Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~-Chapter 324，Part2: 2 - Drifting Road of the Divine Tree ⑤

Breathing a sigh of relief, Lapis then looks down at her companions, who are still slumped over and says in a serious voice.

“And it looks like you girls lost the bet just now. If what that Spirit said is true, then this incident has nothing to do with this man. In addition, this man accepted the Spirit’s request without hesitation. Needless to say, as a Spirit People, we owe him a lot. I suspect you understand?” (Lapis)

“That’s why, I told you it isn’t Yowaningen’s fault, desu!” (Kruz)

The Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 lower their heads in response to Lapis’ stern gaze and Kruz’s astounding words.

They are always strong around, so if they suddenly change their attitude like that, it makes me feel unsettled.

In the first place, rather than accepting it, it was more like I didn’t understand what it was saying………… Heck, I doubt you owe me anything, no?

It goes without saying that having my reputation lower because of misinformation is troublesome but having my reputation go up due to a misunderstanding is also troublesome. I call Lapis in a hurry.

“It is okay, Lapis. I don’t think you owe me anything due to this incident. I just did what I wanted to do, you don’t need to worry about the bet. That wasn’t fair.” (Cry)

I knew that I was not at fault and the bet was too favorable on my side as we had drowned out what I would have to do if I had lost. If I had actually lost, there is a possibility that they would have made a new request, but even then Sytry would have cleverly cheated our way out.

As for the Spirit’s request, I have not yet decided whether to accept it or not. I inadvertently said “Ah…… Yes.”, but I should still be able to take it back.

The problem is when should I confirm the contents of the request with Lapis………… I hope there will be a good timing for that.

.

When I frown and think about such a thing, one of the 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 stands up vigorously. She *girori* glares at me and stands in front of me, still slightly staggering.

Her eyes are like jewels shining silently with clean lines and sharp features. As I stiffen involuntarily under her mysterious pressure, the female Magi says to me in a low voice.

“I-I made――We made a mistake. 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. I apologize for all the rude words and suspicions I have raised. I hope you will forgive me………… Desu.” (Astor)

A total surrender from them was completely unexpected.

The female Magi lowers her head deeply and following her, the other Members lower their heads too.

How would they feel if they knew I don’t even remember their names? Because, you see…… They rarely come to the Clan House, so I don’t have a chance to interact with them.

Kruz says to me with a sorry look on her face for some reason.

“Yowaningen, please forgive them, desu. Astor also apologized using honorifics. It is just that, well…… They don’t really understand much about you, Yowaningen, desu.” (Kruz)

“No, of course, there is no problem, but…… I also think that it can’t help that I am being suspected in a situation like that.” (Cry)

In the first place, I don’t need an apology or anything………… Rather, the way to use honorifics isn’t unique to Kruz, huh. That is more surprising to me.

When I don’t know what to do, the female Magi that Kruz called Astor raises her head.

At the same time, the other Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》, who are standing behind her, swarm towards me.

“You are a good guy, desu. It seems I was wrong about you, desu. Level 8, I thought it was just a silly scale made up by humans, but it seems to be correct in its own way, desu.” (Astor)

“On top of fixing a Spirit which has power close to that of a deity, you even rescue our captive comrade…… It would be a shame to let him with human, desu. No wonder Lucia thinks so highly of him, desu.” (Starlight Member 1)

“What’s more, you responded to a request from such a Spirit without hesitation! I will make you my friend, desu!” (Starlight Member 2)

The Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 are talking to me excitedly. There isn’t even a shred of contempt that had been floating in their expression until a moment ago.

Lucia’s cheeks are twitching due to their excessive transformation and Kruz is also vexed.

Eh? I don’t remember Spirit People being this friendly?

No, before that, what did that Spirit ask of me? I am thinking of refusing, but it is hard to say nooo.

“I know, human. It is not exactly quid pro quo, but as an apology for my rudeness, I will give you my treasure, desu! Take care of it, desu!” (Astor)

“N-No, I don’t want it――That’s……” (Cry)

Astor even tries to hand over a ring with a green gem that she is wearing.

I heard that Spirit People who are salty toward humans are also lenient toward those they are close with, but her sudden change in attitude is too much.

I can’t accept her treasure. It is becoming harder and harder to say no.? Moreover, I am out of free fingers.

Astor looked hurt for a moment at my firm refusal, but as soon as she thought of something, she took out a knife from her pocket and without hesitation slid it through her long hair.

A strand of hair like gold thread falls down. Astor gives me a confident smile and offers me a bundle of her hair as my eyes widen at her incomprehensible behavior.

“I know, if you don’t want my treasure, I will part some of my hair, desu! It is my thanks for listening to the Spirit’s request. The hair of a Spirit People is a rare catalyst for Magic. It is not something a human would normally be able to obtain, be thankful for it, desu!” (Astor)

Everyone is stunned by her actions. In particular, Sytry puts her hand to her mouth and her expression is filled with surprise and delight.

The expression on Sytry’s face is the one that comes to her when a truly impossible fortune strikes. I really envy her for being at her own pace even in this kind of situation.

“………………………… O-Okay……” (Cry)

As expected, I cannot not accept it. After all, she has already cut it.

If you go this far, I can’t say no to the Spirit’s request………… I feel like puking.

The strands of hair are as shiny and beautiful as real gold, a little cold and mysterious. The story about it being a rare catalyst for Magic must be true.

But what do you want me to do with this? And really, what the hell did the Spirit say to me!?

Kruz approaches me hastily and asks me with a timid look.

“Yowaningen………… Well…… Do you want my hair too? Desu.” (Kruz)

“………… For the time being, can you tell Astor and the rest to stop with that weird honorific? It is confusing.” (Cry)

“!?” (Kruz)

What are you competing for………… I don’t need it! I mean, handing out your hair is some pretty heavy stuff, you know!?

For the time being for the portion I have received…… Sytry seems to want it, so let’s give it to her.

But those looks of expectation, are so unsettling. It wasn’t my intention to make the Spirit return to its senses or that I have accepted its request.

The hot gazes of the Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 are piercing me all over. The fact that I had done something that would cause such a change in attitude just scared me. What is the kind of thing that a Spirit, which even with almost everyone from 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 (except Luke) could not defeat, could ask me for?

And then, from outside of the crowd of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 Members, a somewhat displeased voice could be heard. It was Liz’s voice.

“Cry-chaaaan, I’m properly taking care of her just like you said, so properly look at me, ‘k!? It looks like she’s gonna regain consciousness soon!” (Liz)

Thanks for reading!

Good thing Cry told Astor and the others to stop saying desu.

If he didn’t I wouldn’t know when it is Kruz that is talking, lol.

Tchao à plus!