Chapter 6
Even though there was a smuggling incident at Kansai International Airport, Japan was generally peaceful.
The fierce battle that unfolded between Minoru and Raymond occurred in the spiritual dimension, so the general public doesn’t know about it.
The aggression by the anti-magic ideologists is in a lull.
Even if there are no strict demands for the delivery of Major Sirius, the Great Asian Union won’t mess with the Nansei Islands. Particularly in the current calm diplomatic situation, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Defense Forces had an ominous feeling.
Regarding the Great Asian Union, the reasons were revealed on Friday, 28th of June.
Along with the news that shook the world.
“We have a special news report.”
Tatsuya and Miyuki, who were at the table just before going to school in the morning, turned to the tense voice of the newscaster.
Tatsuya held the chopsticks and Miyuki put hers down with good manners and turned her face towards the television.
“Earlier today, the Great Asian Union and the New Soviet Union broke into war.”
Miyuki opened her eyes wide. If she still had her chopsticks on her hand, she might have dropped them on the table.
As expected of Tatsuya, he set the chopsticks down normally and prepared to listen to the news.
“Late at night from yesterday to today, the Great Asian Union broke through the border to the west of Lake Khanka. Then they went south and started advancing towards Ussuriysk. In response, the New Soviet Union immediately mobilized the Far Eastern Forces stationed in Vladivostok and the two armies confronted each other 30km north of Ussuriysk. The intense battle still continues.”
Miyuki switched her eyes to Tatsuya with an awkward movement.
“Onii-sama, this is serious...”
Tatsuya looked away from the television and linked his eyes with Miyuki’s.
“This is a military conflict in an area close to Japan. It is likely that effects on our country are unavoidable.”
Tatsuya’s voice was also revealing a tension different from normal.
In the television studio, a commentator appeared before the camera.
“The goal of the Great Asian Union should be to take the southern part of Primorsky Krai. For the Great Asian Union who brought the Goryeo Autonomous Region under their control, this area, particularly Vladivostok, has the geostrategic meaning of a knife being thrust at their throat. It wouldn’t be a mistake to assume the Great Asian Union has been waiting for an opportunity to remove this threat since then.”
A map was projected on the television. Seeing that, the words of agreement ‘I see’ came from the newscaster’s mouth.
“However, if Vladivostok is the goal, why specifically taking a route going south from Lake Khanza? It seems that invasion from the Goryeo Autonomous Region would be closer.”
“The Great Asian Union’s navy has suffered great losses in the battle against our country during the Yokohama Incident and has yet to recover from the damage. If they were to attack Vladivostok from the south they would have to cooperate with the navy, so I think they had to abandon the attack route from the Goryeo Autonomous Region.”
“That’s probably right.”
Tatsuya agreed with the commentator’s explanation.
“Why did the Great Asian Union decide on an invasion strategy now?”
“I think large-scale preparations started more than a year ago. The Japan-Asia peace treaty signed on November of 2095 was quite favorable towards Japan. The central government of the Great Asian Union needed external military results to recover their dignity. But I think the decisive blow was a rumor going around military officials for a few days.”
“A rumor?”
The newscaster tried to steer the conversation towards the rumor and the commentator, though reluctant to, revealed its contents.
“There is a rumor that the New Soviet Union’s state-recognized Strategic-Class Magician Dr. Bezobrazzoff has died or fallen unconscious.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Regardless of whether the timing of Tatsuya’s interjection was funny or not, Miyuki’s serious face let out a quiet laugh.
“Taking into account the quality of the military force of both countries, the New Soviet Union is winning, but in sheer numbers the Great Asian Union is superior. Also, the New Soviet Union’s military force is widely spread in East Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, and the Siberian Army, deployed north of the East Asian military force, is the main force. If the New Soviet Union’s Strategic-Class Magician is inactive, it is likely the Great Asian Union predicted that it is enough to increase their chances of winning.”
“How reliable is the information that Dr. Bezobrazzoff is unable to help in the war?”
“I think I can’t say it’s baseless. Just one week ago the signs of magic, assumed to be New Soviet Union’s Strategic-Class Magic, were observed over the skies of Hachioji in Tokyo, but news from Dr. Bezobrazzoff stopped a short while ago.”
