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

Chapter 372.2: Honest One ②

I waited 15 minutes in the Lounge and soon after, Gark-san and Franz-san arrived.

They have a different kind of intimidation from that of a Treasure Hunter. Gark-san is accompanied by Kaina-san and a somewhat cunning-looking man wearing the Explorer Association uniform, and Franz-san is accompanied by three of his subordinates.

What is about to begin…… Normally, this is a situation that I would never want to find myself in under normal circumstances.

On the other hand, on my side, it is just Eva and me. Today, on this particular day, there is no one in the Lounge.

“That was fast.” (Cry)

“It’s because you’ve kept us waiting for quite some time. Normally you would have come and reported to us yourself but――Oh well. Even so…… Booking the entire Lounge is quite extravagant of you.” (Franz)

Franz-san *gururi* glances around the Lounge.

“Well………… The situation being what it is.” (Kaina)

It is not like I want to rent out the whole place exclusively. Well, I feel a little more at ease knowing that Kaina-san is there.

Let’s get this over with quickly. There is not much to say until Sytry comes back.

At that moment, the man that Gark-san has brought with him holds out his hand ostentatiously.

“Nice to meet you. “I (Wagahai)1” am Zultan Rumilson of the Explorer Association Investigation Department. I received a summons from “Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)” and have come here from the Headquarters. Please to meet you.” (Zultan)

“Ah…… Thank you very much…… “I (Wagahai)” am Cry Andrich……” (Cry)

His tone is polite, but his gaze is sharp and he doesn’t trust me in the slightest. The expression “shrewd” is a perfect fit to describe him.

The Explorer Association has branches all over the country, but it seems that only a handful of truly outstanding people are assigned to the headquarters. Since the Explorer Association basically leaves the management of the territory up to the branches, it is rare for people from the headquarters to appear in a city with a branch office like this.

“We have heard the rumors for a long time. Not only have you managed to reach the legendary city――Reached Yggdra, but we have also heard that you have made a promise to set up a branch there. The Headquarters is in an uproar――So as soon as we received a call from “Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)”, the Headquarters sent “me (Wagahai)” here. We can’t set up a branch without first investigating and gathering information.” (Zultan)

Zultan-san *perapera* talks nonstop, without a break. He sure talks a lot. Gark-san and Franz-san haven’t been able to say a single word.

“There have been many Hunters from all over the world, past and present, who claimed to have reached Yggdra, but investigations have shown that all of them were lies――Misunderstandings. After all, it is a city that no one has ever reached, and its existence itself is suspicious. It is also possible that they have mistaken a settlement of Spirit People they found in the forest for Yggdra.” (Zultan)

I see, that makes a lot of sense. As Zultan-san speaks, staring intently into my eyes, I simply *un, un* nod.

“Yes…… That is certainly possible.” (Cry)

“Of course, there is no doubt a Level 8 Hunter with an Alias would make such a mistake. This time information is credible. “Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)” seems to have a lot of trust in you, so “I (Wagahai)” am determined to verify the veracity of the information. If this achievement is confirmed, it will be a big boost for you in reaching Level 9. Without a doubt.” (Zultan)

He seems like a capable guy, but it would have been better if he was a little less offensive but it is still better than Gark-san. I check on Gark-san, Franz-san, Zultan-san, and Kaina-san in turn and say in a friendly manner.

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“Okay. If there is anything you want to ask “me (Wagahai)”, feel free to ask. Well, as “I (Wagahai)” told you beforehand, “I (Wagahai)” don’t have any new information for the time being, but if there are any questions “I (Wagahai)” can answer, “I (Wagahai)” will answer them.” (Cry)

”I (Wagahai)” can only answer fairly and honestly. After hearing what I say Franz-san finally speaks.

