Just as the village chief had said, the goblins' nest lay on the other side of the woods, within some ruin of unknown age—a small abandoned fortress that was neither particularly ancient nor especially mysterious. After years of wind and weather, more than half of it had collapsed, but its basic functions were still barely intact.
"Are we really going in?"
Megumi gripped her staff, her face full of bitterness.
"Why don't I just cast Explosion Magic from here?"
"I think there's still time..."
The Priestess shook her head and answered quietly.
"No, no, I don't think there is."
"You just want to slack off."
"What's wrong with slacking off? If we're too late, wouldn't going inside just be even more disgusting?"
"But we're adventurers."
At that moment, Eris spoke softly from the side. Hearing her answer, Megumi let out a long sigh.
"Fine, but you have to protect me..."
"Leave it to me."
Watching the three of them whispering up ahead, Mailu and her group were equally puzzled.
"Hey, Mailu, what are they talking about?"
"I'm not really sure either..."
As they spoke, the group arrived at the outskirts of the abandoned fortress. Before long, they spotted the goblins standing guard outside its half-collapsed gate.
"One, two, three..."
The Priestess counted them, then looked at Eris.
"Eris, let's stick to the original plan. I'll go first."
"Okay."
Eris nodded and tightened her grip on her longsword. Then the Priestess stood up.
"Great Earth Mother Goddess, protect us and conceal the sounds of this land—Silence!"
As the Priestess pointed her staff forward, faint spiritual light scattered down like dust. The goblins guarding the entrance raised their heads in surprise, staring at the beautiful glow drifting down from above. Panicked, they stretched out their hands and appeared to be shouting—but that