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

Chapter 297，Part1: 1 - Peace ②

Chapter 297 Peace ②

Part 1

“…… That damn 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. I never thought he would take advantage of an Alchemist’s passion, what a coward!” (Nikolalf)

After being released from interrogation, he leaves the detention center with Sytry, who has come to bail him out.

Although he was placed in jail and interrogated for only a few days, it felt like months to Nikolalf Smokey.

Nikolalf is the chairman of the Primus Academy of Magic Sciences and a member of the nobility. He has a fair amount of power, and his hand extends to the Knight Order, but this time he couldn’t stay unscathed because of the magnitude of the event.

It would be a little while before the other researchers returned to the Primus Academy of Magic Sciences. But if the Strawberry Blaze that Nikolalf and the others had fought over had been the real thing instead of a Strawberry Milk, it wouldn’t have ended up this leniently.

At the very least, he would have been stripped of his position as chairman and expelled from the academy. However, since almost everyone participated in the struggle, Primus Academy of Magic Sciences would have collapsed if that had happened.

Sytry says a little apologetically to Nikolalf, who does not hide his bad mood.

“I am sorry. I was also accidentally deceived too――Cry-san can be a little mischievous…………” (Sytry)

“Hmph. I didn’t expect him to even deceive his comrades…… He is a merciless man, as rumored to be believed.” (Nikolalf)

I heard that he even toyed with the Emperor when escorting him to the Conference. Perhaps his sense of danger has been paralyzed by repeatedly exploring Treasure Shrines. It is unusual, but not unheard of for people to lose their sense of danger not only for themselves but also their sense of danger against someone of authority. I hear that Solis Rodin, the hero who founded this country, was also a person like this.

When Nikolalf stared at her, Sytry hid her face with both of her hands and said.

“He is very………… Evil.” (Sytry)

It was obviously a fake cry. Although Sytry appears to be calm and gentle, there is no way that a woman who has made her mark among all those sly and cunning Alchemists in the world would shed tears over something as trivial as this.

The 《Finest (Saiyuu)》 is a sign that a person has mastered at a high level all the abilities necessary for an alchemist, including the art of manipulation. It is not a decorative title.

“Whatever. The foolish one who was tricked by him is us. Now I know how many people are out to kill me. Sytry, was everything all right while I was gone?” (Nikolalf)

“Yes. As in the first place most of the scholars have been caught……” (Sytry)

“This is the biggest blunder since the inception of the Primus Academy of Magic Sciences. Damn!” (Nikolalf)

However, it was fortunate for Nikolalf that Sytry, even if she is only a former apprentice, has escaped the Knight Order. Not many people are going to approach Nikolalf, who is currently in a very perilous position.

The reason why Sytry wasn’t captured was because she clearly didn’t participate in the scramble. And, of course――That is just as 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 expected it to be.

It is clear that this former apprentice of mine is infatuated with Cry Andrich, but Cry also seems to care a great deal about Sytry, whom she says is his childhood friend.

It would be no small feat to outwit the eyes of that man who is feared as a Divine Strategist and have a foresight that is close to a near-future vision, and the finest who became an Alchemist. Although so far, Sytry does not seem to be interested in power――.

Despite this situation, Sytry seemed to be in a good mood.

So I pointed out her attitude.

“Sytry, you bastard…… You snatched research materials from other departments while no one was around, didn’t you?” (Nikolalf)

“……………… Are you out of your mind? Do you think I would do such a terrible thing? Do you have any proof?” (Sytry)

Knowledge and talent alone will not make you the finest. Action is essential to be the finest. And also the courage to take risks.

Sytry looks hurt, but this former apprentice of mine is the kind of woman who laughs when she is truly hurt. A first-rate Alchemist does not reveal her emotions so easily.

I put strength behind my stare as I looked eye-to-eye with her. Sytry countered with a wrinkle on her forehead for a while but eventually looked away quickly.

“I didn’t steal it, but…… Well, we couldn’t let the knights take everything. There was no one there, so it was really a close call!” (Sytry)

“You damn opportunist thief.” (Nikolalf)

We had been completely fooled. Even if the research material could be recovered, it would already be in her head, all of its contents, word for word. And it is not like there is a way to erase her memory.

Some of them were probably materials that were being studied in secret by the various departments, of which Nikolalf was completely unaware. Knowledge is the foundation of the Primus Academy of Magic Sciences. This was equivalent to having the entire Primus Academy of Magic Sciences stolen.

