Report on the 'Culling Game and its Aftermath in regard to the Magic Side of the Empire of Japan and Geopolitical Situation in the World related to the Culling Game and its effect'.
Report Written By: Special Non-Partisan Observatory Group of the Magic Association Council, Code: SNPOG
Primary Contributors: Anonymously Selected Employees of the Magic Association Council approved by the Primary Magic Associations of the Terra
Report distributed to:
1st - Primary Contributors (Full Acess)
2nd - Regular Members of the Magic Association Council (Partial Acess)
3rd - Affiliates of the Magic Association Council (Summary)
4th - Non-Member Organizations (Conclusion Note)
In the middle of November 2020, a Super Magical Formation which enveloped the entirety of Japan. From the observatory members of the Special Non-Partisan Observatory Group, the name of this Super Magical Formation was Culling Game.
Rather fitting name for what was happening inside the Super Magical Formation.
When the Culling Game was activated, it targeted anything and anyone that was classified as "Magical" or "Supernatural" and put the target into one of three brackets that were installed within the main ward.
All people of the Supernatural Origin were divided into the following:
1st - Kengan/Illuminati Faction
2nd - History Compilation Committee Faction
3rd - Non-Participants
The Players, as they were called, when one was put into the Non-Participant bracket, they wouldn't realize anything unless they reached the level of the Martial Grandmaster or Grand Knight. Only at that Level their observant perception would be enough to perceive the Culling Game.
One must admit that the entire Culling Game was devised in a manner where it would be totally invisible to the outsider or person who wasn't the target of the Culling Game itself. It was somewhat understandable when one considered the fact that the entire Culling Game was designated and activated by 7th Campione Tsuchimikado Yakou.
The Culling Game was targeting anyone who was either a member or connected to the History Compilation Committee, the ruling Magic Association in the Empire of Japan. The more advanced mechanisms of the Culling Game even targeted the mundane associates of the History Compilation Committee, because the main Wardstone of the Culling Game could somehow identify these people one after another and include them as targets for the Culling Game.
Over the following days, approximately ten or eleven days, the Culling Game exterminated anyone who was a member or related to the History Compilation Committee either by killing them or capturing these people.
The most insidious thing about the Culling Game was that, if a Player refused to participate in the Culling Game itself, then he would be killed directly by the Super Magical Formation.
In the end, either through the skewed rules of the Culling Game or through the overhelming power of Kengan/Illuminati Faction, the entire History Compilation Committee was exterminated to the last one.
It has been confirmed that the Culling Game also contained participation of the 1st Campion Sasha Dejanstahl Voban on the side of the 7th Campione. Marquise Voban arrived at the Empire of Japan several days before the start of the Culling Game, together with some of the Vampire Elders and Werewolf Warriors of the Lost Domain.
He personally attacked the Headquarters of the History Compilation Committee, where he fought and sealed the Heretic God Sun Wukong. The clash between Marquise Voban and Great Sage destroyed the entire Headquarters, rendering all four major families of the History Compilation Committee deceased.
It was also noted that the Kure Clan participated with their full power in the Culling Game and managed to kill many prominent members of the Committee and the families of the Committee.
According to the reports, only two people of the History Compilation Committee's four founding families have survived the purge. The most notable is Sayanomiya Kaoru, the Heiress of the Sayanomiya Family, who was captured by General Keira Clark and Katahara Retsudo. Another one is Shrine Maiden, Seishuuin Ena, who is also the holder of the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi. She has been seen in the presence of the 8th Campione Kusanagi Godou, a few days after the end of the Culling Game.
The Campiones appeared briefly before the 8th Campione retreated together with his personal knight, Heiress Apparent Erica Blandelli of the House Blandelli. Since then, the Special Non-Partisan Observatory Group didn't observe any further movements from the 8th Campione against the Culling Game, as he was seen attending High School of all places the next day.
The destruction of the History Compilation Committee gave a space for Katahara Metsudō and his concept of the Kengan Council that took control of the entire Supernatural Side of Japan.
It was noted that Katahara Metsudō had been preparing for something like this for several decades already, and when the Culling Game started, the forces of the Kengan Association and the Katahara Family began moving instantly.
The further effects on the region would be notable and unpredictable. The presence of another Campione in the Empire of Japan is certainly a wild card, but according to the observers of the Special Non-Partisan Observatory Group, it is unlikely that Kusanagi Godou would in any way intervene in the political matters of the Empire.
For the past months, the 8th Campione has continued his refusal stance on the Magic Side of the world, with the attempt to stop His Majesty Tsuchimikado in the Culling Game being part of the former History Compilation Committee's exploration of his character.
Certainly, the most important event in the upcoming days would be the meeting between the Martial Ruler and Ten'nō no Onmyōji, which would decide the fate of the Empire of Japan, at least on a partial basis.
Due to the familial relationship between the 7th Campione and the Katahara Family, it could be concluded that His Majesty Tsuchimikado Yakou would certainly support the Kengan Council in everything as long as a member of the Katahara Family was in charge of the Kengan Council.
Summary and Notes on the 'Culling Game and its Aftermath in regard to the Magic Side of the Empire of Japan and Geopolitical Situation in the World related to the Culling Game and its effect, written by the Special Non-Partisan Observatory Group of the Magic Association Council.
***
Somewhere in Japan, Some Time After the End of the Culling Game
The Culling Game created enormous chaos across the entire Empire of Japan, and only a tiny number of people who were on the original lists managed to survive or hide from the Culling Game.
Mainly because they were either lucky or not considered to be important enough to be told the truth.
Nevertheless, they were all being hunted down by the Kure Clan, as they all had bounties on their heads...
After the Culling Game ended, the Kengan Association and Illuminati Society issued rather high rewards for the survivors and stragglers who managed to survive by hiding too deeply.
And the Kure Clan was very good at collecting bounties on the heads of their targets.
One could say...
That they were very good at it.
The Drawn Sword Guild was considered the most powerful Guild within all of Japan, and it often worked hand in hand with the History Compilation Committee. They were founded by Goto Ryuji and mostly consisted of the elite mercenaries who fought for the interests of the History Compilation Committee.
