"Understood. We'll proceed in that direction."
It was a little after 7 p.m., and Tatenashi ended the call. She then sank deep into the sofa.
"Haaaah."
She looked up and let out a long sigh.
The person on the other end of the line was Hayate. The topic was the missionary from Lotharingia and his homunculus, whom Vita had encountered, and the individual who helped them escape, Kagetane Hiruko.
For the past few days, Tatenashi hadn't shown her face at Section Six. She had been prioritizing the investigation into the Hiruko father and daughter.
Although the Authority wasn't officially investigating them, the Kirishiki family, with its significant influence on Japan's national defense, couldn't afford to ignore the Hirukos.
If a terrorist act were to occur on this island, it would be impossible to avoid criticism of the Japanese government.
To prevent this, they had to either apprehend the Hirukos or, if that failed, neutralize them by killing them.
Despite the Kirishiki family's extensive intelligence network, they hadn't been able to track the pair down until now, a testament to how well the Hirukos had concealed their illegal entry onto the island. But now, they had finally gotten a lead.
"And it's not just a sighting; they actually engaged in combat," Tatenashi said.
She replayed the video recorded on Vita's device.
The tuxedo, top hat, and the laugh-like mask were unmistakably Kagetane Hiruko's. There was no doubt about the combat skills he used, either.
"He could at least change his clothes, never mind his abilities," Tatenashi grumbled. She might have been slightly letting her guard down, having finally obtained a clue after so long.
"Besides, it wasn't Sho-kun who ran into the enemy this time," she mused.
Hayate had mentioned the same thing. Hayate had even laughed, saying that if anyone was going to encounter the enemy, it would be Sho, and Tatenashi had found herself laughing along.
"Well, it'd be a problem if that jinx always came true," she thought.
In truth, Tatenashi had also been keeping an eye on Sho's movements. She had also been counting on that jinx a little, relying on Sho's knack for attracting trouble without even realizing it.
"Our plan for tomorrow is set, so I guess I'll get an early night," she said.
Tatenashi stood up, intending to cleanse herself first.
---------
I couldn't wait for school to end.
Everything had clicked after hearing what Yukina told me. Thanks to the enemy Yukina had encountered yesterday, I had a full picture of the scenario.
I met up with Claudia at Section Six, and we immediately set off for our destination.
"Claudia, head for this location."
"Huh? Sure, but... is this a hospital?"
I had already shared my plan with everyone. They should be moving in preparation for it.
"Did something come to mind? ...Was it yesterday's battle with Yukina and the others?"
I don't need to say "as expected of Claudia." I, who had been saying I couldn't be sure until yesterday, had suddenly started moving without hesitation. Claudia wasn't so slow-witted that she wouldn't notice such a clear change.
"I heard it was a missionary from Lotharingia and a homunculus..."
News of yesterday's battle had already reached Section Six, and an investigation into their identities was underway. A request for cooperation had been sent to the Lotharingia headquarters through the Authority.
They had already obtained the missionary's identity—Rudolf Eustach and his background.
However, there was no information about the homunculus that used a Familiar (which was to be expected). An investigation was underway, but it was unlikely they would find anything.
Based on Vita's testimony—that the homunculus's familiar was replenishing its magical power from a vampire—the Authority was currently investigating homunculus adjustment facilities across the island.
The homunculus Eustach was with—let's just call her Astarte since it's easier—was an unregistered homunculus.
Unless Eustach had a peculiar hobby of keeping a homunculus girl as a pet, it meant she was a very recently manufactured homunculus.
"Creating a new homunculus and implanting a familiar to use as a weapon. It's an unforgivable act."
Familiars can only be handled by vampires. Summoning one consumes a large part of the user's lifespan. Only vampires, with their infinite negative life force, can ignore this drawback.
However, it's possible for someone to handle a familiar for a very short time if they disregard their own safety. It's a foolish act tantamount to suicide.
This is what Astarte was being used for.
"So, to make the homunculus 'last a little longer,' they've been attacking vampires to recover magical power," Claudia said.
"And they're using the facilities on the island to make up for what they can't get from magical power alone," I added.
This is why the Authority decided to search all the homunculus adjustment facilities on the island.
We had discussed this before leaving Section Six.
Each of us was assigned a facility to investigate, so today's mission wasn't a patrol but an investigation of those facilities.
Tatenashi, who hadn't been to Section Six recently, was here today as well. This was probably because the discovery of Kagetane confirmed that Eustach and Kagetane were working together.
This entire sequence of events is exactly like the first volume of "Strike the Blood." If so, the collapse of the island also makes sense.
Eustach's ultimate goal is the keystone of this school island. If it is taken, the magical ritual supporting the island will no longer be maintained, and the island will fall apart.
Pandora's premonition showed this.
As for the Hiruko father and daughter who seem to be working with Eustach... considering the original story, their motivation feels like they're simply seeking battle.
If the island physically collapses, its technology and gifted individuals will scatter across the world, sowing the seeds of conflict.
I vaguely thought this might be their goal. Kagetane Hiruko wants to prove his existence as a weapon.
"So why are we going to a hospital? Shouldn't we be investigating the homunculus adjustment facility first?"
"I wanted to meet someone first."
"Someone you know?"
Yes. There's something necessary for when the incident is over. It's not enough, but I want to be as prepared as possible.
"The chances of our assigned facility being the right one aren't that high, right? That's why I want to take care of this first."
"...Huh? Are you serious?"
"Completely serious."
"Hahaha, that's not a very funny joke."
No, it's not a joke. Statistically, the odds of this happening are much higher, right?
"There's no way Sho wouldn't draw the winning card at this point."
