The mask dropped from the Phantom of the Wandering Inn was certainly a rare item. But from the look of it, it didn't seem to have any special abilities.
When a Phantom dies, it vanishes without leaving so much as a scrap of clothing behind. However, in extremely rare cases, a portion of the items it was wearing might remain.
The probability of this increases proportionally with the Phantom's power, but those drop items are often inferior in ability compared to Treasure Weapons. A Phantom's drop item was, so to speak, a fragment of the Phantom itself.
If someone asked me whether it was rare, I'd say yes — but to me, it didn't look like the kind of extraordinary piece that would make the Fox Mask Appreciation Society members follow me without question. The design sensibility was quite nice, but modern technology could replicate it easily enough.
Sora's reaction to my question was dramatic. The vaguely sacred aura she'd been wreathed in dissipated entirely, and her eyes went wide as saucers.
She turned to look behind her, confirmed that none of the other foxes were there, then spoke in a trembling voice.
"W-What are you saying, Lord White Fox? Surely you're joking……"
"This mask — I got it the other day after defeating a Phantom in the Treasure Hall."
"!??!?? !? Hih!? !? Eh?? Ehhhh!?!"
Sora's face went blue, then red, then blue again. Entertaining……
But what on earth had Sora and the others thought this mask was?
I took off the mask and examined it closely. It was just a mask. Just a fox mask.
The design was outstanding and it certainly had a mysterious atmosphere, but — if I were being picky, I'd rather have had the "Changing Human Face," which grants transformation abilities, instead of this fox mask. Was I aiming too high……?
"Huh? Um…… hmhmhmhm……?"
"Hey, could this mask happen to sell for a lot? Is it valuable?"
"!?? S-Sell!?"
Sora, who had been groaning with her arms crossed in front of her, dripping with cold sweat, winced.
I see…… so it was the kind of priceless artifact that was unthinkable to sell. But still…… I had no idea what this mask was worth.
The only reason I'd put it on was because it was the only thing I had to hide my face, and if I had my choice, I'd prefer a mask with holes where the eyes were. That way I could see even without a Treasure Weapon.
While I was innocently thinking such thoughts, the only girl in the Fox Mask Appreciation Society who wasn't wearing a mask approached me and, as though sharing a secret, lowered her voice.
"S-So, in other words…… you're saying that you are, like, not the White Fox, and that this mask is something you obtained in the Treasure Hall……?"
At her desperate words, I finally realized.
Could it be…… she had the wrong person?
"Did you maybe have me confused with someone?"
"Th…… That can't be…… You're lying……"
Sora let out a thin shriek and clutched her head, twisting her body as if trying to escape from reality. Unlike when I'd first met her, this behavior was age-appropriate.
I put the mask back on and tried to console Sora, who seemed to have made a terrible blunder.
"There, there, these things happen……"
"Why didn't you say something the moment you realized I'd backed off?!!"
"…………"
What was I supposed to do with that? She was the one who'd grabbed me and dragged me to the Fox Mask Appreciation Society's gathering place saying "It's definitely you!" I'd been bewildered the entire time.
"Th-Then what about the Fox Mask Appreciation Society?"
"Huh? …… It's not? Everyone seemed to be wearing fox masks, though."
"Th…… You're saying there is? That kind of thing exists? Would someone normally say that? …… No, no. I never learned that!"
Sora was trembling. Even if she said that to me…… then what was the right answer I was supposed to give back at that place?
This time, it was absolutely not my fault. It was Sora's fault. And it was the fault of the Fox Mask Appreciation Society (tentative) for sending a kid on this errand. But pointing that out to Sora would be ungracious.
I showed mature composure with hardboiled nonchalance.
"Come on, come on, if you honestly confess and apologize, they'll forgive you."
"!?? Forgive me!? You said forgive me!? No way! I told them! I said it clearly! That you were Lord White Fox!"
"See, that's the problem — communication needs to be clear. Report, Communicate, Consult — ever heard of it?"
"Why does a real mask holder have that! Only the sacred Lord White Fox is allowed to have one!"
"Huh? It's just a junk drop from the Wandering Inn."
"!??"
Well, there was also the question of how many people even got lost inside the Wandering Inn in the first place, but the Phantom had been destroyed after just a conversation. It wouldn't be strange for a few copies to be circulating.
"Also, doesn't the whole system of 'white fox mask = Lord White Fox' seem flawed to begin with? Mistakes can happen. I think the system needs an overhaul. Why not bring it up in consultation?"
"Th———!!!"
At my suggestion, Sora covered her ears and sat down on the ground.
There were surely plenty of white fox masks out there. You could probably make fakes easily enough.
"This time it was an accidental mix-up, but there might also be someone out there who puts on a mask with malicious intent and approaches you."
