Foreword: To loyal fans and avid readers who have waited patiently for the next chapter of TSSITEOAL, I deeply apologize for the long absence. I could give a string of reasons like settling in a new city and looking to finding a stable job in that new city but I feel those are poor excuses. So while rewriting it and looking at the comment section I decided to change from my original plan to bring a different path.
Hence my delay.
Oh, one more thing. If anyone would like to beta read mine stories, please feel free to contact me. I would appreciate a peers revision.
Warhammer 40000 is the property of Games Workshop
Goblin Slayer is the work of Kumo Kagyu
Chapter 5: The Burial of the Metal Monster
Maccabeus was trudging though the mud slogged imperial guard camp while a relentless torrent of rain water was pattering against his robes. The rains haven't let up for almost two weeks and the jungle floor had been instantly turned into swampland. And with the water levels rising and logistics being nigh impossible, the fighting had stopped on all sides. That didn't stop the Catachans from making a nuisance of the Orks.
The roar of the monsoon rain was drowning out any noise. A perfect cover if someone wanted to ambush the camp. Maccabeus's vox receptors pick out something in the side distance and tuned his noise reductor to block out the rain. To his relief, the noise came from a tech-priest tirelessly performing incantations to tame the Machine Spirit, on an ancient piece of tech attached to a communications relay. A pool of water that was welling up in the canopy above soon fell down and splashed on top of the tech priest's head. But the Tech-priest became incensed when the splash flung splatters of mud on the candles and on the revered artifact. The soaked tech-priest gave a string of curses in binary while flinging mud up at the sky with his mechadendrites.
Maccabeus moved on as he wished no part in his compatriot's childish unbridled rage, for he had an important task to do. His robes were soaked through, and the rain was coming down hard creating streams of water down his armor plating. But he was undeterred for his flesh was sealed from the outside environment and his actuators blessed with hydrophobic oil. Maccabeus was ready for the first sign of trouble and he was determined to deliver the package to his liaison.
Maccabeus soon approached the main command tent when he heard angry shouting. He stopped for a moment and wondered if he should enter lest he would suffer the ire of an imperial xo. Just as he was about to decide, the entrance flap tore open and Lieutenant Danah stomped out of the conference room with a bitter expression on her face. She didn't notice Maccabeus standing in front of the tent and soon bumped her head against his chest plate. She let out a squeak of surprise and looked up to see the tech-priest looking down at her with his six green optical lenses. It would have looked downright menacing if not for the salmon pink umbrella he was holding in his hand.
"seriously? A pink umbrella?" Shouted Danah incredulously.
"Quartermaster Ratbag said that was the only one left."
"That Ratling bastard can nick a plasma cannon from under a space marine and you tell me hes got only one?" Danah shouted incredulously.
Maccabeus titled his head in a quizzical gesture. "I don't understand what the problem is."
"Right... it's fitting because Ahm a woman? Just look around us! We're in the middle of Ork infested jungle planet with the most hardened grim men the universe has to offer, and I'm gonna strut through the camp with a pink umbrella on my head." Said Danah.
"You're right. I should have brought one with daisies."
"Oh shut up." Danah gave Maccabeus a raspberry but he just shrugged his shoulders and gave Danah the fashionable umbrella.
Both were silent as they trudged back towards Danah's separate quarters. Maccabeus made a quick scan of her and his cogitators deemed it logical to let Danah steam off from whatever happened back in the meeting. Then Danah's foot sank deep into the mud and she lost her footing. Thankfully, Maccabeus's mechadendrites caught her before she tripped. He gently lifted her up and continued walking, but then his neural receptors transceiver registered that she hadn't let go. His bio-metric scanners that her heartbeat had heat signatures had risen somewhat, but still within nominal parameters. When they finally reached in side the officer's tent, Maccabeus's curiosity got the better of him and asked the petite Cadian Officer.
"So how did the meeting go?"
"Can you believe that the Governor doesn't want to move his PDF regiments because he thinks he might piss off the Tau?"
"That bad?"
" Oh, it gets better. Once the Ecclesiarch heard what the governor said, the fat windbag wants to execute him on charges of heresy and go out on a full on attack against the Tau! While we have a full on Ork Waaugh!"
