Today we were training in outside the cave as usual when an unfamiliar group of goblins arrived.
They most likely don't maintain their weapons well, as I saw three fourths of the group carrying chipped short swords and battle axes that looked roughly handled hanging at their waists. They also wore blood-stained leather armor on top of dirty chainmail shirts. Lastly, there were three hobgoblins amongst them.
Will a battle for survival break out for the second day in a row? I got a little excited, but it seems to be the return of our parents' group who were working outside the forest.
How did I know that you say? Gobujii who was watching us practice, stopped my hostile stance and told me that.
Oh I see, so they weren't enemies. When I thought "I should go greet them then", I noticed it. Although they were hidden in the shadows of some goblins who were carrying large backpacks - in all likelihood the fruits of their latest raid -, there were five young women who had their hands and feet bound, with their mouths gagged to prevent them from becoming violent while being carried by several goblins.
Judging from their clothes, four of them were ordinary people, and the last one wearing leather armor was probably an adventurer - who I heard about from Gobujii - .
The girl who looked like an adventurer had slight visible traces of having been hit in the face. Their clothes didn't seem to be in disorder so they probably hadn't been raped yet. It's only a matter of time though. Judging from the swelling in the crotchs of Gobujii and the Hobgoblin Leader - most likely - who was talking to him, anyone could tell what they were talking about, even if they didn't want to.
I don't have the slightest hesitations about proactively attacking others, killing them and eating their flesh, however, I don't like forcing those who didn't proactively take a hostile stance against me. Of course, I understand the instinct of living creatures to leave offspring, but to decide if it's right or wrong, such things are a very different matter.
I've also had sex with some of my female co-workers to relieve my stress when I go to dangerous places for work, but there was mutual consent in those situations.
Forcing people like this makes me sick. Cute girls should be loved, this is what I think.
For the weak goblins to be able to resist humans, numbers are necessary. After this expedition, there's a need to replenish the numbers.
However, I don't care about that! It's not like I can change the way I think in the short amount of time since I've been reincarnated.
With things being this way, I decided to help them. You say that it's hypocrisy? Yes, but it is no problem because it's even more hypocritical to do nothing.
I walked up to the hobgoblin leader who was talking to Gobujii and asked him to leave the women to me.
The moment I said that, I don't know why, but Gobujii gave me a helpless look which I ignored.
The hobgoblin leader made face that seemed to convey "what the hell are you talking about!?", but nevertheless I repeated my request.
It is important to discuss everything first. No matter how much you dislike the opposition, you should start by discussing your problems. Any hostility should be put aside if possible. I tried to persuade him patiently but the hobgoblin leader wasn't willing to listen.
That wasn't all, given that he started emitting killing intent, he probably got irritated at me who kept obstinately asking. Realizing that this was a waste of time and will just result in the other goblins in his group to also get irritated, I stopped.
Then, the hobgoblin leader pulled out his short sword and pointed it at my throat in ridicule. The reason why he didn't attack me is probably because Gobukichi-kun and the others behind me were brandishing weapons of comparable level to the ones they have.
I'm me, that's why trying to persuade him more than this is troublesome, I'll just kill him. I pulled out one of my estocs and knocked away the hobgoblin leader's short sword.
At that moment, the atmosphere clearly changed.
The goblins from both sides took hostile stances and drew out their weapons, and if either I or the hobgoblin leader made the slightest move, the status quo would be disrupted. Of course, everyone would be trying to kill the enemies in front of them.
The reason no one moved was not only because we held the executive decision-making power, but also because instinct told them that if a fight started here, each side would take a lot of damage regardless of who will win.
They numbered twenty eight while we numbered thirty nine. In pure numbers, we had the advantage, however in combat and teamwork experience, they were far above us.
Honestly, I had no idea which side would win, because I don't have enough information and starting this fight head on would inevitably cause huge damage for both sides which is why I didn't move.
Incidentally, the group of old goblins were only watching us from the side. It may be because they think that the youngsters should decide the way of the clan, regardless, they didn't do anything and seemed to prefer watching what would happen as neutral observers.
For a short while, we glared at each other, but thinking that this was troublesome, I prepared myself to trigger the fight by adapting a forward-bent pose.
I clenched one of my estoc-holding hands and pointed its tip straight towards the hobgoblin leader's heart.
I bent my legs in order to propel myself at high speed and pierce the hobgoblin leader's heart, then—
—just at that moment, a voice suddenly reverberated. Everyone instinctively stopped moving, and turned towards the source of the voice.
The owner of the voice was one of the three hobgoblins from the opposite camp. Judging from the appearance, it was a female and since she was holding a staff, most likely she was a hobgoblin Mage that could use magic besides me. She said, "Don't involve us in your fight" and "The strongest will be the leader and gets to decide the policy of the clan" Because Mages have a higher intelligence than regular breeds, she was able to think of a calm judgment even in this situation.
When I asked her "Aren't you, who can use magic, stronger than this guy?", she said that she isn't interested.
It was thus concluded that a fight to determine who reigns at the top of the « Goblin Community » was to be held.
The rules were very simple: use of weapons is forbidden, and while killing was permitted, the fight ends when one party faints or gives up, they were such barbaric rules.
