Chapter 239: Chapter 143，Part1: 1 - Reconciliation

Chapter 143 Reconciliation?

Part 1

“Forgive him, Cry. He may have been rude to you, but he still saved us many times!” (Ruda)

Ruda’s voice quivered and was squeezed out as if she was pleading.

The supposedly sturdy Thieves outfit was frayed here and there, and her complexion was very bad. There were dark circles under her big blue eyes, and it wasn’t as bad as Arnold, but you can see that she has also been through a lot.

Maybe she also suffered a disaster. It is something that happens quite often. When I was a member of my Party, I often suffered a disaster.

I had suffered a disaster in the forest, in the mountains, in the deserts, and at seas. To top it all off, Eliza Beck, the one who is currently the only new Member of 《Strange Grief》, is one of my disaster comrades where we had suffered a disaster together. We are friends who had collapsed in the desert together.

But leaving that aside, I didn’t understand what Ruda was saying.

I haven’t done anything to Arnold, and I have no intention of doing something either. Rather, in my perception, I am the one who was running away.

Well, I have no grudge against him. I have been slashed by his sword several times, but I was unharmed because of the power of the 『Safe Rings (Barrier Rings)』 while it is true that if it hadn’t been for my rings, I would have died, but I know from experience that you can’t keep being a Hunter if you are angry about something petty like that. As it would become too stressful if I did, I would rather forget about it.

“Eh……? I haven’t done anything yet, and I don’t plan to though……” (Cry)

Rather, why are you here?

Arnold suddenly collapsed in front of me, so his friends took him to an inn, so there were only Ruda and Gilbert-shonen and his friends here. Now was the time to find out what happened.

Tino was looking at me and Ruda with a stiff expression. The fact that they had come this far was probably the result of Sytry’s guidance, but to me, it seemed that there was a discrepancy between Ruda’s and my perception.

Gilbert paled and took a few steps back when he heard words that came from the bottom of my heart. The blood from Ruda’s face was also drained as well.

The other members of his group, whose names I didn’t even know, all looked at me as if I was some kind of monster.

“D-d-d-d-don’t tell me… After doing all this… And it hasn’t even started yet――” (Gilbert Party Member 1)

“So this is…… The renowned ――”? (Gilbert Party Member 2)

This pattern again……

The status of Level 8 was often a burden for me. Everyone expects a lot from me and fears me. But I can’t live up to either of those expectations.

However, I can’t just leave it like this either. I don’t think they will, but if they suddenly attacked me while I was in an Onsen, then there would be nothing that I can do.

“…… Well, I don’t think what Ruda and the others are worried about will happen, but for the time being, I will listen to what they have to say.” (Cry)

Ruda and the others looked at each other. Right now, I could act firmly because I have Liz and Sytry with me.

There is nothing that I can do even if I am curious as to why a Level 7 Hunter would have such a terrible complexion.

One of Arnold’s companions who was carrying him over his shoulder ―― Probably the Vice-Leader approached me with a resolved look on his face.

To show that I was not hostile, I smiled and waved my hand.

§

We listened to their stories at a restaurant affiliated with the inn. If I had to resume in one word the adventure Ruda, Gilbert-shonen, and the Vice-Leader of 《Fallen Mist》 lived through, it would be astounding.

Apparently, in order to pursue us, they went to the 【Castle of a Myriad Demons】. I confirmed from the outside that there wasn’t a carriage and turned around, but Arnold and his companions seemed to have gone inside.

Even all the members of Strange Grief, despite everyone possessing an Alias, don’t have the required Level to go in, but you went in with a mixed Party of Level 3 or 4, don’t you care for your life? n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“―― And so, we managed to get past the horde by hiding in the pile of corpses.” (Ruda)

“We were doomed. If it hadn’t been for Arnold-san perceptive instructions, we would have been wiped out.” (Gilbert)

Gilbert-shonen’s friends were *kokukoku* frantically nodding.

I feel like that you wouldn’t have gone inside if that same Arnold-san didn’t order you to go in, but for now, I won’t say it.

Liz, who was listening to the conversation with a face showing little interest, blinked and said.

“Eeeeh, so what does it mean? Are you telling me that you guys camp and built a fire at the site of our campfire?” (Liz)

“W-we didn’t do it!” (Ruda)

“In high-level Shrines, the Mana Material that creates the Phantoms are so strong that their corpses remain after a long time…… It might be better to properly clean up after we pass through. What do you think?” (Sytry)

Sytry gave me a reflexive look, but all I can say is that I didn’t expect that my Party would have made a campfire without me.

Sure, we used to do it in the past, but I would never think that they would do it in a Shrine higher than their own Level ―― Well more than anything, I am glad they are having fun.

However, from start to finish, I didn’t understand the most important part of Ruda and her friends’ story.

I could understand her words, so all I could do was to say “Un, un, you are right” while nodding when listening to her, but I couldn’t understand their thought process.

Ruda and the others managed to get past the horde of Phantoms by hiding in the mountain of corpses and barely managed to flee the 【Castle of a Myriad Demons】 with their lives and retreated to a nearby town.

Arnold and the others, who were injured and fatigued from the repeated fight against the Phantoms during their retreat set out for Surus, the town which was famous for their curative Onsens, as their evacuation site. It seemed that Gladys’ territory being close to the town was also a deciding factor. Because Ruda seemed to think that we had set our destination to be Gladys territory.

There is no way that I will go there as I have received a nominated request……

The more enthusiastic they were, the more confused I was.

The only thing I could understand was that Arnold and his companions weren’t going to fight me anymore. I didn’t know how Sytry induced their actions, nor why they were so afraid of me ―― But that was enough for me.

Their Vice-Leader, Hay Laria, put his hands on the table and deeply bowed his head.

“Overall, it was all our fault. We underestimated a Level 8. We are sorry, Arnold-san is already at his limit, we will pay you compensation. So please, let’s end it with this.” (Hay)

“What are you going to do? Cry-san.” (Sytry)

…… I am being apologized to even though I did nothing. Me doing a dogeza was pretty common, but me receiving a dogeza was quite rare.

Sytry looked at me. Liz didn’t interrupt, so I guess it means she will leave it up to me.

Many people with tense expressions were looking at me. Reconciliation is exactly what I want. It probably isn’t a strategy to make us lower our guard.

Without thinking too deeply, I replied with a big smile on my face.

“Okayyy. Well, there seemed to be a slight misunderstanding, but I have nothing against Arnold-san, so if he doesn’t instigate us, I won’t do anything. But since you came all the way here, why don’t you take a bath in the Onsen?” (Cry)

“Uh………… I-I’m sorry.” (Hay)

Hearing my words, Hay kept his head down for a while and squeezed his voice out to apologize.

By the way, I was too afraid to ask him, but, really, what do they think I did to them?

§　§　§

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Lol so Cry met Eliza in the desert and they both collapsed. Cry probably collapsed because of fatigue but I wonder why Eliza collapse? Weirdly I can see her collapsing from hunger despite not knowing her character

Arnold and co escaped by hiding under the corpse of Phantoms Strange Grief killed.

But what do you guys think, will Cry (Destiny) really let them go, or will they have another trial during their stay?

Tchao à plus!