The Stranded Barbarian
AN: Well, this took quite a bit longer than usual to upload. Well, that's life for you.
Now to reviews.
ZILLAFAN: No, I won't. I try to keep it more to the books and comics rather than the movies.
Dracus6: Well, I did have something similar in mind. And I'll try my best.
Guest: And something that can fight back XD
The Dungeon Crawler: Why thank you! And, I'm not sure what you're trying to say with that.
13 Steps further
Conan and his temporary party were returning back from their mission. After the celebration, they packed the next morning and were on their way back to the Adventurer's Guild, with a pretty big farewell from the villagers for saving them from that monster. Conan also had his old clothes put in a bag, so he can carry it back.
They once again made a stop in the middle of traveling and lit a campfire for the night. They sat in a circle around the campfire and talked about the mission.
"So, Conan, how are you feeling?" asked Heavy Swordsman.
"Well, I'm still a bit sore from that ordeal," answered Conan as he gave a small stretch with his arm. "Ripping open the mouth of that thing was one of the most challenging things I've done, I must admit."
"Though we have to admit, that really made our job easier," said Female Knight. "Usually those things would burrow underground if they couldn't continue attacking or were in danger, and that would have made the fighting a lot more complicated. Thankfully, you were in an optimal position to keep the Rock Eater in place during the fight, as unconventional as it was."
"I honestly can't wait to tell the rest of the Guild what happened," said Female Martial Artist with a grin on her face. "I can already imagine their reactions already, on how the Rock Eater died 'cause it had a big mouth." That statement gained laughter from them. Though, Conan stopped laughing after a few moments and gained a sort of a faraway look on his face, something that Witch noticed.
Soon the laughing died down. "Excuse me," Conan said while getting up. "I need to walk for a few minutes, to stretch the soreness out of me." He then walked away from the group.
"You know," Amazon Warrior began. "I'm not certain that was the only reason."
"Neither am… I," Witch spoke up as she got up as well. "I'm going to… follow him and… have a talk. I'm sure he… needs one." She then gave Amazon Warrior a small look, which the muscular woman understood immediately and gave Witch a nod. She nodded back and went to follow Conan.
Conan then walked further from the clearing until the campfire seemed like a small spark. He then gave a deep sigh and his palm found its way to his face. He wondered what he was doing. He knew he was going to leave this continent and go back to his old one. Yet here he is, making friends with the Adventurer's Guild members, and starting relationships with women here.
He had only himself to blame. His usual habits got the better of him, his celebrations, drinking, sleeping with women, getting comrades in fighters, going on quests to make money and bonding through them. Yet it wasn't going to last.
He pondered on the possibility of staying on this continent, but he knew he had to go back to his home continent. His tribe was still there, in Cimmeria. Sure, he got wanderlust and walked away but they were still his people. What about all the allies he had there? Wouldn't they expect his return, his assistance in their time of need?
And yet here he was. Making friends, allies, and lovers, yet knowing that he will go back with many tears and broken hearts by the end of it being left behind. And his mind went to Goblin Slayer. He has grown fond of the young man during his time here. Like him, Goblin Slayer was a warrior, a fighter for survival. He had the fighting spirit but was misguided in his way of achieving things. If Conan left, then what would become of him? Would he revert back to his way of only having goblins on his mind?
And what if he couldn't return? What if there was no way to come back?
Conan gave a grumble in frustration. It was honestly a 'damned if you do and damned if you don't' situation. Why did his life have to be more complicated than it already was? Were the gods really testing him, despite lacking any worship? If so, then it would make sense since gods being involved in your life usually ends up complicating things.
"Something's… on your mind," came the voice of Witch behind him. It didn't sound like a question as much as a matter-of-fact statement. He turned and saw Witch looking at him with her regular smile.
"I just needed a walk. That's all," Conan responded.
"You don't have… to hide it," Witch said as her lips went from a smile to a thin line. She then moved closer to him until there was not much distance between them and looked him in the eyes. "Tell me, what… is bothering you? And don't lie… I can tell."
Conan gave a dry chuckle. "Of course you could. And not from magic either," he muttered. "Fine, its nothing special. Just something personal."
"That doesn't mean… it isn't something… special, Conan," she said in a more serious tone. "Personal things can… affect many things… around us. Even things we… don't expect to." She then reached with her hand and put it on his cheek. "So please, tell me. What is… bothering you?"
