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

Only the sound of the black tea being poured was echoing in the room where everything was cleaned up, leaving nothing but a table.

Even if she knew that it was an emergency, Sofia’s expression was the same as always. At least on the surface, she looked calm.

As if being pulled by her, Noto became calmer.

A Magi must always keep a calm demeanor. Magic power depends on your mental state. It was possible that Magic wouldn’t activate if you were extremely agitated.

After taking a deep breath, I noticed that my whole body was heavy. Did I forget about it because I was too angry and excited or was it because of the fear I felt facing ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’?

At the very least, I should have a terrible expression as Sofia could point out that I was tired at a first glance.

Sofia put a cup of tea in front of Noto and placed a beautifully wrapped box of chocolate she brought from somewhere.

Where on earth did she go… He curved his eyebrow, but it was not the time to think about it in the current situation. On the contrary, it could be said to be good luck that she left the Imperial Capital as it has cleared her of the suspicion of being a traitor.

I didn’t talk in detail about what happened today. It was to avoid any information leakage.

I briefly explained to Sofia who was sitting in front of me.

“Hunters have been sent above the 【White Wolves Den】. Our existence has been exposed. We are now in a position of being chased.” (Noto)

We were in the worst situation. We wouldn’t have imagined it a month ago.

The 【Tower of Akasha (Akasha no To)】 is a big organization. They have influence, money, and power. However, this time their experiment should have never been revealed.

No, in the first place, there was no way it could have been discovered. The technique to disturb a part of the Earth’s veins and causing a disturbance on the Mana Material was the culmination of Noto Cochlear research studies. You wouldn’t usually think that a powerful Phantom suddenly appearing was in fact artificially created.

Up until now, there was no one who sniffed out Noto and the others. Looking back now, I should have suspected the existence of an insider among us when ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’ went to the 【White Wolves Den】 the first time.

But it was no longer useful to make any past assumption. Since I disposed of all the disciples except Sofia, there was no sign of ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’ making a move. It confirmed that the insider had been disposed of.

Even after listening to Noto’s explanation, there was no change in her complexion.

When he compared his former disciples, who were shaking and frightened, with her, Noto made a small sigh.

“Is this place safe?” (Sofia)

“It should still be okay, but I don’t know when an attack can occur. We may need to change our base of operation. We might even need to leave the Imperial Capital.” (Noto)

With those words, Sofia slightly changed her expression for the first time. She opened her eyes, put her hand on her mouth, and made a thoughtful expression.

In a lot of meaning, the Imperial Capital was convenient for Noto research. For example, its location as it is surrounded by multiple Shrine. Powerful Hunters gathering wealth.

There were as many customers as he wanted. The slum… Or also called the 『Abandoned Metropolitan Area』was out of reach for the Knights, and if we are careful, there is no shortage of bodies for human experiments. It wouldn’t go this well even if we go to a big city of a similar size.

Sofia opened her lips and said with a quivering voice.

“… Isn’t there anything the 『Tower of Akasha (Akasha no To)』 can do?” (Sofia)

“The intercepting Golem『Akasha』 lost.” (Noto) ｂ𝚎𝚍𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎ｌ.ｎｅｔ

“Wha!?” (Sofia)

This time, Sofia’s expression obviously changed.

She widely opened her eyes and carefully looked at Noto as if to get a confirmation.

『Akasha』 was the masterpiece created by Noto and the others, it was the culmination of the result of many researchers on Mana Material manipulation.

Even Sofia was deeply involved in its production. There was no other Alchemist who can create such a powerful golem.

Its defeat was even more shocking to Sofia as she knew about its performance.

Sofia asked Noto a question, as he was deep down feeling relieved to see a change in her expression.

“…That was… It should have the power to crush any Knight in the Imperial Capital it was facing against.” (Sofia)

“The opponent… wasn’t Knights. It was Hunters.” (Noto)

“Even facing against Hunters.” (Sofia)

Sofia answered immediately.

To those words which were said without any doubt, Noto suddenly remembered the word she said when she made 『Akasha』.

“Speaking of which, it was you who said that it could even defeat 『Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)』.” (Noto)

“… Yes.” (Sofia)

“… Can you still affirm it now?” (Noto)

『Akasha』 was not something that can be beaten by a human being alone. Even against a High-Level Hunter, it has the power to easily knock them down if they are facing them from the front.

If Noto and the others faced ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’ with Akasha, at the place where he discovered them, the outcome of the battle might have been different.

However, in reality, the Golem couldn’t finish off ‘Absolute Shadow (Zetsu Ei)’. She couldn’t destroy it but the time she bought allow ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’ to overturn everything with one magical attack.

