Hello my good people and welcome to the sequel to Goblin Slayer: The Team. I gave it a proverbial eternity to give my adoring fans time to give me input on a possible sequel, and after a good deal of planning...here you go.
You may recall that the first story I wrote was a what-if scenario, which for the record is what should be the real deal if it were up to me, with all due respect to the original creator. Anyway, the first act of this involved the original team Priestess had been part of having a fifth member, the Ranger, who eventually became their leader and they all to became the Silver Ranked beasts they deserved to be.
On an even more serious note, Ranger also became Fighter's boyfriend, and later married her in the end, which was a necessity I cannot stress enough to save my life. That unholy pilot episode richly deserves all the hatred it got, and will continue to get in the future, and half of this story's point is to rectify what happened, not only to Fighter, but to Warrior and Wizard as well. So here's to you three...
I've even had my number one fan TheCarlosInferno say Ranger is the missing link in GS. The story may revolve around GS himself, and rightly so, but Ranger still fills a role no one else plays: that of an adventurer who doesn't know how the game is played, but figures things out simply by being a mentally-sound human being. It's no secret that shitshow of a pilot episode turned so dark is because the trio, especially Warrior were too rash for their own good. For those of you who saw how I rewrote that pilot episode, and Ranger's speech to the team before they named him their boss, you know what I'm talking about.
Now...Goblin Slayer can and will make an appearance later on, but the first quarter or so will focus on some of Ranger's missions, with some of his teammates and other people thrown into the mix here and there. I also intend to throw in references to what happened in the first act...so, there's that. There will also be goblin blood to shed as Ranger goes, especially later on, so like with the first act...I will include Goblin Slayer later on so...please, cut me some slack. Now...let's get this adventure rolling shall we?
Over the course of the year since their wedding, life in Water Town was a pleasant, but unusual change of pace from the perspective of the newlyweds. Ranger found work around town in various places, especially within the guild. He was asked about his time as an adventurer by numerous people both inside and outside the guild, he was hired to train some aspiring adventurers with some methods he grew up with. He trained the rookies as hard as they could handle, and never for too long, and he mixed in sharing some of his experiences fighting monsters, especially goblins.
He remembered the time Sword Maiden was still haunted not only by her fear of goblins, but also of the low chance people believing her plight. Since she helped defeat the Demon Lord, a type of monster as pitiful as goblins petrifying her was unthinkable or even laughable. True to his promise, Ranger never betrayed her secret for obvious and various reasons, but he firmly believed himself obligated to at least make her secret easier to believe on the off-chance it was exposed to the public. Sword Maiden wasn't just the archbishop, or the one who blessed Ranger and Fighter's marriage, Sword Maiden was a personal friend of the team's, and Ranger looked after his friends. Even if none of that was a factor...goblins were abominations that needed to be addressed seriously, and the number of people doing no such thing was disturbing beyond words, and Ranger had to at least strike a blow against the people's ignorance and negligence.
In addition to his services to the guild in Water Town, he did various odd jobs around his neighborhood, including delivering supplies, messages, or both, and even learning a thing or two about how to cook the city's cuisine simply because he felt like it. He even tried some recipes alongside his wife, with whom he spent every waking moment at her side while she was carrying their child, unless Ranger was needed elsewhere. Fighter had to send him away sometimes while being stern; as touched as she was for Ranger's heart not allowing him to leave his pregnant wife alone, she did need her personal space like all people did. Ranger even stayed by Fighter's side when she was antsy, or had the infamous cravings pregnant women tended to get. There were things Ranger would always be willing to do, like massage Fighter when she needed one, or stand by her side when she went out to get fresh air.
Ranger's presence was sometimes necessary, especially when she encountered people who either greeted them, asked about the baby, or even asked to feel Fighter's abdomen to see how far she was coming along. Most of the time they asked for her consent before touching her, and sometimes she gave it, sometimes she turned them down. She tried not to take it personally...but she was somewhat concerned about what her pregnancy would do to her body in the long run. Ranger assured her that whatever happened to her not only could be undone given enough time. Even then, he would not stop loving her if she were somehow crippled, even if it were permanent Supreme forbid. Fighter's body was significantly stronger than an average woman's, or even most men's, so she was in little danger if any at all. Nevertheless, as the child's father, and Fighter's husband, Ranger was obligated to help Fighter along in any way he could, and he felt that way too...
