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Chapter 4

 

[Internal Division]

The proceedings of Mayumi and Ryosuke's trip to the United States weren’t universally met with negativity by everyone in the National Defense Forces. Even within the same army, they were split in their stance.

Tuesday, June 15th. Approximately at the same time that the Intelligence Department learned of Mayumi's preparations to go to the United States, and held a confidential board meeting to deliberate on a sabotage plan. At the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment at Narashino Base, movements that contrast with those discussed by the Intelligence Department were unfolding.

Previously under the command of the 101st Brigade, the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion was reorganized and separated from the brigade to form an independent regiment, the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment. At the time of its reorganization, the 1st Airborne Brigade lent out a portion of Narashino Base, but this year it was finally given its own headquarters within the same base.

A newly appointed sergeant major was summoned to the commander's office of the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment.

The sergeant major's name was Watanabe Mari. After graduating from the National

Defense Academy this year, she applied to join the same 1st Division Assault Infantry Unit

── reorganized because it exceeded the scope of a platoon ── also known as the "Battoutai," as her boyfriend Chiba Naotsugu, but unfortunately, she had been assigned to the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment contrary to her wishes.

Regardless, it was an all too common occurrence, not just in the military, to be assigned to a different department than the desired one. Moreover, for Mari who had just been appointed, she had been through enough physical and mental strain for the past two and a half months that she had no strength left to complain.

Now, out of nowhere, she was suddenly summoned by none other than the regimental commander. Mari stood nervously, with her entire body tense in front of the desk, waiting for the commanding officer, Colonel Kazama, to speak.

"Sergeant Major Watanabe. I hope you have familiarized yourself with everything here. I think our regiment differs in many respects from the National Defense Academy and other units."

"Yes. There's no problem, sir."

"I see. Then I should apologize for asking you this after you’ve just become familiarized with everything here, but I'd like you to leave the unit to go on a mission for a while."

"An independent mission, sir?"

"That's right. Although it’s highly unusual to assign a newly assigned personnel to this sort of mission, I judged that the sergeant major would be a fitting choice."

"I am honored, sir. I shall do everything in my power to carry out whatever mission is assigned to me."

"That's a good answer."

Mari replied with vigor in her shoulders whereas she had stood nervously with tension before, as Kazama gave her a gentle smile.

"Just don't exert yourself too much. Considering your capabilities, Sergeant Major, this mission shouldn’t prove too difficult."

"Please tell me the specific details, sir."

Mari's facial muscles didn't move, not in a poker face fashion, but instead her face grew slightly flushed. However, the reason behind this wasn’t that she was happy with the commendations, but out of embarrassment at being reminded of her overeagerness.

"You'll be escorting a civilian during their trip to the United States."

A doubtful expression flashed across Mari's face.


If such an important person would have a soldier escorting them instead of a SP (Special Policeman), she wondered why a rookie like herself was selected.

In the first place why was it that an escort mission has fallen upon the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment's shoulders? If the military is tasked with the escorting of this key figure, shouldn't someone from the 1st Division be tasked with the mission?

──Those questions arose in Mari's mind.

Kazama noticed the momentary expression on Mari's face that reflected those emotions, but didn't make any attempt to address them or ask her any questions about it.

"The person you will be escorting is someone you know very well. It's Saegusa Mayumi-jou."

Kazama knew that her questions would be answered once she understood who it was she'd be escorting.

"Mayumi!? Yes, no, I beg your pardon!"

Sure enough, Mari's face showed a look of understanding as she apologized with a stiff posture and expression.

"Commander, may I be allowed to ask a question?"

But soon enough another question seemed to come up.

"You have permission to ask."

"Yes, thank you, sir. The mission of this minor officer is to escort this civilian during their trip to the United States, but is a high-level magician like her allowed to leave the country?"

Kazama peered into Mari's eyes. Under the unexpected strong gaze, Mari almost unconsciously looked away, but she fought down the urge to do so.

"Sergeant Major Watanabe. There is no law in our country which restricts a magician from traveling outside of the country."

"Huh? Yes!"

A dumbfounded voice escaped her mouth at the unexpected remark, but Mari hastily glossed over her lapse of composure.

Although it couldn't be said to be a skillful concealment, Kazama ── at least on the surface ── wasn't bothered.

"As long as there are no laws and regulations governing it, there’s nothing to allow or deny. There’s simply a particular risk involved in a high-level magician traveling abroad that requires special attention. Sergeant Major, do you know what it is?"

"…The risk of abduction by an illegal organization, sir?"

"Exactly."

Kazama nodded with a contented look on his face, and Mari mentally let out a sigh of relief.

"Actually, there was an incident at the end of the last World War in which the current head of the Saegusa Family was also an involved party. The reason why high-level magicians are asked to refrain from leaving the country, is to prevent another similar tragedy from occurring again."

Mari nodded silently at Kazama's words. The incident he was referring to was the one that involved the abduction of Maya, the current head of the Yotsuba Family, by illegal Dahan agents in Taiwan, and that Kouichi, the current head of the Saegusa Family, lost one of his eyes when he tried to prevent it. This incident was a kind of taboo that isn't spoken of by students in either the Magic High Schools or the Magic University. Nevertheless, at the National Defense Academy, it’s taught as an important case to be taken note of by all future magician officers.

"However, the military has no place to interfere with a magician's departure from Japan under the guise of imposing self-restraint as a matter of course. The duty of we, the military, is to protect the Japanese people. Given the vital importance of high-level magicians to our national defense, we must take the necessary steps to ensure their safety."

"Yes, understood sir!"

"Sergeant Major Watanabe. I believe that this mission will be a test case for the safeguarding of Japanese magicians outside of the country. I expect you to approach this with that in mind."

"I will do my very best!"

Mari saluted with her back straightened, displaying an enthusiasm that was anything but formal.





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