Other than the minor incident of illegal entry at Kansai International Airport, Japan had been relatively peaceful of late. The fierce battle between Minoru and Raymond had taken place on a psychological plane, beyond the awareness of ordinary people. Even anti-magic activists had toned down their aggression.
The USNA had yet to make any belligerent demands for Major Sirius’s return, and the Great Asian Alliance was not meddling in the affairs of the southwestern islands. This lull in diplomatic affairs was so pronounced that both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Defense Force found it unsettling.
The reason for the Great Asian Alliance’s recent silence became clear on Friday, June 28, in a shocking world news report.
“Breaking news,” the tense-voiced news anchor announced.
Tatsuya stopped eating his breakfast, his chopsticks still in hand. Miyuki gently placed hers down to focus on the screen.
The news anchor continued, “Early this morning, the Great Asian Alliance and New Soviet Union entered a state of war.”
Miyuki’s eyes widened in shock. If she had still been holding her chopsticks, she might have dropped them on the table. Tatsuya set down his own utensils to give the broadcast his full attention.
“Late last night, the Great Asian Alliance’s army breached the western border of Lake Khanka and advanced south toward Ussuriysk,” the anchor reported. “The New Soviet Union immediately mobilized its Far East Army stationed in Vladivostok, and both forces clashed approximately thirty kilometers outside Ussuriysk. An intense battle is reportedly ongoing as we speak.”
Miyuki glanced uneasily at Tatsuya. “That can’t be good…”
Tatsuya met her gaze.
“This conflict erupted nearby. Japan will definitely feel the repercussions,” he said with unusual tension in his voice.
A commentator stepped in front of the camera to provide analysis.
“It seems the Great Asian Alliance is trying to seize the southern part of the Primorsky region. The Great Asian Alliance already has the Goryeo Autonomous Region under its control. Therefore, this area, especially Vladivostok, is geopolitically like a knife to the throat. I would say the Alliance has essentially been lying in wait for the right moment to eliminate this threat.”
The news anchor nodded thoughtfully as a map appeared on the screen.
“I see,” he said. “But if Vladivostok is their target, why did the Great Asian Alliance army decide to advance south from Lake Khanka? Wouldn’t it have been quicker to invade from the Goryeo Autonomous Region?”
“The Alliance suffered significant naval losses in its conflict with Japan following the Yokohama Incident. It has yet to recover from that blow,” the analyst explained. “To attack Vladivostok from the south would require naval power, which they no longer have. They probably had no choice but to abandon the route through the Goryeo Autonomous Region.”
“Obviously,” Tatsuya said to the TV.
“Why, then, did the Great Asian Alliance decide to launch an invasion now of all times?” the news anchor asked.
“I believe they have been preparing for this operation for over a year,” the analyst said. “The peace treaty they signed with us in November 2095 was completely in our favor. The Great Asian Alliance’s government needed a military victory to restore its global status. That said, the final trigger may have been a certain rumor that has been circulating among military insiders over the past few days.”
“What kind of rumor?” the news anchor prompted.
The analyst looked reluctant before disclosing, “…They say that Dr. Bezobrazov, the New Soviet Union’s strategic-class magician, is either dead or in a coma.”
“That’s news to me,” Tatsuya interjected.
This must have struck Miyuki as funny, because her face softened, and a giggle escaped her lips.
“When it comes to quality, the New Soviet Union trumps the Great Asian Alliance in military strength,” the analyst continued. “But the Great Asian Alliance has the advantage when it comes to numbers. It’s also important to note that the New Soviet Union’s forces are widely spread across East Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. Its main force in East Asia is also concentrated farther north in the Siberian army. If the New Soviet Union’s strategic-class magician is out of commission, the Great Asian Alliance may have thought they have a good chance of winning.”
“How credible is the rumor that Dr. Bezobrazov is currently out of action?” the news anchor asked.