“There were also talks about New Soviet Union’s large-scale magic attacking the Izu Peninsula earlier this month.”
“That is so. These surprise attacks were in all likelihood executed according to military decisions. I think it’s likely that Dr. Bezobrazzoff was investigated over that.”
“Dr. Bezobrazzoff appealed for world peace with Project Dione, but he’s related to the attack on Izu Peninsula...”
“How is the Great Asian Union’s expected to move from now on?”
The assistant who hadn’t spoken until then inserted his words in a bit of a rush. Maybe they were instructed by the director to ‘not touch the subject of Project Dione too much’.
“Let’s see.”
The commentator followed the assistant’s topic change as well.
“The Great Asian Union should want to conclude the war before the Siberian forces join. In other words, I think they want a decisive battle that lasts a short time.”
“Then, New Soviet Union’s side want to bring it to a war of attrition until the reinforcements are prepared?”
The newscaster came back to the conversation here. He wasn’t bring up the Bezobrazzoff topic again.
“That’s what I think.”
“Will the Great Asian Union side use Strategic-Class Magic?”
“The introduction a few days ago, well, made the existence of Second Lieutenant Liú Lì L?i obvious.”
After that the discussion continued but if they didn’t leave the house soon they would be late for school.
Even if they are late, they were only worried about Miyuki. Tatsuya escorts Miyuki to school and afterwards becomes free to do what he wants.
“Onii-sama, what will you do today?”
Miyuki asked Tatsuya the question inside the Cabinet.
“Unless there is a call from Lieutenant Colonel Kazama, I will go to FLT.”
“You’re not going to Lina’s place?”
“I could do that.”
It surely has something to do with the military conflict between the Great Asian Union and the New Soviet Union. Miyuki thought so, but didn’t ask for more details.
Tatsuya’s predictions came true.
“Special Officer Ooguro. I think it is regrettable that the current situation that damages our relationship with you continues. But as you know, an emergency has occurred. Could you come to the base right away?”
“Roger.”
Tatsuya, who was returning to his apartment home, immediately agreed with Kazama’s request that seemed a bit selfish.
Even if he quarreled with the National Defense Forces, nothing good would come of it. Besides, Tatsuya was uninterested in prolonging the situation.
“I apologize.”
With or without knowing Tatsuya’s feelings, Kazama bowed his head lightly.
Minoru also saw the news of the military conflict that happened in the Far East at the same time as Tatsuya. Though just last night Minoru won a violent battle, he wasn’t indulging in laziness. – Both Raymond and Regulus have yet to wake up. Due to the nature of parasites, it obviously not jet lag.
“I probably shouldn’t think about these things, but...”
This may lead to some opportunities. Minoru thought so.
(If this military conflict drags on, the Ten Master Clans will also have to focus their attention on the Sea of Japan. Even if it ends in a short time, if the victorious faction keeps their momentum and goes south to the Sea of Japan, the Ten Master Clans with have to deal with it, and I won’t have to care about it...)
If the commentator on the television is correct, this war was triggered by the large damage dealt by Tatsuya’s counterattack to Bezobrazzoff.
(Tatsuya-san will feel this is ironic, but it may be karma.)
Minami was injured due to Bezobrazzoff’s attack, and if the influence of Bezobrazzoff’s fall circulates, Tatsuya will lose ways to protect Minami.
Just as Minoru thought, this surely is ironic karma for Tatsuya.
Tatsuya cancelled his plans to visit Miyaki Island and work at FLT and headed to the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion Headquarters base in Lake Kasumigaura.
Of course, this matter has been reported to Maya. Though it would be fine to go talk to them directly, Maya is looking forward to repairing the connection with the National Defense Forces. It seems that it is hard to abandon the mobilization power of the National Defense Forces who can deploy a large number of military personnel.
“Special Officer, you came.”
Kazama welcomed Tatsuya, who responded with a salute.
It was his adjutant Fujibayashi whose expression shifted. Lieutenant Colonel Kazama returned the salute to Tatsuya with a natural expression.
“Today isn’t about the other thing. We wanted to hear about Bezobrazzoff.”
