Fujibayashi Nagamasa, defeated by Tatsuya and captured by Kuroba Mitsugu's subordinates, was admitted to a hospital in Kofu. This hospital was under the control of the Yotsuba family. Although his injuries were treated here, it could be said that he was actually imprisoned here.
His daughter Fujibayashi Kyouko visited his ward on July 21 at 11 a.m.
“Welcome, Lieutenant Fujibayashi.”
“... Tsukuba Yuuka-san, as far as I remember?“
Nagamasa had a separate personal room, but it turned out that at the moment he wasn't alone there. Yuuka knew that Kyouko would be arriving today, so she came to meet her in the room.
“I am honored that you know me. I would like to discuss something with you and your father... Do you mind?“
It was the usual polite request for permission, but the situation didn't allow the option to refuse.
“Yeah, I don't mind.“
Feeling forced, Kyouko announced that she agreed.
This room was quite spacious, and on both sides of the bed were simple chairs for visitors, so two people could easily sit opposite each other for a conversation. Kyouko sat in the chair farthest from the entrance, and Yuuka sat in the chair closest to the entrance.
“So. It would be rude of me, as an outsider, to disturb the conversation between father and daughter for a long time, so I will immediately inform you of the Yotsuba family’s demand.“
Kyouko tightened her whole body. In contrast to her, Nagamasa lay relaxed in a semi-sitting position in his raised-back bed.
“The Yotsuba family decided not to disclose the crimes of Kudou Makoto and his accomplices.”
Kyouko, stiff with tension, flinched sharply. It was obvious that one of Yuuka’s mentioned "accomplices" was Fujibayashi Nagamasa.
“But in return...“
Ignoring Kyouko’s reaction, Yuuka continued to voice the demand.
“... we would like Lieutenant Fujibayashi to testify as a witness to the activities of Lieutenant General Saeki to help enemies.”
“Helping enemies... what are you talking about?“
Kyouko with a pale face asked Yuuka.
The look on her face was tantamount to admitting that she "knew something."
“Well. For example, the case when, knowing about the penetration of Lu Ganghu into the country, Saeki ignored it.“
Kyouko caught her breath.
“You know about other cases, right?”
Perhaps Yuuka was bluffing. The Yotsuba family might not have been aware of the
“other cases,” and in the Lu Ganghu case, they probably didn't have evidence.
But Yuuka was so agile from the very beginning seized the initiative in the conversation that Kyouko couldn’t say it with confidence.
“... I would like to discuss this with my family.”
Kyouko planned to buy some time to gather her thoughts.
“We have already received consent from the head of the family, Nagamasa-sama, and the eldest son Choutaro-sama.“
But Yuuka anticipated even that.
“... Please allow me to speak with my father for a moment.”
“Understood. I'll be waiting in the hallway. Call me when you are done.“
Yuuka left the room, but her last words exerted such pressure, as if she said "don't take too long."
Exactly the same moment the door closed, Kyouko exhaled deeply.
“Otou-sama.“
Kyouko stood up and turned to Nagamasa.
“Is it true that you agreed to a deal with the Yotsuba family?”
She stood and waited for the answer from her father.
“...It's true.“
Nagamasa answered only after three seconds. There was no hesitation or guilt in his voice.
“...“
Kyouko didn't know what to say for a while, choosing between complaints and reproaches.
“I understand that in a situation like this where you are a prisoner, you simply had no choice. However...“
The Yotsuba family demanded that Kyouko become a traitor. In a sense, disclosing the dishonesty of a superior officer may not be considered a betrayal of the state. But justice can be applied not only in the right way. Kyouko didn't think that the Yotsuba family would use her “testimony” to achieve righteous goals.
“I would have agreed to the demands of the Yotsuba family, even if I weren't a prisoner.
The loser obeys the winner. That is our rule.”
“But then I will become a traitor!”
Kyouko's words seemed pretty insensitive. She took it as if he didn’t care what position she was in.
