July 5th: the noon break of the 3rd day after the notification from the Nine Schools Competition’s management committee.
Tatsuya was looking at the data of the First High students in the student council room.
In this time of crisis for the school...contrary to expectations, there was another crisis brewing in the preparations being made under the cover of the Nine Schools Competition. On weekdays, the covert dealings had been handed off to Yakumo, so Tatsuya could commit his attention to this front.
The student council officers, including Tatsuya, plus the head of the Club Management Committee, Hattori, were looking at documents that summarized the results of the practical skills and other material for selecting the athletes for the Nine Schools Competition. They had acted on the premise that the events wouldn’t change this year, but they had to use all the data from the practical skills test to choose athletes for the new events.
While Tatsuya was biting into a sandwich, he was going over the data organized into a card format one by one. He was manipulating the keyboard one handed, probably making up a list of candidates.
By the way, the sandwich was one of the ones Pixie had made for everyone. Miyuki, Honoka and others would occasionally take a break from manipulating their consoles with their hands to eat in a more polite manner, but Azusa kept the sandwich in her mouth while she tapped the keys; advice was being silently received from Izumi.
“I think only changing the participating athletes in Ice Pillars Break, Mirage Bat, and Monolith Code who were taking part in two events would be all right, but what do you think?”
The first to speak up was Hattori.
“I think it would be fine, but the main division of Ice Pillars Break has to be divided into Solo and Pair.”
“Shiba-san for the Girls’ Solo, and wouldn’t Chiyoda and Kitayama be good for Pair?”
After Tatsuya made his point, Hattori caught the ball and tossed out an idea.
“How about the Boys?”
“In the Boys Division, there’s almost no difference between their abilities. Since the two would have to work together, the practical thing to do would be to decide based on compatibility, right?”
“I agree.”
“I think it would be fine if we chose the Row and Gunner representatives from the Speed Shooting and Battle Board representative candidates.”
“I think that’s fine for Pair, but Solo requires a high level of skill with multicasting. Don’t you agree that that must be taken into consideration?”
“I see. Which do you think is of greater importance, shooting skill or boat handling skill?”
“Since I expect the Row and Gunner boat to be more stable than the board for Battle Board, I think the ability to shoot while moving would be even more important.”
“So then the corresponding clubs would be SS Board, the Biathlon club, the Hunting club, and also the...”
...The goal they were concentrating on this noon break was re-selecting the athletes; almost all the advancement on meeting that goal came from conversations like this between Tatsuya and Hattori.
After school, his feet took Tatsuya to the Second Smaller Gym. He wasn’t playing hooky from desk work. This was also part of preparing for the Nine Schools Competition.
At the two entrances to the smaller gym, cleaner mats were installed that completely cleaned the soles of your shoes when you simply walked on them, therefore there was no problem even if you didn’t take off your outside shoes when you went inside. However, Tatsuya dared to become bare foot because he was switching into his wooden floor mode; it was also known as entering the ‘arena’.
Regardless of it being immediately before the last of the quarterly exams, the armor clad club members raised a rhythmic din from their clashing shinai. While he couldn’t identify them by their concealed faces, Tatsuya searched for his target relying on body shape and posture.
“Erika.”
“Uhh, Tatsuya-kun? It’s odd for you to come to watch me.”
Erika showed slight surprise at Tatsuya walking alongside the wall and raising his hand to greet her. As she had said, this was the first time Tatsuya had come to see the kendo club practice since his inauguration as vice president.
By the way, Erika was not a member of the kendo club. She was attached to the Tennis club. That being said, she was halfway to being something like a ghost member [8] . The tennis club wasn’t a very active club; they no longer even bothered to complain when anyone missed practice.
Since that was how things were, Erika sometimes came to help the kendo club like this. ---She had not volunteered; it was at the request of Sayaka so she didn’t try to get out of it.
Tatsuya was also aware of the situation. However, Tatsuya hadn’t been aware that today was a day she was ‘helping’. Tatsuya had gone on foot to the tennis courts before coming to the second gym. In short, he had wasted his time and energy, but since it wasn’t Erika’s fault, he didn’t mention it to her.
“Why are you here?”
Erika wasn’t aware that Tatsuya had been earnestly searching for her. So she was just making small talk.
