CH 232.1

I took Lucia to a shadowy place and comforted her.

Lucia’s face was bright red and she was shaking and *furufuru* trembling.

Apparently, she can’t stay calm with Rusha, who has a name just like hers.

“Relax, relax, it’s just a coincidence.” (Cry)

“A coincidence!? As if such a coincidence is possible!!” (Lucia)

“Isn’t it fuuunny~, Lucia-chan!” (Liz)

“It’s not funnyyy!” (Lucia)

For some reason, Lucia glared at me when Liz teased her, and then she *bambam* stamped on the ground.

Lucia, who used to *tokotoko* quietly follow behind me, had become completely aggressive due to Sytry or Liz’s influence.

She has been fighting criminals for so long that she has little hesitation in shooting Magic at people. I don’t want to think that she isn’t sensible enough to shoot Magic at Hunters who are not criminals, but――.

“Sure, sure Rusha is strange. But she didn’t mean to offend you. Probably.” (Cry)

“She didn’t, mean to offend me!? She was one hundred percent malicious! If she didn’t mean to offend me, then she must have a problem! I, would, never say something like that!” (Lucia)

You would not say that kind of thing? Well, obviously you won’t…… You don’t need to tell me.

Me and Kryhi, Lucia and Rusha, the only similarity between us are our names. Kryhi is stronger than me, but it is highly likely that Lucia is stronger than Rusha. If she were stronger than Lucia, she would already have an Alias.

“Un, un, that’s right. Even Lucia wasn’t that sticky in the past. Putting aside when she was a child, I don’t know what to think about it if an adult does it.” (Cry)

“Eeeeh…… She doesn’t do that much? Neeeeh, Lucia-chan.” (Liz)

“Kuh………… Uuuuuuh…………” (Lucia)

Lucia’s face turned red and she holds her head. Isn’t it fine since our names are different?

The problem is that she looks just like Lucia if you mention only her characteristics.  Even a coincidence has its limit. I would like to see the other members.

Apparently, they are not very famous yet, but as they become more well known, they will likely be compared to us in some way.

Luke, who had been watching Rusha with great interest, asked me.

“Hey Cry. Lucia’s good and all, but have you got my fake yet? Where’s mine?” (Luke)

“I told you they are not fake――” (Cry)

That’s when Kryhi, who had been following us from a distance dexterously made his way through the crowd and approached.

He raised his voice with a concerned tone to Lucia who was bright red.

“Are you alright? You don’t look well…… Should I cast on you some Recovery Magic?” (Kryhi)

“No, she is fine. It must be because of the crowd.” (Cry)

You can also use Recovery Magic? The real me has really high specs……

Rusha clings to Kryhi’s arm while sounding somewhat proud of herself.

“Even if you say thaaaat, isn’t she just envious of Onii-chan and me being all lovey-doveyyyy?” (Rusha)

“Haaah!?” (Lucia)

It’s not good. Lucia is going to fire without thinking twice, just like Liz would.

I would like to talk a little more, but Rusha and Lucia are too incompatible. I wish someone else would ask Lucia, who is in a bad mood, to recharge my Relics later.

“Sorry, but we are in a hurry……” (Cry)

“Muh, that’s too bad. I thought I’d introduce you to the rest of my Party……” (Kryhi)

That’s something…… I would love you to do. I have always wanted to meet the rest and those Smyart girls that you mentioned before.

After all, are they similar to our Smart? I am afraid of Liz’s reaction, but it will be a good story to tell later.

As Kryhi pulled Rusha, he looked around at the crowd and sighed a little.

“Well, be careful. It probably won’t be a problem, but Cleat seemed to be in an agitating period during the Supreme Martial Arts Festival…… It is said that Supreme Martial Arts Festival’s contestants are particularly vulnerable to being targeted.” (Kryhi)

Does that mean…… I won’t be targeted, right?

The other three are contestants, but no bandit would be able to beat a Hunter who would dive into a Level 8 Treasure Shrine.

“Haaah? You should be careful? What are you talking about? There’s no way Cry-chan would be beaten by bandits, moreover, right now, we’re going to go there and beat them to death as a warm-up.” (Liz)

“!?” (Kryhi)

Liz indignantly argued back to Kryhi.

If she had been in a bad mood, she would have yelled at him, but apparently, she was in a good mood today.

No, we are not going to beat them to death? We are going there to help them.

The (Temporary) Fox Mask Fan Club aren’t criminals either, so their goal is probably to capture them rather than go for the kill. As the money-loving Touka is with them, they are probably doing that as the bounty is higher if you capture a bounty Hunter.

After thinking so far, I came up with a good idea.

“I know…… If you want to…… Does Kryhi-san want to do it too? Criminal Hunt.” (Cry)

Well, I won’t be participating, but I am also curious to see what Kryhi is capable of.

Kryhi-san’s stared in amazement. And Rusha was probably glaring at me.

§　§　§

“What, does this mean? Sora. What is the Boss thinking?” (Gaff)

“Everything, is according to the “Byakko-sama’s (White Fox)” will……” (Sora)

The “Miko (Shrine Maiden)” of the Fox-God averted her gaze and when she uttered her usual words, she looked at the wooden box in the corner of the room.

The spacious kitchen that was set up was filled with the smell of soybeans. It seemed that what was inside the wooden box was tofu.

The “Miko (Shrine Maiden)”, who always wore sacred clothes and had a mystical air around her, was now wearing a white apron.

Gaff has served the organization for a long time, but this was the first time he has seen a “Miko (Shrine Maiden)” wearing anything other than their sacred clothes.

“At “Byakko-sama’s (White Fox)” order…… I am producing Aburaage.” (Sora)

“???” (Gaff)

I couldn’t understand. The Fox “(Kitsune)” is a secret organization, so the intention behind each command is rarely fully communicated to its members.

Especially when Gaff’s rank was low, he was used with little to no notice at all, and yet he has never questioned his orders.

“Aburaage ? What does Aburaage have to do with anything!?” (Gaff)

“………… Only, only “Byakko-sama (White Fox)” knows everything behind this.” (Sora)

The “Miko’s (Shrine Maiden)” eyes were completely dead.

The “Fox (Kitsune)” is a secret organization, you know!? I somehow managed to hold back my enraged expression and changed back to my normal expression.

The reason Gaff has been able to move without questioning the order so far was because the order was clear and without room for doubt. They were clearly sabotage missions.

And one of those missions…… Is to produce Aburaage?

“Poison…… Did you put poison in them?” (Gaff)

“………… I won’t put any in them. I have been ordered to make them delicious.” (Sora)

“…… What is the Boss planning to do?” (Gaff)

“Think for yourself! Gaff Shenfelder! Are you rebelling against “Byakko-sama (White Fox)”!?” (Sora)

Sora pointed her index at Gaff and reprimanded him.

The look on her face was unlike anything Gaff had ever seen before.

She, who had never changed color under any circumstances, had her cheeks covered in cold sweats and her voice was agitated.

However, if she said that much, he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.

“Kuh…… N-No…… Everything will be done according to the Boss’ will.” (Gaff)