Alsard Church
September 27, 2026. Sunday. 09:10.
UCIA Japan Branch Investigation Base: Ground Base.
――Nothing in particular happened last night. Although the full moon is tonight, judging from past cases, it can sometimes be delayed by a day or two. I thought I had thoroughly prepared so that we could move immediately, no matter what happened last night.
The date changed, and we maintained a state of high alert until four in the morning. After having dinner, I was invited to the System Room by Chris, where she drilled into me how to remotely operate the surveillance drones. That being said, the control system was so simplified it was anti-climactic; basically, maneuvering assistance was provided under VARIS’s control, so there was absolutely no fear of crashing or colliding. Although I held the control stick, there was no need to move it; I could fly in any complex trajectory just by thinking about it. Honestly, the system was so perfected that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it felt like playing a VR game.
After taking about a three-hour nap and eating breakfast, Kamikura and I were called to the Chief’s office.
”Good morning, you two. There was a message from the Alsard Church this morning. They want to conduct your scheduled spiritual ability training and meetings today. It seems all the members of the AMGE are present today as well. The time is 11:00 at the Alsard Church in Chiba. I will be accompanying you too. Please get ready immediately.”
Having been told so by the Chief, Kamikura and I changed into suits for going out and were waiting in the cafeteria.
Kamikura silently placed a canned coffee in front of me as I sat there.
”Thank you. Wait, this isn’t black.”
It’s not that I can’t drink it. Personally, there are times when I want a little sweetness. I felt like that this morning.
”Don’t complain. Drink that and wake yourself up. If you make a face like that, the schoolgirls will laugh at you.”
Kamikura, same as always. Do I really look that sleepy? I took out my hand mirror and checked my face carefully.
The hand mirror I received from Chris… Since then, no particular message has come from Chris. Or rather, I don’t even really know how to use it. Right now, no matter how you look at it, it’s just a normal, compact hand mirror. It has a chic but elegant design, so I like it.
”Come to think of it, Kamikura. ――Since when have you been able to use Psychokinesis?”
When Kamikura confronted ”Judgement”, he was freely controlling two guns in mid-air. Is that something he can do in the real world as well?
”I became able to use this power since my university days. Though back then, I couldn’t even move a single cup freely… Now, I am capable of doing things to a certain extent. I was probably scouted by that unit because I had this power.”
Kamikura said so quietly.
”――Himemiya. I tried to think of the reason why you were assigned to the UCIA in my own way. You don’t have outstanding combat skills like the Chief or Hayama. And you don’t possess a prominent talent in something like Chris does.”
”Sorry about that. For having no redeeming features.”
I couldn’t help but talk back.
”Shut up and listen. However, there is one prominent thing that only you possess. You know what it is, right?”
Vaguely, I do, but…
”My intuition――?”
”That’s right. In fact, you’ve saved my life numerous times during our FBI days. What surprised me during the battle with ”Judgement” was that you sensed her powerful magic attack first. You sensed it even before that Hojo did. If it weren’t for your words, Hojo’s defensive barrier wouldn’t have been in time at all. We probably would have been completely wiped out by that attack.”
’Something is coming! Hojo-san!’
Those words that came out of me instinctively, frantically…
It’s true… Right after my words, Hojo-san immediately formed a seal to deploy a defensive barrier. I think Hojo-san was still in an offensive posture at that time…
”I’m not praising you. I just tried to think of the reason why you were selected for the UCIA. The AMGE of the Alsard Church. They are schoolgirls, but honestly, I believe they possess tremendous power in terms of spiritual combat ability. If we don’t have the resolve to desperately hold our ground, both you and I will be effortlessly scattered.”
He’s probably acknowledging me, but he always says one word too many.
Saying so, Kamikura stood up from his seat. It seems the Chief has arrived.
”Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s depart.”
The Chief in a brand new white pantsuit. And with that, we headed for the Alsard Church in Chiba.
September 27, 2026. Sunday. 11:00.
Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. Holy Alsard Church.
Conference Room.
The Holy Alsard Church located in the bay area of Chiba City. Its majestic figure built on a vast reclaimed land has an impact that overwhelms those who see it. The church has branches all over Japan, but the church located here in Chiba served as the headquarters of the Japan Holy Alsard Church. Currently, a new church of the same scale is apparently being built in Fukuoka.
Inside the marble-toned conference room were Asagiri-san, Kamijo, and six schoolgirls wearing the vestments of the church. Tetsuya was also seated.
”Well then, shall we begin?”
