Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 237 : Kitsune-sama Invites Friends

After finishing their meal and tidying up, Shion pulled a folded map from her bag and spread it across the table. It was an ordinary map of Japan, the sort one could buy anywhere, but it detailed transportation networks—ports, airports, and national highways—covering a wide range of the country.

Of course, it wasn’t exhaustive, but any location of a certain scale or larger was marked.

“The other day, about the Superhuman League. After hearing your account, I did some research.”

“Mm. The Association also said they have yet to discover which route they used.”

“Logically speaking, probably by air.”

“Oho? Because of the dangers of the sea?”

The seas were no longer under human control. With dungeons overflowing and monster disasters rampant, the oceans worldwide had become perilous places. Ferries and cruise ships still operated, but they stuck to routes that could be monitored from land. Traveling by sea to another country was practically a grand adventure in itself.

“Yeah. Air travel’s the mainstream now. Of course, it’s monitored—but if that guy could transform, he could’ve become a bird… or taken the form of another passenger. The Association’s probably cross-checking passenger lists right now.”

Apparently, even Shion had access to the fact that the man from the Superhuman League could transform into others. Strictly speaking, his ability was Evil Changeling—a skill that allowed him to kill and replace someone—but in the end, it was still transformation.

“Sea routes aren’t impossible, but… there’s no need to risk something unreliable.”

“Aye. Manpower is not infinite. They’d want to ensure their key members arrived safely.”

Which meant the probability was high that they had used air routes. Then, it stood to reason that they would choose an international airport with lighter security.

“In that case, we can rule out Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports.”

“And Osaka, too. Eliminating the big hubs…”

Shion’s finger slid across the map, coming to rest on a point.

“For example—Kusatsu Airport.”

“Kusatsu?”

“Kusatsu.”

“Kusatsu had… an airport?”

“Technically, it was built. A small airfield for wealthy tourists from abroad. Of course, lots of ‘consideration’ went into it, so regulations are lax. It’s tied up in international relations and the non-awakener society.”

From the awakener side, it wasn’t exactly ideal. But there was a reason they tolerated it.

“…The third-ranked top-ranker, Fortress, lives there. The idea was that if anything happened, he could deal with it. And so far, nothing has.”

Kusatsu Airport had been in operation for three years, and not a single major incident had occurred in Kusatsu since. Still… it was entirely possible that intruders had entered quietly, hiding themselves until reaching Tokyo.

“There are other small airfields too, but this is the only one with such lax oversight.”

“Mm. But if that is the case, the Association will eventually notice.”

“Maybe. Kusatsu Airport could even end up shut down.”

“Then at least one route would be cut off. That is a relief, for now.”

“Right.”

It seemed unlikely that reinforcements would be sent so soon. The godlike being behind them had also lost much of its ability to exert influence. Inari mused that it would be peaceful if this led them to reflect and repent… but such things rarely went so smoothly.

Murmuring “Kusatsu, eh…” Inari thought of the place. Kusatsu. Kusatsu Onsen. A mountain hot spring resort in Gunma Prefecture’s Agatsuma District.

Nearby were Ikaho Onsen and Shima Onsen. Truly, Kusatsu carried the dignity of an eastern king of hot springs. Its boast—that it could cure all ailments except lovesickness—was not made lightly.

“I would like to visit Kusatsu.”

“Then shall we go?”

“Mm…”

“There’s also Gunma Dungeon No. 1 there. For awakeners, it’s worth seeing.”

Gunma Dungeon No. 1. A place Inari had indeed wanted to visit. Thinking on it, she nodded firmly. There was no reason not to. Then she would go.

“Very well, let us go.”

“Mm. I’ll come too. When?”

“’Tis fine, but… Shion, what of thy work?”

“It’s fine.”

“Mm, if so, then all is well.”

Shion’s face all but read “Absolutely going.” Inari nodded, then wondered whether to invite others too. Akai was surely too busy with his duties as company president. But Eri, Hikaru, and Tsukiko might be worth inviting.

“Then let us invite a few others as well.”

“Yeah, that’s best. More people is fun.”

“Indeed, indeed. Now then…”

After sending messages to the three, Eri immediately called back.

“Ah, hello, is this Inari!?”

“Oho, Eri. Thou needst not call back so quickly, thou knowest?”

“No, I’ve decided—when it’s you, I reply right away!”

“Ha ha, is that so. That gladdens me.”

“Yes! Um, but… my schedule is packed for a while, so I can’t make it. But I’ll definitely make it up to you!”

“Think nothing of it. Do thy best with thy work.”

So Eri couldn’t come. Meanwhile, Tsukiko had replied with a short “Too busy, can’t. But invite me again.” Then Hikaru sent, “Can’t go. Don’t know what might happen, so be careful.”

“Truly, I am blessed with fine friends…”

Inari said softly, and Shion nodded.

“Yeah.”