Disclaimer: I do NOT own Goblin Slayer.
Author's note: I am still not dead! Sorry for the long update, but I just couldn't bring myself to write another chapter. Writer's block I guess. Anyway, hope you all are safe and sound during this time, and enjoy the next chapter. I'll try to post another chapter sooner. Thanks to all the readers who stick around even when my publish schedule is all over the place. We are nearing 1 000 follows which is incredible. I hope with such a folowing, I will be able to post more and finish the story. Now to replies!
54godamora, Guest, jdrussom66, HeavenStar 18, PasiveNox, Imagine breaker, Arios, MegaMechaSloth emoryjmorill: Thanks for the praise!
Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov: Well, I hope to get to the end Cow Girl sees, but I am afraid it's a long way to go.
Not only Priestess. They are all ready to blow the gasket.
Innuendos without Witch? I think that is not possible buddy. She is still that teasing girl.
As for the ballad at the end, Yeah. I came up with that.
I write from a certain point of view in every paragraph, if you really think about it. But I get what you mean. Do not worry, I will not change my writing style.
LeozinPS: Well, yeah. Priestess, High Elf Ranger and Sword Maiden will bet he main players next few chapters.
TheGreatBubbaJ: That is the whole point of the story. At least that's what I am trying to convey. The slow transition from not thinking about anything other than goblins, to slowly realize, there is more to life than those lil buggers.
TechnicalJoker: He sure is, and that's why it's fun to think about it.
Xerzo LotCN: I belive I already mentioned which route will this story také regarding the romance choices. Ow yeah, Goblin Slayer will have a lot of things to juggle with so many girls now in the race. Thanks, I came up with the song.
WeebGod69: Thanks a lot for the praise. One of the things that kept me going. About Sword Maiden, I consider her the strongest girl in the whole. Mentally of course.
Dracus6: Maybe
Halo: Another maybe.
korpofkriegsoldier26: Great idea, though he just came up with the sword. It will také a while before he'll think about more upgrades.
Akuma-Heika: I believe i tis mentioned in my story that Demon Lord was defeted by Sword Maiden's party. Not killed. A little difference. Sword Maiden and her party are still Gold. I want the Hero trio to be useful as a unit.
daniel2610994: Sorry. Witch is with Spearman in this story. I can't just throw every single female in the series at Goblin Slayer. It is hard to keep a track of them even now.
Guest: Witcher fan I see. Nice.
guyNumber26: Is you are wondering about HEA, then read this chapter. She has a good portion o fit dedicated to her. Thanks for the praise!
Evowizard25: Ooooo. Yeah. Sword Maiden will not be subtle at all. This chapter is the proof of that. Now it's only up to the last 3 to confess so the main 5 girls are at the same level in this race.
DragonCoyote: Hi! Thanks for the praise! Yeah, she did that kinda in perpose. She is already marking her territory. And yes, High Elf Ranger was a few minutes away from making a bigger scene.
Issac LB: Pretty much
Mewtwo-TheLoneShadow: Thanks for the praise. Even when I am learning english at university, I still think I write poorly. So many mistakes…
Mandalore Requiem: I already found another. But thanks!
Curse of Whimsy: Thanks that you gave it a chance!
jrmcvay442: Thanks and I hope you'll finish the story!
Guest: Sorry about the 2-month long cliffhanger.
holyscythe: Thanks. Juggling the girls is probably the hardest thing to do in this story. I am trying to give each of them screentime. And today, finally, the two girls I was leaving out get that screentime.
Z. L. C. genesmith: I believe I already wrote it in some AN which girls are gonna end in his harem. So you can look it up oooooor, leave it be and get surprised.
TalonIbnLaAhad: Thank you and I am glad you are enjoying the story.
Thanks to the two guys who got in touch with me, and went through the chapter. I thank you both No-Named-Dude and thomaspawloski6. Now onto the chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 16: Knight's reward
The two moons shone on the world where everything is decided by two dice. An ordinary wooden carriage filled with brave adventurers and dairy goods rode on the empty dirt path between the various wheat fields.
Goblin Slayer was currently in his seat directing the two horses, giving a gentle tugging at the reins whenever necessary. It was sometime after midnight, and everyone in the carriage was sleeping soundly, even throughout the bumpy road.
The armored man hoped to feel better after venturing on another adventure. To feel at ease again. Going on goblin quests had always cleansed his mind from unnecessary distractions. However, his mind refused to stay in the calm and stoic state it was before everything took a drastic turn. The quiet man considered giving the reins to Dwarf Shaman for a while so he could rest during the day, since sunlight would make him sleepy anyway, and in his dreams, he would be free of those thoughts. He quickly shook the thought from his head, as Lilie would not listen to him. God only knows what would happen to the carriage if he let a stranger take the reins with Lilie in the front.
Anyway, since that was not possible, he simply drunk a few flasks of bear blood he took with him and continued driving himself. Hopefully, he will get a nice good rest once they reach Water Town. Goblin Slayer was hoping to try and decrease the amount of blood he was consuming right now, mainly because it was getting addicting.
Blood aside, the biggest problems in his life were girls, as crazy as that sounds. The worst part of it was that he never had problems with girls, and thus he had no clue what to do. Having one girl after him was still solvable, but two? What then? Just that thought alone was giving him a headache. How was he supposed to figure it out when his head hurt from just thinking about it?
