Chapter 9: [Society and FEHR (2)]
Based in Vancouver, FEHR was a political organization that legitimately advocated for the protection of the human rights of Magians. Although FEHR's main opponent was humanism supremacist groups that persecuted Magicians, like the Anti-Magic Movement, its leader, Rena Fehr, saw Magician associations that dabbled in illegal activities as an obstacle to FEHR's legitimate activities.
If Magicians systematically broke the law, it would give the Anti-Magic Movement the pretext to persecute them. Currently, the extremist group she was most wary of was FAIR, which was based in San Francisco. Rena had her members with perception-type superpowers monitor FAIR continuously.
On the afternoon of May 26th. Rena received a report from one of those watchmen.
"FAIR is at Mount Shasta? What on earth could they be scheming there……?"
Rena let out a quizzical monologue as she looked over the report in the representative's office at their base. However, judging that she couldn't get anywhere if she thought about it alone, she immediately called her chief strategist, whom she always consulted with.
Not too long after that, there was a knock on the door of the representative's office.
"Please come in."
"Excuse me."
While saying that, the door opened to reveal a woman in her early forties. Her name was Charlotte Gagnon, and in the midst of the many young members of FEHR, she belonged to the most senior generation.
"Charly, I need your wise words, as always."
Charly was Charlotte's nickname.
"Yes, how can I help?"
Charlotte had a background as a former FBI agent and was also a licensed attorney. Though her looks and fashion were suitably stiff given her background, her tone was soft in comparison.
"Read this first, please."
Rena held out to Charlotte an electronic paper with the written report on it.
Charlotte took the device and beckoned a chair that was set near the wall.
The chair raised up, just barely above the floor, and returned to the floor when it was right beside her. Charlotte Gagnon wasn't a Magician, she was a ESP 40 user (Psychic), an owner of telekinetic powers.
Her power output was just slightly beyond the muscular strength of an average adult male. It was useful, but not enough to be used in place of conventional weapons. That was why she wasn't subject to any form of substantial conscription, and when she retired from the FBI, she wasn't subjected to any excessive restrictions on her activities beyond the usual confidentiality requirements.
Charlotte turned her chair around with her hands and sat down in front of the desk, skimming through the report.
"Mt. Shasta was a sacred place for the natives, wasn't it……? Maybe they are plotting to go tomb robbing in some undiscovered ruins."
"I thought of that too, but……. There are no archaeological sites found on Mount Shasta, right?"
Charlotte confirmed Rena's question with a simple, "That's right", but there was more to her answer.
"Indeed, there are no reports of ruins being found, as far as I'm aware. But as you may know, that mountain is said to be full of spiritual power. So, I wouldn't be surprised if there was something there."
"They are trying to get their hands on something magically valuable, after all."
Rena looked a little uneasy. With that kind of expression on her face, she looked even more like a teenage girl, even though her apparent age was far below her actual age.
"It's possible that it's for observational purposes, but judging from FAIR's tendency, I think it's highly likely that they're planning to obtain artifacts, minerals, or plants that could lead to immediate profits."
"I just hope that it's not something that is forbidden to be taken or excavated……."
"I'm sure Rocky Dean won't even bother to consider that."
Charlotte didn't reciprocate at this impromptu reassurance.
"Rena, I think, apart from the regular surveillance personnel, we should send a member to Mt. Shasta."
Unlike the other members, Charlotte didn't refer to Rena as "Milady". Other than her legal expertise, that was another reason why Rena had chosen Charlotte as her advisor.
"To stop FAIR from doing something illegal?"
Charlotte didn't nod in response to Rena's question.
"If there is indeed any kind of illegal activity, we will record it and submit it to the authorities. It would be in our best interest to use this as a chance to publicly emphasize our, FEHR's, stance, that we are different from criminal organizations, and demonstrate that Magician criminals are just as out of line as any civilian criminals."
"So you're saying that we should avoid getting into fights."