"But the Ecclisarch isn't the commander of the Astra Millitarum."
"Yes, but he called General Oriana a coward and threatened to call in the Inquisition. So now she has to comply or well have a risk of mutiny."
"Hopefully that's the worst of it."
"That's not the worst part." Danah promptly handed him a datapad.
"These are your new assignments. You're to follow an expedition led by the Tallarn 978th and link up with the Catachan 299th regiment still in the jungle. We haven't heard from them in a while so you're to find out what happened to them."
"And then to shoot all xenos, be it Tau or Ork." Said Maccaveus as he read the fine print. Moment of silence went on and Maccabeus looked at Danah's scrutinizing face.
" That's it?."
"What do you mean?"
"You're not worried you're going to run into the Tau?"
"I think I'd like to be more worried about the greenskins." Maccabeus bluntly replied.
"And here I though I was fearful of your well being." Muttered Danah sarcastically.
"I don't get your sarcasm." This time Maccabeus was being serious.
"Then humor me and show me your face,"
Maccabeus complied and parted his face-plate to expose the few parts his skin remained. Before he could react, Danah gently placed her hands on the tech priest's face. His cogitators registered a surge of dopamine in his systems as the petite officer brought his head down to hers and she leaned in to bump their foreheads.
" I know that Enginseers aren't the most respected bunch in the mechanicus, but can you promise me one thing?"
"Please cherish yourself more. You're more worth us all of us than you think you are."
/ Critical Alert! Primary Systems Generator breached. Power decreasing at critical rate. Recommend immediate shutdown.
/ Ciritcal Alert! Promethium tank breached. Explosion in abdominal sector.
/ Critical Alert! Fire in abdominal sector. Gastric systems destreoyed.
B:/ shutdown {09341}/ System disconnect= /y/
/Hear our plea Omnissiah and grant thy mercy unto the beleaguered chassis.
/ Warning! Main Power Generator Offline. Unresponsive controls. Recommend immediate replacement.
Run ( reroute APSS657 = PGSU567 )
/ Oh belegured Machine Spirit, mayst the mercy in thy veins would quench fires of creation and wrath.
…..
/Fire contained.
/ Warning! Main Power Generator Offline. Unresponsive controls. Recommend immediate replacement.
B:/ run {05423}/System connect=/y/
// May the Spirit who resides within the Machine not find us wanting.
/ Activating Auxiliary Power Supply Unit.
….
Ciritcal Alert: Auxiliary Capacitor at [0.02/250].Extensive damage in casing. Coolant at critically low levels. Recommend immediate replacement
B:/ run
/Warning! Binary transmitter unresponsive.
B:/ Reroute trnsmt_data to pingsensor [ Antenna 1-a ]
….
/ connecting...
..
B:/ run
….
/Warning! pingsensor [ Antenna 1-a ] unresponsive. Recommend immediate replacement.
...
/Critical Alert! Auxilliary power levels at critically low levels. Shutdown imminent.
B:/ run litany_of_
/ Oh Omnissiah! Master of Logic and Laws! hear our beleaguered cries and comfort the angered Machine Spirit. Forgive the weakness of flesh and mend it anew so that the enemies of thy kingdom may not trample what is holy.
…
/ Alert! Vocal frequency detected.
/ Voxlog: No5O5ccno0o p5*#se! Macca-8Eus- ease SSSS = S-mEthing! IIIIIII111 lov-
/ Ciritcal Alert Auxilliary power levels at critically low levels. Shutdown imminent.
….
/ Shutting down systems...
...Emperor protect my soul. May he not find me wanting...
..
...
…..
…...
…...
…..
...Danah.
Priestess invoked her holy spell of healing on Lizard Priest as her hand illuminated on top of his injured stomach. Bruises and scratch marks began to mend and seep away like watermarks being dried up. When the spell was done, Priestess leaned on her staff and let out a sigh of relief. Lizard Priest was healed but he remained unconscious. Then Priest saw Dwarf Shaman coming up beside her while he procured a small bottle from his satchel. When he pulled the cork, a strong piercing smell suddenly assaulted her nose and she coughed from the rank odor. Dwarf Shaman was already holding his nose as he gently placed the bottle underneath the lizardman's nostril.
