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

Chapter166，Part1: 1 - White Sword Gathering ⑥

Chapter 166 White Sword Gathering ⑥?

Part 1

Murmurs of confusion, anger, and mockery filled the venue.

I’m not proud of it, but dogeza is one of my specialties.

With no fighting skills and no longer accompanying them on hunts, all I could do was take responsibility for them. This was because my childhood friends would never apologize, and even if they did, they would not be sorry about it.

This time, too, Liz came along on her own even if I didn’t ask her to. If for example, Luke had a problem, it would be the fault of the “Kensei (Sword Saint)” for letting a random man-slasher into the security detail. In the first place, I was not their guardian.

However, there was no point in saying something like this now. I could only just bowed my head and asked for forgiveness.

Until now, I had been able to cover up various scandals by doing a dogeza. Some of them had somehow become beautiful stories, and some of them have made the other party cry.

However, I never thought I would end up doing a dogeza in front of the Emperor at a venerable meeting…… However, on the contrary, the situation was so bad that it had become kind of funny.

The cold sweat made my newly-dressed shirt stick to me and it felt disgusting.

As I stared at the *fukafuka* soft carpet from a distance where I could almost touch the floor with my tongue, the buzzing subsided slightly and a calm voice came from above me.

“…… Even if you bow to us like this, hmm. We haven’t even greeted each other yet…… 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, raise your head. You should explain the situation first.” (Radrick)

It was the voice of the Emperor. It seems that we won’t be cut down immediately.

Now, how can I be forgiven? No…… Since I broke the rules, we will no longer be able to avoid being punished.

The Emperor seemed to be quite a forgiving man, so I should be honest with him. I raised my head and apologized wholeheartedly.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. It seemed that one of my Party Members took the liberty to follow me. I clearly told her I couldn’t take her with me, but as she is used to following me around…… No, she didn’t mean any harm, she just like festivals…… So she inadvertently did this.” (Cry)

Liz’s selfishness can really be a problem.

Well, it was true that there had been similar cases many times before, but I would never think that she would be so free-spirited that she would even invade the Emperor’s event.

“Inadvertently…………? ………… What happened to the security in the castle? No matter how rude this is, there was no way that she could just walk by.” (Radrick)

The emperor frowned and looked around him.

The blood drained from the faces of the knights in charge of the security who had gathered here.

However, it is not like I want to hold the security knight responsible. Liz is a Thief. It was easy to forget because she was always rampaging, but she was not only a good fighter, she was also great at searching for enemies and her covert abilities were top-notch.

So before the knights opened their mouths, I said.

“No, I don’t think there was a problem with the security, Your Majesty. She is a Thief. It is no wonder that the castle guards were completely oblivious to her intrusion and let her in. ………… Aaaah, I was certainly surprised when I found her under a table in this venue that was supposed to be heavily guarded. Hahahahahaha……” (Cry)

And unusually, Liz was quiet. Her eyes were wide open and she was breathing hard, but there was no sign of her rampaging.

Gark-san’s face was bright red. Even Kaina-san, who had probably accompanied him, didn’t have her usual smile on her face.

His Majesty narrowed his eyes. My body stiffened at his sharp gaze.

“I see…… So you are saying…… Is this what you mean? That you are sorry that the castle’s security was so lax that she could inadvertently get in.” (Radrick)

Why did it come to that? I didn’t say that, hey.

It was not the security that was incompetent, from what I have seen, the security of this castle is adequate. However, it is just that our Liz is too amazing.

The knights were glaring at me with a look that could kill a man by itself. The reason they were not enraged yet was probably because they were in the presence of His Majesty.

This country was an absolute monarchy. So, the Emperor was the supreme authority, and his word took precedence over all others.

I desperately turned the gear in my head. The one at fault was us.

However, the damage was still shallow…… And it should stay as shallow as possible. Worst case scenario, I just want enough time for us to get away from this country.

“N-No…… I would never………… Aaaah, it is just…… Yes. Surely, it wasn’t like she didn’t have her invitation inspected or anything, right.” (Cry)

“!?” (Radrick)

The entrance and exit of the venue were firmly guarded by knights, and I was also checked for an invitation when I entered. I don’t know how Liz got in, but on second thought, it is possible that the security may be incompetent…… No, no, no let’s be respectful. There is nothing good about making enemies here.

