Animals associated with the divine.
I had forgotten about them because they were hibernating, but there were the Pond Turtles—the turtles.
But if I included turtles, would I have to include shrimp and crabs as well?
While pondering such things, I looked out at the shrine nearing completion on the mountain northeast of Village Five.
Yes, it was coming along nicely.
Actually, when the construction phase began, a massive number of merchants from Village Five and Shashato City approached me, begging to be allowed to help. They likely misunderstood and thought I was launching some new business venture.
Even though I explained it wasn't anything like that, they provided funding anyway. Naturally, that included the Goroun Company.
I debated what to do for a moment, but I eventually followed Yoko’s advice to use the money without concern. Or rather, I should say, Yoko put it like this:
"I told them the reason for construction was to build a shrine to worship the Snake God and the others, kon. I couldn't care less what the merchants are thinking, kon. You should just use the money freely, kon."
Heeding that advice, I unhesitatingly gathered materials and hired about a thousand people to assist the carpenters. The result was impressive.
Truly, there is strength in numbers. Buildings were being completed one after another in a spectacular display. It would likely be finished in a few days.
Wait, the road leading to Village Five was also being renovated, so it would take a little longer? That made sense. I had to keep that in mind.
I had expected a simple path, but stone pavement and lanterns were already being installed. They had opted for the atmosphere of the countries to the east. Well, it wasn't incorrect, so it was fine. I thought it looked quite good, actually.
By the way, why was the land being cleared so widely on both sides of the stone-paved road? They said it was a necessity because development was inevitable. Yoko’s instructions? Then there was no problem. If Yoko deemed it necessary, it likely was. I had no objections.
And yet, while I only hired a thousand workers to help the carpenters, there were clearly more people than that. Volunteers? I appreciated the sentiment, but I couldn't let them work for free. On the other hand, I couldn't pay them wages either. Doing so would set a bad precedent—that anyone who forced their way onto a site would eventually be put on the payroll. So, all I could do was prepare meals.
When I asked one of Yoko’s subordinates about procurement, I found she had already handled it. Impressive. I would leave the fine details to her and focus on the interior design.
The interiors for the Main Hall, the lodgings, and the shrine office were mostly settled, but the sanctuary at the foot of the mountain was still undecided. I had divided the interior into small rooms, each roughly twelve tatami mats in size, with about forty rooms in total. These forty rooms were currently empty shells. Since different gods would have different preferences, I wasn't sure how to proceed.
In the end, I decided that creating disparities might cause trouble. I made them all uniform: a space for worship in the front and a place to install the Object of Worship in the back. The followers could decorate the rest as they saw fit.
Though... I wondered if some gods might have no followers at all. In that case, I would ask the Silver Fox Race to decorate them—at least enough to prevent them from looking neglected. Finding the right balance might be tricky, but I would consult with the Silver Fox Race again once they arrived.
The sun was beginning to set. I had to hurry back, or I would be late for dinner at the village. I called out to Ria, the carpenters, and the volunteers.
"Listen, since it's winter, no overnight work. Make sure you head home. Don't try to push through by setting up lights and fires."
The Village Five Security Team was scheduled to guard the site overnight, so the materials and tools were safe. Everyone could leave with peace of mind.
A few days passed like that, and the Silver Fox Race arrived. Yoko had instructed them to come to the mountain shrine instead of Village Five to avoid public attention, so the sudden appearance of so many foxes went unnoticed. The cubs were adorable.
Their arrival was earlier than I had anticipated, but fortunately, the lodgings were finished. There was no need to leave them out in the cold. Kon had mentioned a total of ninety-two members, with twenty-three capable of taking human form... but it looked like there were closer to forty people standing there.
"Village Head. Before you ask that, there is something we must do, kon," Yoko interrupted.
Something we must do? Ah, right.
Kon, Kitsu, and the others shifted from their human forms back into foxes. The entire Silver Fox Race gathered before me and bowed. Kon, in her fox form, spoke formally.
