CH 85

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Being surrounded by Hakukyoku Tenko’s bunshin, it’s not wrong to say I’m being cornered

But then, a slow voice poured down from above my head

『Tanu, tanu, Tanuma Okitsugu♪』

『That voice is!?』

Even Hakukyoku Tenko reacted

Moreover, I can feel a tension in her reaction

『Right-tanu, I’m Tanu-sage, the ponpoko (round-bellied) sage-tanu』

『Master!?』

A round furball floats in the empty void

Its color is brown, but there are black spots mixed here and there. It also has 4 legs and a pointed nose, which looks similar to a dog’s

A raccoon!

No……

A masked palm civet!

Not that……

A tanuki!

The sage in the shape of a tanuki, the Tanu-sage!

Why is my beloved tanu-sage here!?

It has been a while. It should be five years after I finished the training and left the hermitage

But as expected, he didn’t change much, did he!?

『Tanu kickkkk!!』

『Guhoeeee!?』

Just as we met, I received a dropkick!?

Why suddenly!?

『It has been a while isn’t it, idiot disciple-tanu? Do you realize what kind of mess you made-tanu?』

『Raging tanuki!?』

Yes, I know!

You are angry that I broke Hakukyoku Tenko’s seal without prior notice, right!?

『Do you know what you did-tanu? That guy is the world’s worst evil beast-tanu. Do you know how hard it was to seal that-tanu……!!』

Yes, that’s true……！

If that dangerous Tenko is released, what kind of calamity will she bring to the world……!?

『I can’t *pugyaaa* that unsightly fox while looking down on her anymore-tanu!』

『You are angry because of that!?』

Anyway, this is no doubt a major incident

Even the Tanu-sage, who is supposed to not interfere, has to take action (1)

『So noisy although we haven’t met for a long time, such an inelegant beast. I can see that even after thousands of years, that beastly smell of you hasn’t disappear yet……！』

Hakukyoku Tenko’s tone is still vigilant despite the sarcasm

Needless to say, the target of that vigilance is the Tanu-sage

『……Gorizen myoou』 (2)

『Don’t pull out that old name-tanu. It’s embarrassing to recall my old mischievous self-tanu』

Hakukyoku Tenko and Tanu-sage

These big two beasts are the major contenders for the strongest of 『Beast Fantasy』 series

I think the combination of Tanuki and fox is nice, but many stories also use such troupe

However……。

『What’s that cool name just now!? It’s the first time I heard about it!?』

『That’s the name I already casted away-tanu. Once your wisdom is refined like me and understand the elegance of simplicity, that stern and strange name would feel unsophisticated instead-tanu』

Somehow, what he said feels authentic!

Leaving the small talk with me aside, Tanu-sage turns his gaze to the problem

The revived evil beast, Hakukyoku Tenko

Tanu-sage’s sudden appearance here is surely because of her

The heavenly fox, the calamity that shakes the world……。

The wise tanuki, the foundation that supports the world

『It has been a while, dumb fox-tanu. As for me, I suggest you to shut yourself in for a century to reflect more-tanu』

『Stop babbling, shitty tanuki. My blood is boiling every time you called yourself 「sage」……！』

Sparks scattered in the empty void

I knew that these two people (two beasts?) are acquaintances, but to think their relationship is that bad (3)

『「Sage」 is the title only that person can have! Calling yourself that is a blasphemy, a pretension! What the hell is Tanu-sage, you shitty Tanuki!?』

『I directly inherited the title 「Sage」 from that person-tanu. Are you jealous-tanu? That that person didn’t choose you as his successor?』

『Nugaa!?』 (shocked)

Suddenly, a conversation that outsider couldn’t understand started

I was left behind

『Me receiving the title of 「sage」 instead of you is the truth-tanu However-tanu, it didn’t mean that that person hated you-tanu. Why don’t you understand that-tanu?』

『Noisy, shut up! Stop giving the same sermon every time we met!』

『It’s because you didn’t change your actions no matter how many time I told you-tanu』

Well, in fact, I somehow understand the content of those two’s conversation

The detail was referenced in 『Beast Fantasy 6』 in my previous life

Thousands of years ago, there were 2 beasts who became the disciples of a sage

A fox and a tanuki

Those two were beasts, but they studied under the sage and mastered holy wisdom art

