122

  "…Something happened?"

  Noting the sudden absence of surveillance, Miyuki was understandably concerned.

  "There must be some sort of trouble going on somewhere else."

  Tatsuya answers Miyuki's question in a placating tone.

  "You mean in another city?"

  Next question came from Lina.

  "There is no sign of a commotion nearby, at least."

  Although not categorically, Tatsuya indirectly confirms Lina's words.

  "I'll look into it. Please give me a moment."

  Hyougo said as he stood up with a satellite communication handset in his hand.

  Five minutes later, Hyougo was back at the table.

  "It's precisely as Tatsuya-sama suspected."

  Retaking his seat, Hyougo promptly began his report.

  "There is a small battle between Mageists in Samarkand that has been ongoing for about an hour now. I believe they are moving personnel to contain it."

  "Have they discovered foreign agents?"

  "No, Miyuki-sama, it is not a battle between mageists from the IPU and foreigners, both sides in this one are foreigners."

  Hyougo shook his head at Miyuki's question.

  "A collision between agents…? How did it even end up with a small-scale battle?"

  Lina wondered to herself.

  "I have yet to receive confirmation, but it appears that it sums up to Evelyn Taylor being chased by operatives of the GAU."

  "What is that woman doing…"

  An exasperated murmur escapes Lina with the additional information.

  "We can at least be thankful for the relaxing of the surveillance, that's good for us."

  123

  "That's right. Makes it easier on our investigation."

  Tatsuya coldly pointed out the pros for them, gaining a nod of agreement from Miyuki.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Lena left the hotel accompanied by Arya and Louis Roux. There was a car rental about five minutes away, where Arya rented a small car.

  Arya took the wheel of the car. Samarkand is reasonably urbanized, but it has yet to implement an automatic driving control system, so they needed a driver. And while Arya was not familiar with Uzbekistan, she was used to the IPU's traffic rules and regulations.

  Louis was in the front passenger seat. Lena had wanted that seat, but had to relent on objections from both Arya and Louis.

  In the back seat, Lena is sitting with her eyelids half-closed and her hands interlocked in front of her waist in what could be described as a "prayer" posture.

  "…Head towards about 60 degrees to the right. From there, hold on for about a mile.

  Lena informs while keeping her eyes half-closed.

  Following her directions, Arya stepped on the gas pedal.

  With each of the three next directions from Lena, Arya respectively shifted her route.

  About five minutes and a half after the third course change, the small car with these three people on board plunged right into the middle of the magical battle.

  A pack of black dog-like figures approached from the left side of the car.

  Seeing their close approach, Louis, in the passenger seat, exclaimed in his mind, "I'll not make it in time!"

  But the pack of black beasts vanished into dust by shots fired from the right side of the car.

  "There's Ms. Taylor!"

  Lena shouted, pointing to the corner of the building where the magic bullets came from.

  Seeing it in her rearview mirror, Arya swerved sharply to the right.

  At the same time, she enveloped the self-propelled vehicle in zone interference.

  124

  The strategic-class magician's event interference forces the shadow swarm of horseflies back into nothingness.

  The self-propelled vehicle comes to a grinding halt.

  Beside it is the building Evelyn was hiding behind.

  She was alone. No sign of the intelligence officer who accompanied her. Did they get separated in the process of escaping, or did they deliberately choose to split up? Or perhaps was she ─ left behind?

  "Ms. Taylor, please get in!"

  Lena shouts out as she opens the door.

  A hesitant expression takes over Evelyn's face.

  The enemy magician commanding the simulacrum familiars did not miss the opportunity.

  A small hawk, made of paper instead of shadow, attacks Evelyn.

  Lena was the first to notice it.

  She uses magic to diffuse the focus in the consciousness on the part of the magic that moves the bird-of-prey.

  Mental interference magic [Diffuser].

  It targets an individual. This magic relaxes mental tension through the mediation of the subject the target is concentrating on.

  Lena's magic is by nature benevolent to people.

  Kindness, however, can sometimes be a great hindrance in some occasions.

  [Diffuser] exerted on the focus of their consciousness that was the familiar, drained its caster of their tension, causing the magic to collapse.

  As Gentle as is strong.

  Strong not to harm, but strong to avoid harm.

  Arya was moved as she witnessed this magic.

  By the time Alioth and Phecda of Saptarishi arrived in Samarkand from the Karshi-Khanabad air base, the skirmish between magicians was already resolved.

  125

  Both parties to the conflict were already gone, and their identities remained unknown.

  Fearing further escalation in a subsequent urban conflict, Alioth and Phecda were forced to temporarily remain in Samarkand.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Their first day in Bukhara consisted of just a single round of the city center.

  Despite the lack of progress, Tatsuya did not feel particularly discouraged or impatient.

  For how remote and secluded the city is, Bukhara has been inhabited by many ancient populations. If it were so easy, traces of Shambhala would have been discovered ages ago.

  And since their survey started only in the afternoon, their first goal was to get a rough grasp of the geography of the area. The full-scale investigation will start tomorrow.

