The Kannagi family.
A lineage of Flame Arts sorcerers who had contracted with the Spirit King of Flames, worshipped fire spirits through generations, and inherited supernatural abilities in their blood.
As the family head, Jūgo Kannagi had been suffering from headaches recently.
His headache stemmed from none other than this rapidly changing world.
In the Kannagi main family tea room.
Jūgo Kannagi looked solemnly at his cousin, the family's current strongest combatant, Genma Kannagi.
"Genma, I've reviewed the intelligence you brought back regarding the Tokyo freezing incident."
"Is the situation truly this severe?"
"Yes, elder brother." Genma Kannagi was a square-jawed middle-aged man with an imposing presence.
As the only Kannagi family member currently serving in the Cabinet's Direct Action Team after Jūgo's retirement, he acted as the liaison between the Cabinet and the Kannagi family.
Consequently, Genma Kannagi was privy to many secrets the Japanese government had suppressed.
"I observed that ice sorceress who froze the city from a distance during my mission. In a one-on-one confrontation, I wouldn't be her match."
"And as for that Witch of the Notaria who completely overwhelmed the ice sorceress afterwards - I stand even less chance against her."
"In a life-or-death battle against the former, I wouldn't be confident of survival. Against the latter... my fate would be no better than that ice sorceress."
Hearing this answer, Jūgo Kannagi couldn't help but sigh:
"Even you, the strongest of the Kannagi family who has mastered Enjutsu, say this."
"Demigods then?"
"The SDS's evaluation isn't exaggerated after all."
Genma Kannagi remained silent. Before witnessing a Demigod's power firsthand, he might have considered testing himself against one. But after seeing their battles, he held no such confidence.
He'd seen how Serafall evaded Aya Tokoyogi's opening Concept Entanglement attack, and had been pondering how to counter such techniques ever since.
Yet he couldn't conceive of a better method than Serafall's.
Moreover, Serafall's tactic of using absurd amounts of magical power to forcibly alter the environment and influence surrounding concepts wasn't suitable for Genma Kannagi.
His internal energy reserves paled in comparison to Serafall's - attempting such combat methods would only lead to quicker death.
Between firsthand observation and information from Japanese officials, Genma Kannagi had developed his own understanding of Demigods, which he naturally conveyed to his family.
"According to my intelligence, the SDS mobilised three to four Demigods to successfully capture the Witch of the Notaria."
"This capture subsequently caused friction between the Five Great Powers and the SDS regarding custody of the captured Demigod."
"Current reports suggest the SDS displayed unimaginable military strength during this conflict. Additionally, Demigods unaffiliated with the SDS have begun appearing in various Union capitals, staging incidents to pressure Union leadership."
"From what Japanese authorities have gathered, the Unions appear ready to compromise with the SDS."
"Compromise..." Jūgo Kannagi's expression was unusually complicated. "To think the Five Great Powers would actually compromise with a civilian organisation..."
"But the military strength the SDS displayed was actually deemed unimaginable?"
"It seems we've all underestimated that Supreme Chairwoman..."
In Jūgo's impression, the SDS's Supreme Chairwoman Lacus Clyne, though formidable, had largely relied on American influence to ensure the SDS's smooth operations in Japan.
Yet now, it appeared her capabilities far exceeded his expectations.
To develop military power that even the Five Great Powers found unimaginable under America's watchful eye, while also recruiting multiple Demigods to serve the SDS – such skill and ability truly made Jūgo somewhat envious.
If only his foolish daughter possessed even one percent of that woman's talent, he wouldn't have to worry about who would lead the Kannagi Family in the future.
Hearing Jūgo's musings, Genma Kannagi calmly remarked:
"Given current circumstances, the Union's stance towards the SDS will inevitably change."
"While the SDS may face opposition from the Union, this also presents the perfect opportunity to invest in them."
"I understand your meaning, Genma."
Jūgo smiled at this point:
"Not only had I already arranged with the SDS's Director Tachibana for Ayano to train there..."
"But also, Ayano's previous joint operation with the Hidden Management Department's Director Luo has laid the groundwork for our communication with them."
"Though the timing may not be ideal now, having Ayano – who has gained Enraiha's approval after special training – join the Hidden Management Department would be an excellent choice."
"Even if we might need to pay a small price due to the circumstances."
Truth be told, Jūgo was frustrated.
After deciding to send Ayano Kannagi to the SDS for training, he had urgently arranged intensive combat lessons for his inexperienced daughter, hoping she'd acquire skills to better serve in the SDS.
Yet before the training bore fruit, Luo Shu, who'd briefly met Ayano, became the SDS's influential director, soon revealing his identity as a Demigod.
Sometimes Jūgo wondered whether his daughter had trained for one month or ten years, given how rapidly the world was changing.
"Sending Ayano to the Hidden Management Department? Indeed, a suitable placement."
Genma nodded in agreement with the family head's proposal.
Since Ayano had previously fought alongside Luo Shu, strengthening ties through this connection seemed prudent.
Comradeship counted for something, didn't it?
But where Genma saw opportunity, Jūgo considered more profound implications:
"By the way, Genma, my contacts in Akihabara have picked up some interesting rumours."
Jūgo sounded genuinely curious:
"I hear that the Hidden Management Department's Director Luo is still single?"
He tactfully omitted the intelligence suggesting Luo Shu was a virgin – even discussing such matters with his cousin felt uncomfortably like gossip.
On the other side, Genma Kannagi hesitated upon hearing these words:
"Brother, where did you hear such rumours?"
"Is the information incorrect?" Jūgo Kannagi sounded somewhat regretful.
After all, that would have been a Demigod son-in-law.
Genma Kannagi felt something was off about this news, but still explained:
"No, although Director Luo has many women around him, I've never heard any rumours about him having a wife or the like."
"In that case, does Ayano still have a chance?" Jūgo Kannagi stroked his chin, pondering.
"Genma, do you think I should let Ayano give it a try?"