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Chapter 764 – Youko’s Explanation
The silver fox Kon-san survived.
She was in a quite dangerous situation and was lucky that there was a leaf of the world tree available.
Kon-san regained consciousness….and fainted again.
She is now sleeping in her fox form in a room in Youko’s mansion.
「You don’t have to worry about her. If she’s awake, she’ll start screaming about suicide.」
Suicide?
Why?
「Because she tried to kill village chief. I guess she wants to apologize by dying in order to protect her race.」
Kill?
Ah, is that why the AFT in spear form went out on its own?
I was surprised since it had gone out without me asking for it but I guess it was trying to protect me.
And I finally understood why Youko held Kon-san down.
However, why did she suddenly want to kill me?
No, it was probably because I refused.
「I would like to explain the current situation of these guys…. This isn’t something that should be talked about next to someone sleeping. Let’s go to the Japanese-style room.」
Okay but, what about Kon-san?
If she wakes up, there’s a chance that she’ll commit suicide, right?
「The spiderlings are watching over her. She won’t die so you can rest assured.」
I followed Youko’s gaze to the ceiling and saw several spiderlings.
I see. I’ll leave this place to you.
-0-
There are tatami mats so I feel at home.
And there’s a kotatsu too.
Yeah, this place is good.
It doesn’t get that cold in Village Five during winter but winter is still winter.
In Youko’s mansion, which is located on the summit of a small mountain, a kotatsu would be a good addition.
「The village council members and some of my subordinates knew about the kotatsu. They beg for one. I told them to ask the Goroun Company if they really want one so Michael might go talk to village chief about it.」
I see.
If the people involved are good enough to be invited to this room, I think we can accommodate them.
How many are they?
「Futa, Loch, Nana, and Hih confirmed that they’ll definitely get one. Ah, Miyo wants one too. They are people who can use reward medals for one.」
So, five mercuries from Village Four.
Well, there are kotatsus at Bell and Gou’s place in Village Four and Yoru also has one in the hot spring area.
Considering how hard they work, let’s just give each one regardless of using reward medals.
「As for the village council….there are three who don’t want to leave this room. They even said they would live here. They are the sword saint, Pirika, and the two former four heavenly kings….yeah, the long-named one and his partner.」
Only a few of them then.
「Michael will make some adjustments so he won’t ask for a lot. However, the vice manager of Kuro and Yuki asked if we could set up kotatsus in the store.」
Kuro and Yuki’s vice manager?
Kinesta?
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to set up kotatsus for the store during winter, would it?
I’ll consider it.
By the way, what did Kinesta do here?
「To talk about new products.」
To you?
「Yes. As the acting village chief, I need to know the products of the stores run by village chief.」
Right, you can’t just say “I don’t know” if they ask you.
Sorry.
I never thought of that.
From now on, whenever there’s a new product, I’ll show it to Youko.
「I assume you go directly and leave everything to the vice manager. I don’t really mind you continuing this setup. Though I did find it annoying if there’s already a new product available and I don’t even know about it until someone asked me.」
I see. You have that concern too.
Then, let’s leave it the way it is.
「….then, have you calmed down?」
Hnn?
Ah, yeah.
A while ago, I was upset because I had stabbed Kon-san.
Even though I know it was because Kon-san released bloodlust.
Yeah.
I guess I need to get used to it though I don’t think that I can get used to it.
For now, let’s listen to what Youko has to say.
「Now, let’s talk about their current situation, their wishes, and the reason for their actions.」
Please.
「I don’t know much about them though. I can only explain as much as I know.」
Yeah.
「The silver foxes are in crisis. Their population is dropping, their territory is shrinking, and fewer outside job requests.」
By outside job request are you talking about the assassination that Kon-san said earlier?
「Yes, you can say that. It’s one of the requests they take to earn a living.」
…..I see.
「Maa, assassination isn’t their only work. From the time I know them, they also receive requests such as gathering information, and escorting people. This time, they came here with Seiten as Seiten requests them to escort him.」
Then, why did she only say assassination?
「I guess that’s what made the most money.」
Ah, I see.
「What they wish for is a safe haven. Whether they want to live or procreate, they need a place where they can have peace of mind.」
Fumu.
