Emergency Meeting
”I’m truly glad you’re safe. You also endured well, Tachibana-san…”
Asagiri-san, who came to save us in a desperate situation. This is the second time I’ve been saved by her like this. Tachibana-san, who fought bravely without regard for danger. And my UCIA comrades. The Chief and the others who laid down a defensive line at the entrance were quite covered in scratches. There are also places bleeding here and there.
”――I am deeply sorry, Mayu-sama. I have caused immense damage to the defense force members…”
Tachibana-san knelt on one knee and reported so to Asagiri-san. Looking down, speaking without raising her face, it can be sensed that she is deeply regretting it.
”――Tachibana-san. Please raise your face. You did very well. It is thanks to you that Himemiya-san and everyone at the UCIA are safe. There is no need to be ashamed of this result…”
Looking around. There are always two squads on guard duty at the base, but it seems most of them were seriously injured or lost their lives in this attack… Right now, the rescue unit that rushed over a short while ago is providing relief. I’m hoping that even one more life can be saved, but…
”Himemiya… I’m glad you’re safe.”
The Chief and the others walked up to us.
”――Tachibana. You have my gratitude. If it weren’t for your divine protection, we would have been annihilated as well…”
The Chief, Kamikura, Hayama, and Stephen. I’m truly glad everyone is safe.
”…I’m so sorry. Because of my inadequacy, Himemiya-san was almost taken away by the enemy… I couldn’t protect the defense force members either, and I am painfully realizing my own weakness…”
Tachibana-san’s expression is heavy.
”Tachibana. Please don’t let it get you down. It is our responsibility that we let that AW into the base…”
The Chief and everyone else must be regretting this situation as well. The defense force was almost completely annihilated, and the parked vehicles and UAVs were destroyed. The base, the rotary, and the area around the entrance are also in a terrible state.
At that moment, Chris came running over to us from inside the base.
”Asami! Even though I told you to stay in the anteroom! Why did you go out!”
Saying so, Chris’s eyes welled with tears. It is a fact that I broke the emergency rules. But I couldn’t just evacuate all by myself in the anteroom like that…
”Himemiya. I’m happy that you are safe, but… I believe I told you to evacuate to the anteroom with Tachibana. You broke that――you know what that means, right?”
The Chief standing in front of me. And I, sensing that the Chief’s right arm had moved.
The next instant, a flying slap. I caught the Chief’s wrist and stopped it.
”――There’s no way I could evacuate all by myself! Everyone is my precious comrade. There’s no way I could abandon you! Or am I the only one who isn’t a comrade, just a weak, dead-weight princess!”
My eyes watered naturally. The Chief, Kamikura, Hayama, Chris, and Stephen too… They are all my precious UCIA comrades. I can’t just evacuate to a safe place all by myself. I said so as if shouting while staring into the Chief’s sharp eyes.
”…You’ve grown a little, Himemiya.”
The Chief’s stern expression softened just a bit.
”You endured well. But your violation of orders is a fact. 300 push-ups――be prepared.”
The Chief said so with a slight smile. I was also drawn in and ended up smiling with tears in my eyes.
”――Yes.”
At that moment, a car entered the rotary from the connecting passage. That luxury sedan is Tetsuya’s car. When the car stopped, Tetsuya and Shisei got out.
”Asami! Are you safe!”
Tetsuya ran up to me. And bowed to the Chief.
”It seems the AW’s target in this attack was here. The attack on the Sagami General Depot was a diversion. It seems they also suffered no small amount of damage over there, but the enemy apparently retreated after drawing out the forces to some extent. I’m glad everyone at the UCIA is safe.”
Tetsuya floated a slightly relieved expression.
”Section Chief Totoki. Did everything remain unchanged on your end…?”
The Chief said so quietly.
”There are a few things that concern me, but… unfortunately, there is no damage on our end. However, now that this place has been attacked, there is a possibility that here and the church will be attacked in the future.”
Shisei walked up slowly. But, the moment she saw Asagiri-san and Tachibana-san, she stopped her movements.
”I haven’t introduced her to the people from the church yet. This is Police Inspector Reiko Shisei, who has newly become my subordinate. Well, as you can see, she’s a subordinate with a strong personality, but I hope we can get along from now on.”
Shisei was directing a cold gaze at Asagiri-san.
