Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 354.1: Sytry's Strategy ⑦

There was not a trace of nervousness on that human’s face until the moment he headed into the depths of the forest. His smile gave off a slightly pathetic impression and his appearance lacks any semblance of dignity. Even in the face of a battle with an extremely powerful opponent, there is no hesitation in his steps.

The only thing that is different from when I, Serene, first met him is that he is not wearing the 『Perfect Vacation』.  He may have judged that it would be dangerous to challenge the Treasure Shrine while wearing that Relic, but on the other hand, I am shocked that he remain the same as usual even without that Relic.

The look of despair on Tino’s face as he took her with him is a good indication of how strange he is.

“Yowaningen………… He is as tensionless as ever, desu. Even though he is a human. And what does he think Tino is, desu! He should drive the carpet himself, desu!” (Kruz)

Hmm, I need a carpet driver…… Okay, Tino. I chose you! The look on Tino’s face when she received the mission along with such light words made me, a member of another race, feel pity.

Liz and Sytry are talking with dissatisfied expressions.

“…… Neee, Syt. Isn’t Cry-chan using Ti a little bit too much lately?” (Liz)

“…… Hmm………… Maybe he is doing the final touches. Well, it will be better for Ti-chan if Cry-san uses her rather than us――” (Sytry)

“Haaah………… He could have at least been a little nicer about it before taking her on a Level 10 Treasure Shrine.”

Lucia holds her head and sighs deeply.

The strategy this time is extremely dangerous. Although Sytry planned a strategy based on the little information we had and assumed every possible situation, the fact still remains that there are still many uncertainties in the strategy.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

It seems that there is almost no example of conquering a Temple-type Treasure Shrine in the human world, and there is no proven track record of weakening a Treasure Shrine using a Mana Materials Stirring Device. Our strength is small, our information gathering and calculations are far from perfect, and luck will also be involved. It is precisely because the situation is so desperate that we are able to decide to go ahead with this strategy. The strategy we are going to do is the kind where if we weren’t in such a desperate situation, I would probably have rejected the proposal.

The number of raids is also completely unknown. Although we have gathered as much strength as possible, the strength the 【Temple of Origin】 possesses is probably not comparable to our group. Moreover, this time, we have to disperse our already small force in order to protect the 8 stirring devices we have to install.

――However, the difficulty of what 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is trying to do is far greater than what we have to do.

As far as we have investigated, the North and South sides of the 【Temple of Origin】 are almost equal in terms of thickness, number, and topography of the earth’s veins. It means that, by simple calculation, that Human is trying to take on the Phantom that we were all trying to resist, all alone. Of course, the number of Phantoms attacking would vary as the number of devices installed would be different, but it would still not be an ordinary number of them.

“…… Really, is that Human going to be alright?” (Serene)

“Hmph…… Everyone accepted 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 proposal because we thought it was okay. Besides, Serene, you still underestimate that man. Personality aside――If you knew that man’s achievements and power you would understand that there is no point in worrying about him.” (Lapis)

Lapis says in an emotionless voice in a matter-of-fact manner. And because of how she says it, her words ring true to me.

“Rather, we are the ones who have to do our best. We are not Level 8.” (Lapis)

We have two Guardian Spirits of Yggdra, who are ranked at the highest level, with us. No matter how high level he is as a Hunter, I don’t think we are losing in terms of fighting power. But does this mean that we are still not enough?

Feeling Lapis’ gaze, the Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 begin to chant a spell.

The earth shattered by Yuden’s appearance stirs and forms humanoid figures. The plants and trees that were growing in the vicinity begin to pull out their roots and move as if they were being lifted and the water from the spring rises unnaturally to form the figure of a beast. It is a spell to make soldiers from natural elements. Lapis shrugs her shoulders and says.

“If they have an army, we will also face them with an army. We can’t give detailed instructions and their fighting strength is low, but at any rate, we don’t have enough people after all. We don’t normally use them, but they will probably serve as a wall.” (Lapis)

“That…… That is a good idea.” (Serene)

Soldiers created by Magic are generally weak. If you were to deal with the Phantoms of the 《Temple of Origin》, they would be like pieces of paper, and it would consume Magic power to generate them, so it wouldn’t be very efficient, but they are certainly not a bad thing to use to buy time.

I look at Miles floating beside me. Then, I borrow its power and use the spell. I feel the paths of power connecting. The enormous power that rushes from Miles is converted into a phenomenon by using a spell.

Miles’ power is symmetrically opposite to Finis’.

Finis of the Demise, Miles of the Creation. If Finis controls depletion, Miles controls creation. Putting aside its fighting ability, its power is not inferior to Finis.

Vibrations incomparable to when Yuden appeared, hit the earth. Soldiers made of earth are being generated as if they are crawling out from underground.

“This is Miles of the Creation. Miles nurtures plants and trees, raises the earth, and controls water.” (Serene)

The number of soldiers created is not comparable to those 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 created.

No matter how weak they are, if the Phantoms are attacked by that many soldiers, they will not be able to ignore them. If the soldiers are destroyed, they can just be recreated again.

