by Sato Tsutomu
Maya smoothly summarized that major upheaval in international military balance with one easy sentence.
This was confidential information which even Kazama had not been informed of.
"It seems the government is looking to capitalize on this and wring as many major concessions from the Great Asian Alliance as possible. The Chief of Staff had requested the Itsuwa be sent out, and the Itsuwa complied. Mio-san is accompanying them to the fleet in Sasebo."
"Did she board a warship?"
Until now, Miyuki had respectfully maintained her position as a listener, but at this she instinctively spoke up.
"Yes."
However, Maya did not reprimand her. This news was astonishing enough that such a reaction would not be unreasonable.
Itsuwa Mio was the only Strategic Class magician the Japanese government had publicly disclosed, one of the 'Thirteen Apostles'.
As far as had been confirmed, with the exception of Tatsuya, she was the only Japanese Strategic magician.
A trump card of the Japanese military.
Her magic 'Abyss' was capable of creating a spherical depression which can extend from a few tens of meters to several kilometers. Amongst Movement Systematic magics it possesses its own classification, Fluid Control. Vessels caught within the magical zone at sea slide down the steep walls of water, tumbling about, then upon cancellation of the magic are swallowed up by massive waves as the sea returns to a horizontal plane. The hemisphere can be created up to a kilometer in depth, easily catching submerged submarines as well.
This is a strategic class magic theoretically capable of eradicating entire fleets with a single blow, however;
'Abyss' can also be invoked upon subterranean ground water, potentially allowing it to collapse vast swathes of structures as well.
"......Still, that would be a considerable strain on her body wouldn't it?"
"I'm sure they've factored that in. Both the Staff and the Itsuwa. They probably consider this too big to miss."
At Miyuki's worried question, Maya gave an absentminded answer.
In contrast to Itsuwa Mio's powerful magic, her body was quite weak.
It wasn't quite apparent until around her mid teens, but from the age of 20 she was forced to use a motorized wheelchair to move around. It wasn't that her legs were afflicted such that she couldn't walk, but because even the slightest exertion was exhausting. After graduating from university, it was said she rarely ever left the Itsuwa house.
The Itsuwa were currently one of the Ten Master Houses, but in fact that was largely based on the fact that they had the Strategic Class magician Mio. For her to be aboard a warship that would likely see battle, however brief that period of time was, could only be said to be a gamble.
"Just as we had news of Liú Yúndé's movements, it seems our mobilization of Mio-san has not gone unnoticed. Again this is as of yet unconfirmed, but we have received a report that Doctor Bezobrazov arrived in Vladivostok today."
Hearing that name, Kazama's expression was moved again.
"—The 'Igniter' Igor Andreevich Bezobrazov?"
"Yes, that very Doctor Bezobrazov. Having witnessed the recent events off the Southern Korean Peninsula, their military leadership appears to have reconsidered the effectiveness of large scale magic."
While he didn't let out a sound, Tatsuya was just as surprised.
Igor Andreevich Bezobrazov was a scientist in the Soviet Academy of Science, yet at the same time, a Strategic Class magician of the New Soviet Union.
He was not a classified Strategic magician like Tatsuya, but rather like Mio was a state recognized member of the Thirteen Apostles. His Strategic magic 'Tuman Bomba'[15], whilst one step outclassed by the USNA's Angie Sirius' 'Heavy Metal Burst' in power, was said to possess the greatest destructive radius of the Thirteen.
Until now, countries had only demonstrated their Strategic magics without applying them for actual combat use, but in the most recent conflict four Strategic magicians, including Tatsuya, had been mobilized.
"It's likely the Great Asian Alliance has received similar intel—"
"Peace should be established in the near future then?"
"I believe that would be the case."
In that pause, Maya looked at Kazama with a smile. Despite the fact she was in her mid 40s, that smile combined youthful cuteness and adult sex appeal which made her seem no older than 30.
Such charm was wasted on Kazama however, as he silently waited for the next words.
"......Our history from since three years ago, will be settled with this."
The slight color of frustration which flitted past Maya's face as she resumed her talk couldn't have wholly been Tatsuya's imagination.
"The disappearance of Zhènhai Naval Port has attracted the attention of numerous countries. The cause of that was unmistakably due to Strategic class magic, and a not inconsiderable number of them are beginning to probe around as to just who the operator was. It is most likely some of them will link this with the annihilation of the fleet the Great Asian Alliance dispatched three years ago. It would be a very undesirable outcome for us to have Tatsuya-san's identity to come out."
"I fully agree."
Seeing Kazama's nod, Maya gave a broad smile indistinguishable between real and fake.
No, it's likely that her smile this time was sincere.
"I'm glad you understand. Then to be on the safe side, I'd like you to refrain from being in contact with Tatsuya-san for a while as well."
Maya's negotiation with Kazama was steered to obtain the most satisfactory result for the Yotsuba.
It'd be too much to say that he was led around, but the concession that Tatsuya would no longer be called to battle with the Great Asian Alliance for this conflict was unmistakably Maya's pace.
