My name is Kon
I used to be called Gure but when I became the matriarch, I inherited the name Kon.
Sixty years have passed since then.
My race’s, the silver fox, population has been gradually declining.
This is because we live in hiding in the forest.
It’s never safe in the forest.
There’s always danger.
Those who can transform into humanoids can blend in and live in cities or villages but silver foxes don’t like people or other races in general.
We prefer to be with other fox species.
As for those who can’t yet….they have built relationships with other races of the forest but the problem is it’s not that friendly of a relationship.
I know we can’t continue like this.
We know that if we don’t seek a safe place to live in, we are doomed.
However, what can we do?
Even if we discuss it among our members, we can’t find a solution.
Ten years passed while we were struggling to find one.
-0-
At the end of fall of a certain year.
A request came to us, the silver fox.
It was from Seiten-sama, the monkey holy beast.
The monkeys had a dispute with the goblins and it even involved nobles from the Demon King’s Kingdom.
He said he is going to apologize so he asked the silver fox to send some of us to escort him.
Unusual desu ne.
No, I’m not talking about the request.
The silver fox has a decent number of foxes who can transform into humanoids, that includes me, so we are indeed suitable escorts.
For those who can’t transform yet, we sometimes let them pretend to be pets.
In addition, the silver fox has its own channel to move into various places and there are quite a number of requests to use them.
Maa, we receive both kinds of requests at least once a year.
It is a valuable means of obtaining funds for us.
What I thought was unusual was that Seiten-sama himself will travel in order to apologize.
With all due respect, monkeys are a bunch of arrogant and mannerless buffoons.
They behave in an orderly manner in their congress but outside it, they are indifferent and wouldn’t care about anything.
And even if they had a dispute with others, I thought there was no way it would be Seiten-sama’s job to apologize.
However, when I asked more about it, I found out that it involves Niz-sama, the apostle of the serpent god.
Ah, greater gods are also involved?
Seiten-sama has it hard desu neeee.
Yes, I will gladly accept your request to lend you our channel and escort you along the way.
The destination is the royal capital and….a city? Village? Eh?
A village that is as big as a city, okay.
When are we going to depart?
Soon desu ne.
What is it?
Elite guards…..
As you wish.
I’ll take part in this mission.
Yes, it’s my honor to guard someone as distinguished as Seiten-sama.
I look forward to working with you.
-0-
I had a strange premonition when we were deciding on the number of guards.
I felt that I should be part of it.
I have never felt something like this before.
And I don’t want to go against it.
I’ll believe in this divine instinct and do my job as an escort well.
-0-
Middle of winter.
Seiten-sama’s apology in the royal capital ended quickly.
It seemed that the other party had no intention of making a big deal out of it.
Since Seiten-sama had apologized according to the procedure, a banquet was held immediately after.
We, escorts, can join in?
Ano, there are twelve of us.
You don’t mind?
Thank you very much.
The food was delicious.
The drinks were good too.
-0-
Next, Village Five.
…..
It’s a city.
It’s not as big as the royal capital but I’m certain that it’s bigger than most cities.
Why is it called village?
Well, there’s no point in complaining.
Ehto, the people you need to apologize to here are the village chief and Niz-sama?
Then, let’s go to Niz-sama….village chief first?
We will not disobey the client.
Just obey desu.
-0-
We went to the building where the council of Village Five is located and Seiten-sama requested to meet with the village chief.
According to our plan, we will get in touch with him this day and be done with it but we were stalled.
We were told that the village chief of Village Five was not available.
However, they told us that the acting village chief will meet us soon.
Thanks for that.
However, that will make things troublesome.
The purpose of this meeting is to apologize so if we only meet the acting village chief, we will not achieve our goal.
No, normally, it would end even if the apology is with a proxy.
However, in this case, greater gods were involved.
Even someone like Seiten-sama has no choice but to go to the village chief and apologize.
However, it is understandable that it can’t be considered as an apology if you just barged into their place.
You need to contact them in advance first and ask for their most convenient time.
We might have to wait for a long time.
With this in mind, I was surprised to meet someone again.
It was the nine-tailed fox, Youko-sama.
And she’s the acting village chief of Village Five.
