Chapter 12: [New Humanity Front]
The chosen word of New Humanity Front's name, "New Humanity," instead of "New Breed" reflected its strong self-identification that "Magicians weren't merely a new breed of humans, but instead were an humanity that had evolved".
This organization started out as an antithesis to the "humanism" and other anti-magic movements, and their constant persecution of Magicians. FEHR, an organization established in the former Canadian territories of the USNA, was the catalyst for the New Humanity Front. The concept of a "New Humanity" was also derived from FEHR's main name, "Fighters for the Evolution of the Human Race". New Humanity Front started out as an organization that admired FEHR.
But gradually, the members of the New Humanity Front began to see FEHR as a half-hearted effort due to their refusal to use violence to fight back against the current human race. Coming to the conclusion that "If politics and the law weren't stopping the persecution of Magicians, then some degree of illegal conduct was just a necessary evil", they decided to carry out their first full-scale act of a demonstration, which resulted in the arrest of their first leader and forced the New Humanity Front to go underground.
From that point onwards, the New Humanity Front became an outlawed organization and joined forces with FAIR. But how could the magicians, who were so closely monitored by the authorities, start an organization that aimed to fight against the ordinary people, even if they were from the anti-magic movement, without any backing in the first place? Could they maintain the organization underground without sponsors after their leader was arrested as a criminal?
The answer is: no. Behind the curtain of the New Humanity Front was a mastermind whose name was only known to a handful of people.
To be more precise, behind those who backed the New Humanity Front, there was an "Authority in the Shadows" that even the biggest politicians couldn't defy.
Thursday evening, June 3rd.
Back at home, Tatsuya received a visit from Fumiya and Ayako. Tatsuya was already informed that they had captured more than two dozen of the New Humanity Front members who were targeting the Original Relic last night. With the expectation that this visit would be to report on the matter, Tatsuya welcomed them into the living room.
He sat in front of Fumiya, Ayako beside him, and motioned for Miyuki to sit next to him as he led them through the doorway. Lina had already retired to her suite on the same floor.
"We finished the interrogation of the captured New Humanity Front members."
"And we found out something troublesome."
Fumiya and Ayako stated in unison.
"What is it that's troublesome?"
It was Miyuki who asked back.
"Well, let me tell you what we discovered, first."
With an expression that quite matched "troubled", Ayako responded, but not with an answer.
Tatsuya kept his attention on her, prompting her to continue.
At his attention, she looked at Fumiya, who also gave his approval, and then spoke up.
"The name of the leader of the New Humanity Front is 'Kurenai Anzu', a twenty-six-year-old woman. She didn't participate in last night's raid. The sub-leader is 'Fukami Yasuhiro', a twenty-five-year-old man. His grandfather is an Extra of the Second Research Institute."
Tatsuya grimaced at the mention of Extras, and Miyuki frowned. However, neither of them had heard about Fukami visiting Ryousuke at his apartment. If Ryousuke had reported it to Tatsuya, the following turn of events would have gone differently.
"As the sub-leader, he was part of the logistical support for last night's raid, but managed to escape. His whereabouts are still under investigation as we speak."
"You sound like you know where the leader is, do you?"
"Yes, we do."
Tatsuya asked, and Ayako took over for Fumiya.
"The hideout in question is the key issue."
"Is it with someone that's hard to make a move on? Don't tell me they're being harbored by someone from the Ten Master Clans."
"Perhaps it would have made things easier if that had been the case."
Ayako let out a small sigh that was barely audible.
"Kurenai Anzu is being sheltered at the residence of Izayoi Shirabe."
"……If I am not mistaken, that man is the younger brother of the head of the Izayoi family."
Fumiya and Ayako nodded in sync to Tatsuya's words.
"The Izayoi family is renowned for their ancient-style magic, said to be the strongest even among the most powerful hundred families…… And why would a relative of such a family, let alone the brother of the head of the family, be shielding a criminal organization……?"
Miyuki's voice trailed off, "I just can't understand".
"Besides, isn't the sub-leader of the New Humanity Front one of the Extras? I can't even imagine that someone from the main house of the Izayoi family would support an organization that has an Extra in leadership."
The Izayoi were notorious for their aversion to engineered magicians. They openly opposed the use of genetic engineering and biochemical measures to enhance magical skills. Although, as was to be expected, they had a certain restraint when it came to the Ten Master Clans. However, they didn't hide their disdain for Extras. The Izayoi family was an outlier in the modern Japanese magical world in which discriminating against Extras was a taboo practice.
Even so, the Izayoi family hadn't been ostracized by the magician society because of their skills, often said to be the greatest in the hundred families. In particular, the Izayoi were often brought up as the flagship by ancient-style magicians who were often outnumbered by modern magic users. In addition, they were also known to take good care of the magicians who relied on them.
"Ayako-san, there isn't some sort of special background to this?"
"Yes. Precisely so, Miyuki-san. There is an absurd backstory behind this."
Ayako paused and took a breath, not aiming for a dramatic effect, but to recompose herself and calm her breathing.
"It was one of the Four Great Elders of the Senate who had ordered Izayoi Shirabe to protect Kurenai Anzu."
Miyuki covered her mouth with both hands.
Even Tatsuya had his eyes wide open on top of that.