“You are not only a soldier, but also a person from the Fujibayashi family.”
“You want to say that I have to leave the army!?”
“I will ask in response. Is Lieutenant General Saeki worthy of such complete fidelity that you are ready to become an accomplice to her fraud?“
“That...“
At this moment, it wasn't the faces of her superiors or colleagues that arose in Kyouko's head. But the words of Yotsuba Maya, about the fact that she "wastes herself and is worthy of a better cause."
She first felt (more precisely, realized) doubts about the fact that she should be a soldier at the moment when, in February this year, she heard a message about the death of Chiba Toshikazu, with whom she had a friendly relationship with after a couple of conversations. Like a chain reaction, this led her to a memory of how death parted her from her fiancé, and how she could not understand the reason why she entered military service.
However, at the same time, she had a feeling that she had doubts about her work much earlier.
"It all started to seem strange... last August."
It all started with the fact that the plans to conduct an experiment with Parasite Dolls at the Nine Schools Tournament were revealed, which forced Kudou Retsu to truly resign this time.
Her grandfather, Kudou Retsu, and Saeki were longtime rivals.
"After Oji-sama's plans were revealed, Her Excellency Saeki seemed to have broken the chain..."
Was her self-control weakened by a victory over a long-standing rival? Kyouko knew from personal experience that since then there have been many more orders for her,
clearly beyond the responsibilities of the commander of one brigade. Many of Kyouko’s assignments were clearly illegal in the past, but over the past year she has experienced many times the feeling that now these assignments have begun to go beyond the bounds of illegality.
“Kyouko. Does Lieutenant General Saeki deserve your loyalty as boss? Is the 1-0-1
brigade a higher priority organization than the Fujibayashi family?“
“... Everything wrong should be corrected.“
Kyouko made such a compromise with her feelings.
“There are only two cases that I can testify to. But one of them is not helping enemies.“
This was the answer given by Kyouko to Yuuka.
Yuuka, seated in the same chair as before, nodded in satisfaction.
“The first case is Saeki's silence about the penetration of Lu Ganghu.“
“Yes. Kyouko nodded in response to Yuuka's reminder.“
“And what is the second?“
Kyouko no longer wondered if Yuuka knew of other cases, or not.
“The materials and funds for the development of parasite dolls were provided to the Kudou family... Uncle Makoto... Her Excellency Saeki.”
“Are you talking about some other parasite dolls besides those stored frozen in the former Ninth Laboratory?”
Yuuka didn't show a single bit of surprise at hearing Kyouko's confession.
Kyouko was never able to determine if Yuuka knew about this beforehand or not.... But she already didn't care.
“I'm talking about blank bodies for the parasite dolls, released since September last year. Her Excellency was considering replacing infantry units with units of parasite dolls.“
“But the Ministry of Defense didn’t approve the development cost?“
“The army command also didn't approve.“
“In other words, bribery is obvious.“
“Right. I didn't think about finding out the money trails, but if you study them in more detail, the names of military-related enterprises with which Her Excellency has close ties will come up.“
“Thank you for such details. We will study the sources of the bribes.“
Kyouko nodded silently and expressionlessly at Yuuka's words.
“... So Shizuku, Erika, and Saijou-kun will come too?”
“Yeah.... or not?“
“No problem. Total of four people from tomorrow morning for a day, right?“
“Yes, please.“
“Alright. I will prepare everything.“
“Thanks. Well, see you tomorrow then.“
“Yes, I'll be waiting.“
It was now past one o'clock in the afternoon. Immediately after completing her conversation with Honoka, Miyuki opened her address book and reached out to press the button on the administration office communication device to ask them to prepare sleeping accommodations for four people.
However, a moment before she touched the touch panel, the melody of an incoming voice call began to play.
The message “incoming call from Saegusa Mayumi-sama” appeared on the screen .
“Yes, this is Shiba.“
“Miyuki-san? This is Saegusa Mayumi.“
“We haven’t talked for a long time, senpai.”
