Lü Dongbin lowered his raised hands. They drop down limp and weak.

  "So?"

  Tatsuya also relaxed both arms. He kept them slightly flexed, however.

  "For example, one of them is to have you alone with me like this."

  "I've got my people all around here."

  "No problem… My purpose is not with the Yotsuba."

  Lü Dongbin clasps his hands behind his back, as if in a show of non-resistance.

  Then he purses his lips and exhales vigorously.

  A reddish-black arrowhead-like object flies out of his mouth.

  It flew at high speed, sinking into Tatsuya's chest.

  "My purpose is you."

  He jumped nearly ten meters and looked at Tatsuya with a confident expression.

  The arrowhead Lü Dongbin spit out was his trump card as an assassin, [Piercing Blood Nail]. He spits a blade molded and hardened from his own blood, accelerated to high velocity in a straight line via movement magic.

  In the realm of ancient-style magic, blood is by far the best medium.

  With it as a material, the magic weapon smelted inside the body is itself a microcosm.

  Knead within is the "will" to nullify magical defenses ─ a conditional activation magic sequence, in modern magical terms.

  181

  The blood arrowheads, imbued with the special magic-nullification effect inside and outside with the sharpness and speed to pierce even bulletproof and stab-proof gear, ignore enemy's magical defenses in their path and penetrate deep into their bodies, inflicting fatal wounds. [Piercing Blood Nail] was a "magician-killing" magic designated exclusively for use against combat magicians who defend themselves with magic.

  Lü Dongbin was positive that his [Piercing Blood Nail] hit Tatsuya. He saw it hit him squarely in the chest.

  "─What!?"

  His eyes grew wide. There was no trace of blood on Tatsuya's chest. No blood spilled, no blood adhered to his chest.

  Granted hit of the [Piercing Blood Nail] should have resulted in profuse bleeding from the wound from where it pierced.

  Were [Piercing Blood Nail] to fail, then the arrowhead would revert to regular blood, soaking the clothing.

  Even if it was, for argument's sake, blocked by a shield, the blood comprising the arrowhead would be splattered on the surface of the shield. To simply leave no single vestige of its existence, to disappear as if absorbed, was an impossible phenomenon for Lü Dongbin.

  Not for those who were familiar with Tatsuya's magic, however. It was trifling to explain that he decomposed the blood arrowheads.

  Lü Dongbin witnessed [Mist Dispersion] nullification before his escape from the apartment. How, he wondered, was the same magic-nullifying technique able to decompose the [Piercing Blood Nail] this time around?

  This is no mystery. The answer is "order of events".

  In the apartment, the magic sequence detailing decomposition of a body was nullified by Lü Dongbin's magic, which was activated in response to it.

  In this case, the nullification sequence embedded in the [Piercing Blood Nail] was targeted and decomposed along with the blood arrowhead by the Decomposition magic.

  By its very nature, magic sequences are uncovered on the surface of the eidos they are interfering with. Magic sequences are themselves defenseless in the informational dimension. This was the same for both modern and ancient-style magic; neither Tatsuya's nor Lü Dongbin's magic were exceptions.

  182

  Lü Dongbin, however, unaware of comprehending what had been done, froze in place, caught by a sense of surprise.

  Tatsuya's right hand moved quickly. Out of the inside of his summer jacket, his hand brought forth a pistol-shaped CAD.

  At first glance, Lü Dongbin assumed it to be a large handgun with an attached bayonet.

  But he soon was struck with a bad feeling.

  Fastened to the barrel of the gun was not a "sword", but a "stake".

  The metal stake was mounted, neither under nor over the barrel, but over the muzzle.

  A grenade, Lü Dongbin thought back.

  At last he regained his rational self and realized that this was not the time to be dwelling on such things.

  He turned his back on Tatsuya and tried to flee.

  As he turned on his heels, Lü Dongbin deployed his magic nullification technique with full force.

  Tatsuya pulled the CAD trigger at Lü Dongbin back before he could take a step forward.

  The Pistol-shaped specialized CAD, Silverhorn Custom [Trident].

