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

“Among us… There is this 『Friend』 of ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’…” (Noto)

“Kuh…” (Disciple)

When you think about it, when the Magic he used was gravitational Magic, a Magic with a low killing capability, this was probably to not kill the informant inside.

Everyone here except me is a suspect.

There are a lot of people who know of the name 『Akasha』 for the strategic class Golem, but only a few people knew that we evacuated to the research facility close to the 『Alain Column Ruins』.

Fortunately, my best disciple, Sofia, was crossed off the list of suspects. From all the disciples, it would have been very painful to lose a talented disciple like Sofia.

Noto looked down and confirmed each disciple’s facial expressions.

Tension. Fear. Anger. With a mix of various emotions together, the second-best disciple said.

“Bu… But even if there was an insider… The relocation was sudden. There is no way to inform ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’…” (Disciple)

“There are… Even a lot of ways to do it. It is much easier than finding us by himself with no prior information.” (Noto)

I know every disciple’s past history. As far as Noto knows, no one has any contact with ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’.

But this was now no longer relevant. Were they threatened or were they coaxed? None of it mattered.

The most important thing right now is to prevent further information leakage.

To a Magi, there was nothing more deadly than exposing their card. Even if you set up a trap, it would become useless if there are informants inside.

Now that I think about it, the fact that the magical attack of all the disciples was invalidated might have been because he already knew what kind of Magic they would have cast.

There was almost no Magi who mastered all kinds of Magic. Even Noto’s disciples have their own favorite Magic they are good at.

Although it is difficult to prevent all attacks, there are several ways to prevent an attack if you limit the kind of it. I suppose the fact he was so defenseless even when we attacked him was because he already took countermeasure against us.

“I will declare it first. That man who dared to insult me to be a Rabbit researcher… I will kill him.” (Noto)

When Noto declared this, all the disciples were quivering.

He had strong revengeful eyes. However, there was no one who dare to stop his behavior.

No, there was no one who was confident enough to refute him. Until now, there was no one who was doubting him.

While touching his favorite wand to check it, all the disciples hold their breath and waited for his next words, as if they were waiting for their own conviction.

Perhaps he couldn’t stand the silence, among all the disciples, the oldest, the second-best disciple spoke.

“S… So, Teach, that 『Friend』 of his… Who is it?” (Disciple)

“It is irritating… Nothing is showing up. Well, whatever…” (Noto)

He already decided in his heart long ago.

Certainly, Noto didn’t have the power to detect who was the insider. But if you don’t know, who it is… All you have to do is to remove anyone who is suspicious.

Even if they are his disciple, there was no mercy. As he is doing that kind of research, he had already expected to do something like this when the time comes.

The research will be delayed, but all its results were already in Noto’s brain. And there was still Sofia. If we can destroy our natural enemy, it will not be difficult to recover.

“…Eh” (Disciple)

The second-best disciple’s eyes were widely opened and his straight back swayed. His posture collapses and fell to the floor.

There wasn’t even a scream. Only the sound of several bodies falling was heard.

Now there was no more insider. He had lost most of his disciple, anyone who knew of the existence of the research. But the battle wasn’t over yet.

When Sofia came back, we have to start over again. Now, ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’ will surely know that his informant was dead.

The next time I see you… It will be your end, ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’.

In a room where nothing was moving anymore, Noto, who mercilessly cast his Magic, threw a cold look at his disciples who were on the floor.

§

Noto raised his face when small footsteps were detected by the intruder detection magic.

His eyes were inflated. The dark circle under his eye shows the deep fatigue accumulated in his body.

However, contrary to his exhausted expression, you could see deep inside his eyes a bright flame shining.

“So, you are back, Sofia.” (Noto)

“Yes… I am back… ‘Shisho (Teacher)’.” (Sofia)

.

The door opened. The one who entered was Sofia… A woman who was wearing a sober gray robe.

Fiery crimson hair came off after she pulls down her hood. Beautiful blue eyes and an ephemeral look for a very talented Magi. She doesn’t look like a Magi who was working on forbidden research.

Perhaps she has just returned to the Imperial Capital, Sofia’s outfit remained the same as a travel outfit. She carried a large bag in her back.

Sofia. Sofia Black.

From Noto Cochlear’s long career, this woman was the most talented from all the Magi he taught.

She was a woman blessed by heaven who will one day exceed Noto when she had accumulated more experience.

Even if she was inexperienced right now, she sometimes impressed Noto with her work. To society, she will never be appreciated to her just value, she will only be chained by them.

And the 『Tower of Akasha (Akasha no To)』 can make her talent blossom. 𝘣𝘦𝑑𝘯𝘰𝘷𝑒𝘭．𝑛𝘦𝘵

“I am sorry to call you so suddenly. There is an enemy.” (Noto)

“Noto-shisho’s enemy… I will etch it in my heart.” (Sofia)

Despite being suddenly called back from her leave without stating his reason, there was no resentment from her expression.

She looked up at Noto with her calm eyes, reminiscent of a quiet lake, and asked him briefly.

“Where is everyone else?” (Sofia)

“There was an insider. I disposed of them. You are the only one left.” (Noto)

Sofia’s eyes slightly opened.

She was confused for a second. Her soft cheeks moved and speak with a soft voice.

“This is… If it is fine for you… Could I have their corpse…” (Sofia)

“… You can have it later. For now, there is a more urgent matter” (Noto)

It disappeared immediately but it was certainly a smile.

It was not like Sofia had a bad relationship with the other disciples. But still… Her reaction to the announcement of the death of her comrade who she spends time researching together. There wasn’t any feeling of sadness that could be felt from their death.

Pure intellectual curiosity was sometimes really close to evil intent. That sensitivity, which was so far away from ordinary people can sometimes be seen in her and it is one of the main reasons Noto Cochlear highly evaluates Sofia.

To the announcement of their death, Sofia put her bag down on the floor and nodded her head.

“Understood. ‘Shisho (Teacher)’, before talking can I have some of your time?” (Sofia)

“… Why?” (Noto)

It is a matter of first priority. Until now, ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’ didn’t attack this base, but he can come here at any second.

To Noto who asked while breathing roughly, Sofia took out a small box from her bag and made a faint smile.

“’Shisho’s (Teacher)’ state seems a little bit too tired… I brought some chocolate as a souvenir. Let’s talk about it over tea.” (Sofia)

Thank you for reading this! Here’s part 2!

You underestimated Cry, Noto. he can find you even when he doesn’t think of finding you.

But still, so reckless to kill everyone just because of one traitor. Well it does show he is a bad guy.

And here come the second most dangerous people in Akasha that Strange Grief are after. How will Cry fight against them?

Tchao à plus!

Teach: In Japanese he is saying “Shi” from “Shisho” which can be translated as master or teacher. So, I translate it to “Teach” from “Teacher”.