"Brother get up! You need to get back on your feet or the goblins are going to kill you!"
Goblin Slayer grunted as he clawed at the mud, the throbbing in his head was like a hammer striking an anvil. He soon realized that if was not just in his head but four of the goblins continued to beat his downed body with their clubs each blow denting his armor further and further. The coppery taste of blood in his mouth was there as he struggled to get back to his feet, the goblins continued their assault to kill the armored adventurer.
"Get up boy! Don't you die there on the ground like a worm, get back on your feet and have to decency to die like a man." Burglar quickly jumped to the side to avoid the strike from the hobgoblin's stone ax. "There's too many of them for me alone, have to get hold of it…have to put on the ring."
"I don't much care for your Master, but he is right. You need to get up! You're stronger than these little monsters."
Goblin Slayer gave a final grunt and pushed himself back up grabbing the nearest goblin with his right hand and slamming it into the mud. The goblin gasped as he hit the ground before Goblin Slayer slammed his shield down upon the goblin's head, crushing it like piece of fruit. The other goblins were shocked by this and quickly moved away as Goblin Slayer reached for his weapons to continue his fight. Two of the hobgoblins continued their attacks as Goblin Slayer did his best to fend off their attacks. With a quick swing of the mace struck the hobgoblins leg breaking the bone, as the hob goblins dropped his ax and dropped to his hands and knees, Goblin Slayer used his sword to cut its throat.
"That's…another…"
Goblin Slayer was unable to finish as a bolt of fire struck his body, his chest plate was destroyed, and his body surrounded by flames. The shaman laughed as he once again took advantage of the armored adventurer's focus on the opponent before him but not the others around him. Goblin Slayer stumbled backwards as he attempted to douse the flames before it did any permanent damage, thankfully the rest of his armor was holding but the fire was consuming the oxygen around him.
"The flames…body feels hot…can't breathe…"
Once again, he was struck by another of the hobgoblins with its club, with only the damaged chainmail and leather armor Goblin Slayer could hear the cracking of his ribs as he went flying. He hit the ground with a heavy thud and rolled a few feet away from the hobgoblin. He saving grace was the hobgoblin lacked the power of the goblin champion and the impact extinguished the flames that covered his body but there he lay motionless, his weapons mere inches before him.
"Brother!"
"Boy!" Burglar looked on as his pupil was tossed aside like a toy and here he was unable to get to him. "You damn goblins, get out of my way!"
xxxx
"I'm out of arrows!" High Elf Archer reached for quiver and found it empty and was forced to put away her bow and pull out her dagger to defend herself.
A Dreadnought crushed the Dragontooth Warrior within its pincers, returning it back to its catalysts then turned its attention back to the other adventurers, they however were still occupied with the Gith warriors around them. Before the Dreadnought could strike Priestess once again cast Protection to shield her comrades, this allowed the others focus on their current opponents before going after the Dreadnought.
"You damn son of a bitch!" Half-Demon Thief growled as she charged toward the Dreadnought with daggers in hand.
Those around her thought she was crazy but saw her leap onto the creature's arm and run up towards the monster's head. This thirty-foot monster turned its head towards the small figure running along its body when it suddenly vanished. Half-Demon Thief used her agility to leap to the top of the monster's head where with a scream she jammed her blades into its massive eye. The Dreadnought roared as it thrashed about, Half-Demon Thief plunged her left dagger into the side of the monster's head to keep from flying off while she continued to stab the beast with her right dagger. Female Swordmaster and Lizard Priest rushed in to join the young demon and used their blades to sever the monster's pincers. With the monster disarmed as it were, Dwarf Shaman fired off his final Stone Blast at the monsters watched as the barrage of rocks tore into the monster's flesh. With a final roar the massive beast fell forward striking the barrier and shattering it before it collapsed to the ground, Half-Demon Thief thrown from its body as it hit the ground where she rolled toward the feet of her comrades.
"Is she ahhh…"
Dwarf Shaman was struck before the side by one of the armed Gith warriors, fortunately the jewels he has sown into his coat stopped the blade from cutting into his flesh.
"You bastard, I'll shown what happens when you get in a dwarf's way!" Dwarf Shaman drew out his hand ax to attack the Gith.
