Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter's Hero Dream - Chapter 262 p2

Chapter 262 Winners and Losers ③
Part 2
　I took my gaze away from Sytry and Kruz, who were *pechipechi* slapping each other’s hands, and looked at the members gathered in a circle.

　Apparently, they have endured this time’s uproar and everyone seems to be tired.
　They were only going to watch the Supreme Martial Arts Festival, but they were forced to save people from a collapsing arena, so it is understandable. I, who was forced to participate in the Supreme Martial Arts Festival even though I intended just to watch, can painfully understand that.

　And then Tino’s face caught my eye and I suddenly remembered something.

“Come to think of it, what happened to the bet? You bet your entire fortune, right?” (Cry)

“It’s――――No, who cares about something like this, Master~!” (Tino)

“Oh, right. Cry, this one time, we were all talking about how we’d have to mention something to you when we see you.” (Sven)

　Who cares about something like this? No, I don’t think it is a good mindset――.

　At Sven’s words, the other members *unun* nodded their heads in earnest.

　Aaah? Thanks to being Liz’s childhood friend I immediately realized what she was going to do and stopped her, who was about to step forward with a furrowed eyebrow. That’s what I’m talking about when I say she lacks a cooperative spirit.

　The other party is a Clan Member, not an enemy, and it is within the Clan Master’s duty to listen to what they have to say.
　Sven looked me in the eye and said in a serious voice.

“Cry, if you are going to do something big, make sure you talk to us in advance. This time, it wasn’t just us, regular civilians were about to be caught in it too, you know!? You may be worried about leaking information, but there are plenty of ways to do it. But to do it out of the blue is just bad for our hearts.” (Sven)

“…………” (Cry)

　Everyone was nodding their heads in agreement with Sven’s words. Kruz also stopped her exchange with Sytry and looked at me.

　I crossed my arms, badassly nodded multiple times and then tilted my head.

　………… Hm?

“I have no idea what you are talking about, tho’…… This was totally unexpected for me too.” (Cry)

“………………… Haaaaaaah.” (Lucia)

　Lucia sighs at this. Sven lowers the corners of his eyes and gives her a pitiful look.

　No, because――Is there anyone who could have predicted what happened this time?

　I know that the Alias 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 can be qualified with the word Divine Strategist, but there’s a limit to how much you can do. Well, I can’t even clearly see what is in front of me, tho’.
　I hesitate a little bit because it is so pathetic, but I must make myself clear for once.

“Let me tell you this, until I woke up and heard the story, I thought that fox mask guy was a higher-up from the Fox Mask Fan Club.” (Cry)

“What are you talking about, man?” (Sven)

“In the first place, as I said before, I originally had no intention of participating in the Supreme Martial Arts Festival, you know. I was looking forward to watching some first-class battles, but it was completely unexpected that it would turn out like that. If I had known in advance, I would have used――Sven as my scapegoat.” (Cry)

“Haaah!? Q-Quit it!” (Sven)

　Sven raised a voice that sounded seriously disgusted.
　It seems that a man like me is not even allowed to watch a battle quietly. Is this a sign from God telling me not to go to dangerous places?

　But is there anyone out there who is so unlucky that it can get this bad? It’s not funny at all.

　The reliable Members of 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》 look at each other. Touka, with her eyebrows raised and a complicated expression on her face, and Lapis, who looks uninterested.
　Next to the pale Sven, Marietta, who was listening to the conversation with a difficult look on her face, said timidly.

“In other words…… Is this what you are saying, Master? Initially, Kryhi Andrichhi was supposed to be able to do something about it, but since he was weaker than expected, the Key of the Earth had been used.” (Marietta)

“………… Eh?” (Cry)

　………… I didn’t say that. You are the brain behind 《Iron Cross (Kurogane Juuji)》, aren’t you? What kind of thought process do you go through to come to that conclusion?

　The other members were frightened by the conclusion made by one of the leading Party Members of 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》. There were even some people who were looking at me with strained expressions.
　It’s a ridiculous assumption, don’t believe it. No matter how little charisma I have, no matter how beautiful Marietta is, you can’t believe such nonsense!

“I see, this time――You were going to drop the bomb on Kryhi……” (First Step Member 1)

“In other words, we were――Here as backups.” (First Step Member 2)

“I-Indeed, I was certainly surprised by that declaration about being a fake before the battle started――” (First Step Member 3)

“Wait a second――Isn’t it the first time that Master got injured!?” (First Step Member 4)

　The Members buzzed around and raised their voices as they please.
　I widened my eyes when I noticed that there were words mixed in that I couldn’t ignore.

”
”
　Declaration about being a fake!? What is a declaration about being a fake?

　………… Apparently, the Imouto Kitsune who took my place was doing whatever she wanted.

　I clapped my hands as hard as I could to change the atmosphere and said in a cheerful voice with a smile on my face.

“Anyway, good job everyone! The long-awaited Supreme Martial Arts Festival has been ruined and you have worked really hard. Right, I came up with something good! Since we are all here, let’s all go on a quick trip somewhere!” (Cry)

“Please stop already!” (Lyle)

Screamed Lyle at my suggestion.