Disclaimer: I do NOT own Goblin Slayer or any of these characters.

Author's note: I'm alive! So fist of, sorry about such a late update, but I think I have pretty good excuse. I was rewriting ALL of my previous chapters so the story flows better. I added even a new scene in the last chapter between Amazon Warrior and High Elf Ranger, so you can check that again if you want more of out elven tsundere. Plus, in real world, exams are in full swing and I have to focus on that also. Another reason for the late chapter.

Replies to reviews:

Thedarktheme and Carnivore Does: Here he comes.

Mo Eazy: Thanks for the correction. I already know what to do with Padfoot Waitress so I think I can definitely add her in.

Greydon Creed: I don't recall Gold ranks going after only high ranked monsters. If they are, feel free to correct me with some proof.

Evowizard25: Spearman is a loveable douche in my eyes. I totally get why some don't like him though.

If you don't want to know what I intend to do with Padfoot Waitress, don't read further. If you do, all I have to say is Erina and Soma with a Goblin Slayer spin on it.

Akuma-Heika: Thanks for pointing that out.

TheGreatBubbaJ: Not right now, but he will get a spotlight because of the promotion.

Toshiro Ricky: Of course he would. Pleasure from goblin slaying is eternal, gold is just some overpriced metal.

Xerzo LotCN: That's our Goblin Slayer for ya.

McLaren-heeroWing: I am glad you like Goblin Slayer's antics.

As for the bear cub, I know reffered to the cub as Felix, but I changed it on the request of one of the reviewer at the last second to Kuma. Since no character exactly has a name, and Kuma in Japanese stands for a bear I thought it fit quite nicely.

About Amazon Warrior, I kinda came up with them being the strongest and all that. Goblin Slayer series is amazing, but world building isn't it's strongest suit.

As for Guild lord, I think Fuhrer Wrath closely resembles what I have in mind. Only not so muscular and with both eyes.

Kerlongsj evert Orlejov: I won't reply you here, since we chat regulary and it would be kinda pointless. Thanks for the review though.

daniel2610994: It sure will bring more attention to Goblin Slayer in the future. The confession, promotion and all the other stuff.

TristPHT: Thanks. I am afraid Platinum is out of his reach. That's for Demon Lord like enemies and I have no intention sending Goblin Slayer on such a quest as of yet.

Drowndone: I am glad you posted a review. I have to say, you are one of the few who is excited for Witch and Spearman romance. At least I know there are some who are interested and I am not wasting my time on them.

As for the girls in the harem, as long I have at least a faint idea on how to juggle them all in one place, I may keep adding girls. But once I hit a wall, I'll stop. For now, it's like I said. 11 or 12 are on the table right now.

Panthera Gilt, korpokriegsoldier26, 54godamora and hulksy: Thanks for the praise!

Blackstriker94: Not really. I summarized his weaknesses and strengths in this chapter. Garlic may act like a very spicy chilly paper but nothing else. Maybe mirrors will interact weirdly with him. And then the stuff I summarized in this chapter. That should be all there's to his abilities.

Artorias: He already is obsessed with blood. Goblin Blood.

Darius Crawford: I don't think his abilities will change how he fights. Witcher's have a very dance-like movements. Goblin Slayer is much more of a straight forward guy.

Z. L. C. genesmith: Yeah, someone should tell him that there are other monsters than goblins. Though I don't think he would really care.

guyNumber23: He has average skills, but the way he uses them are unique and that's how he climbs the ledder. IMO.

Amazon Warrior, yeah pretty much spot on description.

HEA is a regular tsundere, so the constant denial or unawareness of her feelings are very typical for her.

Padfoot will have her own goal regarding Goblin Slayer. Pleasing Goblin Slayer's pallete is harder than it seems.

O, she will be bold. Trust me. Maybe even too bold.

As I said before, as long as I have a faint idea what each girl can add to this rollercoaster of a harem, I can keep adding girls. But once I'll hit a wall, I'll stop.

Adam Nikoli: Well, they may kidnap him. Who knows?

Since you asked, I will tell you what I plan to do with Padfoot waitress. I have in mind a similar dynamic like Soma and Erina have in Food Wars. Mainly the "Say it's delicious" part of their interactions, since we all know how Goblin Slayer loved his sisters cooking and since then nothing came close to pleasing his pallete as much as that milk soup did. And since Padfoot Waitress is always complimented for her cooking, Goblin Slayer saying it's decent would throw her a little off. I can start building their realtionship from there. That's my intention.

Guest: I know they are different goddesses. Female Knight and Priestess worship Earth Mother and Sword Maiden worships Supreme Goddess. I imagine there is not a big difference.

No-Named-Dude: Thanks, and I hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Natzo: In this chapter I summarized what are Goblin Slayer abilities since the vampire bite. So you can form an clearer opinion on the vampire status here.

WowWaldo and jdrussom66: Thanks for the praise!

Guest: No writers block as of yet. Only a lot of things to sort out. As I promised, I will finish this story.

Thanks for all the reviews guys!

That's all for now, thanks Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov for going through the chapter and enjoy the latest chapter of Heart Slayer. The longest chapter I wrote so far.


Chapter 13: Gold and Steel

Seriously? Can't he have just a minute to himself? Everyone acts like he slew the greatest evil there is. All around him, everyone was asking questions regarding the High Vampire.

How did you kill her?

How strong was she?

Where did you find her?

It was starting to be annoying. He should have just left the body in the forest and be done with it. If it weren't for the bonuses his party members mentioned, he would indeed drop her back into the forest.

"You, me, arm wrestle! Now!" Someone approached his table and slammed a giant axe on the table.

Great, another one. Goblin Slayer looked up from his chair. Amazon Warrior towered over him. The giant woman was twice as big as him, with her black hair being longer than him altogether. Fierce eyes, with the color being somewhere between green and yellow, she stared at him with determination.

He never noticed how big she was, and now it became very apparent how much taller and muscular she is compared to him. Slender Priestess could fit between her abs, and she would have a spare room for High Elf Ranger as well. Apart from the muscles, for some reason, her breasts were the biggest he has ever seen. His two slender female friends could easily sit on top of them.

Speaking of breasts, she should cover them. Her cleavage is enormous, not leaving much to the imagination. And what is it even? Corset? It looks like a very stretched red corset. And her top wasn't the only thing that covered nearly nothing. Whatever underwear that is, it does not cover anything at all! One move of her thigh and he could see her pussy from down here. Not that he needs to, that string is see-through enough. And with a surprisingly girly headband, that's all she wears.

"I do not want to have an arm wrestle." Goblin Slayer spoke.

"I wasn't asking! Let's go!" Amazon Warrior didn't waste any time, and grabbed Goblin Slayer by the back of his collar, threw him over he shoulder and stomped outside of the Guild.

"Goblin Slayer-san!" Priestess yelled when Amazon Warrior took Goblin Slayer who sat next to her.

"Orcbolg!" High Elf Ranger joined in.

And if Cow Girl was still here and not making her errands in the town, she would undoubtedly join the pointless shouting of Goblin Slayer's name. Goblin Slayer's party sat at the table discussing Goblin Slayer's promotion, and the lesser surprise that got overshadowed by Goblin Slayer's recent feats, Priestess's bear cub. Little blondie told them she intends to make the bear her familiar and battle companion. But as of now, all of her party members thought only about how the small bundle of fur is the cutest thing ever, similar to the owner of the small bear. The non-humans of their party had to smile and laugh when they found out how Priestess obtained the bear.

The two females and one black bear cub jumped from their chairs and tried to run to Goblin Slayer. Unfortunately, both were stopped by Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest.

"Let me go you midget!" High Elf Ranger protested once Dwarf Shaman grabbed her hand. She gave him a stare with her angered lime eyes.

"Easy there, Long Ears. You do not have to be worried about him." Dwarf Shaman explained with a chuckle.

"Please, Lizard Priest-san! I don't want him to get hurt!" Priestess tried to reason with Lizard Priest, begging him to let her go. Kuma in her arms roared alongside the pleading Priestess. As to where Dwarf Shaman stopped High Elf Ranger by grabbing her hand, Lizard Priest stopped Priestess by coiling his tail around her waist. Lizard Priest didn't even have to get up from the chair because Priestess sat next to him.

Lizard Priest smiled at the small priestess. "If what you told us is true, sir Goblin Slayer will be fine."

"Hmpf! Whatever! He can get pummeled into the ground for all I care! I just want to see how the arm wrestle competition goes!" High Elf Ranger turned away from the group, cockily smirking. Dwarf Shaman began laughing and High Elf Ranger opened one of her eyes slightly, just so she could see the dwarf from the corner of her eye.

"Long Ears, stop lying to yourself. You are so worried about him." Dwarf Shaman chuckled.

"I AM NOT!"

"If so, why are you blushing?" Dwarf Shaman smirked, already tasting victory in this banter.

"I AM NOT!" High Elf Ranger yelled out as she pulled her hand away from Dwarf Shaman's grip.

Priestess cutely giggled. "You are blushing." the blonde said as Lizard Priest unwrapped his tail from Priestess's waist.

"W-w-well! It's normal for elves! Now let's go already! I want to see this."

"I agree with lady High Elf Ranger. We should go and see to what extent sir Goblin Slayer got stronger." Lizard Priest said, trying to avoid more outburst from the elf. Lizard Priest knew very well now would be the time Dwarf Shaman would provoke her even more, and he is not in the mood for pointless fighting.

