Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 355.1: 《Infinite Variety's》 Strategy

I reach the place where the light came from――The current headquarters of this operation where Sytry and the others are operating the device.

By the time I, Serene, arrive, most of the team is already there. At almost the same time, Ruin, who is protecting the device in the exact opposite location, also arrives.

The headquarters also has strong scars of battle. Even if it isn’t as many as the place I was protecting, a fair number of Phantoms have probably attacked them. Sytry’s strange-looking magical creature wearing a paper bag is carrying the corpse of a Phantom.

And it doesn’t end there. Several beast-shaped Phantoms are approaching. Could it be that their numbers are modest because they are still in a wait-and-see approach?

However, considering the number of Phantoms we saw in the mirror, it would only be a matter of time before they attack in droves. Anthem’s barrier has been put up but it won’t last long.

Sytry is frowning. The moment I see her face, I impulsively speak out loudly.

“What is going on! The device has shattered!!” (Serene)

I know I had to stay calm, but I cannot help but say it out loud. The strategy this time has the fate of the world in the balance. Sytry sighs, picks up a device with a scale and a needle, and says.

“The experiment is a complete failure. The cause is that the amount of Mana Materials in the earth’s vein is far more than expected. The device worked fine, but it was not able to create a new stream.” (Sytry)

The rope is tightening on our neck. Amidst the presence of Phantoms approaching from all directions, Sytry continues to explain in a calm voice.

“This is a Mana Materials measuring device we created at the same time as the device. The needle is swinging all the way to the right, right? This means that the amount of Mana Materials flowing in the earth’s veins has exceeded the upper limit of 『Mana Materials allowed by the earth’s veins』, which we assumed at the time of our research. Simply put, the Mana Materials Stirring Device does not have the power to withstand such a large amount of Mana Materials. It would be a fair assessment to say that the estimate was too conservative, but there are many unknown factors regarding the land location――Well, there is nothing we can do about it.” (Sytry)

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The device installed at this location is not yet damaged. If you look closely, it appears that the amount of Mana Materials flowing through the earth’s veins at this location is slightly less than at the point where I was protecting. The device I installed was also working without any problems at first. Maybe it was just at the very limit of what the device could handle. Since it was damaged immediately after the Phantoms were defeated, it is possible that the Mana Materials emitted from the death of the Phantoms exceeded its limit.

But either way, there is no doubt that there is nothing we can do about it now.

“B-But, we can somehow make  it work, right!? I remember you saying that the device can be adjusted――” (Sytry)

She certainly said that the size and performance of the device could be changed by changing the parameters of the Magic Circle used to manufacture the device. However, Sytry shakes her head as I cling to my last hope.

“That is impossible. In the first place, this time I made the most powerful device that I could make with the materials I had. If I had failed by trying to save materials, it would have been putting the cart before the horse…… And for Lucia-chan too, it must have required a considerable amount of Magic to create the device.” (Sytry)

“………… No wonder………… It was too draining for being a device any kind of Magi could make.” (Lucia)

Lucia has a sour expression on her face. How can they still stay calm in this situation? Lapis snorts once and checks with Sytry.

“Hmph…… I, see………… Just to confirm but is it not possible to modify the device?” (Lapis)

“…… It would be difficult to do it right away. I have to start my research all over again, and the people I worked with are in prison――No, it is nothing. It may seem simple, but it was developed after gathering first-class Magi and researching together on it……” (Sytry)

I understand how difficult Mana Materials-related research is. Even Yggdra took a long time to create our protective Magic.

I want to cry, but this is not the time to do that.

Whether we continue with the current policy or change it, there is no benefit to staying here. We should retreat while we still aren’t exhausted.

The number of Phantoms approaching this point is increasing rapidly, maybe because we have gathered in one place. While doing this, I am having the earth soldiers charge at them, but they aren’t even able to slow them down.

Miles is strong, but not invincible.  Miles can also be exhausted, and at the moment of attack, its defense is neglected. I was able to win earlier, but if there were 100 or 200 soldiers around me, there was a possibility that they would crush me. Magi are weak. If we are caught defenseless against a Phantom’s attack, we could be killed in one blow. It isn’t very wise to continue fighting against a group of Phantoms that could kill us with a single blow.

“Retreat………… Let’s retreat. Let’s figure out the rest after we return to Yggdra.” (Serene)

Things aren’t going well…… No, maybe things have gone too well up until now. There are still a hundred years left until the god awakens. If we have that much time, we can surely improve the device.

Let’s go back and focus on defense. That is the best move we can make right now. I am only worried that this failure will come back and bite us――.

“………… I heard that his successful request completion rate is 100%, but even that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 can also fail.” (Serene)

I had too much faith in his ability after he brought Miles back to its senses and brought Ruin back.

《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is also human. I should have thought about the possibility of him failing. However, I think his easy-going and relaxed attitude is also bad. Or will that somewhat stiff expression on his face change once he learns what is going on?

Sytry blinks and looks at her companions from 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 and says with a curious expression on her face.

“………… No, Cry-san does not fail. It is not Cry-san who failed just now, it is me who failed.” (Sytry)

“………… Eh?” (Serene)

I hurriedly check my surroundings.  《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has not returned yet. Besides, I can’t see 《Night Parade (Hyakki Yako)》 either――.

At that moment, a figure falls from a large tree nearby. Eliza Beck lands lightly on the ground and looks at Sytry.

“Sytry, the Phantoms――It’s like they’re running away. No――Rather than running away, they seem to have found a new target――.” (Eliza)

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Thanks for reading! The time has come, Cry’s real plan is finally in motion! Also love the fact that Strange Grief never doubts that Cry’s plan might fail.