"What in the world are you talking about?"
One week after the thesis (thesis/paper) competition—November 5th, 2096 AD.
There was significant movement in the Kyoto and Nara regions.
Kyoto's 'Traditionalist Faction' conveyed the will of the Kyoto area to the Kagurazaka family through Mount Hiei Enryaku-ji. They didn't wait until the end-of-year deadline Yugen had given during his visit to Kyoto, likely because other 'Traditionalist' magicians also sensed the re-establishment of the 'Sacred Domain'. The fact that some magicians were forcibly knocked unconscious by the 'Sacred Domain's' influence also played a major role.
Former disciples who belonged to prominent sects were returned to the orthodox faction via the Kagurazaka family. Those who remained in Kyoto due to age or other reasons were placed under the Anjuku family's command, set up as an intelligence network for the Kinki region. As for the continental sorcerers, the 'Traditionalist Faction' couldn't handle them alone, so they sought the aid of legitimate sects to apprehend them, and measures were taken for their forced repatriation to the Great Asian Alliance via the government.
It was the 'Traditionalist Faction' in the Nara region that felt a sense of crisis. The 'Sacred Domain' recently established across the Kyoto area made it virtually impossible to condemn the Kyoto 'Traditionalist Faction' as "traitors." Additionally, the forces of legitimate sects in Nara, led by Mount Kongo, grew stronger, making it difficult to achieve their goal of avenging themselves against the 'Nine' families.
If a member of the Kagurazaka family, deeply connected to Abe no Seimei and Kamo no Tadayuki, was involved in that incident, they feared that a wrong choice now could even cost them their lives. While they couldn't obey the 'Nine' families, they judged that the Kagurazaka family, also practitioners of ancient magic, would still be acceptable.
The Kagurazaka family, too, decided there was no need for unnecessary bloodshed and facilitated reconciliation with the orthodox faction. However, the condition that continental sorcerers would be considered "traitors to the nation" unless the same measures as in Kyoto were taken against them, frightened them into prompt compliance.
While Chihime, the current head, handled the negotiations, all the achievements, including the process leading up to them, were attributed to Yugen when relayed to the Kagurazaka branch families. She reportedly stated, "It's all thanks to Yugen-kun that the negotiations concluded so smoothly."
Ancient magicians from the Nara and Kyoto 'Traditionalist Factions' who desired magical power were collectively sent to Gozo. Gozo gleefully accepted them, and they are now, quite literally, being "drilled" at a large-scale training ground in Hokkaido. Gozo is contacted occasionally, and groans akin to resentful laments can be heard from the speaker during those calls. Given that Gozo has taken an interest in them, their chances of escape are "zero." If they hadn't pointlessly sought power, they might have avoided this hell... "My condolences" is all one can say.
When they overcome that hell, they will attain first-class abilities. The price is that they will never be able to stand up to Gozo, but that's a story for another time.
The report regarding the attack on the National Defense Army Uji Second Supply Base was submitted to Kazama via Kyoko. However, it was judged that if the Ten Master Clans resolving a National Defense Army failure became known, it could hinder Saeki, Kazama's superior, in his power struggles. Furthermore, it would cast doubt on the National Defense Force's intention to break away from a system reliant on the Ten Master Clans. Therefore, Kazama, on his own authority, decided to keep the matter within the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.
In the first place, Yugen's rank, even as a special duty officer, was higher than Kazama's. Thus, the report was more accurately a "detailed combat report" rather than a mere combat report, and it was deemed that he had merely rectified the National Defense Army for harboring criminals as a Special Duty Major General.
It was also clarified through diagnoses by the Kagurazaka family and Kyoto's ancient magicians that the base personnel, including Captain Hatae, had been manipulated by Zhou Gongjin. Considering their physical condition, they were observed at the base for about a week before being formally acquitted.
Regarding his promotion in the National Defense Force, Yugen was originally a special duty officer holding the rank equivalent to a First Lieutenant under the name 'Tatsumi Kamijo'. This was due to the rank of Shigeru Sanada, who recommended him at the time, also being a First Lieutenant, and additionally, from having learned martial arts from his grandfather, Gozo.
