Chapter 3
Though Edward Clark faced some obstacles while working on Project Dione, it continued to progress. The rate at which it progressed was accelerating, too: Clark no longer worked on the project alone, and at the moment, a group of independent scientists from the US National Science Agency were conducting simulations on the delivery of ice masses from Jupiter to Venus. Once these simulations were completed, the data would be used to create the necessary sequences of magic that take into account all possible factors.
The research staff of the National Science Agency were currently giving priority to providing water and lowering the temperature of Venus with a large amount of ice blocks being placed on Venus, and they planned on dealing with the problem of splitting up the atmosphere another time. Edward Clark did not object to these policies.
He didn't care.
The terraforming of Venus was only a formal goal. The real goal of Project Dione was the expulsion of Shiba Tatsuya from Earth out of fear of his magic that converted mass directly into energy. And from this point of view, Project Dione had already failed.
The magical thermonuclear reactor power plant project, designed by Shiba Tatsuya, was steadily moving towards its implementation. Being a key figure in this project, Shiba Tatsuya had an excuse for not participating in the Dione Project.
The concept of such an installation is not new: first, build a large-scale power plant. Using the electricity produced, extract hydrogen from ocean water while extracting useful minerals purifying them from harmful substances. Using ordinary technology, this plan was unprofitable, but the use of the Star Reactor - a thermonuclear reactor using gravity control magic – makes it profitable. Edward Clark couldn't find a way to deny this.
The need for the Project Dione, with the official purpose of preparing for a shortage of living space as population increased, is still there, but it was now impossible to insist that Shiba Tatsuya must join the project. The star reactor was not necessary for the promotion of the Project Dione. Employees of the NSA calculated that the power required to carry out the mission in Jupiter’s orbit can be generated by solar energy. On the other hand, Shiba Tatsuya's plant project is based on the
construction of the Star Reactor. Star reactor plants can provide much more energy than other types of power plants. Because of this, many senators already felt that Tatsuya’s “experiment” should not be hindered. If Edward Clark continued to insist that Tatsuya must participate, the world could guess the true purpose of Project Dione.
Edward Clark knew that if the world figured out the true purpose of Project Dione, then it could never be achieved. There were always journalists trying to reveal the truth, regardless of the consequences. There was also the possibility that conclusions formed on the guesswork of people that couldn't be called full-fledged journalists would reveal the truth. Still, even in the current situation, Edward Clark did not give up on Project Dione. Searching for a clue that could turn the situation around, he was now looking through the information collected Hli?skjálf.
He had not returned home for more than ten days, and he had not met with his son in more than half a month. Because of this, Clark did not yet know that Raymond had become a Parasite (though this was probably more negligence on his own part).
Clark had given his permission for Raymond to go to Japan through a text message, but other than this, he did not know Raymond’s situation.
Clark once again entered into the sea of information contained in Hli?skjálf today. Using the original terminal had its benefit, as well: unlike the terminals scattered around the world, the original supercomputer could analyze and process data in addition to accessing it. Using an AI helper, Clark was looking for a way to change the situation, but could not find a suitable plan.
Finally, at about 15 o’clock, as he was beginning to succumb to fatigue, he was distracted by a call.
“Dr. Clark, how are you?”
Igor Bezobrazov appeared on the display, who he had not been able to contact for a long time.
“Dr. Bezobrazov, long time no see. Honestly, things are not going very well with me.”
“I see, but this is not my fault.”
Clark could barely restrain the urge to swear in response, but Bezobrazov did not seem to care about this reaction.
“I failed - this is a fact, but the initial reason is that the project of the plant with the Star Reactor could not be stopped by political means.” Bezobrazov opted not to take blame for his failure to kill Tatsuya using his Strategic Class magic, “Tuman Bomba”
“In your position, doctor, it was inevitable.”
It was unnecessary to quarrel now. Still, Clark’s voice contained some barb to it that he could not quite remove.
“I appreciate your understanding. In my position, I could not let Shiba Tatsuya go.”
Bezobrazov chose to ignore the barb in Clark’s voice, rather focusing on his intent as he also realized the necessity of cooperation in their circumstances.
“But now the situation has become even worse!” Clark exclaimed.
However, Bezobrazov’s response, in which there as not even a hint of self-reflection, caused an explosion of anger in Clark.
“Killing Shiba Tatsuya. Wonderful plan! Nothing can be done that he failed. Just the enemy was stronger.”