When Kamijo said so, all the schoolgirls stood up from their seats.
”Allow me to introduce them. The five members of the AMGE, the High Exorcists directly under the Holy Priestess, serving directly under the Messiah, and one assistant.”
Everyone bowed deeply.
”I serve as an assistant to Ayuka Hojo. I am Yuika Kirimine.”
”AMGE 6th Rank. I am Ayuka Hojo.”
”AMGE 5th Rank. I am Chizuru Kurokawa.”
”AMGE 4th Rank. I am Chisato Kurokawa.”
”AMGE 3rd Rank. I am Ayana Matsuyuki.”
”AMGE 2nd Rank. I am Aoi Tachibana.”
After everyone gave their greetings, they took their seats. The Chief, myself, Kamikura, and Tetsuya stood up and greeted everyone. After that, Asagiri-san stood up.
”I am Mayu Asagiri, the Holy Priestess of the Holy Alsard Church. My official position at the church is the Holy Priestess, so I would appreciate it if you could address me as such here. As for being called the ”Messiah”, that’s just what everyone calls me on their own. Please don’t mind it.”
Asagiri-san said so quietly with a gentle smile.
”Now then, I will explain about the Alsard Church.”
Kamijo went through the history of the church’s establishment, its missionary work, and the charitable activities it conducts. The information up to this point was what was publicly known.Hearing it again, I was impressed by the various relief activities they do for the weak.
”Now, let’s put the preamble aside and get to the main topic.”
Kamijo moistened her throat with the water placed on the table.
”The Holy Alsard Church. The religious organization was established in the early 2000s, but aside from our public charitable activities, behind the scenes we have been working to minimize the influence from the Astral Dimension. Those activities date back to before the organization was officially established. The Astral Dimension, that is the world of spirits on the other side of this world. Well, you could also call it the afterlife.”
”From here――shall I speak?”
Asagiri-san began to talk.
”In this world, there is something called the Astral Magnetic Field. It is like a wall between this world and the Astral Dimension. If this world is peaceful, it will not be disturbed, but if negative spiritual energy such as conflict, hatred, and sorrow in this world becomes too strong, the Astral Magnetic Field will begin to be disturbed, and the interference from the Astral Dimension will become stronger. In other words, this means that entities such as evil spirits will manifest in this world.”
”Evil spirits. Is that something similar to Western demons?”
Tetsuya asked.
”Yes. It might indeed be fine to call them demons. Specifically speaking, they are a jumble of negative energy. You could call it an aggregate of it. The Vatican also performs exorcisms, but the exorcism work conducted by the Alsard Church targets major spiritual phenomena at a level that poses a threat to this world. We call the aggregates of negative energy the Dark Force. Relatively low-level ones are also sometimes called Dark Corpses.”
I asked Asagiri-san a question.
”Regarding AWs, how are they positioned within the church?”
Asagiri-san seemed to think for a moment.
”Let’s see… In terms of threat level, they might be greater than the Dark Force. However, they are not entities from the world of the dead. They freely manipulate the power of the deep Astral Dimension while still alive. In that sense, myself and everyone in the AMGE are the same, but the root of our power is different.”
”The root of power?”
”Those who belong to the church can obtain the divine protection of the Goddess of Light by continuing to polish their faith and souls. Of course, the Four Gods governing nature who serve under her are the same, but by multiplying that power, Mana, and one’s own spiritual abilities, supernatural powers are manifested. What lies at the root is a pure and strong heart. Explaining Mana will take a long time, so I will talk about it later.”
”――Does that mean AWs use negative spiritual energy as the root of their power?”
Kamikura interrupted.
”Yes. Negative spiritual energy such as anger, hatred, and sorrow. In other words, it is certain that evil serves as the root of their power. However, in the case of AWs, they also have a holy aspect at the same time. That is probably because they have some kind of strong justice or belief that they believe in. They aren’t white, but――they aren’t completely black either.”
Next, Kamijo opened her mouth.
”There have been a few cases in the past where we made contact with entities believed to be AWs. Thanks to the Messiah and the AMGE doing everything in their power, we succeeded in repelling them, but it seems there are more than a few among the AWs who are targeting AMGE members.”
”Judgement” wasn’t only showing interest in me. Thinking back, ”Judgement” showed interest in Hojo-san as well. At that time, she didn’t deliver a finishing blow to me or Hojo-san. The only one she tried to finish off was Kamikura.
Kamijo continued.
