Leisurely sitting on the sofa inside the top-floor suite of the Imperial Hotel East Tengu, Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott let out a quiet exhale.
Before him was a set of printed documents held together with a clip. He turned his gaze to the left.
"—I see. A Spirit with AAA threat level, and a boy capable of manipulating a Spirit's power… For two such individuals to be attending the same school, I must admit—it's quite intriguing."
"Yes."
Standing by his side was the blonde girl who had prepared the documents:
**Ellen Mathers**, DEM Industries' proudest asset—**the world's strongest wizard.**
"In addition to that, it seems an airship belonging to *Ratatoskr* was also present at the site. Indeed, things are not as simple as they appear."
That name held deep ties not only for Westcott, but for Ellen as well.
It was an organization founded by Woodman—one that sought to suppress Spacequakes through peaceful means, and claimed their purpose was to *protect* the Spirits, the very beings who caused them.
A philosophy so absurd that only a drunk man would utter it.
Westcott covered the corner of his mouth with his hand to suppress a laugh.
"That man Woodman… truly ridiculous."
"Indeed. He refuses to accept reality. Genie has already destroyed how many cities? Yet he still clings to his ideals."
Ellen added calmly.
"Speaking of **Genie (Shura)**…"
Westcott pulled another set of documents from his briefcase and spread them across the table.
"According to the intel, an AST member reportedly sighted Genie in Tengu City?"
"That's right. Judging from the appearance and the abilities, it was undeniably Genie."
Since Ellen herself had compiled these documents, she already had every detail memorized.
"Then why is Tengu City perfectly fine? Up until now, Genie has never spared any city she descended upon. Unless—"
As he spoke, Westcott's gaze shifted back to the document on **Itsuka Shidou**.
"Itsuka Shidou… what an interesting boy."
"Isaac, do you mean that Genie and Itsuka Shidou…"
"Well, it's just a conjecture. After all, only a few days ago, didn't Genie destroy another city with tens of thousands of residents?"
If Genie had truly been recruited by *Ratatoskr*, she certainly wouldn't still be destroying cities and slaughtering civilians.
Westcott turned his head slightly, rereading Shidou's information over and over. Perhaps because Shidou wasn't a Spirit and had always had a weak presence, his file was extremely sparse—there wasn't even a photo.
"Ellen, why is there not even a photo of Shidou? Even Princess has several long-distance shots."
Hearing what sounded like criticism, Ellen immediately lowered her head slightly.
"Because I didn't expect I needed to collect information on someone who wasn't a Spirit. I'll prepare it at once."
"No need. Once we meet him in person, that's enough."
Casting Shidou's file aside, Westcott refocused on the documents concerning **Tenqi Sanluoku**.
"Genie… and Nightmare are on friendly terms?"
"Yes. According to AST video records, they were seen appearing together in Tengu City, seemingly as allies."
"Ha… a duo of murderers. How fascinating."
Westcott stretched lazily, appearing pleased with the relationship between Tenqi Sanluoku and Tokisaki Kurumi.
"So, how are things progressing on the other side?"
"You mean—ah, yes. Very smoothly. The ten members under Adeptus 3 have all been assigned to the operations unit today."
"Well done."
Westcott nodded with satisfaction.
In order to get this extremely forced organizational structure approved, a considerable amount of resources and bribes had been burned through—but that was trivial.
Using new systems and institutions was indeed the most efficient way to mobilize the magicians who obeyed him like limbs… but doing so required vast funds and time, not to mention pressure from the board of directors.
However, for now, this was the fastest method for DEM to employ official military force within Japan.
"Then it's decided. I want to meet this boy, Itsuka Shidou, as soon as possible."
Once Westcott casually stated this, Ellen inhaled deeply and promised:
"Understood. I will definitely bring him to you."
"Very good. I have great confidence in you, the world's strongest wizard. And—remember, if we're to make contact with them, we must host a grand banquet, yes? Otherwise we can't properly express our sincerity."
"Yes."
Ellen seemed confident.
"Oh—right."
As Westcott spoke, he suddenly looked as if something important occurred to him. He walked over to Ellen and placed his hand on her shoulder, lowering his voice:
"Ellen, if you encounter Genie… what would you do?"
"…I would firmly carry out your orders."
Though Ellen's tone remained firm as always, her words revealed that even she lacked confidence when it came to confronting Genie.
After watching Genie's combat footage and comparing it with her own abilities, even Ellen Mathers—prideful, arrogant, and dismissive of all others—had no choice but to admit that without special equipment, she most likely would not be a match for Genie.
This feeling was very similar to facing **Deus** years ago.
Only… compared to Deus, Genie was far more brutal and sadistic.
"Ha. It's rare to hear the world's strongest wizard answer like that. Not like you at all, Ellen."
Westcott chuckled, as if expecting such a reaction.
"Isaac, then what do you propose?"
Ellen didn't deny anything—she simply asked.
"It's simple. We just don't provoke her."
Westcott said it as if stating the most trivial thing in the world.
"Ah?"
Ellen froze—something rare for her during work.
"Since Genie isn't on *Ratatoskr's* side, and since our strength in Japan isn't enough to eliminate her, why bother provoking her? She may not even be in Japan right now. Though I would love for her to be my material B, jeopardizing our main plans isn't worth it."
Westcott's elegant smile looked refined, but to Ellen, it was far more terrifying than a blank expression.
"I understand."
After replying, Ellen turned to leave.
"Ellen, I'm not finished."
"…Is there something else?"
Westcott tossed his briefcase to her and added with a smile:
"Prepare more information on Genie. If conditions allow, we can offer a suitable price to bring her to our side—just like Nightmare drew Genie in."
Ellen stopped mid-step. She turned back, surprised.
"Isaac, are you serious?"
"Of course I am."
Westcott spread his arms open, as if embracing the entire world.
"Having an ally comparable to Deus would be of tremendous assistance to our future plans. I believe that even someone as powerful as Genie must have some need that others can fulfill."
"You think you can trust a brutal Spirit capable of toppling DEM at any moment?"
Ellen narrowed her eyes, trying to see whether this elegant gentleman was once again planning something repulsive.
"Is Nightmare a match for Genie? As long as there's a bond of mutual interest, until that bond breaks, even a Spirit can be loyal and reliable."
"…That's true. Then what price do you plan on offering?"
"That's your job, Ellen."
Hearing Westcott's irresponsible attempt to pass the burden, a tic mark appeared on Ellen's forehead.
"Don't forget—you're the executive director of DEM, Isaac."
"Ah, but for the world's strongest wizard, isn't this kind of small matter a piece of cake? Or perhaps, Ellen… are you so afraid of Genie that you don't even dare think of ways to handle her?"
"…Fine. I understand."
Ellen's eyes flickered a few times before she reluctantly accepted this task—one that was likely far from simple.