Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 13 - Steeplechase - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

On Monday, Zhou Gongin visited Kudou Makoto’s domain at the promised time.

Makoto welcomed him and replied that he would take responsibility for allowing the refugee occultists to enter the research facility.

Zhou and Makoto were sharing smug smiles when they shook hands and parted.

And regardless of the stringent gag order, Kudou Retsu knew of the meeting an hour after it happened.

“....It is as you have heard. Makoto-dono has promised to accept the refugee occultists. And this Zhou Gongin has not asked for special rewards or conditions. The aforementioned occultists probably intend to conceal their actions under our own.”

“Is that so?”

His all white hair elegantly styled and clad in his crisp three piece suit, Kudou Retsu calmly nodded at the report of the old gentleman in the business suit with his head shaved like a monk.

“Is it alright to act unconcerned in this situation, sensei?”

The old gentleman who called Retsu "sensei" was the former master of the Kuki Clan, Kuki Mamoru. He was over sixty years in age, but considering Retsu was about to turn ninety, he was not yet at retirement age. He had turned over the clan to his eldest daughter in order to work as Retsu’s hands.

The clans of the Nine had a greater sense of unity than the other numbers. Compared to the relationship of Ten Master Clans and the eighteen associated clans, theirs were more like a main house and branch houses; it was close to that of a lord and his family and their retainers. They could be called a ‘traditional faction’; the truth of how they combined their power against mutual enemies with the Kudou clan at their core resided back to their time in Lab 9, but the reason why the Kudou clan became the head - not the Kuki nor the Kuzumi - was due to Kudou Retsu’s charisma. Recently Kudou Retsu’s influence had---regardless of Makoto’s ability to give orders to the lab’s employees---considerably thinned, but for the generation of the previous heads of the Kuki and Kuzumi clans, in short to Mamoru and the rest, Kudou Retsu was still their leader.

“It doesn’t matter. There needs to be a modification to the plan but-”

“As you say.”

“It just so happens that the day of the Nine Schools Competition that the performance test of the parasite dolls is being held, occultists of the Great Asian Alliance perform some tasks, Nine Schools Competition athletes are grievously injured by extremists manipulating public opinion behind the scenes. And under the instigation of Zhou Gongjin, occultists are sent by the traditional faction to visit our research facility which is cooperating with the extremists.”

Retsu’s reply to Mamoru’s question was mild while still being rude. It would be perfectly normal to regard the situation as altogether too convenient.

However, Mamoru was objecting to Retsu’s plan. He was not speaking as if the details of the plan needed retouching, rather he was speaking as if the plan was suddenly collapsing as it went to extremes they weren’t expecting; both Mamoru and Retsu knew that.

“Arrangements must be made to keep magic high school students from becoming victims….”

By ‘becoming victims’, Mamoru meant dying. He was ignoring victims that were merely wounded.

“Don’t do anything. The Parasite Dolls already have a limiter preventing them from attacking non-military personnel installed. We intended to have them in guerilla war mode in the current test, but in ordinary battle mode, they will not attack high school students in civilian clothing.”

Since it was already understood, Retsu did not assure him that they would not be wounded.

“The limiter wasn’t influenced by the occultists.”

Mamoru’s concern was a natural one; however, Retsu’s confidence did not waver.

“From the beginning, it has been impossible for the parasite dolls to get out of control. Both the parasite and the gynoid are tied together by a loyalty spell. The limiter is part of the loyalty spell that has essentially the same effects as the ancient Celtic Magic, ‘Geis’. The restraints of the loyalty spell are a condition for the provisioning the psions needed to allow the parasite to work with the gynoid. If the limiter is released then the psions are all emitted at once and the parasite falls into a coma-like state. The gynoid’s chassis becomes a sealing device for the parasite. The defining principle of the loyalty spell is that a price is paid for infractions of the rules.”

“You mean even if we are concerned about what Zhou Gongjin’s stratagems are, they are fruitless from the start……”

“That’s right.”

Retsu and Makoto shared a quiet laugh.

“However, then there is no one for the parasite dolls to use violence on?”

Mamoru asked his question in the tone of one exchanging quips. However, Retsu answered it in a very somber voice.

