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Strange Grief Wants to Retire The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero CH 48

Author:Tsukikage Category:urban Update time:2023-01-01 15:57:49

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48 レベル8② Level 8 ②

Within the darkness, I ran without looking back and without being able to see.

It was stressful.

The sound of my heart felt frightfully nearby.

I exhaled white breath that floated hazily in the dark.

A curtain of total darkness had descended all around.

I had been barely able to see in the faint moonlight before, but now a thick cloud had covered it throwing the area into near pitch black.

The grass was tall and overgrown, making the ground exceedingly hard to run through.

I simply recklessly rushed through it.

The only thing I could be sure of was the feeling of Tinos hand gripped in my right.

There were intermittent distant high pitched metallic sounds coming from behind us, indicating that Lizs battle still wasnt over.

Was it a really strong enemy… I stifled down a sense of powerlessness I hadnt felt in a long time.

I didnt abandon her.

I truly didnt abandon her.

My combat abilities were worse than garbage.

If even Tino was just extra baggage, then this was the best choice.

If I could use Relics I could offer some support but… After all, I really shouldnt go outside without Relics.

Right now I could use the Safe Rings and the 『Dogs Chain』 that had been recharged.

And also the one I didnt use in the White Wolves Den with a single charge of magic stored… I really couldnt fight against a monster like that.

After running for some time, when the noises became less audible I finally came to a stop.

I didnt know how far we were because I couldnt see anything, but with this much we shouldnt get hit by any sudden attacks.

Behind me, Tino matched my pace and came to a stop.

Unlike my rough breathing, Tinos was undisturbed.

Tino didnt say anything, she only looked up at me with pure eyes watching me breathe heavily.

Her gaze was like she was condemning me for leaving her teacher behind, and I gave an involuntary sigh.

I had always been depending on my friends.

My level 8 status was from their achievements – like a house built on sand.

But its not like I had ever depended on them because I wanted to.

Liz and I were old friends.

I always tried to give my best up until the last.

I spoke while conscious that what I was saying sounded like an excuse.

“Its okay.

Liz alone is enough for that.

Tino, we should do what we are capable of.”

“Yes.

Master.”

This wasnt an unsightly desertion.

It was a strategic retreat.

As if understanding, Tino nodded with a serious expression.

Now that things were calm, one problem remained.

While getting my breathing under control, I turned around taking a look at our surroundings.

Where was this

From the beginning, the one that had guided me to the shrine was Tino.

I wasnt even sure what direction the way back was.

If I could see the main road I could probably work it out, but as it was I could barely see a few meters ahead of me.

My good junior was just staring at me silently.

Looking closer, what was in her eyes wasnt blame but expectation.

Her eyes were sparkling as if she was with the person she admired.

It must be because Liz had been blowing so many half truths into her ears.

It would have be better if she was condemning me instead.

It was a bit like this back at the White Wolves Den too.

It was good I was able to stumble upon the injured people coincidently that time, but I didnt think it could work out like that once again.

I felt like throwing up.

I raised my white flag.

Putting on a facade, I spoke with a hint of warning to my voice.

“Tino… I am weak.”

“…Yes… Master is weak!”

…Its fine for me to say, but when its said back so readily it feels a little different.

“B-But, for people, power isnt everything you see.”

“Yes.

Power isnt everything!”

Tinos eyes are wide and shes nodding.

Apparently shes just agreeing with everything.

Are you a devotee As I felt foolish I checked with her straightforwardly.

“Tino, do you know which way the Capital is”

“ Yes.

Of course, its that way.”

Do you have a compass inside you Tino blinked curiously, and then pointed diagonally right in front of us as if it was only natural.

Looks like this time we didnt have to backtrack.

Well thats right.

No matter how poor my sense of direction was, I couldnt escape in the wrong direction every single time.

“Tino, Ill rely on you to be alert!”

“Yes.

Master!”

Thank you for your energetic reply.

But Tino stayed in place and without moving forward.

I waited for a moment like that, and then gave more directions.

“Thats right.

I guess Ill let you lead the way as well.”

“Eh! But Ill just be in the― …Y-Yes.

Please leave it to me Master.”

