Comparative Study of Foci, Casting Assistant Device and Blazer Device. What do they have in common and their effect on the Magical World by Dr. Lloyd Asplund
Foci.
What are Foci?
One could summarize Foci as specialized tools used by Mages to channel and focus their Spells while also minimizing risk to themselves. The Foci are used to help in the execution of the Magic, making it easier than it would be without the usage of the Foci themselves.
Foci can take a wide variety of forms or shapes. Still, all are judged based upon two standard measurements, Flow and Precision, with the third occasional consideration of Attunement.
However, Attunement is not used that commonly when it comes to the measurement of the Foci. Thus, altogether, there are three basic categories on which they are measured: Flow. Precision. Attunement.
1st - Flow
The quality of flow a Foci possesses determines how efficiently it allows the Mage to control their Mana flow. Foci with exceptional flow will allow their wielder to cast and maintain more spells without putting as much strain on their body.
2nd - Precision
A Foci's precision allows the user to more accurately and finely manipulate Magic Spells. Often, the most valued trait of a Foci, precision, is essential for complex spell casting and even aids in learning, as one can better feel the ebbs of Magic responding to their motion.
3rd - Attunement
An unusual trait, Attunement signifies a Foci's particular adeptness at engaging with a specific school of Magic. It is not unusual for such foci to subsequently underperform or even outright detrimentally affect the performance of relative and oppositional schools.
This is all part of the old common knowledge of the Foci. As was mentioned before, Foci comes in a variety of forms and shapes.
Wands, Staves, Trinkets, Jewelry, or even Tattoos.
Technically speaking, anything could act as a Foci as long as it was crafted with the specific methods that are used to create Foci. Albeit, it has been noted that not every shape of Foci is the same, be it in terms of power and efficiency.
For example, Wands and Staves tend to be generally more powerful than Jewelry and Trinkets. Tattoos are usually categorized on their own, because they are very dangerous to create, as one needs to engrave them into their own skin, which could result in many complications.
But now, we have entered the new age.
The age of CADs... the Casting Assistant Devices.
Casting Assistant Device could be summarized as a machine researched & developed using Magical Engineering Technology.
This device incorporates synthetic materials, essentially artificially manufactured Neurons, that convert Ethernano Particle Signals into electric signals, using the Mana from a Magic Sequence to produce a collection of Electronic Magic — the Activation Sequence.
Casting Assistant Devices allow the processing of all the necessary components for Magic in a single moment. In detail, these Devices help accelerate the invocation of Magic, as well as provide stability.
CADs replace traditional tools such as Spell Chants, Talismans, Magic Staves / Wands, Hand Seals, and other traditional methods of invoking Magic. Casting Assistant Devices are created around The 1st Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Eidos Intervention and The 2nd Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Magic Calculation.
The CADs are able to intervene with the Eidos, and thus they are able to help with the intervention of the Eidos and help the Mage intervene with the Eidos, while at the same time, they are also able to help with the Magic Calculation Process by directly boosting the Magic Calculation Area of the Mage.
If the CAD is advanced enough, it has been noted to be able to fully substitute for the Mage's own lack in the sufficient ability to modify the Eidos while at the same time, even help up Mages with the lack of the Magic Calculation Capabilities.
Obviously, the entire concept of the CAD was created in the USFA, mainly because the local Magic Association lacked two things.
Magical Heritage and Magical Lineages.
Thus, they came up with a different solution. Creating a device that would bypass the traditional restriction of the Magic and compensate the Mages for The 1st Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Eidos Intervention and The 2nd Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Magic Calculation that stemmed from the shallow presence of The 3rd Grand Cardinal Code: Principle of Blood of Manas.
After the invention of the Casting Assistant Devices, came the invention of the Blazer Devices, which was an even more advanced version of the CAD. However, the biggest difference compared to the CAD was that the Blazer Devices were created solely to act as a means of combat and war.
All Blazer Devices were created in the form of weapons, such as swords, axes, and bows; however, the list is not limited to these, as there were countless forms of weapons. There were even some that were in the form of guns or other kinds of firearms.
The Blazer Devices were made with the most advanced forms of Magitek, merged with the ancient Soul Magics that bound the newly created weapons with the Souls of the mages who used them.
The Blazer Devices could do everything the Casting Assistant Devices could do, but even better, and they were excellent in combat. Simultaneously with this, they also had a great predisposition toward growing alongside their user in many cases, and they could evolve toward the higher forms and attain even greater levels of power.
Without the personal input of the 7th Campion Tsuchimikado Yakou, the creation of the Blazer Devices wouldn't be really possible, because it was His Majesty who figured out the entire aspect around the Soul Binding with the Blazer Devices.
Soul Magic was one of the most obscure and advanced forms of Magic in existence, and without the intervention of His Majesty, who overused his Divine Authority, the creation of the Blazer Devices wouldn't be possible, at least not this kind soon.
Summary of the "Comparative Study of Foci, Casting Assistant Device and Blazer Device. What do they have in common and their effect on the Magical World" written by Dr. Lloyd Asplund, 11th Seat of the Knights of the Round Table and Head of the Department of Magitek of the Illuminati Society.
***
Empire of Japan, Kure Clan Village, Next Morning
Yakou woke up early in the morning when he sensed something pushing him out of the bed, and he almost fell over. When he looked over, he noticed that Fusui was almost pushing him out of the bed, which wasn't surprising, as she was a pretty messy sleeper.
"Ts..."
He muttered as he stood up from the bed and let her sleep because Fusui was pretty tired from the previous night. They went on for many hours, and he had to admit that she had certainly impressive stamina, because for some time she was able to keep up with him.
He had attributed it to many years of training in the martial arts, because she was physically much better than the other people, even if the physical attributes were exactly the same.
This was a rather common case for the Martial Artists who knew how to control their strength and powers much better. Meaning that if Martial Artists had a C-Ranked Endurance Attribute, it was stronger than the C-Ranked Attribute of a Mage or a Knight.
On the other hand, the C-Ranked Vitality Attribute was at least several times stronger than the C-Ranked Attribute of the Mage, because the Martial Artists were cultivating their Chi, or rather their Life Force, so they were much stronger in this department.
