Chapter 4
[The Keeper of the Ruins in the Sea of Trees]
First thing Tatsuya did after returning to his home in Chofu from Zama Air Base was to make a call to the main house.
Maya answered the videophone call in no time. She was probably waiting for it to happen given he notified them in advance of his return schedule before departing from the USNA.
Having finished listening to Tatsuya's account, Maya asked, [So, Tatsuya-san, your [Gram Dispersion] is unable to nullify this [Gjallarhorn] magic?]
"If used during the activation process, yes, it is possible. The issue comes from the fact that the effects of Gjallarhorn will persist even after the magic is finished, at which point [Gram Dispersion] won't be of any help."
[A magic that cannot be extinguished by counter-magic. That's certainly a nuisance… That said, there should be other means of countering the effects, there is nerve gas, though that's a careful decision to make.]
It is certainly a measure that law enforcement, politicians, as well as military authorities, should seek to avoid. Using nerve gas in a concentration to render hundreds of different people unconscious is bound to result in even further harm. Deaths are to be expected, and not few.
However, since he neither had the expertise or authority, it was not Tatsuya's place to argue in favor or against that option.
[Yes, the best alternative to have is certainly a large-scale mind-interference magic to calm the excitement.]
"Considering the disposition of the family, this would be the most appropriate countermeasure." If he was to consider one, this approach better fancied him.
[You stated before that [Gjallarhorn] is the magic of Kla-Klo, who was an adversary of Shambhala, correct? Are you aware of any existing countermeasures among the Shambhala's magic?]
She noticed, Tatsuya thought. He would've preferred if that question hadn't been asked. At the same time, he was expecting it to come up.
"There is a magic called [Nirvana] among the legacies of Shambhala. It should be able to completely erase the effects of [Gjallarhorn]."
[[Nirvana], you say… I assume it's not the same [Nirvana] we know about."
An unsystematic magic with the same title, but with a different japanese pronunciation ("涅槃" as opposed to the Shambhala's "ニルヴァーナ") in fact do already exists in modern magic. Said magic acts as a type of magical shield to protect oneself from attacks that affect the mind. Theoretically, this magic can even defend against Miyuki's [Cocytus].
Unfortunately for this case, the modern magic is not designed to work on others, therefore it is not a valid countermeasure against [Gjallarhorn].
"The effects are essentially the same. It forcefully stabilizes the mental state of the target by locking in the emotions. It differs from the modern variant mainly in the fact that it can affect other people or even groups. Although, without actually having access to it, I can't say definitively what are the mechanisms that allow it to do so."
[You fear potential strong side effects?] Maya, astutely reading Tatsuya's reluctance, asked the reason behind it.
Tatsuya let out a small sigh in response. Quite unusually, unintentionally on his part.
"So far it's only a conjecture, but presuming the mechanisms, if a person with low resistance to magic is subjected to [Nirvana], it might cause lasting crippling effects."
Maya in the monitor stares blankly at him, [The effects are that strong…?]
"Shambhala's [Nirvana] is a magic that temporarily paralyzes all mental functions except the ability to recognize facts. A person under the influence of this magic can only act in a passive way. It is, in a way, an induced serene state. Where they are not anguished, saddened, or angry by external stimuli."
The induced state was similar to Tatsuya's condition past the Artificial Magician Experiment, when he was deprived of his strong emotions. The difference is that Tatsuya was left with only one emotion, while [Nirvana] suspends all.
Maya wondered if that was the reason for his current extra sensitivity. She had no intention of voicing that observation, though.
"People under that dispassionate state have a natural tendency to become complacent." If he noticed Maya's thoughtfulness, he didn't show it, because he continued with his explanation without any change in his tone. "Once a person loses the motivational drive of emotions, it will be difficult to resist that instinct. Those with low resistance to magic will likely be stuck in that passive, dispassionate state for a long period of time. They will still be able to perform certain activities, but only when there is a need pushing them to do so. Only drinking when they're thirsty, eating when they're hungry, and sleeping when they're tired. But they will not act on their own initiative, even if it's proactively seeking their own source of sustenance. If there is no immediately accessible food, they will just lay down and starve to death in their sleep. That's what I meant by the crippling effect."
