p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="57b7e85aa1d31cafc48b4535f9cb85bf"After seeing off the adventurer who called himself "Goblin Slayer," the four adventurers known as "The Last Defender of the Way" began their search of the goblin's lair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="260591da71a067505fa8bff073d72776"Occasionally, remnants of goblins hiding in crevices and caves would leap out to ambush them, but they were easily dealt with. Soon, they found kidnapped villagers in one of the caves./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="966fed37c8e0ed273a88597a44410715"Most of the kidnapped villagers were women, about ten in number. Their arms and ankles were tightly bound with rough grass ropes, their bodies exposed, and their lower halves naked. Their eyes were swollen, clearly having suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of the goblins./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d7646d7f67df95292dcccac31c423d4"Several human skulls lay on the ground, a grim reminder of the goblins' brutality. It was a miracle that these women were still alive./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5c965b644ea8636056300685ce057f2c"The villagers curled up, their eyes dull, until the adventurers entered. They cut the grass ropes binding them and draped cloth over their bodies, prompting tears of relief and cries of sobbing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="df916a1f2858af78c3eba1b73ed4e9f8"With insufficient cloth, Barrett reluctantly cut open the oilcloth tent from his spatial ring with a knife, creating makeshift coverings to clothe the villagers and hide their nakedness./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="422eb5d497494858ffc9e11576b978e6"Barrett was reluctant to part with his high-quality tent, purchased for 60 silver coins in the City Alliance. However, EeDeChi insisted on doing so and even dismantled her own tent./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ce1df9e37744f7e9c068e16103cddd9a"Barrett was puzzled why EeDeChi got so emotionally stirred up at the sight of a naked woman, as if sand had gotten into her eyes—no, it was more like a meteorite, wild and frenzied. Could she really have come out of a convent?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e4d42c2841bce657ddb965ba8312ddee"Reflecting on this, Barrett couldn't help but sympathize with Stella. Under EeDeChi's strict requirements to dress plainly and avoid heavy makeup, she seemed to be heading towards becoming a nun./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3759ce44ee057a5986fe1da0151155e9"The four adventurers carried the surviving villagers out of the goblin's den and back outside the cave./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c8e498cd334dd773fdc9e82179c624a8"Later, EeDeChi once again unleashed her indiscriminate healing magic, instantly treating all the villagers' physical injuries, leaving no trace of wounds. Fortunately, there were no intact enemy corpses nearby, so no goblins were resurrected./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c90f051f3f52eb20013dbf1531b996e0"After being confined in the dark cave for so long, the villagers saw daylight again. Though they were uncomfortable with the sun's brightness, they squinted with joy and cheered happily./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="115eafef0edea06936b90fa4d2755ffa"Some young girls even jumped up happily, the loosely draped oilcloth revealing their fair skin, which made EeDeChi's forehead veins bulge./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bf8f1395fdf83979e841886ecf7e89a4"Once the rescued people recovered, the adventurers sent them to Sheep Horn Village. The villagers of Sheep Horn Village came forward to reclaim their daughters and wives. Among the survivors were also several from other villages./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a051e65f14cd8de64ad5bea0df839987""The Last Defender of the Way" adventurers were hailed as brave and fearless knight heroes by the village chief and the survivors' families, who were deeply grateful and thanked them profusely./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c83a8df021cfd2b1a77308a1d666ff83"Many young girls cast admiring glances at Barrett and Sean, and some bold girls even invited them to their homes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="41dd7ef2ac0ed8d7e98e19b918e04176"Barrett, with his vast experience, remained indifferent, while Sean, stirred by the village girls, blushed and felt awkward, occasionally stealing glances at Stella. Upon noticing a slight displeasure on the cleric girl's face, he felt strangely relieved and declined the girls' invitations./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1d446d8d768e4ab165ccccb91429fb24""You're the great heroes! You're like the Thirteen Heroes reborn! Thank you for saving me!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="31ea5754ef17f4d6748453541786f855"An old farmer shed tears as he spoke, facing EeDeChi and kneeling down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="66a5fa7a730551a472e4480990ea4be6"When bandits raided his home before, EeDeChi descended like a divine being, smashing the bandits against a wall with a sword, and collapsing half of his thatched house./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="36ce58f399e3208cd7d7dec00d80441e"Later, they also went out to eliminate goblins and rescued his daughter, who had gone missing while tending sheep. Since his wife's death and his son's disappearance in battle, his daughter had been his only emotional support./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8aa9a5dca451dbcac9272b96a9abf6c0"When she was abducted by goblins during sheep grazing, he was almost heartbroken and despondent. Now that his daughter had been recovered, how could he not be grateful to EeDeChi?