Chapter 5
Edward Clark came to Japan and was met with a lot of reporters. The fuss was not like a diplomatic visit, but more similar to a private visit of a famous actor.
The reason for this was that Edward and Raymond did not even try to hide from the public. Rather, they, on the contrary, tried to raise the hype in the media.
But they did not give news organizations and such services a press conference or an interview, and as a result, under the protection of the police, they left the airport.
They went to the Embassy of the USNA. This could not be called strange, because Edward Clark is a member of the State institution.
Reporters and journalists knew about this, and most of them were standing behind them, looking at the shadow of the Government of the USNA in the back of Clark.
At 13:30 they flew from the embassy by helicopter, and at 13:50 arrived on the roof of the Bay Hills tower in Yokohama, where the Kanto branch of the Magic Association is located.
Tatsuya arrived at the Kanto branch of the Magic Association 5 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. Despite the fact that he was told that Edward Clark was waiting in the waiting room, he showed no haste.
Because he was forced to suddenly change his plans just a day ago.
Initially, Tatsuya intended to let Clark wait about an hour.
But he still arrived on time... Perhaps he was much more attached to the notion of 'common sense' than he thought himself.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Shiba Tatsuya."
Tatsuya, who was brought to the meeting place by a branch employee (but not the one he met yesterday), spoke with Edward in Japanese.
Maybe it was childish behavior and to put up some form of resistance.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Edward Clark."
Unexpectedly, Edward greeted him in fluent Japanese.
"It is a great honor for me to meet you."
But Tatsuya did not lose the ability to speak and continued in what is to be considered in this case, an insolent conversation in Japanese.
By the way, using his peculiar memory, Tatsuya did "remember anything that he at least saw or heard once", he almost perfectly mastered not only the English language, but also the languages of most major countries.
"The same goes for me."
Edward, who answered without removing his smile, looked like a perfect liar, which did not fit his mediocre appearance.
His appearance in a neat suit and beautifully slicked blond hair, together with a standard figure that is not considered thick or thin standing 180 centimeters tall, created the impression that he is not a scientist or engineer, but a senior manager of a sales department. No, not even a private company salesman, but one for a government agency?
Undoubtedly, his appearance was not the only thing. Although Edward Clark was originally considered an engineer, the role he is now playing is exactly that.
Although Tatsuya was offered a chair, he sat on the couch without any hesitation. For the employees of the branch, this was of noticeable concern because of the presumptuous behavior of Tatsuya, but Edward, and for some reason, Raymond did not show a drop of anxiety and sat in front of him.
"I watched the press conference yesterday. Mr. Shiba, your energy plant project surprised me."
Edward was the first to speak
"Thanks. But it is far below 'Project Dione' in terms of space and time. I think that this is a great project that I cannot complete in my entire lifetime."
"How humble."
Tatsuya's words were hard to understand, because they were filled with sarcasm.
He implicitly pointed out that magicians would be cut off from the human community both in time and in space for Project Dione. By the expression on Edward's face it was impossible to determine whether he understood this hint.
At least, the staff of the Magic Association, present as observers, looked as if they could not understand. If Edward was able to maintain his
"Poker Face" after realizing this, then he is undoubtedly a villain.
"So the Stellar Furnace is a fusion reactor using Gravity Control Type magic? So you designed it for the use at the power plant?"
"Yes. The completed form will have a design that uses the sea water directly."
The expression on Edward's face moved slightly. It proved that he understood the hint of Tatsuya that "Therefore it cannot be used in outer space".
"...The construction of a power plant using the Stellar Furnace is certainly a significant project for Japan. But the terraforming of Venus is a hope for all mankind. I would like Mr. Shiba, having achieved numerous technological breakthroughs as Taurus Silver, to join the Dione project."
Whether Edward had lost his patience, or he had planned so from the beginning, but he suddenly voiced the main requirement.