"So... we will leave Goblin Slayer-san in her hands?" Priestess asked as she took her staff probed against the table. Though juggling a bear cub and her staff proved to be difficult. Fortunately for her Lizard Priest offered his help. But, when she gave Kuma to him, Kuma began roaring and wailing in his arms. So in the end, Priestess carried Kuma and Lizard Priest took care of her staff.

"You and him both said he is much stronger now. He should be fine if you are right. And if not, what's the worst that can happen?" Dwarf Shaman chuckled as Goblin Slayer's party and everyone in the Guild went outside to witness the event.

"She can turn his hip bones into bread crumbs." High Elf Ranger said jokingly.

"It's an arm-wrestle competition. Not the bed-wrestle competition, Long Ears." Dwarf Shaman chuckled.

"I don't think she would care." High Elf Ranger shrugged her arms and spread her arms slightly.

"True. But still, you think amazons are that wild?" Dwarf Shaman raised an eyebrow.

"I bet. No one has seen the men they take to their village since. What do you think happened to them?" High Elf Ranger asked sarcastically.

"Do not look at it in such a negative light. If I were in a village surrounded by women who only want to reproduce, you can bet I would not leave that paradise."

"Even if it can kill you?"

"You would be surprised what men are willing to sacrifice for a simple hole between a woman's legs."

"Maybe pervert like you would sacrifice his life for it. But I can assure you, Orcbolg would not."

"Haha! Yeah. He would get hard for goblins rather than a village full of girls."

"That is scarily accurate." High Elf Ranger shivered.

Priestess gulped nervously and petted Kuma. She is living proof that it's not completely accurate.

Meanwhile, Goblin Slayer let himself be carried outside. He looked to the skies, where giant grey clouds cast the shade over their world. It looked like it will be raining soon, or that today will remain without a sun. Lucky him.

Goblin Slayer then looked over his shoulder on amazon's back. Why? Why is this happening? He should have told Guild Girl he'll talk to her tomorrow, but no. He told her he'll be here when she gets back from mayor's office. Yeah, not only Lord of the Guild but Mayor of Twilight Town will be present at his promotional exam.

Goblin Slayer loudly sighed on the amazon's back. Where are the good times he just slew goblins and everyone let him be? He misses the times he was just a weirdo to stay away from. The calmness of it. Now he is a hot topic everywhere. Not only in the Guild but in towns and villages nearby as well.

Another thing on his mind is Guild Girl. Someone loves him, as impossible as that sounds. Though he does not show it, he is glad. It is a little strange though. Maybe the fact he can create a family is not so farfetched as he initially thought.

He likes Guild Girl. She is pretty, kind and always smiling. Additionally, she is the only one in the Guild who always greeted him with a cheerful smile rather than judgmental looks. However, before they start anything, he needs to make sure she is aware of his mental issues. All of them. Which is quite a list. If she does not run away and accept all of it and the fact it may never change, he has no problem with... How is it called? Courting?

"Yo! There's a table behind the training grounds! Let's have an arm wrestle there, goblin man!" Amazon Warrior yelled out as she pointed towards a small brown table with four two spots to sit on each side.

"What about the height difference?" Goblin Slayer asked. He just let Amazon do whether she wanted for now. She took him away from the crowd and he could at least think in a relative peace on her back.

"Huh?" Amazon Warrior turned her head so she could see her new human backpack.

"Height difference. You won't be able to sit and have an arm-wrestle with me. When we both put our elbows on the table, I won't be able to reach your palm. You have longer arms" Goblin Slayer looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"Huh?" Amazon Warrior looked confused for a while. "Oooooh! That! Then we will just find you a stool, goblin man!" Amazon Warrior gave him a wide grin.

Goblin Slayer sighed loudly "That will change nothing."

"Why?!" Amazon Warrior blinked a couple of times, confused over his words and yanked Goblin Slayer from her back in front of her, lifting him to her eye level and stared at him.

"If you want to test your strength against me, borrow a rope and let's play tug-of-war." Goblin Slayer said.

He really isn't in the mood to explain her that even with a stool for him, nothing will change the fact that once elbows touch the table, he will not be able to grasp her hand. Even if there was something under his elbow to raise the height of his arm, he still would not be able to force Amazon Warrior's arm to the table. If he would be stronger that is.

That's another reason why he let Amazon Warrior do as she pleased. He wanted to compare his physical strength to another person. And what better way to test his physical prowess, than against the strongest person in the Guild?

"You may not be so hopeless, goblin man!" Amazon Warrior tossed Goblin Slayer to the side and went back into the Guild.

"OI! RECEPTIONIST! I NEED A ROPE!" Amazon Warrior stormed back to the Guild.

Thanks to Goblin Slayer's quicker reflexes, he managed to land on his knees somewhat stable. "The receptionist said she won't be here for a while..." Goblin Slayer remarked. Amazon's really are not the sharpest tools in the shed.

"What have I gotten myself into..." Goblin Slayer thought.

In a matter of minutes, a crowd formed around Goblin Slayer, all waiting eagerly for the match against Amazon Warrior. Goblin Slayer's party members squeezed into front rows to see the show for themselves. "Goblin Slayer-san! Are you OK?" He heard the sweet chirping of Priestess from the crowd. Once she squeezed through two larger men in the crowd and saw him. Goblin Slayer looked back at her and nodded. A relieved smiled washed over her face.

"They are worried about me over the slightest of things." Goblin Slayer looked at his party members in the front rows. So this is what having friends mean. You worry about them, and they worry about you. That's... nice. Even though they kinda overreact to things. He was only picked by Amazon Warrior, not blown up with blood everywhere.

"OI! GOBLIN MAN! I HAVE A ROPE!" Amazon Warrior shouted from behind the crowd raising the rope above her head.

Goblin Slayer saw her upper half clearly, and he also saw how she walked through the crowd knocking people down as she forced her way to Goblin Slayer. Needless to say, some curse words were spoken. Not that it affected Amazon Warrior and her wide smile.

"I see." Goblin Slayer replied once Amazon Warrior reached him. He stood up from his kneeling position. "Let's get this over with, I need to get out of here and take care of things at the blacksmith. If I hurry, I should be back before Guild Girl comes back from the mayor's office." Goblin Slayer thought.

"The golden-eyed receptionist wasn't there, but the second one lent me this one! It's great isn't it?" Amazon Warrior spoke with a wide grin.

"Yeah."

Amazon Warrior untied the rope and tossed one end to Goblin Slayer. Then, both of them walked opposite sides of each other until the rope was stretched above the ground between them.

"I thought you're gonna have an arm-wrestle." Dwarf Shaman stated from the first rows. Right beside him, Lizard Priest and High Elf Ranger stood, watching eagerly the competition.

"We can't have an arm-wrestle." Goblin Slayer replied, all the while holding the rope in his hands.

"Why?" High Elf Ranger raised an eyebrow.

"Height difference and arm length difference." Goblin Slayer answered, his voice monotone like always.

"Ooooooooo." Dwarf Shaman "ooed".

"Orcbol-"

"OI! GOBLIN MAN! STOP TALKING AND START PULLING!" Amazon Warrior tugged the rope in her hands and pulled Goblin Slayer in her direction, causing Goblin Slayer to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

"Goblin Slayer-san!" Priestess voiced her concerns yet again.

Goblin Slayer grunted. He pulled his upper body up like he was doing a push-up on knees, all the while looking at the dirt on the training grounds. Is this what it's like to be part of human interactions? It's fucking exhausting.

Just for one second, he let his guard down, and he is taken down. If there was a goblin, he may be dead. What happened to his focus? He never let his guard down. Especially when he doesn't have the armor on him.

"Is he down already?" someone from the crowd asked.

Goblin Slayer sighed and pulled himself back on his feet. He rubbed the dirt off his long-sleeved shirt and pants and looked at Amazon Warrior. "That was unnecessary." Goblin Slayer said.

"Yeah you fatsy! That's not how sportsmanship looks like!" High Elf Ranger joined in. Unfortunately for High Elf Ranger, Amazon Warrior ignored her.

"HAHA! ARE YOU SURE YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOLD RANK, GOBLIN MAN?! I DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO PULL YOU DOWN!"Amazon Warrior laughed.

Goblin Slayer had enough. The grey-haired man isn't a man who gets annoyed easily, but after so many events changed the course of his life into a chaotic mess, he just wanted to have a moment of peace.

Goblin Slayer wrapped his hands around the thick rope and tugged on it hard. Amazon Warrior, who was still laughing suddenly flew towards Goblin Slayer's direction as gasps escaped from the crowd. She flew through the air until she landed just in front of Goblin Slayer, landing on her stomach, breasts, and face. Once she landed, she was sliding in his direction on the dirt ground until she stopped millimeters from Goblin Slayer's boot.

When Amazon Warrior lifted her head and coughed the dirt out of her mouth, she was greeted with the sight of kneeling Goblin Slayer. "1:1. The next one will be the final one." Goblin Slayer informed her. Goblin Slayer put one end of the rope in front of her face and took the other end with him to stretch out the rope and get this over with.

Amazon Warrior was baffled. "H-How? W-What happened?!" And not only her, everyone in the crowd began whispering. It was well known Amazon Warrior is the strongest person in the Guild, and Goblin Slayer just pulled her down. Not only that, he sent her flying!

