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

　In this mission against Zebrudia, he was contacted by higher-ranking members.
As a matter of course, he has to report to them because it was his duty, but those members have to report to the members who are further above them.

　Kechakchakka’s traps, poisons, and Dragons had all been avoided by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.
There had been no raid by the mercenary group that he had paid a lot of money to commission.
　It would have been easy for 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 to put a stop to everything if he already knew about it.
The farce he did before leaving the Imperial Capital might have been to buy time to cancel the request to the mercenary group.

　With this, it would explain why, despite everything being so unexpected, it had turned out to be so extremely favorable for Kechakchakka.
Everything was under 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 control.
　The Monsters’ attack, the death (Probably due to 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》) of the Dragons that Kechakchakka had summoned and the fact that this led to gaining a lot of trust from the Emperor’s side and allowing them to escort him by his side, would all be understandable if they were all due to the unparalleled strategist.
　This was more natural than thinking that Kechakchakka had been chosen by chance to be a Member of the escort.
Is the reason why he didn’t reveal his identity to Kechakchakka because he was testing Kechakchakka?

　If this was true, then he would be incredibly wise.
Until Term had told him, Kechakchakka hadn’t even imagined that possibility at all.
　Above all, as far as Kechakchakka could see, 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 code of action wasn’t an act at all.
Starting from the beginning, he came in a messy and playful appearance that no one could think that he was escorting the Emperor, rushed into the gate with a carpet and messed up the itinerary, and suddenly disappeared during the escort――Those are actions that Kechakchakka would have never taken as someone who prefers to be cautious.
It would have killed him.
It was too risky and he doubted that it would work.

　Is this…… The ability of a top-ranked Member……?

　However, even at this point, Kechakchakka still had some doubts.
　The movement of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 was so natural and playful that he was at a loss.

　The possibility was certainly there.
If it were true, the Emperor’s assassination was as good as true.
He could probably assassinate them all right now and get away with it.
　However, if by any chance 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 wasn’t a Fox――――.

　So suspicious.
Who are the allies and who are the enemies?
　Term said Kilknight was suspicious, but what about Kruz?

’

　《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is a renowned Hunter.
If he was a Member of the “Fox (Kitsune)”, then he would have taken advantage of his honor and trust to do his activities as a “Fox (Kitsune)”.
In some cases, it may even be in the best interest of the organization to not assassinate the Emperor.

 

　In any case, Term said he would confirm if it was true.
It won’t be too late to take action after he has confirmed it.

“Hihihi……” (Kechakchakka)

　The Knights from the escort were looking at Kechakchakka who was standing there.
Kechakchakka let out a small voice and walked into the inn.

 

§　§　§

 

“Shopping!? When I thought there was something happening… Shopping, you said!? I’m so amazed at your guts that I can’t even say anything, desu!” (Kruz)

　Kruz crossed her arms and *puripuri* spoke quickly and angrily.
I, on the other hand, was in a great mood.
　As it was near an inn for noblemen, there were many stores nearby that sold a variety of goods.

“Well, well, if you are so uptight, you are going to get tired really fast.” (Cry)

’

“Return my nervousness back! Desu! Be serious, desu!” (Kruz)

　Even when we returned to my room,  Kruz’s anger didn’t subside.
　Kruz is so cheerful…… Just looking at her makes me feel heartwarming.
She may be older than me because she is a Spirit Person, but she scolds me like Lucia does, so I can’t help but treat her as if she were younger than me.

“It is true that it is not good to be too nervous.
The best thing to do is to relax so that when the time comes, you can do your best.” (Cry)

“Yowaningen, you’re always so relaxed, aren’t you, desu!” (Kruz)

　You are so angry because you don’t eat sweets, you know.
I took out the large bag of Amuze-nuts I had just bought, picked one up from the inside, and put it in my mouth.
　It has a unique sweetness that you can slightly feel and the aroma that you can feel even though it wasn’t roasted can become a habit.
The crunchiness was also nice.

　I *nikoniko* smiled and tried to recommend some nuts to Kruz, but stopped at the end.
　Amuzu nuts have a side-effect.
That is the reason why this nut wasn’t widespread, it strongly inhibits the manipulation of your magic power.
　If you eat too much, you won’t be able to use magic for a while, and of course, you won’t be able to supply Magic to your Relics.
To be precise, it is not impossible, but it seems that you will feel an unpleasant pain when doing it.
That’s why Hunters don’t eat these nuts.

　Well, this doesn’t concern me though.
As I was *piripiri* chomping down at it, Kruz puts her hand into the bag of nuts, looking annoyed.

“Don’t eat it all by yourself, give me some too, desu! Muh………… For humans nuts, it isn’t that bad, desu.” (Kruz)

　Before I could stop her from *poripori* stuffing her cheeks, she stared in wonder as if she liked it.
Unlike my childhood friend, Kruz doesn’t seem to be bad with sweets.
　Well, today I don’t have any Relics I absolutely need her to charge up so why not…… 

’

　I gave Kruz some nuts as she had asked for.
If you eat that many, you won’t be able to eat dinner, you know……

“Not bad, desu…… But this taste, where have I tasted it befor………… Uhhh!?” (Kruz)

　Kruz, who had been *poripori* chomping down, suddenly held her chest and crouched down.
She glared at me with tears in her eyes and cold sweat pouring down from her forehead.

“Kuuuuh…… W-What did you make me eat, desu…… My Magic circulation is――” (Kruz)

“T-They are Amuzu Nuts though……” (Cry)

“Huh!? …… Kuuuh…………” (Kruz)

　When Kruz found out what it was, she tightly closed her eyes and *purupuru* shivered.
It doesn’t seem like she has enough strength to complain.
Her outstretched left hand was hitting my knee without force.

　………… Apparently, this isn’t something that should be given to a “Spirit People (Noble)”.

　Well, she won’t die from it.
If it was poisonous or something, they would have made a bigger deal out of it.
Come to think of it, Lucia reacted the same way when she ate it a long time ago.
　Also, I didn’t make you eat it, you eat it on your own, Kruz.
I stopped yo-…… Well not really, but I am innocent.

　I wish I could use Antidote Magic, but unfortunately, I don’t have any Relics that can do that on me.
It should go away in time.
　Should I bring her some water――Just as I was about to get up, there was a knock at the door.

 

’

“《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, I need to talk with you.” (?)

　It was Term’s voice.
What did he want to talk about…… The timing is bad, but maybe he can magically create drinking water for her.
　When I opened the door, Term and my dubious ally, Kechakchakka, entered with a somewhat serious expression.

 

Author’s notes:

I’ve passed the cap of one million words! Thank you so much for sticking for so long!

I will continue to update this story as regularly as possible.

 

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
Congrats to the author for his million words cap! But as there are almost 300 chapters in total there is still a lot to do!
For my part, I translated 700 000 words and hope that I will continue till the end!

I seriously love the misunderstanding in this novel and now we will surely see another one being born in the next chapter!
And poor Kruz, eating an anti-Magi snacks because of her Cry and her love for sweets XD
Tchao à plus!