Cow Girl… as with Guild Girl, he had so many questions. The most prominent one being, 'what does he do that makes pretty girls fall in love with him'? Speaking of pretty girls, he was becoming more and more aware of just how beautiful both Guild Girl and Cow Girl were, even though their physiques differed quite substantially.
The worst part of all of this, was that if he agrees to the date with Guild Girl, Cow Girl will cry. If he declines Guild Girl because of Cow Girl, Guild Girl would cry. And if he backs off from everything, BOTH will most likely cry. What was he supposed to do then?
Goblin Slayer sighed "Why?... How? How is it possible that I got into this situation?" he then looked to the skies with the two moons shining down from above. "Is this your doing big sis? Are you sending those guardian angels you spoke of my way? It has to be you, otherwise, I have no idea why else two caring, compassionate, beautiful girls would come my way to take care of me." Goblin Slayer thought about the girls and of the things they gave him for the road ahead. The handkerchief box was currently placed in the seat next to him, while the extra wheel of cheese that Cow Girl usually stored for him in the storage room on the farm for when he went on longer journeys, was in the back of the carriage. Thinking about it more, there were more girls taking care of him than just those two. However, the other ones at least didn't love him. It was already chaotic enough as is with just the two of them. He couldn't begin to imagine the absolute chaos that scenario would create…
The box Guild Girl gave him constantly reminded him of the precarious situation he found himself in. Better open it up. The sooner he can get rid of the box, the sooner his mind would be free of those thoughts. Goblin Slayer wrapped the reigns around a small protruding wooden pole next to him and took the wrapped item into his hands.
When he placed it in his lap, he began to pull on the knot and slowly unwrapped the oak wooden box. Just the sight of the little wooden container surprised him. The lid of the box had a big heart carved in the middle. Goblin Slayer blankly stared at it for several seconds. Goblin Slayer gave a notably loud he gulp in anticipation. For the first time in a long time…. he was nervous.
"I had no idea it was this serious." he thought. Guild Girl always seemed so… meek. He thought this would continue even when he so foolishly agreed to the date. But she is really… dare he say it, aggressive with her pursuit of him. "If only it was a goblin chasing me. Much easier to deal with."
Anyway, he shook those thoughts away and opened the box. When he looked inside, 16 more hearts appeared in front of him. This time, there were four rows of four kinds of chocolates. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, and some kind of chocolate covered in pink glaze, all in the shape of hearts. "That's… a lot of hearts." shocked Goblin Slayer thought.
His enhanced eyes quickly noticed the chocolates, which were each separated by wooden sticks, sat atop of some piece of paper. Goblin Slayer pulled out the wooden bar that separated the chocolates and picked the piece of the letter under the chocolates. And when he turned the paper around, Guild Girl's handwriting came into the view.
Hi Goblin Slayer-san,
First of all, I hope you found this letter at the bottom of the box. If not, well, this is pointless I suppose. But if you are reading this, I hope you enjoyed the chocolates!
I did not know which one you liked, so I made various kinds in hopes to satisfy your palate. I guess you like dark chocolate, but who knows? You may like sweet things. I hope once you return, I will learn more about you, that way I know what to bake next!
Inspector warned me I may be taking things too fast when I was baking the chocolates. I would like to say, scaring you is the last thing I want to do. I just want you to know, I am serious. I love you. Truth be told, I loved you for a while. Maybe that is why I am all excited to do these kinds of things for you, and for the date you promised. My wishes finally came true.
Anyway, have a safe journey, and please, return to me. I will miss you.
With love, Guild Girl.
Goblin Slayer sighed out once he had finished reading the letter. He thought these kinds of declarations of love were for later, and even Inspector thought so. Nevertheless, it was just a wild guess. Maybe it's more common than he thinks. "I will need to read some romance novels to know how these things work…" Goblin Slayer mused.
Goblin Slayer gently folded the letter, put it back into the box, and placed the open box next to him. As he was riding to Water Town, Goblin Slayer began slowly eating the chocolates Guild Girl had made for him. And Guild Girl was right. He liked dark chocolate the most.
As the sun was shining on Water Town, Sword Maiden stood on the wharf in the Temple of Law complex. The weather was unusually warm for autumn. People could very well sunbathe on the beaches in Water Town. She finds herself often just standing on the wharf, listening to the waves wash the beach, seagulls caw, and wind blow.
She had to clear her head after a visit from Hero and Sage. In hopes to help their third teammate and friend, the two platinum ranked heroes shared their secret with Sword Maiden. How they could keep it a secret for so long, she had no idea.
Sword Maiden calmly sat on the edge of the wharf and dipped her feet into the water. The blonde-haired archbishop didn't bother to take off her high sandals. She dropped her staff on the edge of the wharf and gently dipped her hand in the warm seawater. The way the water ran between her fingers and several small fish swam around her hand, made her smile. She let the fish dance around her fingers until she pulled her hand back up.
"Sword Saint… one of the best swordswomen the world has to offer… is a brown-skinned mermaid… who would have thought." she thought.
