Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Chapter60，Part1: 1 - Difference

Chapter 60 Difference

Part 1

In the Zebrudia Empire, there are a lot of Shrines, so the status of Treasure Hunter is high.

Hunters who go to those hostile environments and has absorbed a lot of Mana Material surpass even Knights on a horse. Initially, the Zebrudia Empire tend to emphasize power as a nation. When you become a High-Level Hunter with an Alias, it is not uncommon to receive a summon from a high-grade noble.

The Rodin House is a prestigious Treasure Hunter in Zebrudia.

Their origin starts when the Level 10 Shrine, which once existed near the present Imperial Capital appeared… When the 【Star Shrine】 appeared, the residing singularity god who can burn to ashes in every direction in a thousand miles was destroy by a Treasure Hunter. This was the beginning of Solis Rodin.

At that time, Zebrudia tried to capture the Shrine without avail the 【Star Shrine】. And in the honor of its capture, the emperor at that time considered giving a noble title to the Treasure Hunter Solis, but Solis considered himself as an adventurer and declined it.

The Emperor praised his humble behavior and wishing for Hunters to take him as a model, gave Rodin the title of 『Hero』. Since then, only the Rodin House was allowed to claim the name Hero in the Empire.

Ark Rodin is a descendant of such a family and since his childhood, he has been educated to become a prestigious Hunter.

Solis Rodin was an omnipotent existence. He was a Hero with no weakness. The Rodin blood running in their family has always been highly achieving in their fields of expertise for generation. And Ark is another example of that.

Even if he is young right now, he may be a candidate to be the strongest Hunter in the Empire. If you are an average Hunter, you have to go through a High-Level Shrine on your level, get an Alias.

The Rodin House is proud of its blood and not of its authority. Eventually, Ark’s name will one day be associated with 『Hero』, just like his ancestors was.

Rodin is a special name in the Empire. From the beginning of his career as a Hunter, his name has been the center of attention.

It is not the first time he has been invited by a noble.

To be away from those in power is one of Rodin’s rule. But at the same time if you want to go smoothly as a Treasure Hunter you can’t be completely disconnected with the upper brass of the Empire.

Ark and the others from 『Ark Brave (The Heaven’s Son) 』 has achieved the capture of the 【Prism Garden (White Chalk Garden) 】 and went to see Marquis Sandline who was far from the Imperial Capital.

“So, this is the famous 『Sky Flower』. It is wonderful…”

A mature man in a calm crimson coat sighs as he looks at the strange flowers with transparent petals in a vase.

This time, the host of the party who called Ark and the other is the head of the Sandline House, Neyham Sandline.

He was given a vast territory in the west of the Zebrudia Empire, he is one of the upper-brass noble. In the past, a Shrine existed in his territory and since its fateful capture, his house was especially friendly.

Many Zebrudia nobles, are jealous of other nobles who are favored by Hunters.

Compare to those noble, Sandline Marquis is by no means a hard person to get along for a Hunter who goes to hostile environment places… On the contrary, he seems to have some kind of longing for the Rodin, as they have saved the Empire once. So, he calls them every time something happens.

The flower with clear, colorless petals is a substitute for a Shrine Treasure.

It is transparent like a glasswork, but it has the texture of an ordinary flower. Its delicate form is so beautiful that no craftsman can recreate this.

“It is made from Mana Material. It is not a Relics. So, it won’t last long in the outside world.”

It is a flower that grows in the wild in the deepest part of the 【Prism Garden (White Chalk Garden) 】. Contrary to its mysterious appearance, the 『Sky Flower』 doesn’t possess particular power, it is a trivial item for a Hunter on the level of Ark.

This time he picked some up and brought it back with him as a souvenir because he was in the deepest part of the Shrine, there was no particular reason at all.

However, there is no doubt that 【White Chalk Garden】 is not a Shrine which can be captured by ordinary Hunter.

Once the Mana Material inside the flower disappears in the air, it will lose its shape. For nobles, Sky Flower is a proof that they have an excellent Treasure Hunter.

Except a few objects, objects inside a Shrine can’t retain their shape once in the outside world.

In the outside world, 『Sky Flower』 is treated as a Temporary Phantom. When the times comes, it will disappear without leaving a fragment behind.

Recalling the time when it was rotting in the Lounge of the Clan House, Ark smiles without showing it.

The Marquis didn’t answer anything to Ark’s word, he just put his hand on his chin and squints.

“It is ephemeral. But that is why it is beautiful. Ah, a garden full of flowers like this… I would definitely like to see it once before I die.”

… Unfortunately, it will be very difficult, thought Ark without saying it.

The 【White Chalk Garden】 is not a place where only Hunter can enter. But there are pollen floating around like a thick fog and erodes the body of those who get in. Hiding in the countless blooming flower, 『Phantom (Illusion) 』 who adapted to the environment are aiming at the invader’s life.

It is fortunate that the terrain is flat, but even if a troupe of knights made of a hundred knight guard you, it is impossible to cross there. Their jobs are too different.