"I think, after looking at the yesterday’s press conference, you realized that I'm not Taurus Silver. But I don't have to tell you what you know already."
The last sentence of Tatsuya contained the sarcasm "You have studied the question with the help of Hli?skjálf, so you should know." The existence of this backdoor to Echelon III Tatsuya had heard of from Raymond. This fact must also be known by Edward.
"The glory of Taurus Silver comes from phenomenal achievements in the field of software. In other words, Mr. Shiba is the essence of Taurus Silver."
"Whatever the software is, without its hardware, it is just plain text. In the relationship between 'soft' and 'hard', there is no specific claim which is the main part and which is the secondary."
"That's not true. Hardware without a program is just an empty shell."
"However, the actual work is done by equipment."
Raymond poked his father in the side with his elbow, and Edward coughed unnaturally. Noticing that, Tatsuya took the conversation in a different direction, he tried to start from the beginning.
"...The team, called 'Taurus Silver', broke up yesterday, so I will refuse the request of their participation. Instead, I would like to ask you here again. Mr. Shiba, would you take part in the Dione project?"
"I'm sorry, but yesterday I already took responsibility for the project of the energy plant using the Stellar Furnace. If you hadn't asked for Taurus Silver's participation from the very beginning, and had you went to me at once, I had an option to leave the project of the plant to other people... I can only say that this is bad luck. I'm sorry, but you'd better retreat."
Tatsuya responded with a clear rejection of Edward Clark's demand right before the staff of the Magic Association.
After that, a series of similar questions and answers happened between Edward and Tatsuya, but eventually Edward could not convince Tatsuya.
Edward knew that Tatsuya would not agree. But he miscalculated that he could not even put Tatsuya in a disadvantaged position, and take any advantage of him.
"I knew that the usual methods would not help... But I did not expect such a stubborn stance."
"Dad, what are you going to do now?"
Now these two were in the hotel room provided by the Embassy of the USNA. The two rooms next door had bodyguards. This could be called an unprecedented case where the staff of the organization associated with the government were treated as VIPs. It proved once again that Edward Clark is not a simple engineer.
"Perhaps this goal cannot be achieved peacefully."
Edward was not going to ask what his son thought.
"I think killing is the last resort."
Raymond showed no attempt to morally evade the possibility of his father dirtying his hands with evil deeds.
The lack of secrets between them may have been due to good relations between son and father, but from a side of human upbringing, their relations differed greatly from the social standards. Perhaps Edward believed that, in general, that moral aspect could be ignored the moment he gave Raymond Hli?skjálf.
"But we have to consider this option if we cannot neutralize him with the help of the Dione project."
For Edward, the purpose of the Dione project was not to develop Venus and make resettlement there a possibility, which is possible if Venus is to be terraformed. The real goal was to completely neutralize Shiba Tatsuya. And therefore neutralizing the Strategic Class Magic
"Material Burst".
"But, like you said, it's a last resort. Tomorrow I'll give an interview on TV. The public opinion of the Japanese should be ignited."
"And looking at the result of this, we can come up with our next move?"
"That's right, Raymond."
"Dad?"
Raymond saw Edward frown after he nodded, so he turned to him.
"The New Soviet Union may decide on the power approach, without waiting for the plan regarding public opinion to be triggered..."
Edward was concerned about what step the New Soviet Union would make, and, more precisely, what Igor would do.
"If their 'power approach' ends halfway, then Shiba Tatsuya can get the data for a counterattack. So I want you to be careful for a while..."
"Would you like to study this question using Hli?skjálf?"
Edward shook his head after hearing the suggestion of Raymond.
"Rumors say that the New Soviet Union built a system of reverse detection in opposition to Echelon III. I do not think that they will be able to catch on to Hli?skjálf, but... We must not risk ruining the current cooperating relationship with Igor."
"I got it, dad."
Raymond seemed disappointed, but still agreed with Edward's protest.
