Goblin Slayer's eyes cracked open— his body stiff and sore. Awakening feeling groggy— his intuitive senses gazed in a cloud of vertigo— the gray-hair teenager stared absentmindedly at his surroundings.
'... What is this place?' Goblin Slayer thought to himself— his mental articulation increasing with each passing second that the fog in his head began clearing up.
The room was warm, far warmer than the frozen wasteland he'd trudged through the night before. His limbs felt heavy, wrapped tightly with bandages. His mind was slow to adjust to the quiet, while the ache in his muscles helped him piece together what had led him there in the first place.
'That knight… Captain D'Arce, I think?' He began stringing together, while squinting his eyelids as his mind began painting an image of the short-haired ginger woman— his subconscious, for reasons beyond his understanding, made sure to emphasize her voluptuous curves that he had noticed beneath her bulky suit of steel armor.
'Ah, that's right… There was that giant thing, and… Hairy elephant? I wonder what happened to that weird thing— I don't recall it really giving chase, now that I think about it,' the gray-haired teenager couldn't help but to wonder to himself, as his mind retraced the events that led to the ambush.
He shifted, glancing around the room. Wooden walls, sturdy and unadorned save for a few colorful tapestries. The place felt rustic, comfortable in a way that made him uneasy. Not a battlefield, not the harsh wilds, but something in between. The air was thick with the smell of wood and something faintly sweet— like spiced bread. A fire crackled in a hearth across the room, its warmth barely reaching him.
'… I'm assuming after her men rounded up the surviving assailants, she took me here… Which means this must be some sort of hospital, or a small clinic,' the gray-haired teenager concluded, as he stared fixated at the flames dancing within the maw of the cobblestone hearth.
Before he could further dwell on his situation, the door suddenly creaked open. He tensed, and his hand instinctively moved beneath the covers toward his hip. Grasping at where he was used to the handle of his short sword being, Goblin Slayer couldn't help but to feel embarrassed at himself.
'Right… Hospital, or clinic-thing— I can't believe I just forgot about that,' the teenager thought exasperatingly to himself, before letting out a sigh as he laid eyes upon the large woman emerging from the opened door— her figure tall, curvy, her dark skin glowing in the dim light.
She wore a nurse's outfit—if it could be called that. The white fabric clung tightly to her body, hugging her hips and chest— the neckline dipping low enough to reveal the swell of her plump, brown breasts. The white apron tied around her waist only seemed to emphasize the fullness of her figure. Her black hair was tied up loosely, strands falling across her face as she smiled at him.
"Well, look who's awake." Her voice was low, playful, the kind of tone that made it clear she was used to getting attention. "You gave us quite the scare last night."
Goblin Slayer didn't respond at first— his eyes flicking to the steaming cup of coffee she held in one hand. He could smell it from where he laid in bed—the rich and dark aroma emitting from the ceramic cup, as the heat from it curled through the air as it rose toward the wooden ceiling.
"D… D-Djedat roast," the gray-haired teenager uttered out in a hollow voice— his crimson eyes widening, as he felt bittersweet nostalgia piercing its blade deep into his heart. '… That was Vivi's favorite kind of coffee.'
"You gonna stare all day, or you want this coffee?" She teased, while stepping closer— her wide hips swaying just a little more than necessary, as Goblin Slayer slowly broke out of his unexpected trance.
"R… Right," he whispered out in a distracted tone— the vivid dream of his older sister watching him build a snowman imprinting itself in his mind, as reached for the cup with his hand trembling slightly as he took it from her.
The warmth seeped into his fingers, and he held it for a moment, just feeling it— the rising steam caressing his pale face, as he stared down into the surface of the creamy-brown brewed beverage.
"Drink up," the dark-skinned nurse urged— her voice dipping lower. "It's gonna warm whatever part of you that my hands couldn't reach, sweetheart."
Registering what she had just said to him, the mental image of his older sister broke— causing whatever water was threatening to leak out of the teenager's eyelids to immediately retract into his tear ducts.
"I… I see," Goblin Slayer muttered in response, while lifting his eyes up from the piping hot coffee to meet the nurse's brown, amorous gaze— awkwardly bringing the cup to his lips, and inhaling the rich aroma before taking a ginger sip.
The heat spread through his chest, chasing away some of the lingering chill that clung to his bones. It was good. "Strong, with a hint of sweetness," the gray-haired teenager commented with a subtle hint of approval in his flat voice— momentarily forgetting how close the nurse was to him, until suddenly feeling her finger trailing down his exposed collar.
