Published at 26th of March 2019 2:11 am

Volume 16, Chapter 2

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Early in the morning on the first day of winter break, Tatsuya went to the FLT Third Division.

Miyuki and Minami stayed at home. The FLT Third Division could be said to be his home ground and he was always welcome there. Even Tatsuya knew this. That day, he chose to go to the lab because the server at home was slower. So, he spent his time at home carefully thinking about the project.

He was scheduled to begin the new project from this day onwards. Rather than the development of a new CAD, he was designing a large- scale system using Magic Engineering. The project implementation date was yet to be known. In the first place, it was impossible to complete such a large-scale project with only the work of FLT.

The project name was ‘ESCAPES’ (Extract both useful and harmful Substances from the Coastal Area of the Pacific using Electricity generated by the Stellar generator). It was a project to access substances from the depths of the sea in the Pacific Ocean's coastal region by means of a Stellar Furnace, but in a sense it was also a ‘means of escape’ or ‘free the substances’.

At the current stage, he still needed to wait to incorporate the design into the system and create the plan proposal. Still, it was a huge step closer to his goal.

He had this idea about three years ago in 2093, a year after the Okinawa Incident in August. The Loop Cast System, Flight Magic as well as the Stellar Furnace were developed for the heart of this system, and he managed to gather the last piece the other day. Whether it was this project or Tatsuya, both of them still had a long way to go. That aside, given the significance of the project, it was unavoidable for him to be fired up.

However, his enthusiasm was suddenly washed over by cold water after an hour of work.

“Sorry for bothering you, Young Master.”

Transmissions using quantum encryption were taboo. As Tatsuya was viewing some highly confidential data, he received a call from a female secretary from FLT's Third Division.

“What is it?”

He did not want to stop working, however, the reason must be quite important if the secretary had knowingly disturbed him. Tatsuya stopped typing to hit the intercom button to reply.

“Excuse me, Kuroba Mitsugu wishes to see you, Young Master. What should I tell him?”

Tatsuya’s eyebrows rose unconsciously.

Mitsugu had not visited FLT before, as far as Tatsuya knew. As Mitsugu’s work entailed the collection of intelligence for the Yotsuba, he would have no reason to visit FLT, which was in the commerce/financial division of the Yotsuba.

“I will see him. Please bring light snacks to the offline reception.”

He did not have enough information to guess the purpose of Mitsugu’s visit. Tatsuya realized that at once.

He needed to make sure of what the purpose of this visit was. That was his reason for asking the staff to guide Mitsugu to a room which was not equipped with an online monitoring system.

Tatsuya made sure to lock the waiting room before greeting Mitsugu.

As he approached Mitsugu, Mitsugu did not seem to have any intention of rising from the sofa. Instead, he noticed that Mitsugu was playing with his fingers anxiously and left his hat on the sofa which was a sign of uneasiness ever since he went inside.

“Long time no see, Kuroba-san. The last time was during the summer right?”

“Yeah.”

Mitsugu nodded his head impatiently. His behavior did not seem to be affected only by the bitter memories of the deep wound inflicted by Zhou Gongjin ‘last summer’. He seemed to be on edge even before Tatsuya showed up.

“May I sit?”

Mitsugu nodded in silence, while Tatsuya took the seat opposite to him.

Tatsuya fixed his eyes straight at Mitsugu. There was a large age gap, like that of a parent and child, between the two of them. However, it didn’t make Tatsuya nervous at all. There was no hint of bravado in his posture either.

Mitsugu distorted his lips in his upset. Even now, it seemed like he was going to cluck his tongue.

However, Mitsugu did not look down on Tatsuya as a ‘mere escort’. Tatsuya was regarded as a failure of the Yotsuba Family, despite being the nephew of Yotsuba Maya, the current Family Head, and also the brother of Miyuki, the candidate for the next Family Head, especially among the non-combatant servants. As he ‘did not have the suitable magic power, despite having a direct blood relation to the Yotsuba’, he was ‘given the role of guardian to his sister out of pity’.

However, Mitsugu knew very well that Tatsuya wasn’t a ‘failure’. Certainly, he could be counted as one based on the current Magicians' standards, but he had a special power that was more than enough to compensate for this flaw. Mitsugu understood this very well.

The upsetness that Mitsugu showed to Tatsuya, was due to the fact that Tatsuya saw him as an equal, despite Tatsuya’s age that was not so different with that of his own son.

He couldn’t afford to be seen as such. Instead, the one with bravado and trying to push himself unconsciously, perhaps, was Mitsugu himself.

“What business do you have with me?”

Tatsuya asked so when Mitsugu did not show any signs that he would start talking. He did not say "I’m busy now", but the way he said it had that nuance. Of course, this was on purpose.

Although this was a rude way to say something to someone, no, to a senior, Mitsugu restrained himself. He figured that it was unbefitting of him to be upset over such a trivial issue, given that he was the one who paid a visit, hence, he kept it to himself.

“Do not come to the New Year’s Gathering.”

Without feeling the need to cover up the words that he had just said, Mitsugu came only to say those words bluntly to Tatsuya.

“I never had any intention to come.”

“What…?”

However, Mitsugu probably never expected this kind of answer from Tatsuya. The sulky face that had been directed to Tatsuya since he entered the room suddenly faded from Mitsugu’s face. Currently, he was wearing an unguarded surprised expression on his face.

“I have no intention of attending the New Year’s Gathering. The order from Toushu-sama was only given to Miyuki.”

Tatsuya called Maya ‘Toushu-sama’ instead of ‘Oba-ue’. Implicitly, he was trying to say that Miyuki’s attendance was ordered by the Head of the Family; it was not to be countered by the unreasonable request of Mitsugu.

“How quibbling…!”

Mitsugu clucked his tongue. It seemed like he chose to abandon his effort to cover up his frustration, once his real face was revealed.

“Then, I want you to persuade your sister not to come to the New Year’s Gathering.”

However, he said this with less intensity. Mitsugu probably realized that he wouldn’t win against Tatsuya and his tone was also somewhat tempered.

It didn’t mean that Tatsuya was going to accept the request, regardless of the politeness with which it was delivered.

“Why don’t you say it directly to her?”

