Published at 26th of March 2019 2:12 am

Volume 23, Chapter 7

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Tatsuya received a message from Katsuto on Wednesday night.

The message asked whether it would be convenient for him to meet on Sunday. And it came from the main Yotsuba house. This meant that the request for the meeting wasn't based on the sempai and kohai relations from First High, but was the request of the Juumonji family of the Ten Master Clans to the Yotsuba family of the Ten Master Clans.

"Tatsuya-oniisan, is this an urgent matter?" Kuroba Fumiya asked Tatsuya from the couch at the villa.

At this point Pixie brought two coffees. Tatsuya paid it no attention and answered Fumiya's question.

"No. The head of the Juumonji family is asking permission to come here on Sunday. It was an electronic message transmitted through the main house. Have you heard anything about this Fumiya?"

"No, nothing ..."

Tatsuya reached for a cup of coffee and his eyes advised Fumiya: "Drink before it gets cold."

Fumiya stretched out his hand towards the table with his manicured nails, and with his other hand pushed back the medium length hair hanging over his cheek, and took a sip with his lipstick covered lips.

"I see. It's very rare for Fumiya and Ayako to act separately."

"Nee-san also wanted to see Tatsuya-Niisan, but it was an order."

Fumiya returned the coffee cup to the table. The skirt was a little wrinkled when he leaned toward the table, and the movement with which he adjusted it was completely automatic.

"Then tell me what order brought you here? Coming in this fashion was also part of the order?"

At Tatsuya's words "in this fashion", Fumiya's cheeks flushed. This look made him more attractive than most high school students.

"This is because many people now know my face ..."

"Yes indeed. It would be bad if you contacted me while showing your real face."

It was understandable. Fumiya became widely known after the Nine Schools Competition last year. It seems that his connection with Yotsuba was no longer a secret, but apparently the main house had not yet planned to officially recognize Fumiya.

Fumiya who wasn't fond of dressing in women's clothes could only be pitied.

"So?" Tatsuya turned to him and asked again.

Before speaking, Fumiya straightened his back.

"The likelihood of this villa being attacked increased."

"The Self-Defense Forces?" Tatsuya ask, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes."

Fumiya couldn't remain as calm. His pretty, well-groomed face was very tense.

"Fumiya, did you only come to tell me about this?"

Fumiya decided that Tatsuya was trying to tell him "don't be afraid."

"More about that ... the Yotsuba family cannot send reinforcements."

Fumiya squeezed the hem of his skirt in his hands. He assumed that Tatsuya would be angry.

"It's quite natural."

"Ha?" But he couldn't understand what Tatsuya said.

The reason is because it's not an internal conflict between the Ten Master Clans. It isn't a good idea to deal with the Self-Defense Forces right now. Putting the family in danger for my sake alone is obviously an unprofitable action.

"Tatsuya-Niisan... you agree with that !?" Fumiya lost his calm at Tatsuya's cold-blooded logic,.

"Why are you shaking?"

Tatsuya said that instead of "why are you worried". At those words Fumiya noticed that his hands were shaking, not because he was very worried. He realized that he was seized by fear.

"All I have to do is deal with this alone."

Tatsuya spoke as if explaining an elementary mathematical rule, like 2x2 = 4.

Fumiya's eyes opened wide and his mouth opened slightly. Although he didn't want to, his white teeth and pink tongue, peeping out of the slightly opened lips that were glistening with lipstick, seemed tempting for a man's gaze.

For a moment Tatsuya looked with pity at his younger cousin who radiated an indescribable maiden charm. But immediately his face returned to a cold- blooded expression.

"Fortunately, I have a suit and a motorcycle."

It wasn't a simple suit. It was an original flying armored suit developed by the Yotsuba family, and was created to work in conjunction with an armored motorcycle. Fumiya knew that these things were brought to this villa.

"Besides, my Torus, Trident and Lance Head were also brought. And in this mountainous woodland I feel at home, and I cannot feel other people's eyes. If there is an opponent of the "Imakasina *" or "Daitengu" class, then that is another conversation, but until that happens I'm not going to be defeated."

[In Volume 19, Todo Aoba called Yakumo "the reincarnation of Kasin-koji". "Imakasin" roughly means "Modern Kasin" or "Kasin of our days."]