“Soldiers not identified as allies. In short, if the person is armed, he becomes a target for the parasite dolls to attack. I think Kazama-kun’s minions will deign to become our opponents.”

Retsu’s targets were not limited to the extremists or the traditional faction. This was to put an end to the forces that opposed him. Realizing that, Makoto involuntarily straightened his posture.

“Will Kazama really come to take them on? Besides, will Saeki remain silent?”

“He will take them on. At the very least, one person within his command will take them on.”

Whatever thoughts were drifting in the back of his mind at this time, Retsu’s face continued to be free of emotion.

“If he knows that the Nine Schools Competition is a target, then Miya’s son will surely move. Even if he thinks he’ll end up being played for a fool, he will have no choice but to intervene.”

“Miya…...dono, of the Yotsuba? Someone like that is under Kazama’s command?”

Retsu did not answer the question that Makoto asked in a thin voice.

“If he moves then Kazama-kun will have to act as well. If nothing else he will give his tacit consent. Since neither Kazuma-kun nor Saeki can stop him.”

Retsu released a small sigh.

***

Two thirds of July had passed, and Tatsuya was finally able to act. In addition to the quarterly exams, he had had to deal with the work piled on him due to the changes in the Nine Schools Competition. The athletes had gained a lot of experience at the new events, Row and Gunner and Shield Down; in this week’s bouts, the athletes had won more often than they had lost to their practice partners. The only remaining worry was Steeplechase Cross-country, but other than having them get used to running through the unlandscaped parts of the training forest, there was not a lot that could be done. Since they did not know what any of the obstacles being prepared were, they were not able to come up with clear solutions.

And so he managed to wriggle out some time on the night of Monday, July 21st. Tatsuya was about to plunge into the investigation of the former Lab 9 that Yakumo had planned.

Right now, Tatsuya was relaxing in a private room in a linear train headed to Nara. This was not a bus or a cabinet stowed on a trailer for long distance travel; this was a traditional train for carrying a large number of people at the same time. This type of train remained in service because it prioritized comfort over the convenience of not transferring, thus it was presented as a limited express electric train with green railway cars up to the old standards.

As for why Tatsuya had made this choice while going on a spying mission. That reason was his fellow travelers.

At first, Tatsuya and Yakumo were the only ones going.

Currently, there were four passengers in the private cabin. Tatsuya had been faced with Miyuki begging ‘Please take me with you’ and Minami simultaneously hitting him with ‘If Miyuki-sama goes on a trip, I should go with her to look after her’ until he gradually gave in.

“This is a much more pleasant ride than I thought it would be, Oniisama. Besides, I feel that this is quite speedy.”

The traveling by linear train had been Miyuki’s idea. Certainly, almost all vibrations were effectively dealt with by the cushions and the speed was on par with a short haul plane. However, curiosity was probably her first consideration. In an era that had shifted to a land transportation model where people were moved in small groups, riding a bus was unusual. Traveling in a compartment of a train that transported a large group of people together was a first for both Tatsuya and Miyuki. If even Tatsuya felt this was a little different, then Miyuki’s excitement was inevitable. On close inspection, Minami seemed a little buoyant as well.

Yakumo had arranged for this train. He had intended to get a high speed station wagon driven by a former pupil; however, when he learned that Miyuki was coming with them, he had changed his plans. One of the cars would unfortunately check into the hotel late, but this was primarily a safety measure.

There was almost no possibility that the former Lab 9 and the Numbers of 9 knew of their movements. Therefore they didn’t believe that they would receive any interference, but had considered the extremely unlikely possibility of a traffic accident occurring just in case. Like the one that had taken place en route to the Nine Schools Competition.

In regard to the linear train on that issue, as long as their adversaries were unwilling to commit an indiscriminate act of terror, an attack that looked like an accident was an impossibility. There was a possibility of an assassin traveling with them mingling in with the other passengers, but with this group an assassin was easier to deal with than an accident.

Naturally, they understood that the possibility of actually being attacked was nearly equal to zero.

In the end, the possibility that their true goal of wanting to make Miyuki and Minami happy was high.

Tatsuya’s party got off at Nara station together and separated into two groups. It has been mentioned before, but Yakumo boarded a cabinet headed in the direction of Kyoto intending to move separately.