Now it was Amazon Warrior who began grunting angrily. She jumped up, rubbed the dirt off her brown skin and shouted. "DON'T THINK YOU ARE STRONGER THAN ME JUST BECAUSE YOU CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD! I WILL SHOW YOU WHY I AM THE STRONGEST OF THE GUILD!"

Well, she caught him off guard first. Goblin Slayer turned around once he stretched the rope. "Than show me." He calmly said back and he tightened his grip around the rope.

On the other end, Amazon Warrior snatched the rope from the ground and aggressively pulled in her direction to get back at Goblin Slayer for the stunt he pulled on her. However, Goblin Slayer remained rooted in his place tugging in his direction.

Amazon Warrior's eyes widened. He didn't move at all. Even worse, when he began pulling, she struggled to remain on her spot. Grunting as she tried to pull Goblin Slayer towards herself, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She never imagined a strength competition against a human could be this challenging.

Not able to move Goblin Slayer from his spot, Amazon Warrior turned around, pulled the rope over her shoulder and she tried to pull Goblin Slayer to her in a similar way how horses pull karts. She began walking forward, and she felt how she was pulling Goblin Slayer behind her and how his boots scraped the ground as he tried to remain on the spot.

"Interesting. I can compete with an amazon." Goblin Slayer thought.

Even though he faired great so far, he noticed how he began sliding in her direction. He wondered if changing the way he was pulling as Amazon Warrior did could benefit him. So he too turned around, let the rope move over his shoulder and began pulling as hard as he could.

The one disadvantage of pulling like this is that if you are overwhelmed, you'll automatically lose since you will be forced backward and fall. And that is exactly what happened to Amazon Warrior. As much as she tried to tug him towards her, and as much as she tried to remain leaned forward, slowly but surely, Goblin Slayer, with one small step after another, managed to pull Amazon Warrior backward and she fell on her back. From there, Goblin Slayer easily dragged the lying Amazon Warrior towards himself.

"He won..." a small whisper was heard from the crowd of adventurers.

"Just what is he?"

"Was he always this strong?!"

"Now the High Vampire makes much more sense."

And more whispers consumed the crowd as more and more people joined the debates.

Even when Goblin Slayer wasn't catching his breath like Amazon Warrior, he was still exhausted. Tug of war with an amazon is no joke. Goblin Slayer walked over to her, looked down on the lying amazon, who looked like she couldn't believe what just happened. "Good competition. You did well." Goblin Slayer offered Amazon Warrior his hand to help her get up. Baffled Amazon Warrior took his hand, not really thinking right now. He easily brought her back onto her feet.

Goblin Slayer bowed, thanked Amazon Warrior for the match and went to his friends in the crowd. "I need to make errands at the blacksmith. I'll be back soon." Goblin Slayer informed them.

His friends had different reactions to his win. Priestess was enthusiastically hopping around happy for Goblin Slayer's win with Kuma in her arms, Lizard Priest had a gentle smile on his face, Dwarf Shaman was laughing at how Goblin Slayer won, and High Elf Ranger had her jaw on the floor, still not believing Priestess was right in terms of his strength.

"Do what you must, sir Goblin Slayer. We'll look for new quests which we can take in the evening." Lizard Priest answered. Goblin Slayer nodded, turned around and left the crowd before they could swarm him again.

"See you later, Goblin Slayer-san!" Priestess happily waved at him as he left the training grounds. She'll most likely join the party on their quest in the evening just so she gets back in the game.

"What has he become?!" High Elf Ranger asked.

"No one new. He is still the same sir Goblin Slayer we met months ago." Lizard Priest reassured High Elf Ranger. Lizard Priest knows that accepting Goblin Slayer as some kind of vampire hybrid will be a lot to take in for High Elf Ranger. She can be quite stubborn about these types of things.

"Let's go inside. We have a lot to talk about." Dwarf Shaman said as the crowd around him slowly dispersed, all talking about the display of strength Goblin Slayer showed.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the training grounds, Amazon Warrior still thought about how she lost. A man has beaten her in a strength competition. A MAN! Only other amazons were able to best her in strength competitions, excluding man-killing monsters in the wild.

Her pride got hit hard by the loss. Mainly because she never thought a day like this would come, and she didn't know how to cope with it. But one thing is for sure. A man like him can give her a daughter who would lead amazons to a brighter future!

If only amazons could mate with other species, finding a suitable mate wouldn't be such a problem. But, even though humans are weakest of the bunch, they are also the original species from which every other humanoid subspecies come from.

It is said elves were humans long ago, but when humans proceeded to mine and create first spears from flint, another, a smaller group of humans decided to remain living in harmony with nature. Living in the forest with nature proved to be difficult, but these humans never lost their faith. Over the years, their numbers dwindled, but they also changed. To survive in the wild, their bodies adapted and thus with their peaceful nature and through the discovery of a little bit of forest magic the first elves were born.

The first branch of humans which diverged from their initial path and grew to be more powerful than their predecessor. And it continued for years.

Every single intelligent species in this world has a similar origin. Circumstances, mutations, and magic shaped new creatures from humans. Depending on how far these people went, new races were created. Some races remained mostly human-looking like elves some became half human half animal-like mermaids, and some have only a base of an intelligent human brain from humans such as lizardman.

Thus, despite being the weakest of the bunch, they are the only ones compatible with most of the other races.

Therefore seeing a human stronger than an amazon became an opportunity of a lifetime for Amazon Warrior. No more dice rolls in hopes of stronger amazon being born from a human. If this goblin man would bless an amazon with a child, the girl would raise their tribe to new heights. No more being hidden in the forest in hopes no one finds them. The child would lead them to a future where they do not have to be ashamed of how they live!

Amazon Warrior made her decision. Her kind needs a stronger leader! A leader born to the strongest man and an amazon! Whenever he likes it or not, she is gonna get that baby!


Female Paladin looked at all the different armors in the shop, deep in thoughts. There were the usual armors displayed on figurines in several rows, each row being different kinds of armors. There were the usual. Big heavy armors like her soon to be husband wears made entirely of steel is extremely heavy and sturdy, the lighter armors which provide more movement like armors her and Spearman wear made from steel with silver or gold parts to make them look shinier, chainmail armors which City Guards are equipped with, lightweight leather tunics which Scout Boy and more.

Truth be told, they all look spectacular, the dwarf that works here does a great job in creating these beauties. But right now, she looked for an armor that would capture Heavy Swordsman's eyes and an armor that could provide her with enough protection.

"Bikini armors" she read the sign, marking another section of the shop above an "armor" on a figurine that stood before her. The armor before her consists of a silver-plated bra with yellow ornaments on it. She bets that behind that silver miniskirt, there is silver-plated underwear with gold ornaments also. One silver thigh high boot covered more skin than the miniskirt and the "breastplate" combined. And apart from a stylish purple cape over the shoulder... that was all.

"Hmm. It doesn't cover much. And..." she made an unsure face and pulled out her sword from the sheath, pointing the tip at the exposed stomach of the figurine. "it's completely impractical." Female Paladin put a hand under her chin thinking.

"Then again, Amazon Warrior wears a similar thing. I suppose it makes you faster." she looked at the barely covered breast of the figurine. "And a great diversion..."

She quickly shook her head when even thought of buying this thing entered her mind. "No. I will not stoop so low. If I wear this, I may as well offer my self on the streets." But then again... bikini armor would undoubtedly take Heavy Swordsman's interest...

The bell above the door into the shop rang, and a white-haired man with red eyes entered. Goblin Slayer looked around, only to find one customer in the shop, with the blacksmith dwarf nowhere to be found. Goblin Slayer walked up to her and she curiously awaited what is on Goblin Slayer's mind.

"Where is the blacksmith?" He asked her.

"Uhm, hi. He said there were some problems with an order that came today so he'll be gone for another 10 minutes. Maybe, even more, he seemed very angry." she answered him. Luckily for her, as blacksmith's stable customer, she was allowed to stay and look after the blacksmith's shop.

Goblin Slayer sighed. He then looked up and saw the shining bikini armor in front of her. "You are thinking of buying that?" Goblin Slayer asked.

"Wha-?! Of course not! It's just..." Female Paladin stopped mid-sentence. Goblin Slayer didn't urge her to continue. Not verbally at least. But his steady gaze made her uncomfortable like he was expecting an answer.

"I am not very feminine, am I?" She asked with a loud disappointed sigh.

"No, not really." Goblin Slayer confirmed.

"That's what I was afraid of." Female Paladin whispered. Even though what Goblin Slayer said is not something she hoped to hear, at least it was honest. That's one thing you can expect from him. Honesty in the simplest and most often even brutal ways.

"Why?" Goblin Slayer asked.

Female Paladin turned around and walked up to the counter to sit on the stool there. "Who would want a woman who a can crack your skull with a simple punch?" Female Paladin lied her upper body on the counter with a sad smile.

"Surely someone." Goblin Slayer replied from the place where he stood.

"Who?"

"Heavy Swordsman. Isn't it obvious?" Goblin Slayer walked up to Female Paladin. Even he thought this concern of hers was silly.

"He looks at other, more feminine woman more than his own fiancée. I just... I want that attention too. At least a little bit of it. But in this armor and being constantly covered in monster guts doesn't do it." Female Paladin looked down at her steel armor with gold parts at the edges.

Goblin Slayer walked up to her and stood beside her at the counter, like a statue. Unmoving, expressionless face, arms beside his body. He was the exact definition of a weirdo. "True. But he makes it up to you at night. Isn't that enough?" He looked at her with a bit of expectation.

