The chief handed Kaito the parchment, adorned with the village's seal. "This will prove you completed the quest, young hero," he said, his eyes shining with gratitude. "You've done a great service to our village, and we're forever in your debt."
Kaito accepted the parchment with a humble nod, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over him. "Thank you, Chief," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I'm just glad I could help."
The chief smiled, his face creasing with age and wisdom. "You've done more than help, Kaito. You've given us hope. We thought we'd lost those villagers forever, but you brought them back to us. And you've dealt a significant blow to the goblin threat, which has been plaguing us for months."
Kaito felt a surge of pride at the chief's words, knowing that his actions had made a real difference in the lives of the villagers. He looked down at the parchment in his hand, feeling a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
The chief continued, "Our scouts will investigate the Goblin village you discovered and confirm its location. Once they return, we will discuss the next course of action."
Kaito nodded, understanding the importance of verifying the information before taking further action.
The chief smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Now, why don't you rest here tonight? We'll make sure you're well fed and rested before you continue your journey."
Kaito nodded, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He had been pushing himself hard for days, and the thought of a good night's sleep was incredibly appealing. "Thank you, Chief," he said, his voice filled with relief. "I gratefully accept your hospitality."
As Kaito made his way to the village hall, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. He had come to the village to complete a request, but now he felt a sense of purpose and belonging. He was eager to see what the next day would bring and how he could continue to help the village.
The next morning, Kaito woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. He dressed quickly, his mind racing with excitement and anticipation. He made his way to the chief's hut, wondering what the day would bring.
As he entered the hut, the chief greeted him with a warm smile. "Ah, Kaito, I see you're ready to face the day. Our scouts have returned, and we have confirmed the location of the Goblin village. We will discuss the next course of action, and I will give you further instructions."