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

Chapter143，Part2: 2 - Reconciliation

Chapter 143 Reconciliation

Part 2

I have no idea what he was thinking. As if it didn’t concern him at all, Cry was smiling as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

For Ruda, the 【Castle of a Myriad Demons】 was hell. If Ruda had been alone, she wouldn’t have thought about burying herself inside the mountain of corpses. Maybe I would have chosen the option of escaping to the castle as fast as possible. If I had done that, I don’t know what would have happened to me.

However, there was nothing in Cry’s expression that suggested that he was concerned about Ruda and the others. It showed that Cry was accustomed to give these kinds of trials to those around him.

Other than that, predicting Arnold’s thoughts ―― Even him breaking down and choosing to flee was something only the devil will do and if this was the standard for Level 8, then Ruda didn’t think she could ever reach this Level. Moreover, it wasn’t even the highest level in the Hunter leveling system.

Anyway, we have overcome the trial. I guess I should be satisfied with that for now.

Compared to 《Fallen Mist》 who was wounded and had to escape from the Shrine while barely making out of it alive and was forced to march in fear of their impending meeting with Cry, Cry and his companions’ complexion looked very good.

The only thing I was worried about was Tino, but she was wearing a yukata and seemed to be better than the last time I saw her.

Ruda and the rest had a mission. Originally, they had planned to leave Arnold in Surus and go to Gladys territory and wait for Cry and the others to arrive, but meeting them here may have been bad luck for Arnold and his companions, but good luck for Ruda and the rest.

Surus’ Onsen was like heaven for Ruda, who was exhausted from all the hard work she did in the past few days.

When we left the Shrine, the blood and flesh that was stuck on us when we dived into the mountain of corpses disappeared after a while, but the mud and dust that were covered on us didn’t. I have heard that this is a good place to rest and relieve one’s fatigue because of the therapeutic Onsens, so it is perfect, I will gladly go into one.

Following what Cry proposed, I decided to talk about the details of the request later and went to the Onsen for the first time in a long while.

Tino was with me. I was familiar with the yukata, but this was the first time I had seen it.

I know it was a little unreasonable, but I felt a little annoyed at her appearance when we were all tattered.

I chose this Onsen at random, but the bathing area was very spacious.

The faint steam touched my skin and it was so comfortable that I began to feel sleepy. I endured it and washed my body with care for the first time in a while.

I know it was inevitable that you don’t get the chance to wash your body on a long journey, but as a girl, it was really unpleasant to not be able to.

“Aaaaah…… I am so tired…… It has been so long since the last time I thought I was going to die.” (Ruda)

The 【White Wolve’s Den】 was also difficult, but this time’s hell was hard in its own way. The strength of the Phantoms was higher this time, but thanks to 《Fallen Mist》, the mental burden on Ruda was lessened in some ways.

I think it was a good experience, but I don’t want to go through it ever again.

“I believed in Master’s prediction ―― But I am glad you are alive.” (Tino)

Tino, who was sitting next to me and was rubbing her skin with care with the palm of her hand, said in a soft voice. Tino’s white skin was *pikapika* shiny and smooth, probably due to the fact that she had been in the Onsen several times.

Her short words were filled with strong feelings. At her words, Ruda felt a little bit ticklish to know that this normally quiet girl has recognized her as a friend.

“How did it go on your side?” (Ruda)

“………… I was slaying a Dragon inside an Onsen.” (Tino)

“?????” (Ruda)

I listen to her story while relaxing in the bath. The contents of the story left Ruda with nothing but a sigh of dismay.

Apparently, Tino was the same and was also having a hard time. Tino is probably the only Hunter in the world who has been forced to slay a dragon while completely naked.

Even though there were other powerful Hunters such as Cry or Sytry, they let Tino fight, you can see that they are way too spartan.

Tino who looked very embarrassed when she speaks of it, looked very cute even from the perspective of Ruda who is of the same sex.

If Ruda had been in the same position as her, she wouldn’t have had the time to feel embarrassed. Even if someone pointed it out to me afterward (Of course, even if it will be a little embarrassing), I would be proud of myself and say that I had no other choice.

The girl in front of me was a full-fledged Hunter, but she was still shy in strange places.

Then, I remembered something from before and looked at Tino.

“………… Areh? But didn’t you say something about positions to Cry before?” (Ruda)

“? …… I did, so what?” (Tino)

With an incomprehensible expression, Tino looked at Ruda.

It was when she was fighting against Gilbert at the training ground. At that time, I thought she had that kind of personality, but I don’t think that it is a sentence where a girl who turns red at the slightest glimpse of her skin can say without hesitation.

When Ruda frowned, Tino said in a rather cold voice, different from the one she directed to her 『Master』.

“That was…… Onee-sama’s education. When you have to be able to get into tight spaces flexibility in your joints is important. It is something natural for a Thief. I just showed it to Master…… But what about it?” (Tino)

“!? ………… I-I don’t think that was what your Shishou meant when she said that……” (Ruda)

“? What do you mean?” (Tino)

Apparently, she was just imitating her Onee-sama. Indeed Liz Smart seems to be someone who would say something like that without hesitation.

Normally, you don’t say that the softness of your joints would allow you to “Be in any position”.

“………… Anyway, for the time being, I don’t think you should use those words in front of people.” (Ruda)

Ruda gave an evasive answer and soaked herself in the hot water up to her mouth to deceive her.

A hot bath after such a long time was so comfortable that it reverberates up to my soul. I even felt that all the fatigue I built because of the trial melting away.

It might be a good idea to stay here for a while after I give Cry the request form. Because I have been on the verge of death so many times.

“I think it was a good experience, but…… I don’t want to do another trial ever again. Neee, Tino. Can you tell this to Cry?” (Ruda)

While drowsily drifting off, I jokingly tell this to Tino who was sitting next to me.

Tino was silent for a moment, but then said something unexpected.

“……………… Not yet, I don’t think this time trial is over yet.” (Tino)

“……………… Eh?” (Ruda)

§　§　§

“O?, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》! Is this really training?” (Gilbert)

“I’m serious. S’riously serious. Because Luke got stronger by doing it. This is my recommended training method.” (Cry)

“I-I see…… I feel that’s a little weird, but if you say so, it can’t be wrong! To think you can train in an Onsen…… So this is a Level 8 method to train. Uoooooooooooooooooooo ―― Gabogabogabo!!” (Gilbert)

Inside the bathing area, Gilbert-shonen was standing on his knees and was being hit by the Onsen waterfall. The Members of his Party were watching him with a subtle expression of dismay.

I endured my laughter and turned away. Apparently, Gilbert-shonen is as simple as Luke.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

I decided to add the Japanese name of people Alias in parenthesis. Just ignore it if you don’t like it.

The trial isn’t over yeeeeet!!!! Of course, it is not over. Do you think Cry will let it end so easily?

Of course, you get stronger by being hit by a waterfall, it is the basic training in anime! XD

Don’t forget another chapter tomorrow!

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

In case you don’t understand, what Tino said could be interpreted as “I can be in any (sexual) position you want”, that’s why Ruda is confused (probably because in Japanese, the word she used had a sexual connotation). Btw I went back and check it and it was chapter 10, the very first line.