Saturday, April 6, 2097. At the Magic University in Tokyo, the induction ceremony was successfully completed.
However, the coastal region of Hokuriku was shrouded in tension, which made the whole body tremble. The reason for this was the appearance of a suspicious vessel, seen yesterday in the coastal waters of Sado.
Five years ago, at the same time, when the Great Asian Alliance invaded Okinawa, the New Soviet Union landed a small detachment on Sado Island. Even if it is said that the detachment is small, it was enough to destroy the local garrison and capture the most important objects of the island. Many civilians were victims at that time. Kichijouji's parents, who were employees of the magic research lab on this island, were also killed during the battles.
The New Soviet Union has not yet acknowledged that the troops that landed in Sado belonged to their country. However, local residents did not care why the government of the New Soviet Union pretends to be fools.
We will not let them devastate our native lands again. Be it an army of another country, be it an armed grouping of an organization.
Every volunteer who helped to break the invasion at that time, swore in his own heart. And now they came together to fulfill the oath of that time.
Among the newly assembled volunteers were also those who five years ago did not yet have the strength to resist the enemies. They also vowed with those who fought then, risking their lives. Among them was Kichijouji, who lost his parents at a time when the land of Sado was trampled by the shoes of unidentified armed men.
"George, calm down."
Kichijouji could not dismiss the thought of revenge. The discovered suspicious ship, undoubtedly, also belonged to the New Soviet Union.
"These are my words, Masaki." However, at least in appearance, Kichijouji controlled his emotions.
"...Since you say so, everything seems to be in order." Standing next to him Masaki felt relief.
"Team, are you ready !? Ichijou Gouki, the head of the Ichijou family, the acting commander of the volunteer squad, turned to the soldiers, asking for their readiness.
"Yes, yes!" All the volunteers shouted in a single rush. Masaki and Kichijouji also unleashed a full war cry.
"Well! Team, go!"
"Oh, oh!"
One hundred and nine magicians with a war cry began landing on three so-called seabed exploration vessels, but in fact they are armored ships belonging to the Ichijou family. At this point, most of the male magicians that the Ichijou family can mobilize have gathered.
The ships they sat on were not military missile carriers, but armadillos of the old style (because these were private ships). Although the case was in the old style, new equipment technologies gave speed at the modern level. Unfortunately, they had a disadvantage - low maneuverability.
From missiles and shells they can be protected by magic. But something like a machine gun for a magician - rather troublesome problems. So using an armored ship to transport a group of magicians was a reasonable choice.
Three ships left the port.
Of the three ships of this "fleet", two will land people on the island of Sado. And the third will go to the side of a suspicious ship at sea.
Yesterday, a stratospheric camera recorded the entrance of a suspicious ship into the territorial waters of Japan off the coast of Sado.
At the moment, this ship returned to the open sea (meaning: came out of territorial waters). The ship cannot be captured, since the right to pursue was not officially recorded, and it does not violate Japan's economic interests, so it was planned to keep it under control, just getting close to it. But if they attack, then it will be a different conversation.
After leaving the port, Gouki turned to the guy standing next to him.
"Shinkurou, are you okay?"
Kichijouji and Masaki were on the same ship as Gouki.
"Y-yes! All is well!"
"Are not you afraid?"
"...To be honest, I'm a little afraid."
"This is normal." Gouki nodded in satisfaction, replying to Kichijouji.
You cannot rely on normal judgment when in a state of anger, hatred or numb with fear. Without courage, only quick death awaits in the battle.
Gouki did not want this fate for those who followed him into battle.
Then he turned to his son.
"Masaki."
"Yes."
"Of course, you will not be afraid?"
"I know. I will not show fear."
I'm not "not scared," but "I will not show fear." Gouki grinned at Masaki's response.
"Good. For you it will be normal on the advanced positions of the vanguard.
Shiba Tatsuya-dono from the Yotsuba family recently demonstrated combat feats in the waters of the Okinawa archipelago. Play is prohibited!"
"I understand."
Tatsuya's participation in preventing the diversion of an artificial island in the waters of Kumetzim, the Okinawa archipelago, was kept secret.
However, a review of the incident was revealed to each of the chapters of the Ten Master Clans. There is an obligation to notify the other Master Clans in the event that one of these Clans participated in a magical battle.
This is a measure intended to limit the abuse of magic for personal purposes.
