Tatsuya and Miyuki weren’t the only ones looking forward to a rematch. Erika, Mikihiko, Mayumi, and Katsuto were all preparing for the next conflict – not just this solitary battle, but to combat the threat that the vampires posed. After they began their preparations, bad news came across the Pacific in late January of 2096.
"Onii-sama, this is……!"
The Shiba siblings heard the news over the television as they sat down for breakfast. Tatsuya was struck speechless that the broadcast seemed to be timed precisely for the morning in Japan.
"……Is this the same thing we heard from Shizuku……?"
"……Looks like the watered down version."
After finally finding his voice, Tatsuya replied back in a bitter tone.
The contents of the broadcast were publicized by an anonymous whistleblower within a government organization.
The news was as follows:
—On October 31st of last year, the USNA government ordered the army’s Magicians to develop a countermeasure to the secret weapon the Japanese military wielded on the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Magicians at the Dallas National Accelerator Lab ignored experts’ warnings and used the particle accelerator to summon demons.
The Magicians wanted to form pacts with the demons to counter the Japanese super weapon.
Unfortunately for them, the binding process failed and they were possessed. The vampires responsible for the civilian disturbances starting late last year were actually military Magicians possessed by these demons. The military will take responsibility for the loss of human life from three perspectives.
First, the failure to prevent the Magicians from engaging in hazardous and reckless experiments.
Second, they forcibly initiated the experiment and still failed, despite knowing the inherently high risks involved.
Third, while there is a high chance that they had lost their consciousness, the fact remains that Magicians attached to the military harmed civilians.
The bottom line was that this unfortunate turnout was the direct result of the military’s failure to corral its Magicians. Shouldn’t we seriously reevaluate whether magic, a supernatural force that, albeit powerful, has the potential to go rogue at any minute is truly in line with the country’s best interests—
"What an interesting way of packaging the message……"
"Then, is this!?"
"The real purpose was to discriminate against Magicians."
Tatsuya’s bitter voice that responded to Miyuki’s tight expression gave a feeling that was more dazed than worrisome.
"The gist is similar to the 'Humanists', but…… Since the overwhelming majority of people cannot use magic, it’s not even worth the time to consider which side the media is going to take. Compared to that, the news source is far more important."
Tatsuya initially reached his hand towards the phone, but halted that motion in the middle.
Who was he going to call……? Among the numerous candidates, for some reason a face that belonged to an opponent who wasn’t necessarily a companion crossed Miyuki’s mind.
The sudden news exploded out of nowhere – though it may be more apt to call this a scandal – and Lina literally had a headache pounding in her head.
Her direct thoughts on the matter told her that now wasn’t the time to attend school, but a combat asset like her that was 100% focused in that direction couldn’t help quiet things down even if she stayed. Plus, there were her orders to "go about like usual" from Colonel Barans herself.
There was no way she could disobey a direct order from a superior officer.
Nursing her aching head, Lina arrived at the station that said "To First High". Next, there was only a single path leading to the school gates. At least, that was how it should have been.
"Good morning, Lina."
Seeing the silhouette that suddenly blocked the path before her, Lina forgot her headache and immediately turned to flee like a rabbit.
"What’s with you all of a sudden, trying to run away when you see someone……?"
"Ah, ha ha ha……"
Lina’s tactical retreat ended in failure within three small steps.
That was because Miyuki was standing guard at the ticket booth.
Pressed into a corner by her smiling classmate, Lina could only plaster a smile on her face and try to muddle through. –Not that there was any point to this.
"Ah, forget it. No, it’s actually not a good thing, but there’s no point in being tardy for this. I have something I need to ask you, so let’s chat while we’re walking."
"……What do you want to know?"
Wariness on full alert, Lina still obediently followed along because she was in a position where causing a commotion was out of the question. Despite their brief time together, Tatsuya knew she wasn’t renowned for her patience and cut right to the chase.