[From your words, it indeed does seem to be an onerous magic, particularly on the decision on where and when to use it. …By the way, have you already unearthed this we've been talking about?]
"No, not yet."
"I assume you know the location of its ruins, am I right? Do you intend to leave it untouched?"
Ignoring the initial, rhetorical, part, Tatsuya again answered "No."
"The site of the ruins is at the foot of Mt. Fuji. I'll be heading there as soon as tomorrow,"
◇ ◇ ◇
Finishing the call, Tatsuya followed Miyuki's suggestion and sat down at the table for an early dinner.
Early in regards to their usual daily schedule, Tatsuya's last meal was six hours ago, before he left USNA soil. He hadn't had anything on the flight back either, so due to jet lag it was best for him to eat and get some rest.
During his report via call to Maya, Miyuki stood in a corner of the conference room where the cameras would not pick her up. So she was informed with the same details as Maya about what had happened in California. Even so, Tatsuya recounted the events of the trip over the table, for once because Lina was also present, as per usual, and also to go into the details of his plans for the immediate future, which he kept vague during his call with Maya.
For starters, Tatsuya was going to the ruins tomorrow by himself.
Miyuki had no objection to not traveling with him on this trip. This time he would be traveling within Japan, thus making the trip take just a single day at most. Based on the previous cases, business at the ruins should take about a day and a night at most. No reason to insist on tagging along.
"Are you not going to ask for Minoru to accompany you this time?" Miyuki pointed out one question that struck her as a bit strange after she had finished listening to Tatsuya's detailed explanation.
Minoru was not involved in the Bukhara ruins, but he did join Tatsuya when he ventured into the ruins of Lhasa and was entrusted to handle the one at Mt. Shasta on his own.
Minoru was not involved in the Bukhara ruins, but he did join Tatsuya when he ventured into the ruins of Lhasa and was entrusted to handle the one at Mt.Shasta solo. On another point, they have learned in the past that the Fuji ruins reportedly house magic capable of converting Parasites back to human beings.
For that latter reason in particular, she believed that Minoru must have a strong interest in the ruins of Fuji, and it therefore came as a surprise that Tatsuya would not include Minoru on this occasion.
"His Excellency Toudou will not allow Minoru to step foot in the country."
"…Did Aunt tell you that?"
"Yes, she did. Said it the moment I told her I planned to visit the ruins of Fuji tomorrow."
In the eyes of Tatsuya and his close associates, Minoru and Minami are simply friends who have transformed into parasites. Although their lives are a different existence from that of humans, they are not enemies. The contrary, they are powerful allies and beloved friends.
This sentiment is not shared by those concerned with the security of the spiritual domain of the nation. To them, Parasites are not human. To the traditional classification, they are youma, that is, demons.
They would never allow such a being to step on the country's soil a second time, once it had been banished.
It is an unfortunate state of affairs, but Tatsuya understands that there isn't much he can do about it, just allowing Minoru and Minami to be able to visit Miyakishima, which originally did not exist in this country, was the biggest concession he could get from the people with the power. So he will concede quietly this time.
"I can imagine Minoru will be pretty disappointed," Lina chimed in just to say the obvious.
Tatsuya responded, closing the topic, "I'll talk with him later."
◇ ◇ ◇
"…So, I'm sorry, but I'll have to go to the Fuji ruins alone."
[I understand, that's just the way it is. Don't worry about me,] In spite of saying so, Minoru could not hide the disappointment he was feeling. His image being displayed on the monitor was being transmitted by laser communication and transmitted from the Miyakishima's facility. [I'll be monitoring from the sky, then]
"All right. In that case, I'll be leaving before dawn according to your time."
Takachiho would be over Japan at approximately 8:00 P.M., between dawn and early morning, so it would be in the southern part of the globe, but closer in longitude.
That way it'll be less visible to prying eyes.
[I am sorry for the inconvenience,] Minoru replied with a not-so-suitable response.
◇ ◇ ◇
Possibly because of last night's exchange, Tatsuya moved his plan and visited the Aokigahara Sea of Trees at the foot of Mt Fuji before dawn.
