Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter's Hero Dream - Chapter 243 p2

Chapter 243 Great Sinner
Part 2
“This is…… Aaaah, how can it be……” (Cry)

　Apparently, Eva’s skills were far beyond my expectations.

　Franz-san, who was wearing the same Relic Armor I remembered, opened the bag and grunted with a pale expression.
　Before I could consult with Lucia and the others, I was immediately taken in by Franz-san.

　The place we were at was a large mansion in Cleat that Zebrudia owned.
　Fortunately, the only thing I can be happy about is the absence of the Emperor, but reception room with a stuffy atmosphere like this is my least favorite place. I want to go to the bathroom.

　However, I have no idea how and when in the world she got Franz-san’s contact.
　All I could do was to tune in to this word while experiencing dizziness similar to that of standing up too quickly.

“Really, how can it be indeed……” (Cry)

“Seriously………… Those “Fox (Kitsune)”…… What a horrible organization.” (Sytry)

　Crossing her arms in front of me, Sytry was beaming while nodding. She must have grown up to be a tough girl when she was close to cunning Alchemists and merchants in the Alchemy laboratory in the Imperial Capital. Normally, I would have been pleased to see her as a reliable person, but I would like her to remember how she was when she was a child.

　The fake Princess did not move a single eyebrow in front of the large-build Franz-san. Franz-san stared at her neat face from a close distance, and *wanawana* trembled with fear.

“I thought it was a joke when I heard about that, but――This must be brought to His Majesty’s attention――” (Franz)

“On top of that, they were even experimenting with putting Phantoms through a blender to extract Mana Material! I saw it! I saw the vindictive screams of the Phantoms being *gorigori* crushed and the liquid Mana Material that was being extracted!” (Sytry)

“What…… Did you say!?” (Franz)

　Eva looked at me with a face drained of its blood. Franz also looked at me, not at Sytry. For some reason, Sytry also looked at me. I was the one who wanted to say, what did you say?

　Sytry must have been around me all this time, but when in the world did she see something like that.
　Clenching her fists, Sytry stepped forward with tears in her eyes.

“And at the same time, they were――Trying to create a magical creature by patching together the useful part of criminals――” (Sytry)

　Wait a minute! Don’t do any more scary stuff I don’t understand!
　And there I put my hand on Sytry’s head and stopped her from talking.

“――Well, who cares about stuff like that anyway.” (Cry)

“Stuff like that, you say!? You yourself were attacked! We lightly checked the marks, but the power of that explosion…… Wasn’t anything common.” (Franz)

　I also checked the explosion mark, but even to an amateur like me, it was just mysterious marks. There was no unnecessary destruction at all.
　The destruction marks were charred but strangely smooth as if something had cut them off――.

“It was probably a Potion with a compressed range attack that was made in order to be more powerful against high-level Phantom. I don’t know what would have happened to me if Cry-san didn’t protect me――Damn you, “Fox (Kitsune)”.” (Sytry)

　How much easier it would have been for me to get on board with her if I knew nothing about it.

“…………………… Un. But, well, I am used to――Being attacked.” (Cry)

　And of course, I am used to screwing up. I kind of feel like getting down on my knees right now.

　Franz-san *urouro* hovered in front of the fake Princess with his arms crossed for a while, but eventually stopped in front of me and looked down at me.
　He had a stern appearance. His forehead was wrinkled. Franz-san was here because he was escorting the Emperor of Zebrudia, who came here to inspect the Supreme Martial Arts Festival every year, but he was probably not in a good mood.

　I am sorry for any inconvenience my childhood friend may have caused youuuuuuuuuuuu!

　Boil it or bake it already, do whatever you want with me.

“However………… What is the “Fox’s (Kitsune)”……. Purpose? For what purpose did they create a fake of Her Imperial Princess――” (Franz)

“!? Eh!? I have to think about that too? Ah――” (Cry)

　I hold my mouth in a panic. Oh no, I couldn’t help but say it out loud.
　Eva was startled. Franz-san looked at me as if he was momentarily taken aback, and then his expression immediately distorted.

　No, no, no, I didn’t mean to offend you, you know. It is just…… I am not very good at lying――I have been made Leader, but Sytry is the negotiator rather than me.

　Then, Sytry-chan, the negotiator and liar, clapped her hands a little harder than usual to get their attention before they got angry at me.

“I hear that Zebrudia branch of the Explorer Association is also investigating the “Fox (Kitsune)” with a keen eye. Isn’t the Zebrudia side also grasping something on their side? ………… Was what Cry-san said.” (Sytry)

　Was the last part about “What I said” really necessary?
　Sytry looked at me with *kirakira* sparkling eyes, but I wonder if I am being selfish for wanting her eyes to be a little cloudy because she was lying.

　Franz-san was silent at the words, which were plastered with lies all over, but eventually said in a low voice.

“……………… Guh…… It can’t be helped. After all this, there is no need to say anything more. Follow me.” (Franz)

“Eh!? Did you really grasp something!?” (Cry)

”
”
　What a surprise. So what Sytry said wasn’t just something random?
　As my eyes widened at this unexpected turn of events, Franz-san looked at me as if he were looking at his parents’ killer and said.

“Tsk………… Damn, if I had more power, I would have beheaded you――――Come here, I will make you help us foil the “Fox’s (Kitsune)” plan.” (Franz)