Mainly because their interests were deeply tied to those of the Committee, and the money and resources that the Committee was giving them were good. Goto Ryuji was one of the strongest swordmasters in all of Japan and one of the most powerful Grand Kngiths in the entire Empire.
Under the old regime of the Onmyōji Clans, it wouldn't be possible for any Guild to rise in prominence, because the old Onmyōji Clans wouldn't allow something like that. They were pretty paranoid, and everything needed to be under their control and their rule.
Only after the founding families of the History Compilation Committee eradicated the Tsuchimikado Clan and other Onmyōji Clans, who went into hiding, did some people create Guilds and start building their own influence.
Now the Drawn Sword Guild was being hunted down by the Kure Clan and some Enforcers of the Illuminati Society because most of their members were killed during the Culling Game.
Though it was clear that some people of the Drawn Sword Guild managed to survive the attacks during the Culling Game. The ones that survived the onslaught during the Culling Game were now hiding like stray dogs from the best assassins of the Kure Clan and Illuminati Society.
It was a pretty tough life.
The hunt was led by Kure Xing, who was one of the strongest assassins of the entire Kure Clan; thus, Kure Erioh entrusted this task to him. Interestingly enough, Keira Clark, who was still within Japan, joined the hunt for the Drawn Sword Guild.
It was this faction that was supposed to intervene in their operations in Mexico several months ago on behalf of the History Compilation Committee... but just then everything went to fuck, when the Dark Mages and various criminals started indiscriminately using Magic in front of No-Majs.
It was then that it was decided that the international safety and preservation of the secrecy of Magic were the most important. Still, the Society and Government of the US didn't forget that the Drawn Sword Guild was about to intervene in their matters, and the time for revenge had come.
Currently, somewhere in the Japanese countryside, in some random, unnamed forests, a brutal fight was taking place between the remaining members of the Drawn Sword Guild and the hunting squad of the Kure Clan and Enforcers of the Society.
The General of the Mage-Knight Blazer Corps Regiment was fighting against Goto Ryuji personally. The Guildmaster of the Drawn Sword Guild was a handsome and muscular man with shaggy black hair and a neatly trimmed black beard.
When using his powers or agitated, his eyes glowed pure white. He wore his guild's standard black battle uniform and wielded a long red katana as he clashed against the General of the Mage-Knights.
Even Keira Clark had to admit that the man was rather good... skilled and proficient in the usage of Kenjutsu, various other Swordsmanship Styles, and also incorporating Magic into his Combat Style to the point where she would be a bit hard pressed if not for her newfound power.
She was now standing at the peak of the limits of the Grand Knights and wasn't far from reaching the Magic Saint. She also had a dagger infused with the power of the 7th Campione, which was her trump card in case something went wrong.
In the end, despite the fact that Goto Ryuji was undeniably skilled and a master at the usage of the katana, it was not enough when Keiraa lost her patience and activated the Campione's power within the sword that he gave her.
In a split second, everything was finished when Goto Royji's upper body was obliterated in the enormous burst of Divine Flames that Tsuchuimikado Yakou sealed into the sword.
It were Divine Flames of the Divine Authority Khvarenah: Halo of The Supreme Ruler and sealed with the help of Fūinjutsu. With that ability in her sleeves, she was technically unbeatable by anyone below the level of the Campione or so...
After the Guildmaster Goto Ryuji was killed by Keira Clark, the remaining members of the Drawn Sword Guild were also killed or were captured alive. Keira then went to the Kure Xing to start processing the captives, because they managed to capture several members of the Drawn Sword Guild.
She looked around until she saw a particular woman among the captives of the Drawn Sword Guild.
Kanae Tawata was the sole female in the entire Drawn Sword Guild... she was a tall and slim young woman with long dark purple hair, red eyes, dark purple lipstick, and black fingernails.
She had numerous black tattoos that covered her arms and the upper left half of her chest.
The most peculiar thing about her appearance was her red eyes; aside from that, even Keira had to admit that she looked rather beautiful.
She wore a purple baseball cap, a pink jacket, and black pants.
"This one... I will be taking custody of her."
The woman was barely conscious, because of the various Spells that were cast on her, but Keira could see the stubbornness and pride in her gaze... She thought that the woman would be a nice plaything and it would be fun breaking her.
The Kure Clan didn't give a shit about what would happen to the prisoners, as their task was only to capture them and that was all. Their fate, after the capture, was of no consequence to the Kure Clan.
"As you say. What about the rest of them?"
Kure Xing asked as he pointed at the remaining members of the Drawn Sword Guild, who were either unconscious or restrained.
"Interrogate them for any useful information that they may possess and afterward kill them."
She didn't have any use for the remaining members of the Drawn Sword Guild, as she ordered their direct execution after the interrogation was finished.
The Drawn Sword Guild was the last remaining aspect of the History Compilation Committee that managed to survive the Culling Game, mainly because they were hiding too deep, and they were not that important.
"As you wish."
Kure Xing, as a man of few words, said just that before he took a leave together with the Kure Clansmen to finish the task. The remaining members of the Drawn Sword Guild would be interrogated and executed afterwards.
"Well, that ended in a rather pathetic way... but what would one expect from the snakes like this?"
Surprisingly or not, the remaining members of the Drawn Sword Guild were in hiding because they feared that the Kure Clan and the forces of the Illuminati Society would come after them....
Which was certainly true.
Because we were planning to do so.
Though they had to admit they were pretty smart with their hiding plans, they managed to hide pretty deep, avoiding detection by the Kengan Association and the Illuminati Society.
"Well then... Yakou is at the Katahara Mansion, and he would be with the old man for some time... After that, we would be returning to Washington once the situation here stabilizes enough... though that fight."
Keira was rather nervous about the entire duel between Yakou and Luo Hao. And at the same time, she really wanted to punch him in the face for proposing something as stupid and reckless as challenging Luo Hao to a duel.
Luo Hao was an infamous Campione like Marquise Voban... maybe even worse than the old man in many regards. She was an absolute battle maniac and obsessed with fighting strong foes, and was a martial artist with heart.
