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

Chapter 286，Part2: 2 - Destiny

Chapter 286 Destiny?

Part 2

By the time I had finished polishing his armor, the sun had completely set and my body was *mishimishi* aching.

I have a fair amount of Relics in my collection, but Anthem’s armor is the only one where its maintenance makes for a good exercise (Although strictly speaking, his armor isn’t in my collection).

“Heeeh, 『Marin’s Wails』, huh. A cursed item sealed by the church, hmm.” (Cry)

“……………… Umu.” (Anthem)

Anthem nodded gravely. Apparently, the rumors Eva had heard about the church having a big catch were true.

Anthem is taciturn, but that doesn’t mean he is averse to communication. A conversation while polishing his armor revealed most of the situation.

Apparently, the church is currently in the middle of an operation to purify the cursed items they possess. And it seems that Anthem will also be mobilized.

The power that the God of All Light gives is not only healing techniques. Sealing and barriers techniques are also among them.

Originally, there were many powerful cursed items that had been strongly sealed in the Empire’s “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church for a long time.

Although sealed cursed items don’t seem to be dangerous, sealing techniques are not perfect. Cracks may appear over time and although it is a rare occurrence, there have been cases where it had been dispelled suddenly. In fact, there have been cases where this happened and has caused significant damage.

These cursed items had been stored without problems until now, but it is only natural that Zebrudia, who had been desperately searching for the cause of the Divination Institute’s prophecy, would turn their attention to them.

And after discussions between the upper echelons of the Empire and the church, it was decided to purify 『Marin’s Wails』, a curse that is considered to be the most powerful among all the sealed curses.

Rather than the seal suddenly breaking and destroying the country uncontrollably, it is better to break the seal and purify it under the best condition. They are doing a reverse thinking.

He said that it had been a long time and the time was approaching when the seal had to be redone, but the church was also quite drastic.

“Is it going to be alright?” (Cry)

“……………… Uuuumu.” (Anthem)

Anthem tilts his head. Purifying a curse is all well, but please remember that Anthem, the one who participates in it, is a member of my Party.

He is sturdy and calm, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel anything. I unintentionally asked him while being badass.

“Do you need my help?” (Cry)

“No.” (Anthem)

I was turned down…… Liz and Luke would have been overjoyed. But that’s what I like about him!

Oh well, I am sure Anthem will be fine. If you want, you could even take Ark, Sven, or Lucia with you. The church may not want outsiders to attend, but safety first.

“By the way, what kind of curse is 『Marin’s Wails』 specifically?” (Cry)

“………………” (Anthem)

I have a few Relics in my collection that could be useful in such a situation――But maybe I shouldn’t give him any.

The opponent is a fearsome curse that has been sealed in the church for many years and has been selected as the target of the purification, so if the seal were to be broken carelessly, the Imperial Capital might be destroyed.

Originally, sealing techniques are usually used against unmanageable entities. As for 『Marin’s Wails』 the strength of the church at that time, which was already really high, was not strong enough to purify it, so they were forced to seal it.

The “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church must have been a major force since ancient times. Just by listening to his story, it stinks of danger. If I were to express the level of difficulty in terms of level, would it be higher than 8?

If I do something wrong here, this time it may very well be really irreversible. I am always causing a lot of trouble for Anthem, so I would like to do something useful for him once in a while, but――.

That is when Anthem nodded broadly and said in one breath.

“Marin’s Wails is the highest-ranked curse that is sealed in the church even before the Imperial Capital was built here. It is an abominable killing curse weapon created as a result of a dark Magi’s messing with the grudge of a woman named Marin who died a violent death, and it has been a headache for the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church for a long time. It was to the point where it was the first thing to come up when Zebrudia learned about the prophecy. The Empire’s offer was a godsend, a unique opportunity to conduct a purification with the full backing of a major power. Cry, you have… Nothing to worry about.” (Anthem)

I see…… Looks pretty bad. It is hard to imagine that a big city like the one I am living in right now would have such a dangerous thing sealed in the church of the city.

“………… How much damage has that weapon done so far?” (Cry)

“…………………… Umu.” (Anthem)

“I mean, that is definitely the one that the Divination Institute predicted right? You said it could destroy a country…… There is no curse stronger than that, right?” (Cry)

How much damage has it done for people to think about this first when you say that it is a curse that could destroy a country? So scary.