Gobujii would be acting as a referee for the fight. It was an appropriate position for Gobujii who held a neutral opinion and was the wisest.
Nevertheless, I was surprised to find out that the goblins on their side began making bets in the middle of the preparations. So they had a gambling mentality, huh? Furthermore, because they were using copper coins, they seem to have some wisdom.
Well, this kind of thing is certainly well-suited as entertainment.
Meanwhile, the goblins on our side were sitting with impeccable manners. They were staying still to watch the fight that was about to take place. Yep, this is surreal.
At any rate, I felt bad for the girls who became a prize, because we were pointlessly scaring them. Well, this is all for their sakes. Just bear with it for now.
Then, after the preparations were finished, the fight to decide the leader began.
On one side was a long-serving soldier full of scars who had drawn many subordinates to follow him with his achievements.
On the other side was me, who had thoroughly trained those of my generation, and Ranked Up into a [ Hobgoblin Variant ].
Apparently, most of the bets the goblins placed were on the hobgoblin leader, but I didn't care about that, when Gobujii announced the beginning of the fight, I immediately attacked.
Well, I'll say the result. Of course, I won.
[Evil Eye] which stops my opponents' movements like a frog glared at by a snake.
[Intimidating Roar] which causes my opponents' to cower from the volume of the roar that can't be issued with my vocal cords normally.
I confused the enemy by overlapping these two abilities at the same time, I didn't miss the gap created and immediately closed the distance, then I wrapped his body with my threads. Lastly, I hung him from a tree like a sandbag.
Gobujii asked me about the thread, but it was definitely a part of my body. It's a little like saliva. Since it comes out from my body, it can't be considered a weapon. Therefore, there aren't any problems. Since it isn't a weapon, I didn't violate the rules even if I use it. It's like that. Yeah, it's safe.
After turning him into a makeshift sandbag with my threads, it was time for violence. I tried going easy on him so that he won't die.
However, he belongs to the hobgoblin species, who are tougher than goblins, in addition, he was impertinently shouting things like "I'm the leader! How dare you, you impostor! Do you have no shame!?" showing that he doesn't understand his own situation, so I got a bit serious.
Well, it can't be helped. It was unavoidable. That's why I beat him.
First of all, to prevent him from saying something boring like "I give up" I stuffed a gag made out of thread in his mouth.
After that, I beat him up for about three minutes, but he still had spirit, so I did that again for ten more minutes until he was just a bloody bag of soft moans. I didn't kill him though. By the way, even though I beat and kicked him for ten minutes incessantly I still have plenty of physical strength left.
This is the result of daily training. I soon stopped because he fainted. Judging from touch, it seemed like his bones were just barely at the point of breaking and his internal organs didn't rupture. If I left him like this, he surely wouldn't die.
Nevertheless, I forcibly made him drink a [ Life Potion ], a weak but effective self-made physical recovery drug, I made it by mixing several types of medicinal herbs like Healing grass and several kinds of insects mixed in with fresh water. Then, I cut the thread and let him roll on the ground.
Seeing the effect of the potion, I managed to prove that it was capable of healing little cuts for the time being. Given that, his insides should be more or less better by tomorrow. However, he will most likely be unable to wake up today.
Once I finished the job, I became aware that the others had drawn away from me, who was immersed in a weird of sense of accomplishment.
While the goblins on our side seemed in a better state than the others, there was still a hint of terror in their eyes, why?. Also, they would instinctively try to run away whenever I approached, this hurted my feelings a little…
Eh? What is it Gobumi-chan? It's because they were completely unable to understand my thread, and in addition to the tragic scene of the hobggoblin leader, I was making a scary face while beating him? But wasn't that just my normal face?
Ah, I'm the only one that thinks that, huh.
But it really isn't that big of a deal, don't you think so too Gobukichi-kun? Ah... don't be like that.
Even Gobue-chan...? Okay okay, if it's like that, then fine. I have no allies here.
After letting out a sigh, I asked if there were any more challengers. By making my position clear now, I'll be able to reduce the possibility of any trouble coming up later on.
In the end, because there were no more challengers, I officially became the Leader of this « Goblin Community ».
I then declared that it is strictly forbidden to touch the women and that there would be a more detailed set of rules given in due time before dismissing everyone.
Afterwards, I removed the gags and untied the hemp ropes around the hands and feet of the five women and brought them to the deepest parts of the cave where those pitiful women from before were kept, made to reproduce and die in despair. I did this because it would be troublesome if they escaped.
Well, the women escaping is fine, but five unarmed women running around in this dangerous forest can only lead to them being killed and eaten. And since I have gone through the trouble to save them, I won't allow this to happen.
Fortunately, since I have the ability [Human Language] the minimum requirements needed to speak with them were fulfilled.
It wasn't long before we arrived. I took the torch I made beforehand and lit it to provide a light-source.
goblins have [Night Vision], but it is difficult for humans to see in the darkness.
After these preparations were finished, I began talking to them. I promised them that I will not harm them and that I will ensure food, clothing and shelter. I also told them that if they were assaulted, I'll deal with the assailants, and that it would take some time, but I'll deliver them to a town.
I think probably 5 or 6 hours passed before either because of my insistent persuasion, or some other reason that I don't know of, the girls began to speak.
