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

Chapter 316，Part1: 1 - God of Plague ②

Chapter 316 God of Plague ②

Part 1

Monsters and bandits rarely appear in the vicinity of the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia.

Zebrudia Empire boasts a vast territory, but the safety of its roads is maintained at an exceptional level for a country of its size thanks to its powerful knights and Hunters.

It’s impossible to exterminate all of them, but at least it’s safe to say that there’s no big and dangerous threat if you have an escort with you.

Kruz has also been using the vicinity of the Imperial Capital as her main field of activity for a while, but she has never encountered such a strong enemy during her travels.

That’s right――Until that day when I followed him as the Emperor’s escort.

It’s rare for bandits to appear in this area, but even if they do appear, this time our strength is so strong that we won’t lose no matter what appears. Compared to when I was guarding the Emperor, the mental burden is incomparably small.

Let’s get it over with and get back to the carriage quickly.

Then I unintentionally let out a maddened voice at the group who were snorting and checking ahead.

“!? What, is, that, desu!” (Kruz)

“………… My legs, want to run away……” (Eliza)

Eliza, who crawled outside as well, says in disgust.

The area near the road is a plain with a clear view with no place to hide. Any shadows approaching us would be immediately obvious. Only a very confident person or a fool would choose a location with such a good view to attack a passerby.

And according to Kruz’s common sense, there are far more patterns where it’s the latter than where it’s the former.

However, even from a distance, the shadow heading toward the carriage was clearly not just a fool.

There’s probably still a distance of several hundred meters between us. And yet, I can still hear it――The footsteps, the vibrations. The odor.

It isn’t just the silhouette of a human being. However, it’s not just a group of Monsters either.

I can see why Sytry concluded that they are bandits even though they are at a distance so far away. A strange chill runs up my spine.

Their group was a mix of Monsters and humans.

Leading the group is a giant crimson centipede. Several figures can be seen above and luggage can be seen tied up.

On either side were a diverse array of demons, from those I’ve fought before to those I don’t recognize.

Although Anthem’s physique is out of the ordinary, their group includes some Monsters that are larger than Anthem. Their movement speed is also much faster than ours who use horses.

It was an unbelievable sight. I’ve heard that there are people who can make magical beasts follow their command, but even that should have been limited to a limited number of varieties. However, their group also includes Monsters that are clearly not intelligent enough to obey humans.

“They are riding…… Monsters? Desu.” (Kruz)

“There’s no way simple bandits wouldn’t run away when seeing Anthem-nii…… Hmmmph, isn’t that interesting~.” (Liz)

Next to me, undaunted by the bizarre sight, the hot-tempered Liz clenches her fist and licks her tongue.

The carriage had already come to a complete stop. They are going to intercept those that are coming toward us with tremendous momentum.

Lapis, who was riding in the carriage behind me, gets out of the carriage and says with a frown.

“They also have Cyclops. Hmph………… They are even taller than 《Immuable Permeance (Fudo Fuhen)》.” (Lapis)

“Uuumu……” (Anthem)

“That is not just a Cyclops. It is a subspecies~…………” (Sytry)

While sitting on the coachman’s seat, Sytry lets out a small sigh while saying in a leisurely voice as she *parapara* flips through her well-used notebook.

“I knew it, it doesn’t look like there is any information on them. But I have heard rumors about them. Recently, bandits who have Monsters in their command have appeared in other countries and are causing damage. It seems that even official armies have been destroyed.” (Sytry)

“Sytry Onee-sama, th-that means. You mean that――” (Tino)

“If there is not even a single survivor, it will be hard to have any information on them, riiight…… And the idea of Monsters following your command is something doubtful in the first place.” (Sytry)

“………… They’re, completely 『Outliers』, aren’t they, desu.” (Kruz)

Usually, Hunters’ targets are ranked by the Explorers Association, but naturally, there are still bandits who have yet to be commissioned.

When no rewards or ranks have been set yet, no detailed information is available, those unknown targets――Those raiders are called 『Outliers’』 by the Hunters.

“………… It’s obvious that they’re coming this way, desu.” (Kruz)

Although they’re still at a distance, the other side must be able to see us. Moreover, some of them are even flying in the sky. When looking from the sky, knowing how many we are becomes obvious.

The wind blowing through the air possesses a fighting spirit-like feeling inside. A dense hostility that you can be sure that even if we run away from the road and flee at full speed, they will chase after us.

