Mash walked around looking for a place where he could glimpse inside the stone walls and buildings, but couldn't find a good spot.
A goblin stood on the watchtower. He didn't know if it had noticed him, but it remained motionless.
A third of the way there. Nothing had changed.
Fam walked in front while he followed. Just as he was beginning to think they might not learn anything useful, Fam stopped.
"You can see a big tree trunk in the back. If you climb it, you might be able to see what's inside."
"Let's go."
In the forest, the treetops were covered with leaves, blocking the view.
The trunk of the tree was so thick that four or five people could encircle it with their arms outstretched.
"It certainly looks high, but I don't think I can climb it."
"I agree."
There was nowhere to place hands or feet. Even if they managed to climb up, getting down would be problematic.
"Let's move forward."
Giving up and moving on, he saw something jump out from the stone wall of the farm. Fam seemed to notice too.
The shadows jumped out, dove into the wheat field, and approached them, shaking the wheat like torpedoes. There were five distinct paths. They were quite far away, but approached at considerable speed. They weren't goblins.
"Monsters coming! We'll meet them in the forest."
"Yes."
He readied his weapon and waited for them to emerge from the field.
He aimed at the first enemy that would jump out and prepared an earth magic stone projectile. If it hit, it would counter and deal significant damage.
"Bang!" It was a wolf. The stone struck it, and a yelp rose.
They attacked the wolves that rushed out one after another.
His thrust was dodged, but Fam landed a solid hit. However, the wolf didn't fall.
He found himself surrounded by four wolves. The one he'd damaged with earth magic also recovered.
The wolves ran freely through the forest, toying with them. They used tree trunks to launch aerial jumps. Fam managed to fight back, but the trees hindered his sword swings. The ground was soft with fallen leaves, making it difficult to step in and brace himself. He was forced to defend.
Fam moved easily through the forest. Her light weight meant she was less affected by poor footing. She learned the wolves' behavior of using trees as cover and turned it to her advantage.
Mash defeated one.
It seemed best to focus on defense and support Fam. Seeing him fortify his defenses, the wolves leapt from tree trunk to tree trunk, attacking from above. Simultaneously, another wolf attacked from the front.
"Ugh."
He managed to protect his head, but was struck from the front. The wolf's fangs pierced his leather breastplate but stopped there, avoiding fatal damage. He twisted his sword and brought the blade to the wolf's neck, inflicting a wound, but it didn't seem to take much damage.
"Master, I want to use my Mibu Wolf skill. I need to go out into the fields."
"What? You learned a skill?"
"Yes, my level increased in the battle just now."
Now that they'd been discovered, there was no point in hiding. Being in an open field would let him wield his sword properly. He wouldn't suffer from the irregular attacks like before. However, the wolves could hide in the wheat.
"There's no other choice. I understand. Let's go out to the fields!"
Fam was their current source of damage, so it made sense to follow her lead.
They ran out of the forest, the wolves quickly pursuing.
Fam held her knives in a cross-handed position. A faint light illuminated her eyes.
"Kiku Ichimonji!"
Fam swung her blades, and a vacuum wave cut through the wolves. At the same time, both disappeared.
He also stabbed one that jumped out and took it down.
However, the remaining wolf jumped into the wheat field and hid.
"Watch the wheat's movements carefully."
"It's okay. I know where it is. Over there."
Fam could detect it by sound and smell. He cast an earth magic spell at the spot Fam indicated, and a wolf leaped out. Fam quickly jumped in and finished it with her blades.
Fam returned, picking up the magic seed.
"Fam... you've gotten stronger. You're clearly stronger than me."
"T-Thank you."
She bowed shyly. She must have natural talent. The dog-eared tribe's keen hearing and sense of smell, their light and agile movements, and the job that maximized those traits were a perfect combination. Her level had also increased thanks to his experience-boosting skill. It was hard to believe she'd been dying of illness not long ago.
"When we get back to town, I was planning to claim my reward after seeing your chest. But it looks like force won't work against you now."
"Um, I'd be troubled if you meant that seriously. I'd like you to treat me kindly."
Fam didn't seem to take his words seriously. He was joking, but was about 90% serious.
"We're out in the open field now. The enemy has spotted us. There's no point in going back to the forest."
They'd been exposed. It was no longer a stealth reconnaissance mission. If the wolves were sent out again, it would be dangerous. But he'd learned something important. If the inhabitants had confirmed they'd been discovered by the wolves, they would have sent reinforcements. The fact they hadn't meant either they thought Mash and Fam were weak, or they didn't have forces to spare.
"I'm going to meet up with Aidan. I don't know what his situation is, but since we're safe, he should be too."
