Chapter 4: Battle to the Death with Goblins Part 1
The child who had been captured was around 10 years old.
They had a gender-neutral appearance, so it was difficult to tell their gender at first glance. They didn't seem to have any noticeable injuries, so they may have just been unconscious.
Since it was dangerous to stay there, I immediately began to move. I sent back the death scythe for now and carried the child on my back. The child was as light as a feather, perhaps because they hadn't eaten much or because my level had increased.
After about 30 minutes of walking, the area began to open up, and I could see the surrounding scenery. Here, I could quickly notice the approach of enemies and had many escape routes, so I wouldn't be surrounded. I put the child down and took a break.
I hadn't realized it due to the continuous tension, but I was feeling quite fatigued. I took out a water bottle from my backpack and took a sip of water. "What is this... it's too delicious. This definitely isn't just water. My fatigue disappeared in an instant."
"Oh... there's a note on the water bottle. Mikoto's handwriting is too cute."
"I put god water that received god's blessing in it. If there's any left, it will return to its original amount, so don't drink it all. It has the effect of recovering physical strength, energy, magical power, and abnormal states. It can cure fatal wounds. P.S. Don't sell it or anything, or it will be troublesome if it's found out. If you transfer it to another container, it will just be plain water."
"What should I do... my love for Mikoto has broken through its limits. It's only been a few hours since we parted ways. I want to punch myself for thinking that Mikoto's travel set was plain."
I decided to slowly pour the god water into the child's mouth, who was still unconscious. The effect was tremendous, and the child opened their eyes wide.
"Qwesdrftgy Fujiko LP... where am I? Who are you, big brother?"
"You have learned to speak human language."
"This is the forest. I'm Kakeru. I rescued you because you were captured by goblins. Do you have any injuries?"
"Ah! That's right! What about everyone else? Please, help everyone."
Perhaps their memories had returned because they suddenly panicked and started crying.
"For now, tell me your story. Let's start with your name."
I spoke slowly with a smile, trying to calm the child down.
"Y-yes. I'm Fria. My family are traveling merchants and we were on our way to Primera when we were attacked by a group of goblins in the middle of the forest."
According to Fria, they were attacked by about thirty goblins. The road to Primera is usually quite safe and they hardly ever get attacked. They usually travel in groups but this time, they had to leave in a hurry due to some urgent circumstances, so Fria's family left on their own.
Fria's father determined that he couldn't fight and so he made the family escape first. They had decided on a place to meet up if they got separated, so Fria pleads to go there.
"Okay. Fria, can you guide me?"
"You'll go? Thank you so much, Kakeru-san!"
If they had scattered when they ran away, there was a possibility that someone from their family had survived. While the chances were low, it was also possible that someone other than Fria had escaped without getting caught. I needed to confirm it no matter what.
***
The meeting place was surprisingly close. At first glance, it looked like just a rock wall, but when they pushed aside the overgrown vines, there was an entrance with a sturdy door. According to Fria, it was used by merchants as a shelter when they were attacked in the forest.
Fria knocks on the door three times. It seemed to be a prearranged signal. After waiting for a while, the door opened and a boy about in middle school age appeared.
"B-big brother! I'm glad you're safe!"
Fria hugged her brother and cried tears of joy.
"Brother, what about everyone else? Are they inside? Are they safe?"
Fria's brother shook his head sadly.
"I think Dad and Mom were probably caught by the goblins. I don't know what happened to our older brother. He acted as a decoy."
Looking closer, his face was pale and he had injuries all over.
"S-so, who are you? I'm Julio, Fria's brother."
"I'm Kakeru. Fria was caught by the goblins, so I helped her and brought her here."
"What? Fria was caught by goblins? Is it true, Fria?"
"Y-yes. If it wasn't for Kakeru-san, I would have been eaten by the goblins."
"I see... thank you, Kakeru-san. You're strong, aren't you?"
"Anyway, Julio. Is this place safe?"
"Yeah, and there's also a way out in case of emergency, so we can escape."
It seems that it takes about two hours on foot to get to the town from here. In that case...
"Got it. Then I'll go out for a bit. If I don't come back by tomorrow morning, you two go to the town together. Understand?"
"Huh? Are you leaving, Kakeru-san?"
The two of them look uneasy. It's understandable. I don't want to leave them behind either, but there's no time.
