LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 250.2
Chapter 250.2. Manipulating Fate
Ares agrees with Omokane’s prediction. Fortune also supports the idea. Bacchus says nothing, but his silence suggests agreement.
They acquire the desired skills from the dungeon core. Since that isn’t possible for humans, they create divine machines by using elemental powers to bestow low-risk skills. The core system is essentially the same as that used for creating monsters, meaning there are no resources to learn various skills. Instead, it grants overwhelming power.
Recently, Amatsugahara Corporation has achieved something unthinkable: selling skill crystals. If the scientists from the original world heard about it, they’d either be stunned or dismiss it as impossible. However, it’s feasible if one already has access to parts of the core store. Omokane was, in fact, astonished by it—such is the magnitude of the core store.
“But there’s also the possibility that Amano Sakimori always carries an item capable of changing administrative privileges.”
“No, I doubt it. From what I gather, he’s a cautious and careful man. Most likely, he has hidden it in the house guarded by Silky. With that kind of setup, it won’t be easy to steal the item. It’s probably in the house.”
The house guarded by Silky is akin to a fortress, and if it has regained its previous strength, even ten thousand soldiers wouldn’t be able to breach it. Indeed, the odds are higher that the item is hidden there. Carrying it around would increase the risk of theft, and if stolen, it might not even be noticed immediately.
“There’s no way I’d want to fight a war in Silky’s home turf. It was a stroke of luck to have planted a familiar with Oda-kun. Did the old men really think they wouldn’t notice a hidden familiar?”
“I was the one who noticed.”
Fortune possesses a fate skill akin to spatial awareness, which nullifies all forms of concealment. Though it’s an active skill that must be used intentionally, she always activates it when meeting new people. That’s how she discovered a familiar lurking in the shadows of Oda Nobuhiro and Oda Yokou.
“It’s often said that watchers are unaware when they’re being watched. I doubt Amano Sakimori ever imagined that his familiar would be turned against him.”
Omokane grinned slyly, clearly pleased that his plan was working.
“[Turning Point Change] isn’t a mental attack but a skill that subtly intervenes in the choices of fate. Once it takes effect, no one notices—it’s Fortune’s absolute skill.”
Like a player selecting a character’s next action in an adventure game, Oda Nobuhiro’s actions were being controlled by threads of fate. Despite tightly clutching a charm for mental resistance, it had no effect, since this wasn’t a mental attack. He had unwittingly become a tragic clown.
Following the threads of fate, Oda Yoko went to inform Amano Sakimori, and they decided to head for Kyushu. The altered fate caused memory discrepancies, making them believe events that happened in Hokkaido occurred in Kyushu instead.
The same misperception was applied to the familiar. Although the skill didn’t affect the familiar’s master, it worked on the familiar itself. As a result, Amano Sakimori, relying on the familiar’s information, incorrectly believed that the Earth Federation Army was in Kyushu.
“But we still don’t know who Silky really is. Without identifying its true form, it’ll be difficult to act.”
“You’ve got a guess, right? Then you just need to confirm it inside the building.”
“The prime candidate… is the cat-girl. The runner-up is a girl with botanical knowledge. I’ve spotted both occasionally. They’re rarely seen, so they seem to fit the conditions. There’s also the slight chance that Silky could be disguised as a man.”
Among the people entering and leaving that building, two individuals stand out. One is a girl without any offensive skills. The most likely candidate is the cat-girl. The runner-up would have been Ohki-kun, who has plant-related skills, but since he doesn’t look like a girl, I’ll have to give up on that option.
If neither of the two girls is found, Ohki-kun will suffice. Since he may possess sage-like abilities, he might meet the criteria for Silky, regardless of gender. It’s decided, and there’s no other motive behind it. None at all.
“Alright. Then I’ll issue the order under administrative authority.”
“Wait. Ordering us to search for a nonexistent item or kill someone who doesn’t exist could cause our plan to unravel. It’s better to allow us some freedom here.”
Fortune calmly interrupted Omokane, maintaining a composed tone as he tried to issue the order.
“Hmm… Fortune’s right. This is just speculation. Orders must be precise; otherwise, things could go wrong. Got it.”
Omokane nodded to Fortune, briefly lowering his gaze in thought, then snapped his fingers.
“Fortune, under administrative authority, I command you to ‘accidentally’ find the hidden item concealed by fate in Amatsugahara Corporation’s headquarters. Prioritize any items that grant access to administrative privileges. Eliminate anyone who interferes. This should work, right?”
“Understood. We’ll launch the assault as soon as Amano Sakimori departs for Kyushu.”
“Sandalphon will be handling Amano Sakimori in Kyushu, so we should have enough time. I’m counting on you—this is an old man’s request.”
Fortune wore a serious expression but smiled inwardly at how easily the order could be interpreted loosely. Glancing at Ares and the others, she allowed herself a slight smirk.
He never said not to use the item that changes administrative privileges, did he? Fortune’s eyes gleamed with cunning. It seemed the manipulation of fate was proceeding smoothly.
Omokane believed that a goddess of fate couldn’t alter her own destiny, but he would soon realize that this was a misconception.