Even Mitsugu himself knew that he was bound to be rejected. However, Tatsuya brought the conversation to a slightly different direction than what he was expecting.

“She wouldn’t do so even if I told her to. That’s why I’m asking you to.”

“I was not referring to Miyuki. Why didn’t you directly request Toushu- sama herself to retract the attendance order?”

Mitsugu was speechless for a moment.

“….I don’t need you to tell me that. I have discussed with Maya-san about her decision possibly being premature.”

“Then, there is no meaning for Miyuki and I to be absent from the New Year’s Gathering. Even if we decline, there is no way Toushu-sama would tolerate it.”

Perhaps, Mitsugu was considering Tatsuya’s words and fell into silence.

Tatsuya smirked wickedly, yet meaningfully.

“I can understand that it’s still premature for Fumiya as he still needs a few more experiences to make a male Family Head.”

“That’s an unjust suspicion!”

Mitsugu replied with a strong voice. He lifted his right hand from his armrest, albeit squeezing it tightly in the middle and stopped; he was restraining himself from hitting the table reflexively.

“Originally, I was reluctant to make Fumiya the Head of the Yotsuba Family. His personality is too kind to lead the Yotsuba Clan. I think that in terms of Magic Power, Miyuki is suitable to be the next Family Head.”

Tatsuya could not suppress his surprise when he heard Mitsugu’s rebuttal. Tatsuya always thought that Mitsugu wanted Fumiya to be the Head of the Yotsuba Family.

“Then, why do you think it is still premature?”

However, Tatsuya chose to keep his misunderstanding to himself for now. It was more important to stick with his priority to figure out Mitsugu’s intention.

Mitsugu was hesitant to answer and swallowed his breath. He returned to face Tatsuya with a defiant attitude.

"At the New Year’s Gathering, we will be deciding the next Family Head. Maya-san wishes for Miyuki's appointment.”

“I see.”

Although he said it this way, he had already foreseen this.

“However, I believe we need to postpone Miyuki’s nomination as the next Family Head to take care of a more important thing. It’s not only me. Shiiba, Mashiba, Shibata and Shizuku, also have the same idea.”

“So it’s the consensual decision of the Heads of the Branch Families, with the exception of Mugura and Tsukuba. Then, what is the important issue?”

“It’s about what we are going to do with you.”

Mitsugu grinned. It was a dark smile, one that harbored a dark feeling.

“In about two years, the 'Sakura Series' modified body, Sakurai Minami, will have sufficient enough power as a Yotsuba Guardian. That girl is particularly excellent even when compared to other modified bodies made by the Yotsuba. When that happens, your duty as a Guardian will become obsolete.”

Unlike his usual self, there was a hint that Mitsugu was intoxicated with his own words.

“Don’t worry. We’ll let you graduate from Magic University. You can contribute to Yotsuba’s financial activities as ‘Taurus Silver’ afterwards. There’s no need for you to continue your work in the JSDF either. We’ll release you from your secret military duty.”

Mitsugu’s eyes were still enveloped in darkness, he lifted the edge of his lips further.

“Ah, that’s right. You will replace your father's position in FLT. Although your existence will never be published as the president, you will still be the largest shareholder.”

“I have no interest in such things.”

Tatsuya cut off Mitsugu’s words with a bored voice.

“The things that you’ve said just now are not to be decided at Kuroba- san’s discretion.”

Tatsuya implicitly said that Maya was the one to decide those.

“Such a verbal agreement can be interpreted as an intention to revolt.”

“….No, I have no such intention.”

The wicked smile disappeared from Mitsugu’s face as if the demon who had possessed him had left.

Perhaps, he realized that he was not acting like himself, Mitsugu’s head was facing down again in silence.

“Kuroba-san, the one who ordered Miyuki’s attendance for the New Year’s Gathering is Toushu-sama, Oba-ue. Miyuki and I can’t just be absent on our own discretion. You should understand that much right?”

“Even so.”

While keeping his eyes on the table at the reception room, Mitsugu said so in a low voice.

“I don’t wish to make Fumiya and Ayako sad.”

Tatsuya narrowed his eyes sharply.

“Are you sure?”

Mitsugu raised his face, and stared straight at Tatsuya.

“I have said to you that I don’t wish to make them sad. I won’t do anything.”

“So you will wait and see from the sidelines?”

“I’m neutral. Although sentimentally speaking, I am your enemy, but I won’t do anything for the sake of my children.”

Mitsugu erased the remaining traces of hostility and declared so.

Tatsuya perceived that as a fact.

“Why do you wish to separate Miyuki and I? You didn’t answer this despite giving me that other explanation.”

Mitsugu rose.

“I’ll answer you if you arrive at the Main House on time.”

Mitsugu looked down at Tatsuya while saying so in place of a farewell.

◊ ◊ ◊

On the first day of the winter holiday, Miyuki was spending her time doing her homework when an unexpected visitor arrived sometime after she had eaten lunch.

“Miyuki-san, long time no see. You look very well.”

“Yuuka-san also hasn’t changed. Please take a seat.”

The visitor who sat opposite to Miyuki in the living room was Tsukuba Yuuka. She was the eldest daughter of the Tsukuba Family, a Branch Family of the Yotsuba Family. She was also one of the candidates to be the next Family Head.

She was 22 years old. She was a former vice president of First High's Student Council, currently in her fourth year at the Magic University. She had black hair at shoulder length with a 6:4 fringe ratio and styled in a way that revealed the piercings in her right ear. With perfect make up, she appeared to be a refined female college student.

The relationship between Miyuki and Yuuka, if summarized in a single word, was neutral. Alternatively, mutual non-intervention. She was not competitive like Ayako, or intimate like Fumiya, neither was she as hostile as Katsushige, the other Family Head candidate, the Shibata Family’s eldest son. Therefore, it was quite surprising that she paid a visit this way. It was much more likely for Katsushige to come and declare war in this situation.

Nevertheless, Yuuka was not hostile toward Miyuki. They were of equal standing in being candidates to be the next Head of the Yotsuba Family. It was a given to let her in if she was coming to pay a visit, unless she came at an unearthly hour.