Storm Mage also traveled to Water Town, and even stayed there to keep a watch for any major demonic activity. Some demons even had the nerve to track Ranger and Fighter, only for Storm Mage to get involved and stop them dead in their tracks. His Silver Rank spoke for itself; Assassin, Werewolf, and Storm Mage's brother Summoner, were all Bronze Ranks, and they kept the holy city free of demons with almost as little difficulty as GS had hunting and slaughtering goblins.
Storm Mage eventually drew the attention of the Sword Maiden herself, and was even summoned to the Temple of Law. He was also given her blessing as an official agent of the Supreme...which made him even more of a nightmare for whatever demons prowled the town. He even asked Her Grace why demons would prowl a town sacred to the Supreme God, and her reasoning was that finding a way to cripple the church would make it easier for he Demon Lord to rise again, which has to be extremely tempting for any demons seeking glory or credit in their ranks. The demons that monitored Ranger, Fighter, and their child made Storm Mage monitor the family closer than almost every other part of Water Town.
From the first moment they met, Storm Mage was hopelessly stricken by the Sword Maiden; she was as majestic as Ranger had described her. He even had to take time to catch his breath more than once each moment he first heard her voice, or saw her face. Sword Maiden even got back in touch with her original self and tied her hair into a ponytail similar to the one Fighter used to have, unless Her Grace had to look like the archbishop at the right time. She sometimes even had her hair braided like Fighter's as tribute to the two spouses she blessed.
Even when Her Grace explained that goblins dug their revolting fingers into her...Storm Mage's resolve to serve her only strengthened. Whether or not they could be together was anyone's guess, and he was hardly chaste himself; she was violated by goblins, whereas Storm Mage was involved in at least one orgy with priestesses of the Love Goddess...and had countless trysts with various women he encountered before he turned his life around. They were on two different ends of the same stick, but as far as he was concerned, it was a distinction without a difference, at least on that one side of the story. He often found the Sword Maiden being away to be with GS somewhat of an annoyance as a result...even though they both had others things to do as well.
In spite of his personal feelings, mutual or not, Storm Mage had a task to do, and he doubted her status as the archbishop allowed her to be involved with anyone to the fullest. As such, his only option was to swallow his feelings and stick to his demon hunting, and maybe even consult with the Love Goddess over where such matters could go for him in regards to the destination of his quest for actual love. He had a keen interest in Witch in the past, but she was clearly more interested in Spearman despite his flaws. Sword Maiden is more interested in GS...who as Storm Mage saw first hand, has not only Guild Girl and Cow Girl, both of whom were quite lovely in their own right, pursuing him tirelessly.
Regardless...Storm Mage knew firsthand that bolstering one's hopes only to have them terminated was emotional suicide. He could also do what Ranger and Fighter did; he could show Her Grace that he cared about her, possibly amuse her, and most certainly be there in any goblins dared show their faces in the sewers again, then decimate them for her. Besides, GS could not be everywhere at once, and even if Storm Mage wasn't jealous of him...goblins elsewhere needed to be purged as well. Going to one place to eliminate the goblins there when GS could be saving the lives, and mental health of those on the frontier, especially in rapid succession, was a fairly strong point to say the least.
He told of his willingness to keep a watch for goblins at one point, which was met with a simple expression of gratitude. He wasn't surprised; Sword Maiden's discomfort with the very subject was still there in the back of her mind. He only heard the stories and witnessed the goblins at the battle at the farm use captured girls as an act of psychological warfare, but...if even half of what she told him about her ordeal was true, then he envied her fortitude. A lesser woman would've gone mad, or even killed herself years prior to their meeting...but she endured it regardless.
She may no longer be chaste, but she was still more pure than he could ever be. He had been under the influence of his greed for years, which led him to not only throw away his virginity in an orgy. He also stole from countless people, even if they were not corrupt, and tried his best to live in as much luxury as he could. This included eating off gold plates, and even murdered people for money like a common assassin before betraying his employers when he found out who they really were. He also took their possessions as well, and all of his corruption, and the price that came with it was part of why he became a demon hunter aside from his family's ordeals with demons. Now here he was, kneeling before the archbishop herself, pouring his heart out to her over a period of several months whenever the precious little time they had allowed it. He had been looking to repair the damage he caused for years, and was faintly hoping they could be more than just lady and servant...but only fate could tell...
