Guild Girl was honestly happy to be back to work. While she was glad to have some time off, this was where her heart lay. This is where she met her husband to be Goblin Slayer after all. Yes she had to put up with arrogant and stupid adventurers but no job was perfect. She could get through the day with a smile and go back to pampering her little loved ones. Even if they weren't all hers, she loved the little dears.

Even now though, the relationship she had with Goblin Slayer was unusual. Most men are lucky to get one pretty girl after them, let alone seven. Yet they found a way to make it work. It helped that they all truly loved Goblin Slayer and wanted the best for him. Needlessly fighting over him wouldn't help him. In fact, some of them feared it might make him worse, pushing him away from people. So they made a pact to at least try and help each other win his heart. It paid off in the end, hence her child.

She couldn't be happier. She was over the moons in joy. However, that didn't mean she was going to give up her job. She had been doing this for years and now more than ever she needed to keep it. Supporting her new family was going to be tough but doable. It really helped that Sword Maiden was basically rich given she was a Gold level. Guild Girl wasn't going to mooch off of her however. She wasn't that type of girl. She was going to show her children that a woman doesn't just back down for the easy life when they can. She was going to step up and continue on even if her job was tiring.

It was just at that moment the door was kicked open and in walked the most aggravating client. At least, he used to be. It was Spearman with Witch behind him. She never really 'hated' him. He was decent enough and even though he had a rivalry with Goblin Slayer in some form or manner, he never took it too far. He even helped out when he could. It was just the constant flirting. She was so thankful Witch finally pounced or she'd have kicked him between the legs to make him shut up.

"Behold!" Spearman shouted as he held something behind his back, "You're new heroine!" With that said, he held up a little baby girl. She giggled and waved her arms.

Guild Girl wanted to take her in her own arms and hug the little one.

"Bask in her greatness!" Spearman shouted with a gleeful smile. Guild Girl would give him this moment. A new father had the right to brag.

Witch sighed in exasperation but still smiled, "Don't… shout so much… with her… up there."

Spearman pouted as he brought her down, "I have the right to brag. She is the greatest child in the world."

"Hmmph," Female Knight snorted as she held a little ironclad baby in her arms. "Take no note of them, daughter. Spearman is insane."

Female Knight and Heavy Swordsman had finally had their own child after marrying. It seemed the gods had a sense of humor since many of the notable adventurers had kids around her own's age. Perhaps her children would grow up as friends and rivals. It was an interesting thought.

"With how much armor she's wearing," Heavy Swordsman noted. "I doubt she can hear you."

Female Knight scoffed, "She's perfectly fine."

"You've been listening to Goblin Slayer too much," Heavy Swordsman lifted the helmet off the baby's head to reveal a cute little caucasian girl with brown hair and purple eyes. The father smiled as he ruffled the little hairs on her head, "She's perfectly safe here and if anything tries to get her, they'll have to go through me."

Female Knight smiled and gave him a small kiss, "Oh I know you'll protect her. I'm just a bit thorough is all."

"Sometimes a bit is too much," Heavy Swordsman deadpanned.

"Guild Girl," Spearman came over and leaned forward over the counter, "Isn't she the most adorable thing you've ever seen."

Guild Girl giggled, "I can't say that. I'm biased toward my own child after all."

Spearman snorted, "Of course. Of course. Your child must be beautiful if they got their looks from you. So where's that husband of yours? I wanted to talk to him about something."

Guild Girl blinked for a few seconds, "What about?"

Thankfully her husband came on cue. He walked in with his usual stoic stride and came to the counter, "Goblins?"

Guild Girl sighed but smiled. Even after all these years, goblins were his top priority. She didn't complain. He had the support of his party after all. She shook her head, "No goblins today, sorry."

"Ah-ha," Spearman grinned as he passed his daughter to his wife. "Just the man I was looking for."

"You were looking for me?" Goblin Slayer asked.

"Yes of course," Spearman said. "I wanted to let you know I am a father now and with that being said, I want my kid to have some friends. So I'm getting the little one some playmates."

"Awww," Guild Girl smiled. "That sounds adorable. I'm sure the children would love a friend."

"If she likes the idea, sure." Goblin Slayer said.

"And that brings up point two," Spearman said. "I want you to accompany me on a mission. Just the two of us."

"Oh?" was all the response he got.

Spearman nodded, "Yes. You see, you need some extra cash and I need to talk to you about somethings. Sound good?"

