Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~-Chapter 450.2: Under Suspension ②

“By the way, from what I have heard, that kind of operation has already been submitted to the Knight Orders, and they have tried it out on every rumor they could find, but not a single person has disappeared. Isn’t that right?” (Eva)

“Y-Yes. That is right. After all, there are barely any clues……” (Watchguard)

When Eva looks toward the watchguards, a young man in light armor answers with a pathetic look on his face.

Ah, yes. That’s true. There is no way they couldn’t come up with something that I could have easily thought of.

“Most of the victims that has been spirited away are ordinary citizens with no fighting skills, and even if they aren’t, they are always students or rookie Hunters. High-level Hunters or influential people who hold high positions in the Imperial Capital are rarely affected. After compiling information on the people who disappeared and analysing their trends――You found that it was almost as if the spirited away were choosing their targets. Isn’t that right?” (Eva)

“!? Wh-Where did you hear that――.” (Watchguard)

The watchguards from the Explorer Association look at Eva in shock. Eva-san’s information network is way too strong.

“Even though everyone is frantically investigating, more and more people are disappearing, as if to mock us. The Empire is………… Considering the possibility that a Treasure Shrine may have appeared.” (Eva)

A Treasure Shrine may have appeared, huh? How could something like that happen in a city like this? Common sense tells us that it is impossible. Treasure Shrines tend to appear in secluded places. In particular, the Imperial Capital is one of the most populous cities in the world, so the Mana Materials would likely be absorbed by the people in the Imperial Capital before a Treasure Shrine could appear.

However, I think it is a bit of a stretch to go as far as to say that there is a Treasure Shrine, but it is certainly true that multiple national institution are cooperating in the investigation. To have been able to investigate and analyze so much in such a short amount of time――If I had been involved in that case, I am sure I would have disappeared on the first day. I am an unlucky guy after all.

By the way, I wonder why those watchguards have been looking at me like this for a while now? Are they hoping for my advice?

“…… Well, I guess there is nothing I can say. I am suspended after all.” (Cry)

“!? We-Well, that is true, but……” (Watchguard)

“Besides, if they know that much, I think they can solve it soon, yup. Several national institutions are working together to solve the situation, and since a god isn’t involved, it should be a breeze, right.” (Cry)

As you can imagine, even I would have fled the Imperial Capital immediately if the Phantom of a god had been involved, but that lead has already been excluded. I don’t know what the cause is. But if it is not related to a god, then this Clan Master’s Office is mostly safe, probably.

Then I come up with a nice idea and *pachin* snap my fingers.

“Aaah, right. Since Saya has come all the way here, why not get her to help out? Honestly, Saya’s abilities are pretty amazing. Her level is high and her 『Sarasara』 is perfect for solving this case. Un, that’s great! It’s decided!” (Cry)

I still don’t really know what Sarasara is, but since Saya said she could do anything, it shouldn’t be a problem.

And then, once the case is resolved, my suspension will likely be eased. It would be best if I were allowed to go out, but still be prohibited from working. There are no problems at the moment, but if this suspension continues for a long time, even I might get bored……

“………… It seems that if a Hunter from another country were to solve this, it would cause problems in itself………… Ahhh. I understand, I will talk to them anyway for now.” (Eva)

“I am counting on you. I was a bit worried about Lucia doing it alone, but if that doesn’t work, I will think about it again at that time then………… This much doesn’t count as me doing something, right?” (Cry)

I check just in case, but the people monitoring me look away. It seems like it is just *girigiri* barely OK.

Eva places a booklet on the desk and says.

“I don’t know if it will be of any use to you, but I have compiled the information I have at the moment. Please give it to Lucia-san when she arrives.” (Eva)

“Hmm, thank you. That’s a big help. Eva is a really nice person.” (Cry)

“………… I am honored.”

I am really grateful. Even though she should have her hands full just managing the Clan, to think she would still be so considerate toward Lucia. If I had the permission to raise Eva’s salary, I would do so (By the way, she is the one who has the permission to do so).

I glance briefly at the booklet, make another big yawn, and take out my smartphone.

§ § §

After finishing my report, I leave the Clan Master’s Office.

The people who have been sent from various institutions to monitor 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 during his suspension are discussing with each other with a look of confusion on their faces. Feeling the indescribable atmosphere flowing between, I hold my glasses and sigh.

It is probably because Cry’s attitude is too different from that of a Level 8.