It was 5:00 am, dark enough to not be able to see an inch ahead in this sea of trees. Hardly a problem for Tatsuya, though.
Today, he was here on his Wingless, an automatic motorcycle capable of flight, the same one used in Tibet, in matching gear with his combat flying suit, aka Freed Suit.
The Freed Suit has integrated night vision, as well as a short-range radar and active sonar. All of these sensory equipment were integrated as redundancy in Tatsuya's case, in the event that he was unable to use his [Elemental Sight].
Indeed, he is relying on his ever handy [Elemental Sight], the extra-sensory perception of information bodies. With it, the absence of physical light is no hindrance for Tatsuya.
By recognizing his movement as data, rather than sensory information, he is able to maintain the straightest path through the sea of trees without relying on a compass, map or GPS.
The precise information of every change of direction and the distance traveled between, is computed to determine his current position. Much in the same way as an inertial navigation system, but at a far higher degree of precision, utilizing the most accurate data attainable by modern science.
The target ruins were buried deep underground by the Jogan Eruption, an active eruption that lasted two years from the 6th year of the Jogan Eruption (864 A.D.). The database of the Lhasa ruins indicated that one of the many different-sized wind holes close to the ruins can be found in the Aokigahara Sea of Trees.
With the shortest possible distance traveled, Tatsuya reached the entrance to the windhole.
◇ ◇ ◇
At 5:00 A.M., the Orbital Residence Takachiho, where Minoru and Minami live, is barely visible, near the horizon from Japan.
Conversely, the same could be said for Takachiho looking at Japan. This is not an ideal condition for observation.
But Minoru's means of observation is not limited to just electromagnetic waves such as visible light and radio waves. Although he cannot trace the history of changes in the Eidos as Tatsuya, he is able to tune in to information as if he were cycling through buzzling radio frequencies, even if he is not conscious of it. And if he turns his attention to it, he can extract specific information.
Of course, he can also actively employ this ability. At which point, it would not be an exaggeration to consider it to be on par with Tatsuya's [Elemental Sight] in terms of real-time information perception. In fact, by magic standards, Minoru's extra-sensorial ability is a form of [Elemental Sight].
Minoru used this ability to follow Tatsuya's exploration. His purpose in doing so was, primarily, to provide support when the need arose. But, likely more significant was his interest in the magic stored in the ruins, which he needed to see.
A magic that could turn a Parasite back into a human being. The first thought that sprang from that possibility was, "What will Minami do?". What would Minoru himself do if Minami chose to change back to being human?
In abandoning his humanity and becoming a Parasite, Minoru also shed his unstable physical condition which he carried since birth. Now that he's unshackled from physical ailments, he's able to use his magic freely.
Only upon becoming a Parasite did Minoru come to see value in himself.
And now he is faced with the prospect of returning to being an worthless, impotent human being again?
Minoru couldn't possibly accept such a future for himself.
However, Minami might think differently. If she decides to turn back into human and himself remains as a parasite, will she still want to live with him then? No matter how many times he thinks about it, Minoru can only imagine the answer would be "no".
When that happens, will he be able to bear the loneliness of not having Minami by his side?
Whenever this question popped up, he felt as if the base beneath his feet was crumbling, and he was falling into an abyss. If that happened, he wasn't confident that he could maintain his "self".
He might become a real monster if he lost his Minami…
Ever since he learned of the existence of the magic that lies in the ruins of Fuji, this fear has been lodged in a corner of his mind and has haunted him constantly.
But if Minami wants to become human again, he still wants to make it happen. To that end, he needs the heritage of Shambhala to be recovered from the Fuji ruins safely.
At the same time, he couldn't help but deep inside, hoping that it would be a failure. Then he won't have to deal with the questions that arise from a magic that turns parasites back into human beings.
Despite these conflicting feelings, Minoru watched over Tatsuya. No matter how painful it was, he was going to see Tatsuya's search through to the end.
But the moment Tatsuya entered the windhole, Minoru's "eyes" lost sight of Tatsuya.
◇ ◇ ◇
Immediately after stepping into the wind vent, Tatsuya felt an oppressive sensation. Hiis "gaze," that constantly watches over Miyuki, was being interfered with. The link wasn't severed, but the fact it was interfering with his vision, was enough to tell him that there was a very strong information isolation barrier, in other words, a ward.
