Japan and the Great Asian Alliance—the past history of conflict in East Asia was long, and both the President and the government's intelligence agencies suspected that this state of peace wouldn't last forever. Furthermore, they recognized the possibility that Britain, which was trying to forge its own path despite being a West EU member, or Germany of the East EU, might turn the spearhead of Humanism toward France.
"Therefore, on paper here, you will be my adopted daughter, but you will be married off using the name of a noble line that has already died out. I will allow you to keep 'Mensah' as a middle name. I am imposing our political agenda upon your personal circumstances this time. I have already obtained your parents' consent, and should you ever return to our country, I guarantee your status."
That was why, although it took the form of an "upfront investment" by the French government, they wanted to create some kind of connection by sending Efia to Japan. There was also the matter of the paper on the Standing Gravity Control Magic Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor published last spring by that country's Taurus Silver. France desired a large-scale power generation system to replace nuclear power and a "power umbrella" to replace nuclear weapons.
The USNA and Britain would likely move as well, but the President decided that the fear of that country's Strategic-Class Magic was secondary in this case. Rather, he judged that it would be more dangerous to meddle with a country that housed those Untouchables. Whether this decision was good or bad was something even the President couldn't honestly foresee at that moment.
"Thank you, Your Excellency. I gratefully accept that proposal."
"Umu. This time, it will coincide with the Prime Minister's inspection visit to Japan, so officially, you will proceed to Japan as the Prime Minister's secretary and bodyguard. Arrangements have been made to speak with the counterpart's representative afterward, so I am counting on you."
"Yes, sir! I will strive to meet Your Excellency's expectations!"
Efia saluted upon receiving her orders and left the President's office. Then, facing the Prime Minister who entered as she left, the President let out a sigh.
"What is it, Prime Minister? Did we get intelligence that the opposition party is plotting something with the Humanists again?"
"No, I came to discuss the schedule for the visit to Japan... but are you seriously proceeding with that plan regarding Lieutenant Mensah?"
"Do you object?"
"No, that is not it. If we are welcoming a human from the Yotsuba—also called the Untouchables—as a fiancé, I assume he possesses considerable ability."
Reports on Japan's magician society came in through the embassy, and the President had actually met Yugen Kagurazaka (who was using the name Yuto Nagano at the time) face-to-face. At that time, the President had felt Yugen's extraordinary power.
"I see, you haven't met him directly, Prime Minister. At the time, I was immature as a President, but Gouzo-dono shouted some sense into me, and that boy admonished Gouzo-dono. Seeing that, I thought: Perhaps gaining a connection with Japan—with them—would be in our greatest national interest."
Looking at the Taurus Silver matter, that country's development in the civil use of magic technology and magical medicine that benefits non-magicians was remarkable. The news that President Diacca Brestiello of the SSA (South American Federation Republic) had personally visited Japan and returned after completing his inspection was still fresh in memory.
Normally, for the sake of national face, the President wanted to undertake the foreign visit himself, but his aides stopped him desperately, so he settled for the second-best option of having the Prime Minister go. However, he entrusted the Prime Minister with a handwritten letter, strictly ordering it to be delivered to the current Emperor, the Prime Minister of Japan, and the former and current heads of the Kagurazaka family, into which Efia would be marrying.
"That country has Strategic-Class Magic, but let us put that aside for now. Perhaps, through this connection, getting ahead of Britain and Germany isn't just a fantasy."
According to intelligence agency investigations, there were signs within the USNA of preparing some kind of attack against Japan. From France's perspective, public opinion in Britain across the Dover Strait also seemed concerned about Japan's power balance.
Regarding Germany, the influence of the Rosen Magicraft disturbance from last summer remained, and movements to avoid approaching Japan for the time being were observed. Therefore, he anticipated that the Prime Minister, the country's number two, visiting Japan at the start of the year would be a golden opportunity.
"That is true... What shall we do about the Africa matter?"
"Let's see... I believe we originally intended to dispatch the Navy. For the defense and garrison of that territory, let us have the troops from the Lieutenant's base accompany them, and entrust the land operations to them. If told it is to protect Lieutenant Mensah's hometown, neither they nor the Navy guys will likely refuse. What do you think?"
Incidentally, the soldiers who learned of the President's decision and Efia's departure for Japan displayed a mysterious "guts theory," shouting, "The Ensign is going to do her best in Japan. We can't face her if we slack off! Right!?" Most of the personnel at this base had undergone about three days of Gouzo's strict training (requested by the Minister of the Armed Forces), and the ability backed by the experience gained then had turned them into one of the French Army's most elite units (provided one turned a blind eye to Efia's Imperial Guard).
They would be dispatched to the Niger Delta region, Efia's hometown, where they would kick aside attacking Great Asian Alliance soldiers as if kicking pebbles... that was a story of the not-so-distant future.
Meanwhile, at the Presidential Palace in Brestiello (named by Gouzo; Diacca wanted to refuse but yielded to the pressure of those around him), the capital of the SSA—South American Federation Republic—President Diacca Brestiello, who had returned from his visit to Japan, was receiving reports from his aides.
"What? Suspicious movements in the USNA?"
"Yes. A report from our local embassy in New York."
Anti-magicism within the SSA had been completely contained. There were reports that some had plotted guerrilla activities, but elite counter-guerrilla units suppressed them immediately. Apart from that, the embassy brought a report that the Humanist movement, which was still active in the USNA, had recently been slowing down.
Normally, this might be a cause for celebration, but Diacca found this movement suspicious. He hadn't received any reports of companies or banks connected to their funding sources going bankrupt recently, and the media was certainly still active.
In that case, Diacca turned his attention to the USNA West Coast, which hadn't shown movement.
"What is happening on the West Coast?"
"The West Coast? We haven't received any particular reports from there."
"Even small things will do. Ensure I am informed if there are any movements different from the usual."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Normally, they would be full up dealing with their own country, but the problem of Humanism wasn't limited to the USNA. There was a possibility of sparks flying from that country and involving the SSA. When Diacca shouted his instructions, the aide hurried out of the office. Watching him go, Diacca sat in his chair and let out a deep breath.
(What is the USNA thinking? Is public opinion that important? Even though magicians are no different from non-magicians if they can't use magic... No, that isn't limited to that country.)
This country was allowed to exist solely because it happened to have a Thirteen Apostle—a Strategic-Class Magician. Strategic-Class Magic had naturally taken on the role of a "deterrent" replacing nuclear weapons. The problem was that there were few non-magicians capable of understanding that.
Thinking this, Diacca opened the bag placed on his desk and looked through the paper documents. It was the result obtained from his visit to Japan—an agreement regarding magical medical technology.
They would purchase the magical medical equipment itself in a complete "black box" state and send medical personnel to handle it in the form of "study abroad." As a necessary measure to protect the secrecy of magic, Diacca swallowed those conditions. Questions would likely arise from the parliament, but considering the USNA, he judged that complying with this secrecy was appropriate.
(If this field gets on track successfully, pursuit from non-magicians will naturally decrease. There may be those who want to complain, but magic is ultimately a "technology" and a "skill." It is not a "seed" for reaching a new humanity.)
Humans have walked the path of evolution by learning to use various things in the process of evolving from apes. But from Diacca's perspective, magic still seemed like something beyond human control. However, since they possessed it, it had to be handled appropriately. Isolation due to excessive Humanism could eventually trigger a rebellion by magicians. He wondered if those chanting Humanism truly believed they could avoid the worst-case future with their actions.
Therefore, continuing to seek the path a ruler should take was the mission imposed upon him. Thinking this, he carefully scrutinized the information obtained from his visit to Japan.
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