However, as long as the possibility remained, it could not be discarded. They would remain vigilant, but intelligence from Moscow suggested they were not yet ready for a formal conflict. They never knew when humanists or anti-government factions might catch a second wind. Of course, much of that depended on the USNA and European actors who were funneling funds and supplies to those humanists.
"I see... In any case, I thank you for the information, Lord Kagurazaka," Katsuto said with a bow.
The monitor then switched to only Mayumi. Katsuto likely sensed that Mayumi was about to start teasing him and made a strategic exit.
"So... Senpai, was there anything else?"
"Hmph... why won't you call me by my name?"
"Your family may be responsible for the current state of things, but it's not as if you're entirely uninvolved, is it?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Yugen had already received an email from Izumi informing him that she had officially become the adopted daughter of the Mutsuzuka family. Mayumi was also in the process of becoming a daughter of the Futatsugi family, yet she seemed stuck on the fact that despite their engagement being essentially confirmed, he still wouldn't use her given name.
"I'll call you by your name once you've officially joined the Futatsugi family."
"...Really?"
"Why would I lie about something like that?"
Regarding the legal proceedings, the Saegusa side—with Mayumi's mother acting as the representative—had requested the transfer of parental rights to the Kagurazaka family, and court proceedings were already underway. Ordinarily, transferring parental rights to a foster parent while both biological parents are healthy is unheard of, but given the "unavoidable family circumstances," no one seemed inclined to object.
"...Yugen-kun, I should tell you. While I was talking to Jyumonji-kun, my eldest brother reached out to him for a consultation."
"Hmm... well, he is the likely next head of the Saegusa family. It's not strange for him to consult Jyumonji-senpai, but do you have a concern?"
"That's just it. If he wanted to talk to him, he could have gone through my father, and I can't imagine he doesn't have Jyumonji-kun's contact info. There's no reason to go through me, especially since I'm distancing myself from the family right now."
Yugen speculated that her brother Tomokazu's desire to consult Katsuto was a precursor to the "Rookie Meeting" (Wakate Kaigi). At this stage, it was just a possibility; there was nothing inherently wrong with the next Saegusa head seeking guidance from the current Jyumonji head.
However, Mayumi couldn't shake her suspicion as to why she was used as the intermediary. Tomokazu certainly knew how to reach the Jyumonji family, and as peers within the Master Clans, they should have been able to contact each other directly.
"They were classmates at Magic University, so it makes sense for them to meet... but is there a reason he'd want to avoid me? He must know that if you felt like it, you'd just discuss it with me anyway. Is there something you're worried about?"
"Yes... it's just a vague feeling, but I have a bad premonition. Should I try to ask my brother?"
Such a convoluted method of contact was unnatural, even if the friction during the Master Clan Council was the cause. Tomokazu had to know that anything told to Mayumi would reach Yugen's ears. Or perhaps, he had judged that it wouldn't be a problem if it did.
If that were the case, even if a Rookie Meeting were held, the chances of Yugen being invited were slim. For the same reason, Masaki Ichijou might also be excluded.
"Even if you asked, I doubt he'd tell you anything. There's no need to force it."
"...Are you sure? It might involve you, Yugen-kun."
"If it becomes clear that I'm being put at a disadvantage, I'll simply deal with it in earnest."
Magic wasn't the only way to "deal" with a problem. He could squeeze them in every other field until he extracted a sincere apology. Now that Retsu Kudo had effectively retired from the magic world and could no longer shield them, dropping the Saegusa family to the ranks of the Eighteen Assistant Houses would be child's play.
If the worst came to the worst, he could have Ken Kudo return to Japan and establish a new Ten Master Clan in the Amami and Okinawa islands—the regions currently under Saegusa's supervision and protection.
"One last thing, Senpai. Your former bodyguard, Saburo Nagura... he is currently alive and working as a servant for the Kagurazaka family. He goes by the name Saburo Hasekura now. Didn't you hear about this from Izumi?"
"Eh? Wh-What? Nagura-san is supposed to be dead!"
"Yes, that corpse was undoubtedly the man himself. Well, I can't go into details, but he was brought back to life using an application of Parasite technology."
"..."
Mayumi was utterly speechless, and for good reason. Hearing that her dead bodyguard was alive and working for the Kagurazaka family was a bolt from the blue. Of course, the even more shocking truth was that his current body belonged to Zhou Gongjin—the man Mayumi's father had ordered Nagura to kill.
Because that involved the deep secrets of magic, Yugen kept that part hidden.
"Because of that, I've heard everything regarding the incident in Kyoto. Including how he was ordered to kill Zhou Gongjin and was killed in return."
"...Sigh. Honestly, Yugen-kun... compared to you, the things that 'Old Fox' (who's about to be a stranger to me anyway) does seem like mere child's play."
"I'm not as omnipotent as you think. Well then, good night."
With that, Yugen cut the connection. If he let the call drag on, Mayumi would likely start pleading for him to "call me 'Mayumi' just once." He ended the call by dropping a massive bombshell instead.
Almost as if on cue, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, he found Miyuki in her nightgown, looking up at him with blushing cheeks.
"Would you... mind if I slept here tonight?" she asked bashfully.
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