Lizard Priest's eyes shot open and sprang up. He gave a high pitched yelp as he flailed his limbs like a fish. He came to his senses quickly and looked around bewildered as the party of adventurers gave a light chuckle. Priestess too gave a relieved smile and thanked the Earth Mother for deliverance. The feeling of relief was quickly snuffed out as Priestess looked at the state of her group.
She should be elated at her party surviving through a perilous engagement, but she felt something else stinging her heartstrings.
High Elf Archer was sitting up against the chamber wall struggling to stay upright. Her complexion looked ghostly pale, as she lost a lot of blood before Priestess could mend her wound. Lizard priest was coughing up small speckles of blood, as she wondered if there was still some internal bleeding that failed to heal. Dwarf Shaman, although uninjured was no worse for wear. He gave an assuring smile to Priestess, but she also saw his wobbling legs barely holding him up.
Then Priestess noticed that she herself was exhausted beyond her limit. As soon as the adrenaline and alertness left her, she felt unbelievably tired like she was wading through water. Even them she realized that the worst injured adventurer was sitting on a makeshift cot, occasionally looking back and forth between the red haired woman and his burnt off hand.
His sword hand.
To most warrior type adventurers, losing your sword arm was a death sentence to their career. Priestess had seen some retired adventures setting up shop or doing menial tasks around town, but she never saw them take up arms ever again.
Priestess believed that Goblin Slayer would continue on his crusade against goblins regardless of his condition, but she was now worried whether the next engagement would kill him.
She took a careful look around the chamber and saw some things that she failed to notice. For one, she noticed a crude altar made from scrap metal. On top of it, surrounded by candles sat a strange looking lantern knotted with wires and knobs. The lamp didn't look menacing but it was indescribable to Priestess and she was puzzled at the purpose of worshiping such an object. She also saw other strange devices laid in a reverent fashion like a display at a museum. One looked like a hollowed long pike without a spear tip, others looked like a stocky inlaid with religious ornaments. Priestess's blood ran cold as she remembered the lightning ax the monster used, and how easily it broke through her barrier.
Priestess noticed a soft sobbing and realized the red haired woman was still holding the metal monster.
Priestess finally looked at the red haired woman still sitting in the middle of the chamber beside the metal monster. The redhead was weeping for a while now as she called out to her supposed captor to wake up. The woman stroked his face plate that was marred by scratches and black blood, but the monster seemed lifeless. It's guts were exposed from the strange explosion but she was surprised that the insides were inlaid with colorful wires and metallic contraptions instead of flesh. The clothing it wore was decorated with a golden cog pattern along the ridges. Priestess guessed this monster might have been a religious adept.
But a religion of what?
Preistess eyed a gruesome symbol of a skull half marked with a cog that was engraved on its chest. Priestess never saw such symbols that spoke of death. Perhaps a necromancer or a dark mage? If so, then the woman would be charmed or mind controlled in some magical manner, but her senses brooked no magical residue in the room. In fact, Priestess felt almost blanked out like she was in a sterile room. Priestess could only conclude the redhead woman truly cared for him.
Priestess was feeling so confused. How could such as a fearsome looking monster be so cherished by this woman?
Then Priestess realized what she was feeling. The feeling of guilt. The crushing emotion that somehow they have made a grave mistake. She wanted answers and started to walk slowly towards the defeated couple.
When the redhead saw the petite blonde approaching, she immediately grabbed a knife that was laid nearby and leaped up at Priestess. The party reacted immediately but saw to their surprise the red haired woman wobbling awkwardly before losing her balance. The woman struggled to get up but failedto gain a proper footing. Thus the woman resorted to setting herself between Priestess and the monster.
"Go way!" Yelled the redhead as she swatted her arm.
Priestess held up her hands in a non-threatening poster and softly replied.
"I'm not going to touch him. I just want to take a look at you."
"No! I don't need your help! Get away from me!"
Dwarf Shaman who was sitting down nearby just shook his head the paranoid woman. "Ah, Let her be lass. Its useless to reason with that woman. Who knows what that monster was doing to her."
The redhead woman's face went red and trembled in an uncontrollable rage. "Monster?! MONSTER?! He saved me!"
