There are supposedly twenty thousand Powered Suits hidden at the Academic Assembly venue?
Natsume Sonoko sat on the sofa with Febrie, both of them blinking in a bit of a daze as they pricked up their ears listening to the discussion between Misaka-senpai and the others.
Although Natsume Sonoko wanted to join the conversation, since she had never been to the Academic Assembly venue, she found it all rather confusing.
But twenty thousand Powered Suits would require twenty thousand strands of hair. Just thinking about it, the situation with Janie seemed rather dire.
"In that case, we should investigate and deal with the Powered Suits at the venue before any potential attack can begin," Shirai-san said, looking up with a serious expression.
"But we don't have the authority to open the containers and handle those Powered Suits," Konori-senpai replied hesitantly.
"That's true. Even if those containers really are holding Powered Suits, they entered the venue through Academy City's proper procedures. Until a potential terrorist attack is actually initiated, they are still protected assets. The Assembly committee would never agree to it," Uiharu added, turning around with a worried look.
"If we choose to forcibly dispose of those Powered Suits, even the Anti-Skill officers might not side with us. We could even end up getting arrested ourselves," Uiharu's tone grew hesitant, and she couldn't help but sound a bit discouraged.
"Although my father has dealings with the Academic Assembly, he can't influence their decisions either," Kongou-senpai also shook her head.
"So, before they launch an attack, there's almost nothing we can do. We can only wait passively," Konori-senpai bit her lip, saying with clear frustration.
The discussion among the Judgment members grew increasingly serious and formal. Everyone seemed somewhat at a loss regarding the new information Misaka-senpai had brought.
"Actually, it's not completely hopeless. According to the data we found at the unmanned factory, Febrie can sense Janie's location."
"However, the prerequisite is that Janie needs to activate her ability."
Misaka-senpai crouched down, ruffling Febrie's long hair as she spoke, word by word, her expression carrying a trace of complexity and gloom.
"In that case, we'd still have to wait until the day they launch their attack," Konori-senpai sighed.
"Actually, everyone, there's no need to be so pessimistic. Even if we can't stop it in advance, I believe that as long as we prepare properly, there must be a way to solve the problem."
Uiharu offered some encouraging consolation.
"You're right. Wallowing in self-pity here is just foolish. I'll continue to ask my father to see if he can find a way."
Kongou-senpai opened her fan, covering the lower half of her face as she spoke with considerable determination.
"Then I'll help too! I'm very serious about this," Saten-san declared, clenching her fist tightly.
"Onee-sama and Kuroko will also do our very best."
Shirai-san had, at some point, appeared right beside Misaka-senpai.
Now that she was in serious mode, Shirai-san seemed to lack her usual… eccentric vibe.
"I want to help Febrie. I also want to save Janie and Nunotaba Shinobu. I want to protect everyone in Academy City. It might sound laughable, but I want a happy ending where everyone can smile with joy."
"I never wanted to drag everyone into danger, but now I'm truly grateful that you're all willing to join this effort, despite the risks."
The gloom that had been on Misaka-senpai's face began to fade, replaced by clear apology and sincerity as she stepped openly in front of everyone, speaking from the heart.
"Misaka-san, this is Judgment's duty, you know? Protecting Febrie and Academy City isn't your job alone. In fact, this time, it's Judgment that is relying on everyone's help."
"Natsume-san, as a member of Judgment, we might need to rely on your power this time too."
Konori Mii walked over to the somewhat dazed temperature controller, bent down, and gently pinched Natsume-san's cheek.
"No problem! I won't lose to anyone," Natsume-san said, nodding emphatically.
Being stared at by several pairs of eyes, Natsume Sonoko felt inexplicably nervous, but she was, after all, someone who had seen her share of major situations. She quickly adjusted her mood.
Whether it was for Febrie's sake, or for Shirai-san and the others who had joined this incident, Natsume Sonoko had no intention of standing idly by.
"Just like Misaka-senpai said, I want a happy ending too. Academy City has plenty of problems, but it's the place where we live. We can't just let someone destroy it so easily."
Natsume Sonoko stood up, clenching her fist with great determination, which promptly drew a curious gaze from Febrie beside her.
"And besides, I've already thought of a way to handle the Powered Suits hidden at the Academic Assembly."
Without realizing it, she had become the center of attention. Natsume-san spoke with an air of importance.
"Natsume-san, you've thought of a way?"
Misaka-senpai looked surprised and asked urgently.
"It wouldn't involve hauling rocks into the sky and disguising them as a meteor impact to obliterate the Assembly grounds, would it? If dropped from a sufficient height, combined with Natsume-san's ability to reduce atmospheric friction, it might just work…"
Shirai-san rested her chin on her hand, muttering thoughtfully.
Although Shirai-san's idea was a bit outlandish, it was unexpectedly a viable method—though probably no one would actually consider it seriously.
Natsume Sonoko gave Shirai-san a puzzled look but still found herself unconsciously running the calculations for the method Shirai had mentioned.
It didn't seem very feasible.
The Assembly grounds were pretty large. To generate an impact of that scale, the height would need to be… a lot of meters.
While her ability could shield the rock from the atmosphere's effects, once the rock accelerated to a certain velocity, she wouldn't be able to keep up with it anymore. It would ultimately be ground into particles by atmospheric friction.
"Shirai, be quiet and listen properly to what Natsume-san has to say," Konori-senpai said with some exasperation.
"Actually, my idea is to flood the Powered Suits."
Natsume-san raised her voice slightly so everyone could hear.
"Throughout Academy City, District 7's terrain is generally higher, but the area where the Academic Assembly is located seems to be a bit lower."
Even though she hadn't been to the Assembly, Natsume Sonoko knew its general location.
Natsume-san voiced the idea in her head, but the moment she spoke, she was met with a wave of blank stares.
Nobody quite understood what Natsume-san meant, but it sounded impressive.
"I get it! If the Academic Assembly gets flooded, then the Powered Suits inside naturally can't operate!" Saten-san exclaimed, as if a lightbulb had gone off.
"No, that's not it. Even if the Assembly grounds are lower, we can't achieve something like that."
"I think what Natsume-san means is that by using a large flood to force the Assembly to relocate the sponsored cargo containers, we can use that opportunity to retrieve the ability medium from inside the Powered Suits," Konori-senpai mused, thinking it over.
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T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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