Approximately 60 kilometers west of the island of Kume was a ship, heading northwest. The ship was just a bit larger than an ordinary fishing boat. Even if it was a fishing boat, it did not catch fish, it was clear that it was returning to its port at effective speed.
A few years ago in this areas patrol boats often chased the illegal fishing vessels of the Great Asian Alliance, among which were even disguised warships of both countries. After the incident 5 years ago of the invasion of Okinawa, such cases were a covert provocation of the Great Asian Alliance. But after the conclusion of the peace treaty last year, this ship could openly cross the sea on the surface.
"Lieutenant-dono, do you really want to go? We cannot retreive you …"
"We'll figure something out later. First of all, the success of the operation is everything." Lieutenant Zhang said and lay down on his stomach in a capsule of a controlled torpedo.
Zhang was the number two among the detachment of deserters of the Great Asian Alliance. He became the leader in the current situation, when the number one, Major Daniel Liu, was captured by the Japanese army. Nobody dared to argue with Zhang when he announced that he had chosen a one-way ticket.
However, this meant that Zhang fully understood what was going on.
The phrase "something we have come up with" was his assessment of the situation. If the diversion is successful, even if the artificial island is not sunk, the chaos caused by this is inevitable. It will not be so difficult to hijack a ship capable of long navigation in all this mess.
"Close the hatch."
"Understood."
At the command of Zhang, the hatch behind him was closed. Zhang's eyes were filled with pitch darkness, but a moment later this was driven away by the dim light of the switched-on electronics.
In total, they had five such torpedo capsules. Zhang was alone in his own, while two men climbed in each of the others. These nine men formed a detachment of suicide bombers, going for their final task.
The capsules were thrown into the sea through an opening at the bottom of the ship. Each torpedo capsule propeller was enclosed with a metal cover completely covering the rear part. This was done to prevent the detection of sound waves.
Thus, moving solely by the magic of people sitting inside, five torpedo capsules began to advance towards the artificial island of Saikashin.
The banquet hall of the hotel, located on the first tier of the underground layers of the artificial island, was filled with cheers and it was now time for free communication. The gathered representatives of the elite finally regained their composure and began to cast their glances at Miyuki less.
A group of graduates, also getting rid of the tension on their faces, went to a table with food.
"I thought that Isori-senpai would also appear on stage."
During the selection of snacks, Tatsuya spoke with Isori. Taking a snack from the same plate as Tatsuya, Isori shook his head with a smile.
"Well, I had such an opportunity, but I decided to refuse. I have no one here to please with speeches."
"This is not true! I'd like to see Kei's gorgeous performance!"
Kanon reacted instantly. From her tone it was obvious that this was not the first time this topic had been brought up.
"By the way, senpai. Could you give me some of your time?"
"Tatsuya-sama?"
The one who was surprised at this proposal, was not Isori himself, but Miyuki. What she did not say at the moment "Onii-sama" showed that she, it seems, had finally gotten used to it during this time. Actually Isori was also puzzled, but Miyuki overtook him with her reaction.
"... Did something happen?"
It seems instead of surprise, Isori felt worried. From Tatsuya's expression, he realized that his reasoning was correct.
"I got it. Let's go there."
The Isori family has to do with the design of this artificial island. So he knew about the presence of a small room next to the banquet hall. It was a room prepared for changing clothes, so today it should not be used.
"Miyuki, wait for me here. Minami, I trust Miyuki to you.”
"...Understood."
"Yes, Tatsuya-sama."
"Kanon, wait, too."
Tatsuya stopped Miyuki, who tried to follow them, and Isori, stopped Kanon, after which these two, without attracting any attention, went to the next room.
"So, what really happened?" Although there was no one in the room, Isori immediately addressed Tatsuya in a whisper.
"This party is being aimed at by deserters from the Great Asian Alliance."
Tatsuya honestly answered Isori's question. From Isori's mouth came a sound. It was not the sound of swallowing saliva, but more like a muffled cry.
"Why now..." With a hoarse voice Isori reproached Tatsuya. The broken phrase should be "Why didn't you tell me before?".
"Please do not get me wrong." Lifting his right hand in front of him, he stopped Isori with a stop gesture to calm down. "Countermeasures against the planned attack have already been completed. They will be unable to do anything."
Although it seemed that he did not fully believe Tatsuya's words, Isori still made it clear that he was ready to listen further.
"Saboteurs will approach the artificial island under the water and plan to place bombs to puncture the pontoons."
"...In that case, this island will not sink."
"However, today's party will be canceled? If they carry out the plan"
It seems, Isori, at last, has restored calmness and the ability to reason normally. He directed a questioning glance at Tatsuya.
"Your words sound pretty confident, but... why did you tell me all this?"