“Ah. I am here to sincerely ask you for a favor.”
Because Tatsuya assumed a formal posture and spoke those words in a formal tone, Erika lost all expression as well as all of her defense. It was what was commonly called the ‘looking like an idiot’ type of look, but she was so beautiful she even looked good like that.
“Err, what’s up, this is sudden? You need a favor from me, Tatsuya-kun...”
The glint of alertness in Erika’s eyes was not hidden; there was no mistaking the fact that she had picked up on part of his true identity.
“It’s more a commission from the student council than a request from me.”
However, this time Erika was overthinking.
“The student council?”
Understanding that, the tension left both of Erika’s eyes; instead, strong doubt was reflected there. She was gripped by the natural question, ‘What do they intend to make me do?’
Of course, there was no reason to conceal it from her, Tatsuya answered quite readily.
“It's regarding the Nine Schools Competition; we wish you to serve as a sparring partner in Shield Down practice.”
“Ah, that interesting event. But are you sure I would be a good sparring partner?”
Erika acknowledged that her own magic skills were fairly limited. It was natural that she wasn’t chosen to be a representative, so she had doubts on her own usefulness even as a sparring partner.
“Please, we really need you to do it.”
However, Tatsuya had absolutely no doubts about Erika’s suitability for the task. Without thinking, Erika averted her eyes from that direct gaze. ---It made her feel embarrassed.
“......If you are going to entreat me that much, I will make an attempt.”
Although she boldly used a high-handed tone to conceal her embarrassment,
“You have my thanks.”
Tatsuya’s earnest demeanor did not falter to the bitter end. That felt deliberate; ‘Maybe he’s mocking me?’ Erika accused him in her head. ... Although she knew quite well that it was nothing more than a false accusation.
Erika changed her clothes and went to the preparation area on the first floor of the small gym as Tatsuya had told her to.
“Why are you here?”
There, she unexpectedly saw the face of a certain classmate; the first thing she said was that. If they were alone or perhaps among friends, she probably would have thought nothing of it. However, most of the people seated in the room were upperclassmen that she didn’t know; she just couldn’t end it with a greeting.
(Aw nuts...I just acted without thinking as usual... What do I do now?)
Erika wasn’t the only one looking; the upperclassmen appeared puzzled.
“Lay off. I was called by Tatsuya, too.”
However, the bad atmosphere that had been spreading in the room was dispersed by Leo’s answer. ---Was it that he didn’t bother to read the atmosphere or was it simply that he couldn’t read the atmosphere; it wasn’t something that could be known without asking him.
“Erika, Leo.”
Tatsuya’s lightly chiding words were a clear indication that he read the atmosphere. The pair shut their mouths and Tatsuya introduced Erika to the Shield Down representatives.
“Well then, Shiba-kun, is it all right if I pair up with Saijou-kun to practice?”
“Is it fine if I partner up with Chiba-san when I practice?”
The first to ask was the boys’ solo representative, Sawaki. The next utterance was the third year student named Chikura Tomoko who had been chosen to be the girls’ solo representative.
“Okay.”
Shield Down was a combat training type of game. However, there were only three representatives apiece for the male and female divisions: one person for solo and a two person team for pairs, so that they were short one person for two on two practice matches. Which led to Erika and Leo being chosen as sparring partners.
“We are having you serve as sparring partners for the solo practice matches as well.”
Incidentally, they planned to add them to a rotation with the pairs representatives to give the solo representative a three person rotation to spar against.
“Uh huh. Shiba-kun had no other recommendations. Saijou-kun, I’m depending on you!”
“.......Thanks.”
“Chiba-san, go easy on me.”
“Ditto.”
This was all the explanation they got; however, Erika seemed fine. Leo on the other hand seemed to be forcing his face into an insincere smile since his partner was Sawaki, who was rumoured to be a first class martial artist.
Calling it the epicenter of the conspiracy would probably be a misrepresentation. If anyone traced the chronological order, the Kudou clan had only latched on to a military plot that was already using magicians for military objectives for their own purposes. However, using the pretext that the Nine Schools Competition, which was nothing more than a high school magic tournament, was already being used for military objectives, the Kudou clan had foisted a secret weapon test into what had already become dangerous conditions. This level of skullduggery was just something that had to be lived with, probably.