"Private struggles are also considered a crime, so I think it should be avoided at all costs."
"I understand. ……Then I think I'll send Louis."
Rena mentioned the name of one of the members with a bit of concern.
"The sub-leader? Although his competence is more inclined towards combat?"
Instead of disagreeing, Charlotte expressed surprise.
"Because Louis has a lot of experience, and I think his magic will allow him to escape no matter what kind of superpower the people that FAIR sends at him have."
However, Rena didn't change her opinion on her choice.
"If that's your intention, I don't have any objection. However, Rena, make sure to clearly explain that to him."
"Of course."
Charlotte emphasized while returning the electronic paper, and Rena received it back with a smile and an acknowledgement.
Rena's decision to inform Ryousuke of FAIR's movements was an intuitive one, there was no clear rationale behind it. The conversation regarding the possible existence of archaeological sites and the possibility that the artifacts at those sites might be targeted, reminded her of the recent attempted theft of the artificial Relic.
(I think it's….. probably past 6 a.m.. Then, Ryousuke is probably awake at this time.)
Although he had probably just woken up, it would be difficult to contact him at any other moment, when he would be working or with others around. Rena sank deeper into her chair, closed her eyes, and casted her consciousness towards Ryousuke.
Tookami Ryousuke was an early riser. Unless he had stayed up too late on the previous night, he would always be up at five in the morning, regardless of the time of year. On days without rain, he would work up a good sweat with running and martial arts forms practice, and then take a shower before breakfast. On rainy days, he spent the time he would have been running by stretching and practicing the martial arts forms thoroughly, and then took a shower. On days without any particularly special work to do, that was his daily routine.
Perhaps the rainy season was just around the corner. The sky was covered with clouds that morning, but there was no rain. The clouds weren't that dense, and it was only dimly lit outside. He finished his usual running and martial arts forms practice, and finished taking a shower by six o'clock.
He had yet to install air conditioning in his room. He left the bathroom wearing only a pair of half shorts and leaving his upper body bare. He went to the kitchen and peeked into the refrigerator. Then, at that very moment, Ryousuke sensed a faint presence behind him.
Ryousuke immediately turned around without panicking or leaving any sort of openings.
As he looked, a figure of a young woman was being formed before his eyes.
The figure looked more like a teenage girl rather than a young woman. The divine figure that transcended the word "beautiful" (in Ryousuke's subjective view) was of someone he would never mistake as someone else.
"Milady."
Ryousuke called out to that mysterious figure. The person who suddenly appeared in his room was, without a doubt, Rena Fehr, who was meant to be in Vancouver.
[Ryousuke……]
Her look gradually changed from a hazy, as if blurry image into something more focused and solid.
[Kyaaah!]
And a scream, all of a sudden. Ryousuke couldn't tell whether it was a voice he heard with his ears, or one that just echoed in his head. Although the correct answer was that the thoughts of shock and embarrassment were being translated as a scream in Ryousuke's head. Rena's "voice" was indistinguishable from her physical voice.
[I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't know you were changing!]
Rena quickly spun her back to him. Looking closely, he saw that there was a small gap between her feet, still wearing shoes, and the wooden floor. Seeing that, Ryousuke finally realized that this wasn't the actual physical Rena.
"Milady, is this Astral Projection……?"
[Uh, yeah. Is this the first time I've shown it to you, Ryousuke?]
Rena answered Ryousuke's question with a shaken voice laden with embarrassment. Because her thoughts were being transmitted directly to him, Ryousuke could clearly feel that she was still feeling embarrassed.
The visage of an embarrassed Rena was cute and charming, but he couldn't let his beloved leader dwell on it forever. So, with great haste, Ryousuke put on a shirt and rolled up the sleeves.
"Milady, you can turn around now."
Rena's astral body gingerly turned back around in trepidation. There was a blatant look of relief on her face when she saw that Ryousuke now had his upper body properly clothed.
