The Chief Physician Exam (2)
Even in broad daylight, the forest depths were dim as evening, shrouded by the thick canopy of leaves.
“Whoa!”
Gis, walking beside me, tripped over something and let out a short yelp. That made four times already.
“Keep it down, will you? You trying to advertise our position to the monsters?”
One of the knights, finally losing patience, scolded him. It was Boris, the one who'd been on guard duty when we first arrived at the knight barracks.
“I can't see my feet in this gloom. We're not cavemen—what's wrong with a torch or two?”
I couldn't help but chuckle dryly at Gis's grumbling.
“What was that? Why not hand out flyers while you're at it? 'Fresh human meat, free giveaway—open for business!'”
A few knights snickered at my jab. Gis scowled fiercely.
“If you're trying to scare me and tank my performance, it won't work. I know goblins are low-level monsters.”
“Looks like we're dealing with hobgoblins from the way they're swarming. Don't underestimate them.”
“Not buying it. Whatever happens, it'll just prove my healing skills. Becoming the princess's chief physician and entering the imperial medical office? That's mine!”
Gis shouted with overconfident bravado. But confidence alone didn't win monster hunts.
“Shh.”
Tanya, leading the way, pressed a finger to her lips. She signaled with hand gestures, and the five knights formed up, gripping their swords tightly.
“Charge!”
On her command, the knights rushed into the underbrush.
“Hah!”
“Kieek!”
A dull thud of swords cleaving flesh echoed with phlegmy screams through the trees. Once it quieted, we pushed through the bushes to find three goblins bisected and sprawled on the ground. Solid work—proof of their Sword Expert titles.
“We're entering goblin territory now. No slacking on detection. Kill on sight before they call reinforcements.”
Tanya issued the order. The squad trailing us caught on and hustled into position.
“A whole group, really? Do we need this much caution just to hunt them...?”
Gis tilted his head at the corpses. The guy still hadn't grasped the reality.
I kicked a pile of scattered branches between the bodies.
“See this? Signs they were trying to start a fire. Either for camping here or signaling their main group after spotting us. Normal goblins aren't smart enough for that.”
I nodded firmly at Gis.
“Definite proof there's a leader. Quit whining.”
“When did I whine...? How do you know so much about monsters, young master?”
“Spot-on judgment. You've studied well. Let's press on.”
Tanya affirmed my words. Only then did Gis clamp his mouth shut.
We followed the goblin tracks through the brush for a good while longer. Any stragglers we encountered were swiftly dispatched by the knights. At the end, we found a pitch-black cave mouth in the cliff face.
“Leads right in.”
“Goblins living in a cave? Rare.”
“My lord, torches will be needed from here, which could make the subjugation riskier. Shall we proceed?”
Father hesitated at Tanya's question, conferring with the senior healer graders. While they debated, I scoured the cave entrance.
“Found it.”
I picked up an animal skull and showed it to Father.
“Look at this.”
“Leftover from a meal?”
“Not rotten—it's been pried off as a tool. Not eaten, but for a ritual.”
“Ritual?”
“Not hobs—likely a shaman controlling the pack.”
The knights murmured uneasily at my words. The healers, though, seemed clueless about the gravity.
Gis piped up. “Shaman? A magic-using goblin? What's the difference?”
“Big difference! Inside's probably a magic-boosted goblin army. Guild rates hobs at D-rank, shamans at C—worlds apart!”
Boris scolded him. Tanya relayed her take.
“Not confirmed, but if there's a goblin shaman in there, we'll take casualties. Our knights can handle the subjugation, no problem. But I can't guarantee the healers' safety.”
The healers shrank back in fear. Father nodded.
“A royal chief physician must heal their lord in any crisis—we train for that. But we can't risk it in an exam.”
Father decided swiftly.
“We'll commission the guild for the shaman subjugation later. Exam continues with nearby monster sweeps.”
Sensible, dragging amateur healers like us. But I'd spotted something nagging, so I asked Father,
“When will the subjugation happen, then?”
