Chapter 2
[Uninvited Guests]
The day following the mission assignment for search and capture of Laura Simons, First-Lieutenant Ariana Lee Shaula visited her commanding officer's office with her assigned partner.
Seeing Shaula standing before his desk, Canopus asked, "Is there an issue you would like to discuss with me regarding the search for Laura Simons?"
"Yes, sir. Ensign Spica has a proposition, if you would allow us the word."
"Ensign Spica does?” Canopus shifted his attention to Spica, "You have my permission." The Stars rookie, albeit nervously, held firm under that gaze.
"Judging by the accessed FAIR behavior over the recent months, I would venture to conclude that their leader, Rocky Dean, is attempting to bolster the weapons at his disposal with relics. With that reasoning, Sir, my proposal would be to use that as leverage to lure Dean and Laura Simons out."
This plan very much reflected Spica's specialized training in the field of intelligence.
"So your suggestion is to use disinformation to lead the two of them out of the urban center. And the likelihood of this scenario?"
"I think it's highly likely."
"Hm… Elaborate."
When Canopus responded favorably, Spica took in one deep breath and went over the details, "I'm willing to assume that the white stone tablet unearthed by FAIR on Mt. Shasta, contained a different map than the one we already know─"
◇◇◇
Shaanxi Province, in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, Great Asian Alliance.
There is located the headquarters of the Magician Operative Unit, Bāxiān, the [Taiyi Fang Yuan]. Inside the building masquerading as an old Taoist temple, Bāxiān Lan Caihe is summoned by Cao Guojiu, Bāxiān's commanding officer.
"Commander Cao. Sir, Lan Caihe presenting herself."
"Good work. I have a new assignment for you. The current one will be reassigned to someone else. Miss Lan, you are to fly to Japan as soon as the infiltration preparations are complete."
"Understood." The slender Chinese beauty Lan Caihe bowed reverently. She did not ask "for what?", as it is their custom to wait for their superiors to provide them with the necessary explanation.
Her superior was also well aware, and didn't leave her without a proper description of her mission.
"Your task will be to assassinate Tatsuya Shiba of Japan." Hearing this, Lan Caihe visibly shuddered.
"Sir, if I may be so bold to ask… Wasn't this target assigned to Lu-sensei?" Still with her tense expression downcast, she inquired back to Cao Guojiu.
"He failed."
"…Killed by his target?"
"Correct."
Sweat beads thickly on Lan Caihe's back. For much of the fact this is a day at the height of summer, the air-conditioning system is operating nominally. This was undeniably cold sweat.
Lan Caihe's area of expertise is, to put it simply, honey trapping, also known as HUMINT recruiting. Convincing enemies' agents into double-crossing against their own nation. Then using those assets to extract confidential information, disseminate disinformation, and sabotage the enemy from within.
The missions she has been assigned so far involve mainly to inflict that sort of indirect damage on the opposition. She didn't have enough experience to tell if she would be able to conduct one where she had to attack the target directly.
Lü Dongbin, on the other hand, was the most skilled in assassination among their unit. Which was exactly why he was the first pick for the daunting task of assassinating the dreaded demon, "Maheśvara." And that Lü Dongbin had very much failed. And now that Lü Dongbin had very much failed, Lan Caihe felt like Cao Guojiu was just telling her to "Go die".
"There is a possibility that the IPU will soon be launching a major military action against Tibet." Cao Guojiu abruptly changed the subject at this point.
"Did you hear of this information through divination, sir?" Lan Caihe looked up from her downcast state and locked eyes with Cao Guojiu.
Cao Guojiu has a limited precognition ability. Through his divinations─the bamboo sticks he uses as a medium, he is able to, instead of reading, listen to oracles of the future. Precognition often involves seeing the future in the form of visions. But in his case, the revelation of the future comes in the form of auditory illusions. The information of the oracles or predictions doesn't manifest as a verbal message in the form of someone's voice. Rather, it is like a cloud of noise, voices in conversations and other noises. Those are fragmentary auditory manifestations of the sounds that his future self experiences.
Generally, Cao Guojiu referred to that as just a form of precognition, while it was the people around him that decided to refer to it as "divination."