"That kind of jinx only works if you believe in it."
While we were talking, we arrived at our destination—the hospital where I'm frequently admitted.
---------
"Even though you say you're often admitted, you haven't been here recently, have you?"
"That's true. Although I feel like I was admitted in late August."
"That was for a checkup. Doesn't count."
"Oh, come on, Yozuki-kun."
And then there's Dr. Mikado, who has practically become my regular physician. And sitting next to her in a similar white coat is Dr. Tearju.
Dr. Tearju is currently working at this hospital as Dr. Mikado's assistant.
"So, what brings you here today? And why did you specifically ask for me?"
"Well, the thing is..."
At Dr. Mikado's prompting, I began to explain.
"I see, a homunculus adjustment..."
"So that's why I was called, too."
Both Dr. Mikado and Dr. Tearju nodded with their arms crossed.
They truly looked like female doctors. Even Dr. Tearju, in her regular white coat, had a formidable chest that seemed to be pushing against her crossed arms. Her clothes must be stretching at the seams.
And then there's Dr. Mikado, in her completely inappropriate attire for a doctor—a top with a large opening revealing her cleavage. Her plump cleavage was even more emphasized.
Patients treated by these two would have a hard time relaxing. Mostly in the lower half of their bodies, I suppose?
"Sho? Are you okay?"
"What about me?"
Claudia was just sitting behind me, smiling.
I collected myself and turned my gaze to the two doctors.
"Yes. When this incident is over, a homunculus girl is likely to be taken into custody, so I was hoping you could prepare in advance."
"Indeed, a homunculus with a familiar implanted couldn't be entrusted to just any hospital."
Astarte has a familiar implanted in her.
No research institution would simply stand by and do nothing about such a valuable specimen. If they could mass-produce it, they might deploy them in war zones like bombs.
We can't even leak information about Astarte, let alone let her be a research subject. She can only be entrusted to people we can trust.
I've already spoken with Dr. Natsuki. Although she was annoyed, she agreed to handle things if something came up.
"In that case, of course, I'll cooperate. I've adjusted homunculi many times before."
"Thank you very much," I said, bowing my head to Dr. Tearju.
"Then I'll talk to the director as well," Dr. Mikado said.
"I'd prefer you not to spread it too much..."
"But I can't keep it a secret from the director, can I? It's fine. The director and I are 'good friends'," she said with a smile. I wondered what she meant by "good friends."
"But..."
Dr. Tearju looked a bit pained. She spoke, seemingly with difficulty.
"There's nothing we can do about the implanted familiar..."
"I knew you'd say that..."
Fundamentally, Astarte, with a familiar implanted in her, doesn't have a long life span. All they can do is prolong her life, at best.
In the original story, the protagonist, Akatsuki Kojou, the Fourth Primogenitor (a vampire), solves the problem by providing his own magical power, but I'm not a vampire. And I don't know any vampires.
My current plan is to have Dr. Tearju prolong Astarte's life while I search for a vampire who might cooperate, but...
"Oh? In that case..." Dr. Mikado started.
"A vampire you know is hospitalized here, you know?"
"Huh?"
Who could that be?
---------
"Oh, you are..."
"It's you..."
Lying in the hospital bed was indeed a vampire. I knew her face, but we had only spoken for less than a minute.
She was a beautiful blonde girl who fit the image of a vampire perfectly.
"Leticia. Are you feeling okay?"
The vampire Dr. Mikado was talking about was Leticia Draculea, whom we had fought at Vlad's mansion.
After the final battle with Vlad, I had been sent to the past and then joined Section Six, so I hadn't paid any attention to what happened to her.
It seemed she had gone through a terrible ordeal with Vlad, but from the looks of it...
"I've recovered quite a bit. At one point, it was truly terrible."
Despite her adorable appearance, her laugh was elegant, probably because she had lived for such a long time.
"If you hadn't defeated Vlad at that time, I would have suffered even greater humiliation. Thank you, truly."
"No, we didn't expect you to be there either."
I was so flustered back then, with a completely unexpected person showing up.
"So, what's your business? You didn't just come for a visit, did you?" she said, looking at Dr. Mikado and the others standing behind me. She was quick to understand, which was helpful.
"Yes. Actually..."
I explained the situation.
And then, she said, "Very well. Bring the homunculus to me once everything is over. I'll figure out how to control the familiar."
She agreed so easily.
"Are you sure?"
"You've shown me kindness. I don't know how powerful the familiar is, but I'll do something about it."
Leticia, despite her appearance, is a pure-blood vampire known as the "Knight of the Miniature Garden" in the original story, "Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?" In this world, she is one of the vampires closest to the Primogenitors.
A familiar she couldn't control would probably be a wild horse that even a Primogenitor would struggle with.
And as her title "Knight" suggests, she's a person worthy of trust.
"Thank you very much. I'm counting on you."
I bowed my head once more.
---------
"I'm glad it seems to be working out."
"Yeah. Now I can solve this case without any worries."
It was a huge relief to have a plan for Astarte. Getting Leticia's cooperation was a stroke of pure luck.
We got in the car and were about to start the engine when...
""To all cars on patrol.""
"Huh?"
"It's a call from headquarters."
The communication device in the car received a transmission.
""There has been a report of a suspicious individual in a house. All agents patrolling the area, please proceed to the scene immediately.""
When she heard that, Claudia said, "Shall we go?"
"Of course."
I nodded without hesitation and got out of the car.
"Let's fly. It'll be faster."
"I can't fly, you know?"
"In that case..."
First, I summon Wing Gundam in its flight form. Then, I equip Exia.
"Let's go."
Following the address data sent to us, we took to the sky.
--------------------------------------------
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