Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~-Chapter 316，Part2: 2 - God of Plague ②

After firing three large spells in a row, Lucia’s breath isn’t even disrupted. As usual, she has a terrifying magical power.

It’s true that her Magic power is terrifying, but if you use a large amount of Magic, your spirit will be consumed accordingly. It’s impossible for a person to use advanced Magic three times in such a short period of time without having the color of her expression change unless she has crossed the line between life and death for a considerable amount of time.

Opportunities requiring the use of ultra-wide range attack Magic should be rare, but did she participate in a war or something?

“Tsk………… Let’s go, Ti! At this rate, Lucia will take everything and we’ll end up doing nothing!” (Liz)

“!? O-Okay, Onee-sama!” (Tino)

Liz raises a high-pitched voice and a gust of wind follows. Anthem follows behind the two master and disciple with *dosudosu* rumbling footsteps.

One of my companions from 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 covers her mouth and mutters as if she is shocked by their excessive fighting spirit.

“How savage………… Is this what humans are……” (Starlight Member)

“However, that might be what we are missing. Hmph…… The Spirit Stone was in the Imperial Capital, if we were that frantic, maybe we might have been able to retrieve it with our own hands……” (Lapis)

“That’s probably different……” (Eliza)

Lapis narrows her eyes for a moment as Eliza speaks with an absentminded expression. She’s upset that she beat her to it, but she probably thinks that it’s too ugly to hold a grudge against her.

And then, Lapis claps her hands and shouts.

“We are going too, Kruz, go!” (Lapis)

“!? L-Leave it to me, desu!” (Kruz)

With those words as a cue, Lapis and my companions from 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 begin chanting their spells all at once. It’s a lightning spell.

The only one who could not yet use lightning spells is me, so I chase after Anthem and the other as fast as I could while chanting a water spell.

§　§　§

“Yo-Yowaningen…… Are you, serious, desu!” (Kruz)

“Ngh…… Aaaah, is it over?” (Cry)

A battlefield has a unique atmosphere.

Yells and screams. The smells, the vibrations, the lights… I have experienced it countless times in the five years since I became a Hunter, but no matter how many times I taste it, it is still something I don’t like.

However, once you have experienced it, you will get used to it. And moreover, this time, not only is 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 almost a fully complete Party, but there is also a Party of powerful Spirit People Magi. The only opponents that they wouldn’t be able to handle with this much preparation are Level 8 or higher Treasure Shrines and vicious bandits who have absorbed a lot of Mana Material, but they usually don’t show up at every corner.

What I am trying to say is that this time my feeling of being safe is on a different level than before. 𝙗𝙚𝙙𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝒎

Furthermore, we are not even in Yggdra right now. If I am nervous here, my body won’t hold.

I raise my head from the pillow I took out from Mimic-kun and sit up.

I am still a little sleepy, but I feel much better than on my usual trip. Usually, there is no room for me to carry a pillow while traveling in a carriage, but with Mimic-kun’s power, it is possible!

While rubbing my eyes, I look at Kruz’s face who called out to me.

“…… Huh? ………… Did something happen?” (Cry)

Kruz is pretty exhausted. She does not have any noticeable injuries, but her body is covered in dust and her hair is all messed up. It was as if she had plunged into a storm.

I shouldn’t have slept for that long. While I am frowning, Kruz *buruburu* trembles and says.

“………… Yowaningen, you should come outside, desu.” (Kruz)

It can’t be helped, so I get up and poke my head out of the carriage.

――What is spread out there in front of me is scorched earth with the corpses of countless Monsters lying around.

Zebrudia’s flat, leveled paths, which are highly praised in many countries, are nowhere to be seen.

There are what looked like black spines about a meter long sticking out of the ground here and there. If you look closely, you can see what looks like black insect humanoid carcasses lying here and there.

No, those aren’t the only Monster carcasses. There are countless Monster carcasses lying around from familiar ones such as Orcs to pieces of flesh of unfamiliar color and shapes.