Eventually, the sage reached the end of his lifespan, and on the verge of death, he handed over his own title to one of the disciples

That is the tanu-sage

『Since then, you one-sidedly hated me……, nope, we didn’t get along from the start-tanu』

『I who wasn’t chosen anyway only did what I wanted! Don’t butt in with that self-satisfied look!』

『Then, what you wanted was to reincarnate that person-tanu?』

Just as it was pointed out, the surrounding atmosphere reverberated

『Infinite lost hall』 reacted to its master’s emotion

『The previous disturbance was because you was induced by that dumb beast god’s instigation, right-tanu? You thought that by releasing your own bunshin and making people of the world fell into chaos, a noble soul similar to that person’s would descend? To guide the turbulent world?』

『Shut up……!』

『So, what did you intend to do when you reunited with that person-tanu? Would you complain about that person’s decision and urged him to give you the title of 「Sage」? Foolish-tanu. The moment you exposed such shameful conducts, that person would never choose you as the sage-tanu』

『Shut uppppppp!!』

This is the anger of Hakukyoku Tenko!?

The whole last dungeon is trembling!?

『So many pretentious talk, shitty tanuki! I know what you want as you came here! It’s to seal me again, isn’t it!!』

The great youko who brought danger to the world

The tanu-sage came here to stop that threat?

『In the previous war, Raiga and Kuzuha were on the table, so you devoted yourself as the wire puller. Did you finally have the resolution to stand before me? Very well, I will expose your unworthiness of the 「Sage」 title to the whole world by my own hands!』(4)

『I’m sorry for getting you excited-tanu, but……』

The tanu-sage talks coolly

『I didn’t come here to fight you-tanu』

『What?』

『I came here to see with my own eyes-tanu. About the whereabouts of the trial my idiot disciple challenged himself』

Idiot disciple, that’s me isn’t it?

『I can guess the reason my idiot disciple released you from the beginning-tanu. Going against the circle of life and death is not praiseworthy-tanu, but if he is resolute, he could try-tanu』

As, as expected of tanu-sage……He has seen through everything

『Dumb fox, although you was unable to get the 「sage」 title, you was still a wise beast who received the teaching of the first sage-tanu. I also want you to show the conduct that wouldn’t ashamed that person-tanu』

『……Through this youngster?』

Hakukyoku Tenko said confusedly

『……Fu, fufufufufu! Very well! In that case, I will test this youngster with all my might! Youngster! I promise you! Try to overcome my trial! If you can, I will grant you any wish! I will resurrect 10 or even 100 Kuzuhas if you want!!』

No, one person would be enough though……!?

However, having her promise is a progress. The only thing left is to defeat Hakukyoku Tenko!

「Master……!」

I once again look at the tanu-sage

She got to think that way because of the his provocation, thank you very much

『It’s too soon to be relieved-tanu. Defeating that dumb fox just by your strength is a pipe dream-tanu』

「I agree……」

『Of course, I won’t lend a hand-tanu. How far can a child of man’s selfless good will reach with his own power? That is the essential point of this trial』

「I know that……!」

Originally, I intended to do something just by my own power

Still, the four incarnation stand before me as an impregnable wall, but I will try to do something!

『Hmm, what a hasty disciple-tanu! That’s what you lack-tanu』

「Yes?」

『You try to do everything alone-tanu. The individual power is of no importance. By cooperating and mixing their power, human have the power to surpass all kind of beats. Why wouldn’t you realize that-tanu?』

Even if you say so……!?

There is no human other than me here……!?

『Hmm, talking about that here might be pointless-tanu. Well, I will let your close acquaintances scold you instead-tanu』

「Eh?」

At that moment, the surroundings of the tanu-sage shined

This is……space transfer gate?

Which can only be used by high ranking magician who has mastered both holy wisdom art and magic?

But, who would appear through that gate!?

(1): if you don’t remember, the tanu-sage can’t directly interfere with the world. He can only teach wisdom to other people and that’s it

(2): 古狸禅明王こりぜんみょうおう: 古狸=old badger (狸 also means tanuki). Myoou (明王) means wisdom king

(3): the bracket is actually in the raw

(4): table here means like a chess table (basically she’s calling Raiga and Kuzuha chess pieces)