Tatsuya and the others who saw him off at the station first went to the hotel to check in. They quickly changed clothes after unpacking their luggage. Tatsuya changed from his traveling suit to a long sleeved shirt tucked in at the waist. The material it was made from was advanced, but even so this was a rather hot outfit for the middle of summer; however, it concealed the CADs worn on both arms so it was unavoidable. It only gave him a temporary peace of mind but he had already sprayed on coolant underneath the shirt beforehand.

When Tatsuya left the room, the quarrel that occurred could be called "expected".

“.....So no matter what I say, you are going and leaving me here?”

The gaze Miyuki aimed at Tatsuya made the exaggerated claim that he was a hero embarking on a long trip around the world. She politely clasped both hands together in front of her chest. No matter how much he spoiled his sister, Tatsuya apparently couldn’t take it anymore, and his answer was extremely blunt.

“It’s dangerous. I’m not taking you.”

“I won’t be a burden to you!”

“In the first place, this is not an hour when young ladies go out. Miyuki, are you a loose young woman?”

The time was currently a little before 9:00pm. He would certainly think nothing of her going out at this hour on a school day. The remark had just slipped out of Tatsuya’s mouth in desperation as he was thinking that he didn’t have any power to persuade her, but unexpectedly it was effective.

“Tch....Understood. I will obey Oniisama’s order.”

Miyuki looked as if she had received a shock, and she nodded with her head bent down in shame.

Where on Earth could she have possibly picked up these acting skills, Tatsuya secretly thought, as he tilted his head.

“Minami. Look after Miyuki.”

However, he didn’t have any time to waste. Tonight was the only time he could use. After asking Minami to look after Miyuki (he was actually ordering her to guard Miyuki), he opened the door.

“As you wish.”

Even without looking, he was aware of Minami’s polite bow. She couldn't conceal the happiness over being able to fulfill her duty that spilled out of her voice.

Tatsuya left the area before his head started hurting.

****

Tatsuya left the hotel behind him on the rental bike he had arranged for beforehand in Tokyo and headed toward the former Lab 9. Even so, he could not go inside. He didn’t have a reason or pretext for doing so. He was on the public road in front of the research facility precisely at the midpoint between two street lights. He had parked the bike on the side of the road exactly where the light was the weakest.

Around the former Lab 9---currently, the name had been changed to ‘The Ninth Kind Magic Development Research Facility’ but among magicians it was still nicknamed the former Lab 9---for some reason there were only the scattered detached houses of the people living there; there wasn’t even a closed convenience store. It could easily be called a tranquil environment.

With so few people about, even the tiniest whisper would be easily caught by a microphone. With so little pedestrian traffic, even a single person would probably attract attention. With the conditions more difficult than he had anticipated, Tatsuya became cautious in his movements.

From the side bag in front of the bike seat, Tatsuya took out an information terminal. While he was pretending to check to see if he was on the proper road on a navigation app, he was actually using elemental sight on the inside of the research facility. The current published research topic of the former Lab 9 was perception magic. The actual state of affairs might be different, but even if it was only a pretext, it didn’t mean that they didn’t do any development of perception magic.

Even Tatsuya did not have full knowledge of all current magic. Without a melee or any other type of noise in this situation, there was a possibility that he could be detected by unknown means if he used Elemental Sight.

(But compared to sneaking in, the risk is smaller.)

As he told himself that, he used his bird's-eye view of ideas.

At first, the entire research facility entered his field of vision. Since they had chosen the Nine Schools Competition as the stage for their experiment, the P-weapon should be a weapon that used magic spells. Since they seemed to be holding a test against magician opponents, it might be a weapon that emitted magic or a weapon that inhibited magic.

Tatsuya had hypothesized two types of weapons that emitted magic. One was a weapon that used a substance like a Nino Magatama [9] that preserved magic sequences. Half a year had passed since Tatsuya had begun his analysis of Nino Magatama, but he didn’t have anything to show for it yet. However, the Former Lab 9 might have succeeded in preserving magic sequences.

The other one was a parasite and a humanoid form droid fused into a Combat Robot. Because Pixie was an example, this one had a higher probability.

Whichever one it was, he observed thick psions. If there was a device that stored magic sequences then this was the stored magic sequence. If there was a combat robot then these were the accumulation of psions that belonged to the parasite housed within.