Sword Maiden frantically looked around the area as the Gith continued to climb up the mountain: she had enough magic for one final spell and that was to be used for the return incantation, but if they left now their quest to save Goblin Slayer would fail.
"I…I could fire one final burst of my Arrow of Light. It would kill most of the Gith and might by us enough time to escape…at least most of us would escape, but I'd only be delaying our inevitable demise and we'd still be failing Goblin Slayer. Gods above give us a solution."
"There's…there's too many of them and I'm out of spells!" Sage panted heavily as she struggled to keep on her feet, she used her staff to keep the Gith at bay was not as accustomed as Hero and Swordmaster to feet hand to hand.
"Just…just got to hold on a little longer." Half-Demon Thief grunted as she got back to her feet with the aid of Priestess. "Can't…can't let down Goblin Slayer!"
"Agreed Young Demoness, we fight to the last man that way if we do fail, we at least gave it everything we had. It will be an honorable demise worthy of my ancestors." Lizard Priest hissed as blood ran from his wounds. "Though…I'd rather not leave my love and daughter behind. We must see this fight through!"
Lich Queen could see and hear the others as they continued to struggle against the Gith while Hero continued to battle against the ever-fading Slayer.
"What fun, I'm able to harm you yet you can do nothing to stop me." Slayer laughed as he once again knocked Hero to the ground. "I could let the Gith overwhelm you as the others, but I'll take joy in being the one to end the short-lived legacy of the Hero!"
Hero raised his sword to finish the weakened Hero but she stubbornly blocked his attack with her own sword.
"I…I am far from beaten! And you haven't claimed Goblin Slayer yet, so it is too early for you to be celebrating!"
The Lich Queen was surprised by the devotion these people had to her Beloved, over her short time of being with him she had inadvertently come to care for them.
"There…there must be something we can…No! There is something I can do, something I should have done long ago and there is no guarantee that he or I will survive the process, but I'm trusting it to the roll."
"Sword Maiden!" Lich Queen managed to get to her feet despite her injuries. "Gather the others around you! When I tell you, chant the invocation to return you all to the Physical World!"
The other adventurers all spared a brief glance toward Lich Queen as she walked toward the edge of the mountain cliff.
"But the Slayer has not been defeated." Sword Maiden was confused by the sudden instruction from the Lich Queen.
"I shall take care of the rest and if I am successful…I am hopeful that we will continue to work together." The Lich Queen smiled towards the adventurers before gazing back towards the open sky. "Please trust me!"
The adventurers who could continue to fight not sure what the Lich Queen was planning, but for the moment the Gith were ignoring her to attack them. Lich Queen sighed as she closed her eyes to focus on what her Beloved was seeing.
"My connection to Beloved may be weak, but it is still there. Beloved can you hear me?"
xxxx
Goblin Slayer grunted as he struggled to pick his body back up, the fire fortunately only scarred his exposed shoulder, but gave the hobgoblins an advantage to strike at him. His armor was dented or cracked, many of the links to his chainmail broken and the leather armor torn of scorched by the fire. Despite the thumping in his head he heard the heavy splashing of the hobgoblins as the stomped forward, the three hobgoblins cackled as they prepared to finish off the adventurer. Goblin Slayer see his mace off to his left but too far away to reach, his sword near his hand, it would have to do in fending off these creatures.
"Beloved can you hear me?"
Goblin Slayer paused as he finally heard the familiar voice of the Lich Queen.
"Where…"
"No time Beloved, I can see your sword before you…that will do. Now listen very carefully, take your sword in hand and stab it into your shoulder, the one I originally stabbed you in. It doesn't have to go in very far, just far enough for me to transfer my blood."
"I…I don't understand…" Goblin Slayer managed to get back up on one knee and took his sword in hand.
"Please Beloved…trust in me."
Goblin Slayer looked up to see the hobgoblins closing in and knew now was not the time to question what the Lich Queen was thinking. With sword in hand, he stabbed the tip of the blade into his left shoulder to the surprise of the hobgoblins who stopped at the sight.
"Good, now this will be very painful, but you must not remove that blade until I tell you."
xxxx
Lich Queen could see that her Beloved had stabbed the blade into his shoulder like she had instructed so now she could begin.
