Chapter 202 Living Calamity ⑤

Part 2

　What did you, say?

　That’s……………… Very troubling.
My number one priority is my life and the lives of Luke and the others, but that doesn’t mean I am willing to let the rest die.
　This time, my request is an escort request.
I wonder if they will let us go if I give back the tail…… 

 

“This is――The rules.
You entered the inn, I have to make you pay a price, or my “Haha (Mother)” will scold me.
Now, Kruz Argen.” (Fox Onii-san)

 

　Kruz, who had been hiding behind my back, poked her head out.
But the hand that gripped my back was trembling.
　The fox-mask man says in a whispering voice.
It is a gentle voice, but that is why it is so frightening.

 

 

“If you want to be released――You will give me what is most precious to you……” (Kitsune Onii-san)

 

 

　Kruz most important thing…… What is it?

　We are up in the sky.
She doesn’t have her Party Members nor other Spirit People friends with her.
The demands of this fox-mask man are heavier than doing a Dogeza, but they are unfairly fair.
After all, it excludes her own life and what is not here.

’
　If I were in Kruz’s position, I am confident that I would be able to offer most of it without hesitation.
If he says my Barrier Rings…… Well, I will give them to you.

　And that is when I realized.

　We have the Emperor with us, don’t we? It would be a big problem if he were to ask for the Emperor.
The request will fail, and even if that was okay, we will be hunted by Zebrudia.
　Since the Emperor isn’t here, he might not be taken away? No, there is no way that will happen.
The fox-masks’ negotiations are fair.
There is no way he will exclude what can be taken away.

　The key is that it is not your life.
It’s a pretty vicious rule.

　Kruz didn’t say anything.
She just squeezed my clothes with all her might and glared at the fox-mask man.
　The fox-mask man was silent for a while, but soon his mouth bent as if he was troubled.

　He opens his mouth hesitantly.

“This is………… Quite troubling, Kruz Argen.
I can’t take away Kikkikan-san.
I have to release him safely.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

 

“………… Eh?” (Cry)

 

　What is he talking about, this fox?
　Before I could even think of saying anything, a shaky voice came out of Kruz who was stuck to my back.

 

“Waah… HaaAAAAAH? What are you talking about, this fox, desu!” (Kruz)

’

 

…… We were thinking the same thing.
We hit it off quite well.

 

“I am telling you, your most precious possession cannot be taken away.
He is protected by the rules.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

“M-My most p-precious, is, Yowaningen!? There’s no way that’s true, desu!” (Kruz)

“No, there is no mistake.
There is no point in trying to fool me.
I can…… Read people’s hearts.
It doesn’t matter whether you are aware of it or not.
You care about Kikkikan-san, and Kikkikan-san, you really do not have a sense of crisis at all.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

　With great vigor, Kruz left my back.
Her face was bright red, up to her ears, and her hands, which held the Round World, were turning white.
　I’m getting shy…… I didn’t know that Kruz thought of me so preciously.

“D-Don’t look so happy, desu! It is because Lapis and the others aren’t here, desu!” (Kruz)

“…… So I am above the Emperor, heh.” (Cry)

　Who would have thought, even though she was all about calling Yowaningen, Yowaningen…… Where did I get those affection points? Is it a same Clan correction filter?
　Kruz was *purupuru* shaking and she was *gangan* pounding the floor while her face was bright red.

　The fox-mask man looked pensive for a moment, then sighed and said.

 

“It can’t be helped…… Kikkikan-san.
I will take what is most precious to you.
However, this is a serious violation of the rules.
Instead――I will let Kikkikan-san and all of Kikkikan-san’s companions go.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

’

 

　…… So it has come to this.
Should I say that it is quite convenient or quite evil…… However, I will check something with him just in case.

 

“What would you do if my most precious thing was Kruz or the Emperor?” (Cry)

“!?” (Kruz)

　Kruz gasped as her face was still red.
And the fox-face man raised his shoulder and said.

“It can’t be helped then.
It will be my loss and I will release your companions.
This is, a fair deal.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

 

　I was convinced that I had won.
I hadn’t been able to think of anything important before, but now with what happened with Kruz, my heart was wavering.
　I mean, it is Kruz.
My most precious thing is Kruz.
I’m sorry, but His Majesty the Emperor is a close second.
I am disqualified as an escort, aren’t I?

 

　No, wait a sec…… That’s when I realized.

　Isn’t this all a plot made by the fox-mask man in front of me?

　The thing that this fox-mask man wants.
It would definitely be, this tail.
Isn’t that why he offered the deal to Kruz, despite knowing that he would strike out?

　However, at this rate, we will both lose.
This tail is a mass of Magic power, so it seems that if you correctly use it, it will exert a tremendous power, but I don’t care about the tail.
If it continues like this they won’t be able to take it away from me.

’

 

　I took a deep breath and prayed with my eyes closed.

　My most precious thing is this tail.
This tail is the most important thing.
It is much more important than Kruz.
No, maybe not much more? It is just a little bit more important.
　It is rather valuable too, and I like the fact that it is so shiny.
I also like the fact that it grows fox ears when you put it on your butt.
Lucia punched me when I was looking at her ears, though.

 

 

　I made up my mind and opened my eyes.
The fox-mask man had the same troubled expression as before.
　………… Apparently, it wasn’t the tail.

 

　And then, the fox-mask man said clearly.

 

 

 

“Alright.
Kikkikan-san’s most precious thing……………… Seems to be his 『Carpet』.
………… It might not be my place to say this but is your head alright?” (Kitsune Onii-san)