Chapter 5: A New Routine
The sunrise gleamed vibrant light into Cow Girl's bedroom. Goblin Slayer's eyes slowly opened to the sound of birds singing from nearby trees. The warrior hadn't paid attention to such noises in years, and now it sounded almost alien. His body felt strange as well, feeling far more revitalized and alive than usual. Of course, Goblin Slayer understood why he might be experiencing these new sensations.
Cow Girl's strong arms remained wrapped tightly around him, and her head resting firmly against his muscular chest. Cow Girl's sorrow from the previous night had all but vanished, a satisfied and passionate smile still adorning her face as she slept like a baby.
Goblin Slayer knew he'd have to get up soon and check for signs of goblins, but to do so would wake her up, and he couldn't do that. He also didn't want to get up, not yet anyway. Last night was his first time, and Cow Girl's as well. His hatred for goblins stunted any such desires ever since he watched his sister die. However, what he did with Cow Girl felt natural, and yet he wondered what it would mean going forward.
"Hmmmmm." Cow Girl shifted her body closer to his. Goblin Slayer felt her soft breasts, legs, and stomach with a sense of fondness still new to him. Finally, Cow Girl opened her eyes and blushed as she stared into Goblin Slayer's eyes.
"Good morning!" Cow Girl planted a long kiss on Goblin Slayer's lips while also tickling the bottom of his foot with her big toe. Cow Girl eventually laid her head back on Goblin Slayer's chest while still holding him tightly.
"Last night, I didn't hurt you, did I?" Goblin Slayer asked nervously, earning another giggle from Cow Girl.
"Last night was amazing!" She answered enthusiastically.
"I wanted it to never end."
"...Me too." Goblin Slayer admitted as he submitted himself to remaining beside her. After another half-hour, he finally got up and inspected the farm for any signs of goblins, though Goblin Slayer still didn't adorn his armor just yet. Thankfully, he found no trace of the monsters.
Upon returning to the farm-house, he noticed Cow Girl preparing breakfast while wearing an apron, just an apron. Goblin Slayer's eyes became fixed on her large rear end as she intentionally shook it at him while cooking.
"I hope you're hungry!" She exclaimed while blushing intensely. A few minutes later, the two sat down and ate together. Cow Girl watched Goblin Slayer closely as he ate. Although Cow Girl had seen Goblin Slayer without his helmet or armor on more than almost anyone, it was still a rare occurrence, and she savored seeing his face.
"How is it?"
"Good." Goblin Slayer said, showing only the slightest bit of joy. Yet even that was more than she'd seen in him for years.
"Thank you!" Cow Girl giggled. Goblin Slayer found breakfast to be a strange sensation. The food wasn't merely a means of sustenance. Now he could taste the flavor and a richness to it. All of it came so fast, and he almost felt overwhelmed as a result. Despite this, his warrior ethos allowed him to regain focus and remember what was important. Taking a deep breath, he attentively looked at Cow Girl.
"Are you sure you're alright? If need to talk." Goblin Slayer felt a surge of guilt fill his very being as he realized he might have unwittingly taken advantage of Cow Girl's emotional state the previous night. Even if she had initiated it, he chose to continue.
Cow Girl now took a deep breath but kept smiling.
"I still miss him, just like mama and papa. I can mourn my uncle, but I also need to live." Cow Girl stared out the window towards the farm itself.
"It's what he'd want."
"...What he'd want." Spearman's words returned to Goblin Slayer. Cow Girl savored breakfast, as Goblin Slayer spoke far more than he usually did and even showed signs of emotion. However, Cow Girl struggled against a growing fear that last night might have only been a spur of the moment decision and nothing more.
Taking another deep breath, Cow Girl looked at Goblin Slayer more seriously.
"...I have to ask, last night. What did it mean to you?"
Goblin Slayer stiffened slightly, though seeing a somewhat nervous reaction from him might have been a good sign.
"It meant a great deal, I should think." Hearing the sincerity in his voice made Cow Girl breathe a sigh of relief and blush slightly.
"I'm sorry if I came on a bit strong, I-" Cow Girl said bashfully while sweat dropping.
"I didn't regret anything."
"Me either!"
Goblin Slayer clasped his hands together and became lost in thought.
