Nana: A member of the Mercury race working in Village Five. She served as a spy within the village.
Hii: A member of the Mercury race working in Village Five. She acted as the central figure of Village Five's military forces.
Roku: A member of the Mercury race working in Village Five. She served as a Civil Official.
Futa: A member of the Mercury race in charge of Teleportation Gate Management between the Great Tree Village and Village Five.
Miyo: A member of the Mercury race working in Shashato City.
Bell: A member of the Mercury race working in Village Four. She was the representative of the Mercury race.
Gou: A member of the Mercury race working in Village Four. She served as Bell's support.
Yor: A member of the Mercury race working in the Hot Spring Area. She was in charge of armaments.
Kinesta: The former Imperial Princess of the Elf Empire. She was currently the Acting Shop Manager of Kuro and Yuki.
Kon of the Silver Fox race managed to survive.
It had been a very close call, so it was fortunate that we had a World Tree Leaf on hand. Kon had briefly regained consciousness, only to pass out again almost immediately. At the moment, she was sleeping in a room within Yoko's Mansion, still in the form of a large fox.
"It is better this way; it saves us a great deal of trouble. If she were awake, she would likely be making a racket about committing ritual suicide or some such nonsense," Yoko remarked.
"Suicide? Why?"
"Because she directed killing intent at the Village Head. She likely believes she must die to atone for the insult and protect her tribe from retaliation."
Killing intent? Ah, so that was why the spear form of the Universal Farming Tool had manifested on its own. I had been panicked, thinking it had suddenly gone out of control, but it had simply been trying to protect me. Yoko pinning Kon down so quickly made a lot more sense now, too.
But why would she suddenly radiate killing intent? I supposed it was because I had rejected her proposal.
"I wish to explain her circumstances, as well as the current state of her people," Yoko said. "However, this is not a conversation to be had beside a sleeping patient. Let us move to the tatami room."
I agreed, but I couldn't help but worry. "What about Kon? If she wakes up, isn't there a chance she really will try to kill herself?"
"Zabuton's children are watching over her. She will not die without us knowing. Rest assured."
Following Yoko's gaze toward the ceiling, I spotted several of Zabuton's children perched there. I see. I'll leave her in your hands, then.
There was something inherently calming about being on a tatami floor. And then, there was the kotatsu. Yes, this was nice. Village Five didn't get terribly cold even in winter, but winter was still winter. Since Yoko's Mansion sat at the summit of a small mountain, the kotatsu was a welcome presence.
"Members of the Village Council and my subordinates saw the kotatsu here and began pestering me for them. I told them to contact the Goroun Company if they wanted to buy their own, so Michael might bring the matter to you soon, Village Head."
"Understood. If they're associates close enough to be invited into this room, I can make arrangements. About how many people are we talking about?"
"Futa, Roku, Nana, and Hii are certain. Miyo wanted one as well, though she might request hers through Reward Medals rather than going through the Goroun Company."
That made five members of the Mercury race working in Village Five and Shashato City. Actually, I had already provided kotatsu for Bell and Gou in Village Four, as well as Yor at the Hot Spring Area. Considering how hard they all worked, it might be better to just give them the kotatsu regardless of medals.
"As for the Village Council... about three of them refused to leave this room," Yoko continued. "They even went so far as to say they wanted to live here. Then there is the Saint, Pirika, and the two former Four Heavenly Kings—yes, the one with the exceptionally long name and his partner."
It sounded like the list was growing quite long.
"Michael will likely handle the coordination, so I doubt you will be asked for an unreasonable number. However, the Acting Shop Manager of Kuro and Yuki mentioned that she wanted to see if she could install kotatsu in the shop itself."
"The Acting Shop Manager of Kuro and Yuki? Kinesta, then. Using kotatsu as a winter feature for the shop doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'll give it some thought."
By the way, I wondered what Kinesta had been doing here in the first place.
"She came to show me some new products," Yoko explained.
"To you?"
"Indeed. As the Acting Village Head, it would be problematic if I were ignorant of the products sold in the shops managed by the Village Head."
Ah, that made sense. If a topic came up in idle conversation, she couldn't exactly say she didn't know anything about it. I felt bad; I hadn't been being thoughtful enough. From then on, I decided I would show new products to Yoko as well.
"Are you not leaving the decision of whether to actually sell them to the Acting Shop Manager? Things are fine as they are. It would actually be a nuisance if I knew about products that hadn't been released yet and accidentally brought them up in conversation."
There was that concern as well. We decided to leave things as they were for the time being.
"...Now then, have you calmed down?" Yoko asked.
"Hm? Oh, yes."
A little while ago, I had been quite shaken by the fact that I had stabbed Kon, even after learning it was because she had released killing intent. I supposed I had to get used to such things, but at the same time, I felt like getting used to them would be a bad thing in its own way. Well, that was a conversation for another time. It wasn't the sort of thing where I could reach a conclusion or find my resolve just by thinking about it for a few minutes. For now, I focused on what Yoko had to say.
"Then, I shall explain the current situation of those people and their desires, as well as the reason for her conduct."
"Please."
"Though I say that, I do not know every detail myself. This will be an explanation within the scope of my understanding."
"I understand."
"Kon's people, the Silver Fox race, are in dire straits. Their numbers have dwindled, their territory has shrunk, and furthermore, their work from the outside has decreased significantly."
"By 'work from the outside,' do you mean the assassinations Kon mentioned?"
