Chapter 2 [Emissary from Japan]
Vancouver International Airport on the afternoon of June 26th (local time).
"So this is America…"
A young female passenger uttered this with a voice full of emotion, just after having disembarked from a direct flight from Tokyo International Airport — officially known as the International Airport off Tokyo Bay and commonly known as Haneda Airport domestically in Japan, but it is known internationally as Tokyo International Airport.
The locals paid no heed to her soliloquy. The city was Canadian territory before the war, and these days, people here would be offended if they were not treated as being American.
"We're still in the airport. And it really isn't that much different from Haneda."
Her companion interjected, impassively. Both are women of the same age and are equally attractive, so much so, that they regularly attract stares from passersby. They were quite different, however, the former, who let out a sigh of admiration, was quite feminine and elegantly dressed. Meanwhile, the latter, who commented matter-of-factly, carries herself in a dignified manner in her mannish attire. Each giving contrasting impressions of their own.
"Hey, don't be a killjoy. Isn't this your first time out of Japan, Mari? We're Magists6 after all."
"I'm still not used to being referred to as a 'Magist'… Anyway, that isn't the point. It's true that this is my first time out of the country as well, but unlike you, Mayumi, I'm on duty. I can't afford to act like a dumb tourist."
These two people are Saegusa Mayumi and Watanabe Mari. As mentioned by Mayumi, they are both Magists.
High-level magicians like them had been strictly prohibited from traveling abroad until recently in the form of self-restraint. However, it was Mayumi's superior, Shiba Tatsuya, who ordered her to go to the United States, and by using his magic, which surpasses all strategic weapons, he pressured the government into allowing her to leave the country. And after that, Mari, who belongs to the National Defense Forces Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment, was ordered by her Commanding Officer to accompany Mayumi as her escort.
"Who's the 'dumb tourist,' that's rude."
Mayumi glared at Mari in dissatisfaction — with what are called, "scornful eyes."
"You were acting like one just now, Mayumi."
Mari responded with a dumbfounded look.
"That's not true at all. In my view, I was just expressing my true emotions. If you keep that look on your face all the time, you're going to get wrinkles all over your face."
"I'm past the age to believe I can act like a teenage girl forever."
"Now you're even starting to talk like you're the grown up. See, you're already becoming an old lady."
"An old lady…"
The atmosphere between Mayumi and Mari was becoming acrimonious.
"…We're starting to draw attention. Shouldn't we move on soon?"
These two didn't travel alone. There was another person in the group, Tookami Ryousuke, who was the one that interjected in a pleading voice.
"…Sorry, you're right."
"…Roger. Let's go."
Mayumi and Mari responded in an embarrassed manner.
The three of them started walking toward the cab stand, when suddenly,
"Ryousuke."
a voice called out to Ryousuke from a short distance away in the lobby.
"Milady!?"
You could hear surprise in Ryousuke's voice and see joy on his face.
He left Mayumi and Mari behind and ran over to the person who called out to him.
Waiting for Ryousuke with a smile on her face was FEHR's representative, Lena Fehr.
"Why are you here?"
"I had been told about the estimated time you all would be arriving by a person called Miss Fujibayashi."
He directed the question at her, and she answered, though her attention was not solely focused on him. The deliberate, slightly louder words were also directed at Mayumi and Mari, who were following after Ryousuke as he approached at a brisk pace.
"And you went out of your way? You didn't have to come, Milady!"
"All I did was get in the passenger seat."
Lena glanced to her left.
"…Miss Gagnon. It's been a while."
Led by her gaze, Ryousuke finally noticed Charlotte Gagnon standing beside Lena.
"You're the same as always, mister."
Charlotte had a baffled smile laced with a mix of amazement and wry amusement. However, not limited to Ryousuke, it wasn't an uncommon thing to see FEHR members act out the faux pas, "Lena is the only one I see," especially among the male members.
"Thank you very much for the reception. I'm Saegusa Mayumi from the Magian Company."
At this point Mayumi joined the conversation and greeted Lena and Charlotte.
"Nice to meet you. I am Lena Fehr, FEHR's representative."
A momentary flicker of confusion passed over Lena's face as she was pulled away from her own private conversation. However, as soon as it vanished, it was replaced by a calm smile as she exchanged greetings with Mayumi.
The contrast between her mature demeanor and her outward appearance left Mayumi perplexed. Before her confusion could register on her expression, Mayumi reminded herself of Lena's actual age.
She is actually 30 years old.
Yet, by all appearances, Lena couldn't be any more than sixteen or seventeen years old.
"I am Charlotte Gagnon, FEHR's legal advisor."
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Fehr, Miss Gagnon."
Mayumi stifled her discomfort and shook their hands without incident.
Following Mayumi, Mari exchanged greetings with both of them, without ever attempting to hide her military identity.
