The starting point of modern magic was the year 1999. Following that, nations devoted themselves to the research of magic skills as if sharpening swords for battle. Naturally, while research that was ethically hesitant proceeded, the global cooling phenomenon led to food shortages, sparking the World War.
As a result, nations across the African and South American continents collapsed across the board. It is believed that one of the reasons the mineral resources of Africa were targeted was the use of gemstones as catalysts for magic.
Setting those circumstances aside for a moment, the government of this country considered whether magic could be utilized as a tool for military and diplomatic purposes. Officially, the research into magic skills was ostensibly for sealing nuclear weapons, based on the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles."
However, the "Organic Interference" being researched at the First Laboratory was not a field designed to seal nuclear weapons themselves, but rather one that included the lethality of opponents within its scope. The fact that the Ichihana family fell into the misery of becoming Numbers-Dropout Extras was undoubtedly due to the instigation of the "Senate."
The discrepancy in treatment—where the Ichijou family's Explosion was permitted, but the Ichihana family's Biological Interference was not—lacked consistency. Therefore, officially, the treatment was justified based on their stance of cooperation during the Sado Invasion.
However, during the Sado Invasion, the Ichijou family "independently" negotiated with Colonel Sakai, who was then the Commander of the Hokuriku Area of the National Defense Army, to organize a volunteer army. In addition, Toya, who happened to be present, defeated soldiers of the New Soviet Union, allowing the invasion to be repelled without significant casualties.
No matter how powerful a magician may be, the gap in combat experience is difficult to overcome. In that sense, it was natural for the experienced Ichijou family to take the lead, and it was a fact that the Ichihana family lacked anyone with actual combat experience. As for the people who cut them off without considering that context, they were secretly "erased" upon Gozo's request.
To position magicians as "humans" rather than "weapons" in the face of such government intentions, Retsu established the Ten Master Clans Conference (Master Clans Conference), accepting proposals from Senhime and Gozo.
Originally, the purpose was to establish the fundamental human rights of modern magicians—including the management of the Magic Skill Developer Laboratories—and to prevent the tyranny of state power. To achieve this, the organization held independent power, distanced from the government and political authority. For that to work, they had to be the "strongest" among the magicians of this country… This is the essence of the Master Clans Conference, including the Ten Master Clans.
To use an analogy from the Sengoku period: if the government is the Daimyo supported by the populace, then the Master Clans Conference is akin to the Kuge (Court Nobles). They possess no official authority or power, yet they hold influence in fields such as politics, military affairs, and diplomacy, while ostensibly engaging in economic activities and social contributions as private citizens. They should perhaps be called a hybrid of pure nobility and ordinary citizens.
They hold no public authority, yet they are an existence that even those with public authority cannot ignore. The Japan Magic Association is too overburdened to handle this issue. Even regarding Magician Licenses, although it is a system created for the management of magicians, its actual coercive power is extremely scarce.
The responsibility for the Master Clans Conference, whose standing is far too half-baked, should originally be borne by the government that created the cause. However, fed up with opportunistic parliament members, leaks to opposition party members during elections covered a wide range of issues. In the confusion, ruling party members who could become future enemies were made to lose their seats through the legitimate means of elections.
But I believe that is not enough.
First, the establishment of the Magic Skill Developer Laboratories, which is deeply involved in the launch of the Master Clans Conference, was concentrated roughly in the early 2030s. This period saw not only the worsening of food circumstances due to cooling but also the sporadic outbreak of battles over food and arable land. Research accelerated under the assumption that military conflicts would occur as the cooling period prolonged.
Considering the ages of the current heads of the Ten Master Clans: the oldest is the Kudou family head, Kudou Makoto, who will be 64 at the time of next year's conference (born in 2033). The youngest is the Mutsuzuka family head, Mutsuzuka Atsuko, at 29 (born in 2068).
Excluding Atsuko and the next youngest, the Yatsushiro family head, Yatsushiro Raizo (31, born in 2066), the members of the Ten Master Clans are generally in their early 40s to mid-50s—born between the early 2040s and the mid-2050s. This is the generation born before and during the World War.
In short, the Master Clans Conference—the families of magicians bearing the numbers "One" to "Ten"—can be viewed as "Magicians for War," born amidst the outbreak and intensification of the global conflict.