Merman; usually fair-skinned, sometimes with tints of blue half-human creatures, living in the deep seas of their world. Travelers would often find them somewhere on their voyages throughout the seas, mapping the world. Usually, they found the curious and rebellious mermaid teenagers, who would want to know the unknown.
And even when the history of people on the ground and half-humans of the seas didn't have the happiest start, the surface-dwellers and mermen currently had a beneficial relationship. But even then, there were exceedingly rare instances of humans marrying mermaids and living in houses on the shores together.
Sword Maiden once visited such a house when a daughter of a mixed couple got sick. It was truly a unique house. The canals in the house for the wife and daughter with seawater running through, and the wood floor for the husband connected in such a seamless way it amazed her. Human engineering at its finest.
However, she never heard of a brown-skinned mermaid until now. It was a shame Hero didn't want to share why she had such a unique skin color for her kind. Not that it mattered now. Sword Maiden could only hope that the alchemist outside of the town will have the potion that will turn her temporarily back into a human once again and that all three will be prepared for the festival.
Sword Maiden leaned back, to the half-lying position, her hands supporting her. She let her mind wander, enjoying the silence, the sun warming up her skin, and the water running between her toes.
"Sword Maiden. Stop sunbathing. You have visitors."
"Mother Superior." Sword Maiden turned her head around. Not that she could see her, but it was just the force of habit from the time that she could.
"Yes, I am Mother Superior. Now get up." the older woman snarkily replied.
Sword Maiden giggled. "Of course. Of course." she lazily stood up, not wanting to go back to her duties.
"By the gods, you get up as slowly as an old hag like I am. Hurry up a little!" Mother Superior commented on the slow, lazy, elegant way Sword Maiden was pulling up herself and the staff next to her.
"Make me." Sword Maiden teased the older woman as Sword Maiden stretched her arms to make Mother Superior even grumpier.
However, it did not go as planned. Mother Superior conjured a malicious smile. "Fine. Your knight has returned."
Sword Maiden's staff dropped to the ground. Her lips opened slightly and her eyes behind the blindfold widened. "What did you say?" Sword Maiden asked, excitement beginning to show in her voice.
"Like I said. He is here. He answered your call. He is waiting for you right now. So-" Mother Superior began but never finished.
In the blink of an eye, Sword Maiden ran past her back to the temple, completely ignoring the staff she had dropped and left behind. Mother Superior sighed in minor irritation before walking to the edge of the wharf and picking up the staff.
Sword Maiden's feet ran on their own through the familiar grounds of the Temple of Law. Her blonde hair was flowing in the wind as she was running up the white stairs, back to the temple. He was alive and well. And he had come back. And this time, she will not let him leave without her, or at least not without telling him what he meant to her.
Upon reaching her destination, she opened the Temple of Laws back entrance and ran through the spacious, white, marble walls of the temple. The blind archbishop could already hear him. Well, not him exactly, but the girls who were in his party. The little blonde priestess, and loud elf.
"He is going with me!" she heard one of them say.
"N-No! I-I asked first!" the other, more childlike voice said as Sword Maiden slowed down her run and began walking calmly to the main hall.
"That incoherent mumble of yours doesn't count! Nobody understood you! Not even him!"
"B-but I still asked him before you!" one of the girls chirped.
Sword Maiden turned around the corner, where the spacious main hall span. The hall was nearly as big as Twilight Town's square, with white stone floor and marble pillars supporting the middle of the temple. And in that center, is where he stood. With the two girls pulling one of each of his arms, basically playing a tug-of-war with him… along with a little bear hugging Goblin Slayer's leg at the bottom.
"Lady High Elf Ranger, why do you want to visit the Sea Festival with sir Goblin Slayer?" Lizard Priest said with his unique reptilian accent.
"What!?" High Elf Ranger yelled out.
"You never seemed interested in Goblin Slayer beyond our goblin hunts." Dwarf Shaman added with a raised eyebrow.
"W-well, now I want to! We are gonna live in Twilight Town, aren't we? And we will be seeing him more often. What is so weird about wanting to know more about him?!" High Elf Ranger hastily replied, still clinging to Goblin Slayer's left arm.
"… Good point." Dwarf Shaman remarked, to which High Elf smirked victoriously in return.
"So, back off Priestess! I will be his escort for when the Sea Festival comes!" High Elf Archer explained, turning back to the little blond girl.
"No! I was first!" the petite blonde clung to Goblin Slayer's right arm even further in defiance. She was nearly hanging onto his arm due to her smaller height, even for her age.
"This again?! It doesn't count!" High Elf yelled out, poking her head from the side of Goblin Slayer to see Priestess.
"It does!" Priestess mirrored the elf's action from Goblin Slayer's other end.
And thus, the banter continued. Sword Maiden took a deep breath in and focused on her environment. Focused, on Goblin Slayer in the middle of the room, with her ears. As the two were arguing for him, Goblin Slayer seemed, a little different. Not quite how she remembered him. He was quiet, yes, that was never gonna change, but with her ears, she picked up that Goblin Slayer was breathing hastily. He was sighing out loud. As before, you could never tell what he is feeling, but now it was obvious he was tired. Perhaps from the journey here? Or perhaps from the two girls fighting over him. She would have to go with the latter one.
