Chapter 84

"Then, how was the situation in Sapporo?"

"We didn't get enough information, and the operation failed. Besides, if the God's ability was used to rewrite reality, even the little information we got can't be trusted."

At the headquarters of the supernatural organization Divine, Chie, a Rank A ability user, and Quait, a blond boy with a mature tone despite his youthful appearance, were sharing information.

"The analysis team believes that the God's ability has strong constraints or limitations. They found no signs of activation in this incident, so the possibility of reality being rewritten is low."

"That's just speculation, right? If the God's ability could rewrite reality without limits or erase the traces of its activation, it would be meaningless."

"The analysis team thinks that if the ability could rewrite reality without limits, it would have erased the existence of this organization altogether."

"Hmm, that's a valid point, but if the user of the God's ability doesn't care about being targeted by Divine or even enjoys this situation, it would be meaningless. There's a high possibility that we're just being toyed with by the user of the God's ability."

"Even if that's the case, I believe the organization won't give up until it achieves its goal."

"Wow... You're right. I thought it was a huge organization controlling the world from behind, but it might just be a huge mud boat. What a laughable joke."

Quait sighed as he muttered these words. The supernatural organization Divine had not given up on recovering the 'Fusion,' 'Granting,' and 'Cold Heat' abilities. As the first stage of a new operation, they secretly planned to dominate Sapporo's underworld to gain free-moving forces and an information network within the city. However, the situation changed drastically due to the involvement of the highest-priority target, Kousuke Yuki. The organization, which had thought the possibility of Kousuke Yuki, who lived a normal high school life, getting involved in the underworld was low, changed its policy abruptly. They focused on gathering information about Kousuke Yuki and his surroundings through a forceful approach.

As a result, the truth of this incident came to light.

"Thanks to the quick response, the damage on the other side was almost zero. The information we obtained was also almost zero. We lost a considerable amount of effort and three quite capable pawns... If this was all part of their plan, they are an incredible strategist. Truly impressive."

"However, we can confirm the existence of a specialized information manipulator among their ranks. This is a significant achievement."

"I'm not sure if that can be called an achievement. After all that effort, the information we got is so minimal... It's really not worth it. I really liked those three..."

Quait sighed as he looked at the documents containing information about Toujou, Nigera, and Jasper.

"Although we lost a lot of effort, learning that Dies is cooperating with Kousuke Yuki is also a significant achievement of this operation."

"You're right. I was really surprised that Dies was on the enemy's side. Is there another ability user of the same type behind him?"

"Unless it's the work of the God's ability, it's unlikely that Dies could be manipulated so easily. Given his character, it's also possible that he judged the contract with Divine to be terminated when he was left in Sapporo and found a new employer."

"If he thought he was abandoned by the organization, he managed to escape from this huge mud boat. Whether that's good luck or bad luck, I can't tell."

"Whether Divine is a mud boat or not depends on our future activities and Kousuke Yuki's actions."

"You're right. The organization has given us many opportunities, and it's a fact that it currently dominates this world. Instead of being pessimistic, let's approach our mission positively."

Quait answered while wearing the ID tag labeled 'No.4' and walked out lazily.

"Are you still wearing that ID tag? The No.3 ID tag should have been issued already..."

"No way, I can't take the No.3 position. I can't replace Tōri-kun, the former No.3, with my ability, and the two above me are monsters... I'll do my best as the No.4 ability user of the organization, using my 'Brainwashing' ability."

Quait answered with a smile and left the meeting room.

◇

In London, at the headquarters of the Magic Association in the city center, representatives from various branches of the 'Twilight and Dawn Group' were gathered and debating.

"This is a serious situation! We should immediately issue a warning to Japan and recover that spirit!"

The elderly magician who raised his voice was 'Pluto Adept,' the leader of the hardline faction of the Twilight and Dawn Group. The other members of the hardline faction nodded in agreement with his words.

"I agree with the need to issue a warning. However, we have already deleted the video and suspended the account, and we have restricted the creation of new accounts. We have also instructed other video platforms to delete the video if it is found. Since we have taken sufficient measures, I think we can observe the situation for a while."

The one who spoke to Pluto, who was showing anger, was 'Rhodium Maysers,' the leader of the Twilight and Dawn Group and the father of Owl.

"The theft of the fairy seed has been explained as a rogue member's action. However, the failure to recover it and the fact that it ended up in the hands of a mysterious high school magician who doesn't belong to any magical organization is a failure on the part of your daughter, Owl Maysers, isn't it? If so, she should bear some responsibility for this matter."