"What are you planning to do?"
"Switch to direct reconnaissance. Cut through the fields and get to the other side. On the way, get as close as possible to the building and attack the goblins on the tower with magic. It'll be a bonus. I'll be happy if I can defeat them, but I won't worry too much about the outcome."
Fam nodded.
"Fam, follow me at a distance. Keep a close eye on any reaction inside the building."
He switched from his sword to a one-handed sword and shield.
"Finally, even if something happens to me, prioritize reuniting with Aidan."
"I don't agree with that, but I understand."
Both had things they wanted to say. But arguing would accomplish nothing, so he took action.
First, they walked through the wheat fields toward the building.
As they got closer, he could clearly see the goblin on top of the tower, looking down with a cocky expression. He banged his sword hilt against his shield.
"Oi! You cowards! Stop hiding and come out!"
He made strange noises to make those inside curious enough to look out. He banged on his shield repeatedly. He also shouted "Yeehaw!" which felt oddly satisfying to yell.
As he did this, he approached a gate in the stone wall.
The goblin on the tower fired arrows at them, and arrows also flew from behind the gate.
He aimed earth magic at the tower goblin. The stone projectile curved and hit the goblin who hadn't predicted its trajectory. As the goblin groaned, he fired a fireball. It hit the creature's face, burning it. The goblin let out a strange cry and fell from the tower.
That was enough.
They fled past the building and crossed the wheat fields. Fam followed closely. They were shot at with arrows, but no one emerged from the building to pursue.
As expected, there weren't many defenders. The first goblins and the wolves had merely been observing and trying to chase them away, with no real intention of fighting. The enemy thought they could win through intimidation, and that had been a mistake.
He continued banging his shield and shouting Aidan's name as he went.
As soon as they crossed the wheat field and entered the forest, Aidan appeared.
"Are you an idiot?"
He yelled at Mash. This was a new side of the normally calm, emotionless dwarf. Mash was strangely pleased to see it.
"Your master is an idiot," Fam agreed.
"Circumstances changed," Mash explained that the enemy had spotted them and they'd switched to direct reconnaissance.
"Hmm."
Aidan nodded and looked thoughtful.
"I think there were more than five archers shooting. There seem to be others too. And..."
"Tell me."
Fam hesitated, and Aidan prompted her.
"...Someone is alive inside. Maybe. I'm not sure. I think I heard something when my master was making those strange noises. I think it was a voice calling for help."
"I see..."
Aidan took a hammer from his "Workshop" and rested it on his shoulder.
"What are you going to do?"
Mash asked.
"We'll charge in. You two take advantage of the opportunity to cut through the wheat fields and return to the original path. Head toward town."
"Can we win?"
"I don't know, but since I heard people might still be alive, I have no choice but to rescue them. There are probably 20 goblins at most."
Twenty was a lot. Fam looked at Mash silently. Regardless of her feelings, she must have known this was a risky plan. It looked like she'd defer to his decision.
"Okay, I'll go too. I'll do what I can to avoid being a burden. If things get dangerous, I'll retreat."
"Thank you. I'll be counting on you."
Aidan nodded. Fam didn't seem to have any objections to this choice.
"Also, Aidan, there's something I need to tell you."
"What?"
"You're quite the idiot too."
The sun was starting to set. Night fighting would be impossible. They needed to hurry.
Once again they walked through the wheat fields.
Mash reached the gate. He stood just within range of the arrows. There was a goblin guard on the tower. There were no signs of burns. It wasn't the same one whose face had been scorched by fire magic.
Aidan fired an arrow at the goblin on the tower, and return fire began from inside the stone wall.
Aidan switched from his bow to his hammer and ran toward the gate, a battle aura rising around him, and swung his hammer at the gate.
"Blessing: Siege!"
A powerful shockwave blew away the gate and surrounding stone walls. Aidan immediately rushed inside.
Following Aidan, Fam and Mash entered through the breach in the wall.
The blow from "Siege" had been devastating. Not only were the archers clinging to the wall destroyed, but the tower and parts of nearby buildings had collapsed. The buildings fell with a thunderous noise. Mash hoped no survivors had been inside.
Beyond the collapsed structure, there were two residential buildings, one barn-like structure, and one building for livestock.
A surviving goblin crawled out of the collapsed building. Fam and Mash finished it off.
About ten goblins emerged from the residential building. Among them was one with an especially huge body. Clad in a helmet and armor, it carried a massive club that matched its physique. It emitted a strange aura with an overwhelming presence.
The large goblin let out a roar that vibrated the surrounding air. In response, bow attacks began from within the buildings, and the goblins following it charged.
