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

Chapter89，Part2: 2 - Evil

Chapter 89 Evil

Part 2

If you ask Ark, he will tell that éclair’s choice was wrong.

Power isn’t… Victory isn’t something you give it to someone, but it is something you overcomes by yourself. Gladys-kyo has probably the same opinion, if it was the usual éclair, then she would have also understood that.

Attract by its fame, she acted based on her emotions. But from éclair’s voice, she is certainly regretting it.

éclair doesn’t want the power of the mask. Even though she has a sword, she didn’t pull it out when she was repelling the guards, is probably because this girl unconsciously tried not to do it.

Then there should be a way to remove the mask from her.

What is covering éclair’s face is in the end, a Relic. It must be powered by magic. Even if you can’t forcibly pull it apart, it is highly possible that you will be release by the mask over time.

Or alternatively, the one who sent Ark here, “Infinite Variety” might have wanted to confirm its effect.

No matter how many counters move you planned, this is still overkill. It would still be fine if it was a Hunter from our Clan, but it isn’t something good to make a noble’s daughter do this job.

If even Ark can’t convince her to remove it, then they would have to forcefully remove it.

Ark slowly lower his right hand and presents it to the small éclair.

“…… Can I have it?”

“………………”

It was a long silent. éclair’s eyes stare at Ark from behind the fleshed mask’s eye socket.

Contrary to Ark’s hand, both of her small hands quiver and quietly raise them.

“Ah… ah…”

From afar, his companions take a breath and observe the situation.

éclair’s fingers approaches her cheek. Although it seems to be united when you look at it from a distance, from a close view, the boundary between the fleshed mask and éclair’s face was clearly present.

Maybe if a lot of time passed… If I wasn’t on time, would the mask have completely merged with her face?

If you think with the common sense of a Relic, it isn’t possible. It shouldn’t be possible, but Ark remember the words he said in the Clan House and quivered a little bit.

No, in the first place… What if I didn’t believe in his word, there would have been many deaths if I didn’t visit this place.

It wouldn’t be strange if Van Gladys made the decision to kill his own daughter.

So, how much have that man planned this? As far as Ark knows, Cry isn’t a villain. Far from being a villain, he looks like an ordinary person, but considering the current situation maybe my recognition on him was too weak.

Suddenly, éclair’s finger stops just before reaching the mask.

“… What happens, éclair-sama?”

“……”

The air changes to a tense one in an instant. éclair’s eyes aren’t looking at Ark.

The focus of her pupils which was opened to her limits was looking at…… Ark’s waist.

At the end of éclair line of sight was a single sword in a white sheath.

The sword that symbolizes Rodin…… The sacred sword of destruction, Historia.

Every time I met éclair. I was always urged to show a swing with the strongest sword to her. With one swing, it can break a mountain or cut the sea, it is a Sword-type Relic with the most power even among the most powerful Sword-type Relic.

I have no intention of pulling it out against éclair, but I had on my waist, something that I totally left in a corner of my head, was my sword.

Suddenly, the word of “Infinite Variety” replay back into Ark’s mind.

―― Eh…? Aaah, you don’t need it. I think it would be better if you don’t bring any.

“Kuh… Ah… AaaAh… Ah… Aaaaah, why…….”

éclair screams in despair. A shining white blade flashed.

I avoid the sharp slashes that were shot at me by stepping back and barely avoid them. éclair quickly move back one step.

In her hand is a sword that she didn’t pull out even against guards. Bloody tears flow from the orbits of the fleshed mask and screams to her surroundings.

“Why is thaaaat!! Aaark-donoooo! Why, pointing your sword, to me….!”

“………………”

Against éclair who is fully ready to fight, Ark’s smile changed to a sour looking one.

§　§　§

“Hey, we really were fortunate, right Arnold-san.?”

“Who would have thought that dangerous garbage cost more than one hundred million at an auction, the people from Zebrudia are really generous right!”

After Hay said those word, the Thief in their party screams with a wide grin.

A high-class inn in the Imperial Capital. In the bar next to it, Arnold and his friends exchange the price for cash and are making an uproar with a leather bag containing two hundred million Gils.

Two hundred million Gils isn’t cheap even for Arnold who is Level 7. If you talk about earning such sum by exploring Shrines, then you can either explore a high-Level Shrine that are rarely explored or you will have to focus on hunting high earning monsters or you can’t get such sum. Even so, doing those things cost money. It is hard to find something with a net profit of two hundred million.

If you have two hundred million Gils, then you can buy good weapons and armor. You can buy useful Relics that can be used in case of an emergency. You can drink good alcohol and eat gorgeous meal to reinvigorate you and you can even buy a house as a base.

It is timely for “Fallen Mist (Thunder Dragon’s Mist)” who had just finished a long journey and was short of money, it was a gift from the sky that they could sell the fleshed mask for such a high price.

“I was wondering what would happen when “Infinite Variety” came up but he was messenger from lady luck.”

“After all, Arnold-san still has it.”

“… Don’t get too hot in your head. We still don’t know much about this Imperial Capital.”

I give a little remonstrance to my subordinate. However, it is unavoidable that they got a little bit on high horses.

