political organization in the former Canadian territory of Vancouver. She'll be accompanied by Tookami Ryousuke, an employee of the Magian Company. This person's family are Extras of the former Tenth Institute."

  There were no questions raised. As Inukai said, this information had already been shared.

  "As you know, there are no laws forbidding civilians from traveling abroad. However, there are a number of potential problems that come with magicians traveling abroad from the perspective of national defense, which is why we have asked for magicians self-restraint in leaving the country."

  Voices of approval were raised from various parts of the tables, which were lined up in a square formation.

  "But this time, as if to make a mockery of this convention that has been in place until now, the eldest daughter of the Saegusa Family and Tookami Ryousuke are boldly attempting to travel to the United States. Without even bothering to consult with the government or the military."

  "The fact that one of them is a magician who is a direct descendant of the Saegusa Family makes it all the more tricky to deal with."

  This remark was made by a former direct subordinate of Inukai, who became the Section Chief of Counterintelligence Section 10 when Inukai was promoted to the position of background Deputy Director.

  "That's precisely the problem."

  Inukai nodded broadly. The newly appointed Section Chief of Section 10 had echoed the thoughts of his former direct superior.

  "Among the Ten Master Clans, the Saegusa Family has always been particularly sympathetic to both the government and the National Defence Forces. To the extent that they sometimes even put the interests of the government before that of magicians. Now, the eldest daughter of the Saegusa Family has joined forces with that Yotsuba Family to oppose the government's policy, and if this continues, it could lead to a grave development."

  "Is it only the Yotsuba Family that is behind this matter?"

  It was Section Chief Onda of the Army Intelligence Department 1st Section who interrupted Inukai's dialogue with a question. Until last year, Inukai and Onda had both held the same rank of Section Chief. They're close in age, and it's fair to say that they’re 17

  rivals. Following Inukai's promotion to Deputy Director, Onda was transferred from Special Operations Section 1 to the 1st Section. Although Inukai technically beat Onda to the punch when it comes to formality, but as the nickname "background" Deputy Director implies, he doesn't play an active role on the front stage, whereas the Intelligence Department's 1st Section representative is the closest thing to the "front"

  with plenty of opportunities to be in contact with the Army General Staff and the Joint Military Command Staff Headquarters within the Intelligence Department. Whether it's Inukai or Onda, it's difficult to say who’s really ahead of the other.

  As a result of this, their interactions were somewhat strained. Although until last year, they had a good relationship, more often working together than against each other.

  "What are your thoughts on this then, Section Chief Onda?"

  Inukai answered the question with another question.

  "The board of directors of the Magian Company, founded by Shiba Tatsuya-shi consists of Shiba Miyuki as representative director, Shiba Tatsuya as managing director and Toudou Rina as a director. Toudou Rina is a former American whose name was Angelina Kudou Shields before she became a naturalized citizen. I'm sure you are aware of this, but she is the grand-niece (granddaughter of his younger brother) of the late former Major General and the former Ten Master Clans Patriarch, Elder Kudou Retsu."

  "Of course I do know that. And I might also add that there is a high possibility that this Angelina Kudou Shields is Angie Sirius."

  Though it has long been an open secret to the members of this meeting, the mood within the room shifted. But the notion that a nationally recognized Strategic-Class Magician of the USNA has become, even if ostensibly, a naturalized Japanese citizen was a prospect that the Intelligence Department officials found very hard to swallow.

  "To think that a USNA [Apostle] has been hiding in the country — no, I guess it's not really hiding."

  Onda released a low, self-deprecating laugh since he knew about the existence of such a potential threat and the fact that the current state of affairs was such that he was forced to concede and couldn't do anything about it. Furthermore, an [Apostle] was the common name for a nationally recognized Strategic-Class Magician.

  "Anyway, the fact that she’s probably Sirius is certainly a risk we can't overlook, but that isn’t the point I’m trying to make here."

  Onda stopped talking briefly to drink a glass of water.

  18

  "Well?"

  Inukai urged him to continue impatiently.

  "Apologies. Upon the time of her naturalization, this Angelina Shields was adopted by His Excellency Toudou Aoba. The Deputy Director is aware of who His Excellency Toudou is, am I correct?"

  Inukai frowned at Onda's inquiry.

  "…He is an influential member of the [Senate]."

  His voice was filled with agitation, in the sense of "I must have missed it" "that was too careless of me" mixed together out of sheer frustration over the fact that Onda had to point out this particular detail to him.

  There was a small commotion in the room. From the whispers being thrown around, it became evident that many present had never heard of the Senate. Although the people gathered here are Section Chiefs of the Army Intelligence Department and above, even among them many had never heard of it. This was just how much of a background presence the Senate has.

  "The Magian Company, which has a former American who was adopted by His Excellency Toudou, is sending employees to the USNA. I cannot imagine that His Excellency Toudou is fully unaware of this. With that in mind, you can understand why the Yotsuba Family and the Saegusa Family are making light of our established conventions."

  There was no acknowledgement or rebuttal from Inukai Onda showed no sign of being intimidated by Inukai's bitter look, if anything, he continued in a lively tone.