"Why don't you girls let him decide? I am curious who he'll choose." Dwarf Shaman smiled. And from the looks of it, even Lizard Priest was intrigued who Goblin Slayer would prefer.
"Alright, Orcbolg. Who do you want to accompany you? Me, or this pipsqueak?" High Elf Ranger asked, pressing herself against Goblin Slayer's arm even more.
"I-I am not a pipsqueak!" Priestess did the same with Goblin Slayer's second arm, with a roaring support of Kuma.
Goblin Slayer sighed out loudly this time, to the point everyone could hear it. He slowly lifted his head up a little more, but before he could look at the girls at the side, he saw Sword Maiden standing at the doors next to the confession box in the back of the hall.
"Sword Maiden." came the simple response, which others misinterpreted as his choice of companionship rather than a simple notice of the archbishop.
"Huh?!" Priestess blinked in confusion.
"WHAT?!" High Elf Ranger yelled out.
With a blushing face, Sword Maiden walked to the group of adventurers. She could only dream that Goblin Slayer would take her to the festival. It was not because he was a difficult person to convince, but mainly because she had a lot of responsibilities to attend to during the festival.
"Ara, Ara. I am flattered, but I am afraid I must refuse, my beloved. I have other responsibilities to attend to during the festival."
"Sword Maiden-sama, it is a pleasure to meet you again." Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest bowed their heads.
A flustered Priestess immediately unwrapped herself from Goblin Slayer's arm and picked up Kuma, as a light pink adorned her cheeks. She hastily tried to straighten her robes as she replied. "O-oh. S-Sword Maiden-sama. A pleasure to meet you again t-too." she stammered.
High Elf Ranger let go of Goblin Slayer's arm too, pushing him from her like she didn't even know him. "Yeah. Pleasure to meet you." the lime haired elf bitterly scoffed.
"Welcome to the Temple of Law once again. I am beyond pleased with your presence, Goblin Slayer-san. I was beginning to think you would not show up." Sword Maiden smiled as she gracefully walked down the few marble steps. Walking down the blue carpet in the middle of the room over the white floor Sword Maiden was getting closer and closer to the people in the center of the hall.
"I promised. I had to return." Goblin Slayer simply replied.
"And I am eternally grateful. You truly are a man of your word." Sword Maiden stopped right in front of Goblin Slayer. Sword Maiden raised her hands and reached for Goblin Slayer's face. Unfortunately, he had his helmet on. She ran her smooth hands over the steel, feeling several scratches on the helmet. Moving her head up, she felt the broken horns, the signature look of Goblin Slayer's helmet.
"May I? I need to feel you once more." Sword Maiden asked, her voice quiet, gentle, sincere with a hint of seduction in it.
"WHA-?" High Elf Ranger was ready to yell out.
"Leave them be." Dwarf Shaman interrupted the High Elf Ranger. They all knew what goblins did to Sword Maiden, and clearly, Sword Maiden needed this moment.
"Yeah." Goblin Slayer answered after a minute of silence. There was a clear hesitation in his words.
Sword Maiden smiled again before lowering her hand down to his chin. There she looked for the straps holding the helmet in place. She unbuckled the straps, took the helmet by the broken horns, and pulled it off Goblin Slayer, dropping it on the ground next to her.
Even when she couldn't see, she knew it was him. His scent was unmistakable. The scent of wood, sweat, and blood. Though now, the blood scent was quite different from the ones she smelled before. Sword Maiden touched Goblin Slayer's face, mapping the surface.
She never had an opportunity to feel his face. His skin would be smooth if it weren't for the scars on his cheeks. He had thinner lips and a smaller nose. Running her hand around his cheeks, she felt a bristle growing there. That brought her hand higher, to his hair. They were short, ruffled, like a bird's nest. Also, a little bit oily from the long journey.
The shadows he was casting began forming a much clearer picture of him in her mind. He looked exactly how she imagined him. She smiled again.
Sword Maiden snuck her hands behind Goblin Slayer's head, brought him down a little, and pressed her lips against his.
"Would ya look at that." Dwarf Shaman whistled and laughed in the back.
"Oh my." Lizard Priest stated, eyes widening in astonishment.
"What is she doing?!" High Elf Ranger yelled/asked.
"Ohhh, I am pretty sure you know what this is." Dwarf Shaman again chuckled as Priestess groaned in the background.
Sword Maiden didn't pay attention to them, only focusing on locking her lips with Goblin Slayer. The first kiss was always awkward. But the first kiss with Goblin Slayer was even more awkward. He just did not react. At all. She kept her lips locked with him for several seconds, but nothing happened.
Which was not a bad sign per se. He didn't push her away or step aside, so that's something good at least. As she had her lips locked with Goblin Slayer, she noticed he had rather rough lips. It didn't came as a surprise to her though, she imagined him being a little rougher all around. She just hopes Goblin Slayer likes her lips on his. Anyway, seeing that this was going nowhere, Sword Maiden pulled away from Goblin Slayer. Sword Maiden thought this would shock Goblin Slayer, but somehow, he remained calm and collected as if nothing happened.
"Do you have some rooms prepared for us? Or should we find an inn in the town?" Goblin Slayer said, his voice monotone as usual
Sword Maiden widened her eyes under the blindfold. "Don't you want to know why I did that?" she asked.
