With the first three days of the New Year concluded without incident, Yugen returned to the Shiba household alongside Tatsuya, Miyuki, and Minami. While household chores and shifts remained largely unchanged, Yugen decided to take this opportunity to officially welcome Minami as his disciple. He judged that, at the very least, it made sense for her to learn self-defense techniques.
As for Miyuki's Guardian, the position had become vacant after Tatsuya was named the next head of the Yotsuba family. Minami formally stepped into this role, resulting in her "wearing three hats" simultaneously: Miyuki's Guardian, Yugen's exclusive servant, and his mistress.
Since Yugen's nightly routine had some flexibility, it was decided that Minami would be allotted one day a week. Minami initially tried to decline, but she was eventually steamrolled by Miyuki's silent pressure and forced to accept.
To make matters worse, due to the meddling of the other mistress members like Maya and Remi, Minami would come to his room wearing sheer negligees and sexy lingerie that were clearly invitations. Consequently, Yugen ended up laying hands on her, though he strictly maintained the "final defensive line" and did not go all the way.
To have genuine affection directed at him, followed by active seduction... Laugh if you want, Vegetable Prince Vgeta.* Needless to say, due to the promise made via Tatsuya, Miyuki also made aggressive advances, which he docilely accepted. As he had said many times before, he could only resign himself to the situation, grateful that this "carnage" of a love polygon hadn't escalated into actual bloodshed.
Around the time Yugen was in meetings at the Ministry of Defense, Tatsuya and Miyuki had visited Kyuuchuuji Temple again. It seemed they met Toudou Aoba there; Tatsuya bowed quietly, and Aoba returned a slight nod before leaving the grounds.
Although Yakumo asked them "confirmation questions" regarding their birth—specifically concerning the Yotsuba connection—he sent them off saying, "I'll be working you hard starting tomorrow, so be prepared." Their taijutsu training would continue.
By identifying himself as a Yotsuba, Tatsuya had likely prepared for their relationship to be severed. However, the Yakumo of this world was the head of the "Nine Headed Dragon." While Yakumo might not announce that title himself, he recognized that given the relationship between the Kagurazaka and Yotsuba families, their bond was one that could not be easily broken.
Furthermore, the condition regarding the Light Weight Club (Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship) remained in effect: "See through all of Yakumo's illusions and defeat Yakumo without being taken down once." The fact that Tatsuya was dutifully adhering to this condition spoke volumes of his mental fortitude.
Setting that aside, Yugen and Tatsuya left Miyuki and Minami to look after the house and headed to the National Defense Army's Kasumigaura Base in the former Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture—the headquarters of the 101st Brigade's Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.
Putting aside Tatsuya, who was originally a Special Officer, Yugen's status had changed after the New Year to a non-regular position at the Army General Headquarters. Thus, his relationship with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion had shifted to being "on loan from General Headquarters."
Between his time in the Army Weapons Development Department and his track record of creating Tatsuya's specialized CAD, Third Eye Eclipse, Yugen had established a reputation within the National Defense Force as one of the world's leading magic engineers. Furthermore, there wasn't a single piece of magical equipment designed within the battalion that hadn't passed through Yugen's hands. It was no exaggeration to say he held the key to the development of the country's magical armaments.
However, regarding the true analysis data of the Relics requested by the military, Yugen fudged the results to match other analysts. The real data was of such a nature that simply releasing it to the world could spark a war.
"Come to think of it, this is the first time the two of us have gone out together like this."
"Now that you mention it, that's true. Well, our positions are different, so it can't be helped."
They entered without issue using their ID cards and biometric authentication. Tatsuya was in a standard suit, while Yugen wore the suit he used for the Shinkai. This wasn't a visit for training or equipment requests, but simply for New Year's greetings.
At the entrance to the headquarters, they spotted a familiar face—Kyoko—and exchanged greetings.
"Happy New Year, Special Lieutenant Oaguro. And, Special Lieutenant General Kamijo... Your Excellency."
"Happy New Year, First Lieutenant Fujibayashi."
"Happy New Year, Lieutenant. However, I question the necessity of suddenly using 'Your Excellency'."
Saluting a man in a business suit might feel out of place, but strictly speaking, Yugen held the highest rank among them, even if it was a special appointment. When Yugen complained about the title "Your Excellency," Kyoko chuckled.
"Fufu, I'm sorry. But please resign yourself; this is just how it has to be."
"Sigh... Understood. I would like to greet Lieutenant Colonel Kazama."
"Yes, I will guide you."
Perhaps foreseeing that the same exchange would be repeated with Kazama, Yugen let out a deep sigh. They couldn't stand there forever, so they followed Fujibayashi inside.
There was only one presence in the Commander's office. When Kyoko knocked, Kazama's voice responded from within, and they entered. If it had been just Tatsuya, Kazama might have continued looking at his documents, but preparations for guests had already been made. Kazama stood up from his desk and saluted. The target of that salute was, needless to say, Yugen.
"Special Lieutenant General Kamijo, Your Excellency. Let me offer my New Year's greetings. Furthermore, congratulations on your promotion to the Army General Headquarters."
"Lieutenant Colonel Kazama, I am humbled by your polite New Year's greeting. Congratulations on your promotion as well."
"Sir! Thank you."
It was purely ceremonial, but the surreal sight of the older Kazama using such polite language toward the younger Yugen caused Tatsuya, who had saluted and watched in silence, to glance at Kyoko. She was suppressing her laughter. Seeing this, Yugen and Kazama, who had been exchanging greetings, both shrugged.
"...Um, Lieutenant Fujibayashi. Why are you laughing?"
"B-Because... seeing the Lieutenant Colonel use such polite language with Yugen-kun, who is the same age as Tatsuya-kun... it's a sight you don't see every day."
"Sigh... Fujibayashi, please serve tea for the two of them. Special Lieutenant Oaguro, Happy New Year to you as well."
"Sir. Lieutenant Colonel Kazama, I wish you a Happy New Year."
Tatsuya kept his reply short while saluting, intending to cut the formalities short. Sensing Tatsuya's intent, Kazama urged them to sit, and Yugen and Tatsuya took their places side-by-side on the sofa.
"So, what brings you here today? I don't recall any requests or training scheduled."
"We couldn't very well ignore the fact that the Commander and the other executives have been promoted."
"Same here. Though I can't deny the feeling that the backlash from everyone's delayed promotions has all landed on me."
At Yugen's words, not only Kyoko but even Kazama wore expressions that seemed to say, You have a point. Normally, it would take about 30 years to rise from a First Lieutenant equivalent to a Lieutenant General. Even if it was only on paper, for a 16-year-old (despite regulations prohibiting officers under 17 except in emergencies) to achieve this was, frankly, nothing short of "abnormal."
"I can't deny Yugen's claim. Though in my case, my salary has hardly gone up. And among my peers, my promotion speed is still near the bottom."
Kazama had been passed over for promotion repeatedly due to being shunned for his achievements in the past Dalseong War. However, the inability to ignore the surrounding voices any longer had led to this promotion. Behind it was also the consideration for his subordinates, whose promotions had been frozen alongside his.
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