His three demon hunter companions made trips to Water Town to give Storm Mage any help he needed. They even shared some information on the War God with Ranger when he asked. The personal information given included that they love fighting the good fight, but had to exercise the discipline required to keep a level head in the chaos of battle. This applied especially to the times when they add to the chaos themselves, and even more to the fact that they had to turn off their bloodlust, no matter how extreme it got when the battle was over.
Assassin even hinted that she enjoyed fighting demons even more than she enjoys mating with Werewolf, since apparently...werewolves unironically tend to mate like beasts. It was quite bizarre hearing information that personal, but it was sort of fitting since it made Assassin's position with the War God clear.. He and the Love Goddess, who happened to be his divine spouse, obviously condoned sexual relations between people who have a spiritual, or emotional bond like Ranger and Fighter had.
Regardless, the three condoned that Ranger should pursue the War God's path since Ranger had done countless things to earn his favor. From helping fellow adventurers train, to learning various forms of combat, especially from such a young age, massacring the Demon Lord's followers, to especially acknowledging the War God and Love Goddess' marriage and paying tribute to it with his own. Ranger and Fighter even looked into the Love Goddess' teachings and found that Storm Mage's info was solid; the Love Goddess does teach about passion between people in just about every form. Friendship, sexual fidelity, family bonds, love between people who treat each other like family, like Fighter and Warrior...it all fit. Even her miracles involve drawing power from bonds of love, even between people who don't know each other.
By sharp contrast, the War God's miracles involved raw destruction, like the miracle of Immolation which created a flame at the target's location that cannot be extinguished by normal means, and will consume everything around it, even water and other flames, until the caster tells it to stop. Others gave the caster themselves power to cause destruction, like the infamous Army of One miracle give the caster Platinum level strength, speed, defenses, and magical power for as long as the caster could tolerate the strain. As a result, the War God only gave this miracle to his most loyal and competent worshipers, but considering that Ranger both heard of, and even got to witness the Hero's power first-hand...it was quite a sensation just thinking about receiving the Army of One miracle. Ranger had seen the Hero's power when she and Sword Maiden together defeated a beast known as the Hecatoncheir, and Sword Maiden graced him with a vision of the battle. .
Even without any miracles aside from Smith and eventually Immolation, Ranger found the War God's teachings and secrets about discipline to be priceless. He even learned the Art of Silent Wrath, or tranquil fury for those less initiated. It was the combination of a rabid animal's frenzy, and a zen practitioner's calm, the result was the ability to transfer all of one's power and speed into a single blow with near-pinpoint accuracy, which meant that Ranger's already aggressive and brutal yet fluid and subtle style...was able to do that description even greater justice. In addition, he recalled several moments where he lost his temper over something, especially if it was hellish, like the time he beat a goblin within an inch of its life after catching it red-handed violating a woman...after he shot a shaman between the legs with a crossbow.
The secret to tranquil fury was that one had to let go of how satisfying it was to get revenge, which is yet another form of lust to avoid, hence the term bloodlust. As difficult as it was to do, it was also fitting to get let your actions speak for themselves, especially since wrath tends to lead someone to sacrifice defense for offense, offense that goes to waste if one loses their life in battle. It was written by a priest of the War God that one only has power over their own mind, and nothing else, and one's power over the world around them is tied directly to their power over their mind, especially in battle.
Ranger even learned some magic types that only servants of the War God were supposed to know, which included forming weapons out of liquefied metal like how Revenant did with his scythes...may he rest in peace. Assassin even showed off her knife-throwing skills, and how they were linked to her ability to teleport her knives back into her sheathes. She also helped Ranger train his mastery over tranquil fury by using yet another trick used by servants of the War God, as well as the most advanced martial arts experts, namely pressure point strikes. There were parts of the body where, if they are struck hard enough, will cause either pain, difficulty moving, or in extreme cases, subtle attacks on one's health itself. Assassin simply danced around Ranger weaving in and out of his moves which frustrated him at first, then he meditated on how he should keep control of his mind and stop expecting things to go well in extreme situations.