Probably set up as a measure against magical detection. If he didn't have the information about this place from the Lhasa ruins, there is a good chance even Tatsuya would not have been able to find the entrance to this wind hole.
This was unexpected. The Lhasa and Bukhara ruins, neither of them had any such wards. Minoru also never mentioned that there was one at the Mt. Shasta ruins.
Moreover, there was no record of the existence of such wards in the "Pillars" of Lhasa or in the "Library" of Bukhara. Which suggests that they were probably not left behind by the people of Shambhala.
Did these people know of the existence of the ruins and put up the wards, or were they unaware of their existence and hid them with the wards because they were told that it was some kind of holy place? Either way, given this, there may be other arrangements in place to not only block information, but also to obstruct intrusion.
Tatsuya proceeded onward, now twice as vigilant for any traps.
Contrary to Tatsuya's fears, he reached the far end of the windhole without incident.
It was a dead end. From here onward, he would have to make his own passage.
Tatsuya used his "eyes" to verify the exact location of the ruins. His extra-sensory "vision" worked without problems, the wards don't interfere with perception inside. The ruins are in the exact position as described in the information he had obtained in Lhasa.
He began digging his way through towards [Decomposition], much as he had done in Bukhara. This time he didn't need to dig straight down because the windhole already brought him to a considerable depth. A steeper slope than the windhole was good enough.
Looking down at the feet ─ for the sake of argument, since there was no light, and the only person there was Tatsuya ─ one could see steps forming a staircase-like foothold. This was not a flight of stairs Tatsuya came across by happenstance, he exercised [Decomposition] to achieve such a result.
There is no fear of slipping and falling on this steep incline with a staircase, as opposed to a slope. Naturally, there is still the risk of losing one's footing, but this is still much safer.
New steps were added to this downward staircase for about 30 meters. Then Tatsuya stopped his descent and made a hall.
Before his eyes laid bare a stone wall, or rather, a door. He took out the wand, the master key he had acquired in the ruins of Bukhara, from the long, narrow bag slung over his left shoulder, and placed it against the stone door.
Slowly but smoothly the door slid open.
"Was I overthinking it, that there might be a trap?" Tatsuya wondered while stepping into the ruins.
The interior is about the same size as the ruins in Bukhara. Same smooth stone floor and ceiling, stone tablets inlaid into the walls. An altar set straight ahead. There were [Keys], similar to those in Bukhara, but in the place where he found the Wand, there was a circular [Mirror] about 30 cm in diameter.
The mirror was adorned with a relief of an eight-leaf lotus flower. Its frontside was facing against the entrance, toward the wall, which he knew was a mirror because he was relying on his information perception, and not his physical eyes.
The mirror was fixed to the altar. Perhaps the crystal bowl placed next to it was a device to remove the mirror, similar to how it was in Bukhara.
Before he tried to remove the mirror, Tatsuya pointed his staff at the stone tablet on the wall.
But before the jewel at the tip of the staff touched the tablet, he froze his arm in place, mere centimeters from the wall.
"That was a close call," he muttered. "Thankfully I didn't drop my guard. If I wasn't still on the lookout for traps, that would've got me."
The tablets on the walls have residual thoughts in them apart from the original Shambhala mechanism of transmitting knowledge. Lacking the ability to read pushions, Tatsuya unfortunately did not know what kind of thoughts they were. Still, he felt a sense of danger from this. It was dangerous to form residual thoughts. His intuition was telling him that it would be dangerous to touch it.
Tatsuya was not the type to hold on to unsubstantiated hopes. He immediately decided to withdraw. He left without even the [Mirror] or the [Keys].
He stepped out and closed the stone door. While making his way back up the flight of stairs, [Regrowth] filled the passageway behind him. When he returned to the far end of the windhole, all traces of his descent into the ruins were gone.
The wand was still in his hand, he put it back in his bag and headed for the entrance of the windhole.
◇ ◇ ◇
He went back to his apartment in Chofu, Miyuki was still at home.
"Tatsuya-sama! What happened? Did something go wrong?" At Tatsuya's untimely return, Miyuki's voice was thick with worry rather than pleasant surprise.