”Mayu-sama. This person is…”
Tachibana-san is on guard.
”I feel an ominous power, but I don’t feel any clear hostility…”
After saying so, Asagiri-san bowed to Shisei. Following her, Tachibana-san also bowed.
”I am Mayu Asagiri, serving as the Holy Priestess of the Alsard Church.”
Then Shisei also bowed.
”Public Security Police Seventh Division… I am Reiko Shisei. Nice to meet you…”
Asagiri-san’s expression is not relaxed as usual. She is probably on guard against Shisei.
”Section Chief, may I… investigate this place a little…?”
Shisei’s gaze became sharp. Perhaps sensing something, she is looking around.
”――Did you figure something out?”
”This residue is unmistakable… It’s the same… as what I felt in that incident…”
Shisei is looking around as if probing the surroundings while holding her right hand up.
”That incident… On the roof of the Shibuya Luminous Tower?”
”That’s right… This spiritual power residue is unmistakable…”
‘Death’. The one who reaps foolish lives… Although its power was not on the level of ‘Judgement’, it possessed a quite astonishing power. If Asagiri-san hadn’t been here, we would have definitely been killed…
”The AW that attacked this place called itself ‘Death’… Do you have any ideas?”
At my words, Shisei slowly opened her mouth.
”In this place… we’d better change locations…”
And Shisei approached the woman wearing a black robe who was lying there bleeding.
”This one… is still alive…”
Shisei floated an eerie smile. And so, we returned inside the base for the time being…
October 3, 2026. Saturday. 01:27.
UCIA Japan Branch Investigation Base
Ground Base. Reception Room.
After receiving basic first aid from the rescue unit, we gathered in the reception room. After taking a short break with emergency rations and warm drinks, we all decided to think about future countermeasures.
”――Anyway, I’m truly glad everyone is safe. And Asagiri-sama, thanks to you and Tachibana, our lives were saved. I am truly grateful.”
Saying so, the Chief bowed her head along with everyone else.
”I apologize for always barely making it in time for the rescue. Normally, I should be able to sense them a little earlier, but… the enemy also seems to be manipulating quite advanced magic, and it seems my detection was delayed. If it weren’t for the ring I gave Himemiya-san, I wouldn’t have made it.”
The amethyst ring worn on my right hand. At that time, it emitted an intense light and caused ‘Death’ to lose its balance, which was the turning point for our counterattack. If that magic had been unleashed as it was, we wouldn’t have survived.
”Why didn’t you kill it…? If you let it get away, it will become a threat again… With your power… it should have been easy…?”
Asagiri-san answered Shisei’s words.
”――I do not like unnecessary killing. Even if they are AWs, they are humans. We are no different in our ability to handle magic. I have no intention of sympathizing with them, but just because they are AWs doesn’t mean it’s okay to kill them…”
At Asagiri-san’s words, Shisei fell silent.
”But, this is not a situation where we can show mercy. The enemy AWs actually launched an attack and numerous deaths occurred. We miraculously survived, but it’s also a fact that Himemiya was almost abducted. That naivety will――eventually prove fatal.”
Kamikura said so.
”Asagiri-sama. We in Public Security also believe that we must challenge the enemy AWs with all our might. The next time we make contact, we have no intention of showing mercy to the enemy AWs. I want you to prepare yourself, Asagiri-sama.”
At Tetsuya’s words, Asagiri-san dropped her gaze and is deep in thought. The Chief opened her mouth while looking at such an Asagiri-san.
”There is a possibility that the enemy will launch another attack in the near future… We were able to defeat four of the five enemy AWs that attacked this place. On the enemy’s side, they failed to abduct Himemiya and suffered significant losses. Considering that, we should have time to rebuild the base’s posture. But we also want you to prepare yourself, Asagiri-sama. Only you can defeat high-ranking AWs like ‘Judgement’ and the ‘Death’ from this time. ――I am aware this is a pathetic request.”
At the Chief’s words, Asagiri-san finally raised her face.
”――Understood. If a high-ranking AW appears again in the future, I will take responsibility and deal with it.”
Asagiri-san declared so strongly with a serious gaze.
”However――the condition is that you leave full authority regarding Himemiya-san’s protection to the Alsard Church.”
Saying so, Asagiri-san stared at the Chief.
”Wait. Himemiya is strictly a member of the UCIA and a military person. I can’t possibly accept that.”
