The castle guards who were stationed at the castle gate exchanged confused glances and then burst into laughter for some inexplicable reason.
"Haha, you're a hero?" one of the guards managed to say between fits of laughter. "Do you really think this is the first time someone's claimed that and tried to enter the castle? Nice one, though."
My irritation grew as I questioned them, "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, just look at you," the first guard said, clearly annoyed. He pointed at my attire, which was quite different from my usual battle gear. "Just because you're dressed nicely doesn't mean we'll let you into the castle without asking some questions. Do you really think we're that foolish?"
As he mentioned this, I remembered how I ended up wearing these clothes. It all started when I bought these clothes during my date with Ember, and yesterday while exploring the capital, I found a shop that offered laundry services. My clothes had gotten stained by soup, and to my surprise, the shop cleaned and dried them in just a few minutes. So, I decided to wear these clean clothes today instead of my usual battle armor. Lost in thought, I almost missed what the guard said.
"There have been many people in the past few days who claimed to be heroes and tried to enter the castle," the second guard said, sounding tired. "Some even managed to get inside, but when we found out they were lying, they'd start crying and causing a scene. They'd beg the king for forgiveness, saying they'd made a mistake and asking for mercy. In my opinion, they should have been executed on the spot for wasting the king's time and trying to deceive everyone. But thanks to the princess's kindness, they usually end up with a lifetime in prison."
"Well, at least this guy here seems to have some common sense and is dressed rather decently," the first guard, who had previously been laughing, commented. He pointed toward my attire as a sign of approval. "You see, the fellow who showed up yesterday looked like he'd just stepped out of a beggar's alley, and to top it off, he was lugging around a wooden staff."
"You can say that again," the second guard chimed in, his frustration evident. "Do people honestly believe that we'd simply allow anyone to waltz right in and treat them with utmost respect, granting their every wish just because they decide to label themselves as heroes? It's becoming quite tiresome, to be honest. And speaking of which, you're still here? Move along. We've got our duties to attend to," he grumbled, his voice carrying a note of annoyance.
"Oh, is that so?" I countered with a sly grin. "And what do you gentlemen suppose might occur if I were to turn out as a bona fide hero and started spreading the word about how you've treated me? Would you still find amusement in such a situation?"
"Oh, look at this," the first guard sneered, his voice seething with anger. He menacingly pointed his halberd in my direction, but the second guard quickly intervened.
"Wait, don't do anything rash," he cautioned his companion. Then, turning his attention back to me, he wore a mischievous grin. "So, you claim to be one of the heroes, huh? Well, in that case, bring us some proof."
"Proof?" I responded, my irritation showing. Why should I have to prove myself to these guys?
"Well, let's see," the guard continued with that same mischievous grin. "Since you're declaring yourself a genuine hero, you must be quite strong, right? So, why don't you head over and take care of the goblin tribe that's been causing us some trouble lately? That is if you can," he taunted, clearly enjoying the situation. I couldn't help but feel the urge to punch him in the face right then and there.
"Fine, but I need some clarity on what exactly should I bring back as proof?" I asked, seeking further details about the task they had assigned me.
"Hmm... let me think," the second guard pondered, tapping his chin. "From what I know about the goblin tribe, they have a goblin shaman who acts as their chieftain, and there's usually a hobgoblin serving as the chieftain's bodyguard. Just reaching them will be a challenge on its own, but I suppose for a 'Hero' like you, it should be a piece of cake," he added with a haughty expression, clearly trying to provoke me.
"Don't waste my time, and get to the point," I snapped, my irritation growing.
"Ohh... it seems 'Mr. Hero' is getting upset," he teased. "Normally, the chieftain would have some kind of ceremonial headdress to symbolize their authority, like a crown that kings wear. So, 'Mr. Hero,' bring us that headdress as your proof," he concluded, and both guards burst into laughter once again.