Goblin Slayer was silent for a moment before nodding, "Yes. That is acceptable."

"Great," Spearman went over and pulled flier down. "This orc band is small. Should be easy enough and the bounty is twice of what you'd make on a goblin cave."

"So you want to split it?"

Spearman chuckled, "Nah, you'll take most of it. I know Sword Maiden is rich but I think she'd appreciate her husband bringing in a little more clinking in his coin purse. Besides, I've got it made. I'm the best adventurer around after all. I've done so many great jobs I'm loaded for life."

"Thank you," Goblin Slayer bowed his head in appreciation.

"Think nothing of it," Spearman chuckled, "Just remember to buy me a drink afterward cause I know how you are about the stuff during missions."

"Drinking alchohol impaires-"

"I don't need a lecture," Spearman deadpanned before sighing and shaking his head, "That and you need to loosen up a bit more. You're getting better but still…"

"I see," Goblin Slayer said before sighing, "I know."

"He's getting better alright," Guild Girl cut in. "Don't cut him so short, Spearman."

"He's just… worried… about his… friend." Witch said.

Spearman snorted, "He's not my friend."

"If you… say so." Witch chuckled and kissed the forehead of her beloved child.

Bandits weren't a common occurrence in the frontier. Most monsters would make short work of any small group of mortals, even elvish ones. It wasn't a profitable business so even when they did start, they usually never made it long enough to be hunted down by adventurers. However, sometimes you would have a group or two that was either strong enough or clever enough to catch the eyes of the guild.

That's where Goblin Slayer and Spearman were headed to. They spied on the group, noting the orc group dynamic and location. They hid themselves well in the dark forest foliage.

"I count twenty one," Goblin Slayer said in a whisper. Given his new family, he had gotten used to taking other non-Goblin Slayer jobs. So that meant he studied up on some non-goblin like creatures to learn their habits. Orcs were easy enough for him to understand.

"Seems good enough for me," Spearman whispered back. "They aren't wearing much armor and some of them are just holding clubs. I guess they haven't had time to raid anything with good loot."

"Clubs can be effective weapons," Goblin Slayer pointed out.

"They are boring and stupid," Spearman scoffed, "But I don't want to be hit by one of those if an orc is wielding them. Still they don't look so tough. I could take them all out now."

"I would advise against doing that," Goblin Slayer gestured around the group. They could easily surround you and even if I gave you aid, they would pick us off."

"Then what do you suggest?" Spearman said, ruffling his bush slightly. Thankfully the orcs were getting a bit drunk and rowdy so they didn't pay much attention to the night time forest.

Goblin Slayer reached into his pack and pulled out a glass bottle, "Confusion and fear."

Spearman quirked an eyebrow as Goblin Slayer lit a piece of cloth in the bottle's cap and then threw it. The unfortunate orc that was hit screamed from the impact and subsequent fire spreading over his body. The orcs grunted and shouted, only to increase making those sounds when Goblin Slayer hit another orc with his fire bottle.

"Start picking them off before they get their wits about them," Goblin Slayer said.

Spearman nodded and started to run. He grinned as he readied himself for combat. One of the orcs was near the forest tree line and just as the orc turned, Spearman moved his spear sideways, cutting deep into the orcs throat. The orc went down, clutching its wound. It was dead by the time Spearman stabbed another bare chested orc through the heart. A guttural yell signaled another was coming. He pulled his spear out of the dead orc and held it with both hands, blocking the downward swing of the sword. He kicked the orc in the stomach hard enough to make him stumble backwards.

Spearman could hear other orcs coming closer. He spun his spear and pointed it backwards just as he thrusted. The orc behind him was dead instantly, his leather armor failing to stop the steel blade. Spearman pulled the spear out and blocked more swings from the sword wielding orc. This one had some experience he could tell. It'd make this fun.

Another orc readied his bow, aiming to kill the human right then and there. He never got to make the shot as an arrow pierced his skull. Another orc, a female, gave a roar and made a challenging glare into the forest, readying her small shield to catch the arrow coming at her. However, the arrow that came next pierced her knee, breaking the bone. As she fell down screaming, another arrow silenced her.

