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

Yggdra, the hometown of Spirit People. A city built deep in the forest and mysteriously protected is a beautiful city rich in nature, but at the same time, it is a desolate city with almost no inhabitants.

However, right now, Yggdra is in a state of excitement. The Spirit People who have been evacuated returned all at once, and a feast is being prepared on the streets that had been deserted for a long time.

Spirit People hate fire. Instead, it is water, wind, and flowers that decorate the feast. The decorations themselves aren’t flashy, but everyone who gathers there is a Spirit People known for their beautiful appearance, and looking at them makes me feel like I have wandered into a fairyland. I have visited many places around the world since becoming a Hunter, but this is the first time I have seen something like this.

The Yggdra’s warriors who had gone missing. The first one returned a while after the Black World Tree stopped moving and we returned to Yggdra. Since then, Yggdra’s warriors have returned one after another. They are the people whom the Black World Tree absorbed the Mana Materials from and threw them away. I didn’t have time to check if they were okay, but apparently they were fine.

Yggdra was immediately excited by the further good news that came after the successful operation to weaken the Treasure Shrine. It is at such a level that the people of Yggdra, who hate humans, have hardly ever been seen since we arrived in Yggdra and never exchange a word with each other even on the rare occasion when we see them, did a 180 en masse.

Serene narrows her eyes as if she is looking at something dazzling, looks at Yggdra which is now in a completely cheerful mood, and says.

“It is a miracle. Human. This is a miracle. I never thought that those I had given up for so long would come back――I cannot thank you enough.” (Serene)

“Ahaha………… I was just lucky. If you want to thank someone, you should tell that to the Black World Tree.” (Cry)

What can I say, I am quite perplexed as I am someone who hasn’t done anything, but as long as the result is good, all’s well that ends well. I am glad to see a smile back on their faces. I don’t need any thanks… No, seriously.

Ruin crosses their arms and sighs deeply.

“The Black World Tree………… What an ominous name. What a blasphemous deed to do to try to imitate the World Tree…… Normally, this is something I cannot overlook, but since we have been saved, I guess I should swallow my anger.” (Ruin)

“Let’s not get into the details right now. 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, I am so glad I trusted you and did not ignore Eliza’s letter. In less than a month, you have learned everything and solved all our problems. We, people of Yggdra, will never forget this favor.” (Serene)

No…… Is there anything that I have solved? Well, if you only consider the results, it might have worked out, but the scary thing is that I don’t remember taking any productive action. Please say your thanks to Sytry.

It seems like it is going to become my achievement, so I clear my throat and try to cover it.

“No, not everything has been resolved yet……” (Cry)

At any rate, in the end, it seems like the manipulation of the earth’s vein went fairly well, and the warriors from Yggdra who had gone missing have returned. However, the issue of the World Tree’s rampaging behavior has not been completely resolved, and well, although it may be fine as the destruction of the World Tree is still a long way off, the biggest issue we must not forget is that Luke’s curse has not yet been dispelled yet.

Heck, have Liz and the others completely forgotten about Luke? Maybe they trust him but you know… Serene nods with a serious expression at what I said.

“That’s right………… I am also curious about what is going on with 《Night Parade (Hyakki Yako)》.” (Serene)

“………… No, you don’t need to care about that. I don’t need their power anymore.” (Cry)

They must have gotten scared midway through the strategy, or perhaps they got fed up with my incompetence and ran away. I am not really interested in them. A Bandit who disappeared is a good bandit.

“………… Human, if that is what you think, then that is probably true. For now, let’s eat, rest, and nourish our spirits. Now that Yggdra’s warriors have returned, our available forces have increased. Yggdra’s soldiers are all mighty warriors with great skill. They will all follow your command.” (Serene)

Your self-evaluation is way too high for them to be mighty warriors, even though all of them went missing. But, well, I have no intention of commanding them, so I won’t say anything troublesome.

