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6Chapter 8
7It was already later than 8 PM. However, one of the departments of the Defense Forces responsible for planning land, air and sea operations, continued its work at the same pace as in the daytime. The NSU fleet left the sea area near the Noto Peninsula, but a ceasefire agreement has not yet been signed. Although there had been no declaration of war before, Japan and the NSU were already at war. As long as this military tension doesn’t disappear, the lights in the command sections won’t go out.
8Of course, the command of the 101 Battalion from National Defense Forces was also no exception.
9The commander of the 101 Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Kazama was summoned by the battalion’s commander, Lieutenant General Saeki, and arrived at her personal office. Kazama wasn’t a part of the battalion commanding officers, but occupied position of Saeki’s dedicated subordinate. Kazama himself didn’t resist this role and waited in his office in order to arrive at the battalion command headquarters at any time upon request.
10“Lu Ganghu, who entered the country yesterday through Matsue, was neutralized today in the city of Komatsu.”
11“Was he arrested?” Kazama supported the conversation with a short question.
12“No, it looks like he was killed. This was done by Lieutenant Chiba Naotsugu, a student from the Defense Academy, temporarily assigned to the guerrilla infantry platoon from the first division.”
13“Is this the “Illusion Blade” who has the rank of Lieutenant, although he is still a student? Killing of that Lu Ganghu is worth it to be called the highest world elite among melee magicians. Honestly, I would like such a talented fighter to join my battalion.”
14Saeki listened to Kazama’s eulogy with a lack of interest on her face. There was simply no place in her mind for Chiba Naotsugu. If Lu Ganghu had been killed by another officer, even by a policeman or a civilian, Saeki’s face would be exactly the same now.
15“In general, we should rejoice we were able to prevent sabotage in advance, but … such negligence of Lu Ganghu was beyond my expectations.” Saeki complained.
16Depending on how you listen to her words, there could be heard the expectation that the “sabotage” of Lu Ganghu (murder of Liu Li Lei) would end in success.
17Kazama didn’t pretend that he had not heard these reckless words, but simply ignored them.
18He learned about this expectation of Saeki the day before yesterday.
19In truth, Saeki and Kazama had previously received information about Lu Ganghu's infiltration into the country.
20Senior Lieutenant Fujibayashi Kyouko, acting as adjutant of Kazama, was known among the people aware of her abilities as the “Electron Sorceress.” This ambiguous nickname meant that she was a magician capable of skillfully using magic for interfering with electricity and electromagnetic waves. And at the same time, this nickname was a reference to her unsurpassed hacking abilities, thanks to which she played with information networks like a toy.
21Zhou Gongjin’s network possessed not only anti-hacking tools, but also magical protection. But Fujibayashi’s ability won out in the area of electronic networks. Saeki and Kazama received all correspondence between Chen Xianshen and Minoru (posing as Zhou Gongjin) with the help of Fujibayashi.
22Saeki and Kazama were aware of Lu Ganghu's plans to infiltrate the country. They knew both the place and the time. They could have caught Lu Ganghu when he came ashore. Kazama even wanted to send his subordinates to Matsue port.
23But Saeki didn’t allow Kazama to send soldiers. Moreover, she ordered not to share this information with anybody. Saeki, though reluctantly, tried to help Lu Ganghu’s sabotage.
24Kazama, of course, asked about the reason. In general, command orders in the army should not be discussed. But he simply could not accept an unreasonable order — he was such a “wrong” military. Many were cold toward Kazama due to the fact that when he was “green,” in battles he often did more than was ordered. And his character has not improved despite this bitter experience.
25Saeki didn’t try to avoid answering and explained to Kazama the course of her thoughts.
26…NSU sent their fleet south, ostensibly to pick up Lieutenant Liu
27…Whatever their true purpose, the NSU military actions will lose their pretext if Lieutenant Liu disappears.
28…But even if there had not been an NSU invasion, the presence of Lieutenant Liu is a great risk.
29…There is a great chance that she will be returned to her homeland, and “Thunderclap Tower” will be aimed at our country.
30…If Lu Ganghu kills Lieutenant Liu, it will benefit Japan.
31…Defense Forces will be subject of public criticism due to their inability to protect refugees. The loss of international reputation is also inevitable.
32…But the benefits of removing Lieutenant Liu from the country outweigh all these disadvantages.
33…After all, Ichijou Masaki-kun from the Ten Master Clans joined the care of Liu
34…And if it won’t be possible to prevent the murder of Lieutenant Liu, the criticism will fall on Ichijo-kun, who is on the same base as she.
35…Murder of an escaped magician by a magician agent. In this case, it can be expected that the Ten Master Clans will be subjected to much harsher criticism than Defense Forces.
36These were Saeki’s reflections.
37Kazama reluctantly had to humbly become her accomplice. 
38But the result wasn’t what Saeki expected. Lu Ganghu was killed, not even reaching the base, and his subordinates were captured one by one.
39“Lieutenant Chiba’s presence wasn’t part of my calculations.”
40In such a phrase, Saeki admitted that she was naive with such defective plans.
41“It seems that the guerrilla infantry platoon was originally sent to capture Kudou Minoru.”
42Kazama’s words included an attempt to comfort her.
43Saeki seemed to understand this, and looked at Kazama with doubt in her eyes urging him to continue.
44“And Kudou Minoru is supposedly hiding in the Aokigahara Sea of Trees.”
45“This information has been refuted after a search operation conducted by the guerrilla infantry platoon.”
46“This unit is simply committed to His Excellency Kudou, they don’t have skilled magicians of ancient magic. They won’t be able to overcome the barrier.”
47It seems that Kazama believed that Minoru is still hiding in the Sea of Trees. Saeki already understood that. But she didn’t understand why he brought it up.
48“Are you satisfied that we aren’t chasing him?”
49It seems that Kazama had no intention to talk in riddles. He immediately made it clear what he was talking about.
50“Are we?”
51Saeki was unable to predict Kazama’s question because its content was completely unthinkable.
52“Why should our 101 Battalion deal with Kudou Minoru’s arrest?” 
53Saeki’s counter-question was rather an indirect refusal to Kazama’s offer rather than an expression of her doubts. 
54“Chasing murderers and kidnappers aren’t part of our duties.”
55“But we’ll be able to determine his location if I go.”
56There was no doubt in Kazama’s words. Indecision or vanity wasn’t there either.
57He was called a “forest fighting expert” not only because he was excellent in guerrilla warfare. The ancient magic “Tengu-jutsu,” which was perfectly mastered by Kazama, showed the highest efficiency in mountain forests.
58Kazama was sure he could find Minoru while he was in the Sea of Trees (forest), no matter how powerful the barrier that hides him.
59However, Saeki’s answer was still negative.
60“I’ll say it one more time lieutenant colonel. This is not the responsibility of our 101 Battalion.”
61“You don’t care that we are ignoring the Parasite strong enough to kill Kudou Retsu? In addition, if it is we who catch Kudou Minoru, then we’ll rub the Ten Master Clans noses in it.”
62“We don't have any intentions to touch Kudou Minoru as long as he doesn’t show hostility toward the state.”
63Saeki concluded with a harsh tone.
64Kazama expressed surprise with his eyes wide and eyebrows raised.
65But he asked nothing out loud. Therefore Saeki could ignore Kazama’s doubt expressed, but she didn’t do that.
66“…While Kudou Minoru keeps running away, the special officer Ooguro … more precisely, Shiba Tatsuya will be busy chasing him and won’t be able to be distracted by other business.”
67“Other business? Are you worried that Tatsuya might do something unnecessary?”
68Was Kazama’s incomprehension simulated or real?
69Anyway, Saeki just sighed.
70“Lieutenant Colonel, you should’ve seen the information provided by the Mitsuya family. It says that Shiba Tatsuya is planning an attack on Midway Prison, owned by the USNA.”
71Saeki called Ichijou Masaki “kun” and Tatsuya simply by name. Kazama’s attention got a little hooked on this fact, but he didn’t ask about the reasons.
72Instead, he asked:
73“Are you helping Kudou Minoru to prevent Tatsuya from going to Midway Island?”
74“I won’t deny your indication that inaction is passive support. However, Shiba Tatsuya doesn’t pay attention to restrictions imposed by the authorities. I don’t think that a simple ban on leaving the country will be effective in his case.”
75“That’s really true” — Kazama mentally agreed.
76In Tatsuya’s case, he is able to not just illegally and without permit leave the country (by hijacking a plane or boat for example). He can just go and fly himself. But even if a hidden departure from the country will be disclosed, it won’t be possible to ban him from entering back or put him in jail. He is Japan’s greatest military power, their most powerful strategic weapon.
77“Lieutenant Colonel, don’t go doing something with Kudou Minoru.”
78“I get it.”
79Kazama straightened up and gave such an answer after Saeki has repeatedly reminded about this.
80
81Illegal Mystic Assassin Platoon (Illegal MAP). Covert squad of assassin magicians. This is a squad of magicians specializing in assassination missions that cannot be made public. It's made up of three platoons: “Coalsack,” “Cone Nebula,” and “Horsehead.” This formation wasn’t officially recognized as soldiers of any country, but in fact they were a detachment of magicians under direct control of the USNA Army Joint Chiefs of Staff, so if you look at subordination they could be considered fellow comrades of Stars. In legal terms it is like comparing legitimate children and illegitimate ones (from another mother).
82Since their system of command was the same to a certain degree, it is not surprising that they were commanded by the same officer somewhere on some level. The commander of Horsehead squad sent to Japan, Al Wan, sent an email asking for further instructions from a Stars Commander, Paul Walker, because Walker was their contact and intermediary transmitting instructions from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
83To be more precise the current actions of the Illegal MAP weren’t dictated by unified opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but only by the hostility to Japan of some of its officers. It was a faction arguing that it was necessary to eliminate Shiba Tatsuya, a dangerous Strategic-Class magician who is threatening the hegemony of the USNA. Colonel Walker was entrusted with command of the Illegal MAP, as an influential officer supporting this tough course.
84The answer from Walker came when the date had already changed in Japanese time, after midnight and already past 1 AM. This was quite expected given the time difference between time zones. However, it was clear that the members of Horsehead squad were already waiting for an answer, because they all unceremoniously stared at commander Al Wan who was deciphering the encrypted message in their hideout.
85“Hey, don’t act like whining schoolboys! I’ll read it to you right after finishing the deciphering!”
86Al Wan seemed to have unpleasant feelings because they were within spitting distance, so he yelled at his subordinates, chasing them away as if a big dog was shaking off water. Even the youngest soldier in the Horsehead platoon was over 30 years old, so the phrase “don’t be like whining schoolboys” undoubtedly suited this situation.
87Al Wan’s subordinates obediently retreated from his back. But this didn’t mean they felt guilty and apologized. You could clearly see their cultural level, there was aluminum cans with beer or whiskey in the hands of more than half of the squad.
88Illegal MAP was an irregular unit. From the beginning nobody expected from them the same discipline as from regular troops. The commander himself also didn’t expect  this from his subordinates. But Al Wan’s facial expression totally changed after he finished deciphering, and after he raised his head to look at the alcoholic beverages of his subordinates.
89“Commander, what did the bosses write?”
90“What was actually expected.” He responded with a suitable wording, but his face was expressing the words “isn’t it obvious?” 
91“Plans don’t change. We’re ignoring Angie Sirius.”
92“So our target is only Shiba Tatsuya?” 
93Was asked by another subordinate in at least a polite tone. Horsehead squad consisted of 10 people including the commander. The one who asked this was one of the two women in the squad.
94“Yes. We will continue to act according to the negotiated plan. Ellie along with Julia and Frank, you’ll take Mitsui Honoka. Gabe, Henry and Iggy will be handling Shibata Mizuki. Bart, Charlie, Don and I are remaining in this hideout as reserves.”
95“Roger that.”
96“Commander, are we really going to use hostage-taking tactics?”
97“We will simply be brought back for re-education if we don’t use them.”
98Al Wan was referring to brainwashing when speaking of “re-education.” The trick is when it’s needed to use hostages as bait to lure and kill a target, it's a common tactic to which all three squads of Illegal MAP constantly resort to in their missions.
99“But in that case isn’t just one hostage enough?”
100Deputy commander of the squad Bart Lee expressed his doubts about the approved tactics. It wasn’t the first time he talked about this. He returned to the same topic he raised during the tactics discussion last night.
101“The Target is Shiba Tatsuya from That Yotsuba. I don’t know how much their title “Untouchable” reflects real situation, but we don’t know his real abilities so we can’t treat the matter casually.”
102“Bart, it’s all settled already. Although, we aren’t soldiers now, we must obey the commander’s decision. Right?”
103A member of the squad named Charlie Chan, who spoke with Al Wan in a friendly tone from the very beginning, turned to Bart Lee. But his voice was more “teasing” than “reproaching.”
104Bart Lee fell silent with a disgruntled face.
105As one could understand from this conversation, the Horsehead squad was far from being a friendly and close-knit team.
106But no one in the squad was bothered. The squad commander Al Wan didn’t care about that either.
107“Bart, you can go alone if you are so sure of yourself.”
108“…You are the commander. I will follow your instructions.”
109Illegal MAP was a unit where it was easier to dispose of each and every member, if they started doing something reckless. It was believed that they aren’t lab rats, because they are more useful in their current forms.
110The atmosphere inside the squad doesn’t matter as long as they are able to eliminate designated targets. This was not only the members of Horsehead squad, but also the rest of Illegal MAP platoon members who thought this way.
111Early Friday morning, July 12th.
112“Onii-sama, we’re leaving.”
113“Yes, be careful. Lina, Miyuki is in your care.”
114“Leave it to me.”
115Tatsuya looked at Miyuki and Lina who went to First High School. It wasn’t yet 7 o’clock in the morning. They left the house earlier than usual because Miyuki needed extra time to remove the disguise she's been using lately.
116Tatsuya didn’t go to school today either. After the two girls had left, he immediately went to the laboratory located on the underground floor of the high-rise building.
117Fujibayashi Kyouko visited Tatsuya yesterday as a representative head of the Fujibayashi family. He received documents containing the activation sequence for “Parade” and explanations of how to use it from her, as well as information about “Sekirei Hachijin” aka. “Stone Sentinel Maze” — barrier construction techniques using East Asian continental ancient magic. It is highly likely the hideout where Minoru is currently hiding was built by Zhou Gongjin with the use of “Sekirei Hachijin” technique. It was necessary to overcome both “Parade” and “Sekirei Hachijin” to find the location of Minoru and return Minami.
118Truth be told, it is only a hypothesis that this barrier was created using “Sekirei Hachijin” technique.
119Tatsuya has been analyzing “Parade” and “Sekirei Hachijin” since yesterday to come up with techniques to neutralize these two magics.
120“Parade” is roughly understandable. The Problem lies in “Sekirei Hachijin”…
121Tatsuya voiced aloud the results of yesterday while sitting at a table in the laboratory.
122He received the activation sequence of “Parade” and the guide to its use from Fujibayashi yesterday about 9 o’clock. Tatsuya understood the data recorded in the format of modern magic without difficulties.
123Even if you subtract time for food, bathroom, and sleep, no more than 10 hours passed from the moment Tatsuya began the analysis. And yet Tatsuya has almost figured out how the magic “Parade” of the Kudou’s family works.
124“But still … I didn’t expect the difference with Lina’s “Parade” to be so great. Now that’s clear it cannot be overcome with such an approach…”
125“Parade” of the Kudou and Lina's family were the same in terms of editing and processing copied Eidos and overlaying with original Eidos to disguise it. However, there was a process of turning a copy of the edited and processed Eidos into an artificial Spiritual Being (artificially created independent information body), which was added to the Kudou family's spell. As a result, the caster is able to perform activities such as maintaining, restoring, changing and moving [Parade SB] after the magic was activated.
126It is possible to attract the enemy’s attention to the disguised information body copy with such a construction of the Magic Sequence. And further mislead the enemy by distancing the copy from the original. The copy and the original would be located in different places, so if you destroy the disguised information body, you won’t find anything under it. In addition, if you make additional changes to the disguised information body already recognized by the enemy, the enemy won’t even be able to aim at it.
127But, now that this mechanism has become clear, it will be possible to neutralize the Magic Sequence of “Parade” even if it cannot be seen. If Minoru hasn’t made significant changes to the Kudou family spell, even an indirect “Gram Dispersion” should be able to decompose this Magic Sequence.
128But, Tatsuya hasn't tried this in practice yet. He already knew the real (not the bogus one's by “Parade”) coordinates of the hideout where Minami is kept. If they didn’t move anywhere in the last three days, the hideout is inside a zone with a radius of 100 meters located in the Aokigahara Sea of Trees. However Tatsuya, who has personally visited that forest area, was unlucky with finding the hideout.
129East Asian continental ancient magic “Kimon Tonkou” is one that distorts the sense of direction. “Sekirei Hachijin” is a large-scale barrier that is built from people who were killed at the moment they experienced strong emotions of anger and buried in the right places. It is this anger that feeds “Kimon Tonkou” and allows it to persist for a long period of time. If Tatsuya doesn’t overcome this barrier, he won’t be able to reach the hideout where Minami was brought to.
130Even if it is possible to drive Minoru out of this hideout, it will still be difficult to catch him without a way of neutralizing “Kimon Tonkou.” Such a chase won’t bring any results if it is impossible to correctly ascertain in which direction the enemy is fleeing.
131“Still, if I won’t be able to overcome “Kimon Tonkou,” that is, “Sekirei Hachijin,” I won’t be able to detect Minoru and Minami.”
132Tatsuya has determined the future course of action while muttering to himself.
133
134Minoru got up an hour earlier than usual and went on a hideout inspection. He just wanted to get rid of drowsiness under the pretext of checking the barrier.
135Minoru barely slept last night.
136The reason for this was frustration at his miscalculation that Lu Ganghu hasn’t gained him any time, as well as the resulting nervousness. Minoru planned to leave this hideout while Lu Ganghu was causing unrest.
137He believed that it would not be long before Tatsuya would find this place. For Now “Parade” and “Sekirei Hachijin” are still able to deceive Tatsuya’s “sight,” but Minoru felt he didn't have much time.
138It wasn’t some kind of “vague” feeling. After assessing the extent of the damage his Magic Sequence received, he believed it's only a matter of time when his magic would become useless.
139Raymond had suddenly spoke to him that night through the Parasite’s telepathic network, and Minoru accepted his offer precisely because of this nervousness. Minoru realized his condition only after he had finished this conversation and laid down in bed.
140He regretted that he succumbed to Raymond’s persuasion so easily. That was the reason he couldn’t sleep. Raymond offered Minoru an escape from Japan while taking Minami with them. A military vessel of the USNA Army will be used for this purpose.
141Minoru accepted the invitation without asking opinions from Minami.
142Minoru noticed his haste and rashness only after the conversation with Raymond was over.
143But he doesn’t regret accepting Raymond’s offer itself.
144Minoru regretted that he had not been able to cancel his response so far.
145Minoru who was feeling this way could contact Raymond at any time. No tools, complex procedures, or ceremonies were needed to use the mental connection between fellow Parasites. This connection was usually always active, but Minoru has forcibly blocked it.
146So when he noticed that he hadn’t yet received Minami’s consent to this, he could easily release the lock and report the refusal.
147But Minoru didn’t. He only continued to worry about it lying in bed, but ultimately he left everything as it was.
148He knew why he was doing this.
149In fact, he wanted to take Minami with him somewhere far away.
150“…But I made a promise. “
151He promised he wouldn’t force her.
152He will immediately return Minami back to Tatsuya and Miyuki if she wants it.
153Minoru once again swore to himself.
154“That’s why I can’t be caught … until I hear Minami-san’s answer.”
155Minoru came to the conclusion when he was thinking about this.
156“'Parade' alone would not be enough to escape successfully.”
157He decided that this hideout would not last long, because his perception as a “magician” informed him that Tatsuya would break through “Parade” in the near future. Therefore, he feared they’ll reach him quickly. There was no way he could successfully escape from this barrier using “Parade” alone.
158“What should I do? I currently don’t have time to think of a new magic.”
159“Think.”
160“Think, Kudou Minoru.”
161Minoru looked around at the surrounding walls of green leaves, and then looked up at the bright cloudy sky. He did this not in search of a hint. It was a kind of conditional gesture to help get rid of the mental impasse he was in.
162However, the artificial sky reflected in his eyes brought him inspiration.
163The light reflected from the Earth’s surface was scattered in the air, and even on a clear day it created a bright white cloudy sky, like dull glass.
164This was an obvious sign of the barrier wall being here.
165“I cannot escape from Tatsuya-san's "sight" while using only 'Parade.'”
166“So I need to combine “Parade” and 'Kimon Tonkou?'”
167“This place is still hidden thanks to not only my "Parade" alone. “Sekirei Hachijin” built by Zhou Gongjin also doesn’t allow Tatsuya-san to approach.”
168“I can not take "Sekirei Hachijin" with me.”
169“But in my current state, I am still capable of deploying "Kimon Tonkou" and "Parade" simultaneously”
170“Kimon Tonkou” — this is magic that derails orientation.
171“But Tatsuya-san is probably also preparing measures against "Kimon Tonkou" as well…”
172“…But even if he is, I can still use them.”
173Minoru has cheered himself up. However, the wrinkles have not completely disappeared from his frowned forehead.
174“The question is what to take as bait (on which the copied Eidos will be attached) …”
175The most important parts in his escape plan were still missing.
176
177Friday, July 12, 2097, 7:00. A secret meeting of the top brass from the National Defense Forces Intelligence Department began with one simple announcement.
178This meeting wasn’t on schedule and even more so it was not official. Such informal meetings are held only when necessary. The Army Intelligence Department Command meets only in response to situations that require discussion. This indicated the Intelligence Department realized there had been some kind of emergency.
179“Although we were not able to capture specific agents under cover, it was determined that an illegal squad of assassin magicians of the USNA Army had infiltrated the metropolitan area.”
180“Illegal MAP …?”
181The activity of the killer squad who even inside the USNA Army is called “illegal” was a problem, known as an “emergency.”
182“What is the basis of the belief that someone has infiltrated our country, even though no agents have been found?”
183The question was asked by the deputy director, whose existence was not known outside the Intelligence Department …
184“Information about people, most likely members of Illegal MAP, were found in the Arrival Records dated 10 July.”
185… answered chief Inukai from 10th Counterintelligence Division of Intelligence Department in the capital region without getting up from his chair.
186By the way, the name “10th Division” did not mean that it was “tenth in order.” There was a meaning hidden in this name, that the Tooyama family from the 18 Assistant Houses, who is from the numbered families of 10, was secretly cooperating with the military.
187“July 10th …? That means they seized the moment.”
188No one asked the deputy director to explain the meaning of his words. Following the withdrawal of the NSU fleet, the government announced the normalization of sea and air traffic at 9:30 on July 10. The fact that foreign agents could take advantage of that time period when control is weakened was quite predictable, therefore the vigilance of the security services was increased at airports and seaports.
189But at that time a stream of guests poured into Japan, who have been waiting to visit this country for a long time, thus it was impossible to thoroughly check each and every one in such an environment.
190…All department heads present at the meeting shared this regret.
191“What is the size of the infiltrated squad?”
192Chief Onda asked Inukai from 1st Special Issues Department.
193“They went through the border checkpoints of the country, so it’s no longer entered into the country but illegal entry… A total of ten people were counted, presumably all of them are agents. We know that Illegal MAP consists of three squads. This means that one of these squads has been sent in its entirety. Take a look at this.”
194Inukai said and typed a command on a console. The last phrase was addressed to all present.
195Passport data was displayed on desktop displays installed in front of each meeting participant. It was a ten-page file, a page per person. Some of those present took “smart glasses” from holders mounted on the table.
196Inukai continued his speech after waiting for the attendees to finish reading the data.
197“You can’t trust these passports too much, but judging by the distinctive features in appearance and names it is assumed that the infiltrated squad is 'Horsehead.'”
198“A squad of assassins manned by East Asian magicians, supposed to be used in missions against GAU?”
199The Intelligence Department didn’t have the personal data of Illegal MAP members . But they managed to find what squad it is. Distinctive features voiced by one of those present corresponded to what they saw in the photos.
200“Did you find out their purpose?”
201To the question asked from the seat next to the deputy director …
202“No, unfortunately. But given the current situation, the most likely assumption is the murder of Shiba Tatsuya.”
203…Inukai replied that it was an assumption, but his voice was confident enough.
204“It is clear. I think so too.”
205After Chef Onda supported Inukai’s opinion…
206“We’ve already failed recently when we tried to fix this guy. But what are we going to do this time?”
207… he asked the deputy director what to do with Illegal MAP.
208“Chief Onda. What do you suggest?”
209The deputy director asked Onda’s opinion instead of answering his question.
210Onda exchanged glances with Inukai before answering. In less than a second, they came to a mutual agreement.
211“No matter what this guy’s thinking, he is useful for our country. I believe that even if he doesn’t obey us directly, it will still be possible to make deals with him.”
212“His name is also spread widely in society, when on Tuesday the media called him a co-developer of the Strategic Class magic, which pushed back the NSU fleet. If a situation comes to the point that he is killed or wounded by foreign terrorists, the government will be criticized by our citizens.”
213Continuing after chief Onda, chief Inukai addressed an indirect hint to the deputy director.
214“Really. Shiba Tatsuya’s murder from the hands of Illegal MAP must be prevented. And in general, we should not endure foreign agents on our land. We can not deviate from these principles.”
215The deputy director understood him despite that he gave his proposal in form of indirect hint.
216“Chef Inukai.”
217“Yes?”
218Inukai stood up when the deputy director spoke to him in a changed tone.
219“Give Sergeant Toyama a chance to regain her honor.”
220The deputy director ordered Inukai who was standing at attention. 
221It was 7:30. Miyuki and Lina arrived at First High School’s Student Council room about 30 minutes before class began.
222There they were met by Izumi. She had already seen Miyuki’s disguise yesterday, so she wasn’t confused. Instead, a large question mark popped over the head of another undergraduate girl present. Today, in addition to Izumi, Shiina also came to the school council room early in the morning.
223“Shiina-chan. You are pretty early, has something happened? Or are you worried about something?”
224Miyuki who regained her appearance, asked Shiina who had round eyes after seeing this reincarnation.
225Miyuki didn’t force the Student Council members to work in the morning. She herself also usually went to the classroom in the morning. Izumi has lately often started coming early and doing work (it seems she had some reason to not stay at home). In contrary to her, Shiina rarely appeared in the Student Council room before the start of working hours.
226“Yes, no, this is …”
227Shiina hesitated and could not answer clearly. Doubt and hesitation could be clearly seen on her face.
228“…President, to tell the truth, I’d like to tell you something…”
229In the end, Shiina found strength in herself and spoke after a short pause.
230“To me? So should we need to move somewhere else?”
231It seems that Shiina has not yet made up her mind. Miyuki invited her to talk in private after reading the hesitation on her face.
232“Miyuki-senpai, perhaps I’ll leave you alone this morning.”
233Izumi stood up at ease and bowed to Miyuki.
234“Yes, thank you. See you after class.”
235Miyuki noticed Izumi’s intentions and answered her in a relaxed tone.
236“Yes, I do. OK, see you later.”
237Izumi left the Student Council room.
238“Miyuki, I’ll go to class too.”
239At that moment, Lina noticed why Izumi left the room, and also headed to the door in a slightly unnatural manner.
240Miyuki smiling followed Lina with her eyes, and turned to Shiina at the same time as she heard the sound of a door closing.
241“Shiina-chan, let’s sit down? Pixie, make us some drinks.”
242“At your service.”
243Pixie, who settled in the Student Council room on Tatsuya’s orders, started a process for serving drinks. Pixie returned to her place in the room corner after placing iced coffee with milk in front of Miyuki and cold cocoa (with a high syrup ratio) in front of Shiina.
244Shiina wearing a tense look grabbed the glass of cocoa. Even when she took a couple of sips, the tension didn’t disappear from her face. She still couldn’t begin to talk.
245Miyuki didn’t hurry Shiina. She picked up the glass of coffee with milk from the table in a relaxed manner. Red lips clutched a translucent drinking straw. The snow-white throat moved slightly, showing that she had taken one sip. Then, she returned the glass to the table exhaling slightly.
246Lifting her eyes up from the cup, Miyuki noticed Shiina was looking at her with a devouring look.
247“…What?”
248There was still time before the lessons began, and Miyuki was going to wait for Shiina to speak herself. But eventually, she could not help asking feeling the suspicion from such a look.
249“Ah! This, no, uh … It’s about my father and brother!”
250Shiina couldn’t answer honestly that she was simply fascinated while staring at her, so she hurriedly went straight to the main topic with a blushing face.
251Miyuki, of course, noticed this unnatural behavior of Shiina. Miyuki was very familiar with such a scene (although she could understand the reason). She knew from her experience that the best way to handle this situation would be to leave everything as it is. So Miyuki silently waited for Shiina to continue her story.
252“…Father and brother are going to r..report to the Defense Forces… about Shiba-senpai's plan …”
253Shiina’s voice became completely quiet toward the end of the phrase.
254But for Miyuki sitting in front of her, the volume was enough to hear everything.
255Shiina began calling Tatsuya “Shiba-senpai” and Miyuki — “president” over the past three months. Miyuki knew this, so she understood who Shiina was talking to.
256“Plan of Tatsuya-sama? Isn’t it, by chance, about the case we had bothered you with the other day?”
257“Yes … that same case.”
258Shiina cringed with fear and answered in a thin voice, even though Miyuki didn't ask her in a strict tone.
259When Miyuki was saying “the other day,” she meant the day when Tatsuya visited the Mitsuya family to learn about the Midway Island defenses. When Mitsuya Gen asked Tatsuya why he wants to learn about it, he replied: “in order to decide whether it is possible to organize an escape for one of the magicians imprisoned in Midway Prison.” That is, Shiina meant her father and brother are going to tell the Defense Forces exactly about that case.
260“I understand …Well, nothing can be done. Shiina-chan’s father is still in this position.”
261Miyuki didn’t ask for details, deciding not to torture Shiina any more. But in reality, she was very interested with whom exactly in the Defense Forces Mitsuya family reported to. But Shiina hardly knew so much. Miyuki decided it was better to investigate this question on her own instead of interrogating her kohai from the Student Council.
262“Brother said he was going to report to “Major General Saeki from the 101 Battalion.”
263But concern about this turned out to be superfluous. Shiina herself issued the person who was reported to about the case, even without a question from Miyuki.
264Miyuki wasn’t shocked when unexpectedly she heard that familiar name. Shiina spoke only about the information leak from the Mitsuya family to Saeki. There was no talk about the fact of Saeki betraying Tatsuya. Though Miyuki wouldn't have been surprised even if that were true.
265From the beginning, Miyuki wasn’t very friendly towards Saeki and Kazama, who gave Tatsuya dangerous work. If Saeki will take a stand against Tatsuya, Miyuki will not hesitate to mark the 101 Battalion as her enemy.
266However, Miyuki thought that she should at least inform Tatsuya about this.
267“Thank you, Shiina-chan. I'll pass it on to Tatsuya-sama.”
268Fujibayashi, who took the day off yesterday to become her family’s envoy, today, as usual, was already present and on duty at 8 AM. She was the assistant commander of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, her duty station was located in battalion headquarters. Her actual duty station was the commander’s office at the Kasumigaura base when she didn’t spend time on missions and operations.
269Kazama, the office owner, came on duty at different times. Sometimes he showed up in the office far after noon, and sometimes he would come before Fujibayashi.
270Kazama didn’t say anything if Fujibayashi came later than him. First of all, it is worth noting that the door to the office was arranged in such a way that it would not open before 8 AM. Fujibayashi didn’t know how Kazama goes through this door. She was very curious, but she followed her intuition that was telling her it’s better not to ask about this matter.
271Today, Kazama appeared about ten minutes after Fujibayashi began work. Fujibayashi immediately rose from her seat, stood in front of Kazama’s table, for which he was already seated, and bowed.
272They exchanged polite greetings, then checked the schedule for today and clarified the battalion’s orders. Kazama asked about the results of yesterday after [an] usual morning routine was over.
273“Regarding Shiba Tatsuya-shi…” (-shi is an overly formal way of referring to someone)
274Fujibayashi began her report calling Tatsuya not her usual “Tatsuya-kun” or “Special Officer Ooguro.”
275“In response to a request from the Fujibayashi family head, that we should have caught Kudou Minoru on our own, he asked to be taken for a capturing operation. The Fujibayashi family head gave his consent.”
276It was not an army operation, and she was not obligated to report it. However, both Kazama and Fujibayashi looked as if it was naturally something to report.
277“What about time and place?”
278“The meeting is tomorrow at noon on the state highway northwest of Fuji Fuketsu Cave.”
279“Okay. Thank you, at ease.”
280“Understood.”
281Fujibayashi bowed and returned to her seat.
282Kazama leaned back in his chair without opening his workstation terminal. He leaned back so much that in his posture, when his face was pointed up into the ceiling, one would have thought he decided to take a nap.
283Fujibayashi peaked over to take a look at Kazama. But she couldn’t understand what the commander was thinking about.
284
285Chapter 9
286
287On Friday, July 12, Tatsuya remained in the laboratory in the morning, located on the underground floor of their high-rise building. Based on the Parade and Sekirei Hachijin data from Fujibayashi, he brainstormed to find a way to overcome these two magics.
288
289To hide, Minoru uses both of these magics. It won’t be possible to return Minami, who was abducted by Minoru, until he can at least partially neutralize “Parade” and “Sekirei Hachijin.”
290
291The purpose of the current study was exclusively the return of Minami. The prerequisite for this was determining their location. Working on the analysis of Parade and Sekirei Hachijin, Tatsuya never for a second forgot about his original goal. Although physically he was now underground, his mind regularly looked at Minami’s condition through magical perception.
292
293When his "sight" caught the change, it was already past 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
294
295It wasn’t a deterioration. On the contrary, this change could be called convenient for Tatsuya.
296
297“Is there a hole in the barrier?"
298
299The magical barrier hiding the location of Minoru and Minami weakened. The weakening magic was “Sekirei Hachijin". This didn’t mean that the disguise was completely canceled, but the current state looked like if you hurry to the site right now, you may be able to break through the barrier by force.
300
301But this weakening was clearly limited. And it aroused interest.
302
303“Does that mean... that someone passed through the barrier?"
304
305The masking barrier was not destroyed. But they didn’t go through it according to the established rules.
306
307Someone found a loophole and penetrated through it through the “Sekirei Hachijin". As a result, a small hole remained in the barrier.... Such is Tatsuya's impression.
308
309“I was ahead of the Fujibayashi family...?"
310
311It was about this opportunity Tatsuya first thought. He agreed with Fujibayashi Nagamasa that he would meet with the Fujibayashi family at noon tomorrow. However, at first, the Fujibayashi family told Tatsuya that they wanted to grab Minoru only on their own.
312
313“The likelihood of this is high. I can’t say.”
314
315Not only Tatsuya and the Fujibayashi family hunted Minoru. The Ten Master Clans also chased Minoru. There was also evidence that the self-defense forces are also working on capturing Minoru. In addition, in Japan there are groups that, in tribute to tradition, regard “demons" as “evil". Parasites for them - this is also the “demons" that must be destroyed. Therefore, it was likely that such forces also began to move.
316
317“I'll watch the situation a bit..."