She apparently, for some reason, didn't fully believe in my words. So thought Ryousuke, yet he didn't feel any anger in his mind. He could only think of the girlish wariness as charming.
[I'm sorry to intrude all of a sudden.]
Rena, the astral body, quickly bowed her head down. Even those kinds of gestures of hers were as cute as a young girl's.
"That's fine, you just surprised me. I never thought you could send an astral body across the Pacific like this. As expected of Milady."
Ryousuke's exaggerated praise came from the heart. Because she could sense it, Rena couldn't get angry at him even if she was embarrassed.
[My Astral Projection can't fly about as freely as that of a real user. I can only fly to places I know well, or to someone whom I really trust, and that is, regardless of distance.]
"What an honor……!"
Ryousuke's boastful voice was full of jubilation.
[Eh?]
Rena realized that what she had just said could be wildly misinterpreted, just as she was right now.
[Um, by trust, I mean like comrades……]
"Not as someone of the opposite sex", Rena tried to say, but Ryousuke didn't let her finish the line.
"That's good enough for me!"
[Eh?]
The dumbstruck sound that came out of Rena's mouth — actually, it wasn't "out of her mouth" and it wasn't "a sound" — was slightly different from the one that came out just before.
"My heart is satisfied just by knowing that I am a fellow comrade of Milady's. For me, there is no greater joy than this!"
But Ryousuke had no qualms about it, and spoke passionately of his joy.
[……I'm sorry to bother you, but I have one thing to tell you.]
Suddenly, Rena's tone began to sound peculiarly smooth and calm. She probably couldn't keep pace with Ryousuke's intensity.
"What is it?"
Ryousuke didn't appear to have noticed that. Although his sensitivity wasn't dull to that extent, once Rena was involved, he became like a different person.
[FAIR has made a new move.]
"Are they sending agents to Japan again?"
Ryousuke had a bitter memory of getting into trouble because of the run in he had with a pair of criminals that were sent by FAIR the other day.
[No, it’s a move within the States. Ryousuke, do you know of Mount Shasta?]
"I reckon it's a famous tourist spot in northern California. I heard that it's a power spot of sorts."
[It seems FAIR is sending some of their members there, to Mt. Shasta.]
"……Other than being a tourist spot, is there anything else really going on at Mt. Shasta?"
Ryousuke's knowledge of Mt. Shasta comprised much more than what could be found on tourist guide websites.
[It's a matter of fact that the mountain is considered holy ground by the natives. I think there might be something going on there.]
"I see. If Milady says so, then it must be true."
Rena knew that Ryousuke wasn’t trying to mock her. Nevertheless, it was an inevitability in human psychology to want to try to find ill meaning with such unconditional acceptance, even when there was none.
[……I have a hunch that FAIR's aims are somehow connected to the recent attempted theft of the Artificial Relic. Which is why I wanted to inform you.]
"Your hunch, Milady……?"
This time, Ryousuke pondered seriously, instead of reflexively agreeing and praising her.
[Ryousuke?]
"Milady. Would you mind if I reported this to Shiba Tatsuya……?"
[That's right…… I don't think it would be a problem. Since they might make another move in Japan.]
Rena's decision was quick.
[Ryousuke, it will also be fine if you use my name at your discretion.]
Ryousuke's eyes widened as he looked at Rena.
"That would be just like confessing that I'm a member of FEHR!?"
[It's fine.]
There was no hesitation in Rena's answer.
[If an ounce of the rumors about the Yotsuba family are true, it's not likely that we would be able to keep it hidden from them for very long anyway.]
"……I have no doubt about that. Understood. Thank you very much for your permission."
In his true opinion, there was no adulation in this concurrence. In that regard, Ryousuke was already prepared — in his subjective opinion — to disclose his true identity.
[So, Ryousuke, if you will excuse me. I'm afraid I've intruded enough on your time.]
"Not at all, Milady. Your visit was an unexpected pleasure for me."