When the villa in Izu was attacked, Tatsuya told Kazama that Bezobrazzoff was not the opponent he killed. However, the outcome of being targeted afterwards was not reported to the army. Since Tatsuya reported to the Head House, there is no need for Tatsuya to say anything unless the Yotsuba Family provides information to the National Defense Forces, which seems wasn’t the case.
“I didn’t directly attack Bezobrazzoff. However, since I decomposed a large CAD while it was running, it’s likely he received some kind of damage.”
“A train-model CAD, I was informed a few days ago.”
“Exactly.”
“Destroying the connection to that CAD while it is running will cause great mental damage through Magic Calculation Area. When you destroyed the CAD, was Bezobrazzoff connected?”
“Since then we haven’t been attacked by Tuman Bomba, so it seems that is very likely.”
“Hmm...”
Kazama pondered, chewing the information he was given.
“...How likely do you think it is that Bezobrazzoff died?”
“Not even 1%.”
“So zero?”
“It doesn’t matter if I say it in other words.”
After replying, Tatsuya added the words that didn’t need to be said, ‘the likelihood of accidental death unrelated to this matter is not zero’.
“So he’ll return soon. Do you think Bezobrazzoff will make it in time for the current Great Asian Union invasion?“
“If the New Soviet Union executives don’t consider it a problem to crush Bezobrazzoff, he could be deployed right now. However, if they want a satisfactory victory, it’s unreasonable to do so immediately.”
“Specifically how long do you think it’ll take?”
“If past examples are anything to go by, the time needed to recover from the damage of forced CAD disconnection is from 10 to 20 days.“
Today is Friday.
He was attacked by Tuman Bomba at First High on the Thursday of the week before.
“In short, as little as two days or as long as two weeks.”
“That is the case.”
“Understood.”
While Kazama nodded, Tatsuya talked to him this time.
“Lieutenant Colonel. There is something I want to talk about.”
“Say it.”
“You may already know this, but this country is once against exposed to the parasite menace.”
“I know about the Kudou Family matter.”
“There was a new parasite outbreak in the USNA.”
“What...?”
It appears that the National Defense Forces were not told about it yet. Or maybe information has not reached Kazama yet?
Either way, Tatsuya didn’t feel reluctant to give this information.
“Last week, a revolt by parasitized members occurred at the Stars Headquarters base. Currently, Stars Headquarters is actually occupied by parasites.”
“...Did you get this information from Major Sirius?”
“No. We were told the facts by a relative of His Excellency Kudou, Miss Angelina Kudou Shields.”
Tatsuya once again insisted that he was not hiding ‘Major Sirius’.
“– I see.”
Kazama also didn’t intend to bring up this discussion again.
“And it seems at least two parasites have infiltrated Japan.”
“What!?”
Kazama’s expression didn’t just look surprised, it was mixed with impatience.
“The police guarding Kansai International Airport detected illegal immigrants using telepathy. Because the passengers arrived in Japan in a direct flight from Los Angeles, it appears that it is highly likely that a Stars member parasitized another person, if we think in terms of time.”
“Let’s ask Her Excellency Saeki.”
“I think you better do so.”
The police of the Hanshin police should not keep the information on their own hands. Without reporting to the center, it would be unlikely that the information would reach the Ten Master Clans.
It is doubtful that the police gives the army information. It might not be good for the police to demonstrate their territoriality by borrowing the power of the National Defense Forces. But even so, the probability that Saeki procured detailed information from private routes is not low.
“Also, what did you mean by another person?”
“One of the two is Raymond Clark.”
“...Is that a fact?”
“I confirmed the photo the police took. There is almost no room for mistake.”
“Special Officer.”
Fujibayashi, who was up until then taking notes diagonally behind Kazama, inserted her words “unintentionally”.
“Raymond Clark, from that Edward Clark?”
“Yes. The son of Edward Clark, who proposed Project Dione.”
Tatsuya cut his words momentarily, then suddenly added something else.
“And one of the ‘Seven Sages’, who made use of the information gathering system ‘Hli?skjálf’, a backdoor in the Echelon III, and also the person responsible for the disclosure of Taurus Silver’s identity.”
“...Wait, Special Officer. That’s too much information for my head.”
“From here forth is the real issue.”
