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

Chapter169，Part1: 1 - Miscalculate

Chapter 169 Miscalculate?

Part 1

”Dragon (Ryu)”. It is the strongest race among the many legendary beasts that exist.

Depending on their race their form can vary, but they all have strong bodies and vast amounts of Magic power, and sometimes a country can be destroyed by the power of a single angry dragon.

Even today, the title of 『Dragon Slayer』 is a sign of heroism, and the threat of Dragons is well known to the general public.

However, by nature, Dragons are not something that comes to human settlements without reason.

Powerful monsters instinctively seek out Mana Materials and operate along Earth’s veins. When it comes to a Dragon class monster, it establishes a large territory around the veins and rarely comes out of it. This is also one of the reasons why humans do not build cities on top of Earth’s veins.

And one had attacked the Imperial Capital.

At least since I made the Imperial Capital my base, no Dragon has ever come to the Imperial Capital, but from my experience of being chased around by Dragons, I think that this is not something that is impossible.

However, you are wrong to call me about that issue.

I was brought to a meeting room inside the Explorers Association. Most likely because I am a Treasure Hunter.

In a conference room that could accommodate more than ten people, Gark-san, Kaina-san, and a few stern men all geared up from the Third? Knight Order were present.

Of course, there are Gark-san and Kaina-san who always took care of me but――I also recognized the large man wearing a green and black light armor, a sign of belonging to the Third Knight Order. My Party Members have often caused a commotion in the Imperial Capital, but when a major incident occurs it is him, the leader of the Third Knight Order who comes out.

The Third Knights Order is a group of talented knights even among those under the direct order of his Majesty and is responsible for maintaining the security in the Imperial Capital.

………… Thank you for all the hard work you did for us.

As my companion for today, Lucia, who was just in the Clan Master’s room at that time, sat next to me with a sullen look.

When I took my seat, the Commander, with his magnificent beard, said in a low voice.

“I assume you have already heard about last night’s incident?” (Commander)

“…… Before that, can I say something first?” (Cry)

“What?” (Commander)

I *chirari* glanced at Gark-san and Kaina-san.

Today too, Gark-san was as stern as ever, which was barely offset by the soothing presence of Kaina-san.

I sighed heavily and crossed my arms. I feel like I am being asked for help more and more these days. I don’t want to say it, but I have to *bishito* clearly tell them here.

“Why was I called in when I am unrelated to the accident?? I’m neither a Dragon expert nor am I free. To be honest, I am troubled if I am called left and right like this……” (Cry)

“W-Wh…… What!?” (Commander)

“Before we go any further, I am not as useful as you think, okay? If you have something to say, it would be better to tell it to Ark. I am saying this for your own good. If Ark can’t do it, then you don’t need to come to me……” (Cry)

I wish to be at peace. I like to watch Ark and the other Hunters in action, but I don’t like to participate with them.

Lucia who was next to me was looking at me with a frown. However, there is no surprise here but I am someone completely useless, and by the way, if Ark can’t do it, even if you tell me to do it I can’t.

“D-Don’t you have any desire to contribute to the Empire?” (Commander)

The Commander was trembling despite me gathering my courage and say that. If he said it like that, I, who am a petty person at heart, couldn’t deny it.

“Well, of course, I do, but there is something called having the right person at the right place. If you want to repel Dragons, 《Abyss Fire Extinguishing (Shin En Kametsu)》 is good at it, and if you want to take measures against Dragons, 《Silver Star Thunder (Ginsei Banrai)》 is more knowledgeable. Yeah, Ark knows a lot more than I do. He is a Dragon Master. I am sure he will be able to ride a Dragon one day.” (Cry)

Well, it’s just that I don’t know much about Dragons.

Ark is well known by the Empire and is mild-mannered, so he will be able to handle it well.

No, what I am trying to say is that you should stop calling me every time something happens. You should call someone more knowledgeable.

“All I’m saying is, don’t call me until you at least need me.” (Cry)

“Cry, you can stop now.” (Gark)

“Okay.” (Cry)

Gark popped out a blue vein and threatened me with a low voice when I was arguing in a cool way because I was in front of my “Sister (Imouto)”.

So I quickly put my hands on my knees in a quick, well-behaved motion. I can’t wait to go home.

The Commander took a deep breath and slowly spoke up.

“………… The Dragon that attacked the Imperial Castle has already been defeated. As you have said, there was 《Silver Lightning Star (Ginsei Banrai)》inside the Castle yesterday.” (Commander)

Fhuuun. Isn’t it fine then? It is already solved then. You are lucky that Ark was there.

The Commander continued when I made a serious face while not thinking of anything useful.

“The Dragon came straight for the Imperial Castle. It was an adult Crimson Dragon. I checked the records and this is the first time something like this has happened since the Imperial Capital has been built here.” (Commander)

“Well, there’s a first time for everything. I have had a lot of firsts too.” (Cry)

“Cry, stop joking around!” (Gark)

Even though I wasn’t joking around, Gark-san was angry at me. It was so unreasonable.

In the first place, since I came to the Imperial Capital, all major incidents that occurred in the Imperial Capital were a first for me. I wonder if this city is cursed.

“Dragons do not attack human settlements for no reason. All of us agreed that there must have been something in the Castle that the Dragon was after.” (Commander)

“I see…… That must have been catastrophic……………… No, wait a sec? If it was aiming for something in the Castle, wouldn’t the Dragon have attacked long ago?” (Cry)

Some Dragons have a tendency to accumulate gold, silver, and other treasures, and when their treasures are stolen, they immediately become furious and would come to the ends of the earth to retrieve them.

Those legendary beasts boast great strength and intelligence but are in no way generous. There are some parts in them that think that humans are just food that is a bit inedible.

In other words, it is highly likely that this 『Thing』 was brought into the Castle recently.

At my deduction, the Commander finally hit the table strongly.

“E-Enough playing around! In our opinion, that Thing is ―― the Dragon Egg that you gave to Her Imperial Highness!” (Commander)

“………… Heh?” (Cry)

I opened my eyes at what he unexpectedly said.

Most dragons are oviparous, but they only lay one egg at a time. Indeed if it was snatched away, the Dragon would be furious and would immediately go get it back.

But that souvenir wasn’t a Dragon Egg. As I explained, it was an Onsen Egg, named Onsen Dragon Egg.

It was one of the many things they were selling, and it was just a chicken egg. So, I frowned.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading! And thank you Joshua for the ko-fi! I’ll post an extra chapter this Sunday!

Hahaha, are they thinking that the Dragon came because of Cry’s gift?

When they find out that it’s just a chicken egg! Hahaha!

I can so see their dumbfounded faces when they were really careful about the egg but finally discovered that’s just a chicken egg! XD

Tchao à plus!