“You say there is no new information…… But there is too little information to begin with. I have heard that the Princess of Yggdra will be coming to the Imperial Capital to establish a branch office, but if this is true, then we also need to make some preparations. Do you understand?” (Franz)

“Hmmm…… Well, it will probably be fine. “Princess Serene (Serene-kojo)” doesn’t mind that sort of thing.” (Cry)

“E-Even if you are okay with it, it is still, a problem for us.” (Franz)

Franz-san’s intensity immediately rises a little bit and Zultan-san nods accordingly.

“Spirit People are difficult to deal with, you see. Actually, between us――For a long time, the Headquarters has been gathering the few “Spirit People (Noble)” Hunters to investigate Yggdra, but the investigation has not progressed. Just how proud must that Spirit People Princess be? And how did you manage to negotiate with the princess, “I (Wagahai)” am very curious about it?” (Zultan)

“Ah, well…… When “I (Wagahai)” asked her about it she answered right away. Luck was on my side.” (Cry)

Also, Serene probably isn’t as proud as everyone imagines. Lapis and the others seem a lot more noble than her. Maybe due to fighting for so long, her leeway to act like that has been worn away.

Zultan-san frowns openly.

“Luck…… You got lucky, huh. However, that is incomprehensible, why Yggdra, known for being so exclusive, is so keen to accept a branch office at this point.” (Zultan)

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“Ah, well, it somehow happened. She said she wanted to ease restrictions on the entry and exit and have more interaction with humans from now on. The top brass is surprisingly flexible.” (Cry)

“!? That’s absurd…………” (Zultan)

Zultan-san’s eyes widened. Gark-san and Franz-san also look at me with shocked expressions. In the first place, the reason Yggdra restricted entry and exit was to protect the World Tree. They didn’t do it without reason.

“*Un, un*, I know it is hard to believe. But “Princess Serene (Serene-kojo)” is a surprisingly interesting person, you see…… Yeah, I was surprised when she said she would entrust me with all authority over Yggdra.” (Cry)

“………………” (Zultan)

The unpleasant silence brings me back to my senses.

The looks they are giving say that they are questioning my sanity. Especially the look Zultan-san, who I met for the first time, is giving me is scary. I may have gone a bit too far. I clear my throat softly and say as if making an excuse.

“We-Well, Serene wasn’t in her right mind at the time, so she most likely blurted that out because she was just too comfortable.” (Cry)

In fact, since then, Serene has never asked me to give her back Yggdra’s full authority. I guess she has been led astray by the devil. As I correct myself, Zultan-san takes a deep breath and says.

“Hh………… We-Well, fine. We will find out everything when that Princess you talked about actually arrives here. The question is when she will arrive. Neither “I (Wagahai)” nor the Headquarters have much free time to spare.” (Zultan)

“…… That’s right, Cry. We can’t start talking until the Princess arrives. Don’t you have any ideas? If she could arrive before the Level 9 examination…… That would be a great help.” (Gark)

The tone of his voice is lower than before. Did I say something strange……? No, maybe I did, but I am not lying. If I said anything strange, it is because Serene is the one who is actually strange.

I pull myself together and think about what Gark-san has said. But as I have said many times before, I don’t know when Serene will arrive. She is very proactive, so I don’t think she will be too late tho’――.

“Wh-Who knows………… Spirit People are quite long-tempered, you see. They are people who think that a hundred years or so will pass in the blink of an eye, and Serene is busy too, you know.” (Cry)

“One hundred years!? Did “I (Wagahai)” hear you wrong? One hundred years, you say!?” (Zultan)

“Yo-You see, Serene is also busy directing the reconstruction………… Yggdra is now a vacant lot for a variety of reasons and “I (Wagahai)” am not sure “I (Wagahai)” am the best person to tell you about it……” (Cry)

“!?” (Zultan)

This is bad…… The more I say, the worse the situation seems to be getting. Zultan-san’s gaze is becoming *dondon* more and more distorted, and Gark-san and Franz-san also have terrible expressions on their face. Before I know it, Eva has also turned pale.