Yakou muttered as he then used All-Seeing Eyes of God to display the Status Screen of the Kure Fusui through the interface of Crow's System Ability.
[Name: Kure Fusui
Title: The Wicked Shooter
Classification: Martial Artist
Age: 19
Race: Human (Kure Subspecies)
*
Parameters:
Strength - D++
Vitality - D++
Endurance - D++
Agility - D+++
Chi - C+
Luck - A+
*
Class: C-Rank
Affiliation: Kure Clan
Armaments: N/A
Heirloom: N/A
Relics: N/A
Uniqueness: Taboo Eyes
Skills: Master Combatant, Master Martial Artist, Master Chi Controller, Master Shooter, Expert Hunter, Expert Tracker, Master Sharpshooter
Martial Arts: Kure Style Martial Arts, Kure Assassination Arts, Mixed Martial Arts, Ultimate Wu Star Martial Arts, Secret Technique: Removal, Gun-Kata Martial Arts
Abilities: Enhanced Spiritual Senses, Enhanced Reflexes, Enhanced Battle Instincts, Pain Tolerance]
Yakou checked on her status as he was pretty surprised, because for the fact that she was 19 years old, she was pretty strong. Not ot mention, compared to the traditional Kure Clansmen, she was far more skilled in shooting and sniping.
This was rather rare among the Kure Clan, because the Kure Clansmen rarely practiced something like Gun-Katas and used guns in their combat style, because they were rather weak.
Certainly, in front of anything that is at the D-Rank and above was basically beyond the capabilities of the firearms. Anyone at that level had enough Chi or Mana to create a passive layer around his body, which rendered the firearms useless.
Fusui personally crafted her bullets; all of her bullets were imbued with Chi and inscribed with Runic Magic, making their penetrative capabilities much stronger than average. Even her sniper rifle was basically crafted from the best materials that the Kure Clan could find and was inscribed with tons of Runes that made the gun something way above the common firearms.
He left Fusui sleeping in his room as he went to take something to eat because he was returning to Tokyo several days later to meet with Katahara Metsudō to discuss the future development of Japan.
Though he was going there primarily just to meet with the old man who brought him up and also to meet with other people that he hadn't seen for some time, like Katahara Retsudo, Katahara Sayaka, or Kanoh Agito.
Previously, he couldn't return ot the Japan because of the History Compilation Committee that was holding the trump cards in the form of Sun Wukong, Susanoo, and Kusanagi Godou if the 8th Campione was willing to attack him.
Now, Sun Wukong was killed by Voban, and the History Compilation Committee has been eradicated; what remained was in the process of eradication.
Seishuuin Ena has disappeared, and there were still no traces of her, though he hoped that the Kure Clan would be able to locate her or at least obtain some hints where she could have gone. Yakou already started pondering if she wasn't hiding in the Netherworld by some accident.
In the end, she had the key to the place.
Before that, he would remain a few days at the Kure Village, perhaps practice some Martial Arts with the Kure Clansmen, and try to learn something from them if he got approval from the Clan Head Kure Erioh.
Yakou wasn't actually that usncrupuolous that he would try to do something to the Kure Clan, who were his allies, and soon enough perhaps even his family.
He knew very well that the Kure Clan was one of the reasons why Katahara Metsudō dared to shelter him despite the obvious threat of the Four Families of the History Compilation Committee if his true identity got out.
When he exited his room, he noticed that there was someone sleeping in front of his door, or rather, wasn't sleeping but certainly slept there during the night.
"What are you doing here, Karura?"
Yakou asked even though he already knew the answer to the question. If he were to guess, then she was most probably here for the entire night, trying to get into his room, but couldn't get by because Fusui must have done something.
But she didn't even need to, as he had erected a Bounded Field around his room so they wouldn't be interrupted during the activities they were doing for the whole night... that would be pretty embarrassing.
"I was trying to get into your room, of course, so we can make babies! But there were several traps that I spent hours dismantling... and then there was that barrier that I couldn't break through... sooo..."
She pouted sadly as he indeed noticed several traps around the vicinity of the doors to his room and also through the entire passageway in which his room was located. It seemed that Fusui laid traps here to scare away either Karura or other female members of the Kure Clan who would want to try their luck with Campione.
Which wasn't anything surprising.
"Come on, we are going to grab something to eat."
Yakou said as he patted her head, thinking she was pretty cute when she was pouting... though she was the only person who could admit something like that without a bit of shame like this.
"Okey-dokey!"
Karura chirped happily as she followed after Yakou to breakfast, though it was more like she led him where they could eat, because he wasn't really familiar with this part of the Kure Village.
When he was here during his early childhood, he wasn't allowed to step into the main compound of the Kure Clan, as that area was only for the members of the Main House of the Kure Clan.
Even though he was there on the agreement of the Kure Erioh, rules were rules, and the Kure Clan put a lot of importance on their traditions and rules. They were a very traditionalist Clan, but now he was technically speaking part of the Kure Clan as he was the chosen partner of Kure Fusui and Kure Karura.
Much to the dismay of Patriarch Kure Erioh.
"Do you think that Raian will challenge me to a fight after this?"
Yakou asked as Kure Fusui led him to the kitchens, where they would eat something.
Among the entire Kure Clan, there was no bigger battle maniac than Kure Raian, who was most obsessed with fighting powerful opponents. Raian was an absolute battle maniac who would challenge even Campiones to fight, because he actually wanted to challenge Martial Ruler Luo Hao to fight.
Which wasn't anything out of the ordinary from him... and Yakou knew that Luo Hao was someone who would accept the challenge with glee.
"Obviously... he wouldn't take no for an answer, nor would he care about the dangers."
Kure Fusui knew the personality of her older brother better than anyone, and she knew that he wasn't the most reasonable person around.
***
Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Main Estate of the Nakiri Family, Several Days Later
"The integration has proceeded smoothly, father and right now, through devouring the competitors backed by the four families of the History Compilation Committee, we managed to at least triple the assets of the Nakiri International and we practically hold a monopoly in the food industry within Japan and soon enough even within most of Southeast Asia."
