The Chinese Communist People's Republic of China has emerged as a major power in Asia.
　About 10 kilometers west of Beijing, the capital of China, in the suburbs of the country, there is a facility for the military. The facility itself belongs to the People's Army under the jurisdiction of the Communist Party, and while it is not unusual, its contents could be said to be completely different.
　Only the highest ranking officials in the Chinese Communist Party or senior military generals were informed of the contents of this place. Other members of the Communist Party, the military and others were aware of the layout of the facility, but no one had any idea that it was a top-secret facility, even within the Communist Party.
　The five-story facility was built on the banks of a large pond and located off the national highway that connects the cities. From the outside, it looks exactly the same as a typical military facility.
　However, once inside, there are many layers of security that are unusually tighter than those of other facilities. In addition, the facility was guarded 24 hours a day by a unit specially trained in security that the People's Army is proud of, and the commanding officer in charge of security takes pride in the fact that it is almost impossible for the outside world to enter the facility.
　In the army's internal organizational chart, the facility is described only as the Third Intelligence Office under the direct control of the Communist Party.
　However, only those who know the contents of the facility were calling it

　The Dark City of Water Margin........

　Right now, Zhang Lin, the Minister of the Ministry of National Defense, Zhang Lin, who drove a luxury car from Beijing to the facility, has arrived.
　At the young age of 45, Zhang Lin has risen through the ranks within the Communist Party and is now serving in the center of the Communist Party. He is a man who is now attracting attention from inside and outside China's political circles.
　Zhang Lin is not a tall man, but he is a common type of man in the Communist Party: not very tall, but a pushover, full of confidence, facing everyone, and yet extremely low profile to his superiors.

　However, this man had one particular ability that was particularly outstanding compared to other people: fund-raising.
　That was fund-raising.
　Wherever he was, Zhang Lin would keep track of the new policies and new organizations launched by the government, and he would quickly grasp the main points and holes in them. Then, with this information, he would make suggestions only to senior military officials and his own faction's superiors.
　It's simply this: "You can make a lot of money from this.
　Of course, the content of the proposal is a gray, almost black, profit-making story. But the executives who benefited from Zhang Lin's proposal naturally came to value this man.
　It could be argued that Zhang Lin knew how to get ahead quickly in this one-party dictatorship, and he had the ability to do so in combination.
　And most of all, this man was lucky.
　It was so much luck that it could be called a godsend.
　These black rumors about Zhang Lin were naturally whispered many times within the party. When this happened, there was always a legitimate Communist Party member or political opponent who would investigate against this.
　But all of this has been dodged by Zhang Lin here.
　Sometimes, all is lost.
　But even at such times, a political enemy would be disqualified or purged at the perfect time. And some of them fell ill from an unexplained illness during the course of the investigation, while others stopped the investigation on their own and left the political world without telling anyone about the situation.
　Thus, this Zhang Lin rose through the ranks at an unusually rapid rate.
　Every time the executives chuckled at the stories Zhang Lin brought to them....

　The driver of Zhang Lin's car knew that his own superior officer, Zhang Lin, had visited this establishment on many occasions. But of course, he never asked him any questions about the reason or this facility.
　He knows that such extraneous things can affect his tomorrow. Especially if he was going to do Zhang Lin's subordinate who had penetrated into the heart of this country.
　But as long as you don't do that, you'll have more than enough benefits coming your way.
　That kind of strange and dangerous atmosphere was exuded by this Zhang Lin.
　After Zhang Lin's car was heavily checked at the entrance of the facility's premises, he was ushered inside.
　Then, when he got out of the car in front of the facility's building, Zhang Lin told his subordinate, who had been his driver for many years, to wait in the waiting room and got out of the car with his business bag in hand.
　At the entrance of the building, a soldier stood at the entrance of the building, greeting Zhang Lin.

''Where's the Count?''

'Yes, he's waiting for you in his usual place. It was as if he knew the chief was coming.

'Hmm, the usual. You can't keep up with me if you're wondering about that, can you?　This bunch of Midnight Panthers.

Yes.