  At the hotel, they took two twin rooms; Tatsuya and Hyougo with one and Miyuki and Lina with the other. There were no particular complaints from Miyuki about this arrangement.

  Returning to their room soon after dinner at the hotel restaurant, they received a call on their satellite phone. A signal relay has been left by the window in case of an urgent call from Japan.

  The caller was Fujibayashi.

  [Laura Simon of FAIR smuggled into Japan today.]

  This was the subject of the sudden report.

  "They found her pretty quick for someone who isn't on the international wanted list."

  FAIR's Rocky Dean and Laura Simons nationwide wanted by the USNA. But their names have yet to make it into the international list. They may have committed illegal immigration because they have not gone through the proper exit procedures, but it still wasn't at the stage where it would be relevant for the Japanese judicial authorities to make any effort to find them.

  [I added the Laura Simons data to the facial recognition system just in case, and it ended up with a hit. The image is unclear, so I can't say for certain, but I can place the match rate at over eighty percent.]

  "We can assume she at least took some minimal measures, so 80% is pretty certain."

  126

  Unclear images may not necessarily mean out of focus. That would be unthinkable with today's imaging technology. And if yet it is, it either means that she is using an electronic device that interferes with the capture, or she is using some kind of make-up with a paint that confuses the image sensor, or she may have other means of disrupting the facial recognition process.

  "So, where was she found?"

  [At Kansai International Airport, the Makinohara Service Area in the Tokyo-Nagoya Expressway, and then at the Atsugi Interchange Exit.

  "So Atsugi, not Machida…"

  If she went to Machida, she could be aiming at the FLT lab where the Artificial Relic is produced. But in Atsugi, there is the undeniable possibility that the target is the Makouin in Izu.

  [She may have taken into account the possibility of being spotted and is trying to obscure objective.]

  Tatsuya concurred with Fujibayashi's reasoning, "I agree."

  [I am of the opinion that the target is, regardless, the FLT Third Development Division's lab. I would like to suggest concentrating our security on that side]

  "I agree that's the appropriate response… In that case, please tell Hiroto-san to join Takara-san's personal security."

  [Understood.]

  Fujibayashi Hiroto, Tatsuya's own subordinate, and half-brother of Fujibayashi Kyoko's late father, Fujibayashi Nagamasa. Making him Kyouko's uncle, even if he is only two years older than Kyouko.

  Three years ago, during Tatsuya and Minoru's rivalry over Minami, Nagamasa committed a betrayal of trust against Tatsuya during his pursuit of Minoru. In atonement for his treachery, Hiroto's individual was surrendered to Tatsuya.

  The Makouin is scheduled to open next month with Takara, the brother of the head of the Yatsushiro Family of the Ten Master Clans, as the institute's dean. If something were to happen to Takara, the brunt of the responsibility would not be confined to Tatsuya alone, it could lead to friction between the Yotsuba and Yatsushiro families. In the event of Makouin becoming a target, measures to ensure Takara's safety are imperative.

  "As for the 3rd Development Section, let's have Saegusa-san and Tookami-san join the security detail. Instruct both of them to please station in the Machida office."

  127

  The Magian Company's headquarters is in Machida, right beside the FLT Development Section 3 building. If they are at the headquarters, they will be able to respond quickly in the event of an attack to the lab.

  Tatsuya would preferably leave the task to Fumiya and Ayako. Unfortunately, the Kuroba Family had their hands full with other important matters at the moment, matters that have been occupying them both since the beginning of the summer vacation.

  [Understood. I'll ask them to help with the piled up work at the headquarters.]

  The Magian Company headquarters, established in April, has a permanent office staff. As a result of Tatsuya and Miyuki's constant absence, however, the progress of the work has been slow. Despite Fujibayashi's repeated attempts to remind Tatsuya of this issue, he had made no effort to take the matter at heart, preferring to continue with his own research.

  "…Please do so."

  One wonders if at that moment any feelings of remorse over his negligence passed through Tatsuya's mind.

  Or perhaps it was relief he felt from having his pendings forced upon him.

  Surely, even the man himself couldn't tell.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Mayumi and Ryousuke are both employees working for Magian Company. Both with similar circumstances involving earnestly requesting to be hired. Although not quite in line with the "Salaryman's woes", they were both on assignment in Izu today, only to be suddenly asked to be in Machida the next day, leaving them with no choice but to comply.

  They had been given a good reason to do so. It was highly likely that the same Criminal Mageist syndicate that attempted to steal Artificial Relic in April would be having another attempt.

  "…Tookami-san, are you familiar with Laura Simons from FAIR?"

  Asked Mayumi while making a list of office automation equipment that needed to be replenished to Ryousuke, who was on the other side of the low partition.

  "I know her. Not to say we are particularly in the friendliest of terms, though."

  Answered Ryousuke as he operated the office layout software. Mayumi didn't come to learn about his recent venture to Mt. Shasta to save his fellow FEHR member.

  128

  "I heard she's one of the leaders of FAIR. What kind of mageist is she?"

  "She's not just one of them, she's the sub-leader. I hear she's also the lover of the leader, Rocky Dean."

  Ryousuke began by correcting part of Mayumi's understanding.

