Chapter 7
Saturday morning, October 20th.
The arts school still held on to the five days system, but the six-day systems are more commonly used in high schools nowadays. Certainly, magic high school conducts the curriculum from Monday to Saturday.
Unlike their usual routine of going to school and facing the terminal in the classroom, Tatsuya was going to Kyoto with Miyuki and Minami.
They didn't skip school. It was a public holiday. This time, under the cover of preparing for the Thesis Competition they were going by trailer rather than the express train.
Simply put, a trailer is a two-story combination train, with cabinets for passengers at the first floor and amenities space on the second floor. Speed-wise, it wasn’t a lot inferior to the express train, since it was powered by linear motors.
The wheels were made of metal, running on a metal rail. It leaves a sense of "railway" when compared to an express train or an individual compartment train.
Before the ride, the individual type train was parked in the trailer by a parking mechanism. As the Individual compartment train has a higher speed than the trailer, it approaches the trailer from behind. The mechanism then scoops up the compartment from behind. The mechanism itself was housed inside the trailer and attached by a slider. Thus, the passengers from each individual compartment train were able to board the trailer for longer, inter-city rides. It was possible to have such a system as the wheels of individual compartment trains were only for support and not attached to the vehicle body.
Tatsuya and company boarded the trailer and immediately after, headed to the amenities space of the second story. The first floor seemed to be a waste because even though it was excellent for privacy there was very little space to stretch out.
Fortunately, the relax chair was vacant. Tatsuya and Miyuki sat side by side, and Minami sat opposite Miyuki after she rotated the seat in front of her.
"Do you want something to drink?"
Tatsuya pulled out the order terminal from the armrest and asked Miyuki while showing the screen her.
“...Sorry to trouble you, Onii-sama. I'll go with this."
While Tatsuya excused himself to place the orders, Miyuki operated the terminal by herself. Tatsuya also tried showing the screen to Minami, but Minami had already taken out the terminal from her seat. It was as if she was declaring that 'I'd rather have my own than Tatsuya's', Tatsuya returned back to his terminal with a laugh. Minami got a little annoyed when she saw that, while dispensing her order.
The drinks arrived in less than a minute. A robotic arm that had been moving through the ceiling lowered the tray for the three of them. This is the same type of mechanism that is used in ordinary households, HAR (Home Automation Robot).
Reusable resin cups were handed over to Tatsuya, Miyuki, and Minami in that order, before the arm returned back to the ceiling. The three of them had a mouthful to moisten their throats and then put the cups on their side table.
It was immediately after, that a voice called Tatsuya from behind.
"Huh? Tatsuya-kun?"
Tatsuya and company put down their cups, because they were aware that she was approaching them.
"Morning, Erika."
The one who greeted her was Miyuki.
"I didn't expect you to be in this trailer as well."
Erika sat down in front of Tatsuya, and Tatsuya continued the conversation.
"What a great coincidence."
Erika nodded while showing a little surprise. Intra-city trailers ran at regular intervals, those who were traveling for long distances often got placed in the closest trailers. The control is done by a traffic control system, so the passengers who ride the trailer have no say in choosing. However, it is not such a surprising situation. If they have the same destination and the same estimated time of arrival they’ll always be merged into the same trailer, thus, the possibility of getting into the same vehicle was quite high. Erika boarded from a trailer soon after Tatsuya and company hence, there was a high probability that they would meet inside.
Following Tatsuya and company, Erika also ordered a drink and had a big stretch in the relax chair.
"Yup, as expected, it's nice to be able to stretch my limbs."
"Do you feel it’s cramped in the narrow compartment train?"
Although there were individual cabin trains that were made according to body size, there were people who would still feel the narrowness. Miyuki assessed from Erika’s attitude that she was that type.
"Hmm? It's not like that. I’ve also been disciplined to sit in a narrow room for hours."
"So there's such a discipline in swordsmanship."
Surprisingly, Miyuki's amazement was met with a bitter frown from Erika.
"That shitty father forced me to do it as a part of swordsmanship training."
Tatsuya and Miyuki exchanged a glance at the choice of words of the young lady in front of them. Erika might be seemingly boisterous, but she was actually brought up as a respectable lady. Putting aside the ’baka aniki’ name-calling of her brother, she shouldn't have used bad words such as 'shitty father'.