After the exchange of greetings, Mayumi's group of three headed for FEHR headquarters in the suburbs of Vancouver aboard a self-propelled car with Charlotte at the wheel.
They arrived in Vancouver slightly earlier than the scheduled time, so considering the time zone they're currently in, they can still check in at the hotel later on since it is still morning. Their original plan included taking a cab from the airport directly to FEHR headquarters. So, having Lena and Charlotte pick them up by car was quite convenient for Mayumi, though Ryousuke was persistently apologetic about it.
Since they were told that they would later be taken to the hotel in the same car, Mayumi left the self-propelled car with only her briefcase and Mari a large handbag. Inside which there is a small pistol in a disassembled state that is virtually undetectable by metal detectors and X-ray scanners.
When they arrived, Mayumi's group was led to what seemed to be a conference room. The chairs and table design emphasized practicality, so it didn't look like the room was meant for receiving others. It could be, perhaps, that there isn't one at FEHR headquarters.
"Miss Saegusa. I have been informed that the purpose of this visit is to deliver a message to us."
Lena, after exchanging diplomatic pleasantries with Mayumi, across the table where black tea was being served, got straight to the main topic.
"I assume the message is not everything, am I right? An email would have sufficed if that were the case."
"Yes, that's right."
Lena made a valid point, and Mayumi openly acknowledged it.
"May I ask your true purpose, then?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that."
"…Is that so?"
"Please don't misunderstand me. If there is a hidden meaning, then I have no idea what it is since all I know is what I have been told."
"What do you mean by that?"
Charlotte was the one who asked back. Lena on her part had clear confusion in her expression.
"The instructions I received from Mr. Shiba were—"
Mayumi addressed Tatsuya as "Mr. Shiba." Needless to say, this was to distinguish him from Miyuki. Although in Japan, Tatsuya and Miyuki are distinguished as "Managing Director Shiba" and "Representative Director Shiba," respectively, Mayumi believed that such details would not be well understood in America.
"—simply to ascertain if FEHR was willing to negotiate a partnership with the Magian Society."
"You didn't need…"
'to come all the way to Vancouver for that,' Lena attempted to say.
"I see."
But Charlotte unintentionally interrupted her.
"So Mr. Shiba sent you here to assess us?"
"I'm not sure if that's the case either."
Mayumi gave essentially the same answer to Charlotte's guess.
It wasn't part of a deception. Mayumi just wasn't sure if Tatsuya trusted her judgment that much.
"All I'm tasked to do is to bring back to Japan your thoughts on the partnership."
"…I have received your message, in that case."
After a few seconds of staring at Mayumi, Lena spoke to her again.
"Please give me a day, no, until the day after tomorrow. I would like to confer with everyone."
"Of course, absolutely."
Mayumi accepted Lena's proposition with a nod.
"The day after tomorrow, then… at what time would you like me to come?"
She proceeded to ask.
"How about three o'clock in the afternoon?"
"Understood. We will meet you the day after tomorrow at 3:00 P.M."
"Yes, we will be waiting for you."
Everyone present stood up in unison, and Mayumi shook hands with Lena and Charlotte.
Ryousuke had been staring at Lena since the meeting began, but he ultimately did not say anything.
On their way back to the entrance, being escorted by Lena and Charlotte, Mayumi and Mari bumped into an old familiar face.
"Ono-sensei…?"
"Saegusa-san? And Watanabe-san as well…?"
The person in front of them happened to be none other than Ono Haruka, their former counselor from their alma mater, First High School.
Although they were indeed reminiscent of each other, they were not that close. Even so, they haven't seen each other in a long time, enough not to dismiss the customary mutual 'it's been a long time' approach.
"Are you acquaintances?"
Charlotte interjected quizzically as they exchanged a few words in Japanese.
"Yes, she was a counselor at the high school we went to."
Mari answered her question.
"Oh my! In that case, how about I lend you a room while the three of you talk over a cup of tea?"
Lena offered this to Mayumi and Mari with a smile so that they could catch up with their old acquaintance.
"Eh, but…"
Mayumi glanced at Ryousuke.
"In the meantime, we'll be keep Mr. Tookami company."
Charlotte suggested this after seeing Mayumi's hesitation.
Mayumi knew immediately that her aim was to simply listen to the information that Ryousuke had obtained while in Japan.
"I see. Then, I'll take you up on that."
With that note, Mayumi accepted Charlotte's offer.
"Milady, who was that woman just now?"
Ryousuke was the first to speak once they arrived at Lena's office.
"She seemed to be an ordinary person, but she isn't one of ours, is she?"
By "ordinary person," Ryousuke naturally was referring to those who do not possess the gift of magic. If it were Mayumi now, she would have followed Tatsuya's lead and referred to her as being a part of the "majority," but Ryousuke has not been as influenced by Tatsuya's words as she has.
"There's no need to worry about her."
