Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~-Chapter 440.1: Strange Grief Wants to Retire ⑨

The Explorer Association Headquarters. At a coffee shop in the white building that was a lot noisier than the last time I was here.

Finally released from all the questioning, I am sitting at one of the tables there, yawning leisurely.

It seems like ages since I was last here. I have only been in Code for maybe a month or so, but it feels like I have been in the city for ages.

Kaiser, who is sitting across from me, says this with a cup of coffee in his hand.

“*Yareyare* My goodness, I indeed got to see your skills. Just as you expected from the renowned 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, what you’ve done is truly mind-blowing. I can’t believe you were able to physically drop the impregnable aerial city.” (Kaiser)

“And it was very kind of you to deliver it so close to the Explorer Association Headquarters.” (Saya)

Whether she is serious or sarcastic, Saya agrees with a serious expression on her face.

The Level 9 Certification Exam ultimately ended in confusion.

Due to Code’s crash and the evacuation of the civilians, as well as dealing with the criminal mercenaries hired by Jin, whom Kaiser and Saya had captured (Apparently, the two of them came between Nora-san and the others, who were fighting a close battle with Jin’s army, and went on a rampage, aiding them. As expected of Level 8s. After all, it seems that the whole thing about being controlled was just an act.), the Explorer Association Headquarters is forced into a situation where it temporarily ceases its function. Thanks to the cooperation from various countries, things seem to have calmed down somewhat now, but it will probably take some time before things return to normal.

The cause of Code’s crash is left unclear in the confusion. I, who was apparently the most highly rated of the three people who received the request this time, was called to Headquarters and was given various reports, but I had already fulfilled my original request to protect Code’s Royal Family. I admit that there are a few more people to protect, but this is no longer something I can handle personally. It is the job of the Explorer Association.

Even I know that it is bad this time. No, it has always been bad, but this is the first time I dropped a floating city.

After escaping the Royal Tower, I thought I was going to die as I watched the city disappear beautifully, and when I spotted something that looked familiar, the Explorer Association Headquarters building, just a stone’s throw from where we landed, I felt like I was having a nightmare.

What was fortunate in the middle of these misfortunes was that Code’s fall was slower than expected, and no one was killed despite the crash. It seems like the city prioritized human life right up until the moment it collapsed.

The issues regarding the fallen Code are awaiting a decision from the Explorer Association and the other countries. However, I am sure they will handle it well. The Explorer Association wouldn’t be so irresponsible as to just throw everything away.

Then, I realized that there was one thing that hadn’t been solved. I look at Kaiser and Saya and timidly check with them.

“………… Come to think of it, the nobles who were forcing the pacifist Royal Family to do their bidding――” (Cry)

“?? What are you talking about?” (Kaiser)

“?” (Saya)

Kaiser and Saya look puzzled.

………… It can’t be helped, I will give up on finding out the truth. I am not that interested in it to begin with, and the job is done anyway.

As for the crucial Level 9 Certification Exam results――They haven’t come out yet.

Although we have successfully achieved the goal of protecting the Royal Family, this is an important matter.

The pass or fail result of the Level Certification Exam is based on the assumption that the goal has been achieved, and the results will be announced after taking into account other positive or negative points. I have no interest in Level 9, but I’m sure Kaiser and Saya are curious as to whether they pass or fail. R̃𝘈NŐ𝖇Е𝙨

I screwed up, but Kaiser and Saya did their jobs properly.

How should I say this, even if it is a case of collective responsibility, I still feel sorry for what I have done……

As I am thinking about this, Kaiser sighs deeply and says.

“But this time, I realized just how small the world I was operating in was. I was surprised not only by 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 skills, who single-handedly brought down Code, but also by 《Little Witch’s (Yaen Saiden)》 power.” (Kaiser)

“Not really…… Besides, if it weren’t for Cry’s advice at the station, I wouldn’t have been able to activate my ability during morning.” (Saya)

“????? ……………… We-Well, I am glad it helped.” (Cry)

I don’t really get it, but apparently, my advice was helpful for some reason. I don’t even remember giving one, but I probably shouldn’t tell her that.

But I single-handedly brought down Code, huh………… No, that is true, but I didn’t drop it because I wanted to either. I just accidentally dropped it, by accident……

I sigh, scoop up the extra-large parfait I haven’t been able to eat last time with my spoon, and put it in my mouth. The numbing sweetness I haven’t experienced within Code shot through my brain, and I cannot help but narrow my eyes.

Will Ohii-sama like this intense sweetness? Code’s Royal Family are currently under the protection of the Explorer Association, but once they are able to walk outside, it might be a good idea to show them around the Imperial Capital.

I am sure that the ever-curious Ohii-sama will also be pleased with the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia.

“By the way, I intend to stay here until the results of the Level 9 Certification Exam are out, but what about you, Cry? I’m not saying I deserve to be certified, but I can’t go home without knowing the results.” (Kaiser)

“Aaah…… I am going back to the Imperial Capital. I was gone for a while, and I need to bring the souvenirs back too――And as for the Level 9 Certification………… Either way, I think I will withdraw from the exam. I did screw up big time at the very last moment.” (Cry)

“…… Cry, if you withdraw, we will have nowhere to stand.” (Saya)

No, I don’t think that is the case. In the end, we not only rescued all the Royal Family, but we also arrested so many criminals that the prisons in each country are filled to the brim. There are also several big shots among them too, and from what I heard, we even caught people from an organization――Two bosses from the “Fox (Kitsune)” that was operating behind the scenes during the Supreme Martial Arts Festival.

I am so relieved to find out that such frightening people were lurking around without me ever encountering them. Really.

As I am relaxing, feeling liberated for the first time in a while, I suddenly hear a voice I haven’t heard in a long time.

“There you are, Cry-chaaaan, we’ve come to pick you up!” (?)

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There is no mistaking the voice, a voice full of energy. I open my eyes wide and look in the direction of the voice.

What I see there are familiar faces, Liz and the other members of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》.

They were supposed to be exploring Yggdra, but maybe they are already bored with it?

…… Well, I guess if the exploration lasted over a month, they would have finished it. But it is pretty far from here, and yet they came to pick me up.

Now that it is over, working alone wasn’t so bad after all, but it is time I return to being 《Strange Grief’s (Nageki no Borei)》 Leader.

Ohii-sama is under the protection of the Explorer Association. It is sad that we cannot say goodbye, but as long as we are still alive, we will probably meet again.

“Well, my friends have arrived so I will leave you here…… It was fun. See you later.” (Cry)

I pick up the bag containing the souvenirs I have acquired in Code――The supplements and enhancement accessories I have received from Nora-san, the small Spider I have received from Tony-san, my citizen card that prove I am Class 7, and other commemorative items――And head toward my childhood friends who have followed me all the way here.

§ § §

Thanks for reading! Cry finally get to eat the jumbo parfait he wanted so much in the beginning. The parfait that caused him to join the quest to hunt Code with the authorization of the Explorer Association (If you don’t get the reference, I have been playing Monster Hunter Wild a lot). One final part left before the end of Code’s Arc, it will be about Alisha and the others after Code’s crash.