After parting with Ceria, Yugen returned to the Mitsuya residence without incident.
All seemed well until he reached his room, where Miyuki waited with a knowing smile. Her expression suggested she'd pieced something together.
"Welcome back, Yugen-san," she said.
"Thanks. I'm changing—mind waiting a bit?" Yugen replied.
Despite their engagement and deeper bond, Yugen had stressed maintaining decorum. Miyuki understood, nodding quietly in agreement.
After quickly changing, stowing his battle gear with magic, and tidying it into the closet, Yugen called out. Miyuki entered, her first words cutting to the chase.
"So, Yugen-san, were you having a rendezvous with Ceria-san?" she asked.
"No such thing, not even a speck," Yugen said.
Even with their past-life connection, Ceria was a USNA military mage. Miyuki surely knew Yugen couldn't casually get involved with a foreign operative. Her teasing likely stemmed from the Valentine's Eve incident.
Hearing his denial, Miyuki let out a soft chuckle. "Just kidding. I understand Ceria's in a tough position."
She shifted topics. "By the way, I got a message from home…"
Despite Ceria's playful remark about joining Yugen's household, Miyuki relayed a coded email from the Yotsuba—likely from the current head, Maya.
"They intercepted a USNA small vessel on the high seas, disabling it," she said. "Apparently, Colonel Virginia Balance was aboard. They've contacted the National Defense Navy via the Mitsuya family for follow-up."
The timing suggested the Kagurazaka or Ueyama families had enlisted Yotsuba's covert aid. The email to Miyuki, rather than Tatsuya, was likely to avoid involving her unnecessarily, sent discreetly out of consideration. Since Yugen had already secured Ueyama cooperation for Ceria's matter, he had no complaints. The Yotsuba's covert unit—nay, the "Kuroba"—proved exceptionally capable.
"Does Tatsuya know?" Yugen asked.
"No, Onii-sama said he had research and went to his room," Miyuki replied. "Do you know something, Yugen-san?"
"Elemental Sight" enabled efficient protection, but Tatsuya offloading this to Yugen suggested trust—or perhaps convenience. Yugen suspected Tatsuya's "research" concerned FAE theory in "Brionac." Magical technology would pique even Taurus Silver's interest.
"I can guess," Yugen said. "His duel with Lina probably sparked something. What do you think, Miyuki?"
"Perhaps Lina's presence softens Onii-sama," she said. "Honoka's influence might play a part too."
Their casual chat belied the looming USNA cleanup and Parasite threat. With Parasites likely gaining new hosts in days, their response would shape future moves.
"The USNA mess is in cleanup mode, but we need to neutralize immediate threats," Yugen said.
"Parasites, right?" Miyuki asked.
"Pixie's fine at school—Tatsuya agreed. But for the other Parasites…"
Rumors had likely reached the Ten Master Clans. The Yotsuba would manage, but the Nanakusa and Kudou families were trickier. The Nanakusa had rejected a request to share Defense Force intelligence, though it was non-binding, with no penalties. Still, Yugen, as a "Guardian," would never allow Parasites to be weaponized—a duty to purge malevolent forces.
As they spoke, Yugen's terminal pinged with a coded email. Connecting a decryption device, he opened it—sent by Chikihime. Miyuki hesitated, but as a Kagurazaka affiliate, Yugen permitted her to view it.
"Yugen-san, this is…" Miyuki began.
"They're making their move," Yugen said.
The message revealed that Raymond Clark, a "Seven Sages" operator of "Frizskalv," had sent two video messages to the Shiba residence's terminal (monitored by "Kuzuryu" during their absence). One named Yugen, the other Tatsuya. The attached video, untampered, showed a blond, blue-eyed, Anglo-Saxon boy's bust.
"Hello. I'm speaking assuming you're watching, Yugen Kagurazaka," Raymond began.
His Japanese carried a native accent, but Yugen brushed it aside.
"I'm Raymond Sage Clark, one of the Seven Sages. But as 'Titania, the Annihilator,' you likely know my identity. Tia—Shizuku—mentioned you briefly."
As a Kami Council member, Shizuku wouldn't leak excessively. Raymond's assumption of Yugen's knowledge likely came from "Frizskalv" tracing Defense Force activity. Yugen noted to check data logs later.
"I wanted to deliver this directly, but 'Frizskalv' couldn't pinpoint you. I figured sending it to your host's home would do."
Yugen grimaced at being untraceable even by a top-tier system, earning a wry smile from Miyuki. Raymond's explanation of "Echelon" and "Frizskalv" felt like a recap to Yugen, familiar with the original story, though he kept his expression neutral.
"You know Gu Jie, or Jid Sage Hague," Raymond continued. "He sent Parasites to Japan to rebuild bases lost to 'Blanche' and 'Headless Dragon.'"
Gu Jie was a nemesis to the Ueyama and Yotsuba, now involving the Mitsuya and Kagurazaka. Zhou Gongjin, under Gu Jie's orders, was sheltering Parasites. Blanche's school attack and Headless Dragon's indirect assault on First High students, orchestrated by Gu Jie, were unforgivable.
"I can't overlook his actions," Raymond said. "So, I'll feed info to Parasites gaining new hosts soon: 'What you seek is at First High.'"