Conan was silent for a few moments before grabbing her hand and gently putting it away. "I think I'm making a mistake."
Witch cocked an eyebrow at that statement. "And what mistake… might that be?" she asked curiously.
"All of this," Conan said. "If I end up going back to the continent I hail from, then everything I've done here will be left behind me. I'm building relationships which might end up in abandonment. I'm making comrades in people I might never see again. I have to go back to people that might end up needing me, but I'm also abandoning people that are getting close to me." He then put both of his hands on his face and grumbled. "And it's really frustrating. I know life can be complicated, but I wish it wasn't. I wish all of this could end up with everyone happy, but it won't."
"Oh, is that… what's bothering you?" Witch asked before pulling away Conan's hands from his face. She didn't have the physical strength to do it but Conan complied regardless. "And now I… see what your… problem is."
"What are you talking about?"
"From all the… talks with Goblin Slayer… about solving his… issues, you still… have to solve… your own," she said as their gazes met once again and Witch gained her smile back. "And yes, I know… about those. I talk with… him as well."
Conan then gave a sigh. "And what those issues might be?"
"Simple, really. Despite you… telling me you… try to make the… best out of… a bad situation… you think too… negatively about it. You think too… negatively about… a lot of things."
Conan merely scoffed at that. "Is that what you think? I'm just saying as it is."
"No, you're not," Witch responded. "You're saying it… how you see it. That doesn't mean… your worldview is… absolute."
"Oh really? And how exactly do you see it?"
"The way I… see it is… that in this world… there are positives… and negatives. You think that… there are so many… negatives that you… ignore the positives."
"Maybe to you. But I've seen enough things to convince me. War and battle almost everywhere, lords and kings selling their daughters to slavery for more power, betrayal among comrades, violations, and molestation. I've seen it so many times already."
"If you constantly… follow the path… of battle that… is what you'll… always see," Witch said as her eyes gazed softly into Conan's, making the raven-haired barbarian slowly fill with calmness. "You only see… negatives because… that is all… you seek. The thrill of battle… the fighting, negative things… come out of… those things."
Conan shrugged. "That is just the way I am. I like battle and combat. It brings me enjoyment. And if I learn through that, then all the better."
Witch nodded. "Yes, you do… but you also… don't learn anything… else. The stress and… adrenaline fills you… with worry. So much so… you don't appreciate… what you have."
"Well, I'm not-" Conan started but a thought suddenly came to him. His mind came back to one of the women he loved and lost. He remembered the woman, Mala. She was one of the people he was the closest to in his tribe, they were pretty much childhood sweethearts.
He could remember the day he left, taken over by wanderlust and need for action. He could have only guessed how Mala felt when he left. After a while, during one of his journeys, his mind went back to her and realized just how he missed her, her long raven hair and green eyes, how her beauty could beat any woman in Zamora. And when he did return, in hope that starting a life with her would end his journey, he only found that she was kidnapped by the Vanir.
When he eventually found where she was, it was too late. He saw Mala commit suicide so she wouldn't be treated as a slave for some swine from Vanaheim. He could remember the horror, sadness, and rage he felt in that moment, something which wasn't quelled even with killing the man who forced her hand.
He could still see her face in front of him. The lifeless eyes, that innocence of her's forever lost in the void. She was a woman he loved, yet he only remembered her after who knows how many battles, women or tankards of alcohol he had. And in his mind, it cost her her life.
However, the face in front of him started talking to him. And after that, it started morphing. Raven hair turning purple, expression of worry appearing. He finally saw that he was actually looking at Witch. "…nan? Conan? Are you… alright? You're crying."
Conan was caught off guard by that sentence. And he could suddenly feel a lone tear running down his cheek. He quickly wiped it with his hand. "I… it's nothing," Conan said, but the previous words from Witch were still on his mind and the reminder that his wanderlust cost the woman he loved her life.
"No, it isn't. Even a… blind man could… see that," Witch said with a somewhat stern expression but it softened as she reached with her hand and put it on his cheek. "You don't have… to tell me… if you don't… want to. But don't close… your feelings inside. You can only… bottle it so much… before it… boils over." He lips then turned upward into her usual smile. "And neither will… I hide them." She then put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down. She also stood on her toes so she could reach as well, and then she planted a kiss on his lips.