Is she someone that cant move without being instructed Someone that couldnt move without orders or Liz-chan that moved on her own, which one was better

“Theres no need to hurry.

You dont need to run, just take it slow.

I dont think its a problem for you, but its dark around here so take care ok.”

“…Yes.

Master.”

I gave additional orders.

It was a bit pathetic, but I was already worn out.

If I needed to run it wasnt as if I couldnt, but I wanted to preserve my stamina for when it was important.

Under my directions Tino began walking cautiously, as if to smother the sound of her footsteps.

Tino was dressed in black from head to toe, and had black hair.

If I carelessly lost sight of her she would assimilate straight into the darkness.

If I strayed away from Tino here it would be the end.

I followed her small back closely.

The pitch black darkness coiled around us like a monster.

It was as if only where we were had been cut off from the rest of the world.

I should have at least replenished the Owls Eye with mana.

But it was too late for regrets.

“Um… Master.

That golem earlier… what was it”

While walking, Tino spoke in a breathless voice.

I wouldnt know something like that.

Maybe it was a boss that rarely appeared, but for it to come out at a level 1 shrine was like some sort of scam.

It was possible that Tino or I had pulled it with bad luck, but regardless once we returned to the Capital we really had to update the records.

But while I had no recollection of it, Liz had seemed to be familiar.

Yeah, what was it she had said-

“That one huh… Right, its 『Akasha』.

Its a golem with a little bit of power, so its only natural your attack didnt work.”

I gave Tino a quick answer.

If I answered her with total confidence it would help ease her anxiety.

Decide when its time to decide.

That was the way 『Infinite Variety』 does things.

“Akasha! It cant be, you mean the infamous 『Tower of Akasha』…

Tower of Akasha

I frowned at the name.

It was a name I really hadnt heard before.

She said it was infamous, so I supposed it was, but unfortunately it wasnt in my memory database.

Tino had spoken seriously.

Around the Capital there were a few infamous organisations (I mean, Strange Grief was also infamous).

Judging from her voice though, it should be a well known one.

But it was probably unrelated to this matter.

That had been a phantom.

Just a boss.

I had never seen such a huge golem created before, even by Sytry that had been crazy about golem research for a time.

In the first place, it was a golem that could rival Liz who had taken on a level 8 shrine.

Even someone like me unfamiliar with alchemy could tell it wasnt something that could be created with current technology.

But there was too little information to say they were completely unrelated.

It seemed like a connection was there because the names were similar.

I probably couldnt say they were completely unrelated.

No, I could.

I answered with a fluffy reply.

I would check the details over with Liz afterward.

“Its not as if theyre unrelated, but when I said 『Akasha』 I meant it was the name of the golem.

Its only natural Tino wouldnt know it… I dont know the full details either-“

a

“W-Why, does the likes of you know that name!”

“…Eh”

At that moment, in a place where no one else should be, a third voice cut in.

It was the voice of an elderly man.

In the lead, Tino lowered her stance and unsheathed her dagger.

The plains north of Zebrudia were vast.

Furthermore this was far from the main road.

There shouldnt have been any people around.

Not knowing what was happening, I stared with amazement in the direction the voice had come from.

And, I saw something incredible.

a

“Im…possible”

“…Pu~” (withheld laughter)

A hoarse voice.

Impossible is what I should be saying.

Why Before I could ask that question, I couldnt hold back some laughter from coming out.

From a hole in the ground―― the hole Liz had previous called a sand rabbit nest, the upper half of an old man in a grey robe was poking out.

A man.

His wrinkled face spasmed, and he glared at me like I was his parents enemy.

I wasnt sure why but it was just too funny.

The situation was like a horror, but I was weak to surreal things like this.

While I was smirking, the old man crawled out of the hole with unbelievable sprightliness for his age.

Tino raised her left hand and stepped out in front as if to protect me.

“Whats with this mana… just an ordinary person.”

He was saying something, but he couldnt be talking to us.

“ Whats this A rabbit Did you come out to make us laugh”

I didnt get it.

I was aware it was a rude thing to say having only just met, but he was also just as bad.

What do I do While I was grinning in confusion, more robed people crawled out of the burrow.

He wasnt alone.

No matter what age or gender, they all crawled out with desperate expressions on their faces.