318
319If you blindly rush there, not knowing the circumstances, then everything can end with adding new enemies.
320
321Tatsuya temporarily suspended the analysis of “Sekirei Hachijin" (he already studied the “Parade" magic), and first decided to ask the main house of Yotsuba if there could be any third party in this matter.
322
323
324◊ ◊
325
326
327At 3 pm Minoru was sitting in the dining room at the same table with Minami.
328
329When Minoru was still living at his parents' house (that is, just a month ago), he didn’t have the habit of having tea parties, but now he couldn’t refuse an invitation from Minami.
330
331Before Minoru there was a cup of classic black tea, and in front of Minami - a tea with milk. Dessert for tea was lichzhi mousse (similar to berry jam). Of course, cooked by Minami.
332
333Everything Minoru ate in this hideout was cooked by Minami. However, Minoru (who still didn’t have a girl at his age, because his beautiful appearance had the opposite, repulsive effect) was worried just like on the first day he met her. He decided to forget for a while the feeling of guilt from the abduction, and tasted “dessert prepared by the hands of a girl."
334
335But he didn’t enjoy this taste for long. The situation didn’t allow to soar in the clouds, running away from reality. He was drunk with happiness only for a while, while he tried the mousse. Putting the spoon on the table, Minoru looked at Minami with a serious look.
336
337Minami still had about a quarter of the mousse in the bowl, but she noticed Minoru's gaze and removed her hands, putting them on her hips.
338Then she looked straight ahead at Minoru.
339
340“... Um...”
341
342Mentally encouraging himself not to lose his presence of mind, Minoru immediately turned to the main topic.
343
344“Today or tomorrow I am going to leave this refuge.”
345
346“Good.” 
347
348Minami answered briefly and offered to continue her gaze.
349
350“To begin with, I will go to Yokosuka.”
351
352Minoru has already told so much. It was too late to stop.
353
354“And from there I'm going to escape from Japan on a ship of the American fleet.”
355
356“......”
357
358Minami face expressed astonishment. Escape from the country. It was so unexpected that she couldn’t utter a word.
359
360“Sorry.”
361
362She couldn’t even now ask Minoru, for which he apologizes.
363
364However, she didn’t need to ask anything.
365
366“I said that there is no need to hurry with the answer, and now I have to change my words.”
367
368Minami tightly squeezed her hands, lying on her thighs. Not only palms, her arms to shoulders strongly strained.
369
370
371“If you can make a decision right now, then I want to hear the answer. If you answer that you want to remain a human, then I will go to Yokosuka alone.”
372
373“......”
374
375“If you haven't decided yet, then please make a decision before arriving in Yokosuka. If there you say that you don’t want to become a Parasite, then I will board the ship alone.”
376
377“......”
378
379“If you still doubt... still can’t decide, then I want you to board the ship with me. But even in this case, I give my word that I won’t do anything against your will, Minami-san. And I won’t let the US military force you to do anything.”
380
381“...Where...?”
382
383Minami couldn’t give an answer, however, although with difficulty, she was able to squeeze out only one word from herself - and it was a question.
384
385The question consisted of just one word, but its meaning was obvious.
386
387“... I'm sorry. I don't know that either.”
388
389However, Minoru couldn’t answer this question.
390
391Minoru thoughts were filled with the awareness of his own insignificance.
392
393Driven by this thought, he tried to open a line of mental connection with Raymond.
394
395“Northwest Hawaii. I think it will be Midway Island or the Pearl and Hermes Atoll located next to it.”
396
397But before he could do it, the answer came in a voice unfamiliar to Minoru.
398
399“Who is there!?”
400
401Minoru jumped up so abruptly that even the chair fell.
402
403The chair fell with a heavy crash, but Minoru didn’t have time to get distracted by it.
404
405Only Minoru and Minami should be in the dining room.
406
407In this whole mansion it was only supposed to be Minoru and Minami.
408
409And this skinny man who looks like a monk shouldn’t be here. Minoru didn’t notice not only the breakthrough through the barrier, but even the penetration into this room.
410
411“Yakumo-sozu * -sama!?
412
413[Buddhist nun title. In the table of ranks of 15 places takes 7 place below. In general, with the name of as many as 6 ranks, from “junior" to “senior". Minami could just cut it, so his real rank might be different.]
414
415Minami got up too, but the surprise in her voice had a slightly different character from Minoru.
416
417Suddenly, a man in a monastic attire appeared in this room as the “ninjutsu user” Kokonoe Yakumo, whom Tatsuya called “Master Yakumo,” and Miyuki 'Yakumo-sensei.'”
418
419“I feel embarrassed when such a young maiden calls me a monastic title.”
420
421“...Excuse me.”
422
423“There is nothing wrong. It is a kind of pleasant feeling.”
424
425Minami called Yakumo, using a system of monastic titles. She met Yakumo through Tatsuya, but for her Yakumo wasn’t one who could be called a “master" or “Sensei."
426
427Tatsuya told her that calling him “the abbot of the temple" would be wrong, which finally confused Minami, and in the end she decided to call him “(Yakumo) -sozu-sama".
428
429By the way, it wasn’t the first time when Minami addressed Yakumo using the monastic title. A similar conversation during their greeting has already happened several times.
430
431“By the way, Minami-kun. Your boyfriend seems a bit confused.”
432
433“P-guy...”
434
435“How innocent. But, from Tatsuya-kun such a reaction won’t wait.”
436
437Yakumo, with a contented smile, narrowed his eyes, looking at the completely reddened faces of Minoru and Minami.
438
439However, the conversation wouldn’t have happened if he concealed his identity. Yakumo had this kind of common sense.
440
441“You're Kudou Minoru-kun, right? My name is Kokonoe Yakumo. I work as a monk, but in reality I am a shinobi. Please forgive me for entering without permission. Sneak and all that - this is our nature.”
442
443Other ninjas (“users of ninjutsu") would probably have been outraged if they had heard these words, but, despite such a frivolous tone, Yakumo was serious. Perhaps this intention was conveyed to Minoru, or such a silly formulation stunned him. In any case, he slightly weakened his wariness.
444
445“... It looks like you already know me, but I still would like to introduce myself. Kudou Minoru, The Parasite.”
446
447Minoru's presentation was a kind of provocation.
448
449“Yeah, I'm in the know.”
450
451But Yakumo only nodded in response. From such a reaction, Minoru was ashamed of his useless efforts.
452
453“... I apologize, but let's return to the previous topic.”
454
455Having overcome his embarrassment, Minoru returned the conversation to a question that he couldn’t ignore.
456
457“Is it true that the Parasites from the American army are going to take us to Midway Island?”
458
459Minoru wasn’t aware now that his statement stated that Minami would go with him. He simply didn’t notice this. Minami also didn’t notice.
460
461“I don’t know for sure whether it will be Midway or Pearl and Hermes.”
462
463The answer was given in such a tone that it was clear that Yakumo was fooling around pretending to be ignorant. However, from this answer, Minoru understood that Yakumo had already narrowed down the list of suitable places to two points: the island of Midway and the atoll of Pearl and Hermes.
464
465If it was true, then it meant that Yakumo possesses simply phenomenal intelligence capabilities.
466
467The back of Minoru was covered in cold sweat. He didn’t feel such awe even when he encountered his grandfather, Kudou Retsu.
468
469“But how did you...”
470
471“But how did you know that?" - Minoru couldn’t finish this question to the end. He didn’t have enough breath to finish it.
472
473“How? Of course, that’s a secret.”
474
475But the answer of Yakumo was simple. With his answer, he had the impression that he winked, although he didn’t.... As expected, he replied in his own style.
476
477Minami hands were no longer tense. With such a behavior of Yakumo, she could no longer remain in suspense.
478
479However, Minoru was tense and kept alert so as not to make a mistake.
480
481“Instead, let's move on to the main topic. I don't care if you get on the ship alone, or you continue your journey together. But if you intend to leave this country, I would like you to promise me something.”
482
483“... That is, you don’t mind that I abducted Minami-san?”
484
485In his question, Minoru used the eloquent word “kidnapped."
486
487“You're not forcing her, are you?”
488
489The tone of Yakumo voice remained frivolous.
490
491“But it won't stop others, will it? It is unlikely that you want to get under the hot hand and die. And we, in turn, will only be glad that if you become a Parasite you leave this country.”
492
493This meant that he was hunted by many different influential people. But now Minoru couldn’t afford to worry about it.
494
495“... And what should I promise?”
496
497Yakumo behaved unobtrusively. However, his expression and behavior, on the contrary, gradually put more and more pressure on Minoru. And now this psychological pressure was so great that Minoru could barely remain conscious.
498
499“I want you to keep secret the secret knowledge of the Parade spell. The fact that no one should be taught this is self-evident, but I would like you to also pay special attention to ensuring that this technique isn’t stolen.”
500
501The tone of Yakumo until then remained such that his true motives were very difficult to grasp. But now his tone has changed in such a way that in his words his intentions and his earnestness were unmistakably read.
502
503“If you promise me this, I will promise in response that I won’t interfere with your escape.”
504
505In other words, this meant that if Minoru refused the offer of Yakumo, he would help Tatsuya or other groups trying to seize Minoru.
506
507Minoru couldn’t ignore such an unfavorable situation.
508
509Yakumo had abilities that allowed him to break through the magic of disguise / concealment to Minoru. Proof of this was that he was now standing in this room. Probably, Yakumo, even alone, will be able to grab him, and his escape will end there. And the mind and intuition of Minoru came to this same conclusion.
510
511Minoru had no intention of sharing the Parade with anyone from the start. He wasn’t going to reveal his secrets even to other Parasites.
512
513“... I promise.”
514
515For Minoru, this was only an addition to his plans of another constraint from a verbal promise. He had no choice but to accept this offer from Yakumo.
516
517
518◊ ◊
519
520Leaning back in his chair, Tatsuya looked with half-closed eyes into emptiness. He plunged into meditation, not in the underground lab, but in his room on the top floor.
521
522He interrupted his research, because with the barrier hiding the hideout in which Minami (Tatsuya thought so) was locked up, something strange happened.
523
524This “strange thing” wasn’t an unfavorable change for Tatsuya. On the contrary, one could say that the situation has improved, bringing the rescue of Minami closer.
525
526A small hole appeared in the barrier. Not such that through it you could look inside. The functions of the barrier itself remained working. At least, observing through the information dimension from here, from Tofu, through this gap it was impossible to determine the exact location of their refuge.
527
528But in this case there was a saying “even an ant can destroy a huge dam.” Only this case wasn’t close to the proverb, but to its original meaning “even a small flow can sink a huge ship." Because of this newly emerged small hole, the Sekirei Hachijin barrier hiding Minami's location may soon be completely useless.
529
530The question was what caused this “hole” to appear. The probability of wear on the barrier over time was also not zero, but at the moment it could be excluded from consideration.
531
532Why did this “hole" appear?
533
534Who made this “hole"?
535
536Without knowing the answers to these questions, it will be difficult to deal with. It should also be kept in mind that a clash with this “someone” may end up putting him in a difficult situation that will help Minoru escape.
537
538In search of information, Tatsuya called the main house of Yotsuba some time ago. Now he was waiting for a response.
539
540After the call with his request, it has already been an hour. Tatsuya didn’t expect the investigation to take place in an instant, but the wait dragged on longer than he expected.
541
542But if you try to hurry them, it will only give the opposite effect. To be ready to go at any moment, he was already dressed in a “Freed Suit” and had a helmet in his hand. He even wanted to return to the laboratory in this form in order to continue his research.
543
544At about four o'clock in the afternoon, Tatsuya decided to “return under ground.” And it was at that moment that he felt “something strange” a second time.
545
546“Is the barrier broken!?"
547
548From that moment about an hour ago, Tatsuya watched the barrier of the “Sekirei Hachijin" where Minoru and Minami has hidden. It was a long-range observation, so as not to be seen by the enemy. Also, this “adversary” meant not only Minoru, but also that “someone” who made a hole in the barrier.
549
550And now Tatsuya's “Elemental Sight" caught that someone else broke through the barrier and penetrated inside.
551
552The hiding effect of the barrier, “Sekirei Hachijin," recovered in an instant, but in that short time Tatsuya clearly saw what was inside the barrier. Because of the observation range, he couldn’t identify the identity of the intruder, but he “saw" information about the “mansion" located right in the center of the barrier.
553
554“This time I managed to get the exact coordinates."
555
556Unfortunately, to determine the location of the hideout hidden behind the barrier, he used all his strength, and he didn’t have free resources to use magic to neutralize “Parade". He was unable to locate the exact location of both Minoru and Minami. Therefore, he couldn’t shoot a tracking marker. However, it was a good chance.
557
558Tatsuya hurried to the videophone.
559
560“... Tatsuya-sama.” Hyougo at your service.
561
562Before the three beeps had passed, the upper half of the body of Hanabishi Hyougo appeared on the screen in a bow.
563
564“The request we received recently is still under consideration. I apologize.”
565
566“No, I'm not calling about that.”
567
568Assuming why Tatsuya called, Hyougo apologized. However, Tatsuya hinted at his answer that one should not rush to conclusions.
569
570So, before Hyougo regained his useless apologies, Tatsuya went to the heart of his call.
571
572“I just noticed that someone had penetrated the refuge of Kudou Minoru.”
573
574“Someone else who isn’t related to the one whom you reported earlier?”
575
576“Obviously someone else. Unlike the first, it had a rougher way to overcome the barrier.”
577
578Although Tatsuya called his way rude, but he didn’t mock him. Because this someone, unlike himself, (probably) was able to break through the barrier. Compared to the first person who made a hole in the barrier, it was something else.
579
580“The barrier has already been closed, but I was able to locate the hideout.”
581
582“So you're going there?”
583
584“I will go on Wingless.”
585
586Tatsuya gave a positive answer to Hyougo's question about the mode of transportation.
587
588The Wingless is an electric motorcycle designed to be used in conjunction with a Freed Suit. Its flight function is arranged in the same way as that of the Aerocar, but it’s not intended for long-distance flights.
589
590“Really. Although, ground travel takes a little more time, but it won’t cause problems with law enforcement.”
591
592This Monday, Tatsuya first flew from Tofu to Miyakijima and back on the Aerocar, and then flew to the western slope of Mount Takao in the Freed Suit. These noticeable unauthorized flights, obviously, caused a lot of problems among the officials responsible for domestic air traffic. In addition, there was an unauthorized use of magic. Hyougo's words about the fact that you shouldn’t mindlessly annoy law enforcement agencies exactly coincided with Tatsuya's thoughts.
593
594“If you find out something, contact me via radio in the suit.”
595
596“As you order. Be careful.”
597
598Nodding in response to the polite bowing of Hyougo, Tatsuya turned off the videophone.
599
600
601◊ ◊
602
603
604An hour has passed since Yakumo disappeared from the dining room, and the dining table was already empty. But despite this, Minoru was still sitting at the table, and Minami was opposite him.
605
606Minoru didn’t hold her here. They just sat and did nothing.
607
608Minami spent more time in the dining room than in the bedroom. In most cases she spent her free time (when she wasn’t busy with housework), sitting at the dinner table.
609
610So it was Minoru who was different from the usual behavior. Minami has always been laconic, and Minoru simply didn’t know how to make small talk. And both of them were such people whose language begins to stumble in conversations with a representative of the opposite sex. Minami didn’t usually worry about this silence, but now Minoru was strained every time by this silence without talking, and he usually returned to his office.
611
612However, today Minoru didn’t get up from the table after the dishes were removed, and even after ten minutes of silence followed. In fact, Minoru didn’t have time to sit quietly like this. He decided to leave this hideout no later than tomorrow.
613
614They couldn’t take a lot of luggage with them, but a minimal set of personal belongings was vital. A change of clothes you could easily take from this mansion. And if the end point of the escape is another country, then just in case, it was necessary to make fake passports. It was necessary to ensure that they were ready to receive without delay, so as not to waste time.
615
616Minoru understood that he shouldn’t waste time. But he couldn’t proceed with any specific actions, because the visit (more precisely, the invasion) of Yakumo was too shocking.
617
618Minoru didn’t think that “the barrier that hides this mansion will never be broken." And “Kimon Tonkou" and “Parade" can be neutralized if you put against them more powerful magic or more advanced magic techniques. It was this understanding that Minoru's desire to leave this hideout was connected.
619
620However, Yakumo didn’t pierce and didn’t disperse the barrier “Sekirei Hachijin", and didn’t go through it in the correct way. He made his way through a hole that even Minoru didn’t know about.
621
622He was on a completely different level.
623
624If Yakumo had joined the persecutors, then Minoru would have been caught by now. If you think about the connections between Tatsuya and Yakumo, then it is very strange that Yakumo didn’t join the chase.
625
626... What the hell was this Kokonoe Yakumo thinking?
627
628... With what intention did he just take and let me go?
629
630Such doubts have been tormenting Minoru for some time now.
631
632The pretext to get rid of this confusion was a new attack on the concealed barrier.
633
634“Someone slipped through the barrier?”
635
636Although the identity of the intruder couldn’t be established, but someone accurately partially and temporarily neutralized the barrier and penetrated inside. The magic structures from which the barrier was composed of weren’t destroyed. Instead, it was neutralized by the shock wave in anti-phase. And this time Minoru found out about it.
637
638The barrier was turned off by anti-phase neutralization, therefore, if these waves cease, the barrier will restore its functions. After the invasion, there is no need to maintain a neutralization spell. And the barrier has returned to its original state.
639
640“...We have guests?”
641
642Hearing this question, Minoru noticed that Minami, who was sitting across from him, had a worried expression on her face. He wanted to say his previous words in his thoughts, and didn’t even notice that he had said them out loud.
643
644“Everything is good. Whoever it is, I won’t let them touch Minami-san.”
645
646For Minoru, the fact that his words caused concern to Minami wasn’t welcome. It was with this feeling that he hurried to calm her down. So that these words didn’t turn out to be lies, Minoru directed all his attention to the search for the intruder.
647
648He didn’t believe that his speech was convincing. Besides, he didn’t notice right now that Minami's cheeks were slightly red. Because he focused on the presence of the intruder.
649
650It has been about five minutes since Minoru noticed that the barrier was broken.
651
652Minoru got up from his chair and headed for the door to the dining room.
653
654He knew that the one who had passed through the barrier was already inside the mansion.
655
656“Please, come in.”
657
658Minoru opened the door.
659
660“I didn’t think you would come to such a place....Father.”
661
662The identity of the intruder Minoru also learned through his “Elemental Sight."
663
664“I apologize for the intrusion.”
665
666Kudou Makoto, head of the Kudou family and Minoru's father, entered the dining room, without being surprised at all.
667
668
669◊ ◊
670
671
672“Tatsuya-sama, can you hear me?”
673
674Hyougo got in touch with Tatsuya immediately after he left the high-rise building.
675
676“I hear you well. Did you find out something?
677
678“Besides us, the other Master Clans didn’t send people to the Aokigahara “Sea of Trees.” There is no corresponding movement of the self-defense forces either.”
679
680“In other words, is it someone other than the army and the Ten Master Clans?”
681
682Tatsuya quickly noticed that Hyougo hinted at something indirectly. If he had not figured out anything, he would not have contacted with only such data.
683
684“The person who discovered them wants to tell you personally.”
685
686And this one spoke himself before Tatsuya managed to ask, “and who is this?".
687
688“Tatsuya-niisan, I'm sorry for distracting you when you are driving.”
689
690“Fumiya?”
691
692Tatsuya was going to ask why he wasn’t at school, but changed his mind, deciding that he shouldn’t be asked.
693
694“Sorry to hurry, but could you get straight to the point?”
695
696Instead, he asked about the results of the investigation.
697
698“Y-yes!”
699
700From the speaker in the helmet came Fumiya's cheerful voice. With this reaction, he looked like a puppy, rejoicing that he was helpful to Tatsuya.
701
702“From this morning it became impossible to determine the location of the head of the Kudou family and his second son.”
703
704“Were they watched?” Although, no, this is logical.
705
706No need to repeat once again that Minoru is a member of the Kudou family. If you think about what Minoru can hope for besides Zhou Gongjin's networks, then it is the Kudou family that comes to mind first and foremost. Tatsuya said that “this is logical," based precisely on this reflection.
707
708“True, only from Tuesday, but...”
709
710“Tuesday” is the day after Minami's abduction.
711
712For her abduction, parasitic dolls were used. This humanoid magic weapon was developed at the Kudou Family Research Center. Kudou Retsu, the previous head of the Kudou family, died trying to stop Minoru from coming to steal these parasitic dolls. This fact saved the Kudou family from suspicion of colluding with Minoru, but the assertion of the complete innocence of the Kudou family can be called a hasty conclusion.
713
714The current head of the Kudou family is Kudou Makoto. The fact that the relationship between the previous head Retsu and the current head Makoto didn’t develop very well is a fairly well-known fact.
715
716Although the relationship between Makoto and Minoru also couldn’t be called good, but they were still father and son. The likelihood of Makoto working with Minoru couldn’t be completely ruled out.
717
718Fumiya's unspoken remark said it had something to do with this fact. It was estimated that the number of parasitic dolls involved in the abduction of Minami was greater than the number of ginoids stolen on the day of the assassination of Kudou Retsu. Perhaps, if the Kudou family would have been monitored even earlier, it would have been possible to prevent the use of that tactic with the self-blasting of a large number of parasitic dolls. In such a case, the detachment of the Juumonji family would survive, the perimeter wouldn’t be broken, and Minami wouldn’t be kidnapped.
719
720“We don’t have enough people, nothing can be done. There are too many things to do lately.”
721
722But Tatsuya wasn’t going to criticize Fumiya.
723
724The fighting strength that was lost 34 years ago in the “war” with Dahan, who controlled the southeast region of East Asia at that time, was restored to a decent amount in the past 30 years. However, the Yotsuba family still remained in a state where they had to compensate for the quantity with quality.
725
726However, the cause that led to this chain of events, which grew into all sorts of collisions of different forces, was Tatsuya himself. And Fumiya, who even had to wear a “priestess outfit," was only a victim in this whole story. It was impossible to scoff at the poor man who had already suffered.
727
728“If you say so, then I feel a little calmer.”
729
730Said Fumiya with sincere gratitude in his voice.
731
732“You from the very beginning couldn’t worry about it. So, the head of the Kudou family and his second son aren’t visible anywhere from this morning?”
733
734Tatsuya easily parried this influx of emotions of Fumiya and asked him a counter question.
735
736“Yes. However, the abilities of the person sent to observe are at the “average" level, so there is also a chance that they set in motion during this night, and not in the morning.”
737
738“No. If we consider the time it takes to go from Ikoma to Aokigahara, then they left the Kudou mansion in the morning.”
739
740“So, after all, they have a secret connection with Kudou Minoru?”
741
742“The probability of this is quite high. But for Minoru, this seemed to be an unplanned event.”
743
744“Are you talking about his father and brother visiting the refuge?”
745
746Fumiya spoke on the basis of the assumption that Kudou Makoto and Kudou Soshi were the invaders in Minoru's hideout. Although, Tatsuya didn’t indicate to him that this wasn’t yet precisely defined.
747
748Perhaps because he himself believed that it was, nevertheless, true.
749
750“If they had agreed with Minoru in advance, they wouldn’t need to break through the barrier. Even if the visitor who came to Minoru is Kudou Makoto, he did it, obviously, not in the form of a friendly family visit.”
751
752“Oh, I see.”
753
754“I'll go to Aokigahara anyway.”
755
756“Do you need help?”
757
758“It will be needed if he escapes.”
759
760“Good. We will be ready.”
761
762Tatsuya turned off the radio and increased the speed of the motorcycle.
763
764
765◊ ◊
766
767
768Drinking tea from a cup, Kudou Makoto exhaled in satisfaction. At the request of Makoto, Minami brewed hot tea instead of ice tea for him.
769
770“So, wouldn’t it be time to get down to business?”
771
772Although Minoru said “wouldn’t it be time,” as if he were hurrying his conversational partner, but the delay was caused by him. It was Minoru who asked Minami to serve tea so that he had time to put his thoughts in order.
773
774Despite the fact that he had learned in advance that the intruder was his father, he couldn’t get rid of the excitement that arose when they met face to face.
775
776“Before that, could you let Soshi inside?”
777
778“Did Soshi-niisan come too?”
779
780In the voice of Minoru slipped notes of surprise, but it was an acting game. Minoru had already seen with “Elemental Sight” that two large cars were standing outside the barrier, and in one of them Soshi was sitting in.
781
782Since the enemy wasn’t Tatsuya, he could freely use the “Elemental Sight" without fear of reverse detection. Also, the fact that the intruder isn’t Tatsuya, said the fact that the barrier wasn’t completely destroyed, but only temporarily neutralized.
783
784Makoto nodded, not noticing the pretense of Minoru (or not showing what he noticed).
785
786“Yes. He is going to work as bait for you.”
787
788“... I would like to hear the details when Soshi-niisan joins us.”
789
790Before he answered, there was some unnatural delay. Minoru still blatantly worried.
791
792“Should I go meet a guest?”
793
794Minami's suggestion wasn’t just a manifestation of the professionalism of the maid, but also, perhaps, carried a hidden meaning in the form of helping Minoru until he collected his thoughts.
795
796“Thanks, but not necessary. I will send a ginoid to meet him."
797
798The battle-like ginoid (not converted into a parasitic doll), which was used as a driver during the escape to this place, is now stored in the lobby of the mansion on standby. Minoru took out a thin mobile terminal from his breast pocket, entered through him a command of canceling the stand-by mode of the ginoid, and gave him the command to meet the “guest.”
799
800Returning the terminal to his breast pocket, Minoru sipped some tea from his cup.
801
802Makoto also took his cup in his hand.
803
804Minami went to the kitchen to make some more tea.
805
806Kudou Soshi, the brother of Minoru and the second son of the Kudou family, arrived in the dining room even before Minami returned.
807
808At the time of the meeting with Minoru, the behavior of Soshi showed that he was a little scared. The fear left over from Minoru's attack on their home in Ikoma hasn’t yet passed.
809
810“Nii-san, please come in.”
811
812“Don’t be shy, Soshi, sit down.”
813
814Keeping a serious expression on his face, Soshi followed Minoru's request and Makoto's order, and sat down next to his father.
815
816At this moment Minami returned from the kitchen, carrying a tray with cups of tea. She showed no reaction to this strained atmosphere caused by Soshi, took the old cups and saucers that stood before Makoto and Minoru, and put new tea in front of all three people.
817
818“Minami-san. so sorry, but...”
819
820With such a slightly blurred wording, Minoru wanted to ask Minami to leave this room.
821
822“Yes, I understand.”
823
824Minami understood everything from a half-word, bowed politely and left the dining room.
825
826“It was possible to leave this girl here. Was it the reason for your refusal of humanity?”
827
828“Yes, I became a parasite for her.” 
829
830In an elevated tone, Minoru answered the question of his father. He didn’t like it when they talked about Minami with that attitude.
831
832“I see.”
833
834Makoto smiled slightly at the difference in enthusiasm between him and his son.
835
836It looked like a mockery, but this time Minoru showed no negative reaction.
837
838“So what is the reason for your sudden visit?”
839
840Minoru spoke in a rather constrained tone, however, he began to behave this way not only now. The relationship between Minoru and Makoto cooled a few years ago. The attitude of Makoto to Minoru was close to dismissive, and if his grandfather Retsu hadn’t become much earlier, then Minoru would also, much earlier and in another form, abandon his humanity.
841
842“I've been thinking, do you need help?”
843
844“Help?”
845
846This time, there was surprise on Minoru's face. He didn’t think that in his father he could suddenly wake up late parental love. Minoru couldn’t understand the reason why his father offered him his help.
847
848“In the current situation you can’t escape.”
849
850Makoto noticed that Minoru feels doubt, but didn’t explain why he offers his help.
851
852“Even if you have a Parade capable of fooling the eyes of your pursuers, what will you do about “vessels” that will bear illusions?”
853
854“... You have prepared other “actors" besides Soshi-niisan?”
855
856Minoru indirectly agreed with Makoto's inquiring, answering him with a question.
857
858“Except Soshi, all the others are androids. After all, one doesn’t need to be a man to take on the role of a “vessel” for Parade.”
859
860“...I am very grateful. So you suggest I use them to leave this place?”
861
862“Yes. Do you have anywhere to go? I have connections in Taiwan and Indochina. If you want, I'll talk to my intermediaries.”
863
864Minoru now thought not at all that there is no parent who doesn’t think about his child, despite the cold attitude towards him.
865
866“So you want to drive me out of Japan?”
867
868That is the purpose of his father. When this became clear, Minoru finally understood the meaning of this “friendliness" shown by his father.
869
870“If the other Master Clans find out that you are helping me, then this time the Kudou family will even fly out of the Twenty-Eight Families. Maybe even lose their place in the magical world. So you want to let me run away before the Yotsuba family or the Juumonji family catch me?”
871
872The Magical World is a magician society. The Twenty-Eight Families are the Ten Master Clans plus Eighteen Substitute Families. Minoru asked his father Makoto if he wanted to expel him in order to avoid the “social death" of the Kudou family.
873
874“And this too.”
875
876Makoto nodded slightly at Minoru's counter-question.
877
878“But besides this, the fact is that you are the greatest masterpiece of the Kudou family. It will be a pity to lose you.”
879
880Continuing, Makoto brought heartless, insensible words to Minoru.
881
882“Then we do it as if you manipulated Soshi. Sure, the Kudou family will lose part of its reputation, but it will be better than giving away the valuable finished product to the Yotsuba or Saegusa.”
883
884Soshi whole body trembled. The person sitting next to him just said without hiding that he would have to become a bargaining pawn. It was quite humiliating.
885
886But Soshi said nothing. And absolutely didn’t show any resistance.
887
888“Everything is already prepared.”
889
890“... Did you use the “Puppet Law" on Soshi-niisan?”
891
892This question meant: “Did you turn Soshi into a controlled doll with the help of the magic of controlling a man's will?" But Makoto shook his head at Minoru's question.
893
894“I just reminded him that the duty of the magician of the Kudou family... the magician of Nines should be fulfilled.” Soshi gave his consent.
895
896Minoru turned his gaze to his second oldest brother, Soshi. He had a facial expression that didn’t speak at all about consent.
897
898“Okay. In that case, I will accept your generous offer.”
899
900However, Minoru with this stopped the interrogation of Makoto. The kindred feelings between them were rather weak, so Minoru couldn’t blame Makoto. Minoru won’t grieve when Soshi, who plays the role of lure, is caught, and his reputation will then sink to the very bottom. Although,Minoru also didn’t have such feelings like “it serves him right.” The expression that most accurately describes Minoru's attitude was “I don’t care.”
901
902“However, from the proposed destinations, I'll probably refuse. Because my friends have already organized an escape route for me.”
903
904Hearing Minoru's answer, Makoto nodded and asked:
905
906“Parasites from the USNA Army?”
907
908According to this behavior, the head of the Kudou family didn’t look like he wanted to completely control the movement of his son.
909
910“On a ship from Yokosuka?... No, don’t answer. When is the departure?”
911
912“Immediately, as soon as preparations are complete.”
913
914“Shouldn't you have to persuade that girl?”
915
916Obviously, by “that girl,” Makoto meant Minami. To expel Minoru more effectively, it was necessary for him not to take Minami with him, however, Makoto didn’t seem to have the intention to separate Minoru and Minami.... Or, he just didn't care.
917
918“Not necessary.”
919
920Minoru answered Makoto's question with a clean and innocent smile on his face.
921
922“I decided that I wouldn’t force or try to convince her.”
923
924Minoru swore to himself that besides the already-made “restriction of freedom” by Minami, he wouldn’t oppose her will.
925
926“Eh, the young.”
927
928Makoto mumbled in an uninterested voice, realizing that Minoru was filled with determination.
929
930
931◊ ◊
932
933
934Leaving the dining room in which the conversation between son and father from the Kudou family began, Minami went to the room playing the role of the bedroom. She used this room only for dressing and sleeping, but besides the closet and bed there were also: an old-fashioned writing desk, a small piano, and a shelving with books.
935
936Minami sat in a classic designed chair, complete with antique writing desk. The chair had curved legs and there were no rollers, but despite such an elegant design, it didn’t have any difficulties with its movement. Minami herself, who has a frail build inherent in girls, had no problems sitting on this chair, but a large man weighing 90-100 kg was better off not sitting on this chair.
937
938The desk was the type that, when you use the table you need to open the top of the table top. But Minami sat sideways to the table, not opening the tabletop.
939
940The bookcase was full of rare paper books these days. About half of the books were in Japanese, and the other half were in Chinese. The Japanese part of the collection included the complete collection of literature of the last century, which on the contrary, was new to Minami. She spent most of her time in this mansion in the dining room reading these books in order to distract herself and diversify her leisure time.
941
942But now she didn’t even reach out to the bookshelves. She was immersed in her thoughts, and now she had no time for books.
943
944Escape abroad is too sudden of a news.
945
946Reason told her that “you shouldn’t do this."
947
948Minoru said he would let her go if she refused to follow him. In addition to the thought “I can’t appear in Miyuki-sama's eyes,” inside Minami, there was also a feeling saying “I want to go home.”
949
950Both mind and senses gave the same answer. But Minami still hesitated.
951
952And that was because her feelings weren't one.
953
954“Am I now trying to compare Miyuki-sama and Minoru-sama...?"
955
956The desire to return to Miyuki and the desire to at least be with Minoru a little more.
957
958Minami hesitated between these two thoughts.
959
960“... I am disgusting..."
961
962... betraying her mistress Miyuki, and wanting to return to her?
963
964... Without giving an answer to Minoru, being in an unclear relationship with him, enjoying the desired feeling of being in love?
965
966The more she thought about it, the lower, meanest and disgusting person she considered herself.
967
968Her psychological state didn’t fall to a level where recovery is impossible...
969
970“...But! Who is there!?”
971
972... because her level of alertness rose sharply when suddenly there were signs of the presence of another person in the room.... It will probably be more accurate to say “thanks to the fact that it has risen."
973
974“Sorry Sorry.”
975
976Surprisingly, at first only her voice reached her consciousness.
977
978“Looks like I scared you a little.”
979
980Minami blinked unconsciously several times.
981
982“Sozu-sama (Yakumo)...?”
983
984After she heard a voice in front of her, Yakumo finally became visible.
985
986“When did you get here...”
987
988“Just now. Sorry I didn’t knock, but I didn’t want to be noticed by those sitting over there.”
989
990Said Yakumo, looking in the direction of the dining room.
991
992“No... I was just immersed in my thoughts, no big deal.”
993
994
995It was an invasion without permission into the room of a young girl. In fact, this shouldn’t be so easy to say goodbye, but Minami simply couldn’t get angry because she was caught off guard.
996
997“Better tell me sozu-sama, why did you come back...?”
998
999During that recent visit, Yakumo said: “I would like you to promise me something." And Minoru gave him the answer. Minami thought that this was the end of the Yakumo case.
1000
1001“I would like to inform you of something.”
1002
1003“Me?”
1004
1005As Minami thought, the deal with Minoru was over. Instead, it turned out that Yakumo wanted to discuss something with Minami. And the word “notify" usually meant that the conversation would go to some already known topic, with the addition of some facts.
1006
1007“Tatsuya-kun was asked to release several magicians from the American military prison located on Midway Island.”
