Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

Volume 19, Chapter 13

Gu Jie was currently hiding in downtown Hiratsuka. In order to surround their target while avoiding detection, as well as to keep the local residents from becoming anxious. Katsuto, as the head of the Gu Jie capture party, limited the number of people in his party, as he secretly deployed them in order to advance.

However, the enemy could sense their movements. By ‘enemy’ this was not referring to Gu Jie, but rather, another force that was aiding his escape.

“Major, we’ve confirmed that the combined Magician and Police forces lead by Juumonji Katsuto has started sending personnel into Hiratsuka. It seems that the Japanese magicians have also pinpointed Heigu’s secret location.”

“So, they’re bringing the police in, as well. It appears that the Japanese side wants to apprehend Heigu.”

Benjamin Canopus was recognized as the No.2, after the General Officer and leader of ‘The Stars’ Angie Sirius. He is the UNSA’s Joint Chief of Staff with direct supervision over ‘The Stars’, and leads them as their commanding officer. He received the report from his men who were stationed in a mobile base disguised as a trailer, and returned from unanswerable soliloquy.

They were not First-Class Stars members. For this operation, aside from Canopus, there were no regular Stars members being commissioned. The terrorist escape assistance ── or more accurately, capture interference

──and assassination. Because of this operation’s extreme illegality, compared to last year's operation dealing with the disposal of the runaway soldiers, the importance to leave no evidence of their involvement was stressed.

At Zama, their location was next to the joint base and thus had convenient conditions to be able to use soldiers. Unfortunately that wouldn’t work in this case. This time, the men Canopus was leading were composed of soldiers with an East Asian appearance employed by the military intelligence department as a group for subversive actions.

They were of a disposition similar to that of Stardust. Like the Stardust that couldn’t become stars, all members were taking drugs that exchanged their life span for increased ability. They were disposable enhanced soldiers.

The percentage of those that were and were not magicians was 50:50. Among those that didn’t possess magical abilities were those who had received biochemical and mechanical strengthening measures. Their ability was not to the same degree as the fully mechanized cyborgs who appeared with special effects on entertainment channels, but their ability to slip in with the citizens and perform their subversive activities was not inferior to that of the magicians.

They are a tough group of combatants who feared no law and had no moral, yet Canopus managed to completely command them once he showed his power.

“In accordance with the simulation, obstruct the capture of Heigu.”

To the anticipating temporary forces, Canopus incisively passed these orders.

With technology that the Japanese side didn’t possess, Canopus’ forces had a continuous grasp on the whereabouts of Jiedo Heigu, or Gu Jie. As well as having full knowledge of the state of affairs in Gu Jie’s vicinity, they had thoroughly investigated and arranged an anticipated escape route. The fact that this was a foreign country was of no handicap to them. The advantages and disadvantages of home and away were rather instead reversed.

In accordance with Canopus’ orders, the group of illegal covert operatives immediately commenced their mobilization. Canopus himself was personally heading towards the destroyer waiting on standby in international waters.

◊ ◊ ◊

Since he had entered the country, Gu Jie had been mostly moving between his hiding locations by himself. He had relied on some old friends who had offered him refuge, but he had also procured guards and troops to be used for disturbances, on the fly.

If the amount of people he had a connection with increased, that alone would make it easier for intelligence on him to leak. So, Gu Jie kept the amount of people he had contact with to a minimum, and if he felt those companions were ever being traced, he’d immediately deal with them to evade the Japanese magician’s pursuit. To Gu Jie, a “blood companion” possessed that degree of reliability and merit.

However, it was finally the moment to escape from Japan, and Gu Jie could no longer make arrangements by himself.

First, for the means of departure, the freighter he used to smuggle himself into the country was going to remain as a decoy, until the very end. In actuality, the ship was under ownership of the remnants of No Head Dragon for the purpose of smuggling. However, that had been an unexpectedly rough passage.

Gu Jie had supported Richard Sun and created the organization No Head Dragon, but in the Summer of 2095, the organization was temporarily destroyed by a joint operation of the USNA and Japan. (On that occasion, the Great Asian Union tacitly consented to the actions of Japan and the USNA)

Afterwards, the remnants of the organization accepted the only daughter of Richard Sun who was commuting to a university in California as the head, and started rebuilding the organization. The problem was that daughter’s name was Sun Meilin. As a law in effect for the new organization, she forbade any hostility in Japan. She would overlook smuggling, but those that ignored her orders and engaged in illegal drug transactions or human trafficking would be given no mercy and subsequently be purged.

In the organization, it wasn’t like there were only a few members who held antipathy towards the weak stance they had in Japan, but for the young female head who wanted, in the short term, to remake the once already destroyed organization and produce reliable fruits of labor. For now most of the members were made to understand to wait and see, and so publicly pledged their allegiance. Gu Jie however, was found as considerably uncooperative.

“Lord Heigu, it’s Doe. Would it be fine if I entered?”

Under such circumstances, the mediator he had found last week was this person by the name of Doe. During the incident when the Japanese magicians had raided in Zama, Doe was the man who had operated the escape ambulance. In addition, Heigu was the codename used for Gu Jie by No Head Dragon, and he himself had ordered Doe to call him such.

“Enter.”

Gu Jie had no faith in Doe. In Zama he had run out of time, so he was forced to rely on him, but the timing of it was too good to be true. And besides, the name Joe Doe was a hoax. “Joe” was “John”, and was an abbreviation for “John Doe” used for unidentified bodies or suspects, and as someone who had lived in the USNA, Gu Jie naturally knew.

“Lord, the ship’s arrangements have been completed.”

“Is that so.”

However, despite his suspiciousness, he had no choice but to make use of this man. Gu Jie was emotionally cornered to that extent.

Early this morning, he had suddenly felt a mysterious glance aimed at him. Gu Jie had concluded that it was a Japanese practitioner's investigation magic meant to search for him. But what kind of magic or to what degree of accurate information it could get, Gu Jie didn’t know. However, he believed that he was certainly apprehended by a Japanese magician, and most likely by someone in the Ten Master Clans.

He couldn’t help but be impatient.

He was currently within the midst of the enemy territory. At this rate, his revenge would be killed off halfway.

Gu Jie was more or less taking a risk, but he took leaving Japan as quickly as possible as his priority.

“We’re departing immediately.”

“I’ll lead the way.”

He was already finished packing. Naturally, his luggage was not normal by any means; money and curse tools. He held the curse tools himself, and the paper and electronic currencies from various countries were kept inside of a satchel held by the former policeman as Gu Jie followed after Doe’s back.

◊ ◊ ◊

6:00 P.M. The cloudy winter sky was completely dark. In contrast, artificial light was flooding the street.

The proportion of those telecommuting at home was on the rise, and the term ‘commuter town’ was in the process of becoming a dead phrase. Simultaneously, compared to a century earlier, with the development of high speed traffic networks, metropolis business regions were rapidly expanding. For example, it’s become to the same degree as the feeling of ‘shopping a bit in front of the station’. Compared to the olden days, in the surrounding urban areas of the Metropolis business regions, night instead came much quicker.

But even so, at 6 P.M. it was still a time with many pedestrians. It was too early to commence a fight in the urban areas.

“Gu Jie has started to move. He has three fellow companions.”

In response to the report given by the Saegusa’s subordinate magician, the eldest son of the Saegusa Family Saegusa Tomokazu replied in agreement with one word, “Understood”.

This year, Tomokazu was a man turning 27 years old. From an outward appearance, Tomokazu took after his father Kouichi (however, he wasn’t wearing sunglasses like his father). His magic ability was inferior to his brother Koujirou who was 3 years younger, and was roughly the same level as Mayumi. His skillfulness however, exceeded both his younger brother and sister. He lacked cunningness like his father, but he held a reputation for his organization, management and reliability of which Tomokazu already exceeded his father Kouichi’s reputation in that regard. He had a diligent personality without the same toxicity that Kouichi had.

In other words, he was the type that was “capable but not interesting”. He might be unattractive as a friend, but is a very reliable business partner.

“Juumonji-dono. Shall we allow the police officers we’ve brought to also commence their interrogations?”

For tonight’s operation, Mayumi was not participating. For this matter the Saegusa Family member in charge was Tomokazu. In this final operation, it was natural that he would be commanding for the Saegusa Family, but the reason that Mayumi wasn’t there was not from Tomokazu’s aversion for his younger sister to be involved in this dangerous mission, but from some other ulterior motive. He loved his sister, but that was not the reason. It was that he would not let a woman behave in such a dangerous manner. Tomokazu was, compared to his father, certainly much more sensible.

However, he didn’t seem to be blessed with a good sense for roughness. “…Wouldn’t that be a bit dangerous?”

To Kouichi’s proposal, Katsuto gently repudiated.

“I don’t think our opponent will obediently abide any orders given by the police. Even if we were to peacefully commence, there would only be more victims from a counterattack, and it would end in uneasy urban fighting.”

The reason Tomokazu didn’t say to suddenly commence the operation was the result of his consideration to not be criticized afterwards for overreaching the authority of the Ten Master Clans. However, he didn’t think too deeply about the possibility of the enemy strength exceeding their estimations, or the damage that would occur if such a situation were to happen.

“So Juumonji-dono is seeking to completely avoid urban fighting then?”

“Once the pedestrian traffic has diminished, then I believe it’ll be possible to go with a more aggressive plan.”

Katsuto had recognized his own miscalculation. He assumed that the target would start moving once it had started to get late.

“Saegusa-dono, I believe the enemy is heading towards the fishing harbor near the mouth of Sagami River, or just a bit further to the new port.”

“So, does that mean he’s formed some sort of plan to escape by sea then?”

“Yes. I heard the terror mastermind also smuggled himself into the country on a small freighter. He may be planning to use a small boat from the coast, and then change onto an ocean-going vessel anchored offshore.”

“Well then, shall we split the capture team into two then? We can have Ichijou-dono and Yotsuba-dono go on ahead to the new port, and Juumonji-dono and I shall bring along the police and pursue after the target’s car.”

Katsuto felt that Tomokazu’s plan had a bad balance. Tatsuya hadn’t brought any Yotsuba subordinates with him. The Ichijou Family subordinates Masaki had brought with him had already been deployed to block the north side route of retreat.

“I’ll provide men from my family to assist Ichijou-dono and Yotsuba- dono. However, it will leave us with only one party on this side, but if you don’t mind.”

To Tomokazu, this wasn’t a bad proposal. It had two benefits. One being that a group went ahead, the other and more important benefit was that the pursuant group had a higher chance of capturing the target.