Goblin Slayer continued to snipe the orcs as Spearman made short work of them. Even though Goblin Slayer was no slouch when it came to close combat fighting, he preferred killing with a distance or with traps. Many foes were stronger than your average human and the only way he could catch up would be to get some magical items or a mage to aid him. The second was something he could get behind, not the former. Even if High Elf Archer still tried to get him to dress up more like an 'adventurer', he was still Goblin Slayer. He would continue to fight how he saw fit. Spearman was better with the big brutish creatures anyways. They were akin to better trained hobs. Not as threatening as goblin champions but still a threat.

He ducked and spun on the ground forward when he heard someone charge and swing at him. He turned, dropping his bow and pulling out his short sword.

The orc growled, hefting his club. "You've got a lot of nerve, human. You've killed my mates and my main squeeze."

"And you've killed innocent traders," Goblin Slayer said firmly, getting into a fighting stance.

"The weak fuckers aren't my concern," the orc snorted. "Just their stuff. Your stuff isn't even worth taking once I kill you."

"Then try it."

The orc gave a war cry as he charged. Just as he swung, Goblin Slayer jumped backwards. He moved sideways, going in a circle around the orc as it madly swung its club. He couldn't keep out of its reach forever. He knew that well enough. He idly noted something on the ground and had something in mind. Just as the orc made to swing at him again, he rolled on the ground and dodged.

The orc turned. Goblin Slayer threw the rock he picked up from the ground into the orc's face, hitting his left eye. The orc let out a pained cry as he held his face. Goblin Slayer used this moment to move forward and stab the orc in the chest. The orc gurgled and smashed his fist down on Goblin Slayer's shoulder.

Goblin Slayer grunted and moved back, pulling his sword with him. The blow didn't break bone, but it'd definitely leave a bruise. The orc stumbled for a moment, before falling dead. Another orc gave a battle cry. Goblin Slayer reminded himself they were about the size of hobs and turned around, throwing his sword. The orc female caught it in the throat and fell down dead.

Goblin Slayer idly remarked he was aiming for the chest, but that was good enough. He moved forward to pick up his sword. As he did, Spearman came over to his side.

"Pretty impressive," Spearman said readying himself once more. The last eight orcs growled as they faced the two adventurers. "You continue to surprise me, Goblin Slayer. Buy some fancy armor and get a good fucking sword and I'll gladly call you a Steel rank."

"I don't care," Goblin Slayer retorted and the orcs charged.

One of the orcs charged at Goblin Slayer. He threw another small rock, this time it was blocked by a small shield. However, that left his abdomen open to which Goblin Slayer gladly stabbed into the flesh. The orc gave a pained cry and brought its sword down. Goblin Slayer blocked it with his own smaller shield and the two opponents panted. The orc held its stomach and moved back, letting another orc try to go in for the kill.

The orc brought down its axe and Goblin Slayer moved to the side. Twice more it swung at him and he dodged. He caught the third on his shield and slashed at the orc. It bounced off of his armored chest, but left a gash on his unprotected arm. The orc gave a louder cry of anger and brought its axe down again. This time as he dodged, he moved to the side and slashed right above the orc's hip. The orc stumbled but before he could do anything about this opportunity, the other orc charged.

Goblin Slayer parried the blade with his own. Again he parried, this time on the flat of his blade. He pushed it aside and bashed the orcs head with his small shield. A tooth was sent flying. As the orc came to terms with that, Goblin Slayer stabbed its throat. It gurgled and fell over.

The last orc smashed Goblin Slayer's sword out of his hands and pushed against him, knocking him to the ground. It grinned and brought down its weapon. Out of skill and luck, Goblin Slayer brought both his hands up at the same time and caught the blade. The orc scowled as he pushed down, wanting nothing more than to kill this opponent.

Spearman's spear skewered him in the back before he could accomplish that. As the greatest adventurer pulled the orc away, he smiled down at him. "I guess I killed most of them. You've got to up your game, Goblin Slayer. You only had two on you."

"You had six," Goblin Slayer was helped up by Spearman.

"And they are all dead," he jerked a thumb over to the corpses. "How about I teach you a few things, eh? I did save your life so you owe me."

Goblin Slayer sighed. It wouldn't hurt, "Fine…. Although I had him."

Spearman laughed, "Oh so a bit of arrogance is in that steel suit. I'll make you a true adventurer yet."

"One lesson," Goblin Slayer said.

"Well given you've got to pleasure seven women, one lesson is probably the only thing you can manage with that left over energy." He laughed.

Goblin Slayer didn't say anything.

Because it was partially true.