Before we continue where Pan left off, let's see what the daring Ina Siblings are doing.
After the events with Viktor Malvado, Crispina has been pondering about her combative abilities.
Basilio is on the same page as well, he needs to get stronger for the sake of his sister and his future sister-in-law.
So they took it upon themselves to take harder quests.
"We'll be taking this quest!" Basilio announced to the receptionist.
"Hm? Ah- These are Rank - C Quests! You two are only Rank - D Adventurers." The Receptionist protested.
"Yes! And we're confident that we can beat this!" Crispina says.
"It's a band of orcs, are you sure?"
"Yes." The Siblings says and they stamped their cards on it.
A litle while later, they arrived at the orc camp. There's atleast 4 orcs, much taller than a regular human.
"Alright, Crispina. These things are no joke. We fought against Orcs before but only stragglers." Basilio whispered.
"We won't beat them with tricks, we have to improve ourselves and fight." Basilio continued.
"Right, I have to be strong to protect Pan in the future. You take two, I take two." Crispina and Basilio nodded before vaulting over their cover and charging.
The Orcs sensed them and they met them in combat. Basilio and Crispina were outmatched in terms of strength, but they held their ground with agility.
"It's not enough if we dodge them and knick their weaknesses..." Crispina thought.
"We have to overpower them. Both skill and power!" Basilio thought.
Crispina and Basilio then charged forward, meeting the Orcs in Melee combat.
The stark difference in strength was immediately obvious as Crispina and Basilio couldn't put up much of a straight up slug.
Both Basilio and Crispina were hurt badly. With Basilio getting knocked into a tree and Crispina punched onto the ground.
"They're stronger than I thought..." Basilio says through the pain.
Crispina held her arm in pain, it was bruised. She was angry and frustrated, she needs to be strong.
"Pan, you did so much for us and we barely gave back. It's not enough that I give you my love, I should be able to protect it with all my might..." Crispina thought.
The Orcs reached out for Crispina, intending to keep her as their slave but Crispina glances at them and slashes their fingers off.
Basilio's eyes widened at Crispina, a glowing light surrounded her as if she's found new power.
"I won't lose to some dumb Orcs!" Crispina says before she stands up and powers up.
"Curling Slashes!"
"Hey, hey. If we're going to go all out, then let's go." Basilio says before activating his Basilisk's blade, a snake forming around his dagger.
"Cross Stitch!"
The two then charged forward, meeting the Orcs' strength with their natural magical prowess.
Though with their newfound determination and inspiration from Pan, they eventually overpower the Orcs and swiftly took their lives.
By the end of it, the two were fatigued from using their strongest attacks. But progress was shown when they're not as tired as before.
"Haah... We did it! We beat a Rank - C mission! And we didn't even fall unconscious!" Basilio says excitingly.
"Now we must collect the loot! I'm sure there's gold lying around here!" Crispina says before entering their tents.
Crispina then rummaged around the Orcs' belongings, she found the usual weapons and traps. There's also a few pouches of gold, rations and other necessities.
But it was strange when Crispina discovered clothing that's almost childlike.
It's not anything she's seen before, or rather, it's outdated. It's not up to the fashion in Biringan, atleast.
"These are small, as if for children..." Crispina continued to rummage through their belongings before discovering a piece of paper.
It was hardened, covered in resin. But Crispina was more curious to see the contents in it.
It was drawing, it looked like two Orcs and one smaller Orc.
"Hey, uh, Basilio?" Crispina looked to the tent entrance.
"Yeah, wussup?" Basilio peaked over.
"You think Orcs can have families?" Crispina says before showing Basilio the drawing.
Basilio takes a look at it, holding it firmly as his eyes squinted. He then looks back to Crispina with an unsure look.
"You saying that these monsters that killed, plundered and assaulted the village are capable of any semblance of Empathy?" Basilio says before tossing the drawing aside.
"Come on, Crispina. We're adventurers, we've seen how horrible any monster can be."
Basilio then goes to collect the loot with Crispina, smiling happily.
"We get rid of monsters, we get paid. Nothing more, nothing less. But we need to get stronger for Pan."
"I guess so." Crispina says before she puts the gold pouches in her ouch bag.
