Chapter 766 – Fox’s Treatment
Morning.
I greeted Seiten again as he woke up. That means I can finally leave Niz Alcomeat.
By the way, the banquet is still ongoing.
It seems like it won’t end soon.
However, since this is a reconciliation banquet, there’s no problem with letting things be as they are.
It seems like the holy maiden Celes will continue enjoying the banquet with the sword saint Pirika, holy knight Chelsea, and “Kuro and Yuki” vice manager Kinesta who all joined earlier.
Don’t overdo it.
Also, Niz.
Keep those expensive-looking things over there with the serpent god’s scale.
I’ll come back for them later.
Thanks.
-0-
I’ve been worrying about Youko since she was taken by the spiderlings so I rushed to Youko’s mansion.
I am greeted by the spiderlings.
Given how the spiderlings showed up in an imposing manner, it should probably mean that only people related to Big Tree Village are here.
Following the spiderlings, I was led to the Japanese-style room.
This is where Youko is?
At least that’s what I thought. When I entered the room, I found a semi-transformed Youko.
「You’re finally back kon. You…are…late kon.」
TN: Kon is the sound made by foxes. She’s basically turned into a nekomimi that’s always saying nyaa but fox.
Ehto….
Aside from being twin-tailed, she also has a headband on her head. As for what she wears, a frilly kimono with an apron in front.
Is she cosplaying like a waitress in a Japanese-style restaurant?
No, given how she acts and how she talks, she should be a waitress from a Japanese-style maid café.
The fox ears and nine tails shouldn’t be cosplay but her real body parts. Even so, given that she’s always saying “kon”, it looks like a cosplay.
She also takes on a pose that’s clearly saying “I’m angry”.
「……K-kill me.」
Youko has a bright red face and she’s also trembling.
I’m not sure what happened but it seems like doing her best to keep her sanity.
N-no, ah, I mean, you look good.
Yeah.
So, why are you dressed like that?
「This is the result of the discussion…..kon」
Is that so? Result of the discussion?
I glanced around the room and saw many dresses, maid clothes, and even shrine maiden-like clothes scattered around which the spiderlings are putting away.
It seems like there has been a heated discussion.
I’m sorry for taking too long to rescue you.
「No, it was my fault for getting drunk.」
When Youko said that, the spiderlings tapped their legs on the floor while looking at Youko.
Then, Youko talks again.
「…..d-drunken Youko’s fault. Don’t mind it kon.」
Cute pose.
I get it.
I shouldn’t get involved.
So stop trying to tell me with your eyes I should do something.
-0-
Now, it seems like you’ve already thought of characters for Youko for a long time but, will she have to stay like this forever?
When I asked the spiderlings, they said she only needs to stay like that for 10 days.
I see.
In exchange, she’ll be exempted from Zabuton’s punishment.
Is that so?
No, I was planning to stop that too.
When Zabuton wakes up, you’re going to greet her dressed like that?
Ehto, is Youko okay with that….
Looks like she’s okay with it.
Got it.
Then, I’ll go back to the village to sleep.
I had an all nighter.
Also, Youko.
Seiten said he was going to stay in Village Five for a while.
He said he’ll come to say goodbye before he leaves.
Also, the fox god is….you know about it?
Got it.
See you la….hnn?
You’re going to come back with me?
「Yes, I’ll accompany you back. I already contacted the village but I have to explain again why village chief had to stay in Village Five….sorry. I’ll go back with you kon. We have lots to talk about kon.」
……
H-hang in there.
-0-
When we got back to the village, no one asked why Youko looked like that.
It’s kind of them to turn a blind eye but I also think it’s kindness to ask about it.
Also, Hitoe.
She’s not an oneechan you’ve never met.
She’s your mother.
…..
Don’t look twice.
-0-
I woke up and it was already past noon.
I was informed that Kon-san is awake so I went back to Village Five.
……
It looks like she can’t transform into her humanoid form yet. A trembling, depressed-looking, big, silver-haired fox greeted me.
I was a little worried so I asked Youko.
She said she was sorry but she’s also lamenting the fact that she wasn’t able to attend the banquet.
I see.
I guess Seiten was right. Not being able to attend the banquet is indeed a punishment.
By the way, Youko.
「What is it kon?」
Why is Kon on that form?
I asked Youko but it was Kon who answered.
「I have learned how sinful my actions were. Once again, I’m sorry.」
Right.
It’s good that you are reflecting on what you’ve done.
What am I even saying?
「Then, village chief, what are you planning to do with Kon-chan and the others kon?」
Youko urged me to make a decision but, what do you expect me to do?
I’m not sure what punishment should I bestow on someone who sent me bloodlust.
