The netizens' intuition was spot on.
Hibiscus glanced at Manjusaka sleeping soundly beside the bed, her hair disheveled and limbs sprawled, mumbling at the corner of her mouth: "Dr. Mu, you smell so good and feel so soft, I want to take a bite..."
Then she buried her face deeper into the pillow for further deep sleep. Fortunately, Blooming Stage didn't require breathing, or she'd eventually wake up suffocated.
Did something happen between the two of them?
Actually nothing really happened, but netizens came with their own improper filters. Look, her delayed response drew urgent prompts.
After some consideration, Hibiscus still uploaded several flashback segments since entering Emerald Court, plus two videos of Orseya explaining her background and the flower sea dance. The information was too dense and needed verification, especially the former with its heavy subjective coloring requiring truth discernment.
【I've already jumped】
【Suddenly feeding us dog food, huh? Damn it, we're wishing you both the best!】
【Just confirmed feelings with childhood friend, now gaining points beside the heaven-sent Young Lady. This wave, I can't evaluate it well—should count as Salvation Church corporate tradition】
【Boss Mu taking advantage, bad. Comforting pink-hair to cheer her up, good】
【Not joking, without Hyacinth's comfort after directly learning the truth, Manjusaka would've been dejected. With her resilience she wouldn't stay down forever, but might face the same long-term depression caused by White Hyacinth's death in the original, even temporarily falling behind the first tier】
【That plot segment was too depressing】
【I don't want to recall it】
【Strong emotions become power to protect the body—Fairy Queen Lilith's words to the protagonist on the eve of the final battle have come true early】
【I've always been anxious about why the protagonist with such strong causality magic didn't get stronger to compete with the first tier? But that was also a form of tempering. In the original, Hyacinth caused the depression; now Hyacinth saves Manjusaka to advance further】
【Full circle. OP understands too well—a true Light scholar. Whether special effects or fan recreation, nothing to criticize】
Suddenly a super high-definition edited screenshot appeared in the comments.
The image showed Hibiscus and Manjusaka dancing, petals flying, flora prostrating. Their beautiful figures froze in a graceful moment. The silver-haired girl embraced the pink-haired girl's waist, the tilted angle like a golden ratio arc. Their momentary eye contact was perfectly captured. The composition's wonder lay in distant fairy silhouettes also being included, creating an atmosphere of visual focus here.
Dance in the flower sea.
Then another image: Hibiscus and Nan Zhiyi leaning against each other atop old city ruins, facing the sunset with surging waves. The discord was the brewing black storm in the sky, overwhelming everything like an apocalyptic scene. It seemed like a trace of nostalgia in an actively collapsing world, the two having only each other in the final moment.
The first bright and brilliant, the second dark and fragile—decided by the two different protagonists setting the atmosphere.
In everyone's impression, the unyielding, eternally optimistic and generous philanthropist was Manjusaka; the thinker harboring countless thoughts yet suppressing emotional confessions was Nan Zhiyi.
【The strongest suffers the most】
【The most passionate never speaks】
【—I think I understand the tragic aesthetics of the Magic Girl of Light series】
【Seeking but never obtaining. In the Magic Girl of Light world, too many wishes go unfulfilled. Actually they're not grand and are even easy to realize, yet missed forever due to turmoil】
【OP's material is too good, the poster's shot selection perfect—perfectly corresponding to the yandere heavy girl and airheaded Young Lady tones】
【Stop shipping couples, I only follow the main thread. Just saw Manjusaka's background—how is it so patchwork?】
【Protagonist's characteristic multi-party fusion identity, very standard】
【Unexpected yet reasonable. I also only read main threads. When Changfeng Group revealed Dark Fairy molts, I wondered if other fairies were present? Sure enough, turns out they fused with Manjusaka's mother—so that's the Fairy Affinity mechanism】
【The fairies here said everything they should. From Orseya's perspective, she didn't hide information unfavorable to Boss Mu. Going further, even the Knight Commander doesn't know more】
【The affinity bearer identity allowing fairy fusion is key—one line corresponds to the protagonist's mother, the other is also important】
【So what is it?】
【Too too too late-game, really can't spoil. Very against main thread rules】
Watching netizens converse, Hibiscus basically confirmed the fairies weren't lying and bore no malice—that point was sufficient. As for spoilers? She wasn't counting on them much anymore. Since the Fallen Zone battle, either intelligence was too critical and easily brain-frying, or even if told was useless and misleading instead.