A scene like this would not have been possible without a fierce battle. It is no wonder that Kruz was so angry with me for taking a nap in such a situation.

I get out of the carriage and check behind me.

“………… Huh? The carriage was attacked too? These marks………… Are they from lightning? Uheeee……” (Cry)

《Strange Grief’s (Nageki no Borei)》 carriage is specially made. In particular, they are perfectly prepared against lightning, which has a high probability of striking it.

However, it was apparently quite a large herd, as only the most powerful Monsters would use lightning attacks.

As I observe the surroundings of the burnt carriage and *unun* nod my head, Kruz looks away and says.

“…… W-Well, that’s, hum…… It wasn’t made by the enemies, but by our technique, desu.” (Kruz)

“!? Eh, why?” (Cry)

“R-Rather than that, Liz and the others, they left this place to us and went after the enemies, desu!” (Kruz)

“!?” (Cry)

You’re kidding………… It sure seems like it was a pretty fierce battle, but how could Liz, who boasts divine speed, allow the enemy to escape――.

And then there is a *gatari* rattling sound and Sytry crawls out from the shadow of a Monster’s carcass.

Like Kruz, Sytry was covered in mud all over. In her arms, she carries a broad sword decorated in blue and gold.

“*Keho* Cough, *keho* cough………… I-I see you are awake! Good morning, Cry-san.” (Sytry)

Sytry ignores the situation and smiles like a blossoming flower.

I have a lot of things to ask her, but her smile shuts off all my will to do it, so I clear my throat a little.

“Aaaah, good morning. Looks like you had a hard time. Where is Kilkill-kun?” (Cry)

“I had him chase after them with Onee-chan. There was no damage on our side, but they were tougher than expected………… To think they would be unknown despite being able to move that much after receiving Lucia-chan’s Magic, considering their power and their number, I think it is solid if I say they would have been certified Level 7――” (Sytry)

I unexpectedly stare in wonder at Sytry’s high evaluation of them.

In this day and age, there are many bandits and secret organizations, but if they reach a certification Level of 7, they are quite a big deal. Would you understand how terrifying they are if I tell you they are Arnold or Ark class?

But before that――Does them being unknown mean that the other side was human??

It is true that Sytry said they were bandits, but I thought we were attacked by Monsters as Monsters’ carcasses were scattered around――.

“It is unlikely that Onee-chan and the others would be able to deal the finishing blow. I think it would have been possible if Luke-san was there――But there was a big monster among the monsters led by the bandits.? I think the bandits had an 『Ancient Species』 of Monsters――” (Sytry)

“Hooo………… An Ancient Species?” (Cry)

No, in the first place………… Leading the Monsters……? Isn’t that impossible?

While not really understanding what is going on, I cross my arms, frown, and nod my head in an arrogant manner, when Sytry says while only her lips was smiling.

“Yes. The bandits named themselves. The descendants of the rulers, the guiding hand of the demon, Adler, the 『Demon King (Maou)』. Adler Dizrad of 《Night Parade (Hyakki Yako)》, is what they said .” (Sytry)

The “Demon King (Maou)”…… Adler, the “Demon King (Maou)”, huh. There have been many people who have claimed to be demon kings in all eras and cultures, but they have always been known to be bad guys.

And there are many who aren’t a big deal, but I doubt it wouldn’t be the case after seeing the remains of this battlefield.

We are heading to Yggdra from now on but that has just rained on our parade.

After clearing my throat a little, I check Kruz and Sytry in turn and say.

“Let’s head to Yggdra as soon as Liz and the others are back. We don’t have time to play around…… Because over here, we have Luke who has turned into a statue.” (Cry)

Thanks for reading!

I think I should stop being lazy and start posting the novel illustration…

Even when Cry is inside a carriage he can still attract lightning, sasuga Cry!

And here come a new character. What will be Adler’s role in Infinite Variety’s strategy!?

Tchao à plus!