by <unknown>
Rentaro crossed his arms arrogantly.
"So, old man, how are you going to take responsibility here?"
Hashiba looked at Rentaro in chagrin with a wrinkled face. Taking out his business card from his suit pocket, he stuffed it into Rentaro's hand.
"All damages will be compensated by the Sacred Residence. Suppose Her Highness were to visit your home, please do contact us using this number."
Hashiba motioned with his head to leave. Hence, his subordinates vanished like a storm as quickly as they had arrived.
Confirming that the last man had disappeared out the front door, Rentaro opened the step trash can with his foot and threw away Hashiba's business card.
Rentaro turned around and said "Hey, you can come out now." Soon after...
Hugging herself in embarrassment, the girl in the black sailor-style uniform finally emerged from the changing area. Behind her, Seitenshi walked out quietly in her dress.
Greatly impressed, Seitenshi held her palms together in front of her chest and said:
"Impressive as always, Mr. Satomi. The plan was quite perfect."
"How was it perfect? I got seen naked!"
Even that Hashiba would not have expected Seitenshi to be hiding in a blind spot against the wall inside the steamy bathroom, right?
"Just name it the 'Ninja technique! Women's baths are barrier spells against men', okay?"
Muttering "nin-nin" while making a ninja finger pose, Enju made Seitenshi giggle with laughter.
"And so?" Rentaro urged Seitenshi while scratching the back of his head.
"With this, the job is done, right?"
"I would like to commission you for one more job. Rather, this is the main point."
"Damn it, you keep causing more trouble for me."
After hearing Rentaro's sardonic remark, Seitenshi smiled. Holding her hands together in front of her dress, she announced:
"CEO Tendo and Mr. Satomi, I would like to request of you to retrieve Solomon's Ring and the Scorpion's Head."
Part 4
The crystal storage medium that Seitenshi had brought sparkled with royal blue color. Its size was so compact that one would mistake it for a sapphire if not told beforehand.
After they turned off the lights according to Seitenshi's instructions, the crystal placed on the table gave off blue light, suddenly producing a giant three dimensional model, a projection of a building that looked like a factory.
"The incident happened five days earlier at a research laboratory in Russia."
Reacting to Seitenshi's words, the model revealed the building's structure in the air and popped out a few photographs.
Blood was splattered inside the facility with a mess of mechanical parts with chalk lines drawn on the floor. These photos were probably taken during crime scene investigation. The indoor environment was a mess with signs of ransacking. Only the chalk lines and the blood stains silently conveyed the victims' protests.
Holding chopsticks, Rentaro eyed his oyako-don on the table a number of times, clearly looking a bit sick in his face. At least, this was stuff one should not be looking at during dinner.
"Someone invaded this laboratory and stole a top-secret research subject."
"So what you mentioned just now is this so-called research subject...?"
Enju cocked her head and asked. Seitenshi nodded seriously.
"Yes, the codename for that item under development is Solomon's Ring. We have reasons to believe that it has a strong connection to the recent incident."
"I remember from the legends of King Solomon that there was a ring which gave the ability to talk with animals."
Quite impressed, Rentaro looked at Kisara, who placed her arms akimbo in a slightly sulking manner and responded:
"Of course I know something of that level."
Rentaro looked back at Seitenshi.
"So what you want to retrieve is that ring?"
"Just as I mentioned, Solomon's Ring is just a codename. Its true identity is a translation device the Russian government was researching in order to communicate with Gastrea."
"Wha...!?"
Rentaro was not the only one jumping in fright.
Looking at his companions in turn, Kisara and Enju, who were staring wide-eyed, frozen like statues, exchanging glances.
"That kind of thing, is it really possible...?"
Seitenshi shook her head.
"No, the communication achieved by the ring is greatly limited. Although it can convey simple thoughts and ideas to Gastrea, what the Gastrea's howling means is apparently unknown."
"Then why did the people attacking the lab target the ring?"