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f60605a9ab956dc2ec1cae3a1ae535ec""Hero! Thank you, hero!" The old farmer knelt on the ground, and EeDeChi quickly helped him up./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="51c8360610115e912de9c52e214d360c"Facing the surrounding villagers, who were equally grateful, the adventurer captain's expression turned serious. She cleared her throat and began her speech:/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="116abdecb710cab24db97841698acf52""I'm no hero," EeDeChi paused, then continued, "and certainly not a Yordle with a hammer."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0b27f3922fd56102cfffe2412c8d9e1a""This grim world is a vortex of blood, where everyone must learn to fend for themselves. Might makes right, the ultimate truth all creatures in this world abide by./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9305ab4855223ab4f20ad244657588f4""I shouldn't have to bother with this, for I have my own mission in this world! I cannot let these trivial matters delay my time or disrupt my task! Yet I still choose to do everything possible to aid the weak I encounter."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d803bf52ed11819b17308bb387f34339"The emotionally charged villagers fell silent, nearly a hundred earnest eyes fixed upon EeDeChi at the center of the crowd./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7f2f1fe07ec83cc662f84a18f7a12d54""Because I detest this 'might makes right' truth. True strength, even if it's just superficial, should help the weak rather than bully them!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9fb1a8197bd9676f6a73a68c77db3101""Don't those who believe in ''might makes right' understand? There's always someone stronger out there, and if you think you're the strongest, abusing your power, someday you'll meet someone stronger who will devour you just the same!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e67d8788846909ee7daa306b0ca15aa""Of course, these words are all empty talk, clichés, and rhetoric to you! Because you are truly too weak, the human race is too feeble!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8dfe1496c2897bb2f4a199531aedc6fc""You must quickly multiply, unite! Build strength, train in combat, polish your weapons, prepare your defenses, and stand united against external threats! Only then can you survive in this world dominated by other races. Reform your systems, develop technology, advance in magic! Embrace both science and sorcery!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4e108074609a9ef144ab2a49d33e2cab""Of course, you might wonder, what does this have to do with me? I'm just a humble farmer, a shepherdess. Grand propositions of the survival of the human race—those are matters for lords, nobles, emperors, the lofty figures above. I only need to tend my own small plot of land./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aea439b0dea955fa3d3dd1557d8682d5""So when goblins attack, you are defenseless, letting your wives and children be taken away. So when bandits come to kill and burn, you can only kneel and beg for mercy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b27851d5c7df9fa6032d0860f3d816fb""Each and every one of you, from now on, must train your bodies, practice martial arts, forge weapons! Contribute to the survival of humanity! Arm yourselves and your families!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5b823ed371d100d5438017a6e786cb5b""If even a bee caught will fight to the death to sting, how much more so for humans? Even a small stone sharpens its edges to make those who dare to step on it regret!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1e6f3945f469669bb72a70a0ca0fde2b""Humanity must resist! Humanity must fight! Humanity will never surrender! Defend the justice in your hearts, never bowing to evil!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d4f2d855433658da387199a7dcbcdc0"The scene was silent, with a hint of blankness in the sincere eyes of the villagers. EeDeChi's words seemed too forward-thinking for them./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3588995b8ab03be663baee8490c41381"Thus, only a deathly silence prevailed. The villagers stared at EeDeChi with widened eyes, unmoving like carved wooden statues, as if awaiting her signal to adjourn the meeting./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="abebfaa5a8c6616d3bb4a198102ba417"EeDeChi exhaled softly, calming her slightly heaving chest after her impassioned speech. She sighed inwardly, "What's the point of telling them all this? In the end, every path will be mine alone to tread."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bbb4913c0883bcb8d4dd6aa307c4bb1c"Barrett, leaning against a tree, pursed his lips at EeDeChi's speech, not approving of them, but still began to clap./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="76520ec8d136230f1ace9112da939ea0"Seeing Barrett applaud, Sean and Stella exchanged a glance and joined in, clapping as well./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0189e5c6b7b7385843cf4864fc273e79"People tend to follow the crowd, so with these three leading the way, sporadic claps spread among the villagers. The sound of applause grew louder and louder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="60c734fa91343b41e4afa108d480c37c"Amidst the scattered and somewhat hesitant applause, EeDeChi, who had kept her face tense, slowly broke into a smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;".../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;".../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 18px;"Author's note: I've been experiencing issues accessing the fanfiction website yesterday and today. I'm not sure what's going on; perhaps fanfiction has found my IP suspicious and wants to ban it. This novel is also updated simultaneously on RoyalRoad, Scribblehub, and Webnovel. If you