Chapter 485.1: Cup

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

Eastseal Prison Island. Outside the area where the prisoners are incarcerated, there is an area where the prison guards stay. Unlike the prison section, which sacrifices comfort to prioritize strength, this area is a space meticulously designed to minimize the energy expenditure of the prison guards.

On this Eastseal Prison Island, prison guards generally do not enter the prison area. On this prison island, the guards’ job is not to manage the prisoners.

It is to never let the prisoners out.

That is the sole and absolute job of a prison guard on Eastseal Prison Island. The guards stationed there are experts in interpersonal combat, recruited by Zebrudia from various countries, and in an emergency, we must fight the dangerous criminals imprisoned there with our lives on the line.

Furthermore, even though our powers are being siphoned off by the Prison Island, having to deal with bandits that even high-level Hunters couldn’t handle in an emergency is no ordinary job.

I, Gin Bane, the leader of the prison guards currently stationed on Eastseal Prison Island, nod vigorously after receiving the reports from my fellow guards.

“Everything is normal, huh. Good work.” (Gin)

“Yeah, there was a bit of skirmish…… But well, it’s business as usual.” (Guard)

There are several surveillance systems inside the prison. Of course, it isn’t without blind spots, but if a large group of people are acting suspiciously, it will be detected immediately.

That said, this Prison Island was created as a symbol of national prestige, so it will not bulge under most attacks. The measures taken against Magic, in particular, are almost perfect, and the building materials used for the walls, ceilings, and floors are specially manufactured. Even though several notorious Magi are imprisoned there, not a single one has ever escaped.

Because the prison houses dangerous criminals from a wide variety of organizations, minor skirmishes are commonplace, but that is none of our concerns. Fights can escalate to the point where they die, but the prisoners are left to handle those situations themselves.

“Hmph…… That damn elite knight. He threatened us so much…… And he asked us to show him some consideration?” (Gin)

I snort as I remember the face of Hugh LeGrand, the knight from the Zero Knight Order who had accompanied 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 during his imprisonment.

So far, no written orders have arrived from the prison warden――From Marquis Alter. Naturally, the treatment of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is no different from that of any other prisoner. All of his belongings, including his weapons, have been confiscated, and he has been thrown into prison.

Jack and Grand, who have been thrown in with him, have started to fawn over him on their own, but this, too, is something that we, prison guards, do not concern ourselves with.

“I wonder what kind of situation he was expecting.” (Guard)

“As if I know.” (Gin)

Since it was his first day of imprisonment, I had the other guards keep a close watch on him to make sure there were no unusual incidents, but at this rate, it looks like there won’t be any problems. And that is also proof that this Prison Island is working perfectly.

“It seems that 《Absolute Ice (Zekkori)》 tried to attack 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 while he was asleep, but failed.” (Guard)

“Hohohhh…… So a Level 8 is superior to the Ice Reaper. Himuro’s abilities may have declined, but she is still impressive.” (Gin)

I exclaim in awe at the name of the once feared Ice Magi who belonged to the 『Eight Headed Snake (Yamata no Orochi)』.

She has slain many high level Hunters and is one of the top executives of “Snake (Hebi)”, a Magi directly under “Blue Snake (Aohebi)”. Although there are only three of “Snake’s (Hebi)” top executives imprisoned here, it seems that “Blue Snake (Aohebi)” took immediate action upon hearing a familiar name.

Even I would rather not face 《Absolute Ice (Zekkori)》 if I could avoid it. Fighting her head-on would be one thing, but that woman has killed many Hunters who were far superior to her. To think he was attacked in his sleep and managed to fend her off…… He seemed like a rather foolish man, but it appears he was hiding his true strength.

“That’s not all. That guy even set the walls and ceiling on fire just to grill some meat!” (Guard)

“………… Hah?” (Gin)

I receive the photo and look at it. It shows the ceiling and walls that have melted and been gouged out into a gooey mess.

There are no holes in it, but this is not at the level of a small fire. These are traces of an offensive spell.

“………… I can’t believe it. He has melted down the building materials of this prison…… That’s not normal.” (Gin)

The building materials used in this prison have passed durability tests conducted by top-ranking Magi. Furthermore, using Magic in this place would instantly drain your energy and weaken you.

Even though it should be difficult to recover Magic in this place once it is depleted, yet he uses his Magic just to roast meat, completely disregarding those risks? To use Magic like this……

“What a crazy guy…… But that guy, he really did come here of his own free will.” (Gin)

There is no problem. Considering the location of the room, even if it is slightly melted it will not cause the prison to lose its function.

However, if he is capable of using Magic of this caliber on this Prison Island, he should have been able to kill the entire escorting force and escape before being imprisoned here in the first place. After all, there wasn’t a single Hunter among the troops that escorted 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 who could have stopped him.

If he was planning to escape, he would have unleashed this fire spell at the only exit leading out of the prison. Although that exit is built far sturdier than the regular rooms, the fact that he hasn’t even tried it means that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 has absolutely no intention of escaping.

“Why did this guy get arrested? He doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of remorse………… Let’s keep an eye on him for now. If he has some ulterior motive, he will probably start to show some suspicious behavior.” (Gin)

Until the prison warden makes a decision, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is a serious criminal. I don’t know what his motives are, but I will absolutely never let him out of this prison.

This prison is full of people captured by 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》. To voluntarily come to such a place, there is no doubt that he must have a significant reason.

§ § §

Thanks for reading! Hah, Gin you should have taken Hugh warning more seriously because no one can escape an Infinite Trial! And obviously Cry came to this prison because he knew that if he didn’t, you would fail your job and everyone would have espaced the prison island. He is here to “save” you! XD