The woman was a beautiful young woman with thigh-length salmon-pink hair that was tied back on top, while the rest was tied at the bottom with two small hair strands hanging in the middle of her forehead and two medium hair strands resting on her shoulders, sharp purple-pinkish eyes that had long eyelashes, pink lipstick, and small, round eyebrows.
"Well, that is good... though the entire affair is getting bloodier than anticipated."
The Culling Game had been going on for more than one week, and it was an extremely bloody affair. The number of people killed during these few days was staggering, because it was more than several hundred, perhaps even more than a thousand or two.
Nobody knew exactly how many people were killed during the Culling Game, but the entire Empire of Japan was in a total state of chaos because of the assassinations that were taking place all across the nation.
It was a pretty bloody affair in this area, Senzaemon Nakiri knew that whatever the 7th Campione unleashed had decimated the supernatural side of the country, perhaps too much.
Countless Mages, Knights, Witches, Martial Artists, and even mundane people who were affiliated with the History Compilation Committee were being killed every single day.
He had already lost count of how many of his acquaintances and friends were caught in the Culling Game and killed along with the people of the Committee. It was certainly a sad thing, he had to admit, but at the same time, he understood that it was a rather cruel reality of life.
He understood that in the supernatural side of the world, only strength reigned supreme, and it was power that decided the life and death of countless people. If someone powerful enough, like Campione, decided to enact something like a Culling Game, there was very little that the other people could do.
Aside from becoming rather unwilling participants in the Culling Game. Nakiri Senzaemon was already much older than he was in his youth, and he understood the balance of power that they were treading on...
At the same time, as the Elder of the Nakiri Clan of the Onmyōji, which was one of the Principal Clans of the Onmyōji, he needed to prioritize the interests of his Clan. Since returning to the Nakiri Clan, his branch has received a lot of benefits from the Clan.
Primarily because, in a certain sense of irony, the Nakiri Family had previously established itself in the mundane world and was one of the largest corporations in the food industry, generating a steady stream of revenue for the Clan.
And lastly, the influence of the Clan, which the Nakiri Clan was lacking after spending decades in seclusion.
"Fortunately, the Culling Game itself is keeping the mundane people unaware, but even without this in the equation, the chaos in the entire Empire is enormous."
Nakiri Senzaemon had only two children, Nakiri Mana and Nakiri Sōe... Compared to them, their own talent for the Onmyōdō wasn't the best around, which was pretty unfortunate, though that was only when measured by the standards of the Great Principal Onmyōji Clans.
If their talent was put out of this measurement and compared against common Onmyōji, then they would be regarded as elites. Yet among the direct lineages of the Great Principal Onmyōji Clans, it was considered a standard.
Though he understood that talent wasn't everything and a person could also be a late bloomer, like the 7th Campione Tsuchimikado Yakou was. It was known that his talent before becoming Campione wasn't really the best around, and he was, technically speaking, a late bloomer.
Both Nakiri Mana and Nakiri Sōe were 28 years old, and their achievements in the arts of the Onmyōdō... were average, in his opinion. Fortunately enough, as the Elder of the Nakiri Clan, he had the right to requisition for the Grand Purification Baptism Ceremony.
Nakiri Mana was in charge of the Tōtsuki Tea Ceremony and Cooking Academy as its director, because he was forced to resign from the post. The position of Elder of Nakiri Clan took most of his time, truth to be told.
As the Elder of the Main Family, there were a lot of things that he needed to do, a lot of which came to mediating between various branches, paperwork, conducting inspections, and many other things.
His son, Nakiri Sōe, was CEO of Nakiri International, which was now expanding at a staggering pace throughout Japan, devouring everything that had remained and spreading to Southeast Asia.
Even to Mainland Asia, as the Nakiri International was now present within many smaller nations and in the Empire of Korea, despite the displeasure of the Cha Family.
The Grand Purification Baptism Ceremony was a special ritual that was used by the Onmyōji Clans to raise the innate talent of their younger clansmen. The results varied, and if one was lucky, they could obtain tremendous benefits from the ritual and also the blessing of their Patron Divine Beasts.
Both Mana and Sōe have already undergone the Grand Purification Baptism Ceremony, and it helped them a lot. At least, this way, they wouldn't have much problem reaching the equivalent of the Grand Knight or Magister of Magic, because the results of the Grand Purification Baptism Ceremony on them were very good.
Beyond the exceptions, truth to be told.
"You did meet the Campione at the Kure Clan, right?"
Mana just nodded, though what he found odd was that she looked a bit shy about that, which didn't escape his attention. His daughter has really taken a lot from his wife... it was really sad that his wife couldn't see her daughter growing up, as she died many years ago.
Kure Clan, together with some other older Clans, Onmyōji Clans, and Kengan Association, were part of a very loose alliance called the Traditionalist faction that was opposed to the History Compilation Committee.
This was considered a faction that was bringing foreign elements to the islands of Japan, so Nakiri Senzaemon was well acquainted with the Kure Clan.
He even often hired the Kure Clan for their services, because if their services were aimed against the History Compilation Committee or their allies, there was a huge discount given by the Kure Clan.
"Yes, I did... he even praised my cooking and asked me to be his personal chef."
For a moment, the elder Nakiri was deeply shcoked by the development, and one part of him feared about the response of his daughter because he knew of her personality better than anyone.
Mana was very proud, and she considered being a personal chef for someone, regardless of their status, as an insult. And Senzaemon Nakiri heard that the 7th Campione was a true tyrant like the 1st Campione Marquise Voban or the 2nd Campione Luo Hao.
Overall, he wasn't really the nicest person in the bracket, and even if that wasn't accounted for, he knew that rejecting personal offers from Campione was something that never ended well.
History was often testament to that.
"Obviously, I rejected the offer."
When he heard that, he wasn't that surprised, yet at the same time, he was pretty worried, because of what he knew of Tsuchimikado Yakou and his association with the ones like the Momobami Clan or Mamiya Family.
And that wasn't for weak stomachs.
"I know what you're thinking, Father, but Yakou only laughed it off and said that it was alright... though he noted that he wanted to taste my cooking in the future."
