Jujutsushi 278.3
Chapter 278: The Fortress of Repose
TL: Cnine
ED/PF:
R1: [1–2], R2 [3–4], R3 [5–6]
Part 5
According to the initial plan, they should already have begun the assault on the Central Tower, facing the boss battles and accepting the necessary sacrifices as usual.
Yet with the Goma Kingdom now surrounding the Tower, an unwelcome obstacle had risen before them.
「But this has cleared out most of the useless ones anyway.」
Events that seemed like mere coincidence were, in fact, unfolding exactly as Kotori had designed.
First, she banished Shimokawa with 『Exile Punishment』.
His disappearance became obvious the next morning, but thanks to Goma’s surprise attack, no one had the time to question it.
Yes, Kotori had already realized the night before that the Goma army would raid them at dawn.
This lowest-level zone retained far more of the ruins’ original systems than any of the areas above. Several facilities—like this fortress—still functioned almost exactly as they had in ancient times.
Because of that, if any surveillance devices or radar-like equipment were still active and within Kotori’s reach, she could use them without attracting attention. With an illusory double created through 『Projection Art』 stationed near the Goma Kingdom’s gate, she could monitor their forces as they marched out and returned.
Through this quiet, covert network of watchers, she planned to turn the Goma raid to her advantage.
「Since even watching two people die right in front of him didn’t make them awaken, it proves it. Weaklings are nothing but dead weight.」
Thus, the Goma army raided, right on schedule.
A named warrior called Zagan cut down Nakai and Nonomiya.
Because the Goma here were wild, they were not adjusted to match anyone’s level the way boss monsters were. With such an overwhelming difference in strength, a fight could end almost instantly, with the very first blow.
Even so, encountering Goma of that caliber had been beyond what Kotori anticipated.
If she could make use of them, all the better. If not, it would be wiser to ignore them and push on toward the Tower.
「Maybe I should let Asuna-chan fall into danger again… Or the Class Rep… No, sorting out that troublesome Futaba first might be the better call…」
During the Yamata-no-Orochi battle, Yuuto awakened his second unique skill, 『Seraphic Aegis (Star Shield of Heaven)』.
It turned out that to awaken the hero’s power, someone close to him had to be plunged into danger—or even sacrificed.
Asuna was saved by the shield’s awakening, but Nakai and Nonomiya left Yuuto no time to help. Their deaths were instantaneous.
The gap between those rescued and those lost came down to one thing: how close they were to Yuuto personally.
Cruel or discriminatory as it might be, the Goddess Elysion had already completed her selection from the very beginning—deciding who should live and who should die.
「That's why, why don’t you all just hurry up and drop dead already.」
Kotori had already confirmed through her covert surveillance network that Himeno and five others had survived.
She had clearly seen them near the cave—tattered and exhausted—forcing their way into the forest.
After that, they slipped beyond her surveillance range, and she could no longer track them.
「What a shame. I really wanted to witness Himeno’s public execution. Especially after I went out of my way to expose her.」
The scandal of Himeno being a 『Succubus』 had, of course, been orchestrated by Kotori.
Himeno hadn’t actually grown horns. Kotori had simply used a refined application of 『Projection Art』, condensing mana into an illusion so convincing it looked—and even felt—real.
The horns were fake, but Himeno being a 『Succubus』 was real—and Kotori had known it from the very beginning.
The instant Himeno arrived at the School Tower with Nakajima, Kotori’s Sage-grade appraisal skill, 『Eye of Truth』, had exposed her secret.
Kotori chose not to reveal it immediately, saving the truth for a decisive moment—one where her own comrades would eliminate Himeno themselves.
With the strain of losing allies and being hunted by the Goma, the conditions were perfect to isolate her.
In the original plan, Himeno was supposed to be beaten to death by her furious classmates. However—
「But honestly, that’s Asuna-chan for you. She still kicked Himeno out without me lifting a finger—ahaha. Himeno’s idiotic expression back then, and Asuna-chan totally panicking—it was truly a masterpiece.」
There was no greater amusement than pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
Even so, watching everything unfold exactly as she wished, without lifting a finger, was especially satisfying.
Kotori had intended to use the ruin’s doors to wipe out the useless rabble who couldn’t awaken Yuuto even in death. However, Himeno—already inside—posed a minor inconvenience.
Should she take a slight risk and loosen Futaba Meiko’s 『Idea Code』, nudging Asuna into pushing her out? Or should she later fabricate an accusation and have her expelled?
She was still wavering when, at that exact moment, Asuna kicked Himeno squarely in the back.
Kotori could barely contain her laughter.
When acting, the most troublesome moments are those that make you want to laugh—especially when they strike without warning.
Even without being influenced by the 『Idea Code』, Asuna chose the cruel path. She abandoned one of her comrades to die.
Himeno, convinced she was safe, was thrown out into the open and left to despair.
Just imagining either scene was enough to make Kotori want to burst out laughing. She had always loved witnessing people’s ugliest sides—those moments when hope and security shattered, plunging someone into despair.
「Fufufufufu, Asuna-chan really is Kotori’s friend… I suppose I’ll let her be the last to die.」
And if possible, Kotori wanted it to be by her own hand—or by Yuuto’s.
Best friend or beloved man. Either choice would be devastating.
「Asuna-chan, the Class Rep, Natsukawa, Futaba, and Souma Sakura. Five more to go. Once I’ve dealt with them, then at last I’ll be with Souma-kun…」
Momokawa Kotarō had once crushed the scenario laid out by the god.
But Kotori was already steering it back on course.
The culling of her classmates was proceeding smoothly, the goal nearly within reach.
The Goma Kingdom was an unexpected obstacle, but with the systems of the lowest stratum, they would push through.
And if they could reach the final area—the Central Tower—the final boss, 『Adjusted』 according to the gods’ design, would deal with the rest.
「…Now then, who’s going to die next?」
With the god’s scenario moving forward once more, nothing could stop it.
Certain of this, Kotori settled comfortably into her bed and drifted into the most peaceful sleep of all.