The Emperor was silent for a while with a frown on his face, but then he nodded gravely.

“………… Apparently, at a later time…… I will need to talk to the director of security.” (Radrick)

“His Majesty! If I may say so…… We should capture them first.” (Knight)

“However, there are multiple Hunters representing Zebrudia’s Hunters here. Did no one really not noticed her?” (Radrick)

Without answering the advice of the knight equipped with fine armor, His Majesty looked around in a circle.

The emotion in his voice had more dismay than anger.

That must be probably true, it would be strange if no one noticed her. If Liz was a suspicious person, we would all be dead, you know? Aren’t we in fact innocent?

“*Yareyare* Good grief, what a disappointment…… Since when does Zebuldia let its guests do the security?” (?)

A dumbfound voice came out of the crowd. It was a hoarse voice.

The one who showed up was an old woman in a fiery red robe. Her back was straight and her height was quite high for a woman. However, there were countless deep wrinkles etched on her face, and embedded in the depths of her crimson eyes was a fiery light illuminating them.

The woman showed no respect for the Emperor, but no one around her interrupted her. I shrank back involuntarily.

The woman was an outstanding Magi. The Crimson prodigal child, unlike me, she was certified as a Level 8 Magi because of her abilities and was one of the best Magi in the Imperial City ―― 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》.

Even though she had just destroyed half of the Imperial Capital just a few days ago, there was no indication in her voice that said she cared about that at all. This old Magi had a tendency of not having any respect for the opponents she will burn no matter how powerful they are.

I *zurizuri* slinked back to avoid being spotted by her monster eyes.

She was the representative of those who use their hands before their mouths. I don’t know why such a dangerous person was invited to the 『Gathering』 every time, but I think it was because she might burn down the Imperial Castle if she wasn’t invited.

The Magi, who was known to burn to ashes anything that stands in her way, continued without hesitation even in the face of countless accusing stares.

“Be relieve, I am not going to join the security, but…… Kuh, kuh, kuh…… Only your life……. I will protect it. Because if the host were to be assassinated in my presence, my reputation would be at stake.” (Abyssal Fire of Destruction)

I am really glad she was not one of my Party Members. Next to her, probably accompanying her, a familiar boy Magi was holding his forehead.

I think this “Baa-san (Grandma)” was even more disrespectful than Liz.

“《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》, even if you are a guest, you should…… Watch your mouth a little bit. I know it is in your nature, but…………” (?)

The first person to open his mouth at her words was Ark who was wearing a white tuxedo. 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 *chirari* glanced at Ark, who interrupted her, snorted once, and smiled deeply. Apparently, Ark was something non-combustible.

I could see some of the attendees breathe a sigh of relief as? Ark went forward.

Rodin has a particularly close relationship with the nobles in the Empire. He was a person who can convince even the Empire nobles, who won’t even talk to Hunters.

“However, Your Majesty. Before capturing them, I think we should increase the security…… And listen to their story.” (Ark)

“If a Level 8 Hunter wanted to do something, he would do it. It is not in my nature, but this brat is exceptionally good at those sorts of things. I suppose you should be grateful that he got her in so peacefully. I wouldn’t have gone to all that trouble if I were him.” (Abyssal Fire of Destruction)

I don’t want to be lumped in with people who think that if there were no bodies left, there had been no killing.

《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 pointed her wrinkled index finger at me.

“It is just a waste of time. I will get this nonsense over quickly. Brat, come on, be honest. It is possible to break in, right? However, why did you do it so they could discover her?” (Abyssal Fire of Destruction)

“It is because I am an idiot.” (Cry)

“………… I didn’t say that in order for you to make a joke…… Brat. I will forgive you the first time. But, I………… Am not that good at holding back, alright?” (Abyssal Fire of Destruction)

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Hahah even fire grandma thinks that Cry is a genius strategist and planned this invasion because he had a plan!

I wonder if there is anyone who will one day see through Cry and understand that he is just a regular (very unlucky) guy XD

And Cry stirring the knight by calling them incompetent was gold! Just pure gold!

Tchao à plus!