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

Chapter217，Part1: 1 - A Reliable Man ⑤

Chapter 217 A Reliable Man ⑤

Part 1

Why did this happen?

At the center of the Imperial Capital.

Near the Imperial Castle, a place which boasts one of the highest land prices in Zebrudia (Although it is a few kilometers away from the Castle), a place where noble families, large merchant associations, and top-class Clans are all located.

It had been a long time since I had been to one of those upscale residential areas where Gladys’ residence was also located.

A somewhat old-fashioned brick building. There are probably few people who don’t know about this building, which is clearly different from its surroundings.

Like a tower, it was taller than any of the surrounding mansions, and there were even rumors that the top floor offered a panoramic view of the entire Imperial Capital. The fact that they were allowed to build a huge structure in the middle of this upscale residential area where all the noblemen’s residences are, spoke volumes about the prestige of this 『Clan』.

I remember when I first came to the Imperial Capital, I went out of my way to come here for sightseeing.

It was a Magi Clan, one of the oldest of all the Clans that existed in the Imperial Capital. It was the headquarters of 《Hidden Curse (Ma Tsue)》.

And at the top of the building, where every Hunter looked at with envy, I was having tea for some reason.

In front of me, a sharp-eyed witch, who I can’t even imagine how long she has been alive, smiled sarcastically, and a huge, bald man with half of his face tattooed, who looks more terrifying than any hunter I have ever seen, scowled. What on earth did I do to deserve this?

“Kukuku…… It looks like you have done something quite interesting, didn’t you, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》” (Rosemary)

“To think, you would come without making a fuss, even though you are always trying to escape it……? Did you eat something strange?” (Gark)

I unintentionally snickered.

?? Coming here on my own? Are my ears playing tricks on me?

There was no way I would voluntarily go to a hellish place where two of the top 5 most terrifying people in the Imperial Capital are.

Certainly, I will admit that my head was on a cloud because of the 『Supreme Martial Arts Festival (Buteisai)』 lately. But, but, however. My sense of danger wasn’t that numbed.

As I calmly escaped from reality, Marie and Ahrun, the source of me being here, said with a dumbfounded look on their faces as they made tea in front of me.

“Gark-san, what do you take Cry-san for? There is no way that the 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 will try to run away!” (Altobaran)

“Y-Yes. Altobaran is right! Cry-san has graciously agreed to come with us!” (Marie)

I don’t care, but what do you guys think I am?

I crossed my legs in half-resignation and said with as much sarcasm as I could muster.

“How can I say no to an invitation to drink tea?” (Cry)

Hey, you said tea, right? You said, would you like to have tea with us? Isn’t that what you said? Didn’t you? Isn’t that weird?

What’s with the two superfluous people here? No, it was also my fault for following you here, okay? But you know, maybe this isn’t…… To have tea together?

How could I refuse an invitation from you two who came all the way to my Clan! If you had told me that Gark-san and “Hono Obaa-san (Fire Grandma)” were here, I would have refused!

“A-Aaaah, I see. That’s fine then.” (Gark)

It was absolutely not fine, but Gark-san made a voice as if he was convinced despite being confused.

I put on a show of bravado for Ahrun and Marie, who were, for some reason, looking at me full of trust.

“It is only this time, you know…… Besides, I was just thinking that I need to see 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》.” (Cry)

I will never be fooled again. Damn it, I hate myself for letting my guard down because they were someone I knew.

Without knowing the circumstances, that Baa-san says while dexterously bending one of her eyebrows.

“Fumu…… Well, what an honor. But why haven’t you shown your face…… Up until now?” (Rosemary)

Isn’t it obvious? It was because I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to go, so I put it off!

In addition, I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to go if I didn’t have to.

“Ah, I have no business with you Gark-san, so you can go home.” (Cry)

.

“Want me to punch you?” (Gark)

“No, wait a sec. I would rather you stay……” (Cry)

“Want me to punch you?” (Gark)

Even if you are the 《War Ogre (Senki)》 it would be bad if your opponent is the 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》. However, you should be able to, at least, shield me a little.

I took the cup of tea that Ahrun made for me and smiled because it tasted unexpectedly good. I was already in the giving-up completely mode.

“Well then, Cry-san…… Take your time.” (Ahrun)

“Wait! It would be better if Ahrun and Marie were here too” (Cry)

“!?” (Ahrun)

We’re friends, aren’t we?

Ahrun’s eyes widened as if he was startled, but there was no way I was going to let him go.

Ahrun and Marie played with my innocence. I will have you be my wall when 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 runs amok. This Baa-san is not so inconsiderate as to burn her allies to the ground. If she can go that far, Term is still better than her. I’m telling you, this is worse… This is worse than the “Fox (Kitsune)” trying to kill the emperor. Isn’t it worse?

《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 frowned but reluctantly nodded.

For I, who have holes instead of eyes, I don’t know if she has decided that it is alright to burn her allies or if she is disappointed that she won’t be able to burn me.

After drinking a very good tea, I put the cup down.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have a lot of time. Now that we had tea, let’s get on with our business.” (Cry)

“Cry-san, please have some more. We also have some snacks.” (Ahrun)

Ah, yeah. Thank you.

Even if you don’t feel like it, something that tastes good, tastes good even if you’re on the edge of your seat. I *poripori* took a bite of the cookies that Ahrun offered me to prolong my stay as much as possible, sighed heavily, and said.

“I know what you want to talk about. It is about 《Stillwater (Shisui)》, isn’t it?” (Cry)

No matter how useless I am, I can tell.

It was only a few weeks ago that I borrowed Term, the 《Stillwater (Shisui)》 from 《Hidden Curse (Ma Tsue)》 and challenged the request to escort the Emperor. And it turned out to be a mistake in my judgment.

Term, the 《Stillwater (Shisui)》 was a member of the infamous secret organization, 《Nine Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)》.

For some reason, Term was faithfully guarding the emperor until halfway through, but for some reason, he suddenly revealed himself, for some reason he ran away, and for some reason he has now become a toy for the Ani Kitsune in the Treasure Shrine. For some reason indeed?

Even if I think back on it now, I have no idea why. I knew I shouldn’t have accepted the request to escort the Emperor.

“I am telling you first, it wasn’t my fault. I was surprised by that too. I was so shocked to find out that the Vice-Clan Leader of the famous 《Hidden Curse (Ma Tsue)》 and Kechakchakka, someone who was recommended by Gark-san, were traitors.” (Cry)

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Cry do you understand what you just said can be taken really sarcastically?!

Like “You blind people how could you not find out that you had Kitsune among you!? I am so shocked to find out that you couldn’t even detect them!”

Looks like Cry’s passive provocation skill is still going strong!

Funny how Cry can be easily baited by tea and snack too XD

Tchao à plus!