To devout Christians who preached the love of a single, absolute God, this was an infuriating insult. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the conflict between Traditionalists and Orthodox magic users in Japan had been mirrored on a global scale.
For other world religions like Islam and Buddhism, it wasn't a distant problem either. Mainstream religious leaders increasingly viewed Humanism as a form of "religious terrorism." The backlash had become so severe that in Japan's Tokai region, the suppression of Humanists had become brutal.
However, since the targets were often dangerous individuals already flagged by Public Security, the authorities tended to turn a blind eye. (Partly as penance for how easily anti-magic sentiment had infiltrated them during the "Blanche" incident).
In response to this trend, a prominent USNA Senator—backed by mainstream Protestant and Catholic factions—had caused a stir in a televised debate by denouncing Humanism. He argued that those who perverted the teachings of God should not be granted the protection of free speech and slammed the police for their "negligence" in failing to crack down on Humanist violence. Of course, critics were quick to point out that many government-sanctioned magic guilds in the USNA held equally radical views, suggesting the Senator was merely clearing the field for his own allies.
"Well, Rudel had a massive influence on the design of our Thunderbolt III bombers," Silvia remarked. "As long as he isn't an enemy, he might actually be an ally."
"If only he'd shown that same 'kindness' to this country," Lina muttered.
Silvia gave a wry smile. She understood Lina's frustration. Lina had once been ordered to kill Tatsuya, and she still couldn't fathom why the USNA brass viewed him with such pathological hostility.
Lina knew that while Japan was an ally, the USNA also saw it as a potential competitor in the Western Pacific. Looking back at the strategy surrounding the strategic-class magic on the Southern Shield Islands, it seemed the Joint Chiefs of Staff were more interested in eliminating Japan's strategic assets than utilizing them.
In terms of global balance, it made sense for Japan to have multiple strategic-class magicians. Yet, there were those in the military high command who couldn't stomach it. As a strategic-class magician herself, Lina loved her country, but she was starting to despise the Stars. She couldn't say that out loud with Silvia there, though.
Just then, Celia's voice drifted in from the entryway. She stepped into the living room, but it was her companion that made Silvia jump.
"I'm home, Big Sis! Hi, Silvie!"
"Welcome back, Celia… Wait, who is—!?"
"Oh, right. This is the teacher who's going to be instructing Big Sis and me. Your Excellency, these are my housemates."
"I see. I suppose a formal introduction is in order. I am Retsu Kudo. You must be Ken's granddaughter?"
"A-Ah! Yes! I am Angelina Kudou Shields!"
Lina scrambled to her feet and bowed deeply. Retsu Kudo, the man known as "The World's Most Skillful." She had heard of him from her grandfather, Ken. Since she hadn't heard anything negative about him, her impression of him was that of a "proper and venerable figure."
Since Lina wasn't a student, she had plenty of free time. However, fearing that her already questionable life skills would completely atrophy if she spent her days lounging around, it had been decided that she would receive magic instruction from Retsu at the Kudo family's estate in Tokyo—a residence Retsu managed for stays during the Master Clan Conference.
Retsu had come by to finalize the details of that arrangement.
"I see. Lina, you should definitely take this opportunity," Silvia encouraged.
"Yeah, I can't let my skills get rusty… but, um, is there anywhere I can polish my physical combat skills as well?" Lina asked.
"Hmm… let me ask an acquaintance of mine," Retsu mused. "Knowing him, he won't say no. Just a moment, let me call him."
Lina felt a slight sense of trepidation at Retsu's wording, but since she was the one asking for a favor, she remained quiet. Retsu stepped away to make the call, explained Lina's situation, and returned once he had secured approval.
"I have a friend who teaches martial arts. The head priest of Kyouchouji Temple has agreed to take you under his wing."
"A… Buddhist priest?"
Lina tilted her head in confusion. To her, a monk teaching martial arts sounded like a church offering combat training—it felt entirely at odds with the solemn atmosphere of a temple. Retsu offered a small, knowing smile.
"It's a natural reaction. But I can personally guarantee his skill. The rest depends on your own hard work, Lina-kun."
"Y-Yes! Thank you for your kindness!"
And so, it was settled: martial arts at Kyouchouji and magic lessons from Retsu at the Kudo estate. Lina was determined to work hard so she wouldn't fall behind Tatsuya, but it was Celia who added the final condition.
"And I'll be taking responsibility for teaching you basic life skills and housework. Silvie, help me out."
"With pleasure, Celia."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!? You make it sound like I'm totally helpless!"