"According to my divination, that man will be involved in that military action."
"Sir, you aren't suggesting that… we will experience a second 'Scorched Halloween'…?" All the blood drained from Lan Caihe's face in earnest.
"I can't tell that much. ─Apologies, I have not expressed myself properly. The divination told me that the IPU is conspiring with Japan in regards to their military actions in Tibet to involve Shiba Tatsuya in this matter."
"So, if I understand correctly, it is still unclear if that Demon will be involved in the upcoming conflict?" Seemingly relieved, Lan Caihe's complexion improved slightly.
"That's right. For that reason, we must dispose of that person as early as possible in order to avoid that possibility altogether."
"─This officer acknowledges their assignment is the assassination of Shiba Tatsuya. I will leave for Japan at once, sir." Lan Caihe repeated her orders loud and clear. The signs of unease vanished from her demeanor, in its place it was a newborn determination to fulfill her task of assassination, lest [Material Burst] be used ever again.
"In light of the fact that the Lu-sensei was killed in retaliation, I doubt an up-front attempt would stand any chance against that man. For this reason I choose you, Miss Lan, for this task. It is my opinion that your magic should pose a fair chance against him."
"I assure you sir, that I will do my utmost," with this, Lan Caihe again bowed reverently to Cao Guojiu.
◇◇◇
Summer vacation at the Magic University is notably short. Less than a month and a half, starting on the first of August and ending on September 10th, probably shorter than any other university, national, public or private, in Japan.
As September rolls around, students who had been back in their parent's homes begin flocking back one after another in anticipation of the new semester. Ichijou Masaki was one of such students, having been helping his parents in his hometown, and was back to his apartment in Tokyo as soon as the turn of the month came.
His rented apartment was fully furnished. Not being one to be picky about interior design, he would settle on an apartment where he did not have to worry about such and such. However, one thing that he made a hard point of was soundproofing and vibration isolation. His furniture ─chosen entirely by his mother─ didn't come cheap.
The "monthly" and "weekly" apartment rental rates are still strong since their adoption in the late 21st century, Masaki's apartment falls under the former group of the monthly basis. Many opt for annual contracts, and although the number of incoming and outgoing tenants is not that frequent, it's also not that uncommon.
His apartment is one of the 15 units in the small three-story building. The Ichijou family has a branch office in Tokyo, to where he commutes for work. In contrast to Tatsuya, who works in the same building where he lives, Masaki has a tangible distance between where he lives and his workplace.
Owing to living in a small apartment for a year at this point, even if he didn't make an effort to meet his neighbors, he came to know their faces on a "vaguely familiar" basis. Which is why he would be able to recognize that someone was new when he passed by them in the hallways or on the stairs.
Back from his parents' home in Kanazawa, Masaki spotted an unfamiliar woman coming out of an adjoining apartment. He was just coming out of the front door to have an early dinner when he happened to coincide with the woman.
The woman noticed him, gave him a slight bow, and approached Masaki. His room was in the corner, next to the stairs. He assumed she was just trying to get out of the apartment, having to pass in front of his room to do so.
But his assumption was mistaken.
"Excuse me, I've just moved in here today." She stopped before Masaki and started chatting with a smile.
The slender woman, with long black hair parted in the center, was objectively beautiful. That even someone like Masaki, who has met his fair share of beautiful women, couldn't help but to quietly remark in his mind, "She's really beautiful."
"My name is Aikawa Keika. The "Keika" is written like "Katsura's flower. I'll be living here for a short period, but I hope we can have a pleasant time."
The "for a short period" irked Masaki for some reason. Most tenants in this building usually go for yearly contracts. But again, this place originally had a "monthly rental" policy. It was not surprising that there would be people on a short-term stay here for just a month or two.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Ichijou Masaki. I also hope we can get along during our stay."
Masaki stood in front of his room watching her back, more intrigued by her overall demeanor and manners than her beauty itself. A flowery scent lingered in the dusk-colored atmosphere, tickling Masaki's nose.
◇◇◇
The Magian Society was founded by Tatsuya on his own initiative, without any involvement of the Yotsuba Family in its ideals and conception.
