Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Chapter134，Part2: 2 - Smiling Vacation ②

Chapter 134 Smiling Vacation ②

Part 2

“I am glad you like it. It was fortunate that the room was available. The price was also quite cheap, it seems that if it was the usual those rooms would have been booked.” (Sytry)

Very happily said Sytry as I was immediately drawn in by the magic of the tatami mats and was forced to *gorogoro* lie down and roll around.

“Eeeeh. We were quite lucky then…… Was it because they were off-season?” (Cry)

“Yes. I heard that all the customers ran away because it was close to Gladys territory……” (Sytry)

I see. It is because it is close to Gladys territory ―― So, is it or is it not because they were off-season?

Is getting closer or further away from the Gladys territory a good thing or not depending on the time of the year? Lol.

“It seems that a troublesome group of bandits is running rampant in Gladys territory…… Causing the number of customers to decrease sharply.”? (Sytry)

“Eeeeh…… That’s some pretty scary story here.” (Cry)

Well, those kinds of things are quite common. Zebrudia has a lot of Hunters, but the quality of its criminals is also very high.

The Knight Order is in charge of maintaining the security, so the security isn’t that bad, but criminals *pokopoko* come out like bamboo shoots after the rains, so they have a quick turnover.

I heard that Gladys territory has a lot of pretty strong knights in their Knight Order, so I am sure that the commotion will be over soon.

“Even though they don’t have to worry about it that much. Well, you can say that we were lucky as we got a room.” (Cry)

“This town is a tourist spot, but its defensive strength is quite weak…… They must be feeling uneasy.” (Sytry)

Come to think of it, unlike Elan or Gula, which are surrounded by thick and tall outer walls, the outer walls of this town were quite simple and made of wood.

Perhaps because they emphasized the landscape, it seemed like a powerful Monster or humans could do whatever they want with it.

However, no matter how they worry too much.

The only people bandits choose to attack are peace-idiot merchants or travelers without escorts. No matter how small of a town you are, when you are a town, you have to have some level of defense and even if they can beat it, Zebrudia Empire is a country with a lot of power. So, if they attack a town, the country wouldn’t be silent. There is even a possibility that powerful Hunters are staying there. It is just not worth it.

“What kinds of bandits attack a town nowadays?” (Cry)

“I agree…… If you just want to destroy a town, you can do it by making good use of a Poison Potion.” (Sytry)

That… That’s just terrorism……

Sytry probably also doesn’t think that bandits will come here.

While *gorogoro* rolling over, I go near the place where Sytry was sitting. You know these days, I feel like I am rolling around a lot. Maybe I should add it to my list of favorite stunts.

The tatamis…… The tatamis are absorbing all of my energy. My body is so heavy. I can’t do anything else. And before I know it, I am sure I will become one with the tatami.

When our gazes met, Sytry laughed shyly and slapped her knee twice.

“Go ahead.” (Sytry)

Thankfully, I borrowed her knees and lifted my head to rest on them. Her knees, wrapped in a thin stocking, were a little thinner than Liz’s, who fought with her legs, and were incredibly soft.

I was trying to reward her, but on the contrary, I was the one being rewarded.

Sytry said in a quiet voice and put her hand on my head as I made a big yawn.

“I think…… We have some time. Let’s take our time to rest and wait for the right moment.”? (Sytry)

“Un, un, you are…… Right……” (Cry)

Strong drowsiness washed over me and my consciousness drift on and off.

The last thing that remained in my sight was Sytry’s gentle smile.

§　§　§

“Kuh…… Se-seriously……” (Hay)

Hay was stunned, squinted, and looked at the castle on top of the cliff. Arnold had the exact same impression.

“Crimson Flame (Fire Gale)” turned their gaze towards it with a pale expression.

Gilbert, who always had an unafraid attitude towards Arnold, was now looking at it with a look of astonishment in his eyes.

Once I was within a few kilometers, I felt a strange chill. As soon as it was within sight, my premonition turned into certainty.

【Castle of a Myriad Demons】. A certified Level 8 Treasure Shrine that didn’t exist in Nebranubes was something far beyond Arnold’s expectations.

“Impossible…… That man, did he go inside that place with such a small group!?” (Arnold)

Due to the accumulation of the Mana Material, the weather was crumbling and a waterfall-like rain was slamming on the ground. Countless thunderbolts were constantly shining near the multiple towers on the castle and some kinds of shadows were visible in the thick clouds.

There was no sign of any Monsters around, but that was understandable. There must be no Monsters that would want to live in a hell like this one.

That Treasure Shrine ―― Was clearly out of scope for the current 《Fallen Mist (Lightning Dragon’s Mist)》.

One of 《Crimson Flame (Fire Gale)》 couldn’t stand the oddness in the air and threw up on the ground. However, even looking at him like this, no one feels any feeling of contempt towards that member.

Because even from Arnold’s point of view, it was a Treasure Shrine of a superior rank despite him having the highest certification Level. For a Level 3 Hunter, it would be like a glimpse of hell.

“W-What do we do?” (Hay)

Hay tried to confirm with a serious expression. The change in Hay, who had always maintained an aloof attitude, showed how bad the situation was.

The 【Castle of a Myriad Demons】 is probably a Treasure Shrine with a difficulty level where six Arnold-class Hunters can barely face against. If we enter with the current Members, we will definitely die ―― No, some of us will probably be crushed by the pressure and become useless before even encountering Monsters.

The problem is, it should have been the same for 《Infinite Variety》.

《Infinite Variety’s》 group also included deadweight people. Observing from a distance, this Treasure Shrine isn’t something a single Level 8 Hunter can go around and manage by himself.

Even for argument’s sake, 《Infinite Variety》 brought such deadweight with him into the Treasure Shrine under the guise of a trial, then ―― It can only be said that their 『Levels are too different』.

Remembering the expression on that man’s face as he took on Arnold’s attack unprotected, Arnold stated his decision in a strained voice.

“Damn…… We will retreat for now… And make a plan. We are going to rearrange our formation. Impossible… Like such a ridiculous story could ever be possible!” (Arnold)

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Hahaha, now do you understand the real power of Strange Grief! You were just a frog in a well!

And Sytry’s words are mysterious, what could be the right time? Is she talking about Arnold? She probably want to crush his will after they visited the Castle XD

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Bamboo shoots after the rains: An idiom meaning that the bandits pop out very quickly and in large quantities.