Charlotte placated Ryousuke. The anxiety showing in his tone was due to worry over the possibility that she is a spy working against their organization.
"She is Luca Fields, a private detective. Even though that name turned out to be a pseudonym, I'm still confident that she is trustworthy."
"A private detective…?"
"Yes, she's a member of the detective agency I worked closely with when I was an agent."
Ryousuke, who had made no attempt to hide his suspicion, lowered his wariness for the moment upon hearing that they were working with a collaborator from her days at the FBI.
"Did something go wrong that would cause you to request the service of a detective?"
"We talked about this the other day, remember? About FAIR and what they're up to at Mt. Shasta."
"The other day," that is, was about a month or so ago. Lena used [Astral Projection] to appear before Ryousuke in Izu, and there she shared with him that FAIR was preparing to send some of its members to Mt. Shasta.
"What are those guys from FAIR up to this time? Are they still trying to obtain a Relic?"
"We knew for sure that they must be vandalizing some kind of historical ruin, but we still don't know for sure what they're after. Thus why we hired the detective to find out."
"They're vandalizing a historical ruin! Isn't that clearly a crime?"
"That whole area is government-owned land, so yes, it's definitely a crime to illegally dig there."
Charlotte agreed with Ryousuke's words.
"We've been trying to get our hands on some evidence to prove that FAIR has been breaking the law for the past ten days or so, but it is not until now that we have gotten what we were looking for."
Charlotte then adds this.
"—Milady."
"…What's the matter, Ryousuke? Why the pensive look on your face?"
Lena asked back with a slightly uneasy smile.
"Can't I also help you with that?"
"You want to monitor FAIR at Mt. Shasta?"
Ryousuke nodded with an overly emphatic expression.
"No."
Lena dismissed his request without a second thought.
"Why not?"
Although Ryouske didn't raise his voice, it was noticeable from his tone of voice that he was saddened.
"Because, it's dangerous."
Lena answered without faltering, with a composure befitting her age.
"We sent Louis to Mt. Shasta before we hired Miss Fields. But, before he was able to get his hands on any evidence of them committing a crime, he was discovered and subsequently had to return after being injured. He wasn't seriously injured, but his injuries weren't minor either."
Lena's expression grew tense, probably thinking back to that moment.
"Louis was?"
Louis Roux's fighting prowess is well known to Ryousuke. He knows that it isn't impossible to beat him, given his fighting style, but in terms of overall strength, Louis Roux is undoubtedly the better fighter. Louis Roux is the sub-leader, and Ryousuke recognizes him as such.
His offer to help with the investigation into FAIR was not the fruit of some deeper consideration. It was more of a spur of the moment decision, an impulse, or perhaps a blind sense of duty, grounded entirely by a desire to be of service to her.
The surprise must have helped him to cool down somewhat. Ryousuke's expression faded into a pensive look.
"Also, I want you to continue working with Mr. Shiba as our liaison."
Just as Lena said this, there was a knock at the door.
Without waiting for Ryousuke's answer, she answered the knock with a "Come in."
"Miss Saegusa's group is done with their conversation."
Lena replied, "I understand," to the member at the door, and stood up to see them off.
Ryousuke followed her without a moment's pause.
"As you ordered, Milady, I will continue working as a liaison."
He said so to Lena and picked up the travel bag he had carried with him into this room.
◇ ◇ ◇
After sending Mayumi, Mari, as well as Ryousuke off, Lena now faced Haruka in the conference room with Charlotte in attendance.
"…So there is no doubt that FAIR is illegally digging there, correct?"
"Please take a look at this."
Haruka handed several photos to Lena. These were still photos from the video footage she had taken.
Among them are images of a man digging into a cave wall with a pickaxe, a man and a woman coming out from behind a waterfall, as well as one of Laura receiving a small stone tablet.
"…Charlee, what do you think?"
She passed the photos she had finished looking at to Charlotte one by one, after seeing them all, Lena asked Charlotte as she handed her the last one.
As she stared at the photo of Laura scrutinizing the stone tablet, Charlotte replied, "I think it should be enough for a criminal accusation."
"…But, I'm not sure if we should wash our hands of it after just filing a criminal accusation with the police."
She then added.
"I suppose that was the plan… but I also understand what you're trying to say, Charlee."
In fact, Lena was also curious about FAIR's purpose.
What they unearthed from the cave behind the waterfall was a stone tablet. Apparently it was not exactly what they were after, but if the members brought it to Laura, then they must be trying to get something in the shape of a stone tablet.
But what is it?
Does the stone tablet itself possess magical properties like a Relic, or is the knowledge written on the stone tablet valuable?
This video evidence may be enough to temporarily detain Laura Simon. But she is the sub-leader of FAIR. Although she is undoubtedly an important person for the organization, she is still not its leader. Getting her arrested will not be enough to thwart FAIR's plans.
