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

At this point, Sofia’s attitude remained the same as when she was his disciple.

I felt an unknown, strange fear. Even if she wasn’t pointing any weapon at me.

A Member of 『Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)』. Although this was enough to be considered as an enemy, it was the first time for Noto to feel like this while he wasn’t facing a powerful Magi.

Above all, I don’t know what their purpose was…

In the first place, what Sytry did wasn’t the kind of thing that would be accepted even if it was for an infiltration. Sofia became a disciple close to three years ago. Even if her hand wasn’t as dirty as Noto and the other disciples, it was enough to get a death sentence.

If all her actions so far come to light, no explanation will be tolerated, and she will be sent to prison.

Indeed. This Hunter was once falsely accused of assisting in that great prison breakout… That impregnable South Isteria Prison was a place where numerous criminals who have absorbed a large amount of Mana Material were locked in there.

Even now, most of those who escaped are still on the run. Their vigilance had been increased since that incident. Once you get in, you can never go out.

“Your motivation is… Is it revenge for that infamous Alias the Explorer Assoc. gave you… Because you weren’t guilty!?” (Noto)

Revenge on the Imperial Capital. Then I could still understand. Burning anger can sometimes transform people.

I asked this while hiding my murderous voice, Sytry turned her eyes down and raised a crying voice.

“Don’t you understand, ‘Shisho (Teacher)’? My motivation is… To seek knowledge, that is it. Sometimes, it is necessary to use unspeakable and unlawful ways to unravel and obtain the truth. There are many things to learn from ‘Shisho’s (Teacher)’ behavior which was free to do whatever you want without nitpicking. ‘Shisho’s (Teacher)’ and I… Might be similar.” (Sytry)

Similar, with this word. Noto understood everything.

Everything this woman said was the truth. She didn’t become Noto’s disciple because she wanted to infiltrate, but it was to satisfy her insatiable desire for knowledge and inquiring mind.

Regardless of being a High-Level Hunter, being forbidden by the law, or touching a taboo that can destroy the world… This woman in front of me joined the 『Tower of Akasha (Akasha no To)』 only for herself.

“Revenge… Don’t you think that it is pointless? Also… False charge?” (Sytry)

Then in front of me 『The Worst of the Worst (Saitei Saiyaku)』 was trying to 『Clean up』.

“The best 『Material』… I wanted it whatever the cost. ‘Shisho (Teacher)’, I have always thought about it, but Golems are really too expensive. Akasha is a masterpiece, but even though it took so much time, money, and effort to create it, it can’t be controlled without an operator, it is inferior to a Phantom or a gimmick from a Shrine.” (Sytry)

She said with a voice as if she was expressing her opinion on her research.

As if being pressed by it, Noto fell back and slowly distanced himself.

“… Did you think you can escape!? Against me!” (Noto)

“’Shisho (Teacher)’, you are a first-class Magi. If ‘Shisho (Teacher)’ could reform… I could have bragged it to Lucia-chan but I can’t let you go. Also, I wanted Akasha. But I am sure that the Empire already collected it. This is very disappointing.” (Sytry)

There was no malicious intent at all.

Even when being pointed by a wand, you can’t see her trembling. And she sighed as if it was unfortunate.

After hearing all the information he needed, you could still see in the reflection of her deep blue eyes the tip of his wand.

“I am, in fact… the 『Weakest』 among 『Strange Grief (Nageki no Bourei)』. As ‘Shisho (Teacher)’ knows, I don’t have any talent in a frontal battle… Even if I have said all that, I might lose. If possible, I would like you to surrender…” (Sytry)

To this weak voice, Noto, without reacting, started to cast a Magic he had always used.

The most basic Magic usable by most Magi 『Fire Bullet』.

The firing speed was fast, and its power was high. It was also a Magic that greatly reflect the ability of the user. If you mastered Magic to the same point as Noto, even if you omit the chant, it had the power to turn three people to ashes.

A low difficulty magical attack. The preparation to cast it was completed in an instant.

Sytry hasn’t even stood up. From this distance, it was impossible to avoid.

I am not careless. She wasn’t an enemy I could be careless against.

At the moment when he tried to release the magical power built up inside him… He suddenly felt a pain running through his whole body.

The sudden shock made his hands lose strength and the wand fell down making a hard noise. But he didn’t have the composure to care about that.

As Noto screamed and crouched in pain as if his body was being assaulted from the inside, he could hear Sytry’s relieved voice.

“Thank goodness… It seems that it works even against the ‘Master Magus (Sage)’.” (Sytry)

“What… Did… You…!?” (Noto)

Sytry picked one of the chocolates and put it in her mouth.

“A drug that suppresses the activation of magic. It will cause pain right before you cast your spell and the magic you built up will disappear. Hunters are used to pain, but you are not ‘Shisho (Teacher)’.” (Sytry)

“Kuh…!? Ha… Ha… You planned to betray me…. From the beginning…” (Noto)

I have been given a drug!? But when she took the chocolates out, she still shouldn’t have known what we will be talking about.

Sytry bowed her head as she looked at Noto who looked at her while twisting in pain.

“It was just preparation. You also understand, right ‘Shisho (Teacher)’? What is important for Alchemist are 『Preparation』 and 『Clean Up』. I am weak and ‘Shisho (Teacher)’ was on alert, even if I didn’t have the intention to betray you, I will do that much.” (Sytry)

He is a Magi. A genuine Magi. He doesn’t trust anyone, he won’t hesitate to kill his own disciple who studied under him for several years, a slave to knowledge. A seeker of the truth.

And he trampled on the feeling of others as if was the most obvious thing to do. There is no one more suitable to be in of the 『Tower of Akasha (Akasha no To)』 than him.

Still enduring the pain, Noto picked up the wand, which was in front of him, leaned on the table in front of Sytry, and got up.

“It is time to finish this. There are things to collect before the Empire gets their hands on it… I know that it was sudden, but I wasn’t ready at all… I need to be more careful next time.” (Sytry)

Those words must be true.

Alchemists have less fighting ability than Magi. It is common practice to use Golems or Homunculus, Artificial Lifeforms for battle but there was no one behind Sytry.

If she could overwhelm him face-to-face, she wouldn’t have the need to use drugs.

To support his idea, Sytry’s footsteps were full of caution. She carefully approached Noto.

It was impossible to use magic. It would probably be useless to try again. Even if he knew what was coming… He couldn’t focus on his power due to pain as strong as being hit by lightning.

But I manage to stay conscious through all that pain.

And I still have a hand to play. Just like Sytry who has prepared to suppress me before the battle, Noto had overcome many battles until now.

I put my right hand inside my pocket. In the bottom of my pocket, I insert the hidden ring into my finger. Sytry looked at Noto and said in a gentle voice.

“It is fine, there is nothing to worry about. I won’t kill you. But I will… Erase all your memory. Like ‘Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)’, I am aiming to be a 『Philanthropist』.” (Sytry)

“Kuh… Don’t underestimate me Sofia!!” (Noto) 𝑏𝑒𝘥𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝘭.𝘯𝑒𝑡

Sytry’s eyes opened, and her line of sight turned towards Noto’s hand.

Thanks for reading this!

I can’t believe when I started to translate this chapter, I thought it’s okay there’s only 4500 words. I got too used to 6000+word in a chapter TT.TT

When I read Sytry helped in a Prison break and I was singing Prison Break opening song. (The French one of course J’ai pas le teeeeeeeeemps! Mon espriiiiiiiiiiit! Glisse ailleuuuuuurs !!!!!)

Tchao à plus!