"I came across an unexpected trap in the ruins. I came back since I wasn't adequately prepared to deal with it," Tatsuya was more grounded by comparison, answering Miyuki in a matter-of-fact manner. "Don't leave yet, give me a minute to get changed."
"Are you going to the university?" Miyuki asked, visibly astonished.
"That's the plan," Tatsuya replied while heading to the walk-in closet that is connected to the entrance.
The Freed Suit can be taken off by the wearer on their own, but the process still requires more time and effort than your average motorcycle attire.
"I'll help you," Miyuki said, as she followed closely behind.
Tatsuya drove his own car to campus with Miyuki and Lina. Once there, he parted ways with them, instead of also heading to his classes, he went straight to his seminar room to submit his stack of assignments.
Even on the rare occasions when he visits the campus, Tatsuya seldom turns up for his lectures. Not even for the lectures related to modern magic theory or to his major, "Fundamental Theory of Magic," which studies the principles of magic itself. Not necessarily because he is busy with his own research, rather his teachers prefer that Tatsuya, who has already achieved substantial academic success, not attend their lectures. This sentiment is particularly prevalent among younger faculty members.
By contrast, Miyuki, as well as Lina, attends their lectures diligently when they come to the university. Though her attendance record might be far from exemplary, she was far closer to the character of a student than Tatsuya was.
For that reason, Tatsuya used the lunch break to explain in more detail to Miyuki what had happened this morning.
They gathered at the Unidentified Magic Research Society circle room, which was taken over by the Yotsuba and became in effect their hub at the Magic University shortly after Tatsuya, Miyuki and Lina's enrollment.
It was not just the usual trio with Miyuki and Lina, Ayako and Fumiya were there as well. Tatsuya didn't actually call them. But Miyuki and Lina as a pair coming to the circle room, inconspicuous as they are, it was no surprise that the twins would know that Tatsuya was present as well.
"Wards that block information? What are they for?"
"Residual thoughts, is that something kinda like ghosts? I don't get it, what can that be?"
Miyuki and Lina asked respectively after Tatsuya shared his early morning experience.
"The warding was probably intended to hide the existence of the ruins. As for who did it, I think it's fair to assume that it was the guardians."
In Bukhara, they met a group that called themselves "Keepers of the Heritage". Same thing happened in Lhasa, where an old lama who maintained access to the ruins appeared in front of Tatsuya and Minoru. Tatsuya didn't encounter such a person at Mt. Shasta, but perhaps they died out at some point in time.
There must have been such guardians for the ruins at the foot of Mt. Fuji at some point, and possibly the role has been passed down until the present day.
"I believe that the residual thoughts could be the ghosts of the guardians. It's just a guess based on an impression, since I avoided making contact with them."
"So they were trying to keep you from getting the legacy? Weren't you, Tatsuya-san, who has the Master Key, supposed to be the heir?" Fumiya's barely restrained indignation was clearly painted in his voice.
"The Bukhara and Lhasa keepers recognized me as the rightful heir," Tatsuya responded to Fumiya in a somewhat conciliatory tone. "We are not certain whether they all have the same opinions. Or could it simply be that possessing the Master Key is not enough proof of legitimacy."
"Or they know you're the heir, and yet they don't want to surrender the treasure to you." Despite her composed tone, the actual content of Ayako's comment was not so charitable.
"You mean they liked the gleam of the gold while watching over it? Yeah, I can see that happening?" Lina agreed with a sarcastic comment.
"Whatever the guard's intentions, they have no choice but to give up the magic kept in the ruins, right? What do you think, Tatsuya-sama?" Miyuki asked Tatsuya what he was going to do, rather than add her own speculative opinion.
"Miyuki, Lina." Tatsuya's stiff solemn voice made them both jump in response.
"Yes!" Miyuki answered, unable to hide her nervousness. Meanwhile the startle had Lina default into an reactionary snapback, "W-what is it!?"
"I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you two to take a day off from college tomorrow and come with me to the ruins."
"Yes, of course." Being Tatsuya asking, Miyuki's answer was immediate. It was the usual polite tone, but with a little more force behind her voice than necessary.