Then again the terms like 'will you comply with this verbal contract' and 'will you abide by all aspects of this verbal contract' are things which likely would have question marks in parenthesis after them.
Now Maya was alone with Tatsuya in the drawing room. After wrapping things up Kazama naturally left—he was just as busy after all—and Miyuki had vacated the room at Maya’s direct order.
Then despite having even instructed her attendant to leave, Maya didn’t cut directly to the chase.
She simply sat for a while sipping tea from her cup with a look of dissatisfaction, as Tatsuya sat down in silence facing her.
In silence, in other words, without asking or waiting for permission.
His appearance as he leaned back in his chair waiting for her words was absent from all apprehension or fear.
Glancing at that appearance, Maya returned her cup to its saucer.
"The last time we faced each other like this was three years ago huh."
There was no hint of hubris in her voice or expression.
"This is the first time I have been called out like this, Oba-ue[16]."
"I wonder."
At Tatsuya’s usual cynical rather than respectful air, Maya also adopted a more informal attitude than before.
"Come to think of it, this is the first time we’ve spoken alone."
"Yes."
That’s not to say their rapport was ‘friendly’.
The light glinting in their eyes was too strong for that.
"So what is it you wished to speak about?"
"Don’t be in such a hurry. Won’t you have some tea?"
"If you start going around giving me tea, your entourage is going to start saying some annoying things."
At Tatsuya’s all too candid remark, Maya let out a breath.
"Honesty isn’t always a virtue you know."
"Remonstrations for the sake of another are always painful to hear."
Their banter flew back and forth like rapid keystrokes.
Maya didn’t anger, but rather gave an approving nod.
"An unreserved companion is also good once in a while."
"Is it disagreeable to you?"
"The relationship b
etween us is that of nephew and aunt. There is no need for such concerns."
After those words replied in a tone indiscernible from her true feelings or a simple façade, Maya picked up the buzzer on the table.
The faint chime of a handbell rang out, yet neither the door nor the walls of this room were particularly thin.
Despite that not a minute later a soft knock rang from the door, meaning that the room must have been monitored in some way; nevertheless Tatsuya did not hurry to stand.
"Did you call for me?"
The elderly butler from earlier returned to the scene. Even seeing Tatsuya’s leisurely seated appearance, he didn’t bat an eyelid.
"Hayama-san, some more tea for me please. And the same for Tatsuya-san as well."
"Certainly."
Had it been Aoki, he no doubt would have gone pale and started yelling at Tatsuya. Forgetting even that he was in the presence of Maya.
But there was no way a confidant permitted even to ‘eavesdrop’ at the side of his master, whatever the appearance or reasons, would ever be prone to such petty outbursts.
The reason Tatsuya was so relaxed also stemmed from that.
Not to mention that it would have been impossible to ‘smooth things out’ anyway.
Because it was visible with a glance that Tatsuya held no submissiveness towards Maya whatsoever.
While waiting for the tea, Maya didn’t utter a word.
Tatsuya likewise was in no hurry.
‘Won’t you have some tea’ basically meant ‘we’ll talk over tea’. It wasn’t particularly exerting to figure such a thing out, and only a child would make a fuss about waiting for such a period of time.
At length after taking a sip from the cup the butler Hayama brought, Maya finally seemed to be in the mood.
"Thank you for your efforts in this event, Tatsuya-san."
Hearing that tone, no one would take those words at face value.
"No, there’s no such thing."
Tatsuya likewise was under no delusion that he was being praised.
"However, it’s something troubling for the Yotsuba."
"I am sorry."
Sure enough, she began voicing complaints with a theatrical sigh, and Tatsuya gave a formal apology. Not that he did anything laudable like fall prostrate to the ground or rub his forehead against the table or anything.
"……Well, I know that you were simply following orders. Although I had wanted to ask Major Kazama if there really was a need to go so far. Well, there’s no point fretting over the past."
"I’m sorry for the trouble."
Tatsuya’s apology this time was slightly more sincere. Morality aside, Tatsuya also personally felt that what happened was a little overkill. —Actually not ‘a little’ but closer to the point of excessive, mindless destruction.
"More important now are the problems from here."
"Is there anything concrete so far?"
Maya did not give an immediate answer to Tatsuya’s question.
Rather she closed her eyes, took a sip of tea, then slowly looked up.
Directly into Tatsuya’s eyes.
Tatsuya didn’t meet her gaze, instead lifting his cup to his mouth in the same way as his aunt.
"The Stars are moving."
Her words as she resolutely maintained eye contact held the power to freeze Tatsuya’s movement for just a moment.
"Meaning that America itself is moving, huh."
Having at last reached this point, Maya and Tatsuya finally clashed head to head.
It was impossible to compare the weights behind them.
On the one hand Maya had the entire might of the Yotsuba at her back, while defending Tatsuya would likely be Miyuki alone.
Yet the steel in Tatsuya’s eyes did not lose an inch to the pressure Maya exuded.
