Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 24 - Escape (I) - Chapter 3.2

"This conversation is over."

It seemed that Yakumo still had something to say. However, Toudou decided to wrap things up. (for Toudou it was an intervention).

"Your Excellency. What should I do?"

Tatsuya was not going to talk to Yakumo. As he realized that Yakumo was worried about him, he decided to avoid quarrels that could ruin the relationship in the future.

"I'm not going to give you any specific instructions. Do what you think you need to do."

The words of Toudou did not mean the granting of unlimited powers.

It was the opposite. This meant that Toudou would not be responsible, no matter what happened. Responsibility for any problems would fall on Tatsuya.

"I accept your offer." Considering this fair, Tatsuya answered Toudou.

Behind-the-scenes leaders never take responsibility in case of any problems. The burden of guilt has always been on the direct performers. Toudou didn't need to mention this.

"Well. In that case, I'll also talk to my friends. It was a useful time."

Thus Toudou notified that the meeting is over.

"In that case, can I leave you?"

"You can go."

Tatsuya deeply bowed, touching his forehead to the floor, and then stood up. He sat on the bare floor (tatami) from the beginning, the seat cushion (BUD) was not provided. Holding his face down, to not look at the interlocutor, Tatsuya turned his back to Toudou and went out.

After seeing Tatsuya to the gate of the temple, Yakumo returned back.

Toudou waited for him to be in same posture with which he talked to Tatsuya. Yakumo replaced Toudou’s cooled tea. While Toudou drinks tea, Yakumo sat in front of him, waiting.

"And what do you really think about this conversation?"

As a sponsor of the Yotsuba family, Toudou Aoba had access to detailed information about Tatsuya. It's impossible for Toudou not to see this information. He also exhaustively studied information about Tatsuya from external sources. Yakumo asked about the impression of their real meeting.

"He's more broken than I expected."

Yakumo counted Toudou’s answer as "interesting".

"Have you been disappointed?"

"Even if it is broken, it does not mean that it cannot be used. For example, even if the weapon has a broken fuse, the bullet will still fly out if you pull the trigger."

"It depends on how you use it?"

"Although there is a danger."

Toudou looked into Yakumo’s eyes. His murky white left eye looked directly into Yakumo’s soul.

"It seems that Your Excellency's power of Sight did not act on him."

"...Forgive me. It was unconscious."

"No, I don't mind."

Toudou Aoba hails from a Charmers family. If the data about his pedigree was true, this was one of the oldest families of supernatural power users in Japan.

But Yakumo knew that Toudou Aoba was not able to make full use of his "eye", because instead of honing his skills as a caster, he chose the way of fulfilling his family's responsibility to control the casters. If he said it was unconscious, it is true, not an excuse. Yakumo easily accepted Toudou’s apology.

"Like you said, I couldn't look deep into the heart of Yotsuba Tatsuya. The Yotsuba, were able to create something interesting."

"Although it happened accidentally, but he is the final

'Product'."

Yakumo’s response paraphrased the expression Toudou used.

"Right." Toudou couldn't resist a stretched smile. However, he immediately returned a serious face. "Kokonoe Yakumo. I want to ask you something."

"Yes, what is it?"

There was still a light smile on Yakumo's face.

"In an emergency, will you be able to kill Yotsuba Tatsuya by your own power?"

However, having heard the question Toudou, Yakumo, as expected, could not continue to smile.

"Hmm... Based on the experience of the previous test, I would say that the odds of winning are about 60%. If we include the outcome where we knock out each other at the same time *, we will get 70%"

[The author uses the term from Kendo, which means a draw at simultaneous strikes. As I understand it, Yakumo means that an additional 10% will be found if he is trying to beat Tatsuya at the cost of his own life.]

Under the previous test, he meant the battle on the stone steps.

This wicked joke seems to have had such a hidden meaning.

"Even with all your skills is there only a 30% chance to leave with nothing?"

Toudou was genuinely surprised. But Yakumo’s answer had not yet finished.