"Let us begin…Gods let this work." Lich Queen closed her eyes and sighed before looked toward the heavens and stretched out her arms. "Gods of Light…Gods of Dark…Gods of Order…Gods of Discord…hear my plea. I invoke the rite of summoning as I transfer my soul to this weapon to serve my new master."
xxxx
The gods above were at a loss for what was being asked of them, never before had someone willingly asked to become a summons.
"Can…can we grant such a request?" Illusion looked toward the Supreme God for confirmation.
"You can't…she is a minion of evil…I will never approve of such an act!" The God of Evil glared at the Lich Queen token then toward the Goblin Slayer token. "Cursed unpredictable token, affecting all around him!"
"Then shall leave it to roll…fate shall decide the outcome." The Supreme God looked toward the others who nodded their heads in approval.
Illusion gave the dice a shake and tossed them onto the board, though they were not allowed to visibly alter the roll, the Supreme God secretly moved his fingers by his side, so that a high enough number could be reached, none of the gods had seen this and were all surprised to see the dice land as they did. A small smile crossed his face, such an unorthodox solution to this problem, he would now wait to see if either of these two would survive the process.
xxxx
Goblin Slayer grunted as an intense pain flooded his body, though he could not see it, a dark red glow surrounded his body which caused the goblins to all stop and back away from the uncommon sight. A dark red liquid began to run from his shoulder and stained the black blade slowly coating it, yet he did not remove the blade as the Lich Queen had instructed. While the goblins were all distracted by the sight of the glowing Goblin Slayer, Burglar sheathed his blade, quickly reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small golden ring. It was a simple ring, no visible markings on it, yet the moment he put the ring on he immediately vanished.
xxxx
The Slayer continued to attack the Hero and laughed as she attempted to fight back, suddenly the Hero slashed at his leg and actually cut into his dark flesh. Slayer grunted as he took a couple steps backs and looked toward his leg, the Hero was also shocked that she had managed to injure him. Slayer looked at his body and to his surprise noticed that his body was becoming more tangible, wondering what was going on he quickly looked around and caught sight of the Lich Queen off to the side a strange red glow around her body.
"NO!" Slayer tightened his grip around his weapons and charged toward the Lich Queen, completely forgetting about the shocked Hero.
Slayer let out a blood curdling cry as she slashed with his sword at the Lich's back only for his weapon to pass through her body as the Hero had through his body some time ago. Slayer was in complete disbelief and in a mad frenzy continued to strike at the Lich's body with sword and mace hoping he be able to kill her. The Hero saw this but before she could question it any further, Female Swordmaster rushed to her friend's side and quickly picked her back up.
"Come on! We go to get back to the others!"
"But what about the Lich and Slayer?"
"She'll take care of things, come on!"
Slayer in a panic tossed his weapons aside and resorted to his hands as he continued in vain to attack the Lich Queen's body.
"You fool! What do you think you're doing!" Slayer finally stopped as he continued to see the Lich Queen's body becoming more transparent as he knew what her plan was.
"Saving Beloved…no matter the cost."
"You damn fool. This ritual will mean that your soul will be gone from this realm, you'll…you'll lose any chance of be revived in a physical body! You may think he will continue to care for you, but you're mistaken! He'll toss you aside like an unwanted piece of trash! If…if that sword of his breaks, you'll be dead, gone forever soul and all!"
"If those are the only negatives you can come up with for me to stop…then you are a bigger fool than I give you credit for."
"Don't…don't do this! I will slay the mortals, and you can have his soul just as you desired! Please...I beg you!"
"I…I have lived a life full of nothing but selfish desires, perhaps this one action will give me a chance redeem myself even if it is just saving one life." Lich Queen then looked over her shoulder towards the others. "Sword Maiden now!"
Slayer turned to see the group of adventurers nearby as the one called Sword Maiden began her invocation while the others fended off the Gith warriors, a white glow surrounding their feet.
"NO!" Slayer panicked as he looked around the area for his weapons and quickly went to fetch them before rushing toward the adventurers.
Lich Queen turned her attention back toward the horizon when she suddenly felt a presence near her. She turned toward her left to see a young woman with long brown hair blowing in the wind wearing a long green and white dress. There was a light frown on her face as she looked toward the Lich Queen, the Lich already knew who she was.
