Once they had arrived at the frontier town, a few miles away Goblin Slayer stopped the carriage making the group confused. "What's the hold up?" High Dark Elf asked as he got off and went near a tree.

"You and Lizard Sorcerer have to change a bit." He stated as he got out a few bags.

"Why? I think we look fine." She said as he tossed one at the Sorcerer who caught it.

"Heh your about as appropriate as a belly dancer at a bar." Dwarf Mercenary joked as he wondered what Goblin Slayer would have them do.

"Your skulls, ornaments and staff, you'll have to hide or leave them at the carriage." He said to Lizard Sorcerer. "Worshippers of evil aren't very welcomed." He noted as the large Sorcerer sighed and began to take items off his body. He then looked at High Dark Elf. "As for you. Strip."

She gave him a small look as he said that.

THWACK!

Right before promptly punching him in the face with her gauntlet with a dark red hue on her cheeks. "What did you just say!? There's no way in hell I'm doing that!" She said as Goblin Slayer started to sit up. Dwarf Mercenary was laughing loudly as he heard and saw this. "Who the hell do you think you are to ask a woman to strip so soon after meeting her!?"

"I didn't mean it that way." He calmly walked over and laid a tarp down. "I meant your weapons, you have too many on your person, and none of you are adventurers so it would seem suspicious."

"Ha ha ha!... Too bad there Elf, and here I thought you finally found someone who could tolerate you." The dwarf mercenary said as she glared at him before sighing and taking her cloak off.

Priestess gasped at the sight as High Dark Elf had many straps around her body, from her thighs and calves to her upper arms and even on her back. 'And here I thought Goblin Slayer had too many weapons on his body.'

"Fine ill play this little game of yours Slayer. Eye's up." She said as she began to pull her weapons off. Placing multiple different throwing knives and daggers onto the tarp, moving a hand to her back and grunted as she pulled out a flat packet of what appeared to be thin sharp needles down. She dropped her gauntlets down as well. Grunting a bit she bent down a bit took her boot off and opened the heel to remove a hidden small vial of poison and then moved her arms up to then pull out two short small knives from her bangs letting her hair loose a bit before tying it up with some strong.

"Alright there, that's most of what I got." She said, without the straps she wore a purple leather vest with grey shorts and knee-high boots.

"The throwing knives under the vest." Goblin Slayer said with his arms crossed.

"Hmmph." She unbuttoned the few bottom buttons to her vest to reveal two sheaths laid against her stomach and took them off before tossing it onto the tarp. "Alright let's go." She said as she was given a white cloak which she didn't like too much. But after being promised that they'd get their stuff back she didn't mind.

After leaving the Elf woman at the medical building they had rode their carriage over and stopped a few blocks near the guild before getting off. The usual stares that Goblin Slayer received were accompanied by many more with his accomplices following behind. Priestess walked aside him as did High Dark Elf who had her hood down as to avoid suspicion. She didn't like it of course, exposing her face to crowds but if this was to get the prize then so be it.

It also didn't help that Lizard Sorcerer who now wore a white cloak as well was rather intimidating in stature and race. Both Priestess and Dwarf Mercenary received a few looks, but none so strange compared to the others.

Once there they stopped as Goblin Slayer turned to High Dark Elf. "The Sword in your boot."

"You'll have to kill me first before I go in there completely unarmed." She snapped back before pushing him aside roughly as she went in. The others followed and he took back the lead as they came right to Guild Girl's desk.

"Welcome back Goblin Slay- Oh um." She noticed the three new companions who stood by him. She wasn't the only one, with many of the other guild members looking over at the strange group. "I see you have some new companions, could you perhaps introduce them?" She asked politely as Dwarf Mercenary came to the front.

"No need lass I'll introduce us, I am a humble mercenary." He said before he gestured to High Dark Elf. "And this here is his concubine."

"What the f-" Her mouth was covered by the Lizardman hand as he nodded again.

"Concubine?" Guild girl asked again as Goblin Slayer internally groaned, it was too late to take it back without being suspicious.

"I saved her in a quest and kept her as mine. She accepted of course." He stated bluntly as Priestess blushed hearing this.

'Oh dear.' She thought as she looked at this all happening.

"Is that true?" The desk clerk asked as High Dark Elf reluctantly nodded.

"Ahem… yes, my…. Darling here saved me from a horde of goblins." She said with a bit of a swooned voice while deep down she was seething. 'There are too many adventurer's here to take on. Got to take my chances.' "Before they could do anything he came in and killed them all before they could take my innocence."

"If you even had some to begin with." Dwarf Mercenary said as she turned her head to him.

"Keep talking and you'll be tossed to a hob goblin!" She whispered and threatened as she turned back with a soft smile. Guild Girl looked at her and was a bit skeptical.

"Uh huh… And what about you?" She asked looking at the lizard sorcerer. "Are you his bodyguard?" She asked a bit jokingly seeing as Goblin Slayer didn't seem like one to need one.

"I'm his butcher." He merely said as Guild Girl looked at him for a few moments before looking back at Goblin Slayer who nodded.

