Chapter 323: Chapter 184，Part1: 1 - Trust ②

Chapter 184 Trust ②?

Part 1

There are several urban legend-like threats in this world.

There was one about a phantasmatic cat beast, whose existence was uncertain, which is everywhere and at the same time nowhere, the “Star’s Demon King (Hoshi no Maou)” who attacks from beyond the sky where no wings can reach, a mysterious switch that can blow up any place just by pressing it, a man who spread misfortune around him just by living.

And the wandering Treasure Shrines that I once encountered. The 【Lost Inn】, the Treasure Shrine that I once encountered, was one of those improbable existences, because it was always moving, because you could rarely encounter it, and also because most of those who encountered it couldn’t live to tell the tale.

It had a power close to that of a god. However, most of all, that Treasure Shine was bizarre. It was probably from the moment I encountered that Treasure Shrines that my sense of danger became paralyzed.

We couldn’t conquer that Treasure Shrine. The Lord of that Treasure Shrine was too humongous and we were too inexperienced. No, even if we had been as powerful then as we are now, it would still have been hopeless. The 【Lost Inn】 wasn’t something of a level that humans can conquer.

The core of the Treasure Shrine――The Phantom, which had accumulated such an extraordinary amount of Mana Material that it reversed the cause and effect of the creation of a Treasure Shrine, caused the place where it had moved to, to become a Treasure Shrine, and this Phantom had the appearance of a 『Fox』.

§

It has been a day since I was assigned to guard the Emperor by his side. As the sun was about to set, I arrived at the city where we would be staying today.

For the first time, the journey went without a hitch. No Monsters, nor bandits, and Dragons appeared. Franz-san also looked somewhat relieved.

Kruz, who was straddling in front of me, let out a small sigh.

“…… Haaaah. Nothing happened today, desu.” (Kruz)

“I wonder if it is because if you multiply negative with negative you get something positive.” (Cry)

As I calmly assessed the situation, Kruz’s voice was shaking.

“I-In the first place, what happened up until now was the one that was strange, desu!? There were enough Monsters that appeared for at least ten escorts, desu!” (Kruz)

“………… Does 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 even accept escort requests?” (Cry)

“Want me to punch you, desu?” (Kruz)

Even though I was belittling humans by saying that…… Well, it was because they were all so beautiful. Maybe there are people who want to be escorted by them.

Leaving the chores to the attendants who were accompanying us, Franz-san *jirori* glared at us.

“Fuuuh…… Nothing happened today and you didn’t cause anything to happen.” (Franz)

“We aren’t even halfway through the journey yet. You can’t be too careful. It is when you are at ease like this that it is the most dangerous.” (Cry)

God always aims and attacks me when I am at ease as if it has been watching over me. Well, whether I feel at ease or not though, I can’t do anything about it.

When I made a badass expression, Franz-san said disgustedly.

“I don’t need you to remind me of that.” (Franz)

The town we are staying in today was a little smaller than the one we stayed in yesterday, but they had organized everything quite nicely. The inn was also a luxurious one, reserved for noblemen.

Even if they are in Zebrudia, not every city is prosperous. They probably selected cities like this when they planned the route to take.

If you think with that in mind, it would not be impossible to narrow down the road the Emperor would take in advance.

Well, I guess they have already taken that into account. In the first place, this isn’t something I should be thinking about, since they have held many Conferences in the past.

But then, after thinking up to this point, I realized something important.

I looked at the sign with the name of the city on it. I thought I had heard the name of this city somewhere before but isn’t this city…… The place where only those in the know know that they produce those famous Amuzu-nuts?

Amuzu-nuts are nuts with a unique sweet taste. Due to a certain characteristic, they are not popular among Hunters, but the Amuzu-nut cake containing Amuzu-nuts is one of my favorite foods. I haven’t eaten it recently because they are not easily sold in the Imperial Capital, but now that I am here, I want to eat it for the first time in a while.

The sun hadn’t set yet as we arrived with plenty of time to spare. So stores should still be open right now.

Moreover, we have already reached the city, and 《Still Water (Shisui)》 and Kilknight are here as their escorts. There is also Kechakchakka. For Kruz…… I should take her instead as my escort.

While being all *ukiuki* excited, I went to ask Franz-san about this.

“Franz-san, is it alright if I leave for a moment?” (Cry)

“Hmm……? Is there something?” (Franz)

“I’ve got some business to attend to. I’ll be right back.” (Cry)

I have plenty of money. Eva and Sytry allowed me to keep it.

Looking at my face, Franz-san frowned for a while and then sighed heavily.

“Well, fine. But come back soon.” (Franz)

“Alright. Thanks.” (Cry)

“Also, can’t you do something about that flashy outfit!” (Franz)

I can’t…… Sorry.

Feeling comfortable thanks to the power of my Relic, I took Kruz with me and went out into the city in high spirits.

§　§　§

Taking a clearly dissatisfied Spirit woman…… 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 with his *charachara* flashy look, took Kruz and headed somewhere.

Kechakchakka was observing their situation closely.

He wanted to see what he was going to do, but he couldn’t tail him.

Kechakchakka knows what he can do and what he cannot do. As a Magi, Kechakchakka doesn’t have the skills to tail a Hunter who has a Level 8 certification.

Today, Kechakchakka didn’t set off the curse.

He felt the need to take a wait-and-see approach.

There was the suspicion of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 being a 『Fox (Kitsune)』. The information that came from 《Still Water (Shisui)》 wasn’t something that could be easily laughed off.

Rather, if Term’s conjecture was correct, it would explain this strange situation and 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 excessively haphazard behavior.

.

“Keh keee……” (Kechakchakka)

Kechakchakka leaked a small voice and narrowed his eyes.

『Nine-tail Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』――The 『Fox (Kitsune)』 is based on a very strict secrecy policy.

Even Kechakchakka, one of its members, who has slaughtered numerous of its enemies with the power of the curse from behind the scenes as a Hunter, knows very little about it.

He didn’t know where their base was, how big their organization was, what the other members of the organization were involved with, or――The face of his boss.

There are rules to follow as a fox. The higher-ranked members know the identity of the lower-ranked members, but the lower-ranked members do not know the identity of the higher-ranked members.

Kechakchakka’s rank was 『Fifth-Tails』.

The ranks of the fox members were based on the number of tails they have. Kechakchakka knows the identities of the members from the 『First-Tail』 to the 『Fifth-Tails』, but he hasn’t been told anything about the members from the 『Sixth-Tails』 to the 『Ninth-Tails』.

Of course, there are things that they will tell you during the job, but basically, it wouldn’t be strange if you don’t know who was on your side.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Haha as expected of Cry, putting sweets so high in his priority list!

They are so gonna think that Cry is a Ninth Tail rank member!

Tchao à plus!