find that the novel has stopped updating on fanfiction, please check out the other websites. Rest assured, this novel will be completed as planned./span/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="260591da71a067505fa8bff073d72776"Occasionally, remnants of goblins hiding in crevices and caves would leap out to ambush them, but they were easily dealt with. Soon, they found kidnapped villagers in one of the caves./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="966fed37c8e0ed273a88597a44410715"Most of the kidnapped villagers were women, about ten in number. Their arms and ankles were tightly bound with rough grass ropes, their bodies exposed, and their lower halves naked. Their eyes were swollen, clearly having suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of the goblins./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d7646d7f67df95292dcccac31c423d4"Several human skulls lay on the ground, a grim reminder of the goblins' brutality. It was a miracle that these women were still alive./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5c965b644ea8636056300685ce057f2c"The villagers curled up, their eyes dull, until the adventurers entered. They cut the grass ropes binding them and draped cloth over their bodies, prompting tears of relief and cries of sobbing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="df916a1f2858af78c3eba1b73ed4e9f8"With insufficient cloth, Barrett reluctantly cut open the oilcloth tent from his spatial ring with a knife, creating makeshift coverings to clothe the villagers and hide their nakedness./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="422eb5d497494858ffc9e11576b978e6"Barrett was reluctant to part with his high-quality tent, purchased for 60 silver coins in the City Alliance. However, EeDeChi insisted on doing so and even dismantled her own tent./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ce1df9e37744f7e9c068e16103cddd9a"Barrett was puzzled why EeDeChi got so emotionally stirred up at the sight of a naked woman, as if sand had gotten into her eyes—no, it was more like a meteorite, wild and frenzied. Could she really have come out of a convent?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e4d42c2841bce657ddb965ba8312ddee"Reflecting on this, Barrett couldn't help but sympathize with Stella. Under EeDeChi's strict requirements to dress plainly and avoid heavy makeup, she seemed to be heading towards becoming a nun./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3759ce44ee057a5986fe1da0151155e9"The four adventurers carried the surviving villagers out of the goblin's den and back outside the cave./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c8e498cd334dd773fdc9e82179c624a8"Later, EeDeChi once again unleashed her indiscriminate healing magic, instantly treating all the villagers' physical injuries, leaving no trace of wounds. Fortunately, there were no intact enemy corpses nearby, so no goblins were resurrected./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c90f051f3f52eb20013dbf1531b996e0"After being confined in the dark cave for so long, the villagers saw daylight again. Though they were uncomfortable with the sun's brightness, they squinted with joy and cheered happily./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="115eafef0edea06936b90fa4d2755ffa"Some young girls even jumped up happily, the loosely draped oilcloth revealing their fair skin, which made EeDeChi's forehead veins bulge./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bf8f1395fdf83979e841886ecf7e89a4"Once the rescued people recovered, the adventurers sent them to Sheep Horn Village. The villagers of Sheep Horn Village came forward to reclaim their daughters and wives. Among the survivors were also several from other villages./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a051e65f14cd8de64ad5bea0df839987""The Last Defender of the Way" adventurers were hailed as brave and fearless knight heroes by the village chief and the survivors' families, who were deeply grateful and thanked them profusely./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c83a8df021cfd2b1a77308a1d666ff83"Many young girls cast admiring glances at Barrett and Sean, and some bold girls even invited them to their homes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="41dd7ef2ac0ed8d7e98e19b918e04176"Barrett, with his vast experience, remained indifferent, while Sean, stirred by the village girls, blushed and felt awkward, occasionally stealing glances at Stella. Upon noticing a slight displeasure on the cleric girl's face, he felt strangely relieved and declined the girls' invitations./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1d446d8d768e4ab165ccccb91429fb24""You're the great heroes! You're like the Thirteen Heroes reborn! Thank you for saving me!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="31ea5754ef17f4d6748453541786f855"An old farmer shed tears as he spoke, facing EeDeChi and kneeling down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="66a5fa7a730551a472e4480990ea4be6"When bandits raided his home before, EeDeChi descended like a divine being, smashing the bandits against a wall with a sword, and collapsing half of his thatched house./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="36ce58f399e3208cd7d7dec00d80441e"Later, they also went out to eliminate goblins and rescued his daughter, who had gone missing while tending sheep. Since his wife's death and his son's disappearance in battle, his daughter had been his only emotional support./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8aa9a5dca451dbcac9272b96a9abf6c0"When she was abducted by goblins during sheep grazing, he was almost heartbroken and despondent. Now that his daughter had been recovered, how could he not be grateful to EeDeChi?