Chapter 535: Chapter 286，Part1: 1 - Destiny

Chapter 286 Destiny

Part 1

The sun was shining and I was polishing my Relics as part of my routine while yawning. It was a beautiful day outside, but I had no intention of going outside. I am an indoor person by nature. So, unless someone takes me outside, I can stay in the Clan Master’s Office for days.

While I am holed up atop the Clan House, Eva is my only contact with the outside world. She shows up every day, whether she has something to do with me or not――Or rather, she has something to do every day. She has something to do every day, something called a report. I usually ignore most of it, but it seems that Eva, who is a firm person, doesn’t care about such things.

Today too, Eva delivers the newspaper and reports on the situation in the Imperial Capital.

“Apparently, the Empire is taking the prophecy of the Divination Institute quite seriously. I hear they’re being very aggressive in their inquiries, in light of the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 incident.” (Eva)

“Hmmmpf, so dangerous. Too many things have happened in the Imperial Capital lately.” (Cry)

“…………” (Eva)

Eva stares at me silently. No, well, it is true that there may have been some mistakes on my part, but…… In the first place, if the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 didn’t send me something strange, yesterday’s incident wouldn’t have happened――.

Well, let’s close our eyes to the fact that it all started with Eliza.? It would be sad if she stopped bringing me Relics after I pointed it out and since she brings me so many things, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was at least one cursed item in the mix.

In the end, Sytry did not return even after one night.

They should have immediately noticed that the contents of the canteen had been replaced, so she was probably busy with another matter. Since there is a great demand for a good Hunter, I am basically the only one in 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 who is not busy.

Eva, who is supposed to be one of those busy people, says to me, who is completely in energy-saving mode.

“Apparently, there’s a big catch at the church, too.” (Eva)

“I didn’t do anything, okay!” (Cry)

“………… Really?” (Eva)

“…………” (Cry)

Eva looks at me with a staring look. Apparently, she already knows that I was the cause of yesterday’s commotion at the Magic Academy.

I didn’t. I didn’t do anything, right?

To begin with, the church and I have very little contact. The only point of contact I have with the church is Anthem who is affiliated with them.

There are many gods in this world, but the 『God of All Light』 who is worshiped as the supreme god by the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church, to which Anthem is affiliated, is one of the most renowned gods in the world and is the source of Sacred Magic――The source of healing art.

In general, Healers are those who worship this deity and borrow its power and many Treasure Hunters are also believers as well. Everyone in 《Iron Cross (Kurogane Juji)》 has the power to heal and is a believer of that church except for the Magi Marietta, but almost everyone who holds the job of 『Paladin』 is a believer of that church.

As the Imperial Capital is a large city, the scale of the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church is also quite large, but at the same time, the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church has the characteristic of not being deeply involved with outsiders.

You can join if you wish, but they are not actively looking for believers――According to Anthem, this is because the power of the 『God of All Light』 is not infinite.

Apparently, as the number of believers grows and the number of people who borrow its power increases, the power granted to each individual weakens. This is apparently top-secret information in the church, but it is such a harsh world. And the fact that there are believers all over the world, despite such a passive organization, shows the usefulness of the power of the God of Light.

When I went to the church to see Anthem, they even scowled at me for knowing this! I am Ansem’s best friend, his best friend, you know! And by the way, I am also Lucia’s brother.

I ponder for a while and frown.

“……………… Did I do something, by any chance?” (Cry)

“………… Even if you ask me, how should I know…… Does anything come to your mind?” (Eva)

“Nop, not at all, but nothing came to my mind even during the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 and the 『Black World Tree』 event……” (Cry)

“…………” (Eva)

No…… I have been thinking about it, but I didn’t do anything. To begin with, unlike Liz and Luke, Anthem is not the type to pull me along, so I haven’t even been close to the church lately.

When I was *unun* nodding to myself and pleased with my self-indulgence, Eva made a small sigh.

“………… Well, the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church specializes in curse-related matters…… There is also a story that says they cooperated in creating the barrier surrounding the Imperial Capital.” (Eva)

“No wonder Anthem has been so busy………… He should be here soon tho’.” (Cry)

I check the clock. These days, there is an escort with me every day, but today is Anthem’s turn.

Well, he is a Paladin who is extremely popular in the Imperial Capital’s church. His popularity probably exceeds even that of Lucia. He is even given an Armor Relic as a reward.

He might not be able to get out due to the annoying prophecy of the Institute of Divination and Mystic Arts…… I didn’t get the chance to talk with Anthem slowly lately, and I feel like I want to, but if he comes over, I will tell him that it is okay for today as I am not going out today.

The newspaper also mentioned the catastrophe that struck the Magic Academy, but they barely mention the cause of the disaster. Apparently, Sage-san and her colleagues decided to hide the truth about that incident.

When I was relieved to find a statement that there were no deaths, the Symphonic Stone that I had thrown on the desk began to vibrate.

I feel like it has been vibrating every day lately…… I didn’t want to answer, but Eva was right in front of me, so I reluctantly answered.

When I activated it while leaving it on the desk, the stone stopped moving and after a moment of silence, a stifled voice came out of it.

『…… I’m gonna kill you.』 (Franz)

“………… You’ve got the wrong man.” (Cry)

『I’ll kill you!! I didn’t tell you to stop with the curse to start something else!!! I told you to not do anything!! A curse would have been better than this!』 (Franz)

An angry voice that seemed to have been fired right in front of me hurt my ears. I am glad I didn’t put it close to my ear.

It seems that his tension has risen considerably, but I can’t do anything unless you tell me what happened first.

“………… Even with all this, I’m actually…… Lucia’s brother, you know?” (Cry)

『You are aware that there is currently a big uproar going on over a certain Potion at Primus Academy of Magical Science, right?』 (Franz)

“………… Is it possible that Franz-san’s division is gathering all the troubles of the Imperial Capital?” (Cry)

And I wonder if he is a fan of mine for contacting me every single time.