"Previously, we only heard about this incident without paying particular attention—until Libra appeared."
"No way..."
Seitenshi's narrowed eyes shone with light.
"Almost at the same time, a laboratory in the Tokyo Area was also invaded. The researchers were tragically massacred. Judging from the methods, the crimed was committed by the same organization. And what was stolen from us was—"
"—The Scorpion's Head... Right?"
The instant this name came up earlier, Rentaro already prepared himself to some extent.
One of the Zodiac Gastrea—the Scorpion was the Stage V which had appeared during the Kagetane Hiruko Terrorism incident as well as one of the ultimate Gastrea that made Rentaro steel his resolve to go down this path.
He originally thought he would not hear that name again.
"Precisely. We reclaimed the dead body of the Scorpion that Rentaro Satomi and Enju Aihara had defeated then conducted research in secret."
"Why—I guess I'm really stupid for asking this question."
"Gastrea bodies, particularly those of the Zodiac, are difficult to obtain. Research organizations willing to pay a hundred thousand per gram are too many to list out."
"What do these two stolen objects have to do with Libra?"
Kisara could not help but interject.
"Ten years ago, when eleven Zodiac Gastrea appeared around the world at the same time, someone speculated whether the Stage Vs were capable of communicating to one another through vocal noises. In fact, taking the Scorpion's Head—more accurately, the vocal cords taken from the Scorpion—then soaking it in Cell Activator fluid and applying electrical stimulation, one can observe a mixture of electrical and sonar pulses emitted by the cells. However, it is nothing more than noise without any information to us humans. The scholars in charge of analyzing the waveforms are stuck in a quandary."
"That's why Solomon's Ring is needed as a translation device to interpret that, right?"
Seitenshi continued without confirming or denying.
"Just as mentioned earlier, Solomon's Ring was still under development. Although overall, there are virtually no species where communication of meaning is possible, Libra is apparently an exception."
Rentaro rubbed his chin and pondered.
"Hold on a sec. The incident of Libra occupying that mine in Nasu happened immediately after the two thefts, so the reason why Libra appeared at the mine and stayed there to synthesize lethal viruses was all because of someone's orders."
"...That possibility exists too. It is a fact that both laboratories were attacked."
"Why didn't the Sacred Residence handle it? This is a serious problem."
"Unfortunately, everything mentioned so far was purely on a theoretical level. Without evidence to explain to the other Areas, unilaterally announcing it will only sound like an excuse. In fact, the Legacy of Seven Stars does indeed have the power to summon Gastrea. This time, we are unable to censure Prime Minister Inou for his early accusation of the Tokyo Area being the culprit either."
Arms crossed, Rentaro rapidly drummed his fingers in agitation.
"This is all a disaster borne from you guys following a policy of secrecy. Haven't you heard of the proverb warning against acting suspiciously in delicate situations, 'don't adjust your shoe in the middle of a melon field'
?"
"Indeed, I am willing to accept reproach for holding onto a suspicious secret. Nevertheless, having been groomed in the past as a future Tendo politician, Mr. Satomi, you should be very well aware of Prime Minister Kaihoku and President Saitake's character. Even if the Legacy's information were to be publicized, do you really believe they will only use it for peace?"
"......So who the heck perpetrated this stupid business in the first place?"
"The suspects had attacked the laboratory by using light weaponry for suppression. Professionals, judging from their invasion methods. Security cameras also confirmed the identity of one member in the organization, a wanted international terrorist."
Seitenshi rotated the facility's floor plan then tapped a corner of the corridor to magnify it.
The picture taken from above was very clear, depicting a person wearing a tactical vest, raising a light firearm towards the screen. With the face covered up leaving only the eyes exposed, it was impossible to tell who it was.
"There's no way to identify him like this, right?"
"Not necessarily."
Seitenshi rapidly tapped the holo-keyboard to trim the screen, finally focusing on the man's eyes.
