Chapter 6

# Episode 6: New Adventurer Bern (4) – Goblins

When the news spread that Bern had chosen Blankah as his party member, adventurers around them sighed or clicked their tongues.

“So promising, and now he’s going down the drain.”

“Not necessarily. She is a mage after all.”

“Shut up. Even mages have their limits. In fact, I heard that without her staff, she’s essentially useless.”

“She seemed to do well as a receptionist. She could’ve stayed there, sparing everyone the embarrassment.”

“Don’t be too down. There might be a chance to work together in the future.”

Not only the adventurers but also the guild seemed uneasy about the situation.

Especially the chief clerk, who first brought Blankah in as a receptionist, didn’t hide his dissatisfaction.

“Was it really necessary? I don’t think I ever treated you unfairly.”

“It wasn’t bad. I just had other things to focus on.”

“Ah, rumors are always like that. When they spread in a good way, even trivial achievements seem incredible. But when they turn bad, even things you didn’t do can become your ‘crimes’.”

“It was a calculated decision. I had to take any way possible.”

“Hm, I know you’re promising, but do you really think that was necessary?”

The clerk was one of the few who knew how strong Blankah had been in her prime.

After her staff broke during an incident with a request, her magic output dropped significantly, which is why she endured ridicule regarding her “equipment advantage.” However, even that supposed advantage was something many couldn’t use properly.

Power without purpose is wasted. A pearl on a pig’s snout is still a waste if used out of place.

Blankah didn’t respond.

Honestly, capturing Bern was half-intuition for her.

Seeing her silence, the clerk shrugged and handed her a request form.

After glancing over it, Blankah frowned.

– Title: Clear the Goblin Den.

– Client: Lord of Artara.

– Frequent sightings indicate goblins are lurking in the forest within the territory. A den is suspected. Exterminate them promptly.

– Any leftover goods from the extermination belong to the takers.

“It’s too much trouble, with a measly reward. I suggested raising the pay, but they just ignored it. Still, they badger me on why it’s not resolved. Damned bastards.”

“I don’t feel like doing it either.”

“You were handling another job, weren’t you? Should’ve been penalized for multitasking.”

“That’s unrelated. Rather, I should get my receptionist’s salary back.”

“Hmph. You’re not letting things go easily. No wonder you were suited for receptionist.”

The clerk, blowing out his pipe’s smoke, regretfully adjusted his tone.

“If you do this with your partner, I’ll give you bonus points for evaluation towards a promotion.”

“Of course, but from now on, allow me to accept Class 3 requests.”

“Did you not know that party requests are based on the lowest class among the members?”

“Hindering capable people from progressing with rules is one thing. But if one has the skill, why should it matter?”

The clerk smirked.

“In that case, solve three more tough Class 2 missions alongside this one, preferably ones others shun. We need results for any claims of favoritism.”

“With 2x bonus points for those, it’s not a bad deal. And don’t cheat, I know all the rating rules by heart.”

“You’re a tough negotiator. Get to work!”

Frowning and waving his hand, the clerk watched as Blankah bowed and departed.

“Pity…such a waste.”

***

“That’s why our first request ended up being goblin extermination. I’m sorry for deciding so abruptly.”

Blankah, who had returned from her reception job and reentered the adventurer scene, apologized earnestly.

But Bern shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I intended to try a variety of missions anyway. If it improves our evaluation, there’s no reason to decline.”

“…If that’s the case, I suppose it’s good.”

Blankah felt an odd mixture of relief and something else.

Though Bern wasn’t difficult, he felt a little too easygoing.

“Do you know much about goblins?”

“I’ve heard stories, but I wouldn’t say I understand them in detail.”

“Well, that’s common. Especially for those from the Empire.”

“Does origin really matter?”

Blankah shrugged.

“Goblins are monsters with strong reproductive powers. When left unchecked, their numbers increase rapidly. That’s why stronger nations like the Empire rarely see them. As soon as goblins are sighted, nearby soldiers act quickly to eliminate their dens.”

But this kingdom works in the opposite way, she continued.