"Needless to say, things can never be the same between us."
Cow Girl almost trembled again. This could be either very good or very bad. However, the young woman held her nerve and simply nodded.
"No, I don't want them to."
"...neither do I." Goblin Slayer stood up and came around the table before ensnaring Cow Girl in his strong arms and kissing her passionately. Cow Girl let out a soft moan of relief while hugging him back, her fears all but vanishing.
After finishing breakfast, both got dressed, though Goblin Slayer didn't put his helmet on yet.
"Are you traveling far?"
Goblin Slayer shook his head.
"No, we'll be taking local jobs for the time being."
"Good." Cow Girl grabbed Goblin Slayer by the shoulders with a seductive look.
"Make sure you're home before supper. I have a special treat waiting for you after dinner." After another kiss, Goblin Slayer departed, donning his helmet once again.
At the Guild, Spearman and Witch looked over a few potential job listings.
"How about this one?" Witch asked in her usual dazed done.
Spearman looked at the reward money with deep regret and sighed.
"...It's too far away. We'd have to leave town for a few days."
"Why is that a problem?" Witch asked with a growing smile, though she already had a good idea.
Spearman took a deep breath and looked towards the doorway.
"Could it be, you've truly grown to care about Goblin Slayer?"
"...I just want to make sure he's still around to handle the goblin quests. If he didn't, way more newbies would get killed."
"Most likely." Witch giggled before puffing out some smoke.
Spearman kept looking towards the doorway and felt Witch wrap her arms around him.
"I think it's touching. You seeing him as your friend." Spearman didn't answer, even when Witch kissed his cheek.
At the counter, Gladius handed Guild Girl a list of job requests from the Iron Legion and recruitment slips.
"We'll be sure to get these posted!" Guild Girl said in her pleasant tone as Gladius nodded.
"Thank you. I must admit, the town's guild is one of the most active I've ever seen. It almost makes me wish I'd become an adventurerer." The Knight chuckled while noticing Heavy Warrior with his arms around Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric.
"It's not too late. Given your experience, I could probably start you at a higher rank."
Gladius smiled a little but shook his head.
"My duty is to the land and its people. It's why I joined the Iron Legion."
"How very admirable." Guild Girl said before she noticed a concerned look on his face while turning back to the doorway. Guild Girl's expression similarly soured.
"Do you think he's going to be alright?"
"...I hope so. But only time will te-" Before Gladius could even finish, the doors opened, and Goblin Slayer entered. Spearman and Witch noticed him as well. He still wore his helmet, but all four could notice something different about him from how he walked.
"Goblin Slayer!" Priestess leaped from her seat and almost ran over to him.
"They made me leave last night! Are you doing ok!?" She frantically shouted while trying to take Goblin Slayer's hands. Before long, the others joined her, practically surrounding Goblin Slayer.
"Yes." Goblin Slayer's tone nearly made his companions yelp. It wasn't exuberant like Dwarf Shaman. However, even this small amount of emotion from Goblin Slayer caught each of them completely off-guard.
High Elf Archer pushed the others aside and stared into Goblin Slayer's helmet intensely.
"You're still not well, aren't you! We need to visit a physician right away-" Before High Elf Archer could finish, Goblin Slayer walked towards the job listings. Spearman and Witch glanced at him with similar astonishment, though Witch appeared more entertained.
"Morning."
"Uhhh, morning." Spearman said while sweatdropping.
Goblin Slayer carefully looked over the board until he found an intriguing one.
"I wasn't finished!" High Elf Archer screamed, having gone red to the face. That was until she saw the job listing.
"Recently, some ruins were discovered nearby. Perhaps we should investigate."
All four of his companions went crestfallen hearing this.
"You don't want to go on a goblin slaying quest!?" Priestess yelped.
"...There may be some goblins inside. But even if there aren't, there may be something dangerous to future treasure hunters. It would be irresponsible to let rookies go with hopes of treasures only to die."
"Ha! Finally, a real adventure!" High Elf Archer exclaimed as she wrapped her arm around Goblin Slayer.
Lizard Priest and Dwarf Shaman turned to each other, equally confused, but weren't about to turn down such a quest either.
Guild Girl smiled slightly upon seeing Goblin Slayer's new demeanor, though she likely wouldn't have had she known the reason why.
