The goblin boat rowed on against the current deep poisonous waters of the sewers, they were all in search of fresh prey, namely the adventurers that had intruded on their domain.
The patrols had not come in, and other groups had found some, only some, of the dead goblins.
But not their heads.
That discovery had sent shockwaves through the horde.
Vanatorul vanatorilor was here!
The cursed lord, of the cursed land of the west that had butchered the tribes there had now come here.
The Xenocide had arrived!
So they all mobilized for war, they would swarm Vanatorul Vanatorilor with sheer numbers and with his death they would all gain riches and renown!
As those thoughts danced in their heads, the saw a light in the darkness ahead.
Many started cackling madly with glee, since that was the sign of adventurers.
The hunter had found its prey.
They laughed and banged their weapons on the deck of the ships, just as the light suddenly flew at them from the distance and a loud explosion detonated on their boat, ripping the goblins to shreds with shrapnel from the projectile and engulfing the place of its impact in fire.
"Looks like it functioned properly, thought I gotta work on finding lighter material, maybe compressed paper or wood to make it lighter a bit." Dwarf Shaman said as High Elf Archer let go of the weapon she used from over his shoulder and handed to DW.
This new weapon was in many ways the first true product of Slayer Keep.
It was in essence a musket barrel that acted as the launcher to a ceramic bottle that was filled with petrol and had a cloth that served as fuse on its neck.
Wizard had initially proposed that they make lighter cannon for cave clearing, this would help both rookies and veterans, Dwarf Shaman took that idea and modified a firearm so that you fired it over the shoulder, and made it to Goblin Slayer's specifications. Namely make it short and light so that it could be used in tight spaces without getting in the way.
"That leaves us with two more bottles on us and 10 remaining back topside from the supply we brought with us. How are we doing with the rest of our ammo?" Goblin Slayer asked.
"I managed to recover most of my arrows, but that's about it." High Elf Archer said.
"And I've used up half my bullet supply." GS added.
"Judging by the size of this city, this is a big horde. Honestly boss I don't think that that was their only boat." Warrior said as the flames from the ignited goblin craft started to fade, thought not before a second round of rowing and war chants was heard.
The party of adventurers braced themselves for another fight, when from the water a huge crocodile emerged and engulfed the boat in its jaws.
"Perhaps there is a way to clear the river without wasting ammo after all." Goblin Slayer said and just like that Priestess did a holy light on the alligator's tai, drawing the rest of the patrolling boats and destroying them.
"You know when it took my holy wows, they were all about helping and healing, somehow the healer is the one with the biggest kill count here." Priestess said in a deadpan manner.
"Well weirdness and craziness is typical with our fearless leader here. Right Orcbolg?"
"I don't like it."
This surprised all those present.
"Y-you don't like it, meaning that you actually feel! By the goddess, you are human after all!"
"Not that. The goblins don't usually build things, they are not stupid, but they prefer pillage and plunder, and all of these goblins have decent equipment, it reminds me to much of the overlord nest we destroyed and the waaagghh we cut down." Goblin Slayer said to those gathered.
"And to think there was a time when I wanted to go on big quests like this. Now…..now I just wish they all disappeared forever, especially…..especially after we see the victims." Warrior lamented, the past year hat all hardened them to the realities of adventuring and what it truly meant when a high ranking quest was available.
Namely the number of people slaughtered for it to be considered a high ranking quest.
This world was insane!
"Should we continue on downriver?" Fighter asked.
"No. Whatever is up ahead is strong enough to control a very, very big horde, and I suspect that we are about to face the majority of it head one. We'll need the new anti-horde gear and we'll have to get 'the new equipment with us, we'll keep it bagged until their baptism by fire test run drive.
"After the practice with it on the way here, I still have left one full stock for my new equipment, Lord Goblin Slayer." Lizard Priest said, referring to the 'sibling' of the flame grenade launcher.
"Just make sure that we don't use an gas poisons, fire or huge explosions. The damn city is above us, we can't make it collapse on us. And don't you pull the 'it's not an explosion, poison or fire' crap on me life you did when you brought the grenade launchers." High Elf Archer said to Orcbolg.
"Very well." He replied.
With that the group returned to the surface for rest, food, and the next day they were preparing to journey even deeper into the goblin infested sewers and catacombs.
"Are you feeling allright?" Sword Maiden said towards Priestess who had a look on her face that said she was contemplating something.
"Y-yes. It's just that…that we've been doing this for so long and we've killed so many goblins that…that I feel that pretty soon…."
"Pretty soon they'll be no turning back, the demon lord will come and all the foes you killed, all the lives you save will matter for nothing. Yes, I've been trough that kind of thing many years ago when the last demon king came to power."
"What do I do Sword Maiden-san?"
"I am afraid that not even I know the answer to that one."
"It doesn't matter." Goblin Slayer said, seemingly appearing out of nowhere behind them.
"Until the demon lord comes there are still goblins to kill, after he arrives and is defeated then we continue killing goblins. Simple as that." Goblin Slayer said
"That's if we defeat him Goblin Slayer-san." Sword Maiden said in good humor, though Priestess was getting a bit ticked off by his antics.
"He will be defeated."
"What makes you say that?" Priestess asked and the rest of the group stopped their preparations in order to eavesdrop on the conversation.
"Because when he attacks us, that will prevent us from killing goblins, so I will kill him so we can get back to goblin slaying. Simple as that." Goblin Slayer said in a matter of fact tone, like he had just commented on which brand of cheese he prefers.
This made his listeners grin and shake there heads.
Him slay the demon lord?
That was impossible, plain and simple, but while he couldn't, those around him combined could, the dice did not decide for Goblin Slayer, so he was free to break the chains of fate, and he did so.
Saving the lives of Warrior, Fighter, Wizard, Noble Fighter, Human Nun, Rhea Ranger and Half Elf Wizard had made it so they could tip the scales in their favor.
And unknown to even himself he had done so long ago, when he had saved the hometown village of a certain orphan girl, which now was an adventurer.
Goblin Slayer was not a hero, but he had saved, brought togheter, and mentored many heroes.
He would not save the world or change it.
But he could interfere with the roll of his dice.
And the roll of the dice that others received!
That was what made him the god's favorite!
"What's in the 3 small wagons?" Sword Maiden asked as they started their departure.
"Prototypes for our new anti goblin gear."
"What are they called?"
"They don't have names, only nicknames."
"What are they?" Maiden asked and Goblin Slayer replied.
"Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker."
He gave out a great bellow of laughter right in a moment when all the noises of the battlefield paused for a moment.
With that the laughter was heard by both the chariots and the infantry line that was all around him.
It was carried by the wind all across the battlefield.
"Chariots, armies and the lighting itself all trying to get to me, and I stub my toe! I'm in battle where hundreds die and I just stubbed my toe! If I'd know this was the only injury I'd get, I would have come today boots only!"
Metternich per Pelasgiamus.
BALADA: A Song of Stars by R.