[Part 1/4]
As a general rule, it is believed that values become more conservative the more isolated a society is, and the less it interacts with the outside world.
Naturally, this is to be expected. In sparsely populated areas with limited external stimuli, where life becomes routine and fixed, there are not many factors that actively contribute to changing values.
Furthermore, the common notion that young people reject rural customs and outdated values does not easily take root unless they are aware of completely different cultures existing outside their own. People, for better or worse, have narrow perspectives. They can only measure the world by what they know. If they don't even have fragmentary knowledge of the world, they won't have doubts about the society they are in, let alone rebel against it.
Therefore, in many cases, changes in values and trends tend to spread from urban areas where interaction with the outside world is more active to rural areas.
...That's why our current situation was also an inevitable consequence.
"You better disappear quickly, you filthy outsiders!! The moment you set foot in this village, I'll tear you apart!!"
On the other side of the fence stood men holding hoes, sickles, naginatas, and bows and arrows. Each of them exuded a clear sense of killing intent and, at the same time, stared at us with fear. And the old man who emerged from that crowd declared arrogantly and disdainfully towards us. It was an overtly hostile reaction... that was how we were received in Shinkaki Village.
"..."
I look at Iruka beside me. She shrugged her shoulders as if she were exasperated. I followed suit. At first, I was taken aback, but upon closer thought, it wasn't that strange, and if we encountered the same kind of situation repeatedly, it was only natural that we would eventually get used to it.
This was not the first time we received such treatment in a nearby village we passed by while searching for the Namahage. It was rather comical how everything followed the same pattern.
(Well, considering the members we have)
A half-youkai fox girl known for her cunning, accompanied by a masked-man with black horse, and a wolf-human with a Ezo's appearance. Moreover, we were armed, which could be considered a full house. It is inevitable that the villagers in this rural area, where contact with the outside world is limited to occasional peddlers or small officials of the county who collect tribute, would be on maximum alert, as it would be impossible not to be cautious.
But we still had to do our job, even if it was just for appearances...
"That's fine," I replied, my voice steady and composed, "We only came here to deliver a warning based on the instructions of the County Governor and the head of the family."
"A warning, you say...?" Village Chief murmured, his tone laced with skepticism.
I showed the promissory note that I received from the County Governor and made my declaration. Perhaps due to the influence of the promissory note, the village chief showed a slight interest in our words. However, his expression still contained suspicion and distrust. Well, it's understandable since it's unnatural for the County Governor or the exorcists' family to send such a group as messengers.
"Yes... How prepared are you for the arrival of the Namahage in this village?" I inquired, my voice carrying a note of concern.
"Hmph! I have no obligation to teach the likes of you, who are nothing but unknown nobodies!"
After a moment of hesitation, it was entirely expected for him to dismiss my question in such a way. Yeah, they probably haven't made much preparation.
"That's fine. We are traveling through this area to prepare for the Namahage. As a side task, we have come to deliver this warning. It is the appropriate time, and we kindly request that you be vigilant for any abnormalities."
"No need to tell me. Although, as far as I know, that monster has never actually visited the village."
In response to my warning, however, the village chief laughed derisively. He looked to be around sixty years old. It's likely that the tradition of evacuating to the village had become an empty gesture by the time he reached adulthood. There was not a trace of crisis awareness, and it seemed like he would forget about my warning the next day. If there had been no significant damage in the past two hundred years of negligence, it would make sense.
(And I can't mention that the village was attacked or that the whereabouts of the Namahage are unknown...)
The condition the County Governor presented for lending the seal to a mere servant was the obligation of confidentiality. On the surface, it was to maintain the authority of the imperial court and to prevent unnecessary commotion before the preparation of supplies and the discovery of the Namahage. However, the real reasons are self-evident. They took the precaution of involving a curse, with Murasaki involved as a witness.
(Ah, I can see a disturbing motive...)
The fact that The Governor and his group agreed to make Iruka accompany me may have been a calculated move to gauge the villagers' reactions.
Even if it's just for show, a warning was given, but the villagers didn't react... There's a possibility that our suspicious group was assembled to maintain that appearance. I see, if the ones giving the warning are suspicious, no one would follow them. I can't speak for others in this matter, but it's quite an unpleasant situation.
"Hey, should we get going soon?"
"Hmm? Ah, yes. That's right. Well, since we've informed you and we have a duty, we'll take our leave."
In response to Iruka's call, I bow to the village chief and retreat with the dark-blue-horse in tow. Iruka and Shiro do the same. On the other hand, the villagers continue to hold their farming tools and weapons with a hostile aura until we disappear from their sight...
"What do you think? If they remain cautious around the village, there might be some hope for survival..." I asked, my voice filled with anticipation, hoping for a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
If everything goes according to the scenario, this place should be the next target in line. Although, since the event has been moved up by almost a week, I can't say for sure...
"Well, considering the mess we made... there might be a possibility that they'll be on guard and keep watch over us."