"He does, but- NO! He does not!" Female Paladin quickly shouted back. Her face rapidly colored which gave her away.

"Than I guess you both took another to bed when you stayed at the farm." Goblin Slayer said.

"W-what is that supposed to mean?" Female Paladin blushed and stuttered out a response. How does he even know?! He shouldn't even be awake during that time!

"I could smell the scent when you two entered the room. You didn't have time to wash."

"By the Earth Mother, I hoped nobody would notice!"

"I did. The scent was very noticeable."

"Why would you sniff THAT!?" Female Paladin stared out Goblin Slayer. Unfortunately, she chose a bad opponent. Goblin Slayer is a master at these sort of things. Female Paladin averted her eyes from Goblin Slayer and leaned on the counter with her upper body.

"When I noticed what the scent is, I wasn't thrilled about smelling it throughout the breakfast either. It was quite irritating, but I thought mentioning it at the breakfast was a bad idea." Goblin Slayer explained.

"It was a bad idea!" she jumped up.

"Good to know. Anyway, he likes you. In and out of the armor. And if you hope to impress him without an armor, wait a few months until you'll put down your sword. Or take a break and wear something a regular woman wears. I am sure he'll notice you even more then." Goblin Slayer said

"I hope you are right..." she sighed.

Female Paladin could only sit down and think again. Truth be told, this whole thing was getting weird. Getting advice from Goblin Slayer and Priestess, who would have thought? While looking at Goblin Slayer, he began looking around.

"Where is he? You two weren't at the Guild when I arrived." he turned back to her.

"He rode to his home village to announce the upcoming wedding to his parents."

"Why didn't you ride with him?" Goblin slayer asked.

Female Paladin sighed out sadly. "He wouldn't let me! He said I should stay and keep an eye on our party while he tells his parents about our marriage and baby." Female Paladin looked behind the counter and she saw all the slim armors exhibited near the back curtain entrance to the blacksmith shop. She instinctively put her hand on her abdomen and looked down. "And that I should not travel long distances in my state."

"You are sad because of that?"

Female Paladin gently shook her head. "Not sad. I am just... nervous. And anxious. I... I just think, maybe he wasn't telling me everything. What if he is afraid to introduce me to his parents? What if he is ashamed of me, and what we did at the inn? What... what if his parents tell him to cast away a woman who slept with a man before marriage? And what if he listens, and I'll be alone with a child?" As she was saying this, Female Paladin protectively wrapped her arms around herself. Her eyes were shut and her lips were shivering.

"I highly doubt that this will ever happen." Goblin Slayer responded.

"But... it can happen." Female Paladin's voice squeaked.

"There is always a possibility for everything, but I highly doubt he would leave you." Goblin Slayer tried to calm her down. "I never thought you had such self-esteem issues." He added.

Female Paladin's shut eyes suddenly widened. She never thought Goblin Slayer would read her that well. "W-Well. What did you expect? This all is so new to me! I just don't know what to do!"

"Nonetheless, you are too hard on yourself. Not everyone values intimacy between a man and a woman like you do. You may think it was wrong, unacceptable and shameful to have sex before marriage, but it doesn't matter to him. He wants to marry you. And through what I see, nothing will stop him from doing so."

Goblin Slayer said, all the while thinking if this is how pregnancy affects female emotions. Even a blind man could see that Heavy Swordsman would never even think about leaving her alone in such a precarious situation. The only one who has doubts is her.

If it would be anyone else saying this to her, she may not believe them. No one wants to tell you the ugly truth of what can and can't happen. But, this is Goblin Slayer. Well… is he? This is the first time she heard him speaking for so long without a pause.

"I never knew you are such a good speaker either. It's very rare to pull so many words out of you."

"Is it?" Goblin Slayer asked.

Female Paladin chuckled. "It sure is. I hope Pries-"

Suddenly through the blue curtain entrance a small, round dwarf entered the shop in his white undershirt, leather blacksmith apron and think black gloves. Despite being rounder in body shape, his arms were as thick as Heavy Swordsman's. His right eye was closed for an unknown reason, and under his eyes, he sprouts a white bushy mustache with a beard. A large portion of his head was bald except for the back with few strands of white.

"Alright you miserable shites, what can I do for ya?" the blacksmith stomped his way behind the counter. He pulled a cigar and matches out of his apron pocket, and he lit the cigar up and took a drag off.

"I need new armor. With the same properties, I had before." Goblin Slayer calmly said.

"You broke it again you fucking donkey!?"

The dwarf pulled the cigar out of his mouth and shouted angrily.

"Yeah." Goblin Slayer replied with an absolute calmness.

Dwarf Blacksmith sighed. 'What a fucking moron' the dwarf thought. He then looked at the blondie. "Did anything happen when I was away blondie?" he asked in his gruff voice.

"Nothing happened. I was the only one here until Goblin Slayer showed up." Female Paladin waved her hand to spread the smoke from the cigar. She'll have to leave, this will do no good to the baby. And asking this guy to stop smoking… well, he would send her out real quick. There is a brutally honest attitude like Goblin Slayer, and then there is just a brutally rude attitude like this dwarf.

Everyone knows that Dwarf Blacksmith has the best merchandise in town, so even with this "I don't give a fuck." attitude his armors flock off the shelves. Even though his level of rudeness is off the roof, it can get quite funny when some rich guy thinks he can buy them. Watching the nobles snob faces when they get shit talked for the very first time just like the rest of them is a free theater. One that is worth a lot of money and entertainment.

When she saw that he shit talks, everyone, regardless of status, gender or age, she understood it's not because he is rude necessarily, but because that's just how he speaks.

"I…" Female Paladin looked one last time at the Bikini Armor in the aisle and smiled. "Nothing. I should go. Take care." She stood up and waved the two men off.

"Bye." Goblin Slayer monotonously responded.

"Come back again you blonde bitch!" Dwarf Blacksmith took another drag from his cigar and crossed his arms. "So. Do you want some other shit or not? You know, besides another garbage armor."

"I do. Do you have any sword that can provide light?" Goblin Slayer asked.

Goblin Slayer thought about this a lot, and instead of constantly supplying himself with torches, one sword durable enough to withstand a gasoline induced fire would be just enough. What better way to light a room without a lantern than having a sword that shines? That way Goblin Slayer doesn't have keep switching between torches and swords.

"Like some of those holy miracles do?" Dwarf Blacksmith raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Or any sword that can withstand the heat of fire. Anything that could help my party in the dark caves ."

"Hmm." Dwarf Blacksmith took another drag of the cigar and went behind the curtain again. After a few seconds of metal shuffling, he emerged with a short sword. "There's this motherfucking sword. It's imbued with fire magic." He put the sword on the counter.

"I can't have that, if goblins would find a magi-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I know you 5 fucking years! Does that empty head of yours really thinks I would forget you don't want those green turds waving magical shit around? So listen, weirdo, this sword is imbued with RUNIC fire magic. Runic magic can tie the magic in the sword ONLY to your sorry-ass. Get that?" Dwarf Blacksmith took another drag, of the cigar which was half the size now.

"Hmm." Goblin Slayer looked at the short sword and put a hand under his chin. "How does it work exactly?"

"Listen, that would take a hundred paged book to explain thoroughly, and I do not have time for that shit. So here is the short version. The type of magic power stemming from the rune in the sword is there specifically to be lit on fire, nothing more and nothing less. My far more talented brother from the Dwarven Kingdom makes these rune swords for me, since my shitty self can't do magic. Anyway, my stupid relatives aside, the sword needs a second part to be functional. That being a second connecting rune has to be placed on your deadass-pale body to connect it only to you. I can sell you this sword and the script for the connecting rune now, but it will be ordinary sword until you find a mage who can transfer a portion of magic power from the rune on the sword, to your lifeless body using the script for the rune to draw the connecting rune on you. Seriously though, how the fuck are you so pale?! You are whiter than snow for fucks sake!"

Dwarf Blacksmith yelled out as Goblin Slayer examined the short sword not bothered by the dwarf's insults. The short sword lying on the wooden counter consisted of the thin cream white blade, yellow crossguard blade with pointy ends that turned upwards at each end, brown leather grip and copper ball-like pommel. It seemed like a regular blade, except for the color of the blade and the inscriptions on it. The inscription carved into the blade was ルーン火剣, which spread across the whole length of the blade. And having a fire sword would be great! After the High vampire encounter, a fire sword is all he needs to burn the bodies of goblins. No blood magic surprises this time.

"Anyhow, this way only you will be able to use magic power in the sword. Runes have many uses, one of which is acting as a switch. The "empty" magic power in the sword will always be there, but only you will be able to turn it on with fire. Thanks to the runes, even non-mages can use magic in weapons in the simplest way. End of the lecture. Is that enough information for your empty head?"

"So you say that goblins won't be able to use the magic in the blade no matter what they do?" Goblin Slayer asked again, just in case he got it all wrong. His ears listened to every word the dwarf said, but just to make sure, he asked again.

"Were you even listening, you deaf sheep?! Yes. Apart from you, only the mage that binds this sword to you can manipulate with the magic in it since he will know what exactly he did to bind it to you and how to extract it in case you would like to sell the sword back to me and I would want to sell lit to someone else." Dwarf Blacksmith took another drag of the cigar, which now was nearly gone.

"Fine then. How much?"

"Sixteen gold coins." Dwarf Blacksmith said with his arms crossed and the last bit of cigar in his mouth.