Lena has no precognitive abilities. But at this moment, she had a premonition that is all but certain to come true.
A premonition that… if things continue as they are, something terrible would happen.
For FEHR — there is no guarantee that if they were to intervene, that they would be able to prevent that "terrible thing" from happening. It may even make matters worse.
But Lena was determined not to let FAIR's actions go unchecked, even if it meant inviting a potential catastrophe.
"Should I continue with the surveillance?"
With perfect timing, Haruka asked Lena about what course of action.
"Yes, please."
Lena replied and turned to Charlotte who was seated next to her.
"If it is possible, I would like for whatever FAIR has dug up to be secured."
This is a question about the pros and cons of attempting to secure (i.e. steal) whatever has been dug up, as well as who would be the best person for the job.
"…Should we consult with Louis?"
Charlotte's answer was the green light for the securing plan, and to recommend the sub-leader Louis Roux for the execution.
"Isn't Louis still recovering from his injuries?!"
"But given the nature of the mission, he is the most qualified member we have."
"…You're right."
After a moment's deliberation, Lena agreed.
Then she turned to Haruka again.
"Miss Fields. If you don't mind, I'd like to leave you with Charlee in this room for a few minutes."
After waiting for Haruka's "Yes, I don't mind," Lena rose from her seat and left the conference room.
Lena reappeared in the conference room about fifteen minutes later.
When she returned, she was not alone. Accompanying her was a black man around the age of 30.
"Miss Fields, allow me to introduce him. This is Louis Roux, the sub-leader of this organization."
After Lena's introduction of him, Haruka and Louis shook hands after she had introduced herself.
"Miss Fields. I would like to have Louis accompany you in your investigation, if that's all right."
Haruka was not too surprised by Lena's request. She had probably anticipated this turn of events from the moment she had been introduced to Louis.
"I have one condition."
These words too, seemed to have been prepared in advance.
"Please tell me."
"If the need to escape arises, I will be acting independently. If that's okay with you, that is."
Lena and Charlotte both widened their eyes at this unexpected condition.
For his part, Louis remained calm.
"You mean that you'll be abandoning anyone who's slowing you down?"
There was no sarcasm in what Louis said. He confirmed what she meant in a matter-of-fact tone.
"As long as I am alone, I can escape no matter how many opponents there are, as long as they don't use weapons of mass destruction. On the other hand, I'm hardly, if at all, a fighter. My skills can't help anyone other than myself."
"By that you mean your ability?"
"My particularity."
Haruka's tone was one of self-mockery as she answered Louis.
It's no understatement when she mentioned her lack of combat skills, it's a fact. Because of the nature of her abilities, she could probably do something like assassinating someone by approaching them surreptitiously from a blind spot. In this sense, she is at least not totally helpless in combat.
However, she does not have the abilities to help allies escape in a situation where they are surrounded by countless enemies.
All she can do is abandon them and escape on her own…
This is the same feeling of powerlessness Haruka experienced during the feud that caused her to flee Japan, an emotional wound that will never fully heal.
Perhaps because they sensed the heavy trauma bleeding through her tone, not only Louis but neither did Lena nor Charlotte delve any further into the reasons for her condition.
"Well, that condition is fine with me."
Louis answered, thus deciding that he would accompany her.
◇ ◇ ◇
That evening. A military transport plane inbound from Japan landed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.
The eyes of the servicemen stationed on the runway were drawn to a young female officer as she came down the ramp (loading ramp). She was certainly the proprietress of a glamorous appearance that fully justified the attention.
Her tightly coiffed hair gleamed golden even in the poor light. Had she been in the sun with her hair down, the blond hair would've no doubt brilliantly shimmer in the wind.
Yet her gorgeous blonde hair wasn't the only thing to her charm. Her eye-catching sapphire blue eyes drew attention to a face worthy of the "unparalleled beauty" moniker beyond any exaggeration.
It was an appearance that bordered on the inhumanly perfect. For all that, it was the energetic, lively, sunny aura that radiates in abundance from her that must be what keeps her from ever coming across as artificial. Were she not a human being; far from being a doll or other artificial object, she would be a war goddess or a servant of the virgin goddess of the hunt.
A male officer, who appeared to be around 30 years old, rushed up to the female officer and saluted her.
"Head-Captain, it's been a long time."
The male officer said with the salute.
"Yeah, long time no see, Hardy. But I'm not the head-captain anymore, remember?"
Lina, dressed in the uniform of a USNA federal military lieutenant colonel, responded to the male officer, Captain Ralph Hardy Mirfak, with a salute of her own.
"I see you've been promoted to captain."
Lina spoke to him shortly after they boarded the self-propelled car being driven by Hardy himself.
"Yes, thanks to you."
Ralph Hardy Mirfak had been a star-class member of the Magician Unit "Stars," that reports directly to the USNA Military Joint Chiefs of Staff, of which Lina had been the head-captain until shortly before she sought asylum in Japan. The unit insignia on his uniform indicates that he is still a member of Stars.