"So it wasn't an art of the sword?"
She eventually made eye contact due to her curiosity, and saw that Erika wasn’t in the mood to answer the question. Both of them alike, do not want anyone to find out about their family situation.
Therefore, Miyuki asked this instead. From Erika's words, she concluded that it must be some form of a 'lesson'. She felt that it was befitting of Erika rather than the opposite.
"It’s a tea ceremony.”
If one thought about it, Miyuki's amazement was a fitting expression in response to Erika's answer.
"I think it’s not so rare to combine tea ceremony and martial arts."
However, Tatsuya followed up a split second later, making Erika fail to notice that Miyuki was speechlessly surprised.
"Well. I'm pretty sure my father needed it as a head of the family, but I don't think he needed to force his children right?" "Well, you're not wrong either."
"But I think you were too harsh, Erika."
The rebooted Miyuki came to interrupt with a smile.
"The tea ceremony disciples are mostly girls. Wouldn't it be hard on your brother too?"
"On the other hand, I think it's not weird for Erika to do a tea ceremony."
At Tatsuya's new comment, Erika shifted her eyes.
"Eh, I wonder. Don't you feel uncomfortable with me handling tea?"
"There's no way that could be true. I've been invited to Miyuki's class twice, I think the atmosphere suits Erika well."
"I'm sure Miyuki wouldn't think that..."
A smile that slipped from Erika's lips while she was facing away, made Tatsuya leak a giggle. It was obvious that she was hiding her embarrassment while pretending to sulk.
When they arrived at Kyoto Station, Leo and Mikihiko had been waiting for them in the ticket lounge. As expected, it wasn’t by chance that the two of them took the same trailer. They knew that Erika was going to take the trailer, and chose to take the individual compartment train. There were six people meeting up at Kyoto Station and they immediately started proceeding to the hotel. However, as they started walking, Tatsuya halted and looked back, sensing the presence of someone he knew closing in.
"Tatsuya-san, Miyuki-san, Minami-san."
"Ara, Minoru-kun?"
He was rapidly approaching them when Miyuki called him, she met him two weeks ago. The youngest of the Kudou Family, Kudou Minoru.
Tatsuya and company realized, and he also probably realized. His name was being called without hesitation and his face was brimming with a smile.
There was amazement coming from Tatsuya's right side. At a glance, Erika's eyes were wide open and in a round shape. Even her mouth was a little open; she must have been quite surprised. "How surprising."
While thinking that, words of admittance flew out.
"He looks like a boy version of Miyuki... I never thought that there'd be anyone else with this kind of a perfect face besides Miyuki."
Tatsuya consented to her opinion, but it was not a comment to be made in the presence of the specified person.
"Minoru, did you come to fetch us? Didn't we plan for you to wait at the hotel?" "Yes, that was the plan but it doesn't take much time to get here, so I decided to come over." Thank goodness we didn't miss him that would honestly only turn into a bitter situation, Tatsuya decided to keep this in his own heart.
Instead, he chose to introduce him to the others who were still not acquainted with Minoru.
"This is your first time meeting them right?"
By them, he was referring to his friends who were lining up to his right. Miyuki was on his left side, while Minami was behind him.
"This is the Kudou Family’s son, Kudou Minoru."
"Nice to meet you. I'm a freshman from Second High, Kudou Minoru."
After Tatsuya's words, Minoru introduced himself. Not as a member of the 'Kudou Family', but as a common 'High School Freshman'. He chose to be a high school student rather than a member of the 10MC.
"I'm a 2nd year at First High, Chiba Erika. Nice to meet you."
Erika quick to reign in her shock was the first one to introduce herself.
"I'm Saijou Leonhart. Also a 2nd year at First High."
"Yoshida Mikihiko. I'm a 2nd year at First High as well. Nice to meet you, Kudou-kun."
"Nice to meet you too."
Minoru’s eyebrows moved slightly when hearing Erika’s and Mikihiko's name, he must have realized that they were the descendants of Chiba swordsmen and Yoshida spell users. He doesn't seem to have good enough interpersonal skills to hide what’s on his mind, even with his outlandish talent in magic.
