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

Chapter 297，Part2: 2 - Peace ②

Chapter 297 Peace ②

Part 2

In front of the “Light Spirit (Korei)” chapel of the church in the Imperial Capital. Looking at the crucified Marin’s Wails, the head of the Imperial Capital Church――Edgar Winwood, a priest who prays to the great Light Spirit rooted in the deepest end of this world, sighed deeply.

The Imperial Capital Church, which was already full of dealing with Marin’s Wails, was in a whirlpool of chaos due to the sudden return of the missing priests.

No one understood the situation.? Among those who have returned, there are those who had been missing for years or even decades, and their identities have yet to be confirmed.

The only thing we know――Is that the one who released the missing people was Cry, the one who took that box, and that the young man mentioned the word 『Spirited Away』.

“………… Finding missing people in just half a day…… This is unprecedented. Using the word 『Astute』 to describe him is not nearly enough. Apparently your friend…… Is really loved by the world.” (Edgar)

“………… Umu.” (Anthem)

Edgar’s words are answered in a low voice by Anthem, who is also the childhood friend of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 and who could now be called the symbol of the Church in the Imperial Capital.

Occasionally, there are those in this world who accomplish feats that are beyond the imagination of ordinary people. When I was first introduced to him by Anthem, I thought that he was not what I expected. Even now, my impression of him being unreliable has not changed at all.

But that young man, who had caught the attention of “Commander Franz (Franz-Dancho)”, “Branch Manager Gark (Gark Shibucho)”, Ark Rodin, and other famous Hunters during Marin’s Wails purification operation, must have been born under the star of a hero.

“Spirited Away, huh. No matter what method he used, no matter where he learned about it――He saved our believers. There was already the case with Marin’s Wails but once again we owe him a debt of gratitude. Our priests don’t really like him, but…… I have to thank him.” (Edgar)

After all, that young man is the leader of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, the Party to which Anthem belongs.

I have somewhat heard about their fighting style, but the story about Lucia Roge involving Anthem in her Offensive Advanced Magic during the battle against Marin’s Wail has already been spread. No one feels good about having their beloved Paladin used as a wall.

He is first and foremost a Hunter――But human emotions are not so simple.

The top priority right now is to deal with 『Marin’s Wails』. However, after the Spirit People Shaman has safely arrived at the church and completed the purification――It would be a good idea to formally invite that young man to the church as a way of resolving the troubles of the past.

Those who were missing were saved, so we should not return this favor with ungratefulness.

Then Edgar sighed.

“But…… Spirited Away, huh. I don’t know which god it is, but there are too many troublesome gods in this world.” (Edgar)

“…… Umu.” (Anthem)

The Level 10 Treasure Shrine that had once existed in the current location of the Imperial Capital――The 『God of Another Planet (Isei no Kami)』 that manifested in the 【Star Temple】.

Nearly ten years ago, one of the most powerful Hunters in the world, Exceed Sequence, was given the opportunity to raise his level by going to the Treasure Shrine――The 【Hall of the Holy King】where the 『Delegate (Daiko-sha)』 was sleeping.

The Phantom of a god that transcends human knowledge manifested as the result of Mana Material accumulating to the limit, is a terrifying threat to humans.

Some studies suggest that these supernatural beings were responsible for the destruction of some civilizations that were destroyed in the past.

And then, at that time, I remembered what Anthem told me and put my hand on my chin.

“Come to think of it, the 『Heavenly Fox (Ten no Kistune)』 you encountered in the sky at the 【Lost Inn】 was also like that…… God must really love him. I hope it is not some kind of bad omen――” (Edgar)

“Umu, Umu……” (Anthem)

Whether Anthem understands or not, he nods broadly. The few weaknesses of this Paladin were the fact that he is a man of few words.

With the return of the missing priests, the church’s strength will also increase. Although they have not been treated with therapy and cannot be treated as a fighting force immediately, it seems that some of them are skilled practitioners.

By the time Lapis and the others come back with the Shaman, they will have probably recovered.

After bracing himself up, Edgar knelt down next to Anthem, looked up at the sky, and offered up his prayers to the great God of Light.

§　§　§

Preparations are being made in a hurry to welcome the difficult Spirit People Shaman that Lapis and the others have talked about.

The conditions given were to prepare the carriage and keep people away.

It is not an easy task to stop traffic in the Imperial Capital, a large city, but circumstances are circumstances. We also have the Emperor’s approval.

For the carriage too, the materials are specific. We also have to find a mythical beast to pull it.

I sent people to various places, and at the same time, proceeded to arrange for the carriages. Because of the short notice, there were several adjustments that I had to make in person.

The Zero Knight Order’s main duty is to protect the Emperor’s personal safety, but now is not the time to say this.

