Moreover... the young man sensed a distinct feeling of danger from the girl. However, after confirming that she carried no aura of evil spirits, he relaxed slightly.
"Sure!"
Rita did not refuse. She glanced at the frivolous, even somewhat lecherous look in the man's eyes, responded very politely, and entered the pavilion.
"My little pets caused trouble for a beautiful lady like you earlier. Please accept my apology."
After Rita entered the pavilion, all the Kuda-gitsune stared at her warily, while the young man held one of them and put on an apologetic expression.
"Are these all Kuda-gitsune?"
Rita stared at the large group of Kuda-gitsune around the young man. She had guessed as much... but still could not help asking for confirmation.
P.S.: Good night! Everyone, don't stay up too late...
Izuna Kinji
Kuda-gitsune User was merely a common name; the proper term was Izuna User. According to legend, a Kuda-gitsune was created by burying a fox's body in the ground, leaving only its head exposed, then beating it viciously. It would be starved for several days while a great deal of food was placed nearby, where it could see it but not eat it.
When its resentment reached its peak, it could be killed. During that time, the cruelest methods were used to keep it filled with hatred—for example, beating it with wooden sticks until it bled, letting it slowly die...
Once the fox died, its soul would immediately be sealed inside a bamboo tube with sorcery, and rituals would be performed until it became obedient. Normally, the fox's soul remained sealed within the bamboo tube, and it would be brought out when needed.
As for why foxes were used, perhaps it was because foxes had relatively high spiritual power among animal spirits. Later on, some people