“We-Well, Sytry from “my (Wagahai)” Party should be able to put together the rest of the information, so just wait a bit. Do you have any other questions?” (Cry)

Hearing what I say, Zultan-san stands up with a *gatari* thud. When he first came, I thought he looked somewhat cunning, but now his face is red and his expression is distorted.

“It is said that he is an unusual Hunter――But to submit such a man to the Level 9 examination, “Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)”, you are quite the gambler. Level 9 are model Hunters and the hope of the people, so “I (Wagahai)” think that it would be quite difficult to gather votes on the condition of a Princess of Yggdra who may or may not come in a hundred years………… But well, it is up to the Branch Manager to decide whether to submit someone to the review.” (Zultan)

“Wait, Zultan-san. This must be some mistake――Cry-kun, please say something.” (Kaina)

Kaina-san stands up in a panic. It is kind of rare to see her sound like this. And it isn’t a mistake, you know…… Because I am not lying, and by the way, I never said she would come in a hundred years.

“Well, Level 9 might still be too early. See, my skills aren’t quite there yet.” (Cry)

“!?” (Kaina)

“………… Well, since “I (Wagahai)” have come all the way to Zebrudia, “I (Wagahai)” will stay for a while and see how the fuss about Yggdra settles or how it is going to be settled.” (Zultan)

Zultan-san spits out these words and heads toward the Lounge’s exit. I just blink my eyes and watch him leave. Gark-san and Franz-san look at me as if they are looking at trash. I never thought that someone would get angry and leave before Gark-san and Franz-san――.

I take a deep breath and ask Gark-san and the others.

“…… Did “I (Wagahai)” say something wrong?” (Cry)

“First of all, stop with the, “I (Wagahai)”!” (Gark)

Sorry about that. It wasn’t intentional…… ”Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)” looks at me with a glare that can kill and verify with me.

“Cry, you really, went to Yggdra, right?” (Gark)

“………… Maybe?” (Cry)

Now that I think about it, it all feels like a dream I had.

“Maybe! What do you mean, maybe! Even if you are joking around as usual, if you have caused such a fuss and even the information that you went to Yggdra is false, this would be the biggest blunder since the foundation of Zebrudia!! Your head alone won’t be enough!” (Franz)

Is something this unreasonable possible? Even though I don’t remember asking you to believe me or anything――. It is like I am back against the wall. I never thought the day would come when the Lounge would become so uncomfortable………… The last time it was like this was when Sytry suggested having a Relic charging contest in the Lounge. Actually, feeling uncomfortable happens quite a lot!

“If Zultan contacts the headquarters, then Level 9 is going to be a dream within a dream. Damn it. Cry, bring the princess here quickly!” (Gark)

Don’t be absurd…… Well, if it gets rid of the story about me becoming Level 9 then that will be fortunate.

I would like to go back to the Clan Master’s Office if business is over, but it isn’t really the atmosphere for that. I sigh and look towards the entrance of the Lounge when suddenly a familiar face comes into view and I widen my eyes.

The person *uro, uro* loitering at the entrance to the Lounge is none other than the person we have just mentioned――Serene Yggdra Frestel. Her beauty remains unchanged even when she is far away from nature. Like a tourist, Serene *kyorokyoro* looks around anxiously, but when she spots me, she quickly straightens up and puts on a composed face. It is too late for that.

Serene enters the Lounge with majestic movements and raises her voice, completely ignoring Gark-san, Franz-san, and Kaina-san, who are facing me.

“Human, now that my Magic has recovered, I have come here to pla――To inspect the place. Please show this Zebrudia or something around at once.” (Serene)

……Your timing, is so bad. You came as soon as Zultan-san left.

Thanks for reading! Yooo I totally forgot but it is true that Cry still has full authority on Yggdra! It is never said that he gave it back to Serene, so how will this come into play in the future!? And lol, Cry’s wagahai is so funny, sasuga passive provocation skill

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1. Wagahai: Old-fashioned way to say I with a nuance of self-importance and arrogance