After the analysis of pre-recorded iris patterns and comparing that to the international wanted list, a Caucasian man's photo suddenly popped up together with a detailed profile.
"Mark Meyerhold, a Belarusian who had served for seven years in the Spetsnaz special forces of Russia. There are two other suspects who have been identified through vocal scans to be Belarusian ex-convicts who had committed crimes in Belarus."
"Belarus? But isn't Belarus already...?"
Seitenshi nodded, greatly impressed that Rentaro understood.
"Indeed. The Greater Minsk Area, which used to be the Belarus capital, was destroyed by none other than Libra. I was very curious too and attempted to search for information about the Greater Minsk Area's final moments... Very tragic."
After shaking her head and closing her eyes in sorrow, Seitenshi finally looked at Rentaro.
"Also, there is something I must inform you, Mr. Satomi. These terrorists used to be subordinates working under Andre Litvintsev."
This time, Rentaro was completely dumbfounded.
"Did you say Andrei Litvintsev huh...?"
Rentaro felt a chill along his back as though ice cubes had been poured.
It was a name he knew, one that he could not forget even if he wanted to.
"Who is that guy?"
Rentaro turned his gaze to Enju who was cocking her head with a puzzled look on her face.
"Think back a bit, roughly half a year ago. Wasn't there a local resident who complained there were suspicious people lurking around? That's the guy."
Enju clapped her hands together once.
"Ohoh, so it's that illegal trespasser."
Kisara sighed.
"In actual fact, it was not simply a problem of suspicious people. That incident was considered one of the greatest espionage reveals ever since the Sorge Incident. It was huge on the news media."
Rentaro turned to face Seitenshi again.
"What about that guy?"
"Serving a life sentence in a prison on an artificial island. I believe that it is highly like that Litvintsev was the one pulling the strings behind the laboratory raids this time, hence we are currently in negotiations to reduce his sentence. However..."
"Couldn't reach an agreement?"
"No, possibly worse. Particularly from your standpoint, Mr. Satomi."
"What do you mean?"
Seitenshi hesitated. Rentaro silently urged her to continue.
"Litvintsev named you, Mr. Satomi, to serve as the mediating negotiator."
Rentaro felt discomfort spreading in his chest like a wave. He could not help but frown.
"Me? Why?"
"The reason is unknown but Litvintsev insisted that he was willing to negotiate only if you go."
Rentaro stroked his chin to organize his thoughts.
"In other words, it's very likely that Litvintsev's goons raided the labs in Russia and the Tokyo Area and used the stolen items to control Libra, right? So what is their goal?"
"This is also unknown. The current situation is that the perpetrators' side has not made demands to the Sacred Residence. However, guessing their motives and taking action now is of paramount importance.
"The deadline is approaching, second by second, minute by minute. Including today, there are only three days left to eliminate the threat of Libra and prevent total war from erupting between the Tokyo and Sendai Areas. Before that, you must meet Litvintsev at the artificial island prison and find out where his comrades are hiding. I am counting on you."
A windless night in the town of Magata, it was so quiet that even the cicadas had stopped making noise.
Showing sharp corners, the moon illuminated the streets where cars rushed past one another every now and then.
"I am absolutely opposed to this!"
Looking at Kisara's back view while she was striding along with her shoulders heaving up and down from anger, Rentaro had no choice but to reach out powerlessly.
"No, but this can't be helped. RIght now, my home is the only guaranteed safe place."
Rentaro suddenly bumped his nose into Kisara's back when she stopped, startling him to stumble. Arms akimbo, Kisara turned around.
"You great big fool! That's not the issue. A girl like Her Highness Seitenshi absolutely cannot sleep under the same roof with a boy."
Rentaro looked up at the sky, tormented by this dilemma.
His answer to Seitenshi's job was a state of pending. When discussing about letting Seitenshi live there for now, Kisara vehemently opposed.