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f60605a9ab956dc2ec1cae3a1ae535ec""Hero! Thank you, hero!" The old farmer knelt on the ground, and EeDeChi quickly helped him up./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="51c8360610115e912de9c52e214d360c"Facing the surrounding villagers, who were equally grateful, the adventurer captain's expression turned serious. She cleared her throat and began her speech:/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="116abdecb710cab24db97841698acf52""I'm no hero," EeDeChi paused, then continued, "and certainly not a Yordle with a hammer."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0b27f3922fd56102cfffe2412c8d9e1a""This grim world is a vortex of blood, where everyone must learn to fend for themselves. Might makes right, the ultimate truth all creatures in this world abide by./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9305ab4855223ab4f20ad244657588f4""I shouldn't have to bother with this, for I have my own mission in this world! I cannot let these trivial matters delay my time or disrupt my task! Yet I still choose to do everything possible to aid the weak I encounter."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d803bf52ed11819b17308bb387f34339"The emotionally charged villagers fell silent, nearly a hundred earnest eyes fixed upon EeDeChi at the center of the crowd./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7f2f1fe07ec83cc662f84a18f7a12d54""Because I detest this 'might makes right' truth. True strength, even if it's just superficial, should help the weak rather than bully them!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9fb1a8197bd9676f6a73a68c77db3101""Don't those who believe in ''might makes right' understand? There's always someone stronger out there, and if you think you're the strongest, abusing your power, someday you'll meet someone stronger who will devour you just the same!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e67d8788846909ee7daa306b0ca15aa""Of course, these words are all empty talk, clichés, and rhetoric to you! Because you are truly too weak, the human race is too feeble!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8dfe1496c2897bb2f4a199531aedc6fc""You must quickly multiply, unite! Build strength, train in combat, polish your weapons, prepare your defenses, and stand united against external threats! Only then can you survive in this world dominated by other races. Reform your systems, develop technology, advance in magic! Embrace both science and sorcery!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4e108074609a9ef144ab2a49d33e2cab""Of course, you might wonder, what does this have to do with me? I'm just a humble farmer, a shepherdess. Grand propositions of the survival of the human race—those are matters for lords, nobles, emperors, the lofty figures above. I only need to tend my own small plot of land./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aea439b0dea955fa3d3dd1557d8682d5""So when goblins attack, you are defenseless, letting your wives and children be taken away. So when bandits come to kill and burn, you can only kneel and beg for mercy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b27851d5c7df9fa6032d0860f3d816fb""Each and every one of you, from now on, must train your bodies, practice martial arts, forge weapons! Contribute to the survival of humanity! Arm yourselves and your families!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5b823ed371d100d5438017a6e786cb5b""If even a bee caught will fight to the death to sting, how much more so for humans? Even a small stone sharpens its edges to make those who dare to step on it regret!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1e6f3945f469669bb72a70a0ca0fde2b""Humanity must resist! Humanity must fight! Humanity will never surrender! Defend the justice in your hearts, never bowing to evil!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d4f2d855433658da387199a7dcbcdc0"The scene was silent, with a hint of blankness in the sincere eyes of the villagers. EeDeChi's words seemed too forward-thinking for them./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3588995b8ab03be663baee8490c41381"Thus, only a deathly silence prevailed. The villagers stared at EeDeChi with widened eyes, unmoving like carved wooden statues, as if awaiting her signal to adjourn the meeting./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="abebfaa5a8c6616d3bb4a198102ba417"EeDeChi exhaled softly, calming her slightly heaving chest after her impassioned speech. She sighed inwardly, "What's the point of telling them all this? In the end, every path will be mine alone to tread."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bbb4913c0883bcb8d4dd6aa307c4bb1c"Barrett, leaning against a tree, pursed his lips at EeDeChi's speech, not approving of them, but still began to clap./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="76520ec8d136230f1ace9112da939ea0"Seeing Barrett applaud, Sean and Stella exchanged a glance and joined in, clapping as well./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0189e5c6b7b7385843cf4864fc273e79"People tend to follow the crowd, so with these three leading the way, sporadic claps spread among the villagers. The sound of applause grew louder and louder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="60c734fa91343b41e4afa108d480c37c"Amidst the scattered and somewhat hesitant applause, EeDeChi, who had kept her face tense, slowly broke into a smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;".../p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 18px;"Author's note: I've been experiencing issues accessing the fanfiction website yesterday and today. I'm not sure what's going on; perhaps fanfiction has found my IP suspicious and wants to ban it. This novel is also updated simultaneously on RoyalRoad, Scribblehub, and Webnovel. If you find that the novel has stopped updating on fanfiction, please check out the other websites. Rest assured, this novel will be completed as planned./span/span/p