AU: PART 1 in previous chapter (8) instead of the AU from before!
Chapter 9: Dreams of Slayers and Maidens p2
Cow Girl continued humming a song as she was preparing a large breakfast. Breakfast for nine people... phew, she is glad she went to sleep earlier yesterday. Preparing the meals proofed to be rather challenging so far. First of all, it is the first time she is making a breakfast so big. And second of all, they are all so different, it's a challenge to please everybody's tongue.
Lizardmans eats only meat. Elves prefer vegetables and plant food, though they like some meat here and there too since they are exceptional hunters. Dwarfs like fatty food. And most important of all, she has to consider that there is a pregnant woman in the house. So something healthy for her is a must.
It was a good opportunity to show her cooking skills, and hopefully she will show everyone she is the great chef in the house.
As she was cutting cucumber to small circles, she heard rustling in one of the rooms. Cow Girl lifted her head for a moment, but she got back to making the breakfast. Whoever woke up she will see in a minute anyway.
"What's for breakfast?"
Although she expected someone to visit the kitchen, she did not expect HIM to be the one who wakes up first. Her hand stopped cutting the cucumber, and she slowly turned her head to the familiar voice to her right. There he stood, bandages half undone hanging from his arms, naked except for the black underwear with his uncovered body looking completely fine. The gruesome sight she witnessed yesterday wasn't present in a slightest on his body. The old scars remained, but no new additions as far as she can tell.
"G-G-Goblin Slayer..." she breathlessly said.
"Hm?"
He was back. Alive and well... Gosh, he was acting like nothing has happened! Did he even know what happened? That he died?! And how is he even able to walk around the farmhouse?!
All of those questions ran through her head as she lunged herself onto Goblin Slayer, hugging him. Goblin Slayer made a small 'oof' upon the impact, not expecting this sort of reaction. Cow Girl began crying. Goblin Slayer heard the sobbing, and decided to do the same thing as he did in the morning before and return the hug.
"Don't do this to me..." she mumbled.
"Alright." Goblin Slayer answered trying to calm her down. Though... "What exactly am I not suppose to do?" he thought. Asking for breakfast? Coming into the kitchen unannounced and unclothed? Nearly dying? Could be any of those.
Now that he thought about it, he didn't even say please when asking what's for breakfast. In fact, he didn't show any appreciation for her making the breakfast at all. Never. Then there is the strict 'no walking in underwear' rule from her uncle. Though, he knows the rule is more for Cow Girl than for the uncle and himself. Something about protecting her dignity her uncle said.
But he isn't stupid enough to think a simple underwear rule or not thanking for the breakfast would make Cow Girl that emotional. It is most probably the fact he nearly died.
Goblin Slayer sighed. Maybe he should first understand the situations better before agreeing to things. Saying "alright" before he even knew what he has just agreed to. What is wrong with him?! Another problem he will have to work on, as with so many friends this constant agreeing to everything can end badly. So many new problems thanks to them... and yet, he still wants to keep them around. It began to dawn on him, that feelings really mess with people's lives.
"You will get dirty." Goblin Slayer said, looking down on Cow Girl who was snuggled in his chest.
"I don't care." she softly replied, as the sobbing was getting quitter.
"Sweaty." Goblin Slayer added.
"I don't care."
"Bloody."
This time she chuckled slightly and lifted her head to face him. "I still don't care." but once she looked into his eyes, she was visibly surprised.
"Is something wrong?" Goblin Slayer asked. "Perhaps I am hugging her far too long. How long am I suppose to do this?"
"Your eyes... they are moving." she reached for his right cheek, rubbing her thumb against it just under his right eye. Goblin Slayer nearly didn't hear her. Simply because it was such a long time since someone touched his face. He forgot how that felt like.
And his analytic mind couldn't help itself and got to work immediately. Compared to his own scarred and rough hands, they are soft. Really soft. And warm. Plus, they smelled nice too. He smelled all kinds of veggies from her hand, no doubt something she was preparing for breakfast. He could pick up every single one from the scent on her hand. Cucumber, tomato, carrot, cabbage, and garlic.
"Wow." Cow Girl said as she looked into his eyes more.