"No, the remaining 30% means my own defeat. The battle between this inept monk and him cannot end with escape."

"...Are you saying that even you, known as the reincarnation of Casin Koji, cannot escape?"

"Six months ago I would be able to escape... Yes, and now the odds are just the same 60%. If it is a year later, this inept monk will not be able to do it at all."

"Even so...?"

Such a kind of visage Toudou, probably, has not shown to anybody, except Yakumo. Although the fact that Toudou gave Yakumo some slack was also due to the fact that he was really shocked.

"Judging by his abilities surpassing those of this inept monk, there is nothing to be surprised about. Among the young people with whom this inept monk is familiar, there is only one person who can resist him.

And if you look around the world, these people will not get more than the fingers on two hands."

"...Terrible times have come."

"And that's true... Your Excellency, another cup?"

"Fine."

Yakumo took the cup from Toudou and went to the stove. With skillful movements he quickly brewed the tea, and then carelessly put the cup back. The old man Toudou carelessly, ignored the rules of decency, brought the cup to his mouth and slowly drank.

"Thank you for the treat."

"Don't be grateful."

"Oh, yes. For some reason, only your skills of brewing tea do not improve."

Due to the arrogant words of Toudou, Yakumo answered only with the curve of a smile.

"I'll go."

Toudou stood up.

"I'll take you." Yakumo said, not getting up.

"You don't have to." Without turning around, the old man Toudou said this, and opened the sliding door.

When Tatsuya returned to the villa in Izu from the temple of Kyuuchouji, it was already around 10 o'clock in the evening. As soon as he returned, he went to the TV screen, but he wasn't going to call Maya. Time was already late. He only wanted to convey a short message that "Consent was received", through Hayama or his assistant.

"...Tatsuya-san, did you want something?"

However, for some reason Maya suddenly immediately appeared on the screen. Like she was waiting for a phone call.

"Sorry about the time. I just got back from Kyuuchouji temple."

He reflexively responded with an uninteresting formal phrase, but Maya did not expect a witty answer from him.

"Clear. Good work. Did you meet His Excellency?”"

"Yes. I got a project permit."

"Clearly..." Maya slightly screwed her eyes and looked at Tatsuya.

"...and what was demanded in return?"

Apparently, Maya also thought from the very beginning that in order to get support from Toudou, he needed to give something in return.

The fact that she did not tell him in advance meant that she believed that Tatsuya would do it anyway, so there would be no real harm, and so he would not have to worry much.

"I was asked to act as a deterrent force against other countries."

"...in such a sense, does that mean that Tatsuya-san finally has to reveal himself as a Strategic Class Magician?"

Maya's delusion was the same as that of Tatsuya. That's why it didn't arouse a smile. Tatsuya thought she really believed that.

"No. There is no need to officially announce it now. His Excellency said that he left all decisions to me."

"Everything to you? Oh, my... It's a serious responsibility."

Maya's thoughts were on the same path as Tatsuya. Was it because it was the rational process of thinking, or because Tatsuya in general is very similar to Maya...? These were the thoughts that now occured in the far corners of Tatsuya’s consciousness.

"...In any case, the main thing is that His Excellency's consent has been received. You can hold a press conference without changing the schedule."

"Thank you very much."

Maya felt relieved after Toudou’s consent was received. Tatsuya also felt relieved when he received that response from Maya. The experiences that will be used by someone seem to be the same at the top and bottom, when there is, in reality, someone else.

"By the way, Tatsuya-san, do you remember our conversation about Miyakijima?"

In order to catch the suddenly replaced topic of conversation, Tatsuya threw away all his superfluous thoughts and concentrated his consciousness.

"Is this a conversation that was in the middle of April? When you said that a new research center would be built on Miyakijima?"

"Yes, that's what I mean. I was thinking of partially changing this plan to attract attention to the plant from Tatsuya-san’s project."

Tatsuya couldn't answer quickly.

"I also discussed it with Hayama-san. I think this is the best place for Tatsuya-san’s project. How would you like that?"