　Even though Zhang Lin said so, this soldier's response was weak, as he was still not used to it.
　It might be inevitable.
　"The Dark Night's Leopards are a super-secret unit in China, because their identity is a unit of people with different abilities, called abilities, gathered by the Chinese government.
　There are reports that other countries in the developed world also have such organizations. In that sense, it is not surprising that China also has such an organization.
　Because, although Zhang Lin had only heard of it, there was in fact a World Organization of Capable Persons. To be honest, the existence of such an independent organization that did not belong to any country could only be called a threat.
　Zhang Lin snickered when he heard the World Organization of Gifted Persons' advocacy of the ideal of spreading the word that gifted persons are beings who contribute to society in general, and that it will one day become a public institution.
　He immediately dismissed the idea that such an idealistic philosophy could not be accepted.
　Abilities are useful. No, they are too useful.
　And they are dangerous.
　So much so that it could upset the balance of power between nations.
　This is the common perception among the nations.
　Zhang Lin proceeded through the streets of this top-secret facility as if he knew what he was doing, taking the elevator down to the fifth floor, the top floor, and knocking on the luxurious wooden door at the end of the corridor.

'Come in,'

　A gentleman's voice came from inside, and Zhang Lin opened the door. The soldier who followed him saluted there and took his place.
　The inside of the room was uniformly decorated with European furnishings, not unlike China. The room was filled with European furnishings that looked nothing like China, and each one of them was antique, though that may have been the preference of the owner of the room, so that for a moment you felt as if you had stepped into a medieval European aristocrat's room.

''We have been expecting you. Lin-dono........no, you're the head of the Defense Department now, right?

　The person who confirmed Zhang Lin's appearance and called out to him was a Caucasian man who looked to be in his fifties, dressed like a European aristocrat, with gray hair.
　There was nothing shadowy in his expression, and he smilingly greeted Zhang Lin like the head of a great aristocrat who didn't know any hardships.
　This man was Alessandro, the master of this room and the head of the "Dark Night Leopard", a unit of aliens. He was secretly contacted by the Chinese government, and at the urging of the Chinese government, he was appointed to lead the Chinese xenophobic unit about five years ago.
　The man claims to be of Italian origin and has been in France for a long time, but whether this is true or not is still a mystery, all we know is that this man is a powerful man with a powerful ability.

'As usual, the woods will do, Count,'

'I see, well, please sit down, Lord Lin. I've got some good tea in hand. Lorenza.

　Alessandro raised his voice, and a beautiful blonde woman, who looked to be in her thirties, came out of the back door.

''Lord Lin has arrived. Can I ask for that tea?''

Well, welcome, Mr. Hayashi. Oh, excuse me, you're in high places now.

'Ha, you'll be fine as usual, Mrs. Lorenza. And since Mrs. Lorenza can put it in herself?　Why don't you leave it to the servants?

Yeah, he's right up there. Hmm, I can't leave the tea to you, after all. I hope it's to Lin's liking.

'No way. I know your wife's tea is excellent. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to keep it.

That's good.

　After saying that, Lorenza smiled and went into the back again.
　In fact, Zhang Lin had been acquainted with this couple for a long time.
　Fifteen years ago, when Zhang Lin was still a subordinate official of a Communist Party member, he had traveled to Paris on a business trip to accompany a Communist Party member provincial official.
　Zhang Lin was on his way to the pleasure quarter when he met these two men by chance. Normally, Zhang Lin was very cautious, but the two men had been very friendly with him from the beginning.
　So they took him to an old-fashioned pub, and for some reason, he told them of his poor origins, the strong dissatisfaction he felt with his current job, and his determination to rise to the top, no matter what he had to do, something he had never told anyone.
　In hindsight, Zhang Lin thinks that it was a blunt thing to do.
　However, it changed Zhang Lin's life forever.
　By the words of this couple who had finished listening to this Zhang Lin's story.

''I'll grant you that wish.

　For the next fifteen years, Zhang Lin always consulted these two men whenever he had a problem. Alessandro described himself as a Count, and Zhang Lin had since started calling him Count.
　And now, Zhang Lin had risen to his current position unusually quickly.
　Afterwards, Zhang Lin learned.
　That these two were no ordinary people.
　Fifteen years had passed since they had met, and although his appearance had become more appropriate to his age, these two were still the same as when they had met.
　It was as if time had stopped only around these two, as if they were still the same as they were then.
　But now, Zhang Lin didn't find it strange. He had been shown miracles by these two men many times.
　And what this couple had told him was also immediately accepted.
　They are alchemists and spellcasters.
　In other words, they were gifted.

''So, Lord Lin, what are your requirements today?　You want to talk to me, don't you?

　This is what Alessandro always says when Zhang Lin comes over.

''Yes, I actually want the Count to stop the actions of a certain person in Japan.

Hi, what's this guy's name?

　Zhang Lin pulled out some documents and photos from his bag and handed them to Alessandro.

''My name is Houzuki Teiji, a Japanese businessman. Currently, Japanese capitalists have gathered around this man and have begun to develop undersea resources, mainly in the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan. This is something that our country finds unacceptable.