Franz-san said quickly and impatiently to me as I was getting fed up.

『I’ll kill you. Just a few minutes ago, I received a leak from one of our Alchemists, but without it, I wouldn’t have noticed it! It is about a Potion that your Alchemist brought in! The 30 members of the Third Knight Order who rushed in to suppress the situation were annihilated. Moreover, in an instant by a paralyzing gas! Come right now, I don’t want to clean up your mess anymore! This time――This time, I will have you listen to me properly!』 (Franz)

………… I see. What can I say……

I took a deep breath to calm myself down and said timidly.

“………… But… That Potion…… Is probably strawberry milk, you know?” (Cry)

『Haaaah!?』 (Franz)

A potion brought by our Alchemist……

Like, how should I put it…… I can even tell you the manufacturer. I don’t understand how a single strawberry milk can cause such a ruckus.

Guessing from Franz’s story, Sytry didn’t realize that it was strawberry milk and had apparently brought it to her old Academy.

Why didn’t you notice it!

『Don’t talk nonsense! Get your ass to the Academy of Magic Science!』 (Franz)

“No………… Rather than nonsense, it is just that I poured it into the canteen.” (Cry)

『!? ………… Huh!???』 (Franz)

With the violent sound of something falling, the Symphonic Stone became silent.

When I looked up, Eva was *purupuru* trembling and staring at me with her cheeks twitching. You got it wrong…… You got it wrong, okay.

For once it shouldn’t be my fault. Shouldn’t I rather be praised?

It became such a big uproar despite being fake, so can you imagine how much of a fuss it would have caused if it had been the real thing……

“He says curses are better…… Haha.” (Cry)

What the hell did you want me to do? All I did was throw away the Potion and put strawberry milk in the canteen!

………… Un, un, that’s right. I did something unnecessary, didn’t I? I just wanted to compare them…… I didn’t expect Sytry to come at that time.

But it is not too late. I am sure those slightly crazy Alchemists will calm down once they realize they were mistaken.

Even if the Potion was really a dangerous substance, I think their reaction to it is strange, but I think it would be better not to delve too much into it. The proverb does say that you should stay away from danger……

With a badass smile, I crossed my legs on the chair and said to Eva, who was still frozen.

“………… Eva, I will leave the rest to you.” (Cry)

“!? Lea-Leave what!? Don’t leave it to me!” (Eva)

Eva opens her eyes widely and rushes over me in a panic. Oh, I think this might be the first time I have ever gotten a don’t leave it to me from Eva. So rare!

.

At that moment, there was a loud footstep and a *gongon* knock at the door.

When I answer, the door opens, I see someone bend down, and Anthem comes in.

“Aaah, Anthem. Long time no see, you’re late.” (Cry)

“Umu…… My bad.” (Anthem)

A muffled voice comes from behind his armor.

Oh, Anthem is talking for the first time in a while. It is rare too. Eva also has her eyes wide open.

He has always been a quiet man. But he is also a very polite man.

Although Anthem’s physique is of inhuman size, the Clan Master’s office was designed at the time of its construction to anticipate Anthem’s continued physical growth.

Well, he can’t enter my private room, but it can’t be helped. Please shrink with the power of your armor and then enter……

Like a large Magical Beast, Anthem stands in front of me with heavy and slow movements. He is trying to move as slowly as possible because if he moves too vigorously, he will break things.

As usual, when he stands in front of me like this, he really gives a feeling of oppression. Even Eva, who has known him for a long time, seemed to shrink a little at the sight of his towering majesty.

As I deeply sit down in the chair, I say to my childhood friend who came to protect me despite his busy schedule and is the most conscientious person in the Party.

“I know you have been having a lot of trouble with curses due to the church, haven’t you? I am sorry you had to come all the way here, but you can go if you are busy, I am not going to go out today, so it will be fine.” (Cry)

Heck, I won’t go out with or without Anthem!

“……………… No.” (Anthem)

Anthem said just one word and sat down on the floor. With that, the floor shook a little.

He doesn’t seem to have a weapon or shield today, but still, if it is against ordinary opponents even one blow from his bare hand is enough. If there was a battle royale with everyone from 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, he would probably be the last one standing.

It wouldn’t be strange for him to win if he had participated in the Supreme Martial Arts Festival.

“Well, make yourself at home.” (Cry)

“Umu.” (Anthem)

Anthem gives a small nod and remains still. When he stops moving he doesn’t look alive but looks just like a big object.

Is he…… Is he fine being like this? Well, if he’s fine with it, that’s fine.

Eva is at a loss as to what to do with that unusual guest. The confusion she had felt earlier magically disappeared. This can also be said to be one of his virtues.

He is kind-hearted and strong. If he had been fast to resort to violence like Liz and the others it would have been terrible, but thank the world that he had all those good points.

I stood up, pulled out a spray to polish metal and a mop, and approached Anthem.

I just finished polishing my Relics and was at a loss for what to do, so let’s polish him.

As I spray the wall-like back, Anthem tilts his head to look at me and says in a muffled voice.

“……………… No.” (Anthem)

“Don’t be shy” (Cry)

“…………………………………… Nooo.” (Anthem)

Armor Relic doesn’t get dirty easily and polishing it doesn’t make much difference, but it is better than not polishing it.

As I began to *goshigoshi* scrub the armor with the mop without hesitation, Anthem stopped moving again as if he gave up.

§

TL notes:

Thanks for reading! Here’s the extra chapter!

Haha Franz just indirectly tell Cry to go back to curses…

Welp he asks for it then he shall receive a new curse!

And Anthem is talking O.o

Tchao à plus!