The mentioned Torus is a CAD with full mind control, Silver Torus. Trident is his favorite CAD in the form of a pistol, Silver Horn custom modification of "Trident".

And Lance Head is a device for CAD to use the "Baryon Lance."

Indeed if Tatsuya has such equipment, then until such opponents as "Imakasin" = Kokonee Yakumo or "Daitengu" = Kazama Harunobu appear, then victory is guaranteed to him. Fumiya was sure of this.

Even if there are dozens of enemies. Even if there are hundreds of enemies.

Fumiya realized that his trembling had stopped.

Next to the villa was a taxi. It was the car that Fumiya used (in his female disguise).

Anyone would have thought that if the taxi had been waiting all this time, the fee would be huge, but Tatsuya didn't think so. He also didn't think that the car was rented. He realized that the driver was from the Kuroba family was wearing his black suit.

Tatsuya watched Fumiya who was wearing a wide-brimmed hat exit the Villa.

"I deleted the data from the hidden cameras, so you can safely go home."

"I'm sorry to trouble you with this."

Fumiya bowed with a grateful air. In his behavior, there was absolutely no discomfort from wearing women's clothes.

When Tatsuya said that he "destroyed the data," he meant that he erased the data from the cameras hiding in the vicinity of " spying lovers " (most likely these are people from the military Intelligence Department). Because with the help of a photo you could identify him with facial recognition software, regardless of the fact that he's wearing women's clothes. Fumiya's women's disguise was a method of deceiving only the unaided eye. And his wide-brimmed hat was to hide from the view of the reconnaissance satellite and cameras on the stratospheric platforms.

"Since that message came to me through the main house, then mother should also know its contents. Although I will send a copy of the answer to the main house, but I would like you to verbally convey that I am going to respond with an offer to meet the Juumonji family."

"I understood. Tatsuya-oniisan, then see you."

"Yes. Thank you for your concern."

Fumiya smiled in response to Tatsuya's gratitude.

Scenes with farewell hugs and kisses on the cheek didn't occur.*

*Joke of humor from the author. In Japanese, the negation follows at the end of the sentence. Therefore, in the original, the phrase sounds like this: "Fumiya hugged Tatsuya and kissed his cheek on farewell ... no, it didn't happen."*

◊ ◊ ◊

At the same time that Fumiya was talking to Tatsuya, Ayako was visiting Miyuki in the apartment in Chofu where she'd recently moved.

"I heard that you move here on Monday, but it seems that you've already finished moving in."

Ayako, sitting on the living room turned to Miyuki sitting opposite.

These apartments were even more spacious than their previous separate house, and they had a great cozy living room.

There wasn't very much luggage, and Minami-chan helped me a lot.

Miyuki responded to Ayako's flattery by glancing at Minami, who brought tea and sweets.

"She's pretty skillful, although we're the same age."

Minami bowed to Ayako's praise and said in a low voice, "Thank you." Minami also understood that Ayako's words were only formal courtesy.

After finishing serving tea, Minami left the room, closing the door behind her.

Miyuki and Ayako turned at the same time.

"Ayako-chan, I wonder what brought you to us today?"

"Today I am a simple messenger, Miyuki-oneesama."

Two girls exchanged smiles where there was a barely noticeable mixture of tension.

Now that there was no Tatsuya and Fumiya, who usually limited them. It seemed that the spirit of rivalry would grow forever, but Miyuki still looked away.

She looked away at the table, took an elegant cup from the tray with an elegant movement, and took a sip of not very hot tea. With a slight lag behind her, Ayako in the same refined manner, scooped out a piece of jelly pastry with a fork.

"Did both of you need something?" Miyuki asked after waiting for Ayako to finish eating.

"Yes, that's right." Ayako answered, silently returning the fork to the saucer.

"Then tell me."

"The probability that in the coming days the Self-Defense Forces will try to capture Tatsuya-san have increased."

"Why?" Miyuki calmly reacted to Ayako's bold statement about "capture."

"Aren't you surprised?" Ayako also spoke in an unsurprised voice.

"Because it was quite predictable. Unlike Tatsuya-sama, I don't trust the Self-Defense Forces."

