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Chapter 1

Early Saturday morning, July 13th. More specifically, it is ten minutes to seven in the morning.

“Are you going to go visit Honoka right after returning home?”

Tatsuya with his usual expression, asked Miyuki with his usual voice while they were on their way to the school.

“'Yes, as planned.”

Miyuki with a different appearance has bright chestnut-colored hair, light brown eyes, and a different voice than usual, due to Lina’s magic “Parade,” but she speaks with the same tone of voice.

Yesterday, July 12, Minami was taken out of the country through a sea route by the efforts of Minoru, who secured the support of the Parasites from the American army.

Tatsuya's chase ended in failure.

But neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki became discouraged.

“Tatsuya, will you come too?”

Lina asked Tatsuya, who had exactly the same face as Miyuki, but they differed in the color of their hair and eyes.... Lina took her face as the basis for changing the appearance of Miyuki, so if we exclude the difference in colors, they were indistinguishable from one another, like two peas in a pod.

Lina also knew that Tatsuya failed to return Minami.

However, Lina didn't seem to worry about Tatsuya.

Not because she thought that Tatsuya didn’t care about yesterday’s failure.

Lina knew perfectly well that both Tatsuya and Miyuki took some damage mentally.

However... neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki has given up.

Lina was also aware of this.

“Yes, I'm going. Lina, are you going to go too?”

“Of course. Honoka is my friend.”

"... If Tatsuya and Miyuki behave as if nothing had happened, then I will also maintain my usual behavior," Lina thought to herself.

Miyuki was forced to change her face with Lina's magic in order to avoid the attention of reporters.

On Monday, July 8, Ichijou Masaki, with the help of the new Strategic-Class magic

“Ocean Blast,” stopped the advance of the NSU fleet in the Sea of Japan.

By itself, this event went exactly as Tatsuya had calculated and planned. However, Kichijouji Shinkurou's speech to reporters told them the name of another hero, greatly disrupting Tatsuya’s plans.

Absurdly honest Kichijouji told reporters the name of Tatsuya as the co-developer of Ocean Blast. Now “thanks” to this, not only Tatsuya, but Miyuki has also become the target of aggressive attempts by journalists to get information.

Fortunately, neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki have yet to be surrounded by reporters and photographers.

The school still doesn't know that Tatsuya and Miyuki moved to the building in Tofu.

According to the records, they still live in their private home that's owned by their father, Shiba Tatsurou, in Fuchu. As a result, the media is now mainly targeting that house.

Therefore, one could easily guess that reporters who could not get anything from their home would decide to ambush them on the road from the station to the school. In fact, that's the way it was. Anticipating this, Tatsuya asked Lina to change Miyuki's appearance to another person.

Miyuki is headed to school with Lina earlier than usual, because it takes time to dispel Lina's “Parade.” The magic can be undone in an instant, but in order to prevent an unspecified number of students from seeing this transformation, they must go to the student council room, not the classroom, and cancel the disguise there. For that reason, they went to school earlier than the usual time.

When Miyuki and Lina left, Tatsuya settled in the dining room. Despite the setbacks, he hasn't given up on the rescue of Minami, and he hasn't been driven away or been beaten by Minoru.

This morning, he had gone over the consequences of his actions yesterday. But no matter what he did, it was still left unfinished.

"... Minami is heading east across the Pacific Ocean. Their course remains unchanged..."

Sipping coffee brewed by a home automation system, he turned his "sight" to Minami.

He could easily track her Eidos in the information dimension without any issues.

"Minoru... hasn't noticed that I'm "looking."”

Minoru was supposed to be next to Minami. Tatsuya decided to follow this

“connection” and tried to read Minoru's Eidos. But, before he could focus, the "image"

of Minoru disappeared from his "field of vision."

"Kimon Tonko?"

Obviously, Tatsuya's “line of sight” was disoriented with the help of Minoru's Kimon Tonko. It seems that Minoru has perfectly mastered the East Asian continental ancient magic, "inherited" from the ghost of Zhou Gongjin.

At this, Tatsuya consequently stopped his observation. Attached to Minami's Eidos, the marker he put there still remained, and he doesn't particularly want Minoru finding it.

By continuing such a careful observation, it is likely that the ship carrying Minami would be able to be stopped. However, a careless attack could hurt Minami and that would be getting his priorities mixed up. Even if he tried to destroy only the engine, the ship in the end may just sink, which is completely unacceptable, and the connection between that and his “sight” could be exposed.

"It's still too early..."

Thinking that it was time to get ready to leave, Tatsuya finished his coffee. He was going to a meeting of the Ten Master Clans. Although, no formal attire was required, at least some formal attire was required . Officially, he was still a high school student, so his school uniform was suitable for this, but he decided to change into a suit.

Having put the cup in the dishwasher (there was no need to press a button, since the

sink started automatically when a sufficient amount of dirty dishes was reached), Tatsuya went to his room while walking past the living room.

At that moment he was stopped by the sound of an incoming call on the videophone.

It was still only eight in the morning. The only reason to call at such a time could only be an urgent matter. It could also mean that this person can only call at this time? If so, then it was impossible to remain indifferent.

Tatsuya went into the living room and pressed the call respond button.

Fujibayashi Kyouko in her military uniform appeared on the wall display.

“Tatsuya-kun, good morning. Sorry to call at such a time.”

Fujibayashi spoke without hesitation from the videophone screen. Her behavior indicated that she wasn't at all concerned about the fact that it was early morning.

“Good morning. Do you have an urgent matter?”

Tatsuya suddenly asked in a cold tone. He wasn't so inhospitable because his mood had deteriorated. This was a completely normal behavior for him.

“Not that this business was urgent...”

Fujibayashi mumbled.