Assassin eventually increased the intensity of her teachings by hitting Ranger in weak spots while his eyes were closed, which broke his self-control entirely. The act of Assassin striking him in such a dishonorable manner was outrageous at best, and made him charge at Assassin. She continuously weaved around Ranger's uncoordinated attacks, and kept hitting him until he stopped attacking her...then he finally let go of his expectations and desire for control. Afterwards, he started attacking her with the same level of coordination as she used against him. Granted all this training took the better part of a month thanks to how many interruptions there were, what with his wife carrying his child and his friends stopping by every now and then. He even caught both Cow Girl and Guild Girl watching him, but he told them he'd be fine and to not ask too many questions since business between servants of the War God was sacred and was kept secret for a reason.
As for his old teammates...true to her word, Wizard formed a portal between the frontier and Water Town, and they visited several times a week unless work kept them busy. Ranger's parents even moved to the frontier, including his mother, who now worked at the temple giving potions to those who needed them. Ranger's father trained new adventurers like how Ranger was trained, with Warrior giving aid, mostly with demonstrations and sparring, with the occasional renovation here and there. Wizard also got her younger brother involved, and the two helped train some adventurers in magic use. Wizard's brother was completely dazzled by the Gold Rank spells his sister was able to use in addition to what they learned at the academy.
Warrior took a nearly instant disliking to Wizard's brother thanks to how harsh he was to the trainees, but Wizard got him in-line; it seemed that Ranger rubbed off on her as well. Wizard's brother got involved in enchanting, alchemy, magic traps, and especially summoning like his sister did. His favorite spells, aside from fire magic, was summoning spirit animals to fight for him, from bears when brute force was needed, to wolves to swarm foes, to birds to fly around and shoot magic bolts at foes, to mice and squirrels to scout with. Even Warrior, who needed a seriously large amount of time get used to his future brother-in-law, had to admit he was going to be a strong asset to the guild...and the team.
Wizard and Warrior weren't married, but they were still in a fiercely-committed relationship. Ranger even caught the two aggressively kissing against a wall in their old apartment and jokingly told them to get a room, only to be reminded of the time he was in bed with Fighter at that elven village after they fought the ogre a year ago. Wizard was even able to break down some of the magic she studied and taught Ranger the Life Sight, and Repair spells. In return, Ranger showed her the idea of turning one's weapon into liquid and store it in their outfit, which turned out to be a form of alchemy, which was the only school of magic she had yet to perfect.
She even learned some illusion magic, with included inducing different emotions, especially rage and terror in her foes. As it turned out, illusion magic can be used in positive ways, like curing or at least combating post-traumatic stress disorder but that was just as controversial as using negative emotion magic. Emotions are extremely personal and reaching into someone to control their feelings was easier to abuse than it had any right to be. Wizard is one of the few people that was confirmed to be trustworthy with that kind of power, and Ranger was more interested in that kind of magic, but swore that he would only use it in emergencies, or if his foes really deserve to feel certain ways. He would gladly make a horde of goblins blind with rage or fear and tear each other apart; it was a cowardly trick used on cowardly creatures.
When Ranger and Warrior were alone while their female friends were having a baby shower for Fighter, Ranger asked how things were between Warrior and Wizard, and...they were having about as much luck as he had with Fighter. Ranger not only caught Warrior passionately kissing Wizard...but Warrior was also fondling and squeezing her sizable breasts. Ranger had seen Wizard naked when she was used for the Resurrection miracle that restored his body after he caught fire during their first quest underneath Water Town. According to Warrior, while Fighter was still more muscular, Wizard was still plump and curvy in all the right ways...and had gotten slightly more so thanks to her physical training and how much she's been eating.
It's a well-known fact that different body types appeal to different people, and Wizard's clearly appealed to Warrior. She was slender but strong, soft and supple but still decently lean. Ranger could also see that Warrior's muscles had gotten nearly twice as large over the months. Just like Wizard, Warrior grew his hair out and each one had matching ponytails and bangs similar to Ranger's own, but that wasn't tribute; it was pure coincidence. Wizard even made a joke about putting a spell on Warrior, but Warrior said she already did a long time ago...and Ranger had to admit that was a smooth-as-honey line indeed.
