Let This Grieving Soul Retire (嘆きの亡霊は引退したい)

Kill, kill!

I knew it. This is a trial.

Wanting to enjoy his vacation,

and to escape Arnold's pursuit,

Krai and his party head further and further north.

They now cut their way through

the highly dangerous Galest Mountains,

which are completely overrun with monsters!

Lost Giant Demons?

Yes.

Apparently their habitat is around here.

Huh. What kind of creature are they?

Ogre-like monsters, or so they say,

but there are very few eyewitness accounts.

The truth is, those who encounter them rarely survive.

I... I see.

I wonder if Black and the others are all right.

Liz?

I wonder what's going on out there, and I'd like to fight too,

but we're not allowed to train, right?

You said no roughhousing...

Oh, no.

Monsters are fine.

Defeating monsters doesn't count as violence.

Right?

All right! Let's go, Ti!

You want to cut loose too, right?

Oh, yeah, Tino.

If it's too much, use—

No!

Never!

Th-That bad?

Kill?

They must not be spoken.

They are the posthumous names of those who were cursed.

They must not be forgotten.

It's a sign that they will eventually be regarded as the most ominous.

"Grieving Souls."

This is the heroic tale of Krai Andrey, the leader of the invincible party,

who fascinated both gods and demons

in an absolutely normal and mundane tale overflowing with love and peace.

This sword was crafted from the bones of the thunder dragon we slayed.

It's called "Crashing Lightning," and it's where my alias comes from!

"I'll Pass on the Strong Monsters".

Episode 17

I'll Pass on the Strong Monsters

Let This Grieving Soul Retire

I feel so much better!

This is finally feeling like a real vacation.

Huh?

How exactly?

This is... really laying it on thick.

It certainly is suspicious.

I bet bandits did it.

If someone is stupid enough to fall for this...

I'd like to see their face.

Krai, which way should we go?

Let's go that way.

Oh, so left?

Yeah.

The road looks nice, and there's an arrow, too.

Are you serious...

Then let's get going!

You know...

we keep getting into these really troublesome situations.

I really think this goes beyond bad luck.

Maybe this is one of Thousand Tricks' "Thousand Trials."

Huh? What was that?

I heard that Krai gives his hunters difficult trials,

to help them improve and grow.

Which makes me think that all of this up until now...

Yeah, right!

You expect me to believe that a lightning elemental,

a fire elemental, and even the orcs were all part of his plan?

It's possible, old man.

What'd you say?!

We've seen it firsthand.

Yes, he could actually pull it off.

You're all insane.

We didn't encounter any monsters,

so picking the nice road was the right choice, after all.

I would've liked to leave the mountain behind today,

but let's camp here for the night.

Agreed!

Then for dinner, I'll prepare something invigorating.

Sounds good. Thank you.

It's been a while since we last camped outside with you, Krai.

That's true.

I'll go get some water.

I'm coming too!

Now, hang o—

Si, thanks for doing the prep.

Jeez.

Kill!

Good.

Krai!

Heya!

It's always so fun with you around, Krai.

I'm so glad I came along.

Me, too.

I'm going to get stronger, you know.

I'll train Ti even more, and I promise that I'll make her strong, too.

Right.

So, Krai.

Kra...

Oh, come on!

The mood was just right, too!

Huh?

Damn it.

Looks like it went somewhere busier...

It's so hard to track that thing!

Kill...

Kill, kill, kill...

Liz...

Hey, Si.

Is this one of those things?

Yes, a Lost Giant Demon.

What's that?

All according to your plan.

Huh?

This monster is responsible for disguising the road to look safe.

It's been pursuing us ever since we entered its territory.

Terri...tory?

D-D-Die!

Liz?

You die.

Oh, it can talk.

Damn, that didn't do anything.

These types of monsters are pretty resistant to physical attacks.

It's so annoying that Ansem and Lucia aren't here.

Since they're supposed to be persistent monsters, I'm sure it hasn't given up.

It'll probably ambush us in the dark.

There's no need to stay and fight.

Let's use this chance to run.

Oh, all right.

If we get ambushed, Ti will probably get offed right away.

If she dies before I fully train her, I won't be able to keep my promise to you, Krai.

R-Right...

Kill?

Damn them!

Hey, hey! Come on!

If we're going towards the Gladis domain,

the road to the right should be the safer route.

Going left doesn't save you much time.

So that means...

There's no mistaking it.

This is—

Let's go.

"Thousand Trials," my ass!

Looks like the Lost Giant Demon is still following us.

But I can't pinpoint its position.

Really?

Krai.

It seems like Lost Giant Demons are very cruel and like their prey to suffer.

If you want to confuse it, using bait might be a good idea.

I don't know about that.

Any other ideas?

Let's see.

I can still use Black and the others elsewhere.

This is so depressing...

While this isn't as effective as using a human as bait...

What is that, again?

We can get away

while the Lost Giant Demon is torturing the monsters this attracts.

But we'll need a little luck.

Our chance of success is about 50%.

Depending on the wind, we may have to prepare for the worst.

Which would be?

That the attracted monsters attack us instead.

I'm sure it'll be fine.

Not like that'll actually happen.

You're right.

Well...

Who could have guessed the wind would change directions...

You never think it'll happen till it does, huh?

Dangerous Factor is so impressive.

I think almost every single monster around here showed up.

Lo and behold,

we can no longer sense the Lost Giant Demon either.

So it's all according to plan, right?

Huh?

Sure... right.

Monsters, scary.

Shadows, scary.

Master, scary.

Master, the scariest.

Hey, Tino.

So, this...

I really think you should hold on to it.

Huh?

There's been a lot on your shoulders lately, so I'm worried.

There might come a time when it comes in handy.

I...

I see.

W-W-W-Wait!

Please hold on! We can explain!

Hmm... I guess they've suffered enough.

Damn it.

That beast is way too temperamental.

I'd like to have a word with its master and parents.