"I don't think Tatsuya-san became a member of the Independent Magic- Equipped Battalion, because he trusts them."

"Right. But if he met friendly people there, his feelings could change to some extent, couldn't they? Because Tatsuya-sama didn't lose all his emotions."

Ayako, who wasn't expecting Miyuki to talk about Tatsuya's lost emotions, couldn't find the words for an answer. Nevertheless, Ayako quickly took herself in hand and moved on to the main topic of her visit today.

"Details of the date and time will be reported once we've determined the Self-Defense Forces plans. But that's all we can do."

"... Can you express yourself more clearly?"

"In other words, it means that neither the main family nor the side branches can help with anything other than information."

"That's what Aunt Maya decided?"

"Yes."

"Understood ..."

Along with this word, the temperature in the room fell sharply.

The tea on the table froze, and the surface of the jelly was covered with ice cake.

The cooling phenomenon wasn't limited to this, the ice also began to appear on Ayako's clothes and hair.

"Ayako-chan, if you don't really resist it, you'll freeze, won't you?"

Quiet, kind, soft, like freshly fallen snow, Miyuki reported the obvious.

"Please continue as long as you wish."

Although her pale lips trembled, Ayako answered in a firm, strong-willed voice.

"I see." Said Miyuki and the temperature in the room quickly recovered.

"... Miyuki-sama, what's going on !? Miyuki-sama !?"

There was an intense knock at the door and a desperate voice from Minami.

"Minami-chan, you can come in."

"I'm sorry!"

Minami entered the living room and lost the gift of speech from the horrifying picture before her. Everything in the room was covered with water condensation. Only a small area around Miyuki was untouched. Sitting across from Miyuki, Ayako's clothes and hair were completely drenched, and her face was completely pale.

"Minami-chan, lead Ayako-chan to the bathroom. I'll dry this room."

"S-listen. Ayako-sama, please follow me."

"Thank you."

Following Minami's invitation, Ayako stood up. She obediently followed Minami, but stopped in front of the door, as if she had planned it in advance.

"Miyuki-oneesama."

"What?" Miyuki responded to Ayako's call in a cold voice, and there wasn't a drop of guilt.

"The way it was, it was like head-sama."

"... As I mentioned earlier, the Yotsuba will not send reinforcements to Tatsuya-san. The only one who can help Tatsuya-san is you."

Ayako turned her back on Miyuki.

"I understand."

Miyuki only responded after Ayako had already disappeared behind the door.

"Ayako-sama, are you sure you don't need help?"

Minami asked because once they entered the bathroom dressing room, Ayako slowed her pace, and barely seemed to be able to stand on her feet. She was showing that clothes might be difficult to remove herself. In such a situation, Minami would have offered to help, even if the behavior of the maid had not been imprinted in her mind.

"Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern."

"... Then I will prepare a change ofclothes. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you. I will be grateful to have something to change into." Ayako said, after which she undressed, went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

This door between the dressing room and the bathroom wasn't translucent, as in some houses, but completely concealed what was happening in the bathroom. From the dressing room it was impossible not only to see someone in the bathroom, but it was also impossible to hear any sounds from there. Therefore, Ayako letting hot water out of the shower, settled down on the floor with relief.

"It was the power of Miyuki-oneesama ... And she wasn't even serious ..."

Despite the fact that she kept a calm face, tears appeared in her eyes.

That cooling wasn't even a conscious activation of magic. It was magical power running wild. Despite this, the cold created by Miyuki didn't have a direct impact on Ayako's body.

Naturally, Ayako defended her body with data fortification. And yet Miyuki's wild magic completely surrounded Ayako's body, separated from her by a distance of not more than the thickness of the skin.

The ice was caused not by the condensation of water from the hair itself, but by drawing moisture out of the surrounding air. The same thing happened with the clothes.

And her own magical defense was helpless against this phenomenon ...

"It wasn't just a phenomenon modification..."

"It was as if the world had voluntarily submitted to Miyuki-oneesama."

"It was a magic that seemed to have charmed the mind of the world itself, captivated it and took it under direct control ..."