"So I'm free tomorrow?"
"Don't go too far. Right, just in case, tell me, what are you going to do?"
"I think I'm going to visit Tear."
"Tear? Ah, the daughter of the Kitayama family?"
Edward briefly paused, counting the advantages and disadvantages of deepening ties with the relatives of the owner of the "Hokuzan group”, known even in the USNA.
"...Why not? You can go."
"Yes, I got it."
Raymond went into his bedroom with a brisk step. He was probably going to call Shizuku. Edward gave his son a glance with a smile.
On Sunday, a meeting between Tatsuya and Shizuku’s father, Kitayama Ushio, ended in a short time and in a peaceful atmosphere.
Help from Ushio for "Project ESCAPES" confirmed the words of Toudou Aoba about his connections. And Toudou did not force him to do it. Providing magicians with non-military jobs corresponded with the wishes of Ushio.
At the current stage it was still early to talk about the costs of construction and operation, so today Tatsuya finished with explaining the details of the project to Ushio, which he did not tell at the press conference.
"I heard a lot of interesting things. This has been a useful time."
Ushio in an elevated mood helped Tatsuya and Miyuki to the exit from the living room.
"If the energy of the Stellar Furnace will serve not only for the production of hydrogen, but also for the extraction of lithium, cobalt and uranium, it would be quite profitable. There are companies in our group that are looking for resource collection from sea water, so I'm thinking of letting you look at their research material."
"Thank you."
Although the knowledge and reasoning of Tatsuya in Magic Engineering were at the highest level, his knowledge of the industry, after all, was at the level of a regular student. The production secrets that will make a profit from the extraction of resources are what Tatsuya wanted to learn the most. The firm promise of comprehensive cooperation with Ushio was a huge step forward for Tatsuya.
"Oji*, can we see Shizuku?"
[Polite appeal to a middle-aged man. Something like "Uncle " (not the one that's a relative).]
The fact that friends of his daughter came to ask for help together greatly softened the attitude of Ushio. As expected by Tatsuya, (or it would be better to say "as he planned"), the presence of Miyuki proved useful.
"My daughter will be happy if you do."
Ushio smiled widely, responding to the request of Miyuki to meet with Shizuku.
"Mr."
At this point in their conversation, a kind maid wedged in.
"What is it?"
"Shizuku-Oujosama currently has a guest."
"A guest...? Yes, now that I think about it, I've heard something like that."
"That's not a problem. Then maybe another time.”
"That's not a problem."
After hearing about the visitor, Miyuki tried to abstain modestly, but Ushio stopped this.
"...This guest is a student whom Shizuku met while studying abroad...
Yesterday he suddenly said he wanted to meet. It sounded absurd, and I already wanted to give up, but I couldn't do it because he said he was going back to his country soon. He is relevant to you, this guy. So I thought you'd be aware of the situation."
"...A person who is relevant to me?” After hearing the words of Ushio, Tatsuya asked instead of Miyuki.
"This guy's name is Raymond Clark."
With the information network of the owner of a large group of companies, he should know the meaning of the surname "Clark".
Tatsuya finally understood what Ushio meant
"All right, Oji. We'll meet them." Bowing down, Miyuki answered.
"Understood. You, take them to my daughter's room." Ushio immediately commanded the maid.
Everything went as smoothly as if it was a pre-made scenario.
Shizuku met Raymond not in her room, but in the tearoom.
The door of the tea room was open. Although there was a servant nearby, Ushio would not allow her daughter to stay alone in a closed room with a guy around the same age. Although it could be an order from Shizuku’s mother.
"Shizuku, I'm sorry for the intrusion."
"Ah, Miyuki..."
Hearing the voice from the hallway, Shizuku turned to the door. Was it just their imagination that she looked relieved?
"Raymond Clark. Sorry about the intrusion."
"Shiba Tatsuya... Yes, come in."
