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The Spirited Away Task Force Headquarters. I, Franz Argmann, reflexively stood up from my seat when the report I was expecting to arrive, finally arrived.

“Fuffuffu…… Hahahahaha! At last, you are starting to move…… 《Infinite Varietyyy (Senpen Banka)》!” (Franz)

The Spirit Away case, which has been at a stalemate, has taken a dramatic turn in the past few hours. The fact that Saya and Lucia successfully infiltrate the Treasure Shrine that caused the Spirited Away. And the fact that Saya is able to force open the gate using her powers. Considering the nature of the Phantoms and the Treasure Shrine that appeared there. Including the failed attempt to conquer the place, I was thinking that it was time to finally come up with a proper strategy. I had expected him to take action. Given that man’s character, it is hard to imagine him just letting an incident like this go. This is something I have learned from my recent dealings with 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

“Well…… Among those who were watching him, there was one who heard 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 say――『It is finally here, my boredom killer』 or something like that” (Knight 1)

“Hh…… Fuck!” (Franz)

I take a deep breath, and I barely manage to contain my anger with just one curse. Now that that man has begun to move, there is no time to waste. Sage, who has begun selecting outstanding Magi to conquer the Treasure Shrine, says this with amusement.

“What should we do, Franz-kyo? Should we also assemble a resolution force as well? We cannot afford to lose against 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, can we?” (Sage)

“………… There is no way we can do that! It is frustrating, but……” (Franz)

“Hoh?” (Sage)

That man is on the move.

That means――It is the end.

Since he escaped from our surveillance so easily and disappeared into the Treasure Shrine, it meant that he had already made his preparations. Meanwhile, we had only just become aware of the Treasure Shrine’s existence. We were no match at all.

I have no idea what methods he will use, but whether it was during the Emperor’s escort request, the prophecy incident, or even Code, he has always done what he wanted and resolved cases in ways that were different from what we expected. It is certain that this time would be the same. Even I myself hate how confident I am on this.

So then, what should I do now as the leader of this task force?

Fortunately, even though it is the middle of the night, the main members are already here. After all, the Spirited Away tends to occur at night. I say to Gark, who is trembling with his face bright red upon hearing that he has begun to move despite being suspended.

“”Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)”, gather your forces. We will also wake up the Knight Orders, I don’t know what he will do, but we must minimize the damage he will cause! Now!” (Franz)

“Hh………… Understood” (Gark)

“Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)” stands up as he trembles. The fact that the suspended 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 moved means that the Explorer Association would bear responsibility. “Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)” will use every means at his disposal to gather High-level Hunters.

I haven’t been sleeping much lately. However, I don’t feel bad. I stand upright in a daunting pose and laugh with unrestrained emotion.

“Fuhahahahah! Bring on your arrows or guns, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》! I won’t let it have your way!” (Franz)

“”Commander Franz (Franz-Dancho)”…… H-He, is broken……” (Knight)

§ § §

Treasure Shrine 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】.

Having successfully driven out the intruders and restored a semblance of calm for the time being in the Treasure Shrine, I, Lady, cannot believe my ears when I hear a report from one of the Phantoms, 『Hide-and-Seek Mary』.

“Eh? Are you seriously saying that!? Did someone actually fall for that phone rumor?” (Lady)

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It is an unbelievable statement. Yet Mary’s nod conveys her intense excitement.

『Hide-and-Seek Mary』 is a phone apparition that cannot fully manifest herself in the current modern civilization.

First, Mary starts by calling her target and identifies herself. Then, she gradually gets closer to them.

First, the same country, then the same city, then the same street address, then in the neighborhood, then in front of the house. Finally, a call is made from directly behind the target, and in the next call, the target is attacked by Mary and disappears. It is a roundabout way, but it is enough to instill fear.

However, in this world, it is meaningless. It should have been meaningless. After all, there is no phone anywhere that can receive Mary’s call.

“Moreover, he fell for that suspicious spam message!? What kind of idiot is that!” (Lady)

There are hardly any phones in this world. And even fewer that can receive messages. We also don’t know how many spam messages there are. And yet, there are people who would open such a suspicious message and then take its contents at face value and call us up――.

“Moreover, he actually listened to the instructions?! The one where it says to look into the mirror at 4:44:44…… Eh? He told you to do it at 1:00 o’clock!?” (Lady)

It is a complete mess. I have kidnapped so many people that I cannot even count them, but this is the first time someone has asked to change the conditions for being Spirited Away.

It’s a trap. It’s a trap designed to trigger a rumor to spirit someone away! Of course, it is possible to kidnap him temporarily. Since he is walking into a trap, all we need to do is set a trap before he does.

However, what bothers me is how utterly stupid it is. He is definitely the biggest one from all the prey I have ever had.

“It’s me, Mary. What do we do-no?” (Mary)

Asks Mary in a voice so faint that it seems to be about to vanish. However, I can sense from her voice that she is absolutely determined to kidnap him.

For 『Hide-and-Seek Mary』――No, for the other Phantom apparitions connected to the phone, this is their one and only greatest opportunity. Even if they scare this time’s prey, I suspect it will not change their fate of eventually disappearing, but that is fine.

After all, instilling fear is practically their raison d’être. And I have no intention of refusing it either. As I understand their feelings very well.

“I will allow it. But make sure you engrave the fear deep inside him.” (Lady)

“It’s me, Mary. I understand…… It’s okay, if he comes here, he should be able to see me-nano……” (Mary)

“Eh? What did you just say!?” (Lady)

“It’s me, Mary. I’m right in front of you-no……” (Mary)

No, well, you are certainly right in front of me, but………… To be honest, I am nothing but anxious.

§

Thanks for reading! And thanks Somebody for the ko-fi! A chapter first with Franz, then Lady POV Even Franz acknowledged Cry’s power, the only thing he can do is to mitigate the impact. No one can tie down Cry! And will Mary finally be able to be seen by Cry!?

Yaaaah, last episode of the vacation arc is out! We finally see the rest of Strange Grief! But let’s go in order, I wonder what Cry said to the subterranean when he was caught. But it is most likely something like challenging the champion and provoking it. And the subterranean posing and showing their muscle after that buff spell in the ring fit the tone of the anime so much. Sytry going crazy jealous and yelling at Cry because of the Princess Subterranean was so funny. Also when the Onsen Dragon fired its breath, Liz and Sytry casually went behind Cry for cover, lol. Too bad we didn’t see much about Chloe but it is understandable as we only have 11 episodes. And finally, the moment Strange Grief appears! I love how the music kicks in when they appear, so epic! I yelled so loud when they showed up! Yaaaaaah!!! Everything after they showed was so good! Luke and Lucia just stole the show as soon as they appeared. Luke and Lucia VA were so on point, especially Luke. For Lucia, we have her talking with Cry like a true Imouto, now we just need her talking when she is calm and composed as she talk to other people I need moaaaar of them! At least in the next arc we see them way more.