Though she glances at the small clothing then at the drawing of the Orcs.
For some reason, she's curious as to why those Orcs would have it. But Crispina just locks the thought away.
The pair went home and celebrated their first victory in the Rank - C Quest. As their journey to get stronger is making strides, Pan's current conundrum with the Goblin Settlement begins.
The Goblins approached Pan with curiosity in their eyes. They seem cuter than the goblins she fought.
"I see. The goblins that I usually fight wear helmets that are overly designed to look scary." Pan thought.
"Without them, they're just small, green coloured pals with a slightly large nose and an underbite."
Pan looks around, searching for something. There seems to be no existing militia in the settlement.
"No hobgoblins either. Do they not need any protection?" Pan thought before walking pass through the goblins.
"Hey, Liit-Liit!" Pan says as she approached.
"I noticed that you goblins comrade aren't speaking the language we both know."
"Ah- Yes, yes. That is because, I learned to speak Pangkaraniwan." Liit-Liit mentioned.
"Pangkaraniwan? So that's the name of the common language here." Pan thought.
"So you're the only goblin who speaks Pangkaraniwan?" Pan asked.
"No, there is more! I have son, and wife!" Liit-Liit nodded.
"Family structures too, huh? Seriously, this is a revelation that can change human-monster relations. I have to take note of this, Cali needs to know." Pan thought before walking to Liit-Liit.
"Well, let's go to your hut. I want to know about your goblin settlement, and other monster facts" Pan says to Liit-Liit.
"Okay. Follow me. Will introduce you to my family." Liit-Liit smiles cheerfully before walking down the path.
Pan glances at the other goblins and waved goodbye at them. She quickly followed Liit-Liit to his hut.
Their hut isn't that different at the others. But there's a few knick knacks that differentiated it from the others.
There's a lot of human items, mostly books and research. Liit-Liit isn't just some goblin, he's genuinely trying to learn human language.
"Here. My home. It a bit small for you. We may move discussion outside." Liit-Liit says.
"No need, Liit. Watch me." Pan's doughy body then starts reform, Liit-Liit's eyes couldn't believe it.
From the averagely tall human body, her structure slowly shrinks of that of a Goblin's. Though her clothes were still big, so she just absorbs it and goes on naked.
"Child of Man: Maliitang Masa!" Mini Pan is born, as she posed coolly at Liit-Liit.
"Wow! Human can use magic strong! Amaze!" Liit-Liit says.
"Pan can enter hut without trouble now. Convenient!"
"Yep." Pan's voice shrank as well. She then walks in and finally sees the contents of Liit-Liit's home.
"Munti! Maikli! We have special visitor!" Liit-Liit announced.
And then a goblin woman appeared, so did a smaller goblin man. It was Liit-Liit's wife and son.
"Hi! I'm a human, I think. My name is Pan." Pan smiled.
"Ah! Human!" Maikli, the son, approaches Pan and looks at her with joyous glee.
"Maikli. Be respectful. Human is guest! We must be nice." Liit-Liit commanded.
"Yes, 'Tay!" Maikli says before taking a step back, but he still looked at Pan with amazement.
Munti, Liit-Liit's wife, went on the kitchen to heat up the food they prepared. Using firewood and wooden ladles, it was a meal that would satisfy the gut and mind.
"Interesting stuff..." Pan also saw more of the books that she saw outside.
There's also items that are in the field of astronomy and biology. Pan doubts that Liit-Liit actually knows how these things operate but it was impressive to see that a goblin is trying to learn human language.
"Liit, are you trying to learn human language? And also, human science?" Pan says as she sits on one of the tables.
"Yes... Me love human knowledge. Me want to learn and become what human call 'Scientist'. It's big dream for goblins like me, but I believe in self!" Liit-Liit declared.
Pan was amazed by his reaction. At that moment, she realized that the creature she deemed evil and disgusting aren't all that bad.
In fact, she thinks that the possibility of monsters and humans living together are a possible reality.
Munti then approaches the table and gives Pan a bowl of meat soup. The smell was nostalgic and it looked much like human food. But Pan was surprised to see Munti giving her a plate of rice.
"Huh? This exists in this world?" Pan muttered.