"What are you talking about? That matter is already settled. The recovery mission was approved by everyone here. Moreover, it contributed to defeating the magician who hosted the power of an evil god. It's absurd to hold her responsible."

In response to Pluto's demand for severe punishment, a white-bearded elderly magician immediately countered. His name was 'Zirconium Westcott,' the deputy leader of the Twilight and Dawn Group and a former leader of the organization.

Currently, the Twilight and Dawn Group was holding a meeting between two factions: the hardline faction, which argued for immediate recovery of the spirit from the video on a major video platform, and the moderate faction, which argued for issuing a warning and observing the situation.

"The idea of immediate recovery is unrealistic. Unless the spirit or its contractor strongly rejects it, no one can sever the contract with the spirit."

"The spirit is being treated improperly, as shown in the video! I will go and negotiate to recover the spirit, which is being treated unfairly."

"Stop talking nonsense! The contractor of the spirit is related to Mizuka Ushio, who defeated the magician hosting the power of an evil god. A forceful approach could worsen her impression. Moreover, we have a debt to Japan for exposing it to danger due to the evil god incident. It could become an international issue!"

"The evil god incident has already been resolved, with Japan's management of the evil god's heart being deemed insufficient. Therefore, the possibility of this incident becoming an international issue is low."

While there was a possibility that the spirit was being treated improperly, the fact that the contractor was close to Mizuka Ushio, who solved the evil god problem, and the potential for an international issue between Japan and the UK, made the meeting between the two factions reach a complete impasse.

"First, we should reconsider the premise that Kousuke Yuki is treating the spirit improperly. According to the information, he has a high moral character and is not the type to mistreat a spirit. If that's true, there's a possibility that the spirit itself willingly recorded and uploaded the dance video."

"That's impossible..."

"Can you really say that? Those who deal with fairies and spirits know that many of them are curious and mischievous. While there are also calm ones, it's a fact that many fairies and spirits are interested in dance, videos, and the internet."

Upon hearing Rhodium's words, the hardline faction, including Pluto, could not refute them with a bitter expression. Many of them had experienced having their smartphones or computers taken and played with by spirits during their interactions.

"Whatever we do, we still lack information. Moreover, since the video is being deleted immediately, the current problem can be considered resolved."

"What are you saying! This is just a temporary solution! To begin with, it's unacceptable that such a powerful spirit is in the hands of an unknown magician..."

"We lack information. If we take unnecessary actions and the spirit in the video turns against us, can you explain the consequences?"

"..."

Rhodium's words made not only Pluto, who had been strongly opposing, but also everyone in the meeting room gasp. While it was unclear how powerful Kousuke Yuki was, the spirit in the video was a different story. Even for ordinary magicians, it was difficult to distinguish a real spirit from a video, but the magicians present could determine the threat level of the spirit. They fully understood how threatening the spirit 'Uru' in the video was.

"The exact strength of that spirit is unknown, but it is definitely a unique existence. The fact that it skipped the fairy stage and became a spirit directly from a fairy seed is unprecedented. It's certain that the spirit is a special existence."

"We lack information not only about Kousuke Yuki but also about the spirit. It's reasonable to observe the situation and gather information before making contact or having a conversation."

Zirconium echoed Rhodium's words, and the majority of the magicians around the round table nodded in agreement.

"By the way, it seems that the frequency of dangerous spirits appearing in Japan has increased recently."

"Dangerous spirits, you say?"

"Indeed...!"

"Yes. Some may have noticed, but it is predicted that a 'Hyakki Yagyō' will occur in Japan soon."

"A Hyakki Yagyō!? I thought the duration would be much shorter..."

"Indeed, the influence of the remnants from the last Hyakki Yagyō is significant."

Upon hearing the term 'Hyakki Yagyō' from Rhodium, the magicians in the meeting room showed expressions of shock. Even though it happened in another country, they understood the magnitude of the damage caused by the last Hyakki Yagyō.

"We plan to send magicians from the UK as reinforcements. Kousuke Yuki will likely participate in the Hyakki Yagyō, which will provide an opportunity for contact."

"Until then, we will gather information and consider our response."

"That's right."

Zirconium added to Rhodium's words, and almost all the magicians present agreed.

"There seems to be no objection. Then, I will conclude today's meeting."

Rhodium's words were met with a bitter expression from Pluto, the only one who did not agree.

---

I am very sorry for the long wait! m(_ _)m

In the next chapter, I will resolve the flags left by Near and then move on to the new chapter, which begins with the crisis of my parents' divorce!