With a silent look at the camera, Tatsuya urged her to continue.

Fujibayashi's eyes nervously ran from side to side, and she spoke without looking Tatsuya in the eye.

“... I want to apologize for my father. Tatsuya-kun, could you give me some of your time?”

“Do you mean you want to meet and talk face to face?”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Fujibayashi finally looked Tatsuya in the eye with determination on her face.

“My father’s deed was a betrayal, for which you shouldn’t apologize through a camera and monitor.”

Fujibayashi Kyouko's father, Fujibayashi Nagamasa fought with Tatsuya yesterday at the foot of Mount Fuji, in the Aokigahara Sea of Trees. He stood in the way of Tatsuya to thwart his pursuit, and let Kudou Minoru escape. The night before, Nagamasa promised to cooperate with Tatsuya in the capture of Minoru, so his act can no doubt be called a betrayal.

“Not necessary.”

Tatsuya’s response was still indifferent and cold.

“But...”

“I just now received your apology, nothing more is needed.”

The tone of Tatsuya's voice seemed to say: "It is useless to object."

Fujibayashi had already opened her mouth to continue. However, Tatsuya's voice sounded before she could say anything.

“Instead, would you like to visit your father? Do you know which hospital he is in?”

Defeated by Tatsuya, Fujibayashi Nagamasa, was captured by Kuroba Mitsugu's subordinates and taken to the Yotsuba family-run hospital in Kofu. Now he is undergoing treatment there with limited freedom of movement.

“Yes. I've heard from my mother.”

“He was badly wounded, but not so much you would be refused to meet with him.”

This "restriction of freedom" of Nagamasa didn't mean that the Yotsuba family would interfere with his communication with the outside world. Last night, his family was told of the name, address, and telephone number of the hospital where he was being treated.

“...Okay, I understand.”

"First talk to the person responsible for the problems, Nagamasa, and only then come back." Was what Fujibayashi interpreted from the words of Tatsuya.

“Once again, I sincerely apologize for what happened.”

Tatsuya somehow understood that Fujibayashi misinterpreted his words, but didn't take the time to correct her.

“Everything is fine. Take care.”

Having finished the conversation with words that can be called cynical and easily be misunderstood, Tatsuya turned off the videophone.

Lieutenant Colonel Kazama who worked in the office of the 101 Independent Magic Equipped Battalion left his office without even being able to sit for a considerable time.

It's because he received a message from the terminal device above his desk.

Currently he was standing in front of the desk of the 101 brigade commander, Lieutenant General Saeki.

“Yesterday, in the former Yamanashi Prefecture, in the vicinity of Mount Fuji and the lakes of Kawaguchi and Saiko, a person named Kudou Soushi appeared in a police investigation.”

This was the first topic that Saeki raised right after the usual exchange of greetings.

A faint surprise appeared on Kazama's face.

“That person has the same name as the second son of the Kudou family.”

“That was him.”

The surprise on Kazama's face became clearly distinguishable.

“But, what was he doing there? The funeral of His Excellency Kudou is scheduled for tomorrow, so he should not have time for any long trips.”

As Kazama said, the funeral of Kudou Retsu, who was killed by Minoru (officially died of an illness), will take place tomorrow on property belonging to the main house of the Kudou family. Undoubtedly, the ceremony will be attended by many guests in order to express their condolences. The family of the deceased should be busy with

preparations not only today, but also for several days leading up to the funeral.

“Kudou Soushi seems to have joined the battle against Shiba Tatsuya to help Kudou Minoru escape.”

“Do you think the Kudou family is still connected to Kudou Minoru?”

Kazama's voice showed that he was not only surprised, but shocked.

“This is only circumstantial evidence.”

Saeki wasn't particularly surprised at Kazama's shocked state, and only answered him in an indifferent tone.

“But since Kudou Soushi was interrogated by the police, this mean that Tatsuya has not erased him, right?”

“Naturally. His Mist Dispersion is classified top secret magic. To use it to eliminate interference for the return of a servant - is not permissible.”

At this point, Saeki's poker face started to crack. Her words meant the direct enforcement of the point of view of the army. While this point of view didn't coincide with Tatsuya's priorities. However, Kazama didn't begin to point this out to her now.

“I think that to some extent he understands this...”

Saeki sighed.

“... The ball of fire that was observed last night in the Shonan area was caused by his

“Mist Dispersion.” There is no direct evidence for this, but my subordinates analyzed images from infrared cameras on a stratospheric platform, as a result of which such a conclusion was made.

“This is the first time I'm hearing about this.”

This remark by Kazama expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that this information didn't reach him. Tatsuya, as "Special Lieutenant Ooguro Ryuuya," is commanded by Kazama in the Independent Magic Equipped Battalion. It is reasonable that the Information Division of Division Headquarters was responsible for the initial analysis, but Kazama believed that before making the final decision, they should naturally ask his opinions as the battalion commander.

Saeki understood Kazama's feelings, and actually expected them.

“Our battalion, won't protect Shiba Tatsuya in regard to the violations he committed yesterday.”

Furthermore, she completely ignored Kazama's displeasure.

“His behavior has recently become completely unacceptable. If he thinks that he can do what he wants, because he is a Strategic-Class Magician, then we should rectify the situation.”

“In my opinion, Tatsuya has no such error in his thoughts...”

So since we now have a new Strategic-Class Magician named Ichijou Masaki, that means that Tatsuya has "outlived his usefulness?” But, Kazama didn't say this out loud.

“By the way, if you say that Kudou Soushi helped Kudou Minoru escape, then that means... Kudou Minoru successfully escaped from Tatsuya's pursuit?”

“It seems that Kudou Minoru fled to the Pacific Ocean on a USNA army transport ship, taking Sakurai Minami with him.”

