Jujutsushi 274.1
Chapter 274: Zagan
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1: [1-3], R2[4-6]
Part 1
「Yaaawn… Huh? Shimokawa? Where did he go?」
「Beats me. Maybe he’s doing a wee outside.」
I passed by Ueda and Nakai, their faces still groggy and untidy from just waking up, as they spoke in that lethargic tone.
After exchanging a brief greeting, I go down the stairs and head toward the great hall on the first floor.
「Good morning, big brother.」
「Yeah, morning, Sakura. You're pretty early today.」
「I'm on meal duty today after all.」
Sure enough, she was wearing a white apron was the mark of being on meal duty. Momokawa had prepared enough aprons for everyone, and ended up needlessly arguing with Sakura over the sizes.
In the hall, preparations for serving breakfast had already been made.
The back area from here was the kitchen space, and Futaba-san was handling various ingredients with a flowing, swift motion. The soup in the large pot was boiling, and its aroma wafted all the way to where I was, stirring my hunger.
From the looks of it, the kitchen that Takanashi-san set up yesterday seems to be functioning perfectly. Now that Momokawa’s all-purpose magic, the 『Witch's Kettle』which could be used for cooking, bathing, and even the toilet, was gone, the only one capable of preparing such facilities was Takanashi-san, the 『Sage』.
She made magic items of fire, water, and ice, using them respectively as a stove, sink, and fridge.
I’d been leaving her to carry most of the burden lately… But since we’d be using this tower as our base for the time being, I need to make sure the basic facilities were properly in place.
「How is it, Futaba-san?」
「As far as her cooking goes, nothing seems different from normal. Put another way, it’s not as if her symptoms have improved.」
Fortunately, Futaba-san could handle both day-to-day tasks, including cooking, and the marches needed to progress through dungeons without difficulty. As a result, even though she didn’t fight as a 『Berserker』, she wasn’t a liability in class, her culinary skills alone make a more than sufficient contribution.
「Big brother, let’s leave her in Himeno-san’s care.」
「Yeah… even now, I can’t think of what to say to Futaba-san.」
In the hall that serves as the dining room, I could at least exchange greetings when I saw everyone, but I avoided any further conversation.
Regarding Futaba-san, I’ve completely left her in the hands of Himeno-san, who has been a friend from the start. I felt a bit guilty, but even so, it was extremely reassuring to have someone I could rely on in times like this.
A severe physical wound was difficult to bear, but emotional wounds were equally troublesome. It was mostly up to the person to heal… Still, I have faith that Futaba-san would overcome hers one day.
「Oaaahm... Morning everyone...」
「Hey, Kotori, your hair’s still sticking up.」
「Ehh, where is it? Fix it for me tomorrow, Asuna-chan.」
「Can't be helped, I guess.」
As they chatted amicably, Asuna and Takanashi appeared in the hall, and one by one, the other classmates began to gather. Breakfast time wasn’t strictly set, but it was clear that the real thing that draw them in was the tempting aroma of the food.
And so, today as well, the large table was set with food for everyone plus an extra portion, and just as everyone began taking their seats, it happened.
「——— G-Guys, we've got an emergency!」
「Hmph, Minami, what’s the matter? Why are you in such a hurry…? And anyway, where have you been?」
Come to think of it, Natsukawa-san, who usually appears with the Class Rep, wasn’t here today. She was not the type to struggle with early mornings, even with her track and field practice, so oversleeping would be unusual, but it seemed that it was not such a trivial reason.
「The Goma army has arrived! Or rather… We’re completely surrounded!」
「SAY WHAT!?」
I never thought… The Goma Kingdom had spotted our presence.
「Everyone, prepare for battle!」
The entire class immediately sprang into motion. Some couldn’t resist the freshly made breakfast, popping meat and bread into their mouths, but… They were making their way to the armoury, so that’s fine.
「Natsukawa-san, what's the enemy count?」
「In front of the tower, there are two Gogmas and ten Gōvus. As for the Goma… Let’s see, about fifty? That’s the biggest group. Behind and the sides, there’s another group of around thirty combining Gōvus and Gomas.」
It seems Natsukawa-san was the first to sense the enemy’s presence and even went ahead to conduct reconnaissance. It was risky attempt to head out without informing Class Rep… But she wasn’t the type to overestimate her own abilities. She probably judged that even taking the time to report back would be a waste.