Goblin Slayer looked at the dwarf with a funny expression. Or one that he could make there. "That's a lot. I can buy an apartment with that much money." Not that he is bothered by the price. The Lord of the Guild promised him a hefty reward for the High Vampire.

"Of course it's expensive, you goblin loving cocksucker! These things have to be made by a person who is a mage AND a blacksmith. There are only few of those. Plus the metal from which it's made of a rare type of silver located in Dwarven Kingdom. With this kind of silver sword, you can cut through 1 000 of those green shits without sharpening it once! So if you want this fucking beauty, pay up!" Dwarf Blacksmith took the last drag of the cigar, threw it on the cobblestone floor bellow and stepped on it.

Dwarf Blacksmith knows very well this fucker is rich. Goblin Slayer doesn't do anything with the money he earns except paying up his stay at the farm and occasionally repairing that piece of junk of an armor he insists on having. Sixteen gold coins is nothing for him.

"I'll take it." Goblin Slayer said without any further thought. It'll help him kill goblins faster, that's more than enough reasons to pay so much for the sword. "I need to get my savings from the bank first. I'll be back in a minute." Goblin Slayer said, and without a further word, the door above the entrance to the blacksmith rang and he was gone.

Dwarf Blacksmith smirked, picked the silver short sword and went back behind the blue curtain entrance, where the blacksmithing part of his establishment is located. "Hey! Good for nothing kid! The lunch break is over! We are making another one of those garbage goblin armors! I want it made in a week so get your ass up and prepare the metal!"


The sun was setting over the horizon and Guild Girl was extremely anxious as she was returning to the Guild from Twilight Town's City Hall.

When she informed, the mayor of the Guild's intention of promoting an adventurer to a Gold rank, her emotions were in order and fairly calm. To calm down was one of the reasons why she volunteered to pass on the information about the High Vampire. It was something which could divert her thoughts elsewhere.

But once the meeting was over, she left the city hall and walked back to the Guild, a reality of the fact Goblin Slayer will comfort her about her feelings began to set in. With each step, she got more and more nervous.

The honey-blonde haired girl walked on the cobblestone path, looking down on the stone path as she was fidgeting her thumbs, circling them around each other all the while thinking of things that could go south.

What if he doesn't like her? What if he is repulsed by her? What if he isn't attracted to her? What if he prefers black-haired girls? What if he considers her annoying? More and more insecurities began to surface when she thought about what Goblin Slayer may not like.

When her ridiculous thoughts got to the point where she thought one small freckle on her lower back could disgust him, she was already in front of the Guild's entrance. Her hands were trembling when she reached for the doorknob.

"Maybe he left…" she wished.

Even she knew that Goblin Slayer stands behind the words he says. The fact he would not keep his word and be there is highly unprovable. She opened the door and to no one's surprise, Goblin Slayer was at the table drinking something from the wooden mug with an empty plate before him, waiting for Guild Girl.

Since the night was approaching fast, the guild was emptier and Goblin Slayer was left relatively alone except for two adventurers questioning him.

Inspector was still behind the counter, and as soon as she noticed Guild Girl entering, she walked from behind the counter to Goblin Slayer's table. "Alright you two, leave the poor man alone. He has some business to attend to."

She shooed the kids away. A bit of protesting later, the kids left Goblin Slayer alone.

The two kids passed the now frozen Guild Girl by the entrance and left. It was then Goblin Slayer finally looked up from his wooden mug and turned to her. He got up and walked up to her without a single emotion in his face and her heartbeat began jumping in her chest.

"Do you want to talk about it here? Or do you want to go somewhere else?" He asked.

O, gosh, at least now he could display SOME kind of emotion.

"I-I. I would rather go upstairs. T-to my room. If you don't mind." Guild Girl looked around as some people were still here. She doesn't need an audience for this sort of thing.

Last time was already mortifying.

"I see." Goblin Slayer answered, turned around and walked to the stairs. Guild Girl jogged behind him as soon as she mustered the courage to do so.

"Good luck." Inspector who was cleaning the tables whispered to Guild Girl when she passed by.

It didn't take long for the two to reach the doors to Guild Girl's and Inspector's room. Guild Girl opened the doors with her key and shaking hands.

The room was fairly small. Two beds on each side of the room, wooden floor, two nightstands near the beds, wardrobes, two chairs with a table with a flower on top of the table and a window between the two beds. On one side of the room was another door leading to a bathroom for the two girls. Guild Girl sighed in relief when she saw the place was swept clean. "Thank you, Inspector."

"P-Please. Sit down, Goblin Slayer-san." Guild Girl offered the seat on the chair to Goblin Slayer. The white-haired man nodded, sat down and laid his hands on the table.

"D-do you want anything? Water? S-something to eat?" Guild Girl offered, trying to be as good of a host as she could be.

"I had water and grilled salmon downstairs. I'm good." Goblin Slayer answered.

The nervous mess of a girl released an uncertain chuckle as she sat across the small table by the wall. "R-right." She should have thought of that when she saw the mug and the empty plate!

"Nice sword. Is that a new one?" Guild Girl tried to divert the topic when she noticed a new sword on Goblin Slayer's hip.

However, Goblin Slayer ignored her. "What you said earlier. Did you really mean it?" Goblin Slayer began.

Guild Girl jumped in her chair. No more hiding now. "Hai… I did." She answered, looking at her feet trying to avoid Goblin Slayer's ruby eyes.

"Why me?" Goblin Slayer asked, his voice still emotionless.

"I… I always admired you. The way you carry yourself, with no worries and with no thought of what others think. Despite being called a bunch of names, you never wavered in saving villages from goblins. You were the only one that thought of smallfolk when everyone laughed at you."

Guild Girl expected this kind of question. To be honest, she expected him to try and scare her off by his problems. However, Guild Girl was prepared. The honey-blonde haired girl had a lot of restless nights trying to figure out why it was him, despite all his problems. It didn't make sense, but in its own way, it did. What it boils down to, is that she just has unusual preferences in men.

"I didn't do it for the villagers." Goblin Slayer replied.

"R-really?" Guild Girl stuttered out. Ok, this was one of the things she didn't expect. Goblin Slayer looked up, watching the ceiling.

"At least that's what I thought not so long ago. People around me keep telling me that I am not what I think I am. And looking at it now, I think they are right." he said.

"And who did you think you were?" Guild Girl curiously asked.

"Goblin Slayer. Nothing more, nothing else." He responded lowering his head back so he could see her.

"And… now?" Guild Girl asked. Does he really think he is only that? Goblin butcher and that's all there is to him?

"Goblin Slayer." He answered. But now, Guild Girl noticed his voice got stronger, more confident when he said that. Like a spark ignited in his red eyes.

"And… something more. I think. I am very confused right now." Goblin Slayer added.

"You'll figure it out, I am sure of it." Guild Girl gave him a heartwarming smile. "Do you think that you saved those villages because you wanted to protect the people in it, or to kill goblins? Think about it." Guild Girl tried to make Goblin Slayer see what she has already seen.

"Apparently I do it to save little girls like those heroes in books. I am keep getting told by people around me that I want to save people from goblins. Not to necessarily kill goblins."

"Maybe you do." Guild Girl said.

"No. I want to kill goblins. Kill them all." Goblin Slayer quickly dismissed the ridiculous idea to stop killing goblins. "But maybe, there is more to it then meets the eyes." He added.

Guild Girl could see where Goblin Slayer is coming from. That you do one thing constantly because you think one thing, but in reality, you do it because you think of a real reason. A reason being buried somewhere deep inside of you, hard to dig up.

The adventurers who visit the Guild being the prime example. They think they are fighting those dragons and rock eaters just because they want to save people. But in reality, they don't care. They want fame and gold. If they would want to save lives, killing goblins is the only correct answer. So many villages could have been saved if someone stepped in. Some dragon sleeping in the mountains is hardly a danger to anyone. The goblin quests posted by poor villagers are matters of life and death. A quest posted by some rich noble who wants a dragon head above his doors is a matter of ego.

It's interesting how Goblin Slayer is the other way around. He thinks he doesn't care about the people and only cares about goblins. But in reality, he just wants to save people. And maaaaaaybe kill goblins. Okay, he really wants to kill all the goblins. But then doesn't change the fact he wants to save people just as equally.

"What I tried to say is that I am not who you think I am. I am not even who I think I am." Goblin Slayer's body didn't move an inch. However, on the inside, his body was in the hurricane of emotions.

"Actions speak louder than words. I know you are a good man. That's why… why I… love… you." Guild Girl blushed as the words barely come out of her mouth.

In the evening light Guild Girl looked even more mesmerizing and even Goblin Slayer noticed that Guild Girl is… cute. "That's not wise." Goblin Slayer said.

"Why do you think so?" Here it goes. He is about to give her a list of reasons why them together is a bad idea. It's not the first time someone told her that. Luckily, thanks to long night talks with Inspector she is prepared for every "bad" trait he is ready to whip out on her.

"I have a lot of issues."

"I know."

"I don't talk much."

"I like that." Guild Girl smiled at him.

"I am easily confused by the simplest of things."

"That's cute." she smiled and leaned back in her chair with crossed arms.

"I hurt people's feelings easily."

"You are just being honest. I love that too." Guild Girl smirked confidently.

Seeing her respond to his every bad trait with positives got him thinking. Does she want him, despite every warning he gives her? True, he isn't even halfway through his list of problems but the fact she is on top of things scares him. He doesn't have a clue what to do with a girl of his own.