It was something supernatural, different from the magic that Ayako knew. Such a crazy idea arose in her head. Despite the hot shower, Ayako's body felt a cold shiver.

◊ ◊ ◊

Thursday, end of May.

Lieutenant Colonel Kazama of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion received a phone call from Tatsuya.

"Sorry to tear you away from work, Lieutenant Colonel Kazama. This is Shiba Tatsuya."

"... I thank you for your cooperation in Okinawa."

Kazama correctly understood the sense that the speaker on the other side of the phone line introduced himself as "Shiba Tatsuya." He guessed that this meant that he didn't call as "Special Officer Ooguro" of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, but as a magician of the Yotsuba family.

"So, what business did you call about?" He followed up with a leading question.

"I heard that the Self-Defense Forces plan to attack me. Is it true?"

This unfriendly question was asked in a completely formal tone, as if an artificial intelligence said it.

"This isn't entirely true."

Kazama didn't need to answer honestly, and had no intention to do it either, but for some reason, answering Tatsuya's question, he couldn't pretend that he didn't know anything.

"Then what is the truth?"

"The Intelligence Department of the Self-Defense Forces has set its eyes on you. This is the will of the Intelligence Department, and not the decision of the army."

After answering, Kazama thought about what if he had come under Mental Interference magic but immediately rejected it.

And the reason wasn't that Tatsuya cannot use Mental Interference magic. He realized that his speech was because of his guilt for passively watching while Tatsuya was in a quandary, as well as unconscious calculation that it was better to speak in some degree honestly to keep Tatsuya.

"In other words, it's an Intelligence Department rebellion?"

[The word used, which means rebellion, rebellion, betrayal, betrayal.]

With his tough statement, Tatsuya finally drove him into a corner.

"... You can say so."

But Tatsuya's words were not wrong. Kazama had to admit this.

Yes, Tatsuya attacked a secret army facility. For this he can in some sense be considered a criminal, and if you consider that he's a "special officer", then he can be considered a rebel.

However the use of military force without permission to control a civilian is a serious violation. If I consider Tatsuya a rebel, then his crime should be considered in a military court. As Tatsuya said, the fact that the Intelligence Department independently sent out combat force without proper regular procedures was certainly a rebellion.

"In that case, if I defend myself, it will not be a problem for the brigade, will it?"

This time, Kazama didn't know how to answer.

The Intelligence Department's plan contradicted both the law and the army. If it leaks to the media, then the army will get a great deal from them, and the leadership will have to resign in full force. If Tatsuya himself wants to keep it a secret, then we must go to meet him.

However, it will be bad if it looks as if the 1-0-1 brigade gave the go-ahead for the destruction of the executive detachment of the Intelligence Department. "If there were three people it is already a faction" this meant that there were no organizations free from factional struggle. And the Self- Defense Forces were no exception to this rule.

The reputation of the 1-0-1 brigade was due to the high skill of the brigade commander, and Lieutenant General Saeki helps to avoid interference by bureaucrats and politicians, but there is still a weakness in terms of inter- factional relations. There are even attacks inherent in patriarchal society that Saeki takes too much on herself for being a woman, saying she cannot be trusted.

Considering that Saeki is among the most influential people of Self-Defense Forces, it is necessary to avoid the possibility that she will be blamed for everything.

"There will not be any problems for the Independent Magical-Equipped Battalion."

In the end, Kazama was able to give an answer only within the limits of his responsibility.

"... I think you understand that the battalion cannot support you. We would like you to do it on your own."

"Of course, I understand."

For a moment, Kazama had a feeling that Tatsuya had a cruel, inhuman smile.

"It's enough for me that the lieutenant colonel understands the situation. Sorry to trouble you."

"Yes. I wish you a good battle ... huh, that is, good luck."

There was no need to wish that the battle was strong enough. Tatsuya's victory was predetermined. However, it was necessary luck that this victory didn't worsen the situation even further.

The video call was cut short before Tatsuya answered Kazama.

Kazama decided to forget Tatsuya's surreptitious smile.

The videophone on his desk had the function of automatically recording conversations. If he now includes the reproduction of this conversation, he will be able to understand whether this sinister smile was an illusion, as if turning him into another person.