"I'll look for your families. Julio, drink this. It's a recovery potion that heals wounds."
"Y-you're going to look for our parents? But a recovery potion, we don't have the money for that..."
"I'm not asking for money, so don't worry... By the way, if you can, I'd appreciate it if you could guide me around the town."
"I-I can do that."
"Alright, then drink it quickly. Protect Fria for me."
As soon as Julio sipped the holy water, his wounds disappeared. Wow, it really can heal wounds...
"Okay, I'm going now."
I left the evacuation site and headed towards the wagon that was attacked by goblins. According to Julio, there were a lot of food supplies on the wagon. If that's the case, there's a possibility that the greedy goblins are still there.
Also, there's a high chance that Fria's family hasn't been killed yet. Of course, if they were going to be eaten alive by the boss, it might have been better if they were already dead.
...Watching Fria and the others mourn, I remembered my parents whom I can never see again. I wonder if my father and mother were also sad when I suddenly disappeared.
Since I had started living with Mikoto-san, I tried not to think about it as much as possible, but unlike me, there was still potential for Fria and the others. My intuition had told me so. Wasn't I sent to that place at that time by coincidence, Mikoto-san?
Time had been of the essence. Every second had counted. I had run the shortest distance, ignoring obstacles. I had healed my fatigue and wounds with divine water while on the move.
When I had reached an open area, I had seen a road in front of me, and I had vaguely seen the outline of a carriage a little way off the road.
I had increased my speed even further. As I had approached the carriage, the iron smell of blood had hit my nose. I had heard the creepy sound of multiple gnawing from behind the carriage... they had been eating something. I had briefly had an unpleasant image in my mind, but I had immediately shaken it off and summoned Death Scythe.
"Death Scythe, come!"
Behind the carriage, six goblins had been swarming around a horse, tearing it apart. I had cut off the heads of three of them from behind. I had hit the other two who had turned around in surprise with the handle, and their heads had exploded like tomatoes.
"Your level has increased."
I had seen, so using the handle had activated the staff technique. The power and speed had been on a different level.
I hadn't killed the remaining goblin yet. I had hurt it enough and put Death Scythe's blade to its neck.
"Tell me where you took the kidnapped person. If you tell me, I can spare your life."
The goblin had been surprised and speechless that I could speak its language.
"I-I know. I'll show you, so please don't kill me."
Afterwards, I had quickly absorbed the souls of the defeated goblins and leveled up.
"Hurry up, or I'll cut off your head from behind if you stop."
I had made the goblin run ahead and guide me. There had been a possibility of traps, but if there had been any, I would have just broken through them.
"This way, there is a cave ahead, and the captives were taken there," said the goblin.
"Got it... So, are your comrades hiding there?"
"...! H-help me... gahh!"
Suddenly, an arrow pierced through the forehead of the goblin, who I used as a shield. "Tsk, there's a goblin who can use a bow and arrow."
"You have learned Archery."
"Ihehehe, we found another human. The boss will be pleased that we have more prey. You guys catch him, but don't kill him," said the goblin who appeared to be the leader.
I charged towards the goblin archer, using the dead goblin as a shield. The archer panicked and shot an arrow, but it only hit the dead goblin. In an instant, I closed the distance and beheaded the archer and the other goblins who attacked me from both sides.
"You have gained a level."
The goblins were thrown into chaos after seeing their leader killed. I used this chance to hunt them down one by one using Death Scythe. As long as they were close enough to attack, goblins were only a source of experience points. The 20 or so goblins were reduced in numbers in no time, and the remaining ones fled to the cave.
"You have gained a level."
"You have gained a level."
"You have gained a level."
I absorbed the souls with Death Scythe and picked up the bow and arrows. Then I hurried to the cave.
***
[Name] Kakeru Watanohara (Male)
[Race] Human
[Age] 17
[Status] Free citizen
[Occupation] Wanderer
[Condition] Good
[Level] 11
[Health] 197
[Mana] 1355
[Attack] 197
[Defense] 197
[Agility] 197
[Intelligence] 1355
[Luck] 90
[Skills] Instant Memory, Sketchbook <1>, Death Scythe <1>, Stick Fighting <1>, Archery <1>, Human language, Goblin language
[Blessings] Blessing of the Grim Reaper