I didn’t even feel it to begin with.
According to Youko, even if Kon managed to do what she wanted, she wouldn’t really try to kill me. However, since I stabbed her before she even move, it can only be called an attempt, right?
Should I follow Seiten’s lead and just say “nothing happened”?
「If that’s village chief’s decision then let’s go with that kon.」
That’s a cute pose.
Then, Youko turns to Kon and says…..
「Do you understand?」
And then, Kon-san turned her face down.
What did she understand?
What’s happening?
Can you explain to me later?
And the spiderlings made noise by tapping the floor.
Forgive them already.
Yeah, the atmosphere is very tense.
-0-
With that, Youko and I leave the room, leaving Kon-san alone.
「She won’t be able to move for a while but when it’s time for Seiten to leave….yes, I know. Kon-chan won’t move for a while but I think she’ll be okay when Seiten-chan decided to go home kon.」
Is this really going to go on for ten days?
That’s a pretty harsh punishment.
So, where are we going to go next?
It doesn’t look like we’re going to the Japanese-style room.
「Kon-chan’s friends’ room kon.」
Ah, right.
She had companions.
「It’s a little far away from here kon.」
Okay.
Ah, by the way, what happened earlier?
Why does Kon-san look so down?
「You decided that nothing has ever happened and that includes Kon-chan asking you to hire them. That means she can’t ask to be hired anymore kon.」
Ah, I see.
So that’s why she looks so down.
I learned about their situation so I’d like to help somehow but….
I think the best I can do is to give them several souvenirs.
While I was thinking about that, Youko opened the door to the room.
…….
There were ten….no, eleven silver-haired foxes sitting side by side.
And they were looking at me….with dull eyes.
One of them speaks out.
「I am a silver fox called Kitsu. We apologize for the trouble we have caused you. We are very sorry.」
They bowed in unison.
Oh, so smart.
I mean, no….
No no, forget what I said.
Ah, I heard that all of you here can transform into humanoid form.
「We have to show remorse.」
I see.
Ehto…..
Looking around, all I see are silver-haired foxes.
Their tails are fluffy.
…..
I don’t mean to be rude but, may I touch your tail?
「Please do.」
Oh, it’s quite fluffy.
Not bad.
Yeah, not bad.
Feels great.
…..
Youko.
「What is it kon?」
Was there a mountain near Village Five that was untouched by people?
Not a bald mountain but one with trees.
「There are several mountains like that but, what are you planning with it kon?」
Let’s turn one of the mountains into an animal sanctuary.
Ask the adventurers to go there and exterminate any monster or demon beast on the mountain you’ll pick.
「I will do so but….kon」
Suggest the silver foxes to move there.
「….are you sure kon?」
Sure.
I remember the day Hitoe arrived at the village, I tried to keep her and named her Kon.
The chief of the silver foxes who came here is named Kon.
That’s fate.
So, Kitsu-san.
I hope you can tell Kon-san later.
「T-thank you very much. Ehto, can I leave the room?」
You may leave but if you let me pet your tail a little more, I’d appreciate it.
「P-please do.」
Ah, how about the other silver foxes? Can I pet your tails too?
Then, I won’t hold back.
Let’s enjoy this.
-0-
However, Youko’s mood turned a little sour.
No no, you don’t have to brag about your tail.
No way I can say “Let me pet your tail” to someone in their humanoid form.
-0-
While petting Kitsu’s tail.
Village Chief: Kon, Kitsu…..other foxes have names too, don’t they?
Kitsu: Yes. From right to left, Buchi, Maru, Hana, Gon….
Village Chief: Gon?
Kitsu: Y-yes, Gon desu….is there a problem?
Village Chief: I see….You are Gon….
Kitsu: Ano, why are you crying?
Village Chief: Don’t mind me. I just remembered a sad story.
Kitsu: Yeah?
Village Chief: By the way, Youko, why are you pointing your tail at me since earlier?
Youko: Don’t mind me, kon.
TN: A small fox named Gon went to a small village in search of food. There, he steals food and causes trouble but it easily escapes from angry villagers.
One day, Gon takes an eel that Hyoju intended to give to his dying mother in front of Hyoju. Later, his mother passes away. Gon repents of his error and makes an effort to make amends by delivering things he took to Hyoju in secret, but the villagers now accuse Hyoju of stealing and assault him. Gon then only gives him the mushrooms and nuts he has picked in the jungle. Despite not knowing where the presents came from, Hyoju is appreciative of them. One day, Hyoju catches the fox creeping around and, in a fit of rage after remembering the death of his mother, shoots him to death. Only afterward does he realize to his horror that the fox he just shot was the one giving him mushrooms and nuts.
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