Aside from Katsuto, if all members were Saegusa followers, then the merit of capturing the terrorist would go mostly to the Saegusa Family. The honor of the Saegusa Family would then greatly recover.

“…Is that so. I have no objections.”

“Then let’s go with that.”

Katsuto brought out a communication device and called Tatsuya and Masaki.

◊ ◊ ◊

“The Japanese magicians have caught on to us.”

The former Japanese policeman was driving, and in the back seat, Gu Jie immediately noticed a tail of vehicles.

The distance to their destination wasn’t much farther. Or rather, it was short.

Just by changing routes it would be impossible to shake off their pursuers.

“There’s no need to worry.”

Doe turned around and spoke out to Gu Jie in the back seat, who had been planning on using the dead soldiers he had prepared in advance to intercept.

“Their pursuit is within our range of expectations. We have measures for this.”

Immediately when he finished speaking.

From the rear of their car, a showy blaze had risen. The blaze did not consist of one explosion, but roared off a succession of explosions.

“It’s… not a grenade. It’s not carrying missiles either. Is it a continuous sequence grenade launcher?”

“Your discernment is correct, my Lord. However, despite them being taken by surprise, everything is being blocked by a shield, it seems the rumored Juumonji magician may have directly joined in the pursuit.”

“It’s not shaking them off. What should we do?”

Exactly as Gu Jie said, from inside the dispersing blaze the undamaged pursuit vehicles increased their speed and continued forward.

“There’s no need to be concerned.” Doe’s face contained no traces of panic.

On one side of the two-lane highway, though surprised by the sound of explosions thus dropping their speed, the leading cars were still in pursuit and crossed the divider. On this side of the highway the vehicles were disconnected from traffic control. Even still, driving here was still supported by the automatic driving features of the vehicles.

Still, the trailing vehicles pursuing the vehicle Gu Jie was in were obviously breaking traffic laws. The leading pursuers were facing the oncoming traffic, which had started to go through their risk avoidance program as they approached and stopped on the shoulder of the road.

With the road lanes open, the pursuant vehicles raised their speed even more and cut across the intersection. Just at that moment, an automobile that had run through the light suddenly emerged from the side and blocked the way.

Now if this was a trailer or a large truck, then the pursuant vehicles would have either noticed and stopped or would have taken evasive actions. However, in the middle of the intersection, the large automobile, which had suddenly stopped had both its headlights and beacon off, had turned into a barricade.

Even the shrieking of the emergency brakes was in vain, as the vehicles pursuing Gu Jie collided with an intense force into the vehicle which had suddenly emerged from the side.

◊ ◊ ◊

By the time Katsuto, hot in pursuit of Gu Jie’s vehicle, noticed the suspicious van from behind, a grenade had already been fired at them.

Katsuto’s vehicle was set up as the rear guard of the four-vehicle pursuit team. It was a stroke of luck that the team was set up this way. With Katsuto’s magic barrier, the grenades would not reach their target.

“Saegusa-dono, the current situation does not allow us to worry about the public.”

Katsuto informed Tomokazu, who was in one of the vehicles ahead, via the communicator.

“I will take care of the suspicious vehicle behind us, please apprehend Gu Jie.”

“Understood. Juumonji-dono, I leave the rear to you.”

While communicating with Tomokazu, Katsuto ordered the driver to stop.

The driver of the vehicle was a magician, specifically a subordinate of the Saegusa Family. Although he wasn’t a member of the Juumonji faction, nor was he a subordinate under Katsuto, the driver didn’t think twice about bringing the vehicle to a full stop at Katsuto’s command.

Katsuto stepped out of the vehicle onto the road.

The van that had been bombarding the pursuit vehicles slid to a halt. The van’s side was now facing Katsuto.

It was uncertain whether Katsuto was aware that there was no human presence behind the launcher muzzle that was sticking out of the window.

Katsuto extended his right hand forward.

A silent and unlit grenade was launched, but it was immediately blocked by the Anti-Matter Heat Retaining Barrier erected by Katsuto.

Katsuto held his right arm in the same position and switched to attacking the van.

In the next instance, the van was crushed.

The sunroof of the vehicle was crushed inwards, while the barrel of the grenade launcher that was caught between the roof and the door frame was completely deformed. However, there was no explosion. It was not certain whether it was because the grenade launcher was empty or if the safety mechanism of the grenade launcher prevented it from exploding, but the overturned van did not catch fire.

Katsuto maintained the square barrier formation and used magic to jump towards the van. He landed next to the vehicle and confirmed the situation.

There was no one in the van.

Behind Katsuto, who was attentively inspecting the van, from the direction of Tomokazu and crew came a violent sound of collision that shook his eardrums.

Katsuto turned and utilized movement magic to return to his own vehicle, then he raced towards the scene of the accident.

The front of the car that Tomokazu was riding in had been smashed, but the chassis was undamaged. Although the safety design of the vehicle must have contributed, it was most likely Tomokazu’s quick response that ensured his self-perseveration.

Unfortunately, the other two cars did not protect themselves in time. The police cars took heavy damage. On the other hand, it was the safety design of the vehicle that saved the occupants inside. Fortunately, the size of the vehicles blocking the road was about the same size as the overturned vehicles.

“Saegusa-dono, are you alright?”

Katsuto glanced through the window and asked. Tomokazu smiled as if mocking himself.

“Um, my body is alright, there are no injuries.”

Once the rapid ‘Kacha Kacha’ noise stopped, the back door of the vehicle finally opened. Tomokazu took his time to get out of the car because he had spent quite a bit of effort switching from the automatic lock on the car to a manual one.

“Tomokazu-dono, are you free to see what the situation is with the police’s side?”

After Katsuto saw that Tomokazu nodded in response, he walked towards the vehicles that were blocking the road.

The large self-driving car that had become a roadblock was struck several times. Thus the three vehicles blocking the intersection were then hit by their cars from the side. One of the vehicles had overturned from the collision, while another had lost its tires from the impact and its chassis was directly sitting on the road. The last vehicle had its rear seats crushed in by the front end of another car, turning into scrap metal.

Katsuto readied himself to release the Square barrier formation at any time and turned his attention to the interior of the vehicles helping Gu Jie’s escape.

Just like the interior of the van from earlier, all three vehicles had no occupants.

All obstructing vehicles were self-driving vehicles.

With such well-coordinated preparation, Katsuto began to be suspicious.

If the opposition had preparation to such magnitude, Gu Jie should have escaped japan already.

“Juumonji-dono.”

Tomokazu’s call interrupted Katsuto’s chain of thought.

Tomokazu was already by his side.

“Tomokazu-dono, what’s the situation?”

Katsuto inquired about the police officers’ injuries first.

“Nothing fatal. I already used healing magic to treat them, but we still need to call an ambulance. With the current situation, there was no way to keep pursuing with everyone. Especially since our cars are like this.”

Tomokazu said with a discouraged look at the wreck.

“Juumonji-dono please continuing pursuing the terrorist. I will send ground units towards the escape route to intercept and meet up with you.”

Was this arrangement from the Saegusa Family really alright? Katsuto almost asked this out loud, but quickly dismissed the thought. The betrayal of the current head of the Saegusa Family Kouichi had always lingered in Katsuto’s mind, but this was a bias created by the impression Katsuto had of Kouichi. Saegusa Tomokazu was someone who placed his country and the Japanese Magic Society’s interest as precedence.

“Even though I think there won’t be any more surprise attacks, please be careful Saegusa-dono.”

“Juumonji-dono please take care.”

Katsuto used magic to remove the enemy’s vehicle that was blocking the road. Once he was sure the road was cleared, Katsuto returned to his own vehicle.

◊ ◊ ◊

Tatsuya and Masaki, who were riding motorcycles, lead two sedans and arrived at the new port at the mouth of the Sagami River.

Both vehicles had five accompanying magicians. Juumonji Family magicians were known for their abilities as a ‘one-man army’. They were known to have considerable combat power.

Tatsuya and Masaki stopped their bikes side by side and stood at the entrance of the new port. Four boats were parked at the new port that was surrounded by embankments. These boats were designed to only be used near the coast.

“Perhaps they will switch once they are out on the sea”

“Possibly.”

Tatsuya responded normally to Masaki’s mumbling.

As if he had been surprised, Masaki felt a bit embarrassed.

“Shiba, do you know Gu Jie’s position?”

He asked Tatsuya in a slightly sharp tone.

“Coming towards this direction.”

However, Tatsuya chose not to point that out. He takes no pleasure in teasing the same gender.

“As predicted.”

The two that had sent them here, Katsuto and Tomokazu, had predicted correctly. Masaki thought so, at the same time, the upcoming battle made him tremble in excitement.

Masaki was unsure how Tatsuya was tracking Gu Jie’s position, but he did not doubt Tatsuya’s words. Tatsuya’s actions so far was enough to make Masaki trust him.

If Tatsuya was correct, the achievement for capturing the mastermind of the terrorist attack would go to Masaki who was waiting in ambush ── though more correctly it would go to both he and Shiba Tatsuya ── to be exact. Once Masaki thought of this, he was excited.

“How long till?”

“Soon… No!”

Tatsuya quickly finished, stepping on to his own bike.

“Gu Jie changed course to the west! Ichijou, let’s go after him!”

“Understood!”

Not long after Tatsuya left, Masaki throttled his acceleration. Since the bike was both front and back wheel drive, the front wheel did not lift up because of the hasty start. Tatsuya and Masaki rode West towards the main road that was parallel to the coastline.

One car was driving in front of them. Without Tatsuya informing him, Masaki knew that Gu Jie was on the vehicle.

He accelerated to reach Tatsuya’s side.

Just as he was parallel to Tatsuya, Tatsuya suddenly stopped accelerating and jumped off his bike.

Masaki reflexively steered his bike away from Tatsuya’s bike.

He used his brakes in a hurry, drifting to turn his bike. The automatic balancing mechanism fixed the bike’s posture autonomously, as if matching Masaki’s intentions, Tatsuya’s bike was located in the front of his field of view.

Tatsuya’s motorcycle was split in two by the mid-air attack.

◊ ◊ ◊

Contrary to Gu Jie’s expectation, Doe did not head towards the new port but instead drove along the main road heading west.

“Are we not heading towards the new port?”

“The enemy should be anticipating that. We will head towards the sea via a different route.”

Seems like Doe had made preparations beyond Gu Jie’s imagination. Gu Jie was worried that the enemy would ambush at the port, but since they can avoid this risk, he did not object.

“… The enemy’s response is faster than we imagined. They probably have a powerful Sensory Type magician on their side.”

Not long after turning onto the main road, Doe looked at his rearview mirror and bit his lip. (The vehicle that Gu Jie was riding in was the type that could be driven by both front passengers.)