Cow Girl got really close to his face, and even though he didn't show it, he got nervous. Normally, there is a layer of steel between him and those he interacts with. But now, she is really close to his face, with no barrier between them. Thankfully, even when Cow Girl stood on her tip toes, she still couldn't get into the "touching distance" close, so that's good.
"Eyes are suppose to move." Goblin Slayer finally answered. Though it seemed to have little to no effect on Cow Girl who seemed very fascinated by his eyes for some reason.
"Yes, but not your irises. Not like this..." she softly said, rubbing her thumb over his cheeks.
"Irises?" Goblin Slayer ignored her soft touch and continued the conversation with his monotone voice.
"Yes. It's-"
"-really inappropriate to start seducing a man who was on deathbed few hours ago."
Both Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl quickly turned to Goblin Slayer's right to see High Elf Ranger glaring at them. Goblin Slayer remained calm, as usual. Cow Girl though, she 'eeped', stumbled a few steps backwards, dropping her butt on the chair at the dining table.
"I-I- I was not seducing him!" sitting Cow Girl quickly defended herself with pink hue on her cheeks.
"Yeah?! Pressing those giant jugs onto him, holding his face, pulling his face downwards to kiss him. What does that imply? Hmm?!" she stumped towards Cow Girl, with an angry face until she was in the face to face distance.
"I-I-I didn't – I-It was his eyes!" Cow Girl leaned back on her chair as the threat of the elf before her began scaring her.
"What? Did they cast a spell on you?" the High Elf Ranger asked sarcastically.
"Kinda." Cow Girl's thoughts began to lead to more inappropriate direction the elf mentioned before. She quickly shook them off when she saw High Elf Ranger's glare. "No! J-J-Just look at them! They are different!"
High Elf Ranger's eyes shifted towards Goblin Slayer. He was still standing on the same spot she caught them getting affectionate. He just watched both of them with neutral expression.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
High Elf's fist clenched when he asked the question in that tone. If he wasn't injured, she would punch him right now!
"What do you mean what I am doing here? My party member nearly died! Of course I will visit you and make sure you are getting alright!" the flat elf stomped her way towards him, standing near the counter on which Cow Girl was cutting veggies. High Elf Ranger's face basically shot right up to Goblin Slayer's face. For Goblin Slayer, this got even more uncomfortable, since the elf is similarly tall as him, and she was very close to his face. One move and their noses would touch. But as Cow Girl before, she seemed to completely ignore the distance, only focusing on his eyes.
It's getting really weird. He knew that having bloody red eyes like he has is very rare. But to make such a commotion because of it... it's weird. Besides, they already saw them once. Cow Girl more than once. Then again... something is happening in his irises. Hmm... since the elf is looking at them so intensely from such a closeness, he may as well ask. "Wha-"
"From hating him to kissing him? You sure work fast, Long Ears." now it was Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest that stood in the doorframe looking at them. Though this was not an accidental wake up such as when High Elf Ranger woke up. He and Lizard Priest are here because of the elf's loud voice which woke them up. She probably woke up the rest of the farmhouse too now that Dwarf Shaman thinks about it...
The lime-haired elf blushed and quickly turned away from Goblin Slayer, Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest. "Hmph! I wasn't trying too. He smells terribly! Who would want to kiss that?!" she spoke with a victorious smile and closed eyes, her arms crossed beneath her chest with head raised high.
"I would." Cow Girl sadly looked at Goblin Slayer. She isn't surprised that the green haired elf said that. Elves are naturally very tidy race. On the other end, she stands. Working at the farm, getting her hands dirty every day. And strangely enough, seeing Goblin Slayer sweaty and dirty from some hard work only increases his appeal to her. Not that it matters anyway. Goblin Slayer doesn't care about attracting the attention of the opposite sex. "Yet." Cow Girl added hopefully in her mind.
The chuckling dwarf and composed lizardman walked around the counter to look at Goblin Slayer. "You are here too?" Goblin Slayer asked. Dwarf Shaman laughed lightly and Lizard Priest smiled. "Of course, Beard Cutter. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. How about you tell us how in the seven hells are you able to stand straight right now?"
"Hmm. If I recall this correctly, Resurrection miracle heals and restores stamina." Goblin Slayer put his hand under the chin, lightly scratching it.
"It seems you figured out how you were healed, sir Goblin Slayer." said the smiling lizardman.
