Chapter 152: I Won't Take Much of Your Time
"What a monster..."
While Gojo Satoru was lecturing Itadori Yuji and the others on the knowledge of Domains and how to deal with such skills, Jogo, witnessing this scene, let out a heavy sigh in his heart.
'If it were an ordinary sorcerer, they would have been burnt to ash the instant they were dragged into my Domain.'
"..."
Whether it was Gojo Satoru or Emiya Shirou, neither seemed affected at all. Especially Gojo, who even had the spare capacity to protect Itadori Yuji and Fushiguro Megumi. This caused Jogo's heart—already set on a desperate gamble—to sink once again.
Fortunately, Jogo had somewhat anticipated this outcome.
"At least the backup plan succeeded.
The current situation doesn't look too bad."
Jogo had hoped to use the "sure-hit" effect of the Domain Expansion to bypass Emiya Shirou's Ripple energy (which was extremely effective against Cursed Spirits) and attack his physical body directly. But just as Gojo Satoru could use the [Limitless Cursed Technique] wrapped around his body to neutralize a Domain's sure-hit effect, Emiya Shirou—who had not deactivated [Pseudo-Magician's Red]—feared high-temperature attacks least of all.
Even though Jogo had transformed the surrounding terrain into magma through his Domain Expansion, that magma would still lose most of its heat upon approaching Emiya Shirou. Only the physical mass of the cooling rock remained somewhat of a threat. Beyond that, the [Coffin of the Iron Mountain] felt no hotter to Emiya Shirou than a warm bath.
However, as Gojo had remarked, there was a "third function" to Domain Expansion. The space created by Jogo wasn't just for show; it was a world that could directly isolate internal occupants from external influence. Until Jogo's cursed energy was exhausted or he was defeated, Emiya Shirou and the others trapped within [Coffin of the Iron Mountain] would be unable to leave!
"Part of the reason I came here was to see the [Prison Realm] and what that Cursed Tool supposedly rivaling it truly was.
After all, unlike Cursed Spirits, sorcerers are ultimately just 'old humans.' They are tormented by birth, aging, sickness, and death. Even if their population base—far exceeding us 'new humans'—allows for many geniuses to be born, a hundred years from now, a powerful Cursed Spirit will still be a powerful Cursed Spirit, while a powerful sorcerer will be nothing but a handful of yellow soil.
But Cursed Tools are different. They can be stably passed down to the next generation of sorcerers."
Therefore, he had to collect these powerful tools. Failing that, he had to find a way to destroy them. This was a necessary task for those determined to replace humanity and allow Cursed Spirits to rule the Earth.
To some extent, Jogo's actions truly stemmed from a sense of duty. But now, with Emiya Shirou's strength laid bare before him—a gap so wide that Jogo was about to be defeated without even forcing Shirou to use the tool rivaling the [Prison Realm]—even the most arrogant Jogo had to admit this was an enemy he could hardly defeat.
"I hope Hanami understood my hint and escaped in time while I trapped these guys in the Domain.
As long as one can escape, it's a victory for us Cursed Spirits."
Thinking this, Jogo began silently preparing for his final stand. Although he didn't think he could win, it wasn't in his nature to give up without trying. Besides, since he knew this trip was likely a one-way journey, he would do his best to maximize the value of this life.
"Geto... that cunning fellow must have a way to see this right now.
Forget it, there's no use judging Geto's issues now. On the contrary, while that sorcerer who betrayed humanity might not truly cooperate with us in good faith, with the strength of the human sorcerers becoming so apparent, Geto, you really have no other choice.
As long as you can transmit the footage of this battle to Hanami and Mahito, we spirits still have a chance!"
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"Don't worry, though; there are several countermeasures for Domains."
Just as Jogo, bursting with a will to die, made his final resolution, Gojo Satoru's lecture to Itadori and the others reached its conclusion: "The first method is to use cursed energy to defend against the attack, like I'm doing. The second method... I don't really recommend it, which is to flee the Domain, as that's basically impossible under normal circumstances.
The third method, and the most effective way to counter a Domain, is to expand our own Domain. When multiple Domains are expanded simultaneously, the more refined technique will control the battlefield. Of course, this also has to do with compatibility and the amount of cursed energy."
At this point, Gojo Satoru turned his head toward Emiya Shirou. "So, Emiya, which method do you plan to use to counter this Domain? Even if your Shikigami's technique maintains
absolute suppression over this spirit, you don't want to be trapped in here forever, do you? It's still quite hot."
As he spoke, Gojo complained while fanning himself. He sounded as if he were planning to step in and finish Jogo himself if Emiya Shirou didn't.
After all, at this stage, Gojo and Shirou were allies. Even if Gojo couldn't read minds and didn't know Jogo's exact plan, he could see that Jogo was trying to probe Shirou. One must never allow the enemy to achieve what they want; Gojo understood this simple truth.
The subtext of his question was asking if Emiya Shirou could resolve the Domain Expansion without revealing his trump cards. Unlike Gojo, whose [Six Eyes] and [Limitless] were the famous trademarks of the long-standing Gojo clan—meaning almost everyone in the Jujutsu world already knew his secrets—Shirou was an unknown variable.
"Oh, is the lesson over?" Without immediately answering Gojo's subtext, Emiya Shirou simply asked a seemingly irrelevant question.
"Since your teaching is over, Gojo, then this teaching aid is no longer useful.
Don't worry, I won't take much of your time."
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