Mana said with a slight smile, while Senzaemon Nakiri sighed in relief because it meant that nothing had happened to her. He knew very well that in the face of absolute power, mundane things like wealth, social standing, or anything else were meaningless.
"You are on a first-name basis with Campione?"
The older man was certainly pretty much surprised, because of what was known about Tsuchimikado Yakou, it was clear that the Ten'nō no Onmyōji wasn't the most approachable person around.
"Yes, I don't know why there are so many nasty rumors about him... he is a pretty nice person."
Nakiri Mana said with a confused expression because she genuinely couldn't understand the reason behind it. Nevertheless, she just pondered over it, as her father was thinking about something else.
Even though he wasn't really fond of this kind of scheming, he had to admit that the prospect of being family with Campione was almost irresistible...
Of course, he had decided that he wouldn't force Mana into anything, and, truth to be told, with her personality and everything... There were not many suitors who would line up for his daughter.
And the ones that would... let's say that Senzaemon wasn't really liking any of them, because he could see through all of them till the last one. He wanted his daughter to marry out of love and with a man who would treat her well and wouldn't marry her for gaining access to the Nakiri name.
Something that he suspected most of her suitors were doing, especially that Nakamura boy, or how he was called.
'And even though many are saying that 7th Campione is an absolute tyrant and all the other things, there is also much evidence that he is treating all of his lovers extremely well, probably much better than most would.'
Senzaemon Nakiri thought that, as there were many rumors about Tsuchimikado Yakou, the very few positive ones that spoke about his relationship with his lovers were the ones that stood out.
It was that kind of treatment that would make most women go green with pure envy.
Which wasn't really the worst possible outcome of all things that he thought. He planned to let the thing regarding Mana and Campione develop naturally, because that was the best course of action that he could take right now.
"Aside from talking about Campione, there are several requests for the meeting from Chairman Katahara, Prime Minister, Minister of Commerce, and even an inquiry from the Imperial House about various things."
Even though Mana was primarily managing the Tōtsuki Tea Ceremony and Cooking Academy as its director because the Tōtsuki Academy was the powerbase for the former Nakiri family to expand their influence through the culinary world.
Which was actually a pretty good strategy, because the graduates of the Tōtsuki Tea Ceremony and Cooking Academy were cooking in the most prestigious restaurants, hotels, and other kinds of facilities.
The grandest achievement of Senzaemon and the Nakiri family was the creation of the World Gourmet Organization.
The World Gourmet Organization, also known as W.G.O. for short. This was an organization both respected and feared by chefs and people in the culinary industry.
Every year, or every so often, they release a book known as the canon or the "Bible", which includes all fine dining restaurants that make the cut. If they give you even a single star, it is enough to increase the chefs' renown and fame to a great degree.
But there are chefs who spend a lot of time and resources just to keep even a single star, and when that is taken away, it can often lead the chefs to lose all confidence in themselves, and they close down their restaurants for good.
Through the World Gourmet Organization, the weight of the Nakiri name in the food industry reached an unprecedented degree.
Such was the purpose of the World Gourmet Organization, even though everyone had to admit that the existence of such an organization indeed pushed gastronomy levels across the world to new heights.
This also allowed the Nakiris to leverage this power greatly to their own benefit.
"I will be meeting with the old Katahara as the first... he has a personal relationship with the 7th Campione, and we need assurances. It seems that the new times are ahead of us, and mundane politicians and people without real power won't soon matter either way."
Nakiri Senzaemon sighed in defeat, because he could see that rather troublesome times were coming for ordinary people. Which was also the main reason why he had decided to accept the offer from his nephew and return to the Nakiri Clan.
"Then I will notify Chairman Katahara. And the rest?"
Nakiri Mana also handled meetings and other things for his father, aside from being the Director of their fabled Academy.
"Only later. I need to know what he will say. Katahara will for sure meet with the 7th and they will decide on the other things. And then, there is also the topic of the 8th Campione, who is right now somewhere in the high school in Tokyo."
The fact that Japan gave birth to the two Campiones was...
Baffling.
Modestly said.
Unfortunately, one of them was American Campione, and the other didn't want to have anything to do with the Magic Side of the world, even in the slightest.
***
Huaxia Republic, Kunlun Mountains - The Martial Realm, Holy Cult of the Five Mountains
The Huaxia Republic became one of the largest and most powerful superpowers from both sides, be it the Magical side of all things and the mundane side of all things. The merger between the Magical side of old China and the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains, which participated in the mudnae matters, things were moving pretty fast.
Even with the participation of the Holy Cult, it wasn't like Luo Hao participated actively in everything, but it was clear that without her consent, nobody dared to do anything major and pretty impactful.
The Holy Cult of the Five Mountains was located in the Martial Realm, which covered the entire Kunlun Mountains. A mountain system of southern Central Asia. The Kunluns extended west to east some 2,000 km, from the Pamirs in Tajikistan in the west to the Kunlun Pass and the adjacent ranges of central Qinghai province in China in the east, Burhan Budai, Bayan Har, and A'nyêmaqên.
Formerly, it stretched through several nations, but now it was all part of the Huaxia Republic because the Republic was annexing all of their neighbors one after another, destroying all dissent and rebellions with brutal efficiency.
The high-ranking officials, especially the Generals in the Huxian Military, former People's Liberation Army, were now emboldened by the support of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains, which was sending its disciples to the battlefield in real time.
In the heart of the Kunlun Mountains and its Martial Realm, lay the K'un-Lun City, which was considered the heart of the Martial Arts. K'un-Lun City was older than most nations around the earth; it was certain to be older than three thousand years, and it withstood countless Campiones and Heretic Gods.
The K'un-Lun City was regarded as the birthplace of the Martial Arts in the world. There was no other place with such a long Martial heritage as the K'un-Lun City, be it in the arts of the usage of Chi or even Magic-based Martial Arts, which were also exclusive to the K'un-Lun City.
One wouldn't be able to find a more secure place than the K'un-Lun City, as the City stood on several Dragon Veins and had the most potent Wards and Bounded Fields that were ever created in the history of the world.