"It was the only way how I could get healed. I didn't expect to wake up when I blacked out." Goblin Slayer said looking around the farmhouse. "Especially not here."
"It seems it was your lucky day!" the Dwarf Shaman said with a big grin. "But still, as we speak Priestess should be healing you. This kind of recovery from the injuries you sustained is too fast. You are faster on your feet than you were in Water Town." Dwarf Shaman added.
"Is that so?" Goblin Slayer asked.
"Yes." Dwarf Shaman said, as he turned his head to the green haired elf. "So. If you weren't lovey-dovey with Beard Cutter, what were you doing?"
"Hmph! Cow Girl said there is something weird with his eyes, so I went to have a look." she responded in an offended tone.
"And? Is there?" the dwarf asked, expecting an answer.
"Take a look yourself, you are close enough to do so." the High Elf Ranger made her way opposite of them, to the dining table where sitting Cow Girl still curiously watched the events in front of her uphold.
Dwarf Shaman sighed loudly and looked at Lizard Priest. "Elves... never understood them. What about you?"
"I have to admit, my knowledge on an elven race is very limited and as such, I do not have a lot information about them." Lizard Priest replied.
Dwarf Shaman chuckled at the usual polite response of lizardman and turned his attention to Goblin Slayer. "Come here Beard Cutter, let's have a look at those eyes. I hope they won't smitten me as they smitten the girls." Dwarf Shaman teased the two sitting girls, resulting in a faint blush on both of them. The elf girl looked in the opposite direction, and Cow Girl raised her beige sweater collar to cover her cheeks.
Dwarf Shaman seriously doubted anything will be different with Goblin Slayer's eyes. After all, Goblin Slayer survived, so no changes to his body should take place. Well, he seems very pale, but from what he faintly remembers when he saw his face, he was pale back then too. Though that is not a reliable source of information. The last time he saw his face, following morning he woke up in the middle of the Guild with a giant headache.
However, once Goblin Slayer knelt before him and his eyes were on full display, the difference was clear. No human has flowing red irises.
"OOOOH!" Dwarf Shaman uttered in surprise with his hoarse voice. "Look at them, Scaly!"
The Lizard Priest with a raised nonexistent eyebrow in surprise. However, once Goblin Slayer turned to Lizard Priest, and he saw those moving red eyes, his eyes widened.
"I don't remember sir Goblin Slayer having those eyes before." Lizard Priest said. Lizardman decided to look for more unusual things on Goblin Slayer. And his reptile eyes caught something. "Is it just me or is your skin even paler, sir Goblin Slayer?"
"I thought so too, Lizard Priest." High Elf Ranger looked at Goblin Slayer from her chair. Once all eyes in the room looked her way again, she looked in the opposite direction, with closed eyes and an offended "Hmpf".
Dwarf Shaman chuckled along with Lizard Priest and joined the prideful elf at the table. Once they sat down, they encouraged Goblin Slayer to sit with them. And in the end, Goblin Slayer sat down next to Lizard Priest. Once he did, all of them began asking questions about how he feels after such injuries as Cow Girl returned to cooking.
The conversation went on for some time, as others discovered a little change in Goblin Slayer. When Cow Girl got back from making breakfast and gave Goblin Slayer something lighter on his stomach after such injuries, Goblin Slayer visibly disliked the vegetable bowl he was given.
It all changed when Cow Girl gave Goblin Slayer the same meal as Lizard Priest has been eating. A roasted beaver. Although the beaver meat tasted better, it wasn't perfect according to Goblin Slayer which saddened Cow Girl who hoped to please Goblin Slayer with her cooking. Goblin Slayer said there is some irritating spice in the meat, even though Cow Girl didn't add any. Only salt and a few sprinkles of dried garlic.
Goblin Slayer then found out another strange thing. As Goblin Slayer was chewing, his teeth were different. More precisely, his pairs of canines. They were a little longer, just to an extent he could notice it in his mouth. But what caught him off guard was how sharp they were. Just brushing a tongue against them caused his tongue to bleed slightly.
