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

At this point, Sofia’s attitude remained the same as when she was his disciple.

I felt an unknown, strange fear.
Even if she isn’t pointing any weapon at me.

A member of 『The Lamenting Ghost』.
Although this is enough to be consider as an enemy, it is the first time for Noto to feel like this while he isn’t facing against a powerful Mage.

Above all, I don’t know what their purpose is…

In the first place, what Sytry did isn’t the kind of thing to be accepted even if it was for an infiltration.
Sofia became a disciple close to three year ago.
Even if her hand wasn’t as dirty as Noto and the other disciples, it is enough to get a death sentence.
If all her action so far comes to light, no explanation will be tolerated, and she will be sent to prison.

Indeed.
This Hunter was once falsely accused of assisting in that great prison break… That impregnable South Isteria Prison where numerous criminal who have absorbed a large amount of Mana Material are locked in there.
Even now, most of those who escaped are still on the run.
Their vigilance has been increased since that incident.
Once you get in, you can never go out.

“Your motivation is… is it revenge for that infamous Alias the Explorer Assoc.
gave you… because you weren’t guilty!?”

Revenge on the Imperial Capital.
Then I can still understand.
Burning anger can sometimes transform people.

I ask this while hiding my murderous voice, Sytry turns her eyes down and raised a crying voice.

“Don’t you understand, Teacher.
My motivation is… to seek for knowledge, this is it.
Sometimes, it is necessary to use unspeakable and unlawful way to unravel and obtain the truth.
There are many things to learn from teacher’s behavior which was free to do whatever it wants without nitpicking.
Teacher and I… might be similar.”

Similar, with this word.
Noto understood everything.

’

Everything this woman said is the truth.
She didn’t become Noto’s disciple because she wanted to infiltrate, but it was to satisfy her insatiable desire for knowledge and inquiring mind.
Regardless of being a High-Level Hunter, being forbidden by the law or touching a taboo which can destroy the world… This woman in front of me joined the 『Tower of Akasha』 only for herself.

“Revenge… Don’t you think that it is pointless? And… False charge?”

Then in front of me 『The Worst of the Worst』 is trying to 『Clean up』.

“The best 『Material』… I wanted it whatever the cost.
Teacher, I have always thought about it, but Golem are really too expensive.
Akasha is a masterpiece, but even though it took so much time, money and effort to create it, it can’t be control without an operator, it is inferior to a Phantom or a gimmick from a Shrine.”

She said with a voice as if she was expressing her opinion on her research.
As if being pressed by it, Noto fell back and slowly distance himself.

“… Did you think you can escape!? Against me!”

“Teacher, you are a first-class Mage.
If Teacher could reform… I could have bragged it to Lucia-chan but I can’t let you go.
Also, I wanted Akasha.
But I am sure that the Empire already collect it.
It is very disappointing.”

There was no malicious intent at all.
Even being pointed by a wand, you can’t see her trembling.
And she sigh as if it was unfortunate.

After hearing all the information, he needed, you can see in the reflection of her deep blue eyes the tip of his wand.

“I am, in fact… the 『Weakest』 inside 『Strange Grief | The Lamenting Ghost』.
As Teacher knows, I don’t have any talent in a face-to-face battle… Even if I have said all that I might lose.
If possible, I would like you to surrender…”

’

To this weak voice, Noto, without reacting, start to assemble a magic he has always used.

The most basic magic usable by most Mages 『Fire Bullet』.

The firing speed is fast, and its power is high.
It is also a magic which greatly reflect the ability of the user.
If you mastered magic to the same point as Noto, even if you omit the chant, it has the power to turn three people to ashes.

A low difficulty magic attack.
The preparation to cast it is completed in an instant.
Sytry hasn’t even stood up.
From this distance it is impossible to avoid.

I am not careless.
She is not an enemy I can be careless about.

At the moment when he tries to release the magical power built up inside him… He suddenly felt a pain running through his whole body.

The sudden shock made his hands lose strength and the wand fell down making a hard noise.
But he doesn’t have the composure to care about that.

As Noto screams and crouches in pain as if his body was being assault from the inside, he could hear Sytry’s relieved voice.

“Thank god… It seems that it works even against the Sage, Master Magus.

“What… Did… you…!?”

’

Sytry pick one of the chocolates and put it in her mouth.

“A drug that suppress the activation of magic.
It will cause pain right before you cast your spell and the magic you built up will disappear.
Hunters are used to pain, but you are not Teacher.”

“Kuh…!? Ha… Ha… You planned to betray me….
from the beginning…”

I have been given a drug!? But at the time when she took out chocolates, she still doesn’t know what we will talk about.

Sytry bows her head as she looks at Noto who looks at her while twisting in pain.

“It was just preparation.
You also know it, Teacher.
What are important for Alchemist are 『Preparation』 and 『Clean Up』.
I am weak and Teacher was on alert, even if I didn’t have the intention to betray you, I will do that much.”

This guy is a Mage, A genuine mage.
He doesn’t trust anyone, he won’t hesitate to kill his own disciple who studied with him for several year, a slave to knowledge.
A seeker of the truth.
And he tramples on the feeling of others as if was the most obvious thing to do.
There is no one more suitable to be in of the 『Tower of Akasha』.

Still enduring the pain, Noto pick up the wand, which was in front of him, lean on the table in front of Sytry and got up.

“It is time to finish this.
There are things to collect before the Empire get their hands on it… I know that it was sudden, but I wasn’t ready at all… I need to be more careful next time.”

Those word must be true.
Alchemists has less fighting ability than Mages.
It is common practice to use Golem or Artificial Lifeform, Homunculus, for battle but there is no one behind Sytry.

’

If she can overwhelm me face-to-face, she wouldn’t have the need to use drugs.

To support his idea, Sytry’s footsteps were full of cautious.
She carefully approaches Noto.

It is impossible to use magic.
It would probably be useless to try again.
Even if I knew what was coming… I can’t focus on my power with a pain as strong as being hit by lightning.

But I manage to stay conscious through all that pain.
And I still have a hand to play.
Just like Sytry who has prepare to suppress me before the battle, Noto has overcome many battles until now.

I put my right hand inside my pocket.
In the bottom of my pocket, I insert the hidden ring in my finger.
Sytry looks at Noto and say in a gentle voice.

“It is fine, there is nothing to worry about.
I won’t kill you.
But I will… Erase all your memory.
Like Infinite Variety, I am aiming to be a 『Philanthropist』.”

“Kuh… Don’t underestimate me Sofia!!”

Sytry’s eyes opens, and her line of sight turns to Noto’s hand.

Thanks for reading this! I can’t believe when I started to translate this chapter, I though it’s okay there’s only 4500 words.
I got too used to 6000+word in a chapter TT.TT When I red Sytry helped in a Prison break and I was singing Prison Break opening song.
(The French one of course J’ai pas le teeeeeeeeemps! Mon espriiiiiiiiiiit! Glisse ailleuuuuuurs !!!!!) Tchao à plus!