"W-Would you please just shut up!!"
"Oh, sure."
I'd made the suggestion out of concern for the Fox Mask Appreciation Society (tentative), but it seemed she wasn't willing to listen.
Resigned, I let out a small sigh, crossed my arms, and waited for Sora's decision.
This time I wasn't in the wrong. I'd simply worn a mask I'd been keeping on hand to hide my face.
Honestly, I wasn't at fault in the slightest, but this all seemed like a hassle, and if an apology was truly needed, I wouldn't be above giving one. I had bossed her around, after all……
"So then?"
"It was a mistake?"
"But the mask is real?"
"But the identification of Lord White Fox was wrong?"
"But the fact that it's a god's mask is genuine?"
"Then as a shrine maiden, you weren't in the wrong?"
"But he's not the boss?"
"The organization's judgment was…… flawed?"
"It was supposed to be my first…… mission"
Sora muttered these thoughts one by one, as if trying to organize her thinking.
It was fine, really. Everyone made mistakes — I made them all the time.
What mattered was the future. No one had died from this mistake, so let's just take it easy.
Eventually, as if her thoughts had coalesced, Sora stood up.
She wobbled momentarily as if dizzy, but quickly steadied herself and fixed me with a fierce glare.
Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes. Her clear pupils reflected me in my fox mask. And then Sora spoke.
"You are…… you are, without a shadow of a doubt, Lord White Fox."
"Huh!? No, I'm not? I'm just a Hunter who happened to pick up a mask."
What had she been listening to this whole time?
At my response, Sora clenched her fist tight and pointed at me.
"You are not mistaken. I have made my decision. You are the one — the White Fox, recognized by the Fox God and bestowed a sacred artifact!"
"Huh!? No, I'm not."
"Besides, if the mask is real, then the person inside is real! That's how I've always been taught! I am a shrine maiden, a legitimate priestess of the Fox God. I was raised to become one. My eyes cannot be deceived — absolutely not!"
"I see. That's…… pretty impressive."
Stubborn, through and through.
A legitimate shrine maiden…… what kind of gathering was the Fox Mask Appreciation Society (tentative)? Was it fun? Maybe I should join.
No wait, but if I joined the Fox Mask Appreciation Society, I'd have to obey the White Fox absolutely? That wouldn't do.
"In other words — I have not made a mistake."
"No, you definitely made a mistake."
"I have no intention of causing harm to the organization. If anyone calls me mistaken, they are the true rebels."
……Huh? Was she trying to cover up her mistake? Was this girl…… a lost cause?
I somehow felt a deep sympathy. When it came to improvised, seat-of-your-pants responses, I was second to none.
Sora's eyes were spinning. She was sweating profusely. But even so, she clenched her fist and swung it upward with vigor.
"A new organization with the newly recognized White Fox, acknowledged by the Fox God, at its top. Its name shall be…… 'Shadow Fox of Ten Tails.' With one more tail, it ranks higher!"
"No, no, no, that won't do."
"Huh!?"
"Shadow Fox of Ten Tails." What an ominous name. Besides, after that whole incident with the emperor's guard, the word "fox" didn't exactly carry good connotations, and there was a real risk of being mistaken for a criminal organization.
Names were important. I'd lost count of how many times I regretted naming my Party the "Mourning Specter." I was used to it now and couldn't imagine changing it, but back when I was a fresh Hunter, the name's appearance alone had gotten me mistaken for a Red Party and chased down.
I was a fool, but not so foolish as to make the same mistake twice.
I declared to Sora, whose eyes were now round as plates: "The name is no good. We shall be —"
"— Yes, 'Ten-Tail Fried Tofu.'"
"!?? Ten-Tail Fried Tofu!?!"
Sora blurted out in a shriek, but I was dead serious.
"That's right. Ten-Tail Fried Tofu. Fried tofu is great — it's even saved lives now and then."
It had actually helped me avoid a conflict before. Delicious things were wonderful. Deliciousness would save the world.
"No way…… the secret organization's name is…… 'Ten-Tail Fried Tofu'? Do you have no taste at all!?!"
Sora shot back. Secret organization? Had I said secret organization?
I crossed my arms and spoke with a hardboiled expression. It was a shame she couldn't see it behind the fox mask.
"A secret organization……? No, I won't keep it secret. What we'll be doing is producing delicious 'Inari Sushi Bentos.' The goal is nationwide expansion."
"!?? !??? A-Are you serious!?"
Our activity would be producing fried tofu. Delicious White Fox-branded "Inari Sushi Bentos."
Of course, I wouldn't be participating, but the Phantom from the Wandering Inn had apparently been crazy about inari sushi, so it was a perfect match.
Today, I was — on fire.