Gu Jie turned around and looked.

The headlights from two motorcycles and two cars were in pursuit and closing the distance on them.

“Who is responsible for intercepting?”

“Lord, deepest apologies, I had them set up in a place further ahead.”

Gu Jie did not express displeasure. He was not trying to conceal his attitude. Discovering a flaw in this man that was over prepared had him breathe a sigh of relief.

“If the situation continues they will catch up.”

“Let me drive, I will throw them off.”

“No, there’s no need.”

Gu Jie turned towards the corpse soldier and let out a command.

“Go and kill them.”

The rear sunroof opened, the corpse soldier carried the magic invoked katana. He held the cane sword in his hand and rushed out of the vehicle.

Just like that, he had attacked the leading motorcycle. He drew his sword from the cane in midair and struck towards the motorcycle, splitting it in two.

◊ ◊ ◊

Tatsuya jumped off the motorcycle and landed on the road, maintaining his stance as he touched down. This was due to him using magic to control his position. He watched his favorite motorcycle split into two. Precisely speaking, he watched a katana split his favorite vehicle in half, contrary to the common sense of an assassin.

Juumonji magician’s vehicle came over in pursuit.

They had originally planned to stop their vehicle and then battle, but Tatsuya yelled first.

“Ichijou, go pursuit Gu Jie! You guys as well, continue the pursuit!”

An enemy wielding a katana ── probably a sword-shaped armament device, directed killing intent towards Masaki. But before this enemy began his attack, he had jumped widely to the side. A short blade fell from the sky at very high speeds, stabbing the ground where he had been standing.

The short blade did not fall down naturally. It was a movement type acceleration magic that shot the blade out in an arch. It was Tatsuya’s attack.

“Go! I will take care of this.”

“We will rely on you!”

Tatsuya held off the enemy.

Masaki and Juumonji squad continued to chase down Gu Jie. Tatsuya stopped impeding the enemy and changed to a battle stance.

His weapons of choice today were fully thought-operated CADs. On his wrists were the thought-operated bracelet shaped CADs.

There was an automatic pistol holstered near his chest.

His waist bag contained two knives attached with padded fist guards. One of those knives was stabbed on the road.

Tatsuya used movement-type magic to pull the knife back into his hand. Using his left hand to wield the knife, his right hand would be ready to draw his pistol anytime.

The katana wielding man glared towards Tatsuya with the attitude to face him directly. Without a blade guard, it was most likely a cane sword.

The man faced Tatsuya, the dimly lit street lights exposed the man’s face.

Tatsuya had an impression to who this face belonged to.

“Detective Chiba Toshikazu!?”

A pale white face, as though he was wearing a mask showing no emotions. However, looking at his figure and attitude, it was definitely Erika’s oldest brother Chiba Toshikazu.

“The Eldest son of the Hundred Families’ Chiba Family, why are you standing on the side of the terrorists!?”

The other party did not answer.

His reply was not through words, but rather through action. Toshikazu attacked Tatsuya with sword techniques. Optimized, therefore the simplest and fastest.

A sword style brought to the point of perfection. Even Tatsuya could only evade without energy to spare.

Tatsuya jumped backwards substantially to widen the distance. He intended to avoid the opposition’s combination techniques.

However, Toshikazu followed Tatsuya and rushed over.

The speed of these attacks was one of the highest tier that Tatsuya had faced to date.

However, it was not ‘something unheard of’ thus it did not reach a level where he could not handle.

Tatsuya looked at Toshikazu’s release of Psion.

Proceeded to cancel the self-acceleration magic with Gram Demolition.

Toshikazu’s dash acceleration became slower; however, this was only for one instant.

Toshikazu’s body filled with Psion. Using the same speed from before the activation of Gram Demolition, he attacked Tatsuya once more.

However, Tatsuya had used that instant of delay to escape from the attack range.

Tatsuya had wanted to ask ‘Why are you on the side of the terrorists?’ again, but he realized this question was insignificant now.

That was because he read Toshikazu’s Eidos. (Dead? That’s not right……)

Toshikazu ran along the surface of the asphalt road and jumped towards Tatsuya.

Tatsuya aimed towards his leg and attacked with Partial Decomposition.

The same instance that Tatsuya released his magic, Toshikazu also set himself firmly on the ground, raised his katana and struck downwards.

A soundless explosion. The released flash was not in a wavelength that could be discerned by the naked eye.

Toshikazu’s entire body released compressed Psions.

A magic that could disable others’ magic that was applied to his body, Gram Demolition.

Tatsuya could not contain his shock. However, he was not surprised that Toshikazu could use Gram Demolition.

Tatsuya had never heard that the eldest son of the Chiba Family was capable of using Gram Demolition. It was not just Tatsuya, but there has never been such rumor.

If it was only this, then it could be thought of as Chiba Family keeping their eldest son’s skill a secret.

Tatsuya used decomposition once again. The target was the ankle, shoulder and blade.

Toshikazu’s body released a large amount of Psions three times, consequently, his existence became thinner.

(Exchanged his existence information into Psions?)

A fact that had originally been impossible to happen had left Tatsuya in shock. Misappropriation of information was equivalent to annihilating oneself. Conscious creatures would never be able to do such a thing to themselves. Moreover, the Eidos that recorded the existence of the body did not provide enough Psions to be used to activate Gram Demolition.

Tatsuya wrapped ‘Decomposition’ on the blade and received Toshikazu’s attack. This magic was using the blade to decompose matter on contact, it also ignored the material, it would look as though the knife had severed the material.

However, Toshikazu’s katana withstood Tatsuya’s magic.

(Was the katana also defined as a single entity?)

The instant Tatsuya’s magic activation area, which was also the tip of the knife, contacted Toshikazu’s katana, the information regarding Decomposition’s failure to activate was sent into Tatsuya’s consciousness.

The reason was due to Chiba Family’s secret sword technique ‘Tetsuzan’. This magic did not treat a sword as steel or iron crafted object, but rather defined the ‘blade’ as the only concept. This allowed the blade to follow a slashing motion path set by a Magic Sequence, belonging to the Movement Type Magic category. Since magic temporarily defined it as the only concept, there was no other constituent that it could further decompose into.

Magic that had failed to activate originally would immediately dissipate due to flaws in its definition. However, Tatsuya’s Decomposition magic area was extremely small, thus he was able to maintain it.

One second.

Steel crashed together. Two seconds.

Katana and knife mutually resisted the force of each other. Three seconds.

Then, without a sound.

Tatsuya’s knife severed Toshikazu’s katana.

The blade of a sword was made up of countless polymers of metal molecules, the main component being iron. A magic that disguises it as a ‘single entity’ could not be maintained forever. ‘Tetsuzan’ was originally a magic sword technique that would slash through a target instantly. Toshikazu’s ‘Tetsuzan’ lost its effect before Tatsuya’s ‘Decomposition’.

The blade was severed without any resistance. Toshikazu had slashed with his full force; thus, his body was leaning forward. However, Tatsuya had no opportunity to counter attack. Toshikazu purposely dashed towards Tatsuya, reducing the distance to where knives and fists could not attack.

Tatsuya circled to the back of Toshikazu.

Toshikazu waved the halved length katana around and impeded Tatsuya. Tatsuya did not attack carelessly, but backed off instead.

Analyzing the opponent’s information collected by his ‘eyes’.

Chiba Toshikazu’s existence felt weaker.

(Could it be, he was exchanging ‘life force’ for magic power?)

Tatsuya was not aware that such a technique existed. In addition, current science ── including magic ── could not confirm the existence of ‘life force’.

But the existence of this energy was mainly considered ‘confirmed’ in the field of ancient magic. Tatsuya frequently heard Yakumo mention this. During the Parasite Incident, Mikihiko also used ‘seiki’ to describe this energy. He said magical beings did not absorb flesh and blood, but instead absorbed ‘seiki’ as nutrients.

If Gu Jie possessed a magic technique that could utilize life force, then the question from before could be answered.

The dead without death. Just like an Eidos in the process of death.

If you consider the living to have life force, then the dead are those who have lost that life force. The act of ‘killing’ the living would release that life force. If one managed to pool that surplus energy and use it as magical power, it would change into the state of a ‘living corpse’. The body, once emptied of this surplus, would become a ‘true corpse’.

The mystery of Toshikazu utilizing Gram Demolition that he was not originally able to use could only explained by the exchange of life force.

His existence information was waning. If it was regarded as the process of the gradual disappearance of the ‘information body of life’, then it could be understood.

Not only was it a corpse, but magic used to fool around with one’s life was unpardonably evil.

Tatsuya admits that magic does not have a holy or evil distinction. After all that was said and done, it was the ‘ability’ used by humans. Good and evil was determined according to the results of those actions. On top of that, this was judged by human values. There was no absolute righteousness or evil. This was his thoughts.

However, at this moment, he violated his own philosophy. He felt that Gu Jie’s magic was evil. He should not trample humans, trample magicians to this level. Generators and Sorcery Boosters have already spurred disgust, but this magic made Tatsuya hold unconditional rejection and resistance.

Tatsuya was furious.

“Chiba Toshikazu!”

Tatsuya yelled out the name of the swordsman who was already dead.

“Are you conscious!? Can you understand me!?”

Toshikazu did not respond.

He threw away the katana that only had half a blade remaining and drew out the Tachi from his back without uttering a word.

“Chiba Toshikazu! That is your name. It is a name that represents who you are!”

Witnessing this scene, Tatsuya continued to yell at Toshikazu.

This behavior was not Tatsuya’s style.

Toshikazu’s katana aimed towards Tatsuya with a clear intention of engaging in combative action. Before, Tatsuya would have already engaged in countering. Even if he knew that the opposition was being controlled, ‘protecting’ only came after completely removing the enemy’s combative capabilities. This was Tatsuya’s style.

Tatsuya, nevertheless, requested a conversation with his opponent before actual combat. He was well aware that the opposition was dead. The chance for him to respond was close to zero, but he had still requested.

Toshikazu did not respond to Tatsuya. Or, to be exact, could not respond.

Instead, he slashed at Tatsuya.

Tatsuya did not receive the vicious attack with his knife, but instead he dodged these attacks by sidestepping.

Compared to the defense of the attack earlier, Tatsuya felt more relaxed this time. He felt that Toshikazu’s sword swipes were a bit rough. It seemed that the Tachi had a higher curvature which was not as suitable for Toshikazu.