"How the hell was he saving you when he cutting off your legs?!" Yelled out High Elf Archer.
"What do your know Knife Ears?! You weren't here when he came! You self righteous jackasses don't dont know what he was! And yet you come in here like brigands and murders! You're no better than Goblins!"
Before any more insults could follow, a slap rang in the chamber as Priestess struck the redhead woman across the cheek. It wasn't a strong slap given her physique and her exhaustion, but it was enough to stop the red head continuing her crazed rant. Priestess hand throbbed and she quivered under the red woman's murderous gaze, but she nonetheless steeled herself to reply.
"...I'm REALLY... sorry for what happened.. But we didn't know what he was doing, and we really thought you were in danger. So we had to act." The redhaired woman was breathing heavy but she did not move. Priestess took it as a good sign and continued to talk.
"We came here on request from the Adventurers Guild to investigate the sightings of a ...malevolent being. We were told by the survivors that he appeared out of nowhere and killed everything in sight. But I can see that were wrong. "
The redhead woman huffed and grit her teeth at Priestess's description but priestess knelt down to lever her eyes with the leering redhead. "So we want to know what really happened. Who he really is."
For a moment, it looked as though the redhead was going to lash out, but suddenly her anger dissipated and her eyes became glassy as if she regained her sanity. "...Y..you're.. from the adventurers guild?"
"Yes. Please tell us what happened." Said Priestess gently.
The redhead woman was silent for a long time, but Priestess and the group waited patiently before the woman began to tell her story.
"...I was with a group of Emerald rank adventurers when we came here...We accepted a quest to eliminate Goblins so that we could establish create relations, and a base of operations in the village below."
"We thought it would be an easy task...But...the goblins.. they defeated us so quickly...so easily...they killed all the men and took me and my friend as their plaything.."
"...she killed herself in the first night...Don't know how long I was in here, but they broke my limbs to stop me from escaping." Priestess shuddered when she also recalled the fate of her first party. But she was more horrified in the manner the redhead was speaking as if she was just reminiscing about yesterdays lunch.
"I should have died then. I didn't have anything else left to live for... but somehow I was wishing for somebody to come and save me. So stupid to believe such things...And then he came."
"He appeared in the middle of this chamber..in a ball of lightning and fire. He slaughtered all the Goblins in that chamber and saved me when I was taken hostage by a Hobgoblin."
"I was a complete stranger and nearly dead, and he healed me. He was so considerate of me, even when I was just a burden to him." The redhead woman looked down at the metal monster with a warm smile.
"He.. said he was from a place called..Aggripina? He said it was a place made of metal and that his people worshiped a called... an Omnissiah...I don't know much more that, but did tell me that he was an ally of humans."
" I knew I wasn't going to leave in this cave whole, and he promised me I could walk again. He gave a reason to live and when I had none." She looked back at the party with tears streaming down her face,
"And you killed him."
When the redhead woman finished her tale, Priestess and the rest of the group was silent, unable to give a reply. High Elf Archer then wrung her head in frustration and let out a yowl.
"ARGH...you mean to tell me that this whole quest was just a huge misunderstanding? I really rolled a one that one did I?"
"Now don't beat yourself up long ears. Nobody knew how this would've turned out."Said Dwarf Shaman as he rested his hand on High Elf Archer's uninjured shoulder. The elf smiled back warmly.
"But who's ever heard of a god called Onmissiah? What about you Lizard Priest?"Asked Priestess. Lizard Priest shook his head sideways.
"No. I've traveled to many places, and I never heard of such a religion."
"Are you sure you're telling us everything human?" Questioned the elf. The redhead woman coldly leered back as she answered.
"I already told you what I know. The only other thing I can tell you is that the tools he carried over were sacred to him."
"In fact, I'm curious to know what makes the basis of his tenets. I've never seen such metallic contraptions before. Perhaps they're weapons of some kind?" Lizard Priest eyed the lanterns and the various objects on display.
"Now that you mention it...Look at the handle sticking out in the end. It almost looks like a limbless crossbow." Quipped Dwarf Shaman.
"His axe, broke through my barrier so easily. Only demon generals could break through holy walls." said Priestess as she warily eyed the weapons.
