Nihonkoku Shoukan: Beyond

Chapter 58: The First Among Many

PSIA Base, ████████, ████████ Prefecture, Japan, 25th March 1640 CCY

"Doctor! The patient's brain activity level is increasing abnormally!"

"What...? That can't be right..."

The doctor of the PSIA rushes out of his office and runs over to where his only patient is lying down. The last of the survivors to wake up from their long slumber. The young girl lies motionless in a sterile white room surrounded by cold medical machines as the doctors and nurses begin to check her. It's been a few years since she was last awoken.

"I want a brain scan, stat!"

Taking out the equipment, the nurses affix the scanning apparatus onto the bed so that it envelops the patient's head. Looking again at the screen, they can see a real-time image of the young girl's brain. Somehow... for some reason... the damage to her brain caused by the procedures of that black program was gone. Almost as if there is nothing wrong with her to begin with.

"Kyaaa?! W-what...? D-doctor! The patient... s-she's grabbing my wrist!"

"Huh...? S-she's... waking up... notice the chief and her guardian immediately!"

At the same time, Tokyo Magic Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan

"It did work... sister should be awakened by now, doctor." – Saya

"I see... thank you, Saya. Did that spell consume a lot of your psion?" – Ritsuko

"A bit... I estimate that about 25% of my psion has depleted." – Saya

"Then go get some rest, Saya. You should skip all research activity this afternoon." – Ritsuko

"In that case... I'll go back to my room, doctor..." – Saya

"Don't strain yourself too much, alright?" – Ritsuko

After seeing Saya off, Ritsuko returns to the table where the prince of Milishial is sitting. He's sipping on the green tea. Seeing the doctor's return, he looks upward at her.

"I trust that the magic tome I provided has been useful to you, Madame Ritsuko." – Lyari

"It worked. And... in a moment... I should be receiving a call..." – Ritsuko

True to her words, Ritsuko's phone rings just as she finishes the sentence. She takes it out. It's the chief.

"Yes, Ritsuko here. Are you sure? Understood, I'll be there." – Ritsuko

"I see that your daughter has been cured of her ailment. So... have I convinced you that the Holy Milishial Empire has what it takes to be Japan's ally? After all... an alliance of equals must contribute equally, no?" – Lyari

"Even if I wanted to, it is not up to us soldiers and sailors who'd be an ally or enemy of Japan." – Ritsuko

"Yes, but your words almost certainly carry a considerable weight, Madame Ritsuko. Especially when the people in the right position hear them. Yes... we got off on the wrong foot when we first met. But at least... this would be my sincere apology to you and your... daughters." – Lyari

Ritsuko takes a sip out of her own cup and looks coldly at the prince.

"Make your point, I do not have time." – Ritsuko

"I understand. So... I just want to make absolutely sure that I have no desire or design with any of your daughters. We just need Saya to visit the Temple of the Gods to confirm it. We have reasons to believe that she is the prophesied Saintess from the Land chosen by the Sun God. If... she agrees, and you give your permission... any magic tomes that you require to help your daughters... we'll provide them." – Lyari