Hmm........but this is in Japan's territorial waters, isn't it? Doesn't the Chinese government have any problem with that?

Japan has been keeping an eye on these seabed resources for some time. "Japan has long had its eye on these seabed resources, and we have understood that the East China Sea has been Japan's territorial waters since ancient times. We cannot overlook the fact that our neighboring country, Japan, has been mining the seabed resources and putting them to practical use. This is something that could even change the balance of power in the future.

　In fact, China, through its party, has an ambition to own this seabed resource, and has always made it a political issue between the nations, condemning loudly and with all the justification it can muster if Japan acts to undermine it.
　This has worked, and has been successful in eliciting consideration from the Japanese side, but this time there has been a flurry of activity from the Japanese private sector. This businessman was also a very strong and patient man, and he was on the verge of getting permission from the Japanese government to develop the site this year.
　If this were to happen, it would be a major blow to China, which has been pursuing its resources through diplomacy, and it could also take the initiative in the territorial dispute over the East China Sea, which is now becoming an issue.
　But that is not the only reason why Zhang Lin is moving. In fact, Zhang Lin is involved in a national project that China is already developing in the East China Sea. The oil that rises from these projects is generating huge profits, and this is being passed on to the military brass.
　In a sense, it is acting out of its own desires and ambitions, although it has a plausible reason for doing so.
　If, in the future, the country asserts its territorial rights, even by force, mainly in the East China Sea, and develops its resources, the benefits that Zhang Lin will receive will be immeasurable. For this reason, there is also the aspect that he approached the military as well.

So what should I do?

　This is also the response of Zhang Lin and Alessandro, which is always a given.
　What they talk about after this is the main story. And from this point on, even the buildup would disappear, which was the promise of these two.

''Yes, I'm going to make a threat to this Hokage man. Since he seems to be a man with a moderate bone in his body, we will threaten his family and friends, and of course, the capitalists and their families who are this man's supporters. You don't have to kill him first. They are indeed well-known people, and if they make a flamboyant move, there is a possibility that they will turn on us.

Oh, yeah.

　Despite this disturbing content of Zhang Lin, Alessandro responded with a smile.

''The material over there is also here.

　The document contained detailed information about Houzuki Teiji's biography and family, and the same was true for the endorsers of the project.
　Alessandro looked through the material and stopped at a sentence.
　It was the name of the school this Hougetsu's daughter attended........
　It was written there that Houzuki Akiko, 15 years old, is a student at Sei Sei Seijo Academy and is currently serving as the secretary of the student council in the school.
　A number of other capitalists who supported this project were also found to have sent their precious daughters to this school.

'Kukuku, indeed you are ... an indispensable person to us.

What?

''No, I understand very well. It's a request from Lord Lin of all people. I'll do something about it.

Thank you.

　For a moment, Zhang Lin thought he saw a shadowy expression from Alessandro, but he thought it was just his imagination with the usual soft expression of Alessandro that he was showing now.
　Then Lorenza came in with three teacups and a pot on a tray.

'Oh, you two look like you're having fun. What were they talking about?

Oh, yes, ma'am, we need to talk business.

'Yes, but it looks like you've got it all together. Well, let's enjoy our tea.

Yes, sir.

　Afterwards, the three of them exchanged idle pleasantries, and when Zhang Lin was thinking of leaving soon, Alessandro called out to Zhang Lin.

''Mister Lin, I have a little favor to ask you for this assignment, if that's okay with you?''

Yes?　What is it?　The Count.

　It's rare for Alessandro to say something like this.

'Actually, I want someone.

　Zhang Lin frowned.

''Are you dissatisfied with the current formation of the Dark Night's Leopard?''

No, no, that's not true. In fact, for many years, we've been looking for a suitable candidate for an experiment, and we've only recently found one.

What are the experiments...?

Well, I am also the country's stipend eater. So I've been thinking for some time about performing a spell that would benefit the country. It's a spellcraft experiment for that purpose, but I really need a suitable witness for it.

'Huh...'

　Zhang Lin wasn't familiar with that kind of occult stuff, so he gave a raw reply.

''But if this succeeds, I believe it will be of considerable benefit to this country and to you. No, let me tell you the truth, especially to Lord Lin. This life is only possible because of Lord Lin, you know.

　Seeing Zhang Lin's eyes change, Alessandro's eyes narrowed.

''So, to put it bluntly, I wanted to kidnap that suitable person and bring him back, but I couldn't do it. The person was a lifelong girl with no parents or siblings, so we could have kidnapped her without leaving any evidence, but now that she was holed up in a rather awkward house and was enrolled in a famous school for girls, it wasn't easy.

"Hmm, I see.