Even several Heretic Gods that were related to the area of Martial Arts, visited the K'un-Lun City and helped to create what it was. And this was also the birthplace of Luo Hao, where she was born and where she studied the Martial Arts.
She was the only person who reached the Level of the Martial Lord in the past centuries prior to her ascension as the Campione, and she managed to use her Martial Arts to slay a Heretic God.
Which was a feat unseen before.
Most, if not all, Campiones depended primarily on luck to slay their first Heretic Gods and become Campiones, but not Luo Hao. She became the one through sheer willpower and skill...
Since then, the Martial Arts have thrived like never before. Martial Ruler pioneered the new age for the Martial Arts, she elevated countless Martial Art techniques and especially created whole new methods for the Chi Gathering.
Which led to more and more Martial Artists ascending to the higher realm of the Martial Arts because Luo Hao solved the greatest hurdle for them. What was how to amass and store even more Chi in their bodies.
This was the reason why Martial Ruler Luo Hao was so much revered among the Martial Artists from all countries of the world.
"So what do you have to report to this King?"
Luo Hao asked neutrally, though the haughtiness in her voice was ever-present and something that was pretty much visible and clear to anyone who listened to her.
Lu Yinghan was a typical middle-aged Chinese man with a goatee, though his appearance as a Martial Artist was highly obvious at a single glance. He was the former Chairman of the CCP and is now the Chancellor of the Republic Supreme Committee.
"The 7th Campione unleashed something in Japan that caused all Magical communications to go dark. According to the reports that were sent over the electronic means, it's called Culling Game, and as we are speaking, the ruling faction of the supernatural side of the Empire, the History Compilation Committee, has been annihilated, and practically anyone who is even remotely connected to the Committee is being hunted down and killed."
Lu Yinghan reported the news to his King, which he found pretty much disturbing because there was Campione operating down to their borders. What was worse, there was also the presence of Marquise Voban in there, and even the 8th Campione Kusanagi Godou participated in the entire mess.
"And of Voban and that boy?"
Luo Hao could be described only as a transcendent Chinese beauty and the most beautiful woman one would ever meet. She had pale skin, black hair, and a slender body with a full bosom and bottom, appearing to be in her late teens. Luo Hao had emerald-green eyes that almost shone with power, and her gaze could penetrate to the person's very soul.
She preferred to wear traditional Chinese clothes from the Han dynasty, which gave her an even more ethereal appearance.
"Marquise fought together with the 7th Campione against the 8th Campione and managed to deal with him... what is weird is that, we managed to obtain some evidence that when the Kusanagi boy fought against Ten'nō no Onmyōji, there was some golden barrier that appeared around the 8th Campione and managed to severely injure Tsuchimikado Yakou."
Lu Yinghan reported the information they got from their spies within Japan, because it seemed the situation was once again turning into something else. Previously, before the establishment of the Huaxia Republic, it was clear that Huaxia would have a free path in assimilating the entirety of Mainland Asia and Southeast Asia.
Now there were once two obstacles again.
One of them was pretty unpredictable, as it came from Kusanagi Godou, because nobody could really predict what the boy Campione would do. This was already one unpredictable thing that he didn't like.
The second one was stemming from their pseudo-ally, the USFA and the Illuminati Society. Previously, before the events of the Culling Game, this wouldn't have been that much of a problem, as the relationship and boundaries were clear.
Now, it was more than evident that the next ruler of Japan's supernatural side would be the Kengan Association, led by Katahara Metsudō. Which tremendously complicated the entirety of the situation with Japan, much to their displeasure.
In the end, Lu Yinghan did what he could, which was to report the entire situation and everything around it to Luo Hao and let the Campione decide everything. If Tsuchimikado Yakou decided to back up the Kengan Association led by Katahara Metsudō, then there were only two choices.
One was to break up the alliance between the United States of the Federal Americas and the Huaxia Republic.
Lu Yinghan actually preferred if their nations remained friendly toward each other, because it would mean that the Huaxia had more freedom for development without the threat of the old USA and its threat to their nation.
Even though he admitted that the establishment of the Lost Domain was something that was outside of his expectations, because it meant that Huaxia was cut off from the resources inside Siberia.
He knew that if the Huaxia went there to extract resources, it would retaliate pretty badly from Marquise Voban.
"Ts... Accursed old man."
Luo Hao never really liked Voban, as the oldest Campione was even more arrogant than her, and he acted like he was above even her. Something that her pride couldn't allow her to exist.
At the same time, several times in the past, it was Voban who stole the opportunity to slay the Heretic God that Luo Hao himself wanted to slay. Much to the dismay of the strongest Martial Artists, especially when many decades ago, the fight with Voban made it impossible for her to slay Sun Wukong.
Most of the time, they spent ignoring each other or not liking each other.
"We also have something for you, Your Majesty."
Lu Yinghan stated that as he passed Luo Hao a letter that was delivered to him by the Secretary of State of the USFA, Derek Simmons, and it was personally written by the 7th Campione, Tsuchimikado Yakou.
Luo Hao actually looked at the letter with mild interest because she knew that it was written by the Campione. It was more than evident from the remnants of the Divine Energy that was on the litter.
"Your Majesty Luo Hao,
With this letter that is being addressed to your peerless radiance, I am formally challenging you to a martial duel according to the ancient traditions of the K'un-Lun.
As the one who is being challenged, you are expected to choose the date and time of the duel.
Signed,
7th Campione - Tsuchimikado Yakou."
Luo Hao, who had just read the letter, suddenly started laughing because it had been a very long time since she had experienced something like this. This was certainly good... though the same couldn't be said about Lu Yinghan, who looked at everything with a certain degree of worry.
Because he had some bad premonition about everything.
That something would happen.
"Something happened, Your Majesty?"
Lu Yinghan asked very carefully as he looked at the Martial Ruler because the Martial Ruler looked pretty much euphoric. Whatever was written in that letter must have been something that thrilled her so much.
And thrilled Luo Hao was nothing good for the wider population of the Huaxia... beucase there were only a few things that could give some interest to someone like her, much less feeling of thrill.
Most probably only a powerful Heretic God.
"The 7th one challenged me to a Martial Duel!"