  "It seems to me that the key issue in this matter is not the behavior and attitudes of the Yotsuba Family and the Saegusa Family, but the intentions of the Senate. We don't know if this is the consensus of the Senate to allow for magicians to travel to the United States, or if it's the personal decision of His Excellency Toudou."

  "I suppose we'll need to confirm it."

  Inukai spoke out reluctantly as Onda looked at him.

  "Certainly."

  Onda gave a satisfied nod before continuing to speak.

  19

  "And in the event that it’s the latter case, I believe that we should ask for the assistance of those in the Senate who hold a different opinion from that of His Excellency Toudou."

  "I agree. I believe that Section Chief Onda has made a fair point."

  Inukai still had a bitter look on his face, but he didn't make the mistake of letting his personal feelings cloud his judgment.

  "That said, at least at our level, we aren’t qualified to ask for an audience with a member of the Senate."

  "Why not request for the Minister of Defense to go in person."

  This remark wasn't made by Onda, but by another Section Chief.

  "It's not possible for that Minister."

  Inukai dismissed the suggestion outright. The current Minister of Defense owes his position to the internal conferral of honors from within the ruling party, thus this has made him unpopular with those who wear the uniform, and his only merit is said to be that he's popular with the voters.

  "In that case, what about asking His Excellency Saionji to go in person."

  Saionji was a former army general who retired the year before, and when he was in active service, he was regarded as the No. 2 after Commander-in-Chief, General Soga.

  Although Saionji was said to have more influence in the political and business circles, there were rumors at the time that he himself had assumed the No. 2 position, handing over the Commander-in-Chief's position to Soga who had a stronger following among the soldiers.

  "I also think His Excellency Saionji is the right man for the job. I'll make a request to him through the director. Does anyone have any other suggestions?"

  Inukai looked around at the other members sitting at the meeting table.

  "…Deputy Director."

  Only a few moments later a hand was raised by the Section Chief of Counterintelligence Section 10.

  "Even if it's the intention of the Senate to allow for magicians to travel to the United States, it doesn't have to be a member of the Ten Master Clans. Why don't we call the head of the Saegusa Family and have him stop his daughter from traveling to the United States."

  20

  "Hmm… Chief Onda, what do you think?"

  "I have no objection. Even if it were the consensus of the Senate to allow for them to travel to the United States, I don't think they would be disturbed about a change in personnel."

  "I suppose so."

  Inukai nodded grimly at Onda's reply.

  "Let the Minister of Defense take up that task. All he's doing is sitting in the minister's chair. Even for someone just sitting in it, he should be useful to some extent."

  Inukai's blunt attitude and manner of speaking showed that he has yet to reach the level of his predecessor in terms of dignity.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  The Army Intelligence Department was quick to act.

  It was the afternoon of June 16th, a day after the secret leadership meeting. Saegusa Kouichi, the head of the Saegusa Family, was called to the minister's office at the Ministry of Defense.

  The owner of the minister's office, Furusawa, was a young politician in his early 40's.

  With his fresh looks and sharp tongue, he has gained a huge following among the electorate. The person in question was aware of this and thinks highly of himself.

  Minister Furusawa welcomed Kouichi, who was nearly ten years older than himself, with a confident attitude.

  "…Even if you say so, my daughter hasn’t committed any crime that would cause her to be restricted from traveling."

  However, Kouichi's clear refusal of the request to have his daughter refrain from traveling left Furusawa with his composure dented.

  "Or are you saying that my daughter is under some serious suspicion? To the extent that you would go to the point of restricting her freedom of movement, a right granted to all citizens of this country?"

  Out of politeness for the man in his position, Kouichi had removed his sunglasses.

  He aimed his prosthetic eye, which reflected no emotion, and his naked eye, which held even more coldness than his prosthetic eye, directly at Furusawa.

  21

  "N-Not at all, I had no intention of suggesting such a thing, sir."

  Furusawa's tone had unconsciously shifted to one of humble deference.

  "However, it has long been the customary practice for magicians to refrain from traveling abroad."

  "Your Excellency, Minister of Defense."

  Kouichi's sharp tone interrupted Furusawa's remark.

  "Are you saying that a citizen, who is a rightful member of society, has the privilege to do so, but a magician does not?"

  "…No, I don't think so."

  Furusawa stood in a much more powerful position than Kouichi.

  But in this case, his official stance was on Kouichi's side.

  He doesn't have any legal authority to use as a means to make Kouichi obey him here and now.

  "However, there are a number of potential problems associated with magicians traveling abroad, and there has been a long history of magicians willingly refraining from doing so."

  "Your Excellency, Minister."

  Once again, Kouichi interrupted Furusawa from speaking.

  Furusawa was still lacking in many ways as a politician when it came to trying to persuade Kouichi with his political power rather than through any legal authority.

  "What exactly are the potential problems? Do you think that my daughter will betray Japan and defect to the USNA?"

  "No, I wasn't suggesting that!"

