noticed the commotion and flew over.
“U–!… Jin Lin?! What are you doing here?”
Xingyu’s eyes were serious. She knew Jin Lin’s real identity was Luo You, and she’d only been a magical girl for less than two months. Coming to such a dangerous place was courting death!
“Oh! Just checking things out!”
Luo You greeted her nonchalantly, looking around as if searching for the figure of a certain coward.
Since she couldn’t get anything out of Zhizhi, and Xingyu wasn’t going to spill either, she’d just have to break through with that cowardly big sister.
Speak of the devil and she appears.
Liyun arrived right after Xingyu, letting out a startled cry when she saw Luo You.
“U–!… Jin Lin?! What are you doing here?”
“Hey, that’s enough. All three of you say exactly the same thing.”
Luo You quipped.
Truly a family, huh?
“Big sister, come with me.”
With a swoosh, Luo You barreled forward and whisked Liyun away.