Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 368.2: Strange Grief Wants to Retire ⑧

Several hundred kilometers northwest from the sky above Yggdra. In the 『Temple』 shrouded in black clouds and flashes of lightning, the Ani Kitsune sighs.

“That is a god who rose to power through warfare………… His origins are different from ours. To be able to fight to that extent when he has just manifested and is in a depleted state――Humans are truly barbaric.” (Ani Kitsune)

He was an incredibly powerful god.

Keller, the masked god. A former human god. A god of war who subjugated all other beings and elevated his own in ancient times. He was a god I had never heard of, but I never imagined that such a being had once existed.

The lead bullets that we instinctively shrink on, and that versatile and fearsome authority. His resolve, his will, his experience, his knowledge, and his abilities were all on another level. Fox Gods aren’t particularly good at fighting, but even taking that into account, there is no way Keller had any chance of winning in that state. And Keller must have known that. Despite that, Keller did not back down a single time.

Therefore――Keller deserves to be called a god.

To think………… That he would be able to take one tail in such a disadvantageous situation.

My Imouto who started this fight says dejectedly.

“I have caused trouble to Haha-sama.” (Imouto Kitsune)

She is absolutely right. That human has done nothing but screw us over.

If the Imouto Kitsune had not been provoked into going to retrieve the smartphone, she would not have been involved in the battle. It must have been unbearable for mother to have been forced to help out someone who had taken advantage of our nature to return favors by protecting her.

However at the same time――We can also say that it is a good thing that we fought him now.

Keller was belligerent. Even if we didn’t fight him here, gods are fundamentally incompatible. He would have started a war against us sooner or later. Because he had just manifested, had no kin, and was exhausted by the barrier that it had ended with Hahaue only having one tail crushed. If it had happened a hundred years later, the outcome might have been reversed.

Considering that we were able to eliminate a potential threat, we should probably be grateful to that person who has no sense of danger.

“Don’t worry about it. Just never have anything to do with him again.” (Ani Kitsune)

Our relationship has been severed. We quickly left the place without meeting again that person who has no sense of danger, in order to avoid being used by him any further.

Contact with humans is a good stimulus for the older foxes. However, too much of anything is not good.

The Imouto Kitsune looks at what she has recovered from Keller, at the Aburaage wrapper――The one she used to turn into a smartphone and says.

“……………… I couldn’t reveal the secret. To the end, Kikkikan-san still thinks that I had given him a smartphone.” (Imouto Kitsune)

“…… It happens. But that is because Kikkikan-san is the strange one for being deceived for so long.” (Ani Kitsune)

The illusions of the Fox God’s clan are so powerful that they can deceive the world. However, illusions are not omnipotent. The more complex the change, the less accurate it becomes, and no matter how powerful the illusion, the easier it will dissipate over time. Keller had called that person, who has no sense of danger, incompetent, but the insensitivity required to use the illusions of a complex Relic such as a smartphone for such a long period of time could no doubt be called talent.

It is a “Fox Spirit’s (Yoko)” instinct to trick people. The Imouto Kitsune intended to trick that human. However, if the person who has been deceived is not aware of this fact, it does not count as deception.

It would have been nice if she could have at least turned it back in front of him, but――.

The image of my Imouto being provoked comes to my mind, so I shrug my shoulders.

“No, if you smear any more mud on Hahaue’s face, she will eat you. Wait until you get better.” (Ani Kitsune)

§ § §

Sytry and the others are gathered at the site of the former Magic Research Laboratory.

There are the members of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 and Tino. Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Serai)》 and Ruin. Their complexion doesn’t look very good, but they don’t appear to be injured.

Apparently, it seems that Serene and the others had been watching quietly ever since Keller had changed his target to me and had evacuated from Yggdra when the 【Lost Inn】 manifested.

It is funny to hear that the reason for this was so they wouldn’t interfere with my plan. No wonder I didn’t get any help………… Well, even Liz and the others would be at a disadvantage against a god, so maybe it was a good thing.

