MTLNOVEL Chapter 7: Chapter 6: Bonds Forged in Battle
Nobody wants trouble, least of all me. But bad premonitions have a nasty habit of coming true, and all you can do is curse the timing. I'd rather avoid chaos, but it doesn't wait for an invitation.
At Onna Air Base for CAD discussions, Motoharu and I got roped into an overnight stay after bonding with Sanada. Motoharu teased me for getting sidetracked, but there's more at play.
"Captain Kazama, I recommend raising the alert level and prioritizing civilian evacuation immediately," I say as Lieutenant Tatsumi Kamijo.
"Based on what evidence?" Kazama asks.
"This."
I pull up clear aerial footage of military ships gearing up at Xiamen Port, tying it to the cruiser's foam torpedo attack. "Great Asian Alliance, most likely. No confirmed strategic mage, but this isn't a New Soviet feint. That sub was after infiltration or hostages. Expect an attack tonight or tomorrow morning."
Kazama, rattled by my intel without satellite access, exhales. "You'd gut us as an enemy. Got it. To avoid panic, we'll issue an evacuation request tonight. Can I share your footage with Army HQ?"
"Go for it. Thanks for listening."
"Don't mention it. Sanada, Yanagi, and I value you. Here's to a long friendship."
"Likewise."
If nothing happens, great. If it does, they'll handle it. I tell Motoharu we're staying due to the evacuation. In a base room, with civilians cleared out, we'd head to the shelter if fighting breaks out.
"No declaration of war… the Alliance?" Motoharu asks.
"Probably. The New Soviets would hit Tsushima first."
The sub's origin is murky, but the Alliance is the prime suspect. No confirmed strategic mage movement—a small relief. If their "Thirteen Apostles" or equivalent moved, Okinawa could be in real trouble. The Alliance might be overconfident.
The door swings open. "Nagano-kun?" Miya says.
"Yugen-san! Motoharu-san?!" Miyuki exclaims.
Tatsuya, Miyuki, Miya, and Honami stand there, as shocked as we are. Tatsuya's face stays unreadable. I elbow Motoharu, who's staring at Honami, and explain, "We're here for a friend's errand but got stuck due to the attack."
"I see," Miyuki says.
Motoharu's Honami obsession could spell trouble. Tatsuya and Miyuki seem closer than before. "You two look more like siblings now," I note.
"Strange guy," Tatsuya says, catching Miya, Honami, and Miyuki off guard. Who is this Yugen Nagano?
Gunshots—full-auto assault rifles—echo outside. My enhanced hearing and Mitsuya intel pinpoint the model. "Tatsuya, I'll hold things here. Can you check outside? No pressure."
"Tatsuya, please," Miya adds.
"Understood, ma'am," Tatsuya says, heading out.
Miyuki glares. "What's that about, Yugen-san?!"
"Easy. Guns are manageable with magic, but what if magic's sealed?"
"That's…" Miyuki trails off.
"Exactly," Motoharu chimes in. "With military mages here, invaders might have countermeasures."
Magic suppression could endanger Miya, Honami, and Miyuki. Tatsuya's combat skills and abilities make him untouchable. So far, this aligns with the original plot.
Four soldiers—likely "Left Blood" second-generation—enter. The world's corrective force feels at work. "Private First Class Kinjo, Paratrooper Second Company. Follow us to the shelter," one says.
I glance at their gear, recognizing the rifle from the gunshots. Stalling, I say, "Our friend's outside. Can we wait?"
"You're the only civilians. We'll make sure he rejoins you."
As expected. Miya seems suspicious too. I press, "We heard gunshots nearby. No encounters?"
"We took them out fast," Kinjo snaps, hurrying us.
Shady. As Miyuki glances at Miya and Honami, another figure enters. "Dick!" Kinjo shouts, firing at Private Higa (Joe). Another soldier pulls out a stone—Antinite, I realize.
Motoharu springs into action. "Not on my watch!" Using [Speed Loader], the Mitsuya clan's magic for nine simultaneous spells, he knocks out the stone-wielder. Kinjo, furious, unloads bullets.
"Damn it!" Kinjo yells.
"Reckless!" I deflect bullets aimed at Miya and Honami. Honami shields Miya, but Miyuki steps out to help, exposing herself to gunfire targeting her and Motoharu.
No time for magic. I sprint forward.
Miyuki's Perspective
I froze. Motoharu's magic stopped the soldier with the stone, and Yugen blocked bullets for Mother and Honami. Trying to help, I stepped out of Honami's barrier—a mistake.
Bullets flew. Untrained in defense, I crouched, eyes shut, bracing for impact. Nothing hit. Opening my eyes, I saw Yugen standing in front of me, arms spread.
"Couldn't let Tatsuya down…" he muttered, collapsing into my arms. My hand felt wet—his blood, not mine. He'd taken the bullets for me.
"No!" I screamed. My impulsiveness cost him. I've never had real friends, shaped to be the Yotsuba heir. Yugen was different, treating me as an equal, nudging me toward Tatsuya. He gave me hope for dreams I thought were out of reach.
