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

Chapter187，Part1: 1 - Talent Blossoming

Chapter 187 Talent Blossoming

Part 1

I had an unpleasant stomach ache.

Radrick Atrum Zebrudia. Needless to say, he was at the pinnacle of the Zebrudia Empire and the mastermind that brought prosperity to the Empire.

The Empire is an absolute monarchy. All of the authority is focused in the hands of the Emperor, and from the perspective of that authority, a single Hunter is like a dandelion that would fly as soon as he blew on it.

And at the same time, the fact that the country had been established without any major problems even with an absolute monarchy, spoke volumes about the Emperor’s abilities.

Even treasure hunters can become involved with nobles when they reach a Level high enough.

I have heard that families, like Ark Rodin’s, that have been contributing to the country for a long time can get an audience with the Emperor, but I am a newbie so I have tried to live while avoiding getting involved with nobles. I have always refused invitations from families of nobles and business companies.

And now you say that I have been suddenly summoned by the Emperor, my heart isn’t ready for this.

I can understand Tino’s feelings now. Don’t you have Franz-san to rely on for your escort? To think you would count on a dirty Hunter like me, there should be a limit to your eccentricity.

When I very seriously told Franz-san that, he looked at me with a terrible look as if he was looking at his parents’ killer.

“Just come.” (Franz)

What the hell did I do to deserve this. The nuts are delicious though.

Fortunately, His Majesty Radrick is famous for his big heart. If I am friendly with him, I may be able to get through this, but……

“I will take Term and the others with me. Okay?” (Cry)

“You can’t. You are the only one who has been summoned.” (Franz)

Are you telling me that you want me to face the Emperor alone? Are you telling me to die? I don’t mean to do that, but if I were to do something rude, who would follow me up then?

Mental stress cannot be prevented by the Barrier Rings, you know. This is a serious problem. So I declared this categorically.

“No. I am not going unless my companions come with me.” (Cry)

“Yowaningen, don’t weirdly worry about us, and just go by yourself, desu.” (Kruz)

You are wrong. I am not worried about you. I am trying to drag Kruz and the others with me. I can’t do this alone. Or Franz-san will beat me to death.

I don’t know what they want to talk about, but it is probably work-related. I don’t know why he would call me otherwise. And in such cases, Term can make more sophisticated decisions than I can.

I crossed my arms and said in a badass manner to Franz-san, who was clearly offended.

“…… Don’t worry, you can trust Term and the others. Just ask His Majesty.” (Cry)

“Tsk…… Damn you, despite being just a Hunter.” (Franz)

I am sure my rudeness would be mitigated if Kechakchakka and Kruz were here. Because Kechakchakka is obviously very strange, and Kruz isn’t going to care about the fact that the one in front of her is the Emperor. Of course, if I am rejected and can’t get an audience, then that is fine for me too.

Franz-san left with *doshidoshi* loud footsteps and with his armor scraping on itself.

Kruz, who forgot the anger she had earlier, said while being amazed.

“Yowaningen, you… Really are uncooperative, desu. Only your boldness is Level 8, desu.” (Kruz)

I don’t want to be told that by Kruz of all people, and my boldness is at a regular person’s level.

If it is just talking, I can say anything. I strongly nodded and raised my shoulders.

“I just said what I had to say. Because even like this, I am still a Clan Master, you know. Aaah, maybe I should have told him to come to me if he had something to say?” (Cry)

§

I followed Franz-san who was clearly irritated. Of course, Kruz and the others were with me.

Hoping in vain, my request was immediately accepted. Apparently, the Emperor really wanted to see me. In times like this, absolute monarchy is really a problem. Because there is no one who can stop the Emperor’s will.

For some reason, Kruz had an impressed look on her face.

“I see…… Even in a human country as large as Zebrudia… Their higher executive must have an extraordinary amount of magnanimity, desu.” (Kruz)

“Just so you know, if you do anything disrespectful to His Majesty, you won’t be able to get away so easily.” (Franz)

“Hmph. Shouldn’t you tell that to Yowaningen? Desu.” (Kruz)

“I am talking to both of you!” (Franz)

“Hihihi……” (Kechakchakka)

It might be a bit late now, but didn’t I select the wrong people? No one seemed to be nervous except me. Except for Kilknight, all my companions were here with me, but I seriously feel so lonely. Why are all the talented people so selfish?

I bowed to the knights who were guarding the front of the room and waited for permission to enter.

