Chapter 52

"What are you drawing this time?"

"A pipe fox."

"…What's that?"

"Well, it's a creature that likes to enter bamboo tubes, apparently."

As I explained to Laocles, I continued to draw the pipe fox.

… I don't really know much about pipe foxes. Almost all my knowledge comes from a book I read at the teacher's house.

According to the book I read at the teacher's house, a "pipe fox" is a kind of fox, or maybe a yokai, or something like that.

It seems to possess a family that deals with pipe foxes. Yeah. Thinking about it, it starts to feel a bit scary.

However, it seems that pipe foxes are creatures that can be used by humans. I remember reading that they help a certain family, something like that.

… But, it's a fox. In the end, it's a fox. A small, agile creature that can enter bamboo tubes and be useful to people. A fox.

Also, I remember reading that they can enter matchboxes, and that one can multiply to 64 or 75. …Do they split?

The book at the teacher's house didn't have many illustrations, so my image of the "pipe fox" is mostly based on my imagination. Since I don't know much, a lot of imagination is involved. I feel like more imagination is involved than with the phoenix.

"Hmm… What kind of creature is a pipe fox?"

"…You're going to make a summoning creature out of something you don't understand very well?"

Laocles has a "I don't understand" kind of look on his face, but yeah.

Even if I don't understand it well, there's a reason I want to bring out a pipe fox.

First, it's a very important issue… I think a creature that's good at hiding is very important.

I remember when Fay had to discard the gem containing her summoning creature. I would be in trouble if I were in that situation. It would be great if I could call for help before it happens, or if there's a creature that can help me after it happens.

… However, even if it's a summoning creature that's good at hiding, there's a bit of a problem.

In this world, summoning creatures are inside gems.

Fay had to discard her gem. The point is, they know that "gems are weapons." Therefore, it's impossible to hide the existence of the summoning creature itself. In other words, if you want a summoning creature to hide and do something when a dangerous situation arises… well, you have to bring out the summoning creature before the gem is discarded, and have it hide… something like that.

… It's not very realistic. Ideally, I would want a creature that can stay with me even if I'm put in a cell. In that case, maybe I should put the gem in my shoe, like Fay hid a knife in her shoe? Would the summoning creature mind that…?

… So, the more I think about it, the more difficult the conditions become for a creature that's good at hiding. It's harder to "hide" it in the first place because it's in a gem.

Therefore, I think it would be much easier to hide if there were a creature that could enter something other than a gem. It would be better if it's a creature that I can easily hide, rather than one that I have to hide.

That's why I thought a pipe fox that enters bamboo tubes instead of gems would be perfect…

"…Foxes are objects of faith."

"Is that so?"

Yeah. There are shrines dedicated to Inari. I think foxes, or pipe foxes, are mythological creatures in a sense.

"Also, I remember there being a fox with nine tails."

"Nine tails?"

… Don't long-lived foxes have their tails split? They're powerful foxes, right? Wait, were they cats…?

Also, good foxes have nine tails. Yeah. I feel like I read that somewhere. So, if I draw a fox with nine tails, a strong and good fox will come out. If it's strong, it will protect itself, and if a good fox comes out, we can get along well…

"Also, there's something called fox fire."

"Does the fox light a fire?"

"More like a ball of fire…?"

There's a theory that the phosphorus from buried graves started to be called fox fire, but at least in legend, foxes use fire. Probably. …I'm starting to lose confidence.

"Also, it's white."

"…A white fox?"

Isn't a pipe fox a white fox? Yeah, I think it is…

… Also, what does a pipe fox eat? Maybe aburaage? I don't think it eats bamboo seeds. Well, foxes are omnivores, right…?

So, I drew a pipe fox.

A white, small, agile creature with nine tails, probably with supernatural powers, and a love for entering tubes. It might like tight spaces.

Also, it's a helpful creature that does work when asked, and has a good nature… Yeah, something like that.

"It's a cute creature."

"Well… I can't deny that my wishes are involved."

To be honest, I want a pipe fox that doesn't "possess" me or anything scary like that. Yeah. It's completely my wish, but…

Also… I'm not sure if my imagination is correct for a "pipe fox"…

Just before finishing, I cut down a bamboo. One should be fine. It will probably grow back.

"Can you cut it and make it into a tube here?"

"Sure."

Laocles did the cutting. He swung a small, sharp axe and cleanly cut the bamboo. The cross-section was smooth. I'm glad I asked Laocles.

So, the bamboo tube was made, and the place for the pipe fox to enter was ready. Just in case, I prepared a few different bamboo tubes. But since they are excellent bamboo tubes, I'm sure it will like at least one of them.

I also prepared a gem as a precaution. A crystal and an emerald.

… The emerald is because it's similar in color to bamboo. Just a feeling.

So, I finished drawing the pipe fox. I was a bit anxious about what kind of creature would come out, but I was more excited about the unknown creature.

… Then, in the next moment, it seemed like a white tail was floating in the drawing paper.

A small fox with a large tail came out, wagging its tail.

"…Is this a pipe fox?"

When I asked, the fox puffed out its chest on my hand and spread its fluffy tail wide. Yeah, it has nine tails. Because of this, the fox has become a creature where the tail is larger than the body.

The tail and body are a bit unbalanced, which makes it somehow cute.

"Um… Wow, wait! What's going on?"

But, I was quite flustered. Because the pipe fox climbed up from my hand… and started to slip into the sleeve of my shirt.