He was promoted directly to Special Duty Major after the Okinawa Defense War. This was because it was not good for a strategic-class magician, albeit unofficial, to be treated as a junior officer. Furthermore, it was a result of Kazama's request, considering Yugen's ability to freely use strategic-class magic without satellites, stating, "If possible, I'd like to place him on equal footing with myself."
Following the information department (Toyama family) incident, Gozo, who took a serious view of the 101st Brigade Commander's abuse of authority, interceded with General Soga (many non-magician disciples learned Shinkage-ryu Kenjutsu, and Soga was once a disciple). As a result, a "three-rank special promotion" to Special Duty Major General was approved upon his adoption into the Kagurazaka family. He had heard from Gozo and General Soga that his appointment to the rank of Major General, albeit part-time, was a remnant of Retsu Kujima being a retired Major General.
Furthermore, in recognition of his achievements in thwarting the conspiracy of the anti-Great Asian Alliance hardliners at the Nine Schools Competition and suppressing the National Defense Army's Uji Second Supply Base unit, which was manipulated by Zhou Gongjin, he was promoted to Lieutenant General, a first for a military magician in a special duty position.
While he might incur unnecessary jealousy from various quarters, he has no intention of getting involved in the internal factional disputes of the National Defense Force. Generally, the territorial disputes between the civilian Ten Master Clans and military personnel, despite being fellow Japanese, are likely a remnant stemming from the Ten Master Clans' founding reasons. Still, he wishes they would stop undermining each other internally.
In the first place, putting aside the Ten Master Clans and the Eighteen Assistant Houses, soldiers are supposed to be public servants. So, couldn't they recognize that harboring criminals on their own authority or wielding power to intervene in the Nine Schools Competition was already "corrupt"?
When he inquired about this with Chihime and Gozo, they mentioned that there were four elders in the 'Elder Council' who argued against the disposition. They stated that they couldn't apprehend Zhou Gongjin or even effectively strip the Chinese Quarter of its extraterritoriality because of the elders' reluctance.
However, they reluctantly agreed after Zhou Gongjin smuggled Great Asian Alliance special forces into Japan during the Yokohama Incident. This was strongly influenced by the significant reduction in opposition party forces in the Diet. Chihime's active promotion of opposition party scandals, coinciding with the recent media acquisitions, was likely evidence of her considerable accumulated frustration with them.
On that note, when he suggested to Chihime that they hold a snap general election for the House of Representatives concurrently with the upcoming House of Councillors election, aiming to significantly reduce opposition forces, Chihime agreed. The very next day, a special Diet session decided on a dissolution of the House of Representatives and simultaneous elections for both houses. Even the Prime Minister likely had no choice but to accede to Chihime's "request."
They would add further leaks against opposition Diet members, whose ranks were already in disarray due to the recent political donation scandal, to minimize the influence of humanists. While creating a one-party dominant state has the disadvantage of making them more susceptible to pressure from the USNA government, he intends to take several measures regarding this.
The fact that Saburo Nagura, now Saburo Hasekura—Nagura's spirit inhabiting Zhou Gongjin's re-constructed body—had received instructions to kill Zhou Gongjin from Kouichi Saegusa, the head of the Saegusa family, was immediately relayed from Yugen to Chihime.
Given that the person who tried to carry it out said so, it was undoubtedly true. Chihime also judged that Hasekura did not give the impression of lying. The decision on whether to convey this fact to the Yotsuba family would depend on the Saegusa family's actions during the New Year.
Furthermore, by absorbing Zhou Gongjin's knowledge of continental ancient magic, including Xianshu, Daoism, and Fangshu, Yugen's magical scope had broadened even further. Not only magic, but he also gained knowledge of magical techniques, including Zhou Gongjin's process for parasitizing humans, which allowed him to begin work on a universal CAD compatible with all forms of magic, including ancient and archaic magic.
He was currently developing two gun-shaped general-purpose CADs, the 'Seraphim' and 'Ragnarok,' which would integrate the combat data obtained from 'Valkyrie' and 'Odin' to achieve an even more complete form. He hesitated to name his CADs "Seraphim" and "Ragnarok," but considering he was called the 'Sorcerer of Annihilation Titania,' he convinced himself that this level of impact was fitting.
---November 26th, 2096 AD.
