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

Chapter104，Part1: 1 - Vacation Begins ②

Chapter 104 Vacation Begins ②

Part 1

Including the surrounding countries, the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia Empire was one of the most prosperous cities.

Street lights were lining up on a well maintained road. An influx of people and there wasn’t any problem of visibility even at night except for some areas such as the Abandoned Metropolitan Area. Patrols from the Knight Orders were relatively frequent because there were many violent Hunters.

However, once you step out of the wall surrounding the Imperial Capital, it becomes a world where the strong eat the weak like any other country.

There was no artificial light and monsters frequently appear. Like in the previous 【White Wolves Den】, “Phantoms (Illusions)” may ooze out and you may also be attacked by humans like bandits.

Even so, the roads leading to the Imperial Capital were better off than those in other cities, it is really a scary story.

After leaving the gate of the Imperial Capital, we were inside the slow running shaky carriage and right after I started my vacation, I had my first regret.

Outside the gate, there was true darkness. Hiding the moon was thick clouds spreaded in the sky.

I should have at least departed in the morning. This time was different from last time when I was with Liz during the 【White Wolves Den】 incident. Why did I decide to leave at night even though I possess all the right to choose the time of departure, I want to yell over myself from a few hours ago.

In the first place, one of the common senses for Hunters was, unless you have a reason, it is recommended to take action in the morning. It was because many Monsters and Phantoms were more active at night.

Liz, Sytry and Eva should know about that though ―― I wanted you to check this with me at least once.

If we had that conversation then I would have changed the departure time to the morning…… Perhaps Liz and Sytry didn’t care about it as they had a good night vision, the one at fault was completely me but weren’t they trusting me way too much?

Originally, I didn’t even go out of the Clan House, let alone the Imperial Capital, it has been a while since I was in a carriage.

I feel some nostalgia for the *dokudoku* unique vibration that was transmitted to my whole body.

Treasure Hunters often start to use carriage when they have some money to spare.

Their main purpose isn’t for moving but to carry items you get and have on you and if you have the ability to protect the carriage, then Hunters’ income jumps up when they use one.

Strange Grief also uses carriage. Even though Anthem was too big to fit in a carriage, Liz and Luke ran outside so it was only me, Cry (And sometimes Lucia), but now that I think about it now, I think that it was fun in it’s own way.

Except for the scene of carnage we had, the dangerous adventures we had in the past were now good memories.

The box-shaped carriage Eva prepared was a medium-sized one.

It was probably intended to be used by Hunters, it was spacious but only enough to stretch your leg so you can’t sleep in it but it was sturdy and there was even a seat on the top for lookout. The vibration was also reduced due to the suspension.

Considering the space for luggages, there was no space for one full Party to get in the carriage but that was how a carriage for Hunters was.

Even though I was regretting it now, the carriage was steadily progressing and the scenery outside the windows on my left and right changes from darkness to darkness.

It is totally different when there is no light. To be able to drive the carriages in this darkness, White and Black, who are seated at the coachman seat, were really good.

So this time the only one who can’t see in the dark was me again…… 『Owl’s Eyes』 had been charged but now wasn’t the time to use it.

Suddenly, Sytry who was spreading a map in front of me glanced at Liz next to her.

“Onee-chan, why aren’t you running today? Even though you are always running……”

“Aaaah? Sytry, if you were alone with Cry-chan then you will lay a hand on him right. Like I will let you.”

“………… I am a little worried with just White, Black and Gray, so I want Onee-chan to run outside……”

“I am, the one anxious! Moreover Syt, you were always in the coachman seat so why are you here today?”

“That is…… Because it doubles as a test for White and Black ――”

In the dark, Liz and Sytry were arguing with their eyes glowing brightly.

In a corner, Tino, who had been pulled by Liz as if she had been kidnapped, was holding her knees in the same way as I was. Was the aftereffect of the mask incident still on or was it a measure against Liz and Sytry.