“It may be difficult to do it completely, but if we increase the density, we will be able to restrict the movement of the Phantoms of the 【Temple of Origin】. We can even make a cage.” (Serene)

“It can be manipulated and shaped at will, huh…… To be able to generate this many in an instant as expected of a Spirit of Yggdra.” (Lapis)

“Defeating Miles when it is focusing on defense, is by no mean small feat. It cannot prevent Finis’ depletion, but――In that sense, we were lucky that Finis came back before this operation.” (Serene)

If Ruin had attacked in the middle of this operation, the situation would have surely been terrible.

There is one more Guardian Spirit of Yggdra, which also went missing, but that one is no more attack-oriented than Miles. Even if it were on the enemy’s side like Finis, it wouldn’t be a big problem.

“Hmph…… Do not forget. Our lives come first. I understand your desire to get your people back, but if we keep holding them back and get defeated, it would not be a laughing matter.” (Lapis)

“It would have been nice if they could be stopped with lightning, like normal creatures, desu.” (Kruz)

“…… Thank you for what you are doing.” (Serene)

The members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 are all powerful Magi, but I don’t know how long they can stop the Phantoms from a Level 10 Treasure Shrine. I have no intention of asking them to risk their life.

I just have to believe in the strategy and do the best I can. Ruin, with Finis nearby, says while staring intently at the World Tree.

“As soon as the attack on our side calms down, we will head over there. We are going to move as conspicuously as possible.” (Ruin)

Ruin, who is originally one of Yggdra’s best Magi, has sharpened their powers for this moment. There will probably be soon no Phantoms that can defeat Ruin, who can use Finis and freely control its power.

We can win. We should, be able to win. No matter how many troops the other side sends against us――.

As if reading my anxiety, Sytry speaks up in an encouraging voice.

“We will win. If I fail this, I will be too embarrassed to face Cry-san.” (Sytry)

“You’re riiight. I don’t often get the chance to fight Phantoms from a Level 10 Treasure Shrine, and it’s a shame that I’m not with Cry-chan, but we have to enjoy it.” (Liz)

“………… Ever since I joined 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, this is all I have been doing. I’m a Thief, you know……” (Eliza)

“Ever since Eliza-san joined, the number of times like this has decreased. Well, that is also partly because Nii-san doesn’t do many activities with us anymore.” (Lucia)

“Umu, umu.” (Anthem)

Lucia lets out a *haaah* long sigh and shrugs her shoulders, while Anthem gives a big nod.

§

Separated from everyone else, the army created by Miles’ power and I, safely reach the destination where I am in charge of.

Mana Materials strengthen all living things. The area around the World Tree, where the earth’s veins naturally converge, will be surrounded by abundant nature. Though not as old as the World Tree, I am in the middle of a forest lined with long-aged trees. At first glance, it seems no different from the surrounding forest, but when I look at my feet, I can see that the amount of Mana Materials flowing beneath the ground is thicker than the surrounding area.

This is one of the points where the earth’s veins from the outside intersect. The thin veins that circulate Mana Materials to the outside intersect here, forming a thick vein that connects to the World Tree. Even if I use Miles’ power, it is impossible to cut off the earth’s vein, but if I succeed in cutting off the earth’s vein here, the power flowing into the World Tree will decrease, and if we interfere with the Mana Materials flowing through, the power of the 【Temple of Origin】 will also decrease.

I look at the Sytry’s Mana Materials Stirring Device that was carried by the army.

The size is two meters high and one meter wide. The strange device made of glass *kirakira* glistens as it absorbs the sunlight streaming in through the trees. The device still looks terribly abominable in my eyes, but compared to the vast torrent of Mana Materials flowing through the ground, it seemed far too unreliable to entrust the fate of the world to.

I set up the device that is carried by the earth soldiers, and fortify the surrounding area with earth soldiers.

The number of soldiers created using Miles’ power is in the hundreds. It is an army that can be easily regenerated even if it collapses, and can also change its shape at will. Although it cannot move with precision, it can at least charge towards the enemy.

All that remains is to set the Magic Stone on time, activate the device, and protect it until it takes effect. After finishing what I have to do, I check the watch that Sytry gave me.

There is not much time before the strategy begins. After all this time, I am so nervous that I can barely breathe.

I, the Princess of Yggdra, have rarely experienced a large-scale battle.

With the ability of Adler’s mirror, the presence of Phantoms has been confirmed inside the barrier of the 【Temple of Origin】. If I activate the device, will those Phantoms attack me? How many of them will move to stop me?

Miles’s power is great, but I am up against an opponent who has been challenged by warriors of Yggdra with more experience than me and has never returned. I am not confident about how far and whether I will be able to avoid looking like a fool as I fight as a Princess.

However, I am sure that was the reason why that human gave me that perfect vacation.

Thanks for reading! Oof long chapter and like everyone, I started to play Palworld… I hope I’ll find enough time to translate chapters And Ganbatte Serene, you can do it!