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

Chapter 371.1: Meanwhile in the Imperial Capital

At the Imperial Capital Branch of the Explorer Association, which coordinates the Hunters based in the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia. In the branch manager’s office, I, Gark, sit deeply in the large chair and sigh.

“*Yare Yare* Good grief…… The aftermath of the curse incident has finally settled down.” (Gark)

The curse incident has shaken the whole Imperial Capital. It seems that the Imperial Capital has finally recovered from the great commotion triggered by the prophecy from the Institute of Divination and Mystic Art in Zebrudia.

That incident was truly terrible. The damage was great, but the fact that the damage could not be contained even after mobilizing the Knight Orders and Hunters became a liability issue, and the Explorers Association has been in uproar for the past month.

For the past month, I have been working day and night without a break, coordinating with various parties.

The biggest problem was that there was no one on either the Empire’s or the Explorer Association’s side who had a full understanding of the incident. In the end, despite further investigation, it was not possible to determine the root cause of the incident, so we ended up talking with the government about coming up with a reason to explain to the public.

In order to dispel the anxiety that had started to spread throughout the Empire, it was necessary to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. The only reason that it had only taken a month of work to resolve the situation despite it having become so serious was due to the fact that there were no deaths. With an incident of that scale, it would not have been surprising if hundreds of people had been killed. I don’t know if that was a blessing in disguise or if that man planned for it to happen this way――.

Kaina, who has been working tirelessly alongside me as my support, speaks with a tired smile.

“It is a stroke of luck that we managed to deflect the investigation.” (Kaina)

“It is because there’s no evidence. No one has died, and considering his achievements, Cry is someone no one wants to mess with.” (Gark)

There are many things we don’t know about the curse incident in the Imperial Capital, but there are some facts we do know. One of them was the first incident――It was Luke Saikol who brought the cursed sword into the “Sword Saint’s (Kensei)” dojo, and it was 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 who gave that cursed sword to Luke.

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Normally, that information alone would have been enough to make Cry Andrich being labeled as the culprit. It is because some nobles in Zebrudia view Hunters as their enemies.

However, in the end, due to a prophecy, it was discovered that the entire incident had been the work of 『Nine-Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』 so Franz Argmann, who had been in charge of countermeasures against them, ended up taking the blame.

To be honest, it is doubtful whether that organization was really the mastermind. At least, according to the joint investigation by the Explorer Association and the Empire, all of the people thought to be members of the “Fox (Kitsune)” have disappeared from the Empire. But even after taking that into consideration, anyone can see that the impact would be far too great if we assume that everything is Cry’s fault.

Cry Andrich is the man who prevented the assassination of the Emperor and nearly defeated the “Fox’s (Kitsune)” executive at the “Supreme Martial Art Festival (Buteisai)”. Pursuing such a person without clear evidence would shake the Imperial Capital.

This shows that the young man has become someone that even the Empire’s nobles cannot easily mess with.

“The people who wanted us to call Cry also shut up when I told them he was heading for Yggdra.” (Gark)

“There are rumors that Yggdra is looking for the Cursed Spirit Stone. There is credibility in it.” (Kaina)

“As expected, it’s not realistic to expect them to let us have a branch office there…… But well, if we can get even a little bit of information, that’ll be great.” (Gark)

Yggdra, the land of the Spirit People. A legendary land that everyone knows of, but no one has ever been there. It is likely that a unique culture and technology exist there. Information about it would be worth your weight in gold. In fact, some countries have even put a bounty for information on Yggdra.

I also know very little about that country, but that is exactly why information about Yggdra is so important to the entire Explorer Association.

It is Hunters’ duty to explore uncharted territory. Yggdra is highly valuable because everyone desires it. Depending on the information and technology he brings back, Level 9 may be within his grasp.

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Kaina speaks with a thoughtful look as if she has been thinking the same thing.

“Now that I think about it, the application deadline for the High-level Certification Review Conference is coming up soon.” (Kaina)

“Aaah…… That’s right. If we miss this chance, it’ll be a year later before we can do it again………… But there’s nothing we can do about it unless Cry comes back.” (Gark)

The Hunter Certification Level is issued by the Explorers Association. It is a well-known fact that the higher the level, the more difficult the prerequisites and the exams become, but from Level 8 onwards, an examination by the headquarters is first required as a prerequisite for taking the certification examination. The conference only takes place once a year, so if you miss it this year, the next one will be a year later.

“What about Ark-kun becoming Level 8?” (Kaina)

“…… Ark has some big requests right now, so bad timing. And………… Hmph. I don’t think Ark would want to be Level 8 right now, he has his pride.” (Gark)

As the top tier of young Hunters in the Imperial Capital, Ark Rodan, the 《Silver Lightning Star (Ginsei Banrai)》, and Cry Andrich, the 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, are in a position to be compared to each other. Ark is probably superior in terms of lineage and combat ability, but Ark has an inferior track record in order to be at the same rank as Cry who is Level 8.

If Ark were to reach Level 8 now, there would certainly be people who would think that it would be thanks to his lineage. In fact, lineage and power are also factors when determining your Level, but Ark Rodan does not want that.

“Next up is Cry, huh? Level 9 is………… A much tougher level than Level 8.” (Gark)

I was originally a Hunter with an Alias and worked my way up to Level 7. I understand what Level means to a Hunter, and there are some things I can see only after becoming a Branch Manager.

Ark’s Level 8 would probably pass. At the very least, he wouldn’t be forced to take a test. But Cry’s Level 9 is different. The higher the Level, the harder it is to advance, but the Level 9 Certification Exam is a class of its own.

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“I think his track record is sufficient, but…… At Level 9, everyone is trying to pull each other down……” (Gark)

“It is because every Branch Manager wants to produce a Level 9 from their branch.” (Kaina)

There is a big wall between Level 8 and 9. Only certain heroes can reach Level 8, but even among those heroes, very few can reach the stage where they can take the Level 9 Certification Exam.

Each Hunter Certification Level has different requirements.

Achievements and abilities are required up to Level 8, but these are not required as prerequisites for the Level 9 Certification Exam.

Having achievement and abilities is, of course, obvious.

What you need to take the Level 9 Certification Exam is――High charisma.

Thanks for reading! Gark haven’t you see Cry charisma? It is so overflowing that people worship him as a god!