Chapter 2
[Strategy]
June 15th, at a certain place in Tokyo. In a conference room of which the name and location were undisclosed, the Deputy Director who oversees the dark side of the National Defense Army Intelligence Department as well as the Section Chiefs of the various sections had gathered.
The National Defense Army Intelligence Department's secret leadership meeting. This wasn't a regular meeting nor an official one. It was an informal gathering of the Army Intelligence Department leadership, who had convened in response to a situation that they deemed necessary. The convening of this meeting indicated that the Intelligence Department recognized that there was an emerging situation occurring.
However, at present, there were no indicators of any foreign armed incursions into the country nor attempts at sabotage aimed at overthrowing the state in question. Compared to past years, they were gathered to address a trivial concern that hardly warranted the convening of a secret leadership meeting.
"I'm sure you're all aware, but let me reiterate the situation."
It was the organizer of the meeting, the unpublicized Deputy Director of the Army
Intelligence Department, Inukai, who opened the session. Until last year, he was the
Section Chief of Counterintelligence Section 10. Section “10” isn't the 10th section of the
Counterintelligence Division, but rather a direct partner with the Tooyama Family of the 18 Assistant Houses, who have a close working relationship with the Army Intelligence Department.
Furthermore, the Tooyama Family was a successful example of the former Tenth
Institute, along with the Juumonji Family of the Ten Master Clans. While the Juumonji Family was developed for the purpose of intercepting missiles and mechanized units, the Tooyama Family's purpose was to defend important facilities and escort important individuals after breaking through the line of defense. Due to their role, they had the strongest relationship within the center of the National Defense Forces among all of the 28 Houses.
"Yesterday, the eldest daughter of the Saegusa Family of the Ten Master Clans applied for a visa at the USNA Embassy. The described purpose of the visit is to make contact with a 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 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.
"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.
"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."
"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.
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