By the way, Goblin Slayer was still dressed only in his black underwear. And when High Elf Ranger began protesting, saying it's improper for someone to sit by a noble High Elf only in his underwear, Goblin Slayer just shrugged it off. Even though it angered the elf, he didn't really care. Priestess deserves a long, uninterrupted sleep. No way he is going into his room now. This is his home, and not hers. Besides, it's not unusual for him to walk in the house like this. When Cow Girl washes his clothes and his armor is being repaired, he has to walk like this around the house. It happens rarely, but it happened a few times. Speaking of his armor.
"Where is my armor?"
"In pieces all throughout the woods. Forget about that though. Rather tell us, Bear Cutter, what in the seven hells were you doing on that quest?" Dwarf Shaman quickly changed the topic from Goblin Slayer's condition to the goblin quest. Everyone present at the table turned to Goblin Slayer, anticipating the answer.
"I was killing goblins."
"Arrrrrgh! That woman with your throwing knives in the head wasn't a goblin!" High Elf Ranger yelled out in frustration.
"I know." Goblin Slayer replied nonchalantly. Do they really think he doesn't recognize a woman from a goblin?
Seeing the green haired elf about to blow, Lizard Priest up again stepped in. "Sir Goblin Slayer, I think what my companion wants to address is how you came from a regular goblin quest to a vampire quest."
Ooooo right. A vampire. That's how that woman called herself. "She was breeding goblins to attack the village nearby. I tried to stop her."
"I have to say you did a pretty good job in that. You not only stopped, but successfully killed a High Vampire. Congratulations are in order, my friend." Dwarf Shaman smiled.
"I did?" although Goblin Slayer's face remained stoic, they knew he was surprised by the fact he managed to kill her.
"What?! Are you telling me that you happen to pierce her by accident?!" the elf slammed her hands on the table, raised up and leaned dangerously close towards Goblin Slayer's face.
Dwarf Shaman stopped the energetic elf from scolding Goblin Slayer even more with his extended hand in front of her. "Beard Cutter, what exactly happened in the last moments of your fight?"
"I was on her back as she was flying through the air. I saw few pointy stumps from the beavers I killed earlier in the morning so I cut of her wings and aimed her falling body on one of the stumps to immobilize her. I didn't think I would kill her. She said she is immortal, so my goal was solely to get her into a state she could not get out. Without an option to use her hands to pull herself up from the stump, I thought running a thin stump through her would stop her until an adventurer who would know how to kill her found her, and kill her instead of me."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait Orcbolg. You don't know how to kill a vampire?" the slim elf widened her eyes.
"No."
"Are you kidding me? Everyone knows how!" the volume of her voice began amplifying.
"I don't." Goblin Slayer answered.
"Please lady High Elf Ranger, calm down." Lizardman already seeing another burst of emotions coming from his companion tried to calm her down. It didn't help though.
"How is it possible that a man unaware of anything other than goblins gets to kill a High Vampire?! Without knowing a single way to kill them!" High Elf Ranger turned to the Dwarf Shaman.
"Hehe. Long Ears, knowledge and fighting skills aren't always an answer. You can have skills and know how to kill a vampire, but it can become worthless once your plan fails. When you have an unapparelled ingenuity atop of the basics fighting skills and good enough knowledge of an environment around you, a whole new world of possibilities on how to fight opens up to you." Dwarf Shaman looked at Goblin Slayer. "That's why he is dangerous not only to goblins, but every other monster that crosses his way." He added.
"Or he is just lucky." pouting Elf whispered quietly to herself.
The conversation continued on for quite some time, trying to get out as much information as possible from Goblin Slayer. In the end, his companions and Cow Girl could get a pretty clear picture of what happened that night.
Female Paladin and Heavy Swordsman joined their little morning feast later. Both clearly exhausted from their night of long, intense and exhausting... guarding.
Priestess remained in her room sleeping the whole morning. Goblin Slayer eventually decided to quietly enter his room and take some clothes so he wasn't running around in his underwear. Goblin Slayer noticed he kicked the blanket away from Priestess when he tried to get out of bed. So before he got out of his room, he covered shivering Priestess in the blanket and left the room.
The only person that was not present at the farm in the morning was the uncle, as he already had some pressing business in town according to Cow Girl.
The gang then decided to show Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl what Goblin Slayer has killed. The three adventurers who found the dead body, dragged it back to the farm, and left it in the barn. The trio was curious as to what reward will the Guild give Goblin Slayer for monster this strong. And as everyone knows, well except for Goblin Slayer, if they would leave the corpse in the forest, the vampire corpse would turn to ashes once sunlight would hit their skin. The shade in the barn should take care of that problem.