“It’s been about a year, since the last time we met at last New Year's Gathering.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“Even if we both live in Tokyo, the opportunity to see each other is unexpectedly scarce.”

“Tokyo is huge after all.”

“You’re right. It certainly feels so in times like these. Miyuki-san, you’re a sophomore in First High, right? Are you the Student Council President?”

“Yes, you’re well informed.”

“It is my alma mater after all. You have had quite a loud achievement, haven’t you?”

“I know it’s not favorable to attract so much attention at this stage, but I think it’s rude to hold back toward my opponents… Yuuka-san, you’ll be graduating soon right?”

“Yes. Although, I will be continuing into graduate school.”

“You will not directly proceed to help the Main House?”

“Seems like they want me to increase my value a little bit. At this late hour.”

While she neutrally answered Miyuki, Minami brought out the tea.

Although she was trying to be as natural as possible with her words, it was actually quite awkward. The phrase Yuuka used earlier, 'loud achievements', actually carried a deeper meaning which was ‘is it alright to be so conspicuous’ while Miyuki answered by explicitly saying ‘I know, but it’s rude to hold back my power’ in return. By answering so, she was criticizing Yuuka, who was hiding her power during her high school days.

After which, Miyuki asked if it was alright for her not to help the Main House, although her real question was ‘is it alright to leak out the Yotsuba's secret technology to the university?’.

Regardless of her capability in engaging such a nasty tactic, it didn’t fit Miyuki’s taste. She was actually thankful for the arrival of tea at the right time to bring back the focus of the conversation.

“Then, Yuuka-san, what business do you have with me today?”

Miyuki and Yuuka brought back their cups to the saucers at the same time, and Miyuki asked her about the main issue.

At Miyuki’s straightforward question, Yuuka stopped beating around the bush.

“Why don’t we go together to the Main House for the upcoming New Year’s Gathering?”

“…Is that, an invitation to go to the Main House from Tokyo together?”

“Yes. Since I have a car, we can ride together.”

“Is it alright for me to hear your reason?”

Miyuki couldn’t hide the wariness that had been welling up in her mind. It was unavoidable. After all, Yuuka was one of her rivals as a candidate for the next Family Head position. They had minimal exchanges even if she was a relative, so she was not so different as a stranger is in everyday life; she knew nothing about her besides her face.

Although her approach in this negotiation was rather immature, Yuuka paid no care about it. Yuuka, unlike most others, did not overestimate Miyuki’s halo effect. Even if Miyuki had both good looks and magic power, she was still a 16-year-old girl, a girl who was younger than Yuuka by 6 years. Yuuka clearly understood this.

“Reason, huh. Do I need to say it?”

Yuuka tried to avoid the topic by sweetly looking up at Miyuki. Miyuki responded with a cold look to that act of hers.

“I understand.”

Yuuka didn’t seem to seriously cheat her way out so she dropped her playful attitude immediately.

“My foremost reason is because my escort is gone.”

“No longer around? Yuuka-san’s Guardian is——”

Yuuka closed her eyes and shook her head several times to stop Miyuki from getting up from the sofa.

“She is no longer around. That is to say that she died before my very eyes.”

Miyuki covered her mouth only for a short time, before blinking again.

Miyuki was ashamed of her own ignorance. It was a given to understand that ‘no longer around’ was hinting at ‘has been killed’ if she had thought harder.

Although Yuuka was already an adult, she was a Magician of the Yotsuba. With her versatility with magic, it was rare for her to receive dangerous work requests, but it was not impossible. In other words, the possibility of her Guardian getting killed in a mission was not zero.

Moreover, she was a rare magician with a high aptitude in Outer Systematic Mental Interference Magic. There were also those who targeted her for her genetic qualities, knowing her magic beforehand.

“My… Condolences.”

Miyuki respectfully bowed, to which Yuuka shook her head from left to right for.

“Such an expression is not suitable. Her work was to risk her life to protect me, and she was fulfilling her responsibility. She has no need to worry anymore about being my substitute. If the other world is real, she must be breathing in relief that she no longer has a need to be ordered around at the mercy of a pampered girl.”

Yuuka’s excessively honest comments were making Miyuki uncomfortable.

“Even though it’s the job of a Guardian, to make fun of someone who protected you with her own life… I wonder if that’s appropriate?”

Yuuka was shocked and blinked her eyes countless times.

“It’s because Miyuki-san’s Guardian is your own older brother. I’m sorry for inciting an unpleasant feeling.”

On the surface, Yuuka honestly bowed. However, her words seemed to hint at other feelings, so Miyuki did not really receive the supposedly honest apology from Yuuka.

“It is not unique to my brother and I. Putting aside the fact that Fumiya- kun does not have a Guardian, Katsushige-san does properly treasure Kotona-san, right?”

Tsutsumi Kotona was Shibata Katsushige’s Guardian, and it was an indisputable fact that Katsushige was taking care of Kotona. However, that case was an inappropriate example. Contrary to Miyuki’s intention to encourage Yuuka to reflect, it made her laugh calmly instead.

“Well, Katsushige-san and Kotona-san are like 'that' after all.”

Miyuki turned her stare aside in disappointment at Yuuka who continued to laugh and giggle. She couldn’t deny the blunder that she’d just made.

“Anyway, without having Onii-sama and I together with you, you can arrange an escort immediately right? Unlike us, Yuuka-san, you have the Tsukuba Family with you after all.”

Yuuka stopped laughing, she saw the glance from Miyuki.

“Well, that’s true.”

Yuuka sat upright towards her.

“It’s hard to find someone who’s on par with your brother… Moreover, it’s not bad for Miyuki-san, too, right? It’s impossible to take a taxi all the way to the Main House after all, and Tatsuya-san only has a license for a motorbike right?”

Indeed, she couldn’t exactly tell a taxi driver to drive all the way to the Yotsuba Family's House which was not located on the map, and it was impossible for a motorbike to bring too many things.

However, that was never a problem from the beginning.

“As long as I contact them beforehand, I can request for a car to pick us up at the station. I have done so since last year, and I will be doing so this year as well.”

Miyuki was the niece of the current Family Head, regardless of her position in being a next Family Head candidate. It was a given that she was treated as a VIP to the extent of picking her up from the station.