"I don't know what love is." Goblin Slayer continued.

"I'll gladly show you. If you are willing to try with me." Guild Girl's cheeks heated even more.

"I have no idea what should I do with you. I never had a girlfriend."

"Neither I a boyfriend."

There was a slight pause. It was hard to believe that Guild Girl didn't have a lover yet. Nevertheless, Goblin Slayer continued.

"No active adventurer died in bed of old age. Are you aware of that?"

"I do. And I would rather be with you for a few years, than not have you at all."

"..." Goblin Slayer was running out of red flags to wave. As she reached for his hand on the table, Goblin Slayer got spooked a little by the sudden contact. "I am a part vampire." he abruptly said.

"Tha- WHAT?!" Guild Girl swiftly retracted her hand from Goblin Slayer's hand. As she unintentionally leaned backwards, her chair was balancing on it's back wooden legs. In a blink of an eye, Goblin Slayer threw his chair backward and shot to Guild Girl's chair, stopping it from falling. When she realized she wasn't falling, Guild Girl opened her eyes and looked upwards. He was holding the chair behind her, looking down at her.

"I am part vampire. High Vampire I fought bit me." Goblin Slayer repeated.

"W-w-well. I-"

Part vampire?! What is that suppose to mean?! When the sun hits his face only half of his body will turn to dust or what?! There has never been a mention of a half-vampire! What should she imagine behind that? Does he want to suck her blood too?

"W-What changed?" nervous Guild Girl asked as her chest became heavy, but her rationality didn't disappear. Part vampire… there are a lot of half-humans out there, so how exactly is Goblin Slayer any different?

"I now crave meat more. Blood acts as a stamina potion. I can't sleep at night. Sun tires me out. Silver slowly burns me. All my senses got enhanced. I am much stronger. Sharper canines. My skin got paler and my eye changed. My irises apparently move now." Goblin Slayer said as he sat back onto his chair.

Okay, this is how he's different. Nothing deal-breaking so far. Guild Girl squinted her eyes and focused on his eyes. She rests her hands on the table and leaned forward a little, studying his mysterious eyes and skin. And indeed his red irises were moving like there was blood inside them swirling back and forth. It was kinda mesmerizing and magical how the bright red colors clashed with vine red in his eyes.

"That's about everything I know now." Goblin Slayer said in hopes that Guild Girl would snap out of her trance. Our white-haired weirdo began wondering if he can hypnotize people with those eyes because, for some strange reason, girls seem to completely shut down when they look into them. Just as Cow Girl, she had her mouth slightly opened, eyes widened and he spotted how her hands began reaching for his cheek just like Cow Girl did before.

Thankfully, Guild Girl quickly shook her head and snapped out of her trance. With red color in her cheeks, Guild Girl said. "Sorry. So… you don't hurt people?"

"No. Why would I? They are not goblins."

Guild Girl had to giggle. What answer was she expecting exactly? "Well, vampires have a tendency to do that."

"So that's why Cow Girl gave me this funny look when I told her." Goblin Slayer recalled the fear in Cow Girl's eyes when he told her he is part vampire. Fortunately for him, Priestess jumped in reassuring Cow Girl that nothing changed and he is still that weirdo who kills only goblins. Which was kinda stupid from Priestess. He has these powers only for a while. Who knows he won't go berserk after a while? "I guess that's what having friends means. Standing by your side through everything." Goblin Slayer thought.

"I am part vampire. Not complete vampire. Something happened when Priestess used Resurrection miracle on me that cancelled my transformation."

Guild Girl smiled. "I have no problem with you being part vampire. Even if you were, it wouldn't change much. You won't fall out of love with someone in a day just because something bad happens to them. If you could, it's not love."

Goblin Slayer did something surprising when Guild Girl spoke. His eyebrow raised in confusion for the second time. "You looked scared seconds ago."

"I was surprised! I was prepared for a lot of your reasons why this is a bad idea, but being part vampire wasn't one of them!" Guild Girl yelled out. When she realized her outburst, she quickly put both hands over her own mouth. If there is a way to get Goblin Slayer, yelling isn't one of them. She quickly calmed down though.

"Goblin Slayer. I am willing to take you whole. Be it the good or the bad, I'll love all sides of you." Guild Girl gently said, her voice tickling Goblin Slayer's ears. "Do- Do you like me? Am I to your liking? Am I enough for you?" Guild Girl nervously looked at her own body. She hopes Goblin Slayer finds her attractive. He never mentioned how his dream girl should look like, and she is average in nearly everything except for her rare golden eyes. Height, hair color, physique, breast size all being average at best.

"You are much more than I deserve." Goblin Slayer said, his voice monotone as always, but it was also honest as always.

"Really?" Guild Girl's golden eyes lit up as she looked at his red eyes. Goblin Slayer nodded in confirmation.

"You are pretty, kind, intelligent and hard-working. I have no idea why a girl such as you would want me."

It took all of Guild Girl's willpower to contain her excitement when Goblin Slayer praised her. He likes her!

"Love doesn't make sense." Guild Girl said, unable to wipe that big smile off her face.

Goblin Slayer, on the other hand, sighed out loudly. "So I keep getting told." he said.

"Sooooo. You would not have a problem with going out on a date with me and… maybe… be with me?"

"Maybe in the future. For now, we'll just go out on a date."

Guild Girl's impish glee shined in the room lit by the evening sun. He likes her AND he'll go on a date with her! Her mind began already conducting the best way to capture his heart! First and foremost is of course express how she hates goblins. There she'll score most points, she is sure of that. Then maybe something with cooking? As her mom always said, the best way to men's heart is through-

"I'll let you know when I have time to go out. I have a lot of things to take care of right now." Guild Girl's daydreaming came to a halt when Goblin Slayer pulled the chair out and stood up.

"Wait!" She yelled out when she saw Goblin Slayer's hand reaching for the doorknob. The white-haired man turned around and Guild Girl walked up to him. As Goblin Slayer caught signs of nervousness on her reddening face, she reached for his head with both of her hands, pulled him a little lower and gave him a kiss on a cheek. "Take care, Goblin Slayer."

Dumbfounded Goblin Slayer mumbled a quiet "Take care" and was pushed out of the room.

When he heard Guild Girl closing the door behind him, he brushed his fingers over the place Guild Girl kissed him. "It was warm and soft." Goblin Slayer thought as he examined the fingertips like he was looking for some clues. "Felt… nice."

But once the feeling of the sweet kiss dispersed, a whole lot of problems filled his mind. He doesn't have a CLUE about how to treat a lady. Not to mention to keep one. His desire for family got hit by a reality check. Building a family is NOT easy! Even better, what is he thinking?! How did he even get to this place?! A month ago, he would never ever get into such a situation! Even when he would, he would say he doesn't have time for anything other than goblins! What's more, does he even deserve her?! How- What is happening?! "What the fuck did I just do?!" He thought.

Meanwhile on the other side of the door. "Why did I chicken out! I could have stolen a kiss from him!" A frustrated Guild Girl jumped on her bed, thrashing her legs up and down as she buried her head into the pillow. Though once Guild Girl realized she has a date with Goblin Slayer, the frustrated groans turned into girlish squeals muffled by the pillow.


The Mayor of Twilight Town looked back and forth between the judges for today's promotional exam. There were 5 people sitting at the table in total. Him, Lord of the Guild, Guild Girl, Inspector and an observer was none other than Spearman. As a person in the highest position of power, he sat in the middle, between Lord of the Guild and Inspector. Guild Girl sat on one corner with Inspector beside her, and Spearman on the other corner with Lord of the Guild next to him.

The mayor is a man in his early thirties, fairly young for the mayor. Therefore, he doesn't have much experience in running a town nor in his role at the promotional exam. For one year he has been the mayor and not once he had to attend a promotional exam. Luckily, it shouldn't be that hard. He killed a High Vampire, therefore he'll get promotion to Gold Rank. Easy enough.

Mayor has short brown hair that would reach his shoulders if they weren't tied into a short ponytail. Dark forest green eyes, oval freckled face, upturned nose, and thin lips. Unlike Lord of the Guild, he was bigger and more muscular under the blue suit he wore.

Apart from the five at the table, there's one more person in the room, waiting for Goblin Slayer to show up. A female mage stood behind Mayor of Twilight Town.

Her green eyes under the hood and mage robes stuck out in this crowd of people. Long dark blue robe with long sleeves concealed her feminine figure apart from her slender white hands and feet. Over the robe this she had another piece of clothing, that being a vine red hood hiding nearly all of her hair, except for the ends of her purple hair draped over her shoulder. Cementing her as a mage, she was holding a staff with a yellow crystal being at the end of the wooden staff.

Mayor of Twilight Town examined the present people with a keen eye. The two girls on his left were whispering something to each other. Seemed like one was teasing the other about something. One the other end the spear guy was mumbling something as he was tapping the stool, resulting in several chuckles from Lord of the Guild.

Not liking being left out of the conversations, he leaned back on his chair, turned his head around and asked Mage Assistant. "Hey, isn't this the Guild your sister goes to?"

"It is milord." She said quietly, in barely a whisper.

"Does she know this Goblin Slayer guy?" he asked.

"I believe so. Everyone in the Guild knows him. According to what I gathered, he is quite popular as of late, milord."

"Yeah... I heard a new ballad about him when I was at the market with my wife. It would be surprising a member of the Guild wouldn't have heard of him."