He was a second lieutenant while Lina was still serving in Stars. And after just three years, it seems like he was promoted to the rank of captain.
From what she heard, ever since the Parasite Insurrection Incident, which resulted in her fleeing the country, numerous positions have been left vacant within Stars. That's probably one of the reasons behind Mirfak's promotion.
In a way, Mirfak's promotion could be attributed to "Lina's assistance."
"I didn't do anything."
Aware that her escape from America had created many problems for him, Lina responded sincerely.
"Anyway, do you have a flight leaving for Vancouver at this hour?"
Then, despite the fact that she brought it up herself, she quickly changed the subject.
They were now leaving the Air Force Base for the nearest airport, Spokane International Airport.
It was past 8:00 P.M. Even though Spokane is only about 5 km's away from point to point, in order to catch any flights scheduled for a 9 P.M. takeoff, she would need to leave now when taking into consideration the time it would take to check-in.
Despite the fact that international airports are open 24 hours a day, it's a wonder if there are any passenger airliners leaving at this hour. The distance between Spokane and Vancouver is less than 500 kilometers. Since it was a short-distance domestic flight, and not an international flight, Lina worried about whether there would be any departures scheduled at this hour.
"Don't worry. You have enough time to catch the last flight. Delayed departures happen all the time."
"…You're not telling me that Stars purposely delayed a flight, right?"
Lina eyed him with incredulity, to which Mirfak simply laughed.
Lina let out a sigh of dismay.
At the exit gate of Vancouver International Airport, Lina saw a female officer who looked to be around the same age as her waiting for them.
"This is Second Lieutenant Sophia Spica, ma'am."
Mirfak introduced her as she saluted.
"So she's Zoe's successor…"
Magician officers assigned as star-class members of Stars are issued the name of a star as a codename, which is to be used in lieu of their last name until they leave Stars.
At the time of Lina's escape to Japan, "Spica" was a fellow female officer named Zoe.
First Lieutenant Zoe Spica was one of those parasitized during the insurrection, and met her end at the Pearl and Hermes Base, where she attempted to attack Minoru, only to get incinerated to death in retaliation. Lina doesn't know all the details of how it happened. What had been told is that Zoe Spica had been destroyed in the summer of 2097 once she had returned back home after the insurrection had ended.
"She was just appointed this spring, but I assure you that she is competent. She will be acting as your main support during your time in Vancouver, Head-Captain, or rather, Lina."
"It'll be an honor to work with you, Lieutenant Colonel. Please feel free to call me Sophia."
Sophia referred to Lina as "Lieutenant Colonel." It's a reminder that Lina was unilaterally granted the rank of lieutenant colonel by the USNA federal military General Staff Headquarters, who vehemently claim that Lina's discharge from service is only superficial for all intents and purposes.
Although Lina is now "Toudou Rina," a naturalized Japanese citizen in name and status, the USNA federal military still records her as "Lieutenant Colonel Angelina Kudou Shields."
"It'll be nice to work with you too, Sophia. Please call me Lina, and I'd prefer it if you were informal with me."
Lina responded, attempting to imply "I'm actually discharged from the military, so you don't have to treat me like I'm a soldier." Incidentally, this time she will be using the alias "Lina Brooks," provided to her by the USNA Federal Military. So calling her "Lina" is still valid and reasonable.
"Got it, Lina it is. Please call me Fifi then."
Maybe it's thanks to the flexibility of her young nature. Sophia adapted her attitude to match Lina's wishes.
Lina changed from her military uniform into plain clothes at a hotel adjacent to the airport. Sophia did the same.
Mirfak will be using this room, and Lina will move to another hotel.
After a brief farewell to Mirfak in the room, Lina left in a self-propelled car with Sophia at the wheel to the hotel where they will be lodging at. It is the same hotel where Mayumi's group is staying.
◇ ◇ ◇
On their second day in the USNA, Mayumi and Mari decided to take a tour of the city of Vancouver.
Lena's request for time to consult with those at FEHR internally left them with a whole free day, so they decided to walk around the city to help get rid of their jet lag at the same time.
"Tookami-san, we'll be counting on you today."
Mayumi said with a bright smile, and Ryousuke covered up his desire to sigh with a forced smile.
Having lived in this city for four years, Ryousuke had been elected as their tour guide.
"Well, do you have anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"
"I'm not sure, so I'll leave it up to you."
With the burden of choice pushed upon him, Ryousuke thought, "Well, I guess I'll just stick to whatever seems appropriate."
Ryousuke took Mayumi and Mari downtown. Because it would be too bothersome to think too much about it, he simply took them to the nearest place that came to mind, but they both seemed to be enjoying themselves.
As a result of the time difference, when they left the hotel it was already lunch time. Because it was Sunday, the streets were quite crowded with tourists as well as the locals.