"...Using the word 'attract', you mean as in third-party business partners?"

His face did not show the feeling of alertness because all of this seems too convenient for him, Tatsuya first of all asked a question that seemed harmless. Upon hearing the question, the Maya smiled with a happy expression on her face, as if she were saying, "Well, I guess he noticed."

"With the current scale of the project, only our own subsidiaries will suffice to implement it, but I believe that with the prospect of the future it is better to attract third-party assistants from the very beginning."

In this matter Tatsuya had the same opinion. If you run the factory only with companies associated with the Yotsuba, it is highly probable that the magicians involved there will also be only those who are under the patronage of the Yotsuba. Then it will not be a "release of magicians", but only "a new project for the Yotsuba".

"The area of the island is small, so, even if it becomes a virtual autonomous region, not many will raise complaints about this."

With this opinion Tatsuya also agreed. Although it’s an area of 8

square kilometers, in fact, this was comparable to a small town, but those who raise the noise of a "Mutant rebellion" or "the Kingdom of Magicians" will only be a few.

"Well, how would you like that?"

"I think I should be grateful."

"In that case, can we begin with construction?"

"Yes. I'm counting on you."

Tatsuya had a vague sense of concern that his plan could be used for some other purpose. But he convinced himself that it is necessary to give priority to promoting the project.

CEO of the "Hokuzan groups", Kitayama Ushio ("Business name" —

Kitakata Ushio), has a great influence not only in business circles, but also in politics.

It was not uncommon for him to hold meetings with the Government, but in most cases, his schedule is adjusted according to his circumstances, even if the schedule is planned in advance.

But on that day, on the last Thursday of May, Kitayama Ushio was quite unexpectedly invited to a luxurious Japanese-style restaurant.

He cancelled all other plans and went to this restaurant because the inviting partner was someone he could not refuse.

Toudou Aoba. The circle of people who knew the name of this shadowy, influential man was limited. Unlike the famous "Traders of influence", Toudou Aoba never openly went on stage. But those who benefited from his name were aware that his abilities were undeniable.

Fortunately, Ushio was never threatened by the shadow activity of Toudou. However, the founder of a rapidly growing company, which competed with Ushio, lost all his property as a result of underestimated the influence of Toudou. He received a long prison term for an ordinary crime, which in normal cases could not cause such problems, and was deprived of the right to start a new business. Ushio considered it an obvious demonstration to the rest.

"It is a great honor for me to be invited by you."

"I'm sorry I called you so suddenly."

Toudou Aoba was already 60, and Kitayama Ushio was in his early fifties. Toudou’s tone was a little rough, but given the age of both, it did not sound unnatural. But the difference in their attitude reflected not the difference in their age, but the difference in the type of influence (political influence and economic power) that they owned.

First, Toudou and Ushio killed a little time with the usual secular conversation. But Toudou Aoba, it seems, was not so tactless as to suddenly call one of the country's largest businessmen to just chat.

He was just worried about the eyes and ears of the waiter serving them.

The institutions used by such people as Toudou, are not only expensive, but besides providing tasty food and drinks, their employees also perfectly observe "the rule of the three monkeys" ( "do not look", "do not listen", "do not say").

Perhaps the man who survived in the world of wiles and intrigues, simply could not give up this superfluous vigilance.

"I called you today because..." After some time, Toudou began to speak when the time for delicacies and sake were over. "...I want you to support the business of a young man."

"Do you mean for me to invest in this novice business of this young man?"

Such inquiries were not uncommon for Ushio. But he was interested in it, because such a request was made personally Toudou himself.

"And who is this amazing man who has earned the attention of your holiness?"

"You already know this guy. His official name from the family register is Shiba Tatsuya."

"...Shiba-kun?" After a long pause, Ushio was able to speak only that.

To hear this name from the mouth of Toudou was quite unexpected for him. "...Then this new business is something related to his inventions as Taurus Silver? Or something related to a thermonuclear reactor?"

"The second. Shiba Tatsuya tries to release magician from the role of weapons, giving them work to produce energy."