Fujibayashi’s complaint ‘I need a short break’ was ruthlessly refused by Tatsuya.
“Go for it.”
“Then, as Shiba Tatsuya of the Yotsuba family, I request the cooperation of the National Defense Forces’ Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.”
Kazama’s eyes emitted a strong light, correcting Fujibayashi’s posture which had become out of shape.
“I think it’s very likely that the smuggled parasite will collude with the parasitized Kudou Minoru.“
Upon hearing Minoru’s full name, blood rushed to Fujibayashi’s face. However, Fujibayashi should already know about the parasitized Minoru through the Kudou Family. Tatsuya didn’t feel the need to care about Fujibayashi’s emotions at this time.
“Also, as Stars performs illegal activity in Japan, I think they won’t send in just one person.”
Tatsuya excluded Raymond from the group here.
He doesn’t mean that Raymond is unimportant. Since he was parasitized, he predicted that his body has gained new powers that can’t be ignored.
But with the Stars, he guessed that the number of people can’t be counted.
“Certainly, they should have reinforcements. Before long, too.”
“You’re probably right.”
Tatsuya’s guess was logical, so Kazama had no counterarguments.
“Kudou Minoru’s goal is our family’s servant, Sakurai Minami.”
At this point, Tatsuya switched the focus of the discussion from Stars to Minoru.
“If Kudou Minoru and Stars join forces, there is a possibility that it’ll be too much to protect Sakurai Minami, even with the power of the Yotsuba Family.”
“You mean you want to us to borrow soldiers as guards?”
“No. If Stars tries to invade using shared bases like Yokosuka or Zama, could you prevent them?”
The Yotsuba Family is monitoring the private airport and air force base in the capital area. But the National Defense Forces’ base can only be monitored from outside. Though they can sneak inside, it would take way too much time and effort in the current situation.
Instead of that, it would be more reasonable and take less time and effort for the National Defense Forces to observe the base of the National Defense Forces. Preventing the invasion of troops whose goal is illegal activity should be the job of the National Defense Forces in the first place. – Even if it is the troops of an ally.
“– Understood. Let’s talk with the Naval General Staff through Her Excellency Brigade Chief.”
Kazama didn’t give Tatsuya any alternate conditions, as he also understood that this was the job of the National Defense Forces.
“By the way Special Officer. What do you think of the current conflict?”
“You mean who I think will win or lose?”
“Yes.”
“The New Soviet Union will win.”
Tatsuya replied immediately without any thought.
“Please tell me on what grounds.”
“The invasion of the Great Asian Union is based on unreliable information about the absence of Bezobrazzoff. Since this precondition is incorrect, the moment that Bezobrazzoff joins the war, the morale of the Great Asian Union’s troops will fall.”
Specifically, the moment ‘Tuman Bomba’ is used.
Even without these words, they were transmitted to Kazama.
“Hmm...You don’t think there is a possibility that it’ll settled before Bezobrazzoff returns?”
“There is no conclusive difference in the military forces of the New Soviet Union army deployed in the Far East and the Great Asian Union army. Even if the Great Asian Union releases ‘Thunderclap Tower’, it’ll be difficult to win in a short time.”
‘Thunderclap Tower’ is a large-scale offensive magic used by the Great Asian Union’s state-recognized Strategy-Class Magicians. This magic was devised by Liú Yúndé – who was killed in action by the destruction of the southern tip of the Korean peninsula by Tatsuya’s ‘Material Burst’ – and his granddaughter Liú Lì L?i was said to have inherited ‘Thunderclap Tower’ and became the new state-recognized Strategic-Class Magician.
“If the New Soviet Union wins and plans to invade Japan, –”
Kazama said, looking straight into Tatsuya’s eyes.
“Can the National Defense Forces rely on your power?”
“There is no problem if you rely on me.”
Even now Tatsuya didn’t hesitate in his answer.
The compensation for borrowing the power of Toudou Aoba was to be a deterrent for the military of other countries. Tatsuya planned to take the necessary measures even if Kazama – the 101 Brigade didn’t request it.
But being honest was unneeded. It was a good plan to make Kazama believe that he was ‘borrowing’ him.
It was the day after the start of the invasion of the New Soviet Union by the Great Asian Union.
