Deep in the basement of a mid-rise building in a corner of Ichigaya lies the headquarters of the 3rd Section of Counter-Intelligence. If the main headquarters within the Ministry of Defense is the public face of the National Defense Force's intelligence network, this "underground branch" is one of its true, hidden hearts.
The facility was established as a redundancy measure to ensure the nation's intelligence wouldn't be paralyzed if the main office were compromised. However, the practical result was a fractured organization where different sections served different patrons, each operating according to their sponsor's whims. The Intelligence Department was, in truth, a house divided against itself.
The patron of this specific branch was a trade association of major electrical manufacturers—the second-largest military-industrial group in the country. The Saegusa family was deeply embedded within this coalition. Thus, the 3rd Section's true masters were the Saegusa, and they were currently acting on the direct orders of the clan's head.
"Surveillance target is moving toward the city center. Accompanied by his sister and two others. Matching images now... One is a First High freshman, Honoka Mitsui."
"A classmate? Bringing his sister along on a date... a strange taste he has," the lead officer remarked.
"The other one is... wait. This isn't a human. It appears to be a Type P94 Humanoid Home Helper."
"An H.A.R. terminal? Where is he going with a thing like that? Any progress on the cabinet transit system override?"
"Sir, the encryption is robust... My apologies!"
The lead officer didn't bother reprimanding the subordinate for the excuse; he simply turned to another operator.
"Chief, the cabinet carrying the targets has changed course."
"Akasaka... No, Aoyama?"
The Chief muttered the destination, deducing it from the trajectory on the monitor. After a brief pause, he issued his orders.
"Deploy operators disguised as police to Aoyama-dori. If the targets exercise magic, intercept and detain them under the guise of an arrest."
A flurry of acknowledgments and radio instructions filled the room. The Chief remained silent, his eyes fixed on the glowing monitors.
Colonel Virginia Balance sat slumped in a chair within the furnished weekly apartment provided by the embassy. Her pride was in tatters. To have her tactical headquarters breached, to be abducted without even the dignity of a fight, and then to be "rescued" while drifting at sea by a foreign vessel—it was a catastrophic failure that threatened to end her career.
The sudden chime of the doorbell made her look up. She realized with a start just how late it had become; she had been lost in a fog of humiliation for hours.
"Excuse me, ma'am."
"Come in."
Balance straightened her posture on the sofa, forcing her voice into a crisp, authoritative tone. No matter how broken she felt inside, she could not show weakness to a subordinate—an officer's code, ingrained deeper than her own emotions, demanded it.
The door opened, and a tall woman in a pantsuit entered, offering a salute. Despite being a top-tier operative known for her nerves of steel, the guard sergeant was pale, her face tight with tension. Balance stood up immediately.
"Report."
"Colonel, there is someone here requesting an audience."
"What...?"
Balance's location was a closely guarded secret. Even if a fellow officer or an embassy official had come to see her, there was no reason for a sergeant to be this rattled. This meant the visitor was an outsider who had bypassed all of the USNA's information lockdowns to find her.
"...Who is it?"
"She identifies as Ayako Kuroba. An agent of the Yotsuba family."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Balance. My name is Ayako Kuroba. I am here as a representative of the Yotsuba family."
The girl offered her greeting in flawless, elegant English. However, she omitted any mention of military rank or title—a deliberate slight to a senior officer. Given her perfect pronunciation, it was impossible that she simply lacked the vocabulary. The omission was intentional. Even placing her family name first when introducing herself in Japanese fashion was a calculated assertion of her identity.
"I am Virginia Balance, Colonel, USNA Joint Chiefs of Staff. If you'll forgive me, I have one question before we discuss your business."
"Oh? And what might that be? I shall answer if it is within my power."
"The 'Yotsuba' family... You mean that Yotsuba?"
"Yes, that Yotsuba. I have come today as the proxy of Maya Yotsuba, head of the first of the Ten Master Clans, to ask a favor of you."
"A favor?"
"Yes. A request we sincerely hope you will see fit to grant."
"I'm listening."
"Then I shall speak plainly. We would like you to cease your interference with our nation's magicians, Ms. Balance."
"..."
Balance didn't need a definition of "interference." She was the director of the intelligence war—the investigation, capture, or neutralization of Japan's unlisted Strategic-Class Magicians. But the sheer, unshielded audacity of the demand—Stop—left her momentarily speechless.
"I believe you understand the nature of the 'Ten Master Clans' system, Ms. Balance. Our head, Maya Yotsuba, is concerned by your excessive meddling. As our nations are allies, she has expressed a wish that this matter does not become a spark for conflict."
"...Is that a warning? That a fire will be lit if I don't withdraw?"
Ayako didn't answer directly. Instead, she offered another dazzlingly sweet smile.
"Ms. Balance, did you sleep well last night?"
"That was you people!?"
"My, whatever do you mean? I simply noticed your complexion looked a bit pale and felt a modest concern for your well-being."
Despite her words, there wasn't a trace of concern on the girl's face. She was smiling—the smile of someone who knew everything and felt no need to hide it.
"Ms. Balance, please, calm yourself. If possible, we would prefer to establish a... productive relationship with you."
"A productive relationship?"
"You are well aware of the Yotsuba's capabilities, just as we are aware of yours. If you arrange for a withdrawal from this current operation, our head has stated that the Yotsuba will not forget their personal gratitude toward you. Should the opportunity arise in the future, we would be more than happy to be of service to you personally."
Colonel Balance felt a profound internal struggle, but in the end, her scale tipped toward the side of desire—cloaked in the guise of pragmatism.
Before the devil in the shape of a young girl, Balance signed the invisible contract.
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