Yamiyo no Hotaru

Volume 10 Epilogue

 "It's not good to bring personal emotions into the workplace. I think it's important to separate personal and professional matters."

 It was a sharp and immediate response to the warning. Especially if it is spoken in a calm and composed manner.

 ...And these insensitive words stirs up the jealousy that has been swirling in Yuka's heart for five hundred years.

 "...!!"

 ...The fury of the ferocious weasel and the sound of the wind cutting through the air happened simultaneously, and the clumsy piece of flesh that was once an arm flew through the air in an instant.

 "...Could you please stop? It hurts, you know?"

 The complaint about the severed arm seemed rather light, but if it came from this guy, it was only natural. For this monster, the physical body was nothing more than a temporary vessel for the soul.

 "...Watch your words. You imitating monkey."

 The response, resembling a derogatory remark from a weasel with a giant scythe-like tail, was directed inwardly. It was a disgust towards his own uncontrollable instincts, despite the name bestowed upon him by the leader and the restraint it provided.

 ...But it was not meant as a response to Nue's actions, by any means. To clarify, it was not of the tsundere type.

 "You lack cuteness. It would have been nice if you were secretly hurt inside... No, do you really have no trace of guilt?"

 "Of course not. Should I cut off another one?"

 In response to Nue's slightly lonely remark, the weasel rejected it with a clear sense of disgust. At that moment, they even considered dismantling Nue. After all, it's not like the vessel would disappear just because it suffered some damage.

 "Ahaha. Um, well, that's... It's really something to navigate this mountain path without a guide. Personally, I'd like to wear a disguise though."

 Interjecting from the side, a fox pleaded with soothing words. It was a golden fox and a girl. A fox disguised as a beautiful girl. It was Ruri Kouka, the leader of the youkai foxes, who gathered the youkai fox clan known as "Yao."

 The request to pave this mountain path and locate the countless traps was because only Nue was capable of doing so. It was a selfish reason, as expected of a youkai fox.

 "Don't worry, I'm strong and I have extra lives. I also have food."

 "But I don't have extra lives!? And can you please stop calling me 'food'?"

 The fox retorted against the boss who had always treated her as sacrifices. The fox knew that this weasel's words were not jokes or puns.

 "Don't worry. Even if Kouka dies, Momokou is here, so there won't be any problems with the management of the youkai fox clan."

 "It's about human emotions!!"

 "By the way, you're a fox, right...?"

 It was a retort from Yuka directed at the fox who was accusing them with teary eyes. It seemed even more ridiculous for a youkai fox, who manipulated and denigrated human emotions, to say such things.

 At the same time, Kouka, who is being bullied, also has a wicked thought that seems to be characteristic of a youkai. This weasel, even though they gains knowledge through their name, remains malicious.

 "Well, you know... In terms of your natural physical abilities, you... or rather, youkai foxes are weaklings, right? Even if you can transform or use illusion techniques, you're probably prepared for traps or dealing with Servants. It's only logical that you're my prey in terms of survival rate, isn't it?"