With her magic gone, Jasmine chose to navigate the only path left: listening to his demands. James let out a cry of shock, but she remained outwardly calm, waiting for the boy's next words.
"I appreciate you being quick on the uptake. You will be taken into custody by the Ministry of Police and deported from Haneda to Sydney. When you go, you will carry a personal letter for me."
"A letter? That's all?"
"Your crimes in this country are clear. However, we have no desire to keep you here long-term. You will be deported first thing tomorrow morning. That is the judicial decision of this country."
On the surface, it was a simple deportation of criminals. In reality, they were messengers. The letter bore the signatures of the Retired Emperor, the current Emperor, and the Prime Minister, but the operational details involved the Kamizaka and Kamiizumi families. Furthermore, it contained a request from Gozo and Chise to mitigate the punishments the two would face within the Australian military.
Yugen had no reason to keep them in Japan. As for the telepathy issue, between Lina and Celia, the Yotsuba were content to leave the matter to Yugen. The National Defense Force might be dissatisfied, but having a "canker in the heart" where their movements could be read was a greater risk. Thus, Yugen used his own standing within the Defense Force to settle the matter of the Australian mages.
"And you think we'll just accept this quietly?"
"Your magic is sealed, and you are sitting across from the direct disciple of the hero Gozo Kamiizumi. If neutralizing your magic isn't enough to convince you, I'm perfectly fine with settling this with our fists right here."
"Fine then, you—"
The moment James directed his hostility at Yugen, his consciousness snapped. He couldn't even call out to Jasmine beside him before he was plunged into a world of deep darkness. A cold bead of sweat rolled down Jasmine's cheek.
"I didn't kill him," Yugen said. "Now, what will it be? Do you want to hear the rest, or would you like to join him in unconsciousness?"
"...I understand. Please, continue."
With their lives effectively in his hands, Jasmine had only one choice: to swallow the demands of the boy sitting across from her.
The Great Asian Alliance deserters were captured and led away to high-speed vessels by the regular army. Without even needing to watch, Chen Xiangshan and Lu Gonghu spoke in a small room within their ship.
"Good work, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir."
The submarine and the disguised dock were to be handed over to the Japanese side according to the law. Since they had also seized the disguised fishing vessel, the operation was nearly a perfect success. Even if they were temporary allies under a truce, the possibility of fighting Japan again remained high.
However, Chen Xiangshan felt a flicker of unease regarding the GAA government's policies. It stemmed entirely from the words Yugen Kamizaka had spoken to him. Sensing his superior's intent, Lu Gonghu spoke—a rare occurrence for him to initiate conversation.
"Colonel, is something the matter?"
"...To think I'd be questioned by you, Lieutenant. Before this operation, Yugen Kamizaka gave me a warning. He said, 'The next time we meet as enemies, I will kill you.' He was perfectly clear about it. And he said it in our own tongue."
"I believe... your concern is entirely justified, sir."
Chen Xiangshan knew Yugen was the grandson of the hero Gozo Kamiizumi and the younger brother of Mitsuya Kana—the woman who had defeated Lu Gonghu. In this operation, Yugen hadn't just toyed with the GAA soldiers; he had neutralized the Australian mages without even shedding blood.
"I want your honest opinion, Lieutenant. How do you see him?"
"Even by the standards of the National Defense Force, he is a master. I submit that the families of this country are no longer something we can handle."
"You think so as well... but many in the military high command obsess over face. Some will brand our report as 'weak-willed.'"
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"