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

Chapter225，Part2: 2 - Learning

Chapter 225 Learning

Part 2

So far no harm has come to me, but even I am learning. Some of them will be blinded by their greed and will probably try to take the mask.

I will be really getting my priority backward if I end up in danger because of the mask even though I try to hide my face with it in order to avoid any danger.

I’m amazed at my own judgment, man.

I was walking through the city while being protected by Luke and the others. I won’t *furafura* wander to a choco-dragon stall anymore even if I see one.

If I listened carefully, I could hear some small gossip.

Everyone seems to be interested in the Supreme Martial Arts Festival and about who is the Strongest, and although the contestants are not supposed to be public yet, there is a lot of excitement about who will win.

As their names are well known in Zebrudia, Anthem and Luke’s names came out among the people they talked about, and as their friends, this made me feel a bit ticklish.

And then my ears caught one name.

“《Infinite Sky Flower (Senten Banka)》…… It seems like he is a celebrity. Looks like I have to cheer for him with all my might.” (Cry)

According to Sytry, his Alias is a self-proclaimed one, but the fact that it was even being gossiped about means that it will soon become his real Alias.

I am really looking forward to what kind of tactics Kryhi Andrichhi has in store for us.

But then, Liz’s lips bent over when she heard me saying that in a good mood.

“Eeeeh, I’ll be rooting for Cry-chaaaan!” (Liz)

“Un, un, that’s right.” (Cry)

I am happy to hear that, but, I am not a contestant, you know.

And of course, needless to say, it is Liz and the others that I will root for the most.

As expected, the other contestants are all very talented, so it was doubtful if they would win, but if they were to win, as their childhood friends, I would be very proud of them.

In the past, I used to get messed with when I walked through crowds like this, but this time no one messed with me.

Liz looked bored, but putting aside if it was after the tournament, right now no one would pick a fight with such a strong group (Especially with Anthem) before an important battle.

After walking around for a while, Luke clicked his tongue loudly.

“Oh well, let’s go to the bar.” (Luke)

“Agreeeed!” (Liz)

Liz looked uselessly happy. They were totally going to buy a fight and not a drink.

Both Sytry and Lucia looked exasperated.

Well, they are moody people. As soon as they have had a few drinks, they won’t be so inclined to fight. In case they try to start a fight, we just have to stop them.

Moreover, I was starting to get hungry too.

So with Luke and the others with me, we went into a random bar.

The whole city was filled with enthusiasm but the bar was filled with people mixed with the odor of alcohol, making my head feel dizzy just by being here.

In the dimly lit, cramped interior, a group of powerful people, probably of the same group, were gathered and drinking in silence.

The reason why the bars here are much quieter than those in the Imperial Capital is probably because it would be a big problem if a fight were to start in this city where powerful people are gathered here and there.

“Now, who should I choose?” (Luke)

As soon as we entered, Luke’s eyes *kirakira* sparkled, and began to look around the bar.

………… Apparently, rather than getting into a fight, he was completely ready to start a fight. I was about to open my mouth to rebuke him when Luke opened his eyes widely.

“Hm…… Hey? Isn’t that Touka?” (Luke)

Beyond Luke’s line of sight.? A group of people dressed in distinctive reddish-brown armor was camped in a section of the bar.

It is common for Hunters to wear uniform-colored equipment, and in fact? 《Iron Cross (Kurogane Juji)》 led by Sven are also dressed in dark-golden colored equipment.

However, for this group――The number of people they have was too different.

Scary face and distinctive colored equipment――And with clearly over ten people with them. When you have that many people, you can no longer call it a Party.

A Mercenary corps. Warmongers. They make their living by hunting Monsters and by being bounty Hunters, rather than exploring Treasure Shrines, and they are the most fighter-oriented group in 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》.

《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》.

I had heard from Eva that their “Commander (Dancho)” Touka would be attending the Supreme Martial Arts Festival――But I never expected to see them here.

It had been a long time since I last saw them too. It may have been several years since I last saw them all together (Although I don’t know how many of them there are).

At that moment, a dark-haired woman in the center of the group――The “Commander (Dancho)”, Touka, suddenly turned her gaze toward us.

Her reaction was drastic. Her hand instantly slammed the glass she was holding onto the table and stood up, raising her voice that could be heard loud and clearly.

“All members, stand up!” (Touka)

It was a bizarre scene. Despite her sudden words, all the members who were having a pleasant chat until a moment ago stood up at once.

All of their eyes turn toward us at once. Other customers in the bar looked at us to see what was going on.

“Salute our Master (Client)!” (Touka)

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Here comes a new Party from First Step!

But Liz and Luke go to a random bar but meet a Party from First Step.

Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Dark-golden: when you translate word by word Kurogane it become Black-golden, put the Kanji together and it becomes iron.Master (Client): here the author wrote Client but put Master on top of the text.