Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 223 : Kitsune-sama Makes a Call

The days that followed were truly tumultuous. The death of Echigo Jiro was widely reported, and most stories carried the line that Echigo Ryoichi was the leading candidate to become the next Clan Master of Echigo Trading Company… but Eru’s name never appeared once.

That was due to pressure from the Awakener Association, which allowed reports to acknowledge the existence of “candidates” but absolutely forbade Eru’s name from being revealed.

Of course, some awakener paparazzi tried to dig it out, but the Association had responded with rare severity—cracking down on them and dragging them away.

What they were after was proof. As long as there was proof that the Superhuman League was involved, action could be taken. The captured assassin had clutched tightly to an item called a “magic glass bead”—a trinket like a child’s toy—but… that was no proof of anything.

With more decisive evidence, the Association could disregard domestic power balances, send in its strongest awakeners, and crush the League by force. But as things stood, they had to watch and wait for an opening… until—

“…What was that?”

“Yes, as I said. Echigo Ryoichi has expressed a desire to ‘get along.’”

When Yasuno came with that message, Inari let out a low “Umm.” At this point, a proposal of reconciliation. Even if it wasn’t Inari, anyone would be suspicious, and indeed, Yasuno’s expression was grim. It didn’t look as though things would end with that. Eru, sitting in as well, looked deeply doubtful.

“And? There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

“Yes. Echigo Trading Company has invited you to participate in a large-scale subjugation at Tokyo Dungeon No. 9, which they oversee.”

“An obvious trap, is it not?”

“It certainly sounds like one…”

“Yes. The Association holds the same view.”

If one died inside a dungeon, but the dungeon was later cleared, the dungeon would reset—and unless bodies were properly retrieved, they would be erased in that reset. So famous was this trick that dramas had used it for murder mysteries.

Of course, bringing in ordinary civilians under the Association’s management of fixed dungeons was impossible.

But murdering another awakener inside? In that case, there would never be proof, no matter what happened. And a large-scale subjugation would be the perfect stage for it.

“Yet I cannot fathom it… Why take such an obvious action? Surely they knew it would be seen as a trap?”

“My guess is they’re provoking us.”

“As if to say, ‘Come if you dare’?”

“Yes. If the Superhuman League has sensed the Association’s probes, they may have prepared this grand stage deliberately.”

A large-scale subjugation was a measure of public safety. In the Tokyo area, such events always became major news, claiming decent airtime and public attention. And this one involved a Tokyo dungeon, under the management of Echigo Trading Company, which was already in the headlines… naturally, its attention would skyrocket.

“Since we lack definitive proof, Echigo Trading Company will likely spin this to the press as the first step toward settling their internal strife. Of course, there’s no need to accept the invitation, but…”

“Hmm. Yet if we go, there’s a high chance we’ll encounter the Superhuman League.”

“Exactly. Given the circumstances, headquarters cannot dispatch its direct personnel, but if it’s a registered awakener, negotiations are possible. If you choose to go, headquarters will handle negotiations, including compensation.”

They couldn’t know what kind of people Echigo Trading Company would bring in—but they would almost certainly be enemies. Therefore, it was wise to gather reliable companions besides Inari herself.

“In that case… the first would be Eri, of course.”

Shikishima Eri of the Servant Uniform Workshop. A tank, rare in that she could handle both physical and magical combat. She was trustworthy, had already been informed of the situation… There was no reason not to call her.

“The second… let me see. Hm. How about Tsukiko?”

“Eh!? You mean Professor?”

“We share an old connection, and she’s sharp. If she notices what I overlook, it would be of great help.”

Japan’s second-ranked top awakener, “Professor” Mano Tsukiko. A researcher and inventor, but also said to possess overwhelming combat ability. Having her would indeed be reassuring… but if something happened to her in a clash with the Superhuman League, it would be an irreparable loss. She wasn’t someone Yasuno could simply decide on her own to involve.

“W-well… I’ll try to convey that negotiations should be made, but…”

“No, no. I shall handle this directly.”

“Eh?”

So saying, Inari fumbled with the Awakener Phone, dialing somewhere. Yasuno glanced at the registered name and blanched.

“Yes? What is it? Rare for you to be the one calling.”

“You told me not to call since you were busy, remember?”

“And yet, trying anyway is what acquaintances should do.”

“Umu, I shall keep that in mind. Now, to the matter at hand.”

“Wh-what the…? They’re so close!”

Hearing the voice on the line, Yasuno was shaken. How on earth did one treat that difficult Professor in such a way that she responded like a tsundere? She had no idea. None at all. But there was no mistaking it—Inari and Tsukiko were chatting cheerfully.

“The Superhuman League? Ah, I’d heard rumors they were around.”

“It seems we must charge into a trap in order to fight them.”

“Can’t be helped then. I’ll come. Consider yourself in my debt.”

“Umu, umu. Truly, I am grateful.”

“Send me the details when they’re set. That’s all.”

When she hung up, Inari announced, “She said she will come.”

“Um… when the Association needs to ask her for a favor in the future—”

“No good. She would dislike that.”

Yasuno’s request was cut down in an instant, with a smile.