Chapter 4: Elven Fortress.
Once Goblin Slayer, Priestess, and Red Eyes left the guild, Golbin Slayer had two people to meet. One off them was the Blacksmith he always went to buy and maintain his gear as he had some supplies he needed.
On the way there Red Eyes followed right next to him. His visor was down just like Goblin Slayer and he was even copying the style of walking off the Silver Ranked Adventure. Priestess walked behind them and laughed as they were dressed almost identically as Goblin Slayer had just given one of his spare, spare, spare armor sets.
Considering they had a similar build the armor did not look too big as Goblin Slayer had tightened the leather straps tighter to compensate.
'It's like watching a master and his student.'
She giggled a little which made both Goblin Slayer and Red Eyes turn around. She blushed a little in embarrassment so she shook her head to get them to ignore her.
"Nothing. Just ignore me."
Goblin Slayer turned around and walked off without saying anything. Red Eyes patted her on the head and ran off after his teacher. She smiled at how kind Red Eyes could be. Well, when it did not involve Goblins which he would massacre if he had the choice.
However, that could be forgiven as the green menace was better off dead. Once they arrived at the Smithing Shop Goblin Slayer turned to Red Eyes.
"This is the Smithing Shop."
Red Eyes nodded.
"Armor and weapons?"
the Adventure nodded. Red Eyes perked up when he heard that.
"Goblin killing things? Good place?"
Goblin Slayer nodded.
"Good place. Come."
Both walked inside while Priestess followed right behind them. When the door opened a small bell at the entrance rang. All around the workshop were armors of many kinds and just as many weapon choices of varying materials.
Inside a burly old man was hunched over an anvil where he hammered on a hot piece of metal. Red Eyes titled his head a bit as he watched the man work which made him curious. He got closer, but not too close to observe the man's work.
Goblin Slayer on the other hand dropped a bag of gear he wanted to be repaired.
"I need all of this repair. I need as many wood arrows as you got. They need to be cheap and burn easy."
Smith scoffed.
"Always with the cheap orders. Can't you buy more quality so they last longer?"
Goblin Slayer had a reason to buy cheap.
"Better for a lot of cheap things that can be replaced."
"Bah, whatever. Now, who is that kid?"
He pointed at Red Eyes who was watching him work. Goblin Slayer walked up to Red Eyes and lifted his visor.
"Red Eyes."
"Hi."
Smith paused when he saw that young human-like face, but he knew better. That was a dang goblin that looked just like a man.
"So, you found a Goblin student? Never expected that from you of all people. Whatever."
Smith paused when he looked at the sword at Red Eyes' hip.
"Wait a dang minute, can I see that?"
Red Eyes grabbed the sword and handed it over. Smith drew it from the sheath The large black broad sword felt very heavy in Smith's strong grip. He dragged his finger across the edge seeing it cut through his thick leather gloves.
"Boy, where did you find this?"
Red Eyes pointed at Goblin Slayer who answered where he got it.
"Goblin Cave."
Smith put it back in the sheath and handed it back to Red Eyes.
"That sword is pure mithiral with a coating of Adamantium over it. Can you even use it?"
Red Eyes nodded as he placed it back on his hip. With that done, Goblin Slayer took the gear, and arrows and paid for them. He looked over at Red Eyes.
"Want something?"
Red Eyes scanned the workshop until he landed on a set of daggers. The first one was as large as a man's forearm and made for stabbing through hard targets. The smaller one though looked better made for slashing at unarmored foes.
Red Eyes grabbed both daggers and began to shadow fight which made Smith almost wonder if he was hallucinating. Red Eyes was ripping apart an imaginary foe into ribbons with considerable skill. He stopped and looked at the daggers in his hands.
"I like."
Smith nodded.
"Yours for 100 silvers."
Goblin Slayer paused.
"20."
Smith groaned in anger.
"Oh no, those daggers were handmade by yours truly. Those are quality. Not the cheap stuff you buy."
"Loyal customer discount."
Smith's good eye twitched.
"You out of your mind. No less than 95."
"25."
"90."
"30."
"85."
They went back and forth until they settled for the low price of 60. 40% off was a big win for Goblin Slayer who paid the now-agreed on price. Smith shooed them away.
"Now get out. Last time I am this nice and only because you have been coming here for so long."
"Thanks."
The shameless man walked out happy he got such a discount. Red Eyes placed both daggers on his legs and waved.
"Thanks, hot metal man."
He ran after Goblin Slayer while Priestess stayed behind for a second.
"I am so sorry."
Smith snorted.
"Don't be. That boy, Red Eyes. They were meant for him. Just like meeting that annoying brat. Everyone needs someone to look out for them. Now leave."
She bowed and ran after her two companions. Outside, Goblin Slayer looked at Red Eyes who looked rather happy.
"Pay me back."
"Ok."
"Good."
Priestess felt left out so she spoke up.
"Excuse me?"
Goblin Slayer did not stop walking but turned around.
"What is it?"
"Where are we going now?"
"Alchemist."
Red Eyes smiled behind his helmet.
"Fire?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Very good."
They went off to the alchemist that Goblin Slayer bought his more, potent weapons. They arrived at a very small shop that had dark color schemes. Priestess shivered a bit without knowing why but did not bring it up.
"Can I ask to stay out here?"
Goblin Slayer wondered why but nodded.
"Sure."
Both Red Eyes and his teacher entered the shop which also had a small bell. When they entered Red Eyes sniffed the air and found it smelled heavily of herbs. He also smelled the familiar scent of Night Shade.
'Hurt berries.'
No one seemed to be around, but Goblin Slayer knew better.
"I need fire resin, poison resin, and poison oil. As much as you have on hand."
Finally from the back of the shop came out an elf woman. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked ready to pass out. She yawned and wrote down what he wanted.