"I am not letting you produce 'Dark Matter' in front of Tatsuya and Miyuki!" Celia snapped.
The root of Celia's frustration was the daily lunch-making rotation for Yugen (currently shared between Miyuki, Minami, Shizuku, Himeki, and Celia). Every time they tested a new menu on Tatsuya and the others, Lina's lack of skill was highlighted by comparison.
"Now, take this! My specialty!!"
"Gyaaaaah! Not the Sheep Killer! I give! I give!!"
"Request denied."
"Denieeeed—!?"
The fact that it was Celia—the younger twin—putting her sister in a wrestling joint lock only made the scene more chaotic.
Because Celia understood Lina's culinary "talents" better than anyone, she was prepared to be a Spartan taskmaster. She even planned to ask Miyuki for help. Miyuki, for her part, had been more than willing: "Indeed. If the woman joining my brother's household produces such things, it would be a stain on the Yotsuba name."
"Would you like a refill, sir?"
"I think I will. It certainly is a lively household."
"Yes… quite."
Retsu and Silvia watched the sisters with looks of profound, "lukewarm" pity.
The long, turbulent day of Gu Jie's indiscriminate bombings was finally drawing to a close.
The National Police Agency had released an official report: eight injured, zero fatalities. Some in the media questioned if the numbers were being falsified, but those doubts vanished after reports from the Fire Department and Colonel Kazama of the National Defense Force, who had been present at the bomb disposal.
Normally, the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion's involvement would draw unwanted scrutiny. However, Kazama had simply been "off-duty" and "happened" to be nearby when he was asked to help coordinate specialized units for the remaining explosives. Despite his stagnant rank, Kazama's expertise was well-known, and Yugen's official titles had smoothed the way for his involvement.
The injured were members of the Shinkage-ryu Kenbu-jutsu group, and their compensation was handled entirely by the Saegusa and Kudo families. They also paid for the damages to the Kamizaka Group's hotel. Since the building was already slated for demolition, the payout of roughly 60 million yen was primarily for the lost fixtures and interior decor.
"Yugen-san, I don't quite understand this part."
"Let me see… Ah, this goes like this."
In the original timeline, Tatsuya would have been the one tutoring Miyuki, but now that role fell to Yugen. Minami was in the kitchen preparing dinner, while Tatsuya was holed up in the basement. He had been obsessively researching something he'd felt during the pursuit of Zhou Gongjin.
The phone rang, and Minami answered it before transferring the call—undoubtedly to Tatsuya. Once Miyuki's Applied Magic assignment was finished, Yugen headed to the living room for a break, where he ran into Tatsuya coming up from the basement.
"Tatsuya, finished with the call?"
"Yeah. It was Mother. She told me to take my detailed instructions from you."
"That woman..."
Unlike the original story, they now communicated via the "Curbuncle" (Spirit Mirror), a channel that even Hlidskjalf couldn't intercept. When Yugen heard that Maya had relayed detailed intel but dumped all the actual commanding onto him, he couldn't help but massage his temples.
He had stated at the conference that he might join the field units if necessary, but this created two separate chains of command within the team. Yugen gestured for everyone to sit on the sofa so he could explain the situation.
"First, regarding this terrorist incident: the agreement between the Master Clan Conference, the Government, and the Defense Force is that the two 'Guardian' houses will manage everything. Moving forward, our two houses will officially oversee all magicians, ancient and modern alike. In short, we are becoming the figureheads that replace the role Retsu Kudo used to fill."
Retsu Kudo had unintentionally become the "Elder" of the Japanese magic world, the man who steered the Master Clan Conference. As a result, he had been saddled with a role no one else wanted, and in the original timeline, the unity of the magic world crumbled after his death. If a minority group like magicians can't stay unified, it becomes impossible for them to protect their own interests.
To prevent that, the Kagurazaka and Kamizumi families—who had previously operated in the shadows—were stepping into the light. It was public knowledge that both families carried the bloodlines of both ancient and modern magic and had the achievements to back them up.
"The Ten Master Clans will still handle the day-to-day meetings of the conference, but I expect I'll have to step in as chairman whenever necessary."
Rebuilding the existing order was a monumental task, and Yugen knew it.
But if no one did it, nothing would change. If the cracks in the system grew too large and eventually led to the nation's collapse, everything they had fought for would be for naught. It was a burden he felt he had to accept. Perhaps, he thought, it was simply in his nature to take on the difficult jobs.
-------------------------------
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!"