  "Oh, are you perhaps concerned for the safety of my daughter? If that's the case, I'm sure she'll be fine since her destination is the former Canadian territory of the USNA, where the public order is excellent. Though it's within the same USNA, there aren't such risks as with the former Mexican territory."

  Almost like a whole new person, Kouichi gave Furusawa an amiable smile.

  However, his naked eye now had the same inorganic light as his prosthetic eye.

  22

  The inhuman glint in his eyes exerted a pressure on Furusawa that made him yield.

  A cabinet minister and a single civilian. The difference in their social status was evident.

  However, apart from their social positions, they also differed in their strengths and weaknesses as people.

  In this sense, it could be said that Furusawa perhaps had excellent survival skills since he didn't misjudge the situation, nor did he engage in a direct confrontation. Without a doubt, this was an important quality for a politician to have.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  The shameful sight that the Minister of Defense Furusawa showed against Saegusa Kouichi greatly disappointed the Army Intelligence Department. In an effort to make a comeback, the Intelligence Department accelerated their plan of maneuvering behind the scenes.

  Meanwhile, the target of the Intelligence Department's efforts was also making his own moves to counter them.

  On the evening of the same day he was called by the Minister of Defense, Kouichi paid a visit to a ryotei in the center of the city. This was the same restaurant where Tatsuya, Masaki and also Mayumi had a private meeting with each other a few days ago. Mayumi had been called here just the week before. Now that he has been invited here by the same individual, Kouichi felt a strange sense of connection in these events.

  "I've been waiting for you."

  As soon as Kouichi opened the fusuma of the tatami room he was guided to, he was met by Tatsuya who had been standing waiting for him. Tatsuya bowed politely, and Kouichi returned the bow. And then he sat down at the head of the table he'd been guided to.

  "Thank you for your invitation, Yotsuba-dono."

  Kouichi then spoke to Tatsuya who was seated across from him.

  "By no means, I should be thanking you for taking time out of your busy schedule."

  Tatsuya shrugged off the "Yotsuba-dono" address without so much as raising an eyebrow.

  23

  In his mind, Kouichi felt like he had "misjudged the situation," but he didn't express it in his expression, or in any other way. The two faced each other in a similarly "composed"

  manner.

  "First of all, I'd like to apologize."

  Tatsuya formally started the conversation.

  "I asked for your daughter's cooperation on a work matter, and it seems that it has caused you some trouble."

  "It's my duty as a parent to look after my daughter, and it wasn't too big a hassle, so you shouldn't worry about it."

  "Thank you for your generous words."

  Tatsuya held out a tokkuri, and Kouichi extended a sake cup to him.

  After Tatsuya finished pouring Koucihi a drink, the conversation continued.

  "To be honest, I was surprised."

  Kouichi didn't inquire, "What?" to Tatsuya's remark.

  "That I opposed the Minister of Defense?"

  Not only Tatsuya, but Kouichi also understood exactly what this conversation would be about.

  "Yes. I thought that Saegusa-dono would place greater importance on cooperation with the government, so I thought it unlikely that you'd agree to my request."

  In fact, Tatsuya had previously made a request of Kouichi through Mayumi to not give in to any government or military pressure seeking to prevent her from traveling to the United States.

  "You're not entirely wrong about that."

  "Heh", Kouichi laughed. It was more of a forced laugh than a wry smirk.

  "I have no intention of blindly following them. It all depends on the time, place, and person in question. "

  "I see. The time, place, and person in question, then."

  Nodding, Tatsuya's expression showed no trace of whimsiness.

  "I just felt it was a good opportunity."

  24

  And, as if on cue, Kouichi added.

  "And by that, you mean?"

  Tatsuya asked Koucihi half-heartedly.

  "I've been thinking about it for a while now. It's about time for us magicians to stop being so tolerant."

  "Tolerant?"

  "Yes, tolerant."

  Kouichi still had his usual poker face. But there was a tinge of bitterness in his tone.

  "What about you, Shiba-san?"

  This time Kouichi addressed Tatsuya as "Shiba-san" rather than "Yotsuba-dono."

  "You've mentioned that Magian's don't have the economic base to be self-sufficient, and that it’s essential for them to coexist with the majority, is that right?"

  His remark, at least on this occasion, could be his way of distinguishing Tatsuya as Shiba Tatsuya, and not as a member of the Yotsuba Family.

  "It's as you said."

  "I think the idea itself has merit. However, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that the various forms of [self-restraint] imposed on Magians have deprived them of their ability to be independent."

  Tatsuya repeated the words, "It's as you said."

  "Since modern times, society has become more prosperous through the division of labor."

  "That's one of the concepts of classical economics. Adam Smith, right?"

  "The classics shouldn't be underestimated."

  Kouichi let out a wry smile. There was no sarcasm present.

  "We offer our magical skills, and we receive money and goods in return. This is undeniably a division of labor. And this division of labor expands as the scope of the exchanges increases."

  "I'm not well-versed in economics, but I can understand it."

  25

  This wasn't him being modest. It was nothing short of a fact that Tatsuya wasn't very familiar with economics, and everything that Kouichi just said was perfectly within reason and could be understood with a little thought, even without any technical knowledge.