"You're lucky," she said, her voice soft but teasing— her finger brushing its way down to his shoulder, before she pretended to adjust his blanket. "Frostbite like that could've cost you a lot more than a little discomfort. Around here, people lose fingers. Toes. Worse. Earth Mother must have sent a guardian angel to protect you!"
And like that, for the first time that he could remember, Goblin Slayer actually let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. "If she did send a "guardian angel," then they're about five years too late," the gray-haired teenager scoffed bitterly— his detestment of Earth Mother causing the jovial and flirtatious nurse to grow quiet briefly, before suddenly letting out an amused laugh.
"Haha, ah! So you're a comedian too then, huh?!" The dark-skinned woman asked with a promiscuous smirk spreading across her red lipstick-painted lips. "Didn't take you for one— and you know what they say about handsome guys who have a sense of humor~!"
"No, I don't," Goblin Slayer said dryly— taking another sip of the coffee instead, and unintentionally eliciting another loud belly-laugh from the nurse by his bedside. "Tastes good," the gray-haired teenager complimented, as he lowered the rim of the cup from his lips— the feeling of the nurse's soft hand running along the back of his bare shoulders becoming less-and-less conflicting to him, as he looked up from his coffee to notice just how close she was leaning in towards him.
With how close her face was to his cheek, the older woman leaned in— closer now— her breath warm against his ear as she whispered to him in a sultry voice, "If you like brown things, baby, then that's not the only sweet thing I can give you~…!"
As unperceptive towards innuendos as ever, Goblin Slayer turned his head up towards the plump dark-skinned woman— their lips mere inches apart, and his eyes staring up into her lustful eyes as he opened his mouth to ask softly, "Like more coffee…?"
"Hmhmm~! Yeah… Yeah, "more coffee"— I can give you all the mocha your body desires," the mature nurse cooed flirtatiously with a wink— her full figure towering over him, while keeping close enough to the teenager's face to have the rising steam of his cup begin dancing underneath her face as well.
Feeling the mattress sink as the large woman raised her leg up to sit half-ways down on the edge of his bed, Goblin Slayer couldn't help but to feel a strange sensation radiating from his groin, as the blood began flowing down into his twitching member.
'… Why is my heart racing right now? I don't feel afraid, and yet… This feeling, it's… Oddly satisfying— enticing, like the promise of a reward just beyond reach,' the gray-haired teenager thought prolifically to himself— his inexperienced mind trying to scrape together a reason, while the heavy-set woman, who was more than twice age, scooted closer to him before stretching her curvaceous legs down alongside his.
With one arm wrapped behind his entire upper back, the dark-skinned nurse sat up beside him on the bed— his pillows propped up under her lower back, as she twisted her torso towards him.
"That's it, baby— ain't no shame in feeling what you're feeling…! Just like all that blood do its thing inside you, suga," the busty nurse cooed in a low, sultry voice— her plump cleavage lightly enveloping his shaded cheeks with the warmth radiating of her body, while the neckline of her outfit lower, as she used her free hand to begin applying light pressure onto his bandages.
"Just holla at me if any of this is hurting you, sweetheart— that's the last thing I wanna make you feel," she murmured, her voice almost a purr now. "Your skin feels as it should: warm, and soft— but not too soft… Can you take a deep breath for me, baby— just for me?"
Having been immersed in the oddity for him that was getting felt up by a grown woman, the sudden shift-changing question momentarily broke the sensual immersion the soothed teenager felt. "O… Okay?" He replied with a mildly inquisitive voice, before complying with her request as he felt her hand resting on the left side of his bandage-wrapped chest.
Giving him an approving glance, the dark-skinned nurse began shushing him affectionately— her caressing fingers gently traveling up his back, and feeling every curve of his spine along the way. "Mmmm, that feels good, don't it babe…?" The nurse cooed, while beginning to sport a more methodical expression, as she slowly traced her fingers up towards the back of his head.
Taking in a sharp breath from the way she made the hairs the back of his neck, upon realizing that she was gently pushing his face closer to her ample cleavage was when Goblin Slayer's crimson eyes widened in utter shock— his mind becoming scrambled with confusion and stirring emotions.
"W-What are you- mmph?!" The flustered teenager tried uttering out, before becoming muffed as his lips began pressing into the tops of the woman's chocolate-colored breasts— shushing him affectionately once more, as she reassuringly rubbed the back of his head while keeping his face buried in her spilled-out cleavage.