Raymond was stunned by the invasion of Miyuki and Tatsuya, but after Tatsuya called him, he answered with a smile.
"Yesterday we could not communicate easily. It's a good thing we met."
Raymond switched his attention to Tatsuya.
"You wanted to talk to me?"
Isn't he here for the courtship of Shizuku? Tatsuya thought, but he was also interested in what Raymond would say, so he sat in front of him. Shizuku, sitting opposite to Raymond, moved to a place on the side of the table before Tatsuya answered Raymond.
Miyuki sat between Tatsuya and Shizuku.
"I wanted to hear your opinion."
Ignoring Miyuki, Raymond answered Tatsuya.
"Listen, Tatsuya."
Raymond easily called Tatsuya as if they were friends. Well, at least it was better than using embarrassing names like "God of Destruction" (The Destroyer), so Tatsuya decided to keep quiet.
"...The project of the energy plant with the Stellar Furnace... Uh, does it have a simpler name?"
"You would already know if you did your research."
"You've already researched this with Hli?skjálf," there was a hint of sarcasm in Tatsuya's answer to Raymond's question.
"Even if I understood, I did not have time to watch the press conference."
Raymond sulked and looked. Tatsuya was not amused to look at the inflated face of a guy, and he easily told him about the name of project ESCAPES.
"Project ESCAPES? I mean... Okay."
Raymond stopped his question because he intuitively realized that instead of "escapes", Tatsuya gives more meaning to the word "escape".
"Are you seriously planning on working on Project ESCAPES?"
"Everyone's asking me that." Tatsuya declared, looking tired.
"Project ESCAPES is not a simple excuse to avoid Project Dione.
The first thing to consider is that this project was invented before you wanted to terraform Venus." He answered Raymond with a voice in which there was not a single drop of friendliness.
"It is cruel to call it... an invention."
"So you really want to terraform Venus?"
Raymond, who tried to object to Tatsuya, was cornered with this new question.
"Real resettlement will be possible not after just 10 or 20 years. The elapsed time will be measured in centuries. It will be necessary to invest money and efforts for many generations. I don't think the USNA has any motives to take this huge project seriously. No, not just the USNA. I do not think there is single country with enough motivation on this planet. If anyone can take on such a grandiose project, then only the world government could, right? I think that's the way it is."
"...The plan of settling on Mars is also advancing as an age-old project."
"It is only planned. The methods of movement are not even defined yet."
"Don't you think that such a grandiose project is just to force the creation of a world government?"
After seeing the situation worsen, Raymond changed his selection of arguments.
"If we forcibly unite the world, the usual wars will only turn into a civil war."
But even this ended with another argument from Tatsuya.
"...Doesn't Tatsuya have a dream?"
"I only prefer dreams that can be realized."
Even after this pretext, Raymond's heart remained steadfast.
"But then there will no longer be any romance."
But Raymond did not have the spirit for this. It seems that the words of Tatsuya will only be something "holy" to him, something that Raymond cannot yield to.
"When it can be done, it ceases to be a dream. But when you do not know whether it will be realized or not, it can be called a dream."
"You're a romantic. Does this mean that Project Dione is only a romance for you that neglects the possibility of failure?"
"A man of magic, with the power of thought, will fly into space. Isn't that romantic?"
"Why should I be responsible for that?"
"...Huh?"
Raymond froze with surprise on his face.
"To go into space by using magic. I'm not against this dream. But this is your dream? There's no reason for me to help."
"This is..."
"The reason you want to tie me to Project Dione is not for chasing that dream. This is based on more realistic calculations."
"... I got it. Then let's talk about realistic things."
It seemed that Raymond had already lost the dispute, but he showed an unexpected persistence.
"Thanks to the development of the ocean, we can sustain the current capacity of the Earth for some time. But the limits of the earth are finite. Even if they will be expanded, but one day the final limits will be reached, which cannot withstand the growth of the population of mankind."