It could only be called a comedy.

“Master”

Tino called out to me.

Unlike me that couldnt stop smiling, her face was deadly serious.

A single trail of sweat fell down her face, giving her graceful profile a cold impression.

She looked like she would jump at the others at any moment.

Hm Was this… bad maybe

As I thought that, the group that came out of the burrow took up stances.

Looking closer, these people seemed like Magi.

Robes and staffs.

There were six people.

Because of the darkness I couldnt make them out well.

However each of them held a staff, and stood a few meters in front of Tino and I as if to block the way forward.

Hmm Hmmm What was this situation

“Infinite Variety, why are you here – no, more importantly, where did you hear that name! Its a weapon that hasnt been put into combat even once – Its impossible!”

Everyone was on edge except me.

The leader of the group, the old Magi, shouted indignantly.

Why did he know my alias

…It was bad of me to laugh, but I didnt think he had to get that angry.

Tino was holding her dagger menacingly so I touched her shoulder and stood in front of her.

The old man and his group stepped back as if pressured.

I didnt really know why it was like this, but I needed to sincerely apologise.

Even if I didnt think I was the one at fault.

I felt like hunters lacked the skills to avoid conflict.

“Aah, this was my bad.

It was totally our fault.

I wasnt considerate enough.

I was just surprised, because I didnt think humans would come out of a sand rabbit nest.”

See, if you apologised like this the other party would also understand.

“! W-What did you just say!”

“No well, you see, generally no matter who it is, you wouldnt expect to see so many people fit into such a tiny burrow right My bad.

I didnt mean to step on you like that.”

It was weird… I apologised to the old guy (perhaps a sand rabbit researcher or something) but his face became even more distorted and red.

I could understand even in the darkness, so he must have been that much angrier.

“No, Its not like Im trying to look down on you or anything.

Its not wrong to go into burrows and theres no law against it.

Yeah, I also think its a magnificent thing.”

“D-Didnt you hear what I said, I asked where you heard that name!”

We couldnt… communicate.

Well, self important nobles were everywhere.

I was a small fry, but since I was level 8 I had some experience meeting with prideful nobles.

Liz and the others had been banned from places before for getting out of control.

The old man probably wasnt a noble, but from the way he carried himself he could be upper class.

However, what name was he talking about

I crossed my arms, and observed the old man.

Could he have overheard what Tino and I were talking about earlier To put them at ease I spoke with a calm smile.

“You mean 『Akasha』 If its that… I heard it from a friend.

Theyre an excellent little one.”

“…What…did you say…”

The old Magis eyes went wide, and he ground down on his teeth.

Wasnt his reaction odd

Mmm… Maybe we didnt know what the other was thinking because the gap in our ages was too big.

I gave a quick glance back at Tino, but she was also still on guard.

Well I guess anyone would be on guard if a suspicious group of people suddenly emerged from a burrow.

Maybe these people were afraid of the huge golem From their expressions I saw subtle lines that didnt give me anything else but that impression.

Pointing my thumb out to the noises continuing behind me, I spoke in a gentle voice.

“Aah, its ok.

If its that golem then dont worry, my friend will finish up with it soon.

If you want to, we can go back to town before its done with…”

“-…”

After trying to calm them down, the elderly mans expression really hadnt softened at all.

He was shaking with rage.

He must have high blood pressure.

Perhaps it was time for my kneeling down for forgiveness skill However, I didnt know what I was supposed to apologise for, so as a Master of kneeling down I couldnt permit myself to.

My adorable junior was also watching.

While I was having difficulty, something cold went down my spine and made me shiver involuntarily.

This was – the same feeling as when a phantom or monster was in front of me.

It was what they called killing intent.

…I didnt mean to make him so angry he would want to murder me.

“You, dare, to mock me――! Who do you think I am――”

It came.

Dont push on his pride.

Dont push on his pride… I answered while smiling without any hostility.

“I know.

Since you were in sand rabbit nests at this hour – you must be the famed throughout the Capital, sand rabbit researchers right ……Actually, Im a fan.

Please give me your autograph.”

“-…I-Ill kill yoooooooooooou!”

“Eh-!”

The old Magi raised his staff overhead and shouted in a rage.

Was I too unreserved!

-

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