"We of the Silver Fox clan, ninety-two foxes in total, have arrived as invited. We offer our clan's lives and loyalty entirely to the Village Head."
I responded with a dignified nod. "I have certainly accepted your lives and your loyalty. Strive."
A synchronized howl from the foxes echoed through the sky. With that, the ritual for accepting the migrants was complete. I didn't think such things were necessary, and I hadn't required it of other migrants, but Yoko had been adamant.
"Even if they can take human form, their essence is that of animals. You must establish the hierarchy clearly from the start, or it will lead to trouble later, kon."
I suppose that made sense. I was just glad it ended smoothly. Now, I turned my attention to those in human form who had not participated in the ritual. Who were they? They weren't part of the Silver Fox Race, evidently.
They seemed to be acquaintances of Yoko’s. Just as I was about to introduce myself, Yoko stepped in as mediator.
"This honorable person is the Village Head whom I serve, kon. No rudeness will be tolerated, kon."
Wait, Yoko... are you threatening them? They're visibly shrinking back. "It's fine, kon. I'm sorry, please accept their greetings."
Encouraged by Yoko, several people stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"I am Seki of the Red Fox Race."
"I am Noir of the Black Fox Race."
"I am Pon of the Round-faced Fox Race."
"My name is Hiraku. It's a pleasure. So... why are you here?"
"We are deeply grateful to you for extending a helping hand to the Silver Fox Race in their time of crisis," Seki explained as their representative. "Those of us who knew of the circumstances but were unable to help are also relieved."
So, they had come to see the new home because they were worried about the Silver Fox Race?
"We have decided to take it a step further. We have come in hopes of assisting Yoko-sama and the Silver Fox Race. We wish to be allowed to migrate here as well."
Had they cleared this with the Silver Fox Race? I doubted they would have come together otherwise. However, Kon shook her head while still in her fox form.
"I have heard the proposal, but I have given no answer. All decisions rest with the Village Head and Yoko-sama."
I see. What about Yoko?
"I know their clans, but I don't know these specific foxes, kon. I hadn't heard anything about this either, kon. I will follow the Village Head’s judgment, kon."
Understood. Just to confirm, is this everyone who would be migrating?
"Yes. We were chosen from our respective clans to assist Yoko-sama and the Silver Fox Race."
They lined up to make themselves easy to count. Eighteen people. The lodgings were spacious; this was well within the acceptable range. Honestly, I could have accommodated another hundred. Since they could take human form, they would be a great help in managing the shrine. "Alright. However..."
"Understood! Village Head, Yoko-sama, we will follow the instructions of the Silver Fox Race!"
Well, that was the most important part settled. "Then I accept your migration. Once again, I look forward to working with you."
"Yes, sir! We offer our lives and loyalty entirely to the Village Head!"
Ah, right. "I have certainly accepted your lives and your loyalty. Strive."
"As you command!"
With that, Seki of the Red Fox Race shifted back into her fox form. Her fur was reddish—or rather, a vibrant orange. Her tail was wonderfully fluffy. The others followed suit. There were ten in the Red Fox Race, and five in the Black Fox Race. The remaining three belonged to the Round-faced Fox Race.
The Black Fox Race had sleek, jet-black fur. It looked quite good. Even though their tails were the slender type, it wasn't a problem at all.
The real issue, however, was the Round-faced Fox Race. "Yeah... you guys..."
I could see their tails were fluffy—in fact, they were the fluffiest of the lot. And their faces were indeed round, just like their name. But... that wasn't it.
I hesitated to bring it up, but I couldn't stop wondering. "Is it okay if I say something?"
They nodded. "Alright, here goes. You 'Round-faced Foxes'... you're actually raccoon dogs, aren't you? You're not foxes at all."
My observation was met with absolute silence as everyone froze in shock. Even Yoko looked stunned.
Pon of the Round-faced Fox Race: "Wh...at...?"