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

　Liz was competing with the members of 《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 to see who drank the most while Lucia was exasperated by this.

　Luke had apparently set his sights on another customer and was looking around the bar with a piercing gaze reminiscent of a bird looking at a prey.

　While I was being served by a Member of 《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》, I asked what I have been thinking about since a while ago.

“Come to think of it, you have more members?” (Cry)

“Uhm……?” (Touka)

　Touka’s gaze sharpened.

　…… Did I say something strange?

　《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 is a type of Party that does not have a base of operations.
They travel across different countries and sometimes scout promising members over there when they find one.
And although it is not desirable to have a Party increase the number of its members on its own, 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》 has allowed them to do it.
　I don’t remember how many they were, but at first glance, I feel that there are more people.
They have two or three more people, perhaps?

　But apparently, it seemed that something was wrong.
However, there was no way I could remember the faces of all the Members of a large Party that rarely visited the Imperial Capital.
I laughed to cover it up.

 

“Weeeell, hahaha…… I just thought that you are so many now.
Let’s see…… Ten…… No, didn’t you increase by eleven people?” (Cry)

’

　It is a joke.
No matter how large 《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 is, there is no way that they got ten more people.

　『No matter how large our group is, there is no way that it would increase by so much, Master is so funny, hahahahaha』 was the response I expected, but Touka crossed her arms.

 

“Fumu…… As always, you have a good insight.
Indeed…… We increased by eleven members.” (Touka)

 

　Eh? Seriously?
　Nonono, no matter how you look at it, you don’t have eleven more people.
Is this…… Returning a joke with a joke, in order for me to do a tsukkomi1?

　Is it alright for me to do a tsukkomi…… If it was Ark, I would do it immediately, but this is Touka that we are talking about.

　Patron Sytry, who was being poured a drink by an even larger group than I was, *kyorokyoro* looked around to see the faces of the members of 《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》.

“It doesn’t look like you have more members…… Where are the new Members?” (Sytry)

“Yes, they are on a top-secret mission.
We have become famous, so we have many enemies.
I apologize for the delay in the reporting.” (Touka)

’

　Touka bowed her head sincerely.
Eh…… Eeeeeh……

　Wasn’t it just a little joke? And on top of that, there weren’t any new members here with you! In many ways, I don’t know what to do about that.
　Moreover, 《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 was famous, to begin with, so they must have had many enemies, but now they seem to have even more enemies.
LOL.

“Raise your head Touka.
You guys are free to increase your Members.
Remember, that was the deal we made when we asked you to join the Clan, no?” (Cry)

“Cry-san does not think that you are in the wrong.
《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 has helped us a lot, and as long as it doesn’t cause any trouble, I will keep my mouth shut.” (Sytry)

“《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 helped us…………? Aaaah, un, she is right.
We are always counting on you, so adding more Members is nothing.
Hahahaha.” (Cry)

　Yes, at best…… Only Eva will be troubled by it.
It is because she has the duty to manage the Clan’s members.
　If Eva finds out about this, I am sure I will get a few quips from her, but I get them most of the time, so one or two more won’t matter to me now.

　But… I know.
I wish I had something that would make her not angry even when she has a reason to be angry.

　Touka nodded understandably.

“Thank you for your generosity.
During the Supreme Martial Arts Festival, it is a good opportunity for us to earn money.
There are a lot of people who have other countries’ bounties placed on their heads.” (Touka)

’

“Hmm? What? Aren’t you talking about something interesting?” (Luke)

“What, what? What do I have to kill?” (Liz)

　I see…… So this is what Sytry was talking about the other day.
Like there will be some unscrupulous people who will interrupt the Supreme Martial Arts Festival or something…… But they are working so hard even though the tournament is right around the corner.

　Two of our boisterous members intervened when they heard that things were going to get noisy.
　Touka sighed deeply as Liz and Luke looked at her.

“Certainly, this year’s Supreme Martial Arts Festival is particularly bad.
It is very out of control.
《Thousand Swords (Senken)》, 《Absolute Shadow (Zetsu Ei)》 and even Master――I am sure you know this, but there are many people who are targeting you.” (Touka)

“Yaaay!” (Luke)

“Yaaay!” (Liz)

“Not! Yaaay! What do you think we came here to do after coming all the way here and leaving so many tasks behind――” (Lucia)

　Liz and Luke’s IQ fell sharply, while Lucia tsukkomied loudly.

　It seemed that they were hit by the enthusiasm of the Supreme Martial Arts Festival.
It seemed they wanted to do some preparatory exercise before the main event.
Is there any way to stop them…… I want to do some sightseeing, you know.

’

　Then I came up with a good idea and *pachin* snapped my fingers.
As her name suggests, Touka turns her pair of eyes, which hold a small glow, towards me.

“I know.
I also have a lot of people working on this problem.
If you want, we can try and meet them once?” (Cry)

“Mmh……?” (Touka)

 

　It is the Fox Mask Fan Club.
They are a funny bunch of people and twisted in a weird way, but their passion is real.
From what I saw in the basement, it looks like some of them are good at what they do.

　They asked me to give them orders.
So, I gave them an order.
　But rationally speaking, asking the Fox Mask Fan Club to deal with criminal organizations is not something you would normally do (Even if they are also a secret organization).

　In this regard, it would be somewhat reassuring if Touka participated too.
After all, unlike the Fox Mask Fan Club, 《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 are professionals with many achievements.
Moreover, as mercenaries, they would be accustomed to cooperating with other teams.

　It is good because the Fox Mask Fan Club will get a strong ally, 《Torch Knights (Touka Kish-Dan)》 will also have more people so it will be good, and for me――Everything’s good.

　Today I am――Brilliant.

　And then, I remembered something important.
I squinted and looked at Touka and said.

“Aaaah, right.
First we must prepare that thing――――A Fox Mask! The more unusual the better.
Of course, it could be red or something to match with your equipment…… Can I ask you to prepare one?” (Cry)