All of them exited the farmhouse and when they turned left, they saw the large barn with wooden gates was already opened. Cow Girl's uncle already took a horse and rode to the town to buy new equipment for the farm. The brown wooden barn wasn't anything special outside nor the inside. The usual farm animals such as sheep, cows and pigs stayed in the fences with hay as a bedding. Small fence with dozen of pigs, larger one with horses each in their own fence and another small fence with sheep were on their right. One the left there were only cow fences in a long row. Understandably, some fences with cows and horses were already empty since Cow Girl's uncle released some animals to the ranch.
The gang walked to the back end of the barn where hay stock is located. There, on their left, they found a bunch of dead beavers hanging on hooks ready to be skinned, and the topic of today's discussion, that dammed vampire lain on their right, under the shade of the barn's wooden roof. The group gathered around the dead body and stared at it for a moment.
Female Paladin and Heavy Swordsman were not surprised by the sight, since both of them helped to drag the corpse into the barn when their... nightly activities got interrupted by footsteps. They have to admit, Goblin Slayer's feat is indeed impressive. Neither of them would dare to fight a High Vampire.
"I still can't believe you survived..." High Elf Ranger softly whispered, looking at Goblin Slayer's face.
But even though the two of them were further away from each other, Goblin Slayer heard perfectly what High Elf Ranger said. Goblin Slayer looked around him, but nobody seemed to notice. All of their eyes were glued to the corpse on the ground, except for hers. Even Dwarf Shaman didn't make any jab or correction. It was almost like they didn't hear her.
Add to the fact that when he left the farmhouse, he saw much further away than before, Goblin Slayer began suspecting that maybe the morning headache wasn't because of a goblin poison.
"How much do I get for the quest?" Goblin Slayer asked, leaving those weird things happening to him for another time.
"That depends. You will surely get a reward for the goblins quest you completed. But as for this." Dwarf Shaman pointed at the dead body. "I don't know. That depends on the Guild and how much bonus you will be worthy of giving."
Female Paladin chuckled lightly. "I have no doubt, that the bonus will be very high. After all, your secret admirer stays behind the guild counter. I have a feeling she will ensure you will get a big reward."
"WHAT?!" High Elf Ranger blurted out.
"Goblin Slayer has a secret admirer?!" equally surprised Heavy Swordsman turned to his fiance.
And as Female Paladin looked around, everyone had their eyes widened, focusing on her eyes. Well, everyone expect for Goblin Slayer who had little to no idea what was happening. Female Paladin quickly covered her mouth and panicked. "Dammit, dammit, dammit! I should just stay quiet! Every time I open my mouth some secrets are spilled!"
"You have a secret admirer?" Cow Girl, who was silent the whole time, finally made her presence known by softly asking Goblin Slayer.
"I don't know." Goblin Slayer said as the eyes of everyone visibly widened even more. Feeling he should elaborate more, he continued. "Secret admirer's are secret. Asking me about is pointless, I don't know anything."
Though he had to say, he was... intrigued. Secret admirer? Who could it possibly be? That woman must be as mentally damaged as he is to fall for him. Maybe he should figure out who it is to avoid her. He knew very well his mental state is... not good to put it lightly. And adding some unstable love struck woman into the mix would not improve it by any means.
"Who is she?" Goblin Slayer looked directly at the armor clad Female Paladin. She visibly twitched when those moving red eyes gazed at her.
"More like who are them..." Female Paladin may not be as skilled swordsman as Heavy Swordsman, but she has an exceptional talent in reading people. And just a few minutes with Cow Girl tonight told her that it is not only Guild Girl at the guild who has her eyes set on Goblin Slayer. Then Priestess, well that girl is not as subtle as she thinks she is.
There, 3 love struck admirers right there. Then there is the elf that... has that love/hate relationship with Goblin Slayer. Hard to tell which one will prevail now, but seeing how prideful and competitive she is, once the race for his heart will begin, she will join the race to win his heart.