"Well, we only have a small age gap."
"Minoru. We're going to put down our luggage at the hotel first, do you want to tag along?"
"Yes, please let me do so. We can use the time to talk about something."
"That's right."
Tatsuya turned his steps towards the commuter landing again. Miyuki was by his side, and his friends followed behind. Both Minoru and Minami also followed Tatsuya.
Despite it being a little early to check in, the luggage could be deposited at the hotel without a problem. This practice has not changed from the old days.
The seven people in Tatsuya's group, including Minoru, initially headed towards the new Kyoto International Convention Hall, which was the venue for the Thesis Competition. It was rebuilt from a facility called, Kyoto International Conference Center that existed before the war. However, it was renamed as the New International Convention Center, two decades after the war ended.
It was a natural location that was originally surrounded by lakes and mountains, and it hasn't changed even after the rebuilding process. Construction of such large-scale commerce facilities was virtually banned, also farther away there was a small stadium that had been demolished due to its old age and was changed into a large park.
As opposed to the terrain in the Yokohama Incident last year, with the exception of one hotel adjacent to the Convention Center, there were no high-rise buildings that foreigners could sabotage in the vicinity of the New International Convention Center. Houses in the surrounding area were mostly two-stories high. It's highly unlikely that a large number of people could hide in the vicinity without being discovered.
"…But on the other hand, it was easier for a few people to hide here."
"Is it? I think homeless people wouldn't hide at a mountain though."
Erika raised a question to Mikihiko's opinion.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that they'd sleep on the mountain. They might only hide during the day right? Isn't that the reason we came here to search the area?"
At Leo's rebuttal, Erika repeatedly blinked. She hid the fact that she was about to say the same line, and noticed that he was not convinced.
"Moreover, there isn't any need to camp in the mountains."
Erika followed up and made Mikihiko fall into silence, she hadn’t planned to do so, but Mikihiko tried to point out something.
"If it's only two or three people, they can also be hiding in a private house. Ancient spells can hypnotize people and those in the vicinity wouldn't even realize that they were there."
"Ah, locals. Traditional Magic can likely do that."
Were you keeping quiet because you were skeptical, Erika chimed innocently.
"Anyway why don't we split up and take a look at the surroundings first? I should be able to detect if any barrier is put up."
Tatsuya who had remained silent until that point made a proposal.
"No, that's inefficient."
Although he had nothing specific in mind, Mikihiko answered Tatsuya instantly.
"If they're hiding as a small group inside a barrier, you wouldn't be able to detect their presence from the outside; you'd be vulnerable to their attacks. Not that I doubt Tatsuya and Miyuki-san's ability, it's just impossible to walk around blindly to search for their presence unless you're blessed with an abundance of luck. We have no time to waste to rely on such a chance."
Tatsuya naturally nodded.
"I see. Then, what should we do?"
"I'll try to explore with my Shiki."
He answered Tatsuya and then faced Erika and Leo.
"Erika and Leo, would you help me?"
"What should we do?"
Leo replied with a very enthusiastic look on his face.
"I'll be vulnerable when I use my Shikigami and they will focus their attention on me. I want you to stay vigilant of the surroundings."
"Leave it to me."
In answer to Mikihiko, Leo nodded with a smile.
"…No choice. Very well, I'll protect you."
Erika disguised her face with a non-caring expression, yet her fighting spirit betrayed her face and her voice.
"I'm in your care. Next for Tatsuya's group."
After giving instructions to Erika and Leo——the two frowned thinking 'stiffy' or felt 'brackish'——Mikihiko faced Tatsuya again.
"Tatsuya, Miyuki-san and Sakurai-san, as we discussed last week, why don't you take a look around the city. Umm."
Mikihiko was giving Minoru, who was standing beside Minami a puzzled look.
"I will guide you guys. Last year, Second High also suffered the same trouble after all." "Minoru is Fujibayashi-san's cousin."
Mikihiko, Erika, and Leo were in that location on October 30th last year. Tatsuya was revealed to be a secret military officer and they’d been forced to protect the secret. They remembered the name of the beautiful officer who accompanied them to Sakuragicho Station.
"Aaa…"
"Hmm… So you're her relative."
"Oh, so that's the edge."
