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

Chapter164，Part2: 2 - White Sword Gathering ④

Chapter 164 White Sword Gathering ④?

Part 2

At that moment, the sound of bells rang out at just the right time.

The tumult quiets down. It was the beginning of the 『Gathering』.

In the silence, all eyes were drawn to the entrance.

I lightly tapped Cry’s arm, while he was looking confused and was looking everywhere, to make him look at the entrance.

Entering from the wide-open door in a dignified manner was a middle-aged man in a long dark-colored costume.

He had blond hair and blue eyes. He should be close to fifty years old, but his gaze was sharp and his body showed no signs of aging.

His clothes were simple, but not poor by any means, and there were little accessories on him. Above all, there was no crown on his head. However, his appearance was regal, and no matter how he was dressed, there was an uncontrollable air of supremacy around him.

The Fifteenth Emperor of Zebrudia.

Radrick Atrum Zebrudia.

He is the one who predicted the arrival of this Treasure Hunter’s heyday before anyone else, and brought further prosperity to the Zebrudia Empire.

His clothes were simple, he didn’t have a crown nor guard with him. This was also a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.

However, at his waist hung the Emperor’s sword, proof of being the current Emperor of Zebrudia.

Everyone (Except for the Clan Master next to me) tried to kneel down at once but Emperor Radric composedly said.

“It is alright. Make yourself comfortable. It is our joy to find you all gathered here tonight at my request. All of us gathered here are friends who will bring prosperity to Zebrudia. Tonight, let there be no formalities…… And enjoy ourselves.” (Radrick)

“He looks more normal than I thought he would be.” (Cry)

“!?” (Eva)

Cheers go up. My Clan Master whispered something outrageous behind me, and I instinctively elbowed him lightly.

And so the curtain rises on a 『Battlefield』 where no swords and magic is used.

§　§　§

『Do you understand, Cry-san. I don’t know how much of an act or how serious you are, but if you have any questions or doubts, please ask me. In the worst case scenario, I am fine with you dumping the whole thing on me. Do you understand?』

After all, I am glad I brought Eva with me. She is really too encouraging for my heart. Even Sytry, who has a similar role, can’t do this much.

The drinks served at the 『Gathering』 were very good. The fact that it was high-class was great, but so was the fact that it was free, but the best part was that it was not intended for Hunters, so it was low in alcohol content.

With a glass of wine in hand, I dealt with the “Ossan (old men)” who were coming at me like they wer some kind of insect *warawara* flying around me.

I wonder if it was because of my intimidation as a Hunter not being high enough. There were many people going to other Hunters, but their amount couldn’t be compared to the number of people coming to me. Even though I finally found Ark, I can’t even go see him.

Most of them are people whose faces, names and positions I don’t even know. I am sure they are high-up in the Empire, so this would be a great place to try to make connections, but unfortunately I can’t muster any interest in things like this.

I couldn’t understand the words they said because they were so pompous. I didn’t know what was going on in the Empire these days, so even if they told me about what was happening right now I wouldn’t understand what they were talking about. They weren’t saying anything straightforward, so I couldn’t even catch what they wanted to say.

However, I have my reality escapism skill. And then there was Eva, who knows everything about me.

So I cheerfully laugh with the “Ossan (old man)” who I didn’t know who he was but probably either a nobleman or a merchant. Yes, with those kinds of guys you just need to say “Un, un you are right” and it will be alright.

“I leave everything, including Clan related matters, to my right-hand woman, Eva. Actually, I got down on my knees and took her from the “Wells Shokai (Wells Chamber of Commerce)”. If I do say so myself, she’s very talented.” (Cry)

“Said what…… The renowned 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 got down on his knees!?” (Merchant/Nobleman Ossan)

Moreover, I have a lot of useless, slippery topics.

I was probably talking to ten or so people. Topics about Eva always hit the mark when you need to divert the conversation. Apparently, they were all curious about the beauty I had next to me.

“Wells Shokai (Wells Chamber of Commerce)” is one of the biggest trading companies in Zebrudia. It is a seriously big name. I am sure there are multiple people related to them in this meeting.

Well, to be more precise, they didn’t give me Eva, I successfully got her when Eva, who was the receptionist at that time, gave up after I got on my knees,? but I guess I did have an eye for things. That’s what I said. Really that’s what I said. You just need to be our receptionist so please give yourself to me.

The old man was stunned at the talk that was too difficult to understand and opened his eyes to look at Eva. Eva’s face turned pale, and her eyes started to go left and right.

“W-Well…… He did………… Cry-san, please stop this already.” (Eva)

“It is no exaggeration to say that I owe my current success to her. This is how I got tangled up…… Or rather, how she let me follow her to this venerable place. She has been taking care of me both publicly and privately. Aaah, I will never give her to you, okay.” (Cry)

Thanks to the delicious wine, my tongue can’t be stopped. I was so busy talking that I didn’t have time to touch the food, so I was getting drunk.

By the way, who was the “Ossan (old man)” in front of me?

“Aaah, please don’t get me wrong. She isn’t my mistress………… Or rather, if I have to say I am the one who is her mistres――Kuh” (Cry)

I gasped when my foot got stepped on.

“…… My apologies. It seems…… Cry-san is a little drunk.” (Eva)

The big shot guy’s eyes widened slightly at Eva’s voice which sounded like she killed all emotion inside of her.

This voice…… It is the voice she takes when she is angry. I thought I set her up pretty well for when she needed it in the future though.

“………… Aaah, my apologies, it was just…… A little joke. Seriously, the only person who can hurt me is only Eva. Even though I have never even been hurt in Shrines……” (Cry)

“………… Is this another joke?” (Eva)

“This is no joke, you know.” (Cry)

I rubbed my useless “Safe Ring (Barrier Ring)” and frowned. The big shot guy had lost the friendly smile that has been on his face for a long time, and he looked at me and Eva with a confused expression.

When I was like that, right beside me, Sytry walked past me while wearing the black dress she showed me the other day.

“!? Wh-Why is Sytry-san here……” (Eva)

“………… I have no idea.” (Cry)

Don’t tell me… Everyone is here…… Security was supposed to be tight, so how――.

When my anxiety was overwhelming me, a brown arm stretched out from under the table in front of me. She was tugging my foot, so I gave her a glass of wine to drink, and she quickly retracted her hand back. The tablecloth hid her quite well, so people couldn’t see her.

“!?????” (Eva)

Eva was stunned and opened her eyes widely. I smiled and did my best to pretend I hadn’t seen her.

I am sure Liz came here without permission.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Hahaha Eva is the only one who ever hurt Cry because her hit isn’t a one hit kill!

So as expected, Strange Grief succeeded to “raid” the Gathering!

What will happen now that all the troublemakers of Strange Grief are here?!

Tchao à plus!

.