1008
1009“Insane...! Even for Tatsuya-sama it will be difficult.”
1010
1011“With his abilities it’s not a problem. And for Tatsuya-kun himself this will be a personal gain.”
1012
1013Attempting to get into the American military prison Minami considered recklessness. But she understood that Yakumo knows Tatsuya's abilities better than her.
1014
1015But Minami had no idea what all this had to do with herself.
1016
1017“The point is location. Tatsuya-kun, it seems, can’t yet decide.”
1018
1019A sly smile appeared on Yakumo's face.
1020
1021“Well, nothing surprising. Tatsuya-kun doesn’t seem to understand the real benefits he will receive from fulfilling this request. For him, this is just a request from one familiar pretty girl, and he has no particular desire to go on an expedition to the remote island of Midway.”
1022
1023The words “pretty girl" Yakumo singled out in his speech, saying them with a mischievous grin. But Minami's attention caught on the repeatedly repeated geographic name, and she realized that Yakumo wanted to say this.
1024
1025“... Sozu-sama, you mentioned earlier that the destination of Minoru-sama would be Midway Island.”
1026
1027Yakumo slightly rounded his eyes from these words of Minami, as if asking “what's next?".
1028
1029“If I follow Minoru-sama...”
1030
1031“Tatsuya-kun will chase you...”
1032
1033Yakumo smile changed from a grin to a smile from ear to ear.
1034
1035“... even to the island of Midway.”
1036
1037“...You think so?”
1038
1039“Yes, I am sure. And in between times, while on Midway Island, Tatsuya at the same time fulfills the request to release those magicians from prison.”
1040
1041“... And will it bring Tatsuya-sama much benefit?”
1042
1043“I believe this will be one of the factors that will ultimately ensure the future for Tatsuya-kun and Miyuki-kun.”
1044
1045Yakumo's answer exceeded all Minami's expectations.
1046
1047“Well, I understood. Honestly, I didn’t know what to answer, but thanks to the advice of the sozu-sama, I made a decision.”
1048
1049“I wasn’t going to give advice, but since my words were useful, then so be it.”
1050
1051Minami bowed low to Yakumo. When she raised her head, Yakumo had already disappeared.
1052
1053
1054◊ ◊
1055
1056
1057The conversation of Minoru and Makoto lasted about 15 minutes. He decided to accept the help of the Kudou family with the escape rather quickly, but it was also necessary to clarify some small details.
1058
1059After sending off his father Makoto and elder brother Soshi (Makoto went home, and Soshi stayed waiting in the car outside the barrier), Minoru went to Minami's room.
1060
1061Overcoming indecision, he knocked on the door.
1062
1063From inside, I heard the answer: “wait a bit, please."
1064
1065Then from inside came a sound like a suitcase slamming.
1066
1067She's collecting her things?
1068
1069To go back home?
1070
1071Or to go with me...?
1072
1073“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
1074
1075When Minoru was already dreaming about an appropriate interpretation of this sound, the door opened.
1076
1077“Oh, yes, I'm sorry.”
1078
1079Seeing Minami, he apologized reflexively.
1080
1081Minami, of course, didn’t understand why he apologizes.
1082
1083When Minoru saw that Minami tilted her head inquiringly, his heartbeat increased.
1084
1085“Um...”
1086
1087Having put his breath in order, Minoru tried to start a conversation.
1088
1089“Minoru-sama.”
1090
1091But Minami interrupted him.
1092
1093“Abandon humanity or abandon magic. I haven't made a choice yet.”
1094
1095“I see...”
1096
1097Minoru tried to hide his despondency, but couldn’t do it completely. His voice completely betrayed his mood.
1098
1099“So could you give me a little more time to think?”
1100
1101“Uh...?”
1102
1103But when Minami continued, the faint disappointment on Minoru's face gave way to unconcealed hope.
1104
1105“I can’t say when I'll give an answer. And yet, could you let me go with you?”
1106
1107“Yes of course! With joy!”
1108
1109Minoru face lit up with joy. Even if his beauty wasn’t of this world, it only confirmed his similarity with some young deity, commanding art and light.
1110
1111Minami was so stunned by this beauty that she began to feel light tingling in her heart.
1112
1113Minami didn’t lie about the fact that varies between the two options. She was afraid that she would turn into a useless creature.
1114
1115Useless for everyone, not needed by anyone. This is what Minami was blindly afraid of. It could even be called paranoid fear. So Minami represented her worst future.
1116
1117Having lost her magic, it will become unsuitable for the service of “Miyuki-sama."
1118
1119Rejecting humanity, she will no longer be able to stay close to Miyuki-sama.
1120
1121She couldn’t even conceive of the fact that Minoru really needed her. There was no doubt that Minoru was serious about her treatment. Now he is serious, but she didn’t think that it would continue after.
1122
1123Now she wanted to stay with him.
1124
1125But she didn’t know how long it would last.
1126
1127... Minoru-sama and I don’t match, there is no balance between us.
1128
1129... I can’t believe that I have the charm that can attract the attention of Minoru-sama.
1130
1131Therefore, Minami couldn’t decide.
1132
1133She didn’t pretend to be hesitant, but really couldn’t decide.
1134
1135However, it was obvious that the phrase of Yakumo “this would provide a future for Tatsuya and Miyuki" influenced her decision to go along with Minoru.
1136
1137... Minoru-sama sincerely worries about me.
1138
1139... And I use this grace to Minoru-sama.
1140
1141That was the feeling of guilt, like the prickles stuck in her heart now.
1142
1143
1144Chapter 10
1145
1146When Tatsuya arrived at the Aokigahara “Sea of Trees,” the hands of the clock had already passed 17:00.
1147
1148He returned to the same place where the pursuit squad from the Juumonji family had lost sight of Minoru's car. On that narrow road, which he then discovered, having destroyed the illusion, now new traces were visible.
1149
1150“So, after all, it was the right way?"
1151
1152Such a thought of bitterness came to Tatsuya's mind. Now that he had determined the exact coordinates of the hideout, he knew for sure that this road leads to the right place. If that day he would have searched a little more aggressively and persistently...
1153
1154“... No, this is a useless assumption.”
1155
1156That day he wouldn’t have been able to find the right way, even if he had been searching until the late night. Even today, he was able to see his goal only because someone else had broken the barrier before. He wouldn’t know the route to the goal if he hadn’t traced backwards, starting from the final destination. For Tatsuya, this barrier was such a complicated and confusing maze.
1157
1158Tatsuya parked Wingless the electric motorcycle on the side of the road and entered the Sea of Trees on foot. From the place where the bike was parked, to Minoru's hideout was about 700 meters in a straight line. Even when walking, it won’t take long. Even if the road is winding, you can get there in less than 10 minutes. It wasn’t the time that bothered him any more, but the fact that along the way it was possible to turn the wrong way at the forks.
1159
1160The Freed Suit created by the Yotsuba family, now worn by Tatsuya, in contrast to the Mobile Suit developed by the Independent Magical Equipped Battalion, wasn’t equipped with the power assistance function. But fewer mechanized parts also made it easier. His total weight was less than 20 kilograms. Such a weight Tatsuya wasn’t a burden even without magical support. He could run at a speed approximately equal to the speed of a regular high school student in running sports.
1161
1162Starting to run slowly, he increased his speed with every step.
1163
1164
1165◊ ◊
1166
1167
1168“Coming!”
1169
1170Minoru didn’t feel the approach of Tatsuya with “Elemental Sight,” but the sensory function of the barrier 'Sekirei Hachijin.'”
1171
1172At the moment, he and Minami were still in the hideout. Not to ambush and counterattack Tatsuya. The barrier “Sekirei Hachijin" interferes with magical detection and is an array of “Kimon Tonkou", installed in fixed positions. This barrier may no longer prevent Tatsuya's invasion, but inside the barrier, Tatsuya will have a harder time finding them than he would outside the barrier.
1173
1174At that moment, when Tatsuya gets inside the barrier, the “competition" will begin. 
1175
1176When Sekirei Hachijin disrupts Tatsuya's “sight,” Kudou Soshi will copy the Eidos of Minami and put the copy on the ginoid, then copy the Eidos of Minoru and cast it on himself. After that, start driving away from the barrier by car. If Tatsuya buys it, Minoru will take Minami with him and run in the opposite direction. And if he doesn’t buy it... then he was ready for a direct confrontation.
1177
1178If he manages to escape from here and get to Odawara, then there will be all the necessary geographical conditions for the use of “Kaso Tonkou*". Kaso Tonkou is the composite magic from Parade and Kimon Tonkou. This improvised spell Minoru concocted today for half a day, and theoretically no one should know this magic except him. Even Tatsuya won’t be able to quickly understand the magic unknown to him.... At least Minoru hoped for it and prayed about it.
1179
1180Although he understood that he, the Parasite, didn’t have a god to whom to pray.
1181
1182[Could not come up with a normal version of the translation of this. The name is formed from the first two characters of the Japanese name Parade and the second two characters of the Japanese name Kimon Tonkou. “Parade Thin" or “Disguise Thin" - all these options sound silly, given the fact that the second word is a transliteration from Japanese, resembling a Russian word.]
1183
1184
1185◊ ◊
1186
1187
1188“... hm?”
1189
1190Tatsuya, who ran with the speed of a middle distance runner, stopped, feeling a weak but sufficient not to ignore, feeling that “something is wrong here." He felt that he had shifted slightly from the desired path, as if his feet were slightly leading him away.
1191
1192“This is the impact of “Kimon Tonkou"...?"
1193
1194“Kimon Tonkou" is magic that distorts the sense of direction. Tatsuya had known this before, but now for the first time he had personally experienced what this “distortion of the sense of direction” is.
1195
1196Perhaps he wouldn’t have noticed it if he rode a motorcycle. And I wouldn’t have known about it if I had fled with magical support. He was able to detect a slight deviation only because he felt the surface of the earth well while running, stepping securely on it with his legs.
1197
1198“It's only because I know where to go?”
1199
1200This time the destination has been strictly defined. He was moving along a winding road, constantly keeping in mind the location of the target, so when the direction shifted, he could understand that it wasn’t his mistake.
1201
1202“Pretty problematic magic...”
1203
1204Tatsuya once again convinced of the effectiveness of this East Asian continental ancient magic “Kimon Tonkou". It would be too difficult for him to overcome this barrier only on his own. Whatever the intentions of the Kudou family, now they only helped him.
1205
1206Tatsuya finally crossed the “Sekirei Hachijin" barrier.
1207
1208
1209◊ ◊
1210
1211
1212“Come!"
1213
1214Finding out about Tatsuya's invasion, Minoru turned on a short-range directional radio station.
1215
1216“Soshi-niisan, move out, please.”
1217
1218“Understood.”
1219
1220The answer came back in a clearly dissatisfied voice, but Soshi still showed no signs of resistance.
1221
1222The barrier passed the response from the exit of the car outside. With the help of Elemental Sight, Minoru watched as the car followed the course. In the car, he “saw" Soshi, on whom he was imposed (Minoru) Eidos and a female-type android, on which Eidos Minami was superimposed.
1223
1224“Now let's see if Tatsuya-san can be fooled by this!”
1225
1226Although Tatsuya hadn’t yet penetrated the inside of the mansion, Minoru unconsciously held his breath and began to observe Tatsuya's movements reported by the barrier.
1227
1228
1229◊ ◊
1230
1231
1232“What is it!? Minami and Minoru?”
1233
1234Less than a minute has passed since Tatsuya received a response that the “barrier is crossed." Now he suddenly caught the clear signs of Minami and Minoru's presence.
1235
1236He again used “Elemental Sight". Information about Minami and Minoru moving northward at a speed of about 30-40 km / h was displayed in his “field of view".
1237
1238“So, not one road leads to this hideout?”
1239
1240Providing a variety of escape routes during preparation for a likely escape from persecution is common sense. There was nothing surprising in the fact that Minoru fled along a different path when he discovered the approach of Tatsuya.
1241
1242But...
1243
1244“... Where is he going? Besides, so openly?”
1245
1246Tatsuya couldn’t believe his perception, because Minoru behavior seemed unnatural.
1247
1248Although he said “so openly,” Parade acted on the Eidos of Minoru and Minami. Not Lina's spell, namely the “Parade” of the Kudou family. Without data from Fujibayashi, he wouldn’t be able to “see” it so clearly.
1249
1250But it was too clear. He saw them too well. It seemed to Tatsuya that they seemed to flaunt themselves, knowing that they would be “watched.”
1251
1252In addition, the direction of escape also caused doubt. The Minoru Group passed through the Sea of Trees and continued to follow north along the state highway.
1253If they continue in this direction, they will stumble upon Saiko Lake. If from there they turn east, they will follow the central road along Lake Kawaguchi. And if they turn to the west, and then, before reaching Lake Motosu, turn to the north again, they will eventually end up in the city of Kofu. The route leading south of Lake Motosu could be completely excluded. Because in this case they would immediately go south from the Sea of Trees.
1254
1255The question is where will they go next.
1256
1257If east, then they will be in the suburbs of Tokyo. They fall into the territory of the Juumonji family.
1258
1259If to the north, then the Yotsuba family is waiting for them there. The location of the main house of the Yotsuba family - the former Fourth Laboratory - was kept secret from the other Master Clans and the Magic Association. But the Mitsuya, Mutsuzuka, Saegusa and Kudou families knew that this place is somewhere in the region 'from the city of Kofu to the city of Suva.'” Nobody particularly followed the non-disclosure of this information, so the neighboring families of Ichijou, Futatsugi and Juumonji also learned about this.
1260
1261Perhaps Minoru himself didn’t know about it. Or was he going to cross the backyard of the Yotsuba family and continue on to the north?
1262
1263“... But is it really Minami and Minoru?”
1264
1265The more he thought about it, the more he doubted it.
1266
1267“... But I just can’t leave it without attention, I have no other choice.”
1268
1269There were no guarantees that these carriers of Minami and Minoru's Eidos aren’t fakes.
1270
1271“Should I wait for reinforcements?”
1272
1273Instead of training staff, priority was given to rapid response. And it gave the opposite effect. Regret about it filled Tatsuya's thoughts.
1274
1275Experiencing hesitancy with the choices, he nevertheless turned and followed back along the road he came here on.
1276
1277
1278◊ ◊
1279
1280
1281From information received from the barrier, Minoru learned that Tatsuya had come out of Sekirei Hachijin.
1282
1283In general, the disguised road was part of this barrier, but there were only devices to support the illusion. The barrier didn’t have a surveillance function for intruders.
1284
1285Minoru had difficulty restraining in himself the desire to directly verify Tatsuya's movements by sending Elemental Sight at him.
1286
1287If he sends his "sight" to Tatsuya, he will feel it. The same was true for surveillance hardware — cameras, sensors, etc. He will soon notice that a car heading towards Lake Saiko is a dummy.
1288
1289If I leave the hideout to early, Tatsuya will notice this too.
1290
1291However, it was impossible to hide here indefinitely. The bait won't earn too much time.
1292
1293Minoru was sure of that.
1294
1295“... Minami-san, we set off.”
1296
1297“...Good.”
1298
1299About 5 minutes after the response from Tatsuya disappeared from the barrier.
1300
1301Taking Minami with him, Minoru left the hideout.
1302
1303Having passed along a narrow road surrounded by trees, they drove onto a public road leading from north-north-east to south-south-west.
1304
1305Tatsuya wasn’t there.
1306
1307
1308
1309
1310Chapter 11
1311
1312Although the NSU had withdrawn its fleet, it was impossible to say for sure that the military threat had already passed. It will take several weeks for daily life to return to its normal course.
1313
1314Classes at all high schools at the National University of Magic have already resumed, but extracurricular activities were limited to 4:30 pm. Classes in the schools of magic ended at 15:20, so extracurricular activities were reduced to about 1 hour.
1315
1316Of course, First High School was no exception. The school board and the disciplinary committee involved in supervising extra-curricular activities also completed their work before 5 pm
1317
1318Shortly before 4:30 p.m.
1319
1320Erika, Leo, Mizuki and Mikihiko were waiting for individual Cabinets on the platform of the station closest to First High School. Miyuki and Lina now left the school separately from everyone, and left today a little earlier than the rest.
1321
1322Shizuku and Honoka turn came first, they already got into separate cabinets and left. The others now waited for the next Cabinet.
1323
1324“Oh, there she goes.”
1325
1326The individual cabinets didn’t have an arrival schedule, but during the busy hours the next free cabinet appeared within five minutes. This station was mainly used only by students to come to school and go home. At the moment, the peak of the passengers has already passed, and only these four have remained here, but still the next car arrived at the station just five minutes after the departure of Honoka's cabinet.
1327
1328“Ok, I'm next.”
1329
1330Mizuki walked to the opened door. The order in which they sat down, they were strictly defined. Apart from Honoka, who needed to go in the opposite direction, in those days when Miyuki and Tatsuya weren’t with them, their order was this: Shizuku, Mizuki, Erika, Mikihiko, Leo.
1331
1332But today there are also some differences from the usual order.
1333
1334“Miki, take her.”
1335
1336Erika suddenly didn’t just ask, but ordered Mikihiko to escort Mizuki.
1337
1338“Uh!?”
1339
1340“Hurry up. Even if there are no other passengers, your slowness is annoying.”
1341
1342“Well, if she doesn't mind...”
1343
1344Although Erika's demand was completely unreasonable, Mikihiko somehow agreed too quickly. On the contrary, he looked like he wanted to do it.
1345
1346“Um, but... this is somehow wrong.”
1347
1348Mizuki shyly looked at Mikihiko, but even without her confirmation it was obvious that she didn’t like this idea.
1349
1350“No, Mizuki. After all, the danger has not yet passed.”
1351
1352But regardless of Mizuki's opinion, Erika was adamant.
1353
1354“Hurry up.”
1355
1356“Uh-huh...”
1357
1358As a result, Mizuki and Mikihiko surrendered under pressure from Erika and sat in one cabinet.
1359
1360The cabinet with Mizuki and Mikihiko left the platform. Seeing her with her eyes, Leo briefly asked Erika:
1361
1362“... What are you thinking?”
1363
1364“What are you talking about?”
1365
1366Erika answered, not turning her face to Leo.
1367
1368“I’m talking about the reason you told Mikihiko to accompany Mizuki.”
1369
1370“I already told you? Because of the danger.”
1371
1372Erika was still looking in the direction of the retreating cabinet from Mizuki.
1373
1374Leo knitted his brows at such a tense atmosphere.
1375
1376“Yesterday you didn't say anything about any danger. Is something bothering you now?”
1377
1378Erika finally turned to Leo.
1379
1380“... It would be nice if these were vain experiences.”
1381
1382Immediately after these words, the next car arrived at the platform.
1383
1384Erika walked over to him and looked around.
1385
1386“Leo, we’ll go for a bit together.”
1387
1388“Why are you so suddenly?”
1389
1390“If you go, then go. I'll tell you inside.” 
1391
1392Erika said and sat in the Cabinet transportation system.
1393
1394Leo nervously scratched his head, after which he crossed the road on a sliding bridge blocking the cabinet from the front, went into the cabinet through the opposite door and sat down on the seat next to Erika.
1395
1396
1397◊ ◊
1398
1399
1400Since Tatsuya sat on the electric motorcycle “Wingless" and began the pursuit, more than 10 minutes have passed.
1401
1402At the entrance to Lake Saiko, Tatsuya saw a car with carriers of Minami's and Minoru's Eidos with the naked eye.
1403
1404Speeding up, he caught up with a riding car on the right side. In the driver seat, he saw the man holding the steering wheel with the face of Minoru. Although persons under the age of 18 may be licensed to drive four-wheeled vehicles under special conditions, Minoru is unlikely to meet these conditions.
1405
1406But now this wasn’t a problem.
1407
1408With the help of psionic waves, he activated the CAD that was built into the suit with full mental control, and considered the activation sequence he derived.
1409
1410The magic output was a Dispersion Spell, specifically tuned for use against Parade. It was a sequence of Decomposition magic corresponding to the Kudou family spell. It will decompose a magic sequence that builds a visible illusion, even if Minoru himself can’t be seen with the naked eye.
1411
1412Tatsuya released magic.
1413
1414Minoru visual noise ran across his face, and the outline of his entire body became blurred.
1415
1416This doesn’t mean that the body of the Minoru image was destroyed.
1417
1418The magic sequence that forms the image of Minoru, having lost its structure of the information body, began to dissipate.
1419
1420After the haze of psionic particles cleared...
1421
1422“Kudou Soshi! Still, it's fake!”
1423
1424Tatsuya didn’t even look at the “something that had the image of Minami” sitting in the passenger seat.
1425
1426Minoru turned out to be a fake. Minami shouldn’t be real either.
1427
1428Tatsuya pressed the brake, deciding to go back to the hideout located in the center of the Sea of Trees.
1429
1430At the same time, Soshi turned the steering wheel to the right.
1431
1432Screeching tires, a large passenger car went on a sharp rapprochement with Tatsuya.
1433
1434From this the car spun.
1435
1436As if knocked down, an electric motorcycle flew off the road.
1437
1438Run by Tatsuya, “Wingless” flew to the side in an arc.
1439
1440But in fact, the bike wasn’t hit by the car.
1441
1442He took off himself, using the magic of flight.
1443
1444Having deployed the flying Wingless motorcycle 180 degrees in the air, Tatsuya brought it back to the road.
1445
1446Then he looked in the rear-view mirror. There he saw that the car had stopped, turning sideways.
1447
1448Further, this car driven by Soshi began to turn around, apparently in order to pursue Tatsuya's motorcycle.
1449
1450Using psionic waves, Tatsuya activated the CAD built into the suit.
1451
1452At the same moment when the magic was activated, two wheels fell off on one side of the car, and that side crashed onto the road with a crash.
1453
1454More this car won’t be able to prevent Tatsuya.
1455
1456But Tatsuya remained vigilant, realizing that instead, Soshi himself could attack him with some kind of magic to hold him.
1457
1458The inclined car without two wheels was getting smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror.
1459
1460Some time had already passed, but Soshi never released any attacking magic.
1461
1462
1463Tatsuya arrived at the hideout Minoru used at about 5:45 pm
1464
1465Before entering the Sea of Trees, he was directly on the move through the suit communicator to inform Hyougo about Soshi. At the moment, one of Hyougo's father's subordinate, Hanabishi Tajima, has already been sent there for insurance.
1466
1467Tatsuya left the bike on the sidelines. But it turned out that this was no longer necessary. Unlike last time, the barrier no longer interfered with him.
1468
1469The barrier itself, distorting the sense of direction, still existed. But its functions are significantly weakened.
1470
1471This could happen due to the lack of a “master” who needs to be hidden. Either that or the mechanism that continuously maintains the magic could weaken due to several barrier breaks.
1472
1473But this isn’t what was needed now. Tatsuya stopped in front of the entrance to this exotic one-story wooden house, and opened the door.
1474
1475Tatsuya's expectation that this house would be completely abandoned turned out to be wrong.
1476
1477Immediately after opening the door, his perception caught subtle signs of presence. These signs of presence were very similar to human, but the life energy in them wasn’t felt. Tatsuya didn’t have the so-called “ability to sense otherworldly phenomena," but it seemed to him that if you collide with a ghost, you will experience just such an impression as it is now.
1478
1479It was impossible to ignore this creature. Tatsuya simply had no other choice.
1480
1481Something like a ghost turned its attention to Tatsuya. Tatsuya realized that it was waiting for him.
1482
1483Now he couldn’t afford the extra battles.
1484
1485And at the same time, he shouldn’t lose sight of the slightest clue.
1486
1487In addition, if the owner of this presence is the enemy, then it will be faster not to wait for him to prepare a trap, but immediately rush over to him.
1488
1489Tatsuya went deep into the mansion, in the direction from which the signs of presence were felt.
1490
1491
1492◊ ◊
1493
1494
1495Honoka returned home around the same time that Tatsuya entered the hideout that Minoru used.
1496
1497She lived alone. Her parents were alive and well, just that since Honoka went to junior school, they were often away from home, almost living at work.
1498
1499Honoka and Shizuku were close friends from a young age, and her mother often let Honoka visit Shizuku's home. And during high school, she always lived in Shizuku home when her parents were absent from work for a long time.
1500
1501The Kitayama couple treated Honoka like Shizuku's sister. In particular, the care of Shizuku's father, Kitayama Ushio, manifested itself in such a way that Honoka began to be ashamed of this when she grew up. Honoka began to live alone when she entered First High School, no doubt, mostly due to the fact that she decided that she couldn’t use the good nature of Shizuku's parents forever.
1502
1503When Honoka finally decided to live in a separate apartment, this caused a slight disagreement.
1504
1505The first thing, Kitayama Ushio said, “I'll buy you an apartment.”
1506
1507When she refused, he offered to arrange for her a luxurious apartment, which he described as follows: “it has a reliable security system, and the management company is in my group of companies.” That is, he tried to “buy” Honoka an apartment not an apartment room, but a whole apartment complex.
1508
1509She refused and from this. “Then at least live in a securely guarded apartment,” said Ushio, and ordered his subordinates to find suitable apartments. They found more than a dozen options.
1510
1511
1512After discussion with her parents, Honoka chose one of these options, and now she lived in this apartment. This apartment had a huge rent and was too spacious for one person to live in. The security system in it, although it wasn’t the latest in technology, but it was enough to protect the girl living alone. This apartment was also conveniently located for visiting the school.
1513
1514Therefore, she had no fear that someone would get there while she wasn’t at home.
1515
1516Besides, even though she was a sorceress, in terms of perception and way of thinking, she, nevertheless, was closer to an ordinary girl. When she came home, she didn’t even think about being wary of suspicious people.
1517
1518From Honoka's blind spot, silently and imperceptibly crept a shadow, and grabbed her from behind.
1519
1520“Kya (umm)...”
1521
1522Her mouth was closed with a rag, and she didn’t have time to cry out distinctly.
1523
1524She didn’t even have time to think about holding her breath, and she inhaled the substance applied on the rag, which deprived her of her freedom of thought.
1525
1526
1527◊ ◊
1528
1529
1530Miyuki, who left school a little earlier than her friends, was already at home and changed into home clothes.
1531
1532She had learned about Tatsuya's absence at home even earlier than the message he had left. There was a desire in her heart to hear his voice, at least through audio communications, but the strong feeling “I shouldn’t bother Onii-sama” somehow held her back.
1533
1534And at that moment Miyuki heard the sound of an incoming call.
1535
1536Miyuki rushed to the desktop terminal in hope.
1537
1538However, the monitor of a small terminal installed on a table in her room didn’t display the name Tatsuya.
1539
1540“Pixie, what happened?”
1541
1542The caller was Pixie, who currently lived in the room of the school board of First High School.
1543
1544“Miyuki-sama.”
1545
1546Tatsuya ordered Pixie in his absence to obey Miyuki's orders. At the moment, Miyuki was considered a temporary mistress for Pixie, but Pixie didn’t call Miyuki a “mistress.” Pixie... more precisely, the Parasite inside Pixie considered only Tatsuya to be her master.
1547
1548She simply followed the orders of Tatsuya, and when the need arose, it was Miyuki who she reported to.
1549
1550“Mitsui-sama was • kidnapped.”
1551
1552The same goes for this emergency alert.
1553
1554“What!?” 
1555
1556Miyuki involuntarily switched to a high tone of voice.
1557
1558Miyuki had some experience in falling into various unusual situations, but the abduction of her classmate was completely unexpected for her.
1559
1560In itself, abduction isn’t a rare crime. Their number significantly decreased after the installation of outdoor cameras, but so far there are about 60-80 cases per year. And last year, for example, there was a major incident with the trafficking of people by one large gangster group, and the total number of victims exceeded 200 people.
1561
1562But Miyuki couldn’t even think that her friend would be the victim of these criminals. They lived in a world in which life was far from calm, but at least in their country, public safety wasn’t at a level where life in fear of criminals for people is everyday.
1563
1564“Pixie, do you know what the situation is now?”
1565
1566However, Miyuki quickly regained her composure. Miyuki was born only 17 years and 4 months ago, but her life, to put it mildly, was already filled with all sorts of events. And such a “career" wasn’t an empty boast.
1567
1568“Mitsui-sama • deprived of • freedom • of will • with the help of • narcotic • substance. Two • abductors • removed • her • from the building. At the moment • they • move • on foot.”
1569
1570The parasite living inside pixie has awakened and got its “personality” based on the “thoughts” of Honoka. Therefore, Pixie and Honoka were spiritually connected. For her part, Honoka couldn’t watch Pixie due to a lack of computational capabilities, but Pixie was able to track the experiences that Honoka was experiencing in real time.
1571
1572Tatsuya ordered Pixie not to spy indiscriminately on Honoka's personal life. Through the “path” connecting Pixie and Honoka, Pixie saw the state of Honoka, even without having the intention to do so. Therefore, Tatsuya imposed on this restriction.
1573
1574But now Honoka was in danger, it was an emergency.
1575
1576Pixie's body was a machine that couldn’t produce psion. Living in Pixie, Parasites couldn’t support their activities without the supply of psions from the outside. And the largest source of psions for Pixie was Honoka.
1577
1578If the activity of the Parasite stops, then it will have a “reset” of the individual. For a living being, such a suspension of activity is tantamount to death.
1579
1580In other words, the security of Honoka was a vital issue for Pixie. In order to ensure the safety of Honoka, Tatsuya allowed Pixie to monitor Honoka's activities to the minimum extent.
1581
1582“Amendment. They • just • got in the car. With the addition of a driver, the number of kidnappers • increases to three.”
1583
1584“Okay. If they try to do any harm to Honoka, stop them with telekinesis.”
1585
1586“Yes, I will. The terms of • lifting the ban on use are • accepted.”
1587
1588“Check the map to see the exact location of Honoka. If you decide that the kidnappers have arrived at their hideout, then let me know about this place.”
1589
1590“Yes, I will.”
1591
1592Miyuki ended the conversation with Pixie and phoned Hanabishi Hyougo, Tatsuya's personal butler.
1593
1594
1595◊ ◊
1596
1597
1598Minoru''s hideout was a one-story house, but this house was quite extensive and had many rooms.
1599
1600Tatsuya temporarily left the house, walked around, made sure that he didn’t have a back entrance, and again entered the front entrance.
1601
1602He didn’t take off his shoes. The floor was clean, but Tatsuya didn’t care that he could get rid of the dirt. For him, this house was the “purpose of the search” and not the “place of residence”
1603
1604Tatsuya spent about five minutes inspecting the mansion outside, but that didn't bother him either. Not because he followed the proverb “you go slower - you will continue", but because this detour has benefited from the knowledge that no one will run away through some secret exit while he is inspecting the house from the inside.
1605
1606The owner of the previously detected signs of presence was found relatively quickly.
1607
1608“Fujibayashi-dono?”
1609
1610In the back of the house, in a room without windows, similar to the pantry, Tatsuya waited for Fujibayashi Nagamasa, head of the famous Fujibayashi family, magicians of ancient magic and “ninjutsu users", the father of lieutenant Fujibayashi Kyouko from the Independent Magical Equipped Battalion. Tatsuya took off his helmet, which he still wore, put it under his arm, and spoke to a creature that looked like Nagamasa.
1611
1612“Shiba-dono. Did you come too?”
1613
1614In the voice of the respondent Nagamasa there was no accusatory tone.
1615
1616“I found an anomaly in the barrier.”
1617
1618But even if Tatsuya was accused, he wouldn’t have experienced any feelings of guilt.
1619
1620“Fujibayashi-dono, are you here for the same reason?”
1621
1622Tatsuya asked in a friendly tone, but his eyes burned with bright fire.
1623
1624“No. I am here according to plan.”
1625
1626The fire in Tatsuya's eyes flared even brighter, while the eyes themselves narrowed to a harsh, sharp look.
1627
1628“Does this mean that from the very beginning you were planning to deal with it without me?”
1629
1630Out of Tatsuya manner of speech, respect for the elder is lost. However, Nagamasa showed no concern about this.
1631
1632“Sort out...? Hmm, in a sense, this is the correct expression. I came here to deal with the situation that led to this mess.”
1633
1634“Your goal isn’t to grab Minoru, but let him escape?”
1635
1636Tatsuya asked a question not directly related to the words Nagamasa.
1637
1638“It was our Fujibayashi family who transferred the spell to the former Ninth Lab, which later became the basis of Parade.”
1639
1640Nagamasa also spoke on a topic not related to Tatsuya's question.
1641
1642“The indisputable fact is that it is based on the “Matoi” spell created by Kokonoe predecessor, however it is the “Shadow Twin” of the Fujibayashi family that connects it with modern magic. We also transferred many other techniques to the former Ninth Laboratory.”
1643
1644“So what? I have no desire to listen to these complaints.”
1645
1646Tatsuya listened to everything his opponent said.
1647
1648“This is in no way a complaint. We don’t cling to coarse benefits like traditionalists.”
1649
1650“You want to say that you have such a lofty goal as the search for truth?”
1651
1652In the voice of Tatsuya, there were weak signs of ridicule.
1653
1654“The search for truth. Exactly.”
1655
1656But Nagamasa agreed, becoming absolutely serious.
1657
1658“Shiba-dono. Do you know what the art of shinobi is for?”
1659
1660“I don’t know.” 
1661
1662Dry and briefly answered Tatsuya. The thought was read in his voice: “I didn’t come here to answer questions."
1663
1664“In an era when electronic equipment wasn’t yet invented, the art of shinobi was a technique for intelligence and murder. Spies and killers were both shinobi using ninjutsu and not using it. And they didn’t do anything else.”
1665
1666“Even if they were unhappy about it?”
1667
1668“The shinobi who lived at that time may have been pleased with such a life. Despite their attitude to them, their skills were considered important and necessary.”
1669
1670“The art of “ninjutsu" is of great importance in our time.”
1671
1672“Do you really think so? With the spread of electronic equipment, the number of places where shinobi can actively operate has significantly decreased. And with the development of modern magic, capable of activating quickly and reliably, the “ninjutsu" was forced out even from the sphere of intelligence.”
1673
1674“Ancient magic is excellent for surprise attacks, so it still plays an active role in the killings.”
1675
1676“We wouldn’t be able to live a normal life if we were only killers.”
1677
1678“If you aren’t here to gain time, then say what you are driving at.”
1679
1680In response to this demand, Tatsuya, voiced with undisguised irritation, Nagamasa didn’t make a disgruntled face, but only nodded, saying “good."
1681
1682“According to its usefulness, “ninjutsu” can’t defeat modern magic. Useless technology is considered obsolete, and their fate - to disappear without a trace. Before this happens, we will incorporate “ninjutsu" into modern magic, developing it into a technology that meets modern needs. Our predecessor believed that it was the duty of our Fujibayashi family as followers of the supreme shinobi of the Iga clan. The development of the “ninjutsu". That is our goal.”
1683
1684“And how is all this related to Minoru?”
1685
1686“Kudou Minoru is a completed form of the “nine” magicians, whose goal was to create new techniques by introducing ancient magic into modern magic. At the same time, he is a member of the Fujibayashi family, possessing secret knowledge in modern magic. We can’t allow him to fall into the hands of the Ten Master Clans or the self-defense forces.”
1687
1688“But Minoru shouldn’t have a direct relationship with the Fujibayashi family.”
1689
1690“For shinobi blood connection isn’t important.”
