Immediately after Celia's "Heavy Metal Burst" was fired, the Uji Second Supply Base of the National Defense Army was in an uproar. Not only was there a massive plasma explosion in the northern part of the base, but electromagnetic waves had also crippled almost all communication functions, throwing the chain of command into chaos.
In one of its rooms, Zhou Gongjin felt an immense surge of Psion waves. He initially suspected the 'Thunderclap Tower,' but it was far too powerful to be used in a city. Even the Great Asian Alliance, if they had indeed branded him a "traitor" and sent it, was moving too swiftly.
Just then, Captain Hatae, a soldier whom Zhou Gongjin had convinced of his innocence, rushed in.
"Mr. Zhou, it seems the base is under attack."
"...Indeed, I presume I am the target."
Originally, this base held no strategic value to warrant an attack. Considering the target that would necessitate throwing the base into such disarray, it could only be Zhou himself. Realizing there was no need to linger any longer, Zhou decided to exploit the confusion.
"Then, everyone, please repel the attackers. Use all of the base's forces."
Immediately after he muttered these words, not only Hatae but the entire company felt a shock as if an electric current had run through them. Zhou, speaking as if offering car keys, told Hatae, who then, with clumsy movements, handed the keys to Zhou. Then, in response to Zhou's provocative tone, Hatae issued orders in an emotionless voice.
"...Still, some people resort to quite crude methods, don't they?"
Attacking a National Defense Army base so easily was something even Zhou, with his faint patriotism, hadn't considered. The north was certainly fortified, and presumably the east and west as well. Therefore, he calculated that if he could break through the south, cross the Uji River, and escape towards Nara, where the 'Traditionalists' were, he might still have a chance. He even considered escaping with 'Kimon Tonkou' as a last resort.
However, he remained unaware.
The trap laid by Kagurazaka Yugen was surely closing in on Zhou Gongjin.
◇ ◇ ◇
Erica, Leo, Celia, and Himehime landed at the base, amidst Celia's "Heavy Metal Burst." Soldiers fired rubber bullets meant to incapacitate them, which they defended against with a Psion Wall augmented with an anti-object barrier, all while staring down the soldiers before them.
"What do we do?"
"Since they attacked us, we have no choice but to fight back, right?"
"You get it."
Erica, smiling at Leo's reply, deployed the blade of her 'Hayatemaru.' She vanished with body enhancement, and soon the screams of soldiers could be heard from the other side. Her speed rivaled that of Yume, who was skilled in lightning-attribute Heavenly God Magic, making it difficult for ordinary soldiers to even contend with her.
"That guy... well, I guess I'll provide support."
Muttering "I guess I have no choice," Leo used his bracelet-type CAD to read the activation sequence for 'Dragoon Breath,' blowing away the remaining soldiers in front of him. He had set the power low, judging that it wouldn't kill them.
Then, Celia narrowed her eyes at an object approaching from a distance.
"Armored vehicles, sure, but tanks...?"
"Does that mean they're that wary of magicians, or perhaps..."
"Or they might be being manipulated, you mean."
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