The three groups each began their actions. Yugen, Koko, Himeri, and Celia met with the security personnel at the New International Conference Hall to discuss the security schedule for the thesis competition day, and the results were immediately sent to Hattori. The task was finished in about 15 minutes, as it was merely a confirmation of pre-arranged details.
"The meeting is over, but what should we do?"
"Let's see..."
Regarding Arashiyama, which was visited in the original story, Yugen had already obtained information about Zhou Gongjin during his previous subjugation of the area. He also had a good idea of the most likely place where Zhou Gongjin was hiding. However, he intended to disclose this information only when Tatsuya requested it.
At that moment, he avoided disclosing the information because it would reveal Tatsuya's true identity to Riri.
"'Holy Heaven Eight Extremes Protection Formation' — the preparations for activating the 'Sanctuary' are complete, and the trigger talismans are ready, but it would be better to give them to Mikihiko after evening or tomorrow morning."
"Is there a reason?"
To be honest, this 'Holy Heaven Eight Extremes Protection Formation,' which he had adopted, believing it suitable for 'Sanctuary' construction, was tested as a precaution at the Kaminari family's main residence. The result was that all the malevolent spirits haunting the graveyard managed by a nearby temple were completely eradicated.
When Alice measured its effectiveness, she found that it would instantly obliterate demonic entities like Parasites. Moreover, it amplified the effect of any barriers already deployed within its range, leading to a prediction that malicious individuals would suffer significant damage just by stepping into the sanctified river.
The possibility emerged that if the 'Sanctuary' were activated before Tatsuya made contact with Zhou Gongjin, Zhou Gongjin, who was in Uji, could be instantly killed. Therefore, Mikihiko was given auxiliary tools to make his exploration with search spells even slightly easier.
"If it were activated at this point, it would likely cause some damage not only to continent-based sorcerers but also to the 'Traditionalist Faction' to some extent. After all, it's an absolute sanctuary that invariably kills even Oni, Yōkai, and evil spirits."
"You mean it could even harm humans...?"
It was understandable why only Abe no Seimei, who created this magic, could properly wield it. Furthermore, this magic was specifically devised solely to defeat Ashiya Dōman, also known as Dōma Hōshi. The fact that it also had an effect on humans stemmed from this background. Seimei, who casually created magic, might have been a handful even for his own master.
Well, it was revealed in Seimei's own handwritten notes, preserved in the Kagurazaka family, that Dōman had an illicit affair — in modern terms, "adultery" — with Seimei's wife. Enraged by this, Seimei, fueled by anger, devised the Protection Formation, overwhelming Dōman and his curses with ease (there was no mention of what happened to the wife who committed adultery with Dōman, and Seimei himself might have genuinely agonized over this).
"To think it's just a barrier spell, yet it's honestly quite dangerous as a purifying barrier that could even kill malicious humans. So, I did modify the spell itself, but even then, the best it could do was knock out malicious individuals."
"No, I think that alone is more than enough!"
Regardless of whether a being casually completes a 'monster-killing barrier' as in fantasy, activating the Protection Formation would cover nearly the entire southern part of the former Kyoto Prefecture, including the Kyoto metropolitan area. Parts of Osaka, Nara, and Shiga would also be under its influence. If the 'Sanctuary' were reconstructed, neither ancient magic users nor modern magic users could ignore it.
Normally, this matter should be reported to the Japan Magic Association due to the presence of their headquarters, but Princess Sen's conclusion was that they had no right to be told by an organization that couldn't even exert proper influence over the 'Traditionalist Faction'.
"So, what do we do?"
"...Our combat strength is more than sufficient, so let's crush the Kurama Mountain base."
"You say that so casually, you're quite frightening yourself."
A presence resembling a continent-based sorcerer was moving towards the conference hall, drawn by Mikihiko's search spell. Fortunately, having visited Kurama-dera the other day, the travel route to Kurama Mountain could be somewhat shortened, but the 'Mirror Gate' was merely a means of emergency transport. Yugen took out 'Valkyrie' from his pocket.
"Is it okay to use magic in the city?"
"I already got direct permission from Kudou-kakka, so there's no problem."
One of the conditions for Kousen's treatment was Yugen obtaining permission from Retsu to use magic in the Kyoto/Nara area. Normally, it would be proper to inquire with the head of the Kudou family, but there was a high possibility of being forced into strange demands in return.
Yugen activated 'Sonic Drive,' a supersonic movement magic that made 'pseudo-teleportation' more efficient with 'Valkyrie,' and the four instantly descended into the forest near Kurama-dera.