"For now, the Stars have simply begun their own investigation. But they have already grasped that the explosion was caused by a magic which converts mass into energy. That narrows down the identity of the operator considerably. —Specifically, enough to pinpoint you and Miyuki-san as one of the suspects."
At Maya’s information, Tatsuya could only shake his head.
"……That’s quite the amazing ability to gather information."
"Their reputation as the most powerful force of magicians in the world isn’t just for show."
"No, the one I was praising was you Oba-ue."
There was no reply.
Maya fell silent as if deep in thought.
"Whilst I admit that they are likely the most powerful force out there, the intelligence the USNA Stars’ has managed to procure is almost real-time. Have you considered the possibility of a spy?"
"……I can’t say. Unfortunately."
"Well of course."
As if he had somehow worked out Maya’s response, Tatsuya nodded with a straight face.
For a moment Maya seemed rather resentful, but as expected immediately regained her smile.
"……In any case, you must be careful of your surroundings. The Stars are not like the soft opponents you have gone up against until now. If they determine that you are a threat to the hegemony of the United States, it is possible that they have the capability to take you down."
"Meaning that if the likelihood of the Yotsuba getting involved rises too high, I can expect assassins from a different direction. I’ll bear that in mind."
The aunt and nephew stared at each other.
There was no longer even the hint of a smile upon their face.
"It’s a bit early to be thinking that far."
"You believed that I would arrive at that conclusion in this place, which was why you sent Miyuki outside was it not?"
Tatsuya’s wording changed slightly.
Maya did not verbally answer his challenge.
Rather, her answer could be found in her looking away.
"Tatsuya, drop out of school."
When she finally spoke, it was not a reply but rather a command.
"Drop out of school, why?"
"To lie low here in this house for a while. The Guardianship of Miyuki-san will be transferred to another."
"I believe the selection of Guardian was a matter for the escorted to decide."
"Everything has its exception."
"Well, fair enough…… But I refuse."
If there had been another in the room, they would have shivered at the sudden drop in temperature.
Not a physical drop, but rather due to the incredible tension.
"If I suddenly drop out at this time, I believe it would be as good as a confession that I was the magician who destroyed the fleet of the Great Asian Alliance."
"The reason is irrelevant."
"I suppose."
There was no longer a trace of expression upon either Maya or Tatsuya’s face.
"You are disobeying my direct order?"
"The only one allowed to order me is Miyuki alone."
The tension reached its peak.
Within that period of urgency, as if time had stopped,
The world turned to ‘Night’.
It was not mere darkness.
Floating within the darkness, shone a brilliant sea of stars.
The roof of the drawing room became a moonless, starlit night sky.
The stars flowed, becoming rays of light,
—And the scent of blood suddenly filled the room.
In the next moment,
Without a sound,
That indoor ‘Night’ shattered.
Revealed within was the tableau of the aunt and nephew, still staring at each other without change.
However the sense of tension which had once surged between them, had faded with the collapse of ‘Night’.
"—It seems you went rather easy on me."
"Of course. You’re my cute nephew after all."
Maya smiled at Tatsuya’s mutter.
No wounds remained on either of the two, and the scent of blood had faded.
"Sti
ll, even allowing for that, you did well. And so, this time I will permit you your selfishness."
"Thank you very much."
"It’s fine. Take it as a treat for breaking my magic."
Wordlessly, Tatsuya rose.
At his light bow, Maya shook her hands in a flutter.
Tatsuya left the room.
There was not a voice raised in challenge to stop him from anywhere.
◊ ◊ ◊
After Tatsuya had left the drawing room Maya had been left lost in thought alone for a while, but at length she exhaled strongly and picked up the buzzer once more.
"Did you call?"
"I’d like a change of scenery. Please prepare tea in the solarium, and bring Miyuki-san and Tatsuya-san along."
The butler Hayama showed up immediately, and Maya dictated her wishes.
"Certainly."
Hayama bowed, then without making eye contact quickly cleared up the cups.
As he carried out Maya’s instructions, then prepared to leave the room,
"Wait a moment."
Maya stopped him.
"Hayama-san, there is something you want to ask me?"
Finally looking over at his mistress, Hayama bowed respectfully.
"Indeed there is. With your permission……"
Hayama had formerly served the previous Yotsuba Head and was now continuing his service under Maya. While he only appeared slightly past middle age, he was actually over 70 years old.
There were many things in this house he was able to say that others would shrink back in fear from.
"Is it really alright to leave Tatsuya-dono[17] like that?"
Also, unlike the others, he did not see Tatsuya as a ‘fake’. His own magic ability wasn’t of a particularly high level, but having seen countless magicians over the years his venerable experience rated Tatsuya highly.
—A magician one should be wary of.
"It’s fine. Ah, I know full well what it is you’re concerned about. Certainly, that child will betray the Yotsuba at any time."
"……My apologies."
"Just as I confirmed earlier, my magic is a bad match-up against that child’s unusual talent. If it came to a serious fight, it is highly likely I would lose."
Maya’s magic was ‘Meteor Stream’. The Japanese name is representative of the appearance of the magic, but the English name ‘Meteor Line’ is more representative of the nature of the magic.