Kamikura cut in.
”That’s right. Himemiya-san is our precious comrade. We appreciate the offer, but there’s no way we can accept it.”
Hayama also interjected. At the words of the two, Asagiri-san opened her mouth.
”If so――are you all capable of protecting Himemiya-san? It was I and the children of AMGE who saved Himemiya-san and everyone at the UCIA both last time and this time. Feelings alone cannot protect anything. You all should know that best.”
Asagiri-san’s sharp eyes. At those words, the Chief, Kamikura, and Hayama were at a loss for words…
After a while of silence, the Chief finally opened her mouth.
”――Understood. But this is not a matter I can decide alone. Please wait until tomorrow for an answer.”
”I look forward to a favorable reply.”
Chris is staring at me with a complex expression. I wonder if she is harboring a lonely, yet unplaceable frustration…
What Asagiri-san says is absolutely right, but personally, I am filled with a feeling of inadequacy… I feel like I’m the only one dragging everyone down…
Why does the enemy target me so much? What could be the reason…?
Leaving my protection entirely to the church. If that happens, I might spend my time in a room at the church for a while, just like during the incident with ‘Judgement’. But if that happens, I feel like I’ll lose sight of my reason for being in the UCIA…
”I don’t mean to say that everyone at the UCIA lacks the strength. ‘Judgement’, and ‘Death’. These entities, possessing names likely likened to the Major Arcana of tarot cards, are powerful high-ranking AWs. They are not at a level that flesh-and-blood humans can deal with. I am by no means being arrogant, but I believe the only ones who can reliably protect Himemiya-san are the people of the church, including myself.”
Asagiri-san said so quietly. That’s how much she is worrying about my safety. I want to honestly appreciate those feelings.
But it is also a fact that I am painfully realizing my own lack of power…
I’m always just being protected… I feel like that…
”I agree with that opinion too… I am the one who was bestowed the name of the ‘Fool’… I consulted with the Section Chief and considered protecting you on our end, but right now we have… our hands full too.”
Hearing Shisei’s words, Asagiri-san and Tachibana-san are surprised. Then, Tetsuya briefly explained the background of Shisei. It seems he gained some level of understanding with that explanation. Tetsuya continued his words.
”The ones identified are four in total, including ‘Judgement’, ‘Death’, ‘Magician’, and Shisei’s ‘Fool’. There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a tarot deck. In other words, we can assume that there are still multiple high-ranking AWs in existence. The enemy’s target is Himemiya. We in Public Security, the Alsard Church, and the UCIA. Unless we cast aside our respective organizational concepts and cooperate, it will be difficult to deal with the situations ahead.”
Everyone has a grim expression. We knew that AWs possessed power beyond human intellect, but if a systematic attack like this one happens again, further damage is expected. Even though we have formed a cooperative framework, everyone has their own standpoints.
”…But why did the enemy know the exact location and infiltration route of the Ground Base?”
Kamikura said. Certainly, this attack could not have been executed unless the enemy accurately grasped this location. The five AWs were heading straight here. The entrance leading to the underground tunnel from the highway is cleverly camouflaged outwardly as an office area for NEXCOM, the Japan Expressway Management Company.
”There should have been no information leaks in cyberspace. We couldn’t confirm any traces of attempted unauthorized access either. If there is a possibility, I think it’s an information leak by an insider.”
Chris said so. Then the Chief opened her mouth.
”The same goes for our UCIA, but we should pay even more attention to the handling of information from now on. I don’t want to think that an enemy spy has infiltrated any of the organizations. However, this attack occurred as a matter of fact. Later, Section Chief Toki, Asagiri-sama, and I, the three of us, will make arrangements regarding future information communication. I want Chris to be present as well. We might possibly devise a new dedicated system.”
”Understood.”
Saying so, Chris nodded.
”Operation management tasks on the church side are the jobs of the priesthood… If an information leak occurred under the current system, it might be better for me to take on that role. Not that I suspect Holy Priest Kamijo or Holy Priest Sato, but I think that is the best way to protect Himemiya-san from the enemy.”
Looking at me worriedly, Asagiri-san said so.
And so the emergency meeting ended. We also have to accurately grasp the damage situation from this attack. Everyone was dismissed, and it was decided that the meeting would resume again today at 18:00…