"I have my suspicion, but I would rather not talk about it now. Later." Goblin Slayer replied, picking up his helmet from the ground, putting it back on.
"Fine then. As for your rooms, that can be arranged." Sword Maiden smiled again.
"HOLD UP A MINUTE! WHAT WAS THAT KISS SUPPOSE TO MEAN?!" High Elf yelled again.
"If I had to guess, I would say something along the lines of a Knight's Welcome." Dwarf Shaman shrugged his shoulders.
Ahh. The loud angry elf. Sword Maiden remembered that one. And Priestess is here too, though the little blonde is as quiet and shy as usual. Lizard Priest was polite and watching from behind, and Dwarf Shaman again always had something clever to say. What a group.
"Knight's Welcome. I like that. A name fitting for the start of a new ballad." Sword Maiden turned her head back, addressing the voice of Dwarf Shaman. "Now. This place has a lot of rooms. You four will each have your own space to reside in, with one shared room as a place to meet each other and discuss your further plans."
"Wait, you four?" Priestess finally spoke. "Where will Goblin Slayer-san stay?"
"He shall stay in my room." Sword Maiden seductively said, locking her eyes with Goblin Slayer.
"WHAT?!" this time, both High Elf Ranger and Priestess yelled out.
"Where will you stay then?" Goblin Slayer asked.
"There with you. If you don't mind, my beloved." Sword Maiden pressed her hand against Goblin Slayer's breastplate, getting closer to Goblin Slayer, much to the displeasure of the other girls in the room.
Sword Maiden picked up the frustrating grunt behind his helmet. "Fine." he answered. Sword Maiden couldn't help but smile even more, as she pulled her hand back from his armor.
"Why are you staying with him in the same room?! And why do you call him 'my beloved'?" High Elf Ranger yelled out, getting angrier and angrier with Sword Maiden.
"Is it because of the nightmares you wrote about, Sword Maiden-sama?" Priestess asked, her voice filled with concern for the older blonde.
"You read the letter?" Sword Maiden asked, turning away from Goblin Slayer to the blonde priestess.
"We all did, lady Sword Maiden. Sir Goblin Slayer let us read the letter." Lizard Priest politely answered.
"If you must know, yes. It's because of my restless sleep." Sword Maiden replied, with her usual seductive voice replaced with a saddened undertone and sincere thoughts. "Now, if that's all, allow me to walk you through the temple and show you to your rooms." Sword Maiden quickly changed her saddened expression back to a smile and gestured to the group to follow her.
"Wait a minute! What was that letter about?! What is this thing with nightmares? What is happening!?" High Elf Ranger yelled out.
All eyes turned to Sword Maiden. Some were vehemently looking for answers, others were just concerned for her wellbeing, and some were just simply curious. Fortunately for Sword Maiden, Dwarf Shaman figured out that this was a very much a private matter. "I think this is not something we are supposed to know. Let us just go to our rooms." Dwarf Shaman sighed. The others agreeing.
Goblin Slayer finally arrived in his room, with Sword Maiden. Sword Maiden had walked them through the temple and showed his party to their rooms. As he expected, it was nicely equipped. The Temple of Law lives up to the high expectations as the religious center of the lands around Water Town. Now in Sword Maiden's room, it was quite similar to the room he woke up to the last time he was here. Only bigger and more equipped. White and gold were the primary colors in the room. Table, chairs, bed, wardrobe, other closets, and more were white with gold metal parts. Few plants around provided some green color in the room.
Goblin Slayer didn't pay too much attention, however. The only thing he was interested in was the bed. He was soooo tired. Riding day and night to Water Town with only a few flasks of blood drunk in between does that too you. Not to mention, the sun was shining brightly today. If he had not worn his armor, he would have most likely already passed out. He also hoped Lilie does not cause any trouble. He explicitly said to the stable-master to not go near her if he wants to keep all of his fingers.
"What can I do for you, my beloved?" Sword Maiden asked from behind him, as they entered the room. He turned to her.
"I drove through day and night. I want to relax and sleep." Goblin Slayer said.
"Oh, of course, be my guest. Please, lie down." Sword Maiden quickly replied, gesturing towards her big double-sized bed.
Goblin Slayer raised an eyebrow under his helm. "Isn't that your bed?"
"It is big enough for both of us." Sword Maiden said with a matter-of-factly.
Ok, this was escalating really fast. Couldn't he have a moment without anyone chasing after him? Lately, no one has been leaving him alone. Especially the girls.
Getting here was supposed to take care of that! Guild Girl and Cow Girl would stay home, his friends will be in their own rooms, and he would have a room for himself to have some quiet, peaceful time to think about everything. That was how it was supposed to go. But no, Sword Maiden came in and changed his plans. Maybe he should go to the inn. There he would have peace and quiet. If only the inn was free like here…
And that kiss. Actually his first kiss, not counting the ones he got on the cheeks from his sister, and recently Guild Girl. First word that came to mind describing the experience was soft. He knew female form is softer compared to the male form, but the difference is staggering. Maybe it's thanks to his vampire enhancements, but it felt like a warm fluffy cloud touched his lips. The same goes for Sword Maiden's hands when they mapped his face. So gentle and warm...
"Take of your armor, lay down on your stomach, and let your body rest. I will take care of your aching muscles." Sword Maiden said.