And just as he finished the sentence, the man of the hour entered the room. And the mayor raised an eyebrow. This is the man that defeated High Vampire solo? He imagined a big horde of muscles and layers of steel on this guy.

Not like this. He was muscular, but still slender. He wasn't even that tall. He came in in just a white shirt with blue long sleeves and brown trousers. The only notable thing on him was a sheathed sword at his hip, but that was about it.

"Aaaah. Sir Goblin Slayer. I was afraid you may not show up. Please sit and we shall begin the exam." Lord of the Guild announced.

Mayor watched Goblin Slayer carefully. The white-haired warrior looked between the people at the table examining them just as much as he examined him.

"Hi" A quiet whisper came from his left. He leaned forward to see blushing Guild Girl raising her hand ever so slightly above the table and making small wave gestures at Goblin Slayer.

"Hi." Goblin Slayer, unlike Guild Girl, wasn't whispering. He turned towards the honey-blond haired girl and returned the welcoming gesture in his usual monotone voice.

After that, Goblin Slayer sat on the chair before the mayor.

"I believe you are familiar with promotional exams by now, am I right?" Lord of the Guild asked as he looked at some papers before him.

"Yeah."

"Great. So, even when this is a gold promotional exam nothing changes. You are gonna be asked questions from Guild Girl and Inspector there-" Lord of the Guild pointed to her direction. "-will use her abilities to tell us whether you lie or not. The only change is me and the mayor may ask a random question during the exam if we discover something which we would want to delve more into. If everything goes well, you will be given a Golden Tag with your name on one side, and the mark of our guild on the other."

Mayor of Twilight Town then pulled the Golden Tag from his suit pocket presenting it to Goblin Slayer.

"That's all. Everything clear?" Lord of the Guild asked.

"Yeah." And with that, the mayor laid the Golden Tag aside and the questioning began.

Question after question revealed an incredible story to the five at the table. Goblin Slayer was asked questions all the time from the two oldest at the table. And as the story continued, Mayor of Twilight Town and Lord of the Guild constantly shift their eyes to Inspector as the story gets more and more unbelievable. Her necklace which should shake when the person in question lies hasn't moved an inch during the questioning.

Guild Girl gasped several times when she was slowly finding out how severe his injuries were. She tried to not think about it too much as she kept writing a record of this exam on the piece of paper in front of her. She'll have to have a word with him. The fact being an adventurer is a dangerous job, is true but it doesn't mean you actively seek death!

Spearman tried to remain quiet as the observer at the exam, but once Goblin Slayer was forced to describe the fight against the vampire, his "NO FUCKING WAY!" was heard throughout the Guild. Cracked ribs, broken legs with nearly no blood in his system and that fucker just walked it off?! Not only that, he is now some kind of vampire hybrid?

Mayor and Lord of the Guild were ready to jump out of their seats when they found out that Goblin Slayer was bitten. The situation had to be calmed down by the witch assistant behind Mayor of the Twilight Town as everyone freaked out. With nearly everyone in the room on edge, the exam continued. It was at this part where Goblin Slayer was bombarded with dozens of questions from Lord of the Guild and Mayor of Twilight Town. Most questions regarding his status as part-vampire and if he desires to hurt people. Goblin Slayer's truthful answers calmed the room down to an extent he could even continue and finish his story.

"- and then I woke up in my room on the farm. Priestess used Resurrection miracle on me which saved my life and somehow managed to stop my transformation into a vampire from the vampire bite earlier."

All eyes fell on Inspector's necklace. It hasn't moved an inch during the talk.

"Wait-wait-wait-wait. Who did use a Resurrection miracle?!" Lord of the Guild asked. This somehow flew under his radar and got both his and mayor's attention. Surprised Mayor of Twilight Town let Lord of the Guild continue with the exam, eager to know what the older, wiser man is thinking.

"Priestess." Goblin Slayer answered.

"Is she here?" Lord of the Guild asked.

"Downstairs." Goblin Slayer said.

"Guild Girl. Bring her here." Lord of the Guild commanded. Guild Girl made a quiet "huh" as she looked at Lord of the Guild. The older man nodded and surprised Guild Girl stood up and walked out of the room.

"What are you doing?" Mayor of Twilight Town calmly asked the older man.

"Promoting." Lord of the Guild stated. "She is Obsidian rank, isn't she?" Lord of the Guild asked no one in particular.

"Yeah." both Spearman and Goblin Slayer answered resulting in a staring contest between them.

"Not anymore." Lord of the Guild smiled at Goblin Slayer. "Inspector, go to the blacksmith and order one steel tag with Priestess's name on it." he whispered the brunette.

"But what about the exam?" She asked curiously.

"I believe we know all we have to know. Am I right, mayor?" Lord of the Guild turned towards the town leader. Surprised mayor reluctantly nodded. "Yeah. The exam is over."

Inspector smiled at Goblin Slayer and left the room. As she was leaving the room, the doors in front of her opened and she saw Guild Girl with the little blonde Priestess behind her. "Aren't you a lucky lass." Inspector said as she walked past the two girls.

"What was that supposed to mean?" Priestess asked. She wore her usual priest robes, only now instead of the staff which remained downstairs, she carries a small black ball of fur snuggled in her arms.

"I don't know…" Guild Girl replied, equally as perplexed. Was that directed at her or Priestess? "Anyway, we should go." She said and both girls entered the room, standing next to Goblin Slayer's chair.

"G-greetings m-milords." Priestess stuttered out and her bear cub roared in her arms. Forget Goblin Slayer, people of such a status scare her to no end.

"Greetings young one. I heard you can use Resurrection miracle."

Priestess's eyes widened and her cheeks caught color. She turned to Goblin Slayer with an angry pout. "You told them?!"

"They asked." he replied.

Lord of the Guild laughed at their antics. "Anyway, I congratulate both of you on your promotions."

"BOTH?!" Priestess and Guild Girl yelled out in surprise. The two girls watched as Mayor of Twilight Town stood up and walked up to Priestess and Goblin Slayer. Priestess elbowed Goblin Slayer's shoulder. "Stand up, Goblin Slayer-san!" She whispered/yelled. For some reason, without a word, he did stand up. What caused him even to stand up without a question?

"Goblin Slayer, I now promote you to a Gold Rank adventurer." The mayor said, reaching for Goblin Slayer's silver tag and pulling it off him, replacing it with the new gold one.

"I am afraid your steel tag will take some time to make. Regardless, I now promote you to Steel rank adventurer, Priestess." Lord of the Guild walked up to the small blondie, and he petted the small bear in her arms. "Cute." Lord of the Guild thought.

"B-b-but how? I… I didn't take the exam. I-I didn't do anything!" Priestess looked around, confused.

"Resurrection miracle is one of the hardest miracles to pull off. And you did it. That deserves a promotion in itself." Lord of the Guild smiled at Priestess all the while petting the bear. "Besides, I had my eyes on you for a while. You deserve it."

"I-I. Thank you." Priestess bowed.

Lord of the Guild and Mayor of Twilight Town both chuckled. "No need to."

"Now, I believe all the people downstairs are here to celebrate your promotion. Well… promotions." Lord of the Guild laughed. "You can collect your reward tomorrow at the reception, sir Goblin Slayer." Lord of the Guild said to Goblin Slayer. "All of you are free to go and celebrate. Just don't overdo it." Lord of the Guild warned the youngsters.

"Yeah, fuck no. I am overdoing it tonight. After such a story I need a lot of booze." The forgotten man behind them made himself known. Spearman took his spear propped up the wall and walked to the group in the middle of the room. With him, the mysterious mage behind Mayor's seat walked up to the group too.

"Let's go and celebrate!" Guild Girl smiled at Goblin Slayer, took his hand and dragged him off the room.

"W-w-wait for me!" Priestess quickly jogged behind them struggling to keep her priest cap on her head, and the bear cub in her arms.

Spearman sadly sighed as he watched Guild Girl dragging Goblin Slayer out of the room. "Excuse me, gentleman, a bottle of booze waits for me downstairs. I would invite you to our session, but I am not into threesomes." Spearman looked at the two remaining men and the mysterious witch. "Or foursomes and fivesomes." he added, and left the room.

"Don't you have an interesting bunch in here." Mayor of the Twilight Town remarked with a twinkle in his eyes.

"You have no idea…" Lord of the Guild replied.

Mayor inspected Lord of the Guild for a few seconds as the guild lord had his eyes fixated on the exit of the room with a faint smile on his face. "You don't seem to be concerned with the fact our town has a vampire running in it."

"Part vampire." Lord of the Guild corrected him casually. For some reason, people forget that part. Not that it's unusual people keep forgetting that part when Goblin Slayer looked like a vampire even before his encounter with a real one.

But the fact he survived a Ressurection miracle puts Lord of the Guild at ease. Being highly religious as he is, he trusts that a half-vampire surviving Ressurection miracle is a sign from the gods to leave this man do his usual stuff.

"Still. You are far too calm. He is the first of his kind. And vampires aren't friendly." Mayor of Twilight Town said in complete seriousness.

"Are you afraid of Goblin Slayer." Lord of the Guild confidently smirked.

"I have a reason to be on edge. You never know what will he do." Mayor of Twilight Town said. The fact they now have this in their ranks can be both good and a bad thing. He knows how vampires are dangerous so if Goblin Slayer would let himself loose, it would be a disaster. However, even when Goblin Slayer is dangerously powerful, having a powerful ally in him could be priceless. He only hopes this promotion gains him more benefits in the future. Having an unnaturally strong soldier in your ranks is always a good thing. As long as he is under control, everything will hopefully go down smoothly.