"I'm fine with it… But what exactly do you need us there for?" Lina was also ok with the idea, but she had questions about the details.
"I suspect that those residual thoughts that haunt the ruins may be some sort of mind-interference attack targeting anyone who tries to access the legacy."
"…You're not telling me you found ghosts that haunt people to death, are you?" Lina starts to plot her own ghost story, still reeling from her own use of the word "ghost".
Still, she was not far off the mark.
"In a way, yes. It appears to be the kind of attack that traps people in a hallucination. And if they are unable to break free, they may end up dying as a result." Tatsuya, too, assumed the worst. "That's why I want Miyuki to be there in case I get caught up in a hallucination."
"You can count on me."
"Please, be assured that I will be there for you," Miyuki stated with firm confidence.
Miyuki nodded strongly. Miyuki is known in the (near) magic world for her prowess in oscillatory deceleration-type cooling magic. Her true specialty, however, is in mental interference magic, possessing an unique ability capable of freezing the spirit.
To residual thoughts, unprotected by physical armor, just the slightest push from her is sufficient to freeze and shatter them into pieces, no matter for how long and strong those thoughts have cultivated over the years.
"─If you're bringing Miyuki, why not just wipe out the residual thoughts straight out instead of risking it?" Lina had issues with Tatsuya's plan. Her suggestion seemed more reasonable in this case.
"I believe Tatsuya-san has something he would like to confirm, is that correct?" Ayako interjected to raise a counterargument.
"Do you want to determine the identity of the keeper?" Fumiya asked Tatsuya directly.
"That is one reason. We could also be wrong in our assumption that these thoughts are from the keepers, if they are from the Shambhalan people, we could be missing some important information. And I want to avoid that."
Everyone appeared to agree with Tatsuya's answer.
"So, if I got it right, I'll tag along to cover Miyuki, while she covers for you?"
"Correct. Can I count on you?"
"Sure, I can do that." With her doubts cleared, Lina was now satisfied with Tatsuya's plan and her role in it.
"Tatsuya-san, if that's possible, I would like to accompany you, to offer my assistance." Perhaps waiting for the right moment to say so, Fumiya jumps in to ask to join the party.
"If the keeper's role has been handed down to the present day, it is certainly possible that it might become a problematic obstacle to the recovery of the legacy. In which case, it would be advisable to have a good number of trustworthy and reliable hands available."
Ayako followed in tow after her brother.
After a moment's hesitation, "Yeah, you're right. Then, if you two are available, I'll appreciate it," Tatsuya conceded to the request, tactfully ignoring Ayako's self-proclaimed 'trustworthy and reliable' comment.
◇ ◇ ◇
At around the same time Tatsuya and company were discussing tomorrow's plans in the Unidentified Magic Research Society circle room, in the campus cafeteria, Mikihiko sat across from Erika at the same table. Mikihiko had just finished eating and was about to leave, only to be caught and taken back inside.
"So, what do you want from me?" Mikihiko wasn't in the mood for a leisure chat, he had a lab class in the first period of the afternoon.
"It's important."
"Right, but what is it?" Mikihiko's growing annoyance was apparent in his voice.
Which didn't seem to make Erika feel like hurrying up, or even dragging it out.
"I want you to go out with me tomorrow."
"G-Go out!? With you!?" That request caught Mikihiko completely off-guard. But the surprise was short-lived, "Ah, you mean to be your personal baggage holder, right?" After all those years, he grew accustomed to her antics, so he quickly regained his composure and snapped back.
"No, idiot. Do you think I'd do something like that to Mizuki? Besides, I have enough "baggage holders", so you wouldn't be the first I'd ask, thank you very much." Erika stared blankly back at him with a "Good grief" expression and informed Mikihiko he was misunderstanding things.
By the way, her having "enough baggage holders" wasn't just to get back at Mikihiko, though she isn't the recipient of the same level of adulation as Miyuki and Lina, Erika had her own group of followers among her juniors.
"Then what do you want?"
Erika's expression changed. "It's not so much about me and you, Miki, this is more of a request from the Chiba family to the Yoshida family."
Mikihiko also tightened his lips, "Right, right. First, stop calling me Miki… So, Do you mind me asking the details of the business?"