“Does he have connections in the USNA army?”

“Obviously, the Parasites from the USNA army helped him.”

The Japanese army managed to find out that the Parasites are building up their influence within the USNA army, making the Stars the center of their forces. This was information that was available only to a fraction of the Intelligence Department and a small number of people in the leadership, but Saeki was able to get the information through personal connections.

“I see.”

Saeki had not yet spoken about this with Kazama, but he wasn't surprised by this.

Kazama’s reaction was unexpected for Saeki, but she didn't ask him if he knew about it.

She had a fear that the conversation might turn into him inquiring about her source of information, which was undesirable for her, if she asked him about it.

“... Shiba Tatsuya most likely already knows how Kudou Minoru escaped. So, there's a good chance that he knows the place where he escaped too.”

“Tatsuya has that “sight.” But what is the problem with that?”

“The transport ship that took Kudou Minoru aboard seems to be heading to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands.”

“Northwest Hawaiian Islands... Are you worried that Tatsuya might go to Midway Island?”

“Correct.”

Saeki answered in the affirmative, not even trying to get away from the answer.

“Lieutenant Colonel. The Independent Magic Equipped Battalion should in no way help Shiba Tatsuya with an attack on Midway Island.”

“I understand. I will also bring this to the attention of my subordinates.”

Seeing that Kazama understood, Saeki breathed a sigh of relief.

From Saeki's behavior, Kazama concluded that she fears that he might want to take part in such an attack on the base of the American army. It was extremely undesirable for Kazama to be considered such a person who puts personal feelings above national interests. Kazama was dissatisfied by her assessment of him.

“Is that all you need?”

That is why his words carried a tone of resentment. At that moment, Kazama no longer hid his discomfort.

“No. There is one more thing.”

There was no concern in Saeki's voice about Kazama's dissatisfaction. But the tone of her voice seemed somehow too calm.

“A decision was made to release the Australian magicians captured in March, Jasmine Williams and James J. Johnson.”

“Will they be extradited to Australia?”

“Yes.”

Kazama didn't ask about the reasons for their release. If this was the decision of the

government, then he didn't want to invite trouble by asking unnecessary questions.

According to official records, there are no Japanese soldiers held captive in Australia.

However, there may be undercover agents held in custody as criminals, and not as prisoners of war. Kazama himself also had some involvement with illegal operations, but in fact he didn't want to be involved with people engaged in similar work.

“Lieutenant Colonel, I would like to assign you with a mission to escort these two.”

“Me?”

But as soon as Saeki spoke about this, he immediately realized that the case of these two Australian agent magicians would concern him personally.

“This task will only take one day, and it won't interfere with the management of the battalion.”

“May I know the date and place?”

“Departure from our base on July 14 at 09:00. The two of them will be transported to our base today, during the day.”

“Tomorrow... And where do you need me to escort them? To Australia?“

“To the island of Iwo. Extradition will be made there.“

“We are just giving them back?“

“It won't be a prisoner of war exchange. However...”

Saeki paused and pulled a sealed letter from her desk.

“Pass this on to the person in charge on the spot. Be sure to personally hand it over.”

“Personally, to who, if I may ask?

No name or address was written on the envelope. Therefore, the issue Kazama had was quite obvious.

Saeki's answer turned out to be unusual.

“Lieutenant Colonel, you know this person both by name and appearance.”

At the moment, only Saeki and Kazama were present in the brigade commander's office.

This meant that he was a man whose name couldn't be spoken aloud, even here.

“I understand.”

Kazama didn't question any further.

 

It was already ten o'clock in the morning when Tatsuya took off from his house in a small helicopter piloted by Hyougo. His flight destination was the Yokohama Bay Hills Tower. Today, at 10 a.m., the emergency convening of the Ten Master Clans Conference will start, which will be held in the online conference hall of the Kanto Magic Association. Tatsuya was called to the conference as a witness.

“Saegusa-senpai, good morning.”

Tatsuya spoke to Mayumi, who was standing at the entrance to the conference room.

“Good morning, Tatsuya-kun. You are early.“

Mayumi smiled broadly and went to meet Tatsuya.

“Senpai, are you here as the representative of Saegusa-dono?”

“No, not at all. I'm here as an assistant to Juumonji-kun.“

“That's what it is. Indeed, even Juumonji-senpai may not be able to focus on the conference if he needs to manage the video conferencing system alone.“

“Yes, assistance from outsiders is not prohibited.“

For a moment, Mayumi's face seemed to darken. It seems that she knew what would be the subject of discussion at today's meeting.

However, Mayumi quickly regained a friendly smile.

“Tatsuya-kun, would you like some tea over there?”

“But the conference is supposed to begin soon, isn't it?”

“We have more than ten minutes.”

Mayumi said and dragged Tatsuya to a special place reserved for tea parties.

Tatsuya knew that she was a woman with her own special outlook on tea drinking. He was worried that it would take longer than just ten minutes to make tea of acceptable quality, but Mayumi wasn't so fanatical. She just got ice tea out of the refrigerator and set it in front of Tatsuya.

“Tatsuya-kun, I'm sorry I didn't help you last time.”

Mayumi started the conversation with an apology right after she put the glass in front of Tatsuya. She didn't put anything superfluous, like syrup, milk or lemon, on the table.

The lack of frills was probably due to a lack of time.

“... Are you talking about last month? But that evening, as a result, Minoru’s attack was repelled. On the contrary, I should be thanking you.”

Mayumi talked about that evening in late June, when Minoru attacked the hospital where Minami was staying. As Tatsuya said, Minoru couldn't kidnap Minami that evening.

“That time, the attack of Minoru-kun was repulsed by Juumonji-kun... But if we could have caught Minoru-kun then...”

