Let’s Manage the Tower

Book 4: Volume 3 Chapter 6, Fox Inn

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

The inn that adventurers have come to call the Inn of Illusions is located on the same eighth floor as Yuri Shrine. However, the inn is built at a distance from Yuri Shrine. Even if an adventurer were to leave the inn, seeing the shrine would be impossible.

The Inn of Illusions is protected by a barrier Kousuke created, making unauthorized departure impossible. It employs the same barrier used at the location where vampires and Ygrite operate their hotel.

The method for connecting from one floor location to another at the inn does not involve a teleportation gate, but actually utilizes a function from the Yuri Shrine. This convenient function allows the Yuri Shrine to establish connections from one point on one Floor to another location.

Until now, no particular use for this capability had existed, so no opportunity to demonstrate it had arisen. After all, if Kousuke desired, he could freely move between Floors using return circles and summoning circles. No need existed to go to the trouble of using Yuri Shrine’s function.

Therefore, at the foxes’ request, Yuri, the main entity of Yuri Shrine, decided to employ its functions to operate an inn. Consequently, the Inn of Illusions is operated by the foxes on the eighth Floor, or more precisely, the foxes who can transform into humans.

The reason the foxes started operating the inn traces back to foxes returning after completing their role of raising Kousuke’s children. The foxes on each Floor eat wild animals and monsters inhabiting that Floor, but those who had been raising children acquired a taste for human-prepared meals.

Not that they were dissatisfied with wild meat as it was, but they wanted it as a luxury item. Originally, Yuri Shrine was managed by Eri, who oversees the buildings. She would prepare such meals if asked, but after experiencing the reward of working in exchange for treats, the foxes began to feel dissatisfied with that arrangement alone.

As a result, the foxes, including Wanri, discussed the matter and decided to operate an inn. Kousuke was surprised to hear this from Wanri.

However, since the foxes had rarely taken initiative until now except for raising children, he gladly agreed to help.

The fact that the foxes had started operating an inn did not necessarily mean Kousuke would suffer any disadvantages. He had no intention of preventing the foxes from pursuing something they had independently conceived and requested to do.

Consequently, the inn started by the foxes came to exist as a mysterious location in the tower, known to adventurers as the Inn of Illusions.

* * *

While raising Kousuke’s children, Wanri had begun to exude a more mature air, and received many gifts from Kousuke. Most consisted of supplies for operating the inn on the eighth Floor.

“Thank you,” Wanri said, bowing.

Kousuke shook his head.

“I have already received payment, so no thanks are necessary. Besides, I do not really need payment for this much, do I?”

Wanri shook her head in response.

“That is not acceptable. It would set a bad example for the others, not just me. And for the children too.”

In this case, the children Wanri referenced were the fox children tasked with guiding guests to the inn. Kousuke understood what Wanri was saying, so he did not argue further.

Instead, he stared intently at Wanri.

“W-what is it?” Wanri asked, her cheeks flushing slightly as Kousuke stared at her.

“Well, I was just thinking how Wanri has grown up.” Kousuke said with a slight smile.

Wanri pursed her lips. “I will not be a child forever.”

“Yeah, I agree. Sorry, sorry,” Kousuke chuckled.

Her sulky behavior remained the same as always, but knowing that saying anything would only increase her irritation, Kousuke did not press further.

“As long as you are able to pay your bills properly, I think you are managing the business well. Is everything proceeding smoothly?”

“Yes. As I mentioned before, it is primarily a hobby for us, and we are not looking to make substantial money.”

The foxes operated the inn solely to earn money and cook and eat the food they loved. The baby foxes, especially those who could transform into humans, found adventurers they liked and brought them into the inn to acquire the treats they craved.

Since the criteria were entirely up to each cub, Wanri would not know what kind of guest would be staying at the inn until the time came. Baby foxes were far more adept at sensing whether a guest was harmful than adult foxes. Perhaps this was a kind of wild instinct.

Operating the inn this way, having no guests at all for extended periods was not uncommon.

“Well, I will leave that to you, but if things become difficult, you must let me know, okay?”

“Yes. Thank you,” Wanri said, bowing obediently.

Wanri understood what Kousuke meant. Robbing adventurers of their money in order to obtain what they wanted would ruin the inn’s reputation. Wanri and the adult foxes understood this, as did the other foxes, but foxes who had never actually lived in human habitation rarely possessed this kind of common sense.

It was not impossible that a cub might attack an adventurer directly rather than bringing someone to the inn. If that were to happen, becoming a target for extermination among adventurers would not be surprising.

If that were to happen, Kousuke would be unable to protect them and had no intention of doing so. Kousuke’s thinking was that since the foxes had approached the human world for their own convenience, they should accommodate human expectations to a certain extent.

Of course, he had clearly explained this to Wanri when she came to consult him, and Wanri fully agreed.

Seeing Wanri bow to him, Kousuke was thinking about what a reliable individual she had become when an idea suddenly occurred to him.

“Come to think of it, maybe I should visit the inn next time?”

“What? Onii-sama?” Wanri was so flustered by Kousuke’s words that she nearly dropped the bag she was carrying.

“Oh? It did not work? I see, I was not chosen by the baby foxes…” Kousuke said.

Wanri shook her head vigorously from side to side.

“No, that’s not it! Anytime is fine, but I need to prepare many things first!”

Wanri replied, unaware of the contradiction between saying anytime was fine and then saying there were preparations to be made. Kousuke, however, also nodded slightly, not noticing this.

“I see. In that case, let me know when would be okay. I will come stay over next time.”

“Yes! I will be waiting!” Wanri exclaimed.

“There is no need to be so nervous. I am just a guest.” Kousuke spoke casually.

Wanri nodded slightly, “Yes.”

However, in her mind, she was thinking about how to convince the others. It would undoubtedly cause a commotion. However, refusing Kousuke’s request was also unthinkable for Wanri.

Ultimately, there was a considerable commotion that Kousuke did not notice, but the foxes welcomed him into their inn without revealing any hint of it. Needless to say, the inn was booked exclusively for that day.