Bezobrazov on the screen made a displeased face, but Clark had expected this.
“But thanks to your hostile actions, the peaceful nature of Project Dione is now in doubt,” Clark continued.
“Was there any reason to pretend to be a peaceful project?” Bezobrazov asked.
“Huh?” Clark replied, confused.
Even after seeing the anger evident on Clark’s face, Bezobrazov kept his cynic tone.
“The purpose of Project Dione is the elimination of the Strategic Class Magician Shiba Tatsuya. If this goal is achieved, the development of Venus will not matter.”
Clark had nothing he could object to in this statement. Bezobrazov had accurately stated the purpose of Project Dione.
“Then, Doctor, do you have any ideas?”
Clark's question was from despair.
“I don’t know if you can call it much of an “idea”, but I do have a one-sentence offer,” Bezobrazov responded.
Bezobrazov’s answer surprised Clark, as he did not expect Bezobrazov to have anything specific.
“I'm listening to you.”
Even though Clark only asked this to gain time, he still desired to find a way out of the current impasse.
“The current conflict was launched unilaterally by the Great Asian Alliance, but tomorrow it is planned to end this war with the victory of our country.” Bezobrazov stated this with confidence.
“Doctor, will you be using Tuman Bomba?” Clark asked.
“I am.”
The view that the war would be over by the singular use of Strategic Class Magic seemed naïve at first glance. However, the Great Asian Alliance launched this war under the assumption of the absence of Bezobrazov. Clark understood that if Tuman Bomba was used, the Great Asian Alliance would quickly end the war.
The Great Asian Alliance initially invaded the Primorsky Territory of the New Soviet Union, and finding that there was not a counterattack with Tuman Bomba, continued their attack. Because of this, if they were to receive a powerful blow by the Bezobrazov’s Strategic Class Magic, their morale would be broken and the war would be unable to be continued. Since the armies of the New Soviet Union and the Great Asian Alliance were approximately equal, the loss of morale of the Great Asian Alliance’s army would be fatal. Thus, the Great Asian Alliance would soon opt out of the war and the victory of the New Soviet Union would be assured. At least, this was the reasoning of Clark and Bezobrazov.
“After this victory, our country will go south into the Sea of Japan.”
“Are you planning an invasion of Japan!?” Clark exclaimed.
“Justification has not yet been invented, but don’t worry. We’re not going to land on Honshu because it will not be an invasion operation aimed towards getting new territories.”
“......”
Clark was amazed that Bezobrazov was seriously considering invading Japan.
“You seem to understand. True, it will be a deceptive maneuver. I assume you know where the construction of the Star Reactor plant is taking place?” Bezobrazov confirmed.
“On a volcanic island called "Miyaki Island", located 180 kilometers south of Tokyo.”
“Correct. This island is located on the opposite side of the Sea of Japan where our army will move south.” Bezobrazov stated.
“That is, you suggest we sabotage the plant during your advance to the south?” Clark asked.
“It is possible, isn’t it? If the plant become the target of terrorists, what do you think the investors will think? They will have no choice but to cancel the construction of the Star Reactor plant, and Shiba Tatsuya will lose the pretext for refusing to participate in Project Dione.”
Clark could not give an immediate response to the proposal Bezobrazov. Under most circumstances, this was a disastrous plan that should be immediately rejected. If it was revealed that the USNA was behind the sabotage of the plant, their credibility would fall below the baseboard, and the risk of being revealed was relatively high. It was possible to hide the elimination of 1 or 2 people, but to hide the destruction of an entire plant? But for Clark, suffering from a sense of hopelessness, Bezobrazov’s proposal seemed like the only way to get out of the current impasse. Bezobrazov's plan tempted Clark like the sweet whispers of the devil.
“…When is the navy of your country advancing?” Clark finally asked.
“If everything goes smoothly, in five days - July 8th.”
“Five days....”
“I'll be in time,” Clark thought. Preparation time was not an impassable obstacle in his mind.
“Okay. I understand,” Clark responded.
“I thought you would agree.”
Bezobrazov smiled contentedly.
On the other side of the call, Clark shivered at the coldness of the smile shown by the doctor.
July 4, 2097, Thursday. The seventh day of the war between the Great Asian Alliance and the New Soviet Union.
Major events pertaining to the New Soviet Union’s position in the war happened during the morning. To start, the army finished redeploying its forces to the East to the Siberian region of the New Soviet Union, and the armored forces responsible for defending the region south of Khabarovsk began to move south.