Besides, the Kudou clan hadn’t really done anything they could feel guilty about. They knew quite well that they were not in a position where they could heap abuse on Kudou Retsu for suggesting the use of the Nine Schools Competition as the site of a performance test for a new weapon. On the contrary, the clan had every reason to energetically work toward ensuring that the Parasite Doll test didn’t fail.
Today also, Retsu was at the former Lab 9 commanding his subordinates until the sun started down. If he didn’t have this appointment, he probably wouldn’t have left the lab until the middle of the night. His dinner meeting was with a politician who was a former soldier who had tremendous influence on the Nine Schools Competition---when he retired he had been a captain below Retsu in rank---in order to win him over to his side, in response to an invitation.
After 6:00 pm. Retsu went to a traditional Osaka restaurant. It was around this time Makoto, whom Retsu had left in charge, received an internal phone call from the front gate guard concerning a visitor.
“A guest? I was not expecting one. Who is it?”
“As his name, he gave Zhou Gongjin of China street of Yokohama. He wishes to speak to you directly about his errand. Do you wish to see him, danna-sama?”
He had heard of the name of Zhou Gongjin of China street of Yokohama before. Even if the other 28 families had not heard of him, this was not a name someone who bore the family name of ‘9’ due to originating from the former Lab 9 could ignore.
“I’ll be there soon. Send him to the reception room, please.”
Matching his words, Makoto immediately stood up.
As he entered the room, he saw a man dressed like one of Yokohama’s Chinese businessmen get up off the sofa, and the first emotion that gripped Makoto was jealousy; Zhou Gongjin looked that young and dashing in Makoto’s eyes. His refreshingly beautiful appearance had a sparkling vitality that an old man like Makoto could not possess. ---Or so Makoto thought.
“Welcome. I am Kudou Makoto, head of the Kudou clan.”
Makoto clamped down on the dark emotions seething within and held out his hand with what looked to be a composed smile.
“I am Zhou Gongjin. Please call me Zhou.”
In contrast, Zhou politely and, at least in appearance, humbly responded with a handshake.
“That name is notorious lately. You are quite the celebrity around here, Zhou-san.”
The implications in Makoto’s words made Zhou smile without any meaningless humility in response. It was within Zhou’s calculations that he would be recognized. In the first place, he came in his public persona because Makoto would know what he was doing around here and he could save himself some work that way, Zhou was thinking underneath the cover of his smile.
“I am honored that you know of me. As it happens, I asked to make this visit today because I thought I might be able to be of use to Kudou-sama in that matter.”
“By that matter, you mean?”
“Yes, I believe that it is just as you are thinking, Kudou-sama. I wish to consult you on how to deal with my countrymen who are fleeing the tyrannical government of the Great Asian Alliance.”
On one hand, Zhou cooperated with Japan in regard to maneuvering against the Great Asian Alliance; he provided various forms of support to those who wished the utter destruction of the Great Asian Alliance. His principal activities were lending his influence in order for political refugees to get through the last stages of acceptance, and sponsoring their journeys to Japan; however, he also helped financially with the refugees’ political activities. As for whether the Great Asian Alliance knew of his activities as a refugee broker, they actually knew. The information wasn’t so well known that all the high level government and military officials were aware of it, but at the very least it was an open secret amongst the military and government officials maneuvering against Japan.
As for why he wasn’t on the Great Asian Alliance’s political blacklist, it was because his guidance of political refugees was actually extremely convenient for the Great Asian Alliance’s government. People who hoped to become political refugees were, in short, factions unsatisfied with the government. If they emigrated quickly, then the elements of unrest decreased. The Great Asian Alliance did not have a lack of manpower and because the refugees could not take all of their assets with them when they emigrated, it benefited the national treasury.
As for the spread of troubling political actions within the nation that they immigrated to becoming a minus diplomatically, that served as a pretext for economic embargo.