Her smile widened, and she leaned back slightly while keeping her palm still on his rapidly shifting chest. "Lungs and heart seem all good… Let's check your motor functions, honey," the plump nurse said in a promiscuous, yet focused voice— slowly moving her hand down, and wrapping hers around the gray-haired teenager's bandage-wrapped arm.
Although he could feel her fingers intertwining with his, Goblin Slayer was too engrossed with his sensual predicament to pay much mind to it; each warm, breath he took was of the older woman's perspired skin— the pores of her boobs excreting her humid aroma.
'Tastes… Salty, and earthy… Tastes like caramel,' Goblin Slayer struggled to string together— finding the words through the hazy fog that had made its way back into his head. 'I… I want to bite her— get a mouthful of her, and suck on the skin… Would she notice? Would that invoke a negative reaction? I suppose there's only one way to find out.'
"Aight babe, go ahead and squeeze my ha- O-Ohhh?!" The nurse yelped aloud before she could finish giving out her instruction— her cheeks lighting up in an even deeper shade than she was already sporting, as she glanced over from their intertwined hands to look down at the top of the teenager's head.
"Oooo, mmmph…! I- Ah…! For a moment there, I- mhhphh, f-fuck- I-I wasn't sure you were gonna actually r-reciprocate any of that," the sultry nurse admitted through low, soft moans— biting her bottom lip and sucking on it, and closing her eyelids shut.
Now being the one to break the lustful woman's concentration, Goblin Slayer focused intently on the task at hand; breathing in her boob sweat through his nose, the hormone-fueled teenager sink his teeth lightly into her brown skin— his tongue running up-and-down the plump mouthful of her juicy fat-tit that he was sucking on slowly.
'This is so crass— so unnecessary… And yet, I can't deny the carnal pleasure this is giving me,' Goblin Slayer thought methodically to himself, while letting out a low, gravely moan that reverberated the nurse's breast— causing her breath to hitch loudly, as he felt her entire body tense up momentarily with excitement. '… What the hell am I even doing right now?'
"Ahhh, mmphh…! I…! I can't blame you sug, really— l-like I said- uwah, oooh- I-I just wasn't e-expecting- mmmph- f-for you to take a bite was all," the curvetous nurse manage to stutter out, before taking a shaky breath while attempting to visibly get a control of the situation.
"Just… J-Just squeeze my hand as tight as you can, okay baby? I think that it's safe to say that… That you got healthy circulation in your blood," she observed with a slight bit of sarcasm in her voice— her eyes shifting form the top of his head, over to where she could see the outline of his erection throbbing beneath the sheet she had over his legs.
Though he was practically stuck in a hypnotic state of what he didn't understand to be lust, some part that was left of the gray-haired teenager's consciousness was able to follow through with her request. Squeezing his fingers tightly around hers, Goblin Slayer did the same with his teeth— causing the dark-skinned woman to let out a guttural gasp, and making her lower back arch against the pillows as his mouth began making a loud sucking sound.
Completely red in the face, and having for the first time ever allowed himself to let loose while under the influence of his abrupt release of hormones, Goblin Slayer was in total bliss— which made it all the more jarring for him, as all of sudden the part of her tit that was in his mouth was yanked away from his lips.
"Aaaaand I'd say that about wraps about your physical— seeing as your legs don't have an issue with kicking of that poor comforter," the nurse said with a mischievous, and amused tone— gesturing to the bewildered teenager to the blanket at the end of his mattress, that was more on the floor than it was on his bed.
Experiencing mental whiplash as the weight of the mattress was lifted upon the plus-size nurse getting up off it, the rush of dopamine began fading from his mind— leaving Goblin Slayer utterly lost, as he stared up at her with a perplexed look.
"W… W-What?" Was all that he could think to say— immediately making him feel embarrassed, as he watched as the dark-skinned woman began pulling up on her low-cut shirt.
Raising a teasing brow down at him, the nurse let out a muffled chuckle as she reached down to pat him on the head. "Oh honey, most of that was just an act! I've got sixty other patients who probably aren't gonna be as lucky as you were," she mused, seemingly detached from the feelings she had stirred up within the teen.
"The whole "sexy nurse" schtick is just meant to get my patient's circulation and vitals to get a jump-start in the morning!" She explained sassily, while gesturing at her tight-fitting outfit before then shrugging her shoulders. "Plus, it distracts the less fortunate ones from the horror of realizing that they ain't all in one-piece anymore— which makes it helluva lot easier to do my evaluations, without them screaming like a banshee!"
