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

Chapter 376.2: Headquarters ②

While I am thinking about the parfait, Kaiser *zukazuka* walks up to the girl and calls out to her.

“*Yah, yah* Hey, hey, so you are the one he is going to meet, ojou-san! Do you know about 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》? If you do, that’s good, but if you don’t, you have become wiser today! My name is Kaiser Sigurd!! I am Kaiser Sigurd,  the 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》, a man who will soon reach Level 9!!” (Kaiser)

You are bothering an ordinary citizen…… No, it is my fault for saying I am meeting someone. Don’t people usually check first? This seems like a lot of troublesome nights for that Branch Manager.

Kaiser points his finger at me ostentatiously and her cold gaze turns towards me. I instinctively *pekopeko* bow my head repeatedly.

For Hunters, it is taboo to harm civilians. In addition, even if they do not harm civilians, it is not recommended to come into contact with them without a reason. This is because there is such a difference in fighting ability between civilians and Hunters that you can say that they are different species.

…… Well, I think Kaiser is still on the better side because he is still keeping his distance.

Please don’t cause any trouble. As I offer my silent prayer, the girl turns to Kaiser and says in a quiet, yet powerful voice.

“I am not the one he is going to meet. My name is Saya. I am Saya, the 《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden1)》. Do you know who I am?” (Saya)

*Oya* Oh, something seems a bit ominous.

Saya, the 《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden)》. I have never heard of that name before. However, Kaiser’s eyes open widely when he hears that.

“Of course I know, Ojou-san. A skilled Hunter who single-handedly held off the Monsters that endlessly sprung up from an ancient Magic Circle, staving off the imminent doom and reaching Level 8, I never thought I would meet her in a place like this!” (Kaiser)

………… Level 8, even though there are only three of them in the Imperial Capital, isn’t there too many here? And even after hearing about her achievements, she is still unknown to me.

Kaiser blinks several times with a serious expression, then claps his hands as if he understood everything.

“I see, Saya-kun. I get it…… You are here to take the Level 9 review, right?” (Kaiser)

“………… That’s right. There is only one Level 8 in my country, so I never expected to meet another Level 8 at the headquarters――” (Saya)

“Rest assured, I am the only Level 8 in the area where I work. Traveling to other countries every once in a while is nice if it means getting to meet another Level 8 like this!” (Kaiser)

No matter how you look at it, Saya looks to be in her twenties. She might even be in her teens. Even though even I could become a Level 8, to be at the same Level as that burning Baa-san at this age, the world sure is a big place. Where on earth did she come from?

Saya sighs once, runs her hand through her hair, and says.

“My goal is――To improve the status of those with supernatural abilities. If I can reach Level 9 and then pass a special test to reach Level 10, my name will become known worldwide. Then, Hunters with unique powers should be accepted.” (Saya)

“That is a wonderful goal. I will support you! Well, although I will be the one to reach Level 9 this time!!” (Kaiser)

Level 9, huh? I don’t understand what is so good about that, but for serious Hunters, it might be something they would be desperate to get.

………… Anyway, can I order a parfait for now?

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As I am staring at the cafe menu, 《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden)》 suddenly looks my way and says.

“By the way, who is he?” (Saya)

“Hmm? Aaah, now that I think of it, I haven’t heard your name yet. Young man, can you tell me your name!?” (Kaiser)

“………… I am Cry Andrich. Just Cry Andrich. I am just here as a chaperone.” (Cry)

The current target of my hunt is the parfait at this cafe. I am not saying I am not interested in the stories of 《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden)》 and 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》, but I think it is best to talk about them while relaxing and enjoying a parfait.

However, upon hearing what I said, Kaiser’s eyebrow *pikuri* twitches.

“Cry Andrich………… Don’t tell me you are the famous Level 8 Hunter, Cry Andrich, the 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》!?” (Kaiser)

“!?” (Saya)

“He is the man who led his companions through numerous difficult missions without a single scratch, punished criminal organizations that many countries struggled with, reached Yggdra, which no one had ever reached before, and secured the establishment of a branch of the Explorer Association. He is said to be the Hunter who is closest to reaching Level 9!” (Kaiser)

………… You sure seem to know an awful lot about Hunters. My name should just be well-known in Zebrudia, you know.