"Yeah, that's possible."
Despite Iruka's reluctant remark, I unconsciously agreed. The Governor probably didn't calculate that far... If that's the case, it's convenient in its own way. Not enjoyable, though.
"Anyway, what are we going to do from here?" Iruka inquired, his voice filled with a sense of urgency.
"Ah, right," I replied, my tone shifting to one of focus and determination. "If we follow the city road that continues north from here, we'll reach a mountainous basin. For now, we'll warn the three villages there and explore the surrounding areas." I carefully unfolded the map, pointing out the path to Iruka as I explained, my voice steady and purposeful.
Specifically, I'm referring to the three villages: Sekine, Mongai, and Shikawa, which are surrounded by mountainous terrain. Although the land is limited, the water supply is good, and in this respect, the area is relatively suitable for rice cultivation. The combined population of the three villages is approximately over 800 people, and... they are also the villages where the protagonist was screwed in the original scenario.
To be precise, these three villages were faced with the choice of evacuation, abandonment, or protection during the final stages of the Namahage surveillance mission, as it was revealed that they would be the next target after the Namahage. The result is as I mentioned before.
(Although it's uncertain how much will change by warning earlier than in the original...)
Just imagining the outcome made me sigh. Or rather, I did sigh. I let out a deep breath, feeling my body growing sluggish.
"Um, Tomobe-san... Are you okay?"
Seeing my demeanor, Shiro, who was leading the chestnut horse, anxiously asked.
"Hmm? ...No, there's no problem."
"But... aren't you tired? The blizzard was strong yesterday, and maybe you should take a break somewhere..."
Shiro's remark refers to last night. We spent the night in a mountain hut set up on Mount Hiyake but that night was the strongest blizzard since we set out to search for the Namahage.
Originally, the plan was for Iruka and me to take turns keeping watch, but especially yesterday, encountering the human-faced dog required heightened vigilance and concentration. There was no certainty about the size of the pack. SI surveyed the surroundings of the hut where we had spent the night several times. Needless to say, it was freezing cold.
However, I'm not so weak as to be discouraged by that alone.
"Hey. Don't worry about it. I'm just a bit fed up with the villages' predictable responses. They have no creativity, you know? It would be nice if they came up with more imaginative answers."
"Uh, um. Well, that's..."
As I jokingly made my statement, Shiro wore an expression that couldn't be described. The fact that she didn't deny it indicated that she had similar thoughts.
"Kekeke, don't act all innocent. Foxy brat, you'd get annoyed too if you were subjected to those kinds of stares every time, right? You were receiving quite a curious gaze yourself, weren't you?"
"H-hey, Iruka-san! Why are you...!!"
"Curious? What do you mean?"
Interrupting the conversation, Iruka interjected, and Shiro hurriedly protested. However, as for me, I tilted my head with suspicion at that statement.
"Well, um... That's..."
"Think about it," Iruka chimed in, her tone patient yet matter-of-fact. "This brat is a youkai fox, even though she's just a kid. And look at her clothes, they're quite fancy, aren't they?" Her words carried a hint of realization, as if she had just pieced together a puzzle.
"That's... Ah, I see," I responded, my voice tinged with a mix of comprehension and surprise. The pieces were slowly falling into place, and I began to grasp the significance of the situation.
It could be considered a kind of characteristic. Youkai foxes, both male and female, often take on a beautified human form that mesmerizes and humiliates humans, and the same is true of the half-youkai fox people.
Considering that in continental dynasties and imperial courts, stories and even historical facts abound about foxes seducing and corrupting emperors and ministers through their allure, it was not surprising that the villagers looked at Shiro with both disdain and curiosity.
While not as blatant as Shirowakamaru, Shiro certainly had moments where, despite her youthful appearance, she exuded a bewitching aura that could deceive men. ...I had become accustomed to it, of course.
"Well, well, as expected of the youkai fox. I'm sure the fox that caused a commotion on the continent rendered the high-ranking officials powerless with just their gaze and voice, right? You don't let your guard down."
"P-Please don't mock me! I-I don't really pay attention to that kind of thing! Besides, I can't use word curse!"
Shiro retorted, her face turning red. Well, from her perspective, it must be an unpleasant accusation. Iruka probably didn't know, but being a part of the soul of a wicked and tyrannical calamity youkai, Shiro must have felt the need to vehemently deny it.
"Oh? So you unconsciously deceived those guys? Truly the youkai fox. Quite fearsome," Iruka remarked, her voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and amusement.
"Hey, Iruka," I interjected, my tone stern and reproachful. "Stop mocking her so much... Shiro, don't worry about it. Just take what this guy says as a joke." I scolded Iruka, my words carrying a protective edge, shielding Shiro from further taunts.
"Uuuh..." Shiro stammered and looked at me with some tears in her eyes.
Maybe I was a bit late in stopping it?
"Hey, hey, don't cry. Iruka wasn't serious."
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