"I-" she stopped as all the people around her watched with anticipation which name she will drop. Especially Cow Girl seemed very eager to know the name, with her leaning closest to Female Paladin. She gulped nervously. Does nobody know what is going on here? They had to noticed at least ONE of those girl eyeing Goblin Slayer. Even this morning Cow Girl had her eyes fixated on him the whole time, admiring the physique under the white shirt with blue sleeves and regular farm pants.
"I can't tell." Female Paladin said.
Disappointed Cow Girl dropped her head low sighing quietly, High Elf Ranger already began raising her voice, Lizard Priest closed his eyes, crossed his scaly arms below his chest with a small smile on his face. Heavy Swordsman still looked very surprised.
Then Dwarf Shaman snapped his fingers and quickly used one of the fingers to point at Female Paladin. "Wait, you said behind the guild counter! And there are only two girls behind the counter at the guild. So it has to be one or the other!"
And since everyone knew who gives Goblin Slayer his quests, the answer was clear to all of them. Eyes widened once more, and except for Lizard Priest and Female Paladin, everyone suddenly yelled out. "GUILD GIRL?!"
She has been running through the white temple with all the energy she had left, which was not much. In a shredded white robes, an archbishop's ran with all her might, with bare wet feet leaving a trail behind her. But worse, her scent left a trail behind her. The temple was dark, devoid of light, only a few rays of light from a green moon passed through the temple colored window. Darkness didn't bother her because she lived in the darkness a large portion of her life.
She clung the remains of her robes to cover herself, trying to grasp the slivers of dignity which were slipping with each passing second. Her sword/staff long lost somewhere in the temple. Heading to the main hall her plan was to escape into the place called the Maidenvault, where in case of an attack, all residents of the temple can hide, until relief comes. However, she was forced to run in a different direction alltogether in this chaos.
Screams of the Mother's Guards were heard accompanied by the gurgles she hated. Hated and feared. They were everywhere. She couldn't see them, but her hearing got improved to make up for her lack sight. The sounds they were making brought her back 10 years ago to the moment when she lost everything she valued.
Tears began escaping her eyes when she remembered what they did to her and what may happen again. With her fears and escaping tears, the tears held her sorrow and condolences for the brave Mother's Guards that escorted her away from danger.
"Why them... Why." she mourned along the run. "If it were anyone else I could save them. But... How even? How did this happen? Where did they come from?" she wept along the way.
She shivered as suddenly, despite her blindness, she saw those green disgusting creature in front of her. Like many times in her dreams, they were laughing and mocking her defenseless self. She quickly shook her head trying to get the image out of her head.
"Where are you? You promised. You promised you will kill them. In dreams or in reality." she wept more as the blindfold around her eyes began to soak.
As she thought about her savior she failed to pay attention to her surroundings. She reached her destination, the main hall where confessions and audiences with her are made. When she realized where she was, her ears heard her doom. They were here, in this room. Laughter of dozens, no, hundreds of them echoed through the hall.
Turning around, she tried to run away, however she soon bumped into something big. And when her nose picked up the rotten smell, she knew she bumped into one big goblin. She froze on the spot. Shivering, and clutching whatever was left of her clothes to her body.
"Please... No... Where are you? You promised..."
She then felt how the big hand grabbed her whole torso with a painful grip. She didn't even have time to scream as the goblin threw her into the confession box in the main hall, destroying the wooden structure.
It fractured her leg. It was painful, yet the laughing of goblins in the room froze her voice. Shivering, she heard as all the smaller goblins began running after her. Her blind eyes widened and now even her body froze. Everything came back to her as what was happening now, was happening exactly like it happened the first time.
They scratched her, groped her, hold her tightly so she couldn't move and bent her over in the destroyed confession box. She could only cry, frozen on the place, as she registered a goblin walking behind her, knowing full well what will come next.
"You promised..."
"Where are you..."
"Please... save me." she desperately cried. And then, what she feared would happen to her, indeed happened.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Breathing like she just ran around Water Town 40 times and with her heartbeat beating so fast she feared it will burst open any minute she shot up from her bed. She quickly grasped the part of her breast where her heart is located. It took a second, for her to realize she is covered by a thin blanket on her spacious bed in the temple.
No dead guards. No goblins. And no assault.
She hugged her abdomen gently with the other hand and leaned her head against the top of her bed, trying to get her breathing system under control.