That is not to say the Yotsuba was completely unrelated. Without their support of their influence, and specially of their sponsor, Toudou Aoba, neither the Magian Society nor the Magian Company would have come into being. The family also invested a considerable amount of capital and human resources in the Company, and secretly sent connected agents from the Indian subcontinent to the Society as well.
A report sent back from one of these spies infiltrated into the Magian Society created a bit of an uproar in the Yotsuba main house.
September 3rd, Friday night.
Tatsuya was relaxing at home after coming back from his work at Miyakishima after settling at a good stopping point. Returning to his regular duties he was met with the accumulated work from the time he was away from Japan in search of Shambhala. "Pardon for disturbing, Tatsuya-sama, but you received a call from Hayama-sama from the main house. According to him, it is an inquiry on behalf of the head of the family."
Tatsuya had been listening to some small talk from Miyuki next to him, when Hyougo arrived with the news of a call from the main house. Ostensibly, given his role as a direct servant to Miyuki and Tatsuya, Hyougo is ostensibly of the same rank as Hayama, but this time he showed proper deference as Hayama was standing in for the head of the family.
"Alright."
Tatsuya stands up without preamble and heads for the communications room, which is thoroughly protected against eavesdropping. Miyuki, raised from her former seat next to him, following closely behind him as a matter of course.
"I apologize for the delay."
[Apologies for disturbing you with this call, Tatsuya-sama. However a matter has been brought to our attention that requires immediate attention.] Hayama's facial expression exhibited a sense of bewilderment, rather than any hint of anger or concern, as they would expect.
"What sort of matter would this be?" Tatsuya, having absolutely no idea what was going on, asked candidly what had happened, instead of twisting his head unnecessarily.
[We were informed that about three hours ago, Sir MacLeod of England and Professor Schmidt of Germany arrived in Sri Lanka. We later confirmed that they had not visited the Magian Society, and instead had taken lodgings in a hotel in Colombo.]
"Not only Sir McLeod, but Professor Schmidt was with him as well…" Even Tatsuya couldn't help but feel a similar sense of wonderment at Hayama's words.
William McLeod was closely involved in the establishment of the Magian Society. Also,
Sri Lanka was once a member of the Commonwealth of Nations (the so-called "British Commonwealth") and has the closest ties to Britain after the Indo-Persian Federation, to which it was a member until half a year ago. By itself, McLeod's visit was not that remarkable.
But it is a different story if his traveling companion is Carla Schmidt of Germany. The professor is Germany's "apostle" ─in other words a State-recognized Strategic-Class Magician. The European Unit project met its breaking point with the outbreak of World War III, which saw the coalition splitting into East and West. Both East and West are currently in a state akin to a cold war. Given the context, it is more than remarkable the fact that she is visiting a foreign country with McLeod, another "apostle" of all people from the United Kingdom, a non-Western European Union member.
[Has Tatsuya-sama been in some way aware of this case?]
"This is the first time I've heard about it."
[I see…] Hayama exhaled softly with an emotion that was a mixture of disappointment and at the same time relief.
[During your visit to India, Tatsuya-sama, did you advise General Lars Singh on marching to Tibet?]
"Yes, I did. It was a means of distracting him from the ruins of Bukhara. Is there something about that?"
[There are signs the IPU will be launching a major military operation.]
"Towards Tibet?""
[It'd be fair to assume so.]
Behind Tatsuya, Miyuki was giving Hyogo a questioning look.
Hyogo smiled demurely, but gave a small shake of his head somewhat ruefully. For him, too, it came as an unexpected turn of events that the IPU would actually launch a military operation.
[It's my sincere relief to confirm that Tatsuya-sama is not involved in this matter. I apologize for calling at this late hour.]
The monitor of the videophone blacked out with the last image reflecting Hayama's reverent bow.
Hayama's parting line was very casual, but Tatsuya didn't miss the implication behind it. Hayama probing on his involvement was a way of telling Tatsuya that he should not get involved in the IPU's Tibetan mission.
◇◇◇
People say that life is full of surprises.
And that often things don't turn out the way we expect them to.
Yet, for as long as all things in the universe are connected by the law of cause and effect, there are still plenty of events that can be predicted.