Several hours later, the party finished mobbing up a few Goblins and pygmy rock eaters. When they arrived in the yellow stone's damp ruins, the adventurers found goblins here and there, but more were dead than alive, killed by the rock eaters.
Goblin Slayer used his shield to parry a hobgoblin's club and then stabbed through his neck in an efficient thrust. Blood splattered across Goblin Slayer's armor, though he hardly noticed. The hobgoblin stumbled for a moment, but before he could bleed out, two pygmy rock eats leaped into his back and began ripping apart flesh.
Goblin Slayer backed up when he noticed the monsters turn their attention towards him. Raising his shield, the armored warrior readied himself to stab towards their mouths, knowing his sword would do little against the eaters' rocky exterior. However, two arrows tore through the monsters' throats before he could do so.
High Elf Archer stood atop a massive statue and grinned while unleashing more arrows in support of her team.
"Earth mother, I beseech thee to grant your power of Holy Light upon us!" Priestess cried, her sounding staff illuminating ruins like an artificial dawn. The goblins shrieked in pain, but the rock eaters jerked up as if they had suffered a seizure.
"Well done! Eat these rocks!" Dwarf Shaman laughed as he unleashed a storm of flying stones ripped through rock eater and goblins alike. One of Lizard Priest's skeleton lizards protected him from goblins while he used his mighty tail to hurl three rock eaters towards Goblin Slayer.
From there, he carefully waited and knocked each one up with his shield and then stabbed into their mouths. With them dead, Goblin Slayer looked around carefully until he was satisfied they were safe.
"Rock eaters, it sure brings back memories." Dwarf Shaman laughed.
"I'll bet you saw a lot of them living underground." High Elf Archer laughed.
"Aye, I certainly did. They taste great when cooked right."
"..." High Elf Archer almost gagged when she saw Dwarf Shaman put one into his sack.
Goblin Slayer knelt down beside the dead rock eaters and sighed.
"It's a shame we had to kill them. They slew many goblins."
"This is true. Perhaps we should have kept one to raise like your farm animals." Lizard Priest said as Priestess sweatdropped.
"That's not how farm animals work."
With the chamber cleared, Goblin Slayer relit his torch and led them deeper into the ruins. Finely carved limestone lined the walls that endured through the years. Magnificent tablets and statues depicted ancient beasts and warriors dressed as eagles.
High Elf Archer savored exploring these ruins and marveling at their beauty.
"This is masterful craftsmanship!" Dwarf Shaman cried while looking over a statue until he noticed a secret switch.
"What do we have here!?"
"Be careful!" High Elf Archer scolded him.
"Relax long-ears. I've explored more ruins like this than you."
Lizard Priest felt the ground beneath him shift and jumped away just in time to avoid falling down a set of hidden stairs now revealed.
"I wonder what's down there?" Dwarf Shaman asked while stroking his beard.
"There's only one way to find out." Goblin Slayer led the way and carefully watched for any signs of rock eaters. All the while, Priestess stayed close to Goblin Slayer and anxiously looked towards him.
"Goblin Slayer, what happened? Don't get me wrong. I love that you're acting livelier, but I am curious, what brought this on?"
"I'm with her. This is the closest I've ever seen you to actually enjoying something. You've still got a ways to go, mind you, but still." High Elf Archer grabbed Goblin Slayer by the shoulder enough to see the others' intrigued looks.
"...It just happened, I suppose."
"Come on beard-cutter, that's not good enough!" Dwarf Shaman laughed as he playfully smacked Goblin Slayer's back.
"Are you not still dealing with grief over the farmer's death?" Lizard Priest asked.
"...I am. But I can't be crippled by it. Something Spearman and Gladius said. I couldn't keep living as I was. There has to be more to life than killing Goblins."
Goblin Slayer stopped for a moment after he couldn't hear their footsteps anymore. Upon turning around, he noticed all four of his companions went pale with terrified looks.
"Is there another monster?" Goblin Slayer searched the staircase until High Elf Archer grabbed his chest plate and tried to shake him.
"You're not really Orcbolg, are you!? You're a demon shapeshifter impersonating him!" Lizard Priest came forward and pulled High Elf Archer off him while Priestess trembled.