"I…I am sorry for all I've done to your brother. If you'll allow me, I will do all I can to protect him and his friends as I try to find some way to atone for the sins of my past."
Elder Sister continued to frown for a moment as she looked toward the Lich Queen when she smiled and nodded toward her.
"Thank you for trying to save him over these past couple months. May you find peace." Elder Sister smiled brilliantly before she faded away.
The barrier of light that surrounded the adventurers kept him from getting any closer as he swung his weapons at them but could not harm them in any way.
"Hear me…all of you…even you Goblin Slayer! None of you will ever be free of me! You can't escape my wrath! One day I'll be free of this realm and then I shall hunt you down! I'll chase each and every one of you to the ends of the Earth!"
"And we shall be ready for you."
Slayer was not sure who said this but the stern expression from the tired adventurers only infuriated him further. There was a sudden flash of light and the nine adventurers vanished from sight with the Gith looking towards their master from instructions.
"Enjoy your stay in the hell you've made for yourself."
Slayer turned his attention toward the Lich Queen who flashed him a final smile before she too completely faded away.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Slayer roared with fury as he looked up toward the sky.
xxxx
"Now Beloved, remove the blade!"
Goblin Slayer tore the blade out of his shoulder, and although there was the pain of his stab wound, his body no longer felt as if it was racked with pain. He looked toward his sword, surprised to see the once black blade now dark red.
"How are you feeling Beloved?"
Goblin Slayer was slightly surprised to find the voice of the Lich Queen was no longer just in his mind but seemed to be coming from the blade in his hand.
"You are…in the blade?"
"I am. I will answer all your questions once this battle is concluded but for now summon me! Call out…Come forth Lich Queen!"
Goblin Slayer was back on his feet and could see the hobs and the goblins closing in, for now he would trust in what the Lich Queen was saying.
"Come forth Lich Queen." Goblin Slayer's voice was as mechanical as ever despite all he had been through.
The blade began to glow within his hand and suddenly there was a bolt of lighting the struck the ground near Goblin Slayer. From the lightning bolt was a red plume of smoke which finally took on physical form until the human form of the Lich Queen stood before the horde of goblins. The shaman and the others looked at the buxom beauty before them and began to laugh while licking their lips as they imagined all the fun they would have with her until she finally expired. While this was going on, Goblin Slayer quickly reached into his pouch and down his final stamina potion and healing potion while an unseen Burglar maneuvered behind the goblins.
"You wretched creatures, how dare you hurt Beloved!"
The Lich Queen's eyes were surrounded by a red glow and her body once again changed into a plume of black smoke which grew larger and larger until it took the shape of a massive figure shrouded in darkness with a skeletal face and golden crown atop its head. The goblins were surprised and terrified by the sight of the figure who towered over them. The shaman raised his staff to attack this massive being when he was suddenly struck by something, he screamed as a red blade could be seen imbedded in his chest. Many of the goblins saw what happened to their leader then turned their attention back to see Goblin Slayer back on his feet with mace in hand, his left eye ablaze within his helmet.
"Before you concern yourself with him, you should be more terrified of me!"
The Lich Queen gave a wave of her hand towards the three hobgoblins, instantaneously they were turned to ice. She created a long, curved sword within her hand and shattered the hobgoblins. Before the goblins could run away and unseen figure began to slash at them from behind, the goblins could only see the glowing blue blade floating through the air as it cut them down one by one. Suddenly from the front was Goblin Slayer charging forward with mace in hand smashing through the remaining goblins, venting his anger at them for all the injuries they had inflicted upon him. Burglar quickly removed the ring from his finger as he killed the final goblin near him, smirking that Goblin Slayer and this mysterious creature had not seen him.
"Quite useful this thing…my precious." Burglar smiled as he slipped the ring back into his pocket and slowly approached his pupil.
Goblin Slayer marched forward with mace in hand to retrieve his sword, the shaman struggling to remove the sword while reaching for his staff. Before he could reach it, a heavy foot came crashing down upon its left hand breaking the bones. The shaman cried out and as it looked up saw the armored figure towering over him, almost appeared to be a demon as the lighting flashed overhead.
"And with you…that is 51." Goblin Slayer was cold in reply as he raised his mace then brought it down crushing the shaman's skull.
