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

Chapter 306，Part1: 1 - Last Spurt

Chapter 306 Last Spurt?

Part 1

“”Commander Franz (Franz-Dancho)”, a message from the Imperial Capital! Apparently there was an attack after we left the Imperial Capital――” (Knight)

“………… Hmph. I knew it………… But we won’t be outdone. We deployed some of the best Hunters, including Ark Rodan at the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church.” (Franz)

Franz responds to the report from his subordinate with a *niganiga* bitter look on his face.

Preparations to receive the Spirit People Shaman were progressing smoothly. Knights were deployed in cities up to the Great Forest, where the Spirit People are located, and we asked for the cooperation of Sage Claster, a professor at the Magic Academy of Zebrudia, who was knowledgeable about Spirit People ecology.

We left the protection of the city to the Hunters. Some people are reluctant to ask for the Hunters’ help, but it was a rational decision. We will do everything we can to stop the prophecy.

《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 has already entered the forest. All Franz can do now is to bring back the Shaman as soon as possible and have them purify Marin’s Wails.

No matter how powerful their organization is, the members of 『Nine-Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』 are only human, so it is impossible for them to break through the combination of 《Silver Lightning Star (Ginsei Banrai)》 and 《Unshakeable Permeance (Fudo Fuhen)》 in such a short time. There are many other talented people as well.

Those are brilliant counter-measures I thought of by using my experience of the crash of the airship and taking into account the thought of that joke of a man.

As Franz nodded at his keen eye, the subordinate who came to report said with a puzzled expression.

“N-No………… The thing is………… The Imperial Capital has suffered tremendous damage――And 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is flying around in the sky, chased by a curse, calling out “Commander Franz’s (Franz-Dancho)” name.” (Knight)

“………………Huh?” (Franz)

§　§　§

It’sbad, it’sbad, it’sbad.

My heart is beating like it’s about to burst. Perhaps, if I look in the mirror now, Tino’s face could not be more pale.

I desperately drive Car-kun and speed through the sky of the Imperial Capital. Behind me, the Cursed Spirit People was approaching us as fast and as powerful as an avalanche. The incessant crushing sound becomes a vibration, shaking my brain away.

The Imperial Capital must have suffered considerable damage. But if we are caught before that, we will――Definitely be killed. And if Master~ is killed, there will be no one to protect the Imperial Capital.

Car-kun, who showed a gale-like speed, seems to be *hetoheto* exhausted. The Clan House is just a stone’s throw away, but I wonder if it’ll be able to make it that far――.

Even without turning around, I could tell that the distance between us was getting closer and closer. Up until now, we were faster, but the enemy’s stamina is bottomless.

My throat is *katakata* parched dry.? It had been a long time since I had been through an Infinite Trial, and as usual, they are so unruly that they don’t seem like trials at all.

I whine in front of the *burabura* dangling Master~.

“Ma-Master~………… Th-They are catching up to us……” (Tino)

“Huh………… It can’t be helped, I didn’t want to do that but――『Dog’s Chain』 ! 『Shot Ring』 !” (Cry)

As if to laugh at Tino’s weakness, Master~ begins to provoke the Spirit People.

That’s not it…… That’s not it, Master~. I just wanted some encouragement!

The Spirit People roared as it pushed away the magic bullets and chains by simply moving forward. The miasma enveloping its body further increased in density.

“H, U, M, A, N!!” (Cursed Spirit People)

With a *pishiri* snap, Tino certainly heard the sound of the world collapsing. The surrounding buildings *boroboro* crumble as they pass by. I didn’t know that a curse could have so much impact on the physical world.

If I stop now, Tino’s body will freeze and will never move again. I can even feel an illusion like that.

It’s a mission. What drives Tino right now is just my sense of mission.

Master~ is being attacked because Tino gave him the ring. No matter what it takes, Tino must get Master~ to the Lounge in the Clan House and unlock Mimic-kun.

Up until now, I’ve trained myself to be able to unlock things calmly at any time, but to be honest, I wasn’t confident at all if I would be able to unlock Mimic-kun’s lock in an instant under the current conditions.

Mimic-kun’s lock wasn’t that complicated, but considering the difference in speed with the curse, there wouldn’t be a lot of time available. At the shortest, it would take one breath, at the longest, dozens of seconds.

To be honest, Master~ is overestimating Tino too much. But I can’t say I can’t do it. Tino once told Master~ that I can open it!

Focus your attention. For the time being, I put the chasing Spirit People out of my mind, stopped my body from shaking, and calmed my breathing down.

Unlocking it is easy in normal times, it should definitely work――.

The place of the decisive battle. The Clan House is in view. It seemed like a long time since Hugh brought the box and collapsed. Where in the world did he get something like that?

Get inside the Lounge, jump off the carpet, and open the lock. Get inside the Lounge, jump off the carpet, and open the lock.

I *butsubutsu* mumble to myself what I need to do. I can do it. I should be able to do it. Be confident of your success, Tino Shade. Show Master~ the results of all your trials so far and your growth!

I can see the broken window in the Lounge. Thanks to Car-kun’s hard work, we were able to reach this far without being caught by the Cursed Spirit People.

Now is the time to show your worth――.

And then, as I stare ahead with determination, my posture suddenly collapses. The speed stalled down at once.

“Car-kun!?” (Tino)

“!?” (Cry)

It’s out of Magic. By the time I realized it, it was too late. Car-kun who had saved Tino and the others with a great sense of dynamism became a mere carpet, and my body was pulled down by gravity all at once.

The Lounge floats back up. There is still a bit of propulsion left, but not enough height to overcome that height.

I failed. I should have left Car-kun behind when we got close and jumped from it. It was Tino’s complete mistake to concentrate only on opening the lock.

A falling body. A Master~ looking bewildered. A Spirit People approaching from behind.

Just as I was about to scream――Something hard pierced Tino’s body from directly below.

I *keho* exhale with a gasp. A heavy impact that echoes down to my bones. It was something I had been familiar with.

Almost only on instinct, I strongly grasped Master’s~ hand. Tino’s body rises dramatically due to the impact from below. Something pink-blond flowed through the edge of my vision.

“Tsk…… Hey, come on, hurry up! You so slow!” (Liz)

Thank you very much, Onee-sama!

I didn’t feel any pain. I focus my attention. I steady my fall and slid into the Lounge.

I bounced off the floor and Master~ who rolled near Mimic-kun said with a fierce smile as if he was drawing back.

“『Zero』, huh.” (Cry)

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Ganbare Tino, you are almost there!

And lol at Cry “trying” to attack the curse just to anger it more.

Tchao à plus!