"…" Goblin Slayer sighed out. "Whatever. I am too tired to stop her anyway."
As Goblin Slayer began loosening up the straps on his armor, he noticed Sword Maiden got an armor stand into her bedroom. Why she had this, he had no idea. If male visits were frequent in her bedroom, then he would not be surprised to see it here. BUT, she is an archbishop. Plus, behind her seductive mask, there is a very damaged and vulnerable young maiden who never recovered from the horrific experience that happened to her. Goblin Slayer knows this very well. Women who ran through goblin hands turn to church most of the time. Not to other men to fool around, as that is the last thing on their mind.
But, as usual, he didn't question people about trivial, unimportant details he notices on an everyday basis. So, after taking of his armor one piece at a time, he put it on the white armor stand that he was previously just thinking about. As he began undressing his black undershirt, he noticed Sword Maiden stood behind him, patiently waiting for him to lie down. Goblin Slayer didn't think about it too much. He just wanted to get some rest. And so, he climbed on her bed, laying on his stomach, with his head resting on his crossed hands.
"Let's just get this over with." Goblin Slayer thought.
However, even when Goblin Slayer knew a massage on his back was incoming, he was not ready. As Goblin Slayer closed his eyes, nearly falling asleep mere seconds after closing them, he stopped paying attention to his surroundings. If he would have paid attention, he would have noticed Sword Maiden was currently undressing from her archbishop robes. And unlike Goblin Slayer who still at least wore his pants, Sword Maiden had dropped EVERYTHING, even the blindfold.
As Goblin Slayer lay there, he suddenly felt someone sit down on his lower back, his eyes immediately opened again at the sensation. He felt how something exceptionally soft and plump engulfed both sides of his lower back, no doubt her bare thighs. He kinda expected that one, however, what he didn't expect was to have something slightly wet press right in the center of his lower back. "Why aren't you wearing anything?" Goblin Slayer asked, his tone not giving any hint of surprise away.
"Are you bothered by the lack of underwear on my part, my beloved?" Sword Maiden playfully said, running her hands through Goblin Slayer's back.
That was a good question. Was he bothered by it? It was certainly surprising, but was it unpleasant? Well… not necessarily. The reason why he is so indifferent about it is the fact he often doesn't let other people touch him. So when so much human contact like this comes up, him basically being engulfed in a woman's softness, he… was actually more fond of it than he would like to admit.
"I am not bothered. Just surprised." Goblin Slayer said.
Goblin Slayer then heard one of the sweetest giggles of his life. Playful, seductive and innocent, all mixed into one sound from Sword Maiden. "I am glad. Now, just relax and enjoy a Knight's reward for answering a maiden's call."
And Goblin Slayer, with closed eyes, really did try and relax. Even to fall sleep. But with a naked girl sitting on his back, running her soft hands through his back, loosening up his muscles does wonders even to a stoic man like Goblin Slayer.
"Oh my, you are so stiff. How long have you ridden?" Sword Maiden said as she put more pressure into Goblin Slayer's back muscles.
"Three days." Goblin Slayer replied.
"All of that, just for me." Sword Maiden quietly said, almost a whisper, as a smile adorned her face that Goblin Slayer couldn't see.
"And goblins." Goblin Slayer added simply.
Sword Maiden giggled. "And goblins…" she repeated.
"My oh my. You are one handsome man I have to say. The structure of your back is absolutely outstanding." Sword Maiden moaned during the praise of Goblin Slayer.
"… Right." Goblin Slayer answered. Believe it or not, the comment about his back did not surprise him. He already knew what she thought about it. And how does he know that you may ask? Well, the wet area on his lower back got five times wetter as soon as Sword Maiden began running her hands through his back
And judging from the sounds Sword Maiden was currently making, he was beginning to think she was enjoying this way more than she should have. Worst of all, even when he didn't peak at her naked body, his friend between his legs got up just from Sword Maiden's slight moans alone.
Goblin Slayer began squirming a little to find a more comfortable position, but it was no use. The only way to be comfortable would be to lie on his back and show Sword Maiden what she caused between his legs.
Sword Maiden chuckled when she noticed Goblin Slayer's light squirming. "Are you uncomfortable, my beloved?" she seductively said between the moans, all the while running her slender fingers across his back. Goblin Slayer also noticed how she began slightly grinding against his body.
"Yeah." Goblin Slayer replied, still sounding like nothing was affecting him.
She again giggled. "Will this help?"
The seductress, as Goblin Slayer now saw her, stroked his shoulders, sensually ran her hands down his arms, and gently lied down on him, pressing her bare breasts against his back. This, once again made Goblin Slayer's eyes wide open.
Compared to Priestess, Sword Maiden's were completely different in touch. First off, when Priestess had laid curled up against his chest those two times in the past, he could easily feel her stomach, alongside her smaller, but no less perky breasts. However, that was not the case here. Marshmallow like softballs squished against his back, with Sword Maiden's stomach not being able to touch his back, even when she now lied on him. Another thing was that he could feel two round, hardened points pressing against him. Again, compared to Priestess's, they were bigger.