Sword Maiden looked outside of the window. The sun shining, outside her window stood marble structures, beautiful and clean, with an and ocean spreading as far as eyes could see. Not that she could see any of that, but she knows this town and she can recognize when its night, and when its day. It was around noon and she is still in her bed. The Mother Superior will be furious...
Not that it mattered to her now. Sword Maiden had that bad feeling in her heart. Like something bad happened. She didn't have a nightmare since Goblin Slayer promised to save her when goblins attack, be it in dreams or the reality. And till this day, he always came.
"But he didn't come today."
Her eyes drifted towards her hand over her heart. "I wish you have stayed." she whispered. The one and only man who can save her from her demons. Then again, if he would have stayed, there would be no one to do his job. And it is thanks to his relentless goblin slaying she cherishes him. Sword Maiden never thought she would love someone, but looking back at it now, it was clear that once someone called "Goblin Slayer" would show up, she would inevitably fall in love with him. Or her. It didn't really matter as long as the person would be killing goblins.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Co-"
The visitor didn't hesitate and opened the door to her luxurious room. A middle aged woman entered with a furious look on her face, ready to give the young archbishop a scolding.
"You are still in bed?! There are two youngsters waiting for you downstairs already! Up with you!" the nun who entered the room had a pale face longer nose and pale milky eyes with a tint of blue in them. Her hair were covered by her usual black and white nun attire. The last thing that stuck out is a silver necklace, with a balancing weights as a pendant around her neck.
"And the troubles begin." Sword Maiden thought.
Mother Superior didn't hesitate and pulled Sword Maiden out of her bed, shoving her to her wardrobe. Mother Superior immediately began pulling her robes from the wardrobe and began dressing her up in front of her mirror with a golden frame right next to the wardrobe.
"I can clothe myself, no need to trouble yourself with me, Mother Superior." Sword Maiden softly spoke as Mother Superior raised her arms so she could put her arms through a hole in the sleeves.
"Nonsense. If you could, you would already be dressed. Now hurry up, those two kids downstairs are restless." Mother Superior fetched Sword Maiden's blindfold with her sword/staff, and offered it up to her. Thanks to her blindness, Sword Maiden missed the items a few times, but eventually she grabbed the staff and tied the blindfold around her eyes.
"Who are they?" Sword Maiden asked, turning to Mother Superior.
"Scout Boy and Druid Girl." Mother Superior answered.
"Hmm. I have never heard of them. What do these young souls need?" Sword Maiden asked as both women exited her room.
"I don't know. The only thing they said to me is that they need to get back in two days or their sensei will send them on a quest with Goblin Slayer if I will not fetch you up soon enough. And it seems the two youngsters would rather avoid to come in contact with this man." Mother Superior said, her voice quite stern. But it didn't affect Sword Maiden.
After the word 'Goblin Slayer' Sword Maiden didn't hear anything else. Audience with youngsters who know Goblin Slayer is just what she needs. The dream she had today worries her. Months passed and every time he saved her. Why not now remains a mystery, though it is a perfect excuse to see him again. There is going to be a Sea Festival in Water Town, a great opportunity to invite Goblin Slayer here. He did a great job at protecting her in her dreams so far, but seeing him alive again, that will surely help to calm her soul again. And the dream she had today will be a distant memory once she sees him again, she is sure of that.
Unfortunately for Sword Maiden, this dream will not leave her mind until Goblin Slayer visits her again. What's worse it was not a dream, but a not so distant future.
Author's note: Pfew so here we have it. First appearance of Sword Maiden! Yay! Now we will have a little pause from all the bloodshed as GS and crew are gonna go to a festival so romance can finally start to bloom between the girls and Goblin Slayer!
I want to thank to all those who reviewed the previous chapter and all the opinions you shared with me on the change. I already thanked the first half in PM, and with this I want to thank the second half. Namely:
McLaren-HeeroWing (I love that long review)
Drownedone
MaksoNero
Blackstriker94
Dracus6
TMI Fairy
TravisUmbra
Issac LB
Z.L.C. genesmith
aaricbear
Mewtwo-TheLoneShadow
Venomancer
Norean
stoobs
and several Guest reviews
And I have a new beta-reader! So yeah, thanks to that guy as well. IDK if he wants to be mentioned and get a shot-out yet, but if he will, you will get his name in the next chapter.
That's all from me! Leave the review, and see ya!