Every time those two spoke, it grated on my nerves. I couldn't wait for the moment when I would finally be acknowledged as a hero. When that day came, I vowed to myself that I'd find a way to get back at those guards for their insolence. Fueled by determination, I turned away from them and began making my way back to the guild.
However, as I walked, something they had mentioned piqued my interest.
*Sigh*
The first guard let out a weary sigh and turned to his companion. "When do you think the other two heroes will arrive?" he asked, his fatigue evident in his expression.
The second guard shared the same weariness. "I don't know. The first two heroes arrived in the capital quickly. What's taking the other two heroes so long? Because of them, our job keeps getting more challenging," he lamented with a tired tone.
Two heroes already reached the capital? That meant only one remained other than me, likely Henshiro, although I couldn't be certain. Why had I even accepted this task in the first place? It was becoming nothing but a nuisance. Perhaps I should explore alternative ways to enter the castle. As I contemplated this, the familiar blue screen suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Generating Quests
Quest: Hunting
Go and hunt the Goblin Tribe that has been causing problems for the travelers and the merchants.
Remaining Targets:
Goblin Shamen: 0/1
Hobgoblin: 0/1
Goblins: 0/500
Reward: Evolve one of your summons skills
Now, I had a bit of motivation, but it wasn't for my own gain; it was for one of my summons. At the moment, the only summon I had was Truck-Kun. Well, that wasn't entirely accurate – there was that mysterious summon as well, but I had no idea what it was or what to do with it.
Regardless, of whether I grew stronger or Truck-Kun did, I could still utilize his skills through 'Skill Share.' For now, my focus was set on hunting down those troublesome goblins and obtaining that elusive headdress.
With my decision made, I returned to my room at the guild. There, I changed into my battle armor before heading downstairs to the reception desk. I confidently stated, "I'm looking for a quest to hunt goblins."
The attendant behind the desk regarded me with a concerned expression and asked, "Hmm... are you sure about that?"
Intrigued by her response, I decided to probe further. "What do you mean by that?" I asked.
The receptionist hesitated for a moment before replying, "Well, sir, are you new to the capital? Most men don't typically go goblin hunting alone, with a few exceptions. It's usually female adventurers who take on such quests. Given that you appear to be a newcomer, I would advise you to consider a different quest," she explained, her expression filled with concern.
I couldn't help but be puzzled by her words. Weren't goblins those small, green, and rather unsightly creatures known for mistreating women? Why would female adventurers choose to face them alone? Were all the female adventurers in this city masochists?
Just as I pondered this, the guild door swung open, and someone walked in.
"Speak of the devil, he's the person I was referring to," the receptionist said with a cheerful smile. My curiosity got the better of me, prompting me to turn around and catch a glimpse of this mysterious individual.
My eyes are drawn to the unmistakable glow emanating from one of his eyes. It's an eerie and captivating sight that sets him apart from the other adventurers I've encountered.
His armor, rugged and battle-worn, exudes an aura of strength and resilience. The chest plate bears scars and dents, testifying to the countless battles it has weathered. His helmet, an intricate piece of craftsmanship, features a fearsome visor that conceals his expression, adding to his mysterious demeanor.
Yet, what truly catches my attention is the massive codpiece that adorns his attire. Unlike the rest of his silver armor, the codpiece is resplendent in a rich, golden hue. The golden codpiece stands as a testament to his commitment to his mission.
I had several questions swirling in my mind. First and foremost, who was this guy, and why was one of his eyes glowing? And what's the deal with that golden codpiece he's wearing? It seemed nobody found these peculiarities odd. As I contemplated these mysteries, the man in question approached the reception desk, slamming his hand down on the counter as he uttered a single word, "Goblins."
I couldn't help but feel a bit underwhelmed. Was that all he was going to say?
As I tried to process the strange scene unfolding before me, the receptionist wore a happy expression and greeted him, "Welcome back, Goblin Layer-san."