“Un, un, that’s right. I will count on you when I need it.” (Cry)

“If――There’s anything else we can do besides fighting, please let us know. There are many people who have approached me asking if there is anything they can do for their benefactors.” (Serene)

“Let me see………… Not really, I think.” (Cry)

If I have to ask something, it would be to allow me to create a branch of the Explorers Association so I can maintain my honor with Gark-san, but it would be cruel to ask that from Yggdra, who has always rejected visitors. It seems like they are showing Sytry, Lucia, and the rest, Spirit People’s treasured books, so there is nothing I really want more than that. In the first place, it is not like we are here to help you, you know.

As I hold back my aching chest from the excessive evaluation and petty guilt, the Treasure Shrine investigation team, made up of Yggdra’s scouts and led by Liz and Eliza, returns. At first, it was just Tino, Liz, and Eliza who were investigating, but it has now grown into quite a large group.

“Cry-chaaaan, the barrier is gone!” (Liz)

“The pressure is lessening. I don’t think we can hope for the Treasure Shrine to disappear, but………… There are hardly any Phantoms, so we can invade now.” (Eliza)

………… To think a Treasure Shrine can really be weakened, Sytry is really amazing. Is it possible that I have Sytry who can pull it off this time with me? It is good news that the barrier has disappeared. All that is left to do is break into the treasure room and have Serene lift Luke’s curse.

The Phantoms remaining in the Treasure Shrine are probably weakened by Sytry’s strategy. The only problem is the Phantom of a god that has looked at us through the mirror.

“Eliza, do you think the Phantom of a god is still there?” (Cry)

“………… There is a high possibility that it has disappeared. Bosses are the first ones to disappear when they don’t have enough Mana Materials――But…………” (Eliza)

“But, what?” (Cry)

In response to my question, Eliza strokes her bare leg with her palm and says with a troubled expression.

“……………… But, I have………… A very bad feeling.” (Eliza)

………… Eliza’s bad premonitions are always a hit. A lot has happened since we came to Yggdra, but is there still more to come? I want to go home right now……

“Cry-chan, we’re all ready for the invasion, y’know? Ti is also very motivated, so we can go tonight, right? Wouldn’t it be better to conquer it quickly before something happens? The other side’s probably still confused now……” (Liz)

Well, that is one way to think about it. No, but well, if you are leaving right away, the time to prepare will be that much shorter………… I am the Leader of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》. The opportunities to hunt with Liz and the others have been decreasing significantly recently, but if I am around, I am the one to make the final decision.

“What about Sytry?” (Cry)

“She said she’ll follow Cry-chan’s opinion.” (Liz)

Liz, Tino, and all the Yggdra warriors are all waiting for my decision. Well, here I am with two choices with no right answer. And when I am forced to choose between two choices, I usually choose the one to put it off until later. There is no need to immediately go to war when the missing people are happy to be back. We need to prepare and I want to rest a little.

Well, I won’t accompany you to lift the curse, tho’…… But there are a lot of people going, so I cannot not go, right?

“Right………… No, let’s do it tomorrow. The situation might improve if we give it some time…… Be prepared so there won’t be any problems even if something happens.” (Cry)

Liz probably doesn’t have a solid basis for saying we should leave immediately. Liz says cheerfully without questioning my decision.

“Roooger that! Cry-chan, by the way…… You will give me a chance to play an active role too, right? Neee? Even though there was the cursed-related commotion the other day, I was the only one who didn’t do anything big, aren’t they all unfair? Even Ti seems to be accompanying Cry-chan all the time.” (Liz)

“O-Onee-sama!? That’s not…………” (Tino)

Why do you want to get in so much trouble? From my point of view, I think Liz is doing a great job by scouting and doing other things this time as well, but are you saying that is not enough? Besides, it is not like I don’t want to have Liz accompany me. It is just that Liz, who is always at the forefront, and I, who is always at the back, don’t fit well together……

I put my hand on Liz’s head and say with a badass smile.

“Well, I will let you go on a rampage tomorrow…… So look forward to it.” (Cry)

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Thanks for reading! Woooooh I’m back!! FF7 Rebirth was amaziiiiing! It was such a good game! Love the combat and story! And there were so many minigames! Every time I had to do everything before continuing the story. But well, now I can go back to translate again while we have to wait for FF7 Part3 (Revengeance XD) New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt