Reasons for Intervention

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

“[The Red Dragon of Wales]? Isn’t that the dragon from the Arthurian legend ……?”

Tsugumi answered that, but he wasn’t too sure if he had it right.

He had listened to a certain amount of myths and stories in compulsory education, but since Tsugumi wasn’t that enthusiastic about studying at that time, he didn’t remember the stories other than the main characters.

Yamabuki answered with a small nod.

“Yes, as Hagakure-san said, it’s the Red Dragon in the Arthurian legend. The enemy this time is the incarnation of Britain, which is said to have been buried underground in Wales with the White Dragon.”

“…How ironic. to be attacked by some kind of guardian deity.”

Tsugumi replied with a solemn look.

The Red Dragon was said to be the incarnation of Britain in the past. He wondered how shocked the people of England were to be attacked by a Demonic Beast that imitated it.

From Japan’s point of view, Amaterasu… that would be too much, it would be as shocking as an incarnation of Yatagarasu going on a rampage. Just thinking about it was frightening.

When he said this, Yamabuki let out a small sigh and opened his mouth.

“I’m not so sure that’s the case. When this Demonic Beast first appeared in London, it was just a small reddish-brown dragon. At that time, no one called it the Red Dragon of Wales.”

“Then how did it get the name?”

When Tsugumi asked that question, Toono, who was standing next to him, muttered.

“They overlap. The brown dragon and the red dragon.”

“Yes. That’s right, Toono-san.”

The two nodded in agreement, but Tsugumi had no idea what they were talking about.

As he stared at the two in confusion, the staff member sitting to his left explained.

“Hagakure-san, I told you that this Demonic Beast has appeared in London many times in the same form. In other words, the people of England started to think it was the [Red Dragon of Wales] as they saw it over and over again. Well, if only the army had been able to slay the dragon, this might not have happened.”

“…This is the opposite of the Irregular in Lake Ashinoko, Hakone. Because the original legend was used by a Demonic Beast and overwritten by Radon.”

At Lake Ashinoko in Hakone, Radon was manifested based on the legend of the nine-headed dragon that existed there. In other words, the red dragon was a monster created by the anxiety of the people of England. It was only natural that it got this strong.

“That’s right. Well, Demonic Beasts tend to read people’s fears and shape them. It is only natural that the Irregular, which have the characteristic of appearing in the same place as long as they are not defeated, begin to imitate the form of the Red Dragon, which is the fear that has gathered in London.”

‘It’s also bad luck that it was the dragon that came out first. I’m sorry if I’m remembering this wrong, but I think the crest of London was also a dragon. …Maybe there is a basis for the dragon to appear in the first place.”

“That’s nasty…”

As Tsugumi was dismayed by the explanation of the staff and Toono, Yamabuki coughed. Instinctively, he looked up.

“That’s not the only problem, Hagakure-san.”

“There is more?”

“Yes. I also learned after I arrived here that it seems it was the Vatican that advised England to call us.”

“The Vatican? Well, is it because of the large number of Christians in England?”

Tsugumi tilted his head, unsure.

–Why is the Vatican, which has a hostile relationship with Japan, go out of its way to request Japan’s cooperation in another country’s affairs?　

He couldn’t understand why the Vatican’s intervention was necessary in this case.

When Tsugumi wondered about this, Yamabuki’s face became unusually expressionless and he looked bitter as he held out a photograph to him.

The picture showed a red three-headed dragon destroying the city of London.

“I remember an old monster movie that had a dragon like this. I think it was King–“

“The head has increased.”

“Yes, it has.”

Ignoring the mutterings of the staff member next to him, he spoke with Toono. It certainly looked like a shape he’d seen somewhere, but there was no way it could be true.

“It’s a little odd that it’s modeled after the [Red Dragon of Wales]. I don’t think there is any anecdote about that dragon having three heads.”

When Tono said this curiously, Yamabuki said in a quiet voice.

“This is exactly why the Vatican intervened. They were afraid. They feared that this dragon would continue to transform and become the incarnation of Satan, the seven-headed red dragon of the Book of Revelation.”

“…So the characteristics of this Demonic Beast and the fact that there are so many Christians here backfired on them.”

“Defeat a serpent with a serpent. Pagan for pagan. And for the Demonic Beast, you get a Magical Girl… Sounds like something they would think up.”

“I finally understand why they called us together without a second thought. –In other words, attack it before things get out of hand. Well, then our interests are certainly aligned. We don’t want this dragon to evolve, destroy Europe, and then come straight to Japan.”

