"In short, you suspect that, at worst, 'Dracula' was involved?"
"Your insight is spot-on, as always."
The "Dracula" Kontratchenko referred to was the code name of a Romanian magician specializing in assassination and sabotage. Being a professional in illegal covert ops, even their real name was unknown. Rumors suggested they might be a hidden Strategic-Class Magician, but the truth remained entirely unverified.
"Actually, I initially strongly suspected their involvement as well, which is why I thoroughly examined all soldiers involved in the riot for traces of mental-interference magic. I personally interrogated the ringleaders, so rest assured."
"Is that so? It was a failure on my part to cause Your Excellency unnecessary concern."
"Think nothing of it, Doctor. You too are merely a victim being dragged around by the Kremlin... I must ask that you keep this matter confidential."
"Of course."
Both Kontratchenko and Bezobrazov shared mischievous smiles, and the tense atmosphere instantly melted into a warm, harmonious one.
"Still, Your Excellency... if yesterday's riot was not the work of foreign powers or anti-government sabotage, doesn't that give rise to another concern?"
"You mean the growing rift between magicians and non-magicians spreading among the troops?"
In Japan and the USNA, anti-magic sentiment was fueled by frustration and resentment over social inequality. In the New Soviet Union, however, social inequality did not exist (or rather, "was officially considered not to exist"). Non-magician soldiers were terrified that the military's future stars would consist entirely of magicians, leaving no place for ordinary men. The two men deduced that this fear was what triggered the riot.
"Our military cannot be composed entirely of magicians. We can form specialized magic units, but relying on them to supply all front-line forces is practically impossible."
"Even if we were to make the soldiers understand that, they need actual battlefield experience. That said, we can hardly throw our troops into sweeping up anti-government rebels for that purpose."
Mobilizing troops under the guise of pursuing anti-government forces was possible, but allocating personnel to places where they would likely become suicidal casualties was unacceptable. Hearing Kontratchenko's concern, Bezobrazov nodded.
"As Your Excellency knows best, we cannot move troops on the European front—especially if we want to keep anti-government factions suppressed there."
"Which leaves us with... the Far East?"
"Indeed."
Bezobrazov nodded without hesitation at Kontratchenko's deduction.
"Just the other day, an officer from the Great Asian Alliance's Hong Kong forces reportedly deserted along with a mass group of his subordinates."
"That is news to me."
"I only learned of it two days ago myself. As for the operation, the Great Asian Alliance military joined forces with the Japanese military to capture these deserters."
Bezobrazov's point was clear: Japan and the Great Asian Alliance had been freed from years of tension following their peace treaty. If long-standing enemies could hold hands to accomplish a goal, Bezobrazov believed there was an opening to exploit.
Kontratchenko also agreed that capitalizing on this situation could relieve the soldiers' pent-up frustration and dissatisfaction. However, there was one major underlying concern.
"Upon returning to Moscow, I shall propose this to the Kremlin immediately. If the operation is greenlit, I expect we may need to borrow some of your subordinates... Your Excellency? Is something the matter?"
"...No, it is nothing. Doctor, I leave that matter in your capable hands."
Kontratchenko, whose right knee was ruined to the point he could not stand without a cane, bowed while remaining seated. Bezobrazov, understanding his condition, returned the bow to the veteran general with a warm smile.
After Bezobrazov departed, Kontratchenko ordered his orderly to prepare more tea. Once the orderly disappeared into the back, he murmured softly to himself:
"...Dissatisfaction must be resolved. I understand that much."
As a man wielding authority over personnel and supplies, he understood it was a necessary step to forge the New Soviet army into a formidable force.
Yet, flashing across Kontratchenko's mind was a scene from roughly forty years ago—the sight of a New Soviet fleet intending to invade Hokkaido, only to be swallowed in an instant by a storm of azure lightning.
Around thirty years old at the time, Kontratchenko had witnessed enemy battleships sunk helplessly by raging waves, a torrential rain of thunder... and a single magician commanding it all. The battleship he was aboard happened to be the flagship, which spared it from being sunk immediately.
And then, he met that man face to face—Gozo Kamiizumi. To Kontratchenko, who stood frozen in terror, Gozo hadn't even spared him a glance as he brushed past and walked toward the bridge.
After the storm cleared and Kontratchenko regained the ability to move, he was horrified to discover that everyone on the bridge had vanished without a trace. Leaving only the absolute bare minimum crew required to steer the ship, Gozo had obliterated every high-ranking military officer aboard.
That same man had later almost single-handedly annihilated the Great Han military during the Yotsuba's revenge operation, leading to the collapse and total erasure of the nation of Great Han the following year. When news of his exploits faded from the public eye, Kontratchenko assumed the threat of Gozo Kamiizumi had vanished with time.
However, during "Scorched Halloween" two years ago, the deployment of a Strategic-Class Magic that erased a secretly assembled New Soviet fleet and destroyed Vladivostok Naval Port had sent shockwaves throughout the New Soviet Union. What's more, Bezobrazov had been present at Vladivostok, and telemetry data monitoring the signatures of large-scale magic confirmed he had activated his Strategic-Class Magic, Tuman Bomba.
The details of the opponent who effortlessly overwhelmed even that magic remained unknown, but to Kontratchenko, it felt like nothing short of a nightmare—the second coming of Gozo Kamiizumi.
"An old man like me can do nothing about this... I can only pray that young fool does not let his hot blood drive him into rashness."
Kontratchenko did not know.
He did not know that four years ago, during the riots within the New Soviet Union, Gozo and his grandson had gone on a rampage.
Nor did he know the undeniable truth: the opponent who shattered Bezobrazov's Strategic-Class Magic was none other than Gozo Kamiizumi's grandson—Yugen.
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