Luo Hao said with a grin as she was pretty eager for the prospective duel between them because Campiones rarely fought against each other. Such occasions were pretty rare for more than obvious reasons, but Luo Hao never turned down a challenge.
Lu Yinghan once personally heard Black Prince Alec say about His King that she was the embodiment of Martial Honor and Confucian values.
As described by the Black Prince Alec: "Possessing the full set of the five Confucian virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, knowledge, and integrity, Luo Hao was a great figure who carried herself with royal splendor. However, she believed her valor to be the greatest in the world, and compared to the lives of five billion humans, she placed greater value on herself than anyone else on the Earth. Simply put, she has delusions on the level of middle school students."
Lu Yinghan understood that dealing with someone like Luo Hao was total pain in the ass because of her pretty problematic personality. And now she was even arranging battles with another Campione, which was once again a pretty troublesome thing.
Even for the Huaxia, it wasn't good if two Campiones started clashing against each other. Hopefully, the Gobi Desert would be a good place for them to fight to their heart's content.
And hopefully they won't destroy anything else.
"Well, do you have anything else for this King?"
Luo Hao asked the Chancellor of Huaxia, who nodded in agreement, because he had other things that he needed to discuss with the Martial Ruler. Well, it was pretty unfortunate, but the entire existence of the Huaxia depended primarily on the Luo Hao and Holy Cult of the Five Mountains.
Without their support, nothing out of this would be possible.
"What approach should be selected for the Empire of Japan right now?"
He asked mainly because there were many things in play, and they had their plans in the nation.
"Nothing. Let them be... I actually like the idea of Kengan matches, and the Kure Clan could be considered our own, in fact. Focus more manpower on Southeast Asia and neighboring states."
Luo Hao wasn't someone who cared about the normal humans even slightly, but she could see the appeal in mundane politics and everything around that. It could be pretty entertaining as she picked this habit after she saw 7th Campione practicing this within the USFA and Illuminati Society.
She was more than two hundred years old and, like Marquise Voban, time and boredom were the greatest foes that she was facing for most of the time. She thought that this could be a pretty entertaining way to pass the time, until some powerful Heretic God appeared or she encountered some enlightenment that would allow her to make further progress in her Martial Arts.
"Per your command. And of the Empire of Korea and Lost Domain?"
It seemed that Japan was a no-go zone for the Huaxia Republic for the time being, so Lu Yinghan asked about the other two areas of importance to the Huaxia. The Empire of Korea that lay on the entirety of the Korean Peninsula and the newly established Lost Domain.
"Ignore both. Korea is more under the influence of USFA than one would imagine and Lost Domain asd the area of influence of Voban."
Luo Hao planned to talk about the Empire of Korea with the 7th Campione after or during their spar, while the Lost Domain was something that was left untouched, even though she would appreciate another duel with Voban.
It has been a very long time since she had fought against the oldest Campione and it was a fight that she had lost.
Much to her displeasure, though that was a very long time ago and now, she had several new Divine Authorities and also developed many more Martial Arts that were effective against the Campiones as well.
"How are the Refiners faring, Yinghan?"
Luo Hao suddenly asked because she had seen the CADs that the Americans used during the civil war in Mexico, and she was pretty intrigued by them. Just from equipping them to their troops, they were able to elevate their combat prowess by a huge degree.
Even though she tended to ignore all advancements that were made in technological aspects of the world, she kept up with some things that were interesting to her. And the inventions that were replacing the traditional Foci were certainly interesting.
"The principles that you gave us are... working to a certain degree, but it would require far more testing and experiments. We managed to refine some lesser artifacts with the Chi Refining, but the process is extremely crude and only very powerful Martial Artists experienced in Chi Control, Blacksmithing, and some other disciplines could do the Refining."
Lu Yinghan was actually depending a lot on this project. When he first heard about the secret project that was led by Edward Clark, which involved combining Magic and technology, he was deeply shocked and frightened.
The fact that these devices could bypass or supplement the lack of the Grand Cardinal Principles of Magic was pretty much frightening, though. As the prime competitor to the USA at the time, China needed to come up with its own answer to the existence of CADs and Blazer Devices.
Which was the Artifact Refining.
Ancient art of creating powerful Artifacts for the Martial Artists through Chi infusement and tempering into the weapon... it was far more delicate than that, but this was only an oversimplified explanation.
"So you are not good enough... You need additional training."
Luo Hao said nonchalantly, as she herself wasn't much concerned with the progress, because for her, the entire concept of Artifact Refining was as simple as breathing. At the same time, because it was so simple for her, she expected that it would be so simple for everyone else.
At the same time, to whoever would hear it, her words were like the words of the devil itself because training under Luo Hao was nothing short of a nightmare. Though on the other side, it was undeniable that every single one of her direct disciples became Martial Saint sooner or later.
She was truly an excellent teacher when it came to the Martial Arts, Chi and Daoist Arts...
One wouldn't find a better teacher in these areas than Luo Hao.
"You are excused, Yinghan."
After talking for some more time and hearing additional important things that the current Chancellor of the Huaxia Republic had to report, Luo Hao dismissed him as she wanted to have some time alone.
Today was indeed a pretty interesting day, truth to be told, because she was challenged to fight by another Campione. A feat that was so rarer, that one could count all duels between the Campiones directly without second thought.
There were not many occasions like this.
Though Luo Hao knew why Tsuchimikado Yakou wanted to challenge her.
In the end, she was in possession of something that was very dear to him and very precious.
One of the Gate Keys of the Inherent Onmyōdō Technique - Twelve Divine Shikigami Contract Gates Technique.
The 11th Gate Key of Dark Devilgod Tiger.
After the Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga, the Dark Devilgod Tiger was the strongest Shikigami of the Tsuchimikado Clan. It was an extremely powerful Divine Beast, which was said to be a mutation of White Tiger Divine Beast.
The Dark Devigod Tiger was a very powerful Shikigami, and Luo Hao obtained the Gate Key to its gate several decades ago. It was pretty unfortunate that she couldn't obtain the rest of the Gate Keys as they were lost or they were located in Japan.
