"Sir William Macleod. We welcome the Hero of Britain," the base commander announced.
"Your hospitality is much appreciated," the man replied.
Sir William Macleod, one of the Thirteen Apostles. At sixty years old, he was a tall, slender gentleman with silver hair swept back perfectly. He shook hands with the commander with practiced grace.
Macleod was then ushered into a Rolls-Royce limousine and driven deep into the heart of the base's sheltered research complex. This was a facility for the development and production of Modified Magicians. Years ago, Macleod had personally instructed the Australian military on the "manufacture" of magicians here. His expertise was used not only for Modified Magicians but also for enhancing naturally born ones. To Australia, Macleod was indeed a hero.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Jaz. And Captain Johnson, I trust you are well?"
"Sir, there is no greater pleasure than seeing you again," the woman replied.
"A true honor, Sir," the Captain added.
They were an odd pair. The woman, "Jaz," looked no older than twelve or thirteen, while the man was in his thirties. They looked like a mismatched father and daughter, yet both wore Australian military uniforms. Despite her appearance, the girl was actually over twenty years old.
"I am happy to see you both as well. Shall we get down to business?" Macleod asked.
"Of course."
"At ease, then."
Macleod sat on a sofa, but the girl known as Jaz and Captain Johnson remained standing at attention. Macleod did not correct them and simply continued.
"Have you both been briefed on the situation?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I realize this operation may be distasteful to your country, but Japan's recent military buildup is staggering. From the perspective of the global power balance, it can no longer be ignored. This operation will be as beneficial to Australia as it is to the UK... Captain Williams, do you have some personal history with that country?"
Macleod addressed the girl—her real name was Captain Jasmine Williams. She was one of the "Williams Family," a line of Modified Magicians Macleod had personally overseen.
Her expression darkened slightly at the mention of "Japan." Seeing her bitter look, Macleod raised an eyebrow. Jasmine didn't try to hide her frustration.
"It isn't hostility toward the nation itself, Sir Macleod. But it is a fact that I was once utterly humiliated by an individual of Asian descent who I believe was from that country."
"Oh? This is news to me. Captain Johnson, do you know anything of this?"
"Years ago, under military orders, we tracked a duo—presumably a father and son," Johnson replied. "They led us on a merry chase and vanished into thin air. They were so fast that even my self-acceleration magic couldn't keep pace. It was a failure on my part, Sir."
Macleod's interest was piqued. Jasmine and Johnson were a two-man cell he knew well, and for them to be outpaced so thoroughly was significant.
"I only ask out of curiosity; I have no authority to reprimand you," Macleod said with a smile. "Though a father and son of such caliber... they sound fascinating. But I digress."
Macleod pulled a card-shaped storage device from his pocket.
"I believe you've only heard the outline, but the details of the operation are here. Names and locations have been redacted, of course. The target is an artificial island constructed by Japan for resource extraction, located off the coast of Kumejima in the Okinawa Islands."
If Macleod had realized who Jasmine's "Asian duo" actually were, he might have hesitated. But he had no idea. Jasmine and Johnson had seen photographs during their mission years ago, but they had never been told the names.
The reason was simple: one half of that duo was a world-renowned hero, and the Australian military could never admit they had ordered his kidnapping. Furthermore, as a "price" for their interference back then, over a dozen Australian warships had ended up impaled upon the peaks of Ayers Rock. If such a fact were ever made public, Australia would be finished on the world stage.
Those who knew the truth might have warned them to stay away, but ignorance is a truly terrifying thing.
Palácio do Planalto, Brasília. South American Federation (SSA).
President Dyakka Brestilo, a robust, bronze-skinned man in a sharp suit, sat at his desk. Beside him was his secretary, and across from him stood a man in military uniform—Hans Ernst.
"Colonel Ernst (promoted upon his arrival due to his status as a Strategic-Class Magician), forgive the sudden summons. I apologize for taking you away from your wife."
"Please, don't mention it, Mr. President. How can I be of service?"
"Right. Next month, there is a ceremony scheduled for the completion of the artificial island 'Saika Shinto' off the coast of Kumejima in Japan. I assume you've heard of it?"
"Yes, sir."
The ceremony was to celebrate Japan's new undersea resource extraction base. Normally, it would be a domestic affair, but things were different in this era. Earlier this year, Dyakka had visited Japan to sign a resource development partnership. While the long-term goal was the acquisition of "Stellar Furnace" technology, the immediate goal was to signal a strong friendship with Japan to keep the USNA and EU in check.
"Strictly speaking, it should only involve Japanese officials, but I have received intelligence that operatives are targeting the party."
"Then, with all due respect, I suggest you decline the invitation, sir," Hans advised.
"That would be the common-sense approach. But I don't believe the sabotage is intended to succeed. In fact, I suspect it is designed to fail."
Before entering politics, Dyakka had been a soldier. His political talents had led him to the presidency, but his military instincts remained sharp. Based on the intelligence, he deduced that the plot was a setup.
"May I ask your reasoning, sir?"
"Certainly. Even if they blew up the island and killed the VIPs, the strategic value is low," Dyakka explained. "The island uses the same structural reinforcement magic as the Tokyo Offshore Tower. Destroying it with conventional bombs isn't realistic. It's a farce."
Dyakka leaned forward. "If it 'succeeds' in sparking a war between Japan and the Great Asian Alliance, who stands to gain? The New Soviet Union, Europe, and the USNA."
"You don't trust the USNA, sir?"
"Of course not. There are rumors that the recent terrorist incidents involved a USNA internal scandal. There's no smoke without fire."
Dyakka didn't dismiss the entire USNA, but he knew that a faction of extreme nationalists—led by men like Edward Clark—existed within their government.
"Regardless, our country cannot remain uninvolved. Even if this peace is temporary, we cannot allow the Japan-GAA treaty to collapse. Therefore, Colonel Hans Ernst, I want you to accompany me as my personal guard. You will cooperate with the Japanese military to prevent any interference."
"Understood, sir! I will do my utmost."
Bringing a Strategic-Class Magician—the nation's "treasured tiger"—out of the country was a risk. However, since Miguel Diaz was also officially recognized, Hans could be moved. Furthermore, Hans's magic was versatile enough to handle almost any situation.
"The intelligence suggests that certain forces are aiding GAA deserters. Based on info from the Uwaizumi family, it's likely Australia is involved, likely acting as a proxy for the UK. Oh, and I'd like your wife to accompany us as well. If that's acceptable?"
"...Sir, I'm not actually married yet," Hans replied dryly.
Legally, Hans was single, but everyone—from the President down—treated his fiancée (who was ten years his junior) as his wife. Hans had long since given up trying to correct them. Even the "other Hans" inside him seemed to enjoy teasing him about it. Accepting the President's order was, perhaps, his way of maintaining some semblance of professional dignity.
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