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

Chapter 293，Part1: 1 - Treasure Chest

Chapter 293 Treasure Chest

Part 1

“Welcome back, Cry-san. How was the church?” (Eva)

“So-So, I guess. It had been a while since I went there and it seems that Anthem is fitting well to the place……” (Cry)

Clan House. On my way up the stairs to the Clan Master’s Office, I ran into Eva and we had a chitchat.

Even though everyone is giving me strange rumors that hurt my reputation, Eva never changes, which is really healing. I hope everyone will learn from her.

“So-So…… So-so? ………… Cry-san, do you think I know nothing about what happened, do you?” (Eva)

“Calm, calm…” (Cry)

As usual, Eva gives a small sigh of exasperation at my attempts to appease her.

But Anthem is truly amazing. Aside from being a Hunter, it must be really hard to fit in as a member of the church due to his size――Does it mean that his personality outweighs his appearance?

In addition, according to Anthem――There were a number of people besides us who noticed that the black knight appeared from the pendant. It seems that Priest-san told him that when he went to tell Priest-san about the black knight coming out of the pendant.

In other words, all the witnesses kept their mouths shut instead of blaming him. He wasn’t even blamed for breaking the pillar, how much virtue did he have to accumulate in his previous life to be treated that way…… As someone who is always being accused of things I didn’t do, I really do envy him. But naturally, I don’t envy him when he has to be caught up in Lucia’s advanced offensive magic.

Let’s learn from Anthem and live an honest life…… I am living an honest life, tho’! I really don’t know anything about what’s happening, you know!

And then Eva looked at me *niconico* smiling, not understanding why.

“Cry-san…… Aren’t you in a strange mood right now?” (Eva)

“Aaaah…… Does it show?” (Cry)

“……………… Why would you be like this even though such a big incident happened in the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church――” (Eva)

It is not like I am in a good mood because an incident happened――It is because I got a souvenir at the very end. What you should have is an excellent childhood friend. Someday, I want to return something to him too, since I keep being on the receiving end.

“I heard that 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 will somehow take care of the mess at the church. There has been a lot of fuss lately about the prophecy, but I think everything is finally coming together.” (Cry)

“………………” (Eva)

Too many things happened one after another, so I am tired. It is not because I played an active role, but I am exhausted just by watching it from afar as I lack physical strength.

And that is when I noticed Eva *jii* staring at my face.

She frowns while having a prudent look. She looks as if there was something on my face, so I involuntarily take a step back.

“Wh-What is it?” (Cry)

“No……………… It is nothing. It is just that I am trying to see if I should buy it or not by reading Cry-san’s expression…… Because recently, it has been a mess due to repeated curse disturbances. A lot of people ran away from the Imperial Capital, you know. So if it is really going to come together…… Chances are…………” (Eva)

Uuuuun…… I guess I shouldn’t touch it too deeply. As she is completely doing her role as Vice-Clan Master, it is easy to forget that she is a former merchant of the Great Chamber of Commerce.

The Imperial Capital has been noisy recently. After the Akasha turmoil, the Dragon attack, and now this prophecy, anyone would be tempted to flee if trouble were to occur in such a short period of time.

“It is fine if you run away too, you know, Eva?” (Cry)

Because I will run away with you.

Hearing what I say half-seriously, Eva stares in wonder and quickly shows me her right palm up. A familiar ring is on her ring finger.

“I won’t run away. You even gave me a Barrier Ring…… I have prepared myself.” (Eva)

She is too manly. I am wearing more than a dozen Barrier Rings, but I still don’t have her readiness……

Well, as expected, I guess I will call it quits this time…… I am already full of it. I already gave back the Symphonic Stone, so this time I am going to *daradara* laze around.

It seems that Lucia and the others also have time to spare due to the change in their schedule due to various disturbances, so maybe I should just call all of them and *daradara* laze around together.

Then Eva returned to her normal expression and unexpectedly said something I had expected.

“Oh, by the way, Liz-san is here. She is in the Clan Master’s Office with Tino-san.” (Eva)

“!! Everything………… Is exactly as I simulated it.” (Cry)

“She was in a very good mood………… Right. Something about her supposed to receive a gift or something…… Is it going to be alright?” (Eva)

“Kuku………… Unlike the usual, this one is a brilliant prediction without fault――I am afraid of my own talent.” (Cry)

Is everything in the palm of my hand? Don’t tell me my Divine Strategist talent is finally blooming?

This is it, this is it! For once, I can be forgiven for pretending to be badass and getting carried away. My eyes are not so bright, but I know all about my childhood friend’s personality. We haven’t been together for a long time just for show.

