Maintaining her cheerful expression as she pulled her uncle's heavily laden dairy cart, for she always enjoyed the chance to spend some time alone with her currently armored childhood friend, the buxom red head ended the previous atmosphere of silence by expressing her opinion regarding her companion's morning ritual.
"Hey. I know you must be tired of hearing this by now, but I want you to know that I really appreciate you checking around the farm every morning".
"No problem. It's the best time of day to see if Goblins are preparing for a surprise attack. Any earlier and you run the risk of alerting them to your sweeps, which in turn increases the chances of them changing their plan. But too late, and your left with little time to prepare".
Though most people would have sighed in bemusement at this line of reasoning, Cow Girl had long since gotten used to Goblin Slayer's method of explaining things. For in her mind, it showed that he cared for her continued well being.
Even though she was still mildly put out by the man's continued inability to act in a less focused manner. Or at least, the inability to devote more of his attention to other things besides goblin slaying.
"Hmmm. But I'm sure that even if you did find something, you'd be able to handle it".
Chuckling as her comment managed to cause a reaction from her armored companion, even if it was only a slight rotation of his helmet, the crimson haired beauty found some of her mirth disappearing as Goblin Slayer responded to her comment.
"Maybe. But only if they were few in number and if I got the drop on them. If their numbers were too large, or if they were prepared for someone to come looking for them, then I suspect the farm would be overrun".
Though it would have been impossible for anyone else to hear, and Cowgirl wasn't 100% sure she wasn't simply wishing what she wanted to hear, the tone of the silver ranked adventurer carried a hint of protectiveness went mentioning the place they both called home.
Knowing that it was pointless to continue this particular topic of discussion, for it was both depressing and also terrifying for the girl who had not only barely managed to survive the destruction of her village, but had also been spared the horror of watching it happen, the buxom girl attempted to change the direction of their conversation.
"So, do you think it will be busy at the Guild today"?
Though his face was hidden from her, Cowgirl could almost picture the puzzled expression that was currently being displayed across her friends face as he tried to come up with an answer to this random question.
"Depends what you mean by busy. If your referring to having the building packed with adventurers, the answer is probably yes. But whether if its because their waiting for new quests to be issued, or are simply returning from a quest, I cannot say".
Shaking her head in amusement at his answer, and taking note of the steadily growing structures that laid in front of them, Cowgirl retained her smiling expression as she gestured towards their approaching destination.
"Well, I suppose you'll soon have a chance to find out".
Her words earning yet another nod from her stoic companion, the buxom niece of a dairy farmer chose to remain silent as to better enjoy their remaining time together.
…
Though having refreshed herself after returning from her rather….intense introduction to the adventuring life, Priestess couldn't fight the increasing amount of nervousness that coursed through her body as she waited for her partner to return.
Not because she was afraid of her next confrontation of evil. Though thinking about what she could expect did little to sooth her nerves.
Nor was it because she was fearing that Goblin Slayer would refuse to allow her to accompany him during their next mission. For after she had been dismissed to rest from their trial in the goblin tunnels, Priestess had sought to prepare herself as much as possible. She had asked the few adventurers that were healing at the abbey how to best prepare for a quest, and had used what meager finances she had managed to save to ensure she could make the most of this advice.
A concealed set of chain-mail to help protect her from stabs in the dark.
Potions to help recover one's health and stamina should one find themselves unable to do so through magical or normal means.
No, her increased nervousness had to do with the consequences of having earned greater favor with her goddess.
While the ability to evoke an additional miracle was greatly appreciated, even if she was still somewhat hesitant to mention it to Goblin Slayer considering the uses he would no doubt use it for, the young girl's ability to perceive the darkness in others was something that continued to unsettle her.
Though the Abbess had stated that it was more to determine the amount of light within a person rather than the amount of evil they might possess, and that those who were just granted this ability would find it difficult to predict with 100% accuracy what a person's moral alignment was.
But despite having this ability for only a short while, which she was forbidden from revealing to those who weren't recognized servants of the Earth Mother, Priestess had already managed to put this skill to good use. Even if it was for purely selfish reasons.
For with the skill, she had known which members of the Guild possessed good intentions when trying to convince her to join their party, and which ones were hiding their true selves behind a mask.
Thankfully, apart from that overly friendly Rhea, most of those who approached her were either firmly in the light, or had auras that were slight shades of gray. Which she had been instructed to mean that they had reached the point where their quests were starting to influence them to a dangerous degree.