It was just on a whim that we didn’t put that unneeded mask in an auction at Nebranubes. From that point on, everything went well and on a good rhythm.

I was surprised when an offer from “Infinite Variety” to buy it came but from that point on, I wouldn’t have dream about how everything would have proceeded.

After all, the Relic that I was planning on selling for ten million Gils was sold for twenty times its price, for two hundred million.

Hay’s expression cloudy a little and sighs.

“But there were so many rumors about it, I thought that it would have sold a little bit higher… It seems that it wasn’t good as nobles got involved.”

“It was a Relic that we would have paid someone to take it, so it is enough to get two hundred million for it.”

“Well, that is right…”

Sure, I was a little disappointed when the bidding price stopped at two hundred million, but it isn’t good to be too greedy.

Arnold grins and says in a joking tone.

“Kukkukku… If you make too many moneys, won’t you feel like buying a drink to “Infinite Variety”, right?”

“Hahaha, you aren’t wrong!”

Only a few merchants and High-Level Hunters stay in this High-Class inn.

There is no Hunters there who can fight against “Fallen Mist”.

The white coins that they cashed out hardly decrease even after drinking and eating a lot. The inn we are staying was for eight people and cost three hundred thousand per night… Even if we don’t earn some money, we can live and play for a while.

However, Arnold’s goal in the Imperial Capital isn’t for tourism. It is to make a name for himself.

“You bastards, this two hundred million Gils is only pocket change. Let’s start our preparation to capture the next Shrine.”

“Eeeh!? Seriously!?”

His companions are booing when they hear their Leader’s words.

Two hundred million Gils is a lot of money, but it is an amount that will quickly disappear if High-Level Hunters use it to prepare themselves.

As it can’t be exchange with your own life, a large amount of gold coins is too transient for a Treasure Hunter.

Arnold hears the accusations of his companions, twist his cheeks and smiles like a wild beast.

“Of course, right now we will take a rest to restore our strength, right.”

Exploding cheers are coming from my companions. If you are not enthusiastic then your exploration won’t progress.

Confirming their future activities in the Imperial Capital, Arnold nods satisfactorily.

§

As it was late at night, we return to our room in a good mood.

Arnold rented a large room for parties. It is only in a High-Class Inn that there is this and its size isn’t smaller to a family house.

It isn’t a good idea to rent it for a long time, but it is worth its price.

They come in front of their room while swaying and bringing his companions who are stuffed and drunken.

“You didn’t leave the money behind, right?”

“No way… It is right here!”

Hay shows off the large bag full of white coins.

Arnold and his friends are still not used to Zebrudia. After learning a little more about this city, we should think and discuss how to use this money.

While thinking about such things, I open the door with my key and suddenly something big fly out from our room.

“Kuh!?”

I raise my hand reflexively grab it with my fist and throw it away. A hard feeling. The pot made of pottery that flew out hits the wall and shatters.

The other drunken members have a blank look. Arnold instantly switches his consciousness, take the weapon on his back, stands in a battle position and get inside.

I was wary because we have a lot of money. It is easy to find out that the owner of that mask was Arnold.

However, I thought that it was needless fear. There are almost no robbers or criminal parties that can beat a Level 7 Hunter.

Inside the room, the light was lit. The living room is right after the spacious entrance. A meeting space with plants ornament and paintings hanging.

It was there, on the table we used to strategize before going to an exploration. In the seat where Arnold is always sat on, it is deeply sitting on the chair and brazenly crossing its legs.

The thrown vase was the one that was displayed in the living room.

A familiar tied up pink blond hair. A strange skeleton mask is completely hiding its expression and facing Arnold and his friends. My thought settles down to their unexpected appearance. The intruder without showing any sign of hiding itself, shouted in an insolence voice.

“Shut up, you damn shit! You fuckers, when did you think you could make Liz-chan waiting? Hmmh? Liz-chan isn’t free unlike you fuckers! I going to kill you!?”

A familiar tied up pink blond hair. A strange skeleton mask is completely hiding its expression and facing Arnold and his friends.

My thought settles down to their unexpected appearance.

The intruder without showing any sign of hiding itself, shouted in an insolence voice.

“Shut up, you damn shit! You fuckers, when did you think you could make Liz-chan waiting? Hmmh? Liz-chan isn’t free unlike you fuckers! I going to kill you!?”

“Kuh… What… What are you doing!?”

With that voice an abominable memory revives. I suppress my high tension and point the big sword in my right hand to her.

The lock was certainly locked. The security of a high-class inn is reasonably high.

The other members who also understand the situation hold their weapons ready.

The room they are staying in has been invaded. No one will complain even if I kill her here.

Looking at Arnold and his friends, there was another skeleton mask next to Liz who is sitting and crossing her hands.

“Please calm down, Arnold-san. We aren’t here to harm you. Don’t misunderstand, we are… here to 『Claim our share』 we legitimately own.”

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Ark, man… Cry told you to not bring weapons XD

Well I can understand why you doubt his word though XD

Hell, yeah that was the job Ark couldn’t do and only Liz can XD

The bloody mafia is here to collect their moneyyyyy XD

Tchao à plus.