After the war ended, the cultivation of magicians was undertaken as a national policy, but humanitarian issues became a problem here.
While it didn't go as far as the one-sided tribunals of World War II, if it came to light that inhumane experiments were conducted under the orders of the government at the time, condemnation from the international community would be unavoidable. That is the reason why Enhanced Psychics and Enhanced Adjusted Bodies are kept hidden from the world, living in containment.
And this was the same for the subjects of the Magic Skill Developer Laboratories (the Twenty-Eight Families). To prevent the darkness of that magician development from coming to light, the government—or more accurately, the "Senate"—took the lead, with Retired Major General of the National Defense Force, Kudou Retsu, standing at the forefront to declare the inauguration of the Master Clans Conference.
Furthermore, it is a fact that the members of the "Senate" are entirely composed of families practicing Ancient Magic. Tracing their roots reveals they were the very families sponsoring the laboratories. Some among them have ties to government heavyweights and major politicians, men who despise dirtying their own hands. In this way, they behave much more like the corrupt courtiers of old.
One can understand why Gozo, the former head of the Kamiizumi family whose ancestors were master swordsmen serving samurai, truly snapped.
They do not want to dirty their hands. Therefore, they use their limbs—modern magicians—as weapons to handle the disposal. Because the orders are given in secret, they never surface, and if anyone tries to bring it to light, they simply obliterate them socially… Honestly, I find myself thinking that the "Senate" is the entity that should be destroyed with top priority.
The members of the "Senate" are all drunk on their own authority and power. There are some somewhat decent humans among them, but I seek no value in those who will not act themselves.
Brandishing authority and power is one thing, but leaving the actual work to subordinates while living carefree in a safe place… do these elders fancy themselves "Kings"? Even if the Eight Million Gods accepted that, I absolutely will not. I, at least, believe that those without the resolve to be killed have no right to kill others.
Since there are rumors that they are supporting magic cabals and extremists who proclaim magicians to be "New Humanity," I intend to cleanly "sweep" the "Senate" eventually.
Burdening the Toudou family alone with the coordination of Ancient Magicians afterward might cause Aoba to die from overwork (and Miki hiko, who will eventually succeed him, might suffer the same fate). Therefore, I intend to seek cooperation from the branch families of the Kagurazaka or Ancient Magic families belonging to the "Kuzuryu."
I have already spoken to Toudou Aoba about matters including the reorganization of the "Senate." When confronted with that reality by a boy the same age as his daughter, Aoba fell completely silent. Perhaps because it was after he had received a scolding from Gozo and Senhime, he, too, seemed to hold his head in his hands at the reality of the "Senate's" corruption.
If the unconscious fear foreign nations hold toward Japan and this country's "peace-at-any-price" temperament are the "evil legacies of WWII," then the old men clinging to the "Senate" are the "evil legacies of the World War." Since we are approaching the 22nd century, unless these existences that only harm the future are asked to leave, I cannot sleep soundly.
In my previous life's fiction, there were beings who couldn't eat unless they fought each other, but compared to that, the scale here is contained within the country. I have already laid out a path where eliminating them would pose no problem. After all, I revived the Kyoto "Sanctuary" to demonstrate that power. Of course, the Kyoto incident wasn't just to corner Zhou Gongjin or incorporate the "Traditionalists," but also to enshrine Lord Tenjin once more.
It feels like I might be punished for using him, but surely Lord Michizane acts against tyranny like that of the Fujiwara clan of old as being too much to bear. As a sign of this, when I went to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine to pray for the success of the thesis competition the day before the event, I heard a spiritual voice.
—Those who climb high, despise blood, and covet wealth are committing truly unforgivable acts.
Since these words didn't sound like a mere hallucination, there might be people who are struck directly by Tenjin's curse and die before I can even lay a hand on them.
In fact, when I proceeded with the construction of the Tenmangu Shrine in Arashiyama, there were those in the "Senate" who opposed it. They claimed, "Kyoto already has numerous religious facilities, so the construction of a Tenmangu Shrine is not rational," but it has also been revealed that those same individuals were receiving benefits from Zhou Gongjin.
