Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~-Chapter 444.1: Spirited Away

In this golden age of Treasure Hunters, the thriving Zebrudia Empire attracts all sorts of things from all over the world. Excellent personnel, valuable Relics, and criminals as if they are drawn to the powerful light.

The Empire has many large cities, but the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia, where the Imperial Castle is located, can be said to be in a class of its own.

A Temple-type Treasure Shrine that once reigned over this land as an absolute inviolable domain――The 【Star Temple】. It is a famous story that the Emperor at that time challenged the Treasure Hunters to conquer it, and although they suffered heavy losses, they succeeded in repelling the god.

The Emperor then built the Imperial Castle on the site where the 【Star Temple】 existed and made it the new Imperial Capital. This was the beginning of Zebrudia’s glory.

The Imperial Castle is located in the center of the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia. Inside the office in the barracks for the Zeroth Knight Order, I, Franz Argmann, the leader of the Zeroth Knight Order, frown as I check the report I received.

“That is ridiculous………… Are you saying, of all places, people are being spirited away in the Imperial Capital?” (Franz)

“We are currently working on confirming the details, but…… It seems that rumors are gradually spreading. The Third Knight Order is investigating, but they seem to not have enough people――” (Knight)

In the Empire, several Knight Orders are organized according to their duties. Incidents that occur in the Imperial Capital are generally the domain of the Third Knight Order, whose duty is to maintain security. Only particularly troublesome cases, such as the recent prophecy, are brought to the Zeroth Knight Order.

However, the situation is bad right now. Upon learning of the Spirit People’s Princess――Serene Yggdra Frestel arrival, the number of incidents and accidents occurring in the Imperial Capital has skyrocketed due to the influx of people from outside the city who have flocked to the city to catch a glimpse of her. In addition, there are a number of troublesome cases piling up, and there is a shortage of manpower everywhere.

The Zeroth Knights don’t have much free time either. Until recently, we had our hands full guarding the naive and free-spirited Serene, and we still had to clean up the mess from the recent prophecy case.

However, after reviewing the report sent to us, it seems we have no choice but to cooperate.

The Imperial Capital of Zebrudia, is the heart of the Empire. There is a dangerous area near the city walls known as the Abandoned Metropolitan Area, but the Knight Orders have taken that into consideration, so it is not that often that people disappear.

However, the number of victims this time is different.

“Why didn’t you notice it until the numbers got this high? Moreover, there are many nobles among the students at Zebrudia Magic Academy.” (Franz)

I *banban* hit the reports and look at my subordinates.

It would be understandable if a Hunter went missing. Being a Hunter is a dangerous job, and it can involve rough dealings. There are even many opportunities to incur grudges. It wouldn’t be surprising if they ended up dead somewhere.

However, Hunters are not the only missing persons listed in the report sent this time.

The most noticeable of the missing people are the students of Zebrudia Magic Academy, the top magical academic institution in the Empire. There are several dozen people on the list alone――And among them, although very few, there are not only students but also teachers. This is clearly an abnormal situation.

Zebrudia Magic Academy is an academy attended only by the most talented Magi――The elite of the elite. Many of the students are nobles’s children, and many have come to study from abroad. If even one person were to go missing, it would not be surprising if it caused an uproar immediately, but to think that the information had not reached my ear until the numbers had swelled to this extent――.

“Until recently, no one had noticed that they had disappeared. It was only after a check later that it was discovered that so many had disappeared――Professor Sage from Zebrudia Magic Academy is of the opinion that some kind of supernatural power is at work.” (Knight)

Sage Clasta is a half-Spirit People Magi who was personally invited by His Majesty the Emperor. Not only is she a first-class Magi, she also has a track record of conquering many high-level Treasure Shrines. There is no doubt that her knowledge and experience are among the best in Zebrudia.

Come to think of it, Sage Clasta is the teacher of that 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 Imouto――The teacher of 《Avatar of Creation (Bansho Jizai)》……

“A supernatural power, huh………… Right after the cursed item case the other day, this is a troubling story. Certainly, for Professor Sage to say something like that, it cannot be the work of mere bandits……………… Is this also the influence of the earth veins?” (Franz)

There are several thick earth veins running through the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia, which stands where a Temple-type Treasure Shrine once stood. This is why Zebrudia has so many Treasure Shrines in the area and is known as a holy land for Hunters, but at the same time, it also means that there is a possibility of accidents occurring that cannot be ignored.

The power of the Mana Materials that flows through the earth veins is still an unknown power. In particular, recent research has revealed that the amount of power circulating through the earth veins is on the rise. The Empire is taking measures, but there is a limit to what we can do.

“Professor Sage thinks………… That this is partly due to the physics law-altering effect of a high-level Treasure Shrine.” (Knight)

“Hmph………… So, what you are saying is that a Treasure Shrine has appeared inside this Imperial Capital?” (Franz)

This is the worst possible scenario. And at the same time, it is something that has been anticipated ever since the Imperial Capital was moved to its current location.

