Plan X. Do exactly what the boss says.
Members of a secretive organization don't need brains to think. The boss does the thinking and gives the orders. The only thing they are allowed to do is to follow them to the letter.

This is true even for a high ranking member like Gaff who is as close to the top as possible.
They are allowed to ask questions. You're allowed to question it. You're allowed to confirm it. As long as it doesn't offend the brass.

Gaff, once feared as the King of Thieves, excels at planning and directing. That's why he was given the rank of Seven.

Members of the Shadow Foxes of the Nine Tails can be found anywhere. For the foxes, illegal secret societies and criminal organizations are not always cooperative.
We will proceed with our preparations quietly. There were few organizations that could resist the foxes, who had plenty of manpower and materials, but there was no time to waste.

The entire city was on edge. The contestants for the Emperor's Festival, and the many organizations that were after them. Once they were alerted, they wouldn't be able to fulfill the boss's orders.
And it's not just the boss's orders that need to be fulfilled. Gaff and his team also have a major operation they should have been working on, Plan A.

The guys near Gaff, who were rechecking the list they had received from the boss, grumbled.

'But some of the organizations ...... are cooperating with us, and some of them ...... were supposed to be used in our plan.'

'It's unavoidable.

'We need to change the plan. It's a big change. This will jeopardize the success of Plan A.'

I could understand the anguish on my friends' faces.

The plan Gaff and the others were going to carry out this time was based on careful calculations.
The foxes are a huge organization, but their manpower is not infinite, and it is their way of manipulating outside illegal organizations as if they were their hands and feet.

The organization that was to be used this time had been reported in advance. There is no way that the boss doesn't know about it,......, but he is telling you to destroy those organizations quickly.

'...... You can't afford to be too secretive at a time like this.

In response to his companion's words, Gaff also gave a small shrug of his shoulders.

The reason why the foxes have become such a huge organization is because of their thorough secrecy.
No one knows the whereabouts of the boss, and even the exchange of information requires meticulous signs and procedures. Even if a member is captured, there is no way to get to the heart of the organization.

On the other hand, this means that there is no way to obtain prompt confirmation in the event of an unexpected event.
The biggest concern is impersonation. It is difficult to imagine that a member of the foxes - and a senior member like Gaff - would be able to impersonate a member of the foxes without being detected, but the possibility is not zero.

But that's why we have the code. And then there is the fox god's priestess in case of emergency.

He glances at the young fox priestess standing neatly nearby. Perhaps sensing the significance of Gaff's gaze, the priestess frowned and assured him.

'Are you doubting Master White Fox? I'm sure of it.'

'...... It's my job to doubt.'

'We serve the gods and have been given special eyes as a reward for our devotion. There's no way we can mistake it. Why would we wear those masks outside if we weren't white foxes in the first place?'

Calm voice. That's right. Fox masks aren't meant to be used regularly. Gaff and the others only wore them when they were meeting or on duty, and even then it was not mandatory.

The boss's words in front of Gaff and the others were quite unusual, but bosses are usually supercilious.

In the first place, the organization said that they would use the eyes of the fox god's priestess to judge the masks. The priestess is a sacred and inviolable being for the organization, and her eyes can see through all kinds of disguises, and there is absolutely no way ---- that she can misjudge a mask that is a relic of the god she believes in.

Gaff doesn't believe in gods, but if word gets out that he disrespected the priestess, even a bandit king of the seventh rank will be doomed.

There's no change in the plan anyway. I can't confirm it right away, but I'm scheduled to make regular contact with you before we go through with Plan A. We can find out at that time.

Keep it simple. You can destroy the organization. It's just a little more work.

The only thing you need to avoid now is the failure of plan X that your boss gave you.
As Gaff concentrates his mind and examines the plan, one of his subordinates who was waiting near the boss comes running in.

A man wearing a jet-black fox mask - an extremely talented man who has mastered the skills of a special scout, the Shinobi.
Wearing a treasure that had the power of cognitive inhibition, he was perfect for the boss's errand. It would be painful not to be able to use a good scout to gather information, but it could be done by Gaff's other subordinates, so the boss's mood was more important.

The man came in front of Gaff and said in a cold, emotionless voice.

'Gough Schoenfelder. The boss wants to see you.'




The boss wants to see you.