「It’s been a while. So, you have become Kon.」
Indeed.
It’s been a while, Youko-sama.
I have a lot of things I want to tell you but first of all, we must talk about Seiten-sama’s case.
-0-
「…..I understand that you want to apologize. I thought it would take a few years before you come here so I commend you for coming this fast. I will call the village chief and arrange a meeting with you…. How about Gol? You already apologized? Good. Niz? After this? I see….you did well, no problem. 」
It looks like we apologized in the right order.
「What did you prepare for your apology?」
Seiten-sama showed Youko-sama a list.
「You did not hold back. Good, enough to throw a banquet. Niz is running a store in Village Five(this place). We can hold the banquet there. That would save you a lot of time. I know, I already spoke with Niz. It will be fine. Niz is someone who doesn’t like trouble. She won’t be mad at someone who comes to apologize. 」
Youko-sama then instructed some of her subordinates.
The apology….will take place at Youko-sama’s mansion.
This is the city hall so many unrelated people come and go.
She’s making sure that Seiten-sama’s apology won’t be bothered.
In addition, she said she would call the village chief.
「I know it’s disrespectful to call someone to apologize but I’m sure he’ll understand. Rest assured, the village chief would prefer being called for this and he won’t be offended in any way.」
It’s discourteous.
That’s what I would like to say but it’s true that it will save us a lot of trouble if we trouble him now.
「However, the village chief is still on his lunch break. And so am I. Wait a little.」
We already expected to wait for a while so we don’t mind waiting a little.
However, what’s lunch?
Three meals a day?
The village chief and Youko-sama seemed to be living an enviable life.
Eh?
You’ll feed us too?
Thank you very much.
There’s no problem….
Excuse me but…
There are 12 escorts including me.
Is that okay?
Thank you very much.
-0-
That rice dish called inari was superb.
That pasta dish called udon is also delicious.
Can I have another serving of inari?
Excuse me, I mean two…no, if I can have three…
Thank you very much.
Oh, I shouldn’t have done that.
I was absorbed in eating.
Let’s talk with Youko-sama while I still can.
There are things I want to ask and discuss.
My name is Kon
I used to be called Gure but when I became the matriarch, I inherited the name Kon.
Sixty years have passed since then.
My race’s, the silver fox, population has been gradually declining.
This is because we live in hiding in the forest.
It’s never safe in the forest.
There’s always danger.
Those who can transform into humanoids can blend in and live in cities or villages but silver foxes don’t like people or other races in general.
We prefer to be with other fox species.
As for those who can’t yet….they have built relationships with other races of the forest but the problem is it’s not that friendly of a relationship.
I know we can’t continue like this.
We know that if we don’t seek a safe place to live in, we are doomed.
However, what can we do?
Even if we discuss it among our members, we can’t find a solution.
Ten years passed while we were struggling to find one.
-0-
At the end of fall of a certain year.
A request came to us, the silver fox.
It was from Seiten-sama, the monkey holy beast.
The monkeys had a dispute with the goblins and it even involved nobles from the Demon King’s Kingdom.
He said he is going to apologize so he asked the silver fox to send some of us to escort him.
Unusual desu ne.
No, I’m not talking about the request.
The silver fox has a decent number of foxes who can transform into humanoids, that includes me, so we are indeed suitable escorts.
For those who can’t transform yet, we sometimes let them pretend to be pets.
In addition, the silver fox has its own channel to move into various places and there are quite a number of requests to use them.
Maa, we receive both kinds of requests at least once a year.
It is a valuable means of obtaining funds for us.
What I thought was unusual was that Seiten-sama himself will travel in order to apologize.
With all due respect, monkeys are a bunch of arrogant and mannerless buffoons.
They behave in an orderly manner in their congress but outside it, they are indifferent and wouldn’t care about anything.
And even if they had a dispute with others, I thought there was no way it would be Seiten-sama’s job to apologize.
However, when I asked more about it, I found out that it involves Niz-sama, the apostle of the serpent god.
Ah, greater gods are also involved?
Seiten-sama has it hard desu neeee.
Yes, I will gladly accept your request to lend you our channel and escort you along the way.
The destination is the royal capital and….a city? Village? Eh?
