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Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 11 - Visitor Chapter (III) Page 9
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They might be aware of the siblings’ connection to the Yotsuba Family or were merely in the guessing phase, but it was also possible that this large force was deployed to ward against the Yotsuba Family intervening.
In the end, even with the support of the Saegusa Family, Tatsuya did not believe that this national intelligence group would dare incur the wrath of the Yotsuba Family directly.
So they don’t care about the Yotsuba Family…… Internal Affairs, Public Safety, and the Intelligence Department should have been aware of the incident that embroiled the siblings’ mother and aunt in their youth. Completely uncaring of the fact that they could be drawn into a rampage of revenge heedless of the target, it was utterly incredible that they could have forgotten such a harsh reminder in the last 20 to 30 years. Not to mention that the might of the Yotsuba Family – "might" that hinted at influence but was more along the lines of violence – was far greater now than it was in the past.
Tatsuya curtailed his train of thought there. New eyes were added to the mix that were observing him.
New, alien, eyes.
Those were the gazes that came from inhuman, monstrous eyes.
For professional intelligence officers, being ordered to observe three high school students and a single HAR model certainly deflated those receiving the orders, but they still went along with it believing that there was no other recourse.
With the experience underneath their belt, they also had a side where they were increasingly going easy on the target. There were a few among them who always gave it their all under any circumstance and never let down their guard while diligently handling their task, but despite the similarities between going easy and sloth, they were fundamentally different.
While going easy bears a somewhat negative impression, this was also a matter of pacing oneself. There was no need to invest all 100% when a mere 50% could get the job done.
Compared to the usual 100%, this mission’s difficulty only required 50% of their power to accomplish, so they only used 50%. Though they might be a little slow off the draw in the beginning, in the end, they still managed to accomplish more things. "Habit" was also an ability.
However, it was also true that there were advantages as well as disadvantages.
For the elite intelligence agents masquerading as police officers, shadowing and observation were their most common tasks. They relied on their bountiful experience to selectively focus their attention, hereby creating an opening.
The mission they received was to immediately fake an arrest when the observation target used magic and thus subdue and abduct them.
For this, they were issued measuring devices to detect magic.
However, the change on the device only occurred directly after a cry of alarm put everyone on guard.
—The men’s vision was assailed by a tide of flashing lights.
A thoroughly unexpected pre-emptive strike.
A hostile act utterly without precursor.
Their will to retaliate was submerged beneath the roiling waves of those flashing lights.
"Tatsuya-kun, I have caused the people observing us to fall asleep."
"Good work."
Seeing an elated Honoka report her accomplishment, even Tatsuya found it hard to prevent his face from becoming overly stiff.
The alien gazes were drawing closer. Inhuman…… No doubt about it, it was the Parasite. With them as opponents, human observers were too great a hassle.
Using magic at will on the open streets was illegal in the first place. Anyone who eyed someone else with such dogged persistence could not possibly be the average civilian or real public servants, which only compounded the difficulty because their usage of magic was not authorized. The reason why Tatsuya communicated the location of the observers to his companions was to warn them against using magic haphazardly prior to shaking off their pursuers.
In truth, Tatsuya was going to say it aloud.
Compared to that, however, Honoka’s actions outstripped him in speed.
"Even if we’re about to get caught, I’m sure Honoka would do something, right?"
Honoka had made a rather broad interpretation to Tatsuya’s phrase. In reality, her heart fairly sang that "This is the first time Tatsuya is asking my assistance!"
Since there was always a side of her that tended to daydream, neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki objected to this, but it was even greater today than usual.
As a Magician, Light-based magic was Honoka’s specialty. She was particularly adept at manipulating light.
After inquiring the observers’ location from Tatsuya, she used the magnification of light refraction to verify this before suddenly unleashing a brilliant flare of light before her opponents’ eyes.
Brainwashing magic, the light of "Evil Eye".
When Tatsuya noticed this, he was seriously getting worried.
Since he had hinted for her to simply "let them sleep", Tatsuya had allowed her to activate her magic, though to be brutally honest, he wasn’t confident that this was the right decision. Magic that contained hypnotic effects was judged to be the same level as magic that brought direct harm to the physical body and was considered to be an innately vicious magic.
If they had been caught by real policemen, then they wouldn’t just be let off with a warning. Adolescence would not spare them from real punishment – something along the lines of "using magic for community service".
The magic she used was the same as the leader from the "Blanche" terrorists, but both her speed and accuracy far surpassed him though she had executed it against 4 different people.
Being capable of using "Evil Eye" was something praiseworthy, but Tatsuya immediately felt that they needed to relocate quickly.
"Let’s get out of here before their companions arrive."
As expected, bringing Honoka along was a complete disaster…… Finally realizing this, Tatsuya quietly informed his other companion.
◊ ◊ ◊
"What a troublesome young lady……"
As she watched the monitor for the observation system along the streets – primarily composed of street cameras, there were also devices to detect poisonous gases, illegal high efficiency electric waves and the psion detectors for unauthorized usage of magic, Fujibayashi couldn’t help but sigh.