The first one who regained her composure was the adventurer girl, with short flaming red hair, rather than a charming beauty, she possessed cuteness that reminded me of small animals.
From my conversation with the redhead girl, I concluded that the four women were peddlers from a merchant association called « The Star God's Pavilion ».
As for the redhead, she was a member of the adventurer clan « The Sword of the Weak » who applied for « The Star God's Pavilion »'s escort request. « The Sword of the Weak » seemed to consist of fledgling adventurers.
As I thought, such an occupation existed. Her clan seemed to be a typical adventurer clan with the main policy of nurturing the strength of their individuals via mutual support, and the redhead, a holder of the [Job - Warrior] and a fledgling adventurer, wanted to obtain power by serving as a member with them.
How did these girls get caught? After hearing the story, briefly explained, it goes like this :
The girls were on the highway heading towards the defense city « Trient ».
→ They were been ambushed by a goblin raid who used poisoned arrows - in other words, our parents' generation - .
→ Their leader who was a mid-ranked adventurer his companions who were at the same rank as him were all killed by the first attack.
→ There were a few experienced escort adventurers, but they were fledgling adventurers. However, The goblins were skilled at methodical teamwork, so they couldn't compete.
→ Even a fledgling adventurer can kill a few goblins, but the presence of the three hobgoblins who were systemically dealing with adventures that stand out was fatal.
→ In addition, there was the presence of a hobgoblin Mage.
→ When opposing the magic-wielding Mages, it is necessary to have a higher overall Level than them. Alternatively, although the number of times magic can be exercised using it is limited, magic items like scrolls or wands that enable even children to use magic can be used to fight Mages. However, there was no way a fledgling adventurers could buy such a high-class item.
→ As a result, they were subjugated without resistance, their weapons and goods plundered, the men were killed, the girls who survived were carried off and we arrived at the present situation.
As a hobgoblin myself, I shouldn't be the one to say this, but it was a difficult story to hear. Not to mention, everyone were annihilated besides these girls. Well, there's nothing to say about it other than that it was their bad luck.
After telling me that much, they couldn't bear it anymore and bursted into tears.
As expected, they could not even put their feelings about living together with goblins who killed their friends in order, so I thought that any more than this would only be painful. I told them where I left the torch that I prepared along with some blankets, then I went back. Now I should just do them a favor and let them cry their feelings out.
Well then, I suppose I should now start talking about [Jobs]. For non-human beings like demi-humans, beastmen, and monsters - any species in a hostile relationship with developed civilizations, though non-monsters can appear in a monster species like Mages and [ Variants ] - , there is a law in this world called [ Evolution (Rank up) ]. As you could probably guess from my phrasing, the law of [ Evolution (Rank up) ] does not apply to humans.
But in exchange for that, there are a large number of [Job]s that they can take.
The basic stats of humans are inferior compared to non-humans.
To compensate that, they acquire as much [Job]s as possible, each [Job] has its acquisition conditions, and the stronger the [Job] the harder the conditions. And by acquiring [Job]s humans get [Improvements] that strengthen their bodies.
Anyone can raise their [ Jobs ]'s Level by spending time and if one has the prerequisites, it is possible to [ Promotion (Rank up) ] to a higher ranking [Job].
Also, [Job]s are largely responsible for the rise of those who are called [ Champion (Eiyuu) ]s and [ Heroes (Yuusha) ]s, in addition, the improvements from such [Job]s are are very high. And don't laugh, because it looks like people with the [ Job-Heroes (Yuusha) ] and [ Job-Champion (Eiyuu) ] really exist.
To put it simply, the non-humans' [ Evolution (Rank up) ] is heavily influenced by their achievements, but can dramatically increase their potential all at once.
Whereas humans' with their [ Promotion (Rank up ) ] grow more slowly than non-humans, but anyone can get power to a certain level if they spend time on it.
It's like this: either raise several Levels in one leap, or slowly, but surely, raise one Level at a time.
It's either that or the following. Non-humans, few, but very strong individuals. Humans, many, but weaker than non-humans in individual ability.
By the way, this information is from Gobujii, so it's most likely correct.
[ POV: Redhead ]
[ Time Axis: Day 27 ]
It should have been a simple common quest. However, it did not end so easily. In fact, it ended in complete failure.
The quest was to escort a medium sized group of merchants from the merchant association « The Star God's Pavilion » to the fortified city « Trient » and protecting them from bandits and monsters. Because I'm a fledgling adventurer with no reputation, I am viewed with a lack of confidence and competence, so normally I shouldn't have been able to apply to such a request. However, because I was part of the Adventurers' Clan « Sword of the Weak » I was able to apply for it.
That's because the Clan Master arranged it so that the fledgling members will be able to apply for it for experience. As a result, this job which normally would require only ten adventurers or less, included eighteen fledgling adventurers like me and six senior members who are mid-ranked adventurers, a total of twenty-four people. The large number of participants lowered the income, but we put up with it since this was to help us gain experience.
At first, everything was fine. The government issues a monster subjugation request to the Adventurers' Guild periodically for the road we used, thus clearing out most of the monsters, thanks to this it was much more secure. Still, there is some risk involved. The large chicken monster with a height of 70 cm called [ Misuteddo ]. Encountering these monsters help fledgling adventurers that hunt them to get some experience points, and as only three came out it can't really be called risky.