「…If that’s all, we might just be able to fend them off.」
According to the report, the total enemy count was 2 Gogmas, 30 Gōvus, and 90 Gomas. The mixed forces encircling us were assumed to be 10 Gōvus and 20 Gomas.
With our current strength, even if a hundred Gomas were gathered together, they wouldn’t pose much of a threat. Even if, like at the castle walls, they were armed with armour and iron weapons.
Thirty Gōvus shouldn’t pose a problem for use who had overcome a boss called Yamata no Orochi.
The real concern was the two Gogmas at the front. They’re the normal kind, not the four-armed ones. Even as boss-level opponents, they’re fairly strong… But it should be fine. As of now, I could handle both of them simultaneously and defeat them.
They have an overwhelming numerical advantage and have us thoroughly surrounded, but we’re in a sturdy, massive tower.
There was only one entrance at the front, which allows us to restrict enemy access. Even a Gogmas wouldn't be able to break through the walls of this tower.
「Souma-kun, the enemy is already coming!」
Natsukawa-san warned me.
As expected, with the enemy coming this close, both I and the others could sense their presence.
「I'll lead the way————『Sword Storage』 select, 『Holy Knight's Sword』」
I went ahead of everyone else and drew the sword from the space magic into my hand.
Back at the School Tower, I used to keep the 『Sword Storage』empty, but after Momokawa’s betrayal, I made it a habit always to have a weapon inside. That way, I can react swiftly to ambushes like this.
「Gvaaaargh!」
「Gabuu, zebaaa!」
Through the tower’s main entrance came a fully armoured govu, spear in hand, charging at full speed. The literal spearhead, I suppose.
「No one gets past here —『Slash』」
I closed in the distance at once with martial arts, and cut down both of the spearheads at once.
In less than thirty seconds, everyone will likely be armed and ready for battle. That short, crucial time was what I'm trying to buy.
「ZOGURA, GOBUNDOOO!」
「So fast!」
I killed the next goma who was breaking into the fortress behind the two.
Fortunately, they were not coordinated; they just rush in, each eager to claim the most glory.
They charge in one by one, fastest first, through the single entrance. No risk of being surrounded, so I could deal with them as they come. They may have tried a surprise attack, but we hold the advantage of the home ground.
「Yuuto-kun, everyone has already been fully equipped!」
A while later, Class Rep, staff in hand, emerged from the armory leading everyone.
「Listen up, everyone. The enemy consists of 2 Goggma, 30 Govu, and 90 Goma, spreading out to encircle this tower. They’re far ahead of us in term of number, but not beyond our strength. We’ll stand and fight them here.」
As I take care of those rushing in one by one, I outline the strategy. Naturally, the front-line team fights alongside me, dispatching the Goma in front of us without a word of instruction.
「It’s our first defensive battle since the Yamata no Orochi.」
「Scared of a Goma now? Come on.」
「You’ll regret ever trying to raid our base!」
Led by the heavy warrior Yamada, Ueda and Nakai raise their weapons, brimming with fighting spirit.
When swift decisions were required in battle, nobody argues. Unlike the classroom meeting that could descend into chaos, they simply obey my commands.
Despite my deep mistrust of Takanashi-san, as long as we remain united in the fight, we’ll be fine.
「Let’s keep luring the enemies into the tower and kill them. Their main force, the govu, should be charging any moment. Once both Goggma are inside, Sakura and Class Rep will block the entrance with defensive magic, splitting them up. Even if the other enemies charge in, we’ll pull them in and divide them the same way. Once the Goggma are dealt with, the rest is just routine mob clearing. If we wear them down enough, they’ll retreat on their own.」
The ones who charged in first were barely enough to be called a scouting party.
I sensed the bigger threats—including the Gogma—coming closer. The real fight starts now.
「Shimokawa, Takanashi-san, Futaba-san, and Himeno-san will take the second floor. Shimokawa, cover the window and stop anyone trying to break through the blocked entrance. The rest stay on the first floor and take out the enemies we draw in.」
The non-combatants in the class now include Futaba-san, along with Takanashi-san. And to handle her properly, Himeno-san needs to be with her.
Himeno-san was a 『Healer』, but not much of a fighter, so having her stay in a safe spot with Takanashi-san and Futaba-san wasn’t an issue. If anyone was seriously injured, they could be brought to her so she could focus entirely on treatment.
「... The heck, Shimokawa is gone you know?」