Priestess stuck with GS like she said she would, and it seemed her presence alone was enough to keep demonic forces at bay, probably out of fear. She did help defeat a demon general afterall, not to mention her miracles were very strong against demons. She also healed and empowered any rookies that needed it during training, but of course she did so when she wasn't with GS' own team composed of H.E. Archer, Dwarf Shaman, and Lizard Priest. The four of them were nearly inseparable, especially on quests, and Priestess was technically part of GS' team, as well as Ranger's. She was practically a younger version of the Sword Maiden, and not just because of their similar looks; the two were like mother and daughter nowadays, and even had similar powers.
Her Grace even called Priestess to the Temple of Law during one of her visits and helped turn the Temple into a conduit for the Supreme's power, although the most that could accomplish at this point was to make Storm Mage's demon hunts easier...who knew? It may eventually become strong enough to blast the Demon Lord back into hell with history's most powerful Holy Smite miracle someday, but that's a wildly hopeful goal if there ever was one. Ranger also debated whether or not to give Priestess the War God's blessing to add to her power, but not only was she already strong enough in her own right...she's too gentle-spirited to be an agent of the War God.
As for the other adventurers, Heavy Warrior and Female Knight were in an out-in-the-open relationship now, and even included Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric, who were both Sapphire Ranks now, due in no small part to Warrior and Wizard's training regime, and the equipment they had in store for them. A regime that was making the town's economic heart pound like a drum no less; coin was flowing into the guild's pockets and by default, into the pockets of adventurers by the dozen. This in turn led to them buying more equipment, which was given to Wizard to enchant, who turned to Warrior and Ranger's father to train them in their equipment's use.
Even some veterans asked for help once in a while, and Ranger's father put his knowledge of how each weapon worked to use as well, especially by showing the adventurers, including Warrior how to use non-enchanted weapons. Warrior in turn then taught others how to use the enchanted weapons, and the system became nearly fool-proof. Ranger's mother even gave out potions if she couldn't outright sell them; blasphemous or not, asking for coin in return for items was a necessity. Coin made the world go round as the saying went...
Wizard's brother eventually joined the action as he did not want to be upstaged or surpassed too egregiously by his sister, and he studied her spells alongside some aspiring mages, and even some warriors of all types to be hybrid mages. Even some martial artists who wanted to be mages as well joined in, including a certain Rhea Fighter whom it was hinted that Wizard's brother had a thing for. Everything was almost too good to be true, or to last...and it was; goblins even tunneled up into the middle of the frontier town, attacked the training grounds, and injured several adventurers who had to put their new skills, armor, and weapons to use. Ranger's mother had to give them all Wizard's life potions to heal, and cure their ailments. Luckily no one died, but the damage to the people's minds was already done; if goblins could tunnel into the middle of their hometown...what else could they do?
Wizard and Warrior's equipment didn't change that much either, aside from the fact that Warrior was able to use an item that used space magic to store an entire arsenal of enchanted weapons, which includes a glaive similar to the one Wizard uses. They also had a pair of throwable axes, and each with a spike and hook on them, like a halberd, which thanks to alchemy, can be liquefied and turned into a halberd version. Wizard still had her trusty glaive, and hired Spearman to continue her training in her spare time, and Warrior got in on the action too.
Both of them put in heavy work when the goblins invaded the town too. Wizard used husks of her summoned elementals to enhance items as well, especially her and Warrior's armor. Warrior also put his lightning hammer to use every time he needed some magic to use in ranged combat. Wizard even had the axes melted into Warrior's hammer, and it became a two-handed version.
Ranger and Fighter still had their original gear, especially Ranger's twin swords which he sacrificed to the War God. He got a replacement set of swords with the same leaf-shaped blades that must've been four feet long. The lead-shaped blade were perfectly designed for stabbing, and slicing through flesh, as well as hacking into harder materials. This was especially true since these had their dragon and demon blood replaced with blood from the War God himself...which made them not only nearly unbreakable and self-maintaining, but also sharp enough to carve through stone with ease.