Of course, it wouldn’t be strange if something else was stolen in the confusion, but――.

After all, the commotion was too great. Some members of the academic staff may have tried to steal the results and experimental materials of other institutions, just as Sytry had done. It would be quite difficult to flush them out now.

However, it would be bad for my position as the president of the Academy if I was to let them go without telling them something.

How do I deal with them――Just as I was thinking about it, Sytry said naturally without even a twitch on her face.

“Nikolalf-san. Actually…… We really had the real Strawberry Blaze. Cry-san has………… Well, it seems that it was originally in that canteen and was――Poured down the drain.” (Sytry)

“………… What, that is ridiculous――” (Nikolalf)

The legendary potion, moreover one that is really frowned upon, one that is punishable by death for just possessing it alone, was poured down the drain……?

Even safer Magic Potions are not processed that way when they are being disposed of. It is impossible.

“Nikolalf-san, what you are thinking is completely reasonable. However――The one who did something this unreasonable move is the 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, I think?” (Sytry)

“Why are you so unsure at the end……………… Then, Sytry, are you saying that there is a reason behind his nonsensical action?” (Nikolalf)

I couldn’t stop the passion from leaking out of my voice. No matter how diluted it is, the fact that the controlling drug has been dissolved is a big clue. The sewers are vast, but a detailed investigation would turn up some information.

It is simply far better than being fooled into believing something that doesn’t exist exists.

“The sewers of the Imperial Capital are spread out like a meshwork and are quite vast. Besides, if it is in the sewers, there is no need to worry about the controlling medicine entering the mouths of the citizens of the Imperial Capital for the time being. Even if it is the Strawberry Blaze, as soon as it is diluted in the sewers, it will quickly become ineffective. Of course, I suppose we could at least find some clues on how to reproduce it.” (Sytry)

“However, if you drink it before it becomes completely diluted…… There are things that live in the underground sewer of the Imperial Capit……………… Hh!? No way――The monster in the underground sewer!?” (Nikolalf)

The Imperial Capital of Zebrudia has vastly developed over several hundred years.

The underground sewers, which were built immediately after the capital was relocated to its current location, support the lives of the citizens of the Imperial Capital and have expanded in a complex and bizarre manner as the capital has developed.

At some point, the underground sewage became too complicated, and couldn’t be controlled anymore, so it was now governed by the rules of the underground.

All sorts of things lurk in the underground of the Imperial Capital where the sewage flows. Rats, cockroaches, bats, and other small animals. Humans who have been driven out of the public world and――Monsters.

The Monsters of the underground sewers is a kind of urban legend in the Imperial Capital. Hiding in the sewage and swimming in the vast underground sewers, looking for its new prey, the ruler of the underground.

It is believed that an aquatic Monster may have lived underground for many years and accumulated its power, but the truth is not known.

Due to the casualties of several knights and Hunters who have gone in to investigate, it is now a basic rule to enter in large groups when entering the underground sewers for maintenance. The rulers do not attack those who walk in large groups.

“I didn’t think that the 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 would be interested in urban legends.” (Nikolalf)

“You can’t be a Hunter without curiosity.? Don’t you think now is a good time to go to the sewer with a small group of people?” (Sytry)

“……………… What an interesting idea. There are those among the nobility who are interested in monsters.” (Nikolalf)

No matter how much of an urban legend a monster may be, it is still a living being. If it drinks the Strawberry Blaze before it is fully diluted, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

If I can capture the monster while investigating the traces of Strawberry Blaze, I may be able to use it for alchemy research. It may also be possible to analyze the ingredients from the reactions of subjects who drank the controlling drug.

If 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 was going to dispose of it anyway, there shouldn’t be any problem with taking it over. If I have Sytry with me, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 will not be able to make any drastic moves.

“Get ready, Sytry. We are going underground. I think it goes without saying, but don’t forget your protective gear. Everything is――For the sake of development of the Primus Academy of Magic Sciences!” (Nikolalf)

Nikolalf forgot all the resentment he had felt earlier, turned around, and gave instructions to his former apprentice.

§　§　§

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

*Tadada* We finally discover why Cry poured the Strawberry Milk into the drain!

It was to control the Monsters in the sewer!

Moreover, who knew that Sytry old Alias had so much meaning!

Tchao à plus!