"I do not deny such a future."
"In this case, space exploration is a reality that we should not turn away from just because it is difficult! For humanity to continue its prosperity, we must go into space as long as we still have the strength to do so."
"Why will space exploration be the solution to population growth?”
"Huh...?"
Raymond now had an expression on his face, indicating that he did not understand completely.
"...But isn't that a solution? The land has a limitation of capacity, so you need to go beyond that land..."
Raymond was perplexed to argue with a confused voice.
"Space also has a limited space."
"Is... Maybe it is. But..."
"and space suited for human life is even more limited."
" ..."
"Even the exploration of space cannot escape these limits. Humankind can only delay the time before we hit these limits."
"...These are empty excuses."
"If we only extend the time to reach these limits, we must work on what we can already do."
"...This is sophistry with extreme arguments! Space has no real limits!
With Magic, humanity will endlessly conquer new frontiers!"
"However, the goal of the ESCAPES project is not to respond to population growth."
"..."
"I'll complete the Stellar Furnace and implement the plant to reach my goal. You strive into space to reach your goal. If that's your real goal."
Without finding the words to refute this, Raymond slowly stood up with the face of the defeat.
"Tear, I'm sorry. I’m going to go."
"Okay."
"...Tatsuya. We'll never let you escape."
"I'm not going to let you catch me."
"I would like to see the day when you regret these words. ...All right, Tear. I'll see you again."
Raymond, while leaving, only looked towards Shizuku.
"... Yes. Ray, I'll see you later."
Sadly smiling after he answered Shizuku, he went out through the door that was left open.
In the tea room, though there was no oppressive mood, an unpleasant residue remained. To change the atmosphere together with the air, Shizuku asked the maid to open the window.
Using the remote control, she turned on the TV. It was also to change the mood, but the transmission, which was shown by TV, could give the reverse effect.
"Shizuku, leave it, please." Tatsuya stopped Shizuku, who wanted to switch the channel.
Edward Clark's interview on the screen continued.
"...Thus, if we talk about the true significance of the use of magic for the future of people, it should be used for the exploration of space."
Edward on TV spoke English, but his speech was synchronously duplicated with subtitles.
"I believe that the Magic thermonuclear reactor is a wonderful invention. But it should be used in places where it is difficult to replenish fuel reserves, and sunlight is unstable. For example, on the moons of Jupiter. It will be able to produce electricity steadily even when the satellite is going into the shadow of Jupiter because of its circulation around it."
"The period between the Ganymede circulation is only 7 days.
Even the Callisto one is a little less than 17 days." Tatsuya muttered in an ironic tone. Of course, his voice did not reach the place that was on the other side of the TV screen.
"The development of the ocean can be carried out by other technologies, not using magic. The necessary power for industry can be achieved by using the electricity generated by oceanic solar power plants and geothermal sources. A rare talent, called magic, should be used for more meaningful purposes."
"He almost says the same things we just heard, isn't it?"
In the voice of Miyuki with which she asked Tatsuya, there was no irony or aversion, but only naïve simplicity.
"Maybe it's because they're father and son?"
"Father and son?"
Shizuku looked a little amazed.
"I have not confirmed it through third-party official agencies, but there are no mistakes."
"That means how..."
"Shizuku, did you not know? Didn't you have a welcoming party at their home or something like that when you were an exchange student?"
The Tatsuya’s question was based on the prejudice that in America, compared to Japan, they arranged parties at home a lot more often.
"Ray didn't have a party at his home."
Truthfully, Shizuku was often called for parties during her exchange studies. But America does not seem to be different from Japan in that it all depends on the particular family and the particular person, how much the parent will interfere in the relationship of their child with his friends.
"I would like Shiba Tatsuya-san to take part in our project in order to open the future for mankind. I hope so."
Speaking on TV, Edward emphasized public principles. Tatsuya, who knew his true motives, grinned at hearing these words.
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