“I couldn't catch Minoru, either.”

The atmosphere at the tea table became heavy and gloomy.

”... By the way, have you been going to school lately?”

Completely changing her tone, Mayumi asked Tatsuya, apparently in order to get rid of her gloomy mood.

”I go. Sometimes.”

Tatsuya didn't lie. Even if you look only at the current week, on Wednesday he went to introduce Lina to Director Momoyama. In addition, the school resumed work only on Thursday. Tatsuya decided that the answer “I don’t go to school at all”, on the contrary,

would be a lie.

But contrary to Tatsuya’s thoughts, Mayumi frowned when she heard his answer.

“But I know that Tatsuya-kun is exempted from going... I also know why it happened...”

Mayumi looked at Tatsuya with concern in her gaze.

“So the situation isn't going as Tatsuya-kun wanted...? After all, they didn’t tell you that you shouldn't go to school at all? Maybe you should better go there as often as possible? You only have six months left to be a high school student...”

From Mayumi's words, Tatsuya realized that she was worried about him. But, she was obviously mistaken.

“I'm going to school as often as possible.”

It wasn't an excuse; it was undoubtedly the true thoughts of Tatsuya. At the time when he first entered First High School, he probably didn't like going there, but the present Tatsuya didn't dislike going to school. Rather, on the contrary, he already experienced some attachment to First High School. In addition to his personal preferences, Tatsuya was very curious about how Miyuki and Lina spend time together at school. For Miyuki, he simply (as usual) was worried, and concern for Lina was expressed by the thought "I hope she doesn't do something crazy." But the current situation simply didn't leave him with much time to attend school.

“... That is, was it an unnecessary concern?”

It is unlikely that Mayumi understood so much from Tatsuya's short answer. She probably sensed changes in his tone of voice and expression. The anxiety that caused her to frown, although it hadn't disappeared without a trace, was significantly reduced.

Three minutes before the meeting, Katsuto appeared. This didn't cause any delay. Since the preliminary preparations were carried out by the staff of the Magic Association. An assistant was required only after the start of the conference.

Tatsuya and Mayumi entered the conference room after Katsuto.

The large display, divided into ten parts, was already attended by six people. Tatsuya with one slight bow greeted all of these people at the same time - heads of families from the Ten Master Clans. This behavior wasn't caused by the fact that he neglected

the heads of other families. Neither Katsuto nor Mayumi also greeted each of them individually, but also only made one general bow (Mayumi gave a polite low bow, bent over in her belt).

Some time after Tatsuya, Katsuto and Mayumi entered, the head of the Yatsushiro family appeared on the display.

And at exactly ten o'clock the remaining three appeared on the display: Yotsuba Maya, Saegusa Koichi and Kudou Makoto.

“So, the time has come, and I now announce the emergency convening of the Ten Master Clans Conference open.”

Katsuto's announcement didn't contain much formality in the welcoming words.

“I would immediately like to clarify one question.”

Suddenly in a harsh tone, Ichijou Gouki, the head of the Ichijou family, spoke.

“Is it true that Kudou Soushi-dono helped Kudou Minoru escape?”

“I will answer. It's true.”

Without flinching in front of such an onslaught, Tatsuya answered.

“Having impersonated the appearance of Kudou Minoru with the help of “Parade,”

Kudou Soushi-dono became bait, and led me away as a decoy. While I was chasing Soushi-dono, Minoru was retreating in the opposite direction.”

“Kudou-dono. Are there any inaccuracies in Shiba-dono's words?”

Futatsugi Mai, the head of the Futatsugi family asked Kudou Makoto.

The Kudou family is currently not a member of the Ten Master Clans. Now they are one and the “Eighteen Replacement Families,” which are designated to duplicate the roles of the Ten Master Clans. Kudou Makoto was invited to the conference not as a party to be notified of the situation, but as a party to be interrogated.

“At first glance, everything is so, but I would call the statement "impersonated"

inaccurate. Soushi didn't become bait voluntarily.”

Without hesitation, Makoto answered Mai's question.

“Do you mean that he manipulated him?”

“You mean that the Parasitic Minoru-kun controlled Soushi-dono as a puppet?”

Mutsuzuka Atsuko and Yatsushiro Raizou bombarded Makoto with questions one after another.

“Right. Soushi couldn't resist Minoru's mental interference magic after he had merged with a parasite.”

If Soushi was present, then he might have testified that he wasn't directly manipulated by magic. Soushi himself didn't offer to help Minoru escape, but in fear of overwhelming power, he was forced to cooperate. However, pressure on Soushi was exerted not only by Minoru. It is true that Soushi was frightened by the power of Minoru, but it was Makoto who ultimately ordered him to become bait. Minoru didn't use magic to manipulate Soushi’s thoughts.

“Can Minoru-kun use the magic of manipulating consciousness? But, in the data provided about him there was no such information.”

“This is probably one of the new abilities he gained after becoming a Parasite.”

Makoto's explanation was a deliberate lie. Minoru didn't manipulate Soushi with magic, and didn't have the magic of manipulating consciousness. However, in Makoto’s voice, as before, there was no noticeable excitement when answering Shippou Takumi’s question.

“So you insist that Minoru-kun was manipulating Soushi-dono?”

This question was asked by Saegusa Koichi.

“Correct.”

Makoto's answer didn't change. Obviously, he was going to put all the blame on Minoru.

However, Koichi's questions didn't end there.

“Since when?”

“...What?”

Makoto showed his first signs of being worried.

“When exactly did Soushi-dono come under the influence of Minoru-kun's manipulation? I heard that the car used as bait wasn't rented or stolen, but belonged to the Kudou family. When exactly did Soushi-dono come under the influence of his magic of manipulation of consciousness, and when exactly did he take this car for use?”