The Chiba Family was also known as the “Magic Swordsman”. The eldest son would never carry a weapon that was not suited for himself. This was probably given to him from a third party, most likely a weapon given to him by Gu Jie. It was not a “Yanagi Blade” that belonged to the wider type of blade that you would get from China, but was a tachi that was popular during the Northern and Southern dynasties. It was probably prepared by the collaborator within the country.

Tatsuya was not familiar with swords. Although he had trained with Uchigatana and Odachi while practicing martial arts, he had never studied the history and artistic value of weapons.

Though this was the case, Tatsuya seemed to have noticed that Toshikazu’s Tachi was shaped strangely. The blade was clearly curved, as if it had been curved from an arc mold. The shaft was made of metal, with rounded corners at both ends. Looking at the handle, it was similar to the ‘Kenukigatatachi’ style from after the Peaceful Period.

Tatsuya was only able to observe the Tachi up to that point. It was limited by the short time of Toshikazu stabilizing his body, just before he attacked again. Tatsuya was not only strong in magic vision, but his visual acuity was also very strong. However, he was not an expert in sword identification, he did not know the crucial points for katana analysis.

Tatsuya used his knife to block the tip of the Tachi that was swept over horizontally. Though the strength of this part was the strongest, Tatsuya used the blade’s arc to cause the knife to slide. He escaped Toshikazu’s attack distance as if he had been pushed away.

Tatsuya used flash cast to activate inertia neutralization magic to aid his own retreat, while speculating that the Tachi was a magic tool. It was probably not remodeled from an existing Tachi, but was crafted by the collaborator of Gu Jie. The effect was probably to adversely affect wounds or something.

If he could ‘see’ more details, then he could analyze what magic the blade activated. However, Tatsuya did not have that much time to spare.

Tatsuya tried to use ‘Mist Dispersion’ on the Tachi. The target was not the magic set within the Tachi, but the Tachi itself. He purposely tried to avoid contact with the magic that had not activated to prevent any unexpected side effects.

At the instant that Tatsuya activated his magic, Toshikazu held the Tachi directly to the front. He was not reacting to Tatsuya’s use of magic, since he would not have reacted in time. It was probably a muscle memory battle technique in dealing with magicians.

The Tachi released compressed Psions that blew away Tatsuya’s Mist Dispersion Magic Sequence.

Magic was Systemic in characteristic; the Magic Sequence was exposed. Even if it was Tatsuya’s magic, it could not escape this fate.

With the magic that was his forte was rendered ineffective, Tatsuya rushed to the front of Toshikazu.

Unknowingly, not only his left hand, but his right hand also held a knife attached with padded fist guards.

Tatsuya’s swept his left hand horizontally.

The blade of the knife, while releasing Psions, passed through the base of the Tachi.

The body of the Tachi was severed, leaving only the hilt.

Toshikazu, who had just blown away Mist Dispersion, could not have rendered Decomposition ineffective. The counter magic set within his body, could not keep up with Tatsuya’s speed in his continuous activation of his forte magic.

The blade fell to asphalt surface. Just before this, Tatsuya’s right fist which was covered by padded fist guards hit Toshikazu’s chest.

Toshikazu, who received a heavy blow to the ribs, had fallen towards the road. Tatsuya’s hand did not feel any bones breaking upon impact. However, it would not be a surprise if a normal person receiving such an attack fainted.

While his body fell towards the ground, Toshikazu did a backflip. He was now kneeling on one leg. However, he did not stand up again. It would seem that the nearly dead body could still receive trauma.

“Chiba Toshikazu!”

At this time, Tatsuya continued to do something uncharacteristic of him. He continued to yell at Toshikazu.

“Do you not know this name? Do you not know who you are anymore?”

‘Death’ could not be overturned by ‘Life’. Even Tatsuya’s ‘Regrowth’ could not revive the dead.

Then, what is the boundary between life and death?

The brain stops working? The heart stops beating? Metabolism stops working? Or was it having no soul?

In Tatsuya’s ‘Eyes’, Toshikazu ‘looked’ dead.

At that same time, Toshikazu also used magic stemming from his life force. Tatsuya’s ‘eyes’ definitely ‘saw’ that his magic was not fed from an external source. It was produced internally.

If he did not completely die, then maybe he could be revived with ‘Regrowth’.

Even if he did not completely die, if he continued to attack then maybe his death would be inevitable.

Furthermore, right now there was no time to spare for a detailed analysis. Gu Jie was on the run.

Thus, Tatsuya shouted towards Toshikazu.

If Toshikazu had any self-awareness, then Tatsuya would avoid the fatal blow.

If Miyuki was here, then he would not need to worry about such things. She could temporarily freeze him. Tatsuya, of course, did not regret this. Miyuki’s safety was the absolute priority over Chiba Toshikazu’s life.

If his priorities were based on rationality, then this would not be a worrisome matter. Quickly disposing the enemy was the correct response. Besides, the current Chiba Toshikazu was not someone Tatsuya could deal with leniently.

“Answer me! If you are conscious, then answer me!”

Even so, Tatsuya did not want to kill Toshikazu.

What was considered ‘death’? What was considered ‘life’? Tatsuya sought such knowledge internally. If he let Toshikazu live on, he may be able to grasp a crucial clue into finding the answer.

However, despite the desire for such knowledge, Tatsuya could not accept a magician’s life being expended in such a way.

Magicians used to be a tool of war.

Tatsuya had once thought of himself as such a tool.

Up until now, Tatsuya had taken so many lives that he would not be qualified to discuss the dignity of life.

Because no matter which method of death was the cause, or which method of killing was used, death is death.

Though at the very least.

You should die after resisting. You should die while struggling. You should die in fear.

You should die after giving in.

You should die after accepting the truth.

You should die after cursing at your unreasonable fate.

You should die in a state of unawareness, as though one was sleeping. Death should only belong to the person who was dying.

Even if they were to die for others, even if they were to kill for others.

Even after death, their lives were exploited without respect, without feeling and then be killed once more, this was something that should absolutely never happen.

Even slaves have the freedom to die.

Even dead livestock were simply meat, simply bones, and simply materials. A lifeless object.

If lives were messed with, even after their death, simply for the exploit of magic, then magicians, as tools, were inferior to that of livestock.

Tatsuya could never agree with such things.

For Miyuki… In order to never let Miyuki bear the fate of a weapon, Tatsuya secretly prepared by himself, the method to allow magicians to live life beyond being weapons or tools. The way that he is, he could not agree with weaponizing magicians regardless of what was said to him.

“Chiba Toshikazu!”

In the end, Toshikazu never responded to Tatsuya’s words. He did not have this ‘function’ any longer.

Toshikazu stood up and took a sword stance with the severed Tachi.

The instant that Tatsuya followed suit in a fighting stance, Toshikazu’s body suddenly became bigger. Even Tatsuya’s motion vision could not keep up with the high-speed acceleration, resulting in an illusion.

In an instant, Tatsuya’s line of sight had lost track of Toshikazu. Although it was said in such a way, he was only too late to focus on Toshikazu. His field of view was still able to capture Toshikazu’s silhouette.

He had, indeed, saw the enemy take action.

Toshikazu raised his right hand, the Tachi that had lost half its blade was ready to slash down on Tatsuya.

This slash would not hit its mark.

As if intuitively sensing the danger, Tatsuya used his knife to intercept the residual blade.

The Tachi that was held with one hand received strong repelling force causing the remaining blade to bounce upwards with the shaft head pointed downwards.

Toshikazu’s left hand grasped the area close to the tip of the downwards facing shaft head.

Toshikazu used both hands to maintain the straight grip, he then stabbed towards the area underneath the left hand that Tatsuya used to hold his knife.

From a vertical slash, he had changed the course to a horizontal slash.

The Tachi that had lost most of its blade swept towards Tatsuya’s body.

Tatsuya used his right fist, that was protected by padded fist guards, and punched towards the Tachi’s blade edge.

“Gah!”

Blood shot out of Tatsuya’s stomach. He could not help but cry out.

The jacket that possessed the bulletproof and anti-cut capabilities was easily torn. The exposed skin was sliced and teared open.

At the position that was almost touching skin, the leveled black line was camouflaged by the darkness of the night. Just above and below the black line a repulsion field that could slice through anything it touched was formed. This was the Weight Type Magic ‘Pressure Slash’. This magic was originally applied to the tip of a blade or metal coil to activate a repulsion field. However, Toshikazu had activated it on the severed blade edge, extending the repulsion field in the space that contained nothing.

Although he had blocked it before it came into contact with his body, the pressure force from the slash was still able to slice through skin, damaging the muscles underneath.

【Self-Restoration / Automatic Start.】

(Force stop Self-Restoration)

Tatsuya used his willpower to halt the automatic activation of Self- Restoration. He then used his mental fortitude to overcome the pain of his injuries, and constructed another magic.

Gram Dispersion.

Using Gram Dispersion to decompose the black slash line formed by the magic ‘Pressure Slash’.

Tatsuya quickly followed up with the next magic activation. Gram Dispersion.

Tatsuya had already ‘seen’ several instances of the magic that forcefully extracted Toshikazu’s Psions and transformed it into Gram Demolition. He would decompose that magic.

Tatsuya’s ‘eyes’ discovered that Psions were concentrated in the center of Toshikazu’s chest, where the heart resides.

Tatsuya ignored the tearing of his own wounds, and punched his left fist towards Toshikazu’s heart.

Mist Dispersion.

A hole that pierced through Toshikazu’s chest into his back appeared. Toshikazu’s body released Psion light. Psion dissipated gradually.

All four of his limbs lost strength. His legs crumbled and kneeled onto the ground; his body collapsed onto the side.

The magic that had been casted on Toshikazu, seemed to have used his heart as the medium for continuous activation.

A corpse that marched towards death, now became a complete corpse. Life force could no longer be felt from the corpse.

Although he became a corpse, Toshikazu’s hand never released the Tachi’s shaft.

Tatsuya lowered his head and gazed at Toshikazu attentively. It was not known if he was having a moment of silence.

“Tatsuya-kun”

Somebody had suddenly called him from behind. Without sensing the opponent’s presence, he almost attacked that person.

Just before he threw the knife in his hand, he had realized the origins of the voice.

Tatsuya turned around and saw Yakumo smiling bitterly with his hands raised.

“I did not plan on scaring you. Ignoring this, would it not be better to treat your injuries first?”

After Tatsuya heard those words, he had finally remembered that sword wound to the side of his stomach.

The wound disappeared instantly. Not only the wound, even the blood that had been spilt and the clothing that had been sliced open were restored.

“Every time I would think, this ability is so convenient…”

Yakumo was not being polite, but was actually envious.

“Master, why are you here?”

Yakumo’s reflections at this time was not important. Tatsuya ignored his master’s words and asked.