So Kazama, without trying to confirm this, just pressed the delete record button.

◊ ◊ ◊

Thursday, during lunch. Katsuto sat alone drinking coffee in the cafeteria of the National Magic University when Mayumi showed up.

"Can I sit next to you?"

"Of course. Sit down."

After answering, Katsuto noticed that on Mayumi tray there isn't anything but a cup of tea.

"Saegusa, have you already had lunch?"

Katsuto already had a bite, but he realized that he did it pretty quickly. At a dinner party food is usually slowly eaten while conversing, but when he's alone, he eats fast.

Today it was so. He just finished eating in the dining room and moved to the cafeteria for coffee.

But even if women usually eat less, it was still too fast.

"Third lecture was canceled, and I went to the canteen early to avoid the crowd during break."

"I see."

Students of the National Magic University study diligently, because they have a lot to learn. The same applies to Katsuto. In the morning he has absolutely no spare time. In the afternoon there is free time, but this is the privilege of students who have a family job.

"Juumonji-kun, I'm talking about the situation that we discussed earlier."

When Mayumi sat down, she immediately switched to the main topic. Although this haste wasn't typical for her, it seems that she didn't want anyone to suspect that she would stay here for a long time.

"I received the answer yesterday. Consent was received, as expected." The specific names were not mentioned, but there was no need to explain that the" thing "mentioned was Tatsuya's consent. "So far, everything is going well. Will you be ready at 9 o'clock in the morning?"

"That's fine. Will the meeting be in the afternoon?" In Mayumi's voice it was read that it was unexpected for her.

"He's still a schoolboy. It will not be a meeting with alcohol. In that case, it's better not to come back later."

Katsuto sounded reason was quite reasonable, and Mayumi didn't have any doubts.

"But there may be a need to use force? Isn't it better to go after dark?"

Katsuto didn't stop Mayumi, who said such dangerous words. All the students around them knew that Katsuto is the head of the Juuonji family of the Ten Master Clans, and Mayumi also has a direct line of kinship with one of the Ten Master Clans. The fact that the Ten Master Clans are going somewhere to "use force" wasn't unusual.

Although the main reason was that they were surrounded by a sound insulation field, because of this not even neighboring tables heard them.

"In the dark, you can make unforeseen errors."

Mayumi shuddered, realizing what Katsuto had said.

"Juumonji-kun ... you're pretty serious about this, aren't you?"

"Indeed, for Tatsuya the probability of victory will increase if instead of an open area it is dark or there are lots of obstacles to hide behind." Katsuto will naturally avoid such a situation. Due to his manner of speech, Mayumi felt that Katsuto was going to crush Tatsuya with all his power.

"This is an opponent, that should be treated seriously." Katsuto answered in a resolute voice at Mayumi's question.

"Ah ... He's 100% serious ... I cannot possibly cope with one ..." Sweating with a cold sweat (though in the imagination), Mayumi thought.

◊ ◊ ◊

On Friday, Miyuki spent the day (even in class) thinking about what she learned from the message from Ayako last night.

"The day after tomorrow ..."

"The report referred to the date when Tatsuya would be attacked by the Self-Defense Forces. But other than that, there was something else."

"If it's only the Self-Defense Forces, Onii-sama, Tatsuya-sama will not lose."

"But if they join Juumonji-sempai ..."

The message from Ayako said that the Self-Defense Forces would attack during Katsuto's visit.

"If the fight is one-on-one, he will surely defeat the Juumonji-senpai, but ..."

Miyuki took the opposite opinion of Mayumi about the relationship between the strength of Tatsuya and Katsuto. She didn't doubt that Tatsuya was the strongest, and that he would win. But Miyuki also understood that Tatsuya isn't invincible.

If Katsuto and the Self-Defense Forces unite, then it's impossible to ignore the possibility that Tatsuya, in the end may faint from overloading the Magic Calculation Zone.

"But even if they don't unite, then having exhausted his strength after the battle with Katsuto he can make an unforeseen mistake."

"... Still, I'll go too."

Miyuki made this decision while working at the Student Council.

Maya didn't tell Miyuki that she should not go to Tatsuya.

However, the attempt to go to Tatsuya's aid can be regarded as a protest against the order that they should live separately.