However, currently that wasn’t a problem for the Great Asian Alliance. Due to the civil war with Dahan, the Great Asian Alliance had established control of the eastern part of the continent and at this point the military junta grasped complete control firmly in their hands. Since the rebels were completely estranged from military strength, they couldn’t take effective actions against the government, which was something they were well aware of. As for the threat of foreign interference, they would not be able to topple the government without a sufficiently armed group of insurgents. The Great Asian Alliance had not forgotten the violence of the foreign armies in the name of Dahan independence which, from the Great Asian Alliance’s standpoint, was a mere pretext to foment rebellion.
Currently, the Great Asian Alliance had no difficulty with foreign relations. They were not politically isolated and they had the backing they needed in international relations because no nation was their equal as an independent military power, even though they were not economically independent yet.
However, in the current state of world affairs, the threat of the Great Asian Alliance was not inciting military cooperation. The four great military powers: USNA, New Soren, Indo-Persia, and the Great Asian Alliance itself were all setting military policy independently. The USNA and Indo-Persia had an alliance, but that was only a superficial relationship. There no longer were strong alliances like there were before the World War. If one of the great military powers tried to expand their territory, the other three would not remain silent, but there was no threat of interference in their internal affairs.
Because even economically the degree of self-sufficiency in the Great Asian Alliance was high, being blockaded economically didn’t really hurt. However, they were uneasy about their energy supply, just like the other nations. Because many of the people who wished to immigrate were wealthy, as long as there were not too many, immigration was a bonus to the government’s bottom line.
That was the reason for Zhou’s activities as an immigration broker; of course, the Great Asian Alliance’s government supported his activities from the shadows.
By the way, Japan currently exerted vigorous control over the acceptance of immigrants (political refugees). Japan was not the only one that did so; the framework of the conventions regarding refugees had become outrageously stringent with the repeated worldwide conflicts of the 20th century. However, it was only regulated and not prohibited. It was also a different matter for nations if the person was extremely talented, for example, a capable scientist, a famous entertainer, or--- a powerful magician.
“Actually, next week I am expecting to receive 3 occultists from the continent, but there was a slight blunder...I haven’t arranged a placement yet.”
“A blunder?”
“It’s an embarrassing story. It seems that they were refused based on the opposition of the initial immigration agents who examined them...”
“I see. Certainly, the various kinds of ancient magic can rub people the wrong way.”
Makoto nonchalantly suggested that ‘the immigration agents didn’t like ancient magicians’. Of course, he was picking up the bait Zhou had dangled in front of him with his explanation; Makoto knew that and blatantly did it anyway.
“Therefore, as they say, it would be extremely inconvenient in various ways to have them be visitors in my house.”
“In what way? Uh, no. It’s all right not to say.”
“No, these are not the kind of matters I would hesitate to disclose. The masters that have immigrated this time are all fairly powerful people… If I am not mistaken, the continental government will not take their departure quietly, mainly as a means of keeping face.”
Makoto gave Zhou a piercing look. That was how he informed Zhou that he was interested in this matter. No, rather he was openly responding with interest in Zhou’s business matters. By doing so, he was asking Zhou to get down to his main business.
“I cannot keep it hidden anymore, I guess. I have a favor I want to ask of you, Kudou-sama.”
Zhou was aware of what that breath just then meant.
“So, would you welcome these Taoist masters as house guests?”
As Makoto wished, the conversation proceeded to the end with Zhou’s head lowered in a plea. For an instant, Makoto let his lips loosen in satisfaction, but he immediately overwrote it with a doubtful expression.
“However, would that be wise? The various types of Traditionalists are allied with each other.”
This was indeed the reason those who bore the number ‘9’ couldn’t ignore Zhou Gongjin. ‘Traditionalist’ was the name given to the various practitioners of Ancient Magic concentrated in Edo who overcame the differences of their sects to ally with the Magic Association. Even when they did not brandish the title of ‘Traditionalist’, the title was their pride, or perhaps their hubris.
The Traditionalists’ goal was to defend the individuality of Ancient Magic from modern magic. It should probably be called, 'holding on to their identity' instead. It goes without saying that their mutual antagonism for Lab 9 was a major influence. The wrath of the Traditionalists over their betrayal by Lab 9 resulted in the grudge becoming a unifying force congealing the ancient magicians into an alliance; hostility toward those who currently bore the number “9” was a natural outcome, especially toward the foremost family among them, the Kudou Clan.