“It was...”

“Kudou-dono, had you not noticed Soushi-dono's suspicious behavior?”

“... I'm ashamed to admit it, but I didn't notice.”

Makoto's tone of voice changed from painful to modest. His confident attitude cracked.

“That's pretty dangerous.”

Koichi said this not in a teasing, but rather serious tone.

“In what sense is that dangerous?”

Ichijou Gouki wedged into the dialogue between Koichi and Makoto.

Gouki, with his question, wasn't intending to help Makoto, who was in a quandary. He only heard that Koichi was talking about danger, and wanted to know what exactly he meant.

“Kudou-dono didn't notice that a member of his family was strongly influenced by a Parasite.”

Koichi spoke in a fervent tone, as if he were waiting for Gouki's question the whole time.

“Therefore, it is impossible to deny the likelihood that other than Soushi-dono, there are others who have been dominated by a parasite and are hiding in his family and among servants.”

Koichi's reasoning was rather stressed. But, it was impossible to deny them either.

Unless Makoto refuses the claim that Soushi was manipulated by Minoru.

“Kudou-dono. I believe that the fears of Saegusa-dono cannot be ignored. What do you

think?”

Futatsugi Mai turned to Makoto, trying to maintain a neutral position.

”... I agree with everything that he said.”

Makoto was forced to admit Koichi's words.

“I will check everyone at home immediately.”

"You do not know who is under parasite control, right? Won't you be short handed by doing this alone, Kudou-dono?"

“Saegusa-dono, are you offering help?”

The one who answered Koichi's question was Gouki, not Makoto. If Gouki didn't speak just now, Makoto would have remained silent.

“I’ve been thinking about this issue for a long time, and over the past year my family has been looking for people who can use perception magic. I think it's time to use their skills. They would certainly be useful.”

Koichi’s enthusiasm for recruiting magicians with perception magic was based on observing the very first Parasite incident last year. At least there was no lie in Koichi's words regarding this point.

In addition, Koichi's proposal wasn't based on good intentions.

“Then how about our family helping too?”

“No, there's no need. We cannot ask for help from you, Yotsuba-dono, when you already have problems with Minoru-kun and the USNA.”

Despite her surprise, Maya's offer was immediately rejected. This clearly proved that, under the pretext of "investigation," Koichi plans to get the results of the work of the former Ninth Laboratory.

“How about Kudou-dono and Saegusa-dono discuss this issue later directly with each other?”

As if anticipating that sparks were about to fly between Koichi and Maya, Katsuto intervened in the conversation.

“That's right. It's as Juumonji-dono has said.”

Gouki supported Katsuto’s initiative.

“Good. Kudou-dono, give me some time after the conference?“

“I'm not against it.“

When Makoto agreed to Koichi's terms, the atmosphere between those present returned to normal.

“Shiba-dono. No, or should I call you Yotsuba-dono?“

Shippou Takumi decided to move on to the next question and therefore turned to Tatsuya.

“Please use Shiba”

Tatsuya answered this way not because of a rebellious sense of individuality, but in order to be able to distinguish him from Maya during this conversion.

“Then, Shiba-dono. Last night, were you the one involved in the shootout with a group of magicians who robbed the news helicopter near the eastern coast of Hiratsuka?"

“I was attacked from the helicopter you speak of, and I counterattacked with magic which destroyed them.”

Tatsuya answered, correcting Shippou Takumi's wording a little.

“Yes, from the materials received it can be understood that the counterattack of Shiba-dono was self-defense.”

Takumi responded to Tatsuya's objection with agreement in his voice.

“Could you understand who the opponents were?”

“Maybe these were Kudou Minoru's accomplices?”

Questions followed from Itsuwa Isami and Mutsuzuka Atsuko.

“That I could not understand. They had an East Asian appearance, but they had such distinctive features that I wouldn't call them Japanese.”

Erika heard from Toyama (Tooyama) Tsukasa the assumption that the enemy is the Illegal MAP. However, Tatsuya didn't know this information at the time of the battle yesterday, so he held the position that he didn't know the identity of the attackers.

“I found out the origin of those guys.”

As if rejecting Tatsuya's answer, Saegusa Koichi intervened.

“And who was it?”

Katsuto asked Koichi to continue.

“An illegal squad of killers from the USNA, unit Horsehead.”

“Illegal MAP...?”

Mitsuya Gen muttered in an understanding voice, after hearing the name voiced by Saegusa Koichi.

“Saegusa-dono, Mitsuya-dono, what is Illegal MAP?”

After Ichijou Gouki's question, Saegusa Koichi and Mitsuya Gen's eyes shifted to one side. They looked at the monitor to see the facial expressions of each other.

As a result of eye contact, Mitsuya Gen was selected to answer the question.

“It's a unit strictly dedicated to illegal black ops and assassinations, which reports directly to the USNA army – Joint Chief of Staff. The unit consists of three squads, all of whose members are magicians with excellent interpersonal fighting skills. I heard that one of these units, called Horsehead, was created for tasks in the Great Asian Alliance, which is why it consists of magicians of East Asian appearance.”

“So you mean that this is a certain elite unit of the American army, designed for illegal work?”

“You could say that.”

Mitsuya Gen answered the question of Ichijou Gouki.

“Yotsuba-dono, why is America so intent on trying to kill your son?”

Gouki asked Maya in a caustic tone.

“Who knows? Maybe because Tatsuya flat out rejected their request?”

In Maya’s blatant manner of speaking, it was obvious that she didn't even hide the fact that she could care less about all of this.

But Gouki didn't care about Maya's frivolous attitude.

“Are you talking about the request to participate in the Dion Project? I don't think that they would send a magician assassination squad just for that reason. As I thought, this must be related to the rumor about your son, so it's true?”