Judging from the three reactions, they must have understood that they 'must not spread' the relationship between Tatsuya and Minoru.
"Umm, this is within our territory after all. If you intend to search for him in Kyoto, I can at least guide you around the region. The three of them interpreted 'consultation with Fujibayashi' as 'consultation of mission with the JSDF', Tatsuya uttered those words as to amplify the misunderstanding.
"I see."
Mikihiko said 'I see' as he was nearing his limit in pretending to be calm.
"Then, Tatsuya, I'll leave that to you."
"Ah, you too."
"Yoshida-kun, Saijou-kun, Erika, see you later."
"Yeah, at the hotel."
Erika answered Miyuki in a loud voice, the seven of them split into two groups.
Tatsuya's group headed towards a well-known temple in the northeast suburbs of Kyoto, the Sanzen-in Temple. However, Tatsuya had no plans to tour the precinct. He hadn’t come here to go sightseeing. This was the place where Zhou Gongjin was last spotted.
Originally, he was preconditioned by the view of the New International Convention Center, which made the city central look similar to his own neighborhood. However, now that he went to other areas, he had a more cohesive image of coziness in regards to Kyoto.
According to the information he obtained from Hayama, Kuroba's Intelligence troops had skimmed for Zhou Gongjin's whereabouts between the area of 'the tomb of the Great Emperor Toba' and 'the tomb of Emperor Juntoku'. As expected, they were not allowed to step into the area surrounding the tombs. The path leading to the tombs’ was complemented with a small downstream river.
He had the impression that Zhou had fled to the mountain when he first heard the information, however, the clues hinted that Zhou had escaped to normal local houses in the tourist area. By matching the landscape with the map, he could pinpointed that Zhou fled in the direction of 'Otonashi Falls', when Tatsuya remembered his opponent, he shook his head.
That direction pointed towards a Northeast orientation. Combining all of the information obtained thus far, it was a kind of foolish to think that an ancient magician would move in that direction. At first glance, the area boasted an overgrown forest dense with trees, which gave a sense of magic really flourishing there, but its true value was probably shown in large crowds. If there wasn't anyone here, I should be able to detect his presence.
However, in this crowd, it was impossible to search for someone without being derailed from one’s sense of direction. In other words, if he couldn't recognize the other party, he wouldn't be able to spot the other party.
Before coming here, Tatsuya had guessed that Zhou lurked around in places deep within the mountain while avoiding people. However, he changed his mind when he saw the real location. From this downstream, it showed that he fled towards the village rather than the mountains, hiding in the city with a lot of people instead of secluding himself. "The clues about his destination are pointing to Mt. Kurama, the place where the nearest traditionalist base is located, Tatsuya-san, do you want to go there?" Minoru asked Tatsuya on the short bridge over the Ritsu River. Miyuki and Minami also looked at him, while he shook his head.
"No, let's head back to the city."
"So he is in the city?"
Minoru asked with slight surprise.
"Onii-sama, are you thinking that Zhou Gongjin is hiding in a place with a lot of people?"
Tatsuya nodded as an affirmation to Miyuki's question.
"I see. To hide a tree within a forest."
Minoru seemed to have a different idea than Tatsuya, yet he did not dare to correct Tatsuya.
"There are some traditionalist bases with a huge number of visitors such as... The peripheral of Kiyomizu Tera, the neighbourhood of Kinkakuji, and also the pavilion of Tenryuji."
"That's surprisingly few."
Even though he had heard from Minoru that the traditionalist factions were spread throughout Nara and Kyoto, Mikihiko was saying that Kyoto was the home of the traditionalists. From other various sources of information, Tatsuya had his preconception that the traditionalist faction was concentrated in Kyoto.
"Kyoto's sect carefully passed down the real traditions, so it's stronger than Nara. Any new faction that copies the name is pushed aside into the mountain area."
"Do you mean, they’re labeling themselves as 'traditionalists' because they have a complex towards the traditionalists?"
Minami was amazed with the bad impression that was uttered by Tatsuya. Of course, this was not shown to Miyuki. Although she thought that this much of amazement shouldn't make her master throw a fit, but Minami chose to avoid unnecessary friction. ——Infact, Miyuki and Tatsuya both noticed.