"Likely so. It has become their primary means of securing a livelihood."
I see.
"Well, assassination should not be their only trade. In the era I remember, they also handled information gathering and acted as escorts. Their presence here with Seiten was likely an escort job as well."
"Then why did she emphasize assassination so much?"
"Because it was probably the work that brought in the most gold."
That made sense, in a grim way.
"What they truly seek is a land where they can live in peace. Whether they are simply trying to survive or hope to increase their numbers, a place where they can live without fear is essential."
"I told Kon this as well, but would it be impossible for them to migrate to Village Five?"
"Ah... that is because not every member of the Silver Fox race can take human form. Only those who have lived for fifty to a hundred years are able to do so."
"Is that how it works?"
"Yes. However, those who cannot take human form appear as nothing more than ordinary foxes. They would be targeted by humans."
I went quiet.
"The Silver Fox race possesses rare silver fur. Their pelts are highly prized by hunters."
"..."
"Because of that, the Silver Fox race is wary of other races. Even if Kon and those who accompanied her could live in Village Five, it would be far too dangerous for the rest of the tribe."
"Those who accompanied her? There are others?"
"Yes, since Kon came as Seiten's escort, she brought several people with her."
"Is that so? In that case, won't it get complicated if we don't tell them what happened to Kon?"
"Zabuton's children have already captured them. There is no problem."
"Wait, they've been captured?"
"Naturally. We could not risk them acting out in the same manner as Kon. They have simply been gathered and confined to a single room. No unnecessary force was used."
"I see. That's a relief."
However, looking back at the incident, I couldn't help but think that if they had simply asked for protection instead of trying to sell themselves as assassins, I could have found a way to help.
"Even in their poverty, the Silver Fox race still has its pride."
"Well, I suppose that's true."
"However, if the price of their stay is to perform assassinations, you would be the one in trouble, Village Head."
"Yes, I definitely would be."
"There is no opponent we face who would require the Silver Fox race to assassinate them, after all."
"Even if there were, I wouldn't use assassins."
"That is true. If it were you, Village Head, you would likely just march in through the front gates."
"I wouldn't do that either. Honestly... listen, please keep this incident within this small circle."
"Hm? Why?"
"If the people back in the village find out, it'll cause nothing but conflict."
"...That is a very good point. For my part, it would be a help if you kept it quiet. Yes, a very great help."
"I'll still have to report it to my wives, though."
"..."
Yoko's face fell into a look of deep distress. Still, it would be difficult for me to keep a secret about what happened in Village Five from them. I would need to consult them about the fact that I had stabbed someone, after all.
"It cannot be helped, I suppose. Now, as for why Kon released killing intent..."
"It was to show me her strength or something along those lines, right? It's a difficult culture for me to wrap my head around, but I'm not going to mock her for it. I'm sure she was desperate in her own way. I just wish she'd learn a better way to negotiate."
After that, I listened to Yoko go into more detail about the history of the Silver Fox race.
"We must head to the banquet soon. We are expected at Niz's shop."
"That's right. What about Kon and her companions?"
"This is a banquet held to receive Seiten's formal apology. I certainly cannot invite Kon and her group to that while this dispute is still ongoing."
"I guess not."
"Additionally, Kon's actions have disgraced the honor of Seiten, who hired her. I intend to explain the circumstances to him, apologize on her behalf, and settle the matter."
"You're going to apologize, Yoko?"
"Part of the reason Kon acted out was because I was there. I must do at least this much for her."
"I understand."
"I shall confirm one thing, however... Village Head, do you have any intention of blaming Seiten for Kon's behavior?"
"He wasn't involved in her decision, was he? Then no, I don't."
"That is a weight off my mind."
"No, I should be thanking you. You've been helping me out in so many ways, Yoko."
"I am grateful for those words. Also, if possible, could you convey that sentiment to those people as well?"
"Hm?"
I followed Yoko's gaze as she glanced toward the corner of the room. Zabuton's children were there. Though they were only the size of a fist, they were likely veteran members of the brood. They had a certain dignified air about them. Those veteran spiders were currently beckoning Yoko with their legs. Their attitude suggested that there was something she needed to discuss with them before she was allowed to attend any banquet. They looked quite angry.
Ah, I realized they were angry on my behalf because Yoko had brought me face-to-face with Kon, who had then threatened me.
"Thank you," I said to the spiders. "But Yoko also let you into the room as a precaution, didn't she? You don't have to be that angry with her."
They didn't seem convinced.
"I understand. But Yoko's absence from the banquet with Seiten would be a problem. Could you save your talk with her until after the banquet? It would be a big help to me."
They finally seemed to relent. With that settled, I turned back to Yoko.
"I know," she sighed. "I am in the mood for a stiff drink, but I shall limit myself at the banquet."
"I think that's for the best. If you're drunk when you face them, they'll only scold you more. Don't worry, I'll step in to mediate the discussion when the time is right."
"Yes. Please, I beg you to step in as early as possible. Promise me. If you abandon me to them, I shall cry. I mean it."
"Hahaha, I can't have you crying. I'll make sure to mediate properly."
... Wait, that meant I shouldn't drink too much at the banquet either. I'd have to be careful.
Zabuton's children: They had been waiting for the conversation between the Village Head and Yoko to end the entire time.
Yoko: She thought that as long as she stayed with the Village Head, she could keep putting off the lecture.
The sleeping Zabuton: She had already sworn in her heart to give Yoko a "squeeze" as soon as she woke up.