In the Public Morals Committee room, a discussion was held between Takuma and Honoka, witnessed by the committee members. Perhaps Yugen's earlier apology had taken effect, for Takuma declared without a hint of hesitation, "I apologize for earlier. Please, find happiness with Shiba-senpai!"
Hearing this, Honoka's thought processes overheated, and she promptly fainted.
Watching the scene unfold, Shizuku murmured, "I have a feeling he's going to become a big shot." Incidentally, Takuma was now being locked onto by Maki Kowamura, but Takuma himself showed signs of being somewhat dense, merely remarking, "She's like a comrade."
Well, Yugen didn't have enough free time to stick his neck into other people's love lives, so he decided to ignore it as long as they didn't break any laws.
While the rumors would likely die down eventually, it was also true that he couldn't afford to listen only to such trivial matters.
January 13th, Sunday. Around the time Tatsuya was clocking in at the FLT research facility (ostensibly as a contracted researcher), Yugen was heading to the Imperial Palace dressed in a suit.
If one were to strictly observe etiquette, a haori hakama or formal morning dress would be common sense. However, the heads of the two Guardian Families had received a special directive stating that as long as the attire wasn't disrespectful, it would suffice as a special exception. This was explained as a gesture of gratitude from the Imperial Family, who relied on the Guardians as advisors well-versed in the secular world.
In the reception room, Mototsugu, the head of the Kamiizumi family, was also seated, wearing a suit like Yugen.
"Yugen, regarding the Clark father and son you mentioned before... is it safe to assume they've seen through Tatsuya's identity?"
"About that. I found something concerning."
It was a message sent by one of the Seven Sages—Raymond—to Naomi Samuel, an agent of the emerging USNA defense contractor Samway Arms. The message contained the information that Taurus Silver was Tatsuya Shiba. This had been sent at the beginning of last October—happening behind the scenes of the Thesis Competition and the pursuit of Zhou Gongjin.
Moreover, although it was likely a lucky guess, Naomi had told an officer of the National Defense Force that the Strategic-Class Magician known as Mahesvara was Tatsuya Shiba. Note that those individuals had already been eliminated by the Kuroba unit within the last year.
"Have you told Tatsuya himself?"
"I told him the moment this was discovered. Whether or not he reports it to the Yotsuba main house is left to Tatsuya's discretion."
In the original story, Project Dione was announced, and Tatsuya was cornered by information leaked by Raymond, posing as one of the Seven Sages. However, even if such a thing were to happen, Yugen had numerous means to corner them back, using methods other than magic.
He had thought of a final resort in case things became helpless, but honestly, he didn't want to use it. If he did, the USNA's international credibility would plummet to a bottomless abyss.
"If that's the case, it makes one want to believe that Zhou Gongjin's escape was also orchestrated by the Clarks... Regarding Taurus Silver, are you going to be alright, Yugen?"
"I'm called Taurus, but I haven't claimed the name myself. Besides, I'm setting things up so that after the Gu Jie situation settles, Taurus Silver will become inseparable from domestic interests."
The plan was for the government to launch a public-private joint project with FLT called the "Taurus Silver Project," rolling out a plan to redevelop lifelines as part of the National Land Resilience Plan. The ESCAPES Project would be incorporated as a part of this, utilizing the power of magic to benefit national interests, ensuring that benefits were received regardless of whether one possessed magic or not.
If people couldn't receive benefits directly from magic power, then by providing tangible forms created by magic, dissatisfaction among non-magicians would be resolved. Interests and rights would naturally arise there, but managing that depended on the government's skill.
"This country is prone to disasters as it is. In that sense, building lifelines with surplus capacity is an urgent task. There will be those who clamor that it's a waste, but lifelines like electricity, gas, and water should not be measured by the rigid standards of general corporations."
"...Since planned operation is demanded, it's practically the same as having no surplus capacity. Their power has been greatly reduced, but the opposition parties and their support bases will likely scream about waste."
From his past life's memories, Yugen strongly recalled how people screamed "waste," and how due to nuclear allergies delaying the restart of power plants indefinitely, thermal and hydroelectric plants that had been in use for years were overworked at nearly full capacity.
Despite geographical factors making this country prone to disasters, the biggest problem was that the lifelines supporting people's lives had a supply capacity only equal to consumption. Creating a system where peak consumption could be kept to 60% or 70% of supply capacity was an urgent task.
To achieve that, and to remove the hotbeds of crime currently left unchecked, the Constitution—the foundation—had to be re-established. The National Defense Force had to be made to protect the land and the people, which constitute the core of the nation, including their original duties regarding territory, airspace, and territorial waters.
"It might be waste if it's not used, but they don't understand the meaning of 'better safe than sorry.' Generating electricity isn't free... I feel like making those people experience firsthand just how difficult a self-sufficient life really is."
"To that end, rewriting the Constitution to improve the state of it being a hotbed for crime, huh? That's a massive undertaking."
"Naturally, I'll have the government pay the tab for everything up until now. That is what the 'Taurus Silver Project' is for."