"Did you catch the news this morning?"
"……I saw it, though not because I wanted to."
In response to Tatsuya’s inquiry, Lina replied in seemingly genuine discomfort.
"Which of the parts are true?"
Lina had an obligation to answer Tatsuya’s questions as honestly as she could.
However, Lina was in the mood for some serious ranting. Thankfully, her conversation partner already knew everything about her so there was no need for any secrecy as she began her tirade.
"All the key parts are lies!"
In the end, she managed to lower her volume, but the tone was quite animated.
"They only laid down the truth on the surface, and it gets worse! It’s a perfect example of information control!"
"As expected, it’s propaganda."
Despite understanding the literal meaning of Tatsuya’s words, Lina tilted her head slightly.
"What, what do you mean by as expected? Propaganda?"
"No, it’s just a simple deduction on my part. So, only the basics of the matter are true?"
"……Yes!"
The part she didn’t want pointed out was now laid out in the open. Forgetting her confusion from a few seconds ago, Lina replied in frustration.
"Still, information like this should naturally get the classified treatment. I believe that it would be difficult for people on the outside to investigate."
"……It’s probably the 'Seven Sages'."
"Seven Sages? Not the Seven Sages of Greece, are they?"
"An organization called the Seven Sages whose identities are unknown."
Hearing Lina’s words, Tatsuya was caught by surprise.
"You guys don’t know the identities of an organization within USNA borders? Is such a thing possible?"
"It is! Not that I want to admit it!"
Lina’s expression clearly advocated the truth of her words.
"The organization’s name, Seven Sages, was also supplied from their side and, no matter how hard we try, we haven’t found any hint about them. The only detail we can somewhat confirm is that there are seven people holding the title of Sage in their leadership."
"Sages…… Quite the literal definition of the term."
"Which is why I said we don’t know who they are!"
"Hold on, Lina. Please do not direct your anger at Onii-sama."
"What, I……"
Not knowing whether she should comment on Miyuki’s selective blindness or her inability to read the atmosphere, Lina was on the verge of exploding with something like "What did you say!" or "Are you saying I’m in the wrong here!?" However, after taking a few deep breaths, she managed to avoid any eye-popping behavior.
"……You lose if you pay too much attention, Angelina, and that’s just Miyuki being strange like usual. There’s no end to this if you take the bro-con declarations from the bro-con sister to heart. Don’t pay attention to bro-con weirdo, bro-con weirdo, bro-con weirdo……"
The mantra she chanted to herself in order to calm down fortunately remained unheard and thus free of reprimand.
"Lina?"
"Eh? Sorry, what’s up?"
"In regards to the Seven Sages, is there any chance that they are Humanists?"
After listening to Tatsuya’s words, Lina thought about it as she walked before shaking her head.
"Although I cannot guarantee this, that’s probably impossible. Based on their previous history, Seven Sages is not an organization that lends itself to ideology or fanaticism."
"Setting aside fanaticism for the moment, is it possible for an organization to be free of ideology?"
"……That’s a poor way of putting it on my part. There’s no prevailing line of thinking for them. Based on our investigation, they seem more like people who delight in the instance of criminal activity. Burning passion towards one particular line of thinking doesn’t fit their image. More importantly, the Seven Sages have assisted us in the past, though that appears largely one-sided."
And that was when the name Seven Sages became known, Lina added to her explanation. Tatsuya nodded in understanding and thought, it’s true that this does not fit the profile of Humanists.
"Lastly, one more thing."
Though there was still a stretch until the school gates, Tatsuya had already made the declaration that this interrogation was drawing to a close.
"……What?"
Hearing his voice becoming more serious than it was before, Lina’s response was guarded.
"Was drawing Parasites from another world the intended result?"
"No."
Lina’s reply absolutely rejected Tatsuya’s query.
"If you’re actually being serious with that question, I’m going to get angry, Tatsuya."