With the final goblin slain, Goblin Slayer placed his mace along his right side and withdrew his sword once again examining the red blade before walking back toward his master and the Lich Queen. The Lich Queen returned to her more human form and smiled as her Beloved returned with sword in hand.
"That's the last one. The village is safe."
"What, no thanks for your Master? I could have easily walked past this village and let you alone."
"Yes, you're right…thank you." Goblin Slayer calmly bowed his head toward his master.
"Bah, with that tone you don't sound very thankful." Burglar smirked as he turned and took his leave of his pupil and the mystery woman. "It would seem that you have yourself a powerful ally there, as well as those in your party. Perhaps with their help, you'll truly be able to slay all the goblins."
"I will." Goblin Slayer was as emotionless as ever, even after his body felt better than it had mere minutes ago. "Farewell Master."
"Remember boy, don't become the thing you're fighting against…it is the small things that matter the most in this world."
Burglar continued to walk away even as the heavy rain began to let up and turned into a steady drizzle. Goblin Slayer turned his attention back toward the Lich Queen, what his master had said confirmed that the Lich Queen was truly in front of him.
"You are here before me?"
"Yes and with that…" The Lich Queen calmly walked toward Goblin Slayer with arms raised then calmly and gently hugged him. "I've been wanting to do that for such a long time with a physical body."
The Lich Queen broke the embrace and took a couple steps back from Goblin Slayer and smiled as she looked toward Goblin Slayer.
"My body…the pain is gone. The curse?"
"I bound my blood to that blade, the remainder of my soul is now within your hands. The curse has been lifted. Now I must complete the ritual…" The Lich Queen slowly bent down and took a knee before Goblin Slayer bowing her head to him. "I swear to follow your directions from here until my destruction my master. Your enemies are my enemies. Your allies are my allies. I am your blade to be used at your discretion."
A red glow surrounded her body and the same red glow radiated off the blade within Goblin Slayer's hand. As the glow dissipated, the Lich Queen found her become rather transparent and her feet had faded away as her body effortlessly floated.
"Your body?"
"I have used quite a bit of my magic to create this ritual, so I am now limited on how much I can use per day. As you summon me, I can only maintain my physical form for so long and the more magic I use the less time I can maintain a physical body." The Lich Queen had a slight frown on her face as she thought about this but smiled as she floated over toward Goblin Slayer. "Even in this form I can still be of service to you."
"This sword…if goblins were to wield it."
"I have ensured that should any goblin even attempt it to take hold they will be frozen solid. Only you and your allies may wield this blade…though I prefer if you are the only one. Know that my soul is bound to this blade, once it is broken I shall be truly dead, gone from this world and the next so please…try to be more careful with it and always retrieve me." The Lich Queen's smile faded as she looked toward Goblin Slayer as wished to clear the air. "Beloved…I am sorry for all the harm I have caused you. I wish to atone for all I've done. Please don't toss me aside and let me continue to accompany you but in a more helpful manner."
Goblin Slayer was silent as he looked toward the ghostly figure of the Lich Queen, curious of the change in her demeanor over these four months.
"You seem different from before."
"Perhaps what I was missing was the companionship of those I could trust. I will have to give up on destroying the mortal races…or rather I shall focus my anger on the goblins." The Lich Queen chuckled as she looked toward Goblin Slayer.
"I see." Goblin Slayer looked toward the sword once again before sheathing the blade. "Are the others safe?"
"They will be awaiting your return Beloved."
"Then let's go." Goblin Slayer dispassionately replied as he calmly walked away from the village to head back home.
"At once Beloved." The visage of the Lich Queen vanished as she returned to the blade to travel with Goblin Slayer.
Goblin Slayer paused as he gave the village one final look over, there was still something about this place especially given the rain and the sight of the goblins that seem almost familiar to him.
"Something wrong Beloved?"
"No…nothing is wrong." Goblin Slayer returned his attention back to the road and slowly made his way home.
xxxx
"Teacher! What are you doing here?"
The exhausted Hero was surprised to find the old nun from her village present at the guild. Though still exhausted she happily embraced the sister and was happy to see so many familiar faces from her village here. The other exhausted adventurers were assisted at the guild, given a hearty meal, their wounds tended to and drinks laced with stamina potions to begin the healing process. Cow Girl, Guild Girl and the others were happy to see the others had returned safely though they were still concerned about Goblin Slayer especially with the return of all these people Purveyor Girl had brought back with her.
