Chapter 8

The journey was peaceful, with no bandits or goblins appearing, and it didn't even rain.

Kaspar's health gradually improved, and by the time we arrived at the village for security purposes, he was completely back to his usual self.

However, Kaspar, while sipping the diluted porridge with trembling hands, occasionally flashed an archaic smile in silence, which made him look like an old man receiving palliative care. It was quite unsettling to watch, even though he was actually feeling better. It was just a bit scary.

"The harvest season is lively and wonderful..."

The village we were dispatched to, Torman, is a rural village far from any city. It's not particularly close to the city of Regal, where I'm based, but there are no other cities near Torman, making it quite an inconvenient location.

Usually, for security during the harvest season or village protection, people from the village who live in nearby towns would return home to help. However, Torman is so rural that there are no such mercenary guild members. Therefore, we, who have no connection to the village, are complete outsiders and would normally be viewed with suspicion. Rural areas can be quite strict with outsiders. However, Torman seems to have a more relaxed attitude, and I've been treated well without being called anything like "Sanglere something."

Being able to sit here, watching the farming work and sipping hot water with Kaspar is quite a blessing. In previous years, we would have faced more hostility.

"Will you do any healing work here, Kaspar?"

"Yes, during the afternoon break in the square, I'll provide light treatments... There are many injuries during the harvest."

"Like cuts on the hands. I used to bleed a lot in the village too."

"It's not good if dirt or mud gets into the wounds. Please be careful, Mongrel..."

Most of the troubles are cuts from grass or tools, but wild animals hiding in the wheat fields can also attack, making this world quite unpredictable. It's not uncommon to encounter aggressive snakes in the fields. That's probably why long-handled scythes are preferred to prevent unexpected encounters.

In my village, we mainly used a type of knife, similar to a karambit—like an enlarged cat's claw. Despite its assassin-like appearance, it was quite convenient. It would be great for opening Amazon boxes. But now, I have my favorite knife, so I don't need it.

"Hey, young guild member over there!"

"That's you, Mongrel. Someone is calling you."

"What is it? Hey, what's up?"

"There's a goblin in the field. Can you kill it outside the field?"

Oh, it's time to work.

The old men from the third shift are patrolling the village, and I'm the most physically capable.

I wanted to slack off a bit more, but there's no choice. Time to work.

"I have to go to the square later. Be careful, Mongrel..."

"Sure thing. You take it easy too, Kaspar."

Goblins are everywhere.

They reproduce quickly, have short gestation periods, can impregnate pigs, are omnivorous, and are small.

They often hide in narrow holes and can even live right in the middle of a wheat field.

Tall wheat fields provide excellent cover, surpassing even forests.

Even with rows planted, visibility is limited, and most fields in this world are planted haphazardly. The inner parts of the wheat fields are often untouched by human hands.

Unless something extraordinary happens, the fields are not maintained until harvest time. The only people who might venture into the middle of a wheat field are young men and women from the village sneaking in for some private time.

This makes the wheat fields excellent hiding spots for small goblins.

"Look over there. They're trampling our wheat."

"Yeah, they're there. We can't let them spill blood in the field."

"Right. It would be best to take care of them over there."

"Got it. I'll do it quickly, so you can continue with other tasks."

"Alright."

Indeed, the shadows of goblins can be seen in the depths of the wheat field. The stench confirms their presence. There are about two of them.

The local farmers could handle them, but since we're here, let's show them what professionals can do.

"Alright, let's start with this."

Goblins are aggressive but not completely stupid. They will run if they think their opponent is too strong. However, they can be lured by anger.

"Hey, goblins, can you smell this delicious dried meat? It's really tasty."

I took out some dried meat. It had a strange smell because of a mistake in the preparation process.

However, the smell can be quite useful in situations like this.

"Grug!"

"Yak yak!"

The goblins started to warn me with their cries, as if protesting, "That's ours!" They haven't come out of the wheat yet, but it won't be long.

"Hmm, you want it that much? How about a little taste for everyone..."

"Yak! Gyak yak!"

"Never mind! It's delicious!"

"Guuuaaah!"

Got them! They're super angry!

Now, let's lure them out of the field.

"Look at this juicy meat... it's as refined as an A5-grade steak..."

"Ugh!"

"Yak yak!"

"Right now, I'll give this meat as a viewer's gift... delicious!"

Humans are far superior in physical ability.

By being careful not to get my feet caught in the soft soil, I could easily lead the goblins to the road without being caught.

The goblins are full of murderous intent. What did I do to them? It's a blessing that they don't seem to lose their fighting spirit even if I take out one of them. Both of them only have clubs, with a reach shorter than a short sword.

"Alright, let's start with a three-second cooking."

I drew my bastard sword from its leather sheath and brought it down on the head of the enraged goblin. The blade cut into its cheek, and it died instantly.

"First, the goblin's knockdown."

"Kii...!?"

"You're next, the opening!"

The remaining goblin, frozen in shock, was finished with a deep diagonal slash to the torso. That's how it goes with goblins.

"Hey, the goblins are done."

"Thanks a lot."

The harvest work resumed, and I was tasked with the unpleasant job of cleaning up the goblin corpses.

Maybe I should have just beaten them to death to avoid the blood.