[……Ryousuke, you always exaggerate too much.]
With a face filled with bashfulness, Rena's figure disappeared.
Ryousuke stood there, a grin on his face at that innocent, girlish display. It took some time before he was able to get back to reality.
About an hour after Rena had left, Ryousuke managed to pull his face together in a somewhat presentable state and went to the Industrial Magic Academy to work.
"Tookami-san. Did something good happen to you?" 41
Still, it seemed like he wasn't able to return it completely to normal, since even Mayumi, whom he hadn't known for very long, pointed it out to him at a glance.
"……No, it was nothing. If I had to pick, I'd say I had a good dream."
"I see."
But fortunately for Ryousuke, she didn't inquire any further.
Rather than keep asking questions, Mayumi let out a light sigh.
"……And what about you, Saegusa-san, did something happen?"
Ryousuke asked, and Mayumi answered, "Oh, no, no." while she shook her head in dismissal with a smile.
But it was plain to see that the smile on her face seemed strained.
Ryousuke silently stared at Mayumi.
"……It's just that lately, I've been feeling like I'm getting more stares than usual. That's why I can't feel at ease……"
Mayumi, losing to the pressure of the staring, reluctantly shared her concerns.
"Is it a stalker?"
Ryousuke asked further, brows furrowed and with a hint of concern in his voice.
"I feel that it's more than one person, so I don't think so. It's probably related to the rumors going around about me, that I am working here as a member of the Saegusa family."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Though Ryousuke verbally showed his agreement,
(If it isn't the case of being just one person, then could it be that Saegusa-san is being systematically monitored?)
In his mind, he was thinking of other possibilities.
But Ryousuke wasn't able to keep thinking about it at that particular moment. He was forced to break his train of thought when a figure walked into the office.
"Good morning, Executive Director."
Mayumi quickly stood up to greet Tatsuya, when the person in question suddenly made an appearance.
"Good morning."
Ryousuke quickly followed suit. And while Mayumi showed no signs of agitation, Ryousuke was shaking considerably.
Tatsuya hadn't shown his face at the Industrial Magic Academy since the 22nd, when Takara took over as the head of the academy. It wasn't often that he came to Izu, as he was essentially working in either Machida or Miyakijima, but five days without a visit was hardly surprising. Sure enough, the whole timing must have caught Ryousuke off guard, as he had just met Rena that morning.
"Good morning. Tookami-san, please come to my office in ten minutes."
And then, all of a sudden, this happened.
"Yes."
It was only by chance that Ryousuke's voice didn't crack up in his reply.
Exactly ten minutes later, Ryousuke knocked on Tatsuya's office door. The plaque on the door said "Director's Office" instead of "Executive Director's Office". Although Industrial Magic Academy wasn't an incorporated educational institution, it used the name of an educational institution for internal purposes.
There was a "Come in" from within, and Ryousuke opened the door. There was no one in the office but Tatsuya.
Tatsuya stood up behind the desk and moved to the head of the lounge set, and recommended the sofa across from him to Ryousuke.
Both sat down at the same time. Right at that moment, a non-humanoid robot brought them tea.
Tatsuya took his own cup before the robot arm placed it on the table, and Ryousuke did the same with his share.
"Tookami-san, have you gotten used to working here?"
"Yes, I have. Thanks to the help from the others, I've become quite familiar with it."
Unsure of the intent behind Tatsuya's question, Ryousuke's tone grew cautious.
"That's good to know. However, I'm sorry to say this, even though you've just gotten used to working here, I'd like to ask Tookami-san to leave the Industrial Magic Academy temporarily and work on something else."
When he heard Tatsuya's words, "Could it be that I'm going to lose my job?" was the first thing Ryousuke thought.
He had already been deemed unfit for office work at that point. The website he was ordered to work on instead was also falling into arrears 42 . And the only reason why it was stalled was because the content of it had yet to be consolidated 43 . And, although the technical part was complete, Ryousuke wasn't sure if people would appreciate it or not.
