Chapter 235 Solution

Part 3

　The real thing was in a different class.
It far surpasses the rumor I had heard beforehand.
　At a single glance, it makes you understand the disparity in our existence from the bottom of your soul.

　The atmosphere around her that has instantly shattered Sora, who had been trained to always maintain her composure, can’t make her think that she is a human.

　From her height and voice, she seems to be younger than Sora, but her age is irrelevant.

　There is no way I would be able to cover things up.
There is no way I would be able to have an excuse.

　I was a fool for trying to deceive myself about the situation even for a moment.

 

　In front of that power, the tiny Sora can only bow down and wait for the inevitable.

 

 

　The Boss says in a voice devoid of emotion.

 

 

“Quickly, make, the next one……” (Imouto Kitsune)

 

“Y-Yes………… Boss.” (Sora)

 

 

　But however,  Sora was now being ordered to make Aburaage solemnly by the Boss.

　I no longer understand what was happening.
Confusion was no longer the word to describe my feelings.

’

　I was now in the kitchen prepared by the fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)”, and was continuing to make Aburaage as the true “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” requested, which is also the same order as the one I received from the fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)”.

　I move her hands incessantly, throwing the tofu into the oil.
While a cold gaze observes all of Sora’s movements.

　My heart was beating like it was going to explode.
I don’t know what she wants, but if I stop my hand――She will kill me.

　The fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)” was much more lenient now that I think about it.
He ordered but did not force me to do anything, and he wasn’t intimidating.
But the real one was different.

　One after another, the finished Aburaage disappeared into “Byakko-sama’s (White Fox)” mouth.
After “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” carefully licked the plate, she glared at Sora.

 

“With this, you won’t be able to conquer the world.
Next one.” (Imouto Kitsune)

“!?” (Sora)

　What she was saying was exactly the same thing as what the fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)” said.
I feel like I was being made fun of by a fox.

　But this time, “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” is definitely the real deal.
The power I feel from her is not the same.
　I fearfully verify with her.

“A-Ano1…… How would you, do that with Aburaage――” (Sora)

“………… By making.
Inari Sushi Bento?” (Imouto Kitsune)

　”Byakko-sama (White Fox)” checked something on a plate similar to the one the fake “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” had (Didn’t the Fake “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” say that it was a smartphone?) and said that.

“!? Eh!? Eeeeh!? Was that true!?” (Sora)

“Quick, next one.
Make it quickly or frying you…… Is not a possibility that would be impossible.” (Imouto Kitsune)

“!???” (Sora)

　There was a terrible force behind her voice that made me understand that she meant what she was saying.

　How much of this is true and how much of this is a lie?
　The fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)” is a fake, but he says the same thing as the real one……? I can’t keep up with the information.

’

 

　After all, who is wrong?

 

　When “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” pulls a couch out of nowhere, she *gorori* lays down and starts playing with her smartphone while *batabata* flapping her white legs, which are stretched out from her white kimono.
　The couch softly floated up, and I couldn’t help but look at it.

　There wasn’t any sign like Magic has, but could this be the power of the Boss, who is comparable to a Level 10 Hunter?

　The Boss *jirori* stared down at Sora from her couch that was in mid-air.

“Faster, stop looking, keep making.” (Imouto Kitsune)

“Ano…… Boss, didn’t you, come here for the operation?” (Sora)

　Very little information was given to Sora by Gaff.

　It seems that there is some big operation happening right now in this Cleat.
It is for this reason, that Gaff and his group switched a Relic earlier in time and came to this city.
　They are now concentrating on eradicating the organizations that have been attracted into this city, but that is not the main part of the mission that has been handed down to them.

　In the first place, Sora, a priest, was nearby because she received information that the Boss might show up.

　It must be a considerable operation, considering that the Boss who is so busy is coming.
There shouldn’t have been time to play around, let alone eat Aburaage.

　When Sora fearfully reaffirmed the information she had based on very few hints, “Shin Kitsune-sama (True Fox)” says with a straight face.