"Hey it's the Hero?"
"We were wondering when you'd come back to see us?"
"What's this, you become a world saving hero and suddenly you're too good to come back as see the people who raised you?"
"No I….wait what are you all doing here in Frontier Town? Did something happen to the village?"
"A horde of goblins attacked us last night. We had feared that no one would come when this young woman and a strange adventurer arrived." The elderly nun motioned toward Purveyor Girl beside her.
Hero looked toward Purveyor Girl and bowed her head towards her while Purveyor Girl sheepishly smiled back.
"Thank you for getting them safely back here. I…I don't know what I would have done if I was to know that my village…my home was destroyed with me not knowing about it or being able to have saved it."
"No, you don't have to thank me, I only guided them back here. I'm just thankful that we made it back before the storm." Purveyor Girl looked out the window as the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled in. "The one you should be thanking is Goblin Slayer. He…he chose to stay behind to defend the village."
"Goblin Slayer…he's gone to save my village…again?"
"Orcbolg went out alone? Why…why didn't anyone go with him?"
"He…he chose to go alone." Guild Girl frowned as she looked toward the stormy night sky. "If…if you were unsuccessful, he wanted to make sure he could not hurt anyone nearby."
"What's that I hear? Goblin Slayer had gone to deal with goblins alone while he's cursed?" Spearman frowned as he thought about the hack in the cheap armor. "Damn fool, must have rocks for brains."
"Did you all manage to destroy the Slayer or whatever he's called?" Half-Dragon Mother was concerned for the well being of her love as she continued to tend to his injuries.
"We…we failed to stop him." Lizard Priest frowned as he looked toward the ground.
"But that means…is Big Brother going to be alright?" Half-Dragon Daughter was worried as she looked toward her mama and papa for an answer.
The nine adventurers who had gone through hell and back could not give the young girl an answer as they too were worried for the well-being of Goblin Slayer.
"What if we get a group together to head for this village. We can give Goblin Slayer some much needed backup while you all rest." Heavy Warrior was more than ready to return the favor and help his friend in battle.
Female Knight, Spearman and the others who knew Goblin Slayer well were also ready to jump in to aid their comrade.
"It will take several hours even my carriage for us to reach the village, if you go by foot it should be about three days. By the time you reach it…I doubt there'd be anything you could do." Hero frowned as she looked to the group and cursed her own inability to be able to aid her village.
"He'll be back."
Everyone turned to find Cow Girl near one of the windows with a small smile on her face as she gently stroked Snow's head while Wolf slept by her feet.
"I have faith that he will beat this curse and will return to us. He's never broken a promise before so let us wait." Cow Girl continued to smile as she looked toward others.
Still concerned, they all agreed they would wait the three days before they made any attempt to track Goblin Slayer down. With the next morning, Half-Dragon Daughter along with Wolf and Snow would be up bright and early looking towards the road for any sign of her brother. When she felt she could not see anything, she would use her wings to fly as high as possible to look down the road for any sign of him. With a disappointed sigh she descended back to the ground when both dire wolves whined as they nuzzled up against her.
"No sign of him." Half-Dragon Daughter frowned as she petted the two dire wolves when she noted something odd about Snow. "Snow…have you been over eating? You see bigger than I remember."
The next day was the same, but now it was not just Half-Dragon Daughter anxiously waiting for Goblin Slayer but the entire Guild. The adventurers now fully recovered would wait with Half-Dragon Daughter by the front of the Guild for any sign of Goblin Slayer. Finally the third day was upon them, right at the start of the day, the group was there waiting as before but as the morning drew closer towards lunch, there was real concern that perhaps Goblin Slayer had fallen to the goblins which meant would they be encountering the physical body of the Slayer.
"If…if he's no longer the Goblin Slayer we know, what are we prepared to do?" Half-Demon Thief was genuinely concerned at the thought of having to attack Goblin Slayer.
"I don't know lass, I really don't know." Dwarf Shaman sighed as he nursed his fire wine.
