Chapter 309，Part1: 1 - Strange Grief Wants to Retire ⑦
Chapter 309 Strange Grief Wants to Retire ⑦
Part 1
I leave the arrangements for welcoming the “Spirit People (Noble)” Shaman, to my subordinate and return to the Imperial Capital.
What was waiting for me, Franz, was the Imperial Capital thrown into chaos by the news of giant monsters appearing.
It was a mistake to use most of the members of the Knight Order to welcome the Spirit People. But I managed to confirm the situation with the remaining members in the Imperial Capital.
“Tsk………… What a, blunder. What the hell happened!” (Franz)
I did my best to gather as much information as I could, but it was all too enigmatic.
A giant monkey monster suddenly appeared, flew across the roof, and attacked the Imperial Capital Church. Marin’s Wails and the Black Knight were released from their seals, and a dragon appeared from the sewers? The monkey turned into a dragon? It attacked Zebrudia Magic Academy and the “Sword Saint’s (Kensei)” dojo――And finally melted into sludge at the end?
I have no idea what the context is at all. All I know is that the situation is pretty close to the worst. Even though normally just the fact that Marin’s Wails was released was the worst, that very fact was completely overshadowed.
Since the monster was said to be moving with dark clouds, perhaps the object of the prophecy was not Marin’s Wails, but rather that one.
As a defender of the Empire, I will never be able to die in peace knowing the fact that this monster was allowed to stroll through the streets of the historic Zebrudia.
Everything is too messed up. I yelled at my subordinates while holding my head.
“How should I report to His Imperial Majesty! At the very least, I have to summarize what happened――Damn…… Is there no one who fully understands the situation!? How much destruction is there?” (Franz)
“Y-Yes! Apparently, the monster weighed little, so the damage to the part of the city that was used as its foothold was minor. Only the Church, Zebrudia Magic Academy, and Thawne School of Swordsmanship, which were directly attacked, are severely damaged. The Hunters engaged the monster, but it seemed to be fast on its feet――” (Knight)
We do not know where it came from, but it was the Knight Order’s fault that allowed the monster to invade the Imperial Capital. I thought we had taken every possible precaution, but we were too naive.
However, it was also true that it was impossible to be even more vigilant than that――Having thought that far, I changed my mind. What we should do right now is not regret. It is to stop further damage from spreading.
“How many casualties are there? Where is the monster now?” (Franz)
That is the problem. If a huge monster was to roam through the capital, there would have to be a fair number of deaths. And if we cannot do something about that monster, which even Ark Rodin and his team could not stop, the Imperial Capital would be finished before the liability issues arise.
When Franz asked this while trying to keep his composure, the knight replied with a confused look on his face.
“Yes. The thing is――We are in the middle of our investigation, but strangely enough, there seem to be very few victims――” (Knight)
“Aaah!? As if such an absurd story is possible!” (Franz)
I am not saying that they should die, but there is no way that such an outcome is possible when a monster so large that it could throw such chaos in the Imperial Capital appears.
In response to Franz’s harsh words, his subordinate continued to report while his face stiffened.
“N-No, it is true. And, the monster in question――Has disappeared and hasn’t been sighted since.” (Knight)
“!? ……………… Where did it disappear?” (Franz)
I don’t know what to believe anymore. Is the situation good or bad? I have to hear it all and sum it up before making a decision――.
“Yes. It is at the Clan House of the Clan called 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》.” (Knight)
Did you just say…… The Clan House of 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》!?
Franz’s eyes widen at the unexpected words, and suddenly the Symphonic Stone on his hips trembles. It is not the stone connected to the one he gave Lapis and the others, but the one connected to the Institute of Divination and Mystic Arts.
He hurriedly took it out and activated the Symphonic Stone. This time Franz froze at the breaking news from the Institute of Divination and Mystic Arts.
“The prophecy………… Disappeared?” (Franz)
§ § §
“………… Par…… Ty?” (Eliza)
In the underground of a vast desert. After being unluckily swallowed by quicksand and standing in front of an unprecedented Treasure Shrine, the eccentric Spirit People slowly blinked her eyes while taking a bite of a chocolate bar.
《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 is a Party made up of childhood friends. For better or worse, the six of us have known each other for a long time.
Originally, Treasure Hunters usually form a party of six people. Although we have all the necessary members to fill the Party roles, our Party has many openings compared to other Parties as it includes me as a burden.
Adding a new member has been one of the issues that had to be dealt with after arriving at the Imperial Capital and starting to get the activities of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 on track――No, even before it got off the ground. Although we have recruited members several times before, most of the Hunters who could keep up with 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 already had a Party they belonged to or their personalities often didn’t fit. In order to keep up with Luke and the others, who run through the glorious road of Hunter with reckless speed, a certain degree of tolerance is essential, not to mention skills.
The Hunter, Eliza Beck, whom I encountered at the place where I was stranded, was one of those rare beings who met all my requirements.
A calm and composed demeanor who does not show any sign of agitation after being swallowed by a quicksand while working solo. Moreover, she even starts to take a nap at her own pace while being stranded and has a good-naturedness that is unlike any Spirit People I have met so far.
Her abilities are unknown, but I am sure she will fit in well with 《Strange Grief’s (Nageki no Borei)》 Party. Above all, I feel a lot of sympathy for her being stranded in a place like this, and if she joins the Party, it will be less noticeable even if I am taking a nap. Thus, we are harmonious.
At my solicitation, which contained a hint of calculation, Eliza was silent for a while and tilted her head.
“……………… Why?” (Eliza)
“Didn’t I give you a chocolate bar. Besides, you can leave anytime you want, and it is more fun than hunting alone, you know? Best of all, it is safer.” (Cry)
Apparently, it was difficult to accept a sudden Party invitation. Especially for female Hunters as they are sometimes targeted in this way, so it is unavoidable.
Eliza looks down absentmindedly at the chocolate bar I gave her and says in a calm voice.
“………… I have something………… I am looking for.” (Eliza)
“I will look for it with you! I am good at it!” (Cry)
I don’t know what she is looking for, but Liz and the others should be able to find it. Eliza gives me a very sleepy look at me who says something extremely random in a badass manner.
Later, I learned the astonishing fact that Eliza had not been stranded, but had, in fact, arrived at the Treasure Shrine with a different route, that she is a Hunter where people with Hunter knowledge will know about her, and most of all, that she has an excellent crisis perception skills and she was much safer working solo than in a Party, and many other things but they are all good memories now.
For some reason, there has never been talk of her leaving, and she seems to fit in well with the Party. The only miscalculation I made was that even with her joining in, me slacking off didn’t become any less noticeable, but it would be too luxurious to ask for more.
And then, I sit down in the comfortable chair in the Clan Master’s office and let out a long, long sigh to relax all the strength in my body.
“Heyyyyyy………… Seriously, this time I really thought I was done for……” (Cry)
“……………… Cry-san, don’t you say the same thing every time?” (Eva)
“If Eva didn’t pull me out, I would have been in the dark forever. That treasure chest, is really dark.” (Cry)
It is a comforting feeling to feel like I am back to my everyday life when I am with Eva.
TL notes:
Thanks for reading! And thanks Satria for the Ko-fi, I’ll post an extra chapter next Sunday.
So Eliza was lured into Strange Grief by a chocolate bar.
But it is so funny that Cry says that she was much safer when she was solo than in a Party
I’m sure since she met Cry, she must have been in a dangerous situation way more times than in her whole life.
Tchao à plus!
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