It had been a week since they parted ways at the Tsushima Fortress. Tatsuya, who had returned ahead of schedule, did not know the details of how that battle ultimately concluded beyond what was publicly disclosed. Seeing his reunion with Kazama as an opportune moment, he bombarded him with questions, but it seemed Kazama, too, had many unknown parts.
As Tatsuya exchanged information and discussed theories with Kazama, he abruptly turned his entire body toward the door. A jolt of tension ran down Miyuki's spine. She sensed it from her brother's demeanor.
"Excuse me."
After a perfunctory knock, the door opened without waiting for a reply. The one who bowed respectfully was an elderly butler. He was clearly of a higher caliber than the boy from earlier, an old man of obviously high status.
However, no further words of introduction came from his mouth. If it were merely the simple task of opening a door, it shouldn't have been this elderly man's role, and yet it was.
But Tatsuya, Miyuki, and Kazama did not find this suspicious. On the contrary, they all thought the same thing: that this role could only be properly fulfilled by this elderly man.
"Thank you for waiting."
Behind the old man stood the mistress of the mansion.
"My deepest apologies. My previous guests were quite reluctant to leave... Even though our appointed time has passed, I couldn't very well chase them out..."
"Please don't concern yourself. I am aware of your busy schedule."
Kazama replied to Maya's apology, and only then did the two finally take their seats.
"Miyuki-san, please sit down as well."
At her urging, Miyuki slowly took her seat. However, she did not speak to Tatsuya. Deep down, she wished to, but considering Tatsuya's position in this situation, even Maya, as the head of the family, could not openly indulge him.
"The reason I asked you to come today was to inform you about a series of military operations stemming from the Yokohama Incident the other day."
"To me, sir?"
"Yes, and also to Tatsuya-san and Miyuki-san."
Saying that, Maya offered a meaningful smile. Although she said "and also," it was clear even without overthinking that the people she truly wanted to inform were Tatsuya and the others.
"The International Magicians' Association concluded a week ago that the explosion that annihilated the Chinkai Naval Base was not caused by 'radioactive contamination weapons,' which would violate the charter. Consequently, the punitive motion submitted to the association has been rejected."
Miyuki's face stiffened with even greater tension, then quickly exhaled a sigh of relief.
"I wasn't aware a punitive motion had been filed."
"You seem quite calm, don't you? As if you were certain that no punitive force would be dispatched."
"It was known that no residual radioactive substances would be observed."
Kazama didn't say, "You should know that too." It was unnecessary to say it, and he knew it would simply be brushed aside if he did.
As expected, Maya promptly changed the subject.
"Then, are you aware that 'General Shinten' was among the crew of the annihilated enemy fleet, and his death is considered certain?"
"Liu Yun-de?"
"Yes, Liu Yun-de himself, one of the thirteen Strategic-Class Magicians internationally recognized by their respective governments. The Great Asian Alliance seems to be enforcing extremely strict information control, but with this, the 'Thirteen Apostles' have become the 'Twelve Apostles.'"
Maya summarized a major shifting factor in the international military balance in a single, simple sentence. And furthermore, she revealed classified information that even Kazama was unaware of.
"The government seems to be trying to leverage this to extract significant concessions from the Great Asian Alliance. General Staff Headquarters has issued a deployment request to the Ichijou family, and the Ichijou family has accepted it. Mio-san is accompanying the fleet assembled at Sasebo."
"That person is boarding a warship?"
"Yes."
"...However, wouldn't it be detrimental to her health?"
"It must be a decision made with that knowledge. Both the General Staff and the Ichijou family. They must see it as such a rare opportunity."
Maya returned a surprisingly casual answer to Miyuki's worried question. Ichijou Mio, in contrast to her formidable magical abilities, was quite frail physically.
"Just as we had a grasp of Liu Yun-de's movements, they will also have caught wind of Mio-san's deployment. Also, though this is unconfirmed information, we received a report today that Dr. Bezobrazov has arrived in Vladivostok."
Hearing that name, Kazama's expression shifted.
"'Igniter,' Igor Andreivich Bezobrazov, you say?"
"Yes, Dr. Bezobrazov himself. The military leaders of various countries seem to be re-evaluating the effectiveness of large-scale magic after witnessing the results at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula."
Though he didn't voice it, Tatsuya was equally surprised.
"The Great Asian Alliance will likely have grasped similar information, so—"
"There's a high probability that a peace agreement will be reached soon?"
"That is what we anticipate."
Maya paused, then looked at Kazama with a smile. It was a youthful yet maturely charming and alluring smile, as if she were still in her late twenties despite being in her mid-forties. However, such allure had no effect on Kazama, who waited silently for her next words.
"...The long-standing conflict from three years ago will likely be settled with this."
Maya's face, as she resumed speaking, showed a slightly displeased look, as if her expectations had been thwarted. It would not be entirely inaccurate for Tatsuya to perceive this as more than just a misconception.
"However, the recent annihilation of the Chinkai Naval Base has attracted attention from numerous countries. It seems that more than one or two nations have pinpointed that the attack was caused by Strategic-Class magic and are trying to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. Groups will likely emerge that recall the commonalities with the Okinawa Naval Battle three years ago, when the Great Asian Alliance's deployed fleet was annihilated, and attempt to use that as a lead. However, it is an extremely undesirable situation for us if Tatsuya-san's true identity is discovered."
"I am keenly aware of that."
Seeing Kazama nod, Maya's face broke into a smile so natural it seemed unfeigned. No, perhaps this time she was genuinely satisfied and smiling from the heart.
"I'm pleased you understand. Then, just in case, I would like you to refrain from contact with Tatsuya-san for a while."
"...Understood."
Sensing that the conversation was over, Kazama bowed and left the reception room.
Next time, Maya will show her true colors.
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