Whether I do it, or Gozo's anger falls upon them and wipes them out, or they receive Tenjin's wrath and their houses are crushed… it would be good if they realized they are merely in a state of waiting to see which happens first. However, there is no sign of them realizing it. I can only say I am amazed by these Ancient Magic families who possess authority and power.
And, fortunately or unfortunately… being able to absorb the knowledge possessed by Zhou Gongjin was a stroke of luck. After all, he was the disciple of Gu Jie, whom Gozo decided to slay. Naturally, the knowledge obtained includes the objectives heard from Gu Jie.
"The social obliteration of the Yotsuba Family"… the moment he plotted this, Gu Jie was confirmed Guilty.
In the original story, Raymond Clark learns via "Hliðskjálf" that small missiles no longer used by the USNA military have gone missing, and leaks this as one of the "Seven Sages" to Lina.
Two days prior to this, the USNA Joint Chiefs of Staff Intelligence Department Internal Affairs Bureau learns of the loss. The problem is that data tampering other than the storage records showed "no abnormalities"—meaning it was almost perfect.
This question was difficult even for Colonel Balance, but she reasoned that an influential figure in Congress had used Gu Jie. However, she couldn't derive what benefit would be gained by doing so. Colonel Balance failed to see through it precisely because she was focused solely on USNA circumstances.
Gu Jie hated the Yotsuba family for destroying the Kunlun Fang Institute that had ousted him. If one looks for a person who knows those circumstances, the list naturally narrows. Certainly, insiders within the military might have been involved, but there was no footage of the removal, and even the data tampering was nearly perfect. Such a feat can only be performed by someone well-versed in information security. It is obvious that Gu Jie is not knowledgeable in the field of information security, given his reliance on "Hliðskjálf."
And in the original story, it was at this point that the magician society learned that Tatsuya was a member of the Yotsuba family. Additionally, during the Parasite incident, Tatsuya was called the Strategic Class Magician The Destroy by Raymond.
A person who knows Tatsuya is of Yotsuba lineage, knows Gu Jie's objective, and can alter USNA military facility security with ease… There is only one person who fits these three distinct conditions: Raymond's father and one of the developers of "Echelon III," Edward Clark.
However, if there is a factor outside of Gu Jie or Edward Clark's calculations, it is that Yugen obtained Zhou Gongjin's knowledge in exchange for obliterating his ghost. Naturally, this includes knowledge regarding Jiangshi arts, and he also grasps the techniques used by the master, Gu Jie.
Originally, this was work done for the Kagurazaka family, but since I can "provide information" in a form attached to that, it is nothing other than killing two birds with one stone.
At this point, neither Gu Jie… nor Edward Clark realizes that the plan Gu Jie is about to execute is already broken. No matter what action Gu Jie takes after stumbling at the start, the moment he steps into this country, he cannot escape.
It suddenly occurred to me, but if Project Dione were to be announced, I am concerned about how Yugen would be treated. Strict security is in place regarding the Taurus Silver aspect, and regarding the Strategic Class Magician aspect, the only USNA personnel who clearly know are Colonel Virginia Balance and Lina.
Since I planted a trap in the interception system of "Echelon III," if an operator or the administrator, Edward Clark, searches for information on this country, it is set to be known immediately.
However, since there are no absolutes in life, I will be doubly cautious just in case. Since Raymond Clark knows that Yugen is the Strategic Class Magician of Halloween of Scorching Heat and Aurora, there is no guarantee it won't be conveyed to Edward Clark. No, Yugen thought he should probably inform the Yotsuba family on the premise that it has already been conveyed.
December 28, 2096 AD.
Tsukuba Yuuka, one of the candidates for the next head of the Yotsuba family, was heading to the Tsukuba family villa at the foot of Mount Amigasa in Yatsugatake in a four-wheeled private car.
The New Year's gathering of the Yotsuba main family was on New Year's Day of the following year. Therefore, Yuuka originally intended to wait for the bodyguard mentioned by Maya before moving. However, she received a "warning" from her mother, Tsukuba Touka, that moving on the 29th would be dangerous.
"Honestly, the other branch heads are such a nuisance…"
Thus, Yuuka was forced to move up her schedule, planning to move to the villa today and head to the Yotsuba main house on the 31st. When she contacted Maya to apologize for requesting a bodyguard, she was told, "We have made arrangements, so there is no need for you to apologize, Yuuka-san," and that the bodyguard would be sent to the villa.
