Jujutsushi Wa Yuusha Ni Narenai-Chapter 268.1 - The Banished King

BGM: Sunshine Coastline

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When was it that I first smoked a cigarette? I never thought it was all that good, but before I knew it, it became something I couldn’t let go of — something I couldn’t live without.

It was probably back in middle school when I finally understood why it was prohibited for minors under twenty, and it made sense.

It was pure bliss. Especially after overcoming a tough battle, nothing beat a puff of smoke after that kind of battle.

Leaving behind the noisy victory celebration, Ryuuichi had come down alone to the entrance for a quick smoke.

「…But in the end, Momokawa ended up stealing the thunder.」

The Yamata no Orochi subjugation battle. The one who played the key role and earned the greatest merit was undoubtedly that shaman.

It was neither the 『Hero』, Souma Yuuto, nor me who did it.

In the distant past, the very first kings who built nations from nothing were probably people like him. Or so Ryuuichi thought. Even now, he still doesn’t understand why someone like that was granted the vocation called 『King』.

To unite people, lead them, and seize glorious victory. Those are the qualities of a king, the abilities expected of one.

「In the end, I guess I’m just being used by him too.」

A rescue team was formed using the three available escape slots. I was nominated as the first member, and in the end, I accepted the role. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Taking orders from others wasn’t in my nature. That’s why I ended up being a delinquent.

And yet, he even knew how to use a selfish fool like me. As expected, that was the disposition of a true king.

Even so, I still couldn’t stand it. Seeing that smug baby-faced brat getting everything to go exactly the way he wants really pisses me off.

「Well, not that I care too much about such things.」

And yet, strangely enough, I didn’t feel bad about it. My usual defiance, that rebellious spirit, none of it stirred, almost as if telling me, “Don’t take a pipsqueak like him so seriously.”

Or maybe… I’m hoping too. That Momokawa Kotaro, that pipsqueak, will do something again. That he’d accomplish something big.

Come to think of it, the only other person I’ve been able to expect that much from, aside from Souma Yuuto, was him. People like that… Were really interesting. That was probably why even someone like me could stick around.

「————Ah, are you by yourself, Tendou-kun?」

「What's the matter, Takanashi?」

It was rare for her to speak to him first. She was usually just one of those clingy girls, always tagging along with Yuuto, whining about something… …Or so it seemed to be, but Ryuuichi’s sharp instincts told him there was more to her than that.

But if she was just trying to win Yuuto over with her cute act, then it had nothing to do with him. Whether he was fooled by a girl’s smile or her tears—that was Yuuto’s own responsibility.

「What are you here for?」

「To speak with you of course, Tendou-kun.」

「Hee, what are you scheming this time?」

It was then that Ryuuichi finally turned around toward the stairs and faced Takanashi Kotori.

Kotori's expression hadn’t changed. She was a petite girl with a cute face, and, despite her small frame, she had a surprisingly ample chest. At least in terms of appearance, she was attractive. The innocent, cheerful smile she wore was the same one she always showed to Yuuto.

However, what should have been a natural smile now looked nothing more than a flimsy mask.

「Won't you make a pact with me?」

「What, are you going to give me more cigarettes next time?」

At present, that’s the only point of contact between Ryuuichi Tendou and Kotori Takanashi. Ryuuichi needs cigarettes, and Kotori could multiply them using a duplication magic circle. Supply and demand were in perfect alignment.

「No, that’s not it. I’m asking if you’d be mine.」

「Hah, talking big, aren’t you, Takanashi? So that’s your true nature, huh?」

「Since Tendou-kun’s 『King』 seems to be a bit special, I’m not quite sure how to handle it either. That’s why I thought I’d feel more at ease if we made a pact and you became mine.」

That wasn’t something as simple as just her true nature. It wasn’t a matter of Kotori Takanashi’s individual personality.

That single remark had also revealed her position. The fact that she was different from the other classmates.

「You b*tch… How much do you know?」

「My vocation is 『Sage』 you know? It's only natural that I know more than others.」

Kotori gracefully waved her right hand with a charming smile on her face.

Then, a faintly glowing white light appeared, like a translucent screen. It was densely inscribed with ancient letters, overlaid with multiple layers of magic circles.

It seemed that the spell structure was far more complex than the kind of magic typically used by the other spellcasters. Even with Ryuuichi’s 『Eye』, he couldn’t fully discern all of its effects.

「Since you have appraisal-type skills just like me, Tendou-kun, I’m sure you’ll get the gist just by looking. If you place your hand on this, the pact will be complete.」

「A slave contract, huh? You’re really taking me for a fool, aren’t you?」

「It’s just insurance. If you were to attack me, there’s no way someone as powerless as I am could fight back, right?」

The screen-shaped magic circle Kotori presented appeared to be a type of magic that imposes a 『Pact』 on the other party.