Well, it was the way she became Campione, because she reached the limits of what Mortals could achieve and wanted to reach the higher realms. In the end, there was no way to do something like that on Earth, and the only solution was to either become a Heirloom Bearer or a Campione.
Luo Hao chose the second option as she chose to become Campione and went to challenge the Heretic God.
Keira would be lying if she told that she didn't admire her a bit. She was the only woman among the Campiones, as women rarely ascended as the Campiones, and Luo Hao was the idol of every single female Mage in one way or another.
The heroic tale of Luo Hao was legendary in the supernatural side of the world.
"There are still many things that we need to handle in Asia... those idiots in Korea are also showing their horns a bit, and if it continues this way, it will be a mess."
Keira walked around the battlefield for a bit as he looked around and pondered over the world in which they lived. With the establishment of the Huaxia Federation and the Lost Domain, the old world order collapses faster than anyone would have thought.
She didn't predict that it would be Luo Hao and Sasha Dejanstahl Voban who would grow interested in meddling in the mortal affairs. But here they were, and when she thought over it more deeply, it wasn't actually that surprising.
Both of them were extremely old, and there were not many things that they could do to pass the time that they hadn't done before. When they saw that one of their kind was playing among the mortals and mundanes, the two oldest of their kind evidently decided that this could be rather a nice way to pass the time.
And here they were.
It was pretty fortunate that the Marquise was a rather reasonable individual, or at least, Yakou managed to get the old man on his side without much effort, which was pretty surprising.
Many would consider it rather shocking that someone managed to get along with Marquise Voban, because Voban was considered a notorious tyrant and an utterly unreasonable individual with the pride and ego of Mount Everest.
Though she knew that convincing Luo Hao would be much more challenging than that of the old man. Luo Hao was notorious for listening only to the first, even before she became Campione.
Afterward, it seemed that this situation of hers got only worse.
Though at the same time, the dialogue between the two Campiones was necessary to facilitate any kind of diplomatic relationship between the USFA and the Huaxia Federation, due to Luo Hao.
Now that the 2nd Campione actively participated in the mundane matters, they needed her will for everything. And no ordinary human or Maj was qualified to talk on the same level as Martial Ruler.
Only her fellow Campiones were worthy of the feat. Someone like Luo Hao wouldn't listen to any mortal if they dared to say something to her, because then they could expect only their death, which would be pretty painful.
Luo Hao was known for killing the people who annoyed her in the most gruesome and terrible way that one could even imagine. She wasn't merciful by any means, and getting your head torn off from the body could be considered the only mercy that one would get from someone like Luo Hao.
They were to meet in a few days in the Gobi Desert, where they would fight, as that was the only language that Luo Hao understood. It was a rather unfortunate method of communication, but there was no better alternative on the table for the time being.
"Well, at least the fight between them would be very interesting."
Fights between the Campiones rarely happened, and obviously, a fight between Luo Hao and Tsuchimikado Yakou would attract attention from all over the world. Both of them were famous for obvious reasons and notorious in their own way.
The fame of Luo Hao didn't really need to be mentioned anymore, because the Martial Ruler was an infamous Campione who lorded over China for several centuries, and her contribution to the area of Martial Arts made her a living legend.
To the point where she was being worshipped by the Martial Artists like a living Goddess due to how much she had elevated the entire Martial Path and put it on a similar level as the Magic Path.
Almost.
But many thought that it wouldn't be long before she achieved such. Many knew that Luo Hao was obsessed with bringing the entire Martial Path to the same level as the Magic Path, and she was doing everything she could to achieve that goal.
The 2nd Campione already achieved much of this and many thought that the potential of the Martial Path was no lower than the Magic Path. It was just that nobody really bothered to properly develop the Martial Path in this world, or that nobody reached the necessary level to start the development.
On the contrary, the Magic Path was being developed through the course of many thousands of years, including several Campiones who were contributing to the collective development of the Magic Path.
The Martial Path only had the Luo Hao for the elevation and contribution; there was no one else who would be doing what she was doing for the Martial Path. Keira was always learning some Martial Arts, but because she couldn't utilize the Chi, it lacked the effects compared to the true geniue Martial Arts.
Though it was notable that some skilled Mages could replicate the effects of the Chi with their Mana, albeit the results were usually much different compared to the Chi. The energies varied, and they had very different properties, so they were not behaving in the same way.
Keira was also adjusting some of the Martial Arts to function on Mana instead of Chi, but it was rather tedious and a lengthy process. Right now in the entire world, there is only one person who knows how to achieve the perfect conversion from the Chi-based Martial Arts to the Mana-based Martial Arts.
Luo Hao.
If possible, Keira wanted to obtain Luo Hao's notes on how to achieve the said conversion because it would elevate her combat prowess to an entirely new degree. She already had an agreement with Yakou, who would ask on her behalf, because she was behaving well...
Especially when they were alone.
Though it was to be noted that Yakou actually wanted his female partners to become as strong as possible.
For that reason, he didn't really have a problem investing his time and resources into cultivating his female partners into powerhouses. Like when it came to Eve Rockefeller, as Yakou often helped her to solve the Magic Formulas that she didn't understand, or he was personally teaching Kirari Magic.
Both Hermetic Magic and also Onmyōdō.
It wasn't really a surprise that the Clan Head of the Momobami actually had some aptitude for the Onmyōdō. It seemed that some ancestors of the Momobami Clans must have been Onmyōji, which wasn't really surprising.
The remnants of the Clans or the Clansmen that were sometimes kicked out of the Clans were mingling more with the mundane elements in the past, and they often married into some prominent mundane families and clans.
It wouldn't be really surprising to discover that many of the prominent Japanese families actually had some Onmyōji heritage in their blood. For many, it wouldn't be really that strong to give them aptitude for the Onmyōdō, but some were, or some may be mutations that were created over time.
***
Katahara Mansion, Tokyo
The mood within the Katahara Mansion was lively and filled with happiness, as Katahara Sayaka was speaking almost non-stop sicne she saw Yakou and was bouncing around like a child high on sugar.