While this was happening, the naval forces of the Primorsky Territory, previously holding the Great Asian Alliance’s army back in the vicinity of Ussuriysk, began to retreat towards the Muravyov-Amursky peninsula.
In doing this, the New Soviet Union aimed to capture the invading army with the help East Siberian District and Primorsky Territory forces. This gave the Great Asian Alliance two options:
The first was to concentrate troops on the western coast of Lake Khanka in order to strengthen control over that territory.
The second was to chase the Primorsky Territory’s forces retreating to the south and capture Vladivostok before the arrival of the East Siberian District’s army. If they successfully seized Vladivostok, they would no longer have to worry that their Naval forces heading to the north might be attacked from the side. This would allow the army of the Northeast region and the army of the Korean Autonomous Okrug to occupy the west side of Lake Khanka (from the Great Asian Alliance’s perspective, return to) Primorsky Krai.
The Great Asian Alliance chose the second option.
The Great Asian Alliance began pursuing the retreating army. However, the time spent making this decision combined with the difference in the speed of military equipment, so the distance between the armies continued to increase.
As the distance between the 2 countries’ armies exceeded 20 kilometers, a dramatic turning point came in the war.
Suddenly, the fog surrounding the Great Asian Alliance grew thicker.
For a short period of time, the fog covered the military equipment and vehicles carrying about 6,000 soldiers.
“Retreat!” shouted the commander, trusting his instincts that sensed danger.
“Remove the fog!”
The staff officer who ordered this knew the true nature of this white veil, and quickly called out to the squad of magicians. But this officer’s quick realization, their reaction was too late.
No, it would be more accurate to say that their opponent - Bezobrazov - was too fast.
The white darkness created by the thick fog was filled with magic sequences in an instant, and there was a blast of explosive gas covering the super-wide region. It was a gas mixture made from splitting the molecular bonds of water - one part oxygen and two parts hydrogen. The temperature of this mixture can reach 3000 degrees when burned - quite close to the temperature at the epicenter of a nuclear explosion.
However, unlike nuclear bombs, which concentrate the emission of heat at a single point, this explosion generated heat over an area of several hectares to several tens of square kilometers. In addition to this, the initial form of this Mist-bomb attack (a form in which attention is not even drawn to the enemy’s magic defense) differs from fuel-spray bombs because it places all of the attack targets within the activation area inside the explosion’s epicenter.
Rather than kill the enemy units directly with the heat produced by the explosion, this attack sends high pressure shockwaves below the explosion, annihilating everything in its path - and its maximum strike radius was comparable to a multiple warhead nuclear missile.
July 4, 2097, 8:55 local time. Japanese time: 7:55.
One attack destroyed more than 70% of the invading forces of the Great Asian Alliance.
The study hours of every National High School of Magic – from First High to Ninth High - were the same, with the first class starting at 8:00. Schools only differed in the presence of a morning gathering/short class before the first lesson.
At First High, there were no morning meetings or class hours before school, so students only arrived at the beginning first lesson. Third High, on the other hand, had made a habit of holding morning meetings in which the teachers explained current events to the students. However, these meetings were only available to the "special
courses", equivalent to the first course of First High to which instructors were assigned. Though today was the third day of exam week, the morning meeting was still held.
Ichijou Masaki and his classmates were waiting in their seats for 10 minutes before class. The teacher, however, came into the classroom with only 1 minute before to spare. He was a 50 year old man with a strong build, and this teacher was not one to achieve the respect of students by being friendly towards them, but one who relied on their clear leadership qualities to command them.
At 7:55, as the teacher was relaying some of his experiences, powerful magic waves suddenly flowed through the classroom. Masaki almost jumped as he felt the strong waves of magic. He was not the only one to have this reaction as several students in this classroom actually rose from their seats.
The teacher did not reproach them for this behavior.
“The morning meeting is canceled. All wait in their places,” the teacher said with a stern face as he gestured to the students who had stood up. After this, he left the classroom.
As he listened to the whispering voices of his classmates, Masaki pressed his lips tightly.
"The epicenter of the psionic waves was in the north... no, the north-north-west? The fluctuations were strong, but the epicenter was quite far away..."
Masaki only felt that this had happened “far away”, but he automatically linked this incident with the conflict occurring between the New Soviet Union and the Great Asian Alliance.