  The "stake" on its "muzzle" is a magic dedicated attachment.

  His trump card against enemies who have the means to nullify magic.

  [Baryon Lance]

  Now, he is about to deliver the spearhead of this special technique.

  【Decomposition ・ Material: Baryon】

  ─The "stake" attached to the end of the barrel is decomposed into molecules, molecules are decomposed into atoms, and atoms into electrons and nuclei. From there, the nucleus is then further decomposed into protons, neutrons, and baryons.

  183

  【FAE Process Execution・Particle Convergence】

  ─By application of the FAE theory, where the constraints of the laws of physics are relaxed, the aggregate of particles which should otherwise diffuse, is compacted into a thin disk-shaped area. There, the leptons and electrons, not subject in the definition of the decomposition, are captured by the protons, and the protons are converted into neutrons.

  【FAE Process Execution・Shooting】

  ─The thin disc of agglomerated neutrons is shot out perpendicularly to the standing firing vector towards the target. By means of the FAE theory, the cluster of neutrons reaches a speed of 10,000 kilometers per second, much beyond the boundaries of normal magic.

  【Material・Regrowth】

  ─The entire process is reversed. All traces of neutron activation are gone, all that is left is the result of the neutron beam burning interaction with living tissue.

  The neutron beam produced by [Baryon Lance], although under the influence of magic, is a physical phenomenon, not magic itself. It cannot be neutralized by magic nullification techniques.

  A high-speed, high-density neutron beam pierced Lü Dongbin's heart from behind.

  The cells are instantly carbonized, blood boils.

  Needless to say, it's a fatal wound, no doubt.

  With Lü Dongbin falling forward in the corner of his eye, Tatsuya returned his [Trident]

  to his shoulder holster after the attachment "stake" had been restored with [Regrowth].

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  He made his pursuit of Lü Dongbin on foot ─ at a very high-speed pace aided by magic

  ─ on the way back he took a different self-propelled car that he had called while carrying Lü Dongbin's corpse.

  "Tatsuya-san, what were you talking to that man about?"

  184

  Fumiya asks beside Tatsuya in the back seat of the self-driving car as it drives off.

  "He was undoubtedly a member of the [Bāxiān], the magician special operations forces of the GAU."

  "So the [Bāxiān], the 'Eight Immortals' are now the 'Seven Immortals'?"

  On hearing this, Fumiya commented jokingly.

  "I'm sure they'll find a replacement soon enough."

  Tatsuya's sarcasm was not directed at Fumiya, of course, but at the GAU military.

  Aware of this, Fumiya chuckled with the same amused expression on his face.

  "By the way, what was the [Bāxiān] point in all this? He seemed to be saying something before he jumped back."

  The words that Lü Dongbin whispered out after firing the blood arrowhead didn't reach Fumiya's ears.

  "Seems like the GAU wanted me dead."

  "…Excuse me, they what?"

  Fumiya's eyes flashed upon hearing Tatsuya's explanation.

  "He said his goal was not the Yotsuba, but me."

  "Unforgivable…!"

  The look of indignation in Fumiya has the impression of an angry cat with all its hairs standing on end.

  …Though there's no comparison to how intense he was in his high school days, Tatsuya thought secretly.

  He, naturally, never breathed a word about it.

  "This is a testament of what Lü Dongbin gained with this. It is to show that, if the

  [Bāxiān] so chooses to take up the challenge, they will only be making the same mistake."

  A death sentence, cold and harsh; were the message Tatsuya in fact delivered.

  Fumiya stared at Tatsuya with wide eyes, his body quivering.

  It was then gone the anger, out of his expression, only to give place to a smile, of which wouldn't be strange to see in a maiden in love.

  185

  Reconvening with them on the way, Ayako, on hearing of the GAU's purpose in assassinating Tatsuya, she simply nodded, "I see," satisfied in her understanding. ─To the inevitable wonder if the act of men and women have been switched in those two.

  "You are? All I can say is that I'm satisfied with the results."

