Having strayed into the topic of Tenjin Magic, I return to the original objective: the matter of the Kujo family.
The Twenty-Eight Master Clans that currently constitute the Master Clan Council were born from the "Original Genotypes"—Ancient Magicians of the first generation. Naturally, high-ranking government officials, terrified of being cursed to death, couldn't simply persuade these Ancient practitioners through diplomacy. It was the "Senate" that extended a helping hand to a desperate government. By becoming the owners of Magic Technician Development Labs across the country, they sought to strengthen their influence while securing a force capable of actual execution.
To be honest, I had my doubts when I first learned of the Senate's role. While the number of members fluctuates, the families eligible to become the "Four Elders" are fixed. Even if they claim to maintain the order of the "Underworld" through a collegiate system, the risk of corruption is undeniable. There is always the possibility that all four families could rot from within.
In this world, the Four Elders consist of the Kagurazaka, Kamiizumi, Todo, and Kashiwa families.
On the surface, these names mean little. However, there is a precedent for such a deviation from modern Japanese legal common sense—where specific families hold specific government offices. It mirrors the medieval system of the Sekkan-ke (Regent Houses) and the Sanko (the three highest posts of the Ritsuryo system), as well as the traditions governing the Toshi no Choja (the head of the Fujiwara clan).
If one compares that structure to the relationship between the court nobility and the warrior class of that era, the Twenty-Eight Master Clans—the Master Clan Council—effectively become the "warrior class." In this scenario, the Senate occupies the position of the Imperial Court: a body that keeps the Emperor as a figurehead while pulling the strings of government.
"They represent one wing of the Senate, and we represent one of the Four Elders. Honestly, I could have ignored them, but that idiot from the Kashiwa family actually came to admonish me. I felt like caving his face in right then and there."
When defining the Kagurazaka family, their lineage is regarded as Imperial, connected to the Kamo and Abe clans of Onmyodo. However, when they broke away from the Tsuchimikado family, they didn't just receive the family name Kadenokoji to stave off decline; they also inherited the duty of performing the Sokui Kanjo—the enthronement consecration ritual—from the Nijo family. By stripping away Buddhist elements and incorporating Shinto traditions, the ritual was renamed Kohan Denju. Even after the post-WWII constitution rendered the Emperor a symbol, this remains the exclusive duty of the Kagurazaka family. The business name "Kamisaka" was apparently granted to them at that time.
Because they had married a daughter of the Nijo family back then, one could argue they are a branch of the Kujo line of the Fujiwara clan, but that felt like a stretch to me. It was the Kashiwa clan who stuck their noses in to "correct" that narrative.
"Once I leaked the entire report regarding Zhou Gongjin, they shut up and went home. I thought, 'Serves you right,'" she remarked.
"Does the Kujo family wish to reclaim their former glory... like the Five Regent Houses?" I asked.
"Well, if we got rid of the Kashiwas, I might consider it, but there's no real merit in doing so."
The key difference from the historical relationship between the Court and the Samurai is that the Senate possesses not just authority, but actual power. Medieval nobles were impoverished by war despite owning manors; in today's world, where the standard has shifted from land to capital, the Senate understands exactly what it means to hold magical power. They have corralled modern magicians and forced roles upon them. It is almost like the revenge of the court nobility against the warrior class.
It makes one wonder if the Senate is the true antithesis to the Master Clan Council, whose fundamental principle is the guarantee of magicians' basic human rights.
"What do you think, Yugen-kun?"
"A strong governance system is necessary, but no one can guarantee the top won't rot. As long as humans are involved, nothing is absolute."
I understand the need for a deterrent for national defense. Having seen what happened in my previous life when the power of nuclear energy was sealed, I know that strength is a requirement for the forces that constitute a national economy. However, that doesn't mean I'll tolerate being looked down upon by those who refuse to move themselves and merely bark orders.
"Since a member of the Four Elders—chosen to maintain the balance of Ancient Magic—has said something so insulting, I no longer have a reason to hold back. I've already informed Lord Todo of this."
