Simply demanding that Japan abandon its Strategic-Class Magic would be suicidal for a nation currently facing threats from the New Soviet Union. Attempting such a move openly would instantly shatter existing military alliances. Therefore, Gerald suggested the likelihood of fabricating a narrative behind closed doors: claiming that Angie Sirius was seduced and turned traitor by Japanese magicians.
"Since Excelia Kudou Shields was an off-register existence even within the Stars, framing her wouldn't be effective. While Angelina Kudou Shields has officially discharged from the military, her seat as Angie Sirius remains open. What I am about to say next may sound unpleasant to Your Excellency..."
"Speak. Dismissing potential scenarios outright is foolish. Let me hear it."
"Very well... They may manipulate information to pin the origin of the recent Parasite incident on Lady Angelina, exploiting her engagement to the next head of the Yotsuba Clan."
Gerald had been involved in the Parasite incident investigation. Furthermore, because a relative of his was among those affected, he had actively exchanged information. The Dallas experiment had inadvertently spawned the Parasites, ultimately leading to desertions from the Stars. The fact that First Lieutenant Alfred Fomalhaut—one of the deserters—was a close friend of Gerald made the impact hit even deeper.
"Rumors suggest the Yotsuba Clan possesses a Strategic-Class Magician. While unconfirmed at present, during the military conflict between Japan and the Great Asian Alliance five years ago, a spell similar to the one that wiped out the Zhenhai Naval Port was observed."
When Gerald originally heard that Lieutenant Fomalhaut went missing after guarding the Dallas laboratory, and was subsequently executed by Major Angie Sirius for attempting to flee under suspicion of multiple murders, he couldn't believe his ears. Yet the more he investigated, the more he realized it was undeniable reality, instantly sensing that something catastrophic had transpired at the Dallas facility.
"It remains unclear how much this Edward Clark knows, but given the scale of movement around him, this is no longer just a domestic affair."
"Not just domestic... Don't tell me he plans to join hands with the New Soviet Union?"
"It is a distinct possibility. Furthermore, if they champion the peaceful use of magic, I suspect Britain—home to the International Magic Association headquarters—is not uninvolved either."
Shortly after that incident, the entity known as the "First Sage" exposed the micro-black hole experiment in Dallas to the media. While the act appeared purely malicious, Gerald, who was closing in on the original cause, suspected that the "First Sage" was an insider within the USNA. Lacking concrete proof, he knew the number of people with precise knowledge of the Dallas experiment was extremely limited. Investigating those with clearance, he had placed Edward Clark on the suspect list, though Clark himself stubbornly maintained complete innocence.
"Hmm... And how does framing my granddaughter for the recent incident tie into all this?"
"First, the overt justification will be advocating for the peaceful application of magic, proposing a plan to send magicians into space. A terraforming project on Venus or Mars would provide a grand pretext. Should that plan founder, they will falsely accuse Angie Sirius of colluding with Japanese magicians, using military pressure to force Japan into compliance... That is likely their target. Though to achieve this, they must somehow force Lady Angelina back to our homeland."
As long as Lina's military title of "Angie Sirius" remained valid in the USNA military, Gerald reasoned this was the most realistic scheme. Furthermore, he knew Edward Clark had an only son. Even if Clark himself didn't act directly, it was entirely plausible that his son, Raymond, would operate "Hridskjalf" through his home server.
During the background check for the Parasite incident, Gerald had asked an acquaintance to profile Raymond. The result characterized him as someone with a god-complex who delights in grandiosity. Though it sounded absurd, it eerily mirrored the profile of the "Seven Sages." Given that he was the son of information expert Edward Clark, Gerald could not afford to drop his guard.
"Forcing Lina to work as 'Angie Sirius' again... and dragging the Yotsuba down to pull that 'Untouchable' entity out into the open?"
"That is the conclusion I have drawn based on gathered intelligence, Mr. President."
"I'll ask you frankly. What are the chances of this succeeding?"
"...Zero, sir."
Because they picked the absolute worst target to frame.
Granted, the Yotsuba's infamous reputation stemmed from events over 30 years ago, so there was no guarantee those involved were still alive. Conversely, there was no guarantee they were dead either. With far too many gambles baked into such an operation, Gerald couldn't fathom where the USNA—or any co-conspirators—found any margin for victory.
"Even if they drag the New Soviet Union into this, Japan has zero reason to unconditionally trust a hostile power despite any temporary alliance. Frankly speaking, the moment the New Soviet Union is involved, the entire plan collapses."
"What about Britain?"
"Can we truly trust a nation famous for double-dealing and playing both sides? Leaving Her Majesty the Queen aside, rumors suggest that country's 'Thirteen Apostles' were involved in the recent attack on Japan's artificial island by Australian and Great Asian Alliance deserters. Where there's smoke, there's fire."
It was a scathing assessment, but as an agent duty-bound to protect national interests, Gerald was obligated to present the cold truth to the Chief Executive. Major Canopus, standing quietly beside them, clearly understood the gravity of the intelligence, his somber expression confirming his silence.
"Furthermore, the decisive factor is the Southern Oceanic Economic Partnership Agreement (SEPA), spearheaded and signed by Japan. Even if our nation, the New Soviet Union, and Britain join forces, Japan has laid the groundwork to rally nations south of the equator to its side through that treaty."
Prior to the World War, northern powers in Europe exploited nations in the Southern Hemisphere as colonies, leaving behind deep religious and historical scars. If those formerly subjugated nations unite at Japan's call, it becomes doubtful whether major straits and canals—such as Gibraltar, Suez, and Panama—or even the Cape of Good Hope and the Strait of Magellan, would remain accessible. In short, global sea routes risk being severely severed.
Gerald highlighted that attempting to seize Japan's Strategic-Class Magic under the guise of peaceful magic development carried the grave risk of triggering devastating economic retaliation at the civilian level.
"If we resort to brute military force, the legitimacy of a nation preaching 'peaceful magic' while employing violence will be thoroughly questioned. Our international trust will crumble beyond repair."
"I see... I will take your words to heart. Now, I have one favor to ask of you."
Sometime later, Gerald recounted the event—or rather, screamed in agony:
"Those damn Clark father and son never do any good!! At this point, I don't care who does it—somebody just erase them from the face of the Earth already!!"
Gerald Balance... At this moment, no one—least of all himself—could have ever predicted that he would eventually become the next Commander-in-Chief, "Sirius," of the USNA military's elite magician unit, the Stars.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"