Yugen sat alone in a research lab assigned to him, the FLT magic engineer "Koujin Kamijo," facing a monitor. He couldn't rely on Tatsuya's help for the programs to be installed in the CAD he was developing, due to the black box within the hardware. Thus, he was coding an enormous amount of programs based on the 'Force Silver' series' fundamental system.
Regarding the 'ESCAPES' project, which was progressing behind the scenes, two plants were planned, jointly funded by the Yotsuba family and the Kagurazaka family. This was possible because Maya was FLT's principal shareholder, and Yugen was the second-ranking shareholder (Maya's current shares were originally slated to be transferred to Yugen in the future, but he politely declined, considering they were a source of funds for the Yotsuba, and they are now planned to be transferred to Tatsuya).
One would be on an island owned by the Yotsuba, and the other would be constructed on Minamidatejima, where the National Defense Navy's research institute was located... No, on Minamidatejima, a plant was already completed underground, and tests of fusion power generation using a stellar reactor were underway. Experiments with a long-distance power transmission system using ultra-high-density psion particle beams, constructed from the mechanism and ritual of 'Brionac's' barrier vessel, were also being conducted. The 'Sonic Drive' he used in Kyoto recently was the core magic of that transmission system.
If this mechanism stabilizes, it will be possible to benefit greatly from stellar reactors not only domestically but also internationally, simply by installing transmission and reception facilities and storage facilities, without the need for transmission cables.
While negotiations with sponsors and political/financial circles were one thing, the fundamental system would be handled by Tatsuya, allowing Yugen to immerse himself in CAD development. However, today, unusually, he received a communication from a female staff member of Section Three.
Everyone in Section Three knew Yugen's true identity, but at FLT, he was strictly a magic engineer named 'Koujin Kamijo,' so the staff treated Yugen accordingly.
"Kamijo-san, excuse me. A person named Mitsugu Kuroba-sama wishes to meet with you. What would you like to do?"
"Hmm... (Mitsugu-san? What does he want at this time?)"
Yugen pondered upon hearing the name.
His direct acquaintance with Mitsugu was limited to a brief encounter at a private party four years ago, before the Okinawa Defense War. However, that meeting was as Yuto Nagano, and he hadn't seen him at all since adopting the Ten Master Clans' Mitsuya family name and the Guardian Kagurazaka family name. He had friendly relations with Mitsugu's children, Fumiya and Ayako, both as a student and through the Yotsuba family's covert operations, but it wasn't out of a desire to provide convenience to the Kuroba.
In any case, from the Kuroba family's perspective, FLT, the Yotsuba's financial source, was outside their jurisdiction. The reason for wanting to meet him, rather than Tatsuya, was unclear. It wouldn't be surprising if they knew that the Kagurazaka family sponsored the Yotsuba family, and a meeting at this time clearly concerned the Keishun-kai—the "Yotsuba Succession"—which would take place next New Year.
However, even as a sponsor, intervening in a critical moment concerning the Yotsuba family's continuation, where an important decision would be made, would be "out of place." Yugen had already conveyed his intentions to Maya, the current head, and Hayama, the head butler, as a member of the Kagurazaka family.
Since further speculation wouldn't lead to a conclusion, Yugen accepted the offer.
"(I should have conveyed my intentions to Maya-san and Hayama-san... Anyway, I'll just hear him out.) Understood. Please arrange for an offline reception room."
"Understood."
When Yugen left the research lab and entered the reception room, Mitsugu was already seated there. His serious expression immediately indicated that this would not be a straightforward matter. They exchanged greetings.
"Long time no see, Mitsugu-san. It's been four years since we last met."
"Indeed. I appreciate you looking after Fumiya and Ayako."
"Not at all. I'm just treating them as good friends. So, what can I do for you?"
It was a noticeably blunt way of speaking. However, as two heads (Yugen being an acting head), one a head of a Yotsuba branch family and the other the next head of the Kagurazaka family, Mitsugu understood that Yugen had the upper hand in terms of power.
However, prioritizing seniority as the elder, Mitsugu began to speak. Yugen didn't fault him for it and sat on the sofa opposite him, waiting for Mitsugu's words.
"Yugen-kun, are you aware that the Yotsuba's Keishun-kai will be held at New Year's?"
"Yes. However, I am the next head of the Kagurazaka family, so I have the Keiga-kai at New Year's, and in any case, I am not a member of the Yotsuba family, so I naturally do not have the right to attend."