She had to admit the Young Lady had extraordinary origins.
Regardless of hardships, the protagonist aura was intense. Currently the pink-hair was lying in bed snoring, using the body fragrance she left as sleep incense.
Magical Girl Manjusaka indeed counted as a late-game trump card. The more team battles, the more she'd experience fortune protection benefits. Currently the Fruition Stage already showed the duration scale of misfortune or good fortune, allowing cycles...
Could Withering Stage permanently maintain luck and arbitrarily switch targets, regardless of positive or negative?
Most likely.
Based on netizens' scattered information hints, it was probably right, unfortunately when she had this thought her head hurt—matters concerning magical mysteries couldn't be easily glimpsed.
Hibiscus then asked: "Julius just told me there was resistance and gunfire during the escort of Dark Fairies, delaying interrogation half a day. Was it accidental or manifestation of greater turbulence?"
Actually she already had the answer, because a qualified organizational body should minimize variables and not have problems.
【When the mountain you lean on falls, when people you depend on flee. Even the Magic Girl of Light world's number one major force Fairy Realm isn't that stable. Don't forget one point: the Fairy Queen has been sleeping for years without awakening—the longest in World Tree Realm history. Hearts are restless】
【The fairies probably haven't told you the reason yet or deliberately avoided it】
【This can be said—it's the consequence of fierce battle with Dark Fairy rebel leader "Blasphemous Angel" Leticia, sleeping under the guise of recuperation】
【Isn't the Fairy Queen Phantom God combat power?】
【Right, there are hidden circumstances. That battle was more of a trigger. But you can't change public perception, right? Many fairies feel Lilith isn't so invincible anymore】
【The theory of embracing Disaster Beast contamination to transform into another race to control them is very tempting, continuously eroding Emerald Court's ideological foundation. These years it's all been supported by Guardian Knights. The guards rarely interfere and no longer issue commands representing the Queen. The World Tree's superstructure is very shaky】
【Really troublesome】
【The original didn't have this plot so we can't speculate, but it undoubtedly proves Emerald Court's control is inadequate】
Hibiscus frowned, thinking so Orseya who'd been chatting with her was the current actual ruler? The military organization had taken over political power!
You fairies all like going AFK and not attending court? Too carefree.
No wonder netizens suggested awakening Fairy Queen Lilith. This Majesty was indeed needed to preside over the situation.
Personality-wise, Hibiscus thought Orseya was straightforward and well-intentioned, they got along well. The Knight Commander could stand alone, wise and brave, with distinguished military achievements over the years supporting World Tree's external defense like an iron wall.
But negotiations weren't possible.
The Salvation Church shouldn't conclude any treaties with a military organization leader who couldn't fully represent World Tree Realm. Setting aside binding force, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?
Besides, Guardian Knights couldn't mobilize entire Fairy Realm manpower, resources, and combat power. Empty promises weren't worth mentioning. Everyone out here had their heads hanging by their belts. Each had to be responsible for countless people in their faction—one couldn't be unguarded.
Hibiscus replied: "I have no intention of evaluating Commander Orseya's character, but we cannot advance practical agenda items with her."
"She's also smart, continuously exchanging intelligence while avoiding specific cooperation projects."
"Didn't put us in a difficult position, incidentally expressing she has no ambitions."
As the OP providing information, she naturally had to give subjective judgment first for the Light scholar think tank to examine. The result was their turn to be confused, with several bewildered emoticons appearing in comments.
【So there was this layer of interpretation】
【Laughing to death, didn't react to switching thinking from hot-blooded manga to realism】
【My level can't keep up with Boss Mu anymore】
【Orseya is trustworthy, always conscientious, brave and shrewd. Supporting Fairy Realm this long counts as super reliable】
【No need to worry too much about combat power. Even if all guards go AFK, besides the Knight Commander herself, there are several regional Guardian Fairies equally strong. Regardless, World Tree's position as number one top-tier powerhouse reserve has never actually been shaken】
【Don't underestimate the Magic Girl of Light world's first massive supernatural force. If not for betrayal tearing apart the World Tree side, they could suppress the Disaster Beast world single-handedly】
【Can't compare in foundation. Magical Girls can try to compete in high-end combat numbers. In the original late-game, all Magical Girls combined had high-end combat power no less than fairies】
【In the Magic Girl of Light world, the "strongest" title really has idealistic bonuses】
【At least 4 people have successively held this position: Anemone, Peony, Hyacinth, Manjusaka—all far exceeding Withering Stage power】
【Especially the last two fought until satellites were ground down. Hitting World Tree itself would definitely be more troublesome】
【@Hyacinth, leave protection to the fairies】
Hibiscus relaxed a bit.