"He's, he's really starting to live." Priestess muttered to herself with a growing smile.
Goblin Slayer continued the journey further down until they reached a coliseum esk area with large seating areas and a stone fighting pit under many stalactite
"What is this place!?" Priestess shouted in wonder.
Goblin Slayer used his torch to light to larger fire puts still holding oil.
"...A graveyard." He answered. Priestess and the others saw well over two dozen dead goblins around the coliseum, including four hobs and a champion.
"They were trying to make a nest." Goblin Slayer said forebodingly while staring at the corpses' positions.
"What, what could do this to a champion!?" Priestess shook as if caught in a blizzard and hid behind Goblin Slayer.
"...I don't see any dead rock eaters." Lizard Priest said while hilding up his blades.
They carefully entered the fighting pit and began examing the goblins' mangled bodies, or what remained of them. Lizard Priest picked up a goblin arm resting over a pool of blood, but nothing more.
Similarly, High Elf Archer struggled not to gag when she saw only half of a hobgoblin with his intestines still dripping to the floor.
"These things are even more disgusting when they're dead." She muttered, until noticing the hobgoblin's terrified expression. His claws broke off clean after several feet of drag marks on the floor. Before she could say anything, the chamber shook and nearly knocked them all down.
"What was that!?" Priestess muttered while trying to get behind Goblin Slayer.
"Earthquake?" Lizard Priest asked.
"No, that's something else." Dwarf Shaman said cautiously while raising his ax.
Goblin Slayer began studying the champion's body when he realized something about the marks and shapes. The champion's injuries looked almost exactly like those of smaller goblins from earlier killed by pygmy rock eaters. However, the injuries didn't seem small, but massive, yet still in the exact same shape, as if one of the dead goblins from earlier was simply scaled up.
"..."
"Goblin Slayer." Priestess said, noticing how he'd frozen in place.
"...Run."
"Huh?"
Goblin Slayer didn't speak but instead snatched Priestess in one arm, and Dwarf Shaman in another. Using his great strength, Goblin Slayer lifted both up and away from the champion's body moments before two massive stalactites crashed into the ground around it, one hitting and impaling the body, coating all three in blood.
Priestess sighed. This wasn't the first time she'd covered herself in goblin's blood.
High Elf Archer and Lizard Priest looked up and felt the chamber shake again. At last, the monster revealed itself, a full-sized rock eater burst through the ceiling and roared.
"You wanted a real adventure, long ears, here it is." Dwarf Shaman laughed, much to High Elf Archer's chagrin. The horrifying worm-like creature's saliva dripped down like rain alongside bits of goblin blood.
"...I don't want to hurt another goblin killer, but I can't let you hurt my friends either."
The rock eater lunged down towards them only for all five to scatter just in time. Even so, bits of debris flew all around them, bouncing off Goblin Slayer's armor.
High Elf Archer slid across the floor and unleashed two arrows at the rock eater's eye. However, they only just missed when the rock eater burrowed underground again.
"Watch yourselves!" Lizard Priest roared. Each adventurer carefully felt around for movements beneath them, but not fast enough. Priestess felt herself lifted up and off the ground via the bursting floor.
The rock eater loomed over Priestess, its razor-sharp fangs dripping down more goblin blood. Priestess readied herself to use a miracle, but it wasn't necessary.
"Mighty brontosaurus, give me your strength!" Lizard Priests body bulged with overwhelming muscles. With a tenacious roar, he slammed himself into the rock eater's side and knocked it away.
The rock eater snarled and snapped its jaws towards Lizard Priest. However, the lizard stood his ground, which proved to be a mistake. Even with his enhanced strength, Lizard Priest found himself hurled away.
"You won't overpower him, you fool!" High Elf Archer scolded him while moving around the rock eater, aiming her arrows at his mouth and eyes. Yet once again, she found no success, and the rock eater surged forward like a racing horse right for her.
"I've got you, long ears! Arise, rock barrier!"
A rock wall lifted up between High Elf Archer and the monster, only to crumble upon impact. Luckily, the elf was able to escape just in time thanks to the wall slowing him down.
The rock eater thrashed around for a moment before a trio of throwing blades struck between gaps in the monster's rocky exterior. Hissing violently, the rock eater seized up for a moment, just long enough for Goblin Slayer to rush forward and latch himself onto the beast like a parasite.