The [Senate] that Ayako just mentioned didn't refer to the legislative body that existed in the early Meiji period, before the establishment of Japan's legislative assembly. Of course, it wasn't the successor to the Imperial Diet, and it had nothing to do with the 'Genrou 54 ', which was a non-constitutional body. Also known as the 'Genrouin 55 '.
It was a group of powerful people who controlled Japan in the shadows. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that they controlled the shadows of Japan. The Senate's purpose was to exterminate, seal, and remove "obscure" forces — any and all entities, such as strange phenomena, youma 56 , magicians who had strayed off the path, and all other entities whose existence and actions threatened to disrupt the "front" and the order of this country.
For that purpose, the Senate had placed various "people with power" under its control. The Yotsuba family was among them.
The Four Great Elders were the heads of the four most powerful families within the Senate. The number of Senate members wasn't fixed and fluctuated between ten and fifteen, but the four families that the Four Great Elders belonged to had remained firm since the inception of the Senate. Toudou Aoba, the sponsor of the Yotsuba family, was one of these Four Great Elders.
Tatsuya and Miyuki were told about the Senate and the Four Great Elders by Hayama right after they graduated from First High. Fumiya and Ayako were also invited to the main house after graduating from Fourth High School to learn from Hayama. All accompanied with a strict oath of confidentiality.
"……Indeed, this is really tricky. Do you know the name of who it was?"
"Yes. It is Kashiwa Kazutaka-sama."
"…………"
Tatsuya silently sank into thought.
"……Do you want to give up on the idea of capturing Kurenai Anzu?"
In the midst of the heavy atmosphere, Ayako tentatively asked Tatsuya.
"Even the Four Grand Elders aren't omniscient and infallible, and even the Senate isn't bound to be monolithic. Let's consult with Toudou-kakka 57 first."
Seemingly having already collected his thoughts, Tatsuya replied to Ayako's question without any hint of hesitation.
"Tatsuya-sama."
Miyuki softly accosted Tatsuya from beside him.
"If you are going to ask for His Excellency Toudou's favor 58 , why don't you ask Lina to act as an intermediary?"
Lina's official name was 'Toudou Rina'. She was naturalized as a Japanese citizen earlier this year. On that occasion, she became the adopted daughter of Toudou Aoba.
"I will accompany Lina on her way to see His Excellency. I believe that it will arouse less suspicion than if Tatsuya-sama were to go directly."
"That's right……."
"Indeed, that's right……."
Ever since the summer of three years ago, Tatsuya had been the focus of attention, or rather, wariness, not only from Japan but also from military personnel around the world. His every move, every second, was under constant watch.
"Then, Miyuki, I'll leave it to you."
"Okay, I'll do my best. First, let me call Lina."
Although Lina had already returned to her suite, it was still before nine o'clock in the evening. No doubt she was studying for university or watching TV. Her current obsession was the youth dramas from the USA era.
Miyuki made a video call to Lina on the house interphone extension.
Lina appeared on the wall display of the living room, holding an electronic pen in her right hand.
"Were you studying? I'm sorry I interrupted you."
[It's okay. I'm just starting to get fed up with it.]
Ayako, who was listening nearby, giggled at Lina's overly honest manner of speaking.
The camera should have caught this, though Lina made no sign of being bothered.
"Then, could you please come over here?"
At Miyuki's request, Lina's expression shifted.
[Is it a serious matter?]
"Yes."
[Okay. I'll be right there.]
True to her word, Lina arrived soon after.
Lina sat next to Tatsuya. No, it was next to Miyuki.
"So, what's the serious matter?"
Before her was a cup of café au lait that she had prepared herself — or to be more precise, she ordered from the Home Automation. Before sipping from it, Lina asked Miyuki what she wanted to talk about.
"Actually, there's something we'd like to consult with His Excellency Toudou about……."
Miyuki then proceeded to summarize to Lina the conversation that had taken place before her arrival.
After listening to her, Lina said, "Sure" without showing any pretense of deliberation.
The answer was so immediate that Miyuki felt uneasy, but she didn't have the option to abandon the idea of consulting with Toudou. It was decided that Lina would contact Toudou tomorrow and set up an appointment to see him in person.
By a stroke of good timing, they were able to meet with Toudou Aoba on the evening of June 5th.
"Thanks for your help, Miyuki, and thanks to you as well, Lina."
Tatsuya showed his appreciation for both Miyuki and Lina upon their return. Though Lina wasn't as tired, Miyuki couldn't hide the exhaustion that was on her features.
"Tatsuya-sama, His Excellency Toudou had a very stern look on his face."
As she began to report on the results of the interview, those words from Miyuki, caused Tatsuya to let out a "Hooh……." with deepened interest in his voice.
"So, His Excellency wasn't aware of the fact that Kurenai Anzu is being harbored by Izayoi Shirabe, huh."
"Yes, it seems so. His Excellency expressed that he couldn't comprehend Kashiwa-sama's intentions in this matter. I have also received instructions from him to 'head to Izayoi Shirabe's residence tomorrow', together with this."
Miyuki held out a sealed letter. The recipient was addressed to Izayoi Shirabe, and Toudou Aoba was listed as the sender. If Izayoi Shirabe was someone with ties to one of the Four Great Elders, he was surely aware of Toudou's name and position.
"So, he won't be able to refuse us at the gate if we have this, right? Alright."
"And, you’re going to take me along too?"
