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

Chapter 311，Part1: 1 - Curse of the Spirit People

Chapter 311 Curse of the Spirit People?

Part 1

Let’s sort out the situation. When the knights investigating the incident learned that I was a Level 8 Hunter, they told me in detail what they had investigated.

Apparently, the reason no information had reached me until now was because all the witnesses had been turned to stone.

The absence of most of the knights, who were working to bring in the Spirit People Shaman, combined with the lack of manpower in the investigation of the curse incident, seems to have delayed the situation from becoming known.

The 《Sword Saint’s (Kensei)》 dojo is a faction that plays an important role in the Empire. They are often mobilized to help subjugate Monsters and bandits when the knight orders are short in manpower, so if they are wiped out, I don’t know what kind of impact it would have on the Empire.

Apparently, everyone in the main dojo was turned to stone without exception. That Cursed Spirit People (Eliza called her Shero, right) seemed to have been unable to stand Luke’s barbaric behavior.

I check the statues one by one. Among them was the man who had previously fawned over Lucia.

I sigh as I carefully confirm their grim expression.

“But to think they would turn into stone……” (Cry)

“It seems to be………… Different from the petrification ability used by mythical beasts. I can’t believe it was effective against someone as good as Luke Onii-sama……” (Tino)

Tino observes the statues with a pale expression.

Among mythical beasts such as cockatrices, there are those who have the ability to turn their opponents into stone. However, there are really only a handful of those Monsters, and the more lethal the status ailment is, the more likely it is for Hunters to strengthen their resistance against it by absorbing Mana Materials, so petrification is ineffective against Hunters after a certain Level.

That is why it is almost unbelievable that all the members of the famous 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 school have turned into stone.

“Depending on the mechanism, the treatment would also change. It should definitely be treatable. There are Potions or even Magic――I’m sure I’ve heard of it!” (Tino)

Liz left to call Anthem, and Tino, who has been left behind, desperately tries to comfort me.

However, it still didn’t feel real even when the statues are laid out in front of me.

I have been through a lot since I became a Treasure Hunter, but petrification is a first for me.

Nearby Luke, I looked at the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 who had turned to stone with his sword at the ready.

Naturally, Thawne Rowell’s statue was very elaborate. Although he is a famous person who has statues erected in the dojo here and there, this statue is better than any other statue I have seen so far. The other statues should have been beautified by their creator, but the power of this statue is different.

However, looking at it like this makes me feel a little *moyamoya* uneasy.

I had faith in the power of the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》. I had hoped that he might have been able to cut the curse. It is not something that someone like me should say, but rather than him turning into stone, shouldn’t he have played a more active role?

While looking at those wide-open eyes, I said in a small voice.

“………… Even though I had high hopes for you when I heard that you had overcome curses……” (Cry)

“!? Uh-Uhm………… Ma…… Master~?” (Tino)

Although, it is not something that I, who just kept running away without doing anything, could say.

Well, it can’t be helped now that he turned into stone. I am sure Anthem’s Magic or Sytry’s Potion will do something about it.

Or, since it is the curse of a Spirit People, we might know what to do if we ask a Spirit People.

I *petapeta* touch the statue of Luke which has a mask on it. I take a deep breath when I felt the *tsurutsuru* slippery cold feeling coming from him.

Oh man, I am starting to feel that it is really real now. I think I’m gonna puke.

“Luke’s gone all cool on me……” (Cry)

“………… H-Huh? Master~, aren’t we hearing something coming from Luke Onii-sama?” (Tino)

“Eh……?” (Cry)

I open my eyes at what Tino said and stare at Luke. When I listened carefully, it was a small sound, but I could definitely hear some strange sounds.

It is not a voice. It is a heavy bass that echoes in your stomach. I put my ear closer, but the source of the sound is definitely coming from Luke’s statue.

“………… I wonder what that sound is?” (Tino)

“Obviously, it is coming from Luke’s petrified statue……” (Cry)

Luke has always been unpredictable, so it wouldn’t be strange if anything happened.

His heartbeat? His groans? His angry voice? I can’t even guess what it is……

And that’s when I spotted the large staff that Tino is carrying.

『Round World』. A Staff Relic that allows us to communicate with all beings.

It is commonly known as the 『Translation Staff』, but strictly speaking, it does not translate.

The effect of this staff is not to translate words, but to transmit the meaning implied by the sound you hear. That’s why it won’t translate sentences in a book, and if the sound doesn’t have any meaning, it won’t be effective.

It didn’t work on Mimic-kun and Car-kun, but if the sound coming from inside this Luke is Luke’s will, this staff should be able to accurately convey what he wants to say.

I receive the staff and activate the Relic under Tino’s serious gaze. As I expected, Luke’s intention is transmitted to me through the echoing sound.

And then, just as I frowned, Liz rushed back with Anthem and the others.

Unusually, it is a full member of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, including Eliza.

“Cry-chan, I brought everyone here!” (Liz)

“……………… Un.” (Cry)

As I nodded, everyone approached me in a trot.

When Sytry sees the statues, she puts her hand over her mouth in a deliberately surprised motion.

“Arara………… I can’t believe that all the 《Sword Saint’s (Kensei)》 disciples have been wiped out――” (Sytry)

“Uuumu…………” (Sytry)

“………… Why is Luke-san inside a cage?” (Lucia)

Says Lucia in a speechless voice. I don’t know, but it is probably because it is Luke………… And no one seems to be worried too.

In addition to being a man who will survive even if his limbs are blown off or swallowed by a Monster, Luke has now absorbed a lot of Mana Material. He has been able to survive without a hitch even though he seems to specialize in offensive power, so his power is best known by the Party Members, including me.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading! Here’s the extra chapter thanks to Chulbom and Satria.

Poor Thawne, he couldn’t resist Cry’s Infinite trial.

But what do you think Luke is saying despite being petrified?

Well it is Luke we are talking about so I think we all know what he is saying!

Tchao à plus!