The South American Federal Republic, commonly called SSA or South America Federation, has a brief history. Two years ago, in 2093, local guerrilla conflicts erupted, involving foreign mages. One figure intervened, "dialoguing" with local governments, leading to their surrender within a month. Large-scale conflict was avoided, as none could ignore the USNA's might.
At the Brasilia peace conference, a federal republic led by the former Brazilian government was unanimously approved. Elections birthed the first president, Diacca Brestillo, from the old Brazilian Federal Republic.
Pre-World War III South American nations united to counter the USNA's dominance, establishing a foundation. Diacca's first act was rewarding the key figure. However, involving a foreign mage risked international issues, especially since one was a minor. Thus, only a medal was awarded to him, while Joushima Gousan, the other hero, was grandly celebrated as a Federation hero, heavily featured in media.
October 31, 2095, noon (midnight Japan time).
In a Brasilia presidential office, a robust blond man, President Diacca Brestillo, glared at documents. About to end his work, a secretary burst in.
"Pardon, Mr. President! Urgent report from Japan's embassy!" the secretary gasped.
"Japan? Calm down and report," Diacca said.
"Yes, sir…"
Diacca sat, unruffled, his composure honed from surviving Brazil's guerrilla war. The secretary, steadying their breath, reported.
"A suspected Great Asian Alliance terrorist force invaded Yokohama, with minimal Japanese casualties. Their disguised landing ship was sunk by Japan's mage forces. And…"
Japan preemptively used strategic magic, erasing Jinhae Naval Port. Reports suggested an Alliance strategic mage's death, though unconfirmed. An "unidentified" fleet nearing Sado Island was also obliterated by another strategic magic.
Diacca, viewing this as a distant Pacific issue, saw low immediate threat to SSA. Such swift intelligence was unusual.
"The source?" Diacca asked.
"Joushima family," the secretary replied.
Diacca paused, reflecting. The Joushima's meddling, foundational to SSA's creation, could shape its future. After a brief silence, he spoke firmly.
"Regardless of the magic, monitor local regions. Anti-magic groups might stir. Hasten economic policy and budgeting," Diacca ordered.
"Yes, sir. Also, the USNA inquired. Your response?" the secretary asked.
Diacca inwardly scoffed at their haste. Beyond Gousan and the public Itsuwa Mio, SSA knew no Japanese strategic mages. The boy with Gousan was a possibility, but speculation was risky.
(Tch, I don't contact Gousan often, yet the northerners are paranoid. Or is it their hegemonistic itch resurfacing? Their president's ancestors broke that path, yet friction persists…)
The newly unified SSA faced issues like refugees and economic challenges. Japan, Southeast Asian Alliance, Indo-Persian Federation, and Arab League offered economic aid, not formal alliances, a boon for a fledgling nation. Military alliances with the USNA were explored, but SSA's weaker position risked absorption. Demands for Synchroliner Fusion were a potential concern.
"From the USNA? White House, Pentagon, or Stars directly?" Diacca asked.
"No, from Edward Clark of the NSA," the secretary clarified.
The NSA—USNA's National Science Agency, officially researching magic and science—was a front, Diacca knew. Edward Clark, an information systems expert and fervent patriot, prompted Diacca's cautious analysis.
"A vague figure gets no answers. Tell him to wait; I'm tied up with duties," Diacca said.
"Yes, sir!"
Diacca considered Clark might have intercepted Japan's intel. If so, deeming him safe was premature, even as a USNA affiliate. Activating a terminal, Diacca connected to Clark, whose image appeared.
"Greetings, President Brestillo. Edward Clark, USNA NSA. Apologies for the sudden call," Clark said.
"Diacca Brestillo, Federal Republic President. What's your inquiry, Clark-dono?" Diacca replied.
Despite Clark's humility, Diacca sensed no sincerity. Urging him to get to the point, Diacca listened.
"The Japan-Alliance conflict. We suspect strategic magic. Do you have any insights?" Clark asked.
"You know our intelligence lags behind yours. Even if you're NSA, do you have USNA government approval?" Diacca countered.
"…Of course," Clark replied.
Diacca caught the hesitation, a jab at USNA's magical superiority laced with self-deprecation. Without pressing, he probed Clark's intent.
"We've received intel via Japan's embassy, likely within your predictions," Diacca said.
"Any guesses on the strategic magic, Mr. President?" Clark pressed.
"I'm a politician, not a mage. I'm clueless about the magic or its caster," Diacca said.