“Did I not say so this morning? I will help resolve this matter.”

Yakumo’s grin indescribably left Tatsuya angry, however, what he said was not wrong. Especially now that time was precious.

“Thank you. Then I will have to trouble Master with dealing with this body.”

Tatsuya did not waste anymore words. He then left the aftermath to Yakumo and immediately turned around.

“Oi, Tatsuya.”

Tatsuya ran away from the scene without saying another word.

Yakumo watched as Tatsuya’s back ran off into the distance. He then softly muttered “Really now…” while shaking his head.

“Indeed, we cannot just leave this as is.”

Yakumo turned around.

In the darkness, several people dressed like monks appeared.

“Offer condolences to him.”

Yakumo’s disciples took Toshikazu’s body onto a stretcher. They then transported it into the van parked on the side of the road.

The van drove away towards the East. For some reason, there had been no vehicles passing by on this road. But suddenly the scene changed back to one of normality, with the occasional car passing by.

◊ ◊ ◊

While Tatsuya was still hesitating over finishing off Tomokazu (his corpse), the vehicle Gu Jie was riding was arriving at its current destination.

“To the left just ahead!”

Doe was directing their path.

Their driver was the puppet Inagaki, who followed the instructions and weaved the car through an opening in the windbreak, and exited out on the beach.

In an agile movement, Doe exited from the vehicle and opened the door for Gu Jie sitting in the back seat.

“My Lord, we’re changing vehicles!”

Even Gu Jie could understand the reason Doe was in such a hurry.

From inside the windbreak forest, the headlights of the pursuing vehicles drew closer.

“Hold back the enemy here.”

Gu Jie ordered this to Inagaki’s body and followed behind Doe. Just in front of the beach, a box-wagon sized amphibious car was parked.

To Gu Jie’s rear, the sound of a gunshot rang out.

The sound was that of the corpse-puppet Inagaki, firing his gun at the pursuants who had made their appearance on the beach.

◊ ◊ ◊

“Major-dono, Heigu is about to be caught by the Japanese tracking force, please permit us to open fire.”

With the destroyer anchored in international waters as his destination, Canopus, who was passing the southern tip of peninsula received a request for instructions from the illegal special task force.

The current progression of events was not to his tastes. Canopus hoped to avoid a large-scale war with the Japanese. The decision to send troops here was already a political gamble.

The current mission was to avoid leaving official records of any type. Balance, who had tasked him with this mission, will pretend to know nothing when it is necessary.

If Doe, who had been assisting Gu Jie’s escape, had his identity revealed, it would be a huge scandal. Although Doe was an illegal special agent, on the surface he had no relations to USNA, but the military and the diplomats could not be naïve enough to believe in such an excuse.

If all the behind-the-scenes actions to assist Gu Jie’s escape was exposed, Canopus would not be able to leave unscathed. Not even his status as Stars Captain would do him any good. His identity would be eliminated. He would be declared dead to the world and he would be moved to completing illegal missions. To have a high-level magician who could be used to conduct destructive work, the military higher-ups would be rather optimistic instead.

Even so, the way things were now, handing Gu Jie over to the Japanese magicians, as in the Ten Master Clans, was no longer an option.

“Permission granted for use of live ammunition.”

“Understood.”

Canopus switched the communication mode of the terminal device to enemy search mode.

Referring to the ally-identified signal, he confirmed his current distance from the destroyer.

As long as they lure and assassinate Jiedo Heigu (Gu Jie) in international waters, this mission will be complete.

Even if they got to the result smoothly, recalling it afterwards would seem tasteless. Canopus, who had been thinking about this, sighed.

◊ ◊ ◊

As Masaki observed Gu Jie’s vehicle driving into the path in the windbreaker, he thought: “Great!”

That path led to the beach. Due to the problems in dealing with the cleanup, Masaki had been reluctant to use ‘Rupture’. But this place during this season, a beach in mid-winter, it shouldn’t be a problem if he made a bigger disturbance.

Ships with a deep draft could not be used on the beach. If they had used an inflatable raft, then the beach would not be an obstacle. However, if this type of object got onto the beach, it would have been impossible to disguise. Gu Jie probably intended to ride the small ship further out into the ocean before transferring to an ocean liner. Getting off the vehicle and transferring to the ship would require a bit of time. Masaki thought that he could successfully apprehend Gu Jie at the time when he switched to the boat, even without damaging the ship.

Masaki passed through the windbreak that led the way to the beach and proceeded to dismount his bike. He would not continue to ride his urban motorcycle on the sand. The automobile overtook Masaki at his side, then he used movement-type magic to follow from behind.

The car that Gu Jie used as the escape vehicle stopped in the middle of the beach. The pursuing sedan passed by Gu Jie’s vehicle.

Then, gunfire resounded.

The tires on the vehicle were pierced by the bullets.

The bullets easily penetrated in the bullet-proof tires, so perhaps it was enhanced by magic with additional penetration force.

The sedan slid on the sand, and with much difficulty, it came to a halt without rolling over.

The sedan that was following the first braked just before they collided.

Ten magicians in total came out of the two vehicles. They came out directly without using the vehicles as a bunker.

Someone from Gu Jie’s vehicle shot at the magicians.

The bullets that could penetrate the bullet-proof tires were stopped by Anti-material shields.

(As expected of magicians under the Juumonji Family.) Masaki sighed in silent admiration.

But he wasn’t just observing the fight.

Masaki retrieved the bright red CAD from his holsters.

He activated ‘Rupture’ on Gu Jie’s vehicle.

The car then caught fire. It was the enemy’s bad luck that the car was an ethanol fueled model. When ignited, the ethanol gas fuel would cause an explosion.

A young man wearing a suit came out of the back of the burning vehicle. His right hand was holding a pistol type CAD, it was certain that he was the one who had opened fire.

Masaki decided to leave this man to the Juumonji magicians while he continued to pursue Gu Jie.

Juumonji Family magicians surround the young man ── Inagaki.

However, Inagaki completely ignored the magicians who surrounded him and opened fire on Masaki.

The magician between Masaki and Inagaki blocked the bullets.

In the next instance, Inagaki rushed at the magician who had been using the Anti-material shield to protect Masaki.

As if he were thrusting a sword forward with the pistol, he pulled the trigger.

A dazzling Psion light was released with the bullet, and the sound released was unlike that of a pistol being fired.

The Anti-material shield was penetrated.

A Juumonji Family magician fell to the ground. There was a hole gaping open on his throat, and his neck was nearly snapped.

Without verifying, he was dead at the scene. He had used a Kenjutsu with a pistol.

Masaki had never known about this technique, but he understood how dangerous it was just from seeing it.

Pointing the bright red CAD at Inagaki, Masaki pulled the trigger. Inagaki’s body shone with a brilliant Psion light.

Gram Dispersion had rendered Rupture a failure. Masaki was shocked ── but not stunned.

Although he was surprised, another part of his mind calmly constructed a magic sequence.

In the summer of 2095, after Masaki lost to Tatsuya in Monolith Code, he had been training for another battle. He trained repeatedly, while conducting many battle simulations, in order to deal with any strategy that Tatsuya could come up with.

One of which included countermeasures to Tatsuya’s use of Gram Demolition.

Even if the magic failed because of Gram Demolition, he would have to immediately follow up with the next magic. As long as he prevented the opposition from having time to attack, sooner or later, they could not defend against the magic from this side.

This was the proposed countermeasure from Kichijouji after analyzing Gram Demolition’s nature of having to release a large number of Psions. Masaki had trained for this countermeasure in practice until it was drilled into his consciousness and became his body’s reflex.

Just because Gram Demolition had paralyzed the magic attack once, it was not enough to stop Masaki.

Masaki used ‘Rupture’ again.

In contrast, the magic sequence that Gu Jie implemented in Inagaki’s body was not able to gather Psions fast enough.

The half-hearted Psion release was not enough to block Masaki’s magic. Inagaki’s body tore open, with blood splattering everywhere.

Blood sprayed to where Masaki was. The blood was then slowly absorbed by the sand.

Masaki turned his body.

Their force had lost one person, and the enemy force had also lost one person.

Other than Gu Jie, there was one more. They both rode in the van.

No, rather, though it looked a van from the side, it could have been an amphibious vehicle.

In any case, there was no harm.

Masaki pointed the bright red CAD towards the vehicle.

The instant Masaki was about to pull the trigger, someone jumped him from behind.

He was knocked down onto the beach.

The person that had knocked him down was a member of the Juumonji Family magicians.

Why, he was about to ask.

As Masaki thought about this, gunfire resounded.

The magician protected Masaki while laying down, his Anti-material shield shaking.

A sound that was far greater than pistol gunfire resounded. Masaki had heard this sound before in the Yokohama Incident.

An Anti-magician, high-power rifle.

A bullet storm of high-power Anti-defense magic bullets rained down on them from the rear-end side of the windbreak.

Masaki speculated that the number of the enemy forces was twice their own.

As expected of elites brought by the Head of the Juumonji Family, who bore the alias, “Iron Wall,” they beautifully blocked the gunfire from the high-power rifle designed to kill magicians. But the quality and performance of the enemy’s weapons was that of the highest class, and from time-to-time, grenades would rain down from the sky, making them unable to focus their magic shields towards the direction of the windbreak.

The Juumonji Family magicians were completely focused on defense without any energy to spare.

(To have such high-performance equipment… perhaps Gu Jie had the support of the USNA military!?)

Though Masaki’s reasoning was hasty in coming to a conclusion, it was not wrong. Though the USNA government did not instigate Gu Jie to launch the terrorist attacks, the ones who had been attacking them were indeed USNA soldiers.

The van that housed Gu Jie rushed to the sea. (So it really was an amphibious vehicle.)

Masaki pointed his CAD towards the amphibious vehicle while in a prone position.

But at this time, the enemy focused fire at him.

Masaki switched from ‘Rupture’ to activating an Anti-material shield magic. He was not using the all-round defensive type shield that the Juumonji Family magicians were using, but rather, a shield that was limited to the direction of the rifle’s shooting path.

Masaki left the grenades to the defense of Juumonji Family magicians, while he defended against the high-power rifle.

Without any spare time to attack the amphibious vehicle, Masaki was forced to temporarily focus on defense.

◊ ◊ ◊

Katsuto’s sedan drove into the path leading to the beach, according to the information he received from his subordinates.

Sounds of gunfire came from the front, mixed with sounds from explosions. There were not many residential buildings, but it was not an unmanned wilderness, and many cars still passed by. Although they were unsure of who would do such a thing, the fighting here was bold.

