"That's a good answer."

  Mari replied with vigor in her shoulders whereas she had stood nervously with tension before, as Kazama gave her a gentle smile.

  "Just don't exert yourself too much. Considering your capabilities, Sergeant Major, this mission shouldn’t prove too difficult."

  "Please tell me the specific details, sir."

  Mari's facial muscles didn't move, not in a poker face fashion, but instead her face grew slightly flushed. However, the reason behind this wasn’t that she was happy with the commendations, but out of embarrassment at being reminded of her overeagerness.

  "You'll be escorting a civilian during their trip to the United States."

  A doubtful expression flashed across Mari's face.

  If such an important person would have a soldier escorting them instead of a SP (Special Policeman), she wondered why a rookie like herself was selected.

  In the first place why was it that an escort mission has fallen upon the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment's shoulders? If the military is tasked with the escorting of this key figure, shouldn't someone from the 1st Division be tasked with the mission?

  ──Those questions arose in Mari's mind.

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  Kazama noticed the momentary expression on Mari's face that reflected those emotions, but didn't make any attempt to address them or ask her any questions about it.

  "The person you will be escorting is someone you know very well. It's Saegusa Mayumi-jou."

  Kazama knew that her questions would be answered once she understood who it was she'd be escorting.

  "Mayumi!? Yes, no, I beg your pardon!"

  Sure enough, Mari's face showed a look of understanding as she apologized with a stiff posture and expression.

  "Commander, may I be allowed to ask a question?"

  But soon enough another question seemed to come up.

  "You have permission to ask."

  "Yes, thank you, sir. The mission of this minor officer is to escort this civilian during their trip to the United States, but is a high-level magician like her allowed to leave the country?"

  Kazama peered into Mari's eyes. Under the unexpected strong gaze, Mari almost unconsciously looked away, but she fought down the urge to do so.

  "Sergeant Major Watanabe. There is no law in our country which restricts a magician from traveling outside of the country."

  "Huh? Yes!"

  A dumbfounded voice escaped her mouth at the unexpected remark, but Mari hastily glossed over her lapse of composure.

  Although it couldn't be said to be a skillful concealment, Kazama ── at least on the surface ── wasn't bothered.

  "As long as there are no laws and regulations governing it, there’s nothing to allow or deny. There’s simply a particular risk involved in a high-level magician traveling abroad that requires special attention. Sergeant Major, do you know what it is?"

  "…The risk of abduction by an illegal organization, sir?"

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  "Exactly."

  Kazama nodded with a contented look on his face, and Mari mentally let out a sigh of relief.

  "Actually, there was an incident at the end of the last World War in which the current head of the Saegusa Family was also an involved party. The reason why high-level magicians are asked to refrain from leaving the country, is to prevent another similar tragedy from occurring again."

  Mari nodded silently at Kazama's words. The incident he was referring to was the one that involved the abduction of Maya, the current head of the Yotsuba Family, by illegal Dahan agents in Taiwan, and that Kouichi, the current head of the Saegusa Family, lost one of his eyes when he tried to prevent it. This incident was a kind of taboo that isn't spoken of by students in either the Magic High Schools or the Magic University. Nevertheless, at the National Defense Academy, it’s taught as an important case to be taken note of by all future magician officers.

  "However, the military has no place to interfere with a magician's departure from Japan under the guise of imposing self-restraint as a matter of course. The duty of we, the military, is to protect the Japanese people. Given the vital importance of high-level magicians to our national defense, we must take the necessary steps to ensure their safety."

  "Yes, understood sir!"

  "Sergeant Major Watanabe. I believe that this mission will be a test case for the safeguarding of Japanese magicians outside of the country. I expect you to approach this with that in mind."

  "I will do my very best!"

  Mari saluted with her back straightened, displaying an enthusiasm that was anything but formal.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Mayumi hadn’t been informed that her trip to the United States had become the spark for a plot. She had been preparing with great anticipation for her first real trip abroad, albeit for work.