Goblin Slayer could not help but curse his mind right now. His analytic mind is the greatest asset he possessed in his quest to kill them all. Paying attention to the greatest of details in things he finds important or useful always helped. However, now, he would rather not have that skill, or he might drill a hole into the mattress.
"How are you feeling right now, my beloved?" Sword Maiden whispered to Goblin Slayer's ear.
"Unco-"
Suddenly, the door to Sword Maiden's room opened, and Mother Superior with Sword Maiden's staff walked in.
"Alright, next time, I'll leave your sta-" Mother Superior blinked a few times when she saw a very naked Sword Maiden lying on Goblin Slayer's back.
"Shouldn't he be on his back and you on top of him? I am no expert in these things, but you'll get nowhere like this." the smug nun replied. And Sword Maiden giggled.
"In time Mother Superior. In time…" Sword Maiden snuggled her head in the back of Goblin Slayer's neck.
"Wait, what?!" Goblin Slayer's mind screamed upon catching that innuendo. To be honest, he understood the implications ever since he read that letter, but he had hoped to kind of put out the fire before it spreads, and only have two girls to deal with. It would seem like putting out the fire was pointless now, since as with Cow Girl and Guild Girl, this was a fucking forest fire. The massage, then this… "Is there even a way out of this without hurting anyone now?" he thought. Worst of all, Sword Maiden is the most vulnerable of the three chasing him. What was he supposed to do?!
"Anyway, we have work to do. The festival is in three days and the praying places and religious stands we oversee are still not standing! Up with you and let's get to work! He won't run away!" Mother Superior gestured towards the town in the window.
"Alright, alright, alright." Sword Maiden said. "Rest my beloved. I'll see you later." Sword Maiden kissed his cheek, got up from him, dressed up, walked up to Mother Superior, took the staff, and closed the door of her bedroom, with a baffled Goblin Slayer still inside.
Goblin Slayer had thought Guild Girl was moving fast on him, but this was a completely different level of fast. "I wanted this to be a relaxing trip. And yet, there is more chaos here than in Twilight Town."
High Elf Ranger and Priestess arguing who will be his date during the festival. Sword Maiden pulling out all the charms the woman had to lure him in. Then there was the Guild Girl's letter he still had in his possession. Sigh. "I better get some sleep. I have a feeling that I will not be getting much of that here." And then, after two days of travel without betting an eye, Goblin Slayer finally slept.
Frustrated High Elf Ranger was training her archery on the training grounds of the Temple of Law. Why does a religious temple have training grounds? Well, the guards must train somewhere, don't they? Shooting arrow after arrow right into the center of the clout wasn't satisfactory though. She wanted to punch something.
She absolutely hated what was happening to her. At first, she ignored it, not making much of it. But now, it had gotten to a point where she could not just ignore any longer. Every girl around him is flocking to him and slowly but surely, nesting. Even the meek Priestess had made a move. When there were just hints, it didn't bother her, but now, it does.
Frustrated, the elven noble threw her bow away, angrily yelling into the skies. "AAAAAARRRRGHHHH! I should have just stayed in the Elven Forest! This would not have happened! T-t-these feelings! I hate it! CURSE YOU ORCBOLG!"
Going on an adventure into the world. What could go wrong? She was quite naïve back then. A lot of things could have happened. Death, injury, kidnapping, and more. Everything could go wrong. But out of all the things that could go wrong, love was the least of her worries.
Who would want a filthy human peasant, when you are an elf of the highest standing in elven society? Even worse, this guy is constantly covered in blood and guts, hates human interaction, is completely weird, and has an unhealthy obsession with goblins. Why him?! Why?!
High Elf Ranger sat on the ground, pouting, looking offended for… nothing really.
"You look like a child who just threw an temper tantrum. Quite a funny sight I have to say."
Dwarf Shaman approached the lonely lime green-haired elf in the middle of the training grounds. Immediately her cheeks flushed pink in color. Though instead of acting shy and embarrassed, she got even angrier. "What are you doing here?!" she yelled.
"Exploring the temple." Dwarf Shaman laughed and took a sip from the gourd he always carried with him.
It annoyed her even more. Always acting so smug and all-knowing. And what's worse, he indeed knows a lot, and he constantly rubs it in her face. Despite him being 1,900 years younger than her! How could he know so much already?! It takes millennia for Elves to gain such wisdom!
"Well, this is the Temple of Law's training grounds. Clouts there, training dummies there, duel battlegrounds there, and sword practice over there. Done. Now you can leave and leave me alone here." High Elf Ranger spat back. She pointed at every important piece of equipment on the training grounds and again slumped to her offending ways. She didn't need him rubbing her mistakes in her face. Even with no idea what she did wrong, the old geezer would always find something to rile her up with.
"Not so fast, princess. I heard you yelling some interesting things." Dwarf Shaman smirked.
"STOP WITH THE PRINCESS THING! YOU KNOW I HATE WHEN YOU CALL-" High Elf Ranger stopped yelling for a second. "Y-y-you heard me?!"
"Even though my ears aren't what they used to be, you make me feel like my hearing is as good as it was in my youth." Dwarf Shaman chuckled, taking another jab at the High Elf as he approached the sitting archer.
For a brief second, High Elf Ranger's face turned into a horror. Out of all the people that could have figure it out, it was her worst frienemy. "W-w-well, I have no idea what you heard, but I can assure you, you are imagining things" High Elf Ranger stuttered back, calming down a little, trying to get out of the predicament she founds herself in.