The journey did not have much of a danger, so everyone, including me and the other fledgling adventurers who didn't apply to an escorting quest before, weren't nervous at all. Inevitably, because there was a lot of free time, most of it was spent talking, and as it turned out, I was the only female adventurer in this quest.
Fortunately, everyone were openhearted and carefree, and the seniors spoke of stories full of information that will be useful in the future. It was also helpful that there was four women in the « Star God's Pavilion »'s merchant group that we're escorting. The Blacksmith Emery Furado sold me a ring and a necklace at low prices, saying that they're prototypes. The Cook sisters Alma and Felicia Timiano gave me some sweets. The Alchemist Spinel Fean who was older than me was normally quiet and seemed cold, but when I talked to her she was very gentle, in addition, she gave me a self-made physical recovery drug, [ Life Potion ] that seems to be a little inferior compared to the commercially available ones, nevertheless, for me it's more than enough. My life could well be saved by this one day. Physical recovery potions are essential items for adventurers, however, they are expensive, so they are usually out of the reach of a fledgling like me. So, above all, I was thankful.
With the unexpected income, I relaxed my guard. I was thinking that after the quest this time is completed, I would have a drink in the tavern with everyone. At that time, I really believed this.
But that was not to be.
Suddenly, arrows came flying out of the forest on the roadside and struck the seniors' bodies. Apparently the arrows had been coated in a fast-acting poison, we quickly began treatment, however, the seniors died while foaming from their mouths. And though it was not the first time that I saw someone die, I can't say that I'm used to it. While looking at the corpses, I couldn't help thinking what if I was struck with an arrow like the seniors ? Thinking that, my head stopped working for an instant. However, I didn't have the time to continue thinking about that. That was because a large number of monsters had just jumped out from the forest and are now heading towards us while roaring.
■■■
"Ttsuaaaaa!!"
Whilst raising a roar of fighting spirit, I drew out my steel short-sword [ The Sword of Love ], the only parting gift from my uncle who was a mid-ranked adventurer.
[ Rubellia Walline used the Combat Art [Slash ] ]
It was a basic Combat Art that I learned from my uncle along with the [ Warrior ] Job . A pale red light covered the blade of my killing intent-filled sword.
The enemy in front of me was a monster with a distinctive green skin, pointed ears, and an ugly face, it was a [ Bandit Goblin ] - a specific type of goblin tribes - . I launched a slash aiming to cut off its head, however, the enemy managed to parry my sword with its short sword. With the collision between swords, a high-pitched sound was generated and sparks scattered. My hand became numb from the impact, although the power in my hand has weakened a little, but I can still firmly grip my sword. It's okay, I can still fight.
However, it's different for the Bandit goblin in front of me. The shock of the previous blow caused it to drop its sword from the numbness, leaving it unarmed.
That's probably because even though my combat profession [Warrior] is only at level 10, I grew up working in the fields with my uncle till the last month when I became an adventurer, so I managed to get the [Farmer] job up to level 48. That's why I had the upper hand in muscle strength and endurance.
The hard day-to-day farming work made my arms strong and hardened my skin, so it was sturdy, this helped me keeping hold of my sword and not dropping it down. Only for a moment, I though back on those days. I swung my sword again aiming for the kill, but the Bandit goblin was able to barely block my sword with a round shield at the last moment. I broke the round shield but couldn't deliver a fatal injury. The enemy is fighting desperately. However, I was able to break the posture of the Bandit goblin. Without giving it the opportunity to escape, I aimed for the exposed thigh not covered with the hide armor - it seemed to be made of beast skin - .
"Ttsua!!"
[ Rubellia Walline used the Combat Art [Slash] ]
Due to the use of a [ Combat Art ], the blade's sharpness was increased and it easily tore through the meat, its momentum slowed down a bit when cutting the bone, nevertheless, I succeeded in cutting off the Bandit goblin's leg and large quantities of fresh blood spewed from the wound.
I raised my short-sword high in order to give the finishing blow to the Bandit goblin groaning in pain desperately while clutching its cut leg. I slashed down aiming for the crown of its head, Without resistance, my sword cut through the skull splattering cerebral fluid and blood and staining my leather armor, 'I have to wash it later', I thought.
"Rubellia!! Behind you!!"
A male adventurer the same age as me who I got along with recently, Charles, called out. I turned around equipping my shield in my left hand and pushed forward.
[ Rubellia Walline used the Combat Art [Shield Bash] ]
Pale blue light wrapped around my shield as I struck the Bandit goblin trying to surprise attack me in the face, it was unable to avoid my surprise attack as it was the one trying to attack me by surprise and didn't expect me to react. The round shield which increased in hardness than it's originally is by using a Combat Art struck the face of the Bandit goblin and broke its nose causing a gushing nosebleed as its body fell back.
This is [Knock Back], one of the Combat Art [Shield Bash]'s effects, it breaks the stance of the target.
I seized the chance and rushed in to cut off the head of the Bandit goblin. I didn't use a Combat Art because it consumes a lot of physical and mental strength, in addition, it's an overkill to use a Combat Art against an undefended enemy, moreover, when using a Combat Art my stance will break after the attack is completed.