Even Ryuuichi could read that, at the very least, the contract simply forbids the contractor from harming the one they made the pact with.

And while he could analyze the fact that the principle behind this pact magic involves directly affecting the soul… He couldn’t begin to see how it could be undone.

It was the kind of magic entirely different from ordinary magic—most likely, it was a special kind of magic exclusive to the 『Sage』.

「So, what do you say? If you make a contract with me, I’ll secure a third escape slot for you, and after we get out of here, I’ll also guarantee you favorable treatment in the kingdom.」

The question was, who will be chosen as the first and second to escape?

Did she also know about the kingdom in the other world that supposedly awaits after the escape?

However, Ryuuichi didn’t ask those two questions either.

「Hey, Takanashi… You really are an idiot, aren’t you?」

「What’s this, Tendou-kun? Don’t tell me you actually believed Momokawa’s story? There’s no way something like that could ever work. I thought you, of all people, would understand that.」

「You’re the one who doesn’t get it. Do you seriously think I’m the kind of guy who’d just wag his tail and obey after being told, “Do as you’re told and I’ll let you live”?」

「That’s a foolish choice, Tendou-kun.」

「Come on now, I’m just a delinquent, right? Of course I’m an idiot. But even an idiot’s got his pride. And if you’re a man, there’s no way you’d turn your back on Momokawa’s plan.」

「Sigh… This is exactly why I can’t stand stupid men!」

「『King's Sword』————」

「STOP!」

Ryuichi's hand, which was about to draw the King's Sword, came to a halt.

That wasn’t all. The golden magic circle of the 『Treasury』 had also stopped, flickering brightly in place, with only about half of it drawn.

「What do you think now? This is the true power of the 『Divine Language』.」

『Divine Language: Heavenly Law Article 15 – Arbiter’s Privilege, Clause 1』: The laws governing the heavens grant the right of enforcement to those who can comprehend them ———— The Divine Language conveys the will of the gods ———— Its effects extend to the physical, magical, and divine laws of the lower realms ———— At such times, the Arbiter may exercise the privilege to halt all forms of combat.

Kotori's 『Divine Language: Word of Rejection』 was a skill known to her companions as well, but it was extremely rare for her to use it during battle. Since Kotori was not considered a combatant, she had always been protected. Unless faced with an exceptionally powerful boss or a surprise attack, her highly capable allies—led by Sōuma Yuūto—would go all out to ensure her safety.

However, as long as it was known that she could use it, even if it was discovered that she had used it, she could still offer a valid excuse. Therefore, using the skill without her companions noticing, so as to raise its proficiency, was something she could do with relatively little risk.

Fortunately, Kotori’s efforts to raise her skill proficiency have gone unnoticed to this day… Even if it was to be discovered, no one would likely uncover the true extent of her power.

The upgraded skill Kotori evolved into 『Divine Language: Heavenly Law Article 15 – Arbiter’s Privilege, Clause 1』 — has yet to reach its full potential, but even so, it demonstrates a level of performance that clearly sets it apart from the "Word of Rejection".

To the point that it could even stop the 『King』 who was about to draw his sword.

「Tch, to think that you hide this kind of trump card…」

「As expected of you, Tendou-kun, Kotori’s amazed you can still talk after taking that!」

Ryuuichi glared at Kotori, who was clapping with a smile and cheerfully saying, “Amaaaazing!”

Even when facing Ryuuichi’s intimidating glare, the same one that could make even the delinquents of Kuromine High flinch, Kotori’s smile didn’t waver. That was because she was fully confident in her own superiority.

「It's such a shame, but if you won't become mine, Tendou-kun, then you're just in the way. So, this is goodbye———— Teleportation magic circle, activate.」

In the school tower, the teleportation magic circle in the entrance, which had already become a part of everyday scenery, began to activate, emitting a white glow.

Standing directly above that magic circle was Ryuuichi, his movements sealed by the Divine Language, and he alone remained there.

「You will regret the fact that you didn't kill me, Takanashi.」

「Since you refused my offer. And I know that my life will be in jeopardy if I get even closer than this to finish you off. I’ve left with no choice but to banish you to a place where you're going to die no matter what. Rejoice, Tendou-kun, you're going to be banished into the 『Quarantine Zone』.」

Another piece of information that only known to the 『Sage』.

It seemed Kotori not only possessed access rights to such a place, but also considered it fitting enough to exile Ryuuichi there and leave him to die a pitiful death.

「Maan, I'm sure that you're going to regret this, without a doubt. I don't know what the gods have filled your head with—— But if you hadn’t done anything, you could’ve remained just another classmate.」

「Is that all you want to say, Tendou-kun? In that case, do your best to survive in the quarantine zone then, bye-bye.」

Thus, Tendou Ryuuichi vanished from the School Tower along with the bright glow of the teleportation magic circle.

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