1691
1692In his own words, Tatsuya didn’t try to convince Nagamasa. He was just trying to extract useful information from him. Hearing the answer, Tatsuya decided that further attempts would be hopeless, after which he turned his back on Nagamasa and walked away.
1693
1694He wasn’t careful to attack from the back. From the very beginning, Tatsuya saw that Nagamasa didn’t have a physical body, and therefore couldn’t attack him.
1695
1696The image of Nagamasa, left behind Tatsuya, dissolved into air.
1697
1698As Tatsuya assumed, there was no attack from behind.
1699
1700Tatsuya surprised round his eyes, quickly put on his helmet and ran to the entrance to the house.
1701
1702But then the sound of an explosion was heard and his way was blocked by intense fire.
1703
1704
1705◊ ◊
1706
1707
17086 o'clock in the evening is the time when dusk is coming soon. Although the summer solstice was quite recent, and the days were still long, but now the illumination was bad due to the fact that the sky was covered with clouds.
1709
1710“Perhaps it will rain heavily.”
1711
1712“If you want, take an umbrella from my house.”
1713
1714Mizuki and Mikihiko talked as they walked side by side along the road leading to Mizuki's house and along the riverbank.
1715
1716
1717“Or you can wait at my house. Father isn’t supposed to be home yet.” 
1718
1719Said Mizuki and giggled involuntarily. It wasn’t for the first time that Mikihiko accompanied Mizuki to the house, and had already managed to “get to know” her parents.
1720
1721The attitude of Mizuki's father to Mikihiko at that time was rather severe. Mizuki's mother then even reproached him for his “childishness.” Mikihiko treated this with understanding. “Shibata-san is a girl, so this is a father's natural behavior,” he thought with a wry smile. However, he couldn’t deny that this incident left him with the realization that it would be difficult for him to cope with this again.
1722
1723“N-no, it's too late. I'll just take you to the entrance of your home.”
1724
1725“Okay.”
1726
1727Mizuki appeared regretful, but she immediately smiled again.
1728
1729Mikihiko froze for a moment at Mizuki's smile. However, he quickly came to his senses and smiled shyly in response.
1730
1731Creating a delicate atmosphere around them, causing embarrassment to passersby, Mizuki and Mikihiko walked along the pier.
1732
1733And this “good mood” was spoiled not by Mizuki's mother or her father, who returned home earlier than he should have, but three men, radiating an ominous aura.
1734
1735The people around them just idly strolled and chatted with each other, and these three purposefully approached them. Mizuki and Mikihiko simultaneously changed their faces and stopped.
1736
1737Despite the sinister feeling, these men looked quite normal. In appearance, their age was from 30 to 45 years. They didn’t emanate a feeling of rudeness. On the contrary. It was the feeling of some subtle, subtle deception.
1738
1739Mikihiko noticed the abnormality of these people in the disguise they were wearing, and Mizuki, without even taking off her glasses, saw an aura of the color that usually means trouble. All three men showed admiration for the reaction of Mikihiko, who instantly stood in a fighting stance, and Mizuki, who was hiding behind his back.
1740
1741One of the men suddenly flew forward. Not “jumped", but “flew".
1742
1743To avoid this, Mikihiko hastily bounced to the edge of the road, lightly hitting Mizuki with his back. Mizuki reeled, and Mikihiko held her with one hand. When he looked up, he saw that the man had blocked the way to the station.
1744
1745It was such a quick action that he didn’t even notice how the activation sequence was deployed. From this, Mikihiko already realized that these three were strong and dangerous magicians. Mizuki, too, intuitively sensed their danger.
1746
1747Two in front, one in back. Squeezed in pincers, Mikihiko turned to them sideways, his back to the river. He covered his back with Mizuki.
1748
1749“What do you want?”
1750
1751Two to the right, one to the left. Behind the river, in front of the wasteland. Mikihiko turned to the two men on the right, who blocked the path to the side of Mizuki's house. He didn’t expect to get an answer or start a conversation. They weren't somewhere in the highlands, distant from civilization, but right in a residential area, albeit at its very edge. He spoke in order to gain time, in the hope that passersby would call the police.
1752
1753However, the men didn’t answer.
1754
1755Mikihiko swung his left hand sharply down.
1756
1757And with the same hand it caught a metal fan that had flown out of his sleeve.
1758
1759Slightly opening this unique CAD with one hand, Mikihiko pressed the right index finger on one of the metal strips which the fan consisted of.
1760
1761The wind began to spin around Mikihiko and Mizuki. This vortex wind isolated them from the wind that had flown on the left side of Mikihiko, which had some kind of aerosol impurity.
1762
1763In reality, this admixture was a spray drug that paralyzed the victim's free will.
1764
1765The magic that had isolated them from the attack of the suspicious men, Mikihiko, released instinctively.
1766
1767The men's faces changed. Carefree faces expressing the thought that “they aren’t rivals to us” have changed into the facial expressions of people ready for battle.
1768
1769“Who are you!?”
1770
1771Mikihiko didn’t know everything about this attack, down to the ingredients of a narcotic substance. Although, the fact remained - they were attacked. It was an obvious malice, so Mikihiko called out to the opponents in a stern voice.
1772
1773His cry was made reflexively. He didn’t expect to receive an answer.
1774
1775But contrary to expectations...
1776
1777“Horsehead.”
1778
1779The question of Mikihiko was answered by the man on the left, who had earlier released the magic that had created the poisoned wind.
1780
1781“Horsehead?”
1782
1783Mikihiko had no idea what that name meant. This question captured his mind, and his concentration on the enemies weakened.
1784
1785In other words, it created a gap in his defense.
1786
1787The enemy on the right threw a thick needle. More precisely, it was a thin sharpened wooden stake.
1788
1789This stake, to which the magic of motion gave speed and penetrating power, Mikihiko shot down with his right hand.
1790
1791He wasn’t injured. Through a gap in the torn fabric of the sleeve of his school uniform, one could notice that his right hand was shimmering with a dull glossy sheen.
1792
1793Defensive magic covering the skin with the “Element of Metal" from the system of the Five Elements. If you look only at the effect, then this form of ancient magic was similar to the strengthening magic in which Leo was good at using, however, they differed in the principle of action.
1794
1795“It's good that I learned this...!”
1796
1797Mikihiko learned this “gold armor technique" from his father last month. When at the end of May, Mikihiko joined the battle with a detachment of self-defense forces led by Toyama (Tooyama) Tsukasa, he felt the need for melee techniques. He turned to his father for advice and as a result received this magic. It was possible to say that his sense of danger worked here, despite the fact that this situation was different from the intended one.
1798
1799The enemy attacks didn’t end there. On the contrary, the throw of a stake, it seems, was only for distraction.
1800
1801The man, who was standing next to the one who threw the stake, rushed forward, approaching 10 meters in 2 steps, and waved his right hand diagonally from bottom left to top to right.
1802
1803Everything looked as if in his right hand there was only a dagger handle.
1804
1805But Mikihiko wasn’t fooled by this.
1806
1807He stumbled back, his right hand out before him. A thin, barely noticeable cut appeared on the sleeve.
1808
1809“Glass Dagger!?"
1810
1811The hand, peeking through the slits on the sleeve, stopped shining with gloss and returned to his original skin color.
1812
1813The golden armor technique could cover only one part of the body at a time. Another disadvantage was the short duration it could be used. And for it to be re-used took some time.
1814
1815Of course, Mikihiko didn’t forget about it. The next magic, prepared in advance in anticipation of the completion of the action of the technique of armor, he activated immediately after receiving a blow with a glass blade.
1816
1817“Sorry!”
1818
1819That's all he could say now. Without waiting for Mizuki answer, he suddenly pulled her close to him, clasping her waist.
1820
1821Mizuki froze. And didn’t answer. No, she didn’t have time to scream.
1822
1823Mikihiko's magic activated.
1824
1825The air mass, located between Mikihiko and the man waving a glass blade - a member of The Horsehead detachment named Henry Fu - suddenly exploded.
1826
1827A gust of wind struck not only Henry, but also Mikihiko.
1828
1829As if riding this wind, Mikihiko jumped while still holding Mizuki.
1830
1831Jumping over the restrictive fence, he jumped off the embankment right into the river.
1832
1833Although it was called a river, in reality it was rather an “artificial channel.” It was narrow and not deep, and its course was weak.
1834
1835With the help of magic activated in the jump, he briefly managed to resist on the surface of the water, but the next moment he plunged knee-deep into the water.
1836
1837“Shibata-san, I'm sorry. Be patient a little more.” 
1838
1839Again apologized Mikihiko. As he spoke, his fingers moved, preparing a new magic.
1840
1841“Don't worry about it.... Yoshida-kun!”
1842
1843From the mouth of Mizuki a warning came out in the form of a cry.
1844
1845But even without it, Mikihiko had already noticed that the Horsehead was chasing them.
1846
1847The grass on the shore swallowed up the lightning that had attacked them.
1848
1849Lightning was created by the magic of the release system released by Iggy Ho - a member of the Horsehead squad. Also, Mikihiko defended himself against it with the help of modern magic “Lightning Relay". Mikihiko's CAD outwardly looks like it was intended for ancient magic, but their were also activation sequences of modern magic written into it.
1850
1851Leaving Iggy on the shore, the other two jumped into the river. Upstream was Gabe Shu, who had previously released a cloud with a narcotic substance. Down the river Henry Fu got up - the one who was swinging a glass bladed dagger.
1852
1853Such a change in the situation wasn’t much of an improvement.
1854
1855
1856◊ ◊
1857
1858
1859The raging flames attacked Tatsuya, penetrating deep into the mansion, which Minoru used as a hideout. The fire spell was activated outside the building by Fujibayashi Nagamasa.
1860
1861Tatsuya initially could only use the magic of “Decomposition" and “Restoration." The magic activated by the artificial magic calculation zone added to it had a very low power of interfering with the phenomenon, so it couldn’t cover the whole house to put out the fire. “Mist Dispersion", decomposing substances to the level of chemical elements, he also couldn’t eliminate “combustible substances", because they will be decomposed into “combustible elements", which, in turn, can be more combustible, up to explosive combustion.
1862
1863Relying on the heat resistance function of the “Freed Suit,” Tatsuya ran straight through the fire.
1864
1865When Tatsuya ran out of the mansion engulfed in fire, a hail of shuriken came at him. There were twenty of them.
1866
1867Shurikens flew from four different directions, and with different time intervals. Tatsuya dodged them, flying into the air.
1868
1869Hanging in the air, he found the silhouettes of the enemy.
1870
1871Opponents with the appearance of Fujibayashi Nagamasa stood in all four directions.
1872
1873Tatsuya frowned.
1874
1875But besides this, there were no more delays on his part.
1876
1877Tatsuya's magic pierced four human silhouettes.
1878
1879And it wasn't “Decomposition."
1880
1881A “Psionic armor-piercing projectile." Non-systemic magic, firing a compressed psionic mass. This magic, developed under the leadership of Yakumo, existed both in the form (variety) of the projectile's flight in usual space (physical dimension) and in the form of its movement along the information dimension. Now Tatsuya used a variety with flying in the usual space.
1882
1883The distance between them was about 20 meters. Having overcome this distance in less than half a second, four psion bullets penetrated four human silhouettes.
1884
1885Four of the Nagamasa's simultaneously disappeared.
1886
1887“All four were illusions... Is this “Twins”?”
1888
1889Tatsuya muttered to himself, dodging the hail of stones that fell at him from behind.
1890
1891The fact that Nagamasa is using a Double, Tatsuya noticed during a conversation with him in the mansion. Therefore, he wasn’t surprised.
1892
1893“Although it looks like Parade, but this is something completely different...”
1894
1895Such a bitter thought came to Tatsuya when he came down to earth.
1896
1897The “Double" Nagamasa (or as he called it himself - “The Shadow Double") was different from both Minoru's and Lina's spells. Perhaps he doesn’t have enough power to fool “Elemental Sight."
1898
1899However, this magic made it possible to simultaneously create several doubles capable of functioning as batteries for invoking magic. But the most problematic was that the connection with the real body was cut off.
1900
1901“This isn't a transformed object. Maybe... this is “Shikigami” from the magic of spirits?”
1902
1903He didn’t know how it works, but he thought that an image is created from the independent information body of the “shadow” and the operator controls the magic from afar, hiding behind the projections.
1904
1905“If you apply reverse tracking to the information close to the exit point of the magic sequence, then you can find out the location of the real body, but...”
1906
1907“... It will be so simple," thought Tatsuya, destroying the next double that appeared behind him.
1908
1909To test this, he directed his “sight" to the source, who shot the stones with the help of speed magic. But there was no one there. When you “chase” for information, if it just moved, then a real body could be tracked. But in this case, it seems, information continuity was cut off using some kind of invisibility technique. Tatsuya remembered that Yakumo demonstrated possession of a similar technique.
1910
1911It won’t be possible to track the target through the information dimension, if you don’t catch the necessary information directly during the activation of magic. Also, Nagamasa only used magic at the same time as the shots with shuriken or stones, disabling the remote control immediately after the shot.
1912
1913Consequently, this battle turned into a guessing game, when and where the next magic will be launched. And Tatsuya at the moment was in the role of a laggard.
1914
1915While he spends time and effort here, Minoru continues to run away.
1916
1917Tatsuya was forced to fight not only with Nagamasa, but also with haste in his thoughts.
1918
1919
1920◊ ◊
1921
1922
1923Stakes and lightning bolts flew from the shore. From the top downstream, the wind blew with drops of narcotic substance. The blade was coming from his backside.
1924
1925Mikihiko repelled the attacks of all three members of the Horsehead squad, by directing water from the river.
1926
1927Stakes simply beat off with water balls.
1928Against lightning, he created a veil of thick fog.
1929
1930Against the narcotic wind, it was defended by a wall of “reverse waterfall" - when water rushes upwards.
1931
1932Against the enemy attacking with a glass dagger, he defended himself with a water whip, divided into 8 parts.
1933
1934However, to repel long-range attacks and to prevent the enemy from reaching the melee range, Mikihiko spent all his strength, so he wasn’t able to counterattack.
1935
1936Behind him, Mizuki barely held back a shiver. Although it was now midsummer, it was already evening, and the river, although shallow, had a current. If you stand knee-deep in water for a long time, you can freeze. Mikihiko understood this, so his impatience increased too much.
1937
1938“... No, that won't do. Stop being nervous, Mikihiko. Impatience is absolutely forbidden.”
1939
1940But is it better to risk everything to escape? Struggling to tempt himself to do so, Mikihiko mentally scolded himself.
1941
1942At the moment, Mizuki received no damage, except for a small loss of temperature from the river water. Although this was precisely because of Mikihiko's protection. He himself was well aware of this.
1943
1944... If you hurry now, then all efforts will be wasted.
1945
1946Mikihiko turned to himself.
1947
1948... It's not just a coincidence that we were attacked here.
1949
1950... On this road, Shibata-san goes to school.
1951
1952... Their goal isn't me, but Shibata-san.
1953
1954With such thoughts, despite the nervous exhaustion, he could continue the battle, completely gone on the defensive.
1955
1956Mikihiko's patience was rewarded with the arrival of reinforcements.
1957
1958From the shore there was a loud noise from an impact. This sound was as if struck by a thin metal stick on a strong wood.
1959
1960“KH! Chiba swordswoman, you! Why are you here!?”
1961
1962Immediately afterwards, I heard Iggy Ho bewildered cry out.
1963
1964“You want me to answer that?”
1965
1966The voice of the respondent belonged, of course, to Erika.
1967
1968“Mikihiko! Mizuki! Are you okay!?”
1969
1970Then they were hailed by another voice, coming from the station, from a place a little behind Erika.
1971
1972“Leo!?”
1973
1974Even before Mikihiko had time to answer, a large human figure jumped from the embankment.
1975
1976Leo landed in the river with big splashes.
1977
1978“I take it upon myself!”
1979
1980He pointed to the assassin from the Horsehead squad named Henry Fu, frozen in surprise by this spectacular appearance of reinforcements.
1981
1982“Watch out! He has a dagger made of glass!”
1983
1984“Yeah!” 
1985
1986Leo enthusiastically bellowed and pounced on Henry, who had already recovered from the shock and stood up.
1987
1988He didn’t scream “Panzer!” like usual. Because right now Leo used the CAD with mental control, received from Ernst Rosen last summer. Intense psionic light enveloped Leo without the usual cry, and he attacked the dagger.
1989
1990Now, except for Mizuki, the battle turned into a format of three against three.
1991
1992Mikihiko turned to his enemy, Gabe Shu.
1993
1994
1995◊ ◊
1996
1997
1998During the course of the battle with the Nagamasa doubles, Tatsuya was lured from the courtyard of the hideout into the Sea of Trees.
1999
2000Despite the name “Sea of Trees", this forest wasn’t so thick that it was impossible to move between the trees. Even an ordinary person (non-magician) didn’t worry that he would get stuck here if he turned off the road.
2001
2002But the fact that trees made movement difficult was an indisputable fact. People who aren’t accustomed to acting in the forest won’t be able to fight here at a decent level. A three-dimensional spatial maneuvering with the help of a flying suit was completely excluded.
2003
2004Perhaps for Fujibayashi Nagamasa, this was unexpected, but Tatsuya didn’t have any difficulty moving among these obstacles. He is accustomed to act on the basis of the information received from “Elemental Sight", replacing him with visual information from ordinary eyes. He also reached a level where he didn’t experience inconvenience when working even with non-visual information received from electronic devices, instead of information obtained from magic.
2005
2006In addition, the possible firing angles were limited to trees, so the location of the batteries of Nagamasa's magic was easy to read.
2007
2008Visible light, infrared rays and radio waves are blocked by trees, so searching with the naked eye or detecting a suit by sensors was more difficult than under normal conditions.
2009
2010Using “Elemental Sight" to determine the coordinates is much easier. At the time of activation of magic, the magician and the source of activation are connected informationally. If it is the same as before - shooting shurikens or stones, and if we can accurately predict the moment of its appearance, then we can say in advance that the reverse tracking will be successful.
2011
2012The Double appeared in the shade of the tree.
2013
2014But Tatsuya turned his “gaze" back to his backside.
2015
2016The front attack wasn’t followed.
2017
2018Shuriken flew back to the right.
2019
2020Before he could even make a step for evasion, the connection with the exorcist was already broken. Signs of activation of magic began to emanate from the Twin in front.
2021
2022“No, this one doesn't fit."
2023
2024Shooting a psion bullet, he destroyed the Double.
2025
2026The fact is that the Double, who stood in front, tried to activate camouflage magic with a delayed activation.
2027
2028Signs of activation of magic appeared from behind.
2029
2030“Attack by non-lethal sound waves."
2031
2032Looking back, he counterattacked the Psion Projectile with Armor.
2033
2034“Survived?"
2035
2036The twin didn’t disappear.
2037
2038Sound waves with a frequency close to the upper limit of a person''s hearing have come down on Tatsuya.
2039
2040However, Tatsuya's helmet automatically blocked sound waves that cause discomfort and interfere with mental concentration.
2041
2042If you look only at the direct impact, it was a meaningless attack.
2043
2044Tatsuya squeezed psions 3 times stronger than during the last attack.
2045
2046Counter-Magic Spell / Gram Demolition.
2047
2048A powerful stream of psions blew double.
2049
2050Immediately after that, a chain tied around Tatsuya's legs.
2051
2052That senseless attack turned out to be a distraction.
2053
2054Sparks and lightning fell from the chain.
2055
2056However, the next moment the chain disappeared.
2057
2058The damage to the costume and the wounds under the costume also disappeared.
2059
2060Something shook in the shadows of the trees.
2061
2062Tatsuya turned his gaze under his helmet toward this shaking.
2063
2064To the left of Tatsuya a new Double appeared.
2065
2066This Double tried to shoot stones shrouded in fire.
2067
2068Tatsuya's “sight” grabbed onto this “image."
2069
2070Tatsuya read the Double's information while he was connected to the real body.
2071
2072From information about the current moment to information about what was a moment ago.
2073
2074And even further. More for a moment in the past.
2075
2076Rewind back.
2077
2078Rewind back.
2079
2080Revealing the “past", hidden behind the “present" in the history of changing information, Tatsuya released his power.
2081
2082Local “Decomposition". Magic, piercing thin holes in the human body.
2083
2084Tatsuya heard the sound of a man falling who had both knees broken. This sound came from the shadows of the trees about 10 meters away.
2085
2086
2087◊ ◊
2088
2089
2090On the embankment leading to Mizuki's home, Erika entered into close combat with Iggy Ho, a member of the Illegal MAP Horsehead unit.
2091
2092Erika's weapon was a telescopic baton with integrated CAD.
2093
2094Iggy Ho's weapon was some kind of wire.
2095
2096“You’re pretty good at handling this homemade thing. You must be a good master.” Erika spoke with a mocking tone during their exchange of blows.
2097
2098Iggy only continued to look for Erika's weak points with his stern look.
2099
2100The weapon he used was a twisted, thick wire, the tip of which was sharpened with a file. A wooden stick was attached to it, which played the role of a handle. This weapon was used almost like a rapier.
2101
2102The Horsehead squad entered the country by plane under the guise of ordinary passengers, so they couldn't bring any weapons with them. And it's not just about the current moment. For them, making weapons on site from readily available materials was commonplace. The wooden stakes he threw at Mikihiko were also made from sawed logs. A glass blade, for example, was cut from ordinary window glass. To do this, they even mastered the special magic that helps with the processing of materials.
2103
2104Also, in order to compensate for the lack of strength of materials, magic was used not only during processing, but also when using the weapons. They make weapons from any available materials. Use as a weapon everything that comes to hand. Perform the assigned task of murder or sabotage, without receiving support from their country. That was the style of the Illegal MAP.
2105
2106Thanks to Iggy Ho's magic, the wire thin sword he used looked even more durable and flexible than a real rapier (at least outwardly). But it was only the effectiveness of the weapon itself. After all, martial arts skill is another conversation.
2107
2108In the skill of handling weapons, imitating the foil, Iggy was far from weak. His practical fencing techniques were high.
2109
2110However, if we talk about the techniques of the sword, then Erika was a step, or even 2-3 steps higher. The duel wasn’t yet completed just because Erika was wary of the possibility that Iggy might have something “stashed in his sleeve.”
2111
2112But in reality, in order for the wire sword to withstand the attacks of Erika, Iggy Ho was forced to maintain his strength and flexibility with magic, so he had no time for other magic.
2113
2114Erika intuitively guessed this, and went at Iggy with a continuous attack with an emphasis on speed. Her fighting style wasn't in the tactic of “hit-run” using self-acceleration magic, but in not giving the enemy extra time to take a breather, moving around in an arc, keeping distance.
2115
2116And now Erika is finally convinced that the enemy has no magic attacks.
2117
2118Iggy Ho moved horizontally with his wire sword. This sword had only a pointed tip, so it wasn't a cutting attack, but an attack with a strong and flexible wire like a whip.
2119
2120Erika dodged this attack, bouncing back. For the first time in this fight, she retreated from her template, and increased the distance.
2121
2122Without losing a second, Iggy Ho extended his left hand to his belt. These three members of the Head of Horse squad had CAD's not on their wrists, but on their belts.
2123
2124Erika didn’t know that her opponent was trying to control a CAD.
2125
2126She was just looking for an opportunity to attack.
2127
2128So, with the enemy's action, she saw a chance. She was ready to use it.
2129
2130Self-acceleration magic activated.
2131
2132Erika went on a rapprochement with Iggy at a speed that the human eye can’t follow.
2133
2134Iggy Ho hastily stopped managing his CAD and put the wire sword out in front of himself, supporting it with his left hand.
2135
2136Erika's baton lightly struck the wire sword.
2137
2138This unexpectedly too weak of a recoil slightly puzzled Iggy Ho.
2139
2140The murderer from the detachment Horsehead fell into a stupor for about half a second.
2141
2142While Iggy's consciousness was turned off, Erika managed to go behind him.
2143
2144He had no time to turn around.
2145
2146Hoping for intuition, he bowed his head with all his might.
2147
2148Erika's baton, aiming at the head, hit Iggy Ho in the left shoulder.
2149In a place close to the base of the neck.
2150
2151Common sense said that the battle was over. However, Erika, without losing her watchfulness, immediately swung again.
2152
2153But here she was in for a surprise.
2154
2155The enemy with a bent neck, and turned his back to her, committed a self-explosion.
2156
2157From the back of Iggy Ho it broke out and began to spread in all directions a powerful stream of smoke.
2158
2159Despite the fact that it was a self-explosion, it wasn’t a suicide.
2160
2161“Smoke screen!?”
2162
2163As Erika said, Iggy Ho set up a smoke screen using special explosives mounted on the inside of his jacket.
2164
2165But despite the reduced power and temperature, the explosives remain explosives. When an explosion occurs under clothing, you don't end up without injuries. However, Iggy Ho moved on to his next action with such speed that he felt no pain at all.
2166
2167“Hey, stop!”
2168
2169Erika voice rang out, surrounded by a smoke screen. Even through the smoke, she was able to detect that the enemy had begun to move quickly away.
2170
2171Illegal MAP is an illegal sabotage squad. Members of this detachment must have a high level of combat abilities. But it was much more important not to fall into the hands of the enemy.
2172
2173With modern technology, it is possible to extract information from the brain of the dead. Simple suicide won’t be enough to preserve secrecy. Therefore, the ability to escape at any cost is especially desirable for illegal agents.
2174
2175Erika didn’t pursue Iggy. She immediately closed her eyes so as not to damage them. It wasn’t known what substance could be mixed into the smoke to cause any effects other than blocking the view. There was also a chance that she had already undergone some subtle paralytic exposure.
2176
2177With a careless pursuit it was possible to run into a counterattack. In addition, the goal of Erika and Leo, who rushed here, was to help Mizuki and Mikihiko. Fighting the remaining enemies was a priority over the pursuit of fleeing enemies.
2178
2179Erika leaned over the restrictive fence. There, in the river, Leo and Mikihiko still had to fight. Erika wanted to intervene in their battles, but looking down, she felt frustrated.
2180
2181The battle of Leo and Henry Fu was rather not a close fight, but a simple fist fight.
2182
2183Henry's dagger, though it was made from the most ordinary glass, was strengthened by magic. However, after the first collision with Leo's fist, reinforced with the magic of the same type, it broke into shards.
2184
2185Moving from a voice recognition system to a thought management system, Leo stopped wearing a protective glove with integrated CAD. Instead, he began to wear gloves with open fingers, reinforced in the area of fists, on both hands. He didn’t wear these gloves constantly, but just in case always kept them with him.
2186
2187It was the magic-strengthened fist part of his glove that broke the glass blade.
2188
2189The blade, strengthened by the magic of Henry Fu, was broken by the fist reinforced by magic. This meant only one thing: Leo's magic surpassed Henry's magic. Moreover, Henry Fu's face hardened by the crazy power of Leo, who didn’t grab the blade from both sides, but simply struck him with a direct blow.
2190
2191However, if he continued to stand in a daze, he would not be suitable even for serving as the simplest soldier, not to mention being an illegal agent. Henry threw the handle from the dagger at Leo to gain time, jumped back, despite the poor foothold in the form of a river, knee-deep, and tore off the left sleeve of his jacket with his right hand.
2192
2193On the left wrist, under this long-sleeved jacket, worn despite the middle of summer, wasn’t a CAD, but two thin weighted bracelets, the load for which was made of iron sand.
2194
2195Henry took off his weighted bracelets with his right hand.
2196
2197“Hah! Yes, you mean you wanted to give me a head start?”
2198
2199Not reacting to Leo's mocking saying, Henry wrapped the bracelets around his fists, partly with the load out.
2200
2201In fact, Leo didn’t believe that the enemy succumbed to him. He quickly realized why Henry had transferred the weight of the bracelets from his left wrist to both of his fists.
2202
2203It was a kind of replacement for gloves, which not only protected the fists, but also added power to the punches.
2204
2205Leo rushed to Henry at the same moment, that he understood it.
2206
2207When Leo managed to take just one step, Henry rushed to meet him.
2208
2209In the battle, Leo and Henry fought using fighting skills.
2210
2211Leo with his fists hard as steel.
2212
2213Henry with fists covered with a cushion of iron sand.
2214
2215From a direct strike with Leo's right hand, Henry dodged, tilting his head.
2216
2217Henry's right hook, aimed at the hull, Leo blocked with his left hand.
2218
2219This marked the beginning of the exchange of blows.
2220
2221Henry Fu only evaded Leo's direct blows, skipping the slips.
2222
2223Leo defended himself only from the dangerous blows of Henry, missing minor ones.
2224
2225Both soon lost the ability to use magic.
2226
2227The action of the strengthening magic of Leo stopped.
2228
2229It seems that after interrupting the magic of strengthening the dagger, Henry Fu also used a little magic to support his melee combat, but it also stopped.
2230
2231As magicians, these two were forced to continue the fight as ordinary fighters, only their physical abilities.
2232
2233Leo broke into a smile.
2234
2235And Henry's face was distorted, as if from torment.
2236
2237For Henry Fu, a member of the Illegal MAP Horsehead unit (and indeed for any killer or saboteur), such a direct clash was highly undesirable. Even in situations where it is impossible to avoid one-on-one melee combat, a direct clash usually doesn’t occur.
2238
2239If they were now on a good road surface, it would have been possible to gain distance by maneuvering their legs, pretending to run away, and then counterattack the pursuing enemy. In this case, it would be possible to use techniques to avoid direct collision.
2240
2241But here, in the river, they stood in water that was deep down to the middle of the calf. The state of the river bottom also didn’t lend aid to rapid movement. If in such a place to use the technique of moving the legs as in a box, then you can easily stumble and open for the enemy a gap in your defense.
2242
2243Continuing the fist fight with Leo, Henry Fu decided that this mission failed. Before the situation worsened even more, it was necessary to take a position suitable for evacuation.
2244
2245However, he couldn’t single-handedly make a decision to retreat. Henry thought about it, continuing to shower Leo with short, weak strokes. In the Horsehead detachment, he tried more than others to adhere to military discipline.
2246
2247They were divided. If all three could evacuate simultaneously, then there would be no problems. But if, with the cut off connection, at least one escapes, then the position of the remaining two will fall into a disadvantage, while finding themselves in the minority.
2248
2249The contempt for the fact that the opponents are only schoolchildren has disappeared from Henry. They turned out to be opponents who couldn’t be defeated in the format of three against four (more precisely, three against three). If they are even more disadvantaged in numbers, they may not even be able to escape.
2250
2251We must somehow convey to the rest the signal for evacuation...
2252
2253It happened at the same time that Henry Fu thought about it.
2254
2255From the embankment came the faint sound of an explosion.
2256
2257Henry grabbed one of Leo's fists after his lunge, and took advantage of his time to look up.
2258
2259“This is a smoke screen! Iggy lost and ran away!?"
2260
2261Seeing the black smoke flowing down from the edge of the road, Henry Fu immediately realized what had happened.
2262
2263At the same time, he had a strong sense of danger.
2264
2265The student in front of him not only mastered magic techniques, but also possessed physical strength and endurance at the level of navy seals or green berets.... Someone like Henry appreciated Leo. He delivered a lot of trouble, and it was impossible to cope with him without magic.
2266
2267And if the “Chiba swordswoman” connects here, which was given special attention during the preliminary investigation, then the simple “impossible to cope with” will no longer be an excuse. The idea of the worst outcome flashed through Henry Fu's head. The “worst” outcome for members of the Illegal MAP wasn’t death. But, falling into the hands of the enemy, with further disclosure of their origin and details of their mission.
2268
2269Leo threw Henry clutching at him.
2270
2271Henry recoiled and backed away about 2-3 steps back along the bottom of the river.
2272
2273Leo followed Henry, who caused a strong splash on the surface of the water.
2274
2275“Gabe! Retreat!”
2276
2277Without taking his eyes off Leo looming in front, Henry Fu shouted loudly to his comrade, who was upstream.
2278
2279But this sudden withdrawal statement didn’t stop Leo's rush.
2280
2281“Want to escape!?”
2282
2283He was not confused, but, on the contrary, became more serious.
2284
2285Almost catching up with Henry Fu, taking the next step in the immediate vicinity of him, Leo lightly plunged into the water.
2286
2287Stomping, he pushed through a deep hole in the bottom of the river.
2288
2289Using this pit as a foothold, Leo pushed off with his whole body and made a powerful lunge with his fist.
2290
2291It was an uppercut aimed at the torso that could cause damage to internal organs.
2292
2293Shortly before, Leo caught a glimpse of Henry Fu's arm reaching for his CAD, but he still hit him in the stomach.
2294
2295The body of Henry Fu, was hit with a fist by Leo, and soared into the air with serious acceleration.
2296
2297“What...?” 
2298
2299Leo muttered in a stupid voice.
2300
2301After all, he himself had just delivered this blow, but he didn’t think that the enemy would be thrown back five meters.
2302
2303And not five meters back, but to a height of more than five meters.
2304
2305Leo was stunned by this scene, as if it happened in a cartoon or anime.
2306
2307Even Erika, looking out from the shore, looked at it with rounded eyes.
2308
2309Henry fell into the river.
2310
2311He rose in such a sharp movement as if he had received no damage at all, after which he turned his back on Leo and ran with all his strength down the river.
2312
2313“What the...?”
2314
2315It was only later, after thinking, that he realized that the enemy had used magic at the moment of receiving the strike, to use the force from the uppercut, to throw himself into the air.
2316
2317But during this very unexpected scene, Leo just froze in a stupor.
2318
2319Mikihiko's fight was difficult, even when the enemy was left alone.
2320
2321Unlike the battles of “Erika vs Iggy Ho" and “Leo vs Henry Fu", the fight of Mikihiko and Gabe Shu was a “magical exchange of fire."
2322
2323Mikihiko wasn’t weak in physical combat. His physical strength and mobility was at a level that even Tatsuya and Leo recognized.
2324
2325Still, his strongest point was the battle, where the main role is played by magic - that is, “shooting of magic" in the middle or long range.
2326
2327On the other hand, Illegal MAP was a sabotage squad, and with it a squad of assassins. By their nature, they preferred to use many different ways of killing, for example, stab them with sharp weapons or strike with blunt weapons. But in fact, being a detachment of conducting magical combat, they were more strong in this very magical battle, and not in battles with physical abilities.
2328
2329Also, as could be seen from the initial distribution of roles in the attack on Mizuki and Mikihiko, Gabe Shu was a member of the Horsehead squad who specialized in pure magic combat. Therefore, it was inevitable that the battle of Mikihiko and Gabe took place in the form of a shootout of magic, given the strengths of these two.
2330
2331Gabe Shu is far superior to Mikihiko in experience of battles against people.
2332
2333Even considering Mikihiko's age, it was impossible to say that he had little experience in fighting against people.
2334
2335But the magic of the Yoshida family was basically not meant for battles with people. It was used to interact with otherworldly creatures, to expel them, invoke them, or to lend their power. Mikihiko gained experience in battles against people during joint actions with Tatsuya. But it was still difficult for him to fight an opponent who was trained to use magic specifically against people in a real battle.
2336
2337From under the feet of Gabe Shu, bursting out of the water, stones flew. Mikihiko knocked down the arriving river rubble with ice arrows made from river water. The freezing process was intentionally added, because according to the rule “the earth conquers water” in the liquid state, the water didn’t have sufficient force. In modern magic there were no problems with this, but in ancient magic it was impossible to ignore the “rules of rivalry of the five elements".