“Yuuka-san as well, didn’t you do the same until last year?”

Car driving had reached the level of semi-auto drive. Even without the support of the transport system, the burden of driving was already much lesser than in the past.

Even so, the fatigue brought on by driving was not completely eliminated. It took only two hours to travel from Tokyo to the Main House, but it was much easier to take a ride to the nearest station and have people to pick them up from there. There was no need to specifically drive on her own.

“I don’t mind that either. However, it’s best if you don’t do that.”

“Why is that so? There hasn’t been any inconvenience until now.”

“Until last time, that is. However, it’s better to stop that for now. I can’t say the reason though.”

Can’t say the reason, which meant that it was not only her ungrounded concern, but rather Yuuka had very clear grounds for her reasoning.

“Yuuka-san, is there something that you know?”

“I can’t say that.”

“…Why, can’t I do so even if it’s the same as last year? What kind of merit will I get in going together with Yuuka-san?”

“I can’t say that either.”

Miyuki stared deeply at her, but Yuuka was warding it off with innocent eyes.

“…I see.”

The one who broke the stance was Miyuki.

It wasn’t due to her weakness. Miyuki simply did not have any means to make Yuuka talk.

Even if she used magic.

Yotsuba Magicians were categorized into two, those who specialized in Mental Interference Magic and those that possessed a unique, powerful magic. Miyuki specialized in an extremely powerful and unique Mental Interference Magic, hence, she possessed both traits. On the other hand, Yuuka was only a typical Mental Interference Magician.

Regardless of their capabilities in defeating an opponent, Yuuka was more versatile in techniques used to force others to confess secrets. At the very least, she was not using any violence on the surface but a way to extract information without force.

“Regarding your offer, I will answer you after consulting with my brother.”

“Really? Then, I’m expecting a good answer from the both of you.”

Yuuka stood up from the sofa.

She said to Minami ‘the tea was delicious’ when the entrance was opened, and left with a rough greeting of ‘see you’ to Miyuki who was sending her out from the Shiba’s home.

◊ ◊ ◊

“Yuuka-san... Such a thing.”

When Tatsuya reached home, he heard of Yuuka’s visit and offer from Miyuki and he stopped to think for a while. Of course, he was unable to draw any conclusion from Yuuka’s, no, the Tsukuba Family’s intention only from that much exchange of words. However, after hearing Yuuka’s offer and Mitsugu’s unreasonable request, he couldn’t help but think that these two occurrences were unmistakably related with one another.

“She did not try to give a vague reason, but told you that she ‘can’t’ say it?”

“Yes. It seems like she was hiding something that she knew about.”

In other words, something was going to happen. It was not only at the level of conjecture, but determined information. And that something was going to happen during the New Year’s Gathering, no, along the way to the Main House from here.

There was a possibility that Yuuka’s remarks were made in order to cause paranoia for Tatsuya and Miyuki, which would discourage them from going to the New Year’s Gathering. However, when taking into consideration Mitsugu’s intimidation (that there’d be attempts of attack against us) into account, the possibility seemed to elevate.

(Where will they attack? More importantly, who’s the target? Miyuki? Or is it me?)

If it were Tatsuya, it would not be uncommon. Whenever he did any secret missions, he was always careful not to let others know about his identity. There shouldn’t even be any witnesses. However, if he let someone slip away by mistake, and the organization where that person came from swore to take revenge regardless of the risk, it wouldn’t be strange to have one or two enemies like that.

However, if it were a temporary retaliation of an illegal organization, he had no idea as to why they’d choose this kind of timing.

If they chose an out-of-sight place, the result would be the exact opposite for a magician opponent. Besides, the attack could let him turn the tables with ‘self-defense’ as an excuse, so this method had a high risk.

On the other hand, if the target were Miyuki, the mastermind could be narrowed down to nearly a single cause: the succession to be the Yotsuba Family Head. Tatsuya thought that it did not hold any worth to beat other families just to get the status of Family Head. If Miyuki wished to decline, Tatsuya wouldn’t even mind. From his point of view, the other candidates seemed to be reluctant as well. The eager ones were the adults.

Still, there wasn’t anything that would need drastic action to suit the adult’s convenience. The route from the station to the Main House was also home ground for the Branch Families of the Yotsuba. It was a perfect venue for cover-ups or assault-and-feign-innocence.

If the target were Miyuki, it would be better to accept Yuuka’s offer. There was a possibility that the assailant would retreat if they knew that Yuuka was with them, and he would be getting help from the Tsukuba Family if they were actually attacked.

On the contrary, if Tatsuya was the target, they would likely be forced into a disadvantage if Yuuka was with them. It would cause him to suffer more serious collateral damage if he was to accept Yuuka’s proposal.

Nevertheless, they might be forced to make a certain concession if he were to accept Yuuka’s proposal. Yuuka might be forced to do it by the assailant’s instruction. Yet, the collateral damage received by Yuuka will remain to be a debt to both Tatsuya and Miyuki. In the end, the one who would gain the most would be Yuuka. Even if she felt no benefit with possessing the next Family Head position, it was a disadvantage for them to be indebted to another party who might become the next head.

“Let’s reject it.”

After thinking things through for a long while, Tatsuya stated his conclusion. Within his mind, a voice kept telling him that it was alright to accept Yuuka’s offer. His intuition also whispered the same. However, the benefits were too uncertain, and he judged that the disadvantages were greater if he were to accept Yuuka’s offer.

“Understood. Then, I’ll contact Yuuka-san.”

She didn’t use the telephone with the large display in the living room, so she probably intended to contact Yuuka from a smaller display terminal in her room. Miyuki bowed to her brother and went up to the second floor.

◊ ◊ ◊

“I’m sorry, even though you offered us…”

“I feel disappointed, but don’t mind it. It was a sudden request after all.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“It’s alright. However, if you encounter anything, don’t hold back to contact me.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“Then, I’ll wait for your further contact.”

After putting back the video phone on the table, Yuuka laid her back on the large sofa in her living room. She even extended her feet in relaxation. It was a little disgraceful kind of conduct for a young lady, but she was currently living in the apartment alone. There were neither servants nor her mother to preach to her about manners here.