"Oooh. I not only heard things; I've seen things. And what you yelled connects the pieces in this puzzle just right." Dwarf Shaman smiled at her. He then sat beside her on the training grounds. "Let's talk."
"I told you, whatever you heard, you imagined it!" High Elf Ranger turned to Dwarf Shaman with fury in her face. The dwarf and elf now sat directly opposite of each other. The calm dwarf sat on his knees, and the furious elf sat in a crossed leg position.
"You are a stubborn one, aren't ya? Be it taking orders, or simple acceptance of love." Dwarf Shaman chuckled.
"I don't love him! He is dimwitted, weird, and obsessed with goblins! What is there to love?!" High Elf Ranger yelled again at Dwarf Shaman.
Dwarf Shaman again chuckled. "I believe I never mentioned Beard Cutter."
High Elf Ranger's face turned a rosy red again at her slip up. Goddamnit, he was so good at playing mind games! Or maybe she was just that easy to fool… Either way, she dislikes when she is getting outsmarted. "W-whatever. I don't love anyone." High Elf Ranger crossed her arms under her chest, pridefully turning her head away from Dwarf Shaman.
"Aaah. And who are you trying to convince? Me, or yourself?" Dwarf Shaman said in a prolonged manner. However, now, High Elf Ranger did not hear any signs of a smile, chuckle, or laughter. She looked at him with half-closed eyes and saw him having a serious expression on his face, which surprised her quite a bit.
"Stop. This is not your business. Go away." High Elf Ranger said back.
"I believe it is. You are in a team, with me, the man you love, a lizardman who is curious about these things, and another girl who has a soft spot for him. This whole situation is a volcano waiting to erupt. So, we better resolve this right now. Be it with the volcanic eruption, or suppression" Dwarf Shaman said.
"I will not disrupt the teamwork in the team if that's what you're worried about." High Elf Ranger retorted back.
Dwarf Shaman looked down, with a loud sigh. "That's what they always say, but that is beside the point. I am more worried about you personally." he said sincerely.
That caught her off guard. Rarely was he sincere with her. Only on quests, would he take things more seriously with her. "Since when are you worried about me?" she asked, her voice still with a higher, irritated volume.
"Since I noticed what was going on between you and Beard Cutter." Dwarf Shaman reply back, again his hoarse voice being sincere, her elven ears picking up the change in his tone. Why won't he just let it go? Why does he care? What does he get out of all this?
"Look, I just want you to not make the same mistakes as I have." Dwarf Shaman tried to calm her down. It worked… to a certain extend. High Elf Ranger wasn't constantly yelling at him. Even her lime colored eyes that were almost always in a constant state of irritation had changed.
"Like what?" she asked, not yelling, but still with slight venom in her voice.
"Throwing your life away. Thinking being an adventurer is fun all your life. Going to brothels to enjoy those short-term pleasures. Chasing something meaningless until you give up on life." Dwarf Shaman calmly said.
To this, High Elf Ranger began laughing hysterically. She laughed so much, that when she leaned back, she nearly fell over from her sitting position. "HAHAHAHAHA! I will never go to a brothel." she laughed. Such a ridiculous thing to say. Why would she ever go there? She hates filthy places, and brothel is at the top of that list.
"I never said you would go there for the same reason I go there. I was trying to say you could end up there as a worker, if you do notsort your life out." he said and High Elf Ranger's eyes shot open. "You would be surprised how many once noble elves work there now, bitter and resentful of their lives. The elves who gave up on life after bad experiences. Getting tired of their old lives. Giving up on finding happiness. Giving up on their love life, just the same as the man who visits those establishments." Dwarf Shaman explained further with a wise and sincere voice.
This infuriated her to no end. HOW DARE HE?! It was bad enough he thought she would end up even going there. But he thinks she would stoop so low to even work there! "How dare you! I will not end in a brothel! I am of noble blood! That is beneath me!" she yelled back at him.
"That's what I used to say. Now, look at me." he gently said. "Don't make the mistakes I did. Just because you are high doesn't mean you can't fall. The higher one gets, the easier it is for them to fall from grace." Dwarf Shaman said back, calm as ever, still sitting on his own legs.
High Elf Ranger grit her teeth. Truth be told, the way he was calm and collected made her nervous. He REALLY thinks that this could happen. "Why are you giving me advice now?! I thought you didn't like me." she asked back.
"You are quite annoying, that much is true, but… I do not want you to be miserable. If you want him, then go for him and fight for him. Love is worth fighting over." Dwarf Shaman said, and then his collected posture relaxed, before he smiled at her. The noble elf just sat there, her angry expression softening.
"Anyway, I am not here to tell you what to do. Consider this a warning from an old geezer who went through a lot." Dwarf Shaman got up from the ground. "See ya later. I have a lot of temple to explore." he said as he waved at High Elf Ranger who was still looking for words in her throat.
As he disappeared from the training grounds, another girl was left alone, to think about what Goblin Slayer meant to her.
Author's note: Finally done! Hope you are safe and sound during these times! I'll try to finish the next chapter soon.
That's all from me. Leave a review and see ya in the next chapter!