Cow Girl and Guild Girl stayed with Half-Dragon Daughter as she continued to play with both dire wolves. The two large wolves ears began to twitch as they riaed their heads and began to sniff the air; the others quickly took notice of this and it was Female Knight who took in a deep breath and too could smell it.
"It's him, he's returned."
Goblin Slayer's party, friends and colleagues eagerly rushed out of the Guild and looked out toward the road and there they could see a lone figure coming over the hill. He was a figure in dirty leather armor with a small shield attached to his left arm, a flanged mace hanging from his right side and mediums length sword sheathed on his left side. His armor looked even worse than before covered in cracks and dents, his left shoulder exposed for all to see.
"His shoulder…I don't see the black mark anymore." Cow Girl clutched her hands to her chest as she anxiously waited to see how he was.
Goblin Slayer could see the large number of people outside the Guild and stopped as he wondered what they were all doing. He was only ten feet away from them, neither group able to move that is until both dire wolves trotted over towards him and nuzzled up against his body.
"It is good to see you Wolf and Snow." Goblin Slayer turned his attention back to the others and replied in his normal dispassionate speech. "I have returned. The goblins have been dealt with."
Cow Girl rushed forward towards him and was quickly followed by the others as she eagerly threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. The others added to this as they hugged them, there was crying and cheering from the adventurers to see their Goblin Slayer finally returned to them.
"Welcome back." Cow Girl continued to cry as she buried her head in his chest.
The group finally gave him some breathing room and carefully looked over his body to check for any serious damages.
"You're back Goblin Slayer." Priestess happily wiped her eys as she smiled at her teacher. "Does that mean…"
"The curse has been removed."
"Then the Lich Queen's sacrifice worked." Hero had a solemn smile as she felt bad that the Lich Queen had to sacrifice herself.
"Sacrifice?" Goblin Slayer was confused by the statement.
"Perhaps now is a good time to reveal myself."
Everyone heard the feminine voice but could not see who had spoken when suddenly a ghostly figure appeared beside Goblin Slayer.
"The Lich Queen." High Elf Archer was surprised to see her, and she was not the only one surprised by this.
"You were worried about me, how sweet." The Lich Queen smiled as she looked over everyone.
"That is not true…wait what the hell are you doing here?" Hero frowned as she now saw the figure back before them.
"I have removed my curse from Beloved and attached my soul to his blade. I am now Beloved's summons…I look forward to working with you all."
"You what?"
xxxx
"You'll be acting as his familiar?" Priestess puffed out her cheeks in annoyance as she looked over the ghost figure of the Lich Queen.
Back in the Guild there was massive celebration for Goblin Slayer overcoming the cruse and saving the Hero's village from the Goblin threat. At a large table, Goblin Slayer's friends and comrades suspiciously looked over the ghostly figure as she happily floated around the table.
"Not familiar, but his summons. When Beloved summons me I can assume physical form to fight and use my magic, though I am much weaker than before so if I use too much magic I shall return to this form."
"Why would you even need to assume physical form, and please stop referring to Goblin Slayer as Beloved." Guild Girl too frowned at how friendly she was with Goblin Slayer.
"It is of course to aid Beloved in whatever capacity is needed…he is my master after all." The Lich Queen had a devilish smiled as she floated over behind Goblin Slayer and hugged him. "Should Beloved need companionship on those cold lonely nights, who am I to deny him?"
The immediate reaction this brought out of the women around them made the Lich Queen giggle.
"That won't be needed."
Goblin Slayer's comment was as cold as ice immediately taking the fight out of the Lich Queen and the others, all the while he ate his meal, completely disinterested in what was going on.
"You're no fun Beloved, you could have at least gone along with it even if it was for a brief moment." The Lich Queen pouted then had a serious look about her face as she looked back towards the others. "In all seriousness, I will aid you all in whatever form is needed. I can act as a lookout while you rest, used my magic to aid you in battle, and all my knowledge is at your disposal. Only Beloved and those who are his allies may wield this blade, any others will be frozen solid as the final curse I have upon this weapon."
"If that's the case, I say we break the sword." Half-Demon Thief smirked as she turned her gaze from the Lich Queen to Goblin Slayer's sword.
"Such a cruel joke and after I've come to tell you that I will be of use to you all."