"Are you mad!?" High Elf Archer cried. Despite her disapproval and the monster's violent thrashing, Goblin Slayer climbed further and further up its body until he reached the head.
"I'm sorry." With these words, Goblin Slayer plunged his short sword deep into the monster's eye. Its thrashing became uncontrollable, and Goblin Slayer leaped down.
"Aim for the stalactite." Goblin Slayer's party didn't need any other instructions and quickly went to their places. Dwarf Shaman used his stone blast on a large stalactite just over the rock eater while Lizard Priest threw larger rocks at it.
"Merciful earth mother, I beseech thee to grant your protection upon us." Just as Priestess finished her miracle, High Elf Archer loosed three arrows into the monster's mouth, pinning it open.
All the pieces now came into place. A stalactite and several other large pieces of rock fell down over those in the fighting pit. Priestess's miracle protected Goblin Slayer and his party, though the rock eater wasn't so fortunate. The stalactite embedded itself through its mouth and pinned him down, blood oozing out.
"Fun enough for you?" Dwarf Shaman chuckled as he patted High Elf Archer's back. The elf smirked with a look of pride.
"More than killing goblins."
Priestess sighed in relief until she noticed Lizard Priest help Dwarf Shaman cut out the rock eater's meat.
"Are you serious!?"
"I would like to give it a try."
"That's my man!" Dwarf Shaman laughed.
Goblin Slayer, however, carefully examined the ground where the monster struck. He noticed a shattered piece of floor and something hidden in the opening.
"Come and look at this." He said, drawing the others near. With Lizard Priest and Dwarf Shaman's help, Goblin Slayer cleared the remaining debris until they saw it, a treasure chest.
"Ohhh! This just got very exciting!"
Dwarf Shaman began picking the lock as High Elf Archer watched impatiently.
"I thought dwarves were good at this-"
Dwarf Shaman opened the crate before she finished and revealed its glittering contents. All five adventures lost themselves to the vast treasure of gold and precious gemstones now theirs. Coins engraved like the tablets, idols, and flower-shaped artifacts gleamed as if the sun were above them.
Dwarf Shaman almost trembled while picking up a coin and biting it.
"Pure gold!"
"This will fetch a large banquet." Lizard Priest said, holding his own portion. High Elf Archer picked up an eagle-shaped idol with admiration.
"It is beautiful."
Goblin Slayer noticed a golden rose-stem with a ruby blume. He carefully picked it up and then looked back at Priestess, smiling with the others.
"Exploring ruins, defeating a monster, and finding treasure. A real adventure." Goblin Slayer thought to himself. Memories of his dreams before the fateful goblin attack returning.
That evening, Cow Girl put the plowing horses away and stretched her arms, sore after a long day of farming alone. She thought much about her uncle and how much she missed him. However, another man remained much more prominently on her mind. Before she could even reach the farmhouse, he came into view.
Goblin Slayer approached the farm, his helmet tucked under the left arm while a bag carrying his portion of the loot. Cow Girl didn't wait another moment and rushed to embrace him, ignoring the sweat and goblin blood still on his armor.
An hour later, the two ate dinner while Cow Girl marveled at the golden rose.
"It's beautiful!"
"It reminded me of you." Cow Girl giggled while blushing, his corny line coming clearly from a lack of practice, though she still appreciated it.
"Thank you. It sounds like you had a real adventure today."
Goblin Slayer smiled slightly, but noticeably.
"I suppose so. What about you?"
Cow Girl rubbed her sore shoulder for a moment as she took a deep breath.
"I was able to get all the usual farm work done, but it's harder without uncle."
"...I see. I could help out-"
"No! You're an adventurer and a damn good one!" Cow Girl stood up with a stern look.
"I'll manage on my own."
"...Perhaps some farmhands could help. I could pay for them."
Cow Girl smiled again but shook her head.
"I'll pay for them."
"...At least use my rent money too." Cow Girl grabbed Goblin Slayer by the collar of his armor and gave him a passionate kiss. Her cheeks turning rose like her hair.
"You're not paying rent anymore." Cow Girl giggled before undoing the straps on her overalls.
"You can make it up to me in other ways."
"Very well."