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

Chapter 285，Part1: 1 - Magic Potion

Chapter 285 Magic Potion

Part 1

On the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Hugh LeGrand, a member of the Zero Knight Order, was arguing with the shopkeeper of a dubious store on the border of the Central Area and the 『Abandoned Metropolitan Area』 which has the highest number of crimes in Zebrudia.

The store was filled with a variety of items ranging from used weapons and firearms to dubious chemicals.

Zebrudia is one of the most prosperous countries in the surrounding area. All kinds of things gather in the Imperial Capital. Although controls are in place, there is no way to prevent all of the influx, so if you search the stores near the Abandoned Metropolitan Area, you are likely to find one or two things that are illegal.

“We don’t deal in horrible things such as cursed objects in this store! As you know, Knight-sama, the Imperial Law forbid selling or buying cursed items when you know that they are cursed.” (Shopkeeper)

“…… No, but you are selling them in secret, right? If you take them out now, I will forgive you. We can turn the whole store upside down, you know? Things will spill out as soon as we knock a little bit around.” (Hugh)

The strong-looking owner, who has dealt with many dubious customers, turned pale at the sight of Hugh’s threatening figure leaning over the counter.

There are various authority ranks in the Imperial Capital, among which the Knights were given a lot of authority in order to track down dangerous Relics from Treasure Hunters and criminals. Although rarely exercised, that includes the right to interrogate stores without hard evidence. Even now, the Third Knight Order, which is in charge of maintaining security in the Imperial Capital, is probably snooping around the city based on the Institute of Divination and Mystic Arts’ prophecy about a curse looming in the Imperial Capital.

However, in response to Hugh’s threat, the shopkeeper shook his head.

“I’m not lying, Knigh-sama. I might be cursed if I deal in cursed items, so I wouldn’t buy them unless I was a daredevil, and I wouldn’t bring them in in the first place. It’s the same even in a store in the Abandoned Metropolitan Area. Hehe…… Well, there is a pattern where people bring them in without realizing it, tho’――” (Shopkeeper)

“………… Tsk.” (Hugh)

Hugh clicked his tongue as he sniffed out the truth in his flattering eyes.

This is it. This is the problem. Curse’s targets often don’t discriminate. The magic sword found by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has even eroded the spirit of the disciples of the famous 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 .

None of the 《Sword Saint’s (Kensei)》 disciples died, but that was because they were outstanding swordsmen, but most people are much weaker than that, and there were many cases where the users were unable to endure the curse.

And then those cursed items that have lost their owner are disposed of by ignorant passersby.

.

By the time it is discovered that the item is cursed, the person in question is already dead, and even if it were possible that they survived, the item would be sealed up tight somewhere. Because of that, their information would never come to light.

I have already visited five shops. And every store I went to had a similar answer.

I don’t know how 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 came to have that magic sword, but this 『Command』 of his is quite troublesome.

When I left the store, I frowned at the storefront with a somewhat dark atmosphere.

The stores on the front would have already been checked by the other Knights. I have interrogated most of the stores that are on the edge of illegality. If this is the case, in order to investigate further, I will have to make contact with the most filthy bandits in the Abandoned Metropolitan Area.

Even now, the Abandoned Metropolitan Area is the root of various evil plots, making it almost like an extraterritorial place. It is a place that the Third Knights Order has tried to control several times but failed.

Inside that area, there are the strongholds of former high-level Red Hunters, criminal organizations, and magic societies, and there are no detailed maps of the intricate cityscape. It is said that they have everything under their control, not only the surface but also the intricate underground waterways.

Hugh didn’t consider himself incompetent, but he didn’t think he could manage to hit them head-on. It will probably be an underhanded investigation where he cannot wear his armor which is the pride of the Zero Knight Order.

”Franz-Dancho (Commander Franz)” ordered me to cooperate with 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 and squeeze information out of him, but I would never have imagined that it would go this far.

However, if I don’t do this much,? I probably won’t be able to draw 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 interest.

If Hugh’s introspection is correct, that young man is quite easygoing and nonserious. But there is no doubt that he has been through various ordeals on his way to Level 8.

