Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 360.1: 《Infinite Variety's》 Strategy ⑥

The Black World Tree walks through the great sea of trees as far as the eye can see. On top of its head, I cling to the only remaining part of the staff and gaze at the real World Tree that stretches forever.

The situation seems to have changed again in the lower world. Apparently, the Black World Tree, which arrived at Sytry’s place after following Tino’s guidance, has now started to chase Lucia, Kruz, and the other Magi.

I should have thought about this when it started to chase Tino after reacting to Astor and the others’ hair. However, to still desire power even after defeating so many Phantoms, it is truly a terrifying staff. It seems that the new Phantoms that appeared on the way didn’t even bother it, so it is surprising that it had been successfully stopped in the Imperial Capital.

“I-I’ll remember this, desu! Yowaningeeeen!!” (Kruz)

“Nii-san! When will it stop!?” (Lucia)

It is completely silent on top of the Black World Tree. The only thing around me is the sound of the wind, and I can barely hear Kruz and Lucia’s voices. And I don’t have time to pay any attention to the faint voices I can hear.

The vertical shaking is so strong that I feel like I am going to throw up a little.

It is a complete mistake to not quickly get back my 『Perfect Vacation』 from Serene. The movement of the Black World Tree is not that violent, but it is painful to stay on top of it for a long time. Long and slow shaking attacks are one of the few attacks that cannot be blocked by the Barrier Rings.

I look up at the World Tree and relax. No matter how many times I see it, the endlessly gigantic tree with its large leaves pouring down is a majestic and strange sight to see. Even if I look up, it is too tall to see the branches and leaves. How much Mana Materials did it absorb to grow this tall?

It would probably take thousands of years for this Black World Tree to grow to that extent.

The Black World Tree, which has grown larger than the surrounding trees in just a few minutes, has stopped growing. Maybe it only grows rapidly at the beginning, or maybe there is not enough Mana Materials. When I suddenly look next to me, I see Marin (And the Black Knight), who is clinging to the Black World Tree just like me, looking at the World Tree in confusion.

“Good job. You saved me, you can go home now. I will make sure to strengthen the teddy bear in a nice way.” (Cry)

“……………… I’ll kill you.” (Marin)

With a look of resentment in her eyes, Marin says some disturbing words, presses the teddy bear she is holding onto me, and disappears. And before I know it, the Black Knight is also gone.

For now, I store the leftover teddy bear inside Mimic-kun so I don’t lose it. She wasn’t as useful as I expected, but she is stronger than me, so I will probably ask for her help again. I will have to get in her good grace……

I turn my gaze to the World Tree again. Then I noticed something.

The World Tree continues to shed leaves like rain. But its density has become slightly thinner. As expected of Sytry, it looks like the strategy is working. She is different from a random person like me.

Just as I am drowning in motion sickness and helplessness, the Black World Tree stops moving. The tip of the staff I am clutching grows, forms a small bud at the end, and a small purple flower blooms. It is the same flower that bloomed last time during its rampage at Zebrudia Magic Academy.

I wait for a while, but the Black World Tree does not start moving again. Maybe this flower is a sign of it being full?

I carefully pick the flower that has bloomed. I guess it has finally settled down…… What a tiring experience this time has been. If I had my Perfect Vacation on me, I wouldn’t have been so tired, so after all, I shouldn’t lend powerful Relics to other people.

I store the souvenir flower inside Mimic-kun and lay down on the spot. I don’t really like high places, but the unobstructed sky feels great. Let’s think about what to do with the stopped Black World Tree together with Sytry and the others.

When the ground stops shaking, I finally feel less sick. Just as I am yawning and rubbing my eyes, Tino, who has been attracting and guiding the Black World Tree, rises on top of Car-kun.

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I was just thinking it was time to go down to the ground. I have my Barrier Rings, so I can jump off, but it is better if I can get down peacefully.

“Tino, good job. Perfect timing. I am sorry, but can you get me down to the ground?” (Cry)

Tino’s complexion is terrible. The dignified expression of determination on her face that had been on her face until a few minutes ago has disappeared and her cheeks are twitching. After clearing her throat a little, she asks me with eyes like that of a small frightened animal.

“Ma-Master~…… Well…… I have a lot of things to say, but is it over for this time?” (Tino)

………… There is no way I would know about that.

I cannot say anything, so I just *nikoniko* smile, and Tino smiles as if she is about to cry.

I descend to the ground. The forest where the Black World Tree roamed has far fewer signs of destruction than I had imagined.