As for the possibilities for a weapon that interfered with magic, for now he hadn’t considered it. Even if it used antinite, he possessed a pseudo-cast jamming technique himself so he was aware that he wouldn’t be able to distinguish it from a normal CAD. Searching for something he wouldn’t be able to recognize was futile.

He carefully examined the entire research facility. As he expected, there was a thick concentration of psions in one section. He tightened the focus of his ‘observation power’ on that section.

(Parasite containment……..a female model robot?)

***

At the same time that Tatsuya discovered the Parasite Doll.

“---Yes?”

Reception called the room Miyuki and Minami were staying in.

Minami picked up the phone of an old fashioned design with a speaker and microphone in the handset and turned toward Miyuki.

“Miyuki-oneesama.”

In the house, she carelessly called her Miyuki-sama. However, Minami had unconsciously made a decision that in places where other people could hear her, she would use the exact address she had been told to use.

“A guest is here for a face to face meeting.”

“A face to face meeting? With me? May I ask for a name?”

“Yes.”

Minami exchanged a few words with reception through the mike and this time when she turned around her face looked nervous.

“Kuroba Mitsugu-sama and Ayako-sama. They are in the lobby.”

Minami infected Miyuki with her nervousness.

“Inform them that I will come down immediately.”

Miyuki gave Minami those directions and hurriedly turned toward the mirror.

Miyuki proceeded to the lobby, accompanied by Minami, where the Kuroba father and daughter certainly were.

“Ah, Miyuki-chan. It’s been a while.”

Mitsugu spotted Miyuki with his keen eyes and called out to her; however, Miyuki only returned the greeting and met him halfway.

“Uncle, it has been a while since you have called on me.”

Having tied on courtesy, the distance between them shortened; Miyuki deeply bent at the waist.

“Yes, but the most important thing is that we are both so healthy, Miyuki-chan.”

Mitsugu replied with an amicable smile. It wasn’t just a look on his face; the same smile was also showing in both of his eyes. At the very least, Miyuki couldn’t see through Mitsugu’s performance with her powers of observation.

“Ayako-chan, it’s been about three months. Thank you for lending your various abilities to us in the spring incident.”

Was she smiling to the same degree as Mitsugu? Miyuki didn’t believe she was.

“You're welcome. If I was of assistance to Tatsuya-san and Miyuki-oneesama, then I am pleased.”

Therefore when she saw the light of challenge emitting from Ayako’s pupils in her smiling face, Miyuki was a little relieved.

“Why are we standing around talking? How about we sit and talk? You there, Sakurai Minami-kun. Come with us as well.”

Mitsugu gave orders to Miyuki and Minami in the guise of a suggestion. Miyuki was under no obligation to obey Mitsugu, but even without an obligation to obey, Miyuki obediently followed behind Mitsugu.

Mitsugu escorted the two of them (if his daughter was included, the three of them) not to a sofa in the lobby, but to the hotel’s tea room; he took them to a lounge styled like a private room.

“This hotel is under the patronage of the main family. Although, I didn’t think Miyuki-chan knew.”

Mitsugu had suddenly unleashed a preemptive strike by giving out confidential information in a mischievous tone without a hint of good will. Miyuki maintained her smiling face, albeit with difficulty.

“Is that so? Kokonoe-sensei arranged for this place……...what an incredible coincidence?”

“Kokonoe Yakumo-san? Then this might be the opposite of happenstance; he must have done some investigating.”

Kuroba Mitsugu along with the Kuroba clan felt wary of the name Kokonoe Yakumo.

It seemed like Miyuki’s reply was worth a passing grade by Mitsugu’s standards; the edges of his lips trembled slightly.

“Now then, sit, sit. You too, Minami-chan. Feel free to sit down.”

The first to sit, Mitsugu urged them with his hand from his chair.

“Yes, pardon me.”

Besides answering, Miyuki sat down, followed by Ayako and then Minami in order.

“It’s already late in the evening; please let us complete our business quickly.”

“Forgive us for hurrying. Our car is waiting for us.”

Ayako bowed her head slightly to Miyuki as she supplemented her father’s statement.