Ayako then told Miyuki: "Miyuki-oneesama, the only one who can help Tatsuya-san is you", but these were the words of Ayako herself. These words, on the contrary, should be understood in the sense that Maya does not want anyone to help Tatsuya.

But still Miyuki had no choice but to help Tatsuya.

"... That's right, I didn't have to worry about it from the beginning."

It does not matter what they think and what they want, Maya, the Yotsuba family, the Self-Defense Forces, the country, the whole world.

Tatsuya. He's the meaning of her existence. Miyuki once again reminded herself of this.

Miyuki was going to the station in the company of Honoka, other members of the Student Council, Shizuku and Kasumi from the disciplinary committee, as well as Shiina and Saburou, when a voice called out behind her.

"Ara, Erika and the others are just now going home? Today we stayed late, and I thought that everyone else had already left."

As Miyuki said, today the student council work continued until the school closed. The day was long and it was still light, but in the winter at this time the sun would have already gone done. Almost all students, including those engaged in club activities, stayed at school until late.

"The patrol drove us out."

"We were studying for tests on the cafeteria terrace and didn't even notice how the time flew by ..."

After Erika's scattered response, Mizuki shyly continued the explanation in response to Miyuki's question.

"Indeed, exams are coming up." Miyuki nodded when she heard Mizuki's answer.

Regular exams in magic high schools were conducted on both magical theory, and magical practice. Items from the regular course (not related to magic) were evaluated daily without any written tests. In the third year of school, nothing has changed.

Since Mizuki was taking the magic engineering course, the content of her tests was slightly different, but the tests for the first and second course were exactly the same, so it's no surprise that Mikihiko, Erika and Leo worked together.

"And I have never studied group training."

Shizuku's joke was inaccurate. That is, there wasn't enough words. More specifically, it was supposed to be: "I have never stayed in school after school to work in a company of friends."

"My grades have been improving lately and I've been thinking, maybe I should try to go to the National Magic University?"

Leo was speaking shyly, not at all worried about such things, that Shizuku's phrase lacked words.

"I don't think I want to go to the National Magic University, but if this idiot gets there and I don't, then I'll be a little ashamed. This inflames the spirit of rivalry in me."

Erika, as usual, inserted her own joke.

"Who did you call an idiot!"

"I just wanted to become a smart man? How rude."

"Yes, yes, Erika-chan and Leo-kun, let's finish your love quarrel."

Mizuki climbed into this comic verbal skirmish between Erika and Leo. Mikihiko, in turn, has decided "not to come nearer to danger".

"This isn't a lovers quarrel!"

"Erika-chan, you're smart enough, so if you start learning as early as possible, then you will succeed."

Mizuki completely ignored Erika's cry.

"Shibata-senpai, it was ..." Kasumi said admiringly, and Izumi nodded strongly beside her.

"... I've already told you. I'm not going to go anywhere after school."

Erika probably decided that if she argued further, things would get worse, so she answered seriously.

"My father sent me to high school, and I couldn't object. Well, it turned out to be the right decision, and I'm even a little grateful for that."

Mizuki looked at Erika with a look in which she tried to convey the message "You don't need to be embarrassed ...". Erika, of course, pretended not to notice.

"After graduation, I thought I'd go on a "warriors journey."

"What?"

"A warrior's journey?" Following the surprised Mizuki, repeated Honoka.

"Yeah. I don't want to learn magic, but the real old Kenjutsu styles. I've saved some money and I want to first visit all the master swordsmen of Japan, and then of the whole world ... yes, somehow."

At the end, Erika laughed, apparently in order to hide her embarrassment but no one else laughed.

"... But can't you do that after graduating from the National Magic University?" Miyuki asked.

"Err? No, I don't think so. After graduating from university, I'll be quite grown up." Erika waved her hands in front of her panic stricken face.

"I don't think that age is important. This is a wonderful dream. If Tatsuya- sama allows it we can help so you don't have to waste time working on it."

"No, no, no, and again no!"

Erika seemed to be getting even more nervous. She probably wanted to escape far away.

"I also think that this is a wonderful dream."

"And I. Also I can become a sponsor."