"It's really nice to be back."
Yakou muttered as he drank his tea while he answered various questions that the sole female Katahara was firing like a machine gun. She was always very curious about everything and was always pretty hyperactive.
"Well... it has been a rather long time already."
Old man Katahara sat cheerfully on the couch, because he was in a very good mood, as everything in the end went all according to his plan. Not only did the boy whom he adopted more than a decade ago become Campione, but the boy also served him, leaving the remaining half of Japan on a silver platter.
Right now...
The Katahara Family was the most powerful faction in the entire Empire of Japan.
The Kengan Association was assimialting everything that remained from the History Compilation Committee and their affiliates.
His Family and Dainippon Bank, which the Katahara Family owned, have taken over the majority of their business ventures. Their wealth and power have skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
His luck was once again beside him.
And it brought him even higher than one could ever imagine.
Now, just the sole thing that needed to be resolved was the situation with the Huaxia Federation, and everything would be as it should be. But Katahara Metsudō knew that it would be somehow solved, like it was every single time.
His supernatural luck was always with him.
Like some kind of blessing that was protecting him for his entire life.
"It's really funny how it all ended... one way or another. Now that you are a Campione, our Family would be untouchable in all of Japan."
Yakou just chuckled as he listened to the ramblings of the old man, who was in his most jovial mood because he was at the peak of his life. If he managed to rejuvenate himself a bit and get younger.
Nevertheless, Yakou was satisfied with the old man Katahara's happiness because the old man had given him a lot of support when it was needed most. Yakou never forgot the support that the old man gave him, the shelter that he desperately needed at the moment and the resources that he were required for him to grow stronger.
"So what is the next plan, Yakou?"
Katahara Retsudo, who had been silent so far, asked because he was most interested in the next steps of their resistance Campione. He knew that there were some problems with the Huaxia Federation, which was supported by the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains and its Campione.
For the Empire of Japan, it could be a rather problematic situation.
"I will meet and fight with Luo Hao. People like her understand only strength and power... if you are without it, they won't even speak with you..."
Yakou said very slowly before he made a pause.
"But this isn't anything new among the supernatural world as we are all aware."
Everyone in the room nodded, aside from Katahara Sayaka, as the girl just looked a bit confused about everything, but she nodded nevertheless, seeing that everyone was agreeing with the statement.
"Ts... one problem after another."
He took out one cigarette from the pack as he lit it up and inhaled a puff of smoke.
"But for that, we have you, don't we?"
It was more of a rhetorical question than anything.
Yakou looked at Retsudo, who was grinning at him and actually smiled at him. For Yakou, the Katahara Family was the most trustworthy ally he could have, because he could be considered a member of the Katahara Family.
By that extension, they would say the Kataharas were the most suitable for overseeing this part of the world. Yakou knew that someone like Katahara Metsudō would never become part of the Illuminati Society, because it would mean that he wouldn't be the top dog.
The old man was pretty stubborn in that regard.
Yakou knew that.
Katahara Retsudo knew that.
Katahara Metsudō knew that.
Everyone behind the Round Table new that.
But it was generally accepted due to the close relationship between Tsuchimikado Yakou and the Katahara Family. Not to mention, from a certain perspective, it was also good that they didn't join directly, because there was no need for such a move.
The Illuminati Society didn't want to expand its control over the other continents because its roots and cultural traditions were deeply tied to North America, not the other continents, and even less so in areas like Asia.
"As long as you don't stay complacent, it will be alright."
The last thing that Yakou wanted was for them to grow dependent on him... Yakoou didn't even allow the rest of the Tsuchimikado Clan to use their blood connection to the Campione to secure better opportunities and higher positions within the Illuminati Society.
He didn't want his Clan to exist only because they had a Campione.
He wanted them to exist even though they had Campione, as he never planned to become an everyday man for his Clansmen, who would handle everything for the Clan. That was the reason why his Clansmen were not getting preferential treatment within the Ranks of the Illuminati Society.
Yakou personally forbade it through a decree that was known to every single Executive-level Member of the Illuminati Society. He knew that such behavior only bred incompetence and arrogance.
And those traits bred death and destruction.
"How long are you planning to stay in Japan?"
Katahara Metsudō asked him as Yakou pondered over the question for some time, because actually, there were not many things left for him here.
He knew that some of his input would be needed for the Momobami Clan's direct line moving outside of the country, as Kirari decided that the direct lineage of the Momobami Clan would become a permanent member of the Illuminati Society, while the rest of the Clan would be left in the Empire of Japan, doing what they were doing till now.
The Mamiyas won't be moving their assets or anything, as far as it seemed, because they had too many things in the Empire of Japan, and now that the situation was getting normalized here, it was a good opportunity for them to expand.
Though in the regard of Mamiya Marie and Mamiya Marika, it was clear that they would be spending far more time at his manor in the USFA so that they could enjoy some more pleasurable activities together.
"I don't know... There are still some things that I need to handle, but I want to return home soon. My first child would be born somewhere in December as Kirari's date is approaching."
Despite everything, if there was one thing that he was eager for, it was the birth of their child with Kirari. Her date would be coming soon, and it was expected that their child would be born in late December.
In the supernatural side of the world, this would be a huge matter, because this would be the first time in several centuries that a child of Campione would be born. This would cement the Tsuchimikado's Main Line as the geniue descendants of the Campione.
Yakou has long enough monitored the child's progress and noticed that, even though his future son was conceived when he wasn't Campione, it seemed that his ascension as the Campione was also projected into the child in Kirari's womb.
His son would be born with unparalleled Magic potential for a mortal Mage and at the same time, inherit the benefits of the Campione descendant.
That much was clear.
"I want to be an aunt!"
Katahara Sayka immediately shot to the moment she realized that her "young brother" would be her father, and she instantly wanted to take the "Aunt Position" for herself. Katahara Sayaka was especially enthusiastic about being an aunt, a notion that Yakou didn't really understand that much, but he wouldn't withhold this from her.