"Which means it should all be disposed of."
Everyone turned their heads towards Goblin Slayer. The Redhead woman immediately became enraged and rushed towards him with her hands stretched out. Lizard Priest intercepted her just in time and was barley able to hold her from strangling Goblin Slayer.
"Don't you dare! Don't! You! Dare!" Screamed the redhaired woman as she struggled to break free. Goblin Slayer stood stoically as if he did not care at all.
"The goblins came here with a purpose like we did. If they get their hands on him or his weapons, then nobody will be ever safe."
"I'll kill you so much as you touch him!" Screeched the Red haired woman as she was laid low by the lizardmans weight.
"Whoah whoah! Hold up Orcbolg! Isn't that a little extreme? I mean what if we just take the weapons and use it for the better good?" High Elf Archer waved her arms at the radical proposal.
"Do you know how to use them?" Goblin Slayer bluntly replied.
"N,no...no I dont." The Elf sheepishly replied.
"There has to be another way!" Said Priestess as she looked pleadingly at Goblin Slayer. He looked down at the red woman who was wailing loudly.
"... I don't want to take any chances with Goblins."
The red haired woman's wailing broke down into anguished sobs. In between them, she could only beg pathetically.
"Please... don't take him from me."
The party looked at the woman with pity, but fail to give an answer. Then Lizard Priest who finally caught his breath spoke up.
"If I may suggest a compromise?"
"My lady, if you would hear accept my proposal will you stop yourself from strangling our friend?" The redhead refused to say anything but relented as she slightly nodded her head. Lizard priest let go and the woman jerked away from the lizardman and hatefully looked at Goblin Slayer. Nonetheless, she did not make any further moves. Seeing that she had calmed down somewhat, Lizard began to present his idea.
"First, I would like to make a promise from our group that we will not desecrate him or his personal belongings. In return, we would need a token item to notify the guild that the quest is complete."
"And as a further apology, we will carry our unfortunate guest back to the Frontier Town and bury him there with dignity as an adventurer. That way, his spirit will be laid to rest and nobody but us will know of his true nature."
"But what Orcbolg said was also correct. If evil forces would ever attain and learn how to use them, then it will truly be a dark day for all of us. So here's what we'll do."
"For his other belongings, we will hide them under this mountain with the help of our Geomancer Dwarf. Well bury the whole cave and hide the entrance to ensure nothing can be dug out. With it, if Goblins or other forces should come seeking it then the villagers will be able to notify us beforehand."
"Would that be sufficient for everyone?"
The elf the dwarf and the blonde nodded their heads in agreement before the redhead too gave her consent. Goblin Slayer looked at everyone and looked at his stump of a hand.
"Fine."
Two days afterward, the party and Goblin Slayer were returning from their questing. They had managed to hitch a ride on a merchant cart in exchange for protecting their caravan. Goblin Slayer was polishing his throwing knife for the fifth time as routine to keep himself alert. The ride back was tranquil just like before, and everybody was fast asleep. But Goblin Slayer didn't bother to wake them up as the ordeal put them to their limits. He looked around in the cart every now and then to check on everybody.
Priestess and High Elf Archer sat across from him, leaning on each other for support. Priestess had that usual childlike smile when was asleep while High Elf Archer was snoring loudly with her mouth open. For Dwarf Shaman, he was laid sideways beside Goblin Slayer and took up a chunk of the floor sleeping soundly as well, but that was understandable as he spent the most energy in collapsing the cave. They even made a fake entrance to throw off seekers, but Goblin Slayer wasn't sure if goblins would be so fooled. Lizard Priest had his arms crossed and dozed off in rhythm to the rocking cart. Goblin Slayer could see a sliver of saliva drooling down from his mouth, sometimes hearing him mutter exotic brands of cheese. With their state addressed, Goblin Slayer shifted his eyes to the last passenger in the cart.
Unlike everyone, Redhead Knight was wide awake and sitting in the corner of the cart with her arms crossed and resting it on her knees. She was wearing white plated armor that was marred with scratches and residue stains. She also carried with her some of the monsters weapons, a simple ornamented long sword, and a long pike-like device. She argued that it was given to her as a gift and the only thing that she knew how to use. Goblin Slayer argued against taking it, but others relented as they took pity on her. It would have almost looked as if she was part of their party if it wasn't for the dead look in her eyes.