“Who cares about that, just finish making them.” (Imouto Kitsune)

“Eh!? Well, in fact…… A fake “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” was…………” (Sora)

“…………………… Aburaage Wise2.” (Imouto Kitsune)

　Not good.
This girl doesn’t listen to me any more than the fake does.
　She is certainly a terrifying person.
I wonder how this person made the organization grow this big?

　Why on earth is it Aburaage? Why is a priestess like Sora making them? How many do I have to make?
　There were still plenty of ingredients prepared by the fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)”.
Now wasn’t the time to say that the oil was hot when it landed on you.

’

　Perhaps this is my punishment?

　A punishment for Sora, who was tricked into making Aburaage, to make Aburaage forever.
　A punishment where she plays Sora by saying the same thing as what the fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)” said.

　Or was it a joke or something? Was the “Nine-Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage)” an organization that would make such a joke?
　If you are going to execute me, just do it directly.

　When I was thinking that I couldn’t understand her reasoning anymore, the door opened vigorously.

“”

　The real Boss turned her gaze over there from the top of the couch.

　The one who came in was the source of Sora being trapped in this situation――The fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)”.
　He wasn’t wearing a mask so he didn’t appear as a “Fox (Kitsune)”, but I unintentionally raised my voice.

“!! You, you can’t, fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)”! Right now, right now the real one――” (Sora)

　Why did I say he can’t? In the first place, I am someone from the organization.
　I should assume that my lie has been exposed.
Then it should have been more convenient for the fake one to come here.

　I stopped breathing.
In front of Sora, who watched with bated breath, the gazes of the real and the fake meet.

　Even the renowned 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 would not be able to beat this Boss.
The amount of Mana Materials they have absorbed is too different.

 

　And that was when Sora realized.
　That even when he met the real thing, there was no trace of astonishment on the fake’s face.

 

　The fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)” was silent for a moment, then pointed his finger in the air and shouted.

 

’

“Hey, what are you doing here, you thieving fox? I will tell it, you know! I will tell it if I have to, you know! I will tell it to the Ani Kitsune, you know! What about the desert! Stay properly worshipped! Stop forcing her to make Aburaage! I feel sorry for Sora!” (Cry)

“!? ???” (Sora)

　Eh…… EEEeeeh……? Don’t tell me, they know each other?
　The fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)” is a fake? But interact with the real one? Eh? Huh?

　From the looks of it, they are probably not enemies.
If they were enemies, they would not be discussing.
When the real one *pochipochi* fiddles with her phone, the smartphone of the fake one *buruburu* trembles.
　I was wondering what she was doing earlier, but it seems that she was contacting him.
Eh? Eh? Hmm?

 

“Aburaage Will3? What is a Will? Rather, if you want to eat it so bad, why don’t you fry it yourself!?” (Cry)

“………… !!” (Imouto Kitsune)

　When “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” *pon* hit her hand, she jumped down from the couch.
She pushed Sora aside, took tofu from the box of ingredients, and began to fry it herself.
　Upon closer inspection, I noticed a tough tail extending from her behind.
I don’t think this thing was on her a while ago, but when did it appear? Does the Boss have a tail as well as a mask?

　Her tail was *furufuru* wagging.
Then tiredness rushed over me.

　When the fake “Kitsune-sama (Fox)” entered the room, he wiped his forehead and said with a pathetic smile.

“Good, that solves one thing.” (Cry)

“What, are you?” (Sora)

　I don’t want to do this anymore.
I don’t know what to believe in anymore.
　What am I supposed to do? What has been solved? What are you trying to do?

　A real “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” who looks into the frying pan with a serious face.
A fake “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” who blinks his eyes with a dumb expression on his face.

　As I watched them, I felt like something inside me crumble noisily.

Footnotes

Ano: it is something like Erm or excuse me. No idea what she meant.
It is just written “油揚げわず” (Aburaage Wazu).
The Wazu might be an English word but it could be “Aburaage was” but was what, “Aburaage wise” as Cry is the Aburaage wiseman? If you understand write it in comment. The raw said “will” in English.