Tatsuya's answer made Miyuki appear nervous, whilst Lina nodded with a satisfied smile
Lina asked Tatsuya, subtly reminding him that she wasn’t going to be of any use to him now.
"The three of us will ride there together tomorrow."
Miyuki looked nervous at Tatsuya's answer, and Lina nodded with a satisfying smile.
On June 6th, a Sunday evening, Tatsuya and company went to Izayoi Shirabe's house.
After many phone calls since morning and flashing Toudou's sealed letter in front of the camera, they finally got approval. Fumiya had set up a perimeter around Izayoi Shirabe's house since yesterday with his forces. If Izayoi Shirabe were to try to sneak Kurenai Anzu out, Fumiya and his team were prepared to capture and take her away. If anything, it would be better if she just stayed holed up within the mansion rather than trying to escape.
"To have the opportunity to meet all of you, such distinguished people, is a great honor."
After exchanging greetings, Izayoi Shirabe said in an insincere tone. Since he said "all of you" instead of "both of you", it seemed to be an attempt to imply that he knew about Lina as well. Though, Tatsuya was in no way bothered by the idea that he was aware of Lina's background.
Izayoi Shirabe was thirty-one years old. Behind him were two suited employees — probably bodyguards. He gave off the impression of being at an age where the body had finally reached maturity. There was also a sense of considerable nervousness in him that had appeared every now and then that made him seem like he was in his twenties. To put it bluntly, he seemed to be a well-bred "young master" who had grown up without knowing the rough and tumble of the world.
However, his magic power wasn't to be downplayed. He could control his psions with little to no leaking and under the surface, his Event Interference Force could be described as top-notch without reservation. His reputation as being on par with the Ten Master Clans wasn't an exaggeration — so Tatsuya thought.
"So, what business brings you here today, sir? I'm afraid I don't recall having any serious concerns with the Yotsuba family that would require the attention of His Excellency Toudou."
Besides, his way of playing dumb was rather impressive.
However, that was something Tatsuya had been expecting.
"It's just that if Kurenai Anzu, the leader of the magical criminal organization, New Humanity Front, is staying in this mansion, would you please hand her over to us?"
Tatsuya had no interest in using any cumbersome roundabout tactics from the start. He put forward his demands directly, in a way that didn't allow for any misunderstanding. It was clear to both the person who said it and the person who was told that, while it had the shape of a request, it was most certainly a demand.
"Assuming that this person, Kurenai Anzu, is in this house, why do we have to hand them over, not to the police, but to the Yotsuba family?"
Shirabe retorted to Tatsuya with a probing look.
"If you handed them over to the police, that would also be acceptable. The result would be the same."
"Are you implying that you have the police under your command?"
Tatsuya didn't answer this question, he just gave a thin, ominous smile.
A flicker of agitation crossed Shirabe's features. The guards behind him tensed up, perhaps having caught a glimpse of the emotional turmoil emanating from their master. But Miyuki's imperious gaze condemning their impertinence and Lina's fiery gaze, willing to engage if necessary, made them both stiffen.
"Miyuki, calm down, Lina, try not to provoke them."
"I'm very sorry, Tatsuya-sama."
"Sorry, Tatsuya."
Miyuki and Lina composedly relaxed the pressure on their gazes.
The escorts weren't the only ones that indicated they were relieved from the tension.
"……Shiba-san, I owe you my apologies as well."
It was Shirabe's escort who showed the intention to attack first. It was only reasonable on his part to apologize.
"It's fine, I'm not offended."
Therefore, Tatsuya chose not to unnecessarily fight over an apology.
"Incidentally, this person you mentioned, Kurenai Anzu, this woman — she's a woman, right?"
Tatsuya nodded in response to the question that had been posed more as a confirmation.
"Exactly what crimes did the organization led by this person in question commit?"
Shirabe continued with the body of his question.
"Attempted theft of military secrets."
"Oh, that's a serious crime, isn't it? As you can see, this house isn't very large, and I can't recall any woman named Kurenai, but… I'll have my servants verify that, just in case."
Izayoi Shirabe's mansion was located in the northern part of Sayama City in the former Saitama Prefecture, where the surrounding houses had more land space than in the city center. It was certainly not a grand estate with dozens of rooms, but it was definitely a "big house".
"Do you have any photos of said woman?"
Tatsuya didn't want to be too blasé about Shirabe's request, so he handed him a photo that he had printed out. The photo showed a plain-looking woman.
She wasn't old. She looked like she was in her mid-twenties, not far from her actual age.
That was not due to a lack of makeup. Her lips were covered with rouge of a less flamboyant shade, and her short hair, which covered half of her ears and ended at her collar, was properly combed so as not to look too formal.
Maybe it was the deep double eyelids that affected the overall impression of her face. It wasn't a face that would leave either a good or bad impression, it was one that would have been easily forgotten upon crossing paths.
Shirabe's clear expression of surprise was probably due to the fact that 2D photos printed on paper were rare nowadays. He handed the photo to the guard behind him and audibly ordered, "Search every inch of the estate".
"I appreciate your cooperation, sir."
"No, you said it was theft of military secrets, so I couldn't possibly not cooperate."
To Tatsuya and company, who were aware of the details, this was a rather barefaced, no, audacious claim from Shirabe. He then called another servant over and ordered them to make a fresh pot of tea and bring some sweets along.