"No-no-no-no-no-e-e-e ... By the way, Miyuki."

Honoka and Shizuku continued to embarrass Erika, so she decided to change the subject.

"Is it possible to go to Tatsuya-kun this Sunday? Not just me, but all of us?"

Erika's words were desperate, and she was followed by Mizuki with relief on her face.

"When we studied a little bit earlier, we came up with this idea."

"We are not on any business, but simply ..."

"Simply, I wanted to see ..."

Continuing for Mizuki, Mikihiko and Leo explained the circumstances.

Miyuki felt that tears would appear before her eyes.

The Yotsuba family still uses Tatsuya. In addition to illegal activities, it receives a solid profit from Taurus Silver.

Tatsuya has also contributed much help to the Self-Defense Forces. It is no exaggeration to say that in October of the year before last, the attack by the Great Asian Alliance was largely repelled thanks to the help of Tatsuya.

Tatsuya greatly increased the reputation of First High. No one could tell if the school could have won first place in points in the Nine Schools Competition last year without Tatsuya's participation. And the year before last, a lot of victories in the Nine Schools Competition were obviously due to Tatsuya's achievements. The Thesis Competition didn't yield any results, but last year's experiment "Stellar Furnace" compensated for it.

Although Miyuki didn't consider this prejudiced, it was also not her favoritism. She without a doubt had her own opinion on the contributions he's made.

The core of these achievements were an indisputable fact.

But, contrary to all this,

Neither the Yotsuba family,

Neither the Self-Defense Forces,

Neither the school,

No one was going to defend Tatsuya.

And for the school it was generally a way to take the initiative to "shoot back" from attacks.

Nevertheless, these friends still ...

"...Excuse me. But this Sunday another guest is coming to see him."

Therefore, Miyuki thought that we should not involve them in this.

Restraining her tears, and not even showing that she was ready to cry, she answered with a reserved face.

Hearing this answer, Erika narrowed her eyes.

"Is this 'guest' undesirable?"

Miyuki smiled and shook her head.

"I cannot say exactly ... but this guest is Juumonji-senpai."

With embarrassment on her face (apparently, this was due to a sense of guilt for saying something she should not have said), Erika mumbled "Ah ~, Juumonji-senpai ...".

"Therefore, Erika. Please don't even think about doing something strange."

Erika nodded obediently at Miyuki's warning.

◊ ◊ ◊

Raymond S. Clark. A guy who liked to use the title of " Seven Sages" for the sake of fun, was now in a bad mood. It was because he could no longer play with his favorite toy, Hliðskjálf.

It wasn't that he couldn't use it. His terminal was still working.

But the other 6 terminals stopped working when the system administrator turned them off. As a result, he couldn't enjoy peeking at what information other users gather.

But that wasn't all. The fact that he alone could use a system equivalent to clairvoyance completely destroyed the thrill of the game. No matter what he did, there were no penalties for him. Look and listen as much as you want. This was no different from when a child is alone with only with his imagination to play with.

So it's boring.

So Raymond asked his father Edward Clark the developer and administrator of Hliðskjálf, to return the right to use the system to the others.

However, Edward didn't do this and told him to "Wait a bit".

Raymond didn't argue him. He was well aware that it's better to give up right away.

Instead, Raymond began to look for a new way to play his game.

To make it more exciting.

The most exciting part of his game with Hliðskjálf was when he played the role of an "advisor" in the "vampire incident". Although he sometimes played the role of "accuser" or "rescuer," but in such cases he never felt himself part of a global incident.

He wanted to experience again that same excitement ... no, he wanted to experience something more exciting.

And something else.

Since he couldn't experience the thrill associated with the risk of using

Hliðskjálf, this time he decided to take this risk on himself.

Except for one exceptional case, Raymond identity has never been revealed.

In addition, the risk of exposing his identity was almost zero.

But he decided to break this ban.

These were Raymond's thoughts.

Naturally, he wasn't going to do something as foolish as exposing his face for show.

He was going to change his face and voice with a computer system, and check how much he could hide his identity.

The "Apostle" of his country, Angie Sirius can change her appearance with magic.

How much will he be able to become with this system?

Raymond couldn't suppress this and similar mischievous childish thoughts.

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