"That’s still a wonderful technique. If I recall correctly, she is called 'Mitsui Honoka', correct?"
The voice that came from behind her spoke solely on the meritorious value of a Magician.
In regards to her grandfather’s words that bore no ulterior meaning, Fujibayashi sighed again.
"That’s true, Sofu-sama. She is a Year 1 student from First High, Mitsui Honoka."
"Could the 'Mitsui' who excel in that system of magic belong to the bloodline that carries the Element of Light?"
"That remains unknown. Should I investigate?"
"Oh hardly, there’s no need to investigate specifically for that reason."
When asked by his granddaughter, Elder Kudou chuckled happily and shook his head.
"Speaking of which…… Though the outstanding individuals have been called outstanding and the unique have been labeled unique, he certainly has a group of fascinating people gathered around him."
"Not just on abilities alone. There are quite a few children with interesting personalities as well."
Casually throwing out those insulting words, Fujibayashi slipped on a pair of thin gloves for calculation purposes before her fingers came into contact with the touchscreen and danced over the controls.
The observation system was stubborn in both software and hardware, but in comparison, operation was a piece of cake. Unrestricted recordings could easily be taken advantage of by malicious individuals or those lurking in the depths of the government. Once restricted to being operated by hand, such a ponderous observation system would be too difficult to manipulate.
Including this vampire incident, in order to be above blame for any use of magic, a few actions were required t
o ensure that select portions of the data were not left for the Saegusa and Chiba Families.
Mayumi was responsible for the leading information control, but with the exams coming up, her task was delegated to Fujibayashi.
However, Fujibayashi’s approach was to exclude all others and operate the controls herself. Unlike Mayumi, Fujibayashi was also working to hide the fact that the daughter of the Saegusa Family’s head was being used as a cat’s paw, since she knew that the head was secretly observing all of this behind his daughter’s back. Knowing the reason for it, there was no way she could leave this task to others.
Since she was not operating as a hacker and as a legitimate operator of the system, this was easier on her than usual, but at the same time she felt a little out of whack behind the controls.
Still, there was nothing she could do about that.
Since she was figuratively being relied upon and realistically doing her duty, she could go about it as she pleased like she typically would.
Not to mention the fact that her grandfather was right behind her.
Both she and the one who sent her (in other words, the one who planned for her substitution) were not expecting Elder Kudou to be observing here.
As to why he was here, Fujibayashi wasn’t going to ask that.
Though he was her grandfather, they were not that close. As a member from the Fujibayashi Family, she had taken heed not to express any close relationship with the elder of the Kudou Family.
In addition, if sparks did fly between the Saegusa and Yotsuba Families, it would be unsurprising for Kudou Retsu to act and put out the flames.
Fujibayashi Kyouko’s grandfather was one of the few privy to Shiba Tatsuya’s real identity.
"Should I say birds of a feather flock together…… Or maybe cut from the same cloth. Regardless, he is definitely a star who is a far cry from being normal."
"Indeed. Looks like the manipulated might actually turn out to be the manipulator."
Fujibayashi joined in as she continued to watch the monitor.
If she turned to see her grandfather’s face, then she might have noticed the deeper meaning behind his words.
However, she failed to do so.
Birds of a feather. Centered round the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion headed by Kazama, she was also included among that number. Nevertheless, whether fortunate or unfortunate, her grandfather’s message was not passed along to the granddaughter.
◊ ◊ ◊
Just as they expected, they could not enter Aoyama Cemetery.
Still, there was no need to do so.
Along the high wall built after the war (a tactic employed against disrespectful people snapping pictures of the dead), the three fashionable(?) youngsters and one machine were taking a walk at night when they detected auras approaching from the front and back.
((Master, three "Parasites" are coming.))
Tatsuya stopped upon hearing Pixie’s telepathy.
The reason why they used telepathy instead of the body’s speakers was to draw in the Parasites.
He had also ordered Pixie to telepathically communicate with Miyuki and Honoka.
At pretty much the same time Tatsuya halted, the two girls also came to a stop and drew near Tatsuya’s sides.
Though the two of them were unafraid, their faces betrayed their unease.
Tatsuya himself was not immune to anxiety, so he was not displeased with their attitude.
As prearranged, Tatsuya pressed the button on his terminal that activated the beacon. Through the GPS, he located his position and passed it along to Erika and Mikihiko. Immediately, they would hasten towards there with the members of the Chiba Family in tow. Once they had prepared their ambush as planned, they would start capturing the Parasites.
Still, based on their opponents’ situation, Tatsuya was figuring on waiting for reinforcements.
Tatsuya pulled his favored silver machine from a pocket on the left side. His right hand carried the pistol-shaped Specialized CAD "Trident" as he naturally allowed his hands to drift downwards, waiting for humans possessed by demons to approach.