Apparently, by using its flexible roots as its feet, it was able to move forward without harming nature despite its huge size………… The only people who are in *boroboro* tatters are my friends. Serene mutters as she places her hand on a tree and breathes with her shoulders moving.

“I…… I thought I was going to die. Offensive Magic wasn’t working either…………” (Serene)

“Hmph…… I don’t know how he brought it here, but as always, he is a man that isn’t picky about his means.” (Lapis)

“……………… Hey, Yowaningen. I won’t ask for the details, but I want you to tell me one thing, desu. Was there a need for us to be chased around? Desu.” (Kruz)

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Lapis’ words are more forceful than usual as if she is going to spit them out and Kruz’s eyes are filled with tears. I also feel that the respect the other members have for me that I have gathered when I helped Serene is decreasing. Spirit People are supposed to be good at acting in the forest, but it seems like they can’t stand being chased around by the Black World Tree.

About the need to be chased around…… I don’t think there was a need. I’m sorry about that.

“It was more energetic than when we fought it at the academy. Raaah, seriously!!” (Lucia)

“Neee, Cry-chan. Is this thing not going to move anymore?” (Liz)

Liz raises her voice while *ponpon*  tapping the trunk of the Black World Tree. To be able to casually touch the curse that was raging until just now, her sense of crisis is as numb as ever.

And how am I supposed to know if it is going to move or not? What do you think I am?

Well, since it was once turned into ashes and remade into a staff, but revived, I think there is a good chance that it will start moving again…… If anything, it would be better to turn it into ashes again now and seal it somewhere.

And then, Sytry comes trotting along with Eliza and Kilkill-kun.

Maybe they weren’t targeted by the Black World Tree’s attack. She looks at the Black World Tree that has stopped moving, then looks at Lucia and the others, and finally looks at me and says excitedly.

“Thank you for all your hard work! Cry-san, that was an amazing strategy! It seemed to be extremely excellent in absorbing Mana Materials, so I thought you would continue to make it move, but I see that you have decided to stop here!” (Sytry)

“Eh!? Ah…… Un, un, that’s right. There’s no way it can move all the time.” (Cry)

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Pressured by her smile, I couldn’t help but nod my head in agreement. There is no way it is going to move forever, and it is wrong to say that I made it move in the first place. I didn’t move it, it moved on its own.

“It was a shock! It seems like I was too fixated on using the stirring device…… I am so embarrassed of myself. Well, it is absolutely, definitely impossible for me to use this as Cry-san did, but…… For example, I could have used my Sytry Slime. That child also absorbs Mana Materials.” (Sytry)

Please stop it. The world will be destroyed. When she says she is shocked, I wonder if it is her common sense that has been shocked?

After catching her breath, Serene moves away from the tree she is leaning on, looks at me and says.

“With this…… Is everything, over? It seems like a new Mana Materials path――Has been created.” (Serene)

Why are Liz, Serene and Tino asking me questions? Normally, I would give a random answer, but unfortunately, I have no intention of answering this time. It is because I would hate it if I was wrong.

As I am *nikoniko* smiling, Sytry answers for me.

“At the very least, I think it bought us some time. Although the abilities of this tree are unknown, even if it is temporary, if we have reduced the influx, the 【Temple of Origin】 should be considerably weakened. The god’s consciousness should also be asleep. As one would expect, even a god would not expect that we will manipulate the earth’s veins.” (Sytry)

What Sytry says is always filled with confidence. The only person I can rely on is Sytry.

“Un, un, that’s right!” (Cry)

“………… Hum…… If time is on our side, we can even strengthen the stirring device. If we can take the time to verify and make further adjustments to the earth’s veins, we should be able to erase the 【Temple of Origin】.  That is what I think, what do you think? Cry-san?” (Sytry)

Even though I wholeheartedly agree, for some reason, Sytry looks at me with an anxious expression.

Maybe people think I am the plague? Everything went well so far, so it is going to be okay, you know.

“Sytry, it is okay. You are doing well, and even this strategy was brilliant. Have confidence.” (Cry)

“……………… Hh.” (Sytry)

“Cry-chan, so haaarsh…………” (Liz)

Liz looks at Sytry, who has fallen silent, with a look as if she is looking at something painful. I am just trying to cheer her up, so why?

Thanks for reading! Well, Cry is not answering when people is asking if everything is over… We all know what this means “Strange Grief – The Infinite Trials Strikes Back” And what can that purple flower do!?