“Ah, please do not worry about it. If you are sparing me this time when you are on the verge of leaving, then you must have something important to speak about. Right, Uncle?”

While demonstrating that she understood the implicit message that they were not staying here tonight, Miyuki agreed to their wishes.

“That’s right. After all, we haven’t made plans to stay the night.”

After inserting the preface that didn’t need to be said, Mitsugu got down to business.

“The issue is the experiment being held at this year’s Nine Schools Competition.”

“The experimental performance test of Weapon P, which is scheduled to take place during Steeplechase Cross Country?”

“You know about Weapon P?” Mitsugu spoke up seemingly surprised. It seemed that he hadn’t thought that Miyuki knew of the weapon’s code name. However, he immediately collected himself and his inner thoughts were once again behind a hard to read smile.

“No, just the code name. Oniisama is gone right now and investigating the truth about it.”

“Oh…….”

Mitsugu constructed and displayed an ‘aw nuts’ look at Miyuki’s words.

“Uncle, what is it?”

She knew that this was bait; however, she didn't know what kind - whether it was something to her advantage or disadvantage. Miyuki couldn’t decide. If it was a choice between ‘taking the bait’ or ‘not taking the bait', then she would choose to ‘take it’.

“Actually, we were just investigating the truth about Weapon P as well.”

Agitation ran through Miyuki’s eyes. She didn’t say anything. It wasn’t that she was swallowing her words, it was more like she had no words. Next to her, Minami was wide-eyed with one hand on her mouth.

They didn’t raise an eyebrow at Miyuki’s reaction, which in a certain sense was exactly what they wanted. Mitsugu signaled to Ayako with his eyes. Ayako took out a data card for use with a mobile phone information terminal from her handbag.

Ayako had a slightly triumphant expression on her face as she handed Miyuki the data card.

“The results of the inquiry concerning the Parasite Doll, Weapon P. Please use it, Miyuki-oneesama.”

“Parasite Doll? That’s……”

“I believe it is just as you are thinking, Oneesama. A Parasite Doll is a weapon that utilizes a parasite.”

Ayako’s smile as she answered was the opposite of Miyuki’s scowl.

“As expected, a lot of effort was needed this time. The opposition is a fellow member of the Ten Master Clans; if this leaks, there's no mistake that the issue of the development of a weapon that utilizes a demonic entity will become a target for the media. The makeup of their defenses is extremely harsh. I believe investigating it in a single night is too difficult for even Tatsuya-san.”

Decoding the meaning behind the boastfulness of Ayako’s statements, Miyuki could not ignore the detail she noticed.

“Ayako-chan acquired this……..”

“No, no. This wasn’t Ayako’s efforts alone.”

And Miyuki’s question was answered by Mitsugu with a partial negation that affirmed Ayako’s involvement.

“Besides, as you well know, Ayako’s magic is suited for intelligence. Miyuki-chan is suited for combat and suppression. It’s only natural that your specialized fields are different.”

What Mitsugu said was the objective truth. Especially in a situation involving the suppression of a mass of enemies, Ayako couldn’t hold a candle to Miyuki. However, while looking at the data card in her own hand, the truth did not comfort Miyuki.

At the moment, the power to expose the conspiracy between the military and the Kudou clan was needed by Tatsuya.

At the moment, the one being useful to Tatsuya was not herself, but Ayako.

“Forgive us for summoning you. While this is rude, we really do not have much time. Excuse us for leaving.”

“Please give Tatsuya our regards.”

It took all of Miyuki’s strength to give a mechanical reply to the pair who left their seats.

***

At the Former Lab '9’ section where the psion concentration was thick, there were the same type of things as Pixie - gynoids possessed by parasites. While he was staring at them wondering why they were female shaped models, Tatsuya became aware that a conditionally activated spell was starting.

(This is? It seems like mental interference type magic, but...)

(The spell resembles Luna Strike, but it’s all been inserted into the gynoid. I can’t see which part of the mechanism it’s been inserted into. Got it, I can feel the ill-fitting signs from an add-on being made afterwards coming from that magic sequence.)

(Luna paralyzes the mind by forcibly loosening the bonds of will so that emotions will run rampant through a phantom blow. This is …..magic that will make the parasite go berserk?)