It was at such a time, when the knights were working together, dizzying and frantic with their plans, that the Symphonic Stone from the Divination Institute trembled.

Franz frowned at the brief report he received. He has not slept well for some time, but his eyes light up at once.

“………… It is strange…… The predictions from the Divination Institute are not disappearing.” (Franz)

“Perhaps it will disappear if the current strategy works.” (Knight)

A subordinate, who, like Franz, had been so busy that he had little sleep, said with bags under his eyes.

Certainly, there was a possibility of that. Divination is an uncertain process, to begin with. You cannot choose when to receive a prediction, and there is a time lag.

However, I am feeling anxious. Compared to the previous events, things are going too well this time.

Normally, this would have been a welcome development, but this case also involves 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

Yes…… Now that I think back on it, that man was quite quiet this time. No, he was too quiet!

I have been greatly provoked when I have been involved with that man in the past, but not this time.

Shaking my head sideways, I suddenly shudder.

“No…………… It seems, a new shape could be seen. They said it’s shaped like… A fox.” (Knight)

“A fox…… Tsk!? No way, then, this time as well it is them!?” (Franz)

“Hmph………… The possibility of them being involved is quite high. 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 was also attacked recently, but……” (Knight)

The 『Nine-Tail Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』 does not forgive those who defy them. Given the background of our relationship, retaliation is quite possible.

However, we have determined a rough estimation of the place where Marin’s Wails and the other cursed items come from. All of them were already in the Imperial Capital long ago, so there is no way the “Fox (Kitsune)” is the one causing them.

The only thing whose origin is unknown is the Magic Sword that was first pushed to the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, but………… No…

“Hmph…… If that were the case, they should have seen the vision of a fox from the beginning. Then this means――It is from now on?” (Franz)

There is no doubt. The “Fox (Kitsune)” is after the Shaman that Lapis and the others are going to pick up.

If we fail to purify Marin’s Wails due to not having the help of the Spirit People Shaman, that dreadful curse will eventually fall on the Imperial Capital.

No, it is not an eventuality. If the Relic that stops Marin’s Wails is released, the curse will fall upon the entire Imperial Capital. I can’t even imagine how much power would be released from that thing inside the Multi-Layered Barrier Magic Circle.

“Request the cooperation of each Knight Order. Tell them to prepare for an attack of the “Fox (Kitsune)” with all their force available!” (Franz)

“There is a limit to the number of knights that can be used. What about the defense of the church?” (Knight)

“Use the Hunters. We cannot deploy the Knight Order on a large scale near the church. Contact the “Branch Manager Gark (Gark Shibucho)”! Lapis, can you hear me?” (Franz)

『Hmph. I understand. The Shamans don’t like large groups of people――But I will at least try to persuade them.』 (Lapis)

Lapis’ cold voice can be heard from the Symphonic Stone on the table.

Her tone is definitely not something that should be aimed towards a noble but the content of what she said is so considerate of the human side that it is hard to believe that she is a Spirit People.

I will not let my guard down. Recently, my expectations have been betrayed way too many times.

If we fall behind that organization any further, I will never be able to face His Majesty the Emperor and Princess Murina.

They must absolutely be stopped. This is the moment of truth.

.

§　§　§

“………… What are you looking for?” (?)

At the deepest part of the 【Lost Inn】. At the treasure house where things taken from humans lie.

The Ani Kitsune stares in wonder at the unusual sight of his Imouto Kitsune who was *gosogoso* rummaging through the room, which intruders or Phantoms rarely enter, and called out to her.

Stimulation from the outside world is essential for growth. The fox spirits that appear in the 【Lost Inn】 are highly intelligent, but due to the environment where no visitors came in, most of them are stagnant in their original state, without individuality.

This Imouto Kitsune, on the other hand, was different.

Deceived by a human, she learned the taste of Aburaage. Being in the outside world has given her further stimulation, and she seems to have grown up a lot as a Phantom.

Defeat is hard to come by for the invincible fox spirits, which are composed of a vast amount of Mana Material. Especially from the point of view of the Ani Kitsune who knew her from when she was emotionless and had no sense of self, her Imouto’s growth is deeply moving.

The Imouto Kitsune, who had stuck her head from the mountain of treasure with her tail wagging, did not change her posture and answered in a nonchalant manner to what he said.

“A curse item.” (Imouto Kitsune)

TL notes:

Thanks for reading! And thank you Chulbom for the Ko-fi!

Yoooo Imouto Kitsune will personally give a curse to Cry!

In my opinion, the first prophecy was really about Marin and the dark knight but because of Cry’s intervention the prophecy changed to Imouto Kitsune’s curse.

Sasaga Cry’s Infinite Trials. When it is too easy gotta up the difficulty!

Tchao à plus!

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