The OP Lich is a Returnee, Book 17 Epilogue

Epilogue – Elsewhere

Four individuals met in a darkened room. No names were shared. Those who knew about this meeting already knew who the other attendees were. There was no need for introductions.

Each individual represented a faction of power. While they were not the nominal heads of their factions, what was decided in this chamber would be carried out. One way or another.

On an unseen signal, the political representative took a breath. “It is now the appointed time. What do we know?”

The military representative leaned forward. “As promised, the Anomaly delivered items to the Shinigami that allowed them to suppress their abilities enough to be safe. She also gave each of them a set of charms to protect their families, and avoid any unintentional feedings.”

“Good,” the political representative nodded. “That will settle many people’s concerns about the viability of using the Shinigami to defend the country.”

The military representative continued, “While the Anomaly and her disciples were delivering the charms, they also spent some time at the Sakata base’s firing range. Apparently, the Anomaly is a strong believer in the idea of a mage being able to defend themselves without magic, and for warriors to be able to use at least a few spells.”

The intelligence representative nodded. “It makes sense, when you think about it. The Anomaly has made no secret of the fact that she has learned multiple weapon styles, as well as different forms of magic, and even becoming a master of different crafting professions. It is a very self-reliant mindset.”

“Indeed,” the science representative said. “The psychological profile of the Anomaly suggests that her experiences in the other world has forced her into a mindset where she refuses to rely on anyone but herself. It goes beyond just eliminating weaknesses.”

The political representative sighed softly. “That as it may be, what of the meeting with the Anomaly and Red Dragon? Do we know what they discussed?”

The intelligence representative shook their head. “Unfortunately, no. Both subjects are far too observant to possibly let observers get close enough to hear them speak unless they allow it, and the special mode of speaking that is apparently native to Red Dragon’s type of being does not register with machines. However, we were able to get an aerial drone close enough for a visual.”

The intelligence representative passed around a set of photographs. “These are ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots. The Anomaly transformed into a Western-style undead dragon to speak with the Anomaly eye-to-eye. Size comparison suggests this form is roughly equal in dimensions to the dragon she took to Langley when she ‘visited’ the CIA. Analysts believe that this is a new form, brought on by the Prime Seal’s energies. Additionally, when the Shinigami met with the Anomaly at Sakata, they could apparently feel that she was more powerful than the last time they spoke, despite her suppressing her aura at the time.”

The political representative nodded. “Any troubles from abroad that we should know of? Are the Russians and Americans moving?”

The intelligence representative shook their head. “No, there is no movement from the Russians, except to focus further time and money on resource maps and cataloguing wildlife. The apparent belief in the Kremlin is that, with the Seals undone, there may be magical resources that arise. There is some speculation that the Russians may be hoping to buy their way out of the Anomaly’s ire, so that they can gain access to Phantomline products.”

“Good luck with that,” the military representative chuckled. “The Anomaly keeps and holds grudges like a mother bear watching over her cubs. By her own account, she likely caused multiple civilization-ending threats on a continental scale when she left the other world, and considered that a restrained and reasoned response. They’ll have better luck stealing the information from us, or the Chinese.”

The political representative frowned. “What steps are being taken to prevent that on our end? Apart from the desire to keep foreign agents away from sensitive materials, I would not like the Anomaly to believe that we are circumventing her ban, either actively, or through lax security or inaction.”

“The sale and export of enchanted items and gear, whether from Phantomline or Athelian Arms, is being monitored for such contingencies,” the intelligence representative said. “At this time, we do not believe that the facilities in Japan are at risk, and the items produced here would need to go through several rounds of smuggling to get to Russian citizens. And underworld elements are actively cracking down on such things in Japan and China. Her threat to interrogate the souls of the dead when enchanted materials are where she doesn’t want them to go has not gone unheeded, especially since she’s already proven that a superpower’s military and economic strength means nothing to her.”

“And outside of Japan and China?”

“The production facilities in Germany and Egypt may prove to have some risk. However, the German facilities are only producing Shield and Armor enchantments at present, and there’s no telling how long the process of reverse engineering will take, to make something commercially viable, especially when they do not have access to the runes, or ‘coding language’, of enchanting. As for the Egyptian facility, they are producing Infinite Canteens, which do nothing more or less than ensuring the water bottle constantly refills with cool, drinkable water. While having some of those fall into Russian hands is not impossible, the danger of a water bottle which refills itself is minimal.”

“Minimal?” the political representative asked.

“Scaling,” the military representative cut in. “Creating enough water to refill a water bottle is one thing. Scaling it up, so that it drains an area of any and all mana it can get, possibly involving people and animals, if it can grab any, you have a device that could flood entire cities.”

“That possibility has been considered,” the intelligence representative acknowledged. “That is why the risk is minimal. Given the nature of the enchantment, creating enough water to overwhelm a city would not be a simple, or easy, thing. However, if you put down a barrier to keep people in, and then the water has time to build up, and be unleashed all at once? That could be a problem. It is a minor concern, and an unlikely scenario, but one that should be considered all the same.”

“Fortunately,” the military representative said, “the actually dangerous items and ideas are only produced in Phantomline’s domestic facilities. Their new ‘mageblade’ concept is powerful. Purchasing has already put in orders for enough to make them a core part of any special forces team loadout. All in the nonelemental form, with a katana style.”

The political representative grinned. “You didn’t want to copy the movies?”

“We considered it, but decided against it, for a few reasons, but primarily because of the lack of a tsuba. Interestingly enough, the back and flat of the ‘blade’ is not sharp in this configuration. That allows for some less-lethal options than simply cutting someone’s arm off, or for you to put a hand on the blade to help with blocks and parries. Which the movie version would definitely not allow.”

The political representative nodded. “In that case, I will see about getting some for the magic response teams for the police. To go along with the self-reinforcing batons that Phantomline is producing to serve as part of a normal officer’s daily kit.”

The science representative frowned. “Is that kind of thing necessary?”

The political representative sighed. “At the moment, no. However, as body enhancement magic, the Mage’s Path, and the Warrior’s Way gain traction, it is only natural that they will filter down into the criminal element in time. Better to have some things set up early, rather than playing catch-up.”