"To ask you to be careful if the battle does begin."
"Even if you did not say, you're going to be involved in some dangerous business?" asked Isori with his usual pacifist expression. However, Tatsuya's face showed an obvious answer.
In addition, Tatsuya laid out the cards that destroyed Isori's poker face.
"I know about the defense system of this artificial island, which was made by engraving magic. Sempai can also freely activate this magic."
Isori opened his eyes wide. However, immediately nodded quickly with an understanding face.
"It's normal for Shiba-kun to know this. In that case, do you know that it is impossible to install a bomb without the help of the defense forces?"
Isori was one of the direct participants in the Yokohama incident. He knows that Tatsuya is a special officer of the national self-defense forces.
"To begin with, they cannot even get close. There is a repulsive force field, generated on the surface of the pontoons, in order to drive away large marine inhabitants, which will also affect people. They will not be injured, but bio-electromagnetism will not allow them to approach the pontoons or mining facility."
"Correct. In addition, the adherent deposits are also peeled off by ultrasonic cleaning. Therefore, it is impossible to install a bomb while there is a magician capable of activating the magic of engraving by my family, even if it's not me."
"Exactly. The fact is that the saboteurs also know this."
The complexion of Isori changed. He was not stupid enough not to understand the meaning of these words.
"...Will they target me, too?"
"Correct. To be precise, they already aimed at sempai, right?" Tatsuya nodded in his calm, unbiased manner. "But be calm. A magician of the self defense forces is here and will guard you."
At the moment, as Tatsuya said this, Behind Isori, the presence of a man appeared. Hurriedly turning Isori gave the honor to the magician in the uniform of the waiter.
"When did he…"
Without answering Isori's question, the magician, disguised as a waiter, introduced himself:
"The National Defense Forces, Chief Sergeant Haebaru, at your service.
I apologize for not being able to say which division I belong to, as this is a military secret."
The soldier, who introduced himself as Haebaru, was a lean man of about 30 years of age. However, even poorly versed in this Isori realized that he is not in such a physical state, that he would be noticed at first glance.
"Sergeant Major, who is an escort specialist. He is excellent in personal protective magic, and also has extensive experience in battles. Please tell the sergeant about your plans for movement."
Confirming that Isori nodded, Tatsuya suggested:
"Then, come back."
Returning to the Hall, there was a beautiful woman in a modest dress who at first sight left the impression of "the secretary of the president of the famous corporation".
"Senpai, please go back to the table without me."
"I got it." Isori, without asking who this woman was, returned to the table, where Kanon and the others crowded. Because he recognized her, too.
"Is that the eldest son of the Isori family? What a sweet boy. He should have a dress."
"Only do not say so, please. I can guess for him this is a painful topic."
"I will not say so. Do I look so careless?"
"No, just in case." Tatsuya replied carefully. She showed the furious smile of Fujibayashi.
"They came?" He asked in a tone of secular conversation.
"Yes. They will come into contact with the line of defense in five minutes."
Around them was activated "Barrier" cast by Fujibayashi, protecting them from anyone listening in, set so that no one noticed it. It was not a modern magical soundproofing field, but the inherited ancient magic of the Fujibayashi family. Unlike strong modern magic, this ancient magic was poorly perceived by sensors, which suited this place well.
"So it's about ten minutes to get to the surface?"
"Maybe a little earlier."
"I got it. Then I will also begin to prepare for the engagement."
"I got it. I'll tell the commander."
Already intending to leave, Tatsuya stopped, noticing in the look of Fujibayashi's a desire to say something.
"Something else?"
"Tatsuya-kun, you seem ... not at all baffled."
"What are you talking about?" Tatsuya was not pretending to be a fool.
The words of Fujibayashi were too vague, and he did not know what she was hinting at.
"I heard that five years ago Tatsuya-kun also lost a loved one."
"This is true. So what?" Tatsuya's voice could only be called unfeeling.
"The same terrain, the same enemy, everything is the same. ...I would also like to become so strong."
"This is absolutely not the same. The nature and position of the enemy are different from that time." However, Tatsuya gave an honest answer.
"Besides, there's only one really important person for me."
The name of this person was not necessary to ask.
"...Even if you do not lose Miyuki-san, do others not matter?"
"This is a meaningless assumption. Since, while I'm alive, nothing will happen." Tatsuya responded with absolutely no tension and this time left Fujibayashi.
Curious views were gathered on Tatsuya's table that he had come back to. In fact, Kirihara and Hattori were already ready to open their mouths to ask.
"Excuse me." But Tatsuya took the initiative. "They contacted me from the main house of the family, I had to solve one thing."