At the training terminal, he opened a section of the world map around the Sea of
Japan. The training terminals at Third High had access to all sorts of geopolitical data, including data on military use of magic.
"More than 800 kilometers away, but still containing so much power... Is this Tuman Bomba...?"
Masaki shuddered as he realized the true power of magic causing the psionic waves, thinking that this was the real power of the Mist-bomb.
In reality, however, Masaki had underestimated the true power of Bezobrazov’s Strategic Class Magic: Bezobrazov had carefully controlled the power of the explosion, and only a fraction of the true power was used.
The Third High students were not the only ones who caught the residual psionic waves “Tuman Bomba”. The large-scale oscillations produced disturbed the magicians all over Japan. Tatsuya felt them as he was returning home from First High before using his Elemental Sight to investigate.
"...The area covered by the explosions is about 3 square kilometers, and they extended about 20 meters upwards. The goal should have been the destruction of ground troops."
The area of the explosions this time had been expanded to destroy more of the military vehicles of the Great Asian Alliance, which were spread over a large area.
"The density of the magic sequences were low, but many explosions occurred simultaneously over the vast area. There will be significant damage to their own country. Is this some kind of scorched earth tactic?" Tatsuya wondered.
This was not the original meaning of the phrase, but they destroyed the enemy army at a cost of their own land. The government must be confident in the understanding of the people to use a tactic such as this. Still, the tactic was extremely effective. 150-200 tanks were destroyed in addition to the military equipment and infantry vehicles following, so the number of enemy soldiers killed should have been between 5 and 10 thousand people.
"This is slightly different than what I expected, but the winner of this war was predetermined."
Even Tatsuya could not have imagined that the New Soviet Union - or more accurately, Bezobrazov - would perform such a self-destructive counterattack. Still, this ruthlessness would only add to the psychological shock that Bezobrazov was still alive and well, so the Great Asian Alliance would almost certainly be unable to continue.
Tatsuya laid his head on the headrest of the car in the electric train and closed his eyes to focus.
"... It was a complete rout. The Great Asian Alliance will not be able to conduct military operations abroad for some time." Tatsuya concluded. "Now, if the New Soviet Union sends the Far Eastern fleet, they will not worry about an attack from the rear. I don’t know what excuse they’ll come up with, but... it must be that the fleet has already been mobilized.”
“There is no more time to spare.”
Tatsuya said this out loud. He was developing new Strategic Class magic based on the Chain Casting of Tuman Bomba to prepare to stop the advance of the New Soviet Union fleet. Now Tatsuya realized he had to hurry with its completion. Tatsuya only had to wait a couple more minutes before arriving at the station closest to his home. However, even this slight loss of time now stressed Tatsuya.
At the time of Tuman Bomba’s activation, Liu Li Lei had not moved forward with the rest of the troops, staying behind in the rear. The plan was for the infantry following the tanks and transport workers to unite with the main forces after defeating the enemy. In compliance with this plan, the officer commanding Liu’s escort squad daringly decided to head north to occupy the Vozdvizhenka airfield knowing that the army of the New Soviet Union was moving south from Khabarovsk. This plan saved Liu Li Lei from the Mist-bomb.
After the activation of Tuman Bomba, the officer commanding Liu’s escort unit contacted headquarters ordering the unit to evacuate back to the territory of the Great Asian Alliance. Given the situation with the invading army being practically destroyed, this proposition was natural. However, the command Great Asian Alliance’s military ordered Liu Li Lei and her escort detachment to remain in their current position.
Though the New Soviet Union had to know their location, they did not attack or surround the group Liu was hiding in.
Tatsuya canceled both the trip to Miyaki Island and his training session for "Sealing Sphere" with Mikihiko. Having notified Mikihiko of this, he retired in the morning to the laboratory located in the basement of the building where he lived.
His research data for the new Strategic Class magic was with him on a flash drive that he updated daily. Because of this habit, he was able to continue work on the new magic in the basement of his home without delay.
The most surprising part of this was that he did not escort Miyuki. Of course, regardless of Tatsuya’s presence, an escort always followed her at some distance, and Tatsuya always watched her with his Elemental Sight. Nevertheless, it was an exceptional case in which he allowed Miyuki to remain alone.
But in this case, Tatsuya felt that all of his time had to be spent designing the new Strategic Class magic.
He finished the basic design of the magic before dinner, but he did not have the activation sequence for the magic ready quite then. All he had was a blueprint describing the systems of the magic. After spending another day working, Tatsuya would have an activation sequence prepared for use, but he stopped at this stage for a reason.