“How about this, Ark? If you, the one known as the strongest in the Imperial Capital comes as an bodyguard…”

“His Excellency. That place is not a place where noble human like his Excellency can enter. Of course, we can defeat 『Phantom (Illusion) 』… But it is not an environment where human can adapt. This time, we also had a hard time.

To Ark who responded promptly, Marquis Sandline grunts but doesn’t force him. He probably understands his own position.

In Zebrudia, a thoughtless nobleman occasionally goes in a Shrine with his private soldier and fell into a distress.

It is much more difficult to bring a dead weight Explorer than just exploring a Shrine. Even more, in an escort mission. It might be a good opportunity for a Hunters to work for an aristocrat but in most case the escorted is killed.

So, Marquis Sandline greatly shakes his head as if to change the subject.

He says with a deep and friendly smile. But his eyes are incredibly sharp.

“And Ark-kun. Did you think about that matter?”

“…”

Ark is often scouted to become an exclusive Treasure Hunter for Marquis Sandline.

Treasure Hunter can be called the strongest card for the Zebrudia Empire. No matter how many High-Level Shrines exists, it is meaningless if there is no Hunter with the ability to bring back the treasure inside.

Therefore, noble from all territory are eager to acquire excellent Hunters. Ark and the other are the focus of many of them.

Possessing the exclusivity is so to speak a noble personal Hunter. In exchange of a certain rewards, these Hunters must give their request the highest priority.

Their freedom is reduced, but it is not a bad story for a Hunter.

The exclusivity for a noble family is some kind of status for Hunters.

You could receive preferential treatment for materials. You may be able to obtain excellent members with their connection. You may be able to enter Shrine which have an access restriction.

You can receive a certain amount of reward even without continuing capturing dangerous Shrines, is one of its perks.

Above all, the exclusivity to an aristocrat is close to the best form of 『Trust』 in the Explorer Association.

It has been approved by the ruling class of Zebrudia. However, it is possible that your Level will rise simply due to the fact that you are exclusive to a noble.

But Ark shook his head with a gentle smile.

“It is an honor but…”

“Fumu… Rodin doesn’t serve any noble, isn’t it? Solis has created a troublesome house rule.”

“We still have some things we want to do. So please forgive us.”

The first Rodin was a person worthy of the name of Hero, but it seems that a lot of trouble appears when you have power.

In any era, there are thing where power alone can’t help you. And that House moral is probably one of the reasons why Rodin’s bloodline has persevered it for so long.

But it is not the only reason Ark doesn’t serve nobility.

Ark still doesn’t want to be working under someone.

Among many nobles, there are a lot who claim that Ark is the strongest Hunter in the Imperial Capital like Marquis Sandline.

It may be to gain favor. But it is by no means a mistake.

Even Hunter loses power when they get old. The strongest Hunter can’t be the strongest forever. Ark who is still in his mid-twenties has a high potential.

Among Hunter the name of the strongest… Is split between two people.

Marquis Sandline says with a pitiful look. The name that quickly spread in the last few year.

“『Infinite Variety』, eh.”

“…”

“『Strange Grief (The Lamenting Ghost) 』. I often hear his name. His famous and also infamous deeds. Well, to think the day will come when a Hunter will threaten the Rodin…”

The sky was blue. There were no rivals.

All the Hunters who come to the Imperial Capital are the ones who had just made a name for themselves. But even among them, Ark stood out.

Of course, if it is only strength, there are some who exceed Ark. But they are the one he will one day, eventually catch up.

There was a time, where Ark was only looking at the top. And it was enough.

But who would have thought? To the one who has the strongest bloodline, training his very best in the best environment, Ark Rodin’s rival will be someone of the same age.

Marquis Sandline said threatened the Rodin. But those words are false.

In the Rodin’s dictionary, there is no such word as a 『Afraid』.

If a talent comparable to his appears, he will confront him from the front, fair and square. Rather than just running alone, this is what he wants.

Ark remembers the young man’s face and says with a look as if he bit something bitter.

“But his Excellency. He… 『Infinite Variety』 is, from the bottom of his heart, not motivated.”

“Muuu…!?”

To Ark unusual disappointed voice, Marquis Sandline made an incomprehensible expression.

§　§　§

TL notes:

Thank you for reading!

We have a little more backstory for Ark and his family. We can also see how people think about the relation between Cry and Ark. Who will be the strongest?

A Hunter can’t be the strongest forever UNLESS he never has that power to begin with but is still consider the strongest right Cry?

But I can so see Ark asking for a fight with Cry and he respond while sitting in his chair, waving his hand, yawning and saying, no way I don’t want to fight you, you can take the title of strongest for all I care XD

Tchao à plus

Japanese count in meter so I wanted to put kilometers, but I think it sounds better if I put miles.

Hero: Translation is Yuusha to not be confused with Eiyuu.

Fumu: Is a sound similar to “Hmm…”