Katsuto’s car was attacked by a hail of bullets, but Katsuto, who was well aware of the battle, had already prepared Anti-Material Shield magic to block the heavy, high-speed ammunition. The grenade that exploded on the ground ahead of the direction that his vehicle was moving towards was suppressed by Katsuto’s magic.

Katsuto let the sedan stop in the windbreak. He got off the vehicle alone.

Bullets came flying at Katsuto ── he shielded himself against the bullets in his path and took off.

Katsuto’s burly body was protected by a spherical shield while in flight. Whether or not he broke branches or drilled past tree trunks, things were nullified as if they never existed. He flew towards the direction where the bullets were coming from.

The one who was most alarmed was the rifleman. He quickly aimed and fired the high-powered rifle at Katsuto in a frenzy, but the bullets bounced off the shield. The rifleman’s face was hit by the shrapnel and could not help but freeze. An incredibly strong wall attacked him.

The gunman was sent flying by Katsuto’s shield.

Katsuto was not satisfied with this.

The gunman crashed into the trunk of a tree and continued to collide with it. The shield was still wrapped around his body.

Pinned between the trunk of the tree and the shield wall, the gunman vomited blood.

Katsuto confirmed that the man was no longer responsive, he did not care whether the opposition was unconscious or dead, and began looking for the next target.

The motionless man sitting under the tree wore dark colored clothes that camouflaged him in the darkness of the night. At first glance, there were no items that could identify which organization he belonged to, however, the gun in his hand was not something that any common criminal organization could get their hands on. If the enemy belonged to a foreign army, then the battle earlier was undoubtedly challenging Japan’s sovereignty. From the point of view of maintaining law and order, this was something that could not be overlooked.

Compared to apprehending Gu Jie, Katsuto decided to suppress the current gun battle first.

The hail of bullets weakened. Masaki, who actually felt this, finally became aware of the battle happening within the windbreak. A strong magical pressure was emitted from the windbreak. Masaki was familiar with this feeling.

In the summer of 2095, with the breathtaking sight of the last day of the Nine Schools Competition.

(Is Juumonji-dono in combat?)

Katsuto was currently battling and subduing enemies within the windbreak.

When Masaki realized this, he ran towards the windbreak instead of the ocean.

Instead of risking taking a bullet in the back while going after Gu Jie, he decided that he would spend a short amount of time taking care of these annoying people. Then, he could continue to pursue without worrying about his safety. Masaki thought that this was more reassuring.

He concentrated his shield to the front and rushed towards the hail of bullets.

In accordance to his body’s senses, the frequency of the bullets was only half of what it used to be.

High-power bullets oppressed the magic shield. The strength of Masaki’s shield was the same as his magic power, but in some respects, it was not as precise as the magic shields of the Juumonji magicians who specialized in shield magic.

Before he was under heavy fire, he tumbled and laid face-down on the beach. From this position, he tracked the enemy’s silhouette and activated ‘Rupture’.

The windbreak exuded a fearful atmosphere. They probably witnessed the horrible death of their allies.

The advantage of Ichijou Family’s ‘Rupture’ was not only its prowess, but the ability to also damage the enemy’s morale.

Watching one’s own soldiers spray and burst in blood, even those who had been in many battles would have struggled to watch this. Nobody would ever want to die like that.

Masaki could feel the enemy’s accuracy failing.

If that was all it took to be frightened, then they should not have provoked war. Masaki thought within his heart.

On the other hand, he calmly calculated the enemy’s panic as an opportunity.

“Counterattack!”

Masaki yelled without any fear.

The scene resounded with battle cries of ‘Oooooh!’

The magicians who had been forced to defend without counterattack all got up at the same time and advanced forward.

Gunfire resounded.

The flames from the grenade explosions lit up the beach at night. Even so, it could not stop the assault of the Juumonji magicians.

Masaki was killing the enemies in the midst of blood flowers while advancing forward.

They finally advanced into the windbreak.

Deep within the forest, Katsuto was indeed ‘crushing’ the opponents.

The enemy soldiers threw down their guns and took out knives for combat.

This was the right way.

In the midst of battle, bullets that were shot out without fear of hitting their own men would be reflected as shrapnel by the magic shields, causing damage to their own forces.

Masaki, Katsuto, and the Juumonji Family magicians subdued the USNA illegal task force like a tsunami.

◊ ◊ ◊

At the same time when they were about to meet up with the destroyer, Canopus received news that the intercepting squad responsible for delaying the pursuing group had been annihilated.

They had fulfilled their mission to delay the pursuing group’s progress completely. Gu Jie, together with the amphibious vehicle, had already escaped onto the ship that had been standing by off the coast.

Although they had said ‘annihilation,’ the intercepting squad members were mostly alive. For the USNA, they would become witnesses who would be detrimental to the exposure of the USNA’s involvement. The weapons that they held was more than enough evidence.

Canopus picked up the simple transmitter, closed his eyes, and prayed softly.

May their souls rest in peace.

Without any words asking for forgiveness.

Canopus opened his eyes and pressed the ‘real’ button that would annihilate the intercepting squad.

◊ ◊ ◊

After confirming that the enemy had stopped resisting, Masaki searched for Katsuto’s silhouette.

“Juumonji-dono!”

“Ichijou-dono, I am here.”

Katsuto walked out from behind the trees. The both of their locations were rather close.

Katsuto was wearing an Anti-laceration sweater with a coat. Not only was his coat undamaged, it was also unstained with the slightest dirt. The way his motorcycle racing suit was covered in dust made Masaki feel inferior to Katsuto. The amount of filth on their bodies seemed to signify the gap in their strength. This made Masaki a bit depressed.

“Ichijou-dono, what’s the matter?”

The expression on Masaki’s face probably made Katsuto very puzzled. After Katsuto finished asking, Masaki shook his head to indicate that nothing was wrong.

“Nothing. Don’t mind this. How should we deal with these guys? I don’t think we can leave them be.”

“Right…”

Katsuto thought for a moment, and then nodded.

“Although it is not certain that they belong to a terrorist group, they did behave unscrupulously to this extent, so we cannot let them escape.”

The reason that Katsuto was perplexed lay in the fact that if they wasted more time here, then they might completely lose Gu Jie.

“Then, can we leave these guys to the Juumonji Family? I will pursue Gu Jie.”

Masaki was worried about the same thing. Thus, he suggested to split up.

“Though you say pursue, how will you catch up? From what I understand, Gu Jie should have escaped to the sea already.”

“I will chase him on water.”

“It seems that’s the only way…”

If they suffered the same fierce attacks on the sea, even if it was Katsuto, it would be a dilemma without a way out. It was not certain whether Masaki could completely defend against such an attack either.

However, compared to Katsuto, Masaki possessed longer range attacks. Once he discovered Gu Jie’s ship, he could immediately destroy the turbines, preventing the ship from navigating. Even if he would mistakenly hit innocent vessels, the compelling importance of arresting Gu Jie, made it unavoidable. They could cover it up by giving the blame to the terrorists.

“Understood. Leave this to us.”

Katsuto decided.

No one could criticize him for being indecisive, nor could they have said that he made the decision too late.

That was because no one could have predicted that the enemy, who had been hindering their pursuit of Gu Jie, would use such an underhanded method in the end.

The moment Katsuto accepted Masaki’s suggestion.

The enemy force that had collapsed within the windbreaks suddenly combusted. This was not a metaphor, but as literal as the words described. Both the corpses and the bodies of the injured combusted into flames.

This was a self-detonation magic that used human ignition magic. No, describing it as self-detonation was incorrect. The non-regular soldiers of the USNA had been implanted with a sequence, and once it received an external signal, it would activate the human ignition magic.

Furthermore, for soldiers who are not magicians, the program was planted deep within their mind, and they would be burnt together alongside their magician counterparts.

Katsuto set up an emergency shield, protecting both himself and Masaki.

The Juumonji magicians that had followed him quickly set-up their magic wall as well.

They were definitely not making a huge fuss over a minor issue. The enemy soldiers were not the only one spitting fire.

The weapons used by the enemy melted or exploded due to the high heat.

The shrapnel from the weapons struck the magic shield.

The flames that burnt human bodies into black ashes were about to spread to the windbreaks.

It was not just at one or two places.

“Extinguish the fire immediately!”

Katsuto gave the order loudly.

The top priority right now was not to pursue Gu Jie, but to prevent the fire from spreading.

◊ ◊ ◊

On the main road, parallel to the coast, Tatsuya was running at 60km/h. He was not using flying magic. There were a few reasons for this.

For this battle, Tatsuya did not accept the support of the Independent Magic Battalion. He hadn’t been denied assistance either. Just before the battle at Zama station, Tatsuya had already received permission to use military classified magic. Though it was a request for permission, it was more like a notification.

Tatsuya did not seek help from the Independent Magic Battalion. Neither did Battalion actively aid Tatsuya. As a result, obviously, Tatsuya was not wearing the mobile suit.

Even if he did not wear the mobile suit, he could still fly.

Since he did not have the resistance of the mobile suit, he could not fully cope with the enemy’s attack. Tatsuya was not an expert in Anti- Material Barrier magic or Heat Resistant Barrier magic. He could detect the enemy’s attack, then use Decomposition to repulse it. However, when he was in flight he could not predict from which angle and what distance the attack from the opposition was going to come from. Therefore, he did not have a hundred percent success rate to repulse the attack.

Tatsuya whose forte was specialized magic originally had weak points in defense. Self-restoration magic was only used after injury, and even Tatsuya did not want to be used for a suicide mission.

Gu Jie had already travelled to the distant waters, moving at a relatively fast pace towards south-east direction. At this rate, it was a matter of time before they reached International Waters.

The ones assisting Gu Jie’s escape have considerable organizational strength. Tatsuya believes it was the doing of USNA. Though he could not completely grasp what benefit USNA would receive from Gu Jie’s escape, because of their intervention, the result would likely be Gu Jie’s escape.

──Compared to letting him escape, there was a way to rid his worries.

Gu Jie’s method of fooling with a magician’s life was already a death sentence for him.

The best result was first to allow the police to arrest him, then assassinate him in prison.

However, Tatsuya started considering ‘eliminate’ Gu Jie as the backup plan.

Tatsuya was heading to the beach that Gu Jie used to escape to the sea. He knew his target was no longer there, but he decided to meet up with Masaki and crew.

By the time Tatsuya had reached the location, the fire extinguishing had finished.

“What is going on?”

After Tatsuya asked such a question, Masaki showed a speechless, bitter expression.

The one who replied was Katsuto.

“The enemy self-detonated.”

“There were obviously no dried-up trees, did the fire originate only from the self-detonation?”

“It seems they used human ignition magic.”