2338
2339Mikihiko sensed signs of underwater magic in front of him. In a hurry, he isolated the flow of the river, creating a wall of water.
2340
2341Under the water in front of him a bubble burst. The air was released, which was compressed by magic and submerged under water. This explosive expansion had the force of an explosion like that of a hand grenade.
2342
2343Rising strong water spray became an obstacle to Mikihiko's vision. And at this moment the river rubble flew again.
2344
2345The enemy ranked upstream, putting Mikihiko at a disadvantage.
2346
2347In addition to bubble bombs, upstream, Gabe Shu also launched attacks in the form of descent along the river of paralytic substance, and spraying it near Mikihiko and Mizuki. He also alternated this with shots of gravel and the emission of high-frequency sound waves. Although Gabe had a small variety of attacks, the pattern of their use in sequence was hard to read.
2348
2349But this doesn’t mean that Mikihiko was only defending himself.
2350
2351Ice arrows, which were used to beat stones, he also sent to the enemy. He also launched water spears at the enemy. Shot at the feet of the enemy with thin jets of water under high pressure. That is, he made a variety of attacks using river water.
2352
2353In other words, in terms of diversity, Mikihiko was better. However, the attacks of Gabe Shu, though simple, were specifically designed to inflict damage on a person. Therefore, Mikihiko was forced to repel all these attacks. After all, if he had not done this, then besides him, Mizuki would be injured, who was hidden behind his back. Thoughts about this depressed Mikihiko more than anything else.
2354
2355“But now, by the number of people, we are in a better position than at the beginning..."
2356
2357Before the arrival of Erika and Leo, it was three against two (actually three against one).
2358
2359And now, in fact, there were three on three, but because of the division, each had individual one-on-one battles.
2360
2361But despite this, Mikihiko felt stuck into a corner more than before.
2362
2363Suddenly the situation has changed.
2364
2365There was a small explosion above.
2366
2367Smoke mixed from black, brown and red flowed down from the shore.
2368
2369There was a shout from behind: “Gabe! Retreat!".
2370
2371The next moment the water surface exploded.
2372
2373Between Mikihiko and Gabe Shu, a dense wall of splashing water arose.
2374
2375When the spray fell, Mikihiko didn’t see the enemy behind them.
2376
2377
2378◊ ◊
2379
2380
2381When Pixie got in touch with Miyuki again, the hands of the clock showed 18:05.
2382
2383“Miyuki-sama. Sorry to bother you.”
2384
2385“Pixie? Report.”
2386
2387“The movement • Mitsui-sama • stopped. Presumably, the kidnappers • arrived • in their • hideout.”
2388
2389“Honoka is fine?”
2390
2391“It seems that • Mitsui-sama • is still • under • influence of a narcotic substance. Other • harmful effects • not felt.”
2392
2393“I see...”
2394
2395Miyuki breathed a sigh of relief.
2396
2397No medical sensors were connected to Honoka, and Pixie didn’t receive medical information. However, Pixie received psionic supplies from Honoka regardless of the distance between them. It seems that she could get the details about the state of Honoka as a side effect of this psionic transmission.
2398
2399While respecting the privacy of Honoka's private life, neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki usually requested this information from Pixie. But now there was an emergency. The news that the victim of abduction has no physical injuries brings relief to the people who are worried about the victim.
2400
2401“Pixie, can I get accurate information about the location of the place where Honoka is being held?”
2402
2403Magic isn’t limited by physical distance. Even if you try to go back through the magical connection, you can’t get distance and direction.
2404
2405However, Pixie had a body derived from the merger of a Parasite with a humanoid machine. In much the same way that psionic radar works, it could recognize the direction and distance of the source of these waves, the source of the psionic flow that feeds it, through the received psionic waves.
2406
2407“I am conducting a • comparison • with cartographic • data... A comparison is • completed. Send • data?”
2408
2409“Yes please.”
2410
2411“Yes, I will.”
2412
2413Simultaneously with this response, the data receive signal flashed on the display. The call was in voice only mode, so the display was empty, but after loading the data a map was displayed.
2414
2415“Received. Please keep watching.”
2416
2417“All right, Miyuki-sama. I continue • to conduct • observation.”
2418
2419Through the remote control, Miyuki ended the conversation with Pixie. The first call from Pixie she took in her room, and now she was in the living room.
2420
2421Miyuki got up from the couch, turned around, and looked at the man standing behind her.
2422
2423“Hyougo-san.”
2424
2425“Yes, Miyuki-sama?” 
2426
2427Hanabishi Hyougo replied in a respectful tone.
2428
2429“Can you prepare a car right away?”
2430
2431But Hyougo didn’t answer this question from Miyuki.
2432
2433“I dare suggest that Miyuki-sama is going to personally go and save Mitsui-sama?”
2434
2435“Right.”
2436
2437Although she was answered with a question for a question, but Miyuki only nodded in response, not showing that it somehow hurt her.
2438
2439“It is impossible.”
2440
2441To which, Hyougo gave an inexorable answer.
2442
2443“What do you mean it is impossible? Can't go?”
2444
2445“Absolutely.”
2446
2447“Are you ordering me?”
2448
2449“This isn’t an order. Just a warning.”
2450
2451Miyuki looked at Hyougo with unconcealed displeasure.
2452
2453Hyougo isn’t embarrassed.
2454
2455“Miyuki-sama, you are the heiress of the main family line, and also my lord Tatsuya-sama's bride. You are too valuable, and should not put yourself in danger for such trifles.”
2456
2457“Trifles? Hyougo-san, you want to say that the threat to the life of my friend Honoka is nothing?”
2458
2459In the living room there was a cold... no, frosty voice. Miyuki didn’t raise her voice. But her voice echoed throughout the room, in which such an effect should not have been created.
2460
2461Although, most likely, this isn’t the sound several times reflected in the confined space of the living room, and the voice sounded only in the minds of those who heard it.
2462
2463Hyougo bowed guiltily, but he clearly didn’t feel fear.
2464
2465Raising his head, he met Miyuki eyes.
2466
2467“It’s not so important that Miyuki-sama personally has to take care of it. So let me go and figure it out.”
2468
2469“For you to go, Hyougo-san?”
2470
2471Miyuki frowned in doubt.
2472
2473Miyuki knew about his career - about how he gained experience in a foreign private military company, before becoming the butler of Tatsuya. But Miyuki never saw Hyougo truly fight, and never even heard of anything like that.
2474
2475In addition, Miyuki's doubt was due to the fact that, from her point of view, Hyougo didn’t have special abilities as a magician. Miyuki simply didn’t see enough of Hyougo's combat power to be confident in it.
2476
2477“Yes. Leave it to me.”
2478
2479Hyougo bowed low to Miyuki.
2480
2481Miyuki's gaze on Hyougo remained sharp.
2482
2483The air in this room isn’t cooled with air conditioning. There was a long silence (perhaps this impact of Miyuki silenced everyone), which was broken by another person present here.
2484
2485“Miyuki, let me go with him? Is that what you want?”
2486
2487“Lina, you go?”
2488
2489“Yes. Miyuki, you know my power.”
2490
2491“But it’s not known who kidnapped Honoka? If these are USNA agents, then what will you do?”
2492
2493“Why would agents from the States (USNA) kidnap Honoka?”
2494
2495“I don't know, but...”
2496
2497At the moment, neither Miyuki nor Lina knew that Miyuki's assumption was true. In response to Lina's simple counter-question, Miyuki responded with a blurred phrase that carried the meaning of “maybe I exaggerate?”.
2498
2499If events had developed in this way, it could have come to such a difficult situation as the clash of an illegal detachment of assassins, Horsehead from the Illegal MAP and Lina, who is “Angie Sirius".
2500
2501Such a future was prevented by an incoming phone call that was received not on the fixed terminal in the apartment, but on Miyuki's mobile terminal.
2502
2503“Yes... Erika?”
2504
2505The call was from Erika.
2506
2507
2508◊ ◊
2509
2510
2511Leo, Mikihiko and Mizuki went upstairs with Erika. Mizuki rose with Mikihiko, with the help of his magic, and Leo climbed with his legs without the use of magic.
2512
2513Mikihiko's magic dried the clothes of all three and removed the dirt sticking to them.
2514
2515Finally having a refreshing feeling, Mizuki sighed with relief. After that, her legs sharply buckled.
2516
2517Mikihiko hurriedly gave her his hand. Mizuki managed to catch Mikihiko's hand and somehow escaped the fall.
2518
2519“I-I'm sorry...”
2520
2521Mizuki let go of Mikihiko's hand. Immediately after that, she's shaken again.
2522
2523Mikihiko extended his hand again, and Mizuki clung to him this time.
2524
2525“When you come out of a state of extreme tension, your legs and loins lose their strength. You'd better hold on to Miki for a while.
2526
2527This time, Erika advised in a serious tone, without teasing those two.
2528
2529Mizuki and Mikihiko looked away confusedly.
2530
2531Erika and Leo, each in their own way, simultaneously shook their heads, expressing the idea “nothing can be done about them."
2532
2533After which both of them noticed that they had the same reaction.
2534
2535However, both no longer had the strength for their usual quarrel.
2536
2537Erika turned away from Leo and took out a mobile terminal.
2538
2539Transferring the terminal to telephone mode, she called Honoka.
2540
2541However, the connection wasn’t established.
2542
2543Having made a serious face, this time she called Miyuki.
2544
2545“Yes.”
2546
2547“Ah, Miyuki? It's me. Erika.”
2548
2549“Erika? You seem excited. Something happened?”
2550
2551“Why is she in such a hurry?" 
2552
2553Thought Erika. But, having decided to leave this question for later, she first answered the question that was asked.
2554
2555She quickly and in order told about what happened. Mizuki and Mikihiko were attacked. The opponents were East Asian in appearance, but with English names. After that, she called Honoka, but didn’t get a hold of her.
2556
2557“... By the way, are you all right, Miyuki?”
2558
2559The answer came after a second pause.
2560
2561“...I'm all good. I see... Mizuki was also targeted.”
2562
2563“Do you know something?”
2564
2565Miyuki said “Mizuki too." This meant that something similar happened to someone else. Erika quickly realized that.
2566
2567“Honoka has been kidnapped.”
2568
2569“...So that is how it is.”
2570
2571Although it was possible to assume in advance what happened, but Erika was still momentarily speechless.
2572
2573“We don't know who the criminals are, but, thanks to Pixie, we managed to figure out where she was taken.”
2574
2575“... Can Pixie do something like that?”
2576
2577“Yes, but not with anyone...”
2578
2579“Oh, I see.”
2580
2581Erika also knew the circumstances of the case when the Parasite settled in Pixie. Therefore, she quickly realized that there was a special connection between Honoka and Pixie.
2582
2583“So we are recovering to go help her out.”
2584
2585Erika didn’t waste much time thinking about this decision.
2586
2587“...It is dangerous.”
2588
2589“Miyuki, were you not going to do it yourself?”
2590
2591“You're right, but...”
2592
2593“I think Miyuki and Lina would be better off not going there. The opponents may be American agents.”
2594
2595On the other side of the phone line was briefly silenced.
2596
2597“I beg your pardon, Erika. Can I call you back?”
2598
2599“Good.”
2600
2601Erika ended the call.
2602
2603Less than five minutes passed before the incoming call signal came on her terminal.
2604
2605“Erika, it's me.”
2606
2607“Yeah. So?”
2608
2609“I think everything is exactly as you said, Erika. It is highly likely the opponents targeting Mizuki will be part of an illegal commando group from USNA. I think that the criminals who kidnapped Honoka are also from this unit.”
2610
2611“This is Lina's opinion?”
2612
2613“Yes. Like you said, Erika, neither I nor Lina should go. But you guys can't just go on your own. The opponents - agents from the USNA Army. They are too dangerous.”
2614
2615“We have already fought with them here, so it's too late to talk about danger.”
2616
2617Erika's ear, applied to the dynamics of the terminal, caught a faint sigh.
2618
2619“I could say that you don’t need to re-expose yourself to danger, but... Erika, you still don’t agree, right?”
2620
2621“You already understand, don't you?”
2622
2623Erika heard another sigh.
2624
2625“If you promise not to break into the enemy camp with only your strength, but to go there with the people who are suitable for this, then I will tell you where Honoka is being held.”
2626
2627Miyuki thought that further attempts at persuasion would be useless. Therefore, she set such a condition.
2628
2629“Who are the right people?”
2630
2631“I already asked the SMAT to go there. I ask you to unite with them who are already in place.”
2632
2633SMAT. Special magic assault squad. This is an organization that brought together police magicians, created as a result of rethinking the fact that the police couldn’t adequately respond to the Yokohama incident the year before last. The abduction of a civilian by a group of magicians was certainly under the responsibility of SMAT.
2634
2635“But won't the police make any noise?”
2636
2637As Erika said, the likelihood that large-scale police movements would endanger the abduction victim wasn’t zero. That's just...
2638
2639“Even if I hadn’t told you about this, you were going to use the police forces, weren't you?”
2640
2641Erika had a close relationship with the police. She could easily have used the police to locate Honoka, and she had planned to do that.
2642
2643“I give up. I will do as you say, Miyuki.”
2644
2645Realizing that Miyuki saw through her, Erika raised a white flag. More precisely, it could have been considered a draw, because she had won the compromise between Miyuki, namely the “transfer of the right to save Honoka.”
2646
2647“Sending the coordinates.”
2648
2649“... OK, received.”
2650
2651“Be careful, Erika.”
2652
2653“Leave it to us. I will contact you when we save Honoka.” 
2654
2655Erika said and completed the call.
2656
2657
2658◊ ◊
2659
2660
2661Tatsuya headed toward the shade of a tree 10 meters away. From this place, he felt a response, and also heard someone fall there.
2662
2663This “someone" was Fujibayashi Nagamasa.
2664
2665“Do you know where Minoru is going?”
2666
2667Tatsuya didn’t boast of victory or accuse him of betrayal. He only indifferently began to interrogate Nagamasa. More precisely, judging by his tone of voice, he simply “asked,” and not “interrogated.”
2668
2669“I don’t know...”
2670
2671On the other hand, Nagamasa, sweating due to the sharp pain from the holes in his body, answered with a voice from which the will to fight had not disappeared.
2672
2673“I see.”
2674
2675Tatsuya asked nothing more. He turned his back on Nagamasa and was about to leave.
2676
2677“Wait...”
2678
2679The one who wanted to continue the conversation was Nagamasa himself.
2680
2681“Does it suit you...? You will not interrogate and torture?”
2682
2683“You don’t know? If so, then there is no need to ask questions.”
2684
2685“I see... Do you understand that I am trying to gain time...?”
2686
2687The suggestion of Nagamasa was partially correct. Tatsuya really assumed that Nagamasa was dragging on time, but he thought that it was useless to arrange an interrogation, because he didn’t know the way in which he could check whether Nagamasa was lying or not. Therefore, the first question about the direction of Minoru's escape was asked only from a whim.
2688
2689Tatsuya didn’t show excessive kindness as a waste of time to respond. He was about to leave this place, leaving Nagamasa sitting there, leaning his back on a tree trunk.
2690
2691“That's not all! I haven't finished yet!”
2692
2693Tatsuya wary. After all, Nagamasa has not yet lost his combat power.
2694
2695Tatsuya looked back, and at the same time a new hole appeared in Nagamasa's body.
2696
2697But the pain of these wounds wasn’t enough to stop Nagamasa. Tatsuya didn’t kill Nagamasa because he was the father of Fujibayashi Kyouko. And because of the difficulties with the subsequent settlement of problems that will arise if the head of the Fujibayashi family, the famous clan of magicians of ancient magic, is killed.
2698
2699But Nagamasa wasn’t such an adversary that you could handle so easily.
2700
2701Usually a person can’t use his right hand if shot in his right shoulder. However, Nagamasa wove both hands together in a kind of symbolic gesture.
2702
2703Seeing this, Tatsuya this time made a hole in the tendon of the left elbow.
2704
2705But this didn’t break the gesture of Nagamasa.
2706
2707On the contrary, he began to change the symbols shown by hand, and at such a speed that was impossible to keep track of with the naked eye.
2708
2709By the time Tatsuya decided to do away with Nagamasa, his equipment was already complete.
2710
2711The “Sekirei Hachijin” barrier covering this area focused with the center being in the form of Tatsuya and Nagamasa.
2712
2713It was already later than 6 pm. Although the days of the season were still long, but the Sea of Trees was shrouded in darkness.
2714
2715And now this darkness has become even more dense and impenetrable.
2716
2717And something in this darkness began to put oppressive pressure on Tatsuya.
2718
2719Tatsuya focused his “sight” on the true form of this pressure pressing on him.
2720
2721Something that looked like a misty haze in the shape of a man pulled his hands towards Tatsuya.
2722
2723“Twins...? Or Astral projection... No, residual thoughts of the dead!?”
2724
2725If we assume that the information received from the Fujibayashi family (from the enemy who is right in front of him now) is true, then the “Sekirei Hachijin” barrier, which is an array of “Kimon Tonkou” installed in fixed positions, uses the same technology, as “Magic Enhancers.” Or, most likely, “Sorcery Boosters” a magical tool, for the manufacture of which some of the technologies used in Sekirei Hachijin were borrowed.
2726
2727The technology of “Sekirei Hachijin” is as follows: while the magician is still alive, his body is transferred to the state of cadaveric wax, leaving only the brain, whose structure crystallizes in the process. On the forehead of the victim magical symbols and drawings are carved. As a result, these magician's remains are transformed into a magic output device that can work for hundreds of years. They are buried underground in several places, and they support the continuous work of the magic “Kimon Tonkou.”
2728
2729A week ago, Tatsuya didn’t know how corpses could support magic.
2730
2731But now, after the experience gained in the battle with the Astral projection of Arcturus, he guessed how.
2732
2733The source of the power to interfere with a phenomenon is the Psion waves. Tatsuya personally watched it in that battle.
2734
2735It is possible that in the magical processing that puts the magician into the condition of cadaveric wax, contains the process of imprisoning a pushionic information body inside these remains. Thus, the magic of the hidden barrier is maintained by periodic discharges of the force interfering with the phenomenon, using the pushions stored in the remains.
2736
2737Mental pressure (which can be rephrased as “pressure by external systemic magic"), acting now on Tatsuya, was undoubtedly caused by Pushion informational bodies, enclosed within human remains, transformed into magic output devices. Tatsuya described them with the phrase “residual thoughts of the dead," but usually these informational bodies are called “ghosts" or “wraiths."
2738
2739On the foreheads of the corpses, transformed into a device called “Sekirei Hachijin", the command “to distort the sense of choice of the path" was cut out. The ghosts were unable to think for themselves, and simply tried to lead Tatsuya astray. If they break through the barrier of Tatsuya's will, he will be forced to wander around the Sea of Trees until the powers of the ghosts are exhausted.
2740
2741“Fujibayashi Nagamasa... committed suicide?"
2742
2743The ghosts' hands also stretched toward Nagamasa. Tatsuya didn’t have the ability to “see” in detail the activity of Pushion information bodies. He could only dimly feel them. However, he realized that Nagamasa's mind had already been captured by these residual thoughts.
2744
2745He isn’t dead.
2746
2747But in such a state, Nagamasa was like a living dead.
2748
2749“If the caster commits suicide, then the magic can’t be undone."
2750
2751“If you continue to push away these residual thoughts, then one day their strength will be exhausted..."
2752
2753“But I can't wait for this!"
2754
2755Tatsuya focused his “sight” on the psionic information that was generated when these “ghosts” (residual thoughts) tried to interfere with him. If Tatsuya hypothesis wasn’t erroneous, then information should be recorded in this world that “something is trying to interfere with Tatsuya''s mind and distort his sense of direction,” as well as information about “Pushion informational bodies trying to interfere with Tatsuya's mind.”
2756
2757Based on these records, he considered the following information: “the structure of the Pushion informational body that exists in this world in such a way that it can interfere with the phenomena that form part of this world called Shiba Tatsuya".
2758
2759“I see."
2760
2761“I see it!"
2762
2763He discovered a foothold that allowed a pushion information body called “ghost” to exist in this world...
2764
2765Destroy it.
2766
2767Activate!
2768
2769“The magic of the decomposition of the structure that supports the Pushion informational body, "Astral dispersion,” activation."
2770
2771... Destruction of the structure of the psionic informational body that helps the spiritual body (the Pushionic informational body) to exist in this world.
2772
2773... Not the destruction of the Pushionic informational body, but its expulsion from this world.
2774
2775White-haired, human-shaped figures surrounding Tatsuya quickly disappeared one after another.
2776
2777After that, Tatsuya immediately realized that supported by the thoughts of the dead, “Sekirei Hachijin" was destroyed.
2778
2779The magic of the decomposition of the structure that supports the Pushion information bodies, “Astral dispersion".
2780
2781It doesn’t seal the spiritual body in this world.
2782
2783It makes it so that the spiritual body can no longer exist in this world.
2784
2785The phrase “can’t exist in this world" means that from the point of view of those who live in this world, it simply disappears.
2786
2787Dies.
2788
2789We can say that this is tantamount to killing by erasure.
2790
2791Tatsuya finally has at his disposal a means to kill spiritual bodies and spiritual life forms.
2792
2793
2794Chapter 12
2795
2796Having coped with the suicidal attack of Fujibayashi Nagamasa with the help of freshly developed magic, Tatsuya set off to leave the Sea of Trees.
2797
2798But he stopped, not even five meters away.
2799
2800The holes that Tatsuya made in Nagamasa with the magic of partial decomposition were tiny, but there were many. The bleeding was significant, and some of the holes also touched important nerves. If he left him like this, he wouldn’t live until morning.
2801
2802In general, he had already decided to erase this opponent, but the circumstances in which he didn’t do it from the very beginning, haven't disappeared. It was an enemy, which was extremely undesirable to kill.
2803
2804However, for the same reason, Tatsuya didn’t want to help him with Restoration. As soon as the wounds disappear, Nagamasa will again interfere with Tatsuya. He was an adversary who, under current circumstances, is difficult to deprive of consciousness, and Tatsuya had no means of deterrence.
2805
2806“Still, have to leave him?"
2807
2808When Tatsuya already wanted to go to the exit again, signs of the presence of another person appeared in front of him.
2809
2810“The supreme shinobi of the school of the Yga clan, the head of the Fujibayashi family defeated? Well, to be able to do something like that is quite natural for someone who belongs to the direct kinship of the Yotsuba family.”
2811
2812Black gloves and black coat, despite the middle of summer. A suspicious man in an obliquely worn black felt hat spoke in a haughty tone without any greeting.
2813
2814“Kuroba-san, how long have you been here?”
2815
2816This man, who suddenly appeared before Tatsuya, was Kuroba Mitsugu, head of the Kuroba family, a side branch of the Yotsuba family.
2817
2818“Just got here. I could only come here because you broke the barrier.”
2819
2820“Kuroba-san, the barrier would not hurt you, even if it functioned.”
2821
2822“I'm not being shy. If this barrier functioned properly, significant workaround methods would be required.”
2823
2824This meant that he still knew a way to overcome the barrier. And that isn’t all. The technique of approaching a short distance so that the enemy doesn’t catch the signs of the use of magic, only the father of Ayako possessed. Tatsuya was delighted with this, but at the same time he couldn’t help but be wary.
2825
2826“Did you come here by the order of Haha-ue?”
2827
2828“No. I came to ask you something.”
2829
2830“You have?”
2831
2832The question that surfaced in Tatsuya head wasn’t “and what did you want to ask?,” But “questions at such and such a time?”
2833
2834However, even if it was necessary to return to the pursuit of Minoru, he couldn’t ignore Mitsugu. For him, this would cause even more inconvenience than killing Nagamasa.
2835
2836Therefore, Tatsuya obediently waited for what Mitsugu would say.
2837
2838“Tatsuya-kun.”
2839
2840Tatsuya slightly rounded his eyes. As if taking off the jester mask, Mitsugu called his name without any hostility or hatred in his voice. Such that Tatsuya heard from him for the first time.
2841
2842“Why do you pursue Kudou Minoru with such zeal?”
2843
2844“Really?” 
2845
2846Such a thought came up in Tatsuya's head. Honestly, for him it wasn’t a very pleasant question. But he answered this question without particularly delving into thinking why this particular question is unpleasant for him.
2847
2848“To bring back Minami.”
2849
2850He had no other reason to pursue Minoru. The fact that Minoru is a Parasite wasn’t a cause for Tatsuya to be hostile to him. While Minoru isn’t yet captured by the general consciousness of the Parasites, and while he has not yet begun to commit acts that violate Miyuki's calm, Tatsuya will only need to return Minami.
2851
2852“Where does such zeal come from for the return of one servant?”
2853
2854Mitsugu reused the word “zeal".
2855
2856“So I look for the rest now?” 
2857
2858Tatsuya thought, looking at the circumstances from the outside.
2859
2860“I don't know.”
2861
2862Tatsuya responded quickly and without a doubt.
2863
2864This was due to the fact that he had already suffered enough doubts.
2865
2866Since Yakumo asked him about the reason why he is trying to save Minami, Tatsuya has been constantly searching for an answer to this question within himself.
2867
2868But he couldn’t find an answer.
2869
2870If a superficial answer were enough, then everything was simple.
2871
2872Because that is what Miyuki wants.
2873
2874And also in order to eliminate the feeling of repentance in Miyuki, who considers herself guilty of the fact that she missed Minoru right from under her nose, allowing him to abduct Minami.
2875
2876But were the reasons really just that? Asking this question, he couldn’t answer it right now.
2877
2878He wasn’t going to compare Minami with the deceased Honami.
2879
2880Minami and Honami are different people.
2881
2882“I know that. I understand that. It is definitely not an attempt to compensate for when I failed to save Honami... I think.”
2883
2884“Then why do I want to return Minami?”
2885
2886“I don’t know.”
2887
2888“... Oh, yes, it is now clear...”
2889
2890Now Tatsuya, even though it is already late, he noticed why he thought that this question was unpleasant to him.
2891
2892This is because he can’t understand his heart.
2893
2894And because he was reminded that he's running around, not understanding what the meaning of this activity is.
2895
2896Tatsuya's actions have always had a goal.
2897
2898The goal has always been clear: for the good of Miyuki.
2899
2900But of his own free will, he wanted to protect Miyuki present and future.
2901
2902But... really?
2903
2904... Is “my own will" my own?
2905
2906... And what if the “Real me" is empty?
2907
2908... And maybe this empty vessel is just filled with the task of “protecting Miyuki”?
2909
2910This suspicion was also the reason why this question was unpleasant for him.
2911
2912“Master Yakumo also asked about it. And since then I have been constantly thinking about it. But I still can’t understand why.”
2913
2914Tatsuya honestly voiced his feelings to Mitsugu. For some reason he thought he should do it now for Miyuki's sake.
2915
2916“... I see.”
2917
2918Mitsugu responded in a tone that read deep understanding.
2919
2920Mitsugu understood that Tatsuya couldn’t understand this. He somehow felt it in Tatsuya.
2921
2922“Up to this point, I have always believed that you have no heart.”
2923
2924Tatsuya really experienced a lack of emotions after interfering with the structure of his mind with the help of a secret technique. But Tatsuya felt that the words of Mitsugu now have a completely different meaning.
2925
2926“But it seems I was wrong.”
2927
2928But the very essence of what Mitsugu said Tatsuya didn’t understand.
2929
2930... A person without a heart has no doubts.
2931
2932To catch these unspoken words of Mitsugu, Tatsuya still lacked life experience.
2933
2934
2935“Tatsuya-kun. I hate you.”
2936
2937Instead of those words that weren’t uttered, Mitsugu suddenly openly expressed his emotions.
2938
2939“I know.”
2940
2941Tatsuya isn’t upset. He really knew it, not bluffing. But he couldn’t say that he fully understood the reason for this hatred.
2942
2943“The thing is in your lifestyle, in which you skip the duties assigned to you and the rules established for all. No, you don’t even skip them, but just knock them down with your own power. For us, people who live by these duties and according to these rules, this way of your life makes you want to say: 'yes, are you mocking us!?.'”
2944
2945“... But I don’t mock you.”
2946
2947“I know. You, who was born with the power of absolute destruction, don’t understand the feelings of weak ordinary people who can’t confront the whole world alone. Similarly, I can’t understand your feelings. Feelings of the owner of the power, capable of bringing the world to its knees, but at the same time thinking about this world.”
2948
2949Tatsuya in confusion didn’t know what to say.
2950
2951
2952“For your sake, I won’t move a finger.”
2953
2954Piercing Tatsuya with a look, Mitsugu took a shallow breath.
2955
2956“... with your finger.”
2957
2958And with disgust in his voice he expressed the conclusion of the phrase.
2959
2960“I see,” Tatsuya didn’t say aloud. It seemed to him that such an answer didn’t correspond to the current situation.
2961
2962“Therefore... Help will be provided, but not with my hands.” 
2963
2964Mitsugu said and raised his left hand to the height of his face.
2965
2966A group of people in black clothes appeared from the shadows of the trees.
2967
2968Only nine people in black came out of the shadows of nine trees.
2969
2970“Leave them to deal with the state of Fujibayashi Nagamasa.”
2971
2972“...Good.”
2973
2974For Tatsuya, this was too unexpected.
2975
2976Not the appearance of people in black. And the fact that Mitsugu himself offered him help, without an order from Maya.
2977
2978“And also Ayako and Fumiya asked to give you something.”
2979
2980“What?”
2981
2982“I want you to tell Tatsuya-san about where Kudou Minoru is running.” 
2983
2984In particular, it was Ayako who was very worried about Sakurai Minami. The Kuroba family is also helping you here because Ayako begged for this.
2985
2986“......”
2987
2988“I don’t know the final destination of Kudou Minoru. But now he is heading for Odawara.”
2989
2990“Thank you very much for this.”
2991
2992“I will give your gratitude to the children.” 
2993
2994Mitsugu said and turned his back to Tatsuya.
2995
2996Tatsuya bowed to Mitsugu's back and ran to Wingless the electric motorcycle left outside the forest.
2997
2998
2999◊ ◊
3000
3001
3002It took 20 minutes after the end of her conversation with Miyuki. Erika arrived on the outskirts of the city of Yamato.
3003
3004During the Third World War, before the US Army had not yet withdrawn its troops deployed around the world, the airport of the American naval base was located here.
3005
3006When America became known as USNA and withdrew troops to its territory, this airport went to the nearby base of the air force of the Japanese national self-defense forces. It wasn’t a shared base, such as the Zama base, located in the metropolitan area. This base was used only by the Japanese air force.
3007
3008But America remained an allied nation for Japan, this has not changed. Even if there were any secret contradictions between them, ordinary civilians didn’t know about it. Therefore, the presence of Americans in this city didn’t seem strange to anyone.
3009
3010“Still, outwardly, these guys were almost indistinguishable from the Japanese...” 
3011
3012Erika muttered with annoyance in her voice as she left the station.
3013
3014It was quite natural to choose agents from personnel in such a way that it would be difficult to distinguish them from the inhabitants of the place where these agents would be sent. If they sent agents to Japan with racial characteristics other than Japanese, they could have paid for underestimating the Japanese.
3015
3016However, these arguments didn’t console Erika.
3017
3018“You can’t go on foot, anywhere can be an ambush...”
3019
3020The realization that, instead of hiding enemies, you need to fear more that any pedestrian can turn into an enemy, greatly depleted mental forces. When the enemy isn’t visible, the nerves aren’t so tense. And when you see someone, but you don’t know if he is an enemy or not, you have to watch your entire field of vision with caution.
3021
3022“In my opinion, we should not worry about it.”
3023
3024With his usual good-natured tone, Leo turned to Erika, who was leading him with his sharp eyes, trying to disperse the tense atmosphere.
3025
3026“We know where the enemy hideout is. It is better to focus on them rather than on thoughts of an ambush, which may not even be there.”
3027
3028Erika turned away with a gloomy and seemingly offended face.
3029
3030“...Erika?”
3031
3032“So, that Leo can say something sensible...? And what if it is now for life?”
3033
3034“Hey!? Am I exhausted of my supply of stupidity!?”
3035
3036Erika pointedly turned away even further after Leo's joke.
3037
3038“Oh shit! How furious!”
3039
3040Leo swore only in his thoughts. He was able to, prudently, not to say it out loud thanks to reflexively activating the “brake” based on his instincts.
3041
3042If he said out loud that he was “enraged,” it would have led to an awkward situation. At the moment, Erika and Leo were alone. Nearby, Mizuki wasn’t there, who would have been their between them, nor was Mikihiko, who was a target for Erika to switch to from Leo.
3043
3044Mikihiko walked Mizuki home. And he stayed there to wait for the police to tell them the details. In general, Erika and Leo also had to stay for the proceedings with the police. But, worried about Honoka, Erika used the connections from the dojo of the Chiba family, and called the police officers who were trained there. She asked them to come to Mizuki's home, while she, along with Leo, went to the place that Miyuki had told her about.
3045
3046“Erika! Let's call a taxi!”
3047
3048Leo turned to Erika filled with despair in his voice. They didn’t have to walk to the place where Honoka was being held. On the contrary, it was better to get there as quickly as possible.
3049
3050Erika, as usual, didn’t answer. Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere was put to an end by the intervention of a third party.
3051
3052“Erika-ojousan!”
3053
3054From a car that braked sharply in front of Leo and Erika, there was a shout from a man who looked like he was 25-35 years old.
3055
3056“Shoji-san?”
3057
3058Seeing the man's face poking out of the front passenger window, Erika slightly turned her eyes.
3059
3060The car was a regular sedan... at least in appearance it was an ordinary commercial model, but this man wore a SMAT assault suit.
3061
3062“Shoji-san, did you join SMAT?”
3063
3064“Yes. I completed the training last month, and starting this month I’ve been in service.”
3065
3066Listening to their conversation from the side, Leo understood the connection between them. This man named Shoji was a student at the Chiba family dojo. It seems that when he heard that Erika would join them, he went to pick them up... more precisely, he was forced to go.
3067
3068“... This person may be a member of the Guard..."
3069
3070Leo couldn't believe it when he first heard about it. In the dojo of the Chiba family, there is a group called “Erika's Guard", honoring Erika as a “Princess General."... It isn’t necessary to explain why she wasn’t just a “princess."
3071
3072The loyalty of these people to Erika might have been even stronger than to her father, the master and the dojo owner. Leo had already managed to see their unity with his own eyes during the “Vampire Incident” last winter. If you look at this Shoji with such thoughts in mind, then in his eyes directed at Erika you could really catch signs of admiration, worship or even deification.
3073
3074“But enough about me, get in quick. The detachment is already prepared for the beginning of the assault.”
3075
3076“I see. Leo, let's go.”
3077
3078The recently annoyed face has already disappeared somewhere. Erika deftly jumped into the disguised patrol car, and called for Leo to follow her.
3079
3080
3081◊ ◊
3082
3083
3084The members of the Horsehead unit, who failed in the abduction of Mizuki, arrived in their hideout just shortly before Erika's group.
3085
3086As a representative of a group of three people sent to kidnap Mizuki, Henry Fu reported to commander Al Wan about the circumstances of the failure of the operation. Other members of the detachment who listened to his report didn’t give a single ridicule of these three.
3087
3088“Commander, maybe we should change the strategy?” 