Intentionally making a weapon go out of control, the senselessness of it confused Tatsuya. Just then, his information terminal alarm rang. Tatsuya’s mind was brought back from the information dimension to the physical dimension otherwise known as this world.

The sound indicated the transmission of an emergency email. Tatsuya quickly opened the email. The transmission origin was blank, the same as email sent from one’s own home. The text was ‘Please get away from here immediately’.

This message in this situation said that someone knew Tatsuya was here - someone who had a reason to warn him. Immediately after Tatsuya confirmed the person’s identity, an indication of an impending magic attack was reflected in his ‘eye’.

It was a release type-Lightning magic and a mental interference type - an illusion magic. He had been almost completely unaware of the impending strike. Even if he got his CAD out now, he wouldn’t be in time.

After Tatsuya made that assessment, the psions housed in both hands vigorously thundered out.

With the sound of a clap, psions explosively scattered.

Gram Demolition. Anti-magic that blew away magic sequences through the pressure of psions.

Partly due to not being given directionality and also due to him using a greater quantity of psions than usual, the point of impact was obscured.

Tatsuya practically flew onto the bike and promptly took off.

The thick mist of psions became a magical smokescreen that hindered pursuit from the former Lab 9.

***

The next morning. The party was returning to Tokyo. Unlike the previous day, Miyuki was wearing a depressed look on her face. Though she had intended to appear the same as usual, his sister’s smile seemed clouded to Tatsuya’s eyes.

Going back in the same private cabin of the linear train they came in was by no means boring. Tatsuya had returned to the hotel yesterday evening close to midnight. At that time, she had merely seemed tired. When they met face to face this morning, he hadn’t received the impression anything was wrong either.

However, as they met up with Yakumo, boarded the linear train, faced each other in the cabin---for some reason, Miyuki did not sit down next to Tatsuya as usual---her face gradually clouded and immediately became the face of someone forcing herself to smile.

It wasn’t just the face of someone who didn’t feel well. After about fifteen minutes, they’d be in Tokyo, but this was not the kind of anomaly he could leave alone until they got in the house. Naturally, he was interested in what Yakumo, who had maneuvered independently, had discovered. However, right now Tatsuya felt he had to make Miyuki his first priority.

“Miyuki, did something happen. Or are you worried about something……”

“Tatsuya-niisama.”

“It’s okay, Minami-chan.”

To cover for Miyuki, Minami tried to hold off Tatsuya’s query. However, Miyuki in her turn blocked that, and put her hand in her pouch. She held out a small type of data card for use in mobile phone terminals.

“This is?”

Tatsuya took the card with a frown and questioned her.

“Last night at the hotel, Kuroba-ojisama and Ayako-chan entrusted this with me.”

“They visited you at the hotel?”

Hearing Miyuki’s answer, Tatsuya turned toward Yakumo while frowning. How did the Kuroba father and daughter know Miyuki was staying at that hotel? They hadn’t taken any special measures to conceal it, but it wasn’t like the Yotsuba normally kept Miyuki under observation. If they needed her for something, they wouldn’t be able to immediately pin down her location.

“Oh, right. That hotel is under Yotsuba sponsorship. Was that unwise?”

Tatsuya’s stare was sharp but Yakumo, who was sitting beside him, seemed unmoved as he confessed confidential information. No, confess was probably not the right term. After all, Yakumo did not see it as doing anything wrong. Tatsuya himself did not have an excuse to castigate his teacher.

“Inside is Weapon P's---the parasite doll’s data and the results of the inquiry into the upcoming experiment.”

“Parasite Doll…..is that what Weapon P is?”

While he repeated the name Miyuki applied to Weapon P, Tatsuya made the connection to the female model robots he had ‘observed’ last night.

Parasite Doll----’Parasite’ ‘Doll’.

He didn’t think the naming was overly direct but it was easy to understand. The gynoid resting in the former Lab 9 was clearly a doll with a parasite housed inside---a Parasite Doll.

“Ayako-chan said it was.”

Not Mitsugu, Ayako. Listening to that, the reason Miyuki was depressed was revealed to Tatsuya. That Ayako felt a passionate rivalry to Miyuki since she was a child was obvious to anyone who looked; however, Tatsuya was aware that Miyuki also secretly regarded Ayako as a rival. The pair’s specialties were completely different but Miyuki was still too much of a child to accept that distinction.