Although it cannot be said that this rule is protected from bad faith (for example, details of the use of magic in combat are usually concealed), but this time it was a joint operation with the military, and the Yotsuba family immediately told the other nine families some facts .
nitially, this information is only for the heads of families. For example, Kasumi, Izumi, Shippou Takuma and Mitsuya Shiina did not hear about it from their parents. However, Gouki reported this to Masaki that same evening.
Naturally, this was done to motivate his son. And it was not necessary to say that Gouki was on target. From the next day after the story, Masaki gave himself entirely to training and even now was full of morale.
As already mentioned, one of the three ships that left the port was approaching a suspicious vessel. His task was to control the actions of the enemy and try to force him to attack. If the other side attacks, then under the pretext of a counterattack it will be possible to attack in response even in neutral waters.
And this dangerous role of bait took over the ship on which was Gouki on. Many were against such a strategy. No, it would not be an exaggeration to say that everyone except Gouki and Masaki opposed this.
Number One and Number Two of the Ichijou family rushes to the most dangerous place on the same ship. Everyone who is aware of the importance of risk diversification must say that this is recklessness.
However, Gouki did not listen to the persuasion of his subordinates. "Is not the strongest and the most likely survivor to be in the vanguard of the fighting ranks?" These were the words of Gouki.
He is the organizer of a squad of volunteers. He had no intention of creating an army.
For Gouki, his subordinates were those whom he must protect.
Paraphrasing, they were like family to him. When protecting citizens and national interests, the army always inevitably lost soldiers. However, the Ten Master Clans are an organization that defends the interests of magicians, and their subordinate magicians are also citizens of this country. Unlike soldiers who are not considered civilians in wartime, they must be protected, for the Ichijou family, her subordinate magicians, even during the battle, are "comrades" whom she must protect. At least, Gouki thought so. Masaki also adopted his father's beliefs.
But the ideas of Gouki and Masaki had a rational explanation. From the point of view of focusing the force, it is wise to send magicians Number One and Number Two to the necessary places of battle.
In addition, even for the Ichijou family of the Ten Master Clans, it was a challenge to find enough magicians with sea battle skills.
As a rule, magic effects one event, one object, and requires a high level of skills to designate only a part of the object when the event changes.
Magic with an effect on an area that changes an event in a certain space, for the same reason, is considered more complex than point magic, which designates a specific object.
The special magic of the Ichijou family is "Rupture". This is magic, almost instantly evaporates liquids. The goal may not only be fluid in the human body or inside a machine. Seawater can also be exposed to a
"rupture". For the magician of the Ichijou family, the surface of the sea is like a warehouse of endless ammunition.
But no matter how good a magician is, it's impossible to make all the sea water magic. In order to really blow up seawater, some part of the sea must be mentally cut from the general mass and designated as the goal of magic.
This problem concerns not only the "gap". To use sea water as a means of attack, no one can escape the obstacles that "it is necessary to specify only a part of the object." Shells from sea water are more difficult to make than air bullets, because, unlike air, water is visible and connects the mind with the sensation that "this is one huge object that is everywhere." The magic of liquid evaporation is a useful technique in a sea battle, however, the magicians who can use it in real combat are unexpectedly few.
On one ship from the Gouki were collected magicians who mastered such a skill. This was another reason why Masaki got on the same ship as Gouki.
In any case, the stage of discussion of the formulations has passed.
Changing the plan at this point will lead to confusion.
Having reached Sado, the fleet was divided into 2 groups, 2 ships in the first, and 1 ship in the second. Two ships circled the island from the south and landed at the port of Ryotsu, which is on the eastern shore.
And the ship from Gouki and Masaki continued to go to the north, not turning off.
An unknown ship was discovered 50 nautical miles north of Sado. But nothing can be done while it is away from territorial waters.
In addition, Gouki's ship is primarily a private vessel. Strictly speaking, he does not have the authority to intercept and search. From the very beginning, he was ready for illegal actions (piracy).
But still, he was not going to suddenly sink this ship.
Military power was enough for this. Gouki's ship did not carry weapons, but the combat power of the magicians on board the ship over compensated for the lack of weapons. No, for Gouki alone, it would not be difficult to sink one warship.
The Strategic Class Magician is defined by the expression: "A user of magic who can destroy a city or fleet with one magic challenge."
If you replace "one magic challenge" with "one battle" in this expression, then this definition is suitable for Gouki.