"Whoa, there. To arrive near Kurama-dera in an instant, as expected of Yugen."
"Well, let's get this done quickly."
"...I wonder if we'll even get a turn?"
"Himeri, I don't think you should say that."
Yugen casually performed extraordinary feats, but Koko, Himeri, and Celia were also legitimate powerhouses. Their words, putting themselves on the shelf, naturally reached Yugen's ears.
◇ ◇ ◇
Subduing the 'Traditionalist Faction' base on Kurama Mountain didn't take much effort. At the outset, Yugen unleashed 'Chidori' into the base, and Himeri, Koko, and Celia easily subdued the ninja who narrowly avoided its damage. Celia, in particular, had thoroughly trained with the Stars (having undergone more combat training than magic training, even more so than Lina), making it impossible not to feel sympathy for the ninjas who were easily taken down.
"Alright, that's the end... Though I feel a bit unfulfilled."
"Don't say that. Since we don't know what kind of techniques the opponent uses, preventing a surprise attack is also a tactic."
Besides, the rules of combat are not the rules of a game, and since they underestimated modern magic users, who rely on visual and perceptual recognition, there's no reason to call it a sneak attack or cowardly. The cleanup here was left to Kurama-dera and Enryaku-ji. As they exited the base, Yugen's terminal rang. When he connected the video call, it was Mikihiko.
"Mikihiko. Were you attacked over there?"
"Yeah. There were continent-based sorcerers among the Kurama Mountain ninjas."
They were attacked by ninjas near Takaragaike, close to the venue, but Erika and Leo easily repelled them. Then, a continent-based sorcerer used puppet-style oni to try to eliminate the ninjas, and eventually even unleashed 'Xiangliu,' a Chinese yōkai. Just as Mikihiko was considering invoking the 'Dragon God,' 'Xiangliu' exploded. This was done by Ichijou Masaki with 'Explosion' during his inspection of the venue, and the sorcerer died in a nearby forest from the backlash of having his spell broken.
"We've secured the Kurama Mountain base. I've already delegated the rest, so there's no problem there."
"...Your efficiency in crushing it so easily is impressive. We still have the police to deal with here, so you all can move as you wish."
"Understood."
After ending the call with Mikihiko, Yugen explained the situation to the three and decided to consider their next moves. Tatsuya would likely consider Zhou Gongjin's 'Kimon Tonkou' and inquire about the 'Traditionalist Faction' bases from Kousen, then head to Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Tenryu-ji.
"However, the possibility of finding clues even if we go to their bases is low. Considering that Zhou Gongjin has managed to escape well, it's unlikely he's in the city."
"That's the thing... Onii-chan, do you know anything?"
"...I have a rough idea of Zhou Gongjin's hiding place. But, that place is quite dangerous."
"Where is it?"
"National Defense Land Forces Uji Second Supply Base."
Upon Yugen's words, the three were almost speechless. Zhou Gongjin was hiding in a National Defense Force facility—during the Nine Schools Competition, he incited the hardliners against the Greater Asian Alliance, and this time, he was harbored by the appeasement faction against the Greater Asian Alliance. Just this fact alone raises endless questions about whether the National Defense Force is fulfilling its duty as soldiers to protect national interests.
"However, if I were to act, it would only increase the discord between the Kagurazaka family and the 'Nine' families. That's why this time, Tatsuya has to move, or it's pointless."
"Aren't you going to tell Tatsuya-san right away?"
"Regarding that... Zhou Gongjin isn't an ordinary human. So, there's a possibility Tatsuya might let Zhou Gongjin escape."
Providing information about Arashiyama could reduce Tatsuya's burden. However, he judged that it was rational to create a situation where Tatsuya, Masaki, and Kousen could move to capture Zhou Gongjin. Therefore, some events would need to be skipped, but he intended to act with a plan to make a move late tonight. He had no intention of forcing Kousen, who had lingering health concerns, but given his temperament, it was assumed he would push himself to act.
So, the attack on Zhou Gongjin will be brought forward by one week. The biggest reason is that Zhou Gongjin is likely aware that Tatsuya and the others have visited Kyoto, and even if they didn't visit southern Kyoto, there's no inherent guarantee that he could remain completely hidden.
The National Defense Force might have pride in not losing to the Ten Master Clans, but if Tatsuya and Yugen, who are special duty officers of the National Defense Force, along with Kousen, whose grandfather is a retired major general, and even 'Crimson Prince' join in, I honestly don't think there's a vision for victory.
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