"Ah! Sorry, Pan. Goblins do not have wheat for bread, or skills to do baking! We have 'Kanin', much like bread but umm... Less tasty." Liit-Liit apologised.
Maikli then site at the table, looking at Pan.
"Kanin goes well with food! Try, Pan. Try!" Maikli says.
"Don't worry, you two. I already know what it is." Pan takes a spoonful of the soup and eats it.
Her eyes widened as she recalls memories from her world. She tasted this before, and so mixed with a spoonful of rice, she can't help but tear up.
"Amazing... Its just like 'Pares', my favorite cheap dinner and lunch..!" Pan says as she wipes her tears. She the same as looks at Munti with a warm smile.
"Thank you, this tastes amazing." Pan says.
Munti doesn't know what Pan was saying.
"Ah! Sorry, Pan. Wife cannot speak or understand pangkaraniwan. I translate to her" Liit-Liit then looks at his wife to translate what Pan said.
Munti looked happy and nodded at Pan, she simply said.
"Walang anuman!" Munti says happily.
"Eh?" Pan was shocked, she understood what she said.
"We goblins and other monsters speak 'Dipangkaraniwan', it is not human language." Goblin says.
"I feel like I'll understand this language..." Pan says as she continued eating food.
"Ah..." Pan finished up the meal and let's out a sigh.
"Thank you again... Ah, Liit-Liit! I have a few questions to ask you. In exchange, I'll give you some human knowledge and stuff." Pan says.
"We'd love to!" Liit-Liit and Maikli says in unison.
"That's great! Let's get started then." Pan smiled.
The three then went outside the hut and hanged around the forest. They overlooked the Goblin Settlement as they drank ale, a staple beverage in this fantasy world.
"Liit-Liit, I've been curious to ask. Are there any other monsters like you? I've seen Orcs, slimes and other dangerous stuff." Pan was curious to know about their true behaviour.
"Are they capable of learning just like you?"
"Depends. Monsters are different, even if same race. Slimes are more like cattles, simple aninals yet they smart too. Orcs too can learn but, they a bit unwilling." Liit-Liit answered.
"How so?" Pan asked.
"It because of leaders! Leaders mean! We don't have leader but there is bigger settlement far from here! They visit and take goblin to fight. Just like my tatay did!" Maikli answered.
"Yes, my son correct. Leaders say to hurt humans, steal from them. They violate them, and kill. It is not my dream to hurt humans, only to learn." Liit-Liit says.
"Mine too! Like tatay! I become goblin scientist!" Maikli says.
"Hmm..." Pan thinks for a moment, she's hard empathising for these goblins.
"Orcs, Slimes, and other creatures... They all have a life and the mind to live it." Pan thought.
"Well, may I ask about your leaders? Maybe I can help to strike a deal with them." Pan smiled.
"That is kind gesture, Pan. But I prefer you being safe from their powers. A lot of monster leaders are strong, especially our great, great, GREAT leader!" Liit-Liit says.
"Hm? A super leader? A leader that leads all monsters in this territory?" Pan's attention was caught.
"Yes! We have strong yet cruel leader! Princess Lalahon!" Maikli says with exaggeration but Liit-Liit quickly smacks Maikli.
"Stupid! Don't say name loud! If one of her elite hear us, we get hurt!" Liit-Liit says angrily and worryingly.
"Ow! Okay, Maikli sorry!" Maikli rubbed his head.
"Princess Lalahon, huh?" Pan looked down, thinking of the interaction she had in the prison.
"So, you're pulling strings in the village? You're no ordinary monster..." Pan thought.
"We may be facing a much more dangerous enemy. Far more than Viktor..." Pan then perks up.
"That's right! Viktor! He croaked and spoke about me. That's why Clara and the others are in this mess! I have to visit him..." Pan thought before looking at Liit-Liit and Maikli.
"Ah, thanks for answering my questions. I think it's time for me to return the offer. I'll answer your questions as well." Pan smiled.
"Ahh..! Human knowledge!" Liit-Liit and Maikli said excitingly.
And so, Pan and the Goblin Father-Son Duo talked all afternoon about human knowledge. She also went and taught the two about language, helping them read the words and understand them.
It was almost sunset and Pan needed to go home. As Pan stood at the exit of the Goblin Settlement, she goes back to Ibarra disguise and adjusts her hat.