With the Ichijou family "Rupture", which is good in destroying not only human bodies, but also machines, it can easily sink five or even ten warships in a row. And if the enemy does not have a magician comparable in strength to the Ten Master Clans, then Gouki alone can destroy a whole fleet.
On this side, the nearby volunteers had less risk. But Gouki who guided them, instead of sinking the ship without any unnecessary questions, decided to go on a close battle with the enemy in order to find out his identity.
Five years ago, when he was evacuated from Sado, the New Soviet Union completely denied any involvement. There were no prisoners from Japan, and there was nothing on the corpses that would help prove the identity, so the New Soviet Union could not be blamed.
Despite the fact that the invasion troops were discarded, from a diplomatic point of view, this incident ended in defeat for Japan. It was this bitter memory that made Gouki choose such a risky plan.
"Is the enemy ship moving?" When the suspicious ship was in sight, Gouki cried out a question he had asked many times before.
"It's not moving!" The answer of the subordinate was the same.
There was no radiation of active radars, no increase in heat emission by the inclusion of an engine. There were also no signs of guns aiming or missiles launching. The suspicious ship was suspiciously quiet.
It was impossible to say that there was no movement at all. Gouki was sure of that. In any case, they were already approaching the distance where you can see with the naked eye.
The suspicious ship looked like a small cargo ship. Small by the standards of cargo ships, because its size exceeded the size of the destroyer. There were no signs of weapons on board, but everyone remembered the example of a disguised ship in the Yokohama incident.
The volunteers did not lose their vigilance for a second.
However, there was no point coming here just to see.
"Reconnaissance squad, go ahead!" - Gouki finally made the decision.
"There!"
Masaki cheerfully answered the order. Like the four young men standing behind him.
For convenience, Gouki called it "reconnaissance squad", but in fact it was the vanguard sent to gain total control over the enemy ship. The members of the detachment, not even mentioning their fighting strength, were chosen on the basis of defense and maneuvering abilities that will help survive even in an extremely desperate situation.
"Masaki, be careful."
Kichijouji did not behave like a man who dissuaded me at the moment when the order was already sent. He received the role of supporting the withdrawal of troops in the event of an emergency, and will follow the movements of the "reconnaissance squad" through information obtained from the stratospheric chamber.
"I rely on your support, George."
Kichijouji nodded to Masaki counting on him.
Masaki stretched out his lips in a smile and jumped off the deck into the sea. He did not dive. His feet did not sink below sea level.
Immediately, as their feet touched the waves, Masaki and four people behind him, as if nothing had happened, ran on the water towards the suspicious ship.
?
?
?
?
While running on the water there were no attacks aimed at them. Five people led by Masaki quickly reached the target ship and jumped onto the deck one by one. Of course, it's good if the enemy is hiding, but even here they were not attacked.
"What's happening? George, do you see anything?"
Masaki, who sensed something wrong, stood in a position near the edge, where he could be evacuated at any time, and contacted Kichijouji.
"The camera did not detect human silhouettes. Judging by the data collected from observation, the ship looks unmanned."
Kichijouji checked not only the information from the stratospheric camera, but also watched the communication channel with the sensors installed in the equipment of Masaki and other volunteers.
Consequently, his answer meant that there were no threats found. This response helped Masaki slightly ease tension.
"...Wait, Masaki. Your sensors found a gas leak there." However, the words of the strained Kichijouji, quickly spoken, quickly restored vigilance to him. Instead of commissioning a subordinate, he checked his sensor himself. Although it was a simple multi-purpose detector in the form of a wristwatch, it could clearly show the concentration of flammable gas in the air above the ship.
"Everyone raise barriers and evacuate the ship."
The detected gas was propane. It was probably chosen because it is colorless and odorless, and also heavier than air and slowly dissipated.
However, it was an inferior trap. Although it is said that it is difficult to dissipate, even a light wind will quickly blow this gas out just like any light methane.
In addition, even if the entire ship is filled with propane gas, its expected combustion power is insufficient to break through the barrier magic of the elite Ichijou family fighters. Also, propane gas has a very low upper explosive threshold (the upper limit of concentration, beyond which gas will not explode), so it is not suitable for attack.
And the lower explosive limit is so low that you cannot think of anything other than the effect of surprise, annoying enemies.
That's why Masaki's instructions did not have a hint of urgency.
Meanwhile, the gas spread to the side of Gouki's ship. They have already heard about the gas through wireless communication.
Perhaps it was a trap.