In response, Conan put his arms around her waist and returned the kiss. It really helped Conan calm down and keep his emotions in check. At least for a little while. They stood there like that for about a minute before they pulled back. "Well then. I hope that… you stretched that… soreness away," Witch said in a joking manner. Conan chuckled despite what he felt and nodded.
"And don't worry… about not… being able to… see us again. If you can't… come back to… this continent… then we'll have to… visit yours."
"Really? And how will you be able to find it?" Conan asked.
Witch reached into a small satchel she had and pulled out a piece of paper. The paper had a symbol on it. A red circle with three lines going through the different sides of the circle. "This paper… will help me… track you. It will send… a magical beacon… that I will be… able to track. Extend your… hand." Conan did just that and Witch put the paper on the back of his hand. The symbol started glowing for a moment. Witch pulled the paper away to reveal that the symbol has gone from the paper to Conan's hand. It glowed for a few moments before disappearing. "There. Now I will… be able to… track you. When you get back… I will use that… symbol to find… your continent. Simple."
Conan looked at the back of his hand where the symbol used to be. "That is… actually really impressive."
"Why, thank you. You see now... why you didn't have... to be so worried... in the first place?" she asked. "Now then… how about we… go back?" Witch said before the two of them returned to their camp.
The next day, the group came back to Adventurer's Guild. Conan went back to his usual self and the others were glad. It seemed that whatever Witch told him worked.
They currently found themselves at the receptionist's desk, though they made a stop at the blacksmith so Conan could leave his armor to be fixed, and Conan turned to walk to the Guild hall. "You report the mission and give me the money when you're done. I am going to take a seat. Alright?"
They nodded but Amazon Warrior also separated herself from the group. "Not without me you're not. Come on."
When the two of them went for a table, they were suddenly interrupted.
"YOU!"
A familiar exclamation could be heard as Conan turned his head to see a wooden cup flying at him again but this time he caught it in his hand. He then once again saw High Elf Archer going in his direction with a glare on her face and flushed cheeks from alcohol.
Conan gave an annoyed sigh. "Alright, woman, what is it now?"
High Elf Archer once again extended her index finger in his direction. "You bastard, you did it again! Why do you have butt in where you're not needed?!"
Conan was confused for a few moments before recalling what her last tantrum was about. As he thought about it he came to a conclusion that Goblin Slayer actually went through with his advice and spent the night with Cow Girl.
"And what is your problem exactly?" Conan asked and looked around but he couldn't see the other two. "And where are your two companions?"
"They're busy! There is no protecting you from me this time!" High Elf Archer exclaimed as she tried charging at Conan but Conan moved out of the way as she went for a punch before grabbing her by the back of her shirt and lifting her up.
"Alright, now tell me. What exactly did I do wrong now?" Conan asked, confused as to why would Goblin Slayer sleeping with Cow Girl suddenly be a problem for this woman.
High Elf Archer just flailed with her limbs trying to hit him but she couldn't reach. "Because you ended up hooking Goblin Slayer up with someone else! Because of you, I'll never get my chance!"
Conan looked at her confused while Amazon Warrior looked amused. "Man, this too much fun not to see."
Conan's eyes narrowed slightly. "And how exactly does that mean you won't be able to lay with him?"
High Elf Archer started fuming as if this guy was mocking her. "And how exactly would I be able to?! He is already with another woman and I'm certain he isn't a type to cheat! And neither am I for that matter! So what are you blabbering about you big oaf?!"
"So you think that the reason you can't is that he has a woman?" Conan asked somewhat dumbfounded. "And why can't you just join in?"
That question made High Elf Archer hang still on Conan's hand. She looked at him with wide eyes. "W-w-what is t-that supposed to mean? How exactly am I supposed to do that?!" she frantically asked.
"And why wouldn't you be able to be?"
"Umm, Conan," Amazon Warrior called out and got his attention. "You see, there aren't really people here with multiple partners. It's very… uncommon in these parts."
"I see," Conan simply said. "I assumed you could have multiple partners here as well. At least, you can from where I come from." He turned towards High Elf Archer who stopped struggling. "Though perhaps you and Goblin Slayer could make an exception to that rule."
