The village chief and who I believe to be Isolde are dead and I have the cellar all to myself. I look around and discover some dried sausages and a small barrel.
Pocketing them I head out of the building. The screaming seems to have subsided and I spot some of the goblins aimlessly walking the streets. Is it over?
I start screaming for the goblins to gather around me. They hear me and soon the entire unit of goblins assembles. Apart from the three goblins that we lost in the clash with the guards all the others made it back. It's time to hold a victory speech.
"We WIN! Enemies dead! Search for good stuff and return here for food!"
Short, crude, and barbaric. I send the goblins to search for loot although I'm unsure of what they'll get. While they scour the village I kill all the chickens in the shed and roast them. The fires I set up are made up of broken doors and furniture but who cares if it's crude.
I go into the village chief's house once again in search of some seasoning for the roast chicken. I find salt and some herbs that smell good. Is this rosemary? I guess I'll use it and hope for the best.
Soon the goblins return each with one or two things they took a liking to. Some brought tools, others had raided the storehouse and brought food from there. The barrels had also been brought but a problem quickly becomes apparent.
We won't be able to move all this stuff! Whatever, I can worry later. For now, it's time to chow down and eat these roast chickens. While I eat I'll also check my status to see how much I grew.
Status Guy Lv.3 Goblin instructor
Mp 10+20+0
Strength 5+20+11
Constitution 5+20+13
Speed 5+20+8
Magic ability 0+20+0
Skills:
universal humanoid language, universal monster language, dungeon map
Sword use lv. 1; enhanced stamina lv. 3; dismantling lv. 5; breathing technique lv. 2; trap making lv. 4; dagger use lv. 3; throwing lv. 3; slash lv. 1; cleaning lv. 1; instructing lv.1; camp construction lv.1; instructor's assessment lv.1; stealth lv.1
Two level-ups, dagger use on level three, and I newly acquired the stealth skill. Fighting really is the fastest way to gain skills and obviously to level up. I could get addicted to this feeling.
After our food break, I search the village once again and discover an oxen wagon. We stack all out loot on the wagon and push it out of the village.
I tell the goblins to keep pushing in the direction of the dungeon we came from. Alone, I head back into the village and start to set fire to every house. Arson isn't really my thing but if it keeps those idiots from coming back I will do it.
While leaving the village I also set fire to the grain that is still growing. I'd call this a scorched earth approach but there is no army following us.
After making sure the fields are all burning brightly I run to catch up with my unit of goblins. They didn't get very far since they had to push the wagon so I quickly catch up.
We continue towards the dungeon but our speed is drastically reduced by the wagon.
It had only taken us two hours to get to the village but the return journey takes the rest of the day.
By the time we have returned to the encampment in the dungeon, it is already quite late and I hurry to get home. As I return to headquarters I find melody waiting for me at the door of my room.
"Oh, Melody, you didn't have to wait for me."
"It's fine, if you have to work late then I might as well wait. I already called home and told the girls to eat by themselves."
"Thanks. Then, let's go home."
It has truly gotten quite late and we have the entire train to ourselves. A slight rain sets in and the noise from the cars outside fades.
"Guy, what did you do today that took you so long?"
"I led a unit of goblins to attack a human village."
Melody looks concerned and takes my hand.
"Are you alright?"
"That's what you asked me? I killed civilians, you know!"
"That's exactly why I ask if you are alright. You are far too good for this world and will take the sin for everything that happens onto your shoulders without hesitation."
"But I did kill them!"
"Did you do it because you wanted to?"
"No, of course not!"
"Then why are you blaming yourself?"
"I did it! No matter the circumstances I did it."
"I can't tell you not to blame yourself but I will never blame you for this. Being too kind or morally upstanding will make you unable to live in this world of ours."
"Sigh. I know that but abandoning my conscience seems so wrong."
"Then don't abandon it. Carry it in your heart and be mindful of the wrongs you commit. As long as the intention doesn't come from yourself you will be just fine."
"I'll try."
Melody hugs me and I hug her back. The warmth of her embrace is so comforting that I want to refuse to let her go. I just want to stay like this forever and forget about the entire world.
But then the inevitable end of the embrace comes as we arrive at the train stop close to our home. The girls are their usual cheerful selves and jump at me as I enter through the front door. My strength stat has come a long way so I easily catch both of them and twirl them around.
Despite how much I hate what I did today, had I not taken that bargain when I died, I wouldn't be able to see them anymore. I don't regret it!