Except at the time of her greeting and apology at the beginning, Tino had always been like that. It was sad that there was no conversation but it was hard to talk to her when she was dejected like that.

At least, it was a relief that the three people Sytry hired were on the coachman and guard seat so they can’t be seen. However, no one would think that we were on a vacation if? they look at that scene.

If only it wasn’t night, then the tension would have been more lax……

“Cry-san, which route are we taking?”

Sytry placed a bottle with light inside next to the map she opened. The dim light illuminated the map to a minimum.

On the map that pictured the area around the Imperial Capital, there were many handwritten notes written by Sytry.

The purpose this time is to earn time, be on a vacation and bring Luke and the others back. The place where Luke and the others headed to was the 【Castle of Myriad Demon】 and it was at the frontier of Zebrudia territory, so even if we took the straight way, with this carriage it will take some time.

“Don’t you have any suggestions?”

“I will follow Cry-chan’s decision.”

Liz immediately happily answers and Sytry *nikoniko* smiles while nodding. It had always been like that since we became a Hunter.

Even though due to my mishandling, terrible things had happened, should I think that their mental strength was too strong or should I be pleased that I was so trusted……

Perhaps because she couldn’t sleep, Tino slightly lifts her face up, turns only her eyes toward me and makes a thin voice.

“Master…… I will follow, you……”

“I am sorry. That Ti, it seems that she has lost her confidence!”

“Un, un, that kind of thing happens sometime……”

To her discouraged disciple, Liz’s words were kinder than usual.

Recently, I haven’t shown any of my good side to Tino. So as to not be abandoned by her, the Master has to do something when it is time to do something.

When I extended my arm and pointed with my finger, I circled a large part between the Imperial Capital and the 【Castle of Myriad Demon】.

“For the time being, we won’t pass through here.”

“Okay. We won’t pass through there, but…… Can I ask why?”

“…… It is my intuition. Let’s not take even one step inside.”

The circled area was Count Gladys territory.

I don’t have any talent but I have experience. There was no opening to 《Infinite Variety》. As I got into some trouble with éclair-jou, I had confirmed the location of their territory.

I don’t think that something will happen if I pass there for a little bit, but I have been nominated for a request. I haven’t received it yet but it was said that a wise man doesn’t approach the danger.

It was already dangerous even if we didn’t get close to it. So I don’t want to think about what will happen if we get close to it.

To my irrational explanation, Sytry gave me a warm smile without being displeased at all. I’m healed.

If we don’t enter one step into Gladys’ territory then the journey to the Shrine will take a long detour.

Weeell, in the worst case, we will miss Luke and the others but it doesn’t matter as it was unavoidable if we take safety as the first priority.

“Understood. Then it is whether we cross the northern mountain or go through the western forest ―― Mountain or forest, is it. …… Ti-chan, I am just asking just for reference, which one is better 『Thunder Dragon』 or? 『Potte Drakos (Lost Giant Demon)』?”

“…… Eh!?”

The image might be a little different because it is the light version.

Tino raised her head and for some reason she looked at me instead of Sytry. She had a frightened look, like a small animal.

Needless to say 『Thunder Dragon』 was a rare and powerful dragon that controls lighting.『Potte Drakos (Lost Giant Demon)』 was ―― I had never heard of it but it may be a dangerous monster with the strength that can stun Tino just by hearing it.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Tried to find what is a Pote Dragon but look like Tsukikage-sensei just invented a new monster the “Pote Drakos (Lost Giant Demon) 迷い巨鬼ポテ?ドラコス” .

So Sytry is already thinking about the worst monster you can encounter in the mountain and the forest. She must think that Cry want to exterminate them as it is an urgent request that made them go immediately instead of going in the morning XD

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Castle of Myriad Demon: Change from Myriad Demon Castle to Castle of Myriad DemonJou: Suffix attached for a young girl, similar to the word Miss.