Tatsuya kept the data card in its case and put it in his pocket. He was interested in the contents but they were just about to arrive in Tokyo and who knows who might be watching or listening to them. …...That was the official reason he gave himself, but actually he didn’t want to do anything that looked like he was praising Ayako’s performance.

---The information Ayako had passed to Miyuki while accompanying Mitsugu was not unworthy of praise.

“Tatsuya-kun, won’t you show me what’s inside?”

Yakumo was about to make his care come to naught.

“Master, we’re nearly at the station.”

If he refused too strongly, it would be noticed by Miyuki, so Tatsuya paid attention to his tone as he made his indirect refusal.

“Don’t we still have enough time.”

“We’d be cutting it close.”

“It’s fine, Oniisama.”

Tatsuya looked as if he was going to keep refusing to the end. However, Miyuki leaned forward toward her brother, while peering downward she shook her head from side to side.

Tatsuya’s rebuttal remained on his tongue, but he silently bowed his head and agreed with Miyuki. After all, his sister had become aware of what he was doing, so he realized going any further would not be for Miyuki’s sake but for his own.

“Master, do you have a terminal.”

“It’s fine, I have one.”

Tatsuya had taken out a cable to connect the terminal to his own directly. It had been a single overnight trip, so he had only brought one handheld terminal. He and Yakumo pressed their shoulders together as they looked at the small screen. The instant he thought about doing it, he realized it wouldn’t be all that pleasant a configuration.

After Yakumo confirmed that the cord was connected to his own terminal, Tatsuya played back the data on the card he had gotten from Miyuki. Despite the contents being only text and simple diagrams, he scrolled through it at high speed as usual. Yakumo easily kept up with that speed.

Reading this amount of data normally would take fifteen to twenty minutes, but they scanned it in three minutes. Yakumo made a slightly smug look.

“Going there was effective.”

Perhaps this was his way of being considerate. If Miyuki was in her normal state, she would have probably made a complacent wicked smile. He probably expected some kind of feedback, but before Tatsuya could ask a question, Yakumo transmitted data from his own terminal.

Simple dossiers had flowed through the cable. There were three photos attached. All the names and features were classic chinese.

“These are …..the personal data of refugee occultists from the Great Asia Alliance?”

“Occultists who were smuggled in from the continent last week.”

Yakumo nodded his agreement with Tatsuya’s doubt concerning the additional information about the date and time. Tatsuya immediately understood the reason.

“I think the timing is a little too good.”

The magic the occultists specialized in were also recorded in the dossier. Wood and stone, a chinese magic that manipulates puppets made out of metal. A mental interference type of magic that temporarily gave a puppet will by working through an isolated information body. Special mention was made of a technique that took over control of isolated information bodies under the control of other magicians; it was written that it was a proficient technique for making an isolated information body go berserk once out of the control of the magician. All of the techniques that special mention was made of were examples of the same type of magic that Tatsuya had discovered within the parasite doll---the other one of Pixie’s kind at the former Lab 9.

“This is probably not a coincidence. People they could use in the current experiment were summoned.”

“Use? If they were not summoned by the Kudou clan’s designs……...no, hmmm.”

While he was asking, Tatsuya grasped the answer to his own question. What he himself had thought last night. Making your own weapon go out of control was senseless. Normally, only the enemy wanted your weapon to go out of control.

“This incident is not a straightforward affair. Although if you realize that, it might be a simple design.”

It was truly as Yakumo said, thought Tatsuya. Overly elaborate preparations were being coiled around a simple stratagem by others’ wills and even more expectations were being acquired at each phase of implementation. In the end, after everything was finished it would be impossible to tell what the thrust of the actual experiment was…….

Just then, the "about to arrive at the station" message was displayed on a cabin panel. They did not hear an announcement.

“Minami, thank you for your hard work.”

They had been on a deadline and this place was the only opening they had. With that in mind, Tatsuya had spoken to Minami.

Minami nodded and abruptly turned off her power. Instantly, the repeated announcement reached their ears. The psion shield and sound proofing field Minami had put up had been released.

Her gaze went once again to Tatsuya who had thanked her and Minami made a bow while remaining seated.