He moved like a shadow. The King of Thieves, Gaf Schoenfelder, is a master of stealth.
He used to lead a large band of thieves who made a living out of stealing.
He has broken into banks and museums. He once broke into a treasure house and snatched a treasure that appeared in the innermost part without fighting a single illusion. Even after he joined the organization because of his power, he has contributed to the organization through stealing missions. Of course, his fighting ability is not low, but the direction of his growth through the Mana Material is also completely in that direction.

The reason Gaff was chosen for this mission was because it was crucial to retrieve the Key of the Earth.
If the others are captured, Gaff can escape with it. It has that much potential.

I went to the boss with the fox god maiden. He led us to the back of a high-class inn where noblemen and other important people stay.

It was not facing the main street, but there were people watching. The boss was standing in such a place without a care in the world.


He was standing in a dignified manner, as one would expect of a secret organization. The way he crossed his arms, unconcerned about the countless eyes on him, was truly worthy of a transcendent being.
I can't do that in Gaff. I can't even bring myself to do it.


The boss, wearing a white fox mask, said admiringly.

'You really do come when I call you. You're very diligent.

'I'm honored by your praise. Boss.'

The boss's orders take precedence over everything else. The fox maiden, who had been so calm when dealing with Gaff, seemed to be somewhat nervous.
But it was the woman behind the boss that Gaff was worried about.

Distinctive reddish-brown armor. A sword at her waist. The mana material emanating from her body is comparable to that of Gaff's, but her growth orientation is different from Gaff's, indicating that she is more interested in fighting.



Strong. If he were a hunter, he'd definitely have two names.
A crimson fox mask on her face. A pair of flaming eyes peeked out from underneath.

'Boss ......, who is that?'

'Yeah, I was wondering if you guys could help me with that thing you took. I know you're short-handed. That's why I called you here. This Tsuneko is very skilled despite her appearance. He's got a lot of men.

Tsuneko ......? I'm not sure what to make of this, but it's not just me. .......

The woman in armor stepped forward in front of the confused Gaff and said in a quiet voice.

'It's a cat! We're joining the fight on the boss's orders, but you don't have the right to order us around. You're to be treated as a mere collaborator.

Despite his tone, his voice was filled with tremendous spirit.
This is ...... the execution unit directly under the boss as rumored,...... Gaff growled softly, and then realized.


You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.

I'm not sure.

It's a multitude of parties uniformed in auburn gear. It's a genuine fighting group that chases powerful demons and bounty hunters from place to place.
Its leader is the swordsman and one-hit-wonder samurai, Kongouin Touhi. He's a true enemy who has crushed many of the Fox's end users in the past.

And he's one of the members we were supposed to take out in Plan A.

He wears the mask of a fox, but his appearance matches the description we got from the investigation.


'..................'

'Huh? Didn't you like it?'

The boss calls out carefree to Gaff, who exclaims without expressing it.
The Knights of the Lamp are mercenaries driven by money, but they know profit and loss. Even if they were offered a thousand dollars, they would not join a criminal organization. They know it's more efficient and safer to do so.

But this crazy woman who calls herself Tsuneko has her arms crossed and is wearing a fox mask.



'............ No, not at all. Thank you for your consideration.

I don't know what's going on anymore. For some reason, the boss clapped his hands happily as he managed to shout out to Gaff, who felt like a fox.









The fox mask enthusiasts disappear with the lights. I stretched my shoulders, feeling relieved.

'Oh, good, good, good ......'.

It was the perfect way to get rid of all my worries at once. It was all thanks to Citly, who was paying tribute to the lights.
I'll thank her later.

I guess this will take down some of the criminal organizations. Criminal organizations, both large and small, pop up like bamboo shoots after the rain, so eradicating them may be impossible, but it's better than nothing.

As I lightly relaxed my body, a recruiting girl who followed the fox mask lovers' group lifted me up in a solemn tone.

'Mr. White Fox. That's a brilliant plan.

'...... Why are you still here?'

'There is no greater duty than to serve your ...... side.'

That's very serious. What kind of organization is the Fox Mask Lovers Association ......? It seems to be a bit formal.
But we can't. What will Citly and the others say if I bring in a girl like this.......

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and how to get there.

Hmmm.......

'Erm ......'

'............ One of the Fox God's priestesses is Sola Zoro. Please call me Sora.'

The priestess who introduced herself as Sora said with a slightly relaxed look on her face.
I've never heard of the fox god maiden ......, but perhaps she's a famous person in the area.

I'm a little embarrassed, but I guess I should check it out.

I cleared my throat and asked what I had always wanted to ask.

'Sora, I've been wondering, ...... is this mask really that rare?



'........................ Heh?'