He knew that she would persecute him to the end times if he didn't agree to it.
Despite her apparent naivety and airheadness, she was pretty stubborn when she wanted something and wouldn't stop until she obtained it.
"Alright, alright, you will be Aunt for certain, okey?"
Yakou stated that he wanted to calm Sayaka down, because she was now like a rabbit on steroids, while he was missing the looks that the Kure women were giving him when they heard that he would have his first children.
For the Kure Clan women, birthing strong descendants was the ultimate priority, and even when they were choosing a partner, the genetic compatibility and creation of a stronger generation were the most important factors.
Most of the Kure's courtship was centered about strength, power, and fights. Yakou knew it both firstaahnda nd from the long-term observation of how the Kure courtship worked and what mattered the most.
Well, he had to admit that their eugenics-based approach was correct, because it allowed the Kure Clan to reach the status of a strong Martial Artist Clan in the entire world right now.
"Excellent!"
Sayaka literally jumped in the air from sheer happiness, as she then gave Yakou a kiss on the cheek and went to sit down with a satisfied expression. Yakou knew that Sayaka would be satisfied with his promise, though it was rather questionable whether she would even arrive in the United States of Federal Americas to see her "nephew".
"Well, now that we are finished with this segment of things, can't we proceed to some other topic of discussion?"
Yakou said he wanted to move away from this topic of discussion because it was already boring, and he didn't want Sayaka to pester him about other annoying things she would come up with.
She could get overenthusiastic with almost anything, and he didn't really have the heart to tell her no. It was like that since they were kids, as Sayaka had that nasty habit of pestering him to no end since they were little children, training and playing around.
"I heard that the Kure Clan managed to capture the remnants of the Drawn Sword Guild... pretty shame about them... they belonged to one more honorable sort of Guilds."
Katahara Metsudō changed the topic, because he knew that his daughter inherited his tendency to tease and provoke people... ideally creating chaos with her actions, though she was most of the time obvious to the effects of her "efforts".
"Yes... But only some of their members were captured alive, because a lot were killed in action. Keira did a number on them when she unleashed that thing which I gave her."
Yakou gave Keira part of his Divine Flames from the Divine Authority of Khvarenah: Halo of The Supreme Ruler, which destroyed everything in their path, and it seemed that they even obliterated the Guildmaster of the Drawn Sword Guild in a single hit.
Not even his ashes remained when the Divine Flames of the Divine Authority of Khvarenah: Halo of The Supreme Ruler incinerated him.
"I heard of that woman.... they say that she is an insane maniac with an obsession, instigating wars and fighting on the battlefield."
Hearing that the old man Katahara said made everyone narrow their eyes on Yakou, who just slowly nodded in agreement. What Katahara Metsudō said wasn't really incorrect, because Keira Clark has instigated a good number of conflicts across the entire world.
She was rather skilled at instigating wars across the globe, especially the ones in the Middle East, where it was much easier than one would have thought.
Or not.
"Well... that's not the most inaccurate description of Keira... but what can I say... normal according to the standards of today's society is boring. I would prefer to have someone as insane as that."
He actually had to admit that the description of Keira was accurate, but Yakou was never for the concepts of normal or something like that. He preferred Keira Clark over anyone who was more normal, because, in his eyes, being normal according to the modern, mundane society's standards was boring.
Boring and soulless.
Not something that he was interested in.
"That's certainly true."
Katahara Metsudō certainly agreed with Yakou, because the old man himself had a good number of screws loose in his head. He was far from being sane by any sort of definition, but nobody really cared or rather, nobody dared to say that to him.
"I heard that Retsudo was going to take over Agito-san's post as Fang of the Metsudō."
Fang of the Metsudō is the spear of Katahara Metsudō's forces, being the symbol of strength that Metsudō has used to amass power and status within the Kengan Association and the Kengan matches.
After narrowly surviving an assassination attempt from Kure Erioh, Katahara Metsudō then decided to hire Erioh as his fighter for his newly founded company, Katahara Distribution Inc., thus becoming Metsudō's first "Fang of Metsudō".
With the two of them carving a path in the Kengan Association, Kure Erioh helped bring Metsudō to the seat of Kengan Association chairman. This position was also the personal bodyguard of the Katahara Metsudō and the top-ranking enforcer of the Katahara Family.
"Previously... Retsudo's talent is actually very good, and he has the potential to reach the level of Martial Saint in the future. Though the recent situation has forced me to re-evaluate the approach, and I have decided to name him Vice Chair of the Kengan Association, responsible for managing the Association, and its Foreign Affairs."
Katahara Retsudo just nodded his head, as they had already discussed this. He was rather disappointed that he wouldn't be chosen as the new Fang of the Metsudō, but as his name was Katahara and he was the sole heir of the old man, he was going to assume more formal office.
"Won't that be boring for you? Though I have to admit that with this, you would become essentially Person Number 2 in the entire Empire of Japan."
By becoming Vice Chairman of the Kengan Association, Retsudo would become the second most powerful person in the entire Kengan Association.
"The old man is pretty insistent on it, and there is no other discussion with him about this. He has already chosen another person to take over the Fang of the Metsudō in the future once Agito-Sensei retires."
Takayama Minoru of the Bodyguards Force would take over as the next Fang of the Metsudō once the Kanoh Agito retires. While Takayama Minoru wasn't the most powerful or most talented member of the Bodyguards, he was a solid choice for the next Fang of the Metsudō.
"It was just a matter of time, you rascal."
Katahara Metsudō said as he looked at his son with a sigh.
***
Gobi Desert, Huaxia Federation, 5th December 2020
The Gobi Desert was a large, cold desert and grassland region in southern Mongolia and North China, or rather in the modern Huaxia Federation. It was the sixth-largest desert in the world.
The name of the desert comes from the Mongolian word gobi, used to refer to all of the waterless regions in the Mongolian Plateau; in Chinese, gobi is used to refer to rocky, semi-deserts such as the Gobi itself rather than sandy deserts.
