The Goblin Expedition

Having eaten their fill, the young knights decided to make camp for the night.

As a show of gratitude, they even invited Ren Dao-zhen and Aliciel to rest with them, offering to take care of the night watch themselves.

Though Ren Dao-zhen was quite tempted to accept—opportunities to spend time with so many beautiful girls were rare, after all—Aliciel had already declined on his behalf.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t plan on camping here. We’ll be on our way shortly.”

Aliciel surmised that these Sanctioned Knights were planning to wait until daylight, when the undead knight’s power would wane, before engaging it.

This, of course, suited her perfectly.

To keep the bounty from being snatched by others, she had to find the undead knight’s location and eliminate it tonight.

“Are you sure? The forest hides many dangerous beasts this late at night.”

“There’s no need to worry. In fact, the night is when the two of us are at our best.”

“Oh, I see. Have you cultivated some form of magic that only reaches its full potential at night?”

“You could say that. Well then, we’ll take our leave. It was a pleasure meeting you all.”

After a brief exchange, Aliciel gave a slight bow and departed with Ren Dao-zhen.

As the two figures receded into the distance and vanished from sight, the five young knights exchanged glances.

“Vice-captain, are you sure they’ll be alright? There are only two of them…” Surna asked, sounding a little worried.

“Those two… are they really master and servant?”

“The man doesn’t act like a young master. If anything, the maid carries herself more like the one in charge.”

“The difference in their bearing is too great; the pretense is obvious. That maid… is no ordinary person.”

The elven sisters offered their opinions one after the other.

Even as newly-minted Sanctioned Knights, they could tell Ren Dao-zhen was just a fledgling adventurer, but the maid was different.

Even though she intentionally concealed her aura, the two elven girls could still feel an immense, oppressive power radiating from her.

“Should we report this to the captain?”

“No need. We all know what the captain is like. If she found out, she’d be itching to pick a fight with that maid.”

“True. Our captain is great in every way, except when it comes to fighting. Then she turns into a battle maniac.”

“Speaking of which, that soup the maid made was amazing. I’d love to have it again.”

“Our squad is in desperate need of a logistician.”

“Well, the captain always volunteers to cook, but her culinary skills…”

****

The atmosphere on site grew stiff as an unpleasant memory seemed to surface among them.

Expressions of difficulty appeared on their faces, and after a moment, they all let out a collective, helpless sigh.

“I still can’t stomach it.”

“Well, well. Is this how you speak ill of me behind my back when I’m not around?”

“!?”

Just then, a familiar voice rang out from above, sending a shiver down their spines.

They looked up to see a magnificent figure descending gracefully before them.

She wore silver-white battle armor far more ornate than their own, inscribed with runes of greater complexity and esoteric power.

Yet what truly captured the eye was not the armor, but the three pairs of pure white wings emanating a faint, fluorescent glow from her back, and the golden halo that hovered above her head.

She was, unmistakably, a noble six-winged angel.

“C-C-C-Cap—Captain!” the five of them stammered in unison.

Seeing the six-winged angel, all five girls wore expressions of terror, their bodies trembling.

In stark contrast, the smile on the angelic girl’s face grew even brighter.

“Are you all hungry? How about I cook you some noodles?”

“N-n-n-no… no, thank you… Captain… we’re not hungry… agh, ahhhhhhh—!” their protests devolved into a unified shriek.

In the next moment, the girls’ miserable cries echoed through the night sky.

Unfortunately, Aliciel and Ren Dao-zhen heard none of it, for they had already entered the goblin cave and were exploring its depths.

“It stinks! This smell is disgusting.”

The moment they stepped into the cave, a pungent, foul stench assaulted their nostrils.

It was the rancid odor of rotting flesh, animal fluids, and even excrement, all mingled together into a sickening miasma.

With his enhanced senses, Ren Dao-zhen’s heightened sense of smell nearly made him pass out from the fumes.

Even Aliciel wore a troubled expression; as a perfect maid, she was naturally fastidious.

With a mere thought, a glimmer of starlight formed a barrier around them, sealing off the outside stench.

“Be careful. These fumes are somewhat toxic. Prolonged exposure could lead to poisoning and unconsciousness.”

“Yikes, these goblins are pretty insidious, using poison too.”

“You’re right. Goblins are indeed insidious creatures. While individually weak, they are masters of setting traps to harm others.”

“Many novice adventurers underestimate them and let down their guard, only to fall into one of their snares.”

“They’re dragged back to the caves. The old and the very young are eaten immediately. As for the able-bodied, both men and women are forced to serve as breeding tools, worked day and night without rest until they finally die from exhaustion.”

“If we go a little deeper, we might even find some adventurers who have been reduced to that state. Let’s hope they’re still breathing.”

“…”

Hearing Aliciel’s words, Ren Dao-zhen pictured the scene in his mind and a cold dread washed over him.

The very thought was enough to make his stomach turn.

“Twang—!”

Just then, the sound of a bowstring being released echoed through the cave as an arrow flew straight towards them.

But a moment later, it was blocked by the star-violet barrier and clattered harmlessly to the ground.

Several torchlights flared up in the dim cavern, revealing dozens of ugly, green-skinned goblins.

With their sharp maws and vicious teeth, they were a terrifying sight, each standing just over a meter tall.

Most clutched simple weapons like clubs or wooden bows, but a few wielded iron swords and axes—clearly plundered from humans.

The goblins shrieked as they charged at the pair.

“Careful, here they come.”

Ren Dao-zhen tightened his grip on his dagger, assuming a fighting stance.

Aliciel silently raised a hand and snapped her fingers.

The barrier surrounding them flared brightly before surging forward.

The instant the goblins touched the star-violet barrier, they were like moths to a flame.

They let out piercing screams as they were instantly incinerated, leaving not even a speck of ash behind.

In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen goblins had been utterly annihilated.

“Watch your back.”

Just as Ren Dao-zhen was reeling in astonishment, Aliciel spoke again.

No sooner had the words left her mouth than several goblins came screeching and pouncing from behind him.

Thanks to Aliciel’s timely warning, Ren Dao-zhen managed to roll out of the way, dodging the surprise attack.

“As I said, goblins are cunning creatures. Ambushes are their favorite trick.”

“Alright, then. I’ll take care of these ones.”