Some time later, Tatsuya felt hints of a disturbance at the back gate of the mansion.
He stretched out the threads of his senses in an attempt to explore the signs. However, his perception was soon blocked from reading the signs.
This wasn't Tatsuya's first experience with this kind of "jutsu" 59 . It was a perception interference field of the same nature as the "mystical wards" 60 that Yakumo sometimes exhibited during their practices.
It wasn't just a technique for detecting signs. It was a formula for suppressing heightened eyesight (clairvoyance) and heightened hearing (clairaudience). There was no doubt that the Izayoi Shirabe in front of them was a practitioner. And quite a skilled one to boot.
However, a ward of this sort wouldn't interfere with Elemental Sight. Tatsuya turned his "eyes" with 10% of his power to the coordinates where the disturbance had occurred.
And just as he had expected, the physical characteristics of the person who was walking through the back door matched the data from 'Kurenai Anzu'. The back entrance to the house opened into a narrow alley. Did she intend to call a taxi on the main street?
He couldn't turn his attention away from Shirabe, who was sitting in front of him, so he couldn't get a deep enough reading to ascertain the woman's identity. But that posed no problem. Fumiya and Ayako wouldn't let her outsmart them…….
"By the way, I have one question."
As Tatsuya was contemplating this, Shirabe addressed him, at a timing that seemed intended to distract him from his thoughts.
"What is it?"
Tatsuya was in fact forced to discontinue his thoughts. But it was only an amount that was of no issue to break off.
"If she is the culprit of a theft, well, attempted, of military secrets. Why are you, a civilian who is neither a soldier nor a police officer, seeking to catch them?"
"Because I'm a concerned party."
"A concerned party? You mean you were involved in the incident?"
Shirabe asked, trying to get the answer to a question Tatsuya didn't particularly want to be asked.
"I can't answer that."
"No, it's just that I would like to know. Because we are cooperating in this matter, after all."
Tatsuya took notice of something in this meaningless and unreasonable persistence.
Shirabe was trying to buy time.
Apparently, he made his preparations under the naive assumption that no one other than the three of them, Tatsuya and his company, would be the ones trying to capture Kurenai Anzu…….
(……No, could there be a chance that she could escape even if there was someone out there besides the three of us?)
Tatsuya quickly changed his mind, however.
"If you hand over Kurenai Anzu to us, then I can tell you about it."
(I don't think Fumiya will fall behind, but we still don't have a handle on Kurenai Anzu's magical skills. If she wields magic that's unknown to us……)
While he dodged the question, Tatsuya felt a tinge of anxiety at the thought of "what ifs".
Izayoi Shirabe's residence was located on the outskirts of the city, but not necessarily deep in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. Nor was it a single house scattered in a farming village where large paddy fields and farms were spread out. The alley behind the house was rarely frequented by people, regardless of the time of day or night. But if you went out to the regular street, it was still evening. And there was a certain amount of traffic.
Usually.
(Don't tell me it's a… ward?)
The first thing that came to her mind when she saw the scenery of the town where the people had disappeared was "wards", mainly due to Kurenai Anzu's family background in ancient-style magic. However, she herself wasn't taught the ancient-style magic of her family. The tradition of her family dictated that only boys should be taught the secrets.
Due to her parents' policy, she had never attended magical high school or any other magical educational institution. She was trained in magic by a subordinate of Kashiwa Kazutaka, one of the Four Great Elders of the Senate, who happened to witness that talent of hers.
Having only started her magical training late in life, when she was a university student, Kurenai's expertise was limited as far as magic was concerned. However, it could be said that she was more of a superpower user than a magician, and her aptitude as a medium made her more than capable. She may not have been able to obtain a Magician's License from the Magic Association, but she was far from inept.
Kurenai Anzu had been given a special responsibility by Kashiwa. Therefore, no matter if it was even the Yotsuba family — at this point, she still didn't know that it was the Yotsuba family that was after her — she couldn't afford to let them catch her. So, with the knowledge that any kind of ward that served the purpose of keeping people out became more difficult to maintain the more people and kinds of people tried to access it as a basis, Kurenai began to run towards the center of town.
However, even though she managed to get out of the alley, she couldn't get to the main street.
Her path was blocked by a slim figure.
(A woman…… No, a young man……?)
The figure, who looked like a slim woman or a lean man, wore a knuckle duster on his or her right hand. In response to this tool that blatantly showed their intention to use violence, Kurenai didn't hesitate to activate her superpower.
In an effort to stop Kurenai Anzu from escaping, Fumiya stood in her path. The knuckle duster on his right hand was a warning. He didn't mean to use [Direct Pain] right away. The plan was for his men to sneak up from behind and put her to sleep while he drew her caution from the front.
However, Kurenai Anzu's figure suddenly disappeared right in front of Fumiya's eyes. It was only a second later that Fumiya was able to regain sight of her. Kurenai, who should have been standing right in front of him, was now trying to escape into the alleyway where she had been.
([Mock Teleportation?] No, it wasn't that. There was no indication of that. Nor were there any signs of a magical activation process. Is Kurenai Anzu a superpower user……?)
Fumiya started running after Kurenai in the midst of his thoughts. He arranged his subordinate to take position at the exit on the other side of the alley, but there was a high possibility that she would be able to escape if she used this nonsensical ability she had just used now.