September 4th, Saturday. The world was hit with shocking news.
The Indo-Persian Federation, one of the four great modern powers, announced a sudden declaration of war against the Tibetan government.
A declaration of war usually comes after a no shortage of warnings. Diplomatic negotiations will often turn hostile, leading to an ultimatum, or some other similar event, and then war would be declared. In this case, there was no diplomatic precedent for negotiations. Moreover, their declaration of war in a foolishly honest manner preceded their military incursion, a rule that is often not followed.
Though the formal declaration of war itself can be unpredictable as any public announcement, the mobilization of a large military force it's not as easy to keep under wraps. The Great Asian Alliance responded accordingly to the IPU movement by dispatching a proportionally large force to the border between Tibet and the Union.
That response was, in a sense, precisely what the IPU intended. One of its stated objectives in their declaration of war was to "Cooperate with the legitimate Tibetan government in order to overthrow the Greater Asia Union's puppet government and liberate the Tibetan people." It was an open secret that Tibet is independent in name only, being effectively a vassal state of the GAU. But having the GAU sending a large contingent to Tibet, before the IPU has even mobilized its forces, paints a clear picture to the international community of the grip the GAU have on the region.
To pair with this macro-level surprise, Tatsuya's life was also somewhat affected by an associated, to some extent predictable, micro-level surprise.
News of the IPU declaration of war arrived in Japan a little after noon on account of the time difference. Tatsuya, who was working on paperwork at the Magian Company office in Machida that day, returned from lunch and watched the coverage on his desk terminal.
Miyuki and Lina were at home in Chofu, Fujibayashi and Mayumi were at the Makoien Institute in Izu, leaving Tatsuya with only two other full-time female company employees on duty at the company office in Machida.
Said employees are magicians in the service of the Yotsuba family. Professionals specializing in accounting and logistics, dispatched by butler Hanabishi Tajima, Hyougo's father.
One of these clerks phoned the office to inform Tatsuya, who was in his private office, of a visitor. She states the visitor's name and their desire to speak with him. Tatsuya directs for him to be escorted to the room where he is now.
A knock on the door is followed by the clerk opening the door from the outside. Behind her stood his visitor. That was a familiar face he had not seen in a long time.
"Colonel Kazama. Please come in."
Tatsuya stood up from behind his desk and invited Kazama into the room. Sanada was a regular visitor, but it has been over half a year since Tatsuya had seen Kazama.
This private room, while small in size, sported a reception set. Tatsuya motioned Kazama to the sofa, which Kazama took, then Tatsuya sat down across from him after waiting for his guest to settle down.
With almost clockwork timing came in the office clerk with the tea. Tatsuya made his policy to prepare his own drinks when he worked in this office, not allowing even Miyuki's attempts to "pour him a cup." Having a guest in the office, however, is a different story. It is necessary to show some degree of self-respect.
It's simply a matter of circumstances, of them working in this office, that it was the female clerks' role to serve tea to visitors. On the same note, at Miyakishima's Stellar Generator head office, the male secretaries often are the ones performing the same task.
"Now to the reason for my visit" After a brief chat, Kazama cuts to the chase in a casual tone. "Tatsuya, I presume you are aware of the news of the IPU's declaration of war on
Tibet."
Once they were left alone in the room, Kazama avoided the "Shiba-san" and "Executive Director Shiba" formalities in favor of addressing the "Tatsuya" in front of him like the old days.
"Yes. I was, in fact, watching the news before I was informed of your visit, Colonel." Probably consciously from his part, but Tatsuya wasn't swayed into the same attitude. Or, better said, he didn't care. As far as he was concerned, there was no bond so to speak, at the same time there was no antipathy. He was simply not moved by the way he was addressed.
"I have been assigned to serve as a military observer in this conflict."
"Congratulations. That is a great responsibility." Tatsuya was aware of the contemporary significance of being a military observer. It is an assignment that adds a great deal of distinction to one's military career. His congratulations followed that line of thinking.
"However, on this occasion, in addition to the usual military observers from a number of nations, there will also be an international civilian observer mission to keep tabs on potential war crimes."
"Civilian observers? Is this a safe idea?"
