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

Chapter207，Part1: 1 - Countryside Bumpkin

Chapter 207 Countryside Bumpkin

Part 1

“When I said that I wanted to catch one alive, I was talking about a Fox from the organization though――” (Sytry)

Aaaah, what should I do? I can’t think of anything.

The box I was holding was as light as if it was empty, but there was a *gosogoso* rustling sound inside. It seemed that the Imouto Kitsune?(I didn’t know her name, so I will call her that for convenience) was too preoccupied with satisfying her hunger. Sytry, who always has a calm expression on her face, looked grim this time.

A Phantom grows in strength according to the power they accumulated. In a Treasure Shrine as big as the 【Lost Inn】, the power of even a single low-level underling is equal to that of a boss in a High-Level Treasure Shrine.

To a Phantom, Mana Material is like their air. Originally, Phantoms could not live outside their Treasure Shrine for long, nor would they go outside their Treasure Shrine. But apparently, such common sense is irrelevant for this fox girl.

“If I was in the position of that Phantom, I would be able to destroy the country, right? If it is a Phantom of that Treasure Shrine, only High-Level Hunters will be able to face it. In addition, with its size, it would be very difficult to catch up with it if it escaped.” (Sytry)

Sytry is making some terrifying hypotheses. Fortunately, the purpose of the Phantoms of the 【Lost Inn】 is not humanity’s destruction.

“What do you think we should do?” (Cry)

“………… I think it is not impossible to defeat it if our whole Party gives it our all. Only if it is just one.” (Sytry)

Sytry was silent for a bit, then answered.

The sun is *jirijiri* blazing hot. The air is distorted by the heat. Despite us talking about her life and death, the thing inside the box is quiet.

Indeed, it is definitely a Phantom that is in this box. But after all this time, it is unethical to kill a humanoid creature that is not attacking you.

Besides, if we fought and she escaped, this Phantom would go on a rampage in this country. And that’s bad.

“I don’t think that’s a very good move.” (Cry)

“I think you are right…… I think it will destroy the mixer even if I pass it on the mixer.” (Sytry)

“?? What is a mixer?” (Cry)

“I am experimenting with grinding up Phantoms to create liquid Mana Material. As originally, it would disperse into the air――” (Sytry)

“Ah, aaah…… Sorry, sorry, you don’t need to tell me more.” (Cry)

I had a feeling that it was better not to ask any more questions, so I stopped Sytry. She looked a little disappointed, but I think it’s a fair decision because it doesn’t seem like there’s a single good thing to know about it.

Without a destination, I *guruguru* walk in circles around the capital city of Toizant. I can’t find any good ideas.

Anyway, I have to do something about this Phantom. It would probably take an enormous amount of time for such a powerful Phantom to dissolve into the air and disappear. A powerful Phantom also means that it can absorb a lot of Mana Material. If they can absorb the diluted Mana Material in the air, it wouldn’t be strange if they live for several years.

The quickest way to do this is to have the 【Lost Inn】 pick her up. I set the box down in an inconspicuous alleyway and slowly opened the lid with determination.

I was praying that the contents would have disappeared, but inside the box, a Phantom was sitting while holding her knees.

To a random observer, it is just a child wearing a fox mask. This could be mistaken for a kidnapping. It has been a while since I have crossed such a dangerous bridge. For once though, I didn’t do anything wrong.

The Imouto Kitsune showed no signs of attacking me. No, there is the promise between us. As long as we have that, even if the city falls, my friends and I will not be harmed.

I take a deep breath and check with her.

“Hey, can you…… Contact the 【Lost Inn】 or something?” (Cry)

Rather, why are you here? Isn’t that crazy? Just take the box and go home!

The Imouto Kitsune remained still for a while, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a thin board about the size of a green notebook and held it out to me.

It was smooth. When I touch it, the black surface emits light and numbers appear. It seemed to be the current time. I opened my eyes when I saw that.

This is――――I know this. I know what this is!

I explained to Sytry, who had a curious look on her face.

“It’s a smartphone…… A telephone Relic, you know.” (Cry)

“By telephone, are you talking about that telephone? But there are no lines connected to it…… Doesn’t it need a communication line?” (Sytry)

The telephone is a communication system that is being developed in some technological countries. It is still in the experimental stage and has not been widely used in the Empire due to various hurdles, but well, it is kind of like a Symphonic Stone that connects to various places.

And finally, the thing with roughly the same functionality as the telephone is this Relic from an advanced technological civilization, the smartphone!

“Weeell, as it is a Relic…… There is, you know…… Each terminal is assigned to a number, and when you press the number of the person you want to talk to, you can talk to the person even if he is far away.” (Cry)

Sytry stares in wonder at me as I show off my knowledge for the first time in a long time.

“Doesn’t that mean…… It is meaningless if you don’t know the other person’s number?” (Sytry)

“Yeah, yeah. That’s why it is more difficult to use than the Symphonic Stones. But thanks to its peculiarity, it is very expensive because it has its enthusiasts.” (Cry)

Also, for some reason, if you are not near a city, you will not be able to call or get a signal, or if you drop it or submerge it in water, it will break, it is a strange Relic with many weaknesses.

However, the important point is that technology was so advanced in ancient civilizations that they could communicate over long distances even without communication lines.

Among scholars, there are those who believe that Spirits are being used to transport the voices, and those who believe that it is using the same mechanism as Symphonic Stones, and they are having a heated debate on it, but it is pointless as the mechanism behind the connection of the Symphonic Stones is not well understood in the first place.

I want one too, but I don’t have one, and none of my friends have one, so there’s not much point in getting one.

I don’t know why Imouto Kitsune has it, but could it be that the 【Lost Inn】 is a Treasure Shrine from the era of an advanced technological civilization?

“As expected of Cry-san…… You are very knowledgeable.” (Sytry)

Sytry’s eyes widened in respect, but I am not that familiar with this Relic.

However, the way she looked at me was a little pleasant, so I couldn’t help but be a little proud of myself.

“Look at that…… Yeah, it seems like a new model. What is new is that those new models have…… A camera, see. It is so small, yet has so many features.” (Cry)

“I see…… What other features are there?” (Sytry)

It is just a rumor, but I have heard that there are several types of smartphones and that they can do different things. I hear they can do most things. It is something similar to a Magic wand.

“It can emit beams from the camera and ward off monsters, and also…… Right, it can refrigerate your food and so on…… All the inhabitants of the advanced technological civilizations used smartphones to protect themselves and make their lives easier. It is an all-purpose tool.” (Cry)

By the way, the reason why we know so much about this Relic is because it is a common item found in advanced technological civilizations Treasure Shrine. It may have been really widespread as there are cases where more than a hundred of them have been found in a single Treasure Shrine.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Still waiting for my refrigerating smartphone to cool my drink XD

But I can so picture Imouto Kitsune holding her knees in the box waiting for her Aburaage!

What is Cry gonna do about her!?

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Imouto Kitsune : Literally translated to Little Sister Fox.I put “it/its” when Sytry is talking about the Imouto Kitsune because she consider it as a Phantom while Cry use “she/her” because he consider her as a girl.