　Zhang Lin couldn't understand the matter of witchcraft, but he could understand what else he was saying. To Zhang Lin, it wasn't a big deal for a person to be kidnapped. It didn't matter if he killed them as long as he didn't leave any evidence. Zhang Lin was the kind of man who didn't care about anything as long as it wasn't detrimental to him. You could say that's how he had risen in this country.

''However, I feel that I am somewhat unable to move on my own, given my current position. The reason is that this girl has a gift. Moreover, she joined the organization this year. We thought it would be difficult to do without the help of a talented young girl with a troop.

'Oh, my God!　That's quite a bit, and if you don't do well, it could turn against the agency.

''What? I don't mean to cause you any trouble, but I thought it was a personal reason to move the country's tiger's child, the Dark Night Leopard. As it stands, it's hard to kidnap them without having the troops working on it as well.

''Certainly, that's not enough to run a competent unit........ If I had some reason to do so, I could help.

　In the beginning, the first thing that came to mind was the word "benefit" in Alessandro's words, and he wanted to help Alessandro somehow. Because until now, he had never lost anything by following this couple's advice.

''That's why the girl's high school was the same high school that the daughter of the person who will be Hougetsu's daughter attends this time.

'Oh!　That's a wonderful coincidence. Then there is a possibility that I could manage to complicate it. Since this case involves huge interests, I'm sure that the higher-ups will be meditating on it.

May I ask for your help?　Of course, this is for our benefit,

'Of course!　So ... how much of a benefit would that be?

''Mm-hmm, Lord Lin is also quick to respond, but I can only promise you the position of President of the country. Considering the favor I've received from Lord Lin, it's only a small one?

'Hey!　And, no way!　I will take care of the rest. I assure you that the Count will have free rein!

Oh, reassuring!

Well, you guys seem to be having a lot of fun.

'Then I'll be busy too, so I'll leave you here. Count, please take care of me!　

　Zhang Lin stood up and was about to leave in a hurry, but as he noticed, he asked Alessandro.

''Ah, Count. So, what is the name of the girl you say you need for this experiment?''



Yes, Marion Mia Shrean my name is.



　Zhang Lin hurriedly left the room without much interest in the name, just nodding his head while asking a question.





　Inside the room Zhang Lin had left, Alessandro and Lorenza were enjoying a cup of tea.

''Huh, you're good. You look like you're having fun earlier?''

I'm amazed at how astonishingly clever we are in spotting that man.

Well, bragging rights?

''Oh, now offer those linked to the blood of the back Orleanians, and the gates will open. The Sword of Surt's people were too narcissistic and self-respecting. They failed to take advantage of their surroundings more, to blend in, and to carefully lay the groundwork.

'But, my dear. Who got to the sword of Surt, a man of great ability?

That remains to be seen, I'm afraid. I heard that the agencies and countries are desperately investigating the matter. Well, the fact that they tried to control this unprepared super monster called Garum is their mistake. They'll just take away your power as much as possible. The long, nearly immortal body that the demon gave you can't even have the longevity you'd expect from a demon.

'You were right not to move until the last minute then. You were prompted like an arrow by Surt's sword.

'Well, we'll get some answers over there too in due time. But it could be said that Surt's sword at Millamar led us to this girl of backdoor Orleanian blood sent by the agency. Well, what those guys did wasn't in vain either.

'Hmmm, well, that's cold. But isn't it easy to say kidnapping is easy, not hard?　Even if we used our troops, even though she's young, she's still a rank A competitor, right?

'Don't worry, Lorenza, I've got an idea for that.

What's going on?

"Kukku, use Yan Shi Shui.

'Oh!　You're alive?　That 'dead bird'?

Yeah, he was hiding out in the countryside. The bloody moron, who, for whatever reason, had a change of heart, gathered a small group of children who had no relatives and lived in a meager existence.

'Hmmm, well, that's funny. Would you say that 'dead bird' has a heart?　Or is it now, atonement?　It's really funny. But I wonder if you'll accept this request.

'Not so, Lorenza. I have no choice. He's got a lot of kids to take care of, kukku.

Well, you're a scary man. How are you doing with your request, Mr. Lin?

I'll leave that to you.

Do you think it's up to me?

Well, don't say that. If it's your curse, what's wrong with you?

'Hmm, well, that's an unexpected statement. Cursed or cursed, it's just another day in the life of this world. It's not a difficult thing to do.... All people live cursed and cursed, and all I have to do is tweak it a bit.

Yeah, Kukuk...

　As he said this, the couple drooped their eyes and laughed at each other with a wicked expression that even Zhang Lin had never seen before.