CH 265.2

What happened at the Supreme Martial Arts Festival was a good experience for me.

There was a terrible Relic that caused an earthquake over a wide area just by piercing the ground. As a Relic collector, I must accumulate even more knowledge about them. The Key to the Earth has been broken, but there is no guarantee that there is not a similar Relic.

I have to practice so that I can stop it immediately the next time a Key of the Earth activates――.

As I was thinking about this and fishing through the content, I found a long, thin object wrapped in black cloth in the pile of junk.

I quickly took it up and unraveled the cloth with a strange pattern on it.

Oh, this is…… A Sword-type Relic! How unusual.

“This is it, this is it. This is what I was looking for!” (Cry)

I lifted the sword in its scabbard with great enthusiasm and observed it. It is a sword with a black gem on its hilt, surely a significant sword. However, it does not have the same ceremonial atmosphere as the Key of the Earth.

The fact that it was sheathed and carefully wrapped in cloth suggests that Eliza was also managing it carefully.

I will have Lucia charge it later.

“……………… Please keep it in moderation……” (Eva)

Eva sighed in exasperation as I smiled at the daily life that had finally returned to me.

§　§　§

“Haaah!? Nii-san is on the wanted list in the underworld!?” (Lucia)

“Looks like they completely got their eyes on him…… There is a big mess going on with the “Fox (Kitsune)”, so I don’t think they will move carelessly……” (Sytry)

Sytry replied with a troubled look at Lucia’s hysteric voice.

“Well, after doing all that…… And also because he is 《Strange Grief’s (Nageki no Borei)》 Leader.” (Liz)

By nature, skilled Treasure Hunters are often targeted by thieves. Hunters whose main activity is to explore Treasure Shrines still have few opportunities to incur a grudge, but this is completely not the case for a Party like 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 that has crushed several organizations.

The events at the Supreme Martial Arts Festival have settled down to a certain level. The collapsed arena has been cleaned up, and daily life has seemingly returned to normal.

However, it is only temporary.

The revelation of the existence of a fearsome secret organization had a significant impact, both on a large scale and a small scale.

Initially, a bounty was placed on 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 by the people who were in the organizations that had been crushed by them. The reason why there have not been that many assaults so far is because it was not worth the risk.

For a Treasure Hunter, having a bounty is proof of your name being recognized. So having one on your head is still alright.

Luke frowned as he looked at the list of wanted documents that Sytry had ordered from the underworld.

“They’re really fired up. One, ten, hundred, thousand………… What do you have to do to get a bounty this high? Even if I killed a hundred people, it wouldn’t be this high. Does he have a trick or something?” (Luke)

“Uuuumu……” (Anthem)

“If they pull their weight, it will be able to pay off his debt, isn’t it……” (Sytry)

The amount on the bounty wasn’t normal.

Unlike normal bounty, the amount of a wanted man’s bounty posted in the underworld is proportional to the number of grudges you have and the number of people who want you dead. Most of those with high bounties on their heads are important figures of great nations or families of Hunters who have been active for generations――And other influential people whose mere death would cause a ripple effect in various fields. Isn’t it unprecedented that such a large bounty is placed on a single Hunter who is not of a particularly remarkable birth and has not killed a single person?

Liz opened her eyes as she looked at the bounty list.

“Ark-chan had been overtaken.” (Liz)

“As expected of a giant organization, isn’t it…… There is probably also a question of honor in play…… But well, it doesn’t seem like they have a lot of leeways either――” (Sytry)

According to Sytry’s investigation, the interior of the “Fox (Kitsune)” is in a very unstable state. There are no details about it but it seems there is a civil war going on. Perhaps the activation of the 『Key of the Earth』 was unexpected for the “Fox (Kitsune)”. Moreover, they do not seem to realize that it was not the fox mask man who activated the 『Key of the Earth』.

What matters here is not the actual situation, but how it is viewed by others.

In front of the public, their plan had been crushed. If they leave him alone, they will be underestimated. So there is no way to avoid putting a bounty on his head. That’s what this huge bounty means.

Well, in the first place, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is also the sworn enemy of some people.

Fortunately, the list itself comes from the underworld. There is no need to worry about being attacked by famous Hunters who are active in public society.

“Soooo nice………… Cry. I wonder if powerful swordsmen will come?” (Luke)

“With that amount of money, they wouldn’t attack unless they are very confident…… If there is going to be an attack, I think they will come after being fully prepared…… After that, I don’t think swordsmen will come.” (Sytry)

“Haaaaah…… This is all because he is doing those crazy stunts……” (Lucia)

There are a lot of mysterious rumors surrounding 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, Zebrudia’s Level 8 Hunter, but there is only one thing that is certain.

《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has survived many deadly situations and has never suffered a single scratch.

That’s when Sytry stood up, *pan* clapped her hands together, and said.

“I heard Cry-san won’t be leaving his room for a while, so let’s escort him for a while. I know each of you is busy, so let’s do it in rotation!” (Sytry)

“…… Syt, aren’t you the busiest one? Don’t you look pale?” (Liz)

Hearing her sister’s words, Sytry put her hand on her forehead.

As if he remembered something, Luke *pon* hit his hand and got up with a look of annoyance.

“Aaaaah, I’ve been called too…… Seriously, just because I’ve skipped out on exterminating Dragons, they are making a big deal out of it――Can’t be helped, I’ll show them the “Lightning God Sword (Raijinken)” that I am practicing on.” (Luke)

“Even I have missed a very important exam…… How can I excuse myself to the professor who recommended me……” (Lucia)

“Umu, Umu. (Anthem)

“Anthem-Nii has it good, riiight? Your bosses don’t particularly bother you……” (Liz)

Anthem nodded vigorously at Liz, who looked envious.

“………… Umu!” (Anthem)