“It is because Onii-chan is famous and stands out a lot………… The other side must have realized who we are.” (Sytry)

“They have the advantage of numbers, but………… Hmph. At this distance, there is plenty of time to weave our techniques. I don’t mind if we deal with them, but――Let’s see how 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 will deal with them.” (Lapis)

Lapis, the leader of Kruz’s Party, says with a calm demeanor.

《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 is a Party of Magi. All of them are Spirit People, as well as Magi by nature, so their true potential is best demonstrated when attacking from a distance.

This unobstructed space is the perfect field. It is unlikely that there are many opponents who can withstand the Magic of Spirit People.

“……………… Yowaningen, he said something like we should go get rid of them, desu.” (Kruz)

“………… What?” (Lapis)

Lapis made a cold look at Kruz, who was secretly preparing to use Magic.

Then, at that moment, a cold wind suddenly blows.

I was taken aback by what I saw.

Before I knew it, a small tornado was forming on the plain.

A *kirakira* glittering tornado containing grains of ice grows slowly and advances towards its target across the unobstructed ground.

Water-attribute wide area-of-effect offensive Magic. I didn’t even need to think about who cast it.

Spirit people are good at Water and Wind Magic, but aren’t you too quick to draw your weapon. Not to mention, Lapis and I were still talking.

Lapis opens her eyes and looks at Lucia.

“………… So you are unleashing your Magic at this distance……” (Lapis)

“B-Because reducing the number of enemies is my job……” (Lucia)

“Lucia Onee-sama…… Even Onee-sama hasn’t started running yet……” (Tino)

It’s true that Magic has a lot of long-range attacks, but even so, there’s an appropriate range. If there is too much distance, the power of the attack will be attenuated. Even Kruz’s Party, a Party full of Magi, wouldn’t launch an attack from such a distance.

Lucia released the offensive Magic――『Hailstorm』.

It’s a Magic that I’ve seen at the church, but unlike the one I saw that time, it was clearly customized for ultra-long distances.

In the last one, the tornado grew to a huge size instantly, whereas this one is much slower. In other words, it means that the Magi named Lucia Roge has mastered two different uses for the same Magic.

Lucia-san………… Even if the first to move wins the game, it still isn’t decided that the other side is 100% a group of bandits――.

The approaching tornado greatly disrupts the formation that has been heading toward us while raising a cloud of dust.

Hailstorm is originally not a Magic that attacks such a wide range. However, the Hailstorm had already grown so large that the entire army was no longer visible. Its power may have been reduced accordingly, but if you consider the objective of reducing the number, there is no better Magic than this.

In the blink of an eye, the bandits are swallowed by the Hailstorm. Black stains mingle with the *kirakira* glittering tornado.

Liz lets out a small sigh and blurts out.

“When she shoots it first, it’s pretty hard to dive in………… Because it will cut your skin.” (Liz)

“It is because Onee-chan and Luke-san jumped in head first that Lucia-chan had to learn this kind of Magic! Right? In addition, she keeps using it over and over again, so she is getting more and more proficient at it――” (Sytry)

“………… Attacking from a distance is a Magi’s privilege!” (Lucia)

“Even if you say that, you don’t have to learn Magic that last for such a long period of time――” (Liz)

The Members of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 are arguing over and over without tension. There, the raging Hailstorm rapidly shrinks. It seems that the magical power that was put into it had burned out.

Surprisingly, the group of bandits that was swallowed by the Hailstorm still held their ground. The scale itself has been cut in half, but it is still amazing that half of it remains after that attack.

The giant centipede at the head of the pack is also in good health. Apparently, it seems to be a, fairly, powerful Monster.

The army that has endured the powerful Magic begins to move again. Their momentum isn’t slowing down, rather it’s increasing.

“Ah, there are still survivors――” (Sytry)

Just as Sytry was about to raise her voice, Lucia, who has been arguing with her, quickly shouts.

“『Hailstorm』! 『Hailstorm』!” (Lucia)

“Again!?” (Lapis)

The two silver tornadoes that are generated, sprint across the plain, growing larger again. Even if you know it’s coming, you can’t avoid it due to its range and speed.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Surprisingly, Lucia is also a muscle-brain

But well, she is a Member of Strange Grief

Tchao à plus!