'A… A schtick?' Goblin Slayer repeated silently to himself, as the embarrassment he felt in that moment began giving way to disappointment. 'All of that was just a trick? None of it was… I… I was played like a fool! What was I thinking?! I should have suspected that something was amiss— all of that was too good to be true!'
"I… I see," Goblin Slayer muttered beneath his breath— doing his best to mask his frustration, as he awkwardly pulled his knees closer to his chest. "Well… It worked."
"It almost always does," she said, as she made her way down his bed to pull the thick blanket up and over his lower-half. "Try to think of it this way, young man: because of what I did, I just saved you an entire day of laying down all day in a godforsaken hospital bed! If that ain't worth a little teasing, then I don't know what is!"
He glanced up at her, his voice quiet but firm. "Thanks."
She chuckled, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she stood up straight again— her body casting a shadow over him. "Well, just try to make sure you don't end up back here anytime soon; this gimmick usually doesn't work a second time."
Goblin Slayer met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Noted."
The nurse smiled one last time, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary before she turned to leave the room. As she walked away, her hips swayed, and Goblin Slayer leaned his head back slowly— letting out an exasperated sigh, as he stared uncomfortably up at the wood-paneled ceiling.
'… At least it was enjoyable enough while it lasted.'
Goblin Slayer left the clinic, his body wrapped in his worn leather armor and the new orichalcum helmet snug against his head. The early morning light filtered through the thick clouds above, casting a pale glow over the town. His eyes swept across the streets of Matterhorn, taking in the details of the mountain town with a discerning gaze.
The architecture was unmistakably robust, designed to withstand harsh winters and snow. Buildings were made of sturdy timber, with steep, gabled roofs to let the snow slide off easily. Many of the homes had intricate carvings on their wooden doors and window frames, depicting animals and warriors, much like the old traditions of his world's north. Heavy shutters on the windows remained slightly ajar, letting in the cold breeze. Smoke billowed from stone chimneys, filling the air with the scent of burning wood and pine. The cobblestone streets were lined with merchants setting up shop, their stalls offering thick woolen clothes, tools, and provisions for the long winters ahead.
Goblin Slayer noted how the townsfolk went about their day, bundled in furs and cloaks to shield themselves from the cold. Men in heavy boots hauled crates of firewood, women carried baskets of freshly baked bread and salted meat, and children played in the snowy streets, their laughter echoing in the crisp air. There was a sense of community here, each person knowing their role, each home blending with the next in this mountain haven.
The chill in the air had grown sharper as he walked, his breath visible in short, rhythmic puffs. His body still felt sore from the frostbite and the battle, but the warmth of his orichalcum helmet insulated him somewhat from the worst of it. Even so, Goblin Slayer couldn't help but take note of how much damage his leather armor had taken. Each scar and tear from his countless encounters with goblins and other creatures told a story, but now, it was more a hindrance than a shield. He could feel the cold seep through the cracks, biting at his skin.
He looked down at the tattered armor, running his gloved fingers over the seams. '… I don't think sewing it back together is going to cut it this time. Either a trip to a tailor, or a trip to an armor shop is in order… Once I get some coin in my pocket— I doubt merchants do things here like they do in the Forgeheart Clan,' Goblin Slayer thought to himself, as his mind began wandering back to Torug's parting offer.
"Let me make you a full set of orichalcum armor. With that, nothing will touch you— not goblins, not monsters, not even Pendragon's soldier-boys that he's so fond of sending out here."
'Might have to actually take him up on that, when I get back from Crossbell… If I get there at this rate, that is; I can't believe I actually thought I was going to make the journey in three-days— how naive I was…!'
Eventually, Goblin Slayer made his way into a nearby tavern, and was immediately enveloped by the warmth and inviting aromas that wafted through the air— savory stews bubbling in the hearth and the smell of freshly baked bread mingling with the scent of roasted meats.
The tavern was lively, with patrons laughing and sharing stories around sturdy wooden tables. He approached the bar, where an older woman in her fifties stood, her barmaid outfit hugging her curves in a way that was both flattering and practical. Her hair was tied back neatly, though a few rebellious strands escaped to frame her face, giving her a welcoming appearance.
"What can I get you, dear?" she asked, her voice smooth and warm as she polished a tankard with a cloth. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she took in Goblin Slayer's worn leather armor and the heavy helmet at his side.