That's why the relaxed Gouki looked at the water's surface with astonishment.
"On the surface of the sea, signs of the activation of magic...!"
Kichijouji could not finish his sentence. Until that moment, there were no signs of a magical attack. But now the Gouki's ship was surrounded by a huge number of magic sequences activated on the surface of the sea.
All of them were activated simultaneously at the same time as they appeared.
"Father!"
Standing on the surface of the sea, Masaki also noticed signs of activation of magic. The next moment, right before his eyes, the sea exploded. There was multiple simultaneous explosions, similar to a blasted minefield, strewn with mines without spaces.
Thrown back by a sudden rush of air from the blast wave, Masaki's group fell into the water. Masaki's overview was hampered by the emergence of water sprays, steam and rain from sea water.
"Damn!"
Calling the air flow, Masaki returned to the surface of the sea.
"Father!"
The sight of the ship has not changed. The armor, which was considered obsolete, turned out to be not for sight. It seems that the magic barriers were not enough, and the ship was badly damaged. Damage to the front of the deck was minor. This meant that the newest developed multilayered barriers were able to withstand the blast. Masaki intuitively was sure that his father used defensive magic.
However, his relief did not last long.
"Masaki, Masaki! With Gouki-san...!" From the dynamics of the communicator, the confused voice of Kichijouji burst out and reached Masaki's ears.
Feeling the ominous cold running down his spine, Masaki shouted into the microphone.
"George!" What about my father !?
"It's awful! Return fast, faster!"
"Got it!"
Masaki, completely forgetting about the command of his subordinates, rushed to the side of an armored ship. Fortunately, there was no attack from the suspicious ship. And the remnants of the explosive gas were thrown back by the blast wave.
Tomorrow, April 7, the admission ceremony to the Nine Schools of Magic will take place. Miyuki, as the president of the school board, expects a lot of different work. Not only welcome introductory speech on behalf of all current students, but also management of the progress of the whole ceremony, meeting with guests and much more.
Other behind-the-scenes work can be shared with other members of the school board. Therefore, Tatsuya for a while will work separately from Miyuki, and for him it will not be "just Sunday."
In addition, since Miyuki was declared the next head of the Yotsuba family, the entertainment time of the guests will undoubtedly decrease.
Last year, many "guests" with evil intentions ran after her, but now, having learned that she is a magician of Yotsuba, the number of brave souls overwhelmed with such a desire will be greatly reduced.
Given this future responsibility of Miyuki, Tatsuya wanted to give her the opportunity to rest as soon as possible. But after learning the contents of the secret message that came after dinner, he could no longer say that it would work. When he finished reading the letter in his room, Tatsuya pressed the intercom button for Miyuki's room.
When Miyuki entered the living room and sat on the couch, Tatsuya ordered Minami to close the window. This room had high sound insulation, completely blocking sounds for external listeners. Peeping, of course, also was impossible.
Seeing Tatsuya's more cautious behavior than usual, Miyuki realized that the "question is not easy" and straightened up.
"Sorry, that at such a time."
"No, you did not interrupt anything. So, Onii-sama ... Is this something from Maya-sama?"
During dinner, about an hour ago, Tatsuya told her "today you must finish your work early and have a rest". She was going to take a bath at the moment when he called her on intercom. She was not dissatisfied with this. If Tatsuya said that he has something to say - this is a top priority for Miyuki.
If Tatsuya calls, then whenever it happens, wherever she is, whatever she does, she will hurry to him. Regardless of whether this is possible or not, Miyuki will always have this feeling.
On the other hand, Tatsuya will never abuse the feelings of Miyuki.
Tatsuya also puts Miyuki as a priority at anytime, anywhere, and in any situation. Although this interruption of the affairs of Miyuki often contradicts her will, she knows that all these decisions are made on the basis of the notion "everything is done for the sake of Miyuki." In the case of Tatsuya, this is not even "within the limits", but "always". It is also not an exaggeration to add the word "absolutely."
Therefore, Miyuki thought, what was so impossible that the head of Yotsuba could ask for, that could be more important than tomorrow's arrival ceremony?
"Yes, this is a report from the head of the family, and there are no orders for us."
"Report...?"
Not an order, not a notice, not another attempt at communication, but a report. Although she was declared the heiress of Yotsuba, until now it was only a formality. It is unlikely that the position of Maya and the heads of branch families will change so suddenly. In other words, there was important information. Miyuki realized this. And her thoughts were not wrong.