“Yeah, a long time.... This time something absolutely terrible happened. Miyuki-san, are you okay?“
“Thank you very much for your concern. But, as they say, there is a silver lining.
Tatsuya-sama’s life is not in danger, and after his recovery there should be no complications or side effects.“
Mayumi was very careful choosing her words. While Miyuki’s answer seemed very strong-willed to her. Their dialogue up to this point was a normal conversation between a kohai, whose fiancé had an accident, and a senpai, who was worried about the two.
“What about Tatsuya-kun's Restoration...? Did it not work this time?“
“The power of Tatsuya-sama is also magic, so he cannot use it without being conscious... I don't think Tatsuya-sama could have imagined that he was being attacked by a self-defense patrol ship.“
“That's it. Unlike “superpowers,” “magic” can't be used unconsciously. You can't build magic unless you make your subconscious mind work with your consciousness...“
“Yeah.“
“And one more thing... Ummm... Miyuki-san, if you will allow me, can I visit Tatsuya-kun?”
“But Tatsuya-sama is still not able to receive visitors...”
“Well, if you can't, then so be it.”
“No... well, I get it. Do you mind if I consult with the family and call you back?“
Mayumi, without further explanation, understood that when Miyuki mentioned
"family" she meant the Yotsuba.
A girl from the Saegusa family requested a visit to the groom of the next head of the Yotsuba family. Mayumi considered it natural that they should be asked for permission
from the head of the family.
“Yes of course. I will wait.“
“I’ll try to call back as soon as possible.“
They both ended the conversation in a completely natural manner, without showing any awkwardness to each other's words and tone.
Miyuki headed to the hospital telephone room, leaving Lina in the ICU observation room. The telephone room was divided into six separate sub-rooms - “telephone booths.” Using her ID card, she entered one of these booths, equipped with a direct video link to Yotsuba's main house.
This completely soundproofed little cubicle didn't have chairs. There was a console near the entrance, and a 40-inch panel was hung on the opposite wall.
Miyuki entered three different ten-digit numbers on the console.
Maya herself appeared on the wall monitor immediately.
“Oba-sama, I apologize for the frequent calls.“
“Don't worry about it. Is someone asking for a visit again?“
“Yes, I just got a call from Saegusa Mayumi-san.“
Miyuki wasn't at all surprised at such an accurate guess. At present, the “visiting Tatsuya” was the first thing that came to mind when Miyuki called the main house, and even if the phone was tapped, there was nothing wrong with that.
“The Saegusa family, then?”
But Maya, on the contrary, showed signs of surprise.
“This is hardly a personal visit... I wonder what their purpose is?“
Miyuki agreed with Maya that Mayumi’s request was most likely the intention of the head of the Saegusa family. But it was clear that Maya didn't require Miyuki to answer this question.
“... Okay, fine.“
As usual, Maya herself came to some sort of decision.
“Miyuki-san, you can agree to her request.”
“Are you sure you should invite Saegusa-senpai?”
“Yes. Miyuki-san, I'm giving you the job of dealing with Mayumi-san.“
Maya didn't set any conditions for the eldest daughter of the Saegusa family to enter the stage of this performance.
“I understand.“
For some reason, Miyuki wasn't surprised.
“How did everything go?”
Lina asked Miyuki, who returned to the observation room.
“I got consent. And without any special conditions.“
Lina was very surprised at Miyuki’s answer.
“Uh? But Mayumi, the Saegusa family are Yotsuba's rivals?“
“We are not hostile to each other, but neither are we friendly.“
It seems that Lina’s concern only grew when she saw Miyuki’s unbiased attitude towards this matter.
“Is that okay? After all, it would be bad if, due to this leak, everyone finds out that Tatsuya's hospitalization is a fake.“
“Everything will be OK.“
Miyuki said and smiled at Lina.
“Miyuki... You have some kind of creepy, evil smile.”
“How rude.“
Lina's face froze, but the voice of Miyuki's reply wasn't particularly angry.