This was the place that Tsuchimikado Yakou and Luo Hao chose for their duel because it was uninhabited and was an ideal place for such a high-profile duel. Luo Hao actually arrived sooner than the younger Campione, because she was much closer.
For her, it was only a short time to arrive at this place as she sat on one large boulder amid the desert. She used some Magic to cool herself down, because it was rather hot in this place, too much for her liking.
She was never for the environment like this.
Soon enough, she saw her opponent, who had appeared here in a flash of Magic like he had teleported here through the Magic. She noted that the 7th Campione certainly wasn't really Martially-based because he was wearing countless occult symbols across his entire clothing.
Luo Hao recognized the runes on his clothing because those were not just some random occult symbols but actual, genuine runes that he had woven into his clothing to act as a magical conduit.
It was rather ingenious thought, because every single one of those Runes and Symbols on the clothes had their own purpose, though most of them were leaning toward the area of increasing the Magical Capacity and Control.
He seemed like a pretty common Mage... from a certain point of view.
It wasn't that surprising for her, because she heard and knew that Tsuchimiukado Yakou was pure Magus before ascending as the Campione, and even after the said Ascension as the Campione, he remained true to his Mage Path.
Magus was usually the term reserved for the more scholarly Mages that were pursuing the mysteries of the Arcane. Certainly, it didn't mean that they were not adept at combat, though it was generally true that they were avoiding single combat if possible.
And when they fought someone, they were absolute pain in the ass, because proper Magi usually thought ten steps ahead of anyone else.
Though judging by the Divine Authority that was radiating from the spear that he was holding in his right hand, Luo Hao noticed that he was taking up some martial skills.
From his posture, she had seen that he wasn't that skilled, actually, but his style was something he had learned through some sort of enhanced method.
She had seen methods like that in her very long life. Sometimes such a kind of learning was possible through Magic or other supernatural powers... Many of these methods were not really the most dependable around, as they left many side effects.
In most of the cases, these side effects were pretty severe, but if she were a betting person, she would say that his enhanced learning method was related to the Divine Authority that he obtained from slaying the Heretic God.
The Martial Ruler looked at the Tsuchimikado Yakou while Tsuchimikado Yakou looked at Luo Hao. Neither of them said anything as they just observed their opponent before they decided to speak.
"This Luo Hao greets the fellow Daoist."
Luo Hao greeted the newcomer in the traditional way among the Kunlun Martial Artists, as she adhered to the formal traditions among the Martial Artists. Luo Hao was very observant of formality and propriety, as well as the various rules of etiquette... and she demanded this kind of behavior from the others toward her person.
Even though she tended to ignore them when she was doing something.
Though hypocrisy wasn't anything new among the Campiones.
But that came with power... as long as one had power, they could do everything that they wanted.
As they say: Might makes right.
"This Tsuchimikado Yakou greets the fellow Daoist."
Yakou returned the greetings in the traditional Kunlun way, as he knew that Luo Hao would be pleased by such behavior. The Martial Ruler Campione was observing the Campione and noticed that he had some kind of presence around him.
Normally... one wouldn't be able to discern the aura, but she was.
Mainly because she was extra sensitive towards the aura of the other people, which was a result of a very special talent with which she was born. It was a powerful talent that often let her see more than it was possible, even for the other Campiones, and after she became Campione, her talent evolved even further.
It was faintly disturbing...
Really disturbing aura.
But for Luo Hao?
She actually grinned because it could be a good challenge for her and a good fight.
"So will we fight and talk or talk and fight?"
Tsuchimikado Yakou asked as Luo Hao grinned and took a martial stance for her favourite Martial Arts, the Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix. It was something that was originally called Five Immortal Palm Strikes of the Flying Phoenix, but after she had ascended as Campuione, she completely reworked the entire Martial Art.
Five Immortal Palm Strikes of the Flying Phoenix was an immensely powerful Martial Art among the mortals, and countless disciples of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains were using the Five Immortal Palm Strikes of the Flying Phoenix as their most common Martial Art.
Luo Hao, after becoming Campione, started experimenting with the Martial Arts and started incorporating her Mana that possessed the Divine Attribute into her Martial Arts while also incorporating her Divine Chi.
She was pretty lucky, because she possessed both Chi and Mana, which was the result of being a Martial Artist ascending as Campione. It was exceedingly rare for one person to be a Mage and a Martial Artist at the same time.
Mana and Chi exist in the same body.
The result of her efforts throughout the decades was the Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix. At the same time, as a result of her training and Divine Chi, she actually managed to break through the limits of the Campione's physical capabilities.
In terms of physical might, there was no Campione that was able to even remotely compete with her without using physically-based Divine Authority. The older Campiones knew that engaging Luo Hao in the close-quarter combat was nothing but sheer stupidity and arrogance.
Visit of the Young Phoenix was the 1st Palm Strike of the Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix, as her hands were enveloped in burning flames, as she appeared in front of Tsuchimikado Yakou in a split second.
The 7th Campione managed to block the strike of her palm at the last moment with his Divine Authority that conjured the Divine Spear of his, but he was shot back, nevertheless, and crashed into the ground.
She was mildly surprised that he actually managed to block the strike, even though the impact behind the 1st Palm Strike of the Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix shot him to the ground.
Before the dust could settle, her senses suddenly started screaming at her in the most literal way as she used Divine Qinggong to appear one kilometer away from Tsuchimiakdo Yakou, as the entire area where she had stood previously burst out in crimson-black flames.
Qinggong was a Chinese Martial Arts technique of movement.
The art of lightness.
Martial Artists practicing Qinggong had the ability to move swiftly and lightly at superhuman speed and to perform gravity-defying moves such as running on water, traversing rooftops, and even balancing on a stalk of grass.
Luo Hao's Qinggong was Divine Qinggong, something that she adjusted to give her an edge when fighting the other Campiones. One could say that every single Martial Art that she was painstakingly creating and adjusting was akin to a Pseudo-Divine Authority.
They were not on the level of the Divine Authorities themselves, per se, mainly because they were lacking in one aspect or another... but in the real combat, they were not really inferior to the Divine Authorities if used correctly.