Since the annals of time, it is an unchanged rule that civilians, individuals who are not members of armed forces or combatants, must not take part in wars. This is a rule of war that has not changed since the beginning of time. If they do regardless, their rights for protection will be voided. Though, in practice, their treatment on such occasions usually isn't as severe as otherwise suggested, mainly out of concerns of the impact on international public opinion. The extreme, inhuman treatment, torture leading to death, trial-less executions, remains nonetheless a possibility.
"I have been told that every precaution to ensure safety was being taken. Of course, the risk can't be outright eliminated, but I'm sure participants are prepared for that." "Those wouldn't happen to be a kind of zealous pacifist group, would they…?"
Armed groups flaunting the flag of pacifism have always been around. Many armed guerrillas still claim to fight for peace even in this postwar world.
"There is no need for concern at that point, the IPU did a careful check on the applicants they'll be hosting. Here is the list. I have a list of those who have announced their participation, want to have a look?" Kazama says, bringing a hand to the pocket of his suit.
This visit saw Kazama outside of his usual military fatigues, opting instead for a high-function suit with thermoelectric elements woven into the fabric. The jacket is even reversible, allowing it to be used for cooling in the summer. With the main downside that it would set back the buyer ten times the cost of an ordinary suit. Still, comparatively much cheaper than when the first designs appeared on the market and the ones with brand attached nowadays.
From that pocket Kazama pulled out a piece of paper, rather than an electronic terminal. If you want a list and are not concerned with modifying the data stored, nothing is more convenient than using a piece of the light, foldable and unhackable old paper.
Tatsuya took the offered folded sheet with a brief "If you don't mind me." He unfolded and gave a brief look at the contents.
Not even Tatsuya's poker face could survive after reading the names written there. Only that the expression replacing it was hardly one of "No way," but more in line with a "So that's how it is."
Right at the top of the list were William McLeod's name, and just below that was Carla Schmidt's. "
"Not only do I see Sir McLeod and Professor Schmidt, but the majority of this list includes other participants who are famous magicians…" A good portion of the listed names were familiar to Tatsuya. Although no Japanese among them, they were all well-known magicians ─Term that Tatsuya incidentally chose to use with Kazama, refraining from the newly coined "mageist".
"With this group assembled, I wouldn't fault people for misinterpreting it as an attempt of magicians to intervene in the war under the pretense of being civilians."
While it might sound reaching too far for some, Tatsuya's concern was credible. It is more likely that the world might see in that light.
"There will be misunderstandings until people see it in action," Kazama acknowledged Tatsuya's point, if only indirectly. "You saw the list. There is no reason to fear the civilian observer party will be thrown into the fray with the collateral risk involved."
Tatsuya didn't dispute his argument. "The risk still exists" floated in his mind, but it wasn't relevant enough to be mentioned.
"This is actually ties into the reason for my visit."
"Alright, go ahead."
The two men's gazes did not so much meet as clash in mid-air. Although Kazama's tone remained the same at this point, Tatsuya could tell that whatever the "reason for his visit" was, it won't be something he would welcome with a smile.
"I came to extend a request for participation in that civilian observer party."
Kazama's sentence lacked the critical "to whom," to which Tatsuya didn't even try to rectify with a "Me?" The answer was already clear enough.
"I have no intent to do so." A clear and straightforward answer. No, "I must refrain," or "My schedule doesn't allow it. One that didn't leave any room for persuasion.
"This is a request of the National Defense Forces."
"I respectfully decline."
"…Would you mind providing a reason as to why?" Kazama's tone became noticeably tepid in intensity.
"I have been expressly forbidden to exit the country by the main family," as a reaction, Tatsuya slightly softened his own.
"We can take care of that part. If we convince the Yotsuba main family, can I have your agreement to participate?"
"I'll ask that you come to me again when that happens." But it was only his tone that loosened, Tatsuya made no compromise.
"Understood. I hope you'll welcome me again then."
"You're welcome to visit anytime. Regardless of the acceptance or refusal of this or other matters, just warn me in advance and I can always set up a meeting for you." "That's nice to hear, I'll take your word for it," Kazama said as he stood up.
Tatsuya went so far as the front door of the office to see Kazama off.
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