In this age, said to be the heyday of Treasure Hunters, there are plenty of powerful Hunters. It is one thing to know the name of a Level 10, of which there are only three in the world, or of a Level 9, which is rarely found, but to know a Level 8 Hunter from a faraway country is pretty amazing. And to think that he not only knows their name but also quite a bit of detailed information about them――.

“You have got the wrong person.” (Cry)

“………… He doesn’t give off the vibe of a High-level Hunter. Maybe there is some mistake?” (Saya)

Says Saya as she *jirojiro* stares at me. You are perfectly right…… This is only due to a series of coincidences. I have come this far only through a series of coincidences. You sure are a good judge of character, as expected of you.

But Kaiser smiles as if to say *yare, yare* good grief. But it is different from the one before, it is a somewhat strained smile.

“You are no judge of character, Saya-kun. This 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 knows it, and I have heard that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has black hair and black eyes, and is an unremarkable man who doesn’t look High-level. His characteristics match up doesn’t it!” (Kaiser)

“………… Well yeah, compared to you, no one is remarkable.” (Cry)

Even that Arnold looks plain compared to that *kirakira* sparkling costume. Kaiser puts his hand to his chin and says with a difficult expression.

“But this isn’t good. The achievements of this 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 pale in comparison to the many achievements of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. If we go by the original criteria of the Explorer Association, the achievement of this 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 isn’t quite enough for Level 9. To be honest, I even pleaded with the Branch Manager to raise my application for this examination. I heard rumors on the wind that it would be easy to pass the review this time around.” (Kaiser)

Having saved 15 countries and still not having enough achievement, Level 9 sure is frightening. However, by that standard, I feel like my achievements are still not good enough either.

In response to Kaiser’s words, Saya glares at me and speaks in a tone as if she is talking to herself.

“………… Not really, it is not like if one person passes the review the other fails.” (Saya)

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“It might fail. Because if there are too many Level 9, the value of a Level 9 will decrease.” (Kaiser)

“No, I am not really trying to reach Level 9 this time…… I am not feeling too well this time.” (Cry)

I am already at my limit at Level 8. I would rather drop a level or two……

Kaiser crosses his arms and nods as if he understands.

“I see, as expected of a Hunter who has a good chance of passing even next year’s review, you have a different kind of composure. That composure irritates me a little as I put all my effort into getting promoted to Level 9 this time, but――Umu. If that is the case, then it is as good as if I have won this time! Winning is a matter of luck, so don’t hold a grudge against me, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.” (Kaiser)

“………… Tsk. Don’t forget I am here.” (Saya)

Saya clicks her tongue loudly and looks up at the Kaiser. Clear black eyes. Kaiser exaggeratedly shrugs his shoulders and says.

“Fumu, Saya-kun. Unfortunately, if I think impartially, no matter how you look at it――Saya-kun, I have the advantage over you. That is because, if the rumors are true, Saya-kun, your power――『Smooth Smooth (Sara Sara)』, leaves a lesser impression than my 『Tempest Dancing』. You understand, right? If our achievements are even, I will win because of the difference in impression. Well, even if we fought one-on-one, I would probably win. It is all about compatibility.” (Kaiser)

“Hh…………” (Saya)

Saya gasps and glares at Kaiser. Her gaze is sharp and even murderous. Even though nothing has started yet, her fighting spirit is incredible. It is a scene that makes it clear that Hunters are both friends and rivals at the same time.

Even though they are both Level 8, they probably have strengths and weaknesses, but there is no doubt that they are both monsters. I heard that very few people even applied for the Level 9 exam in the first place, but to have two candidates turn up――What will happen in this promotion exam?

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“Well, don’t glare at me like that. I never expected another Hunter in the same position as me to appear. At least we are not enemies. Let’s work together and get through this difficult situation.” (Kaiser)

Thanks for reading! And here comes the second Level 8 Hunter! Same for Kaiser, Saya’s Alias is kind of long “Sanctuary of the Night Feast”, so I put Little Witch.

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1. Yaen Saiden: Yaen means Night Banquet or Night Feast and Saiden means Sanctuary. In the raw the katakana says Little Witch.