Goblin Slayer had seen that look a hundred times before. Every time when he exterminated a Goblin nest and rescued a female victim, he saw that dull expression of shock as if they could never believe what happened to them. The only thing that was different from her was that her gaze never left the wrapped up corpse that was laid before her.
The monster was wrapped in linen and leftover canvas from the bed sheets. It was hard enough to convince the merchant to transport the remains, carrying him down the mountain itself was a monumental task. By the time they got the fortified viallge, they were utterly exhausted. Strangely enough, it didn't carry the smell of rotting corpse even after a couple of days. Goblin Slayer noticed a glint on the neck and saw the two headed eagle pendant that stuck out from the wrapping.
It was the only thing that Goblin Slayer would allow Redhead knight to take beside her weapons. The rest were buried under the mountain and Goblin Slayer checked with Dwarf Shaman a couple of times to make sure it was filled to the end of the chamber. But to say they weren't completely empty handed would be erroneous. While they did leave the monster's personal items alone, they did take the leftover loot and gold from the dead adventurers. Everyone was satisfied enough.
Well, almost.
A sudden bump in the cart took Goblin Slayer off balance. Instinctively, he reached out to grab hold of the rails. He found no purchase and flopped to the floor. Frustrated, Goblin Slayer righted himself up and then briefly realized his sword hand didn't exist anymore.
For the first time in a long time, the feeling of fear began to well up inside and clawing against his chest break free. He took long breaths to calm down his pounding heart and focus on simple objects like his master once taught him years ago. Then he forced himself to think logically and organize himself. What were his options? What steps he would need to take to get it done? Whats the fallback plan? What else to do if that fails too?
For the rest of the trip, he focused on his plans and made a mental note to visit the Smith first thing they get back into town.
Cowgirl let out a long sigh as she leaned on the wooden fence and stared out into the road. She has been out here every day to greet Goblin Slayer whenever he was going on patrol. It was the most exciting part of her day before she started her chores and afterward before the sun set.
It was over two weeks since she had last seen Goblin Slayer.
She didn't know what he was up to this time. Like any other day beforehand, he would have been either on patrol around the farm or taking on Goblin quests. But lately, he started to hang out with other adventurers in the guild and she started to see him less frequently. Some were quite nice, like the exotic lizardman who came by her farm to purchase cheese, but some she had serious concerns as they were of the...feminine kind. At first she didn't feel too worried about it as Cow felt confident about her history and closeness to Goblin Slayer, but lately, he seemed to take on other quests like a normal adventurer. On one hand, she was relieved to finally see him begin to come out of his armored shell, while on the other became increasingly jealous of the girls who were accompanying him. She became worried if they would grow apart or if she could go along with him.
She sometimes imagined what it would have been like to go on quests with Goblin Slayer. No doubt it would be fraught with peril, but she always liked to picture herself being defended by Goblin slayer from a lecherous Goblin or carried away like a princess in the midst of an epic battle. Then, such adventures and months of traveling would draw them closer and closer... until one night their feeling for one another becoming bare in the open, their passion would be let loose and would have a romp in the bush like animals in heat.
Cowgirl blushed at her imagination and buried her head into her own little world. Then she heard a cough from behind. She snapped around to see her uncle crossing his arms and wearing an impatient expression.
"Oh go on. Don't mind me. It seemed to be very important. Whatever you were doing. Or thinking."
"U'Uncle! What are you doing here?"
"Oh I don't know I was just having a pleasant walk around the farm to see if any work is done. Then I see you lulling about again looking over the horizon. Do you understand how many orders we have to fulfill? We won't be able to pay our taxes if this keeps up."
"I wasn't lulling..." mumbled Cowgirl.
Cowgirl's Uncle sighed heavily as he massaged his temples. "Haven't we had this talk before lass? I told you not to get to too close to him."
"Who said I was?!" Retorted Cowgirl a little too loudly. But her uncle was adamant.
"I'm worried about you lass. That boy ain't right. Not ever since the attack." Cowgirl looked to the ground as she stewed in resentment and anger.