3089
3090Julia Ma, who kidnapped Honoka, suggested to commander Al after Henry finished the story.
3091
3092“The response rate to the environment of the target far exceeded our expectations.”
3093
3094“Isn't that just a coincidence? If they had previously calculated our actions, they wouldn’t have left Mitsui Honoka alone.”
3095
3096Ellie Chao intervened in the conversation - another woman in the detachment who also participated in the abduction of Honoka.
3097
3098“The very fact that we were prevented should not be neglected. First of all, as far as we found out in advance, Shibata Mizuki was supposed to return from school alone. We didn’t have information that she will receive support.” Julia objected, rejecting Ellie's suggestion.
3099
3100“That could also be a coincidence.”
3101
3102“As Ellie said, this could be a coincidence. But if such a random factor creates difficulties for us, then as Julia said, it would be foolish to ignore it.”
3103
3104Continuing with Ellie counter objection, Al Wan acknowledged the arguments of both. But he didn’t stop there.
3105
3106“The strategy was based on the fact that we will have two hostages. But we could only get one, so change is inevitable, as Julia said.”
3107
3108“But can we lure the target with only one hostage?” 
3109
3110Don Yang asked. Who was one of those who didn’t participate in the abduction operations.
3111
3112“If there is only one hostage, then everything will simply end with her salvation. Because we can’t kill a hostage to forbid targets to resist. One hostage to lure the target, and the second to make the target obedient. We still need at least two hostages.”
3113
3114Frank Wu, the third person in the Honoka kidnapping group, answered Don Yang. And agreement with this opinion, supporting the decision of the detachment commander, was expressed not only by Julia, who from the very beginning was for changing the strategy.
3115
3116“So...? Commander, what exactly are we going to do?”
3117
3118To the question of the Deputy Commander Bart Lee...
3119
3120“Let’s let go of Mitsui Honoka in the form of a booby trap.”
3121
3122... Al Wan replied in a tone in which the question “is it not obvious?" was answered.
3123
3124While the members of the Horsehead squad were discussing how to use Honoka, she herself sat next to them with an expressionless, serene face.
3125
3126Her mind was paralyzed by a narcotic substance mixed with the help of Al Wan's magic. She didn’t sleep, but she wasn’t awake either. It was a kind of intermediate state. Ears perceived voices, but she couldn’t actively think about the information received.
3127
3128Her resistance to brainwashing has been lowered to zero.
3129
3130As such Al Wan began to inspire one thought in Honoka.
3131... Kill Shiba Tatsuya.
3132
3133If you omit the minor details, then this idea was reduced to such a short phrase.
3134
3135Honoka shouldn’t have been able to resist.
3136
3137“...No...”
3138
3139“What?”
3140
3141Honoka could hardly understand the barely perceptible muttering, and not only Al Wan. Also, Bart Lee, Charlie Chan, and all the other members of the squad present here (except for Gabe Shuuya and Iggy Ho, who stood guard outside) sent doubtful glances to Honoka.
3142
3143“I can’t... kill... I resist you...”
3144
3145“Julia, give her some more of the drug.”
3146
3147Not surprised by the presence of resistance, which shouldn't have been, Al Wan immediately gave the order in a completely cold-blooded tone.
3148
3149Further administration of this drug threatened to result in irreversible effects and side effects. But no one objected to such a cruel and unfeeling order. Also, no one showed indecision in their actions. Julia Ma took a dose of the substance in the syringe and headed towards Honoka.
3150
3151But before she managed to make the injection, Honoka showed such a violent reaction, which in principle shouldn’t be possible for a person under the influence of this narcotic substance.
3152
3153She suddenly opened her eyes wide …
3154
3155“NO! I won’t let you touch Tatsuya-san!”
3156
3157... and screamed at the top of her lungs, hurting her throat in the process.
3158
3159
3160
3161This was probably due to a sense of devotion — the blood heritage of the Elements.
3162
3163Or was it a miracle caused by feelings of love?
3164
3165The room in which Honoka was kept flooded with bright light.
3166
3167The field of view of the members of the The Horsehead detachment filled with light of randomly changing colors.
3168
3169This light didn’t have a destructive effect on human bodies.
3170
3171It also didn’t have the act of suggestion, or the effect of deprivation of consciousness.
3172
3173It simply made it impossible to see anything with ordinary eyes, since the violent flicker completely covered their whole view.
3174
3175“Everyone leave this room!”
3176
3177They chose an abandoned one-story building, as their hideout, which was used as a branch office of a company a couple of years ago. All eight members of the Horsehead squad ran out of this meeting room and moved to the adjacent office space. The last one who left the meeting room was Bart Lee who closed the door behind him to isolate the light.
3178
3179Soon after, Iggy Ho, who was standing guard, ran into the office with an assault rifle in his hands. They came to Japan without weapons. Looks like he took it from the enemy who attacked him.
3180
3181“Enemies, a lot of them!”
3182
3183Iggy's stomach was bloody. At a glance. all those present realized that it was a gunshot wound, moreover, a fatal wound. They didn’t hear the sound of any gunshots, probably because the enemies used high-grade silencers.
3184
3185Only one battle group could use such equipment.
3186
3187And that wasn’t the police.
3188
3189This was the army.
3190
3191There was an explosion outside.
3192
3193It was the sound of a bomb exploded by each of them to destroy evidence. After the penetration of an illegal MAP into a foreign country, the manufacture of such a bomb is always the top priority.
3194
3195By the sound of this explosion, everyone understood that Gabe Shuuya had made himself self-explode, so that information from his brain would not fall into the hands of the enemy.
3196
3197“Leave! Iggy, you know what you have to do.”
3198
3199Al Wan ordered the seven members of the squad to flee, after which Iggy Ho looked into his eyes and reminded him of what he himself knew.
3200
3201Iggy pulled a bomb out of his pocket that fit in his palm, and shoved it into his mouth and smiled.
3202
3203Al Wan didn’t take away the kidnapped Honoka as a hostage. Instead, he took an assault rifle from Iggy's hands and ran into an underground tunnel used for cargo delivery.
3204
3205At the very same moment, when the door to the office was knocked out by a kick, Iggy Ho pressed the detonation button of the bomb he had prepared to blow-up his head.
3206
3207
3208◊ ◊
3209
3210
3211Sitting in a camouflaged patrol car, Erika heard the low sound of an explosion coming from the front.
3212
3213She turned to Leo sitting next to her.
3214
3215Leo also turned to face Erika.
3216
3217Having exchanged glances, they confirmed that this sound wasn’t in their heads.
3218
3219“What happened over there?” 
3220In a tense voice, Erika asked Shoji, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.
3221
3222“It seems that some other organization has rushed into the asylum seekers instead of us.”
3223
3224Shoji also couldn’t hide his tension.
3225
3226“Other organization? That is, not the police?”
3227
3228“The probability that this is the public safety department isn’t zero, but...”
3229
3230“Army.”
3231
3232“Probably.”
3233
3234Shoji immediately agreed with Erika's hunch, that was said in a statement.
3235
3236After that, there was no other talk in the car.
3237
3238A camouflaged police car stopped in front of a living wall of SMAT in assault suits.
3239
3240And in front of this wall in the battle formation were soldiers of the self-defense forces with assault rifles. Dual rifles were sent not to SMAT, but to the sky.
3241
3242The ranks of the soldiers parted. From the resulting opening came two young women. One of them was in the form of a high school girl.
3243
3244“Honoka!”
3245
3246Having identified her abducted friend out of the girls, Erika rushed to her. Leo followed her.
3247
3248“Honoka, what happened!? Do you recognize me?”
3249
3250Honoka merely looked at Erika with a clouded, absent look.
3251
3252At the sight of her unnatural behavior, Erika's face turned pale.
3253
3254“She has only a temporary paralysis of mental functions caused by a narcotic substance. According to the examination, this drug won’t leave irreversible effects or side effects. So everything will be fine with her.”
3255
3256To reassure Erika, this was the explanation given by a smiling female soldier who accompanied Honoka.
3257
3258Both Erika and Leo recognized the face of this female officer.
3259
3260“That's you from that time in Izu!”
3261
3262After this cry of Leo, Toyama Tsukasa smiled even wider.
3263
3264“Why did you save Mitsui...?”
3265
3266Toyama Tsukasa's real name is Tooyama Tsukasa. She is the daughter of the head of the Tooyama family of the Twenty-Eight Families. Title - foreman. The duty station is the intelligence department of the national self-defense forces.
3267
3268In May of this year, she led a detachment planning an attack on Tatsuya, secluded in a villa in Izu.
3269
3270Erika and Leo, with the support of Mikihiko and Honoka, stopped them. At that time, the two also fought with Toyama Tsukasa personally. That's why they knew her by sight.
3271
3272They interfered with the work of the intelligence department and even gave her a personal hard experience of defeat, so she should have had some thoughts on this. However, Tsukasa's smile didn’t feel any negative emotions at all.
3273
3274“I am in the counterintelligence unit. Our main task is to prevent foreign intelligence activities and sabotage.”
3275
3276“... So, you don’t bring your personal feelings to work?”
3277
3278Erika asked in a tone that voiced her suspicion that there is something wrong. Leo didn’t see any lies in Tsukasa's smile, but Erika was apparently able to, because she was also a woman.
3279
3280“In truth, I had personal motives. My boss ordered me to restore our honor after failing in Izu. But at the same time we didn’t know who we were saving.”
3281
3282“... Oh, I see...”
3283
3284When such details were revealed, Erika's drive was reduced to nothing. She didn’t want to save Honoka with her own hands. Also, after the recent battle, I didn’t really want to fight again. In any case, Honoka was saved. And, at first glance, there was nothing to complain about.
3285
3286“... does Honoka need medical attention?”
3287
3288For starters, she decided to ask this.
3289
3290“No. After 3-4 hours, the effect of the drug will pass by itself.”
3291
3292“For now, I will believe her words and wait for 4 hours. If Honoka doesn’t recover during this time, then you can show her to the doctor," thought Erika.
3293
3294After making sure that Honoka was safe, Erika was finally able to look around. Seeing that the soldiers of the rescue squad were carrying the corpses of their comrades-in-arms, she frowned.
3295
3296“You have some pretty big losses...” Leo muttered. He looked at the dead soldiers with about the same expression as that of Erika.
3297
3298“Indeed...” 
3299
3300Tsukasa replied with a humble expression, although Leo's words weren’t a question, but a statement. 
3301
3302“We were confronted by only two. And despite this, our casualties are four people killed and even more wounded. Although all were covered with shields. I even lost a little confidence.
3303
3304“You are from the Eighteen Substitute Families? Besides, an expert on shield magic? Were they such strong opponents?”
3305
3306After the incident in Izu, Miyuki told Erika and the others about Toyama Tsukasa's true identity, and scolded them for “getting in their way.” But, even if Miyuki didn't tell them about it, they could roughly estimate the power of the individual Tsukasa's shields when they saw them in battle against her.
3307
3308At that time, Erika and the others neutralized the Tsukasa led unit through a surprise attack that took advantage of the woodland. If you look only at the results, it was an easy victory, but Erika thought that it would not have been so easy if it happened in an open area.
3309
3310Although there were also obstacles to the view in the form of the walls of the building, but compared to the forest, there was less room for maneuver. Moreover, if we talk about a surprise attack... in this case, the side conducting the surprise attack should have been exactly the forces of self-defense. It seemed to Erika that with only two people on the defense side, the four victims of the attackers were too many.
3311
3312“I assumed they would be strong, but it seems I was naive. As expected from the Illegal MAP... Rumors about their notoriety turned out to be not idle chatter.”
3313
3314“Illegal MAP? So this is the name of the team these guys are called?”
3315
3316“American illegal sabotage detachment consisting of magicians. It is believed that by killing some important people from the NSU army, these guys provoked a serious local conflict between USNA and NSU. I also heard that this incident was considered by a tribunal of the American army, and they were finally disposed of.
3317
3318“Dangerous, these guys...”
3319
3320“Yes, you're right.” 
3321
3322Tsukasa responded to the mumble of Leo.
3323
3324“You seem to be fighting with them too. You are lucky that you were able to do it without victims. They probably retreated because they didn’t want to stand out much. After all, it could hinder the achievement of their real purpose.”
3325
3326“Their real goal?”
3327
3328“The murder of Shiba Tatsuya.”
3329
3330Tsukasa immediately answered Erika's question.
3331
3332From what she heard Erika was confused even more.
3333
3334“The Horsehead squad... ah, yes, this is the name of one of the Illegal MAP units sent to our country... So, they certainly didn’t want Shiba-san to know what they are capable of, right? If they had shown their full strength, they couldn’t have even lured him with a hostage.”
3335
3336“So they kidnapped Mitsui and tried to kidnap Shibata in order to lure Tatsuya off with them?”
3337
3338“We believe that it was so.” 
3339
3340Without pretending, Tsukasa answered Leo's question. 
3341
3342“I know your abilities, but I don’t think that everything would have ended for you without injury if you were faced with a serious Illegal MAP.” 
3343
3344So leave the pursuit to us. Also, I would like to ask you to also withdraw SMAT.
3345
3346It seems that Tsukasa answered the questions of Erika and Leo, in order to finally say this.
3347
3348“Then, all the best. We are advancing in pursuit of the remaining saboteurs.” 
3349
3350Tsukasa said, who saluted (today Tsukasa was in combat gear and in a helmet, and apparently it was no different from other male soldiers), turned back to Erika and Leo, and went to her comrades.
3351
3352Watching the army convertible cars leaving this place, Erika spoke to Shoji, who had just come up.
3353
3354“Though the army said it, but what will SMAT do?”
3355
3356“Regardless of who the adversary is, any crimes within the country are under the jurisdiction of the police. Even if the army says that we withdraw our forces, we won’t obediently sit idly by.”
3357
3358Shoji's lips rose at the corners, showing boldness and arrogance inherent in people from the Chiba family dojo.
3359
3360“Erika-ojousan, could you escort the victim home? And tell the details tomorrow.”
3361
3362“...Okay.”
3363
3364Erika didn’t persist. She came here to help Honoka, and wasn’t particularly interested in arresting terrorists. The desire to do this, though present, was weak.
3365
3366She was a little concerned that the target of the enemy was the murder of Tatsuya. But, they are unlikely to succeed with his murder. Erika was sure of this, without even listing all the rationales proving it.
3367
3368Erika decided to follow Shoji's request and escort Honoka home. At the same time, she politely refused the offer of the detachment commander to provide them with escort from the personnel. Instead, she reluctantly took Leo to accompany her. They sat in the Cabinet transportation system which was still unable to move independently along with Honoka, and went to her house.
3369
3370
3371◊ ◊
3372
3373
3374Arriving at Odawara, Minoru got out of the car at the station. Minami went after him.
3375
3376The faces of both, of course, were changed, but not by Parade. It was a disguise, using makeup props, prepared by Zhou Gongjin in his hideout. The “Parade” at the moment was focused on concealing only their location.
3377
3378In the car, the androids received from Kudou Makoto, in which Parade attached individual information about Minoru and Minami remained. Turning the autopilot on, Minoru sent the car further east along the coast. The car was set to self-destruct when it reached the city of Zushi, but Minoru thought it would be discovered and caught up to much earlier.
3379
3380Minoru's and Minami's destination was Yokosuka. That is, their route and direction of travel coincided with the car that was left. From the point of view of common sense, in order to break away from the pursuit, you need to go in a completely different direction. However, in the current case, the coincidence of courses made sense.
3381
3382“Kaso Tonkou”... I hope it works as it should...”
3383
3384Deciding that in order to hide from Tatsuya's sight, magic is needed that combines the effects of “Parade" and “Kimon Tonkou", he hastily literally blinded the magic of “Kaso Tonkou" in a hurry. He himself understood that it was a hastily made, temporary spell. Although being limited in time, Minoru used all his strength and invented this magic. Therefore, even now he had a slightly inflated sense of conceit, although it wasn’t easy to see at a glance.
3385
3386Does Kaso Tonkou count as a cheat? You won't know until you run away. The car has already started, leaving Minoru and Minami behind. The plan he developed to ensure a successful escape has already started being carried out.
3387
3388The die is cast.
3389
3390It's too late to doubt anything.
3391
3392All that's left is only to act.
3393
3394Minoru and Minami got into an individual Cabinet. The destination of the “military port of Yokosuka" was chosen.
3395
3396
3397◊ ◊
3398
3399
3400When Tatsuya remained quite a bit before Odawara, he saw how Minami's Eidos split in two.
3401
3402“What does it mean?"
3403
3404If it weren’t a highway, Tatsuya would have stopped the bike on the side of the road. Instead, he switched the motorcycle to semi-automatic mode, and began to reflect on this mysterious phenomenon.
3405
3406“The coordinates, as before, can’t be determined."
3407
3408“The specific point is unknown, but at least the area where the target may be is known."
3409
3410“But now. even the vague location data split in two and set in motion?"
3411
3412Tatsuya felt that this wasn’t from “Parade,” or “Kimon Tonkou.”
3413
3414This phenomenon had features of both of these magics at once. Tatsuya had the impression that this wasn’t the use of two magics at the same time, but a kind of merging of “Parade” and “Kimon Tonkou.”
3415
3416“Did Minoru create a new magic?"
3417
3418If this is true, then it means that in such a short time Minoru surpassed what Kudou Retsu had been creating for decades.
3419
3420Also, it can’t be said that it is completely impossible. Because none other than Tatsuya himself in less than a week approached the completion of the “Astral Dispersion” magic.
3421
3422“No, it’s not important now."
3423
3424In this situation, the problem wasn’t the speed with which the magic used was developed. Tatsuya reproached himself, his thoughts were going in the wrong direction.
3425
3426“Which of them is Minami's Eidos... that is, Minami herself?"
3427
3428In the end, this is the only thing that really needs to be figured out.
3429
3430Tatsuya completely left control of the equipment to autopilot, and sent his consciousness to the information dimension.
3431
3432“The first one moves along the road along the coastline."
3433
3434“And the other... on the same road? No, on the line of intercity public transport...?"
3435
3436Tatsuya's “sight" couldn’t see what was hidden under the disguise. Due to the same direction of movement, the areas of possible location overlapped, erasing the differences between the two Eidos.
3437
3438“... For starters, I'll get to the place where they separated."
3439
3440The “disguise" showing the current location of Minami was divided near the Odawara station. Tatsuya switched control back to manual, and drove to Odawara Station.
3441
3442
3443◊ ◊
3444
3445
3446The most important rule for the members of the Illegal MAP squad, in carrying out the tasks assigned to them, was “by no means to fall into the hands of the local authorities.” It was necessary to hide the fact that they were committing crimes and terrorist acts on instructions received from the USNA government.
3447
3448Even if they didn’t have with them any property indicating a connection with America, they could be forced to admit if they were caught alive. But, even if they aren’t recognized, the information can be obtained by pulling it out of their brain. A certain amount of information can be read even from the brain of a corpse, so if it came to suicide, then they should blow up their brain.
3449
3450Gabe Shuuya and Iggy Ho, taken aback by a sudden attack by counterintelligence units led by Toyama Tsukasa, blew their heads off with small explosive devices made especially for suicide. But, such a self-explosion is the last resort. To avoid this, it was important to plan an escape route.
3451
3452In addition to Gabe and Iggy, the remaining eight members of the Horsehead unit slipped away from the raids of the army intelligence department, using an underground tunnel designed for transporting cargo. But, they still couldn’t breathe a sigh of relief. Squad Leader Al Wan knew that they were being pursued by at least two separate teams. The operation failed, but now it was more important to shake off the chase.
3453
3454They advanced down the underground tunnel about one kilometer in less than one minute. They used magic to get around, so there was also a chance that they were spotted. Without waiting for an order from the commander, the surviving members of the Horsehead squad one by one began to enter the helicopter.
3455
3456
3457The helicopter, which they looked at in case they needed to escape, belonged to some news service. In truth, this place was on the territory of a branch of a large newspaper company. However, there was no secret collusion between this company and Illegal MAP.
3458
3459A preliminary inspection showed that the helicopter located here is extremely inefficient. They had to rely on such an escape route. After all, “efficiency is extremely low" doesn’t mean that it “doesn’t work at all."
3460
3461There was also no guarantee that the helicopter would be present here. If they were unlucky and the helicopter was currently in flight, then they planned to hijack another vehicle. So if you look at the circumstances from the point of view of luck, then to some extent it was “not so bad."
3462
3463Bart Lee, who had sat down in the pilot seat, immediately began the take-off procedure. Al Wan pulled a mobile terminal from the waist bag, specialized in communication functions, designed to intercept military and police radio communications.
3464
3465Putting the speaker to the left ear, he first tuned to the frequency of the police radio, as it was easier to decipher. However, before he could hear the police talks, the incoming message signal came on at the terminal.
3466
3467The sender of the message, shown on the display of the compact terminal, was "USNA fleet". From such an unexpected message, Al Wan frowned, but still pulled multi-functional smart glasses from his breast pocket and put them on his head. By clicking on the smart glasses icon on the communication terminal, he paired these devices, and a message appeared before his eyes.
3468
3469When Al Wan ran his eyes over the plain text message without any pictures, his eyes widened under his smart glasses.
3470
3471“Who are you!?”
3472
3473Through the microphone, the question Al Wan asked the communication terminal, automatically converted it to text and was sent to the other side.
3474
3475The answer came immediately.
3476
3477“Seven Sages? Why do Seven Sages provide us with information about Shiba Tatsuya?”
3478
3479All of Al Wan's subordinates heard his voice and turned around. Even some isolated members of the Illegal MAP in prison were aware of the "Seven Sages" as an influential force.
3480
3481“...OK I understand. This time I will believe you.”
3482
3483Al Wan unceremoniously turned off the receiver, and without removing his smart glasses, turned toward the pilot seat.
3484
3485“Bart, fly to the freeway leading west from Kamakura to Odawara.” 
3486
3487Shiba Tatsuya has been seen riding on this road.
3488
3489“Understood.”
3490
3491Without saying anything extra, Bart set up a new route in the flight navigator.
3492
3493“Commander, what kind of group is Seven Sages?” 
3494
3495Ellie Chao, seated on the right of Al Wan, asked in an inward tone.
3496
3497“The mission entrusted to the Horse Head is the murder of Shiba Tatsuya. You don’t have to worry about other things.”
3498
3499Al Wan answered Ellie, having read aloud the message he received earlier as a reply.
3500
3501“Though it gets on my nerves, the Seven Sages are right. In our case, the reliability of the source of information should be ignored.”
3502
3503“And what will we do if it's a trap?”
3504
3505The helicopter had already begun to rise, and Ellie Chao was still appealing with questions.
3506
3507“Then we will break through.”
3508
3509Al Wan told her in an orderly tone.
3510
3511
3512Chapter 13
3513
3514Tatsuya arrived at Odawara Station about 10 minutes after Minoru and Minami got to the station and on to the Cabinet, heading for Yokosuka.
3515
3516The clock was 18:00, Friday. The station had a lot of arriving and departing passengers, so it was difficult to find a psion track here.
3517
3518Also, the Eidos, shown by “Elemental Sight,” was still divided in two. Even if we walk back through the time stream before the separation, two different ways of Eidos were observed: in one of them two people got out of the car and got into the Cabinet, while in the other the two stayed in the car and drove further east. Unfortunately, Tatsuya couldn’t distinguish which Eidos was real and which was fake.
3519
3520“The only thing that is known for sure is that both are heading east.”
3521
3522Both parts of the information about Minami divided into two, moving in the same direction. If you choose which of them to pursue, then the fastest route was to go along the highway that runs along the coastline. That is, on the route the car in which Minoru and Minami drove in from the very beginning.
3523
3524“... I don’t like it, but nothing can be done about it.”
3525
3526He had a feeling that he was doing exactly what Minoru had planned, but he had no other choice. Tatsuya drove the motorcycle to the entrance of the highway.
3527
3528
3529◊ ◊
3530
3531
3532Having successfully completed the manipulation of the Horsehead unit, the “Seven Sages”... in other words, Raymond Clark began working on the following “secret report." For him, since becoming a Parasite, which was considered a useless addition by the Stars, it was a chance to show what he can do. Raymond's face had intensified.
3533
3534The next recipient for his information was the Japanese police. And it wasn’t the SMAT squad chasing the Horsehead. It was one of the police stations of the regional police, which even now is still sometimes called the “Prefecture Police.” More specifically, it was the Odawara police station.
3535
3536He looked at the text he had just typed on the keyboard, and grinned. For real-time communication, Raymond used voice input, but he preferred to type the first message he sent with the keyboard. From this message it seemed to him more like a “secret report,” which was very important for Raymond's so called “hobby.”
3537
3538“A terrorist on an electric motorcycle was spotted in the vicinity of Odawara station. There is a fear that he might arrange a battle because of internal differences among terrorists. He is supposed to head for Kamakura."
3539
3540“Isn't it too arduous...?” 
3541
3542Muttered Raymond, looking at the written text in Japanese.
3543
3544“Ok, sending. Anyway, it won’t give us much extra time.”
3545
3546And right after that, to dispel his doubts, he pressed the submit button.
3547
3548“So... Tatsuya, will you fight the police from your own country?”
3549
3550There was a smile on Raymond's face. But it was a smile not from a villain, but that of a mischievous child.
3551
3552
3553◊ ◊
3554
3555
3556There was a suspicious message that made a fuss at the Odawara police station.
3557
3558The email stated that a terrorist had entered Odawara.
3559
3560After reading the message, the police first laughed at it, taking it as a stupid joke.
3561
3562But just in case, they decided to watch the live broadcast from the cameras next to the Odawara station (unlike with a recorded one, it was easier to watch live video). They managed to find the same motorcycle and rider, which was described in the message. As a result, more than half of the police officers were in favor of taking action.
3563
3564By itself, a black motorcycle with a fairing (an external motorcycle part which is used to increase streamlining & reduce drag) wasn’t uncommon. The same can be said about the black riding suit. However, the combination of a black motorcycle and a black rider for some reason seemed suspicious to them.
3565
3566“Chief. I found out the owner of the bike.”
3567
3568The officer who checked the license plate reported on the intercom. Quickly finding out the owner meant that at least the license plate wasn’t a fake.
3569
3570“It is registered to a legal entity in Tokyo. The name of the office is Hanabishi Motorsport.”
3571
3572“Who is their representative?”
3573
3574“The registered name is Hanabishi Hyougo. It seems that this is a small auto repair shop of an individual entrepreneur.”
3575
3576“I see. Thanks.”
3577
3578In addition to the heads of the criminal investigation and traffic control departments, front-line officers also gathered in front of the chief.
3579
3580“What do you think?”
3581
3582“No violations have been observed. At the moment we have no reason to stop it for verification.”
3583
3584The chief of the traffic department answered the question of the chief. After him continued the commander of the detachment of operatives.
3585
3586“Let's take the police armored cars and follow him? If there really is an exchange of fire between terrorists, then ordinary patrol cars and motorcycles won’t be able to protect officers from danger.”
3587
3588After the end of the Third World War, the armored cars of the Japanese detachment of special-purpose operatives were special armored vehicles of their own (Japanese) production, converted for police business.
3589
3590“You're right.”
3591
3592The chief agreed and ordered the assignment of a special purpose unit.
3593
3594
3595◊ ◊
3596
3597
3598“Target detected!”
3599
3600Charlie Chan, who had stuck his head out of the helicopter, using special magic to replace binoculars and a night vision device, stuck his head back into the helicopter and shouted it.
3601
3602Al Wan, sitting on the opposite side, slightly pushed the door open, stuck the upper half of his body out, and prepared to shoot the assault rifle that he took from self-defense forces in their earlier encounter .
3603
3604“Bart, take us down lower and get closer!” 
3605
3606Al Wan ordered, shouting over the wind.
3607
3608The machine gun was taken during battle, so there were no extra magazines. This machine gun wasn’t the only means of attack, but from the point of view of preventing the enemy's counterattack, it was more reliable.
3609
3610“Understood!” 
3611
3612Bart Lee shouted just as loudly, and directed the helicopter into a decline.
3613
3614Al Wan caught sight of a black-clad motorcyclist.
3615
3616
3617◊ ◊
3618
3619
3620About 10 minutes after departure from Odawara Station, when Tatsuya had already traveled about 20 kilometers, he heard the sound of an approaching helicopter in the east.
3621
3622Intuitively feeling the gaze that was clearly directed at him, he directed “Elemental Sight” in that direction.
3623
3624It was a news company helicopter whose course ran through Kamakura from the border between the cities of Yamato and Ayase. And on board were combat magicians...
3625
3626He read this information at about the same time as the machine gun fired at him.
3627
3628Tatsuya sank beneath the hood, lifted the front wheel high and aimed the motorcycle at the approaching helicopter.
3629
3630There were no firing sounds. Obviously, a high-end silencer was used.
3631
3632Released from the assault rifle, small-caliber bullets flew in different directions, hitting the fairing of “Wingless” the electric motorcycle. Fortunately, there were no other vehicles within reach of the bullets that ricocheted.
3633
3634At this rate, Wingless would inevitably fall, as it was in an unstable position with the wheel pulled up, so Tatsuya's magic lifted him into the air.
3635
3636The next shot flew under the motorcycle and hit the road, breaking through the road's surface.
3637
3638Continuing to gain altitude with “Wingless," Tatsuya hit the helicopter with both wheels.
3639
3640A dent was formed on the wall of the helicopter, and was strongly shaken.
3641
3642The stolen helicopter began to fall rapidly, but managed to level out just before the collision with the ground. Then began to take off again.
3643
3644Before he was attacked by a squad of assassins sitting inside the helicopter, consisting of combat magicians, Tatsuya activated magic, while flying away from them with all his might.
3645
3646The helicopter turned into a giant fireball.
3647
3648The wreckage didn’t scatter like an explosion.
3649
3650Because the helicopter was turned into dust by “Mist dispersion" - the decomposition magic of Tatsuya.
3651
3652The fireball was formed because the flammable substances present in the helicopter's hull caught fire, and the other combustible substances were set on fire by a chain reaction. In this case, the combustion process was relatively slow. Consequently, such a fireball gave a very weak blast wave, and thanks to the height at which the combustion occurred, the road wasn’t damaged at all.
3653
3654However, for surrounding people such a fireball in the cloudy sky close to sunset was quite a shocking sight. It wasn’t yet 7 pm. Not only 7 pm, but 7 pm on a weekday. On this highway at that time a lot of cars were moving in both directions.
3655
3656Because of the very first shooting, the flow of cars has already stopped, and panic started from the sudden fireball among the drivers.
3657
3658People abandoned their cars and ran along this suspended road. But precisely because of this there are almost no people left.
3659
3660Tatsuya's flying motorcycle landed on the road.
3661
3662Eight human silhouettes flew out of the fireball.
3663
3664Four of them were burned corpses, and four more were magicians who survived the flames.
3665
3666Tatsuya stopped Wingless and jumped off the seat. His opponents could have had other means of attack by long distance. Instead of taking the risk, and continuing to ride a motorcycle, substituting the opponent, he decided to finish them off right now, even though it would take some time.
3667
3668All four magicians had the appearance of 35 to 45 years old.
3669
3670Three men, and one woman.
3671
3672Tatsuya didn’t read their personal qualities recorded in their Eidos.
3673
3674He read only the information about the sequences of magic that these magicians tried to build, as well as information about the structure of the bodies of these four.
3675
3676He didn’t use the built-in CAD suit with full mental control, but pulled out a specialized pistol-shaped CAD from his belt holster and directed it at the magician holding an assault rifle in his hands.
3677
3678All four magicians began preparing for the activation of magic.
3679
3680Ignoring this, Tatsuya pulled the trigger of his CAD.
3681
3682His favorite CAD “Trident" launched the activation sequence of his three-step decomposition magic “Trident".
3683
3684The reading and then construction of the magic sequence was performed instantly.
3685
3686The time spent was approximately equal to the time of work of the CAD itself.
3687
3688Tatsuya simultaneously activated four three-step decomposition magics.
3689
36904 x 3 magical processes were performed simultaneously.
3691
3692Four combat magicians...
3693
3694Their external and internal data fortification interfering with the phenomenon was scattered...
3695
3696The data reinforcement armor protecting the physical body was broken...
3697
3698And the bodies themselves were decomposed to the level of chemical elements.
3699
3700Small flames lit and immediately disappeared.
3701
3702This effect arose from the ignition of flammable substances present in the composition of the human body.
3703
3704This phenomenon, which looks like the “burning of the human body", was actually “erasing the human body."
3705
3706Three-step decomposition magic, “Trident".
3707
3708Three men, and one woman.
3709
3710For Tatsuya's magic... that is, for Tatsuya himself there was no difference between men and women.
3711
3712The four magicians surviving fire instantly disappeared from being, while the other four ended their lives in the form of burnt corpses.
3713
3714Only two members of the Horsehead of the American Illegal MAP squad caused heavy damage to the counterintelligence army unit. Eight of these soldiers didn’t last three minutes against Tatsuya by himself.
3715
3716In less than three minutes, they were completely destroyed by Tatsuya.
3717
3718
3719From the west, under the howl of sirens, an armored car approached. It was a special transport detachment of special-purpose operatives, which advanced by pushing the cars out of the way left by panicked people.
3720
3721Another was followed by the second one.
3722
3723Tatsuya returned the CAD to his holster, and ran to his motorcycle.
3724
3725He started the engine, and the motorcycle instantly sped up.
3726
3727Under current circumstances, Tatsuya couldn’t waste time talking to the police. Fearing consequences in the distant future, he also couldn’t afford to decompose the police cars with magic. The license plate of this motorcycle was duly registered with law enforcement. The registration data also contained information that could in one way or another indirectly lead to Tatsuya.
3728
3729With the power of thought, he activated the CAD built into the suit.
3730
3731Having activated the magic of “Decomposition", he released it in front of him.
3732
3733Surveillance cameras installed on the highway, as well as on the public road 800 meters ahead, were disconnected from the wires, and they ceased to function.
3734
3735He then activated the magic of flight.
3736
3737Tatsuya jumped with his motorcycle and descended onto the public road, which runs under a hinged highway.
3738
3739Then he clicked one of the switches located on the console, fixed in the middle of the steering wheel.
3740
3741The appearance of the motorcycle changed.
3742
3743The color of the fairing has changed from black to dark blue. The inscription on the license plate was rewritten to another.
3744
3745The traffic on this detour has decreased after the construction of the high-speed overhead highway, but even now here on the highway there were calmly traveling cars that Tatsuya deftly drove around. He sped up the bike and headed further east.
3746
3747After a while, he returned to the highway and continued the pursuit.
3748
3749
3750◊ ◊
3751
3752
3753An individual Cabinet has arrived in Yokosuka. Minoru, who walked onto the platform, barely contained his desire to check the current location of Tatsuya.
3754
3755If he directs Elemental Sight at Tatsuya from here, then Kaso Tonkou will be destroyed with a high probability. The escape isn’t over yet. Don’t be distracted until the very end.
3756
3757Minami came out of the Cabinet. Her lowered gaze rose and headed north, then sank back into the floor. Her attention wasn’t directed towards Tatsuya who was pursuing them. In the direction Minami looked, the city of Tofu was located, and there Miyuki should have already returned home to the apartment in her high-rise building.
3758
3759Minoru felt it was better not to ask what Minami was thinking. It was so obvious that she remained attached to her former life when she spent day after day with Tatsuya and Miyuki.
