A spirit of betrayal—one so deep-seated it could even violate a formal pledge—clung to them like a stain.
Prior to this mission, a handwritten letter had arrived from the USNA embassy. It bore the names of the USNA President and Colonel Virginia Balance. The contents were a confession: the culprits who had instigated the operation were internal USNA elements. Because the USNA government was conducting its own investigation, the letter requested that Japan refrain from any acts constituting interference in domestic affairs—subtle phrasing that asked for a gag on the media.
Considering their apparent sincerity, Yugen decided he would not incite public opinion regarding this particular operation. He emphasized the word "this." It did not mean he would be so lenient in the future.
"It wasn't just the President," Senki remarked. "The Secretary of Defense and the Chair of the FRB sent letters in rapid succession as well."
"Yugen-kun has seized the helm of global finance and the economy," she continued with a light smile. "It's only natural they'd want to stay on his good side."
"I don't mind the government officials so much," Yugen replied. "The problem lies with the military—specifically the Magician units. And then there is the 'Seven Sages'... or rather, the Clark father and son."
Yugen hadn't set out to take control of the USNA and the UK out of a simple desire for power. His decision to purchase the national bonds of both countries was a move to strangle them in fields other than magic. Still, a 100-trillion-yen investment—at the level of a national budget—was impossible for any world power to ignore.
Despite these countermeasures, traces remained everywhere of the Clarks' refusal to give up on the Yotsuba or Yugen. Though they spoke of national security, that ambitious duo likely aimed to bring Japan back under USNA's thumb. If they could turn Japan into a bridgehead, they could hold a sword to the throats of the Great Asian Alliance and the New Soviet Union.
However, that was a double-edged sword. A strained, overextended USNA would only end up strangling itself. Even if justified by security, the presence of US forces in Japan had been on a downward trend in the world before his reincarnation. Considering the historical context—where the alliance was maintained only by host-nation support—their current ambitions were unrealistic, magic or no magic.
Perhaps the USNA intended to maintain a state of tension between the Great Asian Alliance, the New Soviet Union, and Japan just to profit from the military-industrial complex. Or perhaps they wanted to manufacture a justification to deploy the Stars. Their ultimate goal was likely to find a weakness and seize Japan's Strategic-Class Magic.
"What is your primary concern, Yugen-kun?"
"The most troublesome outcome would be a coalition between the Great Asian Alliance, the New Soviet Union, and the USNA. To prevent that, I'm going to have the government sign a certain treaty."
"A treaty? You mean a formal peace treaty with the Great Asian Alliance?"
"No. Not with them. It's a maritime cooperation agreement between Japan, Taiwan, the Southeast Asian Alliance, the Indo-Persian Federation, and the Arab Alliance. I've also sent a personal letter requesting Australia's participation."
The primary justification was "anti-piracy"—a military cooperation pact spanning the Western Pacific, the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea all the way to the Suez Canal. It was intentionally limited to Southern Hemisphere nations to exclude the isolationist USNA, the UK, and the New Soviet Union.
Furthermore, once the South American Federation and France ratified the agreement, it would be elevated to an "International Treaty." France's inclusion was justified by its African territories; through a series of "innovations" he intended to trigger in Africa, several autonomous states would be established. Yugen planned to have France act as their patron.
"We cannot take back the resources the Great Powers have already plundered. However, by leading the involvement in Africa, France will gain the prestige necessary to be the leader of Europe. I doubt the UK, that northern island nation, will be able to overlook that. They will undoubtedly attempt some form of interference."
"I see..." Senki murmured. "You're diverting their hostility away from us. You really do come up with the most devious plans."
"I have no obligation to step onto my opponent's playing field," Yugen said flatly.
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