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

Chapter 299，Part1: 1 - Prophecy ②

Chapter 299 Prophecy ②

Part 1

This time, it is game over for Kikkikan-san. While walking through the hustle and bustle Imperial Capital of Zebrudia, Imouto Kitsune sighed with all her heart.

In the first place, even if it is for a moment, for a foolish human――To win a battle of wits against a divine fox is a mistake. Because of this, Kikkikan-san had no respect for this Imouto Kitsune, and to top it off, he sent me messages as if I was his friend.

But that relationship will be completely rectified by the results of this battle of wits.

I am fascinated by my own skills.

I have completely returned his 『Curse Now』. I pushed the worst of the worst curse that the 【Lost Inn】 possessed in an unprecedented smart way.

The contracts that occur in the 【Lost Inn】 are fair to both parties. The content of the contract made with the intruder changes from time to time, but sometimes, as in the case with Kikkikan-san, it may result in a loss for the 【Lost Inn】 side.

It seems that was something that was stolen from an intruder as a result of a contract in the past.

Imouto Kitsune did not know the details, but the Ani Kitsune looked at the palm-sized wooden box that the Imouto Kitsune happened to pick up and said with a frown.

――Aaaah, don’t open that box. It is the saddest and most beautiful curse I have ever known. Phantoms aren’t its target, but――Kaa-san said she wished I hadn’t stolen it. It should be in the outside world, she said. Because it will bring disaster. Human passions are horrifying, beautiful, foolish, and lovely.

Indeed, the box contained a terrifying power that was clearly visible from the outside.

As the Ani Kitsune said, it was probably not a curse that would befall Phantoms. It was not in an active state, but if it were released into the world, it would probably be beyond human control. While it was smoldering in the 【Lost Inn】 with no one to direct its passions to, its power was growing thicker.

Even that human without a sense of crisis must feel a sense of crisis when standing in front of that box.

If I imagine his panicking face, it will make me feel better about all this. I am sure he will apologize to this Imouto Kitsune for not respecting her. He will apologize and cry to me, begging me to do something about it. Then, I will refuse with all my might.

I’ll make him say, I lost. I’ll make him get down on his knees to do a Dogeza and offer me Aburaage.

I had a terrible experience at the Supreme Martial Arts Festival. He doesn’t even seem to notice that this Imouto Kitsune let the enemy escape at the end. If it is like this, it won’t be a punishment for Kikkikan-san.

On the other hand, this time the plan was perfect. I made sure to check the situation carefully, and the dreaded curse was also casually dumped on a guy named Hugh, who was looking for a curse under Kikkikan-san’s orders. Any fool would be able to guess that it was this Imouto Kitsune’s work after hearing that message. And because he underestimated god’s kin, a terrible disaster will befall the Imperial Capital.

And this is the work of the feared Spirit Fox that brings misfortune to those who dare oppose it.

This is the final match. Ani Kitsune scolded me for being too involved with him. In the first place, it is not very appropriate for a god’s kin to be frequently involved with a single human being.

Suddenly, the air changes. The humans are unaware of it, but this Imouto Kitsune knows that 『It』 has begun.

A jewel with a tragic history. The evilest curse that is widely known even in the human world, something that has passed the generation and left behind by a Spirit People.

The seed of disaster, which had disappeared from the world after being kept in the 【Lost Inn】 for a long time, has now sprouted.

The air was damp. I looked toward the Clan House where Kikkikan-san was. The sky was filled with swirling dark clouds.

It seems that the box has been properly opened. The spreading curse would cover the Imperial Capital in the blink of an eye, bringing misfortune to millions of people.

As far as this Imouto Kitsune knows, Kikkikan-san doesn’t have a sense of crisis and he is also lacking in everything else, but even if he hides his power, it is impossible to completely protect the people from the widespread curse. In the first place, it would be quite difficult even if I tried my best.

Why don’t you show me how a human being who has no sense of crisis can stand up to a terrifying power beyond human comprehension?

Then, while I was satisfied with how things were progressing as expected, I suddenly noticed an unnatural scene.

“………………? The clouds………… Are not… Spreading……?” (Imouto Kitsune)

This Imouto Kitsune can tell. The dark cloud rising from the Clan House is undoubtedly the form of the curse in the box.

But the dark cloud, which should have covered the country in a matter of minutes if the human legends were correct, did not spread any further and stayed over the Clan House.

The swirling power grows denser and denser even as I observe. If it is only in terms of density, it is a powerful miasma that surpasses even the interior of the 【Lost Inn】.

The curse targets humans and their society in general. This metropolis of Zebrudia should be a prime target.

It is impossible. The curse of that jewel has already forgotten its own form after so many years and has become a vague and powerful phenomenon that curses its target indiscriminately. It should try to attack as many people as possible.

There is no way a human being can control a curse and that is not something that can be purified.

It was a mistake to stay away from the Clan House to watch my victory from high ground. I don’t know what is going on, but if I go there to see what is going on just because of that, it would be this Imouto Kitsune’s loss.

I involuntarily rub my eyes and *jii* stare at the clouds. In front of this Imouto Kitsune, the swirling clouds wriggled like snakes and disappeared as if they were sucked into the Clan House.

Right, it is as if――Something sucked it.

§　§　§

I pick up a beautifully carved box thrown roughly on the floor and open it carefully.

What came out of it was――A black smoke that reminded me of the sky during a thunderstorm. The smoke showed no sign of stopping, and when it reached the ceiling, it poured out through the still broken windows of the Lounge.

Its momentum is similar to the waterfall that Luke uses during his training, so I can only laugh at the scenery which is too much of a joke.

Was it the Tamatebako?or what?

Tino, who had been standing there looking pale, let out a hoarse voice.

“Wh-Wh-Wh… What… are you doin――Master~……” (Tino)

“Eh!?” (Cry)

………… You were looking at me with an apologetic gaze as if you were telling me 『What if the box’s content broke, I’m sorry, Master~』, so I just thought I should check it and reassure you, tho’……

To begin with, I didn’t really understand the situation. Hugh, was it? I remembered after Tino reminded me of him, but I don’t know why he is lying on the ground, why he came here, or what the box he brought was. I’m used to this kind of situation, so I may seem calm, but I am still quite confused.

The smoke was ominous in appearance. It was more like a haze than smoke. Even the smoke from a fire is bad if inhaled, so you never know what might happen if you are exposed to something that comes out of such a strange box.

Tino approaches with unsteady steps.

“Ma-Master…… Th-The outside…… Is looking really bad――” (Tino)

“Well, calm down…… You have to calm down.” (Cry)

Ventilation…… Ventilation is important…… And maybe it is better to let it escape outside rather than let it fill the Lounge…… Rather, there’s nothing I can do here.

I look at the box, which continues to spit smoke that feels vaguely ominous. How could such a small box contain so much smoke? It didn’t seem to be a Relic――But at that moment, I found something bright red inside the box, hidden by the smoke.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Haha so the Imouto Kitsune gave the box because Cry sent a message saying Curse Now

So Cry was really the catalyst of the Prophecy!

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Tamatebako: it is a treasure chest from the Japanese tale called Urashima Taro. You can think of it as Pandora’s box.