In the Far East, in the New Soviet Union’s Primosrky Krai, the opposing sides were alternating between attack and defense.
Throughout the world, the attention was on this conflict, but among them, Japan could be said to be adjacent to the battlefield, and as such observed the changes in the situation with great interest and precaution.
The rule prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons from World War 3 times is still active today.
The International Magic Association only intervenes when ‘dirty nuclear weapons’ are about to be used, but depending on the circumstances, biological weapons and chemical weapons that pollute the environment, large bombs that leave behind harmful residues and thermobaric explosives of the kind that spread toxic substances in the atmosphere are also ‘self-regulated’. Because of this, modern war is fought with traditional bullets, bombs that injure or kill with shrapnel, and expensive ‘environment-friendly’ high-powered bombs. A ‘rich’ army may include weapons that use electromagnetic waves or high energy lasers.
In other words, old kinds of weapons are still mainstream and there is a tendency for war to drag on if decent troops clash. In this case, ‘decent’ means ‘with reliable military logistics’.
To defeat the enemy in a short period of time, it is necessary to have weapons they don’t have.
The chances of victory of the Great Asian Union lie with ‘Thunderclap Tower’. It’s Strategic-Class Magic. The Great Asian Union started this battle expecting that the New Soviet Union’s Strategic-Class Magician can’t be dispatched.
However, it won’t be settled in a few days. The Great Asian Union used Strategy-Class Magician Liú Lì L?i from the start, and she is dominating the battle in the battlefield she joined. But ‘Thunderclap Tower’ is not a magic that can cover all of the battlefield. Even if such magic existed, it would be difficult to use it in land war where the enemy is drawing closer.
Strategic-Class Magic is not as useful as the world thinks it is.
Today is Saturday. Different from when this was a period of time that mixed leisure time and creativity, only some Junior High Schools and High Schools for technical training in art enjoyed two days off school weekly.
Naturally, Magic High Schools have lessons. Tatsuya also escorted Miyuki until school this morning. Minami is in the hospital and at present there are no estimates for when her replacement will be sent from the Yotsuba Family. Tatsuya already isn’t her ‘Guardian’, but he accompanies Miyuki to school as if he was her bodyguard.
However, Tatsuya didn’t feel the need to be near Miyuki inside First High. If it’s just protecting Miyuki, he doesn’t need to be within a short physical distance. The other day, while being on the lookout for Bezobrazzoff’s attack, he could counterattack successfully from the sidelines. Escorting her every morning is just something he, with his competent disposition, likes to do.
Once they wore uniforms and he escorted Miyuki inside the school building, Tatsuya went back to his home immediately, changed into some rougher clothes and went straight to Miyaki Island by Air Car. The primary objective was for magic research, but he was also anxious of taking his eyes off Lina.
Sure enough, Lina was already bored.
“...Tatsuya. What are you doing?”
“Making magic.”
Even though it was no use – to both Tatsuya and Lina – she was intruding on Tatsuya’s space while he studied.
“That’s just a computer!?”
“Is that such a surprising thing? Isn’t your engineer who made ‘Brionac’ able to do something similar?”
‘Brionac’ is a magic weapon that makes use of FAE theory as a technique, enabling the use of the Strategic-Class Magic ‘Heavy Metal Burst’ in local battles and interpersonal fights.
FAE theory – Free After Execution theory, also called the theory of controlling phenomenon after its creation in Japanese, is the theory that ‘since phenomena that occurred as a result of magical modifications is phenomena that should not exist in this world naturally, the very short time right after the modification is loosely bound by the laws of physics, thus subsequent modifications become easier’.
Tatsuya’s ‘Baryon Lance’ also uses this theory, but ‘Baryon Lance’ was made using ‘Brionac’ as a reference. The developer of ‘Brionac’ was someone Tatsuya strongly felt he wanted to meet someday with a white flag raised on his mind.
“Sure, I had Abby do things like remodeling magic only on my desk.”
The engineer who developed Brionac is called ‘Abby’, huh? – Tatsuya secretly wrote down that name on his mental notebook.
“But when you make new magic, don’t you experiment it often during the process?”
That engineer seems to be developing new magic even now. – Tatsuya added a PS to the mental notebook.