"……Could you tell me the reason for this?"
Ryousuke asked fearfully, keeping his voice and tone humble.
"It's regarding a commission from Magian Society."
Tatsuya cut his words off briefly and stared into Ryousuke's eyes.
Ryousuke's mind was filled with bewilderment.
Both Magian Company and Magian Society were, in Ryousuke's mind, organizations that were actually controlled by the same individual, Shiba Tatsuya. However, in less than a month, he had come to learn that the Company and the Society were two separate organizations with no connection other than that.
The Magian Society was an international organization that was deeply involved with the Indo-Persian Federation, one of the four major powers. He wondered why Tatsuya would ask him to work on this request when he was just an ordinary person, an employee of another organization, with no connections to the Indo-Persian Federation and no international reputation like he had?
What on earth were they planning on having me do?
In Ryousuke's mind, his bewilderment quickly turned into unease.
He was about to ask about the specifics of the request in order to relieve his uneasiness. But before he could, Tatsuya answered his question as if he were trying to get the drop on Ryousuke.
"Society has been looking into forming partnerships with other Magian organizations since its founding. And they've chosen FEHR as their first potential partner."
Ryousuke tried desperately to hide his turmoil. But all he succeeded in doing was barely contain himself from screaming.
Tatsuya didn't point out the growing urgency on Ryousuke's tense expression.
"So, since you, Tookami-san, are familiar with Vancouver, where FEHR is based, I'd like to leave the preliminary discussions to you."
"……What would this preliminary discussion entail?"
"You will meet with FEHR's leader, Miss Fehr, to determine whether or not she will be willing to negotiate a partnership. Firstly, you will approach them with a team-up negotiation. And confirm if they would be willing to accept our invitation, in the event that we set up a table for discussions on a possible team-up.”
Tatsuya was speaking under the assumption that Ryousuke would be able to meet with the leader of FEHR. He didn't seem to have in mind the possibility that he might not be able to even make it to the gate.
(So, he already knows about everything…….)
Ryousuke thought so.
Ryousuke resigned himself to the fact that Tatsuya already knew that he was a member of FEHR.
"Executive Director. As you may already be aware……"
Ryousuke decided to confess that he was a member of FEHR before the other side confronted him with the facts. Although he had made up his mind earlier when he talked with Rena, sure enough, in the end, he couldn't confess so easily and stammered.
"What is it?"
As Tatsuya asked,
"……I'm a member of FEHR."
Ryousuke finally spat out the truth. He felt his shoulders lighten at that, which was probably a sign that he was fundamentally unsuited for games of deception.
"Is that so? That’s very convenient then."
Tatsuya appeared only mildly surprised at Ryousuke's confession. The way he responded would seem rather barefaced to someone who was already aware of the circumstances.
"I'll take care of the travel details. I ask that you, Tookami-san, take care of your own preparations for the trip."
"Executive Director. Before I go, there's something I'd like to bring to your attention."
It wasn't necessarily a question of "if you've eaten poison, lick the plate 44 ", but Ryousuke was about to reveal something he probably didn't need to. Perhaps he was caught up in a kind of confessional urge because of the mental overload he was experiencing.
Tatsuya looked at him, urging him to continue.
Ryousuke told him about Rena's visit to his room this morning in her astral body and what she told him regarding the recent movements of FAIR.
The topic of Rena's Astral Projection was something that he should have kept to himself for all intents and purposes. However, Ryousuke wasn't quite aware of that detail at that time.
While Tatsuya was also somewhat surprised to find that Rena's abilities were more impressive than he had anticipated, he showed no pretense of being intrigued.
"……Thank you very much for the valuable information. Now let me give you one thing from my part as well. I dare say that FAIR is involved in this too."
Ryousuke leaned forward to listen, probably because he knew Rena would be interested to hear about FAIR's movements.