"This afternoon, the head of the Ichijou family, Ichijou Gouki-dono fell into the trap of the enemy and is now in serious condition. He is conscious, but it seems he cannot move normally. Also, it says that it seems he did not get physical damage. The head of the family suggested that the magic calculation zone was paralyzed by overload."
Miyuki turned petrified, covering her mouth with her hands and opening her eyes wide. Minami was so surprised that she could not even change her expression.
"They were trying to seize a ship of unknown origin, from which hostile actions were expected. During the attempted capture, they were subjected to a powerful explosion caused by magic. Ichijou-dono unfolded a four-layered magic barrier to protect his people and barely kept the onslaught of this force to the last remaining layer. Thus, the report concluded that serious damage to the magic calculation zone was caused by the destruction of three layers of a large-scale barrier covering more than a hundred people."
"More than a hundred people ..." Minami whispered in a startled voice, still holding the same petrified face. Since barrier magic was her strong point, she was well aware of how terrible this load was.
"The Ichijou family is not as strong in defensive magic as the Juumonji family. The choice of the technique of simultaneous multilayered barriers was completely unreasonable."
"Onii-sama..." Miyuki whispered anxiously, watching Tatsuya indifferently utter his words. She thought that he remembered about her -
Honami, who burned her life with an overload, using the magic of a large-scale barrier.
Sakurai Honami. Miya's guardian, mother to Tatsuya and Miyuki, as well as genetically aunt Minami. A woman with the same face as Minami, with the same appearance that she will have when she grows up. Five years ago, having given all her strength, she defended Tatsuya from large-scale shelling from warships.
Discuss the situation, similar to the death of Honami in front of the girl who is her exact copy... It's like opening the lid of painful memories.
Miyuki thought that since she feels this way herself, then her brother just suffers even more.
"...Miyuki, I'm sorry. I think I reminded you of sad events."
However, Tatsuya seems to have misunderstood the essence of Miyuki's suffering. No ... is it wrong? Really?
But Miyuki's suspicions were immediately discarded.
"We cannot do without recognizing such things in our situation.
Tatsuya's voice was not disturbed by the memories of old times.
"Judging only by magical skills, Ichijou from Third High can become the head of the family right now. However, magical power alone is not enough for the status of the head of the Ichijou family responsible for defending part of the coast of the Sea of Japan."
After this explanation Tatsuya, Miyuki thought that, finally, she realized the seriousness of the situation. Five years ago, the key role in repulsing the attack of an unknown enemy in an incident involving an invasion of Sado was played not by the army, but by volunteers gathered from the subordinates of the Ichijou family. The presence of the Ichijou family in the defense of the coast of the Sea of Japan from Hokuriku to Tohoku is so great.
The Ichijou family not has only excellent magical abilities, but also leadership, under the influence of which they received many subordinate magicians in the Hokuriku region and the western half of Tohoku. These magicians supplemented their fighting power of the defense army, dispersed from Okinawa and Kyushu to Hokkaido.
When the head of the Ichijou family is immobilized, this is not only a problem for the Ten Master Clans, but also a huge hole in the organization of the country's defense.
"Of course, the Ichijou family should also have countermeasures for the case when the head is temporarily absent. Without a doubt, the families of Ithinkour and Issiki will strengthen their support. However, it seems, the Yotsuba will not be allowed to sit idle."
"So, we also have to help?"
"At the moment, we just sent Yuuka-san to treat Ichijou-dono. Tatsuya answered Miyuki's question in a not very confident voice. Perhaps he believes that this is not the end. However, Miyuki was now more concerned with what he had said, rather than his pessimistic expectation."
"I did not know that Yuuka-san can treat magicians."
"Yuuka-san is studying in postgraduate study the phenomenon of deterioration of the performance of the magic calculation zone by excessive use of magic, the so-called 'overheating of the calculation zone of magic'."
"That's it..."
"The head of the family seems to be actively supporting this study.
After all, for a gifted magician, the phenomenon of overheating of the magic calculation zone is a threat to life, and not just to magical skills.
But even without the order of the head of the family, she could not remain indifferent."
For Tatsuya's generation, the only example of the loss of life from the
"overheating magic calculation zone" was Honami, but in the Yotsuba family there were many victims of this phenomenon, including the previous head of the family, Yotsuba Ganzo.
The development of methods for the therapy of this problem was also conducted at the time of the previous head of the family.