Toono shrugged her shoulder as she said this.

On the other hand, Tsugumi stared at the picture of the three-headed dragon with a slightly pale face.

–The Red Dragon from the Book of Revelation. The dragon with seven heads and seven crowns was said to be the personification of Satan.

If such a thing were to be manifested in its full glory, it probably wouldn’t fit into the category of A-class. Even Hagakure Sakura, who possessed the power to kill immortals, might not be a match for it. Tsugumi agreed that it was best to attack while it was weak.

And he didn’t know why. –The words Revelation and Satan sounded nostalgic.

Maybe there was a similar story in a manga he read a long time ago.

Thinking about this, he opened his mouth.

“A Demonic Beast that reads people’s fears and transforms into them. –This is truly a monster created by human karma. …Really, this is why religion is so troublesome.”

Tsugumi said.

–He was so glad that Bell wasn’t here. If Bell had been there, he would have laughed hysterically and made fun of a religion that had literally dug its own grave because of the doctrine it had spread.

Toono, whether she knew his feeling or not, lightly patted him on the back and said.

“At any rate, as long as that Demonic Beast has even the slightest trait of being an enemy of God–my flame will burn it. You can rest assured. This nightmare that is buzzing around London will end tomorrow. –I will extinguish it all.”

Saying this, Toono gave a sly smile. …She was reliable, but also a little scary. People would be evacuated, but he just hoped they didn’t burn the whole city to the ground.

“That’s reliable. –After this, the military personnel on the British side will give us a briefing tomorrow. I don’t think they will do anything strange since Hagakure-san made so many threats earlier, but each of you should remember to be vigilant. The protective talismans provided by the Ministry of Divine Worship will help, but I want to be careful just in case.”

Yamabuki told them so casually, and Tsugumi tilted his head.

“…Wait. If there is such a thing, couldn’t you have done something about it even if I hadn’t moved at the time?”

If there had been such a thing, even if he hadn’t bothered to play the villain, they would have been able to do something about it if they got shot. When Tsugumi insisted with a scornful look, Yamabuki said without hesitation, “I didn’t have time to tell you. Besides, it will be easier to move if you show some strength.”

That might be true, but if this case, he should have consulted with them from the beginning. They lost a lot of money by rushing ahead.

As he was thinking about this with a pout, a staff member next to him asked Yamabuki.

“By the way, Yamabuki-san. We will stay in this hotel, but what about meals? I think it would be dangerous to have them prepare meals for us now that we know there are people with such hostile intentions.”

“You’re right. We are thinking of bringing in a second group of people who can deal with the poisons, but it would still be better to bring in food from over there. It’s safer that way.”

Yamabuki answered, but Tsugumi wondered.

The hotel’s transportation room was only available twice a day, so how could they possibly bring enough food for dozens of people from Japan to England?

As he pondered this, he suddenly noticed eyes were focusing on him.

“Um, what’s wrong?”

When Tsugumi asked this with some trepidation, Yamabuki narrowed his eyes and said.

“No, I think you’re a good match. –Hagakure-san, you were able to transport without distance restriction for non-living creatures, right? I will tell the home country to prepare a cart with the food on it, so could you go get it later?”

Yamabuki told him straightforwardly, and Tsugumi replied with a wry smile.

“I don’t dislike your attitude of using whatever is available. It’s very rational.”

When he said this sarcastically, Yamabuki laughed and said.

“I am honored by your compliment. Well, the one who eats the most out of all of us is you, Hagakure-san. If you don’t at least help us procure food, everyone else will starve.”

“I-I don’t always eat that much. And I know how to refrain.”

Tsugumi looked away awkwardly. He was aware of the procedure. In a foreign country like England, he wouldn’t eat endlessly like he usually did.

“I guess that’s it then. All we have to do now is wait for that timid-looking diplomat uncle to come calling.”

When Toono said that, Yamabuki gave a small nod and began to speak.

“Yes, that’s right. After that, we will have a meal, and after welcoming the second group, everyone except for the office staff will go to the hotel to rest.”

“I understand. I’ll do my best to keep things tense until then. Of course, with you too, Hagakure-san.”

Saying that, Toono looked into his face, and Tsugumi reluctantly nodded.

“…I understand.”

“That’s good. Oh, it looks like a customer has come.”

At the same time as Toono said that, a knock on the door rang out in the room. Then a rather quiet voice said, “This is Burton. May I come in?”

–It seemed that the diplomat from earlier had arrived.