Maya didn't respond to Gouki’s provocation, but only slightly smiled.

“What rumor?“

Shippou Takumi asked.

“The rumor that the Strategic-Class Magician who destroyed the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, the user of the Strategic-Class magic that caused the so-called

"Scorched Halloween" is Shiba-dono, the son of Yotsuba-dono.“

Formally, this statement by Gouki answered Takumi's question, but in fact it was meant as a subtle inquiry to Maya and Tatsuya.

Maya, as usual, only smiled impassively.

Tatsuya had to answer.

“I don't see the need to answer.”

From Tatsuya's offhanded answer, Gouki's eyes widened and his face turned red.

“This issue wasn't included in the agenda of this conference. If this meeting was planned for this, then from now on I will refrain from discussion and won't bother you.“

Tatsuya continued before Gouki managed to say something.

“Shiba-dono, you're exaggerating. Take it easy.“

“Ichijou-dono, you should also refrain from making statements to seek out the situation of other families.”

Mutsuzuka Atsuko and Yatsushiro Raizou hurried to become mediators in the dispute.

“... Really. This was an inappropriate topic.“

“I apologize.“

Gouki, though only in words, admitted that he was wrong, to which Tatsuya answered with a completely insincere apology.

The atmosphere in the conference room began to deteriorate. The heads of families displayed on the screen didn't hide their decline in motivation. Or rather just didn’t want to hide it.

“If the armed forces that started the shooting were the Illegal MAP, then the riots that they organized were in no way connected with Minoru-dono or with any Japanese criminal organizations. This time they were able to penetrate the country, by taking advantage of a convenient moment during the retreat of the NSU fleet, so from that moment on, the self-defense forces, in order not to shame their honor, will have to strengthen their vigilance.“

Mitsuya Gen probably felt that they couldn’t continue on like this, so he decided to continue the discussion.

“Therefore, we don't need to be involved in this matter. I believe that the issue that we should discuss now concerns the responsibility of Kudou-dono.“

“Mitsuya-dono is right. Even though it was a result from falling prey to Minoru-dono's magic, this didn't happen without the help of the Parasite, whose existence arouses public alarm.“

Saegusa Koichi spoke up, taking advantage of a convenient moment after Mitsui Gen's speech.

“Yotsuba-dono. Did Kudou Minoru abduct a maid from your house? What decision would the Yotsuba family offer in this case?“

Obviously, with this question, Koichi was trying to leave Maya with the dirty work.

“Let me think... Tatsuya, what do you think?“

Without removing the smile from her face, Maya simply threw the question of Koichi's

to Tatsuya.

“I believe that we don't need to force them to take responsibility.“

Tatsuya answered without hesitation.

“If the Kudou family was manipulated by Minoru, then they too can be considered victims of the Parasite. It is also an unbiased fact that the Kudou family is the main victim in this matter, since Minoru killed the previous head of the family. I believe that from the point of view of humanity, it would be inappropriate to condemn the grieving family for complicity, while preparing to hold the funeral of His Excellency Kudou tomorrow.“

“Well said, Shiba-dono.”

Futatsugi Mai agreed with Tatsuya in a quick manner of speech, unusual for her, praising him. Perhaps she was afraid that in this case the objections wouldn't be relevant.

“As Shiba-dono said, Kudou Minoru is the criminal who killed the previous head of the Kudou family. The Kudou family wouldn't have been willing to help such a person.“

“From the point of view of common sense, it is.”

Agreed Yatsushiro Raizou in a slightly ironic tone.

“I also support the view that there is no need to demand compensation from the Kudou family. Saegusa-dono, does this suit you?“

“Since it suits Yotsuba-dono, I won’t mind.”

Glancing at Mitsuya Gen, Saegusa Koichi voiced his agreement with the humbled face.

In addition to Maya and Tatsuya, the opinion that the unity of the Ten Master Clans should not be disrupted was supported in their own words by Mai, Raizou, and Gen.

Although the Kudou family wasn't one of the Ten Master Clans at the moment, it was recently among them, and it clearly stood apart from the other Eighteen Replacement Houses. If you push the Kudou family beyond measure now, the Ten Master Clans system may weaken. This is precisely what they feared.

Koichi also didn't want to violate the established order of the Japanese magical world

with the Ten Master Clans at its top. Although he sought to lower the status of the Kudou family, which retained a strong influence, despite the fact that it left the Ten Master Clans, but general devastation wasn't part of his plans.

“That's great. And also, Shiba-dono.“

Mitsuya Gen didn't stop even after forcing Saegusa Koichi to compromise.

“What?“

“Yes, I agree that this place is not suitable to reveal your strength.“

“Mitsuya-dono. This has already...“

Katsuto tried to stop Gen. But he didn't stop.

“However, Shiba-dono. Now it’s no secret to anyone that you are the same Strategic-Class Magician. Your actions and statements have caused uncontrollably arising suspicions and rumors among many military and politicians both in Japan and abroad.

You should be a little more serious about the harsh reality in which these people, fearing a threat, may show an excessive reaction.“

Gen's comments were not based on malicious intent or hatred. Rather, on the contrary, it was his way of showing concern for Tatsuya's present and future.

The Mitsuya family had military ties not only in Japan, but also abroad. They probably intercepted fragmentary information regarding secret plans to neutralize the "Strategic-Class Magician, Shiba Tatsuya."

“I will take your advice into account. But even if you call it a well-known secret, I still can’t speak about anything relating to myself.“

Tatsuya seemed to understand that too. However, his position has not changed.

He had an agreement with self-defense forces, according to which he was forbidden to disclose that he was a user of the Matter to Energy explosion magic. In addition, he could not ignore the information received from Shiina through Miyuki.