"Mayumi, how about we take a break?"
They had an already late breakfast before leaving the hotel, so one could imagine that they shouldn't be hungry yet, however, Mari nonetheless suggested such a thing.
"Mari, you're already hungry?"
It was a perfectly genuine question, there wasn't any implicit teasing in what Mayumi said.
"No, not hungry."
"Then why…?"
"Let's go there."
Mari didn't answer Mayumi's question and decided on a location without asking her opinion.
She was pointing to an upstairs café with large windows facing the street.
While Mayumi, Mari, and Ryousuke were casually wandering around downtown, Lina, who had disguised herself into an inconspicuous appearance, was following them along with Sophia Spica.
An hour had passed since they started tailing them. She was finally starting to get used to it, but the amazement still lingered in Sophia's mind. An unremarkable appearance: ordinary chestnut hair, brown eyes, and a face that was well put together yet not outstandingly so. It probably leaves less of an impression than if she were oddly bad looking. That's how Lina looks now. Although her physique has not changed, she hardly looks like the same person.
(So this is Sirius's special magic "Parade"…)
Sophia joined "Starlight," the Stars training institution, after graduating from Middle School, having been recognized for her magical qualities since the time when she took her first aptitude test in elementary school. For this reason, she has never served in the military intelligence department or any other intelligence agency outside of the military.
She was, however, heavily trained in the field of intelligence due to the nature of her abilities. This education included information only available to organizations affiliated with Stars, including knowledge of magics that could be useful for covert operations.
It was on this basis that Sophia knew of Lina's "Parade." But seeing Lina become a completely different person in front of her eyes, even with her prior knowledge of it, she could not help but to have only amazement as a reaction. Simply put, "seeing something is a lot different than hearing about it."
There are other types of Illusion Magic that can temporarily disguise a person's appearance. However, there aren't any that can be maintained for such a long period of time. And the fact that there is absolutely no discrepancy with the virtual image during movement is also out of the ordinary. No matter how you look at it, it seems to be a real image.
"Fifi, did you notice?"
"You mean the three people on our tail?"
Understandably, she was still feeling amazed at what she'd seen, even so, this didn't dull her senses, which have been sharpened through rigorous training.
"Good. I guess I didn't count them wrong."
The group of suspicious people they are referring to have been following Mayumi's group for a while now.
There is nothing strange about the appearances of the "suspicious people." They look just like ordinary citizens. However, they have unmistakably been tracking Mayumi's group with their eyes. That's the definition of a suspicious person.
"Seems like they're not following them like us, but relaying surveillance. They must have formed teams of three, and they're taking it in turns to be ahead of them."
As per Lina's request, Sophia talked to her as she would with a friend. They are about the same age, Sophia being only one year older than her. That may be why they don't seem to have any resistance to each other, even though they have just met.
"They're following them and anticipating their position? That's quite sophisticated."
"It's not that hard if you have enough budget and people. All they have to do is coordinate with each other via radio."
—Though their choice of topics is hardly what you'd expect from chit chat between friends at their age.
"Though it would be a lot easier by using the HAPS cameras."
HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station), also known as "high-altitude platforms," these high-altitude relay stations are unmanned airships or unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with communications equipment. Equipped with high-definition cameras, HAPS are of high military importance, and are therefore forbidden, both in Japan and America, to be owned by civilians, and are operated by the military and other state agencies.
"You think those guys are the authorities?"
"You think so too, Lina?"
Sophia gave her affirmation by returning Lina's question with another.
"They wouldn't be with the federal military, would they?"
Lina followed suit.
"I haven't heard of any of the intelligence agencies working on this. The feeling I'm getting makes me think that it's the FBI."
"How can you tell that?"
Lina asked, eyes wide.
"Well, sort of."
There was no nuance of pride in Sophia's tone, but the same can't be said wholly for her facial expression. Perhaps it is just her youth.
"That's great. But why would the FBI be following Mayumi and the others?"
"I don't know either. They are not suspects or witnesses of any kind."
Even when taking into consideration who they are, they have no idea what it is that they are up to.
That was what Sophia honestly admitted.
"But it doesn't seem like they have peaceful intentions…"
As she muttered this, Lina thought, "Tatsuya's worry may have been spot on."
It's necessary to deal with any interference by any powers within the USNA that may threaten Mayumi's trip to the United States on behalf of the Magian Society and FEHR's partnership. And it was for that reason that Tatsuya sent Lina to the USNA.
◇ ◇ ◇
"…That's what happened, but could you find out why the FBI is showing its face here?"
That evening, Lina was in her hotel room talking into a Stars wireless phone that Sophia had brought with her. This device has a built-in system that encrypts and decrypts voice in real time in the process of the call, converting the encrypted voice into non-audible high-frequency sound waves and transmitting them simultaneously with a mundane conversation speech generated via AI. In this way, this system can ensure secrecy even over ordinary mobile lines.