The blades were also able to be imbued with heat to not only make them anti-cold, but also makes them burn through their target as well as cut through them, not to mention the glow was both beautiful and...quite intimidating. Ranger remembered his ordeal with a goblin champion burning him with Wizard's spells, and almost felt sorry for any goblin Ranger would hit with them. He still had his metal crossbow Wizard transmuted for him and it was still as functional as ever. He believed he could eventually liquefy the swords and crossbow and make other weapons with them, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it.
Wizard even tried to use alchemy on them...but her efforts were completely rejected by the blades. The War God did not take kindly to his work being used for the sake of simple curiosity, even if it's this petty. Wizard could however try to give Fighter's arm and leg blades a similar enchantment, although...nothing could be promised. Wizard was even able to turn Ranger's armor into a mix of a form-fitting leather-like material with the metal mixed right into it, which made it deceptively flexible, as well as durable as it should be. Some cloth pieces and armor plates attached to it to not only add to the aesthetic, but also the function. Fighter was given something similar, but of course, they would have to wait until she gave birth to try its durability.
Even as Fighter was pregnant, and especially during her earliest and middle phase, she did not stop working on her body; she promised she would not fall behind Ranger, and even make herself larger. Training with the servants of the War God was out of the question, but training on her own was not. She lifted large metal items with her arms alone, she picked up the items and simply stood up while resting them on her shoulders, she stretched her tendons, and did the same katas she knew enamored Ranger. She even wore weighted clothing to make her movements more difficult, and she ate and drink to fulfilled the demands of her own growing body, and the life growing within her womb. To her credit, Fighter's arms and legs grew and became denser in response to her training, and her figure became slightly more plump as well. Naturally, she knew more than enough to avoid taxing her body to avoid causing potential harm to her future offspring...whom she was going to deliver at any moment when she was done training.
When Fighter finally gave birth, it was luckily in the middle of a visit...so the women stayed with her to help set things up for the delivery. Ranger rushed to get the doctor they were checking in with, and professional preparations were made in addition to what the visiting woman set up. Ranger himself had to leave the manor they were living in to get away from the torment of Fighter's screams. He had faith she could handle the pain, but hearing her screams wore on his heart overtime, especially since it took several hours for her labor to end. Thank holiness he nearly mastered discipline thanks to the demon hunters.
He was just about to come back inside when Cow Girl came out to get him instead, and told him he had to see his child. When Ranger returned...Fighter, his love and life, was holding their newborn daughter in her arms, one who would have at least one other sibling if it was possible. Priestess was even kind enough to use a Healing miracle on Fighter to help with the strain of childbirth, and even blessed the baby on the Sword Maiden's behalf.
Through it all however, Ranger never stopped looking at his new daughter, and recalled what Fighter had to endure since they known each other. From the countless goblins they butchered, to the two men who made advanced on Fighter before her and Ranger's first kiss, to the other horrors they went through in hell. Then he realized that if he and Fighter could handle all that darkness, then their daughter would be able to as well, given enough training, time, and self-discovery. Of course there were Ranger's parents who would see to their new granddaughter whenever possible. There are also the friends the newborn girl will make as she grows up, and the team Ranger was surrounded by, along with the gods celebrating and watching over this moment.
Imagine the new parents' surprise when Storm Mage showed up days later and said the Sword Maiden wanted to see them,. The delight in the Sword Maiden's face when she held the child was almost material; one would think she was the mother herself. It was clear to everyone she was taking this all very personally; she said herself that she sees the love between Ranger and Fighter as evidence of the Supreme's presence on Earth being as firm as it should be. What could be more just than the marriage between two strong and benevolent adventurers who served the country and maybe the world in more ways than one?
She condoned Ranger's desire to follow the War God specifically so he could disperse justice to the world's enemies, especially goblins and the Evil Sect if and when it came to that. Her Grace even asked Storm Mage's friend Bard, and the elven Songstress he works with, and apparently is infatuated with, to help watch over the baby. This could be especially helpful for the baby's naps; who better to do a lullaby or two than a pair who sing as a trade? Some children of the neighbors even stopped by to see the baby, with supervision of course.
