CH 66

They say it’s not finished yet?

As we patiently followed the trail, the number of goblin footprints increased rapidly after a certain point. There was broken glass everywhere, and I was convinced that there was a base nearby.

「There might be goblins nearby.」

I took out two knives and held them with both hands.

Hoping to be the first to detect anything unusual, I mobilized all my senses and proceeded cautiously, slower than before, alert to changes in smell, sound, and magical movement. Since we didn’t know the scale of the enemy, I couldn’t afford to let our guard down.

When we dared to deviate from the animal path and proceeded to the back, a fence made of logs that were more than a man’s height suddenly appeared.

From the other side, we could hear the unpleasant laughter of the goblins.

「Are you saying that …… goblins made this?」

Willy, behind me, stood there looking astonished.

「Well, yes. I think it’s still freshly made. If we had left it for another month or so, they would have built a watchtower and it would have been difficult to get at it.」

「You’re saying this isn’t finished yet? ……」

After all the experience is too insufficient. The common sense about goblins is at the level of ordinary people. He’s a knight who just trained and didn’t go out. He has a decent ability, but when it comes to practice, he is a type who can’t move. He looks like this is useless.

Leaving Willy behind, I approached Zelma.

If Regina next to me doesn’t intervene, it probably means that I can talk to her directly this time.

「This is the goblin’s base? It’s more than I imagined. How big do you think they are?」

「I don’t think there are many of them. I’d say about 200 at most. However…」

「It’s a matter of quality. You’re concerned about the number of elites in the hierarchy?」

Zelma, who smiled like a devil, looked at Rosa.

「You’re also good at range magic, aren’t you?」

There is no one here who does not understand the intent of this question.

So does Rosa. She looked uncomfortable, but her dull, shiny collar would not allow her to refuse. She has no choice but to answer.

「Yes. I’m better at range magic than single magic.」

「Then there’s no problem. Destroy the gate by shooting magic from the front alone. After that, use magic to kill the goblins that come out of the woodwork.」

This is absurd. There was no way Rosa could do it alone. High-powered, ranged magic takes time to formulate the magic in the body, so the vanguard must protect it until it is activated.

There are many ways to check your strength, so why make a disposable decision here?

Rosa looked at me as if she wanted me to help her.

I wanted to help her, but I had no reason or obligation to go against the nobility to help her.

When I stared back at her silently, she quickly removed her gaze.

She didn’t have that desperate look on her face anymore. She has changed a lot from before and is filled with a spirit that seems to defy everything in the world.

「I will do my best.」

「That’s a good answer. Willy! You stay in the back and watch!」

「Ha!」

The two of them quickly got ready.

Sophie called out to me as I watched.

「You sure? Weren’t you working together before?」

Don’t look at me as if you can see into my heart.

We’re dealing with a woman who agreed to kick me out of the party!

Why should I risk my life to help her? The feelings Sophie is expecting from me are long gone.

If you get hit, you hit back. It’s the norm in the world of adventurers. It’s the end of the world if you’re lied to. It would be more natural for me to torment and kill her with my own hands.

I have a good reason not to help!!!

「They’re the ones who kicked me out. I don’t think anything of it.」

It’s not wrong …… but I noticed that the feelings that I thought I had lost deep inside my heart were beginning to stir.