Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 139. Three Companion And The Elf Maiden

[ Lalaila]

How long has it been since the landscape unified into the color of dry earth? Unfortunately, few wagons head west. While there are a fair number bound for the independent city of Sevites, each one is so heavily loaded with goods that there’s no space to hitch a ride. I can’t tell if these people are hardy or just greedy.

When I finally arrived in Sevites, the unique bustle reminded me of when I used to go on lecture tours. Of course, I had been here before, but back then I was so busy with work that I couldn’t take my time walking through the city.

I smiled to myself as I strolled around the exotic streets of Sevites. Of course, I didn’t forget to gather information about my father in key places. He’s a noticeable person, so if I can narrow down his location, I can trace his steps. When I dropped by a tavern known for gathering various requests, I learned that an elf believed to be my father had been working here about two months ago. Apparently, he was hired to take care of a stray buffalo. Even though he’s my father, I still can’t understand how he can single-handedly take down such a massive beast.

Undoubtedly, he’s the greatest warrior among the elves. At least when it comes to physical combat. As for imaginary and spirit magic, I’m quite skilled myself. Especially since there are very few elves who can use imaginary magic, I’m rather proud of that.

“Well, now that I’ve toured Sevites’ famous infinite water jars, it’s time to move on.”

After asking around in the tavern, it seemed my father planned to head further west into the wilderness. …I looked up at the blazing sun, wondering what on earth he was thinking by going deeper into the wasteland. He’s always had a habit, or perhaps a tendency, to head in the most troublesome direction. My mother is the one who always ends up paying the price. Not that I’m in any position to talk.

But I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do! I’ve got to bring him home, no matter what! With renewed resolve, I set foot into the drier land ahead.

After a day of walking, as I’d been told, I arrived at a sizable town. It seems the mayor is related to the Sevites Triumvirate, and the town receives various privileges from Sevites. Trade seems to flourish, with wagons coming and going constantly. At first, that’s what I thought, but after a while, I realized something. Most of the wagons were headed from this town to Sevites.

When I went to an inn, I noticed the place had a lot of vacant rooms. The merchants were fleeing the town. From what? I rented a room and hurried to the tavern. I soon learned the reason: a goblin hazard had occurred. Though details were still unclear, several caravans had already been attacked. I quickly rushed to the job board to look for the specific request.

• Investigation: Extermination of Goblin Pests. Inquire at the tavern counter first (30,000 yen) [Mayor Hanshon].

When I asked about the job at the counter, I was told the party was already gathered at two tables, so I decided to join them.

“Hello, I’m Raraira.”

Seated there were two strong-looking lizardmen and three humans dressed in matching gear.

“No need for formal talk. I’m Shurla. The quiet guy here is Reemo, my husband.”

Shurla, a woman, introduced herself, and the man beside her nodded politely—her husband, it seemed.

“I’m Horn.”

“I’m Trumpet.”

“I’m Baritone. Nice to meet you.”

“On top of this group, a few mercenaries and pest hunters will join. Including you, we’ll be more than 20.”

For just a goblin colony extermination, this seemed like a lot of firepower. Perhaps the colony was larger than I imagined.

“Having a spirit user show up right before the cutoff—lucky us!”

“Yeah, no doubt this will be a success now.”

“Hah! It was already certain with just us!”

“I’m glad it’s not a split-reward job this time.”

“They’re just being cautious, I suppose.”

Listening to their banter, I could tell they were experienced, which reassured me. I couldn’t imagine where my father was right now, but if he heard about this, I knew he’d rush here. There’s no way he would ignore goblins, the elves’ natural enemy. I’d been hoping to run into him, but it seemed he wasn’t here. After all, the last sighting was over two months ago, so he was likely headed somewhere entirely different. I didn’t mind, though—I hadn’t joined with high expectations to begin with.

I, too, couldn’t leave goblins unchecked. Though, I’m not particularly good at fighting. Still, with so many reliable allies, a goblin colony in this region would be easy to take care of.

After discussing the finer details, we planned to depart first thing in the morning. Though it felt a bit rushed to me, they’d already spent three days gathering people. It would be a large group of over 20.

“Counting on you, wizard.”

Trumpet clapped me on the shoulder, and I couldn’t help but frown. Even as a joke, I don’t like being called a wizard…

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“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“This isn’t a joke…”

What crowded the hollowed-out mining pit were goblins—too many to count. It almost looked like elves had taken over a dwarf mine and were re-greening it, but this was something else entirely. It was a chilling sight.

I remembered being taught, time and time again, to never approach goblins or orcs. With my magic skills, I’ve exterminated goblins and orcs many times before. But that was when I was attacked en route or saving someone under attack. Now that I think about it, this is my first time participating in a planned extermination. I should have considered such a situation.

If an elf woman were captured by goblins… Until now, that had always seemed like someone else’s problem. But now, in front of this horde of beasts, I could easily imagine it happening to me. I felt the blood drain from my face, and I almost collapsed. No, I can’t. As the daughter of the greatest warrior elf, I can’t show such weakness. I pinched my thigh hard to regain my composure through the pain.

“Is this… the goblin hazard we’ve heard about?”

“Yeah, no doubt. But something’s strange.”

I answered Horn’s question. Yes, it didn’t make sense.

“Raraira, what’s strange?”

“Goblin hazards can happen if they find a host, but there’s no way one host could have caused such a rapid increase. Unless they were left unchecked for months…”

“No, the attacks started only about two weeks ago. Fortunately, the town hasn’t been hit directly, but a good number of merchants were attacked. Though with proper guards, they were able to fight them off, or so I heard.”

Baritone answered my question. In that case, something still didn’t add up.

“There are two conditions for a goblin hazard to occur. One, of course, is having a host. The other is having a plentiful food supply. That’s why goblin hazards were thought impossible in the west.”

“But… they’re right in front of us.”

“Yeah. So there must be a reason… Ah!”

Amid my fear of the goblins, I hadn’t fully taken in the scene. Looking more closely, I saw it.

“That’s… bones! Animal bones!”

“Huh? Oh, damn! Those are buffalo bones! Still plenty of meat on ‘em. I didn’t notice with those bastards swarming around.”

Horn shaded his eyes to focus on the target.

“And that’s not just one set of bones… there are two. Probably two full buffalos.”

“That’s more than enough food.”

I pressed my hand to my forehead. In my head, I had unconsciously dismissed the possibility that a goblin colony in the western region could be large. And this is my punishment. Father always spoke of the true nature of the battle. The real enemy isn’t in front of you—it’s the arrogance that lives in your heart.

“So what happens when they run out of that food?”

“Ah.”

Trumpet and Horn both turned pale.

“…They’ll probably attack the town… looking for more food.”