After all, this is the location where a Temple-type Treasure Shrine had manifested before. With the help of Solis Rodin, they had succeeded in banishing the god and destroying the Treasure Shrine, but since the structure of the earth veins running through the land hasn’t changed, it isn’t surprising that a Treasure Shrine appeared again.

Or rather, to be precise, that was why the Emperor of that time moved the Imperial Capital to this place.

By dispersing and absorbing the Mana Materials flowing through the earth veins among the large number of subjects in the Empire, it is possible to prevent the emergence of a new Temple-type Treasure Shrine while at the same time strengthening the abilities of the Empire’s subjects. So far, this plan has worked. It has been a thousand years since the Imperial Capital was moved, and no Treasure Shrines have ever manifested within the Imperial Capital.

“Why now…… No, there is no point in asking such questions as nothing will start, huh. However, according to the information from “Princess Serene (Serene-kojou)”, the World Tree should be functioning normally now. The Mana Materials, which had been increasing, should settle down――” (Franz)

Making contact with Yggdra’s side is a great achievement. Although there are various problems, such as the Princess of Yggdra’s arrival via teleportation, her doing whatever she wants, and many other things, this event will undoubtedly be etched in the history of the Empire.

And some information was gained through this. Among many things, it was greatly significant to learn about the current state of the World Tree, which is said to have the ability to adjust Mana Materials.

“But if a Treasure Shrine did manifest, I feel like this number of victims is a little too low.” (Knight)

“If there really is a Treasure Shrine, we must first find the entrance. If there are so many missing students at Zebrudia Magic Academy, it is highly likely that there is an entrance within the academy, but Professor Sage is probably already looking into it.” (Franz)

This means that the government should investigate outside the academy grounds.

However, the Imperial Capital is large. It is also overflowing with people. There is already a shortage of manpower, so investigating the entire Imperial Capital in this situation is no easy task.

If we compile information about the missing persons, we may be able to narrow it down to some extent……

I unintentionally scratch my head.

“Really, there are so many unprecedented things happening these days.” (Franz)

“……………… Should we ask 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 for help?” (Knight)

Ask 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 for help……?

I cannot help but glare at my subordinate who uttered something so pathetic.

“No. I absolutely, refuse it! I had no choice but to use that man to guard His Majesty, and for Yggdra’s matter, but this is Zebrudia’s problem! Besides, if we call on that man this often, the prestige of the Empire will be tarnished.” (Franz)

In addition, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is a man who does outrageous things for no reason at all. Even now, the Explorer Association Headquarters’ function is half-paralyzed because of that man’s excesses, so we cannot let him do as he pleases any more. I have also been thoroughly tossed around by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. I know it is foolish to lose my cool, but I cannot stop my voice from getting higher.

“In the first place, that man is currently suspended. This matter will be resolved under the leadership of the Empire, no matter what. Do you understand?” (Franz)

“Understood.” (Knight)

Zebrudia Empire is a great nation. It is true that the skills of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 are a little out of the norm, but if we can bring together the powers of various departments and experts, we will surely be able to identify the cause of this incident and find a solution. No, we cannot have it any other way.

As I nod vigorously, my subordinate speaks with a serious expression.

“So…… There is one more thing I must report. We have only just found out but――There is also another victim among the Zeroth Knight Order.” (Knight)

“There are also victims among the Zeroth Knight Order, you say? That’s ridiculous…… Who are they?” (Franz)

The Zeroth Knight Order has the role of being the Royal Guards and is made up of a small group of elite soldiers. Our numbers are far fewer than other Knight Orders, and I, as their leader, naturally know all of their faces and names by heart. If someone were missing, I would know right away.

As I cross my arms and frown, my subordinate takes a deep breath and tells me the name.

“It is Hugh LeGrand. After that prophecy incident, he was supposed to have taken some time off to recuperate and then returned to his job, but――” (Knight)

Hugh Legrand. A man who graduated top of his class from the Knight School and joined the Royal Guard.

He is ambitious and a little conceited, but he is a talented man――And he is also the man who willingly went to 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 during the prophecy case, only to be used and then collapse.

His name comes as a bolt from the blue. It hasn’t even occurred to me until he was mentioned just now. It is as if the information about him has been wiped from my memory.

It is a new sensation I have never felt before. Maybe this is why no one has noticed the problem until now.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

And I also understand why people say that they have been spirited away. It is only by experiencing it for yourself that you can get it. To make someone disappear without anyone noticing, it must be the work of a god.

“I spoke to the other members and it seems that just before he disappeared, Hugh was investigating some kind of rumor. No one knew what that rumor was tho’――” (Knight)

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Thanks for reading! Who would have thought that Tsukikage-sensei isn’t done with Hugh Instead of that guy, please give us more of Strange Grief teacher, I like how they were during the Curse Item Incident.