Chapter 332: Penacony Arc 『 Part Twenty-seven 』, The Indestructible Ledger of the Penacony
Caitlyn rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
"To aid a Star God, the Fools once borrowed a gondola from the Mourning Actors. They proceeded to recruit countless factions, one after another. The vessel grew more crowded by the day, yet no one noticed that the original Fools had already slipped away."
"The Penacony of today is similarly teeming with myriad powers and factions. Whether this little Fool girl is setting the stage, I cannot say… but once she's had her fill of fun, she'll undoubtedly be the first to vanish."
—
「 "Oh? Is that so?" Aventurine remarked with keen interest. "You've truly never made friends with anyone from the IPC?"
The young girl chuckled softly. "Do you take me for someone who hasn't read the history of Penacony? Don't even think about dragging me into your tedious office politics."
"A Fool—from the moment you accepted the invitation to this grand festival, you lost the luxury of choice. Pick a side while you still can, lest you end up losing everything."
"You sound awfully confident~ as if you've already handled the Family's little 'Chicken Wing Boy.'"
The girl's eyes suddenly brightened, as if someone had scattered stardust into her petal-shaped pupils, gleaming with curiosity. "How did you manage it, little peacock? Did you strip down and kneel before him in apology, promising, 'Boo-hoo, the IPC would never harm Penacony'?"
As she finished, her delicate voice shifted abruptly, turning sharp and cold. "Friends? Oh, give me a break. You people only ever see others as bargaining chips."
"Is being a chip so bad? At the gambling table, only the chips are spared from losing themselves entirely. Look at our friends from the Garden of Recollection and the Astral Express; they understand this. They're quite clever."
"But the truly clever never enter the game to begin with. See? I'm smarter," the girl said, her expression turning solemn. "Listen closely, little peacock. You're someone who once received an invitation from the Tavern yourself. You want to recruit a Masked Fool? Fine. Use that brain of yours and consider what it is The Laughter wants."
"Here's a hint for you — Since you can't convince anyone, why don't you befriend a mute? At least, a mute won't be able to refute your arguments. laughs"
"See ya~"
With that, the girl departed with a laugh.
"Thanks! 'Befriend a mute'—I'll be sure to keep that in mind!"
Watching her skip away into the distance, the smile that had been playing on Aventurine's lips gradually faded, eventually dissolving into a heavy sigh.
"…What a headache. It seems I'll have to pay the 'Family' another visit." 」
「 ..... 」
〜Jujutsu Kaisen World, Future Timeline 〜
"Kusakabe-sensei, 'befriend a mute'… what does that even mean?"
Itadori scratched his head in confusion, feeling as though this twin-tailed girl was speaking in riddles.
"I'm not sure. Are there even any mutes in Penacony?"
Atsuya Kusakabe exhaled a plume of cigarette smoke.
"Or is she implying that another pathstrider faction has appeared? Is this girl goading the IPC into an alliance with them?"
"Heh, Kusakabe, has your brain rusted from lack of combat?"
Mei Mei gently brushed aside the white hair obscuring her eyes, a faint smile touching her lips.
"Think about it. Can a mute speak?"
"Of course not. That's obvious,"
Kusakabe replied, sounding a bit annoyed.
"Then who else is incapable of speech?"
"It's…"
Kusakabe suddenly straightened his back. The half-burned cigarette between his fingers trembled, sending ash fluttering onto his wrinkled suit trousers. His Adam's apple bobbed as if he were forcing down a terrifying realization.
"Wait… could it be… the dead?"
"Mm-hmm. It seems your mind hasn't completely seized up yet."
"But the problem is, has anyone actually died in Penacony?"
Kusakabe's mind raced, recalling the faces of the various factions he had encountered since arriving. None of them looked like they were about to drop dead.
"They aren't dead now, but that doesn't mean they won't be later."
Mei Mei slowly opened her eyes.
"Think carefully. Has Duke Inferno arrived in Penacony yet? Look at the hour—he still hasn't made his entrance… Why don't you guess what that practitioner of 『 Destruction 』 is brewing?"
How is anyone supposed to guess that? Kusakabe shook his head, looking utterly bewildered.
"What I can be certain of is that when Duke Inferno descends upon Penacony, he will bring unspeakable death and ruin. This little Fool must have used some means to foresee this. She likely wants to use the IPC—the representatives of 『 Preservation 』—to form a coalition with other factions against 『 Destruction 』… Otherwise, these powers and factions will most likely become 'mutes' who can no longer speak."
"But why would a Fool do that? She has no reason to do anything for Penacony's sake, right?"
"Of course she does."
Mei Mei's crimson lips parted, releasing a spectral ring of smoke. She leaned back against the leather sofa, crossing her long legs.
"『 Destruction 』 and 『 Preservation 』 are like the universe's strongest spear and strongest shield. Wouldn't you want to see what sparks fly when they collide? Regardless of who loses… on this stage called Penacony, it's bound to be quite the show."
—
「 "This way—" After climbing out of the manhole, the two reached a high vantage point. Hotaru pointed toward a magnificent, gilded building in the distance, indicating that it was the location of her secret base.
Since tourists were generally forbidden from this area, they had to proceed with caution to avoid being spotted.
However, they hadn't gone far before a member of the Bloodhound Family intercepted them. Left with no choice, Stelle used a Clockwork Trick to shift the guard's emotions before 'persuading' him with her baseball bat.
The results were highly effective. They successfully reached the construction zone and, utilizing the mechanisms left by the Dreamweavers, finally arrived at the 'secret base' Hotaru had mentioned.
It was a tranquil rooftop.
Stelle and Hotaru stood side by side at the railing, the morning breeze of Penacony fluttering their clothes.
In the distance, a new sun was rising, and the horizon seemed to be melting. The silk of the night was being pulled away inch by inch, revealing the gilded hues beneath. A shooting star suddenly streaked across the sky, plowing a silver furrow through the boundary of dawn and dusk.
Suddenly, Stelle heard a beautiful melody.
(…Singing? Where is it coming from?)
"Have you heard of the song? It's called 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking,' by Robin. Her songs are played in the dreamland from time to time as the Charmony Festival is drawing close."
The young girl closed her eyes softly, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows in the morning light. She tilted her face upward, letting the fingers of the wind run through her hair.
"This spot is the closest place to the sky in the Dreamscape. It's far from the hustle and bustle of the city and free from the bickering among the Dreamweavers. You can feel the moment — the scenery, the people, and the dreams — without being disturbed by anyone..." 」
「 ..... 」
( Translator-kun: Next chapter will be that Scene!? )