Sofia asked her ‘Shisho (Teacher)’ with a thoughtful look.

“… It has been almost a year since we create it. High-Level Hunter grows every day. …But even so, if you handle it well, it should have been powerful enough to deal with its opponent. Even if the other party was 『Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)』 or 『Ark Brave (Seiten no Miko)』. That was filled with the best product we could possibly think of.” (Sofia)

“… So are you saying that the operator was the incompetent one…” (Noto)

“…… Even so, it should have been possible to beat most of its opponent.” (Sofia)

Sofia had a frustrating look on her face. I can’t detect any lie in what she said.

In the first place, even Noto had absolute confidence in that Golem. We spend a lot of money in order to create it with the best material possible, it was a product that took a lot of time to produce.

But it had lost. If the result was here, then they could only accept it.

Moreover, as expected they couldn’t afford to collect 『Akasha』. They couldn’t go back and get it now. They can’t count on it right now.

“… Well whatever. We have the blueprints. If we have money and time, we can make as many Golems as we want. Right now, our priority is to deal with the situation first.” (Noto)

“Please keep your calm. ‘Shisho (Teacher)’, what’s important isn’t the equipment. As long as you are alive, you can make a comeback as many times as you want.”

“Did you think of a plan?” (Noto)

Sofia smiled softly to assert Noto’s question. Seeing that expression, her frustration from earlier was gone.

“If the opponent is a Hunter, there are multiple ways… Wait a little bit, I am thinking. … ‘Shisho (Teacher)’, if you are not eating it, may I have one? Sweet things are the best when you are thinking.” (Sofia)

Sofia’s eyes were looking at the box on the table.

I didn’t know where the souvenir comes from, but it did look like high-quality chocolate. It was neatly arranged.

When Noto nodded, Sofia picked one up with her thin finger and put it in her mouth then her expression melted. In the same way, Noto picked up one piece and put it in his mouth.

Moderate sweetness and the scent of cacao spread inside his mouth. The sugar seems to heal his tired body.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t eaten anything decent for the last few days.

While reaching for a second one, Sofia who was thinking raised her head.

She looked at Noto with her deep blue eyes which remind him of the bottom of the sea.

“Earlier you said an insider… But who was it? According to my research a long time ago, there wasn’t anyone suspicious.” (Sofia)

“I don’t know. I had no choice but to dispose of everyone because of the obvious situation. … I noticed it after the attack.” (Noto)

“… It was for the best. I think that it was a hard decision… But it was a good thing that I hurried up and come back.” (Sofia)

Sofia squinted her eyes and patted her chest with a relieved expression.

I can still win. Sofia’s expression had neither fear nor hastiness. Perhaps she had already predicted a similar event happening.

Sofia was very similar to Noto. She desired knowledge. She was lacking a sense of ethics, so she wasn’t afraid of breaking the law. And moreover… her cautiousness.

Her magical skill doesn’t reach Noto’s feet, but what he needed right now wasn’t individual fighting ability.

Sofia looked up at Noto with a squinting look.

“… So, can I ask for the enemy’s name?” (Sofia)

“Aaah… I didn’t say it yet?” (Noto)

Now that I think about it, Sofia had always seen 『Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)』 as her enemy.

When we were creating Akasha, she quoted them and suggested improving its performance.

It seems that my best disciple has already pictured Akasha fighting and triumphing against 『Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)』.

Full of hatred I said his name.

“This time, the one who is hunting us… Is someone you know very well… It is『Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)』. It is the 『Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)』.” (Noto)

“…” (Sofia)

She didn’t say anything but the change in her expression was dramatic.

The gentle smile she was showing disappears and a serious expression replace it.

She made a sharp gaze as if the usual expression she showed to Noto was a lie. However, you couldn’t see any fear in her eyes.

In that case, her reaction won’t be slowed down. Noto hit the table and spoke with a loud voice.

“His purposes are… Unknown. We don’t know since when he was searching for us… And even after defeating 『Akasha』, we don’t know the reason he let us go! But we know one thing for sure! Unless we defeat that man, we… Don’t have any future!” (Noto)

“It is… True…” (Sofia)

Sofia replied in a small voice to my angry and spiteful words.

There wasn’t much power in her voice. Sofia’s composure was lost. And she put her hand on her forehead.

Thank you for reading this!

Woow I just notice that Liz alias is the same as Mikoto in Danmachi “Zetsu Ei”. XD

I changed Arch Brave name to Ark Brave because I found that the Ark family was some noble in England and as he is also a noble, I change it.

Tchao à plus!

Literally translated to The Lamenting Ghost.Literally translated to The Heaven’s Son