He would submit a combat report to Kazama, but this time, after inquiring with Kazama in advance, he had received assurance that due to the huge debt from the Parasitoid Doll incident, it would be stopped within the Independent Magician Batallion and not reported in detail to Saeki.
Including Kousen in the targets was because he believed that if a member of the Kudou family was involved, even formally, it would divert the attention of the Kudou main family. It was a bit like a self-serving scheme where the Kudou family, having invited the problem, was now cleaning up their own mess.
"Anyway, arrangements including equipment have already been made, so let's meet at 20:00 in front of the New International Conference Hall."
"Eh? But the opponent is in Uji... Ah, I see."
Erika, who had been puzzled by Yugen's words, had an idea about the means of transportation and stopped pursuing the matter further. Erika was probably anticipating magical travel, but in this case, Yugen intended to infiltrate by an even more effective method than magic.
◇ ◇ ◇
By 8:00 PM, the New International Conference Hall was deserted, with only the lights from private homes and streetlights illuminating the area. Amidst this, the group, gathered by Yugen's words, looked on, wondering what would happen next. Yugen checked the time on his terminal and murmured.
"—On time."
"Eh? What exactly?"
"...I see, that's what it is."
In response to Erika's question, Tatsuya looked up, discerning the object's identity with his 'Elemental Sight.' Soon, the approaching rotor sound alerted everyone else besides Tatsuya.
Landing on the open grassland was a tilt-rotor military aircraft. Moreover, it was a stealth-spec aircraft, newly adopted by the National Defense Force. This alone was surprising, but when the hatch opened and individuals emerged from within, Tatsuya and Mikihiko couldn't hide their astonishment.
"Tatsuya-san, Miyuki!"
"Yoshida-kun!"
"Honoka and Mizuki!"
"Eh, eh!? Why!?"
Mikihiko couldn't hide his surprise, and Tatsuya looked slightly agitated. Yugen wore an expression as if his scheme had succeeded, but he hadn't called these non-combatants just for this. Shizuku descended, following the two.
"Yugen, I made it on time. I never thought you'd plan something like this at first."
"Good work, Shizuku."
"Um... could you explain?"
Masaki interrupted Yugen and Shizuku's conversation, asking. Given that a National Defense Force military aircraft had been brought out, Yugen answered the question of what they were about to do:
"It's obvious, isn't it? To have everyone drop into Uji."
"...Eh?"
Although they might think, "What is he saying?", for that purpose, some individuals would be given battery-powered flight devices—though only Masaki, Kousen, and Riri would receive them. The others had received them via Tatsuya or Yugen, so there was no problem with descending.
However, Shizuku, Honoka, Mizuki, and Mikihiko would be asked to remain on standby in the rotorcraft to fulfill certain roles.
"Honoka, deploy an optical camouflage to completely hide the rotorcraft. Mizuki, I need you to track the movements of the target person. Then, Shizuku and Mikihiko, in addition to protecting them... Mikihiko, I'm giving you this talisman."
"This talisman... It looks like something from Onmyōdō."
"I'll give the signal when Zhou Gongjin approaches the Uji River, so activate it without a moment's delay. That's the key to activating the 'Sanctuary,' so don't lose it, okay?"
"U-understood, yes."
Hearing Yugen's words, Honoka and Mizuki were invigorated. Mikihiko, too, would surely be invigorated by Mizuki's side. Naturally, they couldn't keep the rotorcraft hovering directly above the base, so after the members descended, it would have to evacuate to the north.
"By the way, what will Yugen-san be doing?"
"I'll be providing support for Kousen and the others at Uji Bridge. I might also act as a skirmisher if the situation calls for it, so please protect yourselves."
"Understood."
At first, Yugen considered handling it with just the members who came to Kyoto. However, even if the 'plus-one' element was not yet visible, it was better to be cautious.
So, from his knowledge of the original story, he decided to utilize Honoka, who could use optical camouflage, Mizuki, who possessed spiritual sight, and the seaplane confiscated from the navy during the spring break incident. The seaplane was modified into a tilt-rotor aircraft, under the guise of a 'magic technology experimental aircraft,' with the cooperation of the Independent Magician Batallion.
As for the pilot, he asked a personal attendant of the Kitayama family. Shizuku also trusted their skill, so there were no complaints.
"Shizuku, the equipment I asked for?"
"I brought everything. Father also said you can use it without hesitation."
Hearing those words, Tatsuya boarded and began to change clothes. The interior, unlike a regular rotorcraft, was structured with military operations in mind, but there was still enough space for separate changing areas for men and women.
There was also equipment related to the Hokusan Group inside, which Yugen assumed was included with the faint hope of collecting data. Shizuku, upon hearing this, seemed slightly exasperated.
About ten minutes later, all members participating in this capture operation changed into their proper equipment. Tatsuya and Masaki, specifically, wore custom movable suits provided by the Independent Magician Batallion, with masks designed with a devil motif.
"...Shiba, what do you honestly think about this design?"
"Just give up."
Tatsuya muttered that there was no way to persuade the person who designed it, and Masaki also stopped further inquiry and sat in the built-in seat. Once everyone was ready, the tilt-rotor aircraft took off, heading directly for the National Defense Land Forces Uji Second Supply Base.
Approximately less than two minutes after takeoff, they reached the airspace above the National Defense Land Forces Uji Second Supply Base. The hatch opened, and Celia, leading the charge, held 'Artemis'.
"Now, let's raise the signal fire—'Heavy Metal Burst,' activate!"
'Heavy Metal Burst' was activated, targeting an armored vehicle in the northern part of the base. Not only did it cause an immense plasma explosion, but the resulting plasma cloud generated a vast amount of electromagnetic waves. Riri instinctively protected the rotorcraft with 'Phalanx,' but the surrounding civilian homes in the base area were plunged into a widespread power outage.
"...You really are Lina's twin sister."
"Hehe, I overdid it! Ouch!?"
"Alright, Shizuku, Mikihiko, I'm leaving this side to you. In case of an emergency, don't hesitate to withdraw."
After giving Celia a knuckle punch, Yugen jumped out of the hatch onto the ground. Confirming that Tatsuya and the others had followed suit, Yugen used 'Sonic Drive' to send them to their respective positions. Then, Yugen opened a 'Mirror Gate' and teleported to the east side of Uji Bridge.
A potent drastic remedy (strategic-class magic).
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"