"It would be best to entrust the completion of the activation sequence to an engineer close to the magician, who will be using it."
Because of this idea, he sent the project’s data to the First Laboratory, now known as the Kanazawa Institute of Natural and Magical Sciences, specifying the recipient and user of the magic.
After killing Kudou Retsu three days ago, Minoru hid in his hideout at the Kobe shelter. When he finally met up again with Raymond and Regulus, it was already evening of the day Tuman Bomba destroyed the Great Asian Alliance’s army.
“Minoru, are you feeling better now?” Regulus inquired restrainedly. Minoru had locked himself away for the past few days under the pretense that he “felt bad”.
“Almost everything is in order,” Minoru responded.
What Minoru meant by “feeling bad” was not a deterioration of his physical condition, as might have happened before his conversion into a parasite, but rather guilt at killing his grandfather. Minoru just wanted to be left alone, so Regulus acted reserved just in case.
“I see.”
As Minoru talked, Regulus got the feeling that Minoru was… different, somehow from the way he was when they first met.
...It was like he was no longer a man. He looked more like a Parasite.
That was the impression Regulus got as he looked at Minoru. Though he did not voice the though, it was still conveyed to Minoru. However, Minoru acted as if he did not notice.
“Did you two also feel the magic this morning?” Minoru asked.
“Yeah. It was Tuman Bomba, right?” Raymond joined the conversation at this point.
“I am not yet sure, but I believe the USNA will make a move off of this. I cannot confirm yet with the country, but I will relay the information as I find out,” Regulus stated.
Raymond only nodded with interest, but Regulus, as an elite soldier, thought about how this event would affect their actions.
“The Pentagon definitely has more detailed information than Stars. If you receive any instructions from America, give priority to them over our current goal. However, Jack, could you help me with something for now?” Minoru asked
“Now?” clarified Regulus, not quite understanding
The rainy season was not over yet. There was no rain today, but the sky was overcast so it was already dark outside. “Now” was the best time for doing an activity undetected. Even so, Regulus still thought that right “now” might not be the best time to start doing something.
“We’ll be back before midnight,” Minoru assured.
“...Alright. I will go with you.”
In the summer, the time difference between New Mexico and Japan is 15 hours.
At midnight, Japanese time, at Stars headquarters it would be 9 am. If everything worked as Minoru claimed, it would be unlikely for instructions from America to appear during their attack, and even if orders do come, Stars’s fourth squad that had penetrated into Yokosuka would inform them about it later. Regulus was aware that the three members of fourth squad - Vega, Speke and Deneb – had successfully penetrated the base of Yokosuka as well as that Arcturus had failed his penetration and was sealed in the process. It was not only he who knew this, either. Both
Raymond and Minoru also knew this “shared” information through the telepathic network of Parasites.
“May I go too? I do not want to be alone,” Raymond asked.
After Regulus had agreed, Raymond intervened in the conversation once more, making a disgruntled face.
“You do understand that this will be a secret penetration mission, right? Raymond, I don’t believe that suits you,” Minoru said.
However, Raymond objected, saying “It’s not a problem,” in response.
“Minoru. Though Raymond lacks experience, he has potential. I'll cover at difficult times, so let's bring him as well.”
Seeing that Raymond was starting to boil, Regulus intervened in their conversation so that the matter did not come to an argument. Still, while he defended Raymond, he acknowledged that Minoru was right, so he offered to cover for him if necessary.
Upon hearing Regulus’ arguments, Raymond stopped complaining.
“Well, if Jack says so...”
Minoru also decided to yield, so they accepted the compromise.
They drove a car on the highway as they moved towards their destination. After driving for an hour, they arrived at their destination.
“Here we are, I suppose.”
“The main house of the Kudou family. My house.”
Minoru responded to Raymond's hunch himself. In order to avoid detection, they stopped the car some distance from the Kudou house.
Kudou. It's sad to have to sneak around his own home... Minoru came out of the car with a bitter smile. Regulus and Raymond followed him.
“My family should know by now that I have become a parasite, so nothing can be done,” Minoru said.
Shrugging, he headed for the back entrance to the house. Regulus and Raymond exchanged glances, then followed. Near the corner of the fence, Minoru stopped and looked at them.
“From here on, take care to not emit psionic waves,” Minoru warned.
“Got it.”
“Okay.”