Emerald Court was after all their most central territory—heavily guarded with powerhouses everywhere. Suppressing a mere group of Dark Fairies was no problem. As guests, just managing their own affairs was fine. They should trust their hosts—that was also part of etiquette.
But she understood very clearly the principle that a nation cannot go one day without a ruler. They should quickly awaken the Fairy Queen to preside over the situation, otherwise cooperation talks lacked any binding force.
Part of the current situation was caused by Lilith's slumber.
She had no interest in assigning blame or responsibility. The key was early return to awaken this massive organization World Tree, providing assistance to Magical Girls. Only cooperation could handle the Great Catastrophe.
Hibiscus couldn't help asking: "Why do you think I have a way to awaken Lilith? What's the basis for this consideration?"
Please don't just say she's the protagonist or something—too mystical and useless.
【Should be possible】
【Theoretically, Magical Girl Hyacinth has the ability to awaken the Fairy Queen. Why exactly, really can't answer you—too spoiler-heavy. If we could directly reveal intelligence, who would want to be riddlers?】
【This stage, casually mentioning any information involves black curtain-level intelligence, very annoying】
【World Tree Realm belongs to late-game dungeons—no, should say even the original never described it in detail. We don't know the specific situation here】
【Isn't there a setting collection for reference?】
【The original was anime, visuals are the primary information carrier. However, the priest's invasion of World Tree was glossed over—nothing much to see】
【@Hyacinth, don't worry about principles or whether it'll work, but definitely try awakening the Fairy Queen. Since you're here, there's no reason not to do it. This step is very crucial and can change many things afterward. We also hope she's actually useful, not earning the "Intelligence Fairy Queen" title】
【Phantom God means though strong, never reached theoretical peak value—even dropped the ball】
【Would the guards easily allow outsiders to see their Majesty?】
Hibiscus quickly replied: "Thank you everyone, that's for me to consider now. Currently our theme is improvisation, right? Relying on us to create a new world line."
The comments immediately filled with encouraging emoticons—clearly everyone was satisfied with the OP, always casually displaying the unique charm belonging to Hyacinth.
Wasn't watching in vain.
At the same time, she didn't forget netizens' earlier regret about lacking Fairy Realm information.
With nothing else to do, might as well take photos.
Using the system's omnidirectional video recording to photograph the surroundings and upload—these were sufficient as supplementary intelligence for Emerald Court.
【Good grief, completely matches my mental image of World Tree】
【Too detailed, not just simple special effects piling. Can clearly see divination rooms, residential areas, main palace building complexes—matches the setting collection. OP is very meticulous】
【I checked the original's brief flashback scenes—indeed correct. Got it, you're the real Light scholar】
【Wait, from this perspective, should be high-floor overview from residential area, near the VIP cottage right? Really put it to use—not letting any corner details go to waste】
【Such a luxurious place, so where should the Dark Fairies be imprisoned?】
【Emerald Court has no prison—they're held in the palace, not far from the Fairy Queen. You can visit afterward】
【Can do that?】
【Fairy race doesn't have death penalty either, at most imprisonment—different concept from humans. Of course, they won't show mercy on battlefields. Being caught alive shows your skill, that's it】
Afterward netizens' discussions had little information value, so Hibiscus closed the system.
At the same time rewards for successfully awakening the Fairy Queen were generated. They seemed abundant, but she glanced and lost interest—don't count chickens before they hatch.
"You must get up!" She kicked toward Manjusaka's bottom.
Though not using much force, the origin fluctuations penetrating caused the pink-haired girl to finally sit up shaking her head.
"...I just had a dream where Emerald Court was so lively, fireworks everywhere. Exploding here and there, the whole sky colorful. Could it be some good omen?"
"Not necessarily. World Tree setting off fireworks doesn't sound like a good thing." Hibiscus opened the door. "It's almost afternoon, let's go immediately."
"Okay!"