"Y-you can't be serious," said High Elf Archer, not believing what this man was saying. Did he seriously suggest that she, Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl have a polygamous relationship?
"And why not?" Conan asked rhetorically. "Considering how many women like him to me that seems like the best outcome for everyone." He then put High Elf Archer back on the floor.
"U-um… well, I…" High Elf Archer stammered on what to say to that. So Conan just assumed that you can have a polygamous relationship here. The way he suggested is so casually and the way he talked about them it seemed like something more common in his parts. But could she really go through with it?
"Crom, these civilized people still baffle me," Conan muttered to himself. "Look, you go work it out how you wish. I already said what I had to say." Conan then walked away, leaving High Elf Archer to her thoughts.
"You know, you really have a way with people," Amazon Warrior jokingly commented.
"I just gave a simple resolution to a simple problem," Conan answered as he got to a table.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in," came the voice of Spearman as he also approached their table. "So, how was that quest you six had?"
"Oh, do we have a story to tell you," Amazon Warrior said before they seated themselves.
After a while, they finished telling Spearman what has transpired during their quest. The rest of the group joined in, having finished with the mission report. By the end of the story, Spearman looked really baffled. "Wow! I… I don't even… A Rock Eater? And you were able to kill it?"
"Heh, I knew we would get a reaction like that from someone," Female Martial Artist said.
"Well, I can't say anything else then… congratulations on killing that monster. That must have quite a fight," Spearman said, now feeling impressed with Conan and the group. "Well, at least that's better than the monkey we had to deal with."
This caused everyone to look at him. "A monkey?" Conan asked with a raised eyebrow.
Spearman then proceeded to explain what happened. How he and Goblin Slayer took a mission together and ended up fighting a creature that no other adventurer heard of before, a two-and-a-half-meter tall gorilla with grey fur, and how they defeated in the end.
The group looked curious with only Conan looking surprised. "Are you saying that you two fought and defeated a Grey Ape?"
All the eyes turned towards Conan. "Wait, you know that creature?" asked Spearman.
"I know of its kind. They inhabit the shores of the Vilayet Sea, a place from my continent. They are known for their great ferocity and strength, quite intelligent as well. Even I would hesitate to outright fight them, so you two taking it down is impressive," Conan explained, getting intrigued looks from others.
Female Knight put her finger on her chin in thought. "So this creature hails from your continent. Do you know how it came here?"
Conan shook his head. "I'm not sure. Unless it was also shipwrecked like me, but I honestly doubt it," Conan said. Though, now that he thought about it, that was yet another creature that he knew but was not from this land has appeared. First that demon and now a Grey Ape? Was there some sort of pattern or was it merely a coincidence? He was getting suspicious about this situation. He turned towards Spearman. "Tell me, where is Goblin Slayer now?"
"Well, he was here about an hour ago, looking for some goblin quests but there weren't any. So he left and went home," Spearman explained.
"I see," Conan said before getting up. "Then I'll go talk with him to hear what he has to say about all this. No offense but you aren't really reliable when it comes to details." That got a chuckle out of then and caused Spearman to slightly grumble.
Before Conan could leave Amazon Warrior spoke up. "Do you even know where Goblin Slayer lives?"
Conan turned back to her with a smirk. "Don't worry, I'll find him."
Goblin Slayer, who wasn't wearing his armor, was helping Cow Girl with her chores at the farm. Right now he was carrying a crate filled with bottles of milk to the house. He was the stronger of the two so he suggested he did the heavy lifting.
When he put the crate in the house and came back outside, he was met with a surprise. He saw Conan walking on the road towards the house and looking around, seemingly interested in the farm. Conan's gaze then landed on him and he gave him a smile. "So this is very you live? Very… humble to say the least."
"Um, how did you know where I live?" Goblin Slayer asked.
"Simple, I followed your tracks to here," Conan explained. "I would have asked but I'm sure you didn't really tell anyone where you live. Am I wrong?" the silence that followed was Conan's response. "And I also heard about the mission you went on. And I'm interested in details about it."
"Hey, what's going on here," Cow Girl's uncle said as he saw Goblin Slayer standing near the door frame. He then also spotted Conan. He turned to Goblin Slayer. "Is this man a friend of yours?"
"That's Conan, the one I talked about before," Goblin Slayer explained.
