"Understood."
Whether it was out of a deep-seated trust or a touch of pity for the enemy, Kyoko took the data card from Tatsuya and disappeared into the back offices.
◇ ◇ ◇
While the joint operation between Japan and the Great Asian Alliance (GAA) to intercept the operatives moved forward behind the scenes, a different kind of meeting was taking place. Diacca Brestillo, President of the South American Federation (SSA), was holding an unofficial conference with Victor Senard, the President of France.
"President Brestillo, it is a pleasure to meet with you directly like this," Senard remarked.
"It has been some time since the Foundation Day ceremonies. I am glad to see you in good health."
Since the Third World War, international travel for heads of state required extreme caution and the protection of elite magicians. However, many non-magician politicians feared the very power that protected them, often keeping their distance from their guards—a choice that frequently cast a long shadow over their diplomatic efficacy.
Both Diacca and Victor understood the risks of leaving their borders, but they could not ignore the "Stellar Generator" project proposed by Taurus Silver.
Though not publicly disclosed, the New West Island (Saika Shinjima) was more than just a resource extraction plant. It was designed as a relay station for the Stellar Generator power system, following the precedents of Minamishizu Island and Miyaki Island, with the ultimate goal of supplying energy to Southeast Asia.
For France, this was the foundation for large-scale power plants to replace aging nuclear facilities, allowing them to compete with the UK, whose influence was bolstered by their magical assets. For the SSA, participating in the energy line system was vital. To that end, they had brought their "trump card," the Strategic-Class Mage Hans Ernst, to assist in preventing sabotage.
"Regarding the party on the artificial island off Kume Island the day after tomorrow," Senard said, "our intelligence suggests that the forces attempting to interfere have ties to the United Kingdom."
"The UK... It's hard to imagine them involving themselves directly. My subordinates apparently encountered individuals fitting that description."
"Is that so? In that case, the faction that defected from the GAA likely has strong ties to the Hong Kong region."
France and the UK, though both part of the Western EU and separated only by the English Channel, had a long history of conflict. Even now, the struggle for continental leadership continued fiercely beneath the surface. France had tracked a high-tech British transport plane heading to Australia and back. While some thought it was a move to revive the New British Commonwealth, the intelligence regarding GAA special forces in Japan led Victor to conclude the UK was aiming to disrupt the party.
"It's inevitable that Japan's power will grow. They sit between two giants—the New Soviet Union and the Great Asian Alliance. Perhaps the John Bulls and the Yankees are simply afraid," Victor mused.
"Afraid of another 'Kamikaze' like in the Second World War? It seems they don't know the proverb: Let sleeping gods lie," Diacca replied.
"Indeed. The more one learns about 'them,' the more you realize that the only sensible thing for us to do is wave the white flag."
Having witnessed the sheer scale of the power at play, both Diacca and Victor were extending every courtesy to the individuals involved. To those people, the common sense of the world was a fragile thing. Sadly, there were still those, both at home and abroad, who were too blinded by their own pride and ossified values to see the truth.
"The John Bulls wouldn't miss something that obvious. Which means their operatives are likely a 'Trojan Horse'," Senard suggested.
"—I see. Using them to probe for magical capabilities. A foolish move, in my opinion."
If the truth of such a hypothesis came to light, the price Australia would have to pay would be astronomical. The UK would not escape unscathed either. At worst, it could spark a three-way conflict between the UK, the GAA, and Australia.
While Diacca was surprised by Victor's theory, his own experiences made it plausible. Yet, he doubted the UK as a whole would be so reckless. If it wasn't the nation, it was a specific individual—someone influential enough to wash their hands of a little chaos. Only one name came to Diacca's mind.
"But... if it's one of the 'Thirteen Apostles,' they won't be able to kill him, even if he fails."
"Sir William MacLeod... I have no desire to defend them, but I'm beginning to understand why the Humanists feel the way they do."
The fact that someone possessed such peerless magical skill made them nearly untouchable. Diacca and Victor both shrugged at the possibility of such a man lurking in the background. Their only consolation was that they were on friendly terms with someone who had a high probability of keeping that man in check.
◇ ◇ ◇
As those global leaders conversed, Tatsuya sat at a strategic planning table. The meeting had taken longer than expected, but looking at the participants, Tatsuya understood why.
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