I would run away if I could, but I can’t just leave Anthem behind and run away.

Anthem was silent for a while in response to my question, but eventually shook his head slowly to the side and lifted his arm, holding two fingers up.

“………… It is only second? There is something even more powerful?” (Cry)

“Umu.” (Anthem)

I am so glad I never became a Paladin. To think you would have to stand up against such a horrible thing…… Well, it is not that I didn’t become one, it is that I couldn’t become one.

“Let’s think positive. Let’s be glad it isn’t first.” (Cry)

“………… Umu.” (Anthem)

Anthem sighed deeply and nodded to me who tried to smile and *banban* hit his shoulder.

And then, the door suddenly opened vigorously without a knock and Sytry jumped in.

Sytry was so *boroboro* tattered that I could tell from a glance that she was in tattered. She doesn’t seem to have any noticeable scars, but her hair and clothes are disheveled, and she is holding her left arm with her right hand for some reason.

She *yoroyoro* staggered into the room and made a sweet, sulking voice.

“Cry-saaaaaaaaan! And…… Onii-chan.” (Sytry)

“Umu.” (Anthem)

At the sight of her brother, Sytry’s somewhat fragile expression *pichiri* hardens.

“What is wrong?” (Cry)

“………… N-Nothing.” (Sorry)

Sytry returned to her normal state, stood firmly, and cleared her throat.? She let go of the hand she was holding and *panpan* brushed off her robe. Maybe she was a little embarrassed, her ears were red.

I am glad to see that she is doing well. From what I can see, she is not injured and she doesn’t seem to have any mental issues.

Well, even if you weren’t in good shape, as long as you are still alive, Anthem will heal you…… But what were you planning to do by feigning an injury?

Sytry *chirachira* glanced at her brother as she approached, and then looked up at me with eyes that inspired some guilt and said.

“Because of Cry-san’s plan, Primus Academy of Magic Sciences has been closed for the time being. Most of the upper management has been arrested…… And my credibility has hit rock bottom! I don’t have any choice but to become Cry-san’s wif…… To be at Cry-san’s side! For the time being!” (Sytry)

“………… I-I see…” (Cry)

It was not my plan or anything and it seems like something outrageous has happened, but I can’t think of anything else to say except that the Imperial Capital has become more peaceful.

It must have been hellish…… I am very sorry for your loss of credibility, but you seem to still have a lot of leeway on your hands……. There is a limit to how much you can enjoy everything, isn’t there?

Anthem didn’t panic at all about his Imouto’s predicament. Both Liz and Sytry are good girls, but since each of them has a strong personality, it is too hard to imagine Anthem’s concerns for them. It is highly possible that his two Imouto are the reason why he is so tolerant.

Case in point, I am like this because I have a perfect Imouto.

Maybe she was awkward because her acting has been seen, she was acting like a shy cat. Normally, it wouldn’t have been surprising if she had let the tension get the better of her and tried to hug me――When she looked at her brother with a complicated expression, she blinked her eyes and took a small box from her pocket.

Inside the box was――An old cross pendant. A dull silver cross on a gold chain. In the center was a large crimson jewel. It was a little dirty, but if you wanted to buy it, it would probably fetch a considerable price.

I look through the pendant I received in the light. It is apparently not a Relic, but――I carefully look into the deep crimson jewel and see strange writing engraved inside. And then Sytry explains.

“My “Mentor (Shisho)” secretly gave it to me just before he was caught. He told me that it was an honorable amulet that had been passed down from generation to generation. He said that if I always carried it with me, an heroic spirit would protect me……” (Sytry)

“I see………… An heroic spirit would protect you, huh. That is exactly what Anthem needs right now.” (Cry)

It seems that Sytry’s “Mentor (Shisho)” ended up being caught without receiving its protection…… Is this really effective?

Well, the cross is a symbol of 『Holiness』 that those in the priesthood like to carry around. Isn’t this a perfect object for Anthem to hold onto as he is about to challenge the curse purification operation?

It is probably better than nothing. What if fate was causing all those commotions just for this?

………… You took just too much trouble for this.

“……………………………… Uuuumu.” (Anthem)

Anthem groans in a muffled voice. I took off the chain and put the pendant around Anthem’s neck.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Never expect Sytry to become shy in front of her Onii-chan…

And of course, Cry casually gave a (probably cursed) pendant to Anthem!

What is it gonna cause this time!?

Tchao à plus!

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