"Konkiku... what did you just mean by that...?"
Looking at the little white fox trembling before her, several veins popped on Tsuruha's forehead as she spoke in a dangerous tone.
"Th-that... it didn't mean anything, I just wanted to say..."
"Just say what you want to say, don't hold back. Do you mean to say we can't drive those filthy yokai out of Inari Mountain?"
Faced with Tsuruha's questioning, Konkiku didn't dare to talk back at first. However, upon hearing Tsuruha's words, Konkiku realized it was no longer possible to brush the matter aside. She pondered for a moment, then suddenly adopted a reckless, determined air.
"That's right. That's exactly what I mean. With the foxes' current strength, we are no longer able to control all of Inari Mountain," Konkiku said in a serious voice, looking directly into Tsuruha's eyes.
"Inari Mountain has been our territory for hundreds of years. For hundreds of years, no yokai has ever been able to lay a finger on this place."
"But that was in the past. In recent decades, more and more yokai have been gathering around Heian-kyo, exceeding the limits of what we can handle. You know this too, don't you, Sister Tsuruha? Just think how many foxes have been attacked by those wild yokai this year alone," Konkiku continued. The invasion of yokai on Inari Mountain was not something that had only started today.
Faced with Konkiku's words, Tsuruha was at a loss for what to say. The other fox was speaking the truth. The foxes of Inari had long been unable to completely control Inari Mountain. This was also the reason she had repeatedly warned Miketsu not to leave the shrine carelessly. She just hadn't expected a yokai to cause trouble directly on the main path to the shrine today.
Sighing softly, Tsuruha's gaze toward the foxes softened a little.
"I know that. I was just too angry and wasn't thinking clearly. Even if we can't control the entire mountain, we must at least find a way to ensure the safety of the area around the shrine and the main path. That is our bottom line."
"Mm... If it's just that, it shouldn't be a problem for now. But Sister Tsuruha, with the number of yokai increasing, this isn't a long-term solution." Seeing Tsuruha's attitude soften, Konkiku breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that while the divine fox before her was stubborn, she wasn't completely unreasonable.
"It's alright. Lady Uka has awakened now. As long as Lady Uka can slowly recover her power, we won't have to fear any number of those filthy yokai." As she said this, Tsuruha glanced at Miketsu with an expectant look, which made Miketsu instinctively look away, avoiding her gaze.
Don't look at me. I have no idea how to 'recover my power'.
A guilty Miketsu grumbled inwardly. Just then, Konkiku spoke again, as if she had more to say.
"But who knows how long it will take for Lady Uka to recover her power. Distant water can't quench a nearby thirst. Inari Mountain is rich in spiritual energy, and there are quite a few yokai who want to occupy it. I'm worried we won't be able to hold out until then."
Hearing Konkiku's words, Tsuruha's gaze sharpened. She looked at Konkiku and asked in a low voice, "What are you trying to say?" Tsuruha could tell that Konkiku seemed to have her own ideas.
"What I mean is, why don't we just go and pledge allegiance to a Yokai Lord? That way, Inari Mountain would be under the Yokai Lord's protection, and the wild yokai wouldn't dare to invade." Wagging her tail, Konkiku stated her idea. The moment she proposed it, Tsuruha's face instantly darkened.
"I've researched this very carefully. Right now, all the major Yokai Lords are planning to expand their influence into the Kinki region. Inari Mountain is right next to Heian-kyo. Controlling this place would greatly increase their presence in Kinki. Plus, it's rich in spiritual energy. Absolutely all the Yokai Lords would be very interested. We could even get a lot of benefits!" Konkiku continued to enthusiastically describe her plan, but she didn't seem to notice Tsuruha's face growing darker and darker.
"I've analyzed the information on various Yokai Lords. I think we have many options. First, we could consider the Oni Lord of Mount Oe, then there's the Leopard Cat Lord of Mount Nukazuka, and then there's the Great Ten... of Mount Kurama..."
"Enough!" Tsuruha's clear shout interrupted Konkiku, who was listing them off to herself.
"Pledge allegiance to filthy yokai? How is such a thing possible! Konkiku, don't you forget, Lady Uka is a god! And a true god, closely related to the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko! As Lady Uka's retinue, how could we sink to the level of yokai? Do you want our entire clan to fall into the demon realm forever!?" Tsuruha shouted angrily at Konkiku. She clearly hadn't expected Konkiku to suggest such a solution.
"Not all yokai are disgusting and dangerous like that One-Bite Yokai. Many of them can be reasoned with..." After hearing Tsuruha's harsh rebuttal, Konkiku's ears drooped in disappointment, but she didn't stop muttering. "If we don't seek refuge with a Yokai Lord, then our only other option is to see if we can pledge ourselves to one of the human Onmyoji clans in Heian-kyo. But I don't think they're any good. They might even capture all of us and turn us into shikigami..."
"Inari Mountain is Lady Uka's sacred ground in the mortal world. Our clan is Lady Uka's retinue. We will not become vassals to anyone. Konkiku, say no more. All of you, go back now and strengthen the patrols. A situation like today's must not be allowed to happen again!"
Sticking her chest out proudly, Tsuruha spoke with finality. Then, without giving Konkiku any chance to object, she drove her and the other foxes out.
"Mmm... Understood..."
Seeing Tsuruha's resolve, Konkiku and the other foxes glanced at each other, then acknowledged her order and left the corridor.
Watching the foxes leave, Tsuruha sighed. She then turned around, bowed her head to Miketsu, and said, "My sincerest apologies. My sister is ignorant of divine grace. I hope you will not blame her, Lady Uka."
"That's quite alright..." Miketsu nodded lightly, then after a moment's thought, she continued, "But I am curious, is the situation on Inari Mountain really that severe?"
"Although the situation is not optimistic, it is absolutely not so desperate that we need to lower ourselves and bow to others. Please rest assured and focus on recovering your power, Lady Uka. You can leave the affairs of Inari Mountain to the foxes," Tsuruha said to Miketsu, full of confidence.
After hearing Tsuruha's words, Miketsu didn't say anything more for a moment. In her opinion, if things were really that bad, finding a powerful patron for protection wasn't necessarily a bad idea. After all, today's situation had been very dangerous. What would they do if a danger arose in the future that even Tsuruha couldn't handle?
As for divine dignity and all that, how could it be more important than one's own life? Besides, she never had the self-awareness of being a god to begin with.
"You must be very tired today, Lady Uka. Please rest. Tsuruha will take her leave now. And please, do not pay too much mind to what was said just now."
With that, Tsuruha quietly retreated to the corridor and slid the door shut, leaving Miketsu alone in the room with a mind full of thoughts.
Rate on N.U.
