Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter's Hero Dream - Chapter 246

Chapter 246 Inherited Will
Part 1
　Why and what in the world is going on?

　The audience with the Emperor ended in a very disappointing way for me.
　I walked while dragging my heavy body which was probably due to mental fatigue. Dark clouds were gathering over my sightseeing tour of the Supreme Martial Arts Festival, which was supposed to be full of fun.

　Don’t tell me this is…… Me going to get involved in some strange incident again? There are too many dangers in this world.
　Maybe this is due to my position as a Level 8――No, it doesn’t matter if I am Level 8 or not. It has always been like this.

　Unlike me who was frowning, Sytry, who was walking next to me, was in a great mood.
　On the surface, Sytry seemed to be smiling as usual, but to me, her childhood friend who has known her for a long time, it was obvious. I can almost hear her humming in my head.

“Seriously, what were you thinking?” (Cry)

“I think it was a very good decision on your part!” (Sytry)

“………………” (Cry)

“They took Experiment 123 with them without any questions, so I am really looking forward to seeing how things will work out in the future!” (Sytry)

　Who was the guy who first advised Sytry to become an Alchemist without thinking twice about it!

“I hope my research will be able to help you, Cry-san……” (Sytry)

　Sytry’s eyes were crystal clear, not a single cloud in them, nor any bad intention. Maybe it was due to the expression on her face, she looks a few years younger than usual (In fact, Sytry has always been mature, so there was never a time when she was young and innocent).
　I hope my research will be able to help you, you say…… Please don’t make it sound like you created a fake Imperial Princess for me.

　I would like to punch Sytry like Lucia always does, but considering her reaction earlier, I won’t because she would probably be happy about it.
　…… Is it because I haven’t been with her lately? Is it possible that because of this it has made Sytry’s mind too full of Alchemist stuff?

“Uuuun……” (Cry)

“If you have any problems, I am happy to discuss them with you.” (Sytry)

　I have so many worries that it is like a bargain sale of worries. And one of them is you.

　Well, half of it is probably just me overthinking it, so I will just toss them out. My biggest concern at the moment is the 『Key of the Earth』.

　Apparently, the 『Key of the Earth』 is a terrifying weapon and is being targeted by the foxes from a secret organization. I see, along the way, there seemed to have been circumstances behind the attack on the museum that possessed the other 『Key of the Earth』.
　However, I don’t understand the logic of what happened past that point.

　In the end, they refuse to take the 『Key of the Earth』.

　Isn’t it strange that they kept pushing it to me even though I tried to return it to them because it was something dangerous?

　They should keep it tightly in the country, but when I nodded my head, it ended up in me keeping it.

　It has always been like this. Nothing good ever happen when I nodded my head, but, however, I couldn’t shake my head when I was surrounded by Franz-san and the rest of the guards who had murderous looks on their faces.

　No matter how you think about it, it is strange to think that it is safer to leave it with me just because I am a Level 8 than to keep it themselves. They said that I will keep it just for the time we are here and they will take it back later when they finish getting ready to protect it…… But that is too much responsibility for me.

　There, Sytry puts a finger to her lips and says with a thoughtful expression.

“But a sword that brings calamity…… It looks like it can be used in many ways.” (Sytry)

　The Key to the Earth. According to classified information that the Empire possesses, it seems to be an energy weapon made to efficiently destroy large areas.

　Ark’s Relic, 『Historia, (Pioneer of History)』 boasts its terrifying destructive power by concentrating and unleashing its power, but the Key of the Earth is, so to speak, a wide-range version of it.

　According to the literature on the Relic, when the Key of the Earth is activated, the earth will crack, the sky will split, and islands will sink.
　Since Relics basically increase in power in proportion to the magic power required, it makes sense that Lucia, who can fully recharge all my Relics, used so much magic power that she went limp.

　As it is not a focused attack Relic, it is not suitable to use against Phantoms but it is a fearsome Relic that can possibly even destroy a country.
　In terms of danger, it is definitely the most dangerous Relic I have seen so far.

　Sytry says while *niconico* smiling.

“If you want, I can keep it for you.” (Sytry)

　However, I can’t have Sytry and the others protect it just because it is dangerous.

　They will――Use it. They will definitely use it.
　Liz will say “Heeee, so it’s that dangerous~. How do you use it? Like this! Or this! Or something like this?” I can picture her swinging it around like that.
　And of course, I can’t have this Imouto whose eyes are still quietly shining, keep it either. Sytry’s stock market was already at its lowest point today.

　Fortunately, the Key of the Earth is not such a large Relic. If I carry it in a plain scabbard like this, it won’t stand out too much. I just hope that the other side will be ready to take it as soon as possible.

　As I was walking down the road to the inn with these thoughts in mind, I spotted a familiar middle-aged man in the crowd.

　He was the reason I got this key, Gaff-san.
　Today, I wasn’t wearing the fox mask as I wasn’t in the mood to wear it. Our eyes met for a moment, but then he quickly averted his eyes. I raised my hand.

“Oi, Gaff-san. Over here, over here!” (Cry)

“!?” (Gaff)

　Gaff-san opened his eyes and *bikuri* twitched. Still waving my hand, he approached me with a tense look.
　The intimidating presence of the large Gaff-san is comparable to that of the fighting maniacs who have gathered for the Supreme Martial Arts Festival. Gaff-san who was *zukazuka* coming closer attracted a lot of attention.

　When he came in front of me, Gaff-san said in a hushed voice.

“Boss, any outside contact is――” (Gaff)

“Perfect timing. About this key――” (Cry)

“!? Why do you have this Relic!? It should have been returned――” (Gaff)

　??? ………… How did Gaff-san know that I tried to return the key?
　Is it thanks to the Fox Mask Fan Club information network?

　I didn’t know what was going on for a moment, but I got myself together and went down to the business.

“I don’t really get it, but it came back to me. And so they told me to keep it safe, so is it okay if I keep it?” (Cry)

“It…… Came back……? N-No………… That’s…… Of course, you can……” (Gaff)

　Good, good, good. His Majesty the Emperor ordered me to keep it, so I couldn’t have Gaff-san telling me to give it back to him.
　Gaff-san blinked his eyes in confusion and stared at my face.

　That was when I *pon* hit my hand and took out the fox mask from my pocket.

“Ah, right. Gaff-san, I will give this to you.” (Cry)

“Huh!? !????” (Gaff)