"Then I can always help." Retorted Cowgirl.
"How? We can barely have enough time and resources to keep this farm afloat. And don't tell me that you're going off gallivanting like an adventurer."
"Then why?! Why do you hate him so much!? He does so much to help us and this farm!" Cowgirl spitefully replied. Uncle stepped close and rest his and on her shoulder.
"I'm not doing this because I hate him." Cowgirl's uncle softly replied.
"I'm doing this because his future and yours can't coincide. It's as different as night and day. I know hes set on his path and nothing in this world will ever move him out of it!"
"But you don't have to be. If he doesn't come back one day what will you do? I don't want to see another broken family like my own sister!"
Cowgirl felt deeply hurt by her uncle's cutting words. She knew her uncle had merit and that he cared for her well being, but she didn't want to think about such things. It was just too much. Not wishing to hear any longer, Cowgirl vaulted the fence and tan off down the road, ever running faster as her uncle called out for her to come back.
When she finally caught her breath, Cowgirl found herself in the temple of Earth Mother. Today, Cowgirl felt an unusual longing for the gods to answer her, to give her something so she might have strength. She went to the altar to pray for guidance. She waited a while but nothing came. Then she realized that the sun already past high noon and lowering down into the horizon. For the first time in her life, she didn't want to go back to the farm.
As she walked out of the monastery doors, she heard a strange mournful song coming from the cemetery. It wasn't like the psalms the nuns would sing, but a strange tribal chant. Intrigued, she turned around the corner to see a funeral service taking place.
Dancing at the foot of a grave was Lizard Priest who was singing his native tongue and beating rhythmically on a leather drum. Alongside him were the usual companions of Goblin Slayer including a sullen redhead knight who was weeping loudly.
But only one question was on Cowgirl's mind,
"Where's Goblin Slayer?"
Goblin Slayer wished that the cart would have arrived sooner, then he would have been able to get his hand addressed. But with the evening coming he would have to wait until tomorrow. He didn't stay for the funeral since it didn't matter to him anymore and he had more pressing matters to attend to.
For now, its been a while since he visited Cowgirl's farm and was due for inspection. He knew was in no shape to fight, but at the very least he could give a warning to the town. He was walking by the fence where Cowgirl waited for him every morning and evening, but sadly no girl was sitting by. He guessed she became tired of waiting for him and did not wait for her to come. He continued along the fence that made the borders between neighboring farms and doubled checked the firelds where the grass was tall. It all seemed to be the same as usual.
There he saw it. Frenzied tracks of small feet. He was briefly confused as it seemed unusual. If it were wanderers or scavengers, they would have tread carefully, leaving light half footprints and hands as the would sneak by crawling. If it were scouts, then more feet would have been there as they do not venture out alone. This one was sunk in deep as if it was just walking around.
Goblin Slayer lowered himself and stealthily moved through the tall grass, in case there were still Goblin around. Then he began to see a couple of other tracks converging in just like the other one, He move further through until he saw a clearing.
When he carefully parted the reeds, his heart stopped as he saw a massive field of Goblin footprints that trampled into the horizon.
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
I can already smell the smelly stink coming to smoke me swith comments. But recluse mooonk~ thats just teasing us! You just got back and you leave us with more blue balls!? Where's the the Tech priest? Heeeesh supposedhed to be allliiive~
Well if the title didnt say it any better, I would say he dun dead.
As for the time line, I'm following the light novel and manga's order of business, so at we know whats coming next.
How will Goblin Slayer be able to stop the encroaching menace of Goblins? Will Goblin Slayer ever gouge out those green gengrous goblins with his gone gob? Would cowgirl ever get chance to teach him personally of the birds and bees?
Beeee sure to tune in next time for the exciting adventures of HIM!
….
Goblin Slayer and his stalwart dainty companion, Priestess!
I forgot to mention that another reason for my delay was that the odt file of this chapter became corrupted. WHEN IT WAS ALMOST FINISHED. So I had to rewrite this chapter from scratch. But I still feel that it was providence as it turned out pretty okay.
Things will come out slower now that I set myself with a paced routine, but yeah HERES TO HOPING.