  "Lover…"

  There was no blush from Mayumi, instead a light frown.

  Not responding to that in particular, Ryousuke continues his answer.

  "Laura Simons is a type of ancient-style magician, the ones we call witches"

  Just as "magician" has been given "mageist" as an alternative, there are also new names for the terms "ancient-style magician" and "modern magician". But, since it's English-based and a bit lengthy and unwieldy, it's rarely used in Japanese conversation.

  "Speaking of witches… Don't they specialize in interfering with 'human' related phenomena?"

  Mayumi pulls out her knowledge of "witches" that she learned in college. Her major at the University of Magical Sciences was in the typology and characteristics of magicians.

  "I don't know the details of her skills, I just know she's one tough person to go up against."

  There was real substance behind his voice as he replied with a stern expression.

  "If you don't mind me asking… Have you fought her before?"

  With that, Mayumi couldn't help but ask.

  "Ah, no, no… There's no way. This is just something that is well known in the Vancouver magician community…"

  Ryousuke's excuse was far from smooth.

  Mayumi gives him a skeptical look.

  "…So there is such a community of magicians over there, too?"

  She eventually let it go and muttered to herself in self-admonishment.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  The FLT lab was attacked that night.

  129

  It came as a surprise to them that she took action the day after she was spotted; not only for Mayumi and Ryousuke, but Fujibayashi and even Tatsuya, who was still in Uzbekistan, were expecting her to take a few days to prepare.

  Not to say they were caught off guard. This is the first day of vigilance. Even with the

  "Today, already?" feeling, there was no slackening of guard from weariness or complacency. Mayumi was at a nearby hotel arranged by Fujibayashi at the time, but Ryousuke was waiting in the office nap room at the company.

  So as soon as the lab's alarm reached his terminal in the middle of the night, Ryousuke jumped out of bed.

  He pulled on the work pants he had hung next to his bed, wrapped the CAD around his wrists, threw on a tactical vest over his long-sleeved shirt, and slipped on a pair of boots. All ready in less than three minutes, Ryousuke rushed out of the nap room.

  It was raining outside. Not particularly heavy, but one you would typically take an umbrella for.

  But Ryousuke was already running out into the gloomy rain, not caring about getting wet.

  According to the real-time feed coming to his terminal, the burglar was stuck on the ground floor by the security shutters. They had not yet downed the security room. In fact, there was no sign of an actual assault.

  (Is this a cover…? Or…)

  If the burglar had a plan, Ryousuke surely wasn't catching on to it. After a brief hesitation, he decided to follow the manual.

  The decision of the security reinforcement was made suddenly last night, and yet Fujibayashi had a thorough manual with a course of action as of this morning.

  (There is no call for assistance from the first floor control room. So, I have to─) Ryousuke headed for the emergency exit on the side of the building. That doorway is usually closed.

  Behind that door was a fire escape led up directly to the second floor. It's on this second floor that the Artificial Relic manufacturing facility is located.

  In order to enter the manufacturing room, a key that is kept in the control room on the second floor is required. This is one of the measures taken to enhance security after FAIR's Criminal Mageist duo "Janus" gained access to the facility in early May.

  130

  According to Fujibayashi's manual, he was to go upstairs via the fire escape without unlocking the security shutters and follow the procedures to secure the control room.

  Reaching into the hidden pocket of his tactical vest with his right hand, there was a card key for the emergency exit. But when his fingers touched it, he did not grab it, preferring instead to move his right hand to another inside pocket.

  From there he drew an extendable baton at the same time he turned his body around with great energy.

  By turning around, he was no longer the subject of a surprise attack, but the attacker as he charged head-on at the security guard swinging his extendable baton.

  Batons collide, both bending greatly out of shape.

  Ryousuke happily threw away his.

  While the security guard raises his bent baton.

  His eyes meet the guard's. Ryousuke could tell, in that instant, that he is being controlled.

  He grabs the man's wrist with his left hand and twists his arm. The guard does not fall; he pitches forward but holds himself up.

  Ryousuke reaches under the man's chin with his right hand, inside the neck guard, and squeezes an artery with his finger.

  The guard's body loses strength. He experienced the so-called "fainting" from a carotid sinus syncope.

  The man falls to the wet ground. Ryousuke did not have the leisure to lay him down gently to avoid any injury. He was currently surrounded by the guards who were supposed to be his colleagues.

  Four security guards surrounded Ryousuke. There were six guards stationed on the first floor.

  One of them must be still holed up in the control room, and the five here were on patrol when they were turned into puppets.

  "Laura Simons, you damned witch! Stop hiding and show yourself!"

  Ryousuke yelled in frustration. Laura was the one controlling the guards, Ryousuke was sure of it.

  [You know, Tookami, I learned that your shields are quite troublesome.]

  131

  Laura replied. But her voice came as if it had fallen from the sky or sprung up from the earth. It was unclear which direction it was coming from.

  And not just the voice.

  She's close, he could feel it. But he had absolutely no idea exactly where she was lurking.

  [Aren't your shielded fists stronger than steel? Why don't you use those fists on your friends here who are only being controlled?]