"I understand that. Yugen-kun, I'm asking this with a sense of shame, but... would you be willing to side with us?"
Mitsugu brought up the Keiga-kai to be held at New Year's, and then asked Yugen to side with "us." While the general gist was predictable at this point, Yugen decided it was best to let Mitsugu explain in his own words and posed a question.
"Mitsugu-san, I don't see your point. It's hard for me to agree when you ask me to side with 'whom,' including yourself, at the Keishun-kai."
"Th-that's right... You were involved in the Zhou Gongjin matter, so you know about it, but that was to gauge his loyalty to the Yotsuba."
Yugen had heard about that from Hayama in the first half of last month, but he deliberately feigned ignorance with a casual "Is that so?" The moment Mitsugu used the pronoun "he" instead of Tatsuya's name, it became clear what impression he had of Tatsuya. To put it bluntly, it wasn't a "threat" to Fumiya, a candidate for the next head, but rather a feeling akin to "terror" towards Tatsuya's existence.
"Mitsugu-san, are you saying you want my help because you're uneasy about Tatsuya's loyalty?"
"No, that's not it... Recently, Maya-san—the Head—mentioned that she would designate the next head at next New Year's Keishun-kai. It's likely Miyuki will be chosen."
Mitsugu said this, but behind the scenes of the Yotsuba family, Maya, Maya and Hayama, and a very small number of individuals were preparing to announce a new candidate for the next head in place of Miyuki. Given that this information hadn't even reached Mitsugu, who was loyal to Maya, it's likely that any leaks regarding Tatsuya's candidacy for the next head were merely rumors.
In the first place, it would be "unthinkable" for Tatsuya, who had been treated with disdain by most of the Yotsuba, to suddenly become a candidate for the next head, as it lacked realism. However, considering the relationship between Maya and Tatsuya in this world, the authority of the Yotsuba head, and Tatsuya's sealed abilities, it could indeed become a reality.
"However, the majority of the branch family heads agreed that the designation of the next head should be postponed until a certain important matter is resolved."
"...Aside from Kuroba, who else agreed?"
"Since you're well-versed in Yotsuba affairs due to your position, I won't hide it: Shiiba, Mashiba, Shibata, and Shizuka also agreed."
The Yotsuba family has eight branch families besides the main family. The reason why branch family heads, excluding the directly related Shiba, Tsukuba, and Mugura families, deemed Miyuki's designation as the next head premature. If Miyuki were to become the next head, and something they didn't desire were to happen, it could only mean Tatsuya establishing a solid position within the Yotsuba family.
And Yugen's prediction was confirmed by Mitsugu's words.
"...Tatsuya's treatment, is it?"
"Exactly."
According to Mitsugu, Mizunami was projected to acquire sufficient skill to be Miyuki's Guardian within two years. If so, they intended to "keep Tatsuya on a leash" as 'Taurus Silver' to contribute to the Yotsuba's financial gain.
They also planned to have him resign as a special duty officer in the National Defense Force, but the risk of losing that deterrent would fall on Yugen. The person in front of him was too focused on Tatsuya alone, without considering the disadvantages of isolating him from the world.
In any case, putting aside the FLT matter, the special duty officer position in the National Defense Force was a contract between Maya and Major General Saeki. Although the invitation to the Keishun-kai hadn't arrived yet, if they were to ignore the current head's intentions and prevent the "current head's biological son," Tatsuya, from attending, did the branch family heads consider the possibility that Tatsuya might even "decompose" the barrier to come to the Yotsuba main house?
If that were to happen, he would, at worst, be left to clean up the mess. When asked if they could pay the price for that, he couldn't help but be highly skeptical.
"By the way, did you consult the Yotsuba family head?"
"I repeatedly appealed for a change of heart, but she wouldn't listen. However, I thought if the proposal came from you, the Head would reconsider."
"Ho," a switch clicked inside Yugen, as if something had been unconsciously suppressed, and he fully unleashed his presence. Even Mitsugu, who had handled many of the Yotsuba's covert operations, felt cold sweat erupt all over his body, as if he had been pierced by a spear.
"Mitsugu-san. What do you take the Kagurazaka family for? Even if Kuroba is a branch family of Kagurazaka, are you asking a person from the 'main family' to help you capture Tatsuya and isolate him from the world?"
