Chapter 359: Can You Just Leave Already?
"....."
Hearing the Inari God's words, Hikigaya Hachiman fell silent. To have the destruction of a nation's most important city as a hobby—one had to admit, the Nine-Tailed Fox's interests were truly unique.
"So, if you go for a stroll in Tokyo, there's a high probability you'll run into it. However, with your current strength, you'll most likely die if you do."
As she spoke, the Inari God's head kept nodding downward, looking as if she might fall asleep at any moment.
"Do you need to rest again?"
"Ah, that's right. After all, the injuries this time are indeed very heavy."
A bitter smile appeared on the Inari God's face. Originally, when she reclaimed her tail and her realm returned to that of a Mid-level God, she thought the future would only get better. Who could have guessed that after only a few days, she would end up in this sickly state?
"In the coming battle, I might be completely unable to help. And most of my subordinates cannot leave Chiba. So, your battle in Tokyo..."
The Inari God's tone carried a deep sense of apology. After all, despite being allies, she was powerless when Hachiman needed support the most; she felt she was failing quite miserably as an ally.
"No, you have already helped me a lot. Leave the rest to me."
The Inari God had been heavily injured specifically because she fought the Nine-Tailed Fox; how could Hachiman possibly blame her for that?
"Of course, it's not like I can't do anything at all."
Feeling the sleepiness in her mind growing stronger, the Inari God hurried to speak the important matters while she was still conscious.
"While you are in Tokyo, I expect that creature will definitely strike at your friends and family. However, you don't need to worry about their safety. After I fall into a deep sleep, I will choose to concentrate most of my power within a single shrine. My foxes will lead them inside to take refuge."
In short, Hachiman didn't need to worry about his "home base" being raided while he was away in Tokyo fighting the Nine-Tailed Fox.
"I'm deeply grateful!"
Hachiman had just been pondering how to solve the safety issue for Komachi and the others when he heard the Inari God say this. He immediately looked at her with eyes full of gratitude.
"We are allies, after all. I just hope that once you become the exorcist of the Kanto region, you won't forget our covenant..."
The Inari God's voice grew weaker and weaker, until finally, she collapsed head-first into the soft bedding. Just as Hachiman was about to step forward to check on her, her body suddenly emitted a golden light and flew out of the tent, finally landing in the Inari Shrine closest to Chiba.
"Well then, Lord Hikigaya, could you please give me the list of personnel who need to enter the shrine?"
Having received orders long ago, Number Two entered the tent after the Inari God had left and placed a sheet of paper—specifically for shrine maidens' use—in front of Hachiman.
Picking up the paper, names of people important to him flashed through Hachiman's mind. He was just about to ask Number Two for a pen when he discovered that all those people's names were already recorded on the paper.
"Please confirm if there are any missing names."
Number Two did not retract the paper immediately, but asked Hachiman to check it one more time.
"Komachi, Sakura, Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui, Yotsuya Miko, Irisviel, Illya, Hiratsuka Shizuka, Kawasaki Saki..."
Looking at the names on the list, Hachiman thought for a while and then added the names of Zaimokuza, Miura Yumiko, and Isshiki Iroha. Although in his view the probability of those three being attacked by evil spirits was very low, it was better for them to enter the shrine just to be safe.
"That should be all of them."
Returning the paper to Number Two, Hachiman nodded and made his request.
"Very well. I will arrange for a squad to collect the figures on this list and their families and bring them to the shrine for protection. Please put your mind at ease, Lord Hikigaya."
Looking at the paper, Number Two used some unknown method, and the names on the paper suddenly transformed into golden text floating in the air. Immediately following this, Inari foxes lined up and entered the tent; after each took a name, they quickly filed out again.
"Well then, Lord Hikigaya, I wish you a safe journey."
Having distributed the task personnel, the half of Number Two's face visible under her mask showed Hachiman a smile reminiscent of a corporate retail employee's signature grin.
"....Can I interpret that as you kicking me out?......"
Hachiman had actually wanted to chat with Yotsuya Miko for a bit longer, then head home to give Komachi and the others a few more instructions. But looking at Number Two's posture, it seemed he had to leave for Tokyo right this second...
"How could that be?"
After the Inari God left, Number Two displayed a "black-bellied" personality completely different from her previous demeanor.
"I assume you also wish to rescue your companion as quickly as possible, Lord Hikigaya? Therefore, for every second earlier you hit the road, doesn't the probability of your companion being saved increase by a fraction?"
Although Number Two's words were phrased that way, Hachiman felt the subtext was essentially: Get the hell out already!
Fine. During this period, he had indeed run the foxes of the Inari Shrine ragged. It was understandable that Number Two held a bit of a grudge...
After returning to Miko's tent to inform her that he was heading out to rescue Yurikawa Hana, Hachiman was promptly brought back to his home by Number Two, who wore an impatient expression.
It was already late at night. Asking Number Two to wait in the living room for a moment, Hachiman slowly walked up the stairs to the second floor. Just as he stood in the hallway, the sound of dense, rapid keyboard tapping drifted from his room.
"......."
Standing at the door in silence for a while, Hachiman ultimately chose to "pretend" he didn't hear it.
"Komachi, are you asleep?"
Knocking on the door to Komachi's room, Hachiman asked softly. Given that she had been unconscious all afternoon and was usually full of energy at night, Hachiman deduced that Komachi had likely just fallen asleep or hadn't slept at all.
However, unlike the scenario he imagined where the door would open quickly, there was no response from inside the room.
"Is she in a deep sleep?"
Surprised that his guess was wrong, Hachiman turned the handle and walked directly into Komachi's room.
"Empty?"
Staring at the flat surface of the bed, Hachiman was dazed. It was the middle of the night—if this girl wasn't resting in bed, where did she run off to?
Wait! Hachiman suddenly remembered the sound of keyboard tapping he had heard just now.
"That girl couldn't possibly be......."
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