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  She had been excused from work since the day after she received the assignment to go on the business trip, so that she could concentrate on her preparations. At present, Mayumi was back at her parents' house in Tokyo coming from the company housing in Izu.

  Not surprisingly, her plane ticket had already been arranged. She was scheduled to leave on Saturday, the 26th.

  On the evening of the 19th, a week before the day she was set to leave for the USNA.

  Mayumi received an email from a close friend whom she hadn't seen in a while. While she thought of how long it had been, much to her surprise, in the email it was written that her friend would like to meet her at her home tomorrow afternoon.

  It came out of the blue, but Mayumi thought it was a good opportunity. The business trip was planned to last a week, including the time it would take to travel to and from, but the destination would still be on the other side of the Pacific. The possibility of not being able to come back to Japan had never crossed Mayumi's mind, but it was still nice timing to catch up after a long time.

  With that in mind, Mayumi sent a reply with her assent, without really thinking about what Mari's business was.

  Then, on Sunday the 20th. Mari arrived at the Saegusa residence at noon after having accepted Mayumi's invitation of, "Since you're here, why don't we have a meal together?"

  "Welcome, it's been a while, hasn't it."

  She must have been glad to see her best friend. Mayumi greeted her at the front door in high spirits.

  "That's right. We haven't seen each other since New Year's, so its been about half a year now."

  Mari responded with a smile as she handed Mayumi a souvenir. But right after that, her expression suddenly dimmed.

  "Uh… I'm really sorry about the graduation party."

  Mayumi graduated from the Magic University and Mari from the National Defense Academy in March of last year. A party in celebration was scheduled to be held at the end 60

  of March, but it was canceled because Mari wasn't able to make it due to her circumstances.

  "Are you still hung up on that? It was because of your job, there wasn’t much you could do about it."

  Unlike the graduates of other departments of the National Defense Academy, the graduates of the Special Warfare Studies course, which trains magician officers, don’t enter the Officer Candidate School. The reason for this was that there was a shortage in the overall number of magician officers, and they were expected to be immediately effective in the field.

  However, the fact that they were magician officers doesn't mean that they weren’t required to learn what was taught at Officer Candidate School. In order to bridge the gap between the institution and reality, magician officers were effectively compelled to undergo an "induction program" at their assigned posting, which begins before they’re even officially commissioned.

  Even so, usually after the graduation ceremony, one would have three days to a week or so of free time, but Mari had been assigned to the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment, and her preliminary training was scheduled to start the day after her graduation from the National Defense Academy. That was the reason why Mari was unable to attend Mayumi's graduation party.

  "Now, come on in. The table is already set."

  With Mayumi beckoning her in, Mari took off her shoes at the entrance.

  On that note, she was led to the dining room for guests. Although Mayumi said that everything was set, there was only cutlery on the table. Perhaps she prepared a multi-course menu, even though it was lunch.

  Rather than saying that she was half-convinced of this, she was more than 60% “doubtful,”

  but still Mari's guess was correct. As soon as they sat down at the table, a servant brought out the hors d'oeuvres.

  "You know, it's still daytime."

  "That's fine. It has been so long since we've seen each other at all. Let's take our time and enjoy the meal."

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  Mari didn't feel disheartened at the situation, but she felt bad for the cook and the servants of the Saegusa residence who will have to especially spend so much of the day working. She thought, "In this case it would have been better if we'd just chosen to meet up outside and book a restaurant." However, the business that brought her here today was something that shouldn’t be overheard. The ordinary restaurant where they would have been able to have such a conversation wasn't one that Mari could afford.

  At least I get to be treated to a delicious meal. Mari thought so and decided to leave the work talk for after the meal.

  After a full-blown lunch that even included dessert, Mayumi and Mari had a cup of hot black tea laid out in front of them. It was still June, but it had been raining since this morning and the temperature still hadn't risen much. Thus, a hot cup of black tea wasn’t particularly hard to handle.

