Chapter 61: Reality in Illusion
"If one day, the place you call home is suddenly attacked by a horde of monsters. They stride around as if they own the place, killing friends, killing family, plundering everywhere. Besides, imagine your own sister and other loved ones being attacked, being violated, being treated as playthings, being killed..."
"Imagine yourself hiding, holding your breath, witnessing such scenes from start to finish..."
"It's impossible to forgive these bastards. You'd definitely pick up arms, train yourself, contemplate, grow, with the single-minded determination for revenge, then turn it into action, searching, cornering these bastards with no escape, engaging in battle, attacking, killing, killing, killing endlessly..."
"Some confused do-gooders, wearing a self-righteous expression, say they'll spare the children. But they never dreamt these 'children' would attack villages, stealing livestock just to survive..."
"The surviving goblins, accumulating experience, will continue to grow. Before long, they'll become the chieftains of the caves, or bodyguards..."
"In the end, the victor doesn't depend on strength, but luck. In other words, humans and goblins are no different. To them, I am just another goblin."
...
Under the Goblin Slayer's lengthy discourse, the audience remained in a deathly silence. Watching this scene, Wilcliff, the Knight Commander, unconsciously closed his eyes, his furrowed brow reflecting the same contemplation as the Goblin Slayer's, eventually turning into a long sigh.
On the other side, having truly understood the Goblin Slayer's mindset, all the spectators were either shedding tears or clenching their fists. To put it simply, they had fully immersed themselves in the character.
Most of the people present were wealthy residents of the South, who had never experienced the threat of other races, rarely experiencing combat. Yet, it was precisely these things they never considered in their daily lives that the Goblin Slayer, through the movie, showed them.
The cruel and bloody world depicted in "Goblin Slayer" made them feel the deepest fear of humanity, while also experiencing the courage at the core of humanity when they identified with the protagonist!
The movie continued, and the next long segment of the plot involved new companions finding the Goblin Slayer and asking him to join them in exterminating goblins.
With this segment of the plot being less heavy than before, the audience collectively breathed a sigh of relief, enjoying it from the perspective of a simple adventure story. However, regardless of how orthodox the plot became, the worldview of "Goblin Slayer" destined the adventures here to be nothing like the idealized fantasies of "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!", causing many young people who had previously aspired to become adventurers after watching "KonoSuba" to reconsider their own capabilities and courage.
Do they truly have what it takes to become adventurers?
As these thoughts gradually expanded, the story reached its climax. Throughout, the Goblin Slayer employed various ingenious tactics and stylishly dispatched goblins, allowing the audience to once again experience a sense of adventure. However, they also suddenly realized that their moral compasses had subtly shifted to a state where any underhanded means of defeating enemies seemed acceptable.
Rather than feeling ashamed of this realization, the audience found themselves eagerly anticipating how the Goblin Slayer would continue to surpass their expectations and defeat the enemies with even more unconventional methods.
Similarly, General Wilhelm and Knight Commander Wilcliff, seated among the audience, were completely captivated by the unfolding story on the screen. While the former remained relatively unfazed, navigating social gatherings with ease, the latter, known for his stern demeanor that could clear out entire banquets, being so engrossed in the film spoke volumes about the allure of "Goblin Slayer."
For Knight Commander Wilcliff, both social events and stage plays felt excessively artificial. The insincerity of the performers and the repugnance of the audience members below the stage meant he never truly integrated into the noble circles of the Imperial Capital, earning himself titles such as "Ironclad" and "Warmonger."
To him, spending time in such a false environment was far less preferable than engaging in months-long battles against enemies with his men. Therefore, after watching "Goblin Slayer," Knight Commander Wilcliff found himself unable to tear his gaze away. In his eyes, the world depicted in the movie seemed just as real as his surroundings, and he could even sense the bloodlust emanating from the Goblin Slayer as he slaughtered goblins.
He began to entertain the notion that this enigmatic figure known as the Goblin Slayer truly existed in the fields of the North, diligently checking for goblin footprints around his home every morning before venturing alone to the Adventurer's Guild. There, amidst the adventurers clamoring for quests, he would observe dispassionately, ultimately accepting all the goblin extermination tasks that no one else dared to take on. Individuals like him provided a semblance of security in the perilous North, instilling confidence in the fearful villagers.
After grasping the essence of the Goblin Slayer, Knight Commander Wilcliff harbored a keen desire to recruit him into his ranks. Yet, contemplating that one who thrived solely on goblin-slaying would likely spurn his offer, a faint smile involuntarily curved his lips.
This subtle expression of amusement caught Ryne off guard as he stole a glance at his mentor. It marked the first time, since becoming the Knight Commander's disciple, that he had witnessed such a rare sight—a moment akin to encountering a headless knight amiably greeting you on a busy street.
Nevertheless, Ryne comprehended the underlying reason for his mentor's smile. Perhaps it resonated with encountering a kindred spirit or witnessing the glimmer of hope in a soul clawing its way towards redemption.
As the narrative in Water Town drew to a close, a collective sigh of relief swept through the audience. They found solace in the gripping battle sequences and cheered as the Goblin Slayer gradually liberated himself from the shadows of his past throughout the film.
Just as everyone pondered what formidable adversary would emerge next, the final showdown unfurled as the Goblin Slayer ventured into the grassy thicket, marked by the telltale footprints of goblins.