Tatsuya told him about the fact that artifacts believed to serve as materials for Relics had been stolen from a museum in Itoigawa, and that he suspected that FAIR was involved in the theft.
In fact, the information Tatsuya shared with him wasn't any sort of secret. The theft was a fact reported in the news, save for the magical nature of the artifacts, and FAIR's involvement was just a guess. Information of much less value when compared to Rena's magical skills.
But Ryousuke was satisfied that Rena's "hunch" had been confirmed.
"Executive Director, may I tell FEHR's leader what you just said?"
"Sure, I don't mind."
Tatsuya agreed to Ryousuke's request graciously with a one-word approval, while the latter couldn't hide his excitement.
"Thank you very much."
That information was certainly going to be useful to Rena, Ryousuke thought with delight. It would have been unreasonable for him to disturb her with "not-so-important information".
After talking with Ryousuke, Tatsuya headed for the university. There was still time to get to the third period, and there were other things to do besides lectures.
After clearing up the missed assignments in his usual fashion, Tatsuya called Fumiya and Ayako to the circle 45 room. The name of the circle was [Unidentified Magic Research Group].
From the name alone, it would appear to be a serious circle that focused on the study of magic, but in reality, it was a club that had been inactive for some time, that Tatsuya took over. The group members were students who were under the patronage of the Yotsuba family, making the circle room a sort of base of operations for the Yotsuba family at the Magic University.
Note that Miyuki and Lina didn't belong to this club, but they often frequented the circle room, and no one complained about it. Even Ayako and Fumiya weren't members, but, again, no one ever complained about them as hindrances.
"Tatsuya-san, excuse me."
"Sorry to intrude, Tatsuya-san."
The pair of twins, brother and sister, who looked like two beautiful women of different styles as usual, entered the circle room where Tatsuya was waiting all by himself. Fumiya followed by Ayako. The absence of the other circle members was attributed to the fact that Tatsuya had ordered the room to be cleared of people in advance.
And, as aforementioned, all the members pertaining to this circle were either Magicians under the authority of, or students under the patronage of, the Yotsuba family. None of them refused to obey Tatsuya's directives. As of now, Tatsuya was acknowledged as the second most prominent member of the Yotsuba family after the head of the family.
"I'm sorry if I interrupted your busy schedule."
"Not at all, if it's Tatsuya-san calling."
"We'll come no matter what."
Fumiya and Ayako shared a single line in perfect harmony. It was almost as if they had practiced beforehand. Even though they were fraternal twins, the way they were in sync with each other was especially evident after Fumiya took the leap and started wearing women's clothes — or, to be precise, to dress in a way where he wouldn't mind if he was seen as a woman.
"So, how may we help you?"
Although, there was a clear difference in the way Ayako spoke just as there was in her fashion. Ayako's increasing penchant for using particularly feminine phrasing was perhaps a conscious attempt to distinguish herself from Fumiya.
"I believe you're both aware of the theft of the artifacts presumed to be the raw materials for a Relic in Itoigawa the other day, right?"
Fumiya and Ayako both nodded in unison in reply to Tatsuya.
"Tookami has provided us with some information that seems to be related to that case."
With that as a preamble, Tatsuya explained FAIR's movements, which had been brought to him from Rena through Ryousuke.
"……That man… He finally admitted his true identity?"
Ayako's distaste was clear in her voice.
"So Ayako really sees Tookami as an enemy after all?"
Tatsuya asked Ayako in a neutral tone, neither to rebuke nor to mock her.
"I don't believe that he's an ally."
Ayako's answer came with no hesitation or confusion.
"How do you plan to handle Tookami Ryousuke, Tatsuya-san?"
That question came from Fumiya.
"Actually, I'm wondering if we can use him to form a cooperative relationship between FEHR and Society."
"Not with the Company, but with Society, you mean?"
"If it's Society, then it should be fine."
The former was Fumiya, the latter was Ayako. Neither seemed to be opposed to the idea.
"I'm planning to send Tookami to make the approach for the negotiations."
