“Master Tatsuya, there is one more thing I would like you to see.”
Hyougo called to him on his way to the parking lot. Tatsuya had no other plans for the day.
“All right,” he replied.
Hyougo led Tatsuya and Miyuki to a garage next to the runway. Inside, there was only one vehicle—a short-nosed four-wheeler painted a pale blue color.
“This is an interesting design,” Tatsuya noted. “It has the feel of a mid-engine but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
The vehicle’s midsection housed a power unit, but it wasn’t an engine. While hydrogen or ethanol engines might justify a mid-engine layout, electric vehicles typically had motors in the front, rear, or within each wheel. In that sense, this design resembled an electric vehicle much more closely.
✦ ✦ ✦
✦ ✦ ✦
“It is called an Aircar,” Hyougo explained.
“A car that runs on flying magic?” Tatsuya asked, impressed.
“Precisely. Its development began two years ago alongside the flying motorcycle Wingless, but I understand it was only completed last month thanks to the technology you provided.”
In April, Tatsuya had devised a new flight magic scheme for large objects. However, he had been so busy that he submitted only a rough draft to the main family before pushing it to the back of his mind. He never imagined his ideas would take shape like this.
“The Aircar has been registered for use on public roads, so you can use it for your daily needs,” Hyougo continued.
“Can I use it to travel to and from this island?”
“Of course. Just give me a call, and I can deliver it to you immediately.”
“Why don’t you give it a try, Tatsuya?” Miyuki suggested.
Tatsuya thought for a beat.
“Not today.”
It wasn’t that he had no interest in the vehicle. He just didn’t want to leave Miyuki unattended. Taking the Aircar for a test drive while Miyuki was at school would give him much more peace of mind.
“I’ll try it out tomorrow,” he said to Hyougo.
“Excellent,” the butler replied. “I shall inform the mechanic.”
✦ ✦ ✦
While Tatsuya’s group was visiting Miyaki Island, a minor commotion was stirring at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. Though it was a Sunday, the USNA had made a discreet request through diplomatic channels to seek Japan’s cooperation in locating Major Angie Sirius. Once Japanese officials had secured her location, they would hand her over to the embassy.
Japan rebuked the USNA for allowing senior officers to enter their country without prior notice, but the USNA protested that the major’s visit was not for military purposes. Blatant lie though that was, Japan could not legally press the matter further. The Japanese government ultimately assured the USNA of their commitment to locating Angie Sirius.
“The American request is bold, but it seems justified,” Kazama said. “What I would like to know is why they’re specifically asking the 101st Brigade to do this.”
“Colonel Kazama,” Saeki said, frustrated, “I am just as exhausted as you are, so could you please stop acting like you don’t know what’s going on?”
“Forgive me.” Kazama bowed solemnly, but he had an amused look in his eyes.
Saeki shot him a glare, but the lieutenant colonel didn’t offer any further apologies. Saeki had no choice but to back down.
“You know Major Sirius is currently under the Yotsuba family’s care,” she said with a sigh.
“I heard the Yotsuba family informed you directly.”
“It was more of a warning than anything.”
“Let me guess. They told you they had Angie Sirius, and they want the National Defense Force to stay out of it,” Kazama guessed.
“Something like that.” Saeki nodded bitterly.
This time, Kazama returned her sentiment.
“What are the odds Specialist Ooguro is involved?”
“High,” Saeki replied. “Looks like we’re suspecting the same thing.”
Both she and Kazama were aware of what had happened between Specialist Ooguro (aka Tatsuya) and Angie Sirius (aka Lina) the previous winter. Angie Sirius was the USNA’s strategic-class magician. Kazama and Saeki concluded Tatsuya’s involvement was the only conceivable reason the Yotsuba family would protect her. While their logic was sound, their reasoning was unfortunately wrong. They were unaware of the secret agreement between the Yotsuba family and Colonel Balance.
“Do you think the USNA will demand that Specialist Ooguro—I mean, Tatsuya—hand Major Sirius over?” Kazama asked.
“I’m sure they’ll have to relinquish her to the States eventually.”
Her response didn’t directly answer Kazama’s question, but he understood what she meant. Ultimately, Lina would probably be used as leverage in some kind of deal.
Since Sirius was a strategic-class magician, she was also an important trump card. Though it was unlikely she was the USNA’s only one, a trump card was still a threat. The USNA would surely do whatever it took to get her back—or dispose of her.
“I wonder why Sirius had to flee the USNA,” Kazama mused.
Strategic-class magicians were major assets, but they were also massive potential risks. It was important to carefully manage them so their loyalties remained with their country of origin. Kazama’s question implied something must have gone wrong with this management.
“Unfortunately, we still don’t know the details.”
The National Defense Force, of course, had its share of spies in the United States. The USNA may have been an ally, but that didn’t exempt them from Japanese espionage. Anyone who believed alliances were eternal and absolute had no business engaging in military or political affairs.
However, this relationship was a two-way street. Just as Japan was wary of American spies, the USNA was also—if not more—cautious about Japanese surveillance. As a result, any information related to the escape of a strategic magician would be heavily protected.
“Isn’t it dangerous to get involved without that kind of information?” Kazama asked.
“Of course it is,” Saeki affirmed. “Which is why we must ask the girl directly.”
Kazama couldn’t explain why, but the idea made him feel uneasy.
“I’ll ask Tatsuya if we can see her,” he said.
“Do we really need his permission?”
Kazama didn’t seem to understand. Saeki continued.
“Just tell Specialist Ooguro to hand Major Angie Sirius over.”
“And if he refuses?” Kazama posed.
“I would hate to resort to violence,” the general said. “But he should be careful not to underestimate the National Defense Force’s desire to have Sirius out of the country.”
In other words, the 101st Brigade wouldn’t support Tatsuya even if the Japanese or American government tried to seize Sirius.
“Understood,” Kazama replied simply.
He doubted Tatsuya was counting on them for support in the first place. He also understood Saeki’s rationale—even military personnel like themselves couldn’t shelter foreign agents without government asylum. Nevertheless, he had reservations about the major general’s decision to consider using force.