  "…Mayumi. I have something serious to discuss with you."

  "What's wrong, all of a sudden?"

  Mayumi stared in wonder as Mari returned her teacup to the table and straightened her posture.

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  63

  Mari took the reaction as her consent and stood up.

  "Saegusa-san. On the occasion of your trip to the United States, I have been given orders to escort you. It may seem unnecessary, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would allow me to accompany you."

  "Eh? An escort?"

  Mayumi darted her eyes around in bewilderment.

  Mari stood upright in attention, awaiting her answer.

  "Well, I have a few things I'd like to ask you, so could you sit down first?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Mari sat down facing Mayumi, with her "countenance" having changed from that of a friend to a soldier.

  "…And if you could, I'd like you to talk to me like normal."

  But for Mayumi, it felt too abnormal to see Mari acting so formally.

  "…Alright."

  They have known each other for so long. Realizing that Mayumi would get upset if she didn't do as she asked, Mari changed her tone and attitude back to normal.

  "I can't tell you everything, but I'll try to answer as much as I can."

  "Of course, I'm fine with what you can answer. I'm not going to be so unreasonable as to ask you to spill any confidential stuff."

  With that, Mayumi took a drink of her black tea to calm her nerves.

  "…Well, first of all, why would I be getting an escort at all? I'm just a civilian with no particular social status or anything."

  Mayumi started off by asking the fundamental question.

  "It's because you're a high-level magician, Mayumi."

  Mari's answer was simple and clear.

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  "Even if, for all intents and purposes, you didn't have any political or financial standing, the mere fact that you're a high-level magician makes you enough of a target for criminal syndicates or espionage organizations."

  "I'm not the only high-level magician around. If you were to provide every single one an escort, wouldn't you soon run out of manpower?"

  "The domestic and foreign environments differ in their own ways. Except for some exceptions like the mass exchange program four years ago, there hasn't been a case of a civilian magician leaving the country in the last few decades."

  "…In other words, you're saying that because I'm breaking convention and going abroad, I now have to have an escort?"

  "Aside from the wording, well, that's pretty much it."

  Mayumi's expression dimmed as Mari nodded. Even though she had expected some sort of obstruction from the military or the government with her trip to the United States, she never expected that this would cause trouble for someone from the military, causing them to go out of their way, beyond their normal duties.

  "…As for the National Defense Forces."

  Mayumi muttered in a muffled voice.

  "Hmm?"

  Coming out slurred, Mari couldn't quite make out the words being said.

  When asked back, Mayumi restated the line she stopped in mid-sentence.

  "As for the military, wouldn't it have been easier for you to try to stop my trip to the United States?"

  "That wouldn't happen."

  Mari denied it in a firm tone.

  "There are no laws that restrict magicians from traveling out of the country. Imposing self-restraint is against the principles of constitutionalism. Deviation from the Rule of Law is the biggest taboo that the military of a democratic country must not infringe upon."

  Mari then stated even more firmly.

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  That display of her's was met with a look of admiration and praise from Mayumi.

  "That's amazing! Well done, Mari. You’ve only been officially enlisted for two months, and you already have the mindset of an exemplary soldier."

  Mayumi openly praised Mari without reservations.

  She probably couldn't bear the sparkling eyes being directed at her anymore.

  "…Not really, I was just parroting what my superior said to me."

  Disconcerted, Mari confessed.

  "Is that so? That was still pretty admirable, though. What a nice place you found to work at."

  Even with the truth revealed, Mayumi's positive impression remained unchanged.

  "Mari. I'll leave my escorting to you, please take care of me. If that was the kind of judgment your superior made, I think I can trust him."

  Thus, even the matter of the escort turned to a positive light.

  "I see. It really helps me if you're willing to accept it."

  Seeing Mayumi's change of heart, Mari's expression filled with relief.