I slashed through the neck of the Bandit goblin unopposed due to its broken stance. I hit an artery, and fresh blood spouted out like a fountain, the blade got chipped a little when I cut through the bone, then I thought about sharpening it again in the corner of my head.
In the corner of my view I saw the figure of an enemy striking at me. I avoided the large spiked club that is clearly too much for my small shield to block and jumped back.
"Fuu!"
The club missed me and the winds it raised shook my hair with a whistling sound. That was all. I didn't get any damage, and succeeded in getting back. However, that seems to have been the aim of the enemy.
"Ggyacacacaca"
"Why is a Bandit Hobgoblin here??!!"
A formidable enemy, a [ Bandit Hobgoblin ] appeared from my blind spot, from behind me while releasing a fearsome cry.
Hobgoblins are a higher species of goblins, it's a monster famous for having physical prowess somewhat beyond that of an average human, it's an opponent that fledgling adventurers must overcome.
I fought a hobgoblin that my uncle caught before, nevertheless, it was a troublesome opponent to kill one-on-one. Goblins just charge without thinking, so they're easy to deal with, however, a hobgoblin is much stronger than a goblin and it possesses wisdom, and this one is dangerous even among hobgoblins.
From the fact that it's leading the troublesome Bandit goblins, it's most likely a Bandit hobgoblin that evolved from a Bandit goblin. According to my uncle, a hobgoblin that evolved from a goblin have superior physical prowess and techniques, and I agree with him, that's because after killing a lot of creatures, raising it's Level and climbing the hierarchy from below, there's no way a born hobgoblin can have an equal amount of power to it. Effort makes all kinds of creatures strong.
This kind of powerful enemy, the Bandit hobgoblin, launched a strike at me with its powerful fist, it didn't hit me directly since I was quick enough to block it with the round shield, However, I didn't have the time to use a Combat Art, as a result the round shield released an unpleasant sound as it got damaged. I felt as if I collided against something huge, then my body flew backwards.
At first, I couldn't understand what happened, but when the gravity pulled me down and I started rolling on the ground I understood. It was a very simple matter, that strike was powerful enough to send me flying. My round shield that took the attack head on got smashed at the part that received the hobgoblin's punch, my left arm that was holding the round shield broke and I couldn't move it well. As I continued to roll, I hit my head upon a stone, because of the pain and the blood loss I started to lose consciousness. I caught sight of the blood which flowed over my left eye dyeing half of my view red.
Exhausted, I wanted to continue staying on the ground and take a rest, however, taking that choice was impossible. I gritted my teeth to the point that blood started flowing from my mouth, ignored my body screaming in pain and pierced my sword into the ground to support myself as I stood up. My legs were shaking, and half of my view was dyed red. The Bandit hobgoblin didn't attack me again. Hobgoblins apart from their skin color have features which resemble a human's, however, this one is quite ugly. It is the ugliest hobgoblin that I've ever seen. It stared at me with eyes tinged with intelligence and a vulgar smile on its face. A swelling crotch vividly expressed what it was thinking.
I suppressed my nausea that welled up from thinking about it and looked for other adventurer in the battlefield with my eyes. This Bandit hobgoblin is certainly strong, but even if it's strong, it's not an opponent that fledgling adventurers can't defeat with numbers. If there are three of us, then we'll be able to relatively easily kill it. With some effort, even two are enough to beat it. Somebody, Anybody. I looked around the battlefield desperately while rubbing my left eye that got blurry because of the blood covering it.
However, there was no one else, everyone were doing their best to survive.
Because the seniors who assumed the position of the commanders were the first to be killed, everyone panicked and thus got scattered. I didn't know what to do in this critical situation. Because there is even less than the eighteen fledgling adventurers who participated in this quest including myself, we must regroup and cooperate to survive this predicament.
Some of them grouped together and are fighting back, some got cut from behind as they were trying to flee, others were burned by fireballs - then that means there is a Mage too!!
Moreover, it's a hobgoblin Mage, for a moment my view became dark, that's because Mages are able to exercise the powerful art of magic. Against a Mage fledgling adventurers will only get massacred. According to my uncle, if there is a big difference in Level, it's possible to kill a Mage, however, that's impossible for me now.
I was trained by my uncle, a mid-ranked adventurer, however, I can't find a way to overcome this situation at all. I looked around looking for the owner of the voice I heard earlier. Charles, the one who called out to me before and is a little stronger than me, can't afford to help me because he is confronting two Bandit hobgoblins at the same time. Rather, he is in a situation where he needs help.
This situation is the worst.
But I don't want to give it up yet. As an adventurer I know how it will turn out if I give up. As a female I will be taken away and used to satisfy their desires, repeatedly violated and impregnated with goblin children until I die. An existence, like a livestock. It's absolutely disgusting. I would rather be killed. Both of my parents passed away a while ago and I don't have a lover. I apologize for my uncle who trained me in swordsmanship to ensure my life for doing this, but now I don't have any fear of death. I can accept death. However, I refuse to be raped repeatedly and die like livestock.
"....gulp...."
From the field pack around my waist I took out the [ Life Potion ] I got from Spinel. Luckily it was not broken, I drank it in a single breath. A subtle sweetness spread in my mouth, at the same time, the pain in my body disappeared. My broken left arm can also move without problems. In addition, my fatigue lessened. I was told that this is an inferior product compared to the commercial goods, however, I think its effects are great. Now I can continue fighting.