3760
3761... Can I just go and take her away like that?
3762
3763Such doubts developed in Minoru.
3764
3765... Isn't it too late for me to think about this?
3766
3767He mentally ridiculed himself. However, he couldn’t help thinking about it.
3768
3769Minami didn’t need to escape from Japan.
3770
3771There is no guarantee that the USNA Army will treat Minami politely.
3772
3773If she leaves Japan, only Minoru will remain her only friend.
3774
3775The USNA Army may try to take Minami hostage to control Minoru.
3776
3777And then they can even try to use him to kill Tatsuya.
3778
3779Minoru could do nothing with the idea that it would be better for Minami if he ignored his feelings and they parted here.
3780
3781“Minami-san...”
3782
3783“Yes?”
3784
3785Minami responded to Minoru's voice, without raising her head and not meeting his eyes.
3786
3787... are you staying here?
3788
3789... Let's say goodbye here.
3790
3791He was close to saying one of these phrases.
3792
3793“... Let's go?”
3794
3795But in the end he didn’t offer to leave.
3796
3797The word he uttered meant a request to go with him.
3798
3799“...Yes.”
3800
3801Minami agreed.
3802
3803Minoru went, and Minami followed him, keeping some distance.
3804
3805...Everything is good.
3806
3807... because she agreed.
3808
3809Minoru convinced himself with such thoughts.
3810
3811And he once again vowed to himself that he would surely protect Minami.
3812
3813Minoru led Minami who was behind him, and they headed to the Yokosuka military port.
3814
3815◊ ◊
3816
3817
3818After the battle with the Horsehead detachment took about 15 minutes, and he had already drove into Kamakura, Tatsuya saw the car he pursued with the naked eye.
3819
3820It happened 10 minutes later than Tatsuya expected. The time he loss due to the descent from the highway in order to shake off the police cars pursuing him took longer than he spent repelling the attack of the Horsehead detachment.
3821
3822“Something is wrong here..."
3823
3824Now that he wasn’t only observing the goal through the information dimension, but also saw her physically, he could clearly feel the discrepancy that wasn’t visible from Odawara.
3825
3826Minoru and Minami, who were riding in this car, didn’t have a temporary depth. They had only about one and a half hours of history. In other words, these were copies made about an hour and a half ago.
3827
3828“I see... If the twin was made in the last 24 hours, then you can determine that it is a twin, if you go back through the history of Eidos?"
3829
3830With the self-reproducing thought of “thinking too late,” Tatsuya retained this discovery in his memory.
3831
3832But he could have made this discovery around Lake Saiko, when he caught up with Kudou Soshi, playing the role of bait. However, there was no point in punishing himself for what had already happened.
3833
3834This time he was beautifully deceived. It was necessary to remember this in order to not run into this problem again.
3835
3836
3837But this time, Tatsuya didn’t stop pursuing the car like he did with Soshi, because he decided to try to extract information about the real object from the copied Eidos. And in order to read information more reliably, he had to stop the car and touch the “someone or something” to which the copy of Eidos was attached.
3838
3839Stopping the car in a rude way, like removing the wheels or destroying the engine, could cause an accident, so this method was undesirable. It would have been better if the vehicle's security system had issued a stop command due to a malfunction that would not lead to an accident.
3840
3841Considering the options of what can be broken, Tatsuya decided to disconnect the wires of the computer control system that soften the blow in an accident.
3842
3843Carefully aiming, he activated decomposition magic. The computer controlling the airbags, seat tilt angle and emergency braking was disconnected from the system.
3844
3845As Tatsuya planned, the car slowed down and stopped on the sidelines.
3846
3847Overtaking the car, Tatsuya parked the motorcycle in front of it, went to the front passenger seat and pulled the door handle. The door was locked, so he destroyed the locking mechanism with magic. Opening the door, he put his left hand on the head of a ginoid sitting in the passenger seat (the android in the form of a woman).
3848
3849On the ginoid there was a copy of Minami's Eidos.
3850
3851Tatsuya went back through the story of the Eidos from the time this copy was made.
3852
3853And this time he went even further, in search of the original Eidos, which became the source for copying.
3854
3855Something like that could be done because the Eidos used for masking the ginoid was reproduced by copying information from the original. At the time of the copying process, the copy is always in contact with the source, so if you go back to this point, you can stumble upon the original Eidos.
3856
3857True, with clothes or accessories that people used, it doesn’t work. But with parts of the body, such as hair or bodily fluids, this is quite possible. If the hideout in the Sea of Trees wasn’t burned by the firing magic of Fujibayashi Nagamasa, Tatsuya could have searched for Minami's hair there, and determined her location much earlier.
3858
3859Although it was Minami. She must have carried out a complete cleaning in the hideout, leaving no dust and hair there. Just as she did in the hospital ward, when she was ready for discharge.
3860
3861But this wasn’t the point to think about.
3862
3863For the first time since the abduction of Minami, Tatsuya came into contact with her present Eidos, not exposed to “Parade" and “Kimon Tonkou." Now Tatsuya won’t lose sight of her, if he doesn’t withdraw his sight from her deliberately. No matter how Minoru disguises her, he won’t be able to fake the information obtained as a result of a search in records about the past.
3864
3865“Hmm?” 
3866
3867Tatsuya had a short chuckle.
3868
3869The copies of Eidos from Minoru and Minami, attached to the androids, suddenly disappeared.
3870
3871Perhaps Minoru noticed Tatsuya's touch and canceled his magic.
3872
3873Or the condition “cancel if someone touches" was imposed on the magic in advance.
3874
3875But whatever it was, the result was one... or rather, two.
3876
3877First, Tatsuya lost track of Minoru.
3878
3879Secondly, Tatsuya aimed his “sight” at Minami so that he would not lose sight of her anymore.
3880
3881The first will be true until they come in contact again.
3882
3883The second will be true until he himself wishes for the opposite.
3884
3885But this result was satisfactory.
3886
3887Now he knew the current location of Minami.
3888
3889“Yokosuka military port?"
3890
3891Minami was currently near the entrance to the military port of Yokosuka.
3892
3893Minoru should be there too.
3894
3895In order to finally settle this question, Tatsuya decided to fly to Yokosuka using the flight function of the “Freed Suit.”
3896
3897“...What the?"
3898
3899But he couldn’t fly.
3900
3901Because at this moment Tatsuya was prevented in a completely unexpected way.
3902
3903
3904◊ ◊
3905
3906
3907From the Cabinet transportation station to the entrance of the military port in Yokosuka, it was about 450 meters along the road. Such a distance, according to average calculations, can be covered in about 6 minutes. Minoru and Minami took 10 minutes to travel this route.
3908
3909The slow pace was a sign of their doubt. Both Minoru and Minami were hesitant.
3910
3911They were both confused, wondering whether it was possible to continue to move on without changing anything.
3912
3913... Is it possible to continue to be silent without telling this to Minami?
3914
3915That was the question Minoru asked.
3916
3917... Is it possible to continue to be silent without telling Minoru this?
3918
3919That was the question Minami asked.
3920
3921Each of them felt guilty about deceiving the other.
3922
3923Minoru didn’t say that he assumes that the USNA Army may try to use Minami as a hostage against Tatsuya.
3924
3925Minami didn’t say that she was provoked by Yakumo with help from the statement that “following Minoru is for the good of Miyuki."
3926
3927While they were walking, they wanted to admit it several times, but they couldn’t speak.
3928
3929Without confessing to each other, they reached the main gate of the military port of Yokosuka.
3930
3931At the gate, in addition to the soldiers of the self-defense forces, stood an officer of the USNA fleet.
3932
3933More precisely, it was a young man dressed in a military uniform of a junior officer.
3934
3935- Hello, Minoru. I came to pick you up.
3936
3937- Raymond. But you...?
3938
3939The man who came to pick them up was one of the Parasites, Raymond Clark.
3940
3941
3942Chapter 14 
3943
3944At that moment, when Tatsuya tried to take off with the help of the magic of flight, the top and bottom were swapped. He stood in the clouds of the evening sky, and on top was the smooth surface of the freeway.
3945
3946Logically, it was an illusion.
3947
3948Turning to heightened vigilance from such an ability, which managed to cover his mind with an illusion in one instant, Tatsuya interrupted the activation of the magic of flight and began to prepare to use “Gram Dispersion” to dispel this illusory vision.
3949
3950But at that very moment, as he interrupted the magic of flight...
3951
3952The inverted world become normal again.
3953
3954“I have a feeling from this technique of illusions..."
3955
3956The word “feeling" Tatsuya expressed some atmosphere, the distinctive features of magic, which he couldn’t clearly describe.
3957
3958The words weren’t important at the moment. The problem was that he remembered this magic of illusions.
3959
3960Tatsuya activated the magic of flight. This time, he no longer interrupted it immediately before activation. Gravity control has already begun to act.
3961
3962However, he decided not to take his feet off the ground.
3963
3964And again, heaven and earth swapped just before activation.
3965
3966The magic of flight is, roughly speaking, a “fall” in a chosen direction, by changing the gravity vector.
3967
3968If Tatsuya were already in the air, he would lose his sense of direction and couldn’t control the magic of flight. But Tatsuya didn’t lose awareness of where the top, bottom, left, and right, because he felt the road's surface through the soles of his feet.
3969
3970Intervention in the sense of direction is almost the same as that of “Kimon Tonkou.” 
3971So, the techniques borrowed from the same source as that of "Kimon Tonkou ” were introduced into Ninjutsu?
3972
3973If the purpose of the illusion wasn’t to let Tatsuya fly, then in this situation the goal can be considered fulfilled. However, now that the magic of flight was in the process of execution, he couldn’t cancel the illusion. Tatsuya considered the sequence of illusion magic, which continues to operate until now, and from the history of the activation process he determined the place where this magic was released.
3974
3975Tatsuya canceled the magic of flight and at the same moment released Counter-Magic Spell.
3976
3977When a “Counter-Magic Spell” is released on a magician who doesn’t use magic on himself, it doesn’t have the effect of canceling magic.
3978
3979However, this action has the effect of smoking out a hidden enemy. The flow of psions under high pressure, shakes the psionic field, enveloping a person. And this shaking spreads into the surrounding space in the form of random vibrations.
3980
3981If the caster applied the magic of illusion in motion, the “Interruption of the spell” would seem to be a simple shot into the void, however, apparently, this enemy didn’t want to hide completely.
3982
3983A man with a thin physique in monastic attire appeared before Tatsuya. Tatsuya knew this man by sight.
3984
3985The one who, with the help of an illusion, prevented Tatsuya from going further, turned out to be Kokonoe Yakumo, whom he called “master.”
3986
3987
3988◊ ◊
3989
3990
3991An open-top car with Raymond behind the wheel in which Minoru and Minami got into, drove slowly through the territory of the naval base in Yokosuka.
3992
3993“Raymond. Have you had any problems with your stay in our country?
3994
3995It was already past eight o'clock in the evening, so there were few people on the inner road of the base. As well as people driving cars too. Therefore, it was possible not to worry about eavesdropping.
3996
3997“Problems?” 
3998
3999Asked Raymond. At the same time, no pretense was read in his voice.
4000
4001“Were you harassed by the police in Osaka? I thought that search activities have yet to cease.”
4002
4003“Oh, you don''t have to worry about it. Until we leave the base, there will be no problems.”
4004
4005The USNA Army had the right to use the naval base at Yokosuka, but it wasn’t subject to extraterritorial rights, allowing them to not comply with Japanese laws. However, it was also a fact that it was difficult for the police to obtain the right to conduct an investigation on the territory of the army base. Minoru, who didn’t know what the relationship between the army and the police was easily agreed with this, deciding that it was so.
4006
4007“Minoru, you also got here safely. Tatsuya didn’t catch up with you?” - Raymond asked with a big smile.
4008
4009"Yes, that expression on his face I'm familiar with..." thought Minoru and answered:
4010
4011“He is probably still pursuing us so far.”
4012
4013And after a short pause added:
4014
4015“I wouldn’t be surprised if Tatsuya-san appears over our heads right now.”
4016
4017“In the airspace of a military base? Even Tatsuya won't go that far...”
4018
4019Raymond shook his head first...
4020
4021“... No, Tatsuya can, and probably will do it.”
4022
4023... and quickly corrected his opinion.
4024
4025“So we better hurry.”
4026
4027Having said that, Raymond increased the speed of the car.
4028
4029While Minoru and Raymond were talking, Minami sat silently beside Minoru.
4030
4031Raymond never turned to Minami.
4032
4033
4034◊ ◊
4035
4036
4037“Master, what is the meaning of this?”
4038
4039The fact that Tatsuya spoke in an accusatory tone with the very first phrase was, under current circumstances, quite reasonable. Without any warning, he was attacked by illusion.
4040
4041“Well, don’t be so angry. Maybe we should talk a little?”
4042
4043Yakumo wasn’t eager to respond properly. Having come to this conclusion, Tatsuya again tried using the magic of flight to go in search of Minami.
4044
4045But Yakumo's spell again prevented Tatsuya.
4046
4047“Master! Have you decided to side with Minoru!?
4048
4049Naturally, Tatsuya raised his tone.
4050
4051The usual slippery smirk disappeared from Yakumo's lips.
4052
4053“Kudou Minoru and Sakurai Minami-jou have already arrived in Yokosuka. Perhaps now they are already boarding the ship.”
4054
4055“Therefore, I must hurry.”
4056
4057“What for?”
4058
4059“What?”
4060
4061From his manner of speech Tatsuya's politeness finally disappeared.
4062
4063“Tatsuya-kun. Why do you need to hurry?”
4064
4065“If they go to sea, it will grow into a dilemma.”
4066
4067“Into a dilemma? But your own actions have already grown into big problems.”
4068
4069“...”
4070
4071Tatsuya was stymied by such a counter argument.
4072
4073“With a special squad looking for you. There hasn't been any armed shootouts on public roads in our country even during the war. And also the blasting of a helicopter and four burnt corpses. The police won’t be able to avert their eyes to such an incident.”
4074
4075“...”
4076
4077“Leaving a car with ripped tires near Lake Saiko was also a bad decision. The second son of the Kudou family already testified to the police and caused confusion in the Magic Association. And you started a fire that began in the Aokigahara “Sea of Trees.” Fire protection rushed there in full swing.”
4078
4079“That...”
4080
4081“You should be well aware that excuses like “I didn’t do it,” and “it didn’t happen through my fault” won’t work here. And it's not only about today's events. Automatic dolls were blown up near the hospital in Tofu. Do you know what kind of excitement was caused with only a few demons released? The death of Kudou Retsu and the related unrest in the army was also indirectly caused by your quarrel with Kudou Minoru. It can also be argued that the standoff around Minami-jou also has to do with the fact that the events on Miyaki-jima didn’t go unnoticed.”
4082
4083“... And why are you interfering with me now?”
4084
4085“Do you think I should let you go?”
4086
4087To Tatsuya question, issued in a desperate voice, Yakumo answered in a cold-blooded tone, without raising his eyebrow.
4088
4089“Minami-jou is still a human being, right? Is this not proof that Kudou Minoru respects her opinion? He himself is undoubtedly a demon, but he doesn’t harm Minami-jou.”
4090
4091“That is... do you mind if Minami becomes a Parasite?”
4092
4093“It's not up to me to decide. Staying human or not - it depends on her own choice. This isn’t something you or Miyuki-kun should interfere with.”
4094
4095Tatsuya clenched his teeth tightly, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them wide.
4096
4097“Kokonoe Yakumo. Don’t disturb me!”
4098
4099“No, I will disturb you. I'll make sure you keep me company for a while.”
4100
4101
4102Tatsuya forcefully pushed off the ground and flew up.
4103
4104However, Yakumo's illusion didn’t let him fly more than 10 meters, as a result he fell back to the ground.
4105
4106
4107◊ ◊
4108
4109
4110Minoru and Minami were transferred from the car to a small boat. It was a common rowboat without a roof, which had a small motor with a propeller attached. Raymond was driving a stern-mounted lever that turned an old-fashioned rudder.
4111
4112On this boat it was impossible to cross the Pacific Ocean. Apparently, a larger vessel awaits at sea. Minoru didn’t ask about this, so as not to interfere with Raymond's control of the boat.
4113
4114But contrary to his concern, Raymond spoke himself.
4115
4116“Looks like Tatsuya didn't make it.”
4117
4118“Will we board the ship soon?”
4119
4120Raymond words seemed an ominous omen, so Minoru, feeling some impatience, asked this question.
4121
4122“Yeah, soon.... Oh, there it is already in sight.”
4123
4124Although Raymond said this, Minoru didn’t see any ships nearby.
4125
4126“Submarine...?” 
4127
4128Muttered Minami, sitting next to Minoru.
4129
4130Hearing her voice for the first time in a long time, Minoru looked again at the surface of the sea.
4131
4132“There...?”
4133
4134In the place where he looked, there was barely any of the dome-shaped object coming up from beneath the water.
4135
4136“You noticed, finally?”
4137
4138Raymond answered Minoru for some reason with pride in his voice.
4139
4140“High-speed transport ship fully submersible type, “Coral." Well, it should be easier to call it a transport submarine.”
4141
4142“Fully submersible type?”
4143
4144- Yeah. And it also has the function of minimizing vibrations... oh, let's talk about it when we are inside.”
4145
4146Without slowing down, Raymond tilted the engine forward to lift the propeller and steering wheel out of the water.
4147
4148They drove directly to the dome - the back of the transport submarine.
4149
4150Raymond grabbed the thin pole, which became visible only when they got next to it.
4151
4152It seems that it served as a signal, because a gap appeared in the curved hull of the submarine - a large hatch opened.
4153
4154“Okay, here we go.”
4155
4156Raymond jumped off the boat.
4157
4158Minoru also set foot on the hull of the submarine. A sensation of a soft surface that wasn’t as slippery as he had expected was transmitted through the soles of his feet.
4159
4160He extended his hand to Minami and helped her off the boat on to the submarine's hull.
4161
4162Following Raymond, they walked up the steps, going down from the opened hatch.
4163
4164Behind them, the crew dragged the small boat inside the ship.
4165
4166The hatch closed automatically when they descended the stairs.
4167
4168Raymond turned and spread his arms wide.
4169
4170“Welcome to the USNA Naval Transport Ship, Coral.”
4171
4172Raymond said this to Minoru and Minami in a dramatic, theatrical tone.
4173
4174
4175◊ ◊
4176
4177
4178Tatsuya barely managed to land on his feet, because of  the illusion of Yakumo which made him fall. Repositioning himself after landing, he flew again, but this time horizontally to the east. He wanted to fly up immediately after he got out of the area of effect of the illusion magic of Yakumo.
4179
4180But the illusion again forced him to interrupt the flight. Turning in flight, he stopped by braking his feet on the road. Having slipped back and forth a few meters, he raised his head and looked at Yakumo, who continued to stand still.
4181
4182Tatsuya's right hand reached to his belt. He pulled “Trident" out of the holster and aimed his “barrel" in Yakumo's direction.
4183
4184The image of Yakumo slowly wavered and dissipated like smoke.
4185
4186Tatsuya kicked off the road.
4187
4188But not to take off.
4189
4190He rushed forward and lunged with his fist one meter to the left of the place where Yakumo disappeared.
4191
4192A soft breeze wrapped around Tatsuya. The air around Tatsuya suddenly became heavy and viscous like oil.
4193
4194Tatsuya's forefinger pulled the activation switch on his CAD, in the form of a trigger.
4195
4196But not in order to blow away the air that is enveloping his body.
4197
4198And in order to erase the magic that gives the viscosity to the air, and return freedom to his body.
4199
4200Tatsuya lunged with his left hand.
4201
4202Not with a fist, but palm forward.
4203
4204The left palm, with the fingers pointing upwards, struck into the space in which there was no one to see.
4205
4206There was a sound.
4207
4208And it wasn’t the sound of hitting hand in hand. It was a shrill echo, like a metal hammer striking a shield.
4209
4210The transparent haze cleared, as if blown away by this sound. In its place, the figure of Yakumo appeared, oxidized Tatsuya left palm with his right hand.
4211
4212Tatsuya jumped back.
4213
4214The throwing knife-kunai, thrown by Yakumo from his left hand, only pierced Tatsuya's after image.
4215
4216Tatsuya returned the “Trident" from his right hand to the holster. Instead, he pulled out a combat knife with hand protection from somewhere. He abandoned his favorite CAD because he decided to switch to close combat.
4217
4218The output of activation sequences can be made using the suit's built-in CAD with full mental control. Instead of his usual CAD in the form of a pistol, he chose to take a blade in his hand. Tatsuya came to the conclusion that Yakumo couldn’t be defeated by magic alone.
4219
4220Yakumo grinned and threw another kunai.
4221
4222Tatsuya didn’t shy away from him, but knocked him off with a knife in his right hand.
4223
4224Tatsuya tried not to take his eyes off Yakumo. But as soon as he turned his gaze to the kunai for a moment, Yakumo disappeared from his sight.
4225
4226Tatsuya switched his perception to “Elemental Sight."
4227
4228However, at that very moment, nine Yakumo's appeared in his “field of vision.”
4229
4230They ran and jumped around Tatsuya.
4231
4232 However, in reality only the dull landscape of the highway was visible around him.
4233
4234Occasionally cars drove by, avoiding the lane in which Tatsuya stood.
4235
4236“Is this the “Multiple Mirage Matoi?” - muttered Tatsuya.
4237
4238He gathered Psions in his left hand and squeezed it in his palm.
4239
4240He stretched his left hand forward.
4241
4242And immediately released nine psionic shells.
4243
4244Nine compressed psionic balls pierced the physical space along the coordinates where each Yakumo should have been.
4245
4246The eight Yakumo, which he “saw" in the information dimension, disappeared, and the remaining one appeared, but in a slightly different place.
4247
4248The ninth appeared right in front of Tatsuya.
4249
4250Yakumo appeared, swinging his short kodachi sword from top to bottom.
4251
4252Tatsuya took the slash with his knife blade.
4253
4254“Not bad.”
4255
4256After the blades were crossed , Yakumo's lips curved into a smirk.
4257
4258And Tatsuya's face, hidden under the helmet, still hasn't changed.
4259
4260Tatsuya extended his left hand.
4261
4262Yakumo stepped back with a big jump to dodge Tatsuya's left hand, which tried to grab his wrist.
4263
4264“So, you want to capture me? Do you think that if you grab me, you will know where I am, even if I use illusion techniques?”
4265Tatsuya's face, hidden under his helmet visor, didn’t express concern that he had just been shown exactly what he was doing.
4266
4267The gliding movements of Tatsuya's legs went along with Yakumo.
4268
4269The image of Yakumo trembled and disappeared.
4270
4271Ignoring this, Tatsuya lunged with his right hand holding the knife.
4272
4273There was a rattle of metal on metal. At first there was only sound.
4274
4275Next came the figure of Yakumo. He moved the kodachi horizontally, sliding it over Tatsuya's knife.
4276
4277Tatsuya again extended his left hand forward, but Yakumo removed his right hand from the handle of the kodachi and knocked away Tatsuya's left hand with it.
4278
4279Tatsuya's hand protection that was built into the knife handle struck a small part of the kodachi.
4280
4281The kodachi which was being held with his left hand, fell out of Yakumo's hand.
4282
4283Tatsuya threw down the knife and extended his right hand to Yakumo's collar.
4284
4285Yakumo waived his right hand from top to bottom.
4286
4287In his right hand, at the same time, a small ball came from somewhere.
4288
4289When this ball hit the road and exploded, it became clear that it was a smoke bomb.
4290
4291Thick smoke appeared between Tatsuya and Yakumo.
4292
4293The figure of Yakumo dissolved in this smoke.
4294
4295At the same time, even when Tatsuya “looked” at the informational dimension “with his sight,” he still couldn’t detect Yakumo's Eidos.
4296
4297“Now that was pretty scary. But can you see me now?”
4298
4299The voice was heard as if it came from the front.
4300
4301Or was it heard from behind?
4302
4303No, it was heard in front and behind, left and right, top and bottom... but in general from all directions. But at the same time, for Tatsuya, the voice sounded as if he had just misheard and in fact didn’t hear anything.
4304
4305Tatsuya didn’t even try to search for the real Yakumo through searching for the source of the voice.
4306
4307His mind went to the past, but at the same time he looked at the present.
4308
4309Chasing the present from the past.
4310
4311False information superimposed on the present, and information about the present, obtained by scrolling from the past.
4312
4313Tatsuya lunged with his left fist, and was stopped by Yakumo's right palm.
4314
4315“How delightful.” - Praised Yakumo.
4316
4317A car approached Tatsuya and Yakumo. Through the windshield, one could see the driver's face with eyes wide open from shock.
4318
4319Tatsuya and Yakumo jumped in different directions to dodge the car.
4320
4321At that moment, Tatsuya realized that up to this point, the illusion of Yakumo was diverting passing cars, so that they would not interfere with their battle. Tatsuya realized that he was finally able to overcome the limits of Yakumo, to which he could simultaneously fight with him and control the drivers of cars.
4322
4323Yakumo jumped over the fence railing.
4324
4325Tatsuya followed him and jumped down from the highway.
4326
4327
4328◊ ◊
4329
4330
4331When Kuroba Mitsugu brought Fujibayashi Nagamasa to the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, he was subjected to fierce pressure from his son and daughter.
4332
4333“Otou-sama, please, tell me what is the reason? Why don't you send Tatsuya-san reinforcements?”
4334
4335“I have said many times why. Tatsuya-kun has already crushed an illegal squad of saboteurs from the USNA Army, and got rid of the pursuit of a special-purpose squad.”
4336
4337“But he is also hampered by Kokonoe Yakumo-sensei? I believe that you need to send help, regardless of whether he needs it or not.”
4338
4339The Kuroba family monitored the situation around Tatsuya, using the possessors of clairvoyance and Hearing wind powers.
4340
4341“Clairvoyance” is a superpower of distant vision, and “Hearing of a tailwind” is a superpower that allows you to hear from afar. Both of them are merely perceptions of physical signals. Such abilities weren’t enough to break through the illusions of Yakumo, but Tatsuya occasionally pierced these illusions, so observers were able to identify the enemy with whom Tatsuya fought.
4342
4343All information received by the Kuroba family was also sent to the main house. Among all the people associated with this problem, probably, only Miyuki didn’t know about the changes in the situation.
4344
4345“I agree with nee-san!”
4346
4347Fumiya complained in a heightened tone, agreeing with Ayako's words.
4348
4349“Now the main enemy of Tatsuya-niisan is time. Tatsuya-niisan it is important not to have lunch or lose, but to get out of there as quickly as possible! I believe that our help won’t be completely useless!”
4350
4351“Fumiya. Indeed, as you said, Tatsuya-kun's real enemy is now time. However, the real enemy who stands in his way is a man known as one of the best users of modern ninjutsu. Trying to fight him with a large number of people isn’t the best option. Most likely, if you go there to help, then, on the contrary, you will only delay Tatsuya-kun.”
4352
4353Mitsugu tried to dismiss Fumiya's protest, at first glance, with plausible arguments. And he realized that it worked when he saw an expression of frustration on his face.
4354
4355“Otou-sama, I don't think so.”
4356
4357However, he didn’t convince Ayako.
4358
4359“Kokonoe-sensei is a ninjutsu user. The field of application in which Ninjutsu shows itself well is the magic of illusions based on interference with the mind. Yes, I don’t have the ability to use mental interference with magic, but Fumiya, possessing high compatibility for this magic, can become good support for Tatsuya-san.”
4360
4361“Maybe you're right...”
4362
4363Mitsugu was a loving father. He appreciated the abilities of his son and daughter like no other.
4364
4365In fact, he also believed that Fumiya would be able to compete with Yakumo. Thus, only because Ayako was angry with him, Mitsugu couldn’t deny her arguments that coincided with his true feelings.
4366
4367“In addition, in our family there are also a lot of “ninjutsu users" who have gained knowledge from the teachings of the Koga clan. Maybe for one Fumiya it will be too much of a burden, but it seems to me that with the support of subordinates from toshu-sama he will be able to at least detain Kokonoe-sensei.”
4368
4369This also completely coincided with the opinion of Mitsugu. And he answered:
4370
4371“It's impossible. Maya-san... the head of the main family forbade it.”
4372
4373Finally, he revealed the true cause.
4374
4375“Head-sama!?” - In unison Ayako and Fumiya asked.
4376“Why!?”
4377
4378This question was also asked simultaneously by two voices.
4379
4380“... I wasn’t informed of the reason.”
4381
4382Sensing a slight dissatisfaction in Mitsugu's voice, Fumiya realized that his father really didn’t know the reason.
4383
4384It looks like it was too hard for his father. Realizing this, Fumiya decided not to go further into this matter.
4385But his sister Ayako had the opposite opinion.
4386
4387“I see. Then I will ask for the reason why directly from the head-sama.”
4388
4389“Nee-san!?”
4390
4391Fumiya tried to stop Ayako's rebellious behavior.
4392
4393But Mitsugu didn’t interfere with his daughter's selfishness.
4394
4395“Indeed... If it's Ayako, then the clan head will probably tell the truth.”
4396
4397“Thanks for the permission, Otou-sama.” Then, I'll go call.
4398
4399Having said that, Ayako stood up.
4400
4401“Nee-san, wait for me!”
4402
4403Fumiya, too, hurriedly jumped up and followed her.
4404
4405
4406◊ ◊
4407
4408
4409The place where Tatsuya and Yakumo had jumped was close to some kind of comprehensive high school. The territory of the schoolyard was extensive, and the whole landscape was covered with greenery. Yakumo led Tatsuya precisely here.
4410
4411But he led him, not just running away. He retreated, choosing the perfect moments to attack. Tatsuya couldn’t ignore them, and was forced to follow Yakumo into the courtyard of the high school.
4412
4413There were no signs of the presence of other people in the school building or outside it.
4414
4415At this time, there could still be school staff. And on the contrary, it would be strange that there would still be students at this time.
4416
4417However, it seems that in this school, students and staff also went home early due to the fact that the state of emergency wasn’t yet completely lifted. And maybe the school was even left closed or was out for summer holidays a little earlier.
4418
4419It wasn’t known why the decision was made. Only the result was known. The territory of this school was completely without people. At least that's what Tatsuya's perception said.
4420
4421Yakumo may have felt the same. Tatsuya himself understood this when he burst into the school grounds, and Yakumo, no doubt, learned about this fact from a much greater distance. At the very least, this is the kind of proof that Tatsuya developed.
4422That is, Yakumo in advance was concerned not to involve people who weren’t involved in the case. But on the other hand, this meant that he no longer intended to restrain his techniques and abilities.
4423
4424Tatsuya was in the same situation. Although he felt that the battle is still not serious in the true sense of the word, but to the extent that this is possible in a battle not to die, he stopped holding back some time ago.
4425
4426More precisely, Tatsuya thought that he would not repent if it came to the decision to kill Yakumo. Honestly, he didn’t want to kill Yakumo for the sake of Minami. Tatsuya didn’t think that Minami was more important and more valuable than Yakumo.
4427
4428But since neither Tatsuya nor Yakumo were going to retreat, even the worst outcome could have been expected.
4429
4430And giving up the chase was for Tatsuya a better choice in order to avoid this “worst outcome.”
4431
4432
4433◊ ◊
4434
4435
4436“This is a request from the sponsor-sama.”
4437
4438When Ayako asked Maya on the phone about the reasons for the ban to send reinforcements, she answered her and didn’t hide the facts.
4439
4440“Sponsor-sama?”
4441
4442Ayako didn’t hide her surprise on the videophone screen. And it was quite natural. The intervention of the sponsors in the work of the Yotsuba family, which is already in the middle of execution, was extremely rare. In recent times, of such cases, one can only recall the acceleration of the resolution of the “Vampire Incident” that took place last winter.
4443
4444Besides, this time it’s not even a “job.” And the question of returning the servant of the Yotsuba family should not be related to the sponsors. Even Maya herself didn’t expect intervention.
4445
4446“Yes. I would like you to refrain from further participation in these events tonight." 
4447
4448Approximately in such form there was a request to remove excess details. It didn’t say that we would directly stop Tatsuya-san, but we can’t yet send out any new help.
4449The Yotsuba family isn’t subordinate to the “sponsors." They have relations as clients and a contractor, while they have almost equal provisions, and not the same as in the case of a subcontract.
4450
4451However , this relationship has not been established from a position of strength, where the Yotsuba family would take a dominant position. From the position of power (brute force), the Yotsuba family is higher, but the sponsors surpass it from the position of political and financial influence. Therefore, even when the request came in the form of a “request," Maya couldn’t reject it.
4452
4453“... Does that mean we’ll leave Minami-san?”
4454
4455“In the request from sponsor-sama it was spoken exclusively about “tonight.” We aren’t going to abandon Minami-chan.”
4456
4457“I spoke nonsense. I apologize.”
4458
4459“I understand your feelings, Ayako-san, but today I can’t allow the sending of reinforcements.”
4460
4461“As you say.”
4462
4463“Fumiya-san, did you understand everything?”
4464
4465“Yes, head-sama.”
4466
4467After asking for the opinion of Fumiya on the monitor, Maya ended the telephone conversation with Ayako.
4468
4469“And yet... what do these gentlemen really think about...?”
4470
4471She spoke in such a tone as if she was talking to herself, but at the same time she clearly spoke to Hayama standing behind her.
4472
4473“Perhaps they very much want to cleanse our country of the Parasites?”
4474
4475“It seems to me that it would be faster to destroy them, and not let them go abroad.”
4476
4477In fact, Maya’s discontent with the instructions of the sponsors was no less than that of Ayako.
4478
4479“Perhaps the gentlemen thought that eliminating Kudou Minoru took too much time.”
4480
4481“If so, they would have said so then...”
4482
4483Following the rules of decency, Hayama kept silent, without reacting in any way to Maya’s dissatisfaction, which she expressed like a young girl.
4484
4485
4486◊ ◊
4487
4488
4489The signal for the beginning of the battle was the rotation of the leaves in the wind.
4490
4491Elm, Oak, and Mountain cherry. Despite the midsummer, green leaves still began to fall from the trees growing in the schoolyard, as if they had been torn off or cut off.
4492
4493Both this leaf fall and the wind were unnatural.
4494
4495Tatsuya jumped aside before this swirling of leaves approached him.
4496
4497He didn’t manage to dodge some of the leaves, and they hit him on the arm, leaving a line of cuts.
4498
4499The leaves looked thin, but they were able to cut the “Freed Suit,” which possesses properties of being bulletproof, and durable to piercing and cutting blows.
4500
4501“Leaves" and “blades." It was probably “Imitation Magic” that used “kotodamas” - the word spirits.
4502
4503A swarm of leaves flying past spun in a big arc and again rushed at Tatsuya.
4504
4505Tatsuya's body was covered in blinding psion light.
4506
4507Contact-Type Gram Demolition.
4508
4509It was a special skill Tomitsuka Hagane used, with whom Tatsuya once fought. With the help of psion manipulation techniques, he developed a technique that has a similar effect with the unique ability of Tomitsuka.
4510
4511Touching psionic armor, the wind lost its power, and the leaves lost the properties of the blades and fell to the ground.
4512
4513“Is this a kind of “Mokuton-jutsu*” - 'Hidden foliage?'”