Nevertheless, Minoru was not the same as Minami, he seemed to be able to receive Tatsuya's question.
"I don't know. As you know, the traditionalists were formed by the ancient magicians who participated in the Ninth Research Institute. Their goal is to retaliate against the former Ninth Institute members, and all the houses that carry 'Nine' in their names."
It was not unreasonable to say that the traditionalists became emotionally attached to resentment, which might lead to retaliation. They were convinced to particiapte in the Ninth Research Laboratory, and were assisting with the development of Modern Magic instead of furthering their own skills.
The slogan of Ninth Institute was fusion of modern and Ancient Magic, the real meaning was incorporating the Ancient Magic spells, adopting them to the Modern Magic Activation Sequence, they were not told of this secret. Upon the completion of the research, they were told that the research was for the purpose of establishing the Ninth Research Laboratory. They were given money in return, and only the people from the facilities gained social status, there was never any arrangement made to provide them with new magic.
'A secret art for a secret art', it could be said that it was their own narrow mindedness, thinking that it would naturally be granted and could even be deemed as a childish attitude. "Yet, why do they choose to leave their birthplace of Nara and become scattered in Kyoto… I can't comprehend this action."
"Really? Motivation aside, I understand their reason for leaving Nara."
"Eh?"
At Tatsuya's frank reply, Minoru opened his eyes wide.
"The Traditionalist sect is not a unified organization. You were the one who told me about this."
"Ye-yes. I certainly said so."
"Then, wouldn't the difference in attitude towards the former Ninth Laboratory also vary? Those who strongly resent the 'Nine' stayed behind in Nara. While waiting for an opportunit y to retaliate for the past three decades."
"How foolish… If only they applied their passion in a more constructive way, some of their practicioners might even excel at the national academic level."
"Well, don't put it like that."
To appease the disgusted Miyuki, Tatsuya gently brushed her head with his finger, revealing her dazzling hair.
"There aren’t many people who can persevere and continue to look forward in any situation, right? At the very least, if we look around us."
The image of his father and his current wife flashed across Tatsuya's mind.
"…I see."
Miyuki nodded. Her smile must have sunken a little because she imagined the same face as Tatsuya did.
Tatsuya lightly ruffled Miyuki's hair with his hand.
Miyuki looked up at Tatsuya with inflated cheeks. Nevertheless, her eyes were laughing. Tatsuya removed his hand from Miyuki's hair with a laugh.
"Although the remaining members in Nara, have a backwards purpose, their actions are still in sync with their original goal."
Miyuki wore a mystified face.
Of course, Tatsuya was not about to tease her over such a thing.
"Those who transferred their base to Kyoto, were afraid of the houses from the 'former Ninth Research Laboratory', despite having ill feelings against the former Ninth Institiute." "Scared, is it? But, whether it's Kudou, Kuki or even the Kuzumi, I don’t think we’ve ever actually carried out any attack on the ancient magicians who were collaborating with the research…"
Minoru refuted with little confidence. It had happened before he was born, he also hesitated to ask for the complete story. Hence, his knowledge only came from basic hearsay, which led him to act this way.
"I do think so too. There were magicians of the ‘Nine’ who were also used in the experiments. But it was natural for the ancient magicians to think of themselves as victims, to avoid their consciousness as perpetrators. At the same time they were fellow subjects within the Ninth Research Laboratory, and it shouldn't have brought upon such hostility."
Minoru's eyes regained their composure after shaking anxiously. It was only Tatsuya's guess, but he was still relieved by the results of his remark.
"I think there are some ancient magicians who were afraid of their own shadows. Since the former Ninth Research Institude was operated by the government, it is reasonable for them to target their resentments towards the government. However, the traditionalists defined the houses of 'Nine', who came from the same Laboratory as their enemy. They should have understood that they were asking the wrong party for apologies."
After hearing those words, Minoru contemplated on them like a monk. ——Rather than actually posing like a Rodan sclupter, his sight was focused on an indeterminated line of nothingness. "Whether they did not like the stigma of being rebels, or simply because they did not have the courage to rise against the government... Either way, because they understood their own resentment of the 'Nine' as something unreasonable I wonder if they also hadn't feared being exposed to an unreasonable attack. They themselves should have known the power of the magicians created by the former Ninth Laboratory. Thus, they did not dare to make a frontal attack against the magicians of the 'Nine'. If they do so, they would receive counterattacks, from the magic of the 'Nine' that they had cooperated to make."