"As if I will give up"
After raising a roar I charged, to kill the enemy.
■■■
However, it was useless. After that, I killed a few Bandit goblins, Charles was killed by the two Bandit hobgoblins he was fighting. After that, I got stunned and eventually was captured. My limbs have been restricted by ropes and a gag was placed in my mouth. It's hard to understand the Goblin language, but it seems we will arrive at their home soon. This is the worst. The bulging crotch of Bandit hobgoblin who defeated me crossed my mind, it was looking at me with an obscene smile while raising a vulgar laughter.
It's disgusting. I do not want to be violated by that thing. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it !! I hate it, but I can't escape my future now. My limbs are bound, so I can't run away. I can't even bite my tongue because of the gag. After we get to the goblins' destination, if I try striking my head against the wall, I will not be overlooked, Even if I managed to do it, that will be only after I get soiled, that would be too late
As we are being carried, I prayed to the [ God of Fate «Shikkuzaru» ]. In this world, Gods exist. Although the possibility of the Gods answering my prayers is low, but I have to try. My prayers have never been answered before, nevertheless, no matter how small it's as long as there's some hope I want to cling to it.
However, I stopped praying because there wasn't any changes to the situation, then I raised my face. My eyes met with those of who I was trusted to defend, but failed. The other women who are in the same circumstances as me. Emery, Felicia, Alma and Spinel. Even now, they did not blame me. That hurt me further. I cried. I felt nauseated from how weak I am. I felt ashamed that everyone who didn't have the ability to fight helped me so much, yet I couldn't even protect them. I'm very ashamed, I apologized to everyone with my eyes. I apologized from the bottom of my heart. I'm sorry that I am weak.
Then I recalled my memories of my parents and my uncle. My tears flowed out without stopping, I thought 'father, mother, I'll be coming soon. sorry uncle'. Then I saw a cave in the distance. 'It's the end' I thought.
However, it seems my luck has not run out.
As I was crying, near the cave I could see many goblins doing something - most likely combat training -, but there was a hobgoblin that particularly caught my attention, it was black skinned. When I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was astonishing, to the point that I stopped thinking for a second. I didn't ever hear of the existence of a black hobgoblin even in rumors.
There're brown skinned goblins who live in mines and caves most of their lives called [ Mine Goblins ]. Although they exist, this is the home of the Bandit goblins who have green skin, moreover, Mine goblins are dark brown skinned at most, there aren't any black skinned Mine goblins.
However, the skin of this hobgoblin was a jet black color, it seemed like a sea of darkness that could absorb everything.
That's why I think that black hobgoblin must have received a divine protection from a God when it evolved and thus became a [ Variant ]. While I was thinking about this, the black hobgoblin approached the Bandit hobgoblin and spoke to it.
"Those women. Can you release them into my custody?"
On the surface, he is gentle-looking, but he has an overpowering voice. He had a charismatic charm that was difficult to describe. Coming here to meet him may have been my destiny. I got attracted to him who possess "power", which is something that I don't have.
This moment marked the beginning of my turbulent fate.
_______________________________________
Author's Note:
Redhead got captivated by Goburou due seeing the power he held and gradually fell in love with him.
[ POV: Charles ]
[ Time Axis: Days 27 and a few days before it ]
My name is Charles.
It has been a month since I joined the adventurer clan «Sword of the Weak».
My weapon is a steel longsword. It isn't a magic item, it's from the [Normal] rank, but it's a good sword forged by a famous Blacksmith using high quality steel.
It's worth a considerable amount of money, and I don't have enough money to buy a sword of this quality. Of course, I didn't steal it from a store either. When I left the village where I was born and grew up, my uncle who was an adventurer in the past, gave me this sword.
My uncle is my benefactor, my foster parent and my master who I aim to surpass in the future.
If I include the details of my story it'll get really long, so I'll focus only on the important points.
When I was around eleven years old, my parents were killed by a group of monsters that attacked the village. I was close to death too, however, my uncle who returned to the village at this time by chance fought the monsters with his long sword in his hand while sustaining many wounds, and he succeeded in repelling the monsters, thus he became the hero of the village. But my uncle lost his right leg in the battle, and he couldn't move his left hand satisfactorily anymore. This spelled the end of my uncle's adventurer occupation and he decided to stay in the village. He also took me in and brought me up at that time.
From that day, we started living together in hardship. Although the other villagers supported us, my uncle lost his right leg and couldn't move his left hand satisfactorily, and I was a only a kid. There was a field that my father left behind him after his death, but it's mainly my work to cultivate the field, so the amount of food we ate was meagre. However, my uncle often told me stories he experienced as an adventurer, so I was living happily. I never hated those days.
After living together like this for five years, I turned sixteen, at this point our life became stable, so I earnestly asked my uncle to teach me how to fight. I want to become an adventurer and travel around the world like my uncle, I told him that and he easily accepted my request.
To be honest, that reason is only a part of why I want to become an adventurer, the other reason is that my childhood friend who is two years older than me, Rushana, who was also secretly in love with my uncle, married my uncle recently.