A village that is as big as a city, okay.
When are we going to depart?
Soon desu ne.
What is it?
Elite guards…..
As you wish.
I’ll take part in this mission.
Yes, it’s my honor to guard someone as distinguished as Seiten-sama.
I look forward to working with you.
-0-
I had a strange premonition when we were deciding on the number of guards.
I felt that I should be part of it.
I have never felt something like this before.
And I don’t want to go against it.
I’ll believe in this divine instinct and do my job as an escort well.
-0-
Middle of winter.
Seiten-sama’s apology in the royal capital ended quickly.
It seemed that the other party had no intention of making a big deal out of it.
Since Seiten-sama had apologized according to the procedure, a banquet was held immediately after.
We, escorts, can join in?
Ano, there are twelve of us.
You don’t mind?
Thank you very much.
The food was delicious.
The drinks were good too.
-0-
Next, Village Five.
…..
It’s a city.
It’s not as big as the royal capital but I’m certain that it’s bigger than most cities.
Why is it called village?
Well, there’s no point in complaining.
Ehto, the people you need to apologize to here are the village chief and Niz-sama?
Then, let’s go to Niz-sama….village chief first?
We will not disobey the client.
Just obey desu.
-0-
We went to the building where the council of Village Five is located and Seiten-sama requested to meet with the village chief.
According to our plan, we will get in touch with him this day and be done with it but we were stalled.
We were told that the village chief of Village Five was not available.
However, they told us that the acting village chief will meet us soon.
Thanks for that.
However, that will make things troublesome.
The purpose of this meeting is to apologize so if we only meet the acting village chief, we will not achieve our goal.
No, normally, it would end even if the apology is with a proxy.
However, in this case, greater gods were involved.
Even someone like Seiten-sama has no choice but to go to the village chief and apologize.
However, it is understandable that it can’t be considered as an apology if you just barged into their place.
You need to contact them in advance first and ask for their most convenient time.
We might have to wait for a long time.
With this in mind, I was surprised to meet someone again.
It was the nine-tailed fox, Youko-sama.
And she’s the acting village chief of Village Five.
「It’s been a while. So, you have become Kon.」
Indeed.
It’s been a while, Youko-sama.
I have a lot of things I want to tell you but first of all, we must talk about Seiten-sama’s case.
-0-
「…..I understand that you want to apologize. I thought it would take a few years before you come here so I commend you for coming this fast. I will call the village chief and arrange a meeting with you…. How about Gol? You already apologized? Good. Niz? After this? I see….you did well, no problem. 」
It looks like we apologized in the right order.
「What did you prepare for your apology?」
Seiten-sama showed Youko-sama a list.
「You did not hold back. Good, enough to throw a banquet. Niz is running a store in Village Five(this place). We can hold the banquet there. That would save you a lot of time. I know, I already spoke with Niz. It will be fine. Niz is someone who doesn’t like trouble. She won’t be mad at someone who comes to apologize. 」
Youko-sama then instructed some of her subordinates.
The apology….will take place at Youko-sama’s mansion.
This is the city hall so many unrelated people come and go.
She’s making sure that Seiten-sama’s apology won’t be bothered.
In addition, she said she would call the village chief.
「I know it’s disrespectful to call someone to apologize but I’m sure he’ll understand. Rest assured, the village chief would prefer being called for this and he won’t be offended in any way.」
It’s discourteous.
That’s what I would like to say but it’s true that it will save us a lot of trouble if we trouble him now.
「However, the village chief is still on his lunch break. And so am I. Wait a little.」
We already expected to wait for a while so we don’t mind waiting a little.
However, what’s lunch?
Three meals a day?
The village chief and Youko-sama seemed to be living an enviable life.
Eh?
You’ll feed us too?
Thank you very much.
There’s no problem….
Excuse me but…
There are 12 escorts including me.
Is that okay?
Thank you very much.
-0-
That rice dish called inari was superb.
That pasta dish called udon is also delicious.
Can I have another serving of inari?
Excuse me, I mean two…no, if I can have three…
Thank you very much.
Oh, I shouldn’t have done that.
I was absorbed in eating.
Let’s talk with Youko-sama while I still can.
There are things I want to ask and discuss.