  Ayako answered Fumiya's query with a "but of course" attitude.

  "Forget Japan or the USNA, the biggest hindrance to the GAU, and the NSU as well, is Tatsuya-san, is it not?"

  Ayako followed up her words to Fumiya, seeming to be painting the details clearly.

  "That said, both countries have now realized that it is too dangerous to fight Tatsuya-san head-on. Say the GAU, they have already been struck by a [Material Burst] once.

  Resorting to assassination is a natural step. After all, there is also our current homework, remember?"

  Ayako concluded with an accusatory tone.

  "Of course I didn't. Our summer assignment is to take out the NSU's assassins sent after Tatsuya-san."

  Fumiya's tone is marked by strong resolve. Looking at him in this moment, Fumiya looked, for all intents and purposes, like a gallant boy.

  "You don't need to waste your summer vacation on something trivial like that. I'm not particularly troubled by it, after all."

  Tatsuya downplayed the situation with a bitter smile, fearing that Fumiya's determined expression could signal a future crisis due to lack of control.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  It was 7:30 P.M. by the time Tatsuya returned to Miyakishima. By the end, it had taken only 30 minutes from his arrival at Nishi-Kawaguchi to settle the score with Lü Dongbin.

  "Tatsuya-sama, thanks for your hard work."

  Said Miyuki as she received Tatsuya's return with a polite bow, followed wordlessly by Minami.

  "Tatsuya, how did things go with that [Bāxiān] guy?"

  Lina asks cheerfully with a smile from the side.

  186

  "Lina, do you mean you wished to fight him? Luckily for you, there are seven others left, so I'm sure you'll get your chance."

  Interjected Ayako with dismay, who for some reason had accompanied Tatsuya all the way to Miyakishima.

  "I'll pass. It's not like that. I'm not Sirius anymore, after all."

  Lina countered in a light tone.

  But this topic didn't die down there.

  "Wait, Ayako-san… What did you mean by that?"

  Miyuki couldn't make light of the matter.

  Before Ayako had a chance to answer, Miyuki turned her body to face Tatsuya.

  "Tatsuya-sama… Could it be that the [Bāxiān] is after your life?"

  Were another man in his position, they surely would find themselves cornered, bound in place by this gaze.

  "It would seem so. At least that's what Lü Dongbin said."

  Tatsuya, however, assented with much nonchalance.

  "How are you so carefree…"

  Miyuki was absolutely mortified at his lack of urgency.

  "On the contrary, why be so nervous about it? I've got a good look at the Bāxiān's magic nullification sequence. Once I figure it out, they won't be a threat to me. I won't let them get to you either."

  "Tatsuya-sama…"

  Miyuki now had other reasons to be speechless after Tatsuya's strong declaration.

  "…What about me?"

  Lina asked gingerly to Tatsuya, trying not to get "kicked by the horse" in the process.

  "I'm sure you can handle it on your own, Lina. I'll give you a tip, don't worry."

  "Why am I getting treated so differently from Miyuki?"

  "Sorry, but that's how it is, Miyuki here is my fiancée."

  Tatsuya had no trace of feeling sorry for that.

  187

  Miyuki as well, didn't blush even a little with this sort of thing.

  "I get it, I get it, geez…"

  As was standard in cases like this, Lina mutters a mutter of resignation.

  188

  189

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Tatsuya and company ascended to Takachiho at 8:00 P.M.

  During their stop at Takachiho, Tatsuya took the opportunity to share information about

  "Bāxiān" with Minoru. But with the obvious addition of Miyuki, Lina, as well as Minami, to the conversation. With this setup he described to them about the magic that Lü Dongbin had used.

  And then, at 7:00 P.M. on August 14th, Uzbekistan local time.

  Tatsuya, Miyuki and Lina descended on the vacant lot on the outskirts of Kagan, where they were to meet up with Hyougo.

  190

  Chapter 7

  [Resumption]

  Returning to the hotel in Bukhara, Tatsuya resumed his search for Shambhala the next day.