This was no cover-up but truth, factoring in his role. He knew Gousan, who avoided magic, making it unlikely his work. Diacca's political instincts confirmed this. Betraying Japan's courtesy was unthinkable.
"Anything else?" Diacca asked.
"How will the Federation act?" Clark asked.
"That's for governments, not researchers. I'm busy this afternoon, so…" Diacca cut off, redirecting the call.
A researcher and a politician lacked common ground—Clark's misstep. Diacca, at 35, drew on rich experience, shaped by Gousan and a boy he guided, an encounter worth a lifetime. Few would believe its depth.
Hakone, Kagurazaka main estate.
In the grand hall, Chihime, spinning a fan, received Yakumo's report.
"As predicted, Tatsuya-kun's Material Burst and Yugen-kun's Starlight Breaker erased the Alliance and Soviet forces. The Alliance's strategic mage likely died," Yakumo reported.
"Well done… Foreign movements?" Chihime asked.
Chihime had notified the government, with imperial approval, that the incident, authorized by Joushima and Kagurazaka, used strategic magic but was classified as a national secret. The government acknowledged its use as "active self-defense" against the Alliance and unidentified forces.
Beyond Abyss, strategic magic was a double-edged sword if mishandled. Tenjin magic, though ancient, reached strategic levels at its peak, making Chihime a de facto non-recognized strategic mage.
"The USNA's querying the government, calling Tatsuya's magic Great Bomb and Yugen's Shining Buster," Yakumo said.
"Their magics transcend modern frameworks. Yet our 'ally' offered no military aid in Yokohama," Chihime noted. "What did Anii-sama say?"
Even with a military alliance, strategic magic was a nation's trump card, not easily shared. Japan's swift response left US forces idle, their reaction irrelevant.
The Magic Association held nuclear oversight but lacked authority over mages. Its obligations were unenforceable, limited to mutual aid. The Vladivostok destruction targeted only the military port, sparing civilian areas, yet protests came via the embassy. When the "unidentified" fleet was revealed as Soviet, protests ceased.
"When we spoke, he said little but seethed. I calmed him, but if the Alliance moves again, Gousan's wrath is certain. The landing ship was a repurposed British vessel, sold to Australia, then to the Alliance," Yakumo said.
Mitsuya's aid traced the ship's origins. Chihime fumed at Australia's "isolationist" audacity.
"Australia… likely MacLeod's involved, bitter over losing to me. Kontrachenko should drill his defeat by Anii-sama into his troops. The USNA's 'justice' pretense is worse," Chihime said.
"Only those involved grasp the terror. History shows it's too late otherwise," Yakumo replied.
When mage travel was less restricted, Chihime, hiding her Guardian status, frequented the West, meeting and defeating strategic mage William MacLeod. Thirty years later, the gap widened, but she dismissed the contest.
"Ignoring threatening power is understandable, but deploying Stars would make USNA's leadership heads roll like a game," Chihime said.
Yugen's ability to counter Angie Sirius's Heavy Metal Burst—an upgraded version—made him key. If issues beyond Stars arose, the USNA could become a massive pathogen. This tied to Japan.
"Speaking of the USNA, you're the same age as General Kudou, right?" Yakumo asked.
"Retsu caused trouble. Ken was the better mage, but cluster wars hid it. The Kudou had their own upheaval, did you know?" Chihime said.
"First I've heard, despite bearing 'Nine,'" Yakumo replied.
Ken Kudou, Retsu's brother, naturalized as Ken Kudou Shields in the USNA, a name known to Defense Force members. Officially dispatched, he was effectively exiled. Only Gousan and Chihime knew details. Despite his talent and creating Parade, his exile led to his granddaughter joining Stars—ironic.
"Knowing this, I couldn't let Mitsuya suffer the same," Chihime said.
"I urged Ken to stay, but his curiosity for the USNA, the birthplace of modern magic, won. It warped the Kudou," she added.
The Kudou's loss of talent distorted them, enraging Gousan, who limited interference despite personal ties. Chihime ordered Yakumo as Kagurazaka head.
"Yakumo, watch the Shiba siblings discreetly. Your discretion. If Ken's granddaughter is involved, I'll act personally," Chihime said.
Never ceasing magical training, Chihime honed Tsukuyomi solo, outdone by Yugen but continued for beauty and strength. Among the world's top mages, her intent to act made Yakumo bow in acceptance.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
There should be... around 20+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/Greyhounds
If you guys wanna check it out.