Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Back to the Cradle
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The women who'd been abducted to the goblin village finished showering one by one. They washed their bodies under the running water and scrubbed off the sticky goblin semen.
Now relatively clean, the women.
While they bathed, I changed my clothes too. My subspace was stocked full of spares.
"Can you all walk?"
It was about time to head out. The village was probably worried sick by now.
We couldn't stick around the goblin village forever.
'Cleanup's done.'
I'd burned all the bodies and given them a simple funeral rite. It was possible because Nine was a priestess.
I had no idea how a vampire could wield holy power, but...
She looked more devout than any cleric while praying for the dead's peace. Who could look at Nine and call her a vampire?
"We can walk."
Thanks to Nine's holy spells, the women's physical conditions had improved a lot. They were probably healthier now than before the goblins snatched them.
Their exhaustion was mostly mental.
"Number Ones."
I divided the victims by village. There were quite a few small settlements around the goblin village.
The goblin brats must've snatched them from all over. That was the vibe.
"Let's escort these folks home."
Herding everyone together would waste time. Splitting up and heading to each village separately was way faster.
The goblin village was like a delivery hub, and we were the couriers. Treating the victims like packages felt a bit rude, sure. But cut me some slack—it's the perfect analogy.
"Got it, Dad."
"Hmph."
"See you later, Daddy."
The Number Ones each took groups of victims and moved out. They seemed fast, yet slow somehow.
Like their hearts were urging them on, but their stiff bodies couldn't keep up.
Only a handful remained in the goblin village. Fewer than ten.
Women with no enemies in nearby villages. Adventurers, mercenaries, travelers, that sort...
"If you have somewhere to go, feel free."
The rest would come back to our village. Primary plan: let them recover body and soul there, then head out when ready.
"Mister, why'd you send Master off? Shouldn't you be going?"
"......"
Jenny was the village chief's grandkid, so of course she stayed behind.
Staying to bitch at me, that is.
Why send Olivia Number One on the job? Why not you instead?
Now she was calling Olivia "Master" outright.
"Heh heh..."
I could only chuckle in disbelief. She acted like she had no clue who came to rescue her.
Or maybe she knew and was just being a brat.
"Just behave yourself. Before I flick your forehead to kingdom come."
"Kingdom come?"
"One knuckle sandwich from me, and your forehead's toast. So pipe down."
"Who the hell are you? Think being a hero makes you hot shit? You can just say that?"
Jenny was the chief's granddaughter. In that backwater village, the chief held absolute power, so naturally, she was a spoiled little terror.
I'd forgotten that.
"You had some cute charm when you were shaking like a leaf from the goblins."
"Huh?"
"Looks like you're fine now. Let's roll."
I took Jenny and headed back to the village.
"J-Jenny!"
"Oh, my granddaughter!"
Villagers waited out front by the stockade. They'd probably been praying nonstop for Jenny's return.
They spotted her and charged over faster than goblins spotting a female.
The chief was quickest. I worried he'd grind