Since the watchguards arrived, Cry has honestly done nothing. He shuts himself up in the Clan Master’s Office and just polishes his Relics, reads books, and takes naps. He doesn’t complain even when he is put under watch, and sometimes even asks to make tea for the watchguards. He neglects to investigate the incident and shows no signs of doing anything productive. If the watchguards didn’t know his position, they would probably have just dismissed him as a lazy person.

Watchguards sent from various Knight Orders and other notable institutes are on duty monitoring Cry 24 hours around the clock.

Rumors of people being spirited away are currently being whispered throughout the Imperial Capital. There are likely not enough people to deal with the situation, and yet this number of people is on watchguard duty. I can clearly see what the Empire is planning.

That’s right…… They are planning to weaken 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 influence.

The story is not a simple story about them not being able to pay because he has achieved too much. Simply put, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has done too much. It is so much that the Explorer Association has no choice but to take the Empire side into consideration.

Cry Andrich has been involved in and solved most of the major incidents that have recently occurred in the Imperial Capital.

However, these issues are normally not something that a single Hunter can solve.

There are national institutes that should have normally solved them, but the reputation of each institution is declining with each case that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 solves. The public’s eyes will become more critical, and if the country continues to rely on a Hunter to resolve issues whenever something happens, the country’s reputation as a nation will fall. It could even lead to a decline in national power.

This could also be said to be an issue caused by Zebrudia, which implemented preferential treatment policies for Treasure Hunters and became known as the holy land for talented Hunters.

Is what I said, but in reality, the more talented Hunters there are, the better. By working alongside talented Hunters, they would be able to learn from them and raise their level as they pull each other up. This is one of the reasons why the Empire has a policy of preferential treatment for Hunters.

If I have to name the single biggest problem with the Hunter 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, it would be that even if they work along Cry Andrich, they didn’t acquire the same abilities as Cry Andrich.

The trials that hit everything like a calamity certainly pushed them to their limits and certainly did greatly increase the abilities of those caught up in them, but it did not produce anyone capable of matching the ability of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. The 『Infinite Trials』 are still unexpected for those who undergo them, and are nothing more than something to be feared by the majority of people.

Perhaps, at the stage when he had been requested to protect the Emperor, Cry was probably still merely an extremely capable Hunter for the Empire. However, his reputation changed after three major successes, starting with the prophecy incident, the successful attack in Yggdra, and the successful attack in Code.

Relying on his power any further would have too great of an impact, is what they think.

The huge amount of money offered as a suspension deposit by the Explorer Association is not something the Explorer Association alone can afford. This shows the reputation of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. freёweɓnovel.com

The nation’s prestige is at stake in resolving this case. The Empire intends to resolve it using everything it has except 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

I glance at the watchguards, who are discussing the matter with difficult expressions on their faces. As for them, I have some thoughts about them as our Master was suspended for reasons that were not originally possible, but at the same time, I have some sympathy for them.

As I reported, no Imperial institutes have yet been able to solve the mystery of the spirited away incident. Cry had said sarcastically, “Even though the investigation institutes in the Imperial Capital are all excellent, this case sure must be hard.” but the investigative institutes are by no means incompetent. It is 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 that is strange.

The watchguards may have felt uneasy about 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 doing nothing, and they must have been secretly relieved, but I know.

That for that young man, it would be easy to solve this case without doing anything.

There is nothing reassuring about the fact that he is not doing anything or leaving his room when they are monitoring him.

I had this conversation with him this time to give them as much information as possible. But no more than this. Now all they can do is to hope that they can resolve this before Cry gets tired of his suspension.

“Saya Kuromizu is in the underground training ground.” (Eva)

“Hh………… Thank you for your cooperation.” (Watchguard)

The elites from various institutions bow with stiff expressions and disperse. Seeing them leave, I turn my head toward the Clan Master’s Office and see Cry happily playing with his smartphone.

The man who will not leave his room, and the Empire which is working to solve the case through organized institutions investigation.

Even I cannot predict who will win.

Thanks for reading! Thanks Anonymous for the Ko-fi and here is the extra chapter thanks to Valis1911 and Kevin After a little bit more than 5 years, I finally did it, I finally caught up with the raw! I am so happy about this, but at the same time so sad that we need to wait for a new release. Of course, I still plan to translate the new chapter when it releases (Although I don’t know how long you have to wait for it to be translated tho’ :D) Also while waiting for those new chapters, maybe you will have some short story chapter ;D

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