Chapter 31: Saten Ruiko’s Sense of Justice  

Doujin Artist: You're the one panicking the most here. Even Ruiko-chan, who's actually involved, is calmer than you! 

Curly-haired Guy: But still, the world of A Certain Magical Index is terrifying! Why would angels from the Bible want to destroy the world over something like that?! Aren't angels supposed to be cute, soft creatures that let humans cuddle them? 

Doujin Artist: What kind of perverted angel are you talking about? 

This is an Actor: In Index, angels are more like artificial programs than living beings. They don't have emotions; they just follow the rules they were programmed with. 

Scarlet Lotus Fairy: You make it sound like those angels are kind of tragic, An-gongzi. 

This is an Actor: Yeah. They have all this power but no mind of their own. In the end, they're just tools, weapons controlled by a higher being. 

Curly-haired Guy: Hey, hey, that's a pretty arrogant way to look at things, don't you think? 

This is an Actor: I'm just stating facts from the perspective of an intelligent lifeform. Being non-human doesn't mean being "not me." Anything that abandons its sense of self is destined to be a tool used by others. 

Curly-haired Guy: Are you possessed by Aizen's spirit again or something?! 

This is an Actor: You don't get it? I even dumbed it down so a ten-year-old could understand, but I guess I was overestimating you. 

Curly-haired Guy: Shut up, you bastard! Of course, I understand! I was just complaining about how smug you sound! 

This is an Actor: Oh, really? 

Curly-haired Guy: Obviously! There's no way I'm dumber than a ten-year-old! At least have some limits when you're looking down on people, you jerk! 

Doujin Artist: Then why don't you translate what Anzen-san just said? 

Curly-haired Guy: Anyway, even if Ruiko-chan's world is full of danger, her life doesn't seem to be in any serious trouble based on the story. That's a relief. 

Doujin Artist: Changing the subject? 

Curly-haired Guy: Shut up! Mind your own business, brat! 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Yeah, I haven't run into any real danger yet, and for that, I'm grateful. But if I can… I want to stop the tragedy that's about to happen. 

As she sent this message, Saten Ruiko watched Misaka Mikoto playing around with Shirai Kuroko, her eyes filled with complicated emotions. 

That innocent brown-haired girl had no idea that her clones were being slaughtered like livestock. Once she learned the truth, how deep would her heart sink into despair? 

Saten Ruiko shuddered at the thought. If she were in Mikoto's place, she'd probably have a mental breakdown on the spot. 

"…Is there something on my face?" Noticing Ruiko's stare, Misaka Mikoto scratched her cheek in confusion. 

"No, I just think Misaka-san is really pure." Saten Ruiko let out a small sigh and shook her head. "She's not quite what I imagined an LV5 to be." 

Despite being young, Saten Ruiko was very mature in her thinking. She understood that revealing spoilers now would only lead to disaster, so acting natural was the best way to handle it. 

Curly-haired Guy: Hah? Stop a tragedy? You're just a middle schooler! What big words! Come back and say that when you're a high schooler! In Japan, only high schoolers get to save the world! 

Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Gin-san, be a little more tactful. 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: I know, I know. I'm being unrealistic. But still… I can't just stand by and watch a tragedy unfold in front of me! 

Doujin Artist: Ruiko-chan, having a strong sense of justice is great. But don't be too reckless, okay? 

This is an Actor: By "the tragedy in front of you," do you mean what's happening to Misaka's clones? 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Hmm. 

This is an Actor: Then you should know who your real enemy is, right? 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: …Aleister. 

That's right. If Saten Ruiko wants to save the Misaka Sisters, their real enemy is Aleister—the director of Academy City, leader of the science faction, and the greatest magician of the 20th century. A villain who divided the world into science and magic, making humanity fight against itself, all for his own goals. 

This is an Actor: Good, looks like you understand the situation well. Now, against an enemy like that, what do you think your chances of winning are? 

Scarlet Lotus Fairy: The difference in power is just too big... it's hopeless. 

Doujin Artist: What chances? There's no way we stand a chance! 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Then… then is there really nothing I can do? 

This is an Actor: That depends on what you want to achieve. If you only want to stop the slaughter of the Misaka Sisters, it's actually quite simple. 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: What do I need to do? Please, Anzen-san, teach me! 

This is an Actor: Find out where the Absolute Power experiment is being conducted, then lead Kamijou Touma to the site. 

Doujin Artist: Oh wow, so there's a method like that! That would basically make the original story happen earlier than planned! 

Curly-haired Guy: Hmph, Anzen! You may not be as smart as me, but at least you're somewhat useful. Though you're still not as great as me! 

Doujin Artist: You sure know how to praise yourself. 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: But… isn't that basically setting up Kamijou-senpai? That feels a bit wrong… 

Scarlet Lotus Fairy: There's nothing wrong with it. To Aleister, he's just another pawn anyway. 

Curly-haired Guy: Exactly! That kind of womanizing protagonist should be used as much as possible! Damn it, why does a spiky-haired guy like him get to have a harem? 

Doujin Artist: So you're just jealous of his harem, huh? 

As the group got into another heated discussion about Kamijou Touma, Aizen stayed silent. 

The advice he gave Saten Ruiko actually had a big flaw. 

For example, how would she even find out where the Absolute Power experiment was happening? 

A top-secret experiment like that would be locked down tighter than anyone could imagine. There's no way an ordinary middle schooler like Saten Ruiko could dig up any clues. 

Unless she got ridiculously lucky—like how the original Misaka Mikoto happened to run into her clone on the street. But the chances of that? Basically zero. 

Misaka Mikoto was able to meet a Misaka Sister because Aleister wanted to use her to lure Kamijou Touma into the experiment, so Touma could stop it. That way, Aleister could then "legitimately" spread the Misaka Sisters across the world. 

Saten Ruiko was clearly not part of Aleister's plan. 

But that was exactly what Aizen wanted. 

He never actually expected Saten Ruiko to succeed—he just gave her a goal to ease her sense of justice. Until the ability to travel worlds was fully unlocked, he didn't want his group members getting involved in uncontrollable dangers. 

So he chose a roundabout way to let Saten Ruiko vent her feelings. 

"The sun's up." Aizen slowly lifted his gaze, glancing at the monitor to his right. 

Ah! 

A bloodcurdling scream suddenly echoed from the screen. 

Aizen's lips curved slightly as a faint smile appeared on his face. 

"Things are about to get interesting." 

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