"There was a tip that an ancient-style magician is attempting to perform an unauthorized magic ritual in Aokigahara. The job is to confirm that information and, if it's true, to apprehend the individuals involved. This request was made by the National Defense Forces, by the way."
"From the First Division's Ranger Infantry Platoon, I presume?" Mikihiko asked in a hushed voice. Erika promptly nodded positively, she wasn't intending to hide it from the beginning.
The 1st Division Ranger Infantry Platoon, also known as the "Battou-tai", consists of a platoon of infantry soldiers specializing in close-quarters magic warfare through hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship.
The Chiba family can be considered as one of the founders of the post-magic movement of kenjutsu, coalescing magic and their expertise in swordsmanship into their unsheathed blade style of combat. The second son of the Chiba family, Chiba Naotsugu, and next head of the family after the first son died in the line of duty as a detective, is currently a member of the Battou-tai. For people aware of that fact, the first logical guess would be that a request from the National Defense Forces would stem specifically from the Battou-tai.
"Aokigahara is right by their Fuji Training Grounds, where they sometimes conduct forest warfare training exercises. The National Defense Forces had to do something about it, so they assigned the family's second eldest to handle the situation.
Given the nature of the topic, Erika referred to Naotsugu in a detached manner, as "the family's second eldest". Those close to her, such as Mikihiko, knew she usually used "Tsugu-nii" when addressing her brother in casual contexts.
"So, Naotsugu-san is in charge of the operation, right?"
Erika immediately answered, "Yes."
"I understand. The request for cooperation is accepted."
"...Going to accept it like that, without taking the time to think?" Erika looked astonished that the request had been accepted so easily.
"You came to the Yoshida family on behalf of Naotsugu-san, and by extension the Chiba family, right? In that case, I don't see a reason for the Yoshida family to refuse the request of a fellow, friendly magician family. Also, the request itself is not unreasonable."
"I see. Then, thanks," her expression of gratitude was short and unassuming, but nevertheless sincere.
◇ ◇ ◇
Three of the Four Great Elders of the shadow group that controls the country political sphere, Toudou Aoba, Anzai Isao, and Kashiwa Kazutaka, usually reside in mansions in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The main residence of the remaining one, Hazumi Asuha, is located in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula.
The foundation of the Hazumi family's authority stems from a long history of religious influence. Their name is not only well-known in relation to temples and shrines, the bulk of the Hazumi family's power base is derived from the support of a large contingent of esoteric groups that have been passing on hidden knowledge in the background of history since pre-dynastic times.
One of these esoteric groups was the Keepers of the Shambhala Ruins buried at the foot of Mt.Fuji.
A group of senior men, aged from fifty to seventy, lie prostrate in front of the head of the Hazumi family.
"So, did Yotsuba Tatsuya enter the ruins in the end?" Hazumi Asuha questioned in a soft tone as she looked down at the group.
"...Ma'am, we are afraid that he managed to gain access. But do not worry, we can guarantee you that he did not come into contact with the Goki, the guardian spirit, protecting the ruins. We believe he may have had some trouble with it," The old man bowing down nearest, in front of Hazumi, answers on behalf of his companions. His voice sounded like it was on the verge of cracking from nervousness at any moment.
They are the keepers of the aforementioned Shambala ruins. Their ancestors used to live in a village near the ruins until the early Heian period. But the settlement was lost in the Jogan eruption, and after various circumstances, they came under the shelter of the ancestors of the Hazumi family. Since then, they have served the Hazumi family with fragments of Shambhala knowledge in their possession.
"I see. So, is the path that Tatsuya Yotsuba used to reach the ruins still accessible?"
"...We are terribly sorry," an apology was all the old man could manage to squeeze out of his throat.
"I see." Hazumi sighs. The ennui of her demeanor further added to her elegance.
For a woman who has lived for more than 60 years, she doesn't look to be older than in her late 30s or 40s at most thanks to her exorbitant use of anti-aging procedures. One would be hard-pressed to find a senior woman beneath that madam's features.
"In any case, it indeed seems impossible to obtain the 'legacy' without first obtaining the 'key'. Even if we were to attempt to excavate our path in, without knowing the exact location, it would be quite conspicuous."
