CH 121

Chapter 121 – A Fake Legend

“How do I look? I was going for a beastman—a garbel look.” (Bouchi)

“Beautiful…” (Yofel)

“Yofel?” (Bouchi)

“…! A-Ah, yeah! Umm… A garbel with a truly mystifying beauty… You kind of look like a nine-tailed fox, like from those legends.” (Yofel)

“Ah. You’ve told me that story before, so I figured I might as well try it out.” (Bouchi)

As a matter of fact, there were legendary, fabled garbels that existed in the other world, and one of them was the nine-tailed fox.

Also known as silver foxes, they were beastmen with silver fur that shone with a divine radiance. It was said that they had gone extinct, but there were rumors that a few still lived on in secluded, unexplored areas.

“Why did you go out of your way to take on this appearance?” (Yofel)

“Most of the otherworlders who’ve appeared in Japan are garbels after all. It’s easier to negotiate with people of the same race. And if I was a silver fox, I figured they might even be in awe of me.” (Bouchi)

That way, it would be easier for me to take the initiative.

“I see. It’s true that garbels hold the fabled silver foxes in high regard. It might not be a bad choice.” (Yofel)

“Let’s see, for the name… I’ll call myself Hakumen, I suppose.” (Bouchi)

Speaking of nine-tailed foxes, the one that came to mind was Tamamo-no-mae, a nine-tailed fox with golden hair and a fair complexion. This form had silver hair, but since it felt like it’d fit well, I decided on such a name.

(TL: Tamamo-no-mae – a famous nine-tailed fox spirit mentioned in Japanese history and folklore, described as having golden hair and a fair complexion. ‘Hakumen’ in Japanese literally means ‘fair complexion’.)

“Hakumen, huh…? Is it fine to still call you Master?” (Yofel)

Since a nine-tailed fox was a fabled creature, it might be better to act dignified when speaking to others.

I suppose I could act like a powerhouse, above all reproach.

I pondered for a while, creating the personality of Hakumen in my mind. After it took form, I would have to just act it out just as I’d always done.

“…Well then, Yofel, Shiki. From now on, you may refer to me as Hakumen, the Otherworldly Mediator.”

“”Understood!””

The two of them knelt in front of me, signaling their compliance.

“Just in case, I should tell Izu and the others about this appearance. Once I finish with that, I’ll immediately go out to try and make contact with otherworlders.” (Hakumen)

At last, it was time for me to begin my new line of business. The thought of making even more money with this method made me smile unconsciously. But I would work my hardest at this, not letting my guard down at any costs.

After all, I would be dealing with otherworlders now. There was a chance the people I would be negotiating with were important figures over there. I had to be especially careful when dealing with such people. If I didn’t exercise utmost caution, I could easily end up on the losing side of the deal.

In order to prepare myself to deal with influential otherworlders, I had to simulate every possible scenario so that I wouldn’t be perturbed no matter what happened.

After resolving this in mind, I informed Izu and the others of my new look, much to their surprise. Then, I left for Japan with Shiki and Yofel.

—

Due to Sol’s efforts, I had figured out where the otherworlders were located. I decided to first make contact with those who were relatively less densely populated and hadn’t yet caused any disturbances.

I made my way to Kazuno, which was in the Akita Prefecture. Near there was a place called the Oyu Stone Circles, which was said to have been constructed in the late Jomon period, and this was defined as a special archaeological site by the national government.

(TL: Oyu Stone Circles)

There was an assemblage of more than 100 stones forming the circles, and some of the stones have been discovered to be tombs.

As an aside, the site was also a famous tourist spot, complete with facilities where visitors could try their hand at making earthenware and earrings.

In such a place, I had confirmed the existence of otherworlders.

“―I see, so this is it.” (Hakumen)

I was riding on the [Jet Book] with Yofel and Shiki, viewing the archaeological site from above. I wasn’t sure if the area was usually supposed to be full of tourists, but I didn’t see any humans around.

The only thing I saw were otherworlders huddled together, carefully watching their surroundings. Then, I approached them.

Naturally, the ones who noticed my approach all began to freak out. After all, a huge book was falling in their direction. And since there were people on top of it, it was no wonder they were alarmed.

The strongest-looking person among the group of otherworlders stepped forward, a spear in hand.

I decided to go down to the ground to hold a conversation with him, maintaining a certain distance in the process.

However, I let Yofel speak first.

“We apologize for alarming you. But you all must be confused, being transported so suddenly to an unfamiliar place. We are here to explain and discuss the situation.” (Yofel)

“….? Do you know where this is?”

“Yes, I do. My name is Yofel Sanbraun. As you can see, I am an elf from the Femir Forest.”

“Indeed. So you are, but… I suppose I should return the introduction. I… No, we… are monkey garbels. My name is Seng, and I am the chief of this village.”

It must be a big deal to be the village chief despite looking like he was in his late thirties.

But still, monkeys, huh? It was true that he had a somewhat simian feel to him, but it was almost hard to tell he was a beastman. He looked very much like a human.

“Where in the world are we? If you know something about this place, would you mind filling me in?” (Seng)

Perhaps because no one on our side was human, the garbels were not as wary of us as they might have been otherwise.

I was glad I decided to go with this form in the end. I hadn’t even spoken to introduce myself, and yet everyone was casting curious, fleeting glances at me. The women in the group seemed to be directing rather passionate gazes in my direction.

This form was a silver-haired ikemen after all. Regardless of whether I was a beastman or a human, handsome was handsome, I guess.

When Yofel answered Seng’s question, he was bewildered, as expected.

“This is… another world…? No way… we all ended up encountering a light pocket…?!” (Seng)

“Honestly, I can’t say. But I, too, was sent to this world with my Master some time ago.” (Yofel)

“Master, you say? Could you be referring to that silver-haired man behind you? He looks quite young…” (Seng)

I had finally found the opportunity to introduce myself, so I mustered as much dignity as I could in trying to act the part of an elf’s master.

“It may be true that I am still young. At the very least, it may seem that way based on my appearance. However, I am more than confident that I possess the requisite strength so that I would not bring shame to my retainer.” (Hakumen)

The red robe I was wearing at the moment was called the [Mantle of the Supreme Ruler]. Just by equipping it, it made the wearer exude the bearing of a dignified king, making it the perfect item for bluffing.

Hence, those who looked at me directly would feel as if they were in the presence of a heroic king.

“…What is the… pressure of this will…? J-Just who are you…? No, wait. Silver hair and nine tails? N-No way… But how can that be…?!” (Seng)

Then, Yofel began to speak, instilling in all of them the belief that I was indeed the existence that I was imitating.

“This person is one of those fabled garbels spoken of in legends—a nine-tailed silver fox.” (Yofel)

“My name is Hakumen. You may refer to me however you please.”

“….?! There’s no way! I heard that all of the Four-Colored Beasts died! In fact, in all these hundreds of years, there hasn’t even been a single sighting of them!” (Seng)

But that doesn’t prove that they don’t exist anymore, now does it?

“Of course. To those in power, my existence is a deadly poison. As such, I have been hiding to avoid any unnecessary conflict.” (Hakumen)

“…A-Are you really… a silver fox…?” (Seng)

Suddenly, he prostrated before me. Apparently, it seemed to be true that garbels held legends and folklore in high regard.