Before she reached 20, her mother and housekeepers alternately came, but all of them stopped coming as soon as she had turned 20. In Yuuka’s consciousness, she was enjoying 20 years’ worth of freedom for the past two years. Since her housemate who didn’t really talk much was gone, she had the whole place as her private space. She was thinking that a free, unrestrained life was good.

While she was still relaxing, she mulled over Miyuki’s response to her offer.

It was within her calculations that Miyuki would reject the offer. Rather, it would have been a surprise for Miyuki to accept her offer, given the limited information that Yuuka gave. There was a possibility that Miyuki thought that she would request the next Family Head position from Miyuki.

Anyways, Yuuka was not particularly interested in gaining the status of becoming the Yotsuba Family Head.

In the first place no matter how many candidates were selected, there was no meaning besides adjusting the appearance. Furthermore, if they were to comply with the Yotsuba’s rules faithfully, Shiba Miyuki would be fully determined as the next Family Head. Currently, there was no better magician than Miyuki in the Yotsuba. Even when compared to the current Family Head, Maya, Miyuki was still better as a magician. At the very least, the Tsukuba Family knew this fact.

Yuuka, no, the Tsukuba Family, had decided two years ago that they would support Miyuki as the next Family Head. Since then, Yuuka was released from the monitoring and fuss, as it was assumed that she would not to be the next Family Head of the Yotsuba. Though, they didn’t give up the candidacy in order to use it to maintain sway as with the other Branch Families.

“Moreover, Miyuki-san has that ‘Onii-sama’, too.”

Yuuka knew what happened last year on the 31st of October at the Tsushima Base and the southern tip of Korean Peninsula. She also knew of what happened in Okinawa, back in August from four years ago.

“I’m not even sure I can win against Miyuki-san alone, much less when she has such a powerful human weapon as her ally.”

Yuuka had no drinking habit. This time, however, she thought that it would be better if she drank some.

She recalled the instance when she gave in to her mood and ended up having a hangover (fortunately the drugs developed for hangovers were able to immediately take effect), even before she brought the cup to her mouth.

“Even so… To have Tatsuya-san to serve her, that is just crazy. Even though there is no guarantee that he would keep quiet forever.”

Instead of a glass of wine, she poured out a bright red brewed rose hip tea to a glass tea cup, for the sake of their similar appearances, and drank the tea before her in one go.

“Shibata Oji-sama, Kuroba Oji-sama, and Shizuka Oji-sama, too, why do they have such enmity towards Tatsuya-san? I thought that Tatsuya- san is an important force for the Yotsuba though…”

She tilted the glass tea cup slightly, and Yuuka frowned a little. On top of the high temperature, the color emphasized that it was too darkly brewed.

“No, it’s not only the Oji-sama’s… Even the Main House’s staff also treat Tatsuya like a failure. The servants treat him so rudely, what the hell is the meaning behind all that?”

Yuuka took a sip of the rose hip tea. She was probably used to the sour taste, as she did not make a frown on her face this time.

“Okaa-sama also never told me why Tatsuya-san receives such treatment… I wonder if there is such a deep-rooted karma to this extent?”

Yuuka placed the tea cup with half of its contents on the table. She went to the bathroom right behind her, while a HAR manipulator came down from the ceiling to send the cup to the kitchen.

If Miyuki were to be the next Family Head in this upcoming New Year’s Gathering, the reason behind Tatsuya’s unnatural diminishing treatment might also be revealed. Yuuka thought so, voicelessly.

◊ ◊ ◊

After her call with Yuuka, Miyuki made a call to the Main House, asking to be picked up at the station on the 29th of December. Actually, if she was ordered to attend the New Year’s Gathering, as long as she could arrive by the 31st, everything would be alright even if she took into account the time needed for preparation. The main reason why she asked to be picked up on the 29th was unmistakably due to taking into account the possibility of any disturbances that could occur.

The one who received the call was the butler, Obara, a former traffic riot police, who was the person in-charge of transportation arrangements.

After the call with Obara, it was decided that they would be picked up at the station at 1 P.M. This plan was to be kept confidential otherwise. When Miyuki arrived safely, the information would be communicated to all of the employees working in the Main House.

◊ ◊ ◊

Shibata Katsushige had just joined the Ministry of Defense this year as an Office Worker. Although there was no forced attendance, and the general public holidays were regularly available, there was no lengthy winter break like he was used to having as a student. Today, he had just gotten back from his newcomer job——also referred to as miscellaneous——to his apartment.

As if waiting for this timing, his phone rang and the screen displayed an incoming call.

“Katsushige-san, let me.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Kotona welcomed him home at the entrance but she was restrained and ordered to return to the living room so Katsushige operated the wall- attached type terminal.

“Tou-san… is there something?”

The person who appeared on the display was his father whom he had just met with three days ago, the Head of the Shibata Family, one of Yotsuba Family’s Branch Families.

“Katsushige, you’ve reached home?”

“Yes, I’ve just arrived.”

“I see. Well, please take a seat.”

He said so from the other side of the screen.

Katsushige judged that the conversation would be long, so he sat down on the sofa facing the display.

With a height of 188 cm and a weight of 80 kg, Katsushige boasted his physique by making the commercial sofa set look a little narrow. However, Katsushige seemed to have become accustomed to it and so, his long legs passed calmly between the sofa and reception table.

“Katsushige, how’s your work?”

“I’m still receiving the same kind of task as before… as it’s only been three days since I started work.”

“Hmm… I see.”

Katsushige’s father had a militarian temperament, so it was kind of unusual to see him stammer this way. It must have been a really tough topic to start.

“Tou-san, do you want to talk about the upcoming New Year’s Gathering?”

Hence, Katsushige decided to ask the topic on his own. It had only been three days since their last meeting, so there was no need to purposely video call like this. However, during their last meeting, this business had failed to come out.

“Yes, actually, Shiba Miyuki contacted Obara a little while ago. It seems like she’ll be coming to the Main House on the 29th.”

“I see, so Miyuki-san will come on 29th, as well.”

The non-existence of New Year’s Holiday in the modern central government was not limited to the Ministry of Defense. A number of staff are packed into the government office in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances. Especially since the Ministry of Defense must be run year round to prevent any outbreak of a World War. However, to novices like Katsushige, they were given days off starting from the 29th.