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  Chapter 5

  [The Significance of the Existence of Magic]

  Evening of June 20th. At the Tokyo headquarters of the Yotsuba Family in Chofu.

  On the top floor of the building was Tatsuya and Miyuki’s home, and at the basement lies Tatsuya's private laboratory. Naturally, this building wasn’t exclusively for Tatsuya and Miyuki’s use. Lina also lived on the top floor, and other people related to the Yotsuba Family occupied the floors below. Offices and meeting rooms occupied the first three floors, while the basement contained training rooms and other research facilities besides Tatsuya's laboratory.

  It was already past dinner time and Tatsuya wasn’t at home, but in the upstairs parlor.

  However, he hadn’t received a guest. Given that the room was soundproofed, he used it to receive reports from his personal subordinates posing as guests.

  "Let me hear it, Daimon."

  Seated on the sofa, Tatsuya prompted the man across from him on ── he wasn’t on a sofa, but instead was on one knee down on the floor with his head down as he gave his report.

  "Yes, sir."

  The name of the man who replied while keeping his face turned down was Fujibayashi Hiroto. He was the half-brother of Fujibayashi Kyouko's father, Fujibayashi Nagamasa. He was a ninjutsu user working as Tatsuya's personal intelligence operative. Although he was essentially Kyouko's uncle, Hiroto was only two years older than her.

  Three years ago, the former head of the Fujibayashi Family, Nagamasa, launched a surprise attack on Tatsuya in an attempt to aid Minoru's escape. Hiroto was chosen by the Fujibayashi Family to make amends for the deception. To Tatsuya ── not to the Yotsuba Family ── he swore an oath of vassalage. Since then, he has served as Tatsuya's personal subordinate.

  Tatsuya called Hiroto "Daimon" to distinguish him from Fujibayashi Kyouko. Despite being just a different reading of his name, it was a codename of sorts. As Daimon = Daemon.

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  However, it wasn’t demon, which means devil, but daemon. In reference to the Background Process " Daemon" of the UNIX-based OS.

  "Today, I observed Sergeant Major Watanabe Mari of the Independent Magic-Equipped Regiment paying a visit to Saegusa Mayumi-jou at the Saegusa residence."

  Hiroto raised his face, but his knee remained on the floor as he answered Tatsuya's inquiry.

  "Sergeant Major Watanabe?"

  "Yes. It seems that Sergeant Major Watanabe has been ordered to escort Saegusa-jou during her visit to the United States. The purpose of her visit was to obtain permission from Saegusa-jou herself."

  Hiroto was a direct descendent of the Fujibayashi Family, a famous family of Ancient Magician "Ninjutsu users." And he had the skills to match. While he was inferior to his older brother as a magician, he was highly regarded within the Fujibayashi Family as having surpassed his older brother in the art of intelligence and espionage. Because of this, eavesdropping on conversations even within the highly guarded residence of the Saegusa Family wasn't completely out of the realm of possibilities.

  Moreover, since he was Tatsuya's personal subordinate, he could be used for missions that would lead to trouble between the Ten Master Clans in the unlikely event that the operation were to be exposed. This was the reason why he chose Hiroto to investigate instead of Fumiya or Ayako.

  "Is Colonel Kazama in support of Saegusa-san going to the United States?"

  "Shall I look into it, sir?"

  "No, I’d rather you not. Colonel Kazama is a master of Tengu-jutsu of Ancient Magic. It's not that I don't trust your skills, but you never know."

  Hiroto was older than Tatsuya. In spite of that fact, Tatsuya's arrogant tone was meant to emphasize the difference in their standings. Tatsuya may trust Hiroto's abilities, as for the person himself, he didn't trust him as much as his niece, Kyouko. He didn't come to be his subordinate out of empathy or even as a favor, but as a member of the Fujibayashi Family working to atone for the betrayal of the previous head of the family. And to keep him from forgetting that fact, Tatsuya felt it necessary to constantly remind him that he was the master.