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

Chapter272，Part2: 2 - Creeping Evil Hand ③

Chapter 272 Creeping Evil Hand ③

Part 2

It was a beautiful sword with a brilliance that would take your soul away that even Nadori and his colleagues, who had seen many famous swords under the tutelage of the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》, also known as the Empire’s strongest swordsman, had never seen before.

It is not swordsmen but Hunters, who hold powerful swords in Zebrudia.

Although many Relics gather in Zebrudia, the sacred land of Treasure Hunters, there are only a few Sword Relics, and among them, only a handful are powerful enough to be used. And since swords are one of the most popular weapons among Treasure Hunters, most of the Relics found are used by the Hunter who found them.

Even for the rare Relics that do appear on the market, the prices are sky-high, and there are many rivals to buy it, such as big merchants, nobles, and high-level Hunters. No matter if you are under the tutelage of the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 it is impossible to obtain such Relic, unless by some miracle.

Of course, there are many swords created by modern blacksmiths that are also very high quality. They are weapons that are more than powerful enough to fight against Phantoms and Monsters. Even today, those swords can be obtained at a reasonable price, and Nadori and the others had them, but even so, Sword Relics were still a dream weapon for Imperial Swordsmen. Because they had the opportunity to see such weapons while training under the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 their admiration for them was stronger than that of other swordsmen.

The fellow pupil who brought the sword――Was the most troubled and unconventional pupil in the Thawne School.

Luke Psykol, the 《Thousand Sword (Senken)》. The man who loves swords and is loved by swords the most in the Imperial Capital. He is the man who suddenly came to the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 and applied to be his disciple and quickly became one of the most powerful men in the School, he is also a member of one of the best Treasure Hunter Party in the Imperial Capital, although he has a ridiculous anecdote where he had his sword taken away from him because of his tendency to cut people without restraint.

The conquest of a Treasure Shrine cannot be accomplished by swordsmanship or by strength alone. Luck, ability, and reliable companions are essential to conquer it. Therefore, Nadori and his fellow disciple cannot go look for Sword Relics by themselves.

The man who nearly slaughtered several of his fellow disciples when he was here was flawed both as a human being and as a swordsman, but he was undoubtedly a first-rate Treasure Hunter.

And for those Hunters who have been to several Treasure Shrines that cannot be conquered by ordinary Hunters, Sword-type Relics, although rare, are probably not something on which they are so fixated about.

Nadori and his fellow disciple knew from their regular conversations that Luke’s Party Leader, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 a Level 8 hunter, is a Relic collector and possessed several Sword-type Relics.

That is why it would not be surprising if Luke Psykol suddenly brought in a Sword-type Relics.

The 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 Thawne Rowell is not a Treasure Hunter, but his swordsmanship surpasses that of High-level Hunters.

There are quite a few High-level Hunters who used to train under Thawne and there have been times when a sword Relic was brought in to return the favor.

“You know what, my buddy Cry told me to take it to my “Master (Shisho)”.” (Luke)

Coincidentally, “Master (Shisho)” had just left the dojo. Originally, it would have been impossible for us to see the gift for our “Master (Shisho)” first. But Luke, without hesitation, took the black cloth that wrapped the sword and――.

Time had indeed frozen. The moment the sword came into view, all of the disciples, except Luke, gasped.

Most Sword-type Relics have their origins in the Magic Weapons Civilization. And the weapons of that era were more than powerful, they were as beautiful as a work of art.

I have seen several jet-black swords, but I have never seen a blade that could absorb everything. The sword my “Master (Shisho)” had was also a beautiful Relic, but it did not have the intense luring power that made it impossible to take one’s gaze off it like the sword before my eyes.

It is truly a magical sword. Perhaps if it were put up for auction, nobles, merchants, and Hunters would all be bloodthirsty to get their hands on this sword.

And a High-level Hunter is truly frightening, to give a sword of this caliber like nothing despite having it in his possession.

My heart jumped. My hands shook and my mouth went dry. I managed to pull my gaze away from the sword with all my might and look at Luke, who brought the sword.

“Luke, you love swords so much, how did you manage to bring a sword like this with you……” (Nadori)

Luke is by nature a man who is not bound by common sense.

If I were in Luke’s position, I could not imagine giving this sword to anyone else. Luke and 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 are good friends, so Luke should probably be able to negotiate with him to keep the sword for himself.

At Nadori’s words, Luke blinked for a moment and then simply said.

“Well, Cry told me to give it to my “Master (Shisho)”. Besides, think about it. If I have it――I can’t cut this sword’s user, right?” (Luke)

“Right……” (Nadori)

I don’t understand. I didn’t understand what he was saying at all, but I found myself agreeing with him.

It is fine. Let’s not worry about Luke for now. The question is what to do with this sword.

It is a gift to our “Master (Shisho)”. Our “Master (Shisho)” is my and all the other pupil’s pride. We respect him. No one is allowed to hold his sword behind his back.

However, my soul as a swordsman was whispering to me.

There was no sound. But Nadori certainly heard it.

It says, 『Can you live your life as a swordsman without ever wielding this sword?』.

“………… I understand, let’s deliver it to “Master (Shisho)”.? But this is a sword Relic.? We cannot be sure that this is not some kind of cursed Magic Sword that will adversely affect its wielder. I can’t hand over something dangerous to my “Master (Shisho)” without checking it first.” (Nadori)

My eyes blurred. My voice was filled with a power that surprised even me.

It is impossible. It is known that there are Sword-type Relics that bring inconvenience to its wielder, but such things are very rare indeed, and this is a sword brought by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, so there is no way it could be a dangerous object.

Luke has not said anything yet, but it is obvious that the sword’s power has already been investigated. After all, there is no way that anyone would give an unidentified Relic to the greatest swordsman of all time.

But Luke did not show any particular anger at what I said that even I would think was too much for a pretense.

“Hmmm…………? …………………… Well, you’re not wrong.” (Luke)

At these words, Nadori felt a rush of unexplainable pleasure through his body.

He agreed with what I said. No, is this Luke showing me mercy? In my mind, I told myself that I would never have the chance to wield this sword again.

It doesn’t matter. It is not like I have the intention to steal the sword. Just once――I just want to hold this sword and swing it once.

Maybe they were thinking the same thing, my fellow disciples surrounding the sword looked down at the jet-black sword with bloodshot eyes.

Before anyone could say anything, Nadori intimidated those around him, as he always does when he trains his younger fellow disciple and declared.

“Then let me try it out once before I deliver it to our “Master (Shisho)”. Let’s test it to see if that sword is really not a cursed Magic Sword?” (Nadori)

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Luke’s excuse to not use the sword is crazy, a real muscle-brain/battle maniac

Poor Nadori here comes the Infinite Trial

Tchao à plus!