“However, is there any problem with that?”

Katsushige asked curiously while thinking of a girl’s face who was younger and beautiful. The upcoming New Year’s Gathering would see to have all the next Family Head candidates to attend, hence, it was not out of the ordinary that Miyuki would come as well. Katsushige had failed to understand that his father purposely called him out of nowhere for the convenience of Miyuki.

“Katsushige.”

“Yes?”

After his father called his name in such a formal way, he was getting more and more suspicious. However, the next words had blown off all such trivial questions.

“We must not let Miyuki attend the New Year’s Gathering.”

Katsushige was instantly speechless. Not that he had lost his words, but there were questions springing on his mind all at once, and he was confused on which one to ask first.

“Do you mind if I ask about the reason?”

In the end, he eventually chose this mediocre question with a general sense of versatility.

“During the upcoming New Year’s Gathering, Maya-san is going to announce Miyuki as the next Head.”

“I see. That’s disappointing.”

Even though Katsushige answered so, he was actually not so surprised himself.

Miyuki was certainly an excellent magician and she also possessed a high aptitude of for Mental Interference Magic, a trait of the Yotsuba Family. Katsushige also knew that Miyuki was the most promising candidate for the next Family Head.

While the aptitude in having Mental Interference magic was an important quality for the Yotsuba Family Head, it was not an absolute condition. Up to the previous head, Eisaku, he was highly versatile in Mental Interference Magic, but Miya who had the powerful ‘Mental

Design Interference’ had not selected to be the Head but instead, Maya was chosen. Moreover, Katsushige thought that he was superior to Miyuki in terms of combat power.

His chance to be chosen as the next Family Head was by no means small, such was Katsushige’s thought. Even so, the fact that he didn’t receive much of a shock even though he was not chosen meant…

(Actually, I, myself, knew that Miyuki is the best magician in the Yotsuba.)

“Tou-san, are you perhaps still bothered for me? It’s alright. I’m already an adult, so I can at least give her my blessing well.”

Katsushige formed a smile, and it didn’t take much effort for him to do so.

“It’s not like that.”

However, his father's strong refusal hinted at something along the lines of ‘Maya-san would appoint Miyuki to be the next Head. However, I won’t let it happen’.

“Tou-san… you don’t plan to revolt against Toushu-sama, do you?”

Katsushige accused him with a strong tone.

“Even though the Branch Families’ Heads have come together to support a single candidate, if we measure the influence of the Main Family's Head's decision over ours, in the end, the issue will be settled by the Main Family’s Head. Even if the Branch Families’ Heads support me to be the next Family Head, it would be unthinkable to be able to get the support of the whole family. Tou-san, you should be very clear on this matter as well.”

Contrary to Katsushige’s expectation, Osamu was nodding on screen.

“I understand. I don’t have any intention to oppose Miyuki in becoming the next Family Head in the first place. Although I do think that you’re more suitable to be the Head.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s no avoiding in Miyuki becoming the next Family Head. However, it’s still too early.”

“I don’t think that Maya-sama will immediately retire as soon as she names Miyuki as the next Family Head, though.”

“I said, the appointment of Miyuki as the next Family Head is still too early.”

“I understand that she's bound to have some immaturity, as she’s only 16 years old now, but…”

Katsushige failed to understand the mind of his father. He could understand that she was still too young to inherit the title of Family Head. However, he wondered if there would be any inconvenience if she was to be named as a successor.

“There isn’t any problem with Miyuki herself. That child is suitable to become the next Head of the Yotsuba.”

Katsushige was getting more confused with how the conversation was going.

“Then, where does the problem lie?”

“The problem is Miyuki’s Guardian.”

“Tatsuya-kun, right? Certainly, he has some problems as a magician, but I have no doubt in his ability as a combat magician. He also contributes to the Yotsuba’s finances as Taurus Silver, and he’s a Strategic-Class Magician who is to be the trump card of Japan. Compared to his ‘Material Burst’, Itsuwa Mio-san’s ‘Abyss’ only has limited applications for battles unless on the surface of water.

“That Material Burst itself is the problem. The power of that magic is too enormous. You should know better than me regarding how it initiated the backdoor discussion in the Military after it was deployed on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula since you’re in the Ministry of Defense.”

“Certainly, there was such a case, but at the same time, we were able to bring about the conclusion for an Underwater Decurity Treaty with other countries. The New Soviet Union has also been sounding their alliance with Japan recently. Although there is a downside in the growing tensions with the USNA, the end result is still considered a positive gain in keeping the status quo against neighboring countries.

“If his value as a political tool grows, then it is even more of a necessary to cut him off from the central figures of the Yotsuba so that he won’t get caught up in any political agenda. We need a little more time for that purpose. If we nominate Miyuki as the next Family Head now, it is inevitable for that man to become the next Family Head’s close aide. That will surely bring about all sorts of problems for the Yotsuba in the future.”

What Osamu said at a glance was logical. However, Katsushige couldn’t help but feel that there is an underlying feeling arming those words.

“Tou-san… why do you, no, why do all the Branch Family Heads dislike Tatsuya-kun so much?”

Any facial expression Osamu may have had disappeared from his face. It could have been due to his effort to hide his upsetness. However, that expressionless mask of his was not able to trick Katsushige, as he had acquired much wisdom over the many years that they had spent together.

“Such an enormous power will compromise the stability of the world. What we want is a power that protects us from harm. We do not with for such a power to shake the world.”

“However, that’s not Tatsuya-kun’s responsibility, right?”

“I don’t plan to make him take on the responsibility. It is our responsibility to seal his magic.”

Katsushige realized that any further persuasion was meaningless.

“What do you want me to do?”

He decided to avoid any more meaningless conversations and set his mind on what do now.

“Mashiba and Shizuka are already on the move.”

“Is Kuroba-dono not going to make a move?”

Katsushige's question was brought up due to the unexpected situation. The Mashiba Family and the Shizuka Family were not espionage professionals. They had similar abilities as other Ten Master Clans, but the experts of espionage in the Yotsuba Family was led by the Kuroba Family. It seemed unnatural for the Kuroba Family to not be involved in this kind of work that requires a certain level of subtlety.