Once Tatsuya heard what kind of magic was used, he understood the intent of the enemy was to rid the evidence. For some unknown reason, it would seem that the USNA was attempting to stop them from arresting Gu Jie at all cost. Although it should be impossible, Gu Jie’s terrorist attacks could not really be a plan of theirs right?

“Shiba.”

While Tatsuya was thinking about things, Katsuto started to ask a question.

“Ichijou-dono said he wanted to use water walking magic to pursue Gu Jie. What do you think?”

Tatsuya eliminating Gu Jie here was the quickest method. But this was a trump card that must be well hidden.

“Can we ask the Coastal Garrison for help?” Masaki disagreed with Tatsuya’s suggestion. “Would it not be too late to call for a ship?”

“We won’t pursuit from here. Gu Jie’s ship is located at the front of the island’s peninsula. If there is a patrol ship located there it could first intercept, then we could guide them from over here.”

Masaki did not know how Tatsuya was able to locate Gu Jie’s position with such ease, but he did not ask. Thought Katsuto probably had the same question, but because he was polite, he did not mention Tatsuya’s magic at all.

“Let me contact Tomokazu-dono then.”

Katsuto accepted Tatsuya’s suggestion, retrieving the information transmission terminal device.

As if Katsuto had timed the retrieval of his terminal device at the perfect moment, it had begun to ring.

The screen displayed the caller name as Saegusa Mayumi.

Katsuto turned on the speaker function to allow Tatsuya and Masaki to listen in, then he accepted the call.

“Saegusa? What’s the matter?”

“We probably don’t have much time, so I’ll get to the point”

Mayumi should have no part in tonight’s pursuit battle plan. However, she seemed to have understood the situation from this side.

“I asked the patrol ship to let me on board, we are nearby. Can you see?”

Tatsuya, Katsuto, and Masaki looked towards the ocean. They could clearly see the lights of the patrol ship closing in to the beach near them.

“You want to help pursue Gu Jie?”

“Well, yes. Tatsuya-kun, are you there?”

Mayumi gave Katsuto a positive reply, then suddenly asked for Tatsuya.

“Yes, I am here.”

Although a bit unexpected, Tatsuya responded quickly without being flustered.

“You know where Gu Jie is, right? Are you able to get here?” Mayumi’s request went according to Tatsuya’s wishes. “Understood.”

Tatsuya agreed without uttering any other words.

“Saegusa-san, this is Ichijou. Can you let me on the ship as well?”

Masaki chimed in while being flustered.

“Sure. And Juumonji?”

Although it was a matter of course, Mayumi quickly agreed to let Masaki on board.

“The situation here is a bit complicated, I have to stay.”

Katsuto also wanted to participate in the chase, but he could not leave the charred corpses, broken weapons and fire traces unattended. Someone had to be responsible for notifying the police and fire departments and explain the details to them.

“Roger that. Tatsuya-kun and Ichijou-kun, I can’t send anyone over to pick you up, do you mind coming over here?”

“Understood.”

Tatsuya and Masaki answered with the terminal device in Katsuto’s hand.

The two of them ran as if they were racing to the coast. They were scrambling and rushing towards the patrol ship.

◊ ◊ ◊

Gu Jie, who had fled to the sea on the amphibious vehicle, enter the high-speed cargo ship together with the vehicle.

He was resting in the Captain’s room currently.

Hearing the knocking sounds at the door, Gu Jie simply answered ‘come in’.

“Lord, sorry to disturb you.”

As expected, the one who opened the door was Doe.

Gu Jie looked at him, with an afterthought ‘so he was this type of person’.

He was about thirty years old in age, with a height of 175 cm. Black hair, black eyes, with a tan skin tone. He had a plain complexion without any special characteristics. This look left people without much of an impression. Thought he had seen him several times already, every time it would give a false impression of a first meeting. It was probably because he had no spare time to care about such matters. Gu Jie self-deprecated in his heart.

“My Lord, did you want a drink?”

Doe’s hand was a bottle of Shaoxing wine. If the content was as the label suggests, even if it was not the highest end, it was definitely a top- quality variety.

“Give me a cup.”

After Gu Jie’s reply, Doe nodded and placed the bottle on the table. He then retrieved a small glass cup from the cupboard.

Doe placed the cup in front of Gu Jie and poured in the Shaoxing wine. Gu Jie picked up the cup and handed it over to Doe.

Thanks for the hard work. You can drink first.”

“Ai ya, then excuse my rudeness.”

Doe did not hesitate to take the cup and drank all the wine inside.

It was obvious that Gu Jie wanted Doe to test if there was poison in the drink so Doe drank without any resistance. He took out another small cup, and invited Gu Jie to drink the Shaoxing wine with him.

Gu Jie drank all the wine the Doe poured.

“En… good wine.”

“I don’t deserve your praise.”

Gu Jie placed the glass cup back on the table while looking at the Doe who was standing.

“So, what’s the situation?”

“It will take just less than one hour to leave Japanese waters. Currently there are no pursuers.”

“That’s it huh.”

Although he did not show the expression or attitude, Gu Jie finally felt a sigh of relief. It was hard to say that it was safe. Even if they entered into international waters, it would not prevent a pursuit. However, he could not hold back the peace of mind he had from finally escaping from the grasp of the enemy.

“And after that? The Japanese should be aware of this ship.”

“Yes, I think so too. Although it would cause trouble for my Lord, please transfer to another ship later.”

“Your preparations are thorough.”

“Lord, I’m honored by your praise. After the transfer to the next ship, it will directly head to Sydney.”

“We won’t stop at ports along the way?”

“Yes, I thought that would be best… However if my Lord had any ports in mind.”

“No, you can take care of it.”

“Understood. If you have any orders, I will come immediately.”

Doe left the room.

Gu Jie picked up the Shaoxing wine bottle left on the table.

◊ ◊ ◊

When Tatsuya jumped on to the Patrol Ship from the surface of the sea, the ones who welcomed him was Mayumi and Yakumo.

“Hai, Tatsuya, you are slow.”

“…Master, why are you here?”

Tatsuya inquired with a frown. Yakumo let out his usual leisurely smile.

“You’re actually asking me this. Did I not say that earlier? I am here to help resolve the incident. Did you forget?”

“What I wanted to ask wasn’t this. I am asking how Master got on this ship.”

While Tatsuya questioned Yakumo, Masaki who had just gotten on the boat questioned Mayumi on the side.

“Um, Saegusa-san, this monk is?”

Mayumi showed an awkward smile and replied Masaki.

“This is Ninjutsu master Kokonoe Yakumo. He is Tatsuya-kun’s master. He said he was willing to help us.”

“Correctly speaking, I am not his Master. That’s because Tatsuya is not a ninja, nor is he a monk. I only help him practice Taijutsu a bit.”

Yakumo did not answer Tatsuya’s question, but instead interrupted Mayumi and Masaki’s discussion.

Tatsuya sharply glared at Yakumo, making Mayumi feel it was her fault, causing her to hurriedly reply.

“Although everyone told me not to do anything today, but I could not sit still”

Tatsuya’s expression of ‘and so?’ urged her to continue speaking.

“Just in case, I had the patrol ship travel to the Hiratsuka’s New Port. There, I discovered Master Yakumo… He said he knew where Tatsuya- kun was, so I invited him onto the ship. I also knew that he was Tatsuya- kun’s teacher… Was I not allowed to do this?”

After Mayumi asked while trembling, Tatsuya swallowed his sigh.

“…No, it’s fine.”

“Great.”

Listening to Yakumo’s words, Tatsuya did not know why he felt annoyed.

But he restrained himself from making meaningless questions and answers, instead focused on what should be done currently.

“Saegusa-senpai, let’s begin the pursuit immediately.”

“Yes. Then Tatsuya-kun will you help guide us on the route?”

“Understood.”

Tatsuya and Mayumi headed towards the deck of the patrol ship. Masaki and Yakumo followed closely.

◊ ◊ ◊

Canopus, who was called to the destroyer’s battle intel center, put on a solemn face after hearing the report. Previously, in the planning rehearsal for the final stages of battle, the event that he had hoped was predicted incorrectly slowly became true.

“In general, Japan’s patrol ship caught up to Heigu’s cargo ship?”

Looking at the sea charts while listening to the explanation of the route and relative speed, Canopus summarized the content into the following line to confirm.

“It could be said so, but could also not be said so.”

Apart from the destroyer’s crew, one of the backup combat member stated the information once again to Canopus.

“It is predicted that Japan’s patrol ship will only catch up to Heigu’s vessel when they reach international waters. However, Japan has the Right to Pursuit, we cannot intervene.”

The Right to Pursuit (also called Right to Continuous Pursuit) was a right recognized by International Conventions. A country had the right to continue to pursue a vessel in international waters if the vessel violated the laws within that country’s territorial waters. Canopus already knew this without listening to the explanation.

“Need to change the final phase of the plan.”

The member used this line to answer the summary. Canopus sighed deeply.

“Hard-line measure, huh…”

As expected, it wouldn't end so easily. Being able to avoid the worst situation by sinking Gu Jie’s vessel in Japanese waters, was already for the best. Canopus comforted himself with this thought.

“Inform me when Heigu’s ship gets near. I will be waiting in the cabin.”

“Understood, Major-dono”

Under the farewells of the members, Canopus left the battle intel center.

◊ ◊ ◊

“Maintain the current course. We should have the visual on the target soon.”

Just as Tatsuya predicted, a ship appeared before the lights of the patrol ship.

The high-speed patrol ship prepared by Mayumi utilized its speed. Just before the ship that Heigu was riding in reached international waters, It had closed into visual range.

“Captain, please!”

Without hearing the full command from Mayumi, the Captain of the patrol ship had order his crew to issue the suspension signal.

Using both loudspeakers and signal lamp to advise the ship that Gu Jie was riding on to stop sailing. Thus, the pursuit right was established.

The bridge of the patrol ship was filled with relief.

◊ ◊ ◊

The stop command was issued in multiple languages. It had reached the ears of Gu Jie who had been resting in his room.

Someone hurriedly knocked on the cabin door.

“Enter!”

Gu Jie’s voice revealed some anxiety. “My Lord, sorry to disturb you!”

Doe who had been watching the door could not conceal his panic.

“Japan’s patrol ship seems to have spotted us. How many vessels are there?”

“One ship.”

Doe did not understand why Gu Jie asked this question, thus answered on reflex.

“So, how should we proceed?”

“Flee to international waters just like this.”

“But, their speed is rather fast?”

It was not clear why Doe was responding to Gu Jie’s accusations so confidently.