Since they had to ensure Seitenshi's safety and not let the people of the Sacred Residence know, Rentaro's home was the only option, but for some reason, Kisara still could not accept it at all. Since a while ago, she had been firmly insisting "Absolutely not!"
Rentaro could not help but sigh.
"Am I that unworthy of trust?"
"How could I possibly trust you?"
Kisara looked down, sulking, murmuring softly "because you made a move on me too", her cheeks blushing red.
Rentaro instantly felt his entire body breaking out in sweat while the temperature of his face grew hot.
"No, that's because, uh, in other words..."
Just as he was trying hard to squeeze out an excuse from the chaos in his mind, Rentaro's consciousness was suddenly pulled to the incident which had happened a month earlier.
With the Kihachi Suibara Murder Case as a trigger, the framed Rentaro had investigated and exposed the Black Swan Project, thereby foiling Atsurou Hitsuma's conspiracy.
After the incident was settled, in a certain environment, he had kissed Kisara. But after that, Kisara had—
"Umm... Miss Kisara, back then, why did you—"
"—Oh! Right, I remember now."
Kisara suddenly struck her fists together and looked up with an anxious look.
"I still need to purchase discount products from the supermarket today. Tina must be hungry. It's fine for you to see me off until here, Satomi. Good bye."
"Ah, hey—"
As soon as she finished, Kisara dashed off, her figure gradually diminishing in size before Rentaro's eyes.
After she departed like a storm, Rentaro was left all alone on the spot.
He looked around to see that they had reached the front of Magata Park. The leisure facilities were shrouded in darkness. The illuminated clock was currently displaying half past midnight. There were no supermarkets still open for business at this hour, at least to Rentaro's knowledge.
"What the heck... is up with her?"
"I'm home."
With complicated troubles on his mind, Rentaro took off his shoes gruffly at the entrance, only to discover a rare scene with Enju and Seitenshi sitting side by side ahead of him.
Seitenshi was sitting formally in seiza while trying h
er best to look ladylike, Enju was imitating the former, barely keeping her back straight while gluing her eyes to the television in the living room.
It looked like a live broadcast. Backlit, the Sacred Residence was surrounded by noisy crowds. Standing in the center, the news reporter was clutching the mic hard with both hands. After glaring hard, he reported solemnly:
'Another night has passed since the emergency press conference at the Sacred Residence. The Zodiac Gastrea, Libra, remains unmoving at that Nasu mine.'
The scene suddenly changed to what was probably a pre-recorded video taken from the air.
"Libra..."
Its long and narrow body was coiled in a spiral, its ferocious reptilian appearance like a dragon or a snake. Although the virus sacs were not visible in the video, they were surely increasing in size every second, waiting to be released.
'In response to the Sendai Area locking down our embassy, the Tokyo Area has taken retaliatory measures. Currently the atmosphere between the two Areas is very tense. Prime Minister Inou still insists strongly that the Seitenshi administration is the mastermind behind the summoning of Libra and is sending spy planes over the Libra and the Tokyo Area as part of containment. The Sacred Residence has not responded on this point, but under Her Highness Seitenshi's orders, surely they must be negotiating under the table with full effort.'
Seitenshi showed a complicated expression on her face.
"Wouldn't it be better if you went back?"
"Mr. Satomi..."
She probably noticed Rentaro only now. Turning her beautiful but melancholic face towards him, she then shook her head.
"I shall not return."
Unable to bear it, Enju jumped up.
"Rentaro, the television is filled with emergency news broadcasts, boring me to death. Tenchuu Girls got suspended because of special reports."
"Well, the magical girls of justice need to rest occasionally too."
Go take a bath—Rentaro bade the grumbling Enju to take a change of underwear into the changing area, urging her to take a bath. Just as he breathed a sigh of relief that the unbearably noisy kid had finally disappeared, Enju suddenly poked her smiling face out to say "don't peek, okay—" then vanished quickly.