Fumiya used self-acceleration on himself to increase his movement speed.
He wasn't very good at using this sort of magic, though. Mainly because Fumiya's tasks required more flexibility to respond quickly to changing circumstances than sheer speed. It wasn't so much a matter of being technically inept for it, but more of a psychological resistance to the nature of self-accelerating magic, which basically only allowed him to move in a predetermined path until the completion of the process.
But right now wasn't the time to worry about that. Fumiya recalled the map of the alleyway where Kurenai Anzu had fled, in his mind, and set up a route to chase after her.
Which proved to be worth it, as he quickly regained sight of Kurenai. It took about five more seconds. Fumiya caught up with her and tried to restrain her from behind.
Even so.
Just as Fumiya came up behind Kurenai and extended his hands, her figure disappeared again.
(Not that! She didn't simply disappear.)
(She instantly accelerated to a blinding speed!)
This time, Fumiya was also alert. And even though he was on the lookout for her vanishing, he still lost sight of her. But now that he was aware of the possibility, he was able to recognize what had happened.
(Is it like Yuki, physical enhancement? No… that's not it either)
The name Fumiya mentioned was from a subordinate of his — not of his father — named [Hashibami Yuki], who was a Psychic who used body enhancement.
This subordinate's physical enhancements included increasing her muscle strength, speed, and physical stamina, with a great emphasis on speed, to the point of being able to create afterimages, and then in turn create afterimages of themselves without the use of illusion techniques.
That was why Fumiya was familiar with physical enhancements, having seen it firsthand many times, and Kurenai's acceleration was clearly different from the physical enhancements his subordinate used.
Kurenai's figure reappeared at the exit of the alley. The distance was about ten meters.
Fumiya only lost sight of her for less than a second. Probably no more than 0.5 seconds. She probably couldn't maintain the state of acceleration for long. Even so, the fact that she could activate her ability without any activation sign was a major concern.
Kurenai's figure disappeared behind the outer wall of the house that stood at the exit of the alley.
(Stop kidding around and think about not doing more damage than necessary!)
With determination, Fumiya once again activated self-acceleration magic.
(He's still after me……)
The reason why Kurenai Anzu was able to sense someone's "gaze" on her from behind wasn't because of her own ability, but because it was one of the effects of the talisman of occultation 61 that Izayoi Shirabe gave her. Although this talisman hid the signs of her own presence, it wasn't powerful enough to fool the naked eye. Instead, its secondary effect was to alert the wearer to the signs of people looking for them through senses that weren't the five physical ones.
Her superpower was [Inherent Time Acceleration]. The ability to accelerate her own time.
……Although that may sound like an extremely impressive ability, unfortunately, it wasn't nearly as potent as that of a certain American comic book hero, or of a certain classic manga cyborg. 62
The maximum amount of time she could keep accelerating at one time was one minute in subjective time. In objective time 63 , that would only be one second.
In other words, her maximum acceleration ratio was up to sixty times. If she accelerated up to the maximum, it would be exhausted and she would need ten minutes of cooldown before she could activate it again. For that reason, she usually kept the acceleration rate at thirty times or less, which didn't require any cooldown.
Also, the only things that could be set in motion were her own body and the items on her body that she moved without being consciously aware of it. For example, clothes and shoes, things one usually didn't think or feel that one was carrying with them when one walked or ran. one was also not aware of objects, such as tools, as long as they were fastened to their body.
However, if she were to try to shoot a gun, for instance, as soon as she grasped the grip, she would become aware of it, and the inertia, magnified in accordance with the acceleration rate, would make it ridiculously heavy, and impossible to move. The same was true for other weapons. Because of this, she had to stop the acceleration momentarily to execute the attack.
Regardless of the fact that she couldn't use weapons, unlike physical enhancement, her body wasn't strengthened against external shocks and recoil, so even if she tried to use her body to attack, the recoil would break her bones, and tear her muscles and tendons. In effect, her superpower was only useful for escaping or surprise attacks.
But for now, her top priority was to escape from her pursuers. In this situation, her ability was well suited for the task. Regaining her focus on the pursuer approaching from behind, Kurenai once again activated [Inherent Time Acceleration].
The movement of the trees on the street, swaying in the wind, and the birds flapping their wings in the sky slowed down.
Even though her running pace hadn't changed, the scenery behind her passed by with heightened intensity, and the air became viscous and heavy.
The headwind hurt her face and made it hard to breathe.
This was probably due to the fact that she was distracted by her pursuers and everything else.
Kurenai hurriedly stopped at the wall of people that had appeared in front of her.
Calling off her superpower at the same time.
A wall of men, dressed head to toe in black, looking more like members of an international urban legend and alien cover-up agency of a movie 64 , rather than from a conventional crime syndicate, who formed a semicircle barring Kurenai's escape.
The distance in between each man was too narrow for Kurenai, who was of relatively normal build, to squeeze through.
Kurenai Anzu stood petrified.
One of the black suited men unleashed a spell.
This was a convergence-type magic that increased the nitrogen concentration, which leads the opponent to anoxia (oxygen deprivation). It was a non-lethal, incapacitating magic called [Nitrogen Breath] that defined its end condition as "the target of the magic must take a single breath."