"The approach? Not the negotiations themselves, I take it."
"What I want Tookami to do is help invite them to the negotiations table."
Tatsuya nodded towards Fumiya.
"I think that's good. It would be even better if he just returned to FEHR straight away."
It was hard to tell if Ayako was being sarcastic or serious, but she agreed. Still, it seemed like her distrust of Ryousuke had no intention of changing.
"Can we trust him?"
The one to ask that question was Lina. The setting was the dining room of Tatsuya and Miyuki's house. It was a reaction to Tatsuya saying "I'm sending Ryousuke to FEHR'' at the dinner table.
"I guess Lina too has a distrust of Tookami on a consistent basis."
Tatsuya let out a chuckle.
"What do you mean, me too?"
"Ayako also sticks to her stance that Tookami is untrustworthy."
Lina uttered a "Humph….." and Miyuki interjected from the side.
"Did you mention it to Ayako-san before you told us?"
Though not as obvious as before, Miyuki was clearly sulking.
"Ayako and Fumiya have been ordered by Oba-ue to investigate the theft of the Relic materials from the museum in Itoigawa. Any information that might be relevant to the case needed to be passed on as soon as possible. That's why I told them first."
"And how is this related to the Itoigawa case?"
Miyuki asked with an expression that took a sharp turn, and was now serious.
Tatsuya proceeded to explain to Miyuki and the others what he had heard from Ryousuke from the ground up.
"She flew an astral body all the way from the States to Japan!? Was Rena Fehr really that powerful of a mageist!?"
Lina seemed to be more concerned about that part of the story than FAIR's movements.
"I don't think she can cross the Pacific with no strings attached like that. Maybe she has a requirement that says the target destination has to be in front of someone she's familiar with or something like that. Because, you see, the perceived, psychological, distance has more influence on the activation of magic than the actual, real, physical distance."
"……I think Tatsuya is right theory-wise, but do you have any grounds for thinking so?"
"It's based on the fact that she had sent Tookami to us. If she could send an astral body at will, she wouldn't need to send a human to investigate."
"……I guess so."
Lina seemed to be convinced for the time being.
"I doubt that FAIR has given up on the Relic, don't you think so?"
This time, Miyuki asked her question with unease.
"I think they may have given up on stealing the Artificial Relic."
"You believe they changed their aim to the Original Relic?"
Tatsuya nodded in agreement to Miyuki's guess.
"Mt. Shasta in California has been a so-called power spot since the last century, and that area is a well-known tourist destination for the people of Japan. As I recall, it was regarded as something of a sacred place by the natives, right?"
"……Yes. From what I recall, yes, it is."
Tatsuya asked her, and Lina shook her head affirmatively.
"Perhaps they're looking for any possible artifacts that might have a similar capability as the Original Relic's."
"Are you saying that we can find a Relic with magic sequence preservation even in America?"
Miyuki inquired of Tatsuya in a voice that said, "I never thought of that".
"We couldn't find any clues as to the true nature of Relics. While it's just a guess, I suspect it may be an artifact of a prehistoric civilization."
Miyuki and Lina both expressed surprise and astonishment in unison.
"Prehistoric civilization? Does Tatsuya think that there was a lost civilization that developed magical technology?"
Lina questioned, in a "Are you serious?" tone of voice.
"We know that Relics aren't a product of a natural process. Antinite is likely a man-made object as well. That being so, wouldn't it make more sense to think that there was a civilization that imbued material objects with magical effects and used them?"
"Huuh……"
Rather than saying that she was uncertain about Tatsuya's speculation, Lina appeared to be having problems processing it.
"And such a civilization existed not only in the Japanese archipelago, but also in the North American continent?"
In contrast, Miyuki's question was based on the assumption that Tatsuya was correct.
"Antinite has been found all over the world. So there's no reason to think Japan is special in that way."
Different from the ones said before, this line from Tatsuya was filled with conviction.
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