So even though she had "only" seven Divine Authorities, overall her number of Divine-level Abilities was much higher, even compared to that old coot Voban, who was collecting Divine Authorities for fun.
"Way more powerful than average Divine Authority... interesting... and it's also a source of that uneasiness from him."
Luo Hao actually licked her lips when she saw the destructive power that the 7th Campione unleashed, though she noticed that the explosion was being controlled and aimed just to scare her away.
It wasn't actually aimed to injure or anything.
Now that her opponent used a Divine Authority actively against her, she wouldn't really stay behind as she mimicked the art. Suddenly, the winds began rising, growing sharper and stronger, strong enough to cut through solid steel and rock.
The Gobi Desert was a place that was full of sharp and dangerous winds...
They were one of the reasons why it was hard to move across the desert.
And now, with the Divine Authority of Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl, they became one of the most lethal weapons in her hands. Divine Authorities were like other abilities... of any kind...
They were stronger when they were used in the suitable enviroment. The Divine Authority of Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl was much stronger in this environment, like the Gobi Desert... which was the reason why she chose this place as a battlefield.
Many considered her just a battle maniac who was obsessed with the Martial Arts and nothing more... but she was actually much smarter than many would think.
Divine Authority of Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl was obtained from Gayatri, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge and Education, who was often identified as Saraswati and was capable of raising fierce winds equivalent to hurricanes/typhoons and tornadoes that were capable of wiping everything off the surrounding area.
It was one of her earliest Divine Authoritieis, and she obtained such a high mastery over the Divine Authority of Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl that she could control the sharp winds conjured through the Divine Authority of Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl with just her mind and nothing else.
It didn't take even a few seconds, as hundreds of wind blades were conjured and shot toward 7th Campione Tsuchimikado Yakou. Interestingly enough, the man in question actually used the Divine Spear that he held and started cutting through the wind blades that were being shot toward him.
Luo Hao noted that it wasn't even a problem for him while at the same time, he was also casting an Onmyōdō Spell, one that was Demolishing the very existence of Magic in the most fundamental aspect.
She knew that Tsuchimikado Yakou possessed two Inherent Onmyōdō Techniques, which were something extremely rare for Onmyōji Clansmen.
It was evident that he was born with another Innate Onmyōdō Technique, and she heard in the rumors that it was a very special Onmyōdō Technique that allowed one to Demolish the Magic itself.
'He is targeting the very Magic Sequences when one is casting Magic... Divine Authorities are basically just Divine Magic and nothing more... it seemed that he managed to create a Counter Ability to the Divine Authorities.'
Luo Haoh had a rather discerning eye because she was able to see what was happening when Tsuchimikado Yakoiu was using that Innate Onmyōdō Technique of his.
The 1st Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Eidos Intervention
The 2nd Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Magic Calculation
The 3rd Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Blood of Manas
Even though she wasn't a Mage, she was very knowledgeable about Magic through the centuries that she was alive and studied a lot about Magic Theory and Grand Cardinal Codes so that she could incorporate them into her Martial Arts.
'It's a rather ingenious method... able to target The 1st Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Eidos Intervention and The 2nd Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Magic Calculation at the same time.'
Luo Hao thought as she decided that she would stop using her Divine Authorities, because they were variable. And she didn't really like any viral videos in her combat style. She knew that there was a tiny chance that her Divine Authority could be affected by the Innate Onmyōdō Technique, so she would refrain from using them.
Contrary to the other Campiones, Luo Hao didn't really care about the use of her Divine Authorities, because for her, the Martial Arts were more important than anything. While she admitted that some of the Divine Authorities were very useful or powerful, they were not her primary means of combat.
No.
For the Martial Ruler, the Divine Authorities were just there to support her, but her Divine Authorities never replaced her Martial Arts as the primary means of combat. For her, the Divine Authorities were just the means ot the end, where the end was to transcend everything with her Martial Arts.
She observed Tsuchimikado Yakou using that Innate Onmyōdō Technique of his as he was demolishing the entire parts of her Divine Authority.
It was rather fascinating that someone developed a method for dismantling the Divine Authority of Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl, though at least part of the Divine Authority.
Still, Luo Hao noted, that the 7th Campione must be a genius to develop his Innate Onmyōdō Technique to be activated and usable against Divine Authority. When she decided to stop using the Divine Authorities of hers, Luo Hao went for an entirely different combat style.
She summoned the Heirloom that she possessed.
The Huo Jian Qiang, the Fire-Tipped Spear.
One of the Heirlooms that appeared in teh China, several decades ago, while she managed to get her hands on the Heirloom and become a Heirloom User. She was doubly lucky that the Heirloom that she obtained was actually in the shape of a weapon, the Qiang.
Her favorite weapon.
And the one that she was most proficient in wielding.
Aside from the traditional Martial Arts, she was also very skilled at Weapon-based Martial Arts, especially those that involved staffs, spears, and halberds. The Qiang was the one with which she was most proficient, as she grabbed the Heirloom and struck Tsuchimikado Yakou at the fastest speed that she could muster.
Flying Bright Spirit - Fire-Tipped Spear was a Heirloom associated with Nezha.
Luo Hao ascended to the sky with the super acceleration of the Wind Fire Wheels, literally forming one entity with the spear, and then delivering a descending assault of a burning charge attack.
But before she could actually hit her target, the 7th Campione actually blocked the strike with the Divine Spear of unknown origin as he burst out with a tremendous amount of Mana from his person.
The ground beneath their clash became fractured, as the impact of their energies was causing an earthquake so powerful that it could be felt throughout the Gobi Desert and even farther.
This clash between the two of them was being observed by many people, and the Illuminati Society even started using their prized system Echelon III to record and stream the entire battle through the higher levels of the United States of Federal Americas.
Normally, they would refrain from using the Echelon III this openly, because it would be sensed by all other Campiones, Divine Ancestors, Divine Beings, and Magic Saints across the entire world.
And they would know that their faction possessed something that allowed them to collect information from all over the world. Nevertheless, now the situation has changed, because they had an alliance with the Marquise Voban and Lost Domain, soon enough they would have...