“The Kuroba Family also agrees with the idea of Shiba Tatsuya’s exclusion. It’s just that Kuroba-dono’s children strongly favor him, so he refrains himself from making a move.”

“I see... So, what do I need to do specifically?”

After explaining that the Branch Heads had such unity, it seemed that they wanted to maneuver the Branches’ force in the most effective way for the execution stage. It was nothing but insecurity of the future, and Katsushige decided that his role was to keep the fatalities to a minimum. For that very reason, he needed to know their plans.

“There’s no need to injure Miyuki. The end purpose is to halt her movements. As long as she doesn’t get to the Main House on New Year’s Day, it will be enough.”

It was a more peaceful approach than he thought, and Katsushige was a little relieved.

“Your turn is on the 31st. You’re the last chance we have in case Mashiba-dono and Shizuka-dono fail.”

“Please tell me the details. If you know, please include the plans of Mashiba-dono and Shizuka-dono.”

Answering Katsushige’s question, his father spoke of the details of the conspiracy.

◊ ◊ ◊

December 27th, Thursday night.

Lieutenant Yaguchi of the JSDF’s Matsumoto Base threw himself in bed due to exhaustion from training.

An officer shall become a role model even for personal grooming, was the statement from his precocious Officer Trainer, but Yaguchi had no will to do anything else.

He had been in a lethargic state since summer, ever since his respected superior was ousted due to an incident.

Before that incident, Lieutenant Yaguchi belonged to the faction of ‘hardliners against the coalition with the Great Asian Alliance. It was a faction under Colonel Sakai and had a lengthy population of incorruptible Patriots who openly complained persistently to the top- tiers about the threat of the Great Asian Alliance and the risk of compromising with other countries regardless of the hostilities they received in return. Even after ‘Scorched Halloween’, when they had a golden opportunity for an early ceasefire, Colonel Sakai and his confidants didn’t cease their claims.

Then, when more people in the JSDF came to terms with that ideology, that event happened.

A suspicion of creating new weapons using civilians, High School Students, and minors as targets for a test.

However, it was a plan created by the Kudou Family all along. The incident itself could only be seen as a scheme to trash Colonel Sakai and the executives of the ‘hardliners against the Great Asian Alliance’, that landed them in military prison. The maximum sentence was five years, but they wouldn’t be able to return to military service afterwards. It was questionable if they could even come out of the prison alive. In fact, the executives had died in unnatural deaths before the imprisonment.

Lieutenant Yaguchi was left alone since he was young and low-ranked. He was also helped by the fact that he was not at the scene when the matter occurred. He was relocated to the Matsumoto regiment as a test pilot for one of the Powered Suits for the Special Mechanized Infantry Test Unit for actual battle deployment. He was not demoted; it was part of official training to study general military service, yet he had lost his motivation, and saw it as a creed to leave the capital.

Nevertheless, he didn’t sit idly and had participated in the training as an exemplary soldier. He was convinced that by doing his best, he would not put to shame his hardliner executives who were falsely accused.

Yaguchi was tired. From a third party point of view, he was doing an impossible thing. He kept on moving his body even after his motivation had plummeted. More than his body, his spirit was exhausted. He harbored his ear to a dubious whisper, that must be the case.

“Who’s that!?”

He felt a sign of life in the room beside his that was not supposed to be there and got up from his bed quickly. No matter how fatigued he was, the movement was imprinted into him by the training regardless of his choice.

“The one who took down Colonel Sakai and the ‘Great Asian Alliance hardliner’s was the Yotsuba Family of the Ten Master Clans.”

A strangely withered voice was emitted from the corner of the room. It was a voice that sounded like the grazing of cold winter woods.

“Is that true? In the first place, who are you? Is there any basis for your claim?”

“I can’t show you the evidence, but it’s a fact.”

Yaguchi’s suspicion was a natural reaction as a man who previously served as a military personnel, but it was probably the same for anyone, too.

“However, why did the Ten Master Clans, especially the Yotsuba to boot...”

However, what the voice told him could not be dismissed by Lieutenant Yaguchi.

“The mastermind who instructed the blaming on Colonel Sakai, the Yotsuba, is not yet satisfied.”

Once he tried to see carefully, he could see a silhouette of a man in the darkness in the corner of his room.

The cold wintry wind voice came from that shadow.

“Mastermind? Who is it!? Who was the one who trashed the Colonel!?”

While reducing his volume as not to be heard by his neighbor, Lieutenant Yaguchi questioned in a strong tone.

However, there was no answer.

“They are going to assassinate the hardliner executives, including the imprisoned Colonel Sakai in the military prison.”

The shadow seemed to say only what it wanted to tell.

It probably came from a recorded message, that was Yaguchi’s first thought, but he soon realized that he was mistaken.

“Don’t be stupid. The military prison is tightly shut out from the outside world. Even its security level has outdone the Prime Minister’s Official Residence. There couldn’t be any such intrusion.”

“It’s possible for the Yotsuba to do it.”

The shadow refuted Yaguchi’s instant argument with a short statement.

“Whether it’s the patrol soldiers, military prison walls, or the security system, all of them cannot go against the Yotsuba. In order to prevent the assassination, other means aside from power are necessary”

Before Yaguchi was able to react for the shadow’s words, the shadow continued his message, the ’29th of December, 1 P.M.’.

“An important person from the Yotsuba with a small number of escorts will go down to Kobuchizawa Station. They will wait for a car from the Yotsuba to pick them up at a nearby hot spring.”

“…What in the world?”

“That important person is a young girl.”

It was probably an answer to Yaguchi’s question or the shadow just said the things he prepared in advance. There was no distinction at all.

“The Yotsuba Family would never abandon that girl. If you take her hostage, it’s possible to release Colonel Sakai.”

“Such a thing…”

Can’t be done, was what Yaguchi was about to say. Even if the Colonel was falsely accused, he was imprisoned in response to a formal conviction of a military court. Even the Yotsuba couldn’t possibly interfere with that. No, it was simply unthinkable.

“They can do it.”