.

I say to Eva, who looks at me as if she were looking at something creepy.

“Can you do me a favor…… Soon the Best Treasure Chest should be coming downstairs from the church. Ask someone to carry it for me…… Let’s see… To the Lounge, okay?” (Cry)

“Well…… This is fine for me. But a Treasure Chest?” (Eva)

Eva would be amazed too if she saw that. I have never seen a treasure chest that looked so much like a treasure chest in all my years as a Hunter. I am sure Liz will be delighted.

However…… I didn’t think there were that many treasure chests in the warehouse of the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church. They said they had no idea which one I was talking about, so I can pick one out, but I laughed because I had no idea what was going on from start to finish.

§

In the Clan Master’s Office, Liz was doing a chokehold on Tino. They must have been bored while waiting.

When she sees me, she *poi* tosses Tino, who is on the verge of fainting, out of the way and jumps towards me. Eva was right, her excitement was extremely high.

“Cry-chaaaaaaaaaaaan~!” (Liz)

“Gooood, good, good, Liz, good girl!” (Cry)

While treating Liz who has a big smile on her face with one hand, I check on Tino who is spread down on the floor.

Seeing her disheveled hair, were they having a mock battle? Please don’t do mock battles in other people’s rooms just because you are bored.

I was afraid that if I scolded Tino carelessly, she might jump on Tino, so with my gaze I blamed Liz, who was not feeling guilty at all when suddenly, Tino’s fingertips *pikuri* twitched and she quickly came to her senses.

When she wakes up, she *bunbun* shakes her head from side to side, she blushes when she sees me.

“Master~ …… You were here!? I am sorry I showed you something so embarrassing――” (Tino)

“N-No…… Tino is also a good girl.” (Cry)

Compared to the past, the recent sturdiness of my Kouhai is dangerous. Physically and mentally, her state is starting to go to a dangerous level. As her Master~, should I be happy about it…… Or should I be ashamed of not being able to stop Liz.

What do I do if Tino specializes in sturdiness and grows as big as Anthem?

Liz takes Tino’s arm, who just got up, and pushes it toward me.

“It’s almost my turn to escort you, riiight? It’s a little bit early, but I couldn’t wait, so here I am! I’ll do my best, okay? You can use Ti as well! Well, there hasn’t been any unusual activity since the attack in the Lounge tho’――” (Liz)

“………… Aaaah, something like that happened, right?” (Cry)

“Master~, that was just a few days ago, you know!?” (Tino)

I see…… Switching escorts on a daily basis was a countermeasure against surprise attacks, huh.

No, so much has happened since then that…… It is normal that it became a little bit hazy! I mean, Gark-san, who was blown up by the explosion, was still alive and well! What is going on with that guy?

………… W-Well, let’s leave the details aside. It has been a while since I have been this brilliant.

I solemnly say to Liz, who has a twinkle in her eyes and is *sowasowa* fidgeting like a dog that has been told to wait.

“*Kohon*, actually, I have something…… I want to give it to you, Liz.” (Cry)

“!!” (Liz)

“I thought it was unfair to only give it to Luke and the others and not to you, Liz.” (Cry)

“*Kyaaaa*! Cry-chan, I love you!” (Liz)

“O-Onee-sama…… You are being improper, desu.” (Tino)

Liz *pyon* jumps up, hugs me from behind and *surisuri* rubs me. Just by touching her hot limb, I feel like I am sweating.

I had somehow expected this kind of reaction and I am happy that she is pleased like that but how should I say…… I don’t know what is inside the treasure chest…… I thought she would be delighted even if it was empty, but now that she is pleased like this, I am a little nervous about it.

And I forgot about Tino, but Tino doesn’t seem to have any complaints. Rather than that, she is more concerned about Liz, who keeps pressing her nose against my neck.

“I am having it carried to the Lounge right now, so――” (Cry)

“*Kyaaaa*! I’m so looking forward to it, let’s go! Neeeh? Let’s gooo~!” (Liz)

Liz goes in front of me in an instant like magic and pulls my arm. Her smile is so dazzling that it warms my heart.

You…… You wouldn’t cry if it turns out to be empty, right?

Contrary to my brilliant mode from earlier, I was about to be crushed by anxiety, when Tino looked at me and said.

“The Lounge…… But I think it hasn’t been repaired yet……” (Tino)

Ah, that’s right. I wanted to show everyone the perfect treasure chest, so I specified the lounge…… But I completely forgot that it was half-destroyed.

§

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

It’s okay Cry, you gonna destroy it again with a new curse so it is good that it isn’t repaired yet

Tchao à plus!