The Mitsuya family informed the self-defense forces of Tatsuya's plan to attack Midway Prison. Obviously, the information was transmitted to Saeki, closely associated with Tatsuya, precisely in order to prevent the implementation of this plan in practice. If you

look from the appropriate point of view, Tatsuya could not help but think that this speech of Gen's also had the goal of tying to bind his hands and feet.

Today's extraordinary meeting of the Ten Master Clans left Tatsuya with a bad aftertaste. It was fortunate that he wasn't blamed for the battle with the Illegal MAP, but the fact that he was pretty much exposed as a Strategic-Class Magician was an unacceptable result for him, despite the fact that it wasn't his fault.

However, if you continue to be in a bad mood, then this will cause undue concern for Miyuki. Forcibly suppressing these feelings in himself, he went to the hospital where Honoka is staying, which he, along with Miyuki and Lina, planned to visit after they returned from school.

“Hi, Honoka! How are you feeling?“

When they entered the hospital ward, Lina spoke first with Honoka.

Tatsuya and Miyuki stood behind her with a delicate lack of expression on their faces.

In truth, Miyuki didn't speak first because she felt that Honoka would be glad if Tatsuya spoke first. And Tatsuya, as if having read Miyuki’s thoughts, was planning to ask Honoka first about her well-being.

However...

Lina destroyed this plan of action with her energy.

But she couldn't be blamed for this, because they didn't discuss who would do what in advance. The result of all this was a temporary lack of facial expression in Tatsuya and Miyuki.

Perhaps Tatsuya and Miyuki showed excessive caution.

Honoka answered Lina's question with a clear voice, without showing a single bit of disappointment.

“I'm alright. Although this is called “hospitalized,” I’m just here for a routine examination.“

“I see. That's good.“

Having recovered to his normal state, Tatsuya entered into the conversation.

“Tatsuya-san... I'm sorry to make you worry.”

Honoka was embarrassed, but didn’t even hide her smile. Although she didn't think that Tatsuya wouldn't worry about her, but when he so openly showed his concern, she couldn't suppress the joy in herself.

“Honoka, you shouldn't apologize. Rather, I should apologize. Sorry to drag you into this. And Erika, I also created problems for you.“

In addition to Tatsuya's group, Erika and Shizuku also came to visit Honoka.

Tatsuya first bowed to Honoka, and then said an apology to Erika.

“What are you saying, Tatsuya-san! You are not to blame!“

“Right. Those villains are to blame. Fortunately, neither Honoka nor Mizuki were injured, so Tatsuya-kun doesn't need to take responsibility, right?“

Honoka was energetic, and Erika, with a barely perceptible smile, shook her head from side to side.

“I'm very glad that no one was hurt. I'm also not only talking about Honoka and Mizuki, but about Erika, Saijou-kun and Yoshida-kun too.“

Miyuki’s words were from the bottom of her heart, but were also designed to prevent Tatsuya from continuing to apologize.

“Right. Mizuki also missed school today, but this is due to precautions so that yesterday doesn't happen again. As for Leo and Miki... in a sense, they are able to take care of themselves.“

As Erika said, as a precaution, Mizuki stayed home today. But Leo and Mikihiko didn't come, because they were too shy to come to a girl’s personal (not shared) hospital ward.

“I also don't think that it's Tatsuya-san’s fault either, but...”

The remark of Shizuku, who was silent before, sounded a little different from the

general flow of the conversation.

Shizuku stared at Tatsuya. There was no smile on her face.

“I want Tatsuya-san to protect Honoka so that this doesn't happen again.”

She had an absolutely serious tone, in which there wasn't a fraction of playfulness. Her face was absolutely serious.

“Ah!?“

Honoka screamed. Erika and Lina were also openly surprised.

For some reason, there was no surprise or anger on Miyuki’s face.... But there was no smile either.

“I think you already know that I'm from the Yotsuba family of the Ten Master Clans.”

Tatsuya's answer to Shizuku’s question sounded more like a “question” than a

“statement”.

“Yeah.“

Shizuku answered, not Honoka. Honoka herself only stared at Tatsuya, holding her breath.

“Previously, I'd been planning to separate from the Yotsuba family in the future... Or even to confront them. But now I intend to live as a magician from the Yotsuba family.”

When Miyuki heard Tatsuya continue to speak, her face darkened for a moment.

“For Honoka to be under my protection means, that she will become a magician working for the Yotsuba family. She won't be able to live a normal life, or be a normal magician. However...”

“And yet, I do not mind.“

Gathering her strength, Honoka issued an answer confirming the acceptance of what Tatsuya had said.

There was no hesitation in her eyes aimed at Tatsuya.

But when she turned her eyes from Tatsuya to Miyuki, indecision appeared in her gaze.

“But then... Miyuki, does this not bother you?”

Hearing Honoka, Miyuki looked away.

However, she immediately turned back and looked Honoka directly in the eye.

“Honestly... I don't like this. Because Honoka is an attractive girl. But at the same time while having an objection to this, I am glad that we can together be a support for Tatsuya-sama.“

“Miyuki... Yeah, I'll try.“

Miyuki and Honoka smiled at each other. But the smiles of both were strained. Miyuki's smile was clearly feigned, and Honoka's smile lacked self-confidence. However, neither in their words, nor in their eyes was a lie.

“However... ”

Miyuki said and turned to Tatsuya. Her smile, which she gave to Tatsuya, shone dazzlingly.

“It is forbidden to cheat, Tatsuya-sama.”

“There was no need to say something like that right now,” Tatsuya moaned in his thoughts, not even changing his face.

“There was no need to say something like that right now ...“

And then suddenly Lina's voice shouted out.

As expected... The atmosphere was ruined.

However, there was no one here who didn't understand that the cause of the ruined atmosphere was precisely because of the defiant act of Miyuki.