Tatsuya must have thought that it was amusing, as he smiled wickedly.
"Alternatively, they were no longer united after the withdrawal. At first, the leaders of each sect might have been expedient in soothing the younger magicians who had extreme discontent.
When it no longer posed a concern, the hard-liners who continued to resent the Ninth Laboratory stayed back in Nara, while the rest left for Kyoto. Surprisingly, the difference in locations might be mere pretense, their differences might have been something as simple as stance. Were all traditionalists faithful to 'one true tradition'?"
The last question was posed to Minoru.
"Well… The previous ancient magicians who participated in the Ninth Research Laboratory, came from more than one sect."
Minoru nodded to Tatsuya's speculation.
"Just for that trivial reason, are they going to continue their petty harassment for decades?" Rather than 'couldn't believe', Miyuki wore a ‘didn’t want to believe' face while facing Tatsuya. "Petty harassment, can't be helped if it was repetitive, since they managed to come all this way. Tatsuya implied that, had they taken a more decisive hostile action, they would have been crushed long ago.
Miyuki seemed to have caught that well.
The one who was puzzled by Tatsuya's answer was Minami.
"But, Tatsuya nii-sama.
There might not be any need to pretend in front of Minoru, but Minami was using the designation just in case.
"I also think that it likely happened as you've said, but..."
She had no choice but to be hesitant here due to her position. However, Minami was driven by her sense of duty, and did not run from her words.
"If that was the truth, why did the traditionalists in Kyoto hire a number of foreigners to make such a disaster in Japan?"
Minoru thought that she had pointed out a sharp observation. Yet, Tatsuya did not delay in answering her.
"Although this is just my conjecture, I wonder if they didn’t want to take some real action. However, they’ve invested so heavily in Zhou Gongjin that they neglect public welfare." "There must be a reason why they haven’t cut their connection to him."
"Regarding this matter, Minoru also knew the details, the traditionalists received a supply of exiled Houjutsu users from Zhou Gongjin. It might look like the traditionalists had helped Zhou from a public point of view, but the fact is, they are cooperating with each other to enhance the strength of the traditionalists."
Tatsuya turned to face Minoru and gave him a nod.
"The recent incident in Nara Park, was also done by a mixture of assailants with a Houjutsu user from the continent. Within the traditionalist sect, exiled houjutsu users have gained a certain level of importance. At least to an extent, that the organization cannot endure the infighting if they were to revolt."
Minami bowed to Tatsuya in silence. Any sign of doubt was eliminated.
Tatsuya returned a small nod and faced Minoru.
"We've made a long detour in our conversation, this is why I wanted to explore those sites within the city. Our destinations are Kiyomizu Temple, Kinkakuji and Tenryuuji, these three.
"Yes, you are right."
Tatsuya did not retrieve his information terminal, but spread a map in his head instead. "Kinkakuji and Tenryuuji are in the same direction, Kiyomizu Temple is in the opposite direction."
"At this rate, it would be better to merge with Yoshida-kun's group."
Miyuki proposed so while looking at her information terminal.
Indeed, from their current location, whether they went ahead to Kinkakuji and Tenryuuji, or to Kiyomizu Temple, it was closer to the New International Convention Center. However, Tatsuya shook his head.
"It's trully regrettable that we have such a limited amount of time. Even after Minoru narrowed down the search area, we are still only four people. And there is still a possibility of him hiding in Kyoto City as I mentioned."
In the first place, it was an indisputable fact that four people was too small a number to search for a hiding opponent. A famous detective could only resolve the case if the criminal was before his eyes, however, in order to find a hiding suspect, more people were needed.
Unfortunately, neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki could use their magic, due to the wide range surveillance cameras. And there was no way that Tatsuya would have acted if they could be traced by a camera.
"I understand. Then, where should we head to?"
He must have decided the answer. Tatsuya answered Miyuki readily.
"Kiyomizu Temple. After that, let's take a look at Kinkakuji and Tenryuji as well."
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