[I understand. I'll look into it.]
The person on the other end of the call is the current Commander-in-Chief of Stars, Benjamin Canopus. Along with the responsibilities that Lina held in her capacity as Head-Captain, he now holds the authority of Base Commander, Supreme Commander of Stardust, and Administrative Director of Starlight. Essentially, all command authority related to Stars was consolidated into the position of Commander-in-Chief of Stars.
[But I believe it's likely to be tied to the presidential election this fall.]
After accepting Lina's request, he followed up with his own conjecture.
"…How does that relate to what is going on?"
Lina's doubts are understandable. Anyone would be doubtful if the conversation were to all of a sudden include the presidential election.
[It's expected that the presidential election this fall will be a race between Secretary of Defense Spencer and Senator Rivera.]
"I guess it was expected that Secretary Spencer would run for sure. I'd like to see him elected, if possible."
Spencer has ties to Tatsuya via his secretary, Jeffrey James (a.k.a. JJ). And it is a friendly one at that. It would be a stretch to expect any favors from Spencer if he were elected President, but at the very least the risk of hostile maneuvering would be reduced.
[That's what the federal military would really like to see as well.]
It's not a matter limited to the USNA, but the military has an obligation to remain neutral with respect to elections. As in any democratic nation, this is not mere idealism, but an earnest guiding principle that has direct bearing if not followed which can lead to a political crisis. Therefore, a military in its right mind should not meddle publicly in elections.
However, apart from the guiding principles, as a national organization, it has a vested interest in the policies of the nation. It is only natural for an organization, as well as for human nature, to be tempted to support candidates from whom they can expect benefits. Between Secretary Spencer and Senator Rivera, Spencer is clearly more preferable to those in the military.
[That aside, it's a running rumor that Senator Rivera has a lot of influence in the FBI.]
"A politician having influence in the FBI? Is that even allowed?"
One of the duties of the Federal Bureau of Investigation7 is to investigate corruption among politicians. Due to its nature, it ought to pose a much greater problem to be subject to the influence of a particular politician than any other intelligence agency.
[Nothing ever seems to go according to the guiding principles.]
Canopus's tone marked with resignation, however, reminded Lina of the circumstances that compelled her to flee the country.
"…I guess you're right. Sorry for cutting you off. So, what do you think Senator Rivera is plotting with the FBI?"
[It's probably not the Senator himself who's up to something, but his campaign staff. More specifically, let me see…]
Lina waited silently while Canopus was in mid-thought on the other end of the phone call.
[I can think of two possibilities. One would be to try to accuse Miss Saegusa under false charges. Considering the FBI's operational jurisdiction, it should be difficult for them to forcibly arrest her for a misdemeanor.]
The FBI's caseload remained unchanged throughout this century: widespread crimes that intersect across states, heinous crimes such as kidnapping and robbery, cases involving terrorism, espionage, and other security matters that concern the public safety, as well as crimes committed by politicians.
Misdemeanors, as Canopus was putting it, are under the jurisdiction of the local police department. Lina chimed in with an agreement to his point, "Yeah, that's right."
[The other would be to take Miss Saegusa captive and use her as leverage in a deal with Mr. Shiba.]
"Taking her captive!? Do you think they would try to kidnap someone? The FBI!?"
[The FBI is an expert in dealing with kidnapping investigations. Turn that around and you won't find anyone better versed in the ins and outs of kidnapping than them.]
"…And what would be the benefit of doing that?"
Lina knew from her experience with Stars that not all government organizations are necessarily law-abiding. But she felt that an attempted kidnapping by a security organization that is supposed to apprehend kidnappers is just plain stupid.
Military and intelligence agencies go outside the law because they have objectives and interests that they cannot fulfill within the normal — or peacetime, if you will — scope of the law. The FBI on the other hand — what could be the advantages gained by the electoral staff by instigating them to kidnap Mayumi?
[It's not known to the general electorate, but the ties to Mr. Shiba are seen in political circles as a major weapon in Secretary Spencer's arsenal.]
"Don't they understand that Tatsuya has no intention of interfering with politics in the States?"
Lina said "don't" instead of "I don't think." Although unaware of it, she took pride in the fact that she understands Tatsuya to that extent.
[There are simply too many politicians who see Mr. Shiba as a threat. I don't like the analogy, but it's like having ties to a dictator who owns weapons of mass destruction.
"So… they're here to try to wrangle concessions from Tatsuya, and not to sabotage the Society's partnership with FEHR itself? Are they trying to take out of play one of the Secretary of Defense's powerful cards by jeopardizing his relations with Tatsuya, is that what you mean?"
[I wouldn't say much of an attempt to take out of play, but rather to eliminate it altogether.]
When Tatsuya sent Mayumi, he was not counting on Spencer's support from the start. The fact that he sent her as well is enough proof of that, as Lina is aware.