When Fighter recovered from the strain of childbirth in full, she and Ranger resumed their training together, and Fighter was relieved to no longer have to haul around another person inside her body. She did lose some flexibility and strength during the last couple of months, but she was back to her original self in the blink of an eye, especially with Ranger there to massage her, and carry her if needed. He didn't even consider groping her unless she said it was alright; her body was still raw from her pregnancy, and it would take time to ween herself off of it, with or without potions and healing miracles.
Ranger's respect for her never ceased to touch her heart; just the knowledge that he was there for her sped up her recovery. Ranger proved hos loyalty to her even more whenever he held her, kissed her, and whispered reminders of his promises in her ear. He also put his new and improved cooking skills to use and fed her all the fish she could stomach, with some other things added to the mix as well; fish might be healthy but like all foods, it loses its appeal after a while. It was good for them to be able to train together again, although she was still somewhat sore between her legs and had an issue getting up after stretching, it was nothing a life potion couldn't fix. She gave special thanks to Priestess for healing her, even if it wasn't perfect.
Fighter tried her new suit of armor on and it fit her like a glove; it emphasized her figure while still leaving a good deal to the imagination, it could withstand quite a bit of punishment that she barely felt when she trained with Ranger. He actually kicked her without his armor on to give her a chance to get used to it, and didn't slow her down when she tried her more advanced moves. Her arm and leg blades were taken to a statue of the War God to be blessed after a blood sacrifice from Ranger himself, and they were given the same heat enchantment and Fighter put them to use by shearing through a stone pillar with a hook-punch and a roundhouse kick followed by an axe kick, one after the other.
She also tried her hand at pressure point training, but didn't dare test that on her husband, so she was given a special dummy by Assassin to get a feel for where on a foe's body to hit for maximum impact. She was even able to learn which pressure points to hit if she wanted the opposite effect, like if someone had a headache she could get rid of. Using this skill in combat is less risky since in that case, you actually want your foe to go down. But of course, she would only use this skill in serious fights; using a potentially lethal skill normally was uncivilized at best.
A dwarven caravan even appeared about a month after Fighter gave birth, and Ranger offered to demonstrate a new technology, a revolver. It worked by having a special lever called a hammer strike a special powder inside a metal case in each space in the revolving cylinder. The resulting explosion expelled the slug of the case at a speed so high the slug couldn't be seen, let alone dodged unless the user's aim was inadequate, or the target was too far away. The recoil, and ear-splitting sound were something that would take serious adjustment, but Ranger could definitely see it coming in handy if things got too chaotic. This was especially true since the ammunition, and the gun itself were the priciest things Ranger ever bought. He spent five hundred gold for the gun, and one hundred silver for each of his six bullets, and that's including a discount for helping to test the weapon. With his new gun, swords, and armor, and old crossbow, he believed he'd be ready for anything.
Little did he know...he'd put his new toy to use sooner than he thought...
In the eyes of a ranger, the unsuspecting stranger, had better know the truth of wrong from right.
'Cause the eyes of a ranger are upon you. Any wrong you do, he's gonna see. When you're in Texas, look behind you, cause that's...where the ranger's...gonna be...
For those of you that don't know...Chuck Norris himself is behind those lines, and according to what I read, he sang that himself on the show Walker: Texas Ranger, and...well, it has "ranger" in the lyrics so I thought it would be an appropriate tribute. Speaking of Ranger, how beast do you have to be to put your mind and body through hellish training while your wife is pregnant? Of course Ranger wouldn't leave her hanging if she needs him; there's no way he'd do his wife that dirty, but it's still one hell of a time-killer. Not to mention the fact that he wasn't going to go crush any goblin heads anytime soon, so he might as well make the most of it.
Now, to those of you who say this is just one big information dump, I do apologize for that, but what am I supposed to do? go through a year's worth of material before getting to the good stuff? I really don't want to do that thank you very much.
Also, guns are now a thing in the Goblin Slayer universe, and let's face it: guns aren't too farfetched all-things-considered: they were made by dwarves, who are famous for being crafty, they're not easy to make and pricey as such, are rare as well, can and will become necessary, and above all, are going to be treated as a weapon, not a plot device, so if any of you want something like a minigun, it will not be without good reason.
Anyway, I hope you're all ready for what comes next in my take on Goblin Slayer. So please rate, review, and share, the whole spiel and stay tuned for what comes next.