And because of the traps that the Japanese had for the beings on the level of Campione, she refrained from doing so... Luo Hao heard the rumors that Abe no Semei left in the Empire weak that could kill even Heretic Gods and Campiones alike.
Coupled with the threat of one sealed Heretic God and one Heretic God supporting the History Compilation Committee, she knew that it was a disadvantageous situation for her.
Even though she was confident in her own power, to the point where many would call her arrogant, Luo Hao understood that going into the unknown was the best idea and could result in death. A good Martial Artist was always the prepared Martial Artist... such was her personal creed.
She knew that Tsuchimikado Yakou would search for the Gate Key sooner or later, which was rather shameful because she initially wanted to gather all the Gate Keys and transform the entire Inherent Onmyōdō Technique Twelve Divine Shikigami Contract Gates Technique into her personal Doctrine Art.
Luo Hao knew that the Twelve Divine Shikigami Contract Gates Technique had immense potential for development, and she, too, sought many other ways to increase her power one way or another.
Unfortunately, breaking through the limits on the Campiones was something that neither of them could achieve.
"Hopefully you will see this King in a good battle... one worthy of remembering."
***
Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Katahara Family Mansion
The Katahara Family Mansion wasn't actually a traditional Japanese compound that one would expect from a heavy traditionalist like Katahara Metsudō. Instead, it was a grand Western-style manor that was built by a former noble who perished during World War II.
Some of the Japanese nobles often built a Western-style mansion just for the sake of appearance if nothing else, and these mansions were subsequently often sold when their noble houses collapsed after World War II or during the economic crisis.
When Yakou stepped outside of the limousine, he was greeted with a pretty familiar sight of the Katahara Mansion because this was a place where he spent a significant part of his early life.
It brought up some really nice memories when he thought over it.
"Woa... It's huge."
Suddenly, he heard a female voice chirping in, as Kure Karura stepped out of the car because he wasn't visiting alone. Both Karura and Fusui were with him because they wanted to tag along.
Karura was actually a pretty much hyperactive person who constantly needed to do something. Now that she was dead set on having children with him, she told everyone in her Clan that she was going with him everywhere.
Something that could have been pretty annoying, but Yakou didn't really have a problem with overly affectionate, jealous yandeere women. He considered it rather attractive behavior in fact...
"You are finally here, brat."
There was only one person in the entire world who would dare to call Campione by a word "brat" and it was only Katahara Metsudō, the Chairman of the Dainippon Bank and Kengan Association.
Now that the Culling Game was already nearing the end, because only a few days were remaining till it ended, which would be the end of a certain era in the Empire of Japan, and Yakou could see that Katahara Metsudō was very pleased with this entire thing.
Only now did Yakou found a time for the meeting with Katahara Metsudō, beucase it seemed that he would remain within Japan for soem time more. He had sent a formal letter of challenge to Luo Hao through Secretary of State Simmons, and he would wait until Simmons brought back a letter for him.
Yeah...
It seemed that Luo Hao wasn't a fan of modern technologies, and they were not that good friends. So, everything that he was doing regarding the Martial Ruler, he was doing in the most old-fashioned way and also in the most formal way.
Yakou knew that Luo Hao was extremely strict on rules and traditions.
"Well, there wasn't much time to meet old man... but after the events of the Game, it won't be a problem."
The 7th Campione stepped to the Katahara Metsudō, as the old man then patted him on the shoulder with a jolly laugh.
"Nonese! This was one of the greatest moments of my life. Do you know how many opportunities you have created with this stunt of yours?"
Katahara Metsudō was indeed in the best mood, like he hadn't been in many years.
This amount of chaos and mess that was created due to the Culling Game allowed him to consolidate his position as the unquestioned ruler of the Supernatural Side of Japan, which seemed to be impossible just some time ago.
"Probably a lot... I heard that even the Onmyōji Clans that remain dedicated to join the Kengan Association."
Yakou said as the elderly man nodded as they greeted each other, and only then did the Katahara Metsudō notice the two young women from the Kure Clan who were accompanying Yakou.
"Nakiri and Souma clans have approached me togehre with the other remaining factions in Japan that were not the target of the Culling Game, and we decided to establish the Kengan Council, which would rule the Supernatural Side of the world."
Katahara Metsudō led Yakou, Kure Fusui, and Kure Karura to the mansion, though Yakou noticed that neither Retsudo nor Sayaka was present.
"Both Retsudo and Sayaka are out, but they will be returning home soon if you are going to ask that."
The old man said preemptively, even before Yakou had the opportunity to ask the question, because he knew what he was going to ask. Yakou then just nodded his head, as old man Katahara led the trio to the spacious drawing room, which was pretty similar to the one in the Mamiya Manor.
At least in the size and some furniture, though the decor was more traditional and conservative, like one would expect from someone like Katahara Metsudō. Yakou looked around as he found the entire place highly familiar and was overcome by a sudden nostalgic feeling.
"So what's this about the Kengan Council? If it's like you speak, then the relationship between the Empire of Japan and the USFA will return to where they were, which is something that I can personally guarantee."
Yakou said as he sat down on the leather sofa while Katahara Metsudō sat opposite him. The two girls from the Kure Clan were sitting next to Yakou and didn't say anything because they knew that the two of them had some serious conversations.
At the same time, Yakou trusted both Karura and Fusui well enough not to divulge anything that was being said here. Kure Fusui was already his woman, and Karura already considered herself his wife.
"Advanced form of the Kengan Association... it would take a lot of restructualization to include all of the Moonlit factions in Japan to the Kengan Council, but we have more than enough time now that everyone who would dare to oppose is already dead."
The old man said with a grin as he thought over it, because his lifelong dream had been finally accomplished. Now, the entire Moonlit side of Japan would be under the rule of the Kengan Council, which would function on very similar principles to the Kengan Association.
With just that exception that the Kengan Council would have fewer members, far more manpower and actual raw power, and many other things.
"I also heard that you managed to obtain something for me."
Inherent Onmyōdō Technique Twelve Divine Shikigami Gate Contracts Technique was something that Yakou didn't master entirely due to the lack of Gate Keys that were lost together with the fall of the Tsuchimikado Clan after World War II.