"A Goblin King!"
Aidan shouted as he swung his hammer at an approaching goblin. The goblin was blown away and vanished. The hammer must have been quite heavy, but Aidan wielded it effortlessly, bringing it down on the next enemy and crushing the goblin along with its weapon.
Fam unleashed a Kiku Ichimonji and defeated another goblin.
Seeing this, Mash also moved, dodging an attack and landing a hit.
"Kishaaaahhhh!"
The Goblin King let out a strange cry and leaped into the air. It put all its weight into swinging its giant club down at Aidan. The impact shook the ground. Aidan rolled to avoid the blow, quickly got up, and swung his hammer at the Goblin King.
The blow landed, but the Goblin King remained unmoved. The two faced off.
An arrow fired at Aidan from inside a building. Aidan dodged, and the Goblin King's club swung again. Aidan evaded that as well.
Fam and Mash fought against the other goblins. He killed two with a thrust and a cross slash. Fam also defeated goblins with swift movements, outmaneuvering and dispatching them. Mash realized he'd grown quite accustomed to combat.
Before they knew it, the number of goblins had dwindled to just two. Fam and Mash took care of them.
He wondered whether to focus on the archers hiding in the buildings or join Aidan. There were only two archers left. It seemed like a small number, but they were probably the survivors after Aidan's attack had demolished the walls. There was one in each residential building. They weren't a major threat, but they were annoying. He had to move erratically to avoid becoming a target.
"I'll handle them," Fam said, heading toward the buildings.
At that moment, Aidan was struck by the Goblin King and sent flying.
"Aidan!"
Mash followed up with a slash at the Goblin King. It blocked with its arm. Though he cut into its exposed muscles, the blade couldn't penetrate deeply. The creature was incredibly tough.
He barely dodged the club's horizontal swing. The wind pressure alone nearly threw him off balance. He regained his stance and waited until the Goblin King began another swing, then slashed again. He had the upper hand. He trusted Aidan's sword. Focusing the strength in his little finger, he guided the blade's tip.
He cut through the Goblin King's wrist, causing it to scream.
He intended to take its head next. Just as he stepped forward, an arrow pierced his thigh. Almost simultaneously, the club struck him. It was powerful even with the King using just one arm.
He spun several times before falling to the ground.
He couldn't move because of the pain. It was frustrating—the goblins had bested him.
He could have retreated. Why had he fought?
There were still enemies, but he could do nothing.
Today he couldn't see light blue clothes anywhere. All he could see was the backside of a bearded dwarf.
"Leave the rest to me," the dwarf spoke.
Mash lost consciousness.
When he woke, it was completely dark.
He was in what looked like a residential building, lamps providing light.
Fam was resting his head on her lap.
"I should have been more careful. No, I was just trying to help things return to normal," she was saying.
He didn't fully understand, but thought she was apologizing. Tears started falling down her face.
He tried moving his hand. There was no pain. He attempted to sit up. That seemed fine too, but he couldn't bring himself to leave Fam's lap.
"The cat got into the sewage and is still sick. He's fussy so I don't think he's okay."
Was this way of speaking a joke? She had never spoken like this before, even when crying. Was she trying to make him laugh? He just wanted her to stop crying.
He reached out and lightly pinched Fam's cheek. She placed her hand on his.
"Master, Master, ugh, ugh... Master."
"It's okay, stop crying."
"I should have returned to town as you said. But what have I done..."
"It's okay. We got through it. So don't cry."
He pinched Fam's cheeks gently, then released them. He poked them with his finger. They were soft.
At that moment, he felt someone watching. Actually, he'd sensed it all along. He looked around and saw Aidan staring intently at him.
Feeling extremely embarrassed, he sat up.
His side hurt.
"Broken ribs," Aidan explained.
Potions could heal injuries like bruises and cuts, but couldn't heal damage beyond a certain point, such as broken bones.
"Sorry. I messed up."
"No, you saved me. I'm grateful."
"Your standards are too high. Wasn't this supposed to be a beginner's quest?"
Aidan didn't reply, but just laughed.
"Were any villagers rescued?"
"Yes, they were locked in the livestock shed. There were three of them, and they survived. We gave them potions and food. We could travel, but it's too late today. We should wait for you to recover. We'll stay here tonight and head back to town tomorrow."
He wanted to ask how many had died, but decided against it. He'd be satisfied knowing they had saved three people.
He nodded.
The next morning, they buried the dead and headed home.
They returned to town after four days, shortening the quest from ten days to eight.
They exchanged the two magic seeds for thirty gold coins. Fam and Mash received half of that, plus one gold coin as the quest reward.