Satisfied with their answers, Minoru went on. Both Regulus and Raymond had noticed Minoru use magic several times while they were walking, but neither of them understood what he had been doing. They walked right behind Minoru followed him inside the hedge fence. Once inside, they entered an imperceptible passage hidden by the fence.
Suddenly, they were in front of a small door made in an old style. Minoru felt his breath catch.
“Now you may use magic,” Minoru informed his companions, turning around. “Please neutralize the people on the 2nd and 3rd floors. I would prefer you not kill them.”
“Affirmative.”
Hearing Regulus's answer, Minoru nodded and opened the door. None of them took off their shoes, but that was quite natural given the circumstances.
“I'm so excited!”
“Just don't be silly, Raymond,” Regulus warned.
Glancing at his partners for this expedition, Minoru headed to the first floor dining room. “This is about the time that my family would be dining…” Minoru thought.
Perhaps his two older sisters also came from their husbands' houses to attend the funeral of their grandfather.
"Though the funeral should be on Sunday in 2 weeks..."
While locked up in his room, Minoru hadn’t been wasting his time – he was collecting information. When he heard about the plans for the funeral of his grandfather, he was shocked at his lack of emotions before he convinced himself that his emotions were simply paralyzed. He was unable to recognize the possibility that his mindset had become that of a Parasite, because in his mind, he was still himself.
This was the premise of Minoru’s actions. If this were to be proven false, he would no longer have any justification for his actions.
Suddenly Minoru, sensing a sudden nausea, put his hand to his mouth. He took this as evidence that he had finally realized the death of Ojii-sama, but… “the sadness is already completely gone," Minoru realized, telling himself. He had automatically distracted himself from his thought that his mindset might be becoming that of a Parasite. Perhaps this was a self-defense mechanism.
The Kudou family’s mansion was extensive. To get from the back door to the dining room, one had to go through many corridors and rooms, but Minoru had grown up in this house. He knew the corridors by heart and was able to reach the dining room unnoticed without getting lost.
Minoru instinctively reached out to knock on the door, but he realized what he was doing and stopped himself, smiling bitterly. He remembered that he was an “intruder", and shaking his head, he lowered his hand to the handle and opened the door.
“Who is this!? ...Minoru?”
This was the reaction of his second oldest brother who sat closest to the door. He acted surprised, but this was likely because he had his back to the door when Minoru entered. However, the main reason for his panic was that Minoru had ceased to hide the signs of the Parasite’s presence.
“Minoru...!”
The eldest brother reacted a bit differently, but there he was similarly surprised: he jumped up so sharply that his chair fell. However, his surprise did not hinder his reaction as he pulled out his CAD and started and activation sequence.
The magic he started was called Luna Strike. Automatically accounting for the fact that they are in a small room, he started a Mental-Interference magic.
Kudou Haruaki, the eldest son of the Kudo family, was best at the external systematic magic of mental-interference of the Four Systems and Eight types of modern magic.
Haruaki should not have been mistaken for attempting a basic attacking spell of mental-interference magic, “Luna Strike”. However, even with his experience, he failed to activate even this magic.
“Haruaki’s moon strike was canceled...?”
The eldest daughter of the Kudou family, Kudou Byakka, muttered this in a surprised voice. Haruaki was experienced with this type of magic, so his Luna Strike activation was very quick. None of his siblings would have been able to prevent the activation of Haruaki’s magic.
“Why did you come?”
Kudou Shino, Minoru’s “mother”, asked Minoru this with a calm face and a calm voice.
“Father has not returned home yet?” Ignoring Shino’s question, Minoru asked his own.
“Makoto-sama said he was late due to a factory inspection.”
Shino was more than 12 years younger than Makoto, so she always spoke like this –
not just in front of Minoru.
“At the factory?” Minoru continued his questions.
Although Minoru asked again with doubt in his voice, he immediately rethought his question, remembering that the Kudou family had invested in many military enterprises – there was nothing strange with him inspecting a factory.
“Would you tell me where this factory is located?”
“Yes, of course.”
Sino instantly agreed, and gave him the address of a place located on the outskirts of the Ikoma city – the same city in which this mansion resided.
“If you have business with Makoto-sama, then you should have said so from the beginning. If you had, Haruaki and the others would not be in such an inappropriate condition right now.”
Thus, she scolded them for such a cold reception from Minoru. Minoru was not shocked by her attitude.
“Kaa-san1, I have no more questions for you.”