Raymond proposed—likely already executed—luring Parasites to Pixie, possibly informing other hunters too. Yugen's expression darkened.
"I know I'll catch flak, but neither of us wants this to drag on," Raymond said. "You'd want a quick resolution."
His actions bordered on thrill-seeking showmanship, yet offered a breakthrough if leveraged. Yugen vowed to repay this manipulation.
"On February 19th night, at First High's outdoor training ground, all active Parasites will converge. You and your allies must annihilate them. I'm counting on you, Yugen Kagurazaka—'Executioner.'"
Yugen inwardly scoffed at the casual directive. Fortunately, he'd devised Parasite countermeasures, and the timeline was a boon. But if Raymond got smug, Yugen would set him straight. The final moniker grated most.
"Remember this, Raymond Clark," Yugen muttered. "Next time, no mercy."
Thankfully, or not, Miyuki didn't hear.
In Washington, D.C., a visitor arrived unannounced at the Oval Office. Even heroes with monumental contributions typically followed protocol, but this figure transcended such norms—a Japanese-born mage, now a permanent USNA resident.
The President, eyes wide, greeted him. "I'd have come to you if you'd called."
"You shouldn't leave the capital lightly," the visitor replied. "Anti-magic movements are still rampant."
Ken Kudou, Retsu's brother and former Defense Force mage, lived quietly at the Rockies' base. His youthful appearance belied his age, and his reclusive life relied on letters for contact. His rare visit intrigued the President, who signaled a secretary for tea and joined Ken on the sofas.
"My reason's obvious—the 'vampire' Parasite issue," Ken said. "Lina and Ceria are involved, but without a countermeasure, it's futile."
Ken, once a Kudou, understood Parasite nature. Prolonged chaos made most modern magic ineffective, save for rare exceptions.
"Even with 'Brionac' or 'Levatein'?" the President asked.
"Those control strategic-class magic, not spiritual entities like Parasites," Ken said. "Stars and the Pentagon's negligence stems from viewing Japan as a potential enemy."
Silence could thwart foes, but withholding intel due to rivalry drew Ken's scorn. His private network confirmed all USNA Parasites had migrated to Japan. While worried for his granddaughters, Ken couldn't ignore his homeland, despite past grievances.
"Why no letter sooner?" the President asked.
"A childhood friend from that country wrote recently, detailing this incident—Chikihime Kagurazaka. You know her, don't you?"
Chikihime, 107th Kagurazaka head and a "Guardian," matched Gozo Ueyama's prowess during the Global War. She'd stepped back 30 years ago, but the President knew her. Her letter, and Yugen's involvement, likely spurred Ken's visit.
"I considered staying out, but Chikihime's adopted son fighting my granddaughter changes things," Ken said. "As a grandfather, how will you settle this?"
"And you, Ken?" the President countered.
The USNA's pride as a magical superpower and desire for hegemony had led to targeting Japan's new strategic-class mages. Resigning would be "fleeing," inviting Ken's rebuke. It risked anti-magic factions spreading naturalism, undermining research and global dominance—a future to avoid.
The President, as a grandfather, sought Ken's perspective.
"That country maintains sovereignty despite neighbors like the Great Asian Alliance and New Soviet Union," Ken said. "Punish those who overreacted to strategic magic. I have unfinished 'homework' there."
He clarified it was personal, then continued.
"Lina and Ceria's defeat—'Sirius' and 'Polaris'—was shocking, but Japan produced someone surpassing them. Releasing Lina now is too risky, but Ceria, uncontrollable even by Stars, could be let go with Japan's consent."
Ken had taught Ceria to control her extraordinary power, but it amplified her abilities, making her a nuclear-level liability. He'd trained to counter Lina and Ceria's potential rampages, but while he could handle Lina, Ceria had outgrown even his prime.
Chikihime's claim that her adopted son defeated Ceria was credible. Ken trusted her judgment.
"You'd send Ceria to her?" the President asked.
"Lina's role as Stars' leader draws resentment, and Ceria's special treatment adds fuel," Ken said. "This is your moment to decide. One misstep, and Gozo and Chikihime will storm the USNA."
Ken's "General Kudou" reputation gave him Pentagon and military allies, revealing internal Stars tensions. Releasing "Sirius" would cripple strategic forces, but "Polaris," outside the hierarchy, was a lesser loss. Losing Ceria's prowess was significant, but her uncontrollability risked greater harm.
"You're okay with this? You doted on Ceria," the President said.
"She wrote me," Ken said. "Once her mission ends, she wants to leave Stars."
Her letter declared she'd marry Yugen Kagurazaka and not return. Ken's instinct was to drag her back, but her wishes aligned with his plan. He'd wept reading it, a private moment.
"It's unlikely to be approved, but given the situation, I'll push for Ceria's discharge and citizenship change," the President said. "I'll convince her parents."
Ken had opposed Lina and Ceria's Stars enlistment, agreeing only if they could leave with his or their parents' consent—a penalty for robbing their youth.
"Losing Ceria's support role is an issue," the President said. "Sylvia Mercury, her current aide, could be promoted to support Lina."
"Reasonable," Ken agreed.
Unbeknownst to Sylvia, her burdens would soon multiply.
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