“Our ship will standby on the perimeter of Japanese territorial waters. The following course of the ship will be a bit rough, please be careful.”

Currently, Gu Jie had no pawns. He did not have the battle ability to sink the patrol ship.

But he was not completely helpless.

If he was out of pawns, he could make more.

There was not enough time or tools, so he can only produce consumables. Fortunately, there was only one ship of pursuers. Once he broke through the current predicament, he would find a way out of danger.

Gu Jie looked at the man that claimed to be John Doe. The first time they met, he already knew that this man had very good talent. Though he seemed to have hidden his strength, but Gu Jie saw through him with one glance.

Moreover, Gu Jie was convinced that he had concealed some things.

“Understood. Doe, I’ll leave this to you.”

“I will do as you bid, my Lord.”

Du bowed deeply to the point of exposing his back while concealing his hand.

Gu Jie activated the magic he had pre-set on Doe’s body.

Doe’s body twitched as though he was having a seizure.

Soon after, he fell forwards.

The collapsed Doe was holding a small pistol within his right hand.

“Is your goal to assassinate me? To put in such effort just to assassinate me. Do you think I will believe a man who I have never met before unconditionally?”

Gu Jie issued the next command using the mouth that had ridiculed the corpse.

“Doe, get up.”

Doe’s physical movements began slowly, but then immediately got up as though energy had returned to his body.

“Do you understand my words?”

Doe nodded his head.

Upon seeing his response, Gu Jie could only smack his own lips.

“Can’t speak anymore.”

Although he had preset the magic, but at the time he had omitted even the simplest ceremonies. It would seem that the preparations were not enough. The process to convert lifeforce into magic fuel had been successful, but the body had lost some of its function.

Gu Jie gave up on inquiring about Doe’s background. He ordered him to handle the patrol ship.

“Doe, sink with the Japanese Patrol Ship.”

Doe nodded his head in the same way and left the cabin.

Gu Jie also left the cabin and headed towards the bridge to control the ship.

◊ ◊ ◊

Hearing the sounds of knocking, Canopus responded with “Enter”.

The one who entered was not a destroyer crew member, but a combat member.

The member closed the door after entering the cabin. He stood in front of Canopus.

“Major, Joseph Doe’s life signal disappeared.”

Canopus raised his eyebrows and asked the combat member.

“The assassination failed?”

“Regrettably, it is likely that it failed.”

Canopus got up silently.

When he wanted to exit the cabin, the combat member stopped him.

“Major, the amphibious vehicle used by Gu Jie to escape to the sea is heading straight towards Japan’s patrol ship from the current vessel he is on.”

“We need not care. The Japanese patrol ship will most likely sink that vessel.”

Canopus picked up the sword shaped armament device that was standing next to the door. He then went to the deck to solve everything with his own hands.

◊ ◊ ◊

The target that was sent the stop signal did not have any signs of slowing down. Seeing the situation, the Captain of the patrol ship ordered for the firing of another warning.

“Take aim, the suspicious vessel is closing in quickly… Please Wait! Confirming that the enemy vessel only sent out a small boat!”

Mayumi was the first to react to the Shooting Controller’s report. “Tatsuya-kun!”

“No, Gu Jie is not on the small boat.”

Mayumi was not the only one to suspect that Gu Jie was attempting to escape via the small boat. Because Tatsuya suspected the same thing, he could immediately reply to Mayumi.

Then, what was the purpose of the small boat? The answer would be revealed immediately.

“The small boat is heading straight for us!”

“Any weapons!? What kind of boat is it!?”

Immediately after the Captain finished asking, the Shooting Controller answered in a tone as if he was in disbelief.

“It is an amphibious vehicle! Such speed! What is this absurd speed!?”

Knowing that it was impossible for the speed of an amphibious vehicle to be so fast, the controller could only be stunned speechless.

“That acceleration is the result of magic!”

Masaki said in a firm tone, at the same he pointed his bright red CAD towards the amphibious vehicle.

The Psion light released from Masaki’s body lit up radiantly. “Rupture” was activated.

The small boat seemed to be using a hydrogen engine, therefore the fuel did not explode. Looks like the hydrogen fuel diffused before a fire could start.

Given the situation, this also meant that the magician in the amphibious vehicle did not receive a fatal blow.

As the amphibious vehicle sank gradually, the silhouette appearing from the vehicle started travelling towards them at high speeds as though he was water skiing on the sea.

“Shoot warning fire towards the fleeing vessel, we will handle that person.”

Mayumi suggested to the captain. She had already finish her magic activation sequence.

“Aim!”

“Aim, the suspicious vessel is very close!”

“Preparations for firing complete!”

“Fire!”

The tracer bomb bombardment sailed past the side of the ship that Gu Jie was on.

At the same time, Mayumi launched her magic.

“Magic Shooter”

Mayumi did not necessarily require dry ice to materialize her bullets. Even if it was normal ice bullets, she would have the same control as if they were dry ice. To be honest, Mayumi’s full potential could be released when she was on the sea or lake where there was ample water to materialize bullets from.

Mayumi created ice bullets directly from the sea water, a magician of the sea ── a personal belief ── fired at the silhouette from all directions while predicted his movements. The silhouette could not withstand the barrage and sank into the water.

“Suspicious vessel has left our territorial waters.”

“No problem, intercept it from the front.”

In accordance to the command of the Captain, the patrol ship closed in on the ship Gu Jie was riding on.

Mayumi seemed concerned about the magician that had fallen into the ocean, but did not say to have him rescued. Apprehending Gu Jie was the mission she was entrusted with.

When they were one step away from catching up to Gu Jie’s vessel, the Radar Officer said in a concerned voice.

“Captain! USNA’s destroyer is approaching us!”

“What!?”

The Captain could not contain his shock.

USNA’s destroyer was anchored in close proximity to the border between Japan’s territorial waters and international waters. This was something that they had been aware of since the start of the chase. When inquired about their identity, they also revealed who they were. It was concerning that the location of the destroyer was directly in the escape route of the suspicious vessel, but because they had not taken any hostile action, the Japanese forces could not intervene.

However, the opposition began to move suddenly.

From the navigation route of the destroyer, it was possible that they were assisting in the arrest of the suspicious vessel, at the same time, the destroyer could also be trying to obstruct the arrest.

The staff on the bridge rushed into action. The correspondents quickly began to set up communications with the destroyer.

◊ ◊ ◊

“Target has reached international waters.”

“Forward at half speed.”

The destroyer moved in accordance to the Captain’s instructions. The ship’s course was headed southwest. To the right was the ship that Gu Jie was hiding in, just further away was the Japanese Patrol Vessel.

Equipped with a powerful engine, the USNA destroyer caught up to Gu Jie’s high-speed cargo ship in the blink of an eye.

At the front of the deck stood Canopus, unsheathing an armament device modelled after a Japanese sword, watching the cargo ship.

◊ ◊ ◊

Gu Jie, who had arrived to the deck, had turned the entire crew including the captain into his puppets. Although the crew had almost no resistance, the process of turning them into puppets was not instantaneous. Before Gu Jie’s jutsu completed, the ship had been sailing straight and nobody had been paying attention to the surroundings.

Gu Jie was only aware of the destroyer closing in until they were about to collide.

“Stop the ship!”

“Full speed retreat!”

The crew on the deck was deprived of free will, they can still complete what was order with the same technical expertise as before.

The Cargo ship halted in accordance to the command of the Captain. The Cargo ship gradually slowed down, until it stopped moving.

The destroyer closed into the Cargo ship’s path.

It seems collision had been avoided. The instant Gu Jie thought of this, he felt a powerful magic pressure and immediate stopped thinking.

◊ ◊ ◊

Canopus raised the armament device used for ‘Molecular Divider’.

Gu Jie’s position was reflected on the transparent screen of the glasses. This could only be achieved because Special Agent Joseph Doe had sacrificed his life to install the transmitter.

Second only to STARS First Unit Captain Angie Sirius, USNA’s second strongest, Major Benjamin Canopus launched the most powerful ‘Molecular Divider’ towards Gu Jie who was aboard the cargo ship.

◊ ◊ ◊

“Full speed retreat!”

The patrol ship issued the same order as the cargo ship in hopes of avoiding collision with the destroyer.

The bow of the destroyer was now in direct line of the cargo ship’s navigation route.

At this time.

Tatsuya felt the activation of a powerful magic.

The Magic Activation Target Object Area was a slender sheet space with total length of seven hundred meters.

Extremely large-scale Area Magic.

It was magic categorized under ‘intermolecular binding force reversal’, also known as ‘Molecular Divider’.

(Do they intend to chop Gu Jie together with the rest of the ship in half!?)

If one was to receive a strike of Molecular Divider of that magnitude, no corpse would remain. They would basically disappear together with the ship in the vast ocean.

If he allowed the opposition to do that, all of Tatsuya’s hard work up until this point would have been in vain.

If the goal had been elimination, everything would have been ended earlier in the morning.

Tatsuya intends to use Gram Dispersion to cause Molecular Divider to fail.

Almost as if it was a habit, he stretched his right hand forward. Yakumo caught his hand.

Tatsuya glared at Yakumo.

Yakumo immediately began to shake his head.

Suddenly, Tatsuya’s heart had a moment of hesitation.

And it was during this instant,

Molecular Divider was activated; a giant blade came crashing down.

The ship that was carrying Gu Jie was split in two halves without the slightest resistance.

At the same time, the Psion marker that Tatsuya left in Gu Jie’s body dissipated.

The individual “human” existence known as Gu Jie disappeared. “Just now, that was… what was that?”

“It was… Molecular Divider?”

Mayumi and Masaki muttered blankly. Tatsuya glared at Yakumo with sharp eyes.

But Tatsuya also saw Yakumo return a glare with the same intensity, hence he gave up on questioning Yakumo’s intentions.

The Captain personally cursed in rage at the microphone of the communication device.

The Captain of the destroyer answered in a steady voice.

Their Captain said that the ship was a notorious pirate ship that they had been tracking thus far.

He advocated the reason why they sank the cargo ship was because the pirate ship was ignoring all stop warnings and had attempted to escape. Given the situation, they were forced to do what they did.

“Wasn’t that ship ready to stop!”

“From our perspective that was certainly not the case.”

“Lying with your eyes wide open!”

“If you have any objections, then send them through the proper diplomatic channels.”

After the destroyer finished their communication, they had changed their course towards the East.

The crew of the patrol ship were not the only ones gritting their teeth as they watched the destroyer leave.

Tatsuya, Masaki and Mayumi were left with feelings of emptiness. All that remained was the view of the back of the destroyer in the distance, and the ocean that had engulfed Gu Jie.