However, Yaguchi couldn’t say ‘cannot’ from his mouth. Although he didn’t say ‘possible’, he ended up hearing those words.

“However, even if you said to take her as a hostage, how…”

He was already riding on the offer of the unidentified shadow. In that instance, Yaguchi chose to stain his hands in illegal means in the hopes of rescuing the Colonel and the other executives.

“I have no such means!”

“There is a detention facility for Reinforced Psychics here on the Matsumoto Base.”

“What!? Do you plan for them to…”

During the 20 year long Global War, in order to create a quick force, as part of the Magician Development Research, Reinforced Psychics were subjected to strengthening processes to squeeze out their specific ability for battle. They were the black ops of the JSDF who were detained at the JSDF Facilities based on the threat of their power after the war. Nearby the Matsumoto Base, there was a single facility for a relatively low threat level group, and Reinforced Psychic Body Treatment was accommodated there.

“Reinforced Psychics have a grudge-like jealousy against the Ten Master Clans. It would be easy to use them as a pawn to fight against the Yotsuba Family.

Yaguchi shook his head upon hearing the shadow’s proposal.

“No, it’s impossible. I don’t even have the authority to go into the laboratory.”

“We will provide the means. Although, we can’t prepare for a regular life.”

“Are you turning me into a criminal?”

Yaguchi blurred his voice in anguish. However, he didn’t reject immediately to the illegal proposal, he had already decided which road he would choose.

“Colonel Sakai was also charged through illegal means. If you can ensure the target, it’s possible to out-win their measures.”

In other words, he could not only save Colonel Sakai, but also escape the criminal brand himself.

“You’re only correcting the justice that has been twisted. It’s not evil even if you’re engaging in a criminal act”

“I got it. What should I do?”

Yaguchi felt that even without eyes and a nose, the shadow was forming a grin and laughing from its mouth.

◊ ◊ ◊

It was around the same time that Lieutenant Yaguchi from the Matsumoto Base formed his decision to disobey the military law.

The same shadow emerged in the Second Supply Uji Base. The shadow showed himself to Captain Hatae, the Great Asian Alliance reconciliation faction leader.

Hatae was accused of having invited the enemy’s foreign magicians into the base at the end of October, but the charge was made more lenient after it was detected that his consciousness was under the influence of Mental Interference Magic. He was sentenced to 6 months of salary cut for deploying a military vehicle to a battle without the instruction of the Base Commander. Although it was tough economically, it was also quite a compassionate measure that he was not demoted, and even Hatae himself thought so.

Nevertheless, the punishment didn’t make him change his stance. He kept wishing for a truce with the Great Asian Alliance to repair the current hostility between the two countries, Hatae even received advice from his superiors and colleagues that he would only worsen his standing within the JSDF’s in the country. Yet, he persisted in his view.

He didn’t hesitate in his belief, but he felt that his position was getting worse by the day. At this rate, in the near future, his superiors would get impatient and think that they were keeping a useless person on their payroll.

The shadow appeared to him at such a time.

“Illusion projection?”

Hatae was familiar with Lieutenant Yaguchi’s magic from the Matsumoto Base. This was the reason that the shadow materialized itself at a glance.

“Where did you come from?”

However, he knew that it was an illusion, so he wouldn’t know the identity of the magician. Nevertheless, it didn’t make much difference for Hatae.

“The other day, the one who attacked the Base was the Ten Master Clans-Yotsuba Family.”

The shadow didn’t answer Hatae’s question.

“I know that well enough.”

Hatae didn’t mind the matter-of-fact statement. If it had planned to reveal its identity, the magician wouldn’t send a shadow without eyes, a nose and a mouth.

Moreover, Hatae had guessed that the attack came from the Yotsuba Family of the Ten Master Clans. The intruder was clearly using Modern Magic. He had no other idea of any other Modern Magicians who would be bold enough to intrude on a JSDF Base.

“The Yotsuba are continuing to hunt the people who communicate with the Great Asian Alliance even now.”

However, the next line that came from the shadow couldn’t be ignored.

“Those bastards still hunt down my comrades? Damn it, those freaking hounds!”

“Pretty much so. Captain Hatae, you’d also be targeted again by the Yotsuba in the future.”

Hatae visibly showed how upset he was. However, he put up a defiant attitude soon after.

“Despite being manipulated, you have attempted to insurrect a Civil War. Moreover, you’re already prepared.”

“There wouldn’t be any honor in your final moments. As a traitor of one’s own country, only a disgraceful death is waiting you.”

“Ugh…”

“Despite being a JSDF Officer, you were used by the enemy conveniently, which makes you a traitor. Your parents and siblings must be ashamed of you.”

“Then!”

“It’s the same even with your self-determination. If you were to run away by taking your own life in desperation for your betrayal, had you done so right after the incident, they probably would have accepted your atonement for your offense through your death, and it would have placed you as a soldier who knew of shame. However, it’s too late. You have missed the opportunity to do so.”

“Then, what should I do!?”

Hatae’s face was filled with a desperate expression.

He was condemned by a shadow, and had lost his usual rationality.

“You survive. As long as you do, you have the opportunity to change the stigma.”

“But, how!?”

The shadow grinned. It was not a laughing face, but for the opponent, it was no less than a laugh.

“December 30th, three days from now, the magician who attacked the Base will be at Kobuchizawa Station, waiting for contact from the Yotsuba’s Main House.”

“What?”

“The purpose of the contact is for supply and transmission of new missions. The mission is to annihilate the Great Asian Alliance’s Reconciliation Faction.”

“What… do you want me to do?”

Hatae asked while clenching his teeth. At this stage, he already guessed the intention of the shadow.

“You want me to assassinate that magician?”

“This is only the first step. If you want to survive, you have to fight. If you don’t, you will end up being defeated.”

“You want to turn me into an assassin!?”

“Captain Hatae, I leave it to your decision.”

Hatae was not able to answer in the form of words anymore. His voice was obstructed when he was clenching his teeth.

“Fortunately, I can say, you found a reliable colleague this time, not some Ancient Magician. I’m sure, he’d gladly lend you his power.”

Without waiting for Hatae’s response, the shadow disappeared. Unlike Kasei-tai, there was neither residue nor any trace of it ever existing.

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