“This magic is not being made from scratch.”
Tatsuya answered Lina’s doubts without revealing his interest in this engineer ‘Abby’.
“The other day I had the opportunity to see ‘Tuman Bomba’, so I thought about whether I could apply it in another magic we can use. ‘Tuman Bomba’ is way too complex to use easily.”
What Tatsuya meant is ‘it requires large-scale equipment so it can’t be used easily’, Lina interpreted it as ‘its magical power requirements are too high to be used easily’.
That is also not incorrect.
“...Eh!? Wait a moment. By any chance, is the magic you’re making Strategic-Class Magic?”
In one beat – one beat off, it could be said – Lina revealed a disharmonic voice.
“The classification is so.”
As Tatsuya had gotten used to it, he didn’t reveal any laughter.
“I’m shocked.”
While Lina pronounced ‘sho-cked’ [22] , she showed an unnatural shrug.
“Great Bomb...No, it was ‘Material Burst’. You have such absurd magic and despite this you’re trying to get new Strategic-Class Magic? Do you plan on becoming a demon king?”
“Lina, I didn’t know you were a gamer?”
“E-Even if you don’t play games, everyone knows what a ‘demon king’ is!”
As Lina went in an expected direction, Tatsuya was coming down on a small stomach pain. The number of people giving him the demon king treatment was increasing and Tatsuya was getting a little sick of it.
“I don’t intend to use this magic myself.”
“Eh, is that so?”
“It is as you say, Lina. Carrying one Strategic-Class Magic is enough. These things are useless for everyday use because its usage is extremely limited, and yet, just because I have it, the ties of obligation follow me like a mountain.”
“I know.”
Lina strongly agreed, ignoring the context.
“Once this is completed, some other magician will use it.”
Tatsuya concealed a wry smile with a seemingly natural expression and continued.
“I happen to know a person who could use it. If that person introduces himself as a new ‘apostle’, these depressing obligations may more or less decrease.”
“I see.”
Lina’s mind was only on ‘obligations’, so she didn’t pay attention to the main part.
The birth of a new state-recognized Strategic-Class Magician in Japan, the words that will bring about a big change in the military balance of the world.
Tatsuya only stayed in Miyaki Island during the morning.
The new magic was not completed. Tatsuya didn’t evaluate his ability high enough to think he could make new magic in one or two days.
Besides, there is magic that he needs more urgently than the new Strategic-Class Magic.
“Mikihiko, I’m relying on you today as well.”
“It will be good training for me too.”
Saturday afternoon, after school in the practice forest.
Tatsuya, with Mikihiko as his training partner, was working hard on completing the ‘Seal Gem’ as per Yakumo’s suggestion.
Magic expels parasites from the body, compresses them and confines them with Psions.
The confining ‘Seal Gem’ physically seals by using methods such as absorbing it like a curse of some kind and then storing it, or mentally incinerating/disassembling it, but even more processing is required. But the moment it is locked up, Tatsuya’s role ends. Another specialist can take over things.
The contents of the training are simple when expressed in words.
Mikihiko calls a spirit and makes it run wildly by pouring power into it.
And Tatsuya binds it with Non-Systematic Magic, compressing it with Psions and converting it into a stable frozen state.
Not just fully covering the Information Body with the Psion shell, but also mixing Psions and hardening it together.
Maybe it resembles the solidification of radioactive liquids by mixing it into glass?
They had to prepare a separate container (a seal object) to preserve the hardened objects and finally the special processing is needed to make it harmless. But for now, parasites will stop flying away somewhere or invading other people.
“That feels pretty good now, doesn’t it?”
They started on Thursday and it is far from perfect. However, it was certain that little by little he was getting the knack for it.
“You think so?”
Even if Mikihiko praises him, Tatsuya won’t feel much of a reaction. But when compared to before he visited Yakumo, the image of the complete form is way stronger now, so the progress is evident.
“Yeah. You can be confident, Tatsuya.”
“...Yeah. There is no meaning in doubting myself. Mikihiko, I ask you once again.”
“As many times as you want.”
Without reluctance in his face, Mikihiko nodded.
While thanking his friend for his assistance, Tatsuya refined the Psions in his body and released a ‘Seal Gem’.
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