Kurenai didn't understand that the magic that had been cast on her was [Nitrogen Breath], but she was aware that the magic itself was cast on her.
At the same time she recognized that she had been attacked by magic.
She activated the ancient-style magic that Izayoi Shirabe gave her.
Fumiya caught sight of Kurenai Anzu again with his own eyes, just as his subordinate's magic was about to be unleashed on her.
The completion of the magic sequence, the power, the aiming. His own senses told him that everything was perfect. He had no doubt that he had succeeded in capturing Kurenai Anzu.
The very next moment, however.
That certainty was shattered
The one who staggered and fell to his knees was his subordinate, who was supposed to have been the one who initiated the attack.
Fumiya could "see" what had happened. The [Nitrogen Breath] unleashed by his subordinate vanished without presenting any effect, and in turn, the person himself, his subordinate, was exposed to the [Nitrogen Breath] and fell into a state of oxygen deprivation.
(She reflected… the magic!)
Fumiya couldn't quite believe what his own "eyes" had "seen".
He knew of the technique of using the effect of the magic — the outcome of the phenomenon altered by the magic — to shoot back the same kind of magic to the opponent. Fumiya himself had received lessons and practiced on that.
But sending back the magic that someone else had activated directly to the other person was something he had never seen or heard of before.
But that was exactly what had just happened within his "view". Kurenai Anzu had reflected the magic of his subordinate.
Fumiya held out his right hand with a knuckle duster towards Kurenai.
This knuckle duster was a specialized CAD designed for use with Fumiya's signature magic [Direct Pain].
Even someone from the Yotsuba family, who was insatiably hungry for knowledge about magic, didn't know anyone other than Fumiya who could master [Direct Pain]. A Mental-Interference magic that was so unique that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was Fumiya's exclusive magic.
Fumiya released this magic that directly inflicts "pain" on the mind towards Kurenai Anzu.
Fumiya didn't let the blood rush to his head and lose his cool. He had released [Direct Pain] with the baffling phenomenon that had happened to his subordinate firmly in mind.
That was why he was able to endure.
He was able to discern.
The "pain" that he had released on Kurenai Anzu's left arm assaulted Fumiya's left arm.
Fumiya's back teeth creaked with a grating sound.
Fumiya could only clench his teeth and bear the intense pain that dug directly into his mind.
(……As I thought, the magic is being reflected.)
(Kurenai Anzu doesn't have control over the reflection. It automatically reflected any magic that was directed at herself.)
(The starting point of the reflection is…… the back. Behind the heart somewhere.)
(Could this be a [Engraved Curse] technique?)
It was a technique that was categorized as an exoteric form of ancient magic, in which a person's body was used as a talisman, and characters and patterns that had the effect of activating magic were tattooed onto it. The principle was the same as that of Engraved Arts. However, differing from Engraved Arts, where the magic was activated when a certain amount of psions were poured onto the letters and figures engraved on a receptive metal, the engraved curse activated magic when it received a psion wave that reflected a specific emotion. Fumiya was taught this by his grandmother, from the main branch of the Yotsuba family.
And considering the true nature of the Event Interference Force, as elucidated 65 by Tatsuya, the key to the spell's functioning was probably the combination of Pushion waves and Psion waves. Judging from the fact that it automatically responded to any attempted attack, the key emotions were the sense of danger and self-defense.
(Is there any chance she'll lose her sense of danger in the course of the fight?)
(If the principle is the same as that of Engraved formulas, it should be less fuel efficient.)
(She can't even decide when to activate it by herself. Exercising magic that doesn't even take time to be readied shouldn't last that long.)
"Everyone listen up! Don't attack that woman directly!"
Fumiya loudly shouted the order to the black-suited men, his subordinates, who were blocking Kurenai's way.
"……Is there something wrong?"
Shirabe, who had been in an effort to stall Tatsuya for time, suddenly lost his expression and fell silent.
"N- no. It's nothing."
When Tatsuya pointed out the shift, Shirabe hastily made an excuse. But it was clear to even the naked eye that part of his consciousness was focused on somewhere else.
Tatsuya exchanged a quick glance with Miyuki.
"By the way, Izayoi-san. How many people work at this mansion?"
Miyuki engaged Shirabe in conversation, while Tatsuya sank deep on the sofa. Though he didn't lean his back against the backrest, in this posture, it meant that he had completely entrusted Miyuki to deal with Shirabe.
"……And why would you want to know such a thing?"
Shirabe couldn't help but ask again after an unnatural pause, clearly still not fully focused on the conversation.
In that gap, Tatsuya redirected more resources to his "eyes" and continued watching the battle between Fumiya and Kurenai, which he had been continuously monitoring.
"Build a magic shield wall in front of yourselves, and don't let her pass beyond it!"
The neutral looking woman who was the first to interfere with Kurenai's escape also sounded neutral. She gave orders to the black suits in a beautiful alto voice that came through clearly.
So that woman (?) wasn't one of the black-suited men, but is their master? Kurenai thought as much.
It was hard to imagine her being served by those in black suits, nor did it seem to suit her. But then again, one should never judge a person by their outward appearance. Her own build didn't show that she was a leader of a criminal organization. Kurenai also thought about this as she reflected on herself.
Kurenai was aware that what they were doing was criminal and not in the best interest of Magicians as a whole. In her heart, Kurenai was critical of the current state of the New Humanity Front, or to put it bluntly, she was completely opposed to it.
