To add to that, Japan's influence—having acquired three Strategic-Class Magicians following "Scorched Halloween"—loomed large. Due to the internal dispute within Germany's Rosen Magicraft last year, economic exchanges between Germany and Japan had temporarily ground to a halt. Although economic ties were eventually resumed, there was no changing the fact that Japan was now keeping a watchful, critical eye on them.
"You certainly don't mince words."
"Yet, isn't it you—someone who envisioned the peaceful use of magic—who is facing reality most directly?"
Indeed, within Germany, a political party espousing a offshoot of racial ideology—demanding the strict limitation of magicians' rights—was gaining massive support among the youth. Watching young people abandon logical thought to indulge in demagoguery pained Schmidt deeply; as a fellow German, it was a sight she could hardly bear.
Ignoring her distress, MacLeod pushed on seamlessly.
"Even within our military, influence is rising under the belief that 'magic is national power'... but fortunately, Great Britain clamped down on anti-magic sentiment from an early stage."
"Isn't that merely isolating anti-magic factions? I hear it hasn't reached the point of containment seen in Japan."
"Indeed. And that is precisely why that nation is so frightening."
"...Professor. Surely you aren't thinking of undermining Japan, are you?"
From MacLeod's murmur that Japan was "feline and terrifying," Schmidt felt a bad premonition creep over her.
Schmidt had already learned through government intelligence about the attempted terrorist attack off the coast of Kumejima's artificial island in Japan. Learning that Hans Ernst had been involved in resolving it, she couldn't help but feel a wave of sympathy for his endless troubles.
The perpetrators of that incident were deserters from the Great Asian Alliance's Hong Kong Forces and magicians from the Australian military... both of whom were operatives that Britain could very easily have manipulated from behind the scenes.
In the report shared via France (sent to former EU nations as a gesture of goodwill) who had attendees at the party, it was noted that traces of the Strategic-Class Magic Ozone Circle used by an Australian military magician were found.
There was no country other than Britain that shared such deep, historical ties with Australia. This meant that Strategic-Class Magic, which was originally supposed to be shared exclusively among former EU nations, had trickled outside of Europe—even if it was to a Commonwealth nation.
The British government officially claimed they were "investigating to determine the cause," but Schmidt suspected William MacLeod was directly pulling the strings behind this incident. Receiving an invitation from such a man made it painfully obvious that there was an ulterior motive.
"...I appreciate your offer, but as I am now, I simply cannot leave this country."
"I see. However, if it ever becomes difficult for you to live as a researcher, please reach out to me anytime. When that day comes, I shall plead your case directly to Her Majesty the Queen."
"I shall keep your kind thoughts in mind."
With that, Schmidt cut the transmission before MacLeod could reply.
If I ever truly had to defect... I would choose anywhere other than Britain, Schmidt thought to herself. She glanced at the monitor displaying the outside of the building, where the students had finally begun brawling physically.
New Soviet Union Black Sea Base. April 4, 11:00 AM / Japan Time: April 4, 5:00 PM.
Major General Leonid Kontratchenko was receiving a special guest from Moscow.
"Your Excellency, it has been a long time."
"Indeed it has. Dr. Bezobrazov, welcome to the base. I was relieved to hear that the recent annihilation operation was a success."
"You flatter me. The primary reason for victory was Your Excellency mobilizing the forces here to successfully encircle the rebels."
The man visiting Kontratchenko was Igor Andreivich Bezobrazov. Despite being only in his nineties, he was recognized as the foremost authority on magic research at the New Soviet Academy of Sciences and stood as one of the state-sanctioned Strategic-Class Magicians among the "Thirteen Apostles." Though his official position was merely that of a scientist, his practical influence was said to surpass even that of the Minister of Defense.
In terms of special status, Kontratchenko was much the same. He too was listed among the Thirteen Apostles, granted the authority to freely utilize personnel and material at the Black Sea Base, though he was not the base commander. Of course, the actual commander of the Black Sea Base was a Major General equal in rank to Kontratchenko, but Kontratchenko was under no obligation to obey him. On paper, Kontratchenko was a Strategic-Class Magician reporting directly to the Minister of Defense, but in reality, only the Premier could issue him orders. (The New Soviet Union did not adopt a presidential system like the former Russia; the head of government was the Premier of the Federal Government, occasionally using the title "General Secretary" as a remnant of the old USSR.)
Kontratchenko invited Bezobrazov into his private quarters at the base. Judging solely by the layout and lavish furnishings, the room rivaled a suite in a top-tier international hotel, and the service provided by the orderlies surpassed even the luxury of the room itself. If Kontratchenko had any complaint, it was the distinct lack of feminine charm. Having attractive male orderlies assigned to him brought no joy to a man who wasn't turned that way.
Besides, his granddaughter, who could have brought brightness to his life, had left the country after losing her parents. Yet, knowing her companion was that "Young Demon King Rudel," Kontratchenko felt a firm conviction that he would never treat her poorly.
"Doctor, I recall you do not drink alcohol, correct?"
"Forgive my lack of manners."
"No, do not mind it at all. My own tolerance for alcohol has weakened terribly of late, so I was just thinking tea would suit us best."
Seeing Bezobrazov's apologetic expression, Kontratchenko chuckled and snapped his fingers twice. An orderly promptly arrived carrying a small samovar (a tea urn), along with two teacups and two small dishes of varenye (fruit preserves). The orderly picked up the teapot resting atop the samovar and poured the tea into the cups. Serving the tea and varenye before both men, he placed the samovar between them, waited for a nod from his master, and exited the room.
Without tasting it first, Kontratchenko topped off his teacup with hot water, popped some varenye into his mouth, and took a sip of tea. Bezobrazov, on the other hand, tested the flavor of both the tea and the preserve before adding hot water to his cup.
After confirming the taste of the served tea, the two faced each other.
"Now then, for the Doctor to visit while the rebel forces cannot yet be said to be completely eradicated... this must be regarding yesterday's riot, yes?"
"Precisely."
The catalyst for Bezobrazov's visit was the riot that had occurred at the Black Sea Base the previous day.
Although the riot within the base was swiftly suppressed, the government hastily dispatched Bezobrazov to the Black Sea Base as an official inspector to verify whether magic had actually been involved.
"What has the Kremlin told you?"
"They asked me to inquire with Your Excellency regarding the details of this incident. Naturally, I hold no doubts whatsoever regarding your report."
"Phrased that way, it almost sounds as though I aided and abetted the riot myself."
"I would never doubt Your Excellency's loyalty. However, please be aware that there are more than a few rumors circulating to that effect."
From Bezobrazov's demeanor, Kontratchenko understood that the man himself did not suspect him. However, if there were those in government who held such doubts, Kontratchenko deduced there must be voices questioning whether there was magical interference during the Black Sea Base riot.
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