"So, what is your choice?"
Airi's voice was like a cold wind blowing past the boys' and girls' ears. They opened their mouths, but no one could say a word.
"But... they're still children..."
"No."
Kaori's objection was coldly cut off by Airi.
"They are pests, a scourge. To humans, they are no different from young locusts or rats. Eliminating them ensures peace. If you can't do that, then once they grow up, they'll attack villages, capture women, violate them, and breed more goblins."
"..."
Hearing this, Kaori swallowed. At that moment, the young goblins seemed to realize that disaster was about to befall them. They let out miserable cries, knelt on the ground, and desperately kowtowed to everyone. Seeing this, the girls all looked troubled. They instinctively turned to Airi, hoping she would show mercy, but she merely stared at them in silence.
"I won't do it!!"
At that moment, Ama-no-kawa Kōki stood up and glared at Airi.
"I won't kill these goblins. They're still children! I can't do it!"
"Is that so..."
Faced with Ama-no-kawa Kōki's answer, Airi nodded, then looked at the others.
"What about you?"
"..."
No one spoke, but quite a few nodded, clearly agreeing with Ama-no-kawa Kōki. No matter what, these goblins were only young. Their upbringing made it impossible for them to lay hands on such small children.
"Is that so..."
After seeing their response, Airi smiled faintly again—if this had been a conventional role-playing game, she would have told everyone next, "You have passed the trial, because one who raises a weapon against a defenseless weakling cannot become a hero."
However... what they saw was only a cold, mocking smile, as if she were ridiculing their kindness and stupidity.
"This was the decision you made. Then... you must bear the consequences."
As