"Y-you must understand! That man's magic!"
"'That man'? Let me tell you, Mitsugu-san, I am also an unofficial strategic-class magician, just like Tatsuya. Judging by your expression, it seems you weren't aware."
"Wh-what did you say... (What is this terror... It's like a 'dragon' is right there...)"
The moment Yugen heard Mitsugu's way of referring to Tatsuya, he filled the reception room with high-density psions. Mitsugu felt as if a dragon was standing behind Yugen, instilling terror in him.
And upon hearing Yugen's words, Mitsugu was dumbfounded. Mitsugu knew that Yugen was a magician comparable to Tatsuya, but detailed investigations into him had been halted at Maya's discretion. The fact that he was a strategic-class magic user like Tatsu left him speechless.
"If I were to listen, what you just said could be interpreted as an intention of rebellion against the current head of the Yotsuba family. The Kagurazaka family is one of the Yotsuba's sponsors, but deciding the Yotsuba head is an internal family matter. How I interact with the Yotsuba is something I will decide directly with the next head, including the current head."
"B-but..."
"...I have nothing further to discuss with you. Please leave. If you still insist on pressing the matter, I don't mind telling Fumiya and Ayako about your intentions to isolate Tatsuya from the world, do I?"
"!? N-no, please don't do that!"
In response to Yugen's threatening words, Mitsugu pleaded, his face pale, as if begging him not to do that one thing.
He understood the background behind most of the Yotsuba branch family heads being reluctant about Tatsuya establishing his position. He was in a position to acquire more military and diplomatic information than Tatsuya, and in return for lending Kyoko his room, she provided him with information.
One such piece of information concerned the existence of the strategic-class magic 'Material Burst' that Tatsuya used in 'Blazing and Aurora Halloween'. After that battle, behind the scenes, various countries were actively inquiring about and negotiating the conclusion of anti-Japan military alliances and security treaties, including the use of strategic-class magic.
Incidentally, in the original story, there was also an offer from the New Soviet Union, but perhaps due to Bezobrazov's 'Tuman Bomba' attack, there was no such offer. Instead, there was an offer from the SSA (South American Federal Republic), and there were reports that President Diacca Bresteiro, who was currently visiting Japan, was negotiating, including that treaty.
Furthermore, regarding the strategic-class magic 'Starlight Breaker,' it was agreed that absolutely no information would be disclosed, as it was connected to the final trigger for Tatsuya's 'Material Burst.' According to Gozo, "Since other countries haven't disclosed their strategic-class magic activation rituals, there's no need for us to show goodwill."
The strategic-class magic of those belonging to the Guardians literally "shakes the world," thus requiring them to serve as the ultimate trump card to protect the nation. In his case, however, he could also use the strategic-class magic of the 'Thirteen Apostles,' meaning he couldn't publicly appear as a state-recognized strategic-class magician.
What the Yotsuba branch family heads desired was "power that could harm no one," not "power that could shake the world." They feared that if Tatsuya established a solid position, the hostility directed at him might be turned towards them. To remove that fear, they wanted to isolate Tatsuya from the world.
There was truly no other word for it but foolish. Even if one obtained such convenient power, if others learned of it, the essence of that power could easily be rewritten. Ultimately, what mattered was the will of the one wielding that power.
In the first place, despite the Yotsuba's revenge plot, the Yotsuba clan desired power as revenge against the world rather than to heal their hearts, and the result of that desire was the existence known as Tatsuya Shiba.
"...Finally, I'll say just one thing. To me, Tatsuya is a comrade-in-arms and a best friend. If you try to isolate him from the world, even if God forgives you, I will never forgive you. Even if Fumiya and Ayako despise me, I will pursue you to the ends of the earth and kill you... That is my resolve."
Yugen slowly rose from the sofa, spoke those words as he departed, and left the reception room.
How Mitsugu would act after hearing those words would depend on his heart. Moreover, given Fumiya and Ayako's current trust in Tatsuya, what would happen if they learned that their own father intended to isolate the person they trusted from the world?
Honestly, even if Ayako, who harbored romantic feelings for Tatsuya, were to disown her father, Mitsugu would have no defense. After all, there was the fact that the Yotsuba branch family heads plotted to kill Tatsuya when he was born.
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