"You know the deal."
Goblin Slayer pulled out his pouch and placed it on the desk. She took the pouch and counted the gold coins. A total of 50 gold coins which was more than enough.
"You want me to leave the rest on your tab?"
Goblin Slayer nodded.
"Yes."
She did not say anything else and glanced over at Red Eyes. His visor was down, but she saw the glow of his red eyes. She said nothing and just went into the back to get the things Goblin Slayer ordered.
When she got them, Goblin Slayer took them from her and walked out. Red Eyes stayed behind and brought up his daggers.
"Need poison."
She grinned as she had an idea.
"You got money?"
He shook his head and pointed behind him.
"Tab."
'Smart kid.'
"What kind of poison do you want?"
"Fast, painful, lethal."
"I got just the thing."
She got a small container and placed it on the table.
"This stuff will bring down an ogre in seconds. It ain't cheap though."
Before he could say yes, a hand grabbed his shoulder and dragged him away. The Elf scoffed when Goblin Slayer dragged away her sucker. The poison she was selling was what she promised, but using it for Goblins was overkill.
"Come back cutie."
Once outside, Goblin Slayer lectured Red Eyes.
"Don't fall for her tricks."
"Ok."
Priests looked at Goblin Slayer curious about something.
"Who is she?"
"Zalaya, Elf Alchemist specializing in poisons. Now, we go."
Red Eyes and Priestess nodded and began to make their way to the Fortress. On foot, it would only take a few days if they set off now. Goblin Slayer paid for a carriage to take them there faster which only took around 2 days.
Once they arrived at the village near the fort, they made their way directly toward it. They spent a day observing and learning the patterns of the Goblins. Goblin Slayer never dived into a Goblin hoard if he could avoid it and this time he could.
The Goblins felt safe in their fort, but they were surrounded by flammable material. A wood fort made all of this better for the three of them. The priestess looked at the fort in the dark while Goblin Slayer and Red Eyes readied their bows.
While they did that, she lit the flammable resin on the arrow tips on fire and placed them on the ground. The Goblins on watch began to yell as they spotted the three of them because of the fires.
Both Goblin Slayer and Red Eyes knocked fire arrows and fired them at the base. They each landed headshots on goblins which pierced through still burning. The moment the fire touched the dry woof of the fort it ignited and began to spread.
"Aim at the Goblins and tree."
Red Eyes knocked a second arrow and fired through the hand of a sling-wielding goblin. It screamed in agony as its hand was pinned to the tree of the fort. Even worse was that the fire on the arrow spread to the tree causing it to burn even more.
The flames crawled up the goblin's body causing it to scream and be added as fule. The priestess prepared more arrows which were fired to keep the tree burning.
"Goblin Slayer, the fort is burning too fast. Why?"
"Once elves leave a fort, the life force dries up fast. They burn like they are made of kindling. Prepare your miracle."
"Right."
She held up her staff as Goblin Slayer and Red Eyes knocked regular arrows at goblins. They no longer needed fire arrows as the tree would burn on its own. Just as Goblin Slayer had said the Goblins inside were rushing to escape the burning fort.
Red Eyes squinted his eyes and fired arrow after arrow at the Goblin's legs. When they tripped, they were trampled by the ones behind. Goblin Slayer did the same thing while Priestess began to pray.
"O Earth Mother, Abounding mercy! By the power of the land, grant safety to we who are weak. Protection!"
When she finished a barrier made of light was formed at the entrance of the fort. The goblins were left trapped among the flames and smoke which pushed them into a frenzy. Desperate to live they banged on the barrier with their fists, stones, or weapons.
However, 5 goblins managed to make it through before it closed. Before the goblins could react Red Eyes and Goblin Slayer charged forward. The goblins screamed in fear as both men swung their swords down.
Red Eyes with just one hand swung his heavy broadsword and cleaved a goblin's head from its shoulders. In his other hand, he brought up his dagger and stabbed straight through the goblin's skull coming out through its chin.
He kicked the third in the face pushing it to its back. Goblin Slayer's short sword slashed through both goblin's necks killing them on the spot. For the last one, Red Eyes brought up his boot and brought it down on the Goblin's neck.
He twisted his leg and broke its neck which made Priestess look away in disgust. Red Eyes pulled his dagger out of the Goblin and swung his sword to clean it of the blood.
"Good hunt."
Goblin Slayer nodded.
"Stay alert. Some may still be alive."
Red Eyes nodded.
"No survivors."
"Of course."
Before they split up, Priestess spoke up.
"There will be more?"
Goblin Slayer nodded.
"Some may have jumped from the tower and survived. Or they began to dig in desperation or they already had an escape method. Red Eyes, let's split. Meet up here by daylight. Priestess. Follow me."
Red Eyes did not have to be told and he ran off instantly. Goblin Slayer did the same, but with Priestess at his side. For the rest of the night, they slaughtered all goblins they could find, leaving none alive.
Come morning Red Eyes, and Goblin Slayer met up where they said they would. Both of them were covered in dirty Goblin Blood. Goblin Slayer broke the silence as he sat down.
"All dead."
Goblin Slayer sat next to him and nodded.
"Yes."
"Good."
Priestess sat down as well exhausted.
"Now the village will be safe."
Red Eyes and Goblin Slayer both fond that to be a good thing. Goblin Slayer stood up and looked at his two students. Well, Red Eyes was unusually skilled so more like a partner apprentice.
"Let's return."
Neither Red Eyes nor Priestess complained as Red Eyes wanted to see his mother. Goblin Slayer wanted his reward so they walked toward the nearby village to get a ride. First mission succeeded.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
BlackSwordman1234
BlackSwordman1234 I want to pick this up, but no promises.
Weekly Power Status
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