Hopefully have an alliance with Luo Hao and the Huaxia Federation, and most importantly...
The Echelon III was completed.
Luo Hao and Tsuchimikado Yakou continued their clash, mostly resorting to the spear techniques and fighting without using their more destructive abilities as they tried to keep the fight on the ground.
Soon enough, their entire duel was more about their sheer skill than raw power.
Unbeknownst to outside observers, both Campiones were enjoying the fight immensely because it was fun for both of them. The Martial Ruler noticed it almost immediately... that Tsuchimikado Yakou was like a kidnapped spirit.
He was too obsessed with fighting and battling powerful enemies.
Tsuchimikado Yakou was just that type of battle maniac who was hiding it beneath the surface of a scholar and a pristine Magus. Luo Hao, on the contrary, never really hid anything, as it was always clear that she was obsessed with combating powerful enemies.
Their spears clashed against each other as both of them were grinning because they were both satisfied with how things were developing so far. Both of them noticed that they had some kind of chemistry between them, and one could say that they were bonding through the combat.
Luo Hao was always of the opinion that people created the best relationships only through combat. She noticed that, in terms of sheer skill, Tsuchimikado Yakou was undeniably inferior to her when it came to mastery of the spear.
Yet at the same time, he was holding himself back and engaging her solely in martial skills.
She noted that the man was actually tempering against her and learning her style... he was using their spar to push himself to a higher degree of mastery over his spear, which was...
Luo Hao didn't know whether to be offended by the thought that her opponent was purposely holding back or amazed by the fact that he was improving in real time by mimicking her and learning from their spar.
"You are a rather good boy."
Luo Hao said as she delivered a powerful kick to Yakou's stomach, as their spears clashed, Yakou's posture was broken in that one kick. Though, when he heard her praise, he actually revealed a satisfied smile, because hearing someone as powerful and skilled as her praising him...
It was a very satisfying feeling.
"It's really an honor if a Master like you is praising my meager skills."
Yakou didn't really have any delusions about his martial skills because he knew that, compared to Luo Hao, they were abysmal, and most of them were obtained or learned through continuous usage of the Divine Authority of Mímir's Well.
Which allowed him to learn martial arts and weapon fighting masteries, but it couldn't really compare to the masters that honed their craft through many decades...
Sometimes, even centuries.
In most extreme cases.
***
Unbeknownst to Luo Hao, Yakou arrived at the Gobi Desert and the place of their duel one whole day earlier. He was just being hidden by a very advanced form of Stealth Magic combined with the Fūinjutsu Seals, and he even used powers of Mahoraga to stay hidden from the Martial Ruler.
Yakou knew that someone like Luo Hao would have several efficient means of detecting someone using the Sealth Magic and its variations, so he undertook rather severe countermeasures against that.
He was observing the Martial Ruler Campione with the All-Seeing Eyes of God through the Crow's Interference for some time. He was rather curious about Luo Hao, not only because of what they said...
That she was absolutely a peerless beauty, but also because of her combat prowess, which was rumored to be the strongest among the Campiones if one considered only the martial way.
[Name: Luo Hao
Title: The Ruler of the Martial Realm, Cult Master of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains, Martial Ancestor, Celestial Master of Martial Arts
Classification: Campione (Divine Being)
Age: 248
Race: Divine Being (Campione)
*
Parameters:
Strength - S++
Vitality - S++
Endurance - S++
Agility - S+
Mana - S+
Chi - S++
Luck - A
*
Class: S-Rank
Armaments: N/A
Heirloom: The Huo Jian Qiang the Fire-Tipped Spear
Magic: Daoist Arts, ???
Martial Arts: The Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix, Soul-Stealing Palm of Astral Absorption, Divine Phoenix Qinggong Spear, Five Immortal Palm Strikes of the Flying Phoenix
Uniqueness: Absolute Energy Control
Skills: Master Combatant, Master Strategist, Martial Art Goddess
Abilities: Magic Resistance, Enhanced Spiritual Senses, Enhanced Reflexes, Increased Comprehension Capabilities, Enhanced Battle Instincts, Night Vision, Pain Tolerance
Divine Authorities:
- Divine Authority of the Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl
- Divine Authority of the Divine Might of Vajrapani
- Divine Authority of the Empty Dream of Golden Millet
- Divine Authority of the Fragrant Hundred Grass, Thousand Flower Profuse Blooming
- Divine Authority of the Kung Fu Cult Master
- Divine Authority of the Heavens Fall
- Divine Authority of the Treasure Ship]
As was expected, she had a whole bunch of Divine Authorities, which wasn't anything surprising, truth to be told. He observed her only from a distance and not to deep details, because he wanted to avoid detection by her.
Though he had to admit that she managed to break through the S-Rank Parameters on her physical attributes, as she had several multipliers on them. It was rather a staggering achievement turth to be told, because she was reaching the limits of the Campione System.
Yakou knew that it was impossible to grow beyond the S-Ranked Parameters in the current enviroment and constraints of the Campione System that Pandora imposed on them through the Great Circle Of Usurpation.
He heard about it from Voban, as the old man was searching for a way out through his four-century-long life, but he didn't manage to find another one aside from using special Divine Authorities, like the Body of Steel or using powerful Heirlooms.
One could say that everything that was consisting of the Pandora's Campione System was a deliberately crafted cage for them that seemed to be impossible to break through. Yakou himself was able to break the limits partially through the Divine Authority of Steel Body that he obtained from killing Heretic God God-King Odin Borrson.
And he was also in the process of awakening Huiss Heirloom, the Crow, but the process was slow, as specific requirements were used to achieve such a feat. Lately, the progress was stuck at the 30% as the Heirloom required him to assimilate other Heirlooms through the Ability called Predation.
Technically, he spent more than one day in the Gobi Desert because he knew that, when he was challenging Luo Hao, according to ancient traditions, she, as the challenged person, could set the time and place of the duel.
He knew that Luo Hao was an obsessive battle maniac, and he wanted to scout some information on her before heading. He would let her wait a bit to gather more information about her.
"Well... time to start the show."