4514
4515[Tonjutsu - ninjutsu techniques (for stealth and escape) with the participation of the Five Elements. Roughly speaking, the use of each of the elements to distract the attention of the enemy. Fujibayashi Nagamasa's fire spell, for example, was also from Tonjutsu. Not so bad “distracted attention," having burnt the whole house. Prefixes for tonjutsu: Moku is a tree, Ka is a fire, Do is earth, Kin is metal, Sui is water.]
4516
4517[Read more about the Five Elements themselves: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/y-syn]
4518
4519Tatsuya canceled the psionic armor, and began to look for signs of Yakumo's presence.
4520
4521Not using his “Elemental Sight." In the course of the battle on the highway, it became clear that Yakumo possesses techniques capable of deceiving “Elemental Sight.” Relying only on that is too dangerous. Rather, on the contrary, there are more opportunities to fall for some trick of Yakumo.
4522
4523Tatsuya's perception caught not the location of Yakumo, but signs of activation of magic.
4524
4525Right under his feet.
4526
4527Tatsuya abruptly jumped from this place.
4528
4529While he was in the air, all the leaves that fell to the ground at the same time caught fire.
4530
4531The fire was quite strong, as if dried leaves were burning, not fresh and green.
4532
4533“Is this “Katonjutsu" the magic of fire adhering to the system of the Five Elements?"
4534
4535According to the system of the Five Elements, “wood makes fire." By forcefully applying this concept to reality, this magic burned the fresh leaves as if they were dry. Perhaps this, too, can be called the magic of the spirit of the word.
4536
4537The fire didn’t go out even after the leaves burned. Tatsuya was pursued by a physically impossible fire magic burning without combustible substances.
4538
4539It wasn’t a real flame.
4540
4541It was an illusion of a flame.
4542
4543However, Tatsuya knew that if you touch this flame, it will burn the skin.
4544
4545Tatsuya threw a projectile of compressed psions into this illusory flame.
4546
4547“Gram Demolition."
4548
4549Illusions are nothing but information that doesn’t possess a material entity. And the psion projectile just blew it away.
4550
4551He didn’t use Gram Dispersion because he was cautious, suggesting that a trap might be waiting for him in the process of reading the magic sequence.
4552
4553Of course, this could be unnecessary suspicion. But if the goal of Yakumo is to seal Tatsuya's special abilities, making him cautious, then it turns out that Tatsuya has already fallen for his trick.
4554
4555But Tatsuya wasn’t so simple.
4556
4557“If he follows the Five Elements, then the next one will be “Earth.” 
4558
4559“Dotonjutsu?”
4560
4561Tatsuya with both legs high up, while still in the air, extinguished the flames an instant before landing. And at the time of landing he strongly stamped them on the ground.
4562
4563Psionic waves, propagating from the soles of his shoes, shook the surface of the earth.
4564
4565The magic sequence that began to “get infected" by coming into contact with the “ground" obtained from the ashes of the burnt leaves was broken by the psionic shock wave.
4566
4567“And you are well-versed in the Technique of the Five Connected Tonjutsu.”
4568
4569In the schoolyard, Yakumo's voice echoed, the source of which was impossible to determine.
4570
4571Tatsuya first heard the name “Technique of Five Connected Tonjutsu," but he decided not to be distracted by this.
4572
4573It was probably magic that, uses the principle of the interaction of the Five Elements, connected together the elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Tatsuya himself suggested this when he was able to predict the attack with the help of Dotonjutsu, the magic of the earth.
4574
4575However, he didn’t give this thought the slightest bit of the resources of his mind. Instead, he concentrated his mind on finding the location of Yakumo.
4576
4577“Only this isn’t the end.”
4578
4579Yakumo's words weren’t a bluff.
4580
4581Guided by intuition, Tatsuya looked up.
4582
4583An innumerable number of needles fell from above.
4584Tatsuya had to exert all his strength to breakthrough and avoid this swarm of long needles, which were coming down with considerable acceleration.
4585
4586Needles with a length of about 30 centimeters, one after another, stuck into the ground of the schoolyard. Their length and thickness were completely the same. Obviously, they were made with one standard for use as a throwing weapon.
4587
4588Periodically activating the magic of self-acceleration using his instant recall technique, Tatsuya dodged all these long, thick, and sharp needles, arriving from the sky.
4589
4590However, he didn’t leave a moment of time for a break. The needles stuck into the ground still existed. From all these needles emanated signs of magic activation.
4591
4592“Magic of the release system?"
4593
4594The fact that this magic creates lightning, Tatsuya intuitively felt, not even using his “sight."
4595
4596“By the way, “ninjutsu users" and “exorcist-onmyoji" are completely different things!"
4597
4598In general, in the ideology of the Five Elements, lightning refers to the element of the tree. The generally accepted principle of interaction between the element of metal and the element of tree seems like “metal beats tree,” therefore it can’t lead to the phenomenon of using metal needles of lightning. Tatsuya's discontent was based precisely on this inconsistency, but regardless of his swearing thoughts, he had already begun to confront another real threat.
4599
4600By activating the CAD embedded in his suit with the power of thought, Tatsuya released the activation sequence.
4601
4602The construction of the magic sequence took just an instant.
4603
4604And it wasn’t “Gram Dispersion” - the magic of decomposition of information bodies, designed to neutralize magic.
4605
4606It was “Mist Dispersion” - the magic of decomposition, designed to break down  any object, solid or liquid, into their basic molecules & elements by interfering with the structural information.
4607
4608Several objects of the same form can become the goal of decomposition magic as a single set of objects. This is an extremely useful feature of Tatsuya's decomposition magic.
4609
4610All the needles that fell from the sky were of the same length and thickness, and ended with the same point. This made it possible to recognize them as a single set of objects.
4611
4612One step ahead of the activation of the magic set in the needles, Tatsuya applied “Mist Dispersion" at the same time on all the needles stuck into the ground.
4613
4614The forest of needles instantly disappeared, as if they evaporated.
4615
4616And along with this, the magic built into the needles was also forcibly canceled.
4617
4618The power of intervening in a phenomenon harvested to perform magic has lost the place in which it should have fallen.
4619
4620Most of the force of intervention in the phenomenon simply scattered into the surrounding space, but a small part of it returned to the caster in reverse.
4621
4622If Tatsuya had not previously observed the true nature of the force of the intervention in the phenomenon, he would have lost sight of it.
4623
4624If magic had been released from a remote place, unattainable for the usual five senses, then Tatsuya, who wasn’t able to see pushions, couldn’t do anything.
4625
4626But now this place was within the reach of ordinary sight. Pushion streams rushed to one point, which was in sight of Tatsuya.
4627
4628Tatsuya (like most other magicians), although he couldn’t recognize Pushion information bodies, but he could vaguely feel the Pushion streams.
4629
4630Tatsuya confidently saw how the Pushion fluxes returned to the exorcist — that is, to Yakumo.
4631
4632The distance to it was about 25 meters away from him.
4633
4634Which was within reach of his “Gram Demolition."
4635
4636Tatsuya squeezed a lot of psions into his hand in less than an instant...
4637
4638And a shot of compressed psions from the right palm set forward.
4639
4640A dazzlingly shining, powerful psionic stream collided into the trunk of a suspicious-looking elm tree towering on the edge of the schoolyard.
4641
4642Ripples appeared on the surface of the trunk.
4643
4644As if emerging from muddy water, the silhouette of Yakumo appeared from this ripple.
4645
4646Then before he turned to Tatsuya.
4647
4648Hearing a quiet voice from this distance won’t work. But according to the movement of his lips, Tatsuya could read the question of Yakumo: “Did you find me?"
4649
4650But at the same time he looked tense like nothing more than a child found while playing hide and seek.
4651
4652Tatsuya didn't say anything in return.
4653
4654He only rushed off in the direction of Yakumo.
4655
4656
4657◊ ◊
4658
4659
4660High-speed transport ship Navy USNA fully submersible type, “Coral". Inside it, accompanying Minoru wasn’t only Raymond.
4661
4662Raymond led Minoru and Minami behind him, and behind them were two soldiers and one female officer. They walked along the wide aisle towards the stern of the ship. The female officer was First Lieutenant Zoe Spica, the Parasite of  Stars, having a class of First Stars magnitude.
4663
4664The spacious interior of the warship “Coral" contradicted the generally accepted image of a long and narrow submarine. Perhaps it was designed so that there was even more space on it than on a luxury passenger liner.
4665
4666“This is your cabin, Minoru, and next to it is the cabin for your girlfriend. However, the lock is locked only from the inside. Sorry about that.”
4667
4668“I wasn’t going to ask for luxury. But thank you for the individual cabins.”
4669
4670Minoru gratefully replied to Raymond, who was completely apologetic when he apologized.
4671
4672“Though perhaps it was better to put you in one cabin?”
4673
4674“It's nothing like that.”
4675
4676Minami didn’t react to this teasing of Raymond, as if her face had a mask, and Minoru answered with a short, dry phrase.
4677
4678He seemed to be trying to hide his embarrassment in this way.
4679
4680“Oh, yes, by the way. The fact that you can’t close the door from the outside also means that you can’t open the door from the outside. This means that if the door is locked , then no one can find out what you are doing inside.” 
4681
4682Raymond added with a smirk.
4683
4684“That's unlikely. Also did you say that there are no surveillance cameras.”
4685
4686Minoru voice lost its power. He didn’t even try to hide his dark feelings.
4687
4688Minoru and Minami were strangers here. And on a warship it is impossible to remain without observation. Minoru believed that the statement about the impossibility to open the door from the outside - a blatant lie. It is unlikely that the USNA Army was so good.
4689
4690“No, no, it's true. You aren’t prisoners of war, but guests. Such rudeness like peeping is impermissible.”
4691
4692Minoru decided to ignore Raymond's stupid joke and changed his mind about arguing about it.
4693
4694“Since you are treating us with such hospitality, can you at least let us know where we are going?”
4695
4696Minoru had not yet heard from Raymond about the destination of this ship, and didn’t know where Minami was taking him.
4697
4698“Of course, we can.”
4699
4700Raymond nodded.
4701
4702Lieutenant Spica and two soldiers didn’t stop Raymond. Therefore, Minoru thought that treating them not as prisoners of war was probably not a lie.
4703
4704Without even noticing that he was being treated with suspicion, Raymond turned his face to Minor and said:
4705
4706“This ship is heading to a naval base on the Pearl and Hermes Atoll.
4707
4708
4709◊ ◊
4710
4711
4712Tatsuya abruptly approached Yakumo. Made a false lunge with a left hook. And with an actual right uppercut Yakumo took a hit to his his left elbow.
4713
4714Opening his left hand, Tatsuya pulled him to Yakumo's right hand and grabbed hold of him. Even though it was through a glove, he definitely felt that he had touched Yakumo's hand. That is, in front of Tatsuya now, undoubtedly, was the real Yakumo.
4715
4716But despite this...
4717
4718Tatsuya was hit in the back with a heavy blow.
4719
4720Tatsuya lost his balance, leaning forward. Yakumo aimed his right hand at his head. A blow that flew in from behind was affected by the blind spot in the limited field of view of Tatsuya's helmet. Tatsuya semi-intuitively tilted his head diagonally forward and to the right.
4721
4722It wasn’t possible to completely dodge, and Yakumo's right hand touched the helmet.
4723
4724Without resisting the impulse of impact, Tatsuya rolled over in the direction in which he had tilted his head. Rising, he took off and dropped his helmet. The final blow had the power to penetrate this helmet. More precisely, this power really pierced the helmet.
4725
4726His armor or helmet won’t protect him from Yakumo's attack. Such a helmet, which impeded visibility, is only a hindrance when the enemy has strikes that penetrate armor. Tatsuya took off his helmet, because he understood it instantly.
4727
4728With his head now exposed, Tatsuya rushed to Yakumo at an even higher speed than the last time. His left jab rushed to Yakumo's face.
4729
4730But the enemy didn’t even budge or dodge.
4731
4732It was an illusion.
4733
4734Tatsuya stopped the left jab a moment before his hand was fully extended, then opened his hand and sent it down.
4735
4736And with his palm in this position, he waved his left hand down.
4737
4738This hand touched Yakumo's monastic attire. The illusion was canceled, and the real Yakumo appeared.
4739
4740Tatsuya grabbed Yakumo by the collar of his monastic robes around the collarbone.
4741
4742And he tried to activate the magic of decomposition on the fingertips of his left hand. He tried to inflict damage by making a hole with “decomposition” in the places where his left hand made contact with the body of Yakumo.
4743
4744But before Tatsuya managed to activate his magic, a side blow flew to his right.
4745Tatsuya involuntarily had to remove his left hand and increase the distance away from Yakumo.
4746
4747At the same time, Yakumo also stepped back to the place behind the mountain cherry tree growing nearby.
4748
4749“That was dangerous. I can’t thoughtlessly let you get so close.” 
4750Yakumo mumbled in a tone in which the tension was read. It seems that the last attack almost managed to get him.
4751About Yakumo, Tatsuya now didn’t have time to talk.
4752
4753“What was that blow just now?"
4754
4755Tatsuya couldn’t recognize the last attack that caused him damage.
4756
4757“It wasn’t a left-handed hit. I saw Kokonoe Yakumo's left hand."
4758
4759“With his right hand from that position, he couldn’t strike at that angle."
4760
4761“The legs also don’t fit. I saw the left leg. As for the right leg, the angle is even bigger than for the right hand."
4762
4763“... Was it 'direct pain?'”
4764
4765Tatsuya involuntarily voiced the thought that came to his mind out loud.
4766
4767The magic of mental intervention “Direct Pain." It's magic that hurts the mind directly, bypassing the physical body.
4768
4769“Other than Fumiya, are there other users of it?"
4770
4771“Direct Pain" is magic that his second cousin Kuroba Fumiya masterfully owned. However, Tatsuya didn’t know anyone except Fumiya and who would put it into practice. Tatsuya considered this magic to be a kind of innate superpower that only Fumiya could use. But it turned out that...
4772
4773“...I was wrong?"
4774
4775“Wrong. This isn’t 'Direct pain.'”
4776
4777Seeing Tatsuya's doubt, Yakumo spoke to him.
4778
4779“This technique is called “Gishin Anki.*” Pure Ninjutsu. Well, more precisely, only one of the many secret techniques in ninjutsu.”
4780
4781[Literally, something like “dark spirit, deceiving the body."]
4782
4783“'Gishin Anki'...”
4784
4785“Technique, though secret, but it works very simply. This is a kind of illusion that causes the enemy to hallucinate that he “received a blow." Well, have you heard about hypnosis? There is a phenomenon when the subject's skin blisters like a burn, when he is inspired, as if touched by a red-hot iron rod. “Gishin Anki" is a technique that allows you to do this, skipping the procedure of hypnosis. That is, it can be applied without words, simply by putting your own fighting spirit into it. At the same time, unlike “Direct Pain,” it is the physical body that feels the pain. And this pain won’t disappear until you destroy the illusion.”
4786
4787Simultaneously with the completion of this monologue, a blow flew into Tatsuya's belly. He lost his breath, and he involuntarily stepped back half a step.
4788
4789Yakumo's verbose speech wasn’t intended to boast of his scholarship and skills. Just a strong impression of the existence of a technique called “Gishin Anki" was supposed to enhance its effect.
4790
4791In desperation, Tatsuya released “decomposition." But this magic, as if entangled in the mountain cherry tree branches, ended up failing to activate.
4792
4793Technique “body substitution."
4794
4795A high-level ninjutsu user like Yakumo can’t just use the “body substitution." Unlike the standard “body replacement," Yakumo left in the branches of the tree a double with his Eidos. That is, Tatsuya tried to apply magic to this deception. And if you decompose structural information that doesn’t have a material entity, then it simply doesn’t affect the material world.
4796
4797Tatsuya realized his haste and clicked his tongue.
4798
4799And he took the chance to meet the counter-attack of Yakumo.
4800
4801Tatsuya was expecting an attack with the Gishin Anki technique.
4802
4803Therefore, directed “Elemental Sight" at himself.
4804
4805He considered that if pain was caused by a hallucination, the illusion technique should be directed straight at his body.
4806
4807In the information dimension, the viewpoint isn’t fixed. Therefore, he could “see" himself even without a mirror.
4808
4809In the informational dimension, Tatsuya “saw” how two large snakes crawled out of the ground right under his feet, twisting in a spiral around his body. These snakes were chains of magic sequences. In order to use only one illusion, Yakumo built dozens of magic sequences, divided into two groups.
4810
4811Tatsuya covered his body with psion armor.
4812
4813Contact-Type “Gram Demolition."
4814
4815However, the snakes from the magic sequences didn’t collapse.
4816
4817And didn’t even bounce off.
4818
4819They just wriggled around the psionic armor. And the hallucination effect began to seep into the armor-forming psion.
4820
4821Tatsuya canceled the contact-type “Gram Demolition" and activated “Gram Dispersion."
4822
4823This time, the magic sequences of illusion dissipated.
4824
4825In order not to be deceived again by the “substitution of the body,” Tatsuya began to look for Yakumo's Eidos with his “sight.”
4826
4827He found nine informational bodies of Yakumo. Probably one of them was real, and eight were doubles. Surname “Kokonoe*" and Nine Doubles. A very symbolic coincidence.
4828[Kokonoe ( 九重): approximate translation (if surnames could be translated) - “nine-fold", “nine-nine yen"]
4829
4830Instead of releasing the magic of decomposition of information bodies to erase the twins themselves, Tatsuya tried to activate the “decomposition” aimed simultaneously at nine information bodies at once. At the moment, he has already increased the number of objects that he can simultaneously aim at, up to thirty-two. If you don’t follow the two-step procedure, which consists of erasing the twins and aiming at the real body, but simply aiming at both the twins and the real body at the same time, this will save some time and increase reliability.
4831
4832However, immediately after Tatsuya set out to target nine information bodies, he was again attacked by the snakes of the magic of illusions.
4833
4834Yakumo was an experienced combat magician. He wasn’t stupid enough to silently wait for Tatsuya's attack.
4835
4836Tatsuya neutralized this scattering illusion.
4837
4838And again found every Eidos double of Yakumo.
4839
4840But an instant before he had managed to aim the magic at them, the illusion reappeared and attacked him.
4841
4842All this was repeated many times.
4843
4844Apparently, Tatsuya and Yakumo had exactly the same speed of magic activation.
4845
4846But it was Yakumo who made the very first move, so Tatsuya couldn’t overtake him in building magic.
4847
4848Yakumo couldn’t attack, but at the same time Tatsuya couldn’t attack.
4849
4850It all came down to a draw with alternating repetitive actions.
4851
4852That's just the time everything went and repeated.
4853
4854And the time lost in this battle meant victory for Yakumo, and defeat for Tatsuya.
4855
4856The illusion attacked, the illusion disappeared.
4857
4858It took time to activate Gram Dispersion to erase the illusion, so Tatsuya didn't have time to attack.
4859
4860To destroy illusions, it was necessary to abandon attacks.
4861
4862“... Do I really need to destroy these illusions?" 
4863
4864Tatsuya thought with another part of his consciousness, not responsible for the application of emotion.
4865
4866“If you don’t destroy the illusions, then I will get hit by the technique of 'Gishin Anki.'”
4867
4868“Then my body will have to endure the pain."
4869
4870And at that moment the direction of his thoughts changed.
4871
4872“But why should this pain bother me?"
4873
4874“Even when something hurts, it doesn’t mean that the motor functions are damaged."
4875
4876“This is only pain."
4877
4878“Am I not accustomed to such pain, which exists only in the form of sensations?”
4879
4880During Tatsuya's “Regrowth” the reverse tracking process in an instant, in a concentrated form, recognizes the information received by the object. When using “Regrowth” to heal wounds, he feels all this pain, accumulated from the moment of injury until the application of “Regrowth,” in a moment in a concentrated form.
4881
4882He personally experienced pain already tens or hundreds of times more intense than the pain of a fatal injury.
4883
4884He experienced the pain of hundreds of people, intensified tens and hundreds of times.
4885
4886“The pain can be simply ignored." - Thought Tatsuya.
4887
4888Such determination greatly simplified the matter.
4889
4890A sharp pain shot through Tatsuya's chest.
4891
4892Ignoring it, Tatsuya activated a two-fold “decomposition."
4893
4894First, he laid out the Strengthening of the data, covering the shoulder joints of nine information bodies corresponding to the twins of Yakumo, and his real body.
4895
4896Yakumo, himself, and his doubles became partially defenseless.
4897
4898With an absolutely zero time delay, he laid out the tissues of the body.
4899
4900Skin decomposition
4901
4902Muscle breakdown
4903
4904Blood vessels, nerves and other body tissues found in a straight line — everything was also decomposed.
4905
4906A hole was drilled in the joint of the right shoulder.
4907
4908Signs of Yakumo's presence faltered.
4909
4910In the information dimension only the real body remained, and the twins disappeared.
4911
4912At the same time, the figure of Yakumo appeared in the sight of the naked eye.
4913
4914Tatsuya instantly moved to Yakumo, dropping to one knee.
4915
4916And he put the edge of the palm to Yakumo's throat, on the edge of which was a “decomposition” prepared for activation.
4917
4918“... Master. This is the end.”
4919
4920“... I admit. I lost.”
4921
4922The killing intent then disappeared from Tatsuya's eyes.
4923
4924“No, I lost.... Minami has left Japan.”
4925
4926Immediately after Yakumo was neutralized, he focused his “sight" on Minami. So he learned that Minami was already outside the territorial waters of Japan.
4927
4928In international waters, a sovereignty rule applies on board any vessel assigned to a State. For civilian courts, this rule can be ignored, but an encroachment on the sovereignty of military ships can easily ignite international conflict.
4929
4930The easy solution to this problem from now on has become impossible.
4931
4932“I see.”
4933
4934Yakumo didn’t smile. He didn’t have his usual vague smirk on which it was impossible to read his thoughts. Instead, a feeling of fatigue emanated from him, as after the finished work.
4935
4936“Master.” 
4937
4938Tatsuya said and stretched out his hand to the right shoulder of Yakumo.
4939
4940The hole in Yakumo's shoulder instantly disappeared.
4941
4942“Thanks.”
4943
4944Yakumo smiled wryly.
4945
4946Between them, the familiar atmosphere reappeared.
4947
4948“Can I hear the reason?”
4949
4950“The reason why I prevented you?”
4951
4952Tatsuya nodded silently in response to Yakumo's question.
4953
4954“Alright.”
4955
4956Yakumo agreed, continuing to sit on the ground.
4957
4958But he didn’t begin to tell immediately. Mumbling “Let me think...,” he seemed to be pondering how best to explain everything.
4959
4960“In our country there are people who really don’t like the filth generated by demons.”
4961
4962“I know.”
4963
4964Tatsuya nodded.
4965
4966“No, I'm talking about an organization unknown to you.”
4967
4968Yakumo shook his head with a bitter smile.
4969
4970“The people in this organization don’t hold any posts in the government. They have no official status. But in our country they occupy the second place in terms of influence.”
4971
4972“Secret state rulers?”
4973
4974“Well, you could say that. This time I worked at the request of these people. The request was to banish these monsters - Parasites - from our country as soon as possible.”
4975
4976“... So you helped Minoru to escape?”
4977
4978“Sealing monsters for those people doesn’t look like a good option. Everyone understands that sealing is something that might break one day. Therefore, it is obvious that these people want to drive out the monsters, since they can’t be destroyed.”
4979
4980“And you can’t go against these people?” 
4981
4982Tatsuya asked in a caustic tone.
4983
4984Yakumo answered him in exactly the same tone:
4985
4986“Among these people is also His Excellency Toudou Aoba.
4987
4988The expression disappeared from Tatsuya's face.
4989
4990With the face of Yakumo, too.
4991
4992An awkward silence arose between them.
4993
4994This silence was broken by Tatsuya.
4995
4996“Master, you always said that you are a hermit...”
4997
4998Even by this vague phrase, one could understand what Tatsuya wants to say.
4999
5000At that moment, the bitterest smile that evening appeared on Yakumo's face.
5001
5002“Yes, here you deftly caught me.” 
5003
5004Yakumo muttered in such a tone as if now it wasn’t spoken about him at all.
5005
5006“That's for sure. This can’t be called mortal existence.”
5007
5008In addition, Tatsuya said nothing more, but turned his back to Yakumo who continued to sit on the ground with his legs crossed, and walked away.
5009
5010
5011Chapter 15 
5012
5013Having taken the Wingless electric motorcycle left on the highway (fortunately, the police didn’t take it), Tatsuya sat on him and drove home. He arrived at the multi-story building in Tofu a little after 9 o'clock in the evening.
5014
5015“Welcome back, Onii-sama.”
5016
5017- I returned.
5018
5019Tatsuya felt embarrassed that Miyuki had gone out to meet him straight to the front door. Today, he didn’t warn Miyuki in advance that Minoru was about to break into the hideout. While he was riding home on a motorcycle, he was constantly thinking how to explain to him now that saving Minami was getting harder and harder.
5020
5021However, he couldn’t think of anything.
5022
5023In the end, he didn’t know what to say.
5024
5025“Onii-sama, I heard from Hayama-san of today events.”
5026
5027It was none other than Miyuki herself who came to Tatsuya to help.
5028
5029When Kuroba Mitsugu appeared in front of Tatsuya then it became clear that the main house was following Tatsuya actions. And there was no reason to hide it from Miyuki. So it was reasonable to expect her to tell it.
5030
5031- I see... Yes, the situation has become more complicated.
5032
5033- Even Sensei stood on the other side and prevented you, so that nothing can be done. Miyuki needs only the fact that Onii-sama returned safely.
5034
5035- I see... I'm sorry I made you worry.
5036
5037- I don’t...
5038
5039Miyuki faltered and didn't know what to say.
5040
5041One look at such Miyuki for Tatsuya was enough to understand that she was really worried.
5042
5043Gently hugging Miyuki shoulders, he led her into the living room.
5044
5045
5046They sat next to each other, and Miyuki sat for a while with her head on Tatsuya shoulder. Then, apparently, finally calming down, she carefully pulled away from Tatsuya and stood up.
5047
5048Miyuki blushed slightly around her eyes, but Tatsuya didn’t tell her that he had noticed this.
5049
5050- I'll make coffee. Or is it better than tea?
5051
5052- Let me think... Now, probably, I would like tea.
5053
5054- As you wish. Tea to make hot?
5055
5056- Yes. Thank.
5057
5058Miyuki left the living room and went to the kitchen.
5059And as if to replace it, at that moment Lina appeared in the living room.
5060
5061“You are finally back, Tatsuya.”
5062
5063- Lina. Have you been with Miyuki?
5064
5065- Yeah. It seems that you had difficulties, however, and we had a big stir here.
5066
5067-...Something happened? - Frowning, asked Tatsuya Lina.
5068
5069- It happened. Serious incident. I'll tell you when Miyuki returns. Although, perhaps, she wants to tell about it herself.
5070
5071- I see.
5072
5073Tatsuya didn’t ask further.
5074
5075Lina also fell silent. It seemed that she felt embarrassed in the silence that had come, but it was she herself who offered to wait for “when Miyuki returned." However, it seems that she didn’t plan to cancel her last statement.
5076
5077Miyuki returned to the living room.
5078
5079- Lina. I should have said you got up. I didn't cook for you.
5080
5081Hearing Miyuki say the word “rose," Tatsuya looked at Lin.
5082
5083Lina abruptly looked away.
5084
5085By the way, her hair was loose and slightly disheveled like after sleep.
5086
5087Looks like Lina decided to take a nap. Thinking that Lina would not like it if he asked if she was sleeping, Tatsuya decided not to touch this topic.
5088
5089- I have enough juice.
5090
5091Still turning away from Tatsuya, Lina answered frantically in a cold voice. After that, she pressed a button on the console and ordered orange juice for herself in the home automation system.
5092
5093In an elegant manner, Miyuki placed a saucer in front of Tatsuya and a cup of tea on him. She put her kit on the table on the opposite side of Tatsuya. By the time she sat down next to Lina, the non-humanoid robot of the home automation system had already brought a glass of juice ordered by Lina.
5094
5095They had drinks now, and everyone exchanged glances again.
5096
5097- Miyuki. Tell Tatsuya about the incident with Honoka and Mizuki?
5098
5099“Has something happened to Honoka and Mizuki?”
5100
5101Tatsuya looked at Miyuki with a serious look.
5102
5103Miyuki didn’t look away. She planned to tell Tatsuya about today events from the very beginning.
5104
5105- Yes, the truth is...
5106
5107Miyuki told Tatsuya about the abduction of Honoka and the attempted abduction of Mizuki.
5108- With Honoka now Erika. It seems that the effect of the drug is still preserved, but according to a doctor organized by Hyougo-san, there will be no irreversible consequences.
5109
5110- I see... This is a relief. As they say, every cloud has a silver lining.
5111
5112- Yeah, that's for sure. And also, if it weren’t for Erika intuition, Mizuki would also be in great danger.
5113
5114- You're right. Later, I will thank Erika.
5115
5116- And also Pixie. If it weren’t for her, we would not be able to find out where Honoka was taken.
5117
5118- Yes. Pixie, too, thank you.
5119
5120Tatsuya agreed with Miyuki and Lena who followed her.
5121
5122After which he fixed his eyes on emptiness.
5123
5124-... Onii-sama?
5125
5126- M? Oh, sorry.
5127
5128- What are you thinking about?
5129
5130Miyuki and Lina stared at Tatsuya with their looks, bending him to answer.
5131
5132- No... What I thought was, perhaps, exaggeration.
5133
5134Neither Miyuki nor Lina looked away from Tatsuya.
5135
5136Having resigned , Tatsuya continued.
5137
5138“Honoka and Mizuki became targets of hostile armed forces just because they are my friends.” But I don’t intend to torture myself with the thought that it is my fault that they faced the danger face to face. This may sound insensitive, but the villains here are illegal saboteurs and the USNA government that sent them.
5139
5140- This isn’’t unfeeling! What Onii-sama said is an indisputable fact.
5141
5142- Right! As Miyuki said, the villains are the Illegal MAP and the Pentagon! 
5143
5144Tatsuya was confused by the formidable faces of the two girls. The fact that Miyuki would protect him would have been expected for Tatsuya, but he didn’t think that Lina would join her.
5145
5146- I am not going to take responsibility for the actions of USNA... but I also can’t pretend that I have nothing to do with it at all.
5147
5148“Does that mean you feel responsible for the safety of Honoka and Mizuki?”
5149
5150“Similar things can happen in the future.”
5151
5152- Do you... have any specific plan?
5153
5154After asking Miyuki, Tatsuya showed unusual indecision.
5155
5156However, he couldn’t forever hesitate with the answer, therefore, in the end he decided.
5157
5158Tatsuya met Miyuki eyes, which from the very beginning didn’t take her eyes off him, and gave her answer.
5159
5160“... I thought, why not take care of the protection of Honoka and Mizuki by the forces of the Yotsuba family... no, by my own strength. Of course, if they themselves want.
5161
5162At that moment, he realized that such an answer wasn’t enough.
5163
5164- I wasn’t only thinking about Honoka and Mizuki. But you should not worry about Shizuku, because behind it stands the whole strength of the Kitayama family... And also, should we also consider Erika, Leo and Mikihiko as those who need protection...? We need to think about it.
5165
5166- I guess it won’t be superfluous.
5167
5168Miyuki didn’t object to Tatsuya words. However, if only Honoka , Mizuki, and Erika were the targets of protection , then she might have objected. Because it could be interpreted as a declaration of the so-called “harem." But this suspicion disappeared with the addition of Leo and Mikihiko to the list of names.
5169
5170- And you gathered an impressive company. Gathered Xia founded the kingdom?
5171
5172Lina expressed her impressions in such a tone that it wasn’t clear whether she was joking or not.
5173
5174Tatsuya only smiled wryly, but Miyuki didn’t react at all.
5175
5176
5177◊ ◊
5178
5179
5180Japanese time: July 16, dawn. Local time: July 15, early morning.
5181
5182A fully submersible transport ship, the Coral, with Minoru and Minami on board, arrived at the USNA Pearl and Hermes naval base on the North-West Islands of the Hawaiian archipelago.
5183
5184(Continued in the next arc “Return")
5185
5186
5187Afterword 
5188
5189Vol and released the first in the new era of “Rave *" edition of the series “Bad student in the school of magic." How do you like Volume 29, “The Chase (Part 2)"? Did you like it?
5190
5191[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/rave]
5192
5193
5194Above the picture of the collision of Tatsuya and Yakumo, I have been thinking since the early period of work on this series. And more specifically, over this confrontation “teacher against student” I began to think from about volume 13 “Cross with obstacles”. Volume 13 was released in April 2014, so we can say that it took a full five years to complete the work.
5195
5196In the drafts of the plot, I even had an absolutely serious battle, where Tatsuya killed Yakumo, but the final version was exactly the same as you read. As an author, I couldn’t come to an agreement that such strong emotions could arise between them or, like oh, any other excuse for them to fight to the death. Although in the final version some dissatisfaction is felt, but in the end it seems to me that such a contest of martial and magical arts, from which they both came out without injury, fits best into the plot.
5197
5198
5199As I mentioned at the beginning of the afterword, last month His new Majesty the Emperor was crowned, and the era changed to “Rave." This is a good name in order to increase the productivity of my work... I think that I am not the only one who was concerned with the question of how to deal with the name of the era in fictional works about modern Japan and Japan in the near future.
5200
5201Therefore, I think that many were grateful when it was reported that all candidates were eliminated and only one remained. Although for many non-popular writers, this message won’t be a particular problem in terms of privacy policy.
5202
5203Many authors have fictional period names in fictional works, for example, “Showa” [照 和] instead of “Showa" [ 昭和], “Taisho" [ 太 正] instead of “Taisho" [ 大 正], “Meiji" [ 明 冶] instead of “Meiji" [ 明治]. There was also a book where “Showa" was simply replaced by “Sink". Therefore, I don’t even know how to choose the correct pronunciation for the fictional name of the era.
5204
5205
5206In the novels that I am going to write in the future, I intend to use “Genk" instead of “Showa", and “Syubun" instead of “Heisei". This won’t violate the privacy policy, even if the last candidate isn’t approved.
5207
5208And what should I use instead of “Rave"...? I think “Eiko" will do. Or will it be easier to use the European calendar, as in the Mahouka series? Incidentally, this doesn’t mean that in the world of “Mahouka" the system of names for the periods of government was abolished. I just couldn’t think of how the era could be called 80 years later.
5209
5210
5211This time, Tatsuya had a statement that could be misinterpreted as a harem ad, but Tatsuya doesn’t intend to change Miyuki. Polygamy, he also doesn’t plan.... Actually, I have plans to write a story with a similar plot, but at least in this series, and with this character nothing like this will happen. And you can be absolutely sure that this is my opinion will never change.
5212
5213As I said last time, the next 30 volume will be called “Return rotation *". It’s not yet decided whether this arch will be a two-volume or not. In the “Return", we will leave Japan, and we will face some excesses against the US Army. I’m concerned if I can dock the plot connectivity, but I’ll give up all my strength so that you find this plot terribly interesting, so please wait.
5214
5215[From the translator: I decided to use “return" instead of “salvation". For the literary translation of the word used sounds something like “return, repel, recapture your own (selected , stolen, etc.) with the use of force.”]
5216
5217Hope to see you again in the next 30 volume.
5218
5219( Satou Tsutomu )