I think I asked Kon-san if they can just move to Village Five.
「Ah……not all silver foxes can transform into humanoids. Only someone who has lived for about 50 to 100 years can transform.」
Is that so?
「Umu. However, silver foxes who can’t transform into humanoid form are just foxes. They are prey to be hunted for others.」
…..
「The silver fox’s fur is silver which is rare. Their fur is expensive.」
…….
「Therefore, the silver foxes don’t like other races. Kon and those who came with her might be able to live in Village Five but it is different for the rest of them.」
Those who came with her?
「Yeah, Kon is Seiten’s escort so she’s not alone.」
Then, won’t things become complicated if we don’t inform them about Kon-san?
「That’s not a problem. The spiderlings already captured them.」
Eh?
They did?
「Of course. We can’t risk leaving them around. They were just locked in one room. It is to prevent them from imitating Kon.」
I see.
I’m glad to hear that.
….However.
This time.
I think things would have been different if they had done something like asking for protection rather than asking to be hired.
「Even if they are in crisis, the silver fox also has pride.」
Ah, right, I see.
「However, village chief was troubled when you heard the word “assassination”.」
Yes, I was.
「Village chief doesn’t have any assassination target after all.」
Even if I do, I wouldn’t send someone to assassinate that person.
「Of course. Village chief will just exterminate that person head-on.」
I won’t, I won’t.
Good grief.
Ah, let’s keep this between us.
「Hnn? Why?」
If the villagers find out, there will be trouble.
「……that’s true. I personally would appreciate it if we could end this here. Yes, that would be very helpful.」
I’ll report it though.
「………」
Youko made a troubled expression.
It can’t be helped since it will be difficult for me to remain silent about what happened here.
I’m sure I’ll talk about the piercing thing and others.
「It can’t be helped as you said. So, the reason why Kon released her bloodlust…..」
To show me her power or something, right?
I know there’s a cultural difference that I find hard to understand but I won’t make fun of it.
Kon-san must have been pretty desperate.
I wish she would learn how to negotiate though.
After that, Youko told me stories about the silver fox race.
-0-
「We have to go to the banquet. Let’s go to Niz’s restaurant.」
Ah, right.
What about Kon-san and her fellowmen?
「It’s a banquet for the acceptance of Seiten’s apology. We can’t call Kon and the others there since they made trouble.」
Right.
「Also, what Kon did this time was simply a slap on Seiten’s face. He was the one who hired and brought them here after all. I will explain the situation to Seiten and apologize to him.」
You?
「The main reason why Kon decided to make a move was because I’m here. I have to do at least this much.」
I see.
「Ah, I’ll check….By the way, does village chief plan to put the blame on Seiten?」
He has nothing to do with this, has he?
No.
「I owe you.」
No no. Youko has helped me a lot.
「I appreciate that. Also, if you can, could you tell them that too?」
Hnn?
I followed Youko’s gaze and saw the spiderlings…..
The spiderlings are still there.
They were fist-size spiderlings but they should be from the old batch.
They had an air of dignity.
These old spiderlings were beckoning Youko to join them with their feet.
Given their attitude, they want to talk before we go to the banquet.
They seem to be angry.
Ah, they are angry at Youko since she’s the one who introduced Kon-san to me.
Thank you very much.
However, Youko was also cautious since she let you into the room, didn’t she?
You don’t have to be that angry…..
Understood.
However, I don’t want Youko to be absent from Seiten’s banquet.
You’ll just speak with Youko after the banquet?
That would be great.
How about you, Youko?
「Understood. I feel like drinking but I’ll drink less at the banquet.」
I think that’s a good idea.
The drunker you are, the more emotional you are.
Maa, I’ll arbitrate the talk with the spiderlings at a reasonable time.
「Okay. However, I’ll ask you to come as soon as possible. You must do it. If you abandon me, I’ll cry.」
Hahaha, I won’t let them make you cry.
I’ll surely intercede.
…..
Ah, I guess I shouldn’t drink too much at the banquet either.
I’ll keep that in mind.
-0-
Spiderlings: We’ve been waiting for village chief and Youko’s discussion to end.
Youko: I thought I could procrastinate if I’m with village chief.
Sleeping Zabuton: I swear I’ll strangle you when I wake up.