So even if something happens to Mayumi, Tatsuya's stance on Spencer will probably not change. In Lina's opinion, what Rivera's campaign staff is trying to do is completely out of line and a waste of time and effort.
"What a pain."
Irritation welled up inside Lina. She was becoming angry because even if what Rivera's campaign staff is plotting happens to be pointless, she still has no choice but to thwart it.
Putting a stop to a meaningless conspiracy. Could there be a more pointless and superfluous job than this?
Still, she could not leave it alone.
It was impossible to turn a blind eye to the situation.
Lina pressed her free hand to her forehead.
"Ben… Could you please check it out anyway?"
[Roger that, Lina.]
Perhaps it was her imagination, but Canopus' voice sounded like it had a tinge of sympathy in it.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back, Fifi."
About an hour or so after the call with Canopus ended, Sophia returned to the room.
"Any problems?"
"I didn't see anyone suspicious in the hotel."
She wasn't having an evening out. Sophia was scouting to ensure that the people they spotted during the day weren't up to any tricks.
"I put up an 'Alarm' just in case, so as long as I'm here in the hotel, I think everything should be fine."
The selection process for star-class members of Stars is based on their direct combat abilities, so in addition to her striking power, she is also an expert in the field of intelligence, most notably with her use of a special kind of magic suitable for counterintelligence.
The name of this magic is "Tentacles." It is a Non-Systematic Magic capable of remote and simultaneous psychometry, in which a Psion Information Body is established as a "post" that, when comes into contact with a person, through the resulting interference between Psions, the information on the Psions surrounding that person's body is conveyed to the caster.
Although it's a convenient and sophisticated magic that can detect intruders and even identify their psionic patterns, it's not a magic that Sophia is often prideful about. Mainly due to the nomenclature of the name, "Tentacles." The developers gave it the name "Tentacles," in a sense like "tactile hairs" or "antennae," but it was from the word "tentacle" that it took its name from. Not wanting to be treated as the "tentacle woman," Sophia herself uses the name "Alarm" instead of "Tentacles."
"So, that 'Alarm' of yours is magic, right? Can you maintain that while sleeping?"
Sophia was recruited after Lina left Stars, and Lina doesn't know yet of Sophia's capabilities or lack thereof.
"It's fine. I'm used to it."
Unfamiliar with what she can and can't do, Lina trusted her words and decided to rest.
◇ ◇ ◇
At the same time, Mayumi and Mari were about to get into bed.
They are sharing the same room. Naturally, Ryousuke has his own.
"Mayumi, I'm turning off the light."
"Yeah, go ahead."
Waiting for Mayumi, who was sitting on the bed, to answer, Mari turned off the room light.
The weak glow of the bedside light did not reach the corners of the room, but Mari made it to the bed without fear of walking in the dark.
"Mari."
Mayumi, lying sprawled on the bed, spoke to Mari, who is also flat on her bed.
"What was that this afternoon?"
Mari didn't ask back, "What do you mean?"
"You mean when we took a break at the upstairs café?"
Perhaps she wasn't expecting for it to be brought up.
"Yeah, that. You weren't really tired then, were you?"
"Of course not. A hint: It's easier to see the streets from a seat upstairs."
"Do we really have to make this a quiz… Do you mean there was a stalker?"
"A stalker, hey… No, I guess that's the right word, is it?"
"Eh! There really was a stalker?"
Mayumi rose up briskly.
"It wasn't really a stalker, but there was someone tailing us."
By contrast, Mari replied in a calm voice, still lying flat.
"There were two that I was able to confirm, but there were probably others there. I think they were a team and were coordinating with each other to keep an eye on us."
"How can you be so calm about this!?"
Mayumi exclaimed, her voice breaking.
"We have to be calm right now."
"—ngh."
Maris's answer only made Mayumi stifle more screams, however.
"Don't worry. I have plenty of training to deal with nocturnal assaults. I have anti-personnel sensors and gas sensors already in place."
"When did you…"
"While you were taking a shower, that is. So, don't worry and get some rest."
"But…"
"Though, I'll have to be in a shallow sleep, to be able to respond at any time, so I won't be able to perform at one hundred percent during the day. Mayumi, if you also don't get enough sleep we might not be able to handle any unforeseen circumstances."
"…Got it. I'll handle things during the day, so I'll leave the night to you."
"Yeah, please do."
She could tell that Mari had closed her eyes.
Mayumi also laid down once again.
There were many things on her mind, but Mayumi tried not to think about anything, forcing all the bothersome thoughts out of her consciousness.
Any normal person would fail miserably in attempting to stop their thoughts. It would only result in having even more tangential thoughts.
But for magicians like Mayumi, they have trained to control their own state of consciousness, and their own state of mind. Keeping her mind clear, she fell into a deep sleep.
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