Search for the Gate Keys was arduous as ever, even after Yakou became Campione.
1st Gate Key, 2nd Gate Key, 4th Gate Key, 5th Gate Key, and 6th Gate Key were recovered and sealed by the History Compilation Committee in Kyoto, which Yakou obtained during the attack on the headquarters of the Committee in Kyoto.
These Keys were now resting safely together with him, as he would unseal them at a later date, because it required specific Onmyōdō Rituals.
The 7th Gate Key and the 8th Gate Key were in the hands of Katahara Metsudō, as the old man managed to procure these Gate Keys some time ago, but there wasn't an opportunity for the Keys to be delivered into Yakou's hands.
Katahara Metsudō then reached into his haori and took out two ornamental keys from it, and passed them to Yakou.
"Here they are... with this, you should have every signal one?"
Katahara Metsudō asked as Yakou shook his head in denial when he took the keys from him.
"No... the 11th Gate Key somehow ended in the hands of Luo Hao, which greatly complicates the entire matter."
Yakou wanted to curse when he thought about the situation because getting anything that was in possession of Luo Hao was nigh impossible. It was widely known that Luo Hao was extremely possessive of the things to which she took a liking, and she would never part willingly with the Gate Key.
This was also the reason why he had decided to issue a martial challenge to the 2nd Campione, as he knew that this was the only solution to his predicament. Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible to obtain the 11th Gate Key from Luo Hao.
And without it, he couldn't completely master the Inherent Onmyōdō Technique Twelve Divine Shikigami Gate Contracts Technique.
The Twelve Divine Shikigami was the signature Onmyōdō of the Tsuchimikado Clan, and for Yakou, it was of paramount importance. It was a matter of the dignity of his Clan and him as Tsuchimikado.
At the same time, it was also about recovering the legacy of the Tsuchimikado Clan.
"Well... that is pretty fucked up."
The old man never cared about the crass language as he tended to curse profusely when he was in the mood for it.
"Yes, it is... hopefully that woman would be open to dialogue after the fight."
Yakou could only hope... at the same time, he knew that he was pretty short on experience and fighting when it came to someone like Luo Hao, who was the literal embodiment of the Martial Arts and combat.
Yet he was also very much confident in his capability of defeating her through trickery and carefully planned usage of overhelming power through the Divine Authority of Khvarenah: Halo of the Supreme Ruler that he obtained from killing Heretic God Aži Dahāka, or Yakou at least predicted that it was Heretic God.
Probably.
Maybe.
Or rather, maybe not.
Suddenly, as Yakou was talking with Katahara Metsudō, Kure Fusui and Kure Karura started wandering through the manor, because both of them were really hungry and went to search for some food.
Even though it was pretty easy to get lost in this place, considering the sheer size of the mansion. As they searched through the manor, they suddenly encountered two people walking through the empty corridors of the manor, heading toward the drawing room from where Fusui and Karura came.
One of them was young man, a good-looking young man with a condescending look in his eyes, neatly styled red hair that falls over the right side of his face and is tied into a single distinct braided plait, thin dark eyebrows, a lack of facial hair, and a distinguishing tattoo of Hebrew script that runs down the left side of his face, running over his left eye.
"To wish upon the fist... Kengan... Retsudo."
Kure Fusui muttered as she looked at the young man who was actually the son of Katahara Metsudō, Katahara Retsudo, and heir to the Katahara Family. The tattoo on Retsudo's face is a Hebrew phrase translated from "to wish upon the fist", a rough translation of the word "Kengan".
"Kure Clansmen?"
Katahara Retsudo looked at the two Kure Clan women with mild interest, though he predicted that they were here together with Campione. Or there was also a possibility that they were here together with someone high-ranking from the Kure Clan, because he recognized the younger woman as Kure Karura.
He knew that someone so overprotective as Kure Erioh wouldn't let her go out without heavy security, as she was his favorite descendant from the entire Kure Clan.
"You can see... our eyes are rather giving way."
Kure Fusui started as Karura, just cluelessly looked around the entire corridor, because she wanted to go back to Yakou.
"Fusui, can we go back to Yakou already?"
Karura asked because she regretted going away with Fusui, as there was nothing much interesting here.
The young woman next to Retsudo perked up, hearing the name. He knew that Yakou was going to visit them, because now the History Compilation Committee was no more...
He personally participated in the Culling Game and obtained a considerable number of Points from the Game. Retsudo also noticed that if one accounted for the entire Empire of Japan, then the Katahara Family was certainly the faction that benefited the most from the Culling Game.
Most of the top spots in the ranking system of the Culling Game actually went either to the members of the Bodyguard Force or other people who were closely aligned with their family.
Or, in his case, were members of the said family.
"Come on, Retsudo! Yakou is already here."
Katahara Sayaka was an extremely beautiful young woman with smooth, tanned skin, straight platinum hair that was partially plaited on the left side with long bangs hanging on the right side, red eyes, and a voluptuous hourglass figure.
She wore a skirted corset with high boots in the second round, and then a shoulderless, midriff-baring, pencil-skirted leather dress during the final day.
When she heard that Yakou was here, she was very happy because they hadn't seen each other for a long time already. I would be a few years, truth to be told, so she missed her pseudo-younger brother.
When they were little, Sayaka, Yakou, and Retsudo often trained and sparred together, because all three were learning Martial Arts and fighting from the same teacher.
Kanoh Agito.
Katahara Sayaka, like her younger half-brother Retsudo, worked at the Kengan Association, though unlike her brother, who worked in a more combat-related area, she was an announcer and worked in the administration offices of the Kengan Association.
In a split second, she dragged Retsudo like a ragdoll toward the drawing room of the Katahara Family Mansion because she was a little bit too eager to meet with Yakou after a long time.
Retsudo just grimaced at what his sister was doing, because despite her appearance, she was rather strong and powerful as a martial artist. Even though her personality was totally unsuited for life in such an environment.
Sayaka was an enthusiastic and bubbly individual who was very tolerant and open-minded, able to get along with anyone... she was a very good person and also very kind, which wasn't a trait that was commonly found in the Supernatural Side of the world.