"I see… very well I hope the quest went as planned then?" She asked as Goblin Slayer nodded and then pulled out a sack and placed it on the table. It hit the oak with a thud prompting some attention to them as she checked the contents. Her eyes widened when she saw the items inside. "You actually killed it?" She said as he nodded. She looked to Priestess who nodded as well. "Very well, I believe there's a reward for that. Give me a moment." She said before leaving.

High Dark Elf then turned and elbowed Dwarf Mercenary's head roughly. "Agh! Rough lass with rough elbows."

"Oh, don't you even start! This man would be the last thing id want to be with." She said quietly as he chuckled. "Why'd you suggest that anyway?" She complained as he shrugged.

"Someone as stubborn and blunt as him compliments someone sharp and flat like yourself elf. Im just going with what we have." He said as she growled until Guild Girl came back. She quickly changed her expression and leaned against Goblin Slayer.

"Now here's your prize for killing the ogre." She placed a large fat sack of gold coins in front of them on the desk. High Dark Elf's eyes widened as she nearly reached for it but stayed still. "I also put the reward for killing the goblins of course. Good job." She slid it over and Goblin Slayer picked it up and nodded. He looked to Priestess who smiled and walked back to the carriage with the others following. He was about to go as well but was stopped by the clerk. "She isn't really your concubine, right? That was just a small cover up?" She asked as he looked at him. He didn't say anything for a few moments.

"Why would that matter to you?" he asks before walking off with his reward in hand, not letting her speak up.

"I-I ah… ugh." She slumps in her chair with her cheeks tinged a bit red. 'There's no way she's with him, right? Who in their right mind would want to be in a relationship with that man?!' she thought before pausing for a moment and shook her head. 'Don't let this distract you from your job come on.' She thought as she prepped herself for the rest of the day. Despite the thought lingering in her mind.

-outside-

Once Goblin Slayer began to lead the horses at the carriage, he looked back at the excited High Dark Elf who still didn't have her gear on but was busy counting their prize. "Oooh YES! That's the 30th piece I counted!" She said lifting one of the golden coins up as Lizard sorcerer and Dwarf mercenary watched her count them. Priestess had left to the church to rest while Goblin Slayer took the trio somewhere more secluded.

"Careful there lass, greedy as a goblin and he might target you next." The mercenary joked as she rolled her eyes, smile still present.

"Alright there's my share." She took out her own sack and then poured it into the bag that held the other two chests and then pushed the rest of the bag to the dwarf. "And you can discuss your share with Slayer there." She said as the man turned to give the dwarf a look.

"Ah well seeing as you're a man of needs, lets split it in half then shall we." He said recognizing that Goblin Slayer must use his money resourcefully to get his jobs done. He was glad he received a nod and put the man's share in another bag.

"I must ask sir Goblin Slayer, where are you taking us?" Lizard Sorcerer asked as the man looked back at him.

"Were going to my home, ill say this once don't act malicious…. They're rather nice people." He said as he turned back to face the path.

"If your definition of nice is anything like I've seen today I'm a bit worried." High Dark Elf said as the wagon stopped, and he got off. The others followed suit and once they walked over to the main house she smiled. "Oh, I wonder how nice it is in there, with a nice comfortable bed, early morning supper, and good insolation-"

-Later-

"Your joking right." She said as after the trio was met with a dirt floor with a few other animals around. This was the inside of the barn that was near the small house and they were recently told this is where they would be sleeping.

"No." He bluntly said as he walked over and laid down a tarp for each of them along with a bed and a few blankets. "You'll be sleeping here tonight." He said as he turned to the Lizardman. "Don't eat any of the animals. I'll bring you some food." He said as he turned away and walked out of the barn closing the doors with a few torches keeping them light.

"Are… Are we really going to let this stand!?" The dark elf said as her two companions were already settling down. "Why are you okay with this!?"

"It's a service we must accept for it is the best we've received." Lizard Sorcerer said crossing his legs as he sat down. Dwarf Mercenary already started to lay on his resting as well.

"Better get used to it long ears, it's better treatment we've gotten from anyone." He said already yawning as he got close to sleeping.

"Of course, an old man like you would accept this, I may not be a fancy elf, but I have standards." She said sitting on her own tarp pouting.

THUD

"What… what is this?"

"Dinner." Goblin Slayer said as he looked down at the freshly killed deer. "You're going to have to run the blood out through the neck after you hang it. Then it'll be good to eat." He said turning to leave again

"W-Wait Slayer, okay I'll admit… it's nice to have somewhat of a roof over our heads but... do you per chance have an… extra room in that house?" High Dark Elf said as the two behind her started to cut up and divide the deer. Already with Lizard Sorcerer devouring the head and snapping his jaws shut on the maw.

"Not going to cook that now scaley?" Dwarf Mercenary asked as he used the torch to make a small fire to cook his pieces.

"I fear… mmnn.. it would take too much time." He said pushing his tongue into the dead animal's eye socket and munching on the eye as he ripped more meat off the skull. "And I am quite famished." He said as he continued to enjoy his meal.