Before leaving, Tatsuya said, "You're a strange guy." Yugen reached him, a Guardian who rarely speaks freely. We both felt it: I can't lose him.
I shouted, ready to use forbidden magic, defying nature to save him. "Onii-sama, help!"
A wall burst open. Tatsuya, my Guardian—my brother—rushed in. "You protected Miyuki well, Yugen. I won't forget this."
His expression seemed heavy as he aimed his specialized CAD. Silver psions flared from Yugen, a breathtaking sight.
Yugen's Perspective
Forgot about that. My auto-repair spell failed in a pinch. Something to fix. Tatsuya's [Regrowth] kicked in, likely spotting my spell. The bullets stopped short of fatal, but I need to retrain.
I'd pinned Miyuki down. Pulling back, I saw her tears. Before I could speak, she hugged me. Tatsuya, explain! His look said, "Figure it out." Damn it! He'd also revived Motoharu with [Regrowth].
"You okay, Yugen?" Motoharu asked.
"Yeah. Nice reflexes, Bro."
"Dojo training paid off. That stone was Antinite."
Motoharu regretted using [Speed Loader], but secrecy was out the window. The enemies were gone—Tatsuya's [Mist Dispersion], or rather [Decomposition]. I was grateful.
I patted Miyuki's head. "Calm down. Things are still dicey."
"Y-Yes…" She blushed, suddenly shy.
Miya and Honami smiled. "Miyuki's spring has come," Miya teased.
"Red rice tonight," Honami added.
"Why's this a celebration?" I muttered. "We've got a mess to clean up."
Miyuki settled down. I grabbed my undamaged case. Kazama and Sanada arrived, their grim faces confirming the soldiers (except Joe) were traitors.
"Sanada, rebels in the base?" I asked.
"Confirmed Alliance-backed. Your intel was dead-on," Sanada said.
All eyes turned to me. Miya was stunned—a kid my age matching her family's intel network. "Not thrilled about it. This exposed my inexperience," I said.
"Our failure for letting rebels slip through," Kazama replied. "Name your terms, Lieutenant Kamijo."
Motoharu, aware of my role, still looked shocked hearing it formally. "Update me on the situation," I said.
Kazama laid it out: Alliance submarines landed at Nago's northwest coast, they controlled Kerama Islands' seas, and guerrilla insiders disrupted troop transport from Naha to Nago, though 80% were neutralized. Rebels would be handled soon.
The sub was likely a scout. Losing it might've triggered the attack. A mastermind from the original story could be involved, but poking that hornet's nest is too risky. For now, I focused on the crisis.
"Got it. Captain, Lieutenant, am I joining the battlefield as an officer to break this stalemate?"
"I lack the authority, but as temporary commander, I'm entrusting this to you, kin of the peerless warrior. You're our strongest asset," Kazama said.
He hated sending a minor, but my proven strength against his mages left no choice. "By Joint Chiefs' order, Lieutenant Tatsumi Kamijo, you're requested as 'Independent Guerrilla Commander' to defend against and annihilate the Alliance. Will you accept?"
A one-man army under my own command, backed by the Joint Chiefs. I saluted. "I accept. First, escort these people to the command room—it's sturdier than the shelter."
Kazama nodded, his face grim. Tatsuya cut in, "I need an armor suit and infantry gear. I won't return consumables."
"Why?" Kazama asked.
"They targeted Miyuki. They'll pay," Tatsuya said.
I exhaled. "Captain, place him under my temporary command as a local volunteer. I'll lend spare gear."
"Agreed. Tatsuya, is that okay?" Kazama asked.
"Yes," Tatsuya replied.
"Sanada, prep 'that' and this," I said, handing him the unlocked case.
"You're demanding," Sanada laughed, referring to my high-spec, custom CAD—the reason for our extended stay.
I'd seen this coming but couldn't admit it. Reducing civilian presence was a win. Facing Tatsuya, I said, "You refused military command in the original story. Why join now?"
"I won't deny I'd go alone. But you risked your life for Miyuki. I owe you."
"That's enough. One order: survive. If you can't, I'll knock you out and drag you back."
A harsh promise, but Tatsuya can keep it. To be his friend, he has to live. He nodded.
"One decision: no mercy, no survivors. They need to know who they crossed. Can you do it?"
"Of course. I thought you'd spare surrenderers," Tatsuya said.
"Mercy's a waste," I replied.
Yugen Mitsuya, once Yugen Nagano, and Tatsuya Shiba—grandsons of Gozo Kamiizumi and Genzo Yotsuba, united by fate. No one could've predicted they'd become strategic mages who'd shake the world.
Miyuki's Perspective
I watched them head to battle, my mind reeling. Tatsuya said, "Sorry, Miyuki. I'm following my emotions and repaying him. Stay with mother and Honami."
His debt to Yugen, who sparked something in him beyond magic or me. Yugen, who I cared for too. When he shielded me, I felt a loss I couldn't bear, screaming for Tatsuya. His touch warmed my heart—a feeling I couldn't name but didn't dislike.
Yugen, Onii-sama, come back safe.
All I could do was pray and question Mother. I ran after them.