When the New Humanity Front was formed, it was overflowing with a self-righteous yet pleasant fervor. They weren't smart, but they were shining as they earnestly searched for a way to somehow right the wrongs of society.
However, it didn't take long for them to fall into darkness, tormented by a sense of helplessness and despair. It was quite unexpected that facing the reality, which they had been turning a blind eye to until then, could so easily corrode a person's heart. They realized that even if they, people with no real results, used legal means to demonstrate the obvious reasoning, they would merely be ignored left and right. So they decided to establish a reputation, even if it meant breaking the law.
Once they started to plummet, it wasn't long before they tumbled to the lowest point. Now, the New Humanity Front was just a criminal organization, a bunch of wannabe terrorists.
Even though they had declined, there was still a sense of camaraderie among them. Even if they could never return to the original group that pursued their ideals in an honest manner, She wished they would at least stop committing crimes. Many of their colleagues have been apparently caught by the authorities on this job. She hopes they will take this opportunity to atone for their crimes and get back on the right path.
I really wanted to fix the course of the organization before I was captured. But as a false leader, I was unable to do anything about it. I didn't have the final say.
The true leader of the New Humanity Front was Izayoi Shirabe. I went to Izayoi Shirabe at the behest of my sensei, Kazutaka Kashiwa, and then joined the New Humanity Front at the behest of Izayoi Shirabe, only to be installed as the second-generation leader at his command. I didn't have a say in the matter.
The same was probably true for Izayoi Shirabe in terms of that he had no will of his own. Both he and I were just pieces on a board of a game being orchestrated by our sensei.
Kurenai Anzu didn't dwell on the monologue in her mind for long. Her thoughts were just concepts that passed through her mind for a moment or so before they were put into coherent words. But in that one second, Kurenai was cornered by her pursuer, a woman — or it was actually a man, and she misunderstood.
Kurenai was once again cornered by Fumiya.
"By the way, Izayoi-san. How many people work at this mansion?"
"……Why would you want to know?"
"Because it seems to be taking quite a while to confirm."
"It won't take much longer."
While hearing the conversation between Miyuki and Shirabe, Tatsuya was observing the fight between Fumiya and Kurenai Anzu.
Fumiya released a low-powered magic that wasn't his signature [Direct Pain], and blocked the reflection of this magic with a shield deployed in parallel, as he looked for an opening. Perhaps he was attempting to drain the "magic that reflected the opponent's magic".
If so, Fumiya's plan had missed its mark.
Kurenai Anzu was doing nothing more than doubling as a relay and a trigger. The caster that was activating that magic was someone else. Tatsuya had seen this kind of technique three years ago when he was tracking Gu Jie, a former ancient-style magician from Dahan, who had orchestrated a bombing due to a personal grudge against the Yotsuba. At that time, humanists without the Magic Factor were used as a relay point.
It was possible for someone who wasn't a magician to relay magic. In the case of using a mageist for it, the burden of relaying magic would be even less than when using an ordinary person who couldn't use magic. The consciousness-inducing magic that was keeping the passersby away would reach its limits before the magic reflection became useless.
(Nevertheless, a magic that reflected other magic, huh. It's the first time I've seen this.)
Fumiya, who was still trying his hardest, would have been tempted to complain "this isn't the right time for that", but Tatsuya couldn't help but be curious about the magic that Kurenai was being made to use.
(Come to think of it, I've heard from Shishou that there is a way to send a hex back to the caster. The name is just as it implies, [Hex Reversal].)
Tatsuya directed his "eyes" away from Shirabe, who was busy debating with Miyuki about whether it was "too late" or "not too late". But his eyes, his physical eyes, remained directed at Shirabe.
(The Izayoi family is said to possess a reputation for ancient-style magic, but among us modern magicians, we have only heard the ancient-style magicians' assessment that they are the "strongest of the hundred families" and any details about them are unknown. So, supposing that the Izayoi family specializes in hexes, it stands to reason that they would be reluctant to disclose their actual practices to the outside world.)
In his mind alone, Tatsuya gave a thin smile. He had already noticed that it was Izayoi Shirabe in front of him who was enabling Kurenai Anzu to reflect magic.
(But I didn't expect Fumiya to be struggling so much……. Well, it's not really a struggle, but rather an impasse on his offensive. The barrier will expire soon, so let's put an end to this.)
Tatsuya decided to intervene.
He focused his "eyes" on the tattoo on Kurenai Anzu's back — on the "Engraved Curse".
Shirabe, who had been arguing back and forth with Miyuki, suddenly fell silent.
It wasn't just a silence. He looked as if his soul had been drained from him.
"Izayoi-san?"
Her counterpart in the conversation had suddenly gone silent, and it was hardly strange that Miyuki had taken on a quizzical, aggravated tone.
"Miyuki."
"Tatsuya-sama?"
But seeing Tatsuya give a small shake of his head, Miyuki stopped trying to address Shirabe.
He was in no condition to respond even when spoken to. His mind was in such a state of shock that he couldn't even formulate a thought.
The only thoughts and feelings he could barely form were "Impossible" and "This is ridiculous".
It was only after Kurenai Anzu was captured by Fumiya that Shirabe was able to think straight again.