Goblin Slayer calmly stood drawing the others attention as they found him looking over his body.
"Is everything alright Orcbolg?" High Elf Archer was worried that there might be some lingering effect from the curse.
"I'm going to drop off my armor, it is far too damaged to be of use at the moment."
There was a brief pause from the others before they all broke out into a big laugh Goblin Slayer looked toward them curiously.
"Something never do change Beardcutter. It is good to have you back."
"Is that so?"'
"Beloved, if you wouldn't mind please leave the sword here…there is something I need to speak with the others about."
The sudden reply from the Lich Queen caught them all by surprise and they looked back toward Goblin Slayer to see how he would respond.
"Very well."
Goblin Slayer left his blade on the spot where he had been sitting as he calmly made his way down stairs to the blacksmith.
"Now then…I will admit to you all that even though I do love Beloved, I cannot be the one to make him happy." The Lich Queen frowned as she looked toward the women to see their surprised faces. "As long as I can be of use to him, then I am happy. I trust him to you, among you all he may be able to find peace. Don't make the same mistake I made."
There was silence among the adventurers around the table; Cow Girl, Guild Girl, High Elf Archer, Priestess, Half-Demon Thief, Sword Maiden and Hero looked toward her as they contemplated her words. The Lich Queen before she faded away to return to the sword, several minutes later Goblin Slayer returned in his replacement armor took up his sword and sheathed it once again.
"Did she get to speak with you?"
"Yes, but it's not important now, today let's celebrate." Cow Girl smiled as she and the others returned to feast before them.
Later that day, the Hero and her party would personally make sure that her Teacher and the rest of the village were safely escorted back home. Sword Maiden and her attendants loaded their own wagons with Purveyor Girl to return back to Water Town. Goblin Slayer and the rest of his party and friends stood by the Guild to say their goodbyes.
"You saved my village once again from the threat of goblins. I can't even begin to repay you for your heroics, but you have my thanks." Hero was gracious as she bowed her head toward Goblin Slayer.
"You don't have to thank me. I am not a hero, just Goblin Slayer."
"It is because you are Goblin Slayer that so many villages have been saved, so in a way you are a hero even if you don't believe it yourself." Sword Maiden smiled warmly as she looked toward Goblin Slayer and the others. "Until the day we are all able to meet again."
"Agreed. Be safe on your journey Goblin Slayer and avoid any further curses." Hero waved as she and her party set off with the wagons to return to her village.
The adventurers at the Guild smiled and waved as the two different caravans departed from the village to begin the journey home. Though everyone was happy that no one was lost during this whole struggle, there was the lingering words of the Slayer that remained in the back of everyone's mind. Slayer was attempting to become the God of Destruction, but he had mentioned the God of Resurrection, the strange flesh golem Spearman and Heavy Warrior had brought back was proof that there was still trouble on the horizon. When it would rear its ugly head was anyone's guess, but the adventurers would be ready to act when it did.
xxxx
In the ruined remains of the mountain stronghold, the Slayer sat with his hands in a steepled position as he looked out over the horizon. Within his armor, he seethed with anger at his ultimate defeat and in his gaze, he was not seeing the view before him, but planning his revenge against those who wronged him.
"Unlike my counterpart…I can be patient. A year from now…a hundred years…a thousand years…I can wait. I'll bide my time; I can't be denied forever." Slayer chuckled as he thought about all he would do against the mortals. "My time will come; the Physical Realm will come to fear the Slayer. I will have my revenge against you and your friends Goblin Slayer and should you or your descendants be in that world…I will slaughter you with my bare hands."
Author's Note: I could not wait to get this chapter out, hopefully no one is disappointed with the length of the Wraith Arc. Like any good villain, the Slayer will return…it's just a matter of time.
Before I fully dive into the Necromancer Arc, I want one final filler section, this will be the Vampire Lord section I was mentioning some time ago which will focus on our younger adventurers (I did bring Fighter back for a reason), and as the quest continues, Priestess, Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric will run into two familiar faces from the Training Camp LN.
UPDATE: Thanks Jade Imperia and JadeRovks, I saw what you meant by that ending I types earlier, so I went ahead and fixed to better suit the situation. The previous ending did imply that GS was immortal although…his spirit might be inherited by another.