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

Chapter69，Part1: 1 - Relic

Chapter 69 Relic

Part 1

Relics are items that are hard to handle.

It is really hard for Hunters, but it is the same for merchants who buy or sell them.

Hunters know some of the most famous Relics but most of the Relics they find are unknown items for them.

Since the origin of the product is from past civilizations, there are rarely items that can’t be handle by humans. Since the instruction doesn’t appear together, deep knowledge and experience are required to confirm their performance.

It is the job of an appraiser to assess Relics found by Treasure Hunters.

In other cities, being an appraiser may be a business by itself. But large number of Relics are brought to the Imperial Capital, causing a lot of store to integrate this service into them.

When we arrived in the Imperial Capital, 『Magiz Tail』 is the first Relics store we visited when we found a Relic.

It is a long-established Relics store in the Imperial Capital. The store owner is the appraiser and he have been doing that for nearly fifty years. A veteran who evaluated all kind of Relics, from valuable one to dangerous one.

However contrary to its history, there isn’t any other Hunters in the front of the store. 『Magiz Tail』 is a famous store known only by those who know of it but it is also a famous store that people rarely approaches.

When we open the old rusty door and enter, what greeted us was a strong guard.

It is looking at me and Tino with sharp eyes as if it is a Hunter encountering a Phantom.

There was Relics equipped on his whole body. From its boots to its breast plate that protect his body. From its hand armor to the long swords hung on its waist, everything is shining because of the Relics. He is probably the next man armed with the most Relics after me in this Imperial Capital.

It has been almost five year that we have known each other but he doesn’t seem to have soften at all. When I first met him, I was atrophied by his gaze that feels like it was full of killing intent. While remembering that I pass in front of him.

Contrary to the small dirty shop that doesn’t seem to want to do any business with its customer, many Relics are neatly lined up inside the store just like a general store.

Except us there are no other customers.

There isn’t any sense of coherence inside, is it a special phenomenon peculiar to Relics store?

Jewelry-type Relics are lined up in the counter display case and weapon-type Relics are hung on the wall according to its genre.

Relics are quite expensive even low-end ones. The total price of all the products of this store is comparable to those of a jewelry store.

I think it would be more profitable to build a shop in the main streets but it is probably because of the owner’s temperament that the shop is open in such remote place.

In front of the product, the name of the Relic and precaution when using it were written in detail.

Tino is looking down at the display case containing a ring-shaped Relic.

Are you thinking about the 『Shot Ring (Bullet Finger) 』 you won last time?

For me whose hobby is to collect Relics, this store is like a museum as well as a toy store. When I just became a Hunter and had a break, I would be stuck in front of the products and tried to memorize their names and functions.

“?? Master, are you not looking around?”

If it was the usual, I would spend a lot of time checking all over the store to see if there are new Relics. But today, my wallet is almost empty, so I endure my heart-breaking feeling and pass by between the shelves.

Tino who I often take with me to this store, raises a strange voice when she saw me doing this.

The purpose this time is not shopping. If I buy a Relic this time, Eva will really be aghast.

Even if there is a security guard, there was no one in the counter. As usual, it is still a careless store.

“I don’t have any money, today.”

“… Eh!?”

When Tino raises her voice for a short while, she steps back with her hands in front of her body as if to hide her chest.

You don’t need to be so careful. I won’t borrow from my Kouhai.

Tino shrunk herself and looks up as if she has found her natural enemy, I raise my shoulder and playfully say.

“Actually, I have debts.”

“… Master, I also need money to replenish my supplies and maintain my equipment. Onee-sama is already exploiting me and I am also giving you my Relics. If you squeeze me more… I will dry out.”

“Un, un, you are right. It is fine, I am not thinking about borrowing from you, Tino. If I do that my debt will just shift to another person.”

“…… Fuh… How, how much do you need?”

Tino complain like a small animal as if to say, at least leave me with enough to pay for an ice cream, please. Even though I said I didn’t intent to borrow from you, this really shows how untrustworthy I am.

“As I said, I have no intention to borrow from you. In the first place it is in scale of ten-digits. It is impossible for Tino.”

“Ten… Digits…?”

Tino who is stunt start to count with her finger. Her expression is similar to what Eva looked when she heard about my debt.

I knew it but even for Hunters who can make tons of money, it seems that a ten-digit debt is not ordinary.

Tino made a dry laugh and says in a quivering voice.

“…… As, as expect of Master. You manage to find a place to borrow such a huge sum of money, it is amazing. As expect, everyone will be afraid of lending so much, that is the difference in our Level.”

It is the first time that I have been praised because of a debt. Are you praising me? Or are you taking me for an idiot?

… I know, right. I am an idiot, right. There is no excuse for it.

As for money issue, you should only borrow what you can return.

“It is okay. Because the one I have borrowed from is Sytry.”

“!?”

An expression of fright is clearly drawn on her face. Right at that time, the door behind the counter burst open.

With swift movement, Tino hides behind me.

The one who came out is the one who is the owner and appraiser of the store and continues to appraise Relics for the last fifty years, Martis-san.

His hair is completely white and his appearance is all wrinkled but his straight spine and sharp eyes makes him looks like younger. There is a sense of intimidation when he stands behind the counter with his razor like appearance.

And you can feel from his strict gaze that Martis-san is a very biased man. It is because of that, that there aren’t many customers in 『Magiz Tail』.

When he looks at me, Martis-san frown and made a sound with his tongue.

“… Tsk. What, when I think I have a customer, it is you again…”

His response to me hasn’t change since the first time I met him.

Well, at that time, Liz-chan and the other did a lot of rude things to him so it can’t be help. Martis-san probably know that despite my High Level I don’t have the corresponding power.

Martis-san irritatingly snort and gazed at me.

“Fuhn… What do you want?… I don’t have any Relic to sell to you today.”

This doesn’t mean that Martis-san hates me, he is like that to everyone. Well, it is normal that everyone would go to a Relics Store in the main street where young girl works as a clerk.

But thanks to that, the store is always opened and free.

“Jii-san, it is because of that attitude that no customer comes in.”

“…… It is none of your business. Our store is doing well. There are some brats who often jumps on the expensive Relics and buy it so that they can try it outside.”

That is not me, right? To call his customers brats, he is still an absurd shopkeeper.

But his skills are certain. He is not a bad person. He doesn’t favor me, but he is sincere. I don’t know where he bought them but he often let me have a bargain when I buy Relics. In other words, I have no reason to avoid him. As a bonus he often listens to my rambling.

Unlike Liz and the other, I didn’t study under anyone after coming to the Imperial Capital but in a sense, he may be the closest to what I would call Master.

TL notes:

Thank you for reading!

HAHA you can see the trope with famous weapon store being in the side of the road with a legendary blacksmith but no one is in and only the hero knows about it XD

And Tino praising her master for everything even for having a 10-digit debt XD

Tchao à plus!

Jii-san means old man or grandpa.