To prevent panic in Hakone, we used emergency alerts to call for "voluntary restraint from non-essential outings due to infection control." The streets were sparse. As part of our countermeasures, I had requested the deployment of military magicians I knew from Okinawa (with permission from the Integrated Command). Their experience in the Okinawa Defense Battle would be vital if things went south.
"Shizuku and Himeri, eliminate the corpses on the lower floors. Lina, you're on backup."
『Understood.』
『Leave it to us.』
『...I don't have a problem with it, but what do you mean I'm backup?』
"It's the most appropriate placement. With Brionac, you can sweep them all away at once."
I calculated that with Celia controlling Lina's magic, they could "kill" the corpses without triggering the bombs. The matter of the Ancient Magic practitioners would be dealt with after this was settled.
"Tatsuya, handle any corpses that spill into the city. I authorize the use of Mist Dispersion under my authority."
『Understood.』
"Mizuki, support Tatsuya."
『Leave it to me.』
I placed the combat-ready Tatsuya and Mizuki as city lookouts, while Leo, Erika, Tohya, and Sana—who wouldn't stay quiet anyway—were grouped under Mikihiko to support Tatsuya. Honoka and Mitsuki remained at the Kagurazaka main residence. Miyuki, also in Shingon-kai uniform, watched silently by my side.
"...Phew. That's the end of the instructions for now."
"Good work. But Yugen-sama, why didn't you try to capture the mastermind here?"
"Ah, that. I need Gheed Heigh to be the 'stepping stone' for this country to achieve true independence."
The idea of using a terrorist as a stepping stone is usually unthinkable. However, history is full of examples where the mere suspicion of weapons of mass destruction was used to justify a rational war. The USA—the predecessor to the USNA—was famous for it.
The missile warheads and launchers used for Gheed Heigh's bombs were likely disposed of within the USNA, but if we can recover the explosives, I can use Ten-yo Shoran (Sun Gaze) to trace them back to the original weapon. I'll have the Mitsuya family investigate it and pin the responsibility on the USNA.
The White House and Pentagon will panic, but I also have info on Humanists from the USNA entering the country. They will be the first "customers" of the "Special Measures Law Against Terrorism" being enacted tomorrow. Unlike the version in my previous life, this will be an effective policy, requiring a "division of labor" between the Master Clans and the National Defense Force.
The USNA might become an enemy, but I hold enough cards to strike from multiple directions. The moment I declare I'm considering selling off my personal holdings of their national debt, their Treasury Secretary might just go punch someone at the Pentagon.
"...It's starting. Let's begin."
"Yes."
Both donned masks engraved with the Parade seal. Yugen's hair turned silver, while Miyuki's shifted from jet black to platinum blonde. Yugen placed his hand on the floor, pouring Psions into it.
"Tensen Barrier—Kongou-jin, activate!"
The moment Yugen applied the state-fixation magic to the hotel's entire structure, an explosion rocked a corner of the building.
The Master Clan heads, in the middle of their meeting, felt the vibration. Katsuto Jumonji approached the unyielding door. As he opened it, the stench of burnt explosives and rotting flesh flooded the room.
"Is this... the smell of corpses?"
"It seems so. But given the scale of the explosion, someone must be reinforcing the building with magic."
Katsuto answered Takumi Shippou, who was grimacing at the smell. Deciding that even a Master Clan head couldn't maintain such a large-scale defense forever, Katsuto deployed his Round Order.
"We should evacuate. We don't know how long this will hold."
"...I agree with Lord Mitsuya. It seems to be a Puppet Terror attack."
Goki, skilled in organic interference, sensed the puppets. Since the numbers were higher on the lower floors, they decided to head up. Suddenly, a man in a combat uniform and a pitch-black mask appeared.
"You're alive, I see."
"Who are you?! Are you the mastermind?"
"Don't lump me in with the scum who use forbidden arts to manipulate the dead. I'm here to protect you on the Director's orders... Believe me or not, but follow if you want to live."
Ignoring Goki's hostility, the man turned to leave. Katsuto snapped the others out of their daze.
"Evacuation is the priority. We can question his identity later."
"Very well. Let us move."
Koichi agreed. As they moved, several booby-trapped humans attacked, but a lightning slash tore through the gaps between the Clan heads, blowing the corpses away. Standing there was a golden-haired woman with a double-edged sword.
"Go. The Vice-Director went upstairs."
"You are..."
"If you have time to talk, you have time to move. Otherwise, I'll cut you down without a second thought."
The killing intent radiating from the girl was enough to make even the Master Clan heads hesitate. They hurried after the man. The girl, Yumu, swung her blade, sending lightning toward another staircase, then tapped her earpiece.
"...This is Yumu. The Master Clans are heading your way."
『Understood. The upper floors are clear. Start recovering the bombs.』
"Roger that, 'Director'."
Her voice, previously cold and murderous, was now laid-back.
Upon reaching the rooftop, the Master Clan heads found the "Vice-Director" along with another pair. Despite the masks and altered hair, Maya immediately recognized the girl as her own kin, and could easily guess the identity of the boy beside her.
"Director, they have been brought safely."
"Good work, Vice-Director. Now, for the finishing touch. If you would?"
"As you wish, Director-dono."
The masked girl bowed. Without a single Psion leaking, she activated her magic, "freeze-shattering" the magical seals on the corpses inside the hotel. While the Jiangshi technique on all corpses couldn't be confirmed, Yugen deployed Byakuro-jin (White Prison Formation) to seal any further activation as long as Gu Jie remained within ten kilometers.
He then turned to the Master Clan heads.
"Our duty is done. It is still dangerous here; please evacuate quickly."
"Wait. Why did you help us? If you possess such power, we should have known of you. There is suspicion that you are the masterminds."
Yugen placed a hand on the worried girl's head to calm her before speaking.
"You talk quite big for someone who was just saved, Lord Goki Ichijo. We have no obligation to answer your suspicions."
"What did you say?!"
"What 'strongest'? We have no loyalty to an organization that interferes with anything too powerful like driving a stake into a protruding nail... Let's go."
"Right."
"Yes."
Yugen's words were sharp as a blade. He took flight, followed by Mototsugu and Miyuki. Goki moved to shoot them down with Ruining, but Katsuto stepped in.
"Lord Jumonji, what are you doing?"
"...I have seen them once before in Yokohama. They called themselves the 'Shingon-kai,' a special task force of the Imperial Guard. I don't know who commands them, but they certainly saved us."
"...So that is the Shingon-kai."
Katsuto had previously confirmed Yugen, Miyuki, and Shizuku as members, but this time there were two others. Since he was forbidden from revealing their true identities even as a Clan head, he only gave their group name. Isami muttered in surprise, while in the back, Maya smiled. Raizo noticed.
"Lady Yotsuba, is something the matter?"
"No, Lord Yatsushiro. I was just thinking how reassuring it is to know there are such reliable people besides ourselves."
"...Indeed."
Raizo gave a dry, hollow laugh, feeling his own helplessness deep within.
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