In other words, it's because I lost my love. Even I think it's a pathetic reason, but finding a wife in this small village is really hard, so I think that I'll have to leave this village someday. Moreover, since they are newlyweds, I had to sleep with my ears closed at night. Given all of these reasons, I finally decided to ask my uncle to train me and leave this village.
I've been training after the field labor everyday for about one year now, and finally completed the basic combat training under my uncle, after that I got permission to leave the village and became an adventurer.
Although I started training due to pathetic circumstances, I who has finished my uncle's basic combat training have a certain degree of confidence in my power, and the Level of my [Warrior] job is relatively high.
If it's a fight against fellow fledgling adventurers, then I won't lose. Even if it's 1 vs 5, my chance of victory is high, moreover, that's when I'm holding back.
Because my uncle knew the clan master, I didn't get a bad treatment in the clan. However, I felt a subtle dissatisfaction with my position in the clan.
Then, I met her, Rubellia, I thought that her short red hair suited her well. We trained together, and that was the first I lost in a fight.
I was underestimating her, however, that doesn't change the fact that I lost to Rubellia. In addition, we'r at the same level, so I think I'll be able to win next time. After that day, we trained together several times, and the winner would be the one in a better condition. Like this both of us continued growing stronger together.
While fighting, I started getting interested in her. Rubellia, isn't a charming beauty. But she had a kind of vigorous beauty, when seeing her carefree joyful smile, I feel my heart skipping a beat. Part of the reason may be because her smile somewhat resembled Rushana's. However, it's probably because I had romantic feelings for Rubellia.
After realizing that, I tried talking to Rubellia in our spare time. From that, I learned that I and Rubellia had many things in common. Just like me her parents are dead, her uncle is also an adventurer who trained her. We've a lot of things in common, even though I don't have the right to say this, but aren't we a well-matched couple? No, because I didn't confess, we aren't even a couple. But I didn't get a good opportunity to confess, so I couldn't confess till now. I'm really a pathetic guy.
"Charles, when will you confess to Rubellia?"
While I was thinking of all of this, Lux, the guy who I get along best with and a member of my party asked me that question. Right now, under the request of the merchant association known as «The Star God's Pavilion» we'r escorting them to the fortress city «Trient». The number of adventurers participating in this request is more than usual, and among them there's the figure of Rubellia. And knowing that he asked me that question, I retorted in panic "what will you do if she heard you?", however, fortunately Rubellia was talking with the women merchants and didn't hear him. I was relieved, then glared at Lux, but I let it go while blushing. Although he toyed with me just now, but I turned my head to my best friend and declared.
"After we finish this request, I'll confess."
I thought that this is the time for me to stop being a pathetic guy. In addition, I vaguely felt that I had to say this. Lux responded "good luck". I know that Lux also have feelings for Rubellia, but even then he supports me. I felt sorry and at the same time thankful, and thought 'I'll do my best to get bonded with Rubellia'.
At the time I was thinking this, we who were advancing in the highway were attacked by surprise. It was a group of goblins that attacked us.
They first killed the seniors by ambush, who had the highest combat power among us. It seems they applied a poison to the arrowheads, as the seniors who shouldn't have received fatal wounds fell on the ground while blowing bubbles from their mouths and died. Normally, this request can't be received by fledgling adventurers like us, this time the clan master arranged it so that we'll be able to receive it to gain experience, however, that's under the condition that we'll be under the supervision of our seniors. The seniors who were supposed to take command in such a situation all died. When a unit comprised of inexperienced combatants lost it's commanders, it's pretty obvious what will happen to them. There are those took their arms and fought the goblins, those who fell into panic and tried to run away, and those who paralyzed from fear.
I fought with my treasured sword in my hand. I partnered with Lux and crossed blades with the goblin who were armed with daggers, axes etc. Generally speaking, goblins are small fries. Although they have good physical abilities, they don't have the required intelligence to make full use of it. They just idiotically charge forward. So they are easy to kill even for amateurs as long as there is something that can be used as a weapon like a hoe or a club. But this group isn't weak. They applied poison to the arrowheads, that indicates that they are bandit goblins. They have some intelligence, so they're much more troublesome than ordinary goblins. Even with their numbers, if they didn't ambush us and just attacked head on, we would have been able to easily kill them, how annoying. And it seems like they judged that I'm stronger than the others, so two goblins attacked me at the same time. As expected, even for me killing both of them is hard. I tried focusing on attacking one goblin, but when I damaged it to a certain degree, it fell back, so I couldn't kill it. I tried to make use of this opportunity and kill the other goblin, but a new goblin took the place of the one that fell back immediately, and the number of goblins I'm fighting didn't change from two. I wish I had enough power to kill a goblin with a single blow.
I crossed blades with the goblins while clenching my teeth from frustration, and injuries gradually accumulated on both my and their bodies. Because my enemies switched places with other goblins multiple times, I'm in a worse shape.
While I was in this situation of not being able kill the goblins, Rubellia's figure entered my sight. She was fighting desperately too. She killed a goblin while sustaining some injuries. But there was a goblin approaching her from behind, so I raised my voice and warned her. She reacted and struck the goblin in the face with the shield while using a Combat Art. She didn't miss the chance made when the goblin lost its balance from the strike, and dealt a fatal blow to it.