"Look I'll be good… okay I'll be tolerable can I at least eat a meal with you? I can't really… stand meat that much." She said shuddering as she watched the Dwarf eat his greasy piece of deer meat while the skull of a deer was tossed aside clean white with no trace of muscle or blood left.

"Hey, don't worry long ears there's plenty of hay here for you to enjoy!" Dwarf Mercenary said as he laughed and ate his next piece. She glared at him before turning back to Goblin Slayer who thought about this.

"…. Very well, since you seem more." He looked back at the other two who were enjoying the deer. "Restraint you can come." Goblin Slayer said as he turned with High Dark Elf smiling before he turned his head to her. "But one misstep and your sleeping in here with them." He said as she nodded with a nervous smile.

Once the two arrived at the house he opened the door letting Cow Girl see him. "Oh! Your back!" She said happily as she recently made a few bowls. "My uncle's already asleep. I guess after what you told him got him a bit stressed." The pinkette said with a small laugh. Goblin Slayer walked over silently to the table as she served him his stew. She then noticed High Dark Elf and blinked. "Oh, I didn't think you'd let one of them sleep here."

"That's not a problem is it?" The much older girl asked as Cow girl merely smiled and shook her head.

"Oh no, it's really no problem let me get you a bowl then." She said going to get some from the pot and as she got back, she noticed Goblin Slayer already getting up and leaving. She saw his empty bowl and sighed softly.

"Thank you." He quietly said to her before going to his room.

She gave him a bright smile before placing the Dark Elf's bowl down for her on the table.

"Wow." The white haired girl said as she sat down, she would've thought he'd talk to the girl. "He always like that around here?" She asked as Cow girl sat down and had her own bowl of stew.

"Oh well I suppose." She stirred her food with a spoon while looking down. "It's still nice that he came here again."

"Again? You mean he doesn't come here often?" High Dark Elf asked as she took a sip of her stew. 'W-Woah… this is the nicest thing I've ever tasted….' She thought as she started to take more sips.

"He would usually stay at the guild, which I understand. His job really keeps him busy." The pink eyed girl said before taking a sip of her stew.

"Sounds like you miss him… how do you know Goblin Slayer by the way?" The dark-skinned girl asked as she kept eating.

"Oh, I've known him since we were kids, and well that was a long time ago. He's changed but I'm glad that he's still here." She said as the elf nodded.

"Eh I'm not one to make connections, though you seem awfully alright with him going wherever he wants."

"Well of course it's his job and I wouldn't want to get in the way of that. And it's a rather personal matter too." Cow girl said looking down a bit.

"Huh…. Pretty nice of a wife then." High Dark Elf said as she finished her food only to hear Cow Girl choke and look up to see the girl blushing madly as she put her hands to her cheeks.

"W-W-What?"

"What? You're his wife, right? You seem pretty close and well you made him food." High Dark Elf only assumed, she isn't one for romance but seeing Cow Girl act so friendly to Goblin Slayer and with him reacting neutrally she thought they were together.

"N-No. no were not together. I mean I suppose I help him with his gear, he helps me around the house, and I cook food for him and… were just not like that." She said waving her hands with a nervous smile and soft blush on her cheeks.

"uh huh…" High Dark Elf noticed how uncomfortable the girl was getting and put her bowl down. "Well…. thanks for the meal.. is there another guest bedroom?" She asked as Cow girl nodded.

"It's down the hallway to the right. First door." She said as the Dark Elf stood up and left. She then sighed and hung her head over the bowl. "Why did I react like that… It's not like he's looking for someone to be with… right?" She told herself as she was left alone at the table.

As the High Dark Elf made her way to the guest room, she opened the door and saw the bed. "Oh, thank the gods…" She said closing the door behind her, kicking her boots off, and tossing her cloak aside before jumping right onto the bed and the large bag at the corner of the room. "Aaaaaahhhhh oooh yeah~ That's it~ That's the soft feeling I missed~" She said humming to herself as she curled on the bed and laid on her back sighing. Looking at the ceiling she hummed to herself for a bit, her smile growing as she closed her eyes and started to enjoy her comfortable slumber in a proper bed.

-In unknown lands-

A tall lumbering mass of green walked over the dirt path. Looking down he saw the pools of boiling hot chemicals known as acid sizzle. He grunted and adjusted a few plates of metal on his shoulders as multiple smaller green beings followed. Huffing a bit, he noticed a carriage far ahead and started walking towards it.

Once there a horse was present, neighing loudly before a large green hand closed it's mouth shut and it was suddenly tossed into one of the pool's the sound of sizzling and meat being destroyed by the chemicals were heard as the tall hobgoblin peered into the carriage to find the owner. "A-Ahhh!" It didn't take long for him to notice before he was pulled out and thrown into the same acidic pool while the rest of the smaller goblins began to raid the carriage of supplies.

The Hobgoblin watched the man struggle and cry out as his screams were getting quieter and more gurgles left him as he sunk under the pool surface. "AGHaaghhagghh…" The Hobgoblin looked down at his arm and grinned, both have grown in size, the armor digging into his skin as he flexed his arms. If he were to speak, he would gladly speak out his thoughts of content that he was now becoming stronger.