“... Of course.“

Tatsuya answered, making his face as serious as he could.

Honoka's face, meanwhile, had already begun to twitch from a constant smile.

“So greedy.“

Whispered Shizuku, standing to the side of Honoka.

7 p.m. Lina had dinner again at the same table with Tatsuya and Miyuki. However, today she wasn't just waiting at the table, as usual, but was in the kitchen with Miyuki.

Unfortunately, she still didn't have the cooking level to call it "cooking together." Rather, it was only "Miyuki's help."

“... I didn’t expect Shizuku to talk about something like that...”

With great difficulty wielding chopsticks, Lina spoke to Tatsuya.... Miyuki in a rather Spartan manner didn't allow Lina to use a knife and a fork instead of chopsticks.

“It really was unexpected.“

Neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki asked what exactly Lina meant by the words "something like that." To Shizuku’s “request” expressed by the words “I want Tatsuya-san to protect Honoka,” Tatsuya replied “I will take Honoka, Erika, and the others under my protection.” And all this corresponded to Lina's impression, which she voiced last night with the words "it looks like you're going to establish a kingdom."

“But for you, Tatsuya, on the contrary, circumstances are more preferable when the other side has asked for protection, isn't it?”

“Yes.... But really, it would be better if the situation didn't go so far, that my protection would really be required.“

Lina suddenly took these words of Tatsuya's, which he was saying more likely to himself, seriously.

“... Honoka is also a magician. Therefore, for her, the probability of getting into a dangerous situation is already quite high, regardless of Onii-sama.“

“That's right. People who seek out powerful magicians, and make them work for them against their will, are in the government, and in civil organizations, and in criminal

gangs. Therefore, Honoka should be happy to be protected by Tatsuya.“

Miyuki and Lina hurriedly spoke in a distracting manner. More precisely, only Lina was nervous and hasty. Miyuki's words were more like convincing herself.

“...Yes, you're right. Plus, in this case, it doesn't mean that I have to do something right now.“

“...Right. Now it’s better to give priority to Minami-chan.“

The chopsticks of all three froze. The air became heavier, as if this time there was no escaping or evading an answer.

“... I don't know if I should say this, but is it okay that you aren't busy chasing after Minami? You're not going to give up, are you?“

“Of course, I don't intend to give up.”

Without hesitation, Tatsuya answered Lina's question.

There was no indecision in his words.

The sad expression disappeared from Miyuki's face.

“I know her location. Now she is... about 1,200 kilometers east of Tokyo. Moving underwater in the Pacific Ocean at a speed of 35 knots.“

“Do you know so much!?”

Lina's eyes widened at Tatsuya's last words.

Her chopsticks even fell out of her hand.

Miyuki looked at Lina sitting across from her with a disapproving look.

“Sorry.“

Lina whispered, picked up the fallen chopsticks on the tablecloth, and laid them on the ceramic stand for chopsticks.

After ascertaining that Lina wasn't too lazy to put her chopsticks up properly, Miyuki turned to Tatsuya and asked:

“Speaking of underwater, do you mean that she's in a submarine?“

Needless to say, Miyuki herself, put her chopsticks on the stand right after she stopped eating, following the rules of proper etiquette.

“This isn't known to me. It can also be a fully submersible transport vessel.... More importantly, the food's getting cold. Let's talk while we're eating.“

“Really.“

“A fully submersible transport vessel? You know quite a lot...“

Although Miyuki and Lina reacted differently, they both continued to eat after Tatsuya.

“Moving east from Tokyo... Hawaii, maybe? Or...“

Although Lina tried to pretend that something had crossed her mind, it was obvious that she was passing off her expectations as reality. She considered it a convenient coincidence that the ship with Minami aboard was heading in the direction towards Midway Island.

Neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki accused her of such recklessness. They both understood that Benjamin Canopus, a prisoner in Midway Prison, was dear to Lina, and she worried about him the same way they worried about Minami.

“Obviously, the destination is neither the main island of the Hawaiian archipelago, nor Oahu. They're either going to Midway Island or to the atoll next to it...“

Undoubtedly, this is precisely why Tatsuya led the conversation in the direction Lina desired.

“Lina, are there any USNA military bases in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands?“

Tatsuya heard from the Mitsuya family that a USNA military base is located on Pearl & Hermes Atoll. However, he decided to ask Lina this question, hinting that he might pay attention to Midway Prison.

“I heard that the Pearl & Hermes Atoll has a navy supply base.”

But unfortunately, Lina was unexpectedly serious. She didn't notice Tatsuya's hint and only answered what she was asked.

Miyuki stared at Lina with a frustrated look, trying to convey to her the thought, "No, not that!"

While Tatsuya was sitting next to her, he patiently continued to ask Lina questions.

“What did you hear about it?”

“I didn't look into every regional base that we weren't planning to use. I'm not a Navy officer.“

“So it's not that big of a base?”

“Probably. I think I would remember if it were an important base.“

"Should I, perhaps, say it to her myself...?"

Tatsuya was already starting to have a headache.

Miyuki was focused on eating her food, avoiding this conversation.

“So, this is a base that is far away from the mainland, and we don''t know how many military personnel are stationed there? A suitable place to keep an abducted person there.”

“... Tatsuya, do you think their destination is Pearl & Hermes base?”

Lina timidly asked Tatsuya.

Tatsuya no longer had the desire to keep dancing around this topic, tonight.

“I'm not going to ignore the likelihood that a kidnapped person might be imprisoned on Midway Island.”

Lina breathed a sigh of relief.

Miyuki glanced briefly at Lina. This look said: “what a troublesome and demanding child that needs a lot of care” but Lina didn’t even notice that Miyuki looking at her.