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

Chapter 396.1: Captive Lightning Emperor

Code’s First Area is a large area stretching from the city’s center. While in his castle in the residence that exists in the most prosperous area of the city, I, Angus Code snort at Jin’s report.

“So the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 will fall into Nora’s hands after all.” (Angus)

“There is no doubt about it. After all, there are no other candidates to rival her. Nora-ojou is known for her harsh sanctions on her opponents.” (Jin)

Nora Code. That is the name of my Imouto who could be my greatest enemy in the battle for the throne.

She is an arrogant and violent woman who is used to wield her royal authority with impunity. She is an intolerable woman who disapproves of being under someone and openly declares her hostility towards me.

I have been gathering strong soldiers from all over the world for some time in preparation for the succession to the throne. Nora has also been preparing for the battle for the throne, but her approach is the complete opposite of mine. That woman decided not to recruit soldiers from outside, but to train them herself. After analyzing and experimenting with the countless training functions that exist within Code, her finished soldiers boast abilities equal to or greater than those of the mechanized soldiers despite being former citizens of Code.

I am the one who led the plan to send cards to each organization outside of Code to replenish the troops. That is why I was the first to take Saaya and Kai. However, in terms of authority over the prison, Nora and I are almost equal. No, actually, Nora Code’s authority may be slightly more effective than mine.

However, even if that is not the case, I cannot think of any way to control the dangerous 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》.

The masks have already been used on Kai and Saaya, so those are already not an option anymore. It would be very dangerous to have the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 under my wing without it. Code has a function to disperse the constructions of Magic, but it is unknown whether it will be able to completely seal off a user of Lightning Magic that is strong enough to penetrate Code’s barrier. In fact, there is a record that the Magic of the strongest Magi on the enemy side could not be completely sealed off the last time Code fought the Explorer Association.

Appointing a Royal Guard is on a first come first served basis. That is one of the rules about the Royal Guards that even I cannot change.

“I heard her application for release has not been approved?” (Angus)

“The next one will go through. I heard that Nora-ojou has given up on her strategy of persuading him.” (Jin)

Code has a wide variety of tools to force an opponent to act, but generally speaking, warriors who are forced to fight are weaker than those who fight of their own volition.

That is probably why Nora-ojou was trying to persuade him. And that is why her application did not go through. An application for release will not be approved unless the danger level expected upon release is below a certain level. Even while he is in captivity, the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 has no intention of accepting Nora-ojou’s invitation.

But she gave up on persuasion. So the next step would be to use tools to suppress his will.

Nora-ojou should also have the White Mask that I used on Kai and Saaya. And if she uses it, Code’s system will determine that the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 is at a stage where he can be released.

“Hmph…… She got impatient, huh. Without a will, the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 cannot defeat Saaya and Kai. So there is no need to mention the knights she has created.” (Angus)

Saaya and Kai are strong. We have already confirmed Saaya’s abilities, but as for Kai――His body has already surpassed the limits of what an advanced physical civilization could expect for a human.

First of all, without a doubt, even the training of Advanced Physical Civilization does not envision developing warriors of Kai’s level. Even exceptional talent from the individual and physical training in here has its limits. In the first place, in the Advanced Physical Civilization, it is weapons that fight instead of people, so the fact that it is able to produce warriors of a level comparable to the mechanized soldiers is already a feat in itself.

Kai has not fully recovered yet, but he is already one of the most capable among the subordinates I have gathered. With Saaya and Kai by my side, the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 is no match for them.

However, it is true that this is not a funny story at all.

“However………… I would like to avoid giving her the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 if possible. Is there any way around this?” (Angus)

For now, there is a reasonable gap between Nora and I, but it is not an overwhelming one. If Nora makes an alliance with another prince or tames the other inmates in the lowest levels of the prison, the outcome will be unclear.

The 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 could be a game-changer move for Nora. If there is even the slightest chance of that happening, we must eliminate it.

“Only royalty can stand up against royalty. With Class 8 authority, it is easy to transfer ownership of criminals the other nobles have freed.” (Jin)

“So I must make them Royal Guards. Guards, for the Royalty. With my authority, I am only able to harass them.” (Angus)

The Royal Guards have a special position. The Royal Guards are protected by the city regulations and are unaffected by other authorities. The Royal Family has the authority to unilaterally declare citizens to be criminals or poach people belonging from other institutions, but these rights do not apply to the Royal Guards.

In order to prevent the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 from falling into Nora’s hands, I must somehow make the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 a Royal Guard of another Royalty.

“However, it will not be easy. The 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 is too dangerous, and I cannot think of any Royalty with the backbone to turn against Nora.” (Angus)

Putting an uncontrollable 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 in my Royal Guards would be a suicidal act. If it is that man who still chooses to draw his sword after seeing the majesty of this gigantic Code and penetrate the defenses of the city system, then he could kill his master.

I cannot think of any member of the Royal Family who can win over that man. In the first place, it is a bit odd that Nora is so obsessed with him just because she likes his face. Seeing my difficult expression, Jin speaks in a hushed voice.

“I have…… One thing in my mind. It seems that there is another faction besides Nora-ojou that is gathering information on the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》.” (Jin)

“………… Hoh, which faction are they in?” (Angus)

Jin answers me as I have a difficult look on my face as I hear this information for the first time.

“It is Alisha-ojou faction. Her Royal Guards have recently been traveling to other areas, secretly gathering information. Nora-ojou has sent them a warning.” (Jin)

“What…… The Spare’s faction. That is………… Interesting.” (Angus)

Thanks for reading! Damn I just pop my head in the wikia and saw that there is so much more stuff now! Thanks MrCents 04 and Navaella for updating the wikia, I kinda created it and let it leave its own life, so I am very thankful to you and everyone who is updating it! (Be careful, there is spoiler in the wikia!) Also I added the illustration for the previous chapter.