”The AW calling itself ’Judgement’ that Miss Himemiya of the UCIA made contact with last time. Everyone was saved due to the Messiah’s intervention, but there is no doubt that it was a terrifying entity the likes of which we have never faced before. The church is also taking this matter very seriously. I have heard that Mr. Kamikura of the UCIA has numerous experiences engaging with AWs in the US. If you don’t mind, could you share the details with us?”
Kamikura took a sip of water and began to speak.
”――AWs. In the US, anti-AW units are already in operation. However, compared to the ’Judgement’ we faced last time, their threat is clearly smaller. Naturally, letting your guard down invites death, but they can be defeated if you use live-ammunition weaponry to deplete the magical power they use to deploy defensive barriers. I believe this is a tactic possible only because our home country operates numerous special forces.”
”I see. I have a question for Mr. Totoki; are there such units within the police or the Self-Defense Forces? You can answer at a level you are comfortable sharing.”
”I have connections in the Self-Defense Forces, so I am having them look into it. However――in the current situation, I can’t say anything for sure. It’s not just the Self-Defense Forces in this country, but wasted budgets are spent in various places, and there is a lack of budget in the places where it should originally be used. We probably cannot expect a large-scale unit like the US. However, I am making various moves on my end. On the intelligence front, we are currently rooting out AW affiliates and organizations that are believed to be lying dormant within Japan.”
”Thank you very much. Even here in Japan, there must be many individuals who have turned into AWs lying dormant. If they are killing people and plunging the world into chaos, we, the Alsard Church, must stop them.”
Kamijo finished speaking. I threw out a question I had been wondering about.
”I have a question for Asagiri-san; is there a way to return a person who has turned into an AW back to normal? We at the UCIA are an investigative agency and a military organization. But――everyone in the AMGE is a schoolgirl.”
Asagiri-san quietly opened her mouth.
”To be honest, there is a possibility that they obtained power through some sort of contract, but even if the master AW is defeated, we don’t know if that AW will return to being an ordinary person… The master AW merely awakened their latent power. The power after that is something the user acquired themselves. Therefore, if they refuse persuasion and resist to the very end, depending on the situation――it may come down to killing them.”
At that moment, Matsuyuki, one of the AMGE, spoke up.
”Lady Himemiya. We appreciate your concern. However, we, the AMGE, have taken an oath. To protect the Messiah, to protect the church, and to protect the weak. We are prepared for that at all times. There is no need for you to worry.”
The schoolgirl with long, loosely curled hair. Matsuyuki looked straight into my eyes and declared so politely.
”I can’t say this too loudly, but even if a target dies during exorcism work, it is not considered a crime. Target deaths for the sake of resolving such spiritual incidents are handled secretly. They will not be punished.”
Tetsuya explained, adding to her point. Hearing that put my mind at ease for the time being, but…
Then, the Chief spoke.
”For now, as an urgent task, I hear that our Himemiya and the church’s AMGE are being targeted by ’Judgement’. I would like to formally request spiritual combat training for Himemiya and Kamikura once again. If these two become able to fight against AWs better than they can now, the danger of future investigations will also decrease.”
Asagiri-san gave a small nod to the Chief’s words.
”You two surely must have spiritual aptitude. If you grow, you will become powerful existences. Today, Hojo, Kirimine, and I will provide guidance on spiritual combat.”
Asagiri-san said so quietly.
”By the way, is it fine for the Public Security side? Mr. Kujo and Miss Mizuhara. Those two also seemed to have aptitude, but…?”
Kamijo said so to Tetsuya.
”We’ve found an instructor for those two on our end. They should be getting put through the wringer right about now. Thank you for your concern.”
Saying so with a smile, Tetsuya stood up from his seat.
”Well then, I will take my leave here. There is a high probability of an incident occurring tonight. Once information on domestic cult organizations and the like comes to light, let’s hold another joint meeting. Excuse me.”
Checking his wristwatch, Tetsuya left the conference room in a slight hurry. He must be busy with various things.
However… he mentioned an instructor… Who on earth could it be…?
”Himemiya and Kamikura’s training. May I observe? I want to learn about various things as well.”
When the Chief said so, Kamijo smiled.
”Please go ahead. Spiritual aptitude is something you are born with, but there are those who suddenly awaken to it at a certain turning point. Using this as an opportunity, it would be good for everyone in the UCIA to listen to the teachings of the Goddess of Light, Alsard. A pure and righteous heart is the most important thing as a human being. Faith in the Goddess of Light will surely enrich your lives and help you.”
And so, for our training, we were guided to the Training Sanctum, located in the basement of the church.