As soon as she sees my face, Sytry breaks into a smile and says.

“Thank you for your hard work, Cry-san! The Phantom of a god…… It was even more powerful than what I heard.” (Sytry)

“Thank you for your hard work. I am glad everyone is safe……” (Cry)

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《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 is belligerent. They have taken on superior enemies many times before and come out on top. However, just because they have been through so many hellish situations before does not mean that I can stop worrying.

“I’m sorry, Cry-chan~? Even though you gave me a chance, I couldn’t penetrate Keller’s defense~………… There was no opening despite his whole body being exposed in 360 degrees~. But next time, I’ll definitely kill it~!” (Liz)

“Umu.” (Anthem)

Despite my worries, Liz apologetically says some outrageous things. There is no way that there are that many Keller’s appearing. And Anthem, it is not umu, but hum.

Lucia sighs deeply and follows suit.

“I thought the same thing at the 【Lost Inn】, but――God class monsters are a mess. How can we defeat them…… Leader, please give me some advice next time.” (Lucia)

No way, even Lucia is like this…… She seems determined to defeat the next god that appears. As for me, I don’t want that opportunity to ever come again……

Kruz frowns and says.

“If possible, I hope I never see another one again, desu.” (Kruz)

“If you are going to conduct anti-gods research, we will cooperate. Keller was able to block our attacks. In other words, if he hadn’t blocked them, there is a high chance that it would have been damaged.” (Ruin)

Says Ruin with a serious expression. It seems that only Kruz and Tino agree with me.

I would love to form an alliance with the three of us, but…… It doesn’t sound very reliable.

It seems that the battle with the god that I thought was hopeless isn’t something Liz and the others are worried about. Should I be proud of that fact…………? As expected, maybe we should be a little bit careful?

As I am thinking about this, Serene, who has guided me to Sytry, lets out a voice as if she is about to die.

“………… Anyway, this time, it is all over. Let’s take a little break and then think about what to do next. I am…… A bit tired.” (Serene)

“…… What is the matter, “Princess Serene (Serene-kojo)”? You look very tired.” (Sytry)

“I have a bit of a heartache………… I can’t believe he summoned another god without knowing if it will win……” (Serene)

Apparently, Serene thought that I summoned the Fox God and pitted her against Keller because I knew that she had a good chance of winning.

In the first place, it is wrong to say that I summoned her, but to be criticized like that just for asking who won――I am probably the only Hunter in the world to be subjected to such abusive language by the honorable and noble Princess of Yggdra. I feel guilty even though I am not at fault.

Unable to bear her exhausted gaze any longer, I finally look over at Luke, who is sitting in the corner of the room, something I have been intentionally avoiding looking at up until now.

Luke is hugging his knees, face down. Even a hint of melancholy can be seen from his back. Even though he finally managed to turn back from being a statue, he is just as depressed as Serene. Come on, you are not that kind of character!

Seriously, this time it has really been a series of new experiences. It is truly a hard mode journey this time. There are probably only a handful of Hunters in the world who have fought against the Phantom of a god. This is undoubtedly unfortunate for me who wants to retire immediately, but there is no point in lamenting about it.

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In the end, everyone is safe, so we can think about the issues and countermeasures later. Let’s forget about all the troubles for now.

Seeing Luke, who always boasts an annoying level of enthusiasm, in this state for the first time, I cannot help but smile and *banban* slap his back.

“Yah, yah, Luke, I am glad to hear that the curse has been lifted! I heard about it, it seems like you broke it with sheer willpower without any help from anyone?” (Cry)

“I just barely didn’t make it on time……………… Godddd!!” (Luke)

Thanks for reading! Haha poor Luke, the only one who couldn’t fight with the god because of Cry’s Infinite Trial At least he got stronger by cutting (How do you cut a curse while petrified?) the curse!

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