"...Well, you were technically the one targeted, Yugen-kun. So, when are you going to do it?"
"About that... the report from 'Hoshimi' indicates suspicious movement from the USNA. We'll wait for that first."
The report wasn't about Gu Jie (Gheed Heigh), but rather the subsequent movements of foreign nations, including the UK. They seek to eliminate Japan, which ostensibly possesses five Strategic-Class Magicians. On top of that, the "Thirteen Apostles" are moving—a group of old fools who preach world order while refusing to acknowledge any new Strategic-Class Magic.
Frankly, using Strategic-Class Magic against another country, even if state-sanctioned, is an act of war. I hate to say it, but I suspect Strategic-Class Magicians lack international common sense. One tries to kill a fellow magician in broad daylight; another incites soldiers of a federal state to commit sabotage; another tries to attack private villas or government agencies without a declaration of war. If these facts came to light, any government official would be clutching their head at the international crisis.
While that technically applies to me too, in my case, I'm just finishing a fight someone else started. I at least try to choose my targets.
Except for terrorists. For them, it's 'Search and Destroy.' No mercy.
"Also, it seems Great Britain is moving; they're contacting the Great Asian Alliance via Hong Kong."
"...The anti-peace military faction. Well, that country is still haunted by its past; they likely can't bring themselves to bow to a small nation like ours."
"Obsessing over the size of a country just shows how small-minded they are. Some of them even call the National Defense Force the 'Imperial Japanese Army.'"
At the root of it is surely an inferiority complex toward developed nations. But the moment they decide to invade and steal, their level of civility becomes clear. I won't be lectured by a continental nation that has done nothing but repeat cycles of division and unification.
"...Mother. Regarding the future, if Australia gets involved, may I handle it?"
"Hehe, you are the head of the house, Yugen-kun. You don't need my permission. Is this perhaps to 'legally' acquire that technology?"
"Something like that."
I don't expect the UK to get involved openly. That country is an expert at acting as a shield for its enemies before running away. I've entered Australia through official channels before, but the Australian military followed me and Gozo relentlessly for no reason. They even staged "accidents" to attack us. Eventually, Gozo and I agreed to use the Strategic-Class Magic Ozone Circle to wipe them out.
We fled Australia that same day, entering the Indo-Persian Federation via the Southeast Asian Alliance (Indonesia). The experience of the "Sea-Crossing Test" came in handy then... though I had to look the other way when Gozo kicked an Australian Navy vessel out of spite. (I broke into a cold sweat later when I saw the news that a warship was sticking out of Ayers Rock).
In the original story, the reason the "Thirteen Apostle" William MacLeod teamed up with Edward Clark and Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazov was likely so he could later claim, "I tried to stop them, but I failed."
February 5, 2097.
The Master Clan Council entered its second day. The selection meeting to determine the Ten Master Clans for the next four years was held at the same venue. Yugen, clad in the combat uniform of the Shingon-kai, watched the scene from the hotel rooftop using Tenjin no Me (Osiris Sight).
(The puppets have started moving. They aren't heading for the city; they intend to infiltrate the hotel entirely.)
Inside the hotel, illusions of guests created by Nightmare Phantom were already in place, and the Kongou-jin (Diamond Formation) barrier was ready. My precision in deceptive magic had been honed during my travels between worlds; I was confident I could fool even an ancient sorcerer.
The meeting proceeded as scheduled. The Shippou family joined as a replacement member, and it was decided that the Ichijo, Futatsugi, Mitsuya, Yotsuba, Itsuwa, Mutsuzuka, Saegusa, Shippou, Yatsushiro, and Jumonji families would lead for the next four years.
『Yugen, we are in position.』
"Acknowledged. Even though the booby-trapped corpses are inside the hotel, don't let your guard down. Mototsugu-niisan, Shuji, Yumu—protect the Master Clans as planned. Retrieve the bombs if possible."
『Got it. Time to crush them.』
『Even with Yugen's barrier, don't overdo it, okay?』
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"