And it was customary for Zhou to introduce the ancient magicians among those he helped immigrate to temporary homes related to the various occult traditions that were already in existence in Japan. Zhou should have been aware of the potential to increase the hostility to his own people by associating with those who bore the number “9”.
“It is my utmost duty to find a safe haven for my compatriots that are fleeing tyranny. I certainly have obligations to the Traditionalists who have cooperated with me up until now. However, that does not outweigh my original objective.”
“You may call it a safe haven, but unless there are special circumstances, the government won’t allow the naturalization of refugees.”
“It doesn’t matter if it is only temporary. For those who have been subject to tyranny, to live in peace is a priceless commodity even if it is only temporary.”
Zhou was being truthful, but that made it look like he had investigated his countrymen. Of course, Makoto couldn’t trust him completely, but it didn’t matter to Makoto if it was a performance. At least, Makoto decided, he could trust that Zhou wasn’t teaming up with the Traditionalists to trick the Kudou Clan. It was enough for him to confirm that this wasn’t some tactic by the Traditionalists.
“Understood. Ensuring that magicians can live like humans is the founding principle of our Ten Master Clans. It is the natural duty of the Ten Master Clans to extend our hands to magicians who have abandoned their native land because they want freedom. However, this isn’t something we can do thoughtlessly, so please understand why I can’t give you an answer immediately.”
However, he could not immediately agree. He had to avoid having this person he just met for the first time view the Head of the Kudou Clan lightly, although he might have been over thinking things.
“Ah, that is only natural.”
It seemed that Zhou did not mind that Makoto was delaying his decision, probably because he had received positive feedback to his plan from Makoto. Zhou took a small envelope from his pocket and handed it to Makoto.
“Here are the profiles of the master Taoists I have prepared. I hope I will receive a favorable reply.”
“I will take the information you so thoughtfully provided. I should have a reply by the beginning of the following week.”
Makoto replied to Zhou while taking the envelope with the data card.
“I am grateful. So it would be all right if I visit you on Monday?”
Makoto took a notebook style terminal from his pocket, and after casting his eyes down on it, immediately looked up.
“If it’s at four pm.”
“So at that time? Thank you for today.”
Zhou made an elegant bow befitting his appearance.
As Makoto glanced through the data Zhou had handed him, he summoned the person in charge of lab security and ordered a gag order imposed concerning Zhou’s visit.
“Don’t even inform the previous head. Got it?”
Makoto commanded that it be kept so completely secret, that he even included Kudou Retsu. The chief of lab security looked troubled as he made his farewell and withdrew. Next, Makoto contacted the private information broker he used. From the information broker who came in less than an hour, Makoto requested a supplemental investigation to the one Zhou Gongjin had already offered.
Finished with the first document, Makoto leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply.
“Yellow Turban Doll Warriors, hmm?”
He had murmured that intermittently as he perused the data concerning the occultist’s specialty in the dossiers. It was written there, that the three refugees were working on reviving the lost Taoist spell of the ‘Yellow Turban Doll Warriors’.
“Way too convenient.”
It was just like they had waited for the development of the Parasite Dolls to bring them in and sell them. Makoto understood Zhou’s request. Regardless of how top secret the development of the Parasite Dolls was, Zhou had gotten a hold of the information, Makoto concluded.
“I ought to be concerned with how he got the information, but...”
However, when it came to the principles of puppets, spells to turn them into warriors, golem magic and the rest, ancient magic was one or two steps ahead of modern magic in spells that manipulated non-mechanical dolls from a distance. The spells the Parasite Dolls needed weren’t those that used magic to manipulate puppets without a will of their own, but ones that controlled the devilishness inside the mechanical dolls; however, these deeply resembled the ancient magic spells that manipulated Spiritual Beings used as agents in dolls in many respects.
Taking all this into consideration, magicians who had researched the lost art of the ‘Yellow Turban Doll Warriors’ were just the type of people that he wanted to have working on developing the Parasite Dolls no matter what.
“What the heck? If they turn out to be snakes, I’ll just chop off their heads.”
It didn’t matter if they were malicious types of snakes or informing type of snakes. With that last whisper in his mind, he stopped his inner monologue.
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