"Our deepest apologies, Ma'am..." The old man presses his forehead harder against the tatami.
"There is nothing to be done about the matter. It'd be pointless to demand the impossible. However..." In that last part, Hazumi's tone became slightly stern.
Their representative, the old man, as well as the entire group of the Keepers, visibly shuddered while maintaining their prostrate posture.
"The [heritage] must not be handed over to Yotsuba Tatsuya. He is not to be allowed to approach the wind hole that leads to the ruins again. You must not rely solely on your techniques to obstruct him from afar, you must also block him at the site if necessary. Do not, by any chance, let the secret art of [Yaksha-Henge] be revealed to the world. Be prepared to risk your life if you must. Am I understood?"
Her family has long known the Parasite as "Yaksha", referring to the figures in Buddhist and hindu mythology. [Yaksha-Henge] is an occult art which transforms humans into Parasites, and Hazumi Asuha has made it her top priority to keep this magic a secret.
"Yes, Ma'am!"
The Keeper's representative responded with a short line that was tinged with grim determination.
◇ ◇ ◇
On that day, Toudou Aoba visited the Kyuuchijou Temple just before sunset, a time also known as the "Oumagatoki", the twilight where the line between the natural and supernatural is blurred.
"I'm surprised to receive Your Excellency on such short notice, should we assume that there are pressing matters at hand?" Yakumo asked Toudou as he offered him a cup of tea he had brewed himself, as per usual.
"There are ruins buried beneath Aokigahara."
Toudou's response was curt and seemingly disconnected, which one wouldn't suspect given Yakumo's lack of confusion.
"Yes, I am aware."
"Yotsuba Tatsuya initiated a search for it."
"Oh, he finally has? It was inaccessible to me since I was unable to ascertain its exact location, but it seems that sending him to Lhasa was worthwhile."
"Hm, indeed."
Neither Toudou nor Yakumo had any part in Tatsuya's initiative to infiltrate the Potala Palace in late August.
Not out of lack of knowledge, or means to intervene.
There was a sense of tacit approval, as evidenced by Yakumo's comment and Toudou's acknowledgment.
"Yakumo, I'll not tolerate any interference from you."
"You mean with his exploration of the ruins? I wasn't intending to. I even heard the Head Temple politely decline the request."
Today, Hazumi made a request for cooperation from Hieizan to obstruct Tatsuya's efforts. However, being part of the neo-Buddhist movement, Hieizan refused Hazumi's request on the grounds that they would rather not conflict with the National Defense Forces.
"If you so much as ask sir, this humble monk may assist him in his search."
"That won't be necessary. I don't want disputes with Hazumi either."
It is an open secret among the Four Great Elders that Yakumo is a powerful piece in Toudou's board. That close relationship may as well have influenced Hieizan's refusal of Hazumi's request and Hazumi's subsequent acceptance.
Toudou's refusal of allowing Yakumo to help Tatsuya against the Keepers was under the consideration of an eventual proxy war between him and Hazumi.
"I have already arranged for some assistance."
"You mean the Battou-tai, which was under the command of the late Major General Kudou, right, sir?"
The Battou-tai was established under the direction of Kudou Retsu during his service years. Even after his retirement from active duty, it still remained under his influence until his untimely passing.
The power vacuum left by Kudou Retsu's death prompted many figures in power to take the Battou-tai and their fighting prowess into their control. And among the Senate, Toudou was not the only to take interest in the group.
Toudou was the eventual winner of this power struggle, as suggested by his decision to send orders down a line of intermediaries to dispatch Chiba Naotsugu.
The order itself came officially from the 1st Division, and the NDF had a clear purpose for the mission.
Moreover, the Battou-tai is not under the direct control of Toudou, he only secured influence in the upper chain of command that issues orders to the Battou-tai. So, with this healthy degree of separation, there was little concern that the mobilization of the unit would spark conflict with Hazumi.
"So you know about it. You're still as sly as ever."
"I'm a Shinobi, sir, it's my job."
Toudou's exasperated voice was laced with commendation, while Yakumo's deadpan voice betrayed a sense of pride.
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