"I understand. I accept your proposal."

This time the answer was immediate. So much so that even Toudou was a little confused.

"Don't you need time to think about it?"

Even after this offer, there was no doubt for Ushio.

"Your Excellency must know that my wife and daughter are also magicians. My wife has been forced to live as a 'weapon' for a long time, even though she has now retired."

Of course, Toudou knew about Benio, the wife of Ushio, and his daughter Shizuku.

He looked forward to continuing the story.

"But if the war begins, not only my wife, but my daughter will be sent to the battlefield. If it comes to a full-blown war, magicians, useless in the workplace, can be forced to become a combat force. I'm afraid of that."

"...But if we talk about the benefits, besides the war, there is still a project, announced by the nearing States."

Naturally, Toudou did not really want to cooperate with "Project Dione". These words were intended to show how serious Ushio is in his statement.

"I don't want to sacrifice my wife and daughter. That is worse than forced military use."

"Hou. Why do you think that?"

This question was no longer a test for Ushio, it proceeded from real curiosity.

"... The essence of the 'project Dione', the expulsion of magicians in to space. I do not know whether it is the will of America, the intrigue of Edward Clark, or if it is done for some other reason, but it seems they want to expel Shiba-kun from the earth. But the damage is not the only thing. If the project is launched, the involved magicians will no longer be able to live on Earth. The earth will cease to be their home. This is the project."

The answer Ushio coincided with the conclusion that Tatsuya made.

And most likely, Ushio and Tatsuya were not exceptions. There are probably many people who came to such conclusions about this project.

"Right."

Frankly speaking, Toudou also noticed the hidden target of the Dione project.

"On the other hand, according to the project by Shiba Tatsuya, the area where magicians will feel at home will only expand. Energy production is necessary even during wartime. On the contrary, its importance is growing.

When Shiba Tatsuya’s plant will be included in the state system of power supply, they will not be so careless, as to throw magicians on the front, causing a lack of energy. It’s well thought out."

And Toudou most valued "project ESCAPES" and Tatsuya for creating a compromising relationship between the supply of combat power and the supply of energy, which will create a situation where it becomes impossible for magicians to be used as weapons.

In terms of National Defence, this is an unacceptable situation. But if this was everything to the project, Toudou would have destroyed Tatsuya’s project.

But Tatsuya agreed to become a deterrent force.

If the system of energy production with the nucleus in the form of a star reactor spreads to the whole world, other countries will lose their fighting power of magicians, and the relative military power of Japan with a trump card in the form of Material Burst will only increase.

Although it was not clear yet whether someone comparable to Tatsuya who could be a deterrent force would be born in the next generation, but he will let the rulers of that time take care of it. Since Toudou lived in the present, he took responsibility for the present. He has not overestimated himself enough to be responsible for the future.

"I Agree."

Ushio was not particularly worried about the lack of combat power of magicians. He wasn't a politician. He believed that if there is no magical combat force, it can be compensated by a conventional combat force.

His company was not engaged in weapons, but if there was such a need to protect his family, he would without any doubt begin to fully support the military industry with his company.

"Could you tell me more about the Shiba-kun’s project?"

Tatsuya’s project corresponded to his interests. Ushio decided to meet him. Usually whenever his family is concerned, his thinking lapsed suspiciously. However, in such matters, Toudou was not going to deceive him, and this should not be a problem.

"You'll ask him for details."

But now he could not deny that he doubted him too much.

"Really. Sorry for the rudeness."

Realizing this, Ushio sincerely bowed. Cooling his head, he sent his consciousness to what he really had to check out here.

"Your Excellency. I wanted to ask you something."

"What's that?"

"What is the position of the Government regarding the project?"

Now, the whole world welcomes "project Dione". There is no country that has officially taken an early position. He was afraid that the launch of a plan, opposing "project Dione", can be regarded as a diplomatically negative phenomenon. Toudou Aoba also understood this well.

"The Japanese government will not intervene."

He made his position clear by saying this.