Yuuka was angry at the branch heads who were dragging other people into their mess with this sudden change of plans.
Regardless, she arrived at the villa before noon. Standing in front of the villa to welcome Yuuka was a single boy wearing a suit. Yuuka's eyes widened at the presence of the person who was also her fiancée.
"Huh? Yugen-kun? Why are you here?"
"Long time no see, Yuuka-san. Well, we'll catch a cold standing and talking, so let's go inside first."
"Ah, right. You're right."
Guided by Yugen, Yuuka entered the villa. Once shown into the living room, Yuuka took off her coat and sat on the sofa, while Yugen sat on the sofa facing her.
"Now then, first, regarding the reason I am here: officially, I am Yuuka-san's bodyguard."
"Bodyguard… Ah, I see. It makes sense that the Head and Hayama-san would approve."
Not only had he repaired the relationship between Maya and Miya, but he was also greatly favored by Maya, and Miya served as Yugen's lover and exclusive servant. Furthermore, Hayama, the head butler of the Yotsuba, held Yugen in high regard not only for his skills as a magician but also for his character.
Honestly, from Yuuka's perspective, having Yugen—a Strategic Class Magician on par with Tatsuya—as a bodyguard made her look at him with suspicion, thinking, "What kind of payment makes this deal work?" If she had to guess, Miyuki and Yuuka were designated as Yugen's fiancées behind the scenes. However, she felt that having a fiancée and the next head of the Kagurazaka family as a bodyguard was unbalanced from the start.
"So, if that's the official reason… there are backroom circumstances?"
"Yes. Last month, Mitsugu-san visited and voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision regarding Tatsuya's treatment, and furthermore, he acted disrespectfully toward the Kagurazaka family. I forcibly cut the meeting short as it was going nowhere."
"…(What are you doing, Mitsugu-san?)"
Yuuka smiled twitchily at the fact that one of the backroom circumstances Yugen conveyed was an outrageous bombshell.
Leaving aside Yugen's ability, the fact that Mitsugu had picked a fight with the Kagurazaka family—Yugen's current home—meant she couldn't even guess what price would have to be paid to quell the Kagurazaka's anger.
"I have conveyed that part to Tatsuya as well but… Last night, someone seems to have instigated Colonel Sakai's faction, who forced the event change in the Nine Schools Competition, as well as Captain Hatae's unit at the National Defense Army's Second Uji Supply Base. Furthermore, it seems they are even using a magician knowledgeable in 'precognition'."
"…(Isn't that bad? No, seriously, what are we going to do…?)"
Honestly, Yuuka couldn't stop the cold sweat.
She had heard about the events at the Nine Schools Competition and the recent incident with Zhou Gongjin. She knew that while Tatsuya was indeed involved in both, the cleanup was primarily handled by the Kagurazaka family. Yugen used the word "someone," but given the flow of the conversation, it was unthinkable that it was anyone other than the Yotsuba branch heads.
Crushing the face of the Guardian, the Kagurazaka family, was a major problem in itself, but they had brought to naught the efforts of Yugen, the very person involved. Only a few people knew the fact that Yugen was living at the Shiba home, but it wouldn't be strange for Mitsugu to know via Fumiya or Ayako.
And the one who requested Yugen through Tatsuya was the Yotsuba family head, Yotsuba Maya. Crushing Yugen's face was equivalent to crushing Maya's face as well. Honestly, even if all the branch heads were erased under collective responsibility, no one would be allowed to complain.
(Author's Note)
The first half includes spiritual concepts and elements from after the Yotsuba Succession Arc and the Master Clans Conference Arc. Since it includes quite a bit of my own speculation, please treat it as an original setting.
The second half finally gets involved with the Yotsuba Succession Arc but… re-reading the manga, if they moved assuming things would turn out that way beforehand, the responsibility of the position that instigated it would naturally be heavy.
When I looked at the manga for the Master Clans Conference Arc, the "Speed Loader" part was depicted, and I thought it was certainly true to the name. I learned once again that Koichi is not just a simple schemer.
-----------------------------
I've just uploaded up to 30 chapters in advance on Patreon!
If you enjoy this story, please supporting me on Patreon!
👉 [patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your amazing support!