This is not only the Yotsuba family. The magic technique, which is the trump card of the Juumonji family, also has the prerequisites to cause
"overheating of the magic calculation zone". Juumonji Kazuki, the previous head of the Juumonji family, lost his magician's ability because of this. The Juumonji family investigated methods for preventing overheating.
In fact, the study of this problem involved magical researchers not only the families of Yotsuba and Juumonji. The magic calculation zone still remains a "black box", the device of which has not been clarified, and outside the families of Yotsuba and Juumonji, the "overheating of the magic calculation zone" is still at the stage when there is still discussion whether it exists at all.
Therefore, according to the available theories, it immediately became clear what happened to Ichijou Gouki, albeit at the hypothesis level.
"Among the many magicians of the Tsukuba family, specializing in extra-systemic magic, Yuuka-san is excellent in techniques of interference in the mind. Both-uh, apparently, came to the conclusion that if it was Yuuka-san, then it would be possible to cure Ichijou-dono."
Not control thoughts and work on consciousness, but magic, interfering with the mind itself. Its representatives, the magic of "interference in the structure of the mind", which was used only by Miya, Miyuki's
"Cocytus", and Tsukuba's "Pledge" - are also magic that changes events in the mind.
Unlike Miyuki's magic, which causes compulsory absolute freezing of the mind, "Pledge" is a technique that limits the work of the mind.
Yuuka-san is good at this kind of magic, so perhaps she will be able to speed up the recovery of the magic calculation area located in the subconscious area. Therefore, the choice of the head of Yotsuba was fully justified.
"But if it does not work out, will not the Yotsuba's position worsen?"
"Yuuka-san is not officially related to the Yotsuba family. She will introduce herself as a researcher of magic, capable of treatment, which the Yotsuba family found."
"..."
In other words, in which case, it can get rid of it. The fact that Miyuki hesitated and could not say anything, was proof that he could not treat this heartlessly. We can say that she is too naive for the successor of Yotsuba, but Tatsuya did not even think to deny such kindness of Miyuki.
"In addition, the Yotsuba family offered Ichijou-dono treatment with good intentions. The other side will not lose anything, therefore the idea of help cannot be criticized, even if it proves to be unsuccessful."
"... Really." Miyuki spoke in a tone that read an attempt to convince herself of power. Hearing this, Tatsuya tried to forcefully change the subject.
"We are a bit distracted from the topic. Currently, the head of the family plans to limit the support only by sending Yuuka-san. However, I do not think that this will end."
In fact, this was not a "distraction from the topic," but Miyuki did not seem to notice this. Minami made a slightly suspect frowning face.
However, this feeling quickly disappeared.
"There is also a possibility that I will be ordered to intercept the armed forces."
"Order from the military!?" Miyuki's raised voice meant that it would be a violation of the contract between the Yotsuba family and the army.
"From the head of the family." However, Tatsuya's response was even more amazing.
"...But after all, Onii-sama is my guardian!"
"It should be borne in mind that this status changed when I was appointed by the suitor Miyuki."
"This is..."
Miyuki felt guilty that Tatsuya was bound by the duties of her guard.
However, while he is her guardian, he cannot be forced to assign another job. Justified by this rule, she, at least, could distract Tatsuya from this sense of guilt. And then Tatsuya tells her that this excuse no longer works. Hearing this, Miyuki was shocked more than when Tatsuya told her that his work could be dangerous.
"Do not worry. I used to say. Only you, Miyuki, really can hurt me."
These words from Tatsuya showed Miyuki that he did not understand the reason why she turned pale. Miyuki was not upset that Tatsuya would go to the battlefield, but because no more justification could be used, that Tatsuya was her guard. But since Tatsuya "promised" not to get any injuries, Miyuki calmed down a little.
"I, too, am still sure of what I said earlier. Onii-sama will not lose to anyone."
"Clear. Tatsuya replied, catching Miyuki's piercing gaze."
Minami, watching this pair from the side, for some reason did not feel the usual disgust in such cases. Unlike the usual state, Minami was now fascinated by the unshakable mutual trust of two people.
"However, the number of cases where I will have to leave Miyuki for a while will probably increase. Minami."
"Y-yes!" Minami reacted too violently, slightly stumbling and raising her voice, because Tatsuya was slightly out of consciousness from this story.
Tatsuya ignored this too energetic answer from Minami, only slightly raising his eyebrows.
"In such cases, I entrust Miyuki's protection to you."