Just then, a knock was heard, so they stopped their conversation and straightened their posture. When the door opened, a staff member of the Imperial Household Agency stood there as a guide.
"Kagurazaka-sama, Kamiizumi-sama. Their Majesties are calling for you. I shall guide you."
"Thank you for your trouble."
"Please lead the way."
The place the staff member guided them to was the Akasaka Imperial Property, the residence of the current Emperor. Normally, ordinary people were not permitted to step foot in here easily, but this was due to the Emperor's own wish. The staff member said, "I am not permitted to enter beyond this point," and withdrew. Yugen stepped in first and bowed deeply.
"Excuse me. I am the head of the Kagurazaka family, Kagurazaka Yugen. I am truly grateful for this invitation."
"I am the head of the Kamiizumi family, Kamiizumi Mototsugu. I trust Your Majesty is in good health."
"Thank you for coming all this way, Kagurazaka-dono, Kamiizumi-dono. Come, please sit."
There were only the current Emperor and his attendants in the room. When the Emperor made a signal with his eyes, the attendants bowed and quietly left the room. Accepting the Emperor's consideration, Yugen and Mototsugu sat on the sofa.
"I called you here today regarding what Kagurazaka-dono mentioned previously. From here on, you need not use excessive honorifics. I wish to hear frank, carefree opinions."
"Then, taking advantage of your gracious words... The reason I inquired of Your Majesty regarding the Constitution is that the domestic situation is far too chaotic to maintain the form of a Peace Constitution any longer."
To non-magicians, it might look peaceful, but it was like thin ice that had already cracked... no, it was a situation where trying to avoid the broken parts was only spreading the damage further.
Moreover, in the last five years, interference from the Great Asian Alliance, the New Soviet Union, the USNA, and Germany, as well as the rampant lawlessness of unchecked spies and human trafficking, meant that the nation of Japan was effectively on the brink of an existential crisis.
"The National Defense Force, who are public servants meant to protect the country, should not speak of politics like politicians, nor form factions based on individual ideologies. I have no intention of imposing thoughts on an individual's ideology, but bringing private thoughts and creeds into military service is outrageous. If we continue to allow that, a military regime like the one before World War II could be born again."
"Kagurazaka-dono wishes to establish civilian control based on democracy and suppress the military from running wild, correct?"
"That is correct. However, politicians are powerless because they are non-magicians. Therefore, I ask you to recognize the separation of the Master Clans Conference system—which is currently suppressed by unofficial promises with the government—from the government and the National Defense Force. I ask you to entrust the maintenance of order among magic possessors, regardless of whether they practice Ancient or Modern magic, to the two Guardian families."
They would review the vague relationship between the Guardians and the Master Clans Conference, separate it from the influence of the government and the military, and then the Kagurazaka and Kamiizumi families would re-establish order and authority over the Conference. It would create a structure where Ancient Magic families suppress Modern Magic families, so naturally, some would voice dissatisfaction. But they could not afford to be leisurely enough to listen to every single complaint.
"And, I ask Your Majesty to assign the heads of the Ten Master Clans the duty of being the keystones of national defense, and in return, recognize the authority they possess."
"...Kamiizumi-dono, what are your thoughts?"
"I have already heard the story from my brother sitting next to me, but I keenly feel the reality that if someone must bear the responsibility for order, it can only be us. The Master Clans Conference system originally began with a proposal from Retired Major General Kudou, but the Major General will reach the grand age of 90 next year. Securing the bearers of the next generation is an urgent task."
The Master Clans Conference itself was a system that relied almost entirely on Kudou Retsu, and without Retsu, the Kudou family did not possess enough power to maintain a seat among the Ten Master Clans. Moreover, many of the current heads were his students. The overall picture of the Conference after Retsu's passing, let alone its operation, remained far too opaque.
That was precisely why Yugen strongly felt that the Kamiizumi and Kagurazaka families needed to exist as pillars to replace Retsu, to protect the order of this country's magician society.
"Fortunately, we are successors to the Mitsuya family, which holds a corner of the Ten Master Clans as an authority on Modern Magic, and the Kamiizumi and Kagurazaka families, which are authorities on Ancient Magic. Recently, my brother reconciled the 'Traditionalists' of Kyoto and Nara, and they have shown a posture of allegiance to him. If so, I strongly believe the time has come for us to stand on the stage of magician society."
"...I see. Indeed, that is reasonable. It is precisely now, while public opinion is not yet dyed in anti-magicism, that we must rebuild the country. Understood. It seems the time has come for me, as the Emperor watching over the nation, to steel my resolve."
"Your Majesty?"
"During the certification ceremony for the Prime Minister to be held next week, I shall issue a 'Word' assigning the Prime Minister the duty of national regeneration, including the re-enactment of the Constitution of Japan and the annulment of the agreements with the Master Clans Conference. As a self-admonishment for this, I shall abdicate while still living and pass the Imperial Throne to the next generation."
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