'Huh, huh...... too, I can't do this anymore...... brother......'

Lucia lies limp and looks at me with resentment in her eyes.
It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

Lucia's magic power is enormous. In addition to her original talent, she has been charging my treasure collection for a long time, so in terms of magic power alone, she surpasses even the best magicians. If I tell you that I can charge my collection of treasures, which Marietta and the others have been charging with magic recovery potions, almost without a break, you'll understand how extraordinary it is.

This time, I didn't bring most of my treasures with me because I was sightseeing, so charging them every morning seemed to be much easier.

I looked at the Key of the Earth, which had been charged for me.

'Hmm ......'.

'What is the Key of the Earth--it's not the amount of charge on the sword--'

Lucia was out of breath. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to try. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.
It's no wonder Luke couldn't charge it.

What kind of effect does it have? Even Ark's famous sword-shaped treasure, the Historian, doesn't require that much magic power.

I couldn't help smiling.

'I see... this is dangerous.

'What?

As expected of a treasure that is recognized as a national treasure, it stimulates the collector's spirit.
I don't know what kind of power it has, and I don't know how to activate it, but basically, the power of a treasure tool is proportional to its magical power.

The fact that such a small treasure tool requires so much magic power is like a crab that is stuffed to the brim.
So, how do you check your abilities? .......

I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I have.

'You look happy,' she says.

'I wonder if it's as powerful as an airborne fortress (float). ......'

'!

The world of treasure tools is deep. One of the most massive treasure tools confirmed in this world is a flying castle called the Float.
As its name suggests, it flies freely in the sky and burns down the ground with its powerful magic cannon, an extraordinary treasure that once struck terror into the world.

The magic power of a treasure tool is basically proportional to its size and power. The wear and tear on facility- and building-type treasures is also off the charts.
In fact, it is said that the magic power consumed by the aerial fortress (float) was incomparable to that of the warding finger.

Incidentally, the last time the fortress fell was when it ran out of magic power. There were many sorcerers on board, but even so, they did not have enough magic power.
In spite of the tragedy it created, the end was so stupid that it is now passed down as a funny story.

'Keyhole, huh......?

'Brother ............, please don't do anything dangerous.'

'I'm not going to do anything dangerous.'

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

Since it is called the key to the earth, there must be a door that opens with it. That is, if the godfather of the treasure trove didn't name it randomly.

No, ......, there is a possibility that a sheath is needed to activate it. If the key is a sword, the keyhole is a sheath. It's possible.

There are many treasure tools that need to be used as a set to activate.
There are a lot of bad patterns, such as only one of the shoe-shaped tools or only one of the sympathetic stones. It's probably best not to get your hopes up too high. .......

'If it's not dangerous, what are you going to do......'

'What? ............ something fun?'

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

Why does it seem like I'm supposed to do dangerous things? I've been in danger many times, but I don't think I've ever taken the initiative. Maybe.
Lucia, who still looked unhappy and silent, gave a half-hearted smile and changed the subject.

'Speaking of which, Lucia, are you ready for the tournament?

'! You're the one who made me charge my treasure, right?

'Certainly, .......'

'......Are you kidding me?

...... No,......, I didn't expect to demand so much magic power that Lucia, my main occupation, would fall.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

'Don't worry. Even if we run out, we can just get a potion from Citri. ...... More importantly, is the leader okay?'

'Of course, I'll be ready to back you up. I'll even wave the flag.'

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









When we ran out of tofu, the endless task of making fried tofu finally came to an end.
Incidentally, there is nothing left of the finished product, as the white fox eats it all up.

Unlike Sora, who was fed up with the greasy smell, the little white fox looked a little disappointed. Apparently, after eating dozens of servings, he still hadn't eaten enough. Sora's wrist was already sore from all the support she had been given.

The white fox was staring at Sora. It was unexpected, but the pressure she felt from his gaze was still extraordinary.
I don't know what to do. Should I ask if there is anything I can do to help?

Fake fox-sama ...... please help me.

He looked at me silently, his eyes rolling back and forth, and managed to open his mouth.

'White Fox-sama likes ............ fried tofu, doesn't he?

'............Not really.'

The white fox says with a pouting attitude. I'm not sure how you can say that after eating so much.

Obviously, the amount of food you have eaten is greater than the size of your body. Her thin belly was still as flat as before she ate.

After that, Mr. White Fox fell silent. I've heard that the boss is talkative, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
I need to say something. ...... But what? Sora is just a priest. She's been educated, but not to be the boss's handmaiden.

The white fox, who had been keeping quiet, suddenly looked at Sora and said.

'If you don't give me the fried tofu within ten seconds, I'll kill you--'

'Well, what kind of relationship does the white fox-sama have with that fake fox-sama, the "Thousand Transformations"?

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

White Fox-sama falls silent.
That was a close one. I've heard that the boss is a terrifying person, but this white fox-sama is just too free-spirited.

As I held my chest to soothe my throbbing heart, the white fox fearfully opened his mouth. His tail was shining.