Which was why she was nervous to once again be in Goblin Slayer's presence.
Not because she was worried that his noble actions were actually a front to hide an evil nature, but because she was concerned that his aura might share the same shade of apathetic grey she had briefly seen in other adventurers.
But as she watched him march through the Guild doors, doing her best to ignore the sudden pang of jealousy as she took in the rather gifted figure of his red haired companion, such thoughts were driven from her mind.
For while his aura did possess some rather troubling grey spots, it was nevertheless colored with…
"Good you're here. What's the best way to hide your scent from a Goblin"?
Unsure if she should laugh at the man's one track mind, or shudder as the question reminded her of the disgusting experience she was still trying to get over, Priestess nevertheless responded to the rather unorthodox greeting with a voice filled with determination.
"Covering one's self with something that makes one smell like a Goblin. Though I must ask Goblin Slayer sir, isn't there something else that can be used for that besides…blood"?
Her question earning a look of sympathy from everyone who was in earshot, though she noticed only the overall wearing red head was directing a slightly chastising look towards the silver ranked adventurer, the blond girl felt a slightly strained smile spread across her face as she listened to Goblin Slayer's response to both her answer and her question.
"Correct. And I suppose so. However, the stench of Goblin blood is more tolerable than covering one's self in the…other types of waste they produce. Not to mention more readily accessible since Goblin store their waste away from their main entrances".
Unsure if she should feel relieved or disgusted at that piece of information, the robe wearing girl followed her strangely dedicated companion companion as he made his way towards reception.
…
"Yeah it wasn't easy. But after I managed to trick the beast into a corner, it only took one quick thrust to bring it down. Impressive no"?
Shooting the golden haired woman a smile that had managed to charm countless women over the years, which also included his purple haired companion, the spear wielding adventurer barely succeeded in keeping his confident composure as his target acted like she usually did during his attempts to impress her.
"Yes most impressive. But can you explain how you managed to corner the troll in the first place? Such information will be useful for other adventurers who may find themselves in a similar situation such as yourself".
Doing his best not to feel too intimidated by that professional smile, not to mention the amused giggling of the only person who knew that his latest batch of heroics had been less intended than he was making them out to be, Spearman prepared to give a less…embarrassing account of his exploits, when the unwanted voice of his rival spoke up behind him.
"Are there any Goblin quests today"?
Gritting his teeth in frustration, though it had more to do with the way Guild Girl's expression seemed to light up at that predictable question than the interruption itself, the spear using adventurer barely managed to hold his tongue as the second most irritating person in his life captured the attention of the girl of his dreams.
"Good morning Goblin Slayer. And as a matter of fact there are. However, before I can give them to you, a trio of interested persons have requested a meeting with you. I can't really go into details, but I assure you that it will be of interest".
Gritting his teeth at how Goblin Slayer, the fanatic who only hunted the weakest of the weak, managed to get Guild Girl to relax her usual professional demeanor when the most he could get was a tired looking smile, Spearman was prevented from mentioning this rather unfair favoritism when a sound that he never hoped to hear again reached his ears.
"Khoooh Puuuhrr".
Doing his best to retain his confident demeanor, something that was rather difficult considering he wasn't sure if he should run away from the newest member of the guild or stand his ground, Spearman nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand land on his shoulder.
"I think…that it is…best if we…now take our leave. Thank you for…your time Guild Girl".
Flashing his voluptuous companion a look that was part grateful part sulking, for no man liked to play the part of damsel in distress, Spearman allowed himself to be dragged away from the trio.
And not a moment too soon.
For just as Witch managed to pull him towards the more crowded part of the building, which coincidentally also included a back exit, the spear wielding adventurer could hear the thudding footsteps of the being that required no spoken incantation to render him powerless.
And considering the slight chill in the air, though by no means as frigid as that night he had first met the armored man's acquiatance, Spearman believed that it would be far more beneficial to his health to be elsewhere if the intimidating magic user was in a bad mood.
…..
Though many denizens in his old life would have viewed his actions to be in the service of the Dark Side of the Force, for the act of robbing someone of life was seen as committing a crime against the Light Side of the Force, the former Jedi knew that his actions in the Goblin Nest had been an act of mercy that his former master's would have been incapable of performing.
Sidious, if he hadn't chosen to extend the amount of suffering by providing a form of healing that was even worse that the cause of the initial pain, would have simply let the girl die from both her injuries and from the efforts of birthing another one of those vile abomination.