“I don’t think it’s completely baseless,” the analyst said slowly. “There was an incident just a week ago where traces of strategic-class magic, presumably from the New Soviet Union, were detected in the skies over Hachioji, Tokyo. However, Dr. Bezobrazov has been missing since shortly before that.”
“There are also reports that the New Soviet Union is responsible for the large-scale magic attack on the Izu Peninsula earlier this month,” the news anchor added.
“Yes.” The analyst nodded. “It’s quite possible that these surprise attacks were conducted by the New Soviet military and Dr. Bezobrazov is simply a scapegoat.”
“It is bizarre to think that the same Dr. Bezobrazov who advocated for world peace with the Dione Project was involved in the Izu Peninsula attack,” the news anchor said.
His assistant, who had been quiet all this time, hastily interrupted, “So what do you expect the Great Asian Alliance will do next?”
The director might have instructed them to steer clear of the Dione Project. The analyst followed the assistant’s lead.
“Well…” he began, “they probably want to settle things before Siberian forces can join the fight. In other words, they could be aiming for a quick victory.”
“Does that mean the New Soviet Union will try to prolong the conflict until reinforcements arrive?” the news anchor offered, this time avoiding any mention of Bezobrazov.
“I believe so, yes.”
“Do you think the Great Asian Alliance will resort to using a strategic-class magician?” the news anchor asked.
“It’s very possible they will send out Second Lieutenant Liu Li Lei, who recently appeared in public for the first time,” the analyst theorized.
There was more to the conversation, but Tatsuya and Miyuki needed to leave for school. Of course, only Miyuki had to worry about being late. Tatsuya’s plan was to escort her to First High. After that, he was free to do as he pleased.
“What will you do today?” Miyuki asked as they rode in the cabinet together.
“I’m heading to FLT unless Lieutenant Colonel Kazama calls for me,” Tatsuya replied.
“You won’t go see Lina?” Miyuki questioned.
“I have other business to handle,” Tatsuya explained simply.
Miyuki guessed it was probably related to the new conflict between the Great Asian Alliance and the New Soviet Union, but she stopped herself from pressing.
✦ ✦ ✦
In terms of his plans for the day, Tatsuya’s prediction was spot on. After he dropped Miyuki off at school and returned home, he received a call from Lieutenant Colonel Kazama.
“Specialist Ooguro, I know that recent events have put a strain on the trust between us,” the colonel began. “However, as you know, we are now faced with an international emergency. I need you to report to the base immediately.”
His voice was both formal and tinged with a sense of urgency. Despite the somewhat selfish nature of the request, Tatsuya nodded.
“All right.”
It wasn’t in his interest to pick a fight with the National Defense Force, and this wasn’t the time to be stubborn.
“Thank you,” Kazama replied simply.
It wasn’t clear whether he could tell what Tatsuya was thinking. Nevertheless, he gave the boy a grateful bow.
✦ ✦ ✦
Right as Tatsuya was discussing the ongoing conflict in the Far East, Minoru was hearing about it on the news. Though Minoru had just won an intense battle the night before, there was no time to sleep in. Raymond and Regulus, on the other hand, were still in bed. Clearly, parasites didn’t suffer from jet lag.
“I probably shouldn’t be thinking this, but…the Great Asian Alliance conflict might open up the perfect opportunity,” Minoru murmured.
If the conflict drags on, he thought, the Ten Master Clans will have to focus their attention on the Sea of Japan. Even if it ends quickly, the Ten Master Clans will have to respond to whatever side wins the battle and potentially pushes south. That would leave them little time to deal with me.
If the commentators were right, this war had been triggered by Tatsuya’s devastating counterattack against Bezobrazov.
Tatsuya might find it ironic that his actions have led to conflict, Minoru thought, but I call it poetic justice.
Not only was Minami hurt by Bezobrazov’s attack, but Tatsuya may even have lost the ability to protect her by defeating Bezobrazov. If the Great Asian Alliance conflict turned into an opportunity for Minoru as he predicted, that would definitely be a cruel twist of fate in Tatsuya’s disfavor.