'That Mr. Kikikan is a consultant for my organization. I hired him to make our organization specialize in fried food production.

What?

That's ridiculous. ...... It doesn't make sense to have a secret society specialize in making fried tofu. I'm not sure if the other bosses are aware of this or not.
I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

'Of course, the other faces are aware of it. Mr. Kikikan is a nickname for the "thousand changes". That's what we call him.

'......'.

My eyes widened at his pinpoint answer, as if he could read my mind.

I can't believe that the other bosses are aware of this, it's terrifying. What the hell is happening to the organization? What has become of the organization?
They said they were going to take the world by the frying pan, but that's not what a secret society is. Even in an organization with a tight hierarchy, there is no way the other members would just obey.

It's an organization called the Nine-Tailed Shadow Fox, where the rules are set by the top, but are you saying that secret societies are out of fashion?
You may not be able to teach everything to Sora, but in the first place, what is destruction and regeneration using fried tofu ......?

I've got a lot of unanswered questions going through my head. The white fox wagged his shining tail and said.


'I decide the rules. Secret societies are not in vogue today. As for destruction and rebirth, I can't tell you everything you need to know just yet.

'Oh, I see, .......'

That's an answer that leaves nothing to be desired. I'm sure you can see into the mind of Sora, Boss.
It's an unfathomable power that can be felt from the atmosphere you're wearing.

I'm not sure why the white fox nodded in satisfaction as Sora shuddered involuntarily.

Won't that confuse the members of the organization?'

I'm not sure what to make of that, but I'm sure it's a good idea. Even if they were secretive, this had never happened before.
So, the White Fox asked Sora for the first time.

'............ Sora, what do you think?

Well, ...... first of all, he should contact his men through the boss's contact network. It may have been a hurry, but the way it was done was too unnatural for an organization.
The fox's leadership is quite strong. If the order had come through the original chain of command, he would have been able to convince them that there was something wrong, even if it didn't feel right.

However, there is no way that Mr. White Fox does not know about such things.

The white fox's wagging tail suddenly stopped. Then, in a small voice, he asked.

'By the way, just for the sake of asking--Sora, do you know ...... my chain of command?

'No, no............, that's very ...... for a priest.'

What's his intention? There's no way Sora knows the chain of command at the top. Fox secrecy is a complicated thing.

'So ............'

The white fox falls silent, as if pondering something.
At any rate, sharing information is essential if we are to truly change our guidelines. White Fox-sama was giving orders to Sora's teacher, but the priest was only a priest, not in charge of the practical affairs of the organization.
If this continues, the organization will be in shambles.

And then, there was a fearful knock on the door. Only a few people know about this kitchen.
It was Gaff's voice that came through.

'Boss, are you there?

'No, wait!

I answered hurriedly. Gaff hasn't met this white fox yet. He doesn't even know that the fake fox is a fake.
This is solved by the fact that the real one knows the fake one, but in the first place, bosses rarely show their faces.

It's just that the fake was so open about it, and the boss's whereabouts is normally the most important secret.

'Mr. White Fox, I'm in charge of this operation. What should we do?

'You can go to .............'

Apparently, the real one is just as bold as the fake one.

With permission granted, he unlocked the door, turned around and - Sora gasped.

Gaff, who had just entered the room, saw her and panicked.

Standing there unperturbed was Krei Andrich, who had certainly not been there a moment ago.
The little white fox lady who had been talking to Sora just a few seconds ago was nowhere to be found.

And as for the fake fox-sama, her appearance was different from usual.
His height and face are the same, but his expression is much crisper than usual, and the pressure radiating from his body is unbelievable.

Gaff turned pale at the sight of the fake fox-sama, who was completely different from the past.

'This is ............, I'm back now.'

The fake fox nodded humbly. He sat down in the kitchen and made a gesture that was unlike anything he had ever done before, and was appropriate for the head of a secret organization.

'Good to have you back, Gaf Sch nfelder, King of Thieves. You don't need to say anything, the look on your face - you've completed my orders.

'Haha ............ thank you, happy--'

As Gaff froze, the Thousand Transformations said with dignity.

'You think this is too different from the past, don't you? The way you've been acting is just a bluff. I was testing you by daring to show you such a disgusting appearance. I've seen to your loyalty to the organization.

'!

Gough Schoenfelder's gestures were tense. And that's when Sora realized.

A white tail was sprouting from the buttocks of the [Thousand Transformations]. I had a very bad feeling about this.

The fake fox-sama smiled and called out to the prostrate Gaff.

'Don't be so frightened, I keep my promises. I'm going to give you this mask and some guidelines for the future.

'Guidelines: ......?

And then the fake fox, played by the white fox-sama, said in a voice full of confidence befitting a fake.




'Plan A, the attack and extermination of the Martial Emperor's Festival, which is currently being carried out, has been cancelled due to extenuating circumstances. Use all your resources to fry them. Tell your men in your chain of command.