I didn't think it would do that, but it actually entered my sleeve. Well… it was small enough to fit in the sleeve? Even if it's a small body, I thought the sleeve would get full if it entered…

… But, I could feel the fluffy texture on my arm, yet the sleeve didn't get tight. Hmm, it's really a mysterious creature.

Then, for a while, I was played with by the pipe fox.

It went through the sleeve of my shirt, inside the shirt, and came out from the hem.

Next, it went down my leg to the ground, entered from the hem of my pants, tickled my leg as it climbed up… and came out from between my belly and belt.

"…I think it's impossible to come out from there."

I don't think there was enough space for the pipe fox's body to pass through, but strangely, it did. It eventually came back to my hand and started wagging its tail.

Hmm… It seems the pipe fox has a talent for slipping into tight spaces. Maybe its body can become liquid. Well, it's a fantasy creature, so I have to accept it.

"I prepared a place for you to live… which one do you like?"

Then, I lined up the bamboo tubes and gems in front of the pipe fox.

The pipe fox immediately slipped into the smallest bamboo tube without hesitation.

"…It looks like a tube that's too small for its body to fit."

"Yeah… Maybe it can fit into any tube."

Laocles and I watched as the tail of the pipe fox popped out of the small bamboo tube and floated. Hmm, I have no idea how it works.

… In the end, the pipe fox chose one bamboo tube and one gem. But, it seems to prefer the bamboo tube. It's now perfectly inside the bamboo tube.

It seems it also wanted the gem. Maybe the bamboo tube is like a vacation home.

"Come out."

But, when I called, it came out of the bamboo tube and entered the sleeve of my shirt.

… Hmm.

"Maybe you prefer the sleeve over the bamboo tube?"

When I asked, the pipe fox flew out of the sleeve and made a cheerful "kon" sound, as if to say "Yes."

So, the pipe fox makes a "kon" sound. Hmm, it's exactly as I imagined, so I was a bit surprised.

"Um, but if you stay in my sleeve, it's ticklish…"

It seems the pipe fox can enter any tube-like object. But, if it stays in my sleeve, it's ticklish… so, I'll have it stay in the gem or bamboo tube most of the time.

Then, I prepared food for the pipe fox.

Since foxes are omnivores, I prepared fruits, bamboo seeds, and aburaage. I drew and brought them out.

… Then, it ate everything without any problems. However, it only took one bite of the bamboo seeds and made a "What's this?" face, so it probably didn't like the taste. The phoenix, seeing this, made a "Is it not delicious?" kind of surprised face, but, well, everyone has different tastes. Yeah.

Then, I suddenly felt sleepy, so I decided to go to bed. Probably due to a lack of magic power. So, I slept on the hammock as usual.

"Good night."

When I went to sleep, the phoenix flew over and settled next to me.

Also, the pipe fox slipped into the sleeve of my shirt.

It was a bit ticklish, but… before I knew it, I had lost consciousness.

… I was supposed to sleep on the hammock, but when I woke up, I was on a bed.

And on top of me, the pipe fox was curled up sleeping, and next to it, the phoenix was also curled up sleeping.

It seems I was moved from the hammock to the bed.

I wondered why, and when I looked outside the window, the answer was clear.

… The leaves of the forest trees were dripping and shining. The fallen leaves on the ground were moist.

In other words, it had just rained.

When I went outside, the fresh scent of the rain-soaked forest filled the air. As I took a deep breath, I suddenly encountered a strange scene.

"…They're gathering."

In the rain-soaked forest, next to newly sprouted bamboo, unicorns—no, not pegasi, but unicorns—were gathered, wandering around the bamboo.

What's going on here?

As I watched the unicorns, one of them suddenly neighed.

It neighed "Hee-haw" and proudly raised its horn.

"…Ah!"

That's when I understood the purpose of the unicorns and why they were proud.

… It seems the unicorns were searching the ground.

The horn, which was dirty with soil, had a bamboo shoot stuck on its tip.

"They were taking care of the bamboo."

When I petted the unicorn, it proudly raised its horn even more.

It seems they sensed the crisis in the forest. They found the bamboo shoots that sprouted after the rain, discovered them early, and dug them up.

This is amazing. It's very helpful. I was worried about managing the bamboo with just me and Laocles. I was thinking of drawing and restoring the original state if it got worse, but it's better if we can manage it by hand…

I turned to the unicorns again and asked them.

"…I would like to ask you to help me monitor the bamboo shoots in the future."

The unicorns neighed "Hee-haw" in a reliable manner. Yeah. One worry is gone. Thank you for your help.

That day, I went to the Redgard family. To report on my summoning creatures to Fay.

"Wow. You brought out a unique creature."

Fay was observing the phoenix and the pipe fox with curious, shining eyes.

"Kind of like you."

"Is that so?"

I'm not as impressive as the phoenix, nor as agile as the pipe fox.

"Well, it's good that they get along. Now you can be a bit more at ease."

"Laocles says I should bring out two more."

When I said that, Laocles, who was behind me, nodded with a "Of course" look. It seems he's a bit worried with just the phoenix and the pipe fox.

"Well, let's wait until your seal is completely removed. There's still the final stage left."

"Yeah."

My control of magic power is definitely improving. But, if I want to increase the number of summoning creatures, it would be better to wait until I have no worries about control.

"But, for now, this will give you some peace of mind…"

… Fay repeated that and then looked at me intently… and said,

"Hey, Togo. You're not interested in parties, are you?"