"Please rely on me."
The protection of Miyuki is the purpose of Minami even without Tatsuya's words. He himself must understand this. But Minami was well aware of the meaning of why this order was again spoken out loud.
"Miyuki, I will not take you with me to the battlefield."
"...I understand." And in the voice and on Miyuki's face the words
"what a nuisance" was read, but she was not stupid enough to not understand Tatsuya's train of thought. "Miyuki will follow what Oni-most said... no, I will follow Tatsuya-sama's order."
As a result, having shown a weak sign of discontent, she changed her words to show that she speaks not as a younger sister, but as a bride.
The information that the head of the Ichijou family had fallen into the enemy's trap fell not only on the Yotsuba family. Perhaps the Ichijou family wanted to hide it, but among the "28 Houses" it spread throughout the day. However, there was a difference in the accuracy of the information, even among the Ten Master Clans.
Having learned from his father, Koichi, about the misfortune that struck the head of the Ichijou family, immediately upon returning to her room, Mayumi received an incoming call from Katsuto.
"I apologize for calling at this late hour."
"I think it's so late to call, it's definitely not in the style of Juumonji-kun, but it's okay, because I can guess the topic of the conversation. Is this about the incident with the Ichijou family?"
"That's right. It will be easier, once you guessed it."
All magicians of the Juumonji family have tremendous power, but their number is very small. In comparison with the Saegusa and Mitsuya families based in the same center in Tokyo, one can say that they have almost no outstanding magicians at all. In addition, the abilities of the Juumonji family are considered only suitable for battle.
Therefore, they lag behind other families in terms of gathering information. In case of an emergency, Katsuto uses personal connections with the Saegusa family to obtain information. In the past, there have already been examples of this.
"I just heard it from my father. You're just in time. So, Juumonji-kun, what do you already know?"
"I heard that a ship of unknown origin entered territorial waters, and then left and stopped, instead of leaving. Taking measures to seize it, Ichijou-dono was trapped by the enemy in the form of a sudden explosion and seriously wounded."
The information available to Katsuto was rough, but Mayumi did not rate the Juumonji family low. Instead, she felt frustrated that her father had learned so much detail, although the incident happened only today.
"Only one inaccuracy. Ichijou-dono was not physically injured. The main symptom is that he is in a state of a strong weakness so that he cannot get up. The family suspect that the reason may be excessive use of magic."
"Excessive use of magic...?"
"Juumonji-kun, what is it?" Seeing that Katsuto's face tensed, Mayumi frowned in suspicion.
"No, nothing. Do you have any details about the explosion that Ichijou-dono got into?" Katsuto moved the conversation into another direction without answering Mayumi's question. She understood this, but did not interrogate him.
"The result of the analysis of sensors from the stratospheric platform says that it seems that this was an explosion of a large amount of explosive gas, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. I can only assume long-range magic that generates gas and controls its ignition."
"Ignition... Maybe this is the work of "Pyro" Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff ...?"
"You think it could be Strategic Class Magic "Tuman Bomba"? It cannot be..."
Mayumi with a smile rejected Katsuto's assumption. However, it was felt that this smile was very strained.
"...Really. I do not think that Strategic Class Magic would be used to attack a single ship." Katsuto agreed, saying the last phrase as if to himself. He realized that he denied such a possibility on too weak a basis.
"Right. Juumonji-kun, you exaggerate."
Mayumi also understood the precariousness of this reason. She looked away from this analysis almost unconsciously.
"In any case, then it was an attack of unknown magic?"
"That's right."
"...This is a serious situation."
"Yes... Apparently, therefore, my older brother said that he wanted to talk with Juumonji-kun." Mayumi said, slightly hesitant after agreeing to Katsuto's words.
"Tomokazu-dono? ...Understood. Tell him I'm ready at any time."
"It's okay that I told you this, but will the convenience be adjusted to our family?"
"Here's how? Then, how about tomorrow night? I leave the choice of place on Tomokazu-dono."
"I think it will be okay. Then, I'll contact you tomorrow afternoon to report the place."
"Thank you. Also, thank you for providing information on the Ichijou-dono incident."
Katsuto bowed on the screen. This interrupted the connection. It looked like a lack of good manners, but it was an act of self-defense to avoid pincering Mayumi.
"...Only such measures will be smart against the habit, which cannot be remedied." The voice sighing and cursing on the extinct screen Mayumi, obviously was fun
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