Now that they mention it, Lina was already furious. It’s just that her ire wasn’t pointed at Tatsuya earlier.
"I have already executed 3 of the 'Infected'. If this is someone’s plan all along, there’s no way I will forgive him."
DD was a white male who was approximately 45 years of age and had a typical appearance of brown hair and eyes. His original name was Donald Douglas, but no one called him "Mr. Douglas". Putting it nicely, it would be a term of endearment, and putting it bluntly, that’s because there was no respect involved. Ever since his childhood, everyone from coworkers to roommates had referred to him as "DD" and assumed he was a plain old human being without any positives or negatives.
Three months ago, DD was a dorm manager in Dallas. He had graduated with honors from a technical college. A few missteps (in his personal opinion) along the way had robbed him of a satisfying job, so he switched jobs quite a few times prior to his marriage.
DD was deeply unhappy with his line of work. Despite being a laborer, he held a fairly high position of responsibility in his company, and his compensation certainly wasn’t hurting his lifestyle. His income was about average for those who lived in the urban areas of America. Taking into account the Central American territories within the USNA as a whole, he might even exceed the average in some places. Nonetheless, he still believed that he deserved a better job.
In spite of this, he set aside his ambition and placed family first after getting married. Though not blessed with children, their married life was one of happiness. He was a model husband for his wife, but perhaps his self-restraint was too strong. If only he had been a little more honest with himself, he might not have been tempted by the devil that day.
The day of the miniature black hole experiment, he had been responsible for inspecting the electric distributor along the outer wall that was linked to the particle accelerator as he gazed longingly at the massive experimental device. The unfulfilled ambition sealed away in his heart became pure desire that suffused his heart. Still, that should have only been a momentary lapse. After finishing his task, DD mastered himself and returned home to be a good husband. –If a Parasite hadn’t possessed him, that is.
That day, he became a vampire. As a latent practitioner, the moment he fully assimilated with the Parasite, his own ability – Hypnosis Force awakened. Using this power, he convinced his wife that they were going to Japan of their own free will.
DD’s hypnotic power wasn’t that strong. He was unable to force people to do irregular things that lay outside such as their convictions, deeply held sense of values, or religious beliefs. The spell he cast over his wife only hinted that "they were going to Japan on a business trip".
Still, within acceptable boundaries of common sense and logic, he could still forcibly convince others of unnatural commands. For example, it was easy for him to allow the real estate agents to believe that they had gathered the necessary documentation and there was no need to go through all the paperwork. Thanks to this power, he secured lodgings for his companions who had not been dispatched by the USNA (including himself). Using common sense like "it’s impossible for demons to exist", DD manipulated eyewitness memories and hid his companions’ movements.
However, starting one week ago, his companions in the hotbed of activity began to lose their hosts one by one, necessitating a change. In order to help his companions dodge the physical examinations, he interfered with the USNA personnel’s memory to transfer them to the back of the line and used that time to contact his companions who fled the country ahead of the military to Japan to help them coordinate lodgings and the next hideout.
After taking care of the luggage in the apartment, DD contacted his companions.
(Preparations for the move have been completed.)
DD directed this comment towards the inner part of his consciousness and received a mental confirmation. Even with a practitioner skilled in reading minds present, the only thing that could be heard was probably the sound of a bee flapping its wings. This wasn’t even a question of language because DD was the only one communicating in a human language. Parasites communicated mentally, so there was no need for words. In the first place, they were similar to having one central consciousness. There was no need for everyone to consider the next step. With the companions responsible for cognitive thinking temporarily without a host right now, DD was the primary consciousness – the one responsible for human thinking.
(Then let’s set off tomorrow morning. Please take heed not to draw attention to yourselves.)
(…………)
(It’s already really late at night. Moving now would only increase the risk.)
The thoughts that came back were three in the affirmative, two in disagreement, and another that was a death cry.
"What’s going on!?"