“The royalty and nobility in this kingdom only care about the land they directly govern. Anything outside their direct control is often overlooked. Even significant matters in their own territory are often swept under the rug. Therefore, goblins have spread freely.”

“If goblins grow large enough to threaten the citizens, wouldn’t it harm the territory’s operation? Regardless of morality, it would make more economic sense to continually exterminate them. Given their reproductive abilities, soldiers could practice on them and have regular eradication.”

Blankah blinked.

Bern leaned his head sideways.

Did I say something strange?

“Your statement sounded quite aristocratic. Viewing the protection of citizens as merely an economic concern is odd, and suggesting goblins be used as training targets is a unique idea.”

Bern quickly shut his mouth, realizing his blunder.

From the shadows, Lucidra piped up.

“Of course! How could someone raised in the palace and as precious as a Crown Prince change their mindset just by pretending to be someone else?”

Groaning inwardly, Bern admitted that though he knew life outside the palace through his memories, twenty years of palace life had its influence.

“Position changes people,” he mused as he committed to playing his role more thoroughly, steeling his resolve.

“To the lord, who taxes citizens, the livelihood of the citizens directly determines their own wealth. It is naturally the lord’s duty to protect them, whether for divine or economic reasons.”

“Not everyone has that logic. There are plenty of dumb rulers,” Blankah added.

Though Bern agreed, he chose not to comment. Their approaches seemed different, but both had a perspective detached from common folks.

“Anyway, let’s head out.”

“Agreed.”

***

While traveling to the territory of Baron Artara where the target goblins resided, they decided to take a quick rest and share some information.

Even after investigating each other beforehand, hearing directly about each other’s capabilities and limits still felt more reliable.

When Blankah stretched her hand in concentration, after 3 seconds, a fireball roughly the size of a football erupted and consumed the pile of wood they’d gathered for a campfire.

It was potent enough to burn something the size of a rabbit or a large dog, but likely insufficient against a solid boar.

“A basic fire spell. It’s enough to handle a single goblin.”

“How many shots can you fire like that? And do you have more powerful magic?”

“Under optimal conditions, around twenty times. There’s an intermediate spell called ‘Melt Stone,’ but it takes 10 seconds to prepare and can only be used twice a day, assuming I haven’t used any other magic.”

“What about healing magic?”

“That varies with the wound’s severity, so it’s hard to say exactly. Minor cuts can typically be healed, but bones are out of the question. As for lost limbs, almost impossible.”

More than adequate, Bern considered.

With her staff broken and a supposed drop in spell output, he’d anticipated little use. However, this was practical power.

That made him even more intrigued.

“I’ve heard you didn’t work well with other Class 2 adventurers. Why?”

Blankah hesitated.

“Must I say?”

“Feel free to avoid uncomfortable topics.”

“Then I appreciate that.”

[That’s understandable. Would anyone treat every person equally when trying to impress someone?]

Hmm.

[What, disagreeing again?]

‘No, this time, it made sense.’

[…Still annoying though.]

“…”

Faced with Bern’s query, Blankah hesitated again.

“Must I say?”

“If it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t press further.”

“Okay, then.”

[Right, exactly right. Spot on.]

Maybe the shadow within isn’t a demon but a jester.

As Bern smirked at the thought—

Suddenly, movement in the forest drew his attention.

“Is the target forest visible from here?”

“No, we have a day’s travel ahead.”

“Understood.”

Bern picked up four pebbles used as fire boundaries.

Worried about burns, Blankah tried to warn him. But Bern, seemingly unfazed, grabbed the stones and launched them consecutively into the bushes.

-Screech!

-Gulp!

Short, grotesque screams rang out.

As Bern and Blankah ventured into the foliage, four green-skinned, long-nosed goblins lay unconscious.

“Goblins?”

Blankah was alarmed. According to the report from Artara, they shouldn’t have been this close.

Meanwhile, Bern inspected something else.

The clothing made from animal hides and plant fibers on the goblins.

The crude yet lethal weapons in their hands.

And finally, the makeshift sacks, likely once human clothing, used to carry their game or fruits.

It seemed the situation was going to escalate more than anticipated.