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

《Night Parade (Hyakki Yako)》. A Party that disappeared during the Treasure Shrine weakening operation.

In Sytry’s opinion, the Mana Materials Stirring Device has been destroyed by Adler. I thought that she had simply grown tired of me, her “Master (Shisho)”, and abandoned the mission midway, but it seems that it was not the case.

Yggdra’s warriors who were turned into Phantoms lost their memories before and after that time. It is unclear what process they had to go through in order to become a Phantom, but I already knew of the existence of masks that can transform people.

It seems that the master of the 【Temple of Origin】 is a masked god. Even I can imagine what happened if I know that much.

Maybe by wearing a mask, they are turned into a Phantom.

Considering that Adler and the others haven’t changed that much, maybe they are still in the process of being changed?

I was half-forced to take them as my disciples and thought it would be better if they disappeared forever. However, if they fought to the end and were turned into a Phantom, I would feel some pity for them.

Adler and the others stand there in silence. 1 vs 3 in a place with no one around. I am definitely in a pinch, but I still have my Barrier Rings on me and this is still inside Yggdra. If I shout loudly, someone will come flying at me immediately.

Are they fighting against their inner instinct as a Phantom? Feeling a little sentimental, I say this to Adler, who doesn’t seem to be attacking me.

“That appearance…… It is pathetic, Adler. You guys…… Took the wrong path.” (Cry)

In the first place, it was a mistake to try to use that unique ability to manipulate Monsters for evil purposes. If they hadn’t become bandits, they wouldn’t have engaged in a fight with 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, and they wouldn’t have come this far into the forest. They wouldn’t have suffered near-death experiences nor would they have been turned into Phantoms. Should I call that karma? I don’t understand why even people like me and the people of Yggdra, who did nothing wrong, are being treated so badly, tho’.

Now, what should I do? As I am pondering this absentmindedly, Adler’s hand slowly goes up. Her fingertips touch the mask she is wearing.

And then――She easily takes off the mask.

In front of me, who is at a loss for words, her black rouge-painted lips form a smile.

“Kukkukku…… That’s the first thing you say when you see our figure. Looks like I am reminded of it time and time again. And――Those words hurt my ears. But you would never understand. The feelings of those who seek power.” (Adler)

Huh? Could it be that they have…… Not been turned into a Phantom?

Quint and Uno follow Adler and also take off their masks. Their eyes are shining brightly in the darkness of the night.

“《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. You, with all your divine strategies――I am sure you understand why we came like this, right?” (Adler)

There is no way I would know. I have no idea what is going on. Everyone is so noisy about being the Divine Strategist this, Divine Strategist that. If I am to be recognized as a Divine Strategist, it will just lower the meaning of being a Divine Strategist. My sentimental mood has been blown away.

I sigh and try to say what seems most reasonable.

“Revenge…… Or something?” (Cry)

Because I was incompetent as a “Master (Shisho)”, so she came all the way here to attack me before leaving Yggdra? Surely, even Adler would not come up with such a ridiculous idea? Rather, where did you get that mask?ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt

“Kuku…… Revenge, huh? In a sense, it certainly may be revenge.” (Adler)

…… Seriously? What a ridiculous bunch of people you are, 《Night Parade (Hyakki Yako)》. I didn’t learn anything after I forced him to take me as a disciple, so I am taking revenge… That’s just completely unjustified resentment.

Adler *kurukuru* spins her spear and points it towards me. Quint holds up the Sword Relic that I returned, and Uno also points her staff toward me. I can’t see Yuden, but it is probably under the ground again.

Even though I am a man not worth killing, I don’t understand why everyone is trying to kill me. Even if Adler didn’t lead any Monsters, it would still be a piece of cake for her to win. Since resistance is futile anyway, I try to avoid the battle with a badass smile.

“I have no intention of fighting. I am sorry, but tomorrow is a big day, you see.” (Cry)

“…… Even though it is the night before the battle against a god, you are extremely confident. But, I am sorry, but I will have you fight!” (Adler)

What are you talking about, you dumdum? Adler may not know it, but the strategy to weaken the Treasure Shrine is a success. The barrier around the 【Temple of Origin】 has also disappeared, so there is no way that the god can maintain its existence.

Adler’s spear thrusts out with lightning speed. I accept the attack without flinching or moving.

No――To be more precise, with that speed, I cannot even move.

Apparently, Adler’s spear, which I thought was for ceremonial use, is also a practical weapon. A sweeping attack with a large rotation of the handle followed by a series of thrusts. The black tip cuts through the darkness and a sharp sound rises from the wind.

Adler, the “Demon King (Maou)”. Her spear skills are also quite impressive. Even with just that skill, she can probably do well as a Hunter.

Her consecutive attacks are so fluid that it is like a martial arts performance. Stepping in, thrusts, mowing down. Adler suddenly stops the tip right in front of me and says as if she is spitting.

“Even though I’ve done this much…… You aren’t even a little agitated, huh? I thought I had trained my spear’s skill to a certain extent, but――Now I’m losing confidence.” (Adler)

That’s my line.

Her thrusts brush my clothes many times, but surprisingly, not a single Barrier Ring has activated. The reason why I stand there amidst the attack is simply because I cannot react, but the reason why the Barrier Rings didn’t activate is probably because Adler missed it at the last minute. I think it is usually harder to do that than having the attack hit.

Adler says with a look as sharp as the tip of her spear.

“I underestimated the power of the god――Of Keller’s power. That’s not just a simple Phantom. Even in its current state, which is not perfect, it’s stronger than any Monsters or Phantoms we’ve ever fought…… It’s strong. Even if you’re Level 8, I don’t think you’ll be able to control it.” (Adler)

“…… Eh? Don’t tell me you were trying to control a god?” (Cry)

“!? What…… Did you say!?” (Quint)

Quint stares at me as if he is taken aback by what I said. Even though you have the power to control Monsters, isn’t it too thoughtless of you to try to subdue the Phantom of a god? Really, there is a limit to being confident. I want to learn that from you (A big fat lie).

Moreover…… Even if you are Level 8, I don’t think you can control it, you say? I don’t even want to!

“You need to clearly draw the line between what you can do and what you cannot do, what you are allowed to do and what you are not allowed to do……” (Cry)

What do you think I am, seriously? Just because you want to control it doesn’t mean that everyone wants the same.

Maybe what I said is a shock to them, Adler and the others are completely frozen.

In the end, I have no idea what happened to them or why they came back, but well, I am not that interested. I am not free. Let’s finish this conversation before she changes her mind and resumes her attacks.

“Well, we are planning to enter the 【Temple of Origin】 tomorrow. As we have a purpose too.” (Cry)

“…… Keller is, strong.” (Adler)

Adler says in a stifled voice filled with her true feelings.

Maybe Adler didn’t understand the purpose behind Sytry’s strategy? Even I understand it to some extent, so maybe Adler is dumber than I thought.

For what reason do you think that manipulating the earth’s veins to stop the supply of Mana Materials is for, seriously…

I snort and say confidently.

“I know. That is why we are making his power disappear before it can use it.” (Cry)

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Thanks for reading! Sasuga Cry, winning a fight without even moving a finger. Next step, beat Keller with Cry’s badass smile.