"I'll see you guys again. Maybe I'll bring more people with me to see you guys." Ibarra smiled.
"Yes, yes! We will be awaiting your return! Thank you, Pan!" Liit-Liit says as the other goblins are waving goodbye at her.
"Hmm..." Pan was about to leave but she's feeling a little nicer today, especially for these guys.
Ibarra looks at an empty wagon, she approaches it and cleans it with her water magic.
She then places it in front of the goblins before aiming her hand at it.
"You deserve to eat this." Ibarra then focuses herself as magic flows around her body.
Quickly, loafs of bread fired from her palm. It slowly filled up the wagon and making a mound of it.
The goblins couldn't believe their eyes, it was bread. Something that they can have due to their inability to have wheat or bake.
The goblins gathered to get themselves a loaf of bread. They ate it with joy in their eyes, some teared up from how good it was.
Maikli already stuffed his mouth with it. Though Liit-Liit looked at Ibarra with awe that he teared up.
This is the first time he's seen genuine human kindness to creatures like them. He was moved.
"Salamat, Pan." Liit-Liit whispered.
Ibarra then looks to Liit-Liit and saluted goodbye. She then walks away satisfied with what she learned today.
It was night when she returned to the Anihan Adventurer's Guild. She approaches the receptionist and places the evidence of her work.
"You're a little late this day, Miss Crisostomo. What held you up?" The Receptionist asked as she signed on the quest Ibarra took and gave her pay for her work.
"Got sidetracked. Don't need to worry though, I'm fine." Ibarra says before looking around.
"Say, is Boss Cali here?" Ibarra asked.
"Yes, he's in the back as always." The receptionist answered.
"Okay, thanks. I'll take a quick visit." Ibarra then tips his hat before walking to Cali's office.
Cali was signing papers, though he was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Cali asked.
"Just your local novelist." Ibarra answered.
Cali smiled before placing down his pen, he then unlocks the door with his magic and Ibarra opens the door.
"Pan, or should I say, Miss Ibarra Crisostomo. What brings you here today?" Cali leans on his desk, curious to why she was here.
"Cali, I got some news." Ibarra looked serious.
Cali locked in, the tension rises as he knew that Ibarra found something important.
"The princess that I mentioned, I have a name and I know who she is. Send a letter to Clara and the Ina Siblings." Ibarra says as she approaches Cali.
"Her name is 'Princess Lalahon', the leading commander in the monsters near Anihan Village."
Cali's eyes widened, he's heard that name before. He then nodded before he takes out blank paper.
"Are you absolutely sure? Who told you this information?" Cali asked.
"Goblins, I found a goblin settlement. One of them could speak Pangkaraniwan..." Ibarra looked down, disheartened.
"Speaking goblins?" Cali was shocked.
"I can't believe it too but, you have to believe what I'm saying... I'm going to find Viktor Malvado and ask him about a few things. For now, I need Clara and the Ina Siblings knowing about who were facing." Ibarra says.
"About the goblins speaking, I've made a discovery that the monsters were slaying can live the lives of humans... I'll send you letters about my findings about them."
"Miss Ibarra, I hope you're not suggesting we stop taking requests of slaying monsters." Cali says.
"No, im not saying that. Just like us humans, there's more bad crop than there are good..." Ibarra says.
"Continue with your quests on slaying monsters, just remember that those monsters are capable of thinking. I'll be protecting the Goblin Settlement I found and if there are other monster settlements that share the same dream as them, then I'll be protecting them as well." Ibarra then turns around, preparing to walk away.
"We'll find that princess and make her pay. I'll see you again, Cali." Ibarra then walks away, leaving Cali to ponder about her words.
"I see now..." Cali thought.
"The reason you were chosen by the Goddess of Creation as her grand champion..." Cali thought before he continues writing.
"It's only fitting for the Goddess of creation's champion to protect her creations."
The next morning, Clara and the Ina Siblings received their letter from Cali.
They read the paper with shock and awe.
"The person we are looking for..." Clara says.
"... Is the Fire Princess, Lalahon..." Crispina says with widened and fearful eyes.
"Princess Lalahon of the Eternal Flames."