While Obi-Wan would probably have done nothing, like he had after their duel on Mustafar, allowing the girl's fate to be determined by the will of the Force.
Neither of them would have chosen to honor to the girl's demand to end her suffering before she birthed another vile creature into the world, either due to malice or aloofness, but Vader took pride in being different from those who had shaped him into the monster he had become.
And while he could sense the Force mourn the loss of an innocent soul, the former Jedi could also sense a mild sense of approval that her suffering had come to an end, and the feeling of relief the girl had felt at being struck down by his light saber.
It was a distasteful task, but like other such actions he had taken during the course of his life, either as a Jedi or as a Sith, he performed it without regretting what he had done.
Only one potential issue remained for the Force wielding cyborg to overcome.
That of explaining his actions to the organization that had given him his task in the first place.
They would no doubt be pleased with the complete destruction of the Goblin Nest, though they might view his actions of causing a cave in to deny future use of the tunnel system as excessive, but the final parts of the mission would probably evoke some sort of irritating protest from either the leaders of the organization he was now part of, or from his so called colleagues.
And while he did not care for the personal opinion of others, something which had undoubtedly frustrated many Imperial politicians and military officer, Vader did care about having his time wasted by those who lacked the intelligence to ensure that their survival skills did not trump their personal morals.
Which is why the former Sith Lord ensured that he gave off an aura of near subtle menace as he approached the doors of the Adventurers Guild.
Not enough to cause the surrounding beings to recognize him as an immediate threat that should be removed immediately, but enough to ensure that he was undisturbed as he made his way to the understandable nervous woman's desk.
However, he had to give the blond haired woman credit for at least attempting to act as a professional agent of the Guild.
For unlike the much younger girl that remained rooted to the spot in terror, or that fool who tried to hide his fear behind a mask of bravado, Guild Girl still possessed enough courage, or perhaps it was foolishness, to treat him like a normal man.
"We…welcome back sir. Would it be safe to assume that your mission was a success then"?
Inclining his head forward in lieu of wasting words for such an obvious answer, and idly noting that more than a few adventurers were actively trying to listen in to his conversation, Vader merely waited for the receptionist to begin her inquiry before answering in his normal fashion.
"How many Goblins were there"?
"31".
'Where there any variations to the types you encountered"?
"Only 2 showed any differences from the rest. One was as tall as me and possessed overly large muscles. While the other was as small as the rest of the creatures, but possessed the ability to shoot fire from it's weapon".
"I see. And how many of them escaped the…extermination of the nest"?
At this particular question, even Vader's vocoder couldn't hide the pleasure his voice held as he answered that particular question.
"None".
Allowing a smirk to cross his features as his answer caused a fresh outbreak of muttering amongst his eavesdroppers, and only mildly interested as to why the young girl, who had previously been staring at him with terror, had allowed a hint of gratitude to enter her gaze, the former Jedi was almost disappointed by how calmly Guild Girl continued her line of questioning.
"I see. Did you sustain any injuries"?
"No".
Which was technically a truthful answer considering the location of the cut he had received from the Goblin knife. But since he had no desire to reveal that his limbs lacked anything resembling organic material, the former Jedi could only allow feel a sense of relief to be spared that potentially irritating line of questioning as Guild Girl continued.
Though the question she asked was one that he expected to be slightly troublesome to answer.
"Were there any survivors discovered in the nest"?
….
Think I'll end the chapter here for now XD.
I know I know. Cliff hangers..got to hate them XD. But this allows me to think of how the next segement of the story will take place, and gives me a chance to work on other things while you my loyal readers offer your opinions XD.
Anyway…finally gotten to Cow Girl's intro. As well as setting up the intro of the Elf, Dwarf, and Lizard. Will expand next chapter.
And….I think the segement with Priestess is possible/plausible. From what I've read in the lightnovel/manga, and seen in the anime…she does seem to have a sense of who's good, whose evil, etc. So thought I'd expand on that in order to better develop how her interactions with Vader will go.
And yes, beginning to approach the point where Vader's mechanical 'state' will be addressed. And whether or not there is something to heal/make him more functional in the GS world. Cause in both Cannon and Legends, the suit needs recharging XD.
Anyways, will get back to this when I can. Hope you all enjoyed this.
Looking for a Beta reader to help me with grammar etc.
As always, pls review. No flames.