Goblin Slayer cleared his throat, feeling a hint of nervousness creeping in. "Goblins… I'm looking for goblins to kill," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
The barmaid raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Goblins, huh?" She repeated with a partially amused expression— momentarily eyeing the armored teen up, before her lips spread into a friendly grin. "Welp, can't say I've heard of any goblin activity taking place around Matterhorn! But I have heard whispers from the soldiers that they're searching for a rebel camp somewhere in the mountains— maybe an adventurer such as yourself might be interested?"
'No goblins? Impossible. Not unless, well… Unless someone else got to them first— in which case, that's more than fine with me,' he thought to himself— the feeling of fading disappointment soon giving way to embarrassment.
"I'm… I'm not a member of the Adventurers' Guild," he admitted, shifting his weight awkwardly. "But I'm the leader of a guild, so… I'd like to know more about it."
"A guild leader, are ya?" she said, a smirk dancing on her lips. "That's quite ambitious. But if you're serious about this, you'd be better off heading to the town's barracks. Captain D'Arce is in charge of the search. She could use every able-bodied person she can get."
Goblin Slayer felt a mix of pride and determination swell within him. 'This would be my guild's first quest— and from a captain of the Royal Army, nonetheless! It may not be goblin-related, and I may be the only member of my guild, but even so, it's still a milestone in of itself— that's something, isn't it?'
"I… I see," he said in a low voice, while still shaking off the sense of pride that was lingering about in his mind. "Where is she?"
"Just head down the main road and look for the largest building— it's hard to miss. She's been quite the topic around here lately," the barmaid replied, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. "By the way… What brings you to Matterhorn anyway…?"
"Heading to Crossbell," he said, his voice softening as he reflected on his ambitions. "My guild, it's still in its early stages— trying to grow it."
Her expression shifted to one of genuine interest. "Early stages, you say? Sounds like quite the undertaking. What kind of guild are you hoping to create?"
"One that will eradicate goblins, everywhere," he said, the words slipping out more confidently. "I need guidance on how to divide and conquer— starting with Evergreen."
"Fighting goblins, huh?" She mused, leaning back against the bar. "All of that sounds like the most ambitious, yet unambitious goal I've ever heard before in my life! Seriously, why not dedicate yourself to something cooler? Like slaying demons? You could call yourself "Demon Slayer"!"
He nodded, though completely in disagreement with her words. "I see," Goblin Slayer said dismissively, and caught a glance of the mature woman's mildly hurt expression when he began turning around to leave.
Pausing momentarily, the teenager lowered his gaze ever so slightly— Grusha's words coming to mind, ones that stuck with him more than he ever thought they would.
"You don't… You don't talk much, do you?"
'No... No, I don't... But that doesn't mean I can't.'
Taking in a soft, elongated breath, Goblin Slayer slowly turned back around toward the visibly surprised barmaid. "… But what about you? How did you end up here in Matterhorn?" He asked, as he leaned up on the bar counter, with his forearms resting against its round edge.
"Oh?! Me?" She asked, with a noticeable bounce in her step as her aged lips curled into an giddy grin. "Well, I've been here for years, you see," she replied, a hint of nostalgia in her tone. "Came here as a young woman, looking for adventure. Instead, I found this tavern and settled into a quieter life. Still, I enjoy the stories that come through the door. Every new face brings a new tale."
Although part of his more impatient side was annoyed at himself for choosing to entertain the mature barmaid's ramblings, the more human side of Goblin Slayer showed intrigue in her words— relaxing his posture ever so slightly, while still remaining ever vigilant to his surroundings.
"I see. And do you ever miss that sense of adventure?" The teenager asked— making an effort to convey his thoughts more, instead of merely speaking in short-direct sentences.
"Sometimes," she admitted— her eyes glinting with memories. "But then again, I find excitement in serving a good drink and listening to the tales of brave souls like you. It keeps the spirit alive."
He offered a small smile, appreciating her perspective— though he knew she couldn't see his lips. "You've probably seen quite a bit, then."
"More than you can imagine, dear," she said with a wink. "But enough about me. If you're really serious about this rebel camp, you best be on your way. The longer you wait, the more dangerous it could get. And I'd hate for you to end up like one of those poor souls who thought they could brave the mountains without proper backup."
"Right, I'll head to the barracks," he replied, his resolve strengthening. "Thank you… For your help and advice."
"Anytime, sweetheart. And don't forget, if you need a drink to celebrate your victory, I'll be here," she called after him as he finally turned to leave— a playful glimmer in her eyes, as she watched him making his way out through the door of her cozy tavern.