DD couldn’t help but leap to his feet and use his real voice to shout. His "voice" traveled through the link between his eyebrows so that every one of his companions could hear him.
Yet, what came back was a stream of death cries. Almost at the same time, his companions’ links were also disappearing.
By the time the fourth person cried out, DD felt a deep worry pervade his heart.
He frantically searched his own chest.
Near the heart area, a small black needle-like object was stuck. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be some sort of pin worn on the chest. The tip of the pin penetrated the clothing but drew no blood.
Rather than considering why he had been pierced by such an object, DD reflexively tried to pull it out.
Yet, his hand was no longer obeying his thoughts. The moment after DD consciously realized he had been pierced, his entire body was overcome with pain that broke his ability to think clearly.
The pain pierced his heart and his physical body forever suspended that function.
His cause of death was shock. The coroner’s report would probably read "heart attack due to irregular shock".
Up until the end, DD was wholly unaware of the dark silhouette standing before him.
"Two seconds…… It’s quite difficult to match Oji-sama."
Picking up the fallen pin from the floor, Kuroba Mitsugu mocked himself with his murmurs.
The magic Mitsugu used to bury the vampires was of his own devising. Bearing the tasteless name "Poisoned Bees" that he applied himself, it was a sensory interference spell that increased the target’s pain perception infinitely until death. In this regard, if the target was someone who had a high pain threshold and was able to employ Counter Magic before the shock led to death then the spell would unravel, and there wasn’t any effect on opponents who could cut off their pain sensors. In terms of killing power, this paled in comparison to the "Reaper’s Blade" created by his uncle, Yotsuba Genzou, the head of the Yotsuba Family two generations ago. The mutters that leaked out of his mouth showed that Mitsugu was aware of this himself.
Still, it was premature to say that "Poisoned Bees" was magically inferior to "Reaper’s Blade". The greatest advantage to "Poisoned Bees" was its ability to finish an opponent with the tiny prick of a pin. On the other hand, "Reaper’s Blade" required personal delivery to ensure death, leaving behind wounds on a corpse and blood splatter everywhere. In comparison, "Poisoned Bees" would only leave behind a nondescript wound that would be hard to link to the cause of death. When faced with a victim of "Poisoned Bees", the initial assumption would be poison, then maybe death by suffocation, but the corpse would leave behind no evidence to support either hypothesis. For assassination purposes, "Poisoned Bees" was superb magic.
Another asset to "Poisoned Bees" was that this magic wasn’t restricted to Mitsugu alone. Unlike most sensory interference magic, "Poisoned Bees" had an Activation Sequence that wasn’t caster specific with a well streamlined process. In short, even Magicians other than Mitsugu were capable of using this magic. Naturally, this would require a degree of acclimation, but now all of the Kuroba agents employed "Poisoned Bees" as their trump card.
Hearing someone call out to him from behind, Mitsugu slowly turned around. His posture with one hand holding onto the formal hat on his head was obviously the byproduct of reading too many novels (in his subordinates’ opinion). Still, he seemed perfectly at ease while acting in character.
"Execution complete."
"Casualties?"
"None."
Mitsugu nodded in satisfaction at his subordinate’s words. These were opponents that had greatly troubled the USNA’s pursuit squads. He could be forgiven if he scored his subordinates a mite highly.
"This order came from the head of house. Don’t be lax while chasing the information bodies that fled the hosts. There’s nothing we can do about it if we lose them in the end, but they still need to be hounded to the best of our ability."
His subordinate gave off a peculiar expression after Mitsugu gave his orders. Should his naïve speech be categorized as being too lax or simply not strict enough with his subordinates? It was difficult to conciliate this image with his calm orders of mass assassinations or cold demeanor to decisively sacrifice his agents.
Kuroba Mitsugu was a hard man to understand.
With multiple masks in place, there was no way to catch his real side.
For that matter, it was very much in question whether he even had a "real side".
The longer one worked alongside him, the more this impression deepened.
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