"Oh, so that's him," the middle-aged man said before walking in front of Conan and extending his hand. "It's nice to meet you. I heard that you are the man who helped him open up."
Conan then took the man's hand in a handshake. "Well, it's also nice to meet someone who tolerates his antics." That actually caused the uncle to smile.
Then Cow Girl came, seeing the group gathered. She then spotted the man she hasn't seen in a while. "Hello there, sir Conan!" she exclaimed getting Conan's attention. "It's nice that you paid a visit to our home. Will you be staying long?"
Conan gave her a smile before shaking his head. "Sorry, I wasn't really planning on it. I just needed to talk to Goblin Slayer for something important."
Cow Girl blinked. "Oh, I see. Well, that's a shame. But if you change your mind, then you're more than welcome to join us at dinner. Right uncle?"
The man just shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
"Thanks for the hospitality, but there is really something I need to discuss with Goblin Slayer," Conan said as he turned to the white-haired young man. "And I think in private might be best."
Goblin Slayer gave a nod before turning towards his landlord. "May I be excused for a few minutes?"
The man, seeing this situation was serious, gave him a nod and the two of them walked to a secluded spot to talk.
Cow Girl's uncle was getting curious. Conan and Goblin Slayer had talked for a while now. He was really wondering what they were discussing since Goblin Slayer isn't really much for talking, as far as he knew.
In the end, curiosity got the better of him and he decided to check on the two. "Niece, I'm taking a walk, so don't be surprised if you see me gone."
"Alright then!" he heard Cow Girl answer.
He then walked away to where Conan and Goblin Slayer were located, which was behind the house and near a tree, a good distance so they wouldn't be disturbed.
When he got there he saw the two of them standing in the shade of the tree, still talking. He got closer to them, their backs were turned so they probably didn't see him coming, which was honestly something he planned for. He hoped to hear what they were talking about.
When he got close enough he was able to make out what they were saying. "… the sword ended up being useful after all?" he heard Conan say.
"Yeah, it gave me more cutting power and area of damage. Not sure if my shortsword would have been able to hurt the Grey Ape," Goblin Slayer said.
Conan grinned at that. "Well, then it's a good thing I got it for you, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Thank you for that," Goblin Slayer answered. "By the way, there is… something I need to ask."
"Ask away then," Conan said.
"You see… um… do you remember Guild Girl?" Goblin Slayer asked, making Cow Girl's uncle blink at the question.
"Yes, I do. What about her?"
"Well, she… you see… she asked to go to the Harvest Festival with her. And… well… since I'm with Cow Girl, I'm not sure if I should accept," Goblin Slayer explained. "And you're more knowledgeable about these kinds of things. So I'm asking you, what should I do?"
Now the uncle was completely baffled. He couldn't believe the words that came out of Goblin Slayer's mouth. Was he really asking this man for dating advice?
"Ah, I see the girl finally made her move," Conan commented. "Now, in my opinion, this is what you have to do. You will accept her offer and go to that festival. But make sure you talk with Cow Girl about this first."
"Are you sure?" Goblin Slayer asked getting a nod from Conan. "Then, thank you very much."
Conan gave him a smile and gave him a small pat on the shoulder. "Believe, that wasn't much."
The uncle looked at the scene stunned. The way those two were talking seemed like he was looking at a teenager getting parental advice. But now that he thought about it, Goblin Slayer did lose his parents when he was very young. Perhaps he sees Conan as some sort of father-figure to him. And from what he got, Conan was the one who got him the sword and trained him how to use it.
If he was honest, that thought brought a smile to his face. It seemed that a parental figure was what the young man needed. He was starting to feel shame that it wasn't him and that their relationship didn't go past landlord and boarder, having written Goblin Slayer off as insane. Though another adventurer would have a better understanding of the situation, he supposed.
"Hey, you two!" the uncle called out getting their attention. "We'll start making dinner soon. Are you coming!"
Conan just gave a shrug at that. "Sure, why not?" he said before turning towards Goblin Slayer. "Are you coming?"
Goblin Slayer gave a slight smile and nodded. "Yeah."
With that, the two headed off towards the house with Cow Girl's uncle going with them, a smile still present on his face.
AN: And that is it! This chapter was focused more on character development than anything else, but I hope that you were entertained.
See you in the next chapter!