This time, the room where the Emperor was staying was a bit special. The furnishings were luxurious and the room was spacious, but there were no windows. Maybe they thought of what would happen if they were attacked by the Chilldra again.

The Emperor was sitting there in a dignified manner. He was accompanied by countless expressionless knights around him.

Not only because of what he was wearing, his stern appearance and demeanor exuded the intimidation of a champion. If I, who have the reputation of having the Dogeza skill, did a Dogeza in front of him, it would be quite picturesque. Near the emperor, there was the figure of a lady I remember seeing.

Term was on alert and looked around the room, (Probably) checking the security of the room.

His Majesty Radrick *chirari* glanced at Franz, who was stiff as a rock and then looked at me.

His blue eyes were sharp and reminded me of a warrior, but at the same time, I could see his deep intelligence as if he could see through our inner thoughts.

His Majesty Radrick nodded once and said in a well-defined voice.

“Well done, Franz. Seems like my greetings were late. You did well to accept my request, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 and all of you brave Hunters.” (Radrick)

He isn’t as energetic as I thought he would be. Apparently, he didn’t summon us with the intention to scold us.

I returned to my original posture as my previous one was prepared so that I could preemptively do a Dogeza. What His Majesty Radrick said was so frank that it was hard to believe that he was the Emperor of a great country, but the people around him didn’t seem to interrupt him.

“I wanted to talk to you once. Initially, I would have called you on the first day, but circumstances being the circumstances, I didn’t.” (Radrick)

“…… Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.” (Cry)

It was certainly a messy situation. There was the Chill Dragons’ attack, and then the situation developed into many dangerous situations after that, so there was probably no time to talk.

The last few days had been calmer, but if this was going to happen, it would have been better if things disturbed us all along.

Franz-san made a small voice by clearing his throat, and said.

“The situation finally somewhat calmed down, but the number of attacks was much higher than expected. Normally, it is impossible to be attacked so many times by Monsters on the highway. The Dragon attack was clearly artificial, but today, we were attacked five times by a large group of Monsters. His Majesty is concerned that this may be a harbinger of something to come.” (Franz)

I involuntarily frowned.

What is Franz-san talking about?

Leaving aside the Dragon, five attacks during an escort request were still on the smaller side of being attacked. And since there were less than a hundred of them, I would call that a small or a medium-sized group rather than a large one. There were no unusually strong individuals among them, and since we didn’t struggle, it is the same as if nothing had come out. I would have died if I was alone though.

Franz-san is a nobleman. He is the one who usually guards the Emperor’s personal life. So he probably doesn’t know a thing about the outside world.

However, since I am an adult, I responded with a smile.

“There is nothing to worry about. If it is only to this extent, I wouldn’t call that a harbinger. I have had this level of experience countless times. It can all be passed as bad luck, and I have got enough strength in my arsenal that even if ten times as many showed up, it wouldn’t be a problem.” (Cry)

When I said ten times, the expression of the knights who were around His Majesty and guarding him *pikuri* twitched.

However, while you might think that the numbers I said may seem impressive, I wasn’t saying anything crazy. On our side, we have Magi who can use large-scale offensive Magics. From the point of view of those people, one hundred is no different than a single Monster.? I would die though.

The Emperor breathed out with his nose a little bit.? I couldn’t tell what he was thinking from his expression.

“You seem to be as confident as the rumors say.” (Radrick)

“Because I am blessed with a very good Party.” (Cry)

I *chirari* glanced at Term, but Term was calm. Kechakchakka was as usual, and Kruz seemed to be a bit amazed, but it seems she didn’t intend to interrupt.

I am not lying. I am just a piece of trash, but they would probably not dare to say it.

His Majesty Radrick lifted the edge of his lips a little and laughed.

“That is not all, isn’t it 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. The information that comes to my ears is very limited, but――We have heard rumors about you. It seems that you have contributed a lot to our country.” (Radrick)

“………… They are just rumors. I don’t do anything.” (Cry)

I immediately tried to deny it, but His Majesty’s eyes were slowly being brighter. Apparently, he didn’t believe me.

Well, I certainly can’t deny him since some of the things that my friends did have been credited to me on paper……

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Sorry for not posting a chapter last Thursday, I didn’t have the time to translate, I got too much work to do.

Cry really is afraid of nothing, wanting to ask the Emperor to go meet him if he wants to talk to him!

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Dogeza: Getting down on your knee to beg or ask for forgiveness.