As if protecting Tatsuya’s back, Miyuki stood there with her back to him and a terminal-shaped CAD in her hand. Pressing her right hand to the bracelet-shaped CAD worn on her left hand, Honoka stood at Tatsuya’s side as she altered between looking forward and back.
Seeing these trustworthy silhouettes around him, Tatsuya unconsciously smiled.
In a thoroughly unexpected area, his anxiety eased.
The source of his anxiety was that he was worried about putting these two girls in danger.
Once he realized that there was nothing to worry about for these two, his anxiety dissipated.
Settling himself, he directed his gaze toward the area illuminated by the street lights.
Three figures walked towards them. Their footsteps were free of hesitation. Just as Pixie had said, the Parasites appeared to have found Pixie’s location.
Neither side fired the first shot as both sides shrank the distance between them even further.
When they came within range of identifying their clothing, two of the Parasites came to a halt.
The last remaining one continued to plod forward towards Tatsuya.
As their features became less murky, the sense of awkwardness grew steadily.
The source of this awkwardness was swiftly unraveled.
That was because the information presented by the eyes was different from the information relayed by the skin.
He wore a plain windbreaker coat and striped pants. The coat was unable to hide the physique and the face was not covered. Eyes, mouth, ears, hands, and feet all did not exceed normal parameters. Despite being plainly human in appearance, there was no aura of humanity. So this was what a demonic aura truly was.
As Tatsuya carefully scrutinized the target, the gap between him and Parasite continued to close, until they were close enough to hear each other’s voice and see each other’s expression.
"Shiba Tatsuya, we need to speak with you."
Since Tatsuya was not planning on speaking, it was within his scenario for the other side to initiate communications. This was a stable situation for a conversation (wording was another problem altogether), so everything was still within expected boundaries.
Still, the other side calling out his name came as somewhat of a shock.
"What should I refer to you as?"
In reply, this was how Tatsuya responded.
No words came from the open mouth belonging to the man possessed by the Parasite. This sort of blank staring was actually quite human-like, Tatsuya thought. The personality may have been taken over, but the emotional base remained unaltered.
Maybe, using the term taken over may be erroneous. Based on the information he got from Pixie, Parasites only carried the original consciousness. Put another way, this was as far as their emotions could develop. It was possible that the Parasite’s sense of self had not taken over the human host, but had merged with the human to create a new personality. Tatsuya renewed his own understanding.
"Marte."
In regards to the contemplative Tatsuya, the Parasite gave this concise answer. In regards to how to refer to him, he had replied to this question with his own name. Tatsuya knew enough to know that this was either the Spanish or Italian word for "Mars".
That made sense. Though they had a fluent grasp of Japanese that might be misleading, closer inspection revealed that their facial structure was that of Caucasians. Having never lived out of the country, Tatsuya only had a theoretical grasp, but the man before his eyes appeared to carry distinctive features found on Latinos in America. His name was a call sign, no, there was an 80% or 90% chance that was a call sign, so referring to oneself as Marte wasn’t surprising.
However, Tatsuya was unaware that there were Planet and Satellite Classes within the organization called Stars. He assumed that the title of Stars was the literal definition of a "fixed star". Thus, he only understood
that "Mars" referred to the Planet-Class Magician "Marte" within Stars, and not the host’s jealousy, obsession, and envy that came within someone from the Planet-Class who trained to be a substitute but still failed to be one of the Stars.
"So, Mr. Marte, or should I refer to you as Señor Marte? What do you need to talk about?"
There was no deeper meaning behind that question. For Tatsuya, "Marte" was nothing but a simple label.
Which was why when he found his opponent being enraged by these mere words, he only thought this was because the man had been cut off.
"That’s Mister, Boy."
After being referred to as "Boy" by the Parasite named Marte, Tatsuya felt that the man’s attempt to ridicule him was a clear sign he was losing his composure.
"Well, what is it?"
In order to continue biding time, Tatsuya didn’t care that he had to continue this provocation, but since his comrades were getting fidgety, he elected to push the conversation forward.
"……Shiba Tatsuya. We bear no ill will towards you all."
For "Mr. Marte", it appeared that calling him by his full name was more appropriate than referring to him as "Boy".
Still, that detail was unimportant to Tatsuya (he never anticipated any overtures toward politeness).
"That’s a little too vague for me to understand. Who is this we you speak of? Who are you referring to and what do you mean by ill will?"
Compared to that, what the other side was trying to convey was far more critical.
"—From this point forward, we Demons do not plan on any hostile action towards you Japanese Magicians."
(So they call themselves demons......)
Not devil, ghost, or specter, but demon. This was how they saw their own existence. Since he never heard that term from Pixie, they must have discussed beforehand to decide on a term that humans could refer to them with.
Tatsuya wanted to break into a wry chuckle because he knew that there were people who referred to his Decomposition Magic as "Demon Right". The primary reason for that was because he usually activated his Decomposition Magic at whatever his right arm pointed to, but he was not endeared to the Parasites because of this.