However, I didn't have the time to relax, I parried the attack of the goblin in front of me. Then I slashed at its flank after its posture broke. There was a heavy resistance, but I succeeded in cutting the goblin in two. The upper part of its body flew in the air and sprinkled blood in the surroundings, and the lower part of its body fell to the ground. The other goblin seeing it's companion killed raised an angry shout and attacked me from the back, I avoided it by lowering my body to the ground, then I tripped it by extending my foot and revolving my body. The goblin which lost its balance, leant forward and collapsed. I stood up immediately using the revolving momentum, stepped on the goblin's back and stabbed its heart. I felt the sense of taking a life certainly.
It was hard, but I managed to kill them. It may be hard to win the goblins, but we may be able to do it. When I started to feel some hope, it appeared.
It was a Mage. Moreover, it wasn't a goblin, it was a Hobgoblin Mage. From its looks it seems to be a female, and I can see it holding a cane. It seems like it finished the incantation, flames were dancing on the cane's tip. At the same time it was fired in my direction, then I moved unconsciously and avoided the flame ball narrowly. I avoided that one just now only by luck, I'll not get another chance. I felt my body burning from the heat wave, the exposed parts from my skin felt hot and painful. But it wasn't a fatal wound, that's I endured it and tried to close my distance with the mage. Even though I say mage, it's a Hobgoblin Mage. For the current me it's a powerful enemy, but I don't think that it can fire magic rapidly. That's why I didn't hesitate even a little, in addition, after closing the distance, a Hobgoblin Mage is easier to kill than an ordinary Hobgoblin.
Because my judgment was fast, I would be able to reach the Hobgoblin Mage faster than it can fire its magic by a few steps. Impatience started appearing on its expression.
But my goal was foiled by the appearance of another hobgoblin. It was a female hobgoblin holding a sword. It jumped between me and mage from the side.
I attacked it with the [Warrior] job's Combat Arts [Slash] and [Rush] while using my running momentum to increase its power, however, all of my attacks were either stopped, parried or avoided. Although there was an attack that it couldn't avoid, I only managed to graze it once, it's far from being a fatal wound.
The enemy's attacks that aimed for the gaps in my posture after using a Combat Art were fast and heavy. Although I didn't get a fatal injury, my leather armor is in tatters.
This hobgoblin is good at handling swords. When judging by sword skills only, it may even be better than me. By the standards of humans, it would be equivalent to a [Swordsman].
Such a hobgoblin attacked me relentlessly, I could only defend myself without being able to counter attack, accumulating wounds while fighting desperately, then the hobgoblin jumped backward suddenly. I was very tired, and couldn't follow it immediately.
Immediately after that, a flame ball flew towards me from the direction of the Mage. I got checkmated. The hobgoblin with the sword was just earning time.
The heat waves released from the flame ball which is drawing near got stronger every moment it approached me. It can't be avoided. I'll die. I'll get killed. At that time, I felt as if the world stopped moving. My view and the flame ball were moving slowly. Only my thoughts were revolving at high-speeds, but my body doesn't move as fast. At these moments when I couldn't do anything and could only wait my fate, I remembered a story my uncle told me.
According to him, my uncle seems to have cut a magic spell using this long sword in the past. He was quite proud of this, so I remember it well.
When I heard this, I had my doubts and didn't believe him completely. While sweating, I slashed at the flame ball with the long sword . It was the best slash using a Combat Art that I executed in my life. Even I couldn't visually follow it, its speed was unlike any slash that I executed before. If even this slash can't cut the flame ball, then I'll have no other choice but to die. However, I didn't want to die, so I desperately used all of my strength, and succeeded in cutting the flame ball. The two halves of the cut flame ball fell to my left and right, and the ground where they hit burnt down. I didn't care about the heat waves that engulfed my body and exclaimed.
"I did it... I..I did it?"
Witnessing my achievement, I let my guard down for a moment. As a result of doing this which is something that must never be done in front of an enemy, I got easily killed. To make sure to kill me in case I managed to avoid the magic, the hobgoblin with the sword approached me from my blind spot. After I let my guard down, it beheaded me. From the corner of my sight, I saw my collapsing trunk. I also can see Lux knocked down on the ground and getting stabbed by several goblins repeatedly. The impression the sight of his wide opened eyes were and the expression of agony on his face gave was striking. The other adventurers were also mostly killed. As for the guard targets, the men were killed, and the women were captured.
The form that Rubellia is fighting with was a big hobgoblin. I wouldn't say that the ability difference between us is hopeless, but the difference in numbers between us is overwhelming. Before long, Rubellia will also lose. Will she be violated by goblins from now on? that's probably what will happen. Bearing the goblins children, breaking down, and finally dying in despair. I can't stand the fact that this is what will happen to her, however, I can't do anything about it, my consciousness is already disappearing.
Ah, this is frustrating. I can't maintain, my consciousness anymore. My sight, is turning black. After that point, I couldn't see anything anymore. I couldn't hear anything anymore. I couldn't feel anything anymore. It was pure darkness, darkness wrapped in silence. Is this death? It's dark and cold.
God... at least, lend a helping hand to Rubellia.
_______________________________________
Author's Note:
Rubellia fell in love with Goburou while Charles who fell in love with her died in agony and got forgotten. Such a tragedy...