All his senses must be numb because of this. That is why I have to do something big.

Either way, the chances of me being accepted as his disciple seem pretty slim, but I should be able to see something interesting. The quintessence of power that allowed him to reach Level 8, something I am lacking for me to rise up.

I continue to smile. Hugh LeGrand does not stop in face of the difficulty that lies ahead.

§　§　§

Alchemist. The quintessence of their technique is that anyone can expect the same results if they use the same technique under the same conditions.

Magi fundamentally depends on the talent of the caster. Their power is deeply related to the type and power of the techniques they can use, but Alchemy is different.

Their study, which is also called the fusion of science and magic, has developed gradually but surely through countless trials and errors by a large number of ordinary people and a few geniuses.

It is not so conspicuous because of its low aptitude as a Hunter who is required to break through in critical situations, but its history is long, and it is no exaggeration to say that it has become a cornerstone of modern civilization.

And――When you have such a long history, it is bound to have some 『Erased Achievements』.

Subordination Drug. Strawberry Blaze. The Potion, named for its strawberry aroma, was one of those 『Achievement』 buried in history.

The Potion, which acts on the brain of any living creature and can rewrite the consciousness of any living creature with just one drop, is so dangerous that everything has been erased, from the potion itself to the recipe to the family of the Alchemist who invented it. All that remains is its name and characteristics.

Even today, there are still rumors that some practitioners have recreated it, but the actual object has never been confirmed. Considering the fact that it has not been recreated even now several hundred years after it was erased, the inventor must have been a genius or must have used very rare materials.

Imperial Law forbids any attempt to develop it, but there would be no Alchemist belonging to 『Primus, Academy of Magic Sciences』, the headquarters of Alchemist in the Empire, who has not thought of reproducing that legendary Potion. Even if they do not think of using it to conquer the world――For Alchemist, the process is more important than the result, the exploration of new knowledge and attaining the truth is the true goal.

The Potion, which was brought by the panicked former apprentice of Nikolalf Smokey, the chairman of Primus, Academy of Magic Sciences, would have shaken the world if it were real.

The liquid in the metallic canteen was, as the legend has it, an opaque pink liquid with a scent similar to strawberries. I fearfully peeked inside and gulped down my saliva.

“What a surprise………… To think the actual thing still exists…… It can’t be.” (Nikolalf)

“It was hidden by a Magi of Zebrudia Magic Academy.” (Sytry)

“A Mag… Of Zebru………… To think it would be in the hand of a Magi… It might be impossible for them to create it, but if it is just to preserve it then it might be possible……” (Nikolalf)

Due to its characteristics, Strawberry Blaze is said to have been created by a combination of Magic and Alchemy.

A closer look at the metallic canteen also reveals that it is specially made and has been subjected to powerful magic to preserve the quality of its content. At least they are not cheap objects that are used for some kind of joke.

And above all――I look at my 『Former』 apprentice who brought this thing in a hurry.

Sytry Smart. She is a talented young woman who once knocked on the door of Primus, Academy of Magic Sciences, and has accumulated knowledge through numerous experiments. She is also known as a Treasure Hunter and has even built her own laboratory in just a few years. It was probably her role in her Party, but she is undeniably a genius for being able to do that when you know that Alchemists tend to be more inclined to do only experiments overall.

After a certain incident, she was given the dishonorable nickname of the 《Worst of the Worst (Saitei Saiyaku)》 and was expelled from the Academy of Magic Science, but she has since been in and out of the Academy of Magic Sciences many times, interacting with various laboratories.

Maybe because she ran as fast as she could, her hair and cloth were a mess and she was out of breath. Her complexion was also terrible.

Leaving aside if it was law-abiding or not, Sytry is a genuine Alchemist who has shown that she can perform unethical experiments without raising an eyebrow. I have known her for a long time, but this was the first time I had seen her like this.

And that is why the Potion she brought with her had credibility.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Forgot that Hugh existed… Is he gonna find a curse for Liz!?

And of course the Strawberry Blaze Nikolalf is looking at is the real thing

No way it is just a regular strawberry milk XD

Tchao à plus!