The Enemy's Identity
Tatsuya rummaged through the armored vehicle's wreckage, retrieving a 30 cm cubic box. Holding it to the camera, he asked, "This?"
"Yes," Sanada's voice crackled through the display. "Point the analyzer… Yep, that's it. The Sorcery Booster."
"Looks like a plain box," Tatsuya said, frowning at its featureless surface, save for a handle.
"It's all magical circuitry," Sanada explained. "No mechanical terminals."
"So the vehicle's anti-material barrier was amplified by this?" Yanagi interjected.
"Exactly," Sanada confirmed. "Just a guess, but likely correct."
"The enemy's identity is clear now," Yanagi said. "Not that there was much doubt."
"Evidence is thin, but we're not cops or judges," Sanada replied. "Doesn't change our approach."
The two captains exchanged dark smirks across the screen. Tatsuya, suppressing a wry thought about their recklessness, asked, "Sink the Great Asian Alliance's decoy warship?"
"Bad idea," Sanada said. "Sinking it in port would cripple the harbor."
"Board and seize it, then?" Yanagi asked as Kazama pushed Sanada aside on-screen.
Tatsuya mused that storming an enemy ship with their small team seemed oddly routine for these lunatics. He recalled their penchant for turning absurd plans into reality.
"Later," Kazama ordered. "Civilians at the station plaza are arranging an evacuation helicopter. Hand off surveillance to Tsurumi's advance team, then head to the station to assist."
"Understood," Yanagi replied, saluting.
Tatsuya saluted too, impressed by the civilians' courage—organizing an evacuation while escaping themselves was admirable. Then Kazama added, "The civilians are Saegusa Mayumi and Kitayama Shizuku. If they request aid, give it fully."
Tatsuya nearly choked at the familiar names.
At the same moment, another group reached the same conclusion about the enemy.
"These upright tanks weren't just mechanically controlled," Mikihiko said.
"You mean they used some kind of magic?" Miyuki asked.
"Exactly. Their movements were too human-like. Upright tanks are structurally unlike humans—mimicking human motion would cause power loss."
"So they were trying to move like humans?" Leo pressed.
Mikihiko nodded. "Not just pistons or gears—some force mimicked human movement directly."
"Magic?" Erika asked. "What kind?"
"Likely an application of Senji Seibei Jutsu," Mikihiko said.
"Senji Seibei Jutsu?" Erika tilted her head.
Miyuki answered, "A Yin-Yang-style puppet manipulation technique, originally Taoist."
Mikihiko nodded, impressed. "Paper cut into human shapes, infused with spirits to act as soldiers."
"So, the Great Asian Alliance?" Erika concluded.
"Almost certainly," Mikihiko agreed, activating his comms to confirm.
Mayumi, on Mikihiko's call, raised her voice. "Mizuuki-san? …I see. That makes sense, but… Okay, I'll check with her first. Yes, you should explain directly."
She handed the comms to Mizuki. "Shibata-san."
"Yes?" Mizuki replied, tense.
"They want you with Miyuki's group. They'll explain why. Decide after hearing them out."
Mizuki took the comms nervously. "Yoshida-kun?"
"Shibata-san?" Mikihiko's voice came through, easing her. Erika's unpredictability and Miyuki's intensity unnerved her, but Mikihiko felt… safe, though she didn't know why.
"I need your help," Mikihiko said. "The enemy's using Senji Seibei Jutsu to control their machines. My magic can't track their spells well, but your 'eyes' can spot their movements and the spell's core faster. If we find the core, I can neutralize their magic. It's riskier, but I promise we'll keep you safe."
Mizuki flushed, speechless. She knew he meant no more than teamwork, but—
"Great news, Mizuki," Miyuki's voice cut in. "Yoshida-kun will protect you."
Both froze.
"We'll all cover you," Miyuki added.
Mayumi, overhearing, thought, Miyuki's such an S…
"We'll all protect you!" Mikihiko stammered.
Mizuki nodded. "Okay, I'm coming." She returned the comms, bowed to Mayumi, and jogged toward the front line.
"Saegusa-senpai?" Honoka asked, projecting a magical map. "What was that about?"
"No big deal," Mayumi said. "Just Miyuki teasing Mizuki and Yoshida-kun."
She left it at that, avoiding further explanation.
------------------------------
If you like this story and want to read more, I've pre-posted 30–40 chapters on Patreon:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Your support means a lot to me.