Shino and his siblings Asuka and Byakka all frowned at this. Though the impoliteness of his phrase essentially saying “I don’t need you anymore” also provoked discontent, they also had a vague feeling that his saying of “Kaa-san” had a meaning different
than “mother”. However, neither the eldest nor the second daughter had time to comprehend it.
“…but I want my brothers and sisters to become my strength,” Minoru continued.
“What do you mean?”
Asuka, the second daughter, asked this in an aggressive tone. However, her anxious face made it obvious that she was only pretending to be strong.
“Become my subordinates. Oh yes, I don’t mean that I want to become the head of the Kudou family - this will only be temporary until I reach my goal. However, I realized that I am not a match for the Saegusa, Juumonji, and Yotsuba families, so I request your assistance to achieve my goals.”
“Do you want us to betray families in the same position as us, the Ten Main Clans!?”
shouted Soushi, the second son.
“What do you mean, Soushi-niisan? The Kudou family is no longer a member the Ten Master Clans,” Minoru retorted.
“…”
Soushi didn’t have any way to respond to Minoru’s parry, so he fell silent.
“Even if we are not a part of the Ten Master clans, we will not submit to a monster!
Especially if it is you, the killer of Ojii-sama,”, yelled the Haruaki. The willpower of the next head of the Kudou family was clearly strong. He once again tried to activate magic towards Minoru.
“Urgh...!”
1Minoru’s words in the original kanji imply that he knows the truth about his origins: that his mother was not his real mother and his parents were siblings Before he could activate his magic sequence, he grabbed his chest and bent over in pain. Minoru had activated a mental-interference magic causing pain with overwhelming speed.
“Please stop this useless resistance,” Minoru said in an indifferent tone, looking at Haruaki. “I understand that as former representatives of the Ten Master Clans, you
cannot kneel before a demon. That is why I do not wish to take the place of the head of the family and do not plan to ask for public cooperation. It is for you to secretly lend me strength in such a way that the Ten Master Clans are unaware of it.”
Minoru gave an innocent smile, like a child – containing no hidden meaning or flattery – while also giving the smile of a monarch – an uncaring smile that does not care about the feelings of others.
Minoru’s words were not answered. Haruaki did not know what to say, both daughters and the second son were intimidated by their difference in power. His
"official" mother showed no fear on her face, but she pressed her lips together and turned away from Minoru's gaze.
“I understand that you cannot agree to my request without the permission of my father. I'll talk to him first, so please wait here,” Minoru told them.
As soon as he completed his speech, Minoru activated mental interference magic forcibly putting them to sleep. His "mother”, sisters, and brothers each fell from their chairs as if all their all of their strength had been taken from their bodies.
Still, this could be called the better outcome as if they had fallen onto the table, their faces would have been covered in food.
Minoru had not limited his magic’s activation range to his family members. All of the servants and workers who were on the first floor fell asleep at the same time, and though some of them were injured as they fell asleep while working, Minoru found all the injured and applied healing magic to them. Once he was finished, Minoru met Regulus and Raymond in the hall leading to the main entrance.
“Minoru.”
When Regulus came down the stairs and called Minoru, he stopped and looked up at him.
“Have you finished?” Minoru asked.
“Yes, they are all sleeping. Three were able to provide some resistance, but in the end we managed to put them to sleep without killing them.”
“Excellent.”
Minoru nodded with a smile.
“By the way, I assume you asked us to put them to sleep and not to kill them because you want to use them somehow?” Raymond asked curiously as he came down after Regulus.
“I’m not looking for help from the servants of the main house, but rather from subordinates working outside the main family. However, since relatives and friends may be here, I would rather not make myself their enemy,” Minoru explained.
“Hmmm... Still, after killing Shogun Kudou, isn't it a bit late to worry about that?”
“Raymond!” Regulus reprimanded.
Raymond sucked in his neck when Regulus chided him, raising his voice. “Minoru, that, well...”
“Jack, don't worry about it.”
With a soothing tone, Minoru answered in a hurry to give an excuse for Raymond.
“I killed my grandfather - that is a fact. However, there are also many people who pledged allegiance to my father and not to my grandfather. These are the people I plan to ask for help.”
“Heh...”
Raymond’s answer had not contained any sign of having contemplated his words.
This might have been why Minoru was not angry.
“Let’s go to where my father is now. Please follow me,” Minoru said as he left through the main entrance without waiting for an answer.
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