“Guild needs to post the quest—few days at least.”
“Hoping the abducted villagers survive that long.”
“What?”
I traced the cave wall with a finger. Sticky blood smeared off.
“Coagulation says under six hours old. Goblins dragged kidnap victims inside.”
“Hmm...!”
Father's face darkened. Gis countered,
“Could be animal blood, not human. Maybe dinner.”
Now he was in contrarian mode, praying I'd be wrong just once. Keep going. See if I miss even once.
Injury Status: Bleeding
Location: Left Forehead
Diagnosis triggered because it's human blood. Handy how it fires even on partial views.
I turned to Gis. “As a healer, shouldn't you check if it's human or beast blood? See? Human. And if we turn back now and miss the golden hour? That's on you.”
“Th-that's...”
He stammered as I shoved my bloodied finger under his nose. I consulted Father.
“Your call? Cave's their lair—risky with this setup.”
“Hmm. Healer Ras, certain it's human blood?”
Formal setting, so Father used my title.
“Positive.”
“Understood. Captain Tanya, prepare to enter.”
“Yes. All units, alert formation. Healers to the center—no ambushes.”
The knights sprang into action, circling the healers protectively. Some lit torches.
“Moving in. Stay sharp.”
We advanced. Past the entrance, darkness swallowed us, the thin air choking my breath. Scouts probed ahead with long spears, mapping the walls. Tanya's main group followed.
...Tension hung thick. No one fancied chit-chat. Shadows danced wildly on the walls from flickering torches—wind from somewhere. Not a dead end.
“Captain, fork ahead.”
“Hm.”
Tanya pondered the paths. Time to nudge?
“Cave goblins always make multiple exits. For escape.”
“Young master.”
“But abducted humans? No need to stash 'em by an exit.”
I wet a finger and held it to both tunnels. Air flowed from one side only.
“Hostages likely in the dead end. Recommend right first.”
Tanya's brows shot up.
“Impressive knowledge. Adventurer experience?”
“Nah?”
Hero party? Did that to death. Worst job ever. Do not recommend.
“Right it is. Scouts, watch for traps.”
The passage narrowed, so we slowed, creeping carefully. Squads split for formation. Soon Gis pointed ahead, yelling,
“There!”
He thrust his torch and bolted. In the corner: goblin-hoarded animal corpses—and two collapsed humans.
“Hold! Don't break formation!”
Tanya barked, but Gis was already at the villagers. They looked rough: clothes shredded, bodies bruised. Man and woman; the woman bleeding from her head—my diagnosis hit.
“To the merciful goddess in the heavens! These lambs in need await your grace...”
Gis opened his holy book, starting a healing spell. Professional spirit, sure—but reckless now.
—Kiiik!
—Kaek!
Goblin shrieks echoed then. From the dark, clubs raised, they swarmed—bald, tiny bodies as repulsive as ever.
“Gah!”
Gis yelped, tripping onto his ass. The goblins scuttled like roaches, about to overwhelm him.
“Hah!”
A bastard sword cleaved them mid-air. Tanya's.
“Ambush!”
“Battle stations!”
Knights drew steel, turning the narrow cave into a battlefield.
“Wh-where'd they come from...!”
Gis's hands shook. I smacked his head.
“Lure with bait in a 'treasure' trap—goblin basics. Small, so they hide in cracks or side tunnels. Snap out of it.”
“Ugh, y-yes sir!”
He wiped sweat from his brow and resumed chanting. Other healers clustered, treating the villagers. I scanned around.
Gotberg knights were top-notch. Tanya's training shone. Even ambushed, goblins were no match—they'd mop up easy. Father's guards held firm. And the overseer: Asella's head maid, Lucy.
...Huh. Cool as ice amid chaos. Positioned perfectly pre-ambush.
I'll just handle myself.
“Hyah!”
No holding back—I roared, swinging my sword full force.
—Kieek!!
The goblin charging me took it to the skull and crumpled.