''Are you...'' Your voice dropped to a whisper as you got closer. Usha began to whine, wanting to be back in your arms, you scooped her back without trouble. ''...An agent of the Demon Lord?''

''Sometimes,'' Hanabi answered straight away, her grin wide, almost mocking. ''I'm a really shitty liar, so I don't bother trying. Daiyu's a good gal. Smart, too.'' Daiyu?

''Which is why I'm really confused.'' She continued, angling her face downward, and all cheer evaporated out of her face and tone. ''Eichenwald is a nice new city, the Allied Kingdoms' living statement that there's a future. Mamonos are treated like shit, a strange disease has plenty of humans comatoses, and there's likely more weirdness going on.'' ''Her succubine majesty should have sent more infiltrators here.'' She continued, wrapping her arms under her modest bust, eyes not on you, but Usha. ''A gods damned Inquisitor oughta be here cause of that disease fiasco, your father should have been in the know about everything the moment he stepped here as a Cleric-of-the-Path. Yet, crickets.''

You let Usha rest on your shoulder as she began staring at a pair of Mamonos lifting some of the heavier garbage around. ''Give me the impression we're being forgotten.'' !? Ugh! My head hurt, too much thinking.

''I've said a lot of stuff, none of it is garbage, but I can't demand ya trust me.'' Hanabi let out a long, weary sigh. She began to mime the form of a square. ''I'm telling ya all this cause I feel trapped in a box, can't get the bigger picture.'' She loudly clapped her hands together. ''My instincts are startin' to whisper to me the walls are closing, so I've decided to save what little lives I can.'' Is this another one of Mother Earth's little faiths? This fox, this Kitsune is beyond strange and suspicious... But I also met with one of the Good Mother daughters. I shouldn't assume strange encounters will stop.

''We've got six Mamonos who really, really need a quick exorcist, otherwise they probably won't last till next week.'' Hanabi spoke without keeping her eyes off the ground. Fatigue seemed to have wrapped around her. She looks ready to give up.
''Me and Shigeko could at least give em more time if we bring em outta the village for our cure.''

''That's... not unreasonable. My house is fairly secluded, so nobody would bother us, if you prepare on your end, we could do it tomorrow.''

''Thanks, Rey. You're a sweet one.'' Hanabi clapped her cheek, loudly breathed in, and regained her mischievous smile. ''Let's return, yeah?''

>Invite her into your home today. What Hanabi may or may not be doesn't matter; you can't rely on the human side of Eichenwald alone to elucidate the mysteries here.
>You'll keep this fox at an arm's length. Everything she said is...Mother's Mercy, you have another important discussion your family tonight.
>Free

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZWd_7Ud-Lc&ab_channel=EroSennin