Until last year, Tatsuya was cautious about various things in order to keep the secret of the "family". However, now he can use the pretext that he is a relative of the Yotsuba family. If you hint that this is a matter of the Yotsuba family, then there will be no unnecessary questions because of the scary reputation. Honestly, Tatsuya felt that it would be imprudent to use this "excuse" every time. Though, as expected, the question
"What's the matter?" was not asked.
"The situation is not yet complete. Miyuki, I'll be back at the end of the party."
"Yes, Tatsuya-sama. I'll wait with patience."
Tatsuya nodded and went to Benio Ushio. To also inform about the unfinished business.
"So you're calling him Tatsuya-sama now?" With her gaze at Miyuki, Azusa spoke up.
"Yes. Because 'Tatsuya-san' sounds unsuitable."
Despite the suddenly raised topic (Miyuki while standing in front of Azusa had already many times used "Tatsuya-sama"), Miyuki did not panic and with a radiant smile answered this question. On such a frank answer, Azusa could not react in any way, except to smile.
"Ha~, no, well, what can I say... Shiba-san and his repertoire." Kanon with the expression "thank you for eating" on her face, looked at the ceiling. "For me it seems impossible…"
"Kanon is as good as it is. So I'm happy.”
"Ehehe... is this true?" Kanon pressed closer to Isori, standing beside him.
"Ah, those two are again in their own separate world. Indeed, where did the modesty of Yamato Nadysiko go?” [ed: expression describing the ideal Japanese woman] Kirihara turned away his gaze from those who began to spread the love atmosphere and began to complain.
"Says someone who is here with a girl."
Tsukkomi Hattori had no effect on Kirihara, but:
"So Kirihara-kun likes modest girls? Well, then I'll decide to abstain for a bit."
"Hey!" He could not hide his frustration at Sayaka's gag though.
While the graduates, including the "created their own world Isori and Kanon" all laughed together, Honoka and Shizuku spoke in a low voice with Miyuki.
"Miyuki, do not you have to go?"
"Can we help?"
"I believe that to be calm is the best assistance we can provide."
With her answer, Miyuki did not disclose the real state of affairs.
Initially, it was even included in the operation plan that Miyuki will play an important role for the final stage. But now she could relax.
Miyuki's answer was justified from the point of view of minor civilians, and Honoka and Shizuku were convinced. However, there were those who did not retreat. Those who have the foresighted from the very beginning to anticipate any impending disaster. Tatsuya (although Miyuki too) slightly underestimated the hot blood of the graduates.
Approximately one kilometer west of the artificial island of Saikashin.
Illuminated by the light of the full moon, a man stood on the waves. A giant in white armor that was of the Chinese style. Wrapped in the magical "Armor of the White Tiger" was Lu Ganghu.
"They'll be here soon."
"Understood. I’ll start the dive."
"I think you know that although the armor of the White Tiger does not belong to ‘Fire,’ it is still poorly compatible with ‘Water.’"
"I understand. But if you do not give them any advantage, it will not be interesting at all."
"Well, we are talking about the captain, who does not consider ‘Fire’ as something significant. We have nothing to worry about."
"Please leave it to me."
"All right, go ahead."
On the orders of Chen Xiangshan, the body of Lu Ganghu began to sink underwater. This was not strange in itself. On the contrary, the man standing on the surface of the water looked abnormal. However, instead of falling into the sea, splashing water, the figure slowly went under the water - that's what looked strange.
Lu Ganghu did not have an oxygen tank behind him, nor a breathing tube. But he breathed as usual. If you look closely, his body does not touch the sea water. The huge body of Lu Ganghu, dressed in the Armor of the White Tiger, was covered with a thin layer of air.
He stopped sinking and looked straight ahead. Neither the light of the stars nor the light of the moon reached that depth. The water of the night sea was filled with darkness. Nothing was visible even at arm's length.
There was very little physical light.
However, Lu Ganghu could see the psion light emitted by the body of those that use magic.
Leaning with his feet on the sea water, Lu Ganghu stretched his left hand forward, and pulled his right back.
The layer of gas covering his body became thicker. To the air taken from the surface of the sea, he added the oxygen extracted from the sea water. Usually this leads to oxygen poisoning, but Lu Ganghu's was used to consumed highly concentrated oxygen to increase "strength."
Pulling forward his right hand, he released the energy accumulated by this "technique" of energy in the form of a powerful "wave." This
"wave" did not move water, but acted only on living beings. Lu Ganghu felt the response of the "wave" oscillation, which bounced off something. Starting from the water, he ran forward.
Going below the torpedo capsule, he kicked his foot up, throwing it upwards. The two people were thrown out of the capsule, which had its nose lifted upward. They panicked and tried to surface.
Of the other capsules, one by one, the deserters jumped up and began to climb to the surface. Lu Ganghu followed them with a fierce smile.
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