Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 360.2: 《Infinite Variety's》 Strategy ⑥

“………… For now, the only thing to worry about is…… Adler and the others who have disappeared. The device has been destroyed. I let my guard down because I thought they were Cry-san’s disciples.” (Sytry)

“Eh? Adler and the others are gone?” (Cry)

“………… Why do you look so happy, desu?” (Kruz)

It seems that Adler has finally grown tired of my incompetence. It is extremely annoying that they disappeared in the middle of an operation, but since they are nothing more than bandits who are my disciples and nuisances, you can’t blame me for being happy.

They were good guys…… If they weren’t bandits, we could have been friends. Oops, it is still too early to be happy.

“No, we don’t know yet. Maybe they ran away from their mission and returned to Yggdra.” (Cry)

“Yowaningen, you, you have guts to provoke people who have the ability of farsight that much, desu.” (Kruz)

………… I forgot about their farsight.

I *pan* clap my hands and say in a cheerful voice.

“Yosh. There is no point in staying here any longer. The strategy is a success, so let’s go back to Yggdra.”

§ § §

At the innermost part of the 【Temple of Origin】. In the altar room, the most powerful place where power gathers in the world, the consciousness of Keller, the masked god, resurfaces. The temple trembles at the appearance of their god’s consciousness and the highest-ranking priests who are the closest and are praying prostrate themselves.

The emergence of its consciousness is not intentional. It immediately checks the reason for its awakening.

The first thing Keller notices is a slight disturbance mixed in with the priests’ prayers. As the god has not fully manifested, the 【Temple of Origin】 is run by priests possessing intelligence. The priests who are allowed to be closest to the god in the altar room are true believers who can offer all of their prayers to Keller and receive the oracles and wills given by Keller, who only has its consciousness.

However, right now, there is a slight disorder in those prayers, which were supposed to be never disordered no matter what the situation was. They are in the presence of their god. It would be impossible for the highest-ranking priests――His kins to show their turmoil unless there is a serious emergency.

And it doesn’t even have to expand its consciousness to the temple to understand why.

The torrent of Mana Materials that flowed into the Temple of Origin through the earth’s veins is weakening.

Mana Materials are the keystone of the Treasure Shrine. Keller and his kins knew the importance of that power long ago, even before their destruction. And that power is even more important to Keller and his kins now than it was in the past.

This is certainly enough to awaken its consciousness. The Treasure Shrine is created, the Phantoms are born, and finally, Keller is resurrected with Mana Materials. This temple now is not a material thing. If the Mana Materials flowing into it decreases, it will lead to a direct weakening of the temple. Without power, the reproduction of the numerous traps and weapons that existed in past temples would be suppressed, no kins would be born, and Keller’s resurrection would be far away. This temple burns a huge amount of Mana Materials just by existing. If the inflow rate continues to decline, sooner or later, the 【Temple of Origin】 will completely disappear.

Keller is a god. However, it is still only a conscious being. If it has a physical body, it might be able to survive for a while even if the supply of Mana Materials stops, but there are limits to what it can do in an ambiguous state of being just a consciousness.

It talks to the priests’ consciousness and confirms the situation. However, the cause of this emergency is unknown. All it knows is that they faithfully carried out its oracle.

There is a clear sense of impatience and confusion in the report. They respect and fear Keller. They have high intelligence and pride, and will never betray Keller, but their reports may be biased. No…… Maybe, maybe――Its kins don’t have a correct understanding of this situation either.

Is it an artificial phenomenon or a natural phenomenon? Can it be counteracted or not? However, the most important thing to avoid now――Is for Keller to make a move itself.

Keller isn’t at its full strength. It can’t even use 10% of its power, and its thoughts are scattered. And the biggest problem is that even this half-hearted awakening is a huge burden on the current 【Temple of Origin】.

Even at the stage of being just a consciousness――Keller’s consumption power is worthy of a hundred of its highest-ranking kins. If it uses its power, the temple will start to collapse even more. Keller only takes a moment to make a decision.

Leave it to the priests to understand the situation. If it stops being conscious, it won’t have to worry about the temple disappearing anytime soon.

The power of this tree is great. Once the accumulation of Mana Materials resumes, it won’t be long before it can regain consciousness again. For a god, a hundred or two hundred years is like a short slumber.

Just as it is about to fall asleep again――A crack appears in the space.

Because Keller woke up, the barrier that prevented spacial leap could no longer be maintained.

Uninvited intruders.

What appears after cutting through space is――A giant centipede and three humans.

It reflexively uses force to identify intruders. Their abilities, emotions, ecology, and brilliance of their soul. And the smell of Monsters that permeates their soul.

It understands immediately. These are the ones who have been peeking at Keller.

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

The highest-ranking priests all point their ritual staff at the rude intruders.

However, Keller stops their attack.

They got into the deepest part of the temple. There must be some reason behind it.

The possibility that it was the work of another god has also disappeared. Keller knows it when it sees it up close. This ability to leap through space is not a miracle of a god, but a mutation. This world plays tricks like this from time to time.

The emotions they convey are strong elation and awe. Although they are weak, to still have the courage to stand in front of Keller despite having touched Keller’s consciousness once, they must be quite outstanding figures even in this era. Eyes that shine brightly. The black-haired woman in front of Keller opens her mouth.

“God, nice to meet you. We’re running out of time, so I’ll go straight to the point. We’re 《Night Parade (Hyakki Yako)》, the current “Demon King (Maou)”. I don’t know if you understand, but――You’ve been cornered. I’m here to make a deal.” (Adler)

To think she wants to make a deal with a god, she is a woman who doesn’t know her place.

Keller and humans don’t have the same statuses as a beings. Certainly, the woman in front of Keller is strong. Have humans evolved as well? Compared to the humans in Keller’s time, they have a power that is far removed from theirs. But it is still not enough. There is no reason to make a deal with someone of this caliber. The woman says with a deep smile as Keller just stares at her without saying anything.

“The one who created the current situation you’re in now――Is the hero of this era. I will give you the information. In return, give me power――Give me your soldiers. I want the strongest army that can defeat any enemy.” (Adler)

That’s rubbish. It is rubbish, but………… Interesting.

Keller is a masked god and a god of war. It doesn’t make a deal with the weak. Normally, her words aren’t even worth listening to.

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

However, fear is hidden deep behind her eyes. Not just fear for Keller, but fear for that hero.

It put all its strength into it and focused its scattered consciousness. The temple greatly trembles as if it is screaming at the manifestation of divine power.

If there is someone to fear more than a god, it is intriguing.

To become an ally or to become an enemy――.

And then, Keller raised its voice for the first time since it appeared in this world.

Thanks for reading! FF7 Rebirth is coming out in 2 days, so there will be no chapter for 1 or 2 weeks as I’m just gonna play the game. Also, I added an illustration for chapter 359.1

If you are in a generous mood and want to support me, I will be very grateful! : Click here for Ko-fi donation or the button bellow