  That day culminated with the finding that the Compass was pointing to the western shore of Lake Tudakul, about 30 km east of Bukhara.

  However, there weren't anything resembling anything like ruins, said place had nothing but stretches of irrigated farmland.

  "We can't find anything here… Maybe the legends were just legends, after all…"

  Miyuki uttered feebly under the harsh rays of the sun.

  Parasol in hand, scarf, long-sleeved shirt, and pants reaching down to her ankles; even with all the measures against sunburn, Miyuki seemed to be still unable to cope with the strong sunlight. And the wear appeared to be getting to her spirit as well.

  "It's too early to make that conclusion."

  Tatsuya responded to her with eyes fixed on the lake.

  "Did you find out anything?"

  Asked Lina, dressed in the same manner as Miyuki, but considerably more energetic.

  "The Psion flow in this whole area is erratic. But I don't think the psions are being directly affected, more that it is a consequence of tampering with the flow of pushions, which can, in turn, affect the flow of the psions."

  "Oh, is that so?"

  Miyuki extended her right hand forward, out straight toward the lake. Her truest affinity lay not in cooling magic, but in mental interference-type magic. Fact that may explain her higher sensitivity to pushion flows, being able to "palpate" pushion structures ordinary magicians are unable to even sense. Reaching out with her hand helps reinforce this mental image of "touching".

  191

  "…Yes, I can feel it. There’s a certain feeling that the pushions are being diverged in a certain direction. But it's very faint, the current isn't very strong. There isn't enough power to distort events."

  "But there is something there, right?"

  Lina couldn't help but to hype-up after Miyuki's remark.

  "I can think of a place observed to have a similar phenomenon to this."

  Tatsuya took up the question.

  "Where is it?"

  Lina asked, and Miyuki accompanied her with the same expectation, looking up at Tatsuya.

  And he didn't delay the answer.

  "The excavation site of Relic at the foot of Mt. Norikura in Hida-Takayama."

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  At the boarding gate of Samarkand airport, Lena, Arya and Lois waited in a group for their flight. Evelyn stood off at a distance, brooding by herself.

  Arya was to accompany Lena to America. The decision had been made some time ago, but it was decided to push the plans forward a bit and send her to FEHR a little earlier.

  The development of the Tibetan situation has been a major factor. India has always been interested in Tibet's underground resources, well before it formed the IPU, even with the current hold of the GAU over the region.

  Now there was Tatsuya's information about the Relics and other magical assets added to the equation.

  Rumors about magical artifacts in the basement of the Potala Palace were always prevalent. Same with the theory that there exists a hidden entrance to the Shambhala, with many supporters ─ or rather believers ─ of its own.

  Determined anew for the magical ruins with the added bonus of underground treasures, the IPU reinforced their backing for Tibetan independence movements in an effort to get access to these assets.

  This shift in developments prompted Chandrasekhar to move up the agenda.

  192

  Being an unrecognized Strategic-Class Magician, Arya would surely be formally incorporated into the military should war break out with the GAU.

  But as Chandrasekhar sees it, Arya has no suitability for military service. Even for a civilian magician, her nature is overly naïve. Chances are high that she would suffer emotional breakdowns if exposed to the battlefield.

  To keep her from having to enter the battlefield, Chandrasekhar decided to get her out of the country, and the partnership between the Magian Society and FEHR was just the pretext she needed to create the opportunity to do so.

  As such, Arya was to accompany Lena on her return to America.

  Evelyn Taylor had been having a difficult period with her thoughts since the day before yesterday.

  She received the order from the Commander-in-Chief of STARS three days ago to abort the mission and report home immediately.

  She is aware it was a result of her own screw-ups. Rationally, is a relief to suspend the operation from proceeding any further and to return home.

  It was hard to process emotionally, however. This was her first major disappointment.

  Being endowed with outstanding intellectual and magical prowess, as well as the capacity to put these talents into practice, Evelyn had never failed to accomplish anything she set her mind to. She never intended to call herself an infallible genius, but perhaps such arrogance and hubris have grown unnoticed in the recesses of her mind.