“Leaking information about fictitious hospitalization would really be a problem... But if it is senpai, then everything will be okay. If you politely ask, she will be silent.“
“... Yeah, right. I’m sure it will be.”
Lina muttered in a unconvincing tone, seeing that Miyuki's smile had become even more piercing. Lina was clearly afraid to continue discussing this topic any further.
Ignoring Lina’s unnatural behavior, Miyuki called the administration office to ask for guest rooms for five people.
After stopping by the General Staff Headquarters, Saeki eventually returned to Kasumigaura base at the beginning of the fifth hour of the day.
Entering the commander’s office, Saeki immediately summoned Kazama. Despite the fact that today was Sunday, Kazama appeared quite quickly.
“Lieutenant Colonel, do you know about the news of Shiba Tatsuya 's hospitalization?”
Saeki asked Kazama, who stood in front of the table.
“Of course, I know of it.“
“And what do you think?”
Although the question was quite abstract, Kazama knew exactly what Saeki was asking.
“It is hard to believe that he is really seriously injured. Tatsuya has that self-healing ability.“
Saeki made a stern face and asked Kazama the following question.
“If the hospitalization is false, then for what purpose was this done?“
“Perhaps the most likely cover is for an attack on Midway Prison. And perhaps he has already left the country.“
“The Intelligence Department also has doubts about this incident.“
“Did you go to the Intelligence Department?”
The buildings of the General Staff Headquarters and the army Intelligence Department were within walking distance of each other. Kazama decided that Saeki didn't get this information by telephone, but by going straight there.
And at that moment, Kazama felt a certain uneasiness.
“Your Excellency. Of course, I doubt it, but have you really told the Intelligence Department about Tatsuya's "Restoration"?“
Tatsuya's “Restoration” is a far greater secret than his “Decomposition”. This was agreed upon in a contract with Yotsuba.
This agreement was terminated at the very moment when Tatsuya relinquished his special officer status. However, the obligation to maintain confidentiality remained even after the termination of the contract. Although these were not legal obligations, and there were no documents left, but precisely because it was the wrong side of the world living outside the law, trust was of great importance.
“... The Intelligence Department launched an investigation yesterday.”
Saeki didn't answer Kazama's question.
Kazama realized that it was useless to ask again, so he didn't bother with further questions on this subject.
“Was it successfully infiltrated?“
Kazama asked instead.
“I heard that they sent a scout disguised as a reporter... But to be honest, the security there seems completely impregnable.“
“It is shameful, of course, that the army Intelligence Department can not surpass the civilian. But such is their opponent. Nothing to do about.“
Kazama criticized his colleagues as if it was none of his business.
Saeki's face showed irritation.
“Lieutenant Colonel, we must not 'do nothing.'"
“But the real problem is that a forced investigation is impossible. If you look at the situation with an open mind, Tatsuya is a victim.“
“Does this incident itself seem to you unnatural? How could it be so coincidental that the entire crew of the patrol ship would turn out to be anti-magicians?“
“And what if it wasn't an accident, but a planned attack by a faction of the fleet that supports the anti-magic movement? Or, for example, some kind of "faction against the Ten Master Clans"?“
Saeki fell silent.
Not only Kazama, but anyone would know, this didn't convince her.
“Your Excellency... Sorry for being rude, but are you not being too hostile against Tatsuya?”
“I'm not being hostile against him.”
Saeki's denial was so harsh that it seemed like one of those natural, reflex reactions.
Kazama decided not to argue any further.
“...I apologize.“
“... If you find out anything about Shiba Tatsuya’s activity, then report it immediately.”
Saeki didn't say "forgive" in response to Kazama's apology. And there was no reaction to that statement by Kazama, other than denial. It was clear that her last sentence was said solely in order to get rid of an uncomfortable topic.
“I understand you.“
“That's all I wanted to talk about. You are free to go, Lieutenant Colonel.“
Hearing Kazama’s response, Saeki ordered him to leave as permitted.
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