"Wrong. It is very easy to tell what will he do. It's in his name. Unless you are a goblin, you have nothing to be afraid of." Lord of the Guild smirked.

"You are too soft on him." Mayor of the Twilight Town squinted his eyes.

"I just know how far his hatred for goblins goes. Trust me, goblins are his only objective. Besides, Ressurection miracle deemed him not a vampire. You have nothing to worry about." the older adult pet his younger superior's back. Mayor of the Town sighed, averting his gaze to his assistant.

"Lord of the Guild is right. Ressurection miracle didn't kill him. I think it's safe to trust him." the mage gave the mayor the answer she knew his eye was looking for when he looked at her.

Mayor of Twilight Town released one last loud sigh. "I hope you are right. Because if a citizen of my town is found sucked out of blood, I will show no mercy."

"I wouldn't even ask you too." Lord of the Guild answered in a serious tone.


Scent of a salt flew through the morning breeze in Water Town. Gulls flew through the air as three young battle maidens walked through the town. Heads turned their direction as hailed heroes of this world walked among the common people. Children ran away from their mothers just so they could wish a good morning to them.

One of the young girls adored the attention she was given and advised enthusiastic children on how to become like her. This child-loving lady has long straight black hair that reached nearly all the way to the ground, with one strand of her hair going upward. A light-blue headband with bows at the ends gave her quite a feminine look. In her dark cyan-colored eyes children and adults alike could always find joy, even in the grimmest of times.

Her silver chest-plated armor with though high silver boots with black stockings and silver gloves known around the world were shined in the busy streets. White robes acting as a long skirt finished her iconic look. However, the most iconic part of her equipment was undoubtedly her holy sword that saved countless others. Blue grip, a golden guard which looked like a bunch of leaves, and a titanium blade having a light blue color that was nearly glowing. Everyone knew her as Hero, the farm girl that saved the world.

The second warrior had brown-tannned skin, unlike Hero. She was a tall, voluptuous woman with long black hair tied in a pony-tail. As she watched Hero talking with children with her jade-colored eyes, she wondered if they'll ever reach the Temple of Law. Her armor isn't as shiny as Hero's, mainly because she has mix of leather and steel on her. Over her armor she dons blue overcoat with a pair of pauldrons. The overcoat and armor end just one the place where most men would diverge their eyes when they see her generous cleavage. Beside that, she wore heavily armored boots.

Sword Saint's weapon of choice was a sword. Not shiny and giant like her teammate's, but it gets the job done.

The third member was the shortest of the young warriors, barely higher than a child. She isn't showing as much of a skin as her other two party members do. Her white cloak with cat-like ears covered her completely, from head to toe. In addition she wore a light blue robe underneath. Under the cloak, she hides her dark blue hair, and her indigo eyes looked sleepy. As a mage of the party, she wields a large staff with a purple gem in at the end, surrounded by what looked like white feathers. They called her Sage.

"One day, I'm gonna be like you! I'll save the world!" one of the children who swarmed Hero yelled out.

Hero gigged as she knelt to the kid. "I have no doubt about that."

"I am gonna be as pretty as you one day!" One of the children yelled out. Hero turned around to face a little girl who made that statement. "Eat healthily and one day you will." She smiled at the little girl.

"WHOA! Is that the big sword that killed Demon Lord?!" One of the kids behind her asked when the little boy saw the giant blade on her back. Hero again giggled, turned around, pulled the blade from her back and showed it to the kid.

"The one and only." She replied with a wide grin as the boy reluctantly touched the legendary sword.

The forgotten duo outside of the swarming circle was meanwhile discussing other things. "Don't you want to step in? We'll never make it to Sword Maiden like this." Sword Saint asked.

Sage's head was balancing on her neck from side to side as she lazily blinked and yawned. "No... Not really. I… I am sleepy."

"Nothing new…" Sword Saint sighed as Sage smacked after the long yawn. It seems like she'll have to be the voice of reason… again. "Hero, we have to go!" Sword Saint yelled out to the crowd of kids and Hero.

"J-Just a minute!" Hero looked back for a second before resuming the conversation with children.

Sword Saint gritted her teeth in frustration. Like a battering ram, she forced her way through the group of children to her teammate. She then grabbed Hero's black hair and dragged her away from the crowd.

"Sword Saint, come on! Let me go! These kids need me!" Hero comically thrashed herself as she was pulled away from the crowd of kids all the while holding her sword in one hand. Sage with half-closed eyes followed her two best friends, however, due to her sleepy nature she quickly fell behind as Sword Saint quickly dragged hero out of everyone's sight.

"Come on Hero! We do not have time for this! We are already late!" Sword Saint scolded her friend in a dark alleyway out of everyone's eyes. Hero sat down, leaned against the wall looking up at her teammate with her legendary sword right beside her.

"Waaaaaah!" Hero wailed as a waterfall of tears rushed out of her eyes. "I just wanted to help everyone!" She said as her tears began forming a pool below them!

Sword Saint sighed loudly. "I know. I know. But we have to go and let Sword Maiden know we will participate in the festival. Don't you want to inspire all the kids at the festival to do great things?" Sword Saint knelt down.

Suddenly her eyes caught on fire and she raised up, with her legendary sword pointed above her. "To Sword Maiden and inspire everyone!" Sword Saint chuckled. Always trying to be the hero to everyone. It's that drive that caused her to become the chosen one to defeat the Demon Lord and in all three of them becoming Platinum ranked adventurers.

In the dark alleyway, a sudden glow from Sword Saint's neck distracted them. 友達 appeared on her neck in a dark blue color. However, not one of the platinum adventurers was surprised. A second later, a portal in the form of a wormhole with spiraling blue edges into the center of the wormhole appeared. Sage lazily stepped outside of the portal and yawned. The crystal ball on her magical staff was lightly glowing in blue light, but one the portal closed behind her, her crystal stopped glowing. As the portal shrunk and disappeared, the mark on Sword Saint's neck disappeared too.

"Please… don't run off like that." Sage quietly urged the other two. Thanks to the use of a portal, she became even more tired. Transportation magic is one of those that drain people immensely.

"Heh. Sorry." Sword Saint sheepishly scratched the back of her head. Hero put her giant sword back on her back and the trio of heroes began walking out of the dark alleyway, however, one of the members again fell behind. However, instead of Sage now it was Sword Saint.

Sword Saint began feeling… different. Her breathing suddenly became harsher and her head became light. It became worse and worse and on the exit of the tight alleyway, she had to stop and lean against the corner of the building.

"Girls…" She quietly said.

Fortunately for her, her two teammates heard her even from further away. "Something wrong?" Hero asked as she turned around.

Sword Saint's legs began shaking and trembling, and the brown-skinned girl felt a very familiar feeling. Her eyes widened immediately when she realized why. "They… they scammed me. Again." She said, her voice lacking it's usual spark. Sword Saint grunted in pain as her legs began moving abruptly on their own, causing her legs to get closer and closer together as she tried to resist. She began coughing heavily and had trouble breathing. She would collapse on the ground if it wasn't for Hero and her quick intervention, catching her teammate.

"Hang in there!" Hero tried to calm her friend as she was holding her in her arms. She quickly swept Sword Saint of her feet and haled her in her arms, bridal style, as her friend began coughing and twisting in her arms more and more.

"Sage, we need the potion! Find it! I'll be somewhere at the beach in case you won't find it." Hero quickly took lead and came with a solution to this precarious situation.

Sage sleepy eyes suddenly opened all the way and her body stiffened its posture. "On my way!" Sage turned around and ran into town looking for the potion. "Poor Sword Saint." She thought as she was running as fast as she could to the closest alchemist.

Meanwhile, Hero ran with Sword Saint to the beach. Sword Saint had her eyes closed, grunting as the pain became more and more intense. Two pale lines began appearing on each side of her neck and her legs trembled more and more. "It… It hurts." She whimpered in Hero's arms.

"I know. I know…" Hero said with sadness as this was not the first time this happened. "Do not worry, you'll be fine soon enough. Sage will come back with the real Dopura Potion and everything will be fine." she smiled sadly.

"URGH!" Sword Saint grunted through the pain, gripping Hero's arm convulsively.

"I swear, I will find the bastard who sold us the fake potion and beat him up so no one will recognize the bastard!" Hero thought angrily, she ran through the surprised crowd of people across the bridge in Water Town. Heads were again turning their way, as one of the most powerful people in the world wailed in pain in Hero's arms.


Author's note: Aaaaand cut! Hero appeared! Yay! So feel free to share your opinions on our three platinum ranks. And yeah, I know only Hero is Platinum Rank in the original, but I think that's stupid. They all went there and defeated the demon Lord together, yet only Hero gets all the praise? I call BS on that. She can be known as the one who delivered the finishing blow and the one who created this legendary party, but to dismiss the contributions of the other girls is just plain stupid. So all three are plats.

On the topic of ranks, the idea to promote Priestess as well came to me on the spot. I think she deserves it. Supports get no love.

Goblin Slayer got a new toy and Amazon Warrior is coming for the D so that's something.

But most importantly, Goblin Slayer has a date! That's on a standing ovation for our broken hero. Though how that will go down even yours truly doesn't have a clue yet.

Anyway, I am eager to read your reviews and hopefully I will manage to pump out next chapter in a month max. I am getting fed up with how far on the schedule I am too.

See ya guys!