Chapter 169 Miscalculate 

Part 2

“But…… That, that was just an Onsen Egg.” (Cry)

“Righttt! That’s righttt! We hastily inspected the gift.
As if it was making fun of us, that was just a perfectly good Onsen Egggg! We have even confirmed that it was the same product sold in Surusss! So you know ―― What that means, right?” (Commander)

　With a face bright red, the Commander came at me with a snort.
I thought about it a little more seriously.

“……………… So you are saying that Crimson Dragons’ favorite food is Onsen Egg?” (Cry)

“―― Grrh.” (Commander)

　The Commander’s lips quivered and he started to become agitated.
But then Lucia, who was next to me, said in a quiet voice without changing her expression.

“So you are saying that someone was trying to make Leader take the blame.” (Lucia)

“Huh………… Yes.
Yes, exactly so.
And if your gift was a real Dragon Egg, you bastard ―― Would have been surrounded by the Knight Order right now.
Even if the egg didn’t belong to the Crimson Dragon, your suspicion wouldn’t have cleared.
There was no way that you would have been in the clear.” (Commander)

　Aaah, I see.
That was what he meant…… Good to know.
　The Commander continued in a stifled voice.

“However, you were able to avoid the suspicion.
And that allowed us to narrow down the culprit to someone from the inside.
Because only a limited number of people know that…… The gift you brought was what you presented as a Dragon egg.
And so, as the head of the Third Order, I myself have come here.” (Commander)

　I avoided this miraculously.
I wonder if it is because of my daily good behavior.
　No way I am making my living by trying to steal a real Dragon Egg.

“I see.
But I don’t know who did it, you know?” (Cry)

’

　“There are only a few people who can artificially control dragons.
《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 you bastard――Know what 『Fox (Kitsune)』 is, don’t you?” (Commander)

　I want you to please quit making assertions based on the assumption that I know what is common sense.
　But I thought about it for a moment and nodded broadly.

“Fox? Aaah of course I know.
…… Just to confirm, we are not talking about any fox animal, right?” (Cry)

“Yeah.
I am not talking about any animal, nor any Monsters.” (Commander)

　As expected, heh.
If it was neither an animal nor a Monster, then there was only one answer.

　Really, not to brag, but on one of my unlucky adventures, I had an encounter with a fox with thirteen tails.

　Due to accumulating too much Mana Material, it had turned its Shrine into a movable place, it was really an absurd fox Phantom.
　It had intelligence, experience, and power.
It was an extraordinary being that we could not compete with at that time.

　Our encounter was completely coincidental.
It was the kind of being that you would never encounter even if you wanted to.
　We managed to make it out alive, but I am sure that fox monster is still wandering around somewhere in the world as a legendary Shrine.

　The commander said to me who was squinting my eyes in nostalgia.

“With the difficulties that have hit our country in recent times.
Some of them are expected to be the work of the 『Fox (Kitsune)』.” (Commander)

’

“I see……” (Cry)

　…… I see?
　That fox had the power of a god, but it wasn’t hostile to humanity.
Or rather, I sensed that it didn’t have any interest in us at all.
　Whether it is possible or impossible, it was very unlikely that it would interfere with human countries…… But――.

” ”

　And then when I was tilting my head in my mind.

“Zebrudia has grown too big.
It has developed by heavily using Treasure Hunters, but there are some who don’t think well of that.
This was probably another attempt to worsen our relationship with the Hunters.
It was too sloppy of them to put poison in the food, though.” (Commander)

“………… Ahhh, that was definitely the work of the 『Fox (Kitsune)』.
To think they wanted to make me take the blame, unbelievable.
Even though I gave it so many “Aburaage (Fried Tofu)”.” (Cry)

“!? ……………… Leader that is a different fox.” (Lucia)

“The fox was also responsible for Luke slashing the men.
There is no doubt.
It is absolutely outrageous.
I knew that pesky fox would do it someday, I knew it.” (Cry)

　Lucia poked me with her elbow, but it was too late.
　Don’t worry, there have been no recent sightings of that fox monster, and I have heard that it has been going around the world, so I doubt that we will ever see it again.
I am sure it should have forgiven me after giving it so much “Aburaage (Fried Tofu)” and doing a dogeza.

　The Commander had a suspicious look on his face but snorted after he convinced himself of something and said.

“Anyway, the powerful and long-lived Zebrudia will not shrink in front of them.
《Infinity Variety (Senpen Banka)》 it pains me very much, but today the reason I called you, even after you played us so many times, is――To make a request.
We have already received the approval from the branch manager, Gark.” (Commander)

’

“…… Eh?” (Cry)

　I absolutely hate it.
I even turned down Gladys-kyo’s nomination request, what are they going to make me do?
　And, if I may add, I have never made fun of him.

　No, well, now that 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)》 is full member, it is not like we can’t do anything about it, but………… This 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is a Level 8 who has been able to get through by getting his head low, you know.
　I have dodge not only difficult requests that I couldn’t possibly do, but also requests that seemed a little too difficult.
Don’t expect me to take it easily.

　I wonder if it is fine if I deviate it to Ark.
The Commander of the Third Knight Order placed a large trunk case he had brought in front of me as I quickly devised a devious plan.

Oi, oi, do you think that money will make me move? Don’t underestimate me.
I am a man who buys, Relics even when in debt, you know?

“As a reward ―― His Majesty offered to give you this.” (Commander)

　The leader of the group opened the trunk case in front of me as I firmly made up my mind to refuse the request with a firm attitude.

　Inside was a slightly dull-colored cloth woven with green, red, and gold.

　It was not a dress or a cloak.
It was thick and luxurious in its own way.
I widened my eyes and touched the cloth with my trembling hands.
The texture was *subesube* smooth.

 

M-Might this be――――A Relic mentioned in fairy tales, famous for being rare and rarely available――The 『Flying Carpet』?

’

 

 

The Commander smiled for the first time since I arrived as I looked up with my cheeks pulled together.

 

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
Hahaha, did Cry gave some fried tofu to a godlike fox phantom to save his party?
And also did he raised some flag by saying that they will never meet again!? XD
And so funny, how Cry was so determined to not take the job even for all the money in the world but lost his determination as soon as a Relic came out! XD
Tchao à plus!

If you are in a generous mood and want to support me, I will be very grateful! : Click here for Ko-fi donation or the button bellow