Fumiya released a series of magic that were only powerful enough for him to defend himself without difficulty, and let Kurenai use her reflection magic while keeping an eye out for an opportunity.
But there were no signs whatsoever of the opponent running out of magic power.
This was an ordinary residential area. There was a limit to how long they could keep the road blocked without any sort of permission.
Just when Fumiya was starting to get impatient.
A magic was cast at Kurenai Anzu from the void; from a place outside of this material world.
(Is this—!?)
It wasn't so powerful that it would shake your body and mind. If anything, it was small-scale magic.
Yes— the minimum necessary.
It was an extremely precise and refined magic that achieved its purpose without any shortage or excess in power.
It was a magic that used everything for its purpose, leaving no trace of who had cast it. But Fumiya knew at a single glance who the caster was.
(……Tatsuya-san)
The only person who could cast such magic was Tatsuya.
To Fumiya, this was a fact with no room for doubt.
(Tatsuya lent me his strength in this situation. Then that magic must be "magic that destroys magic". No doubt it's "Gram Dispersion"!)
Pointing the specialized CAD in his right hand at Kurenai.
He had no second thoughts. He didn't even consider adjusting.
All he thought about was to make sure that his opponent was incapacitated.
With a power that would probably render himself incapable of any action if it were to be reflected,
Fumiya released [Direct Pain]!
To others, it seemed like a hasty gamble.
However, to Fumiya, it wasn't even a gamble.
(Eh, what?)
A small sudden impact struck her. It wasn't a physical thing. It had a mental impact.
Kurenai could tell that she had been struck by someone's magic.
But what she couldn't tell was what had been done to her.
She didn't feel anything different in her own body. It was a bit eerie, but Kurenai convinced herself that it was just the usual reflection of the Engraved Curse made by Izayoi Shirabe.
The enemy woman (?) pointed her fist with the knuckle-duster towards Kurenai from a short distance away — three meters in front of her, to be specific.
It was too far for punches to reach.
Then it must be magic.
At any rate, it wouldn't reach me, it would only return to the person themselves……
Kurenai thought that, making light of it. She even went so far as to "counting one's Tanuki skins before they've been caught 66 " hoping that she could escape while her opponent felt the recoil of their own magic.
Yet, the very next moment.
Kurenai was struck with intense pain.
(!)
The pain was so intense that she couldn't even make a sound. She couldn't even scream.
She didn't know where the pain was coming from. She didn't even manage to register it as "pain".
With this "impact" her consciousness was fading away, and in the next moment, her consciousness went black as if a circuit breaker had been blown.
Losing conscious control, Kurenai's body collapsed on the street like a marionette with broken strings.
When Izayoi Shirabe finally regained his ability to think, his first thought was, "What happened?".
To which, the answer came right away
(My jutsu was… broken?)
He was no longer getting any response from the [Reflection] jutsu that he had applied to Kurenai Anzu.
The best explanation for the shock he just received was to think that his mind was damaged by the backlash of having his jutsu broken.
(But….. I didn't feel any presentiment 67 ! I didn't even feel any sort of sign at all, let alone feel a caster interfere with the ritual, and yet my jutsu was broken in an instant, just like that? Who the hell did that!?)
He quickly got the answer to the question that had occupied his mind.
Shiba Tatsuya was looking at him with a meaningful gaze. With that look, Shirabe was able to figure out who the one was who had broken his jutsu.
Whether he wanted to or not, he was made aware of it.
(Shiba Tatsuya……. So, his power wasn't just a boast after all. ……)
The direct descendant of that Yotsuba family. The fiancée of the next head of the family.
That in itself carried a great deal of value in the Magician's society, which no one could ignore.
But the name Shiba Tatsuya went well beyond that. The reason for his fame lies in other achievements.
The summer of three years ago.
The fall of five years ago.
The Ultra-long-range, large-scale magic that had shook the world and forced major powers to recognize that a single individual could pose a military threat to them.
Although he wasn't nationally recognized, he was unmistakably a Strategic-Class Magician.
No, he was an unrecognized super-Strategic-Class Magician, beyond even the Strategic-Class.
That was the assessment of the world — the magician community — of the hypocritical courteous young man sitting in front of him.
But what if it really was this young man who broke through his jutsu?
(Not only does he have unrivaled power, but he also has extremely advanced technical skills……?)
Shirabe couldn't suppress his shiver of fear.
And, secondly, an intense jealousy.
He harbored a strong sense of pride in his skills. He believed with conviction that he, and not his brother, the head of the family, was the best magician that the Izayoi family had to offer, of a caliber comparable to the Ten Master Clans.
He had given up his position to his brother because of the tradition of inheritance by the eldest child, and more importantly, because Kazutaka Kashiwa, one of the Four Great Elders of the Senate, wanted him to be his aide. This fact and position gave Shirabe more satisfaction than the position of head of the family.
His magic could only be used in backstage work, not in the limelight like a nationally recognized Strategic-Class Magician. Nevertheless, Shirabe was satisfied with his current position. He even felt a sense of superiority that he was truly a better magician than the nationally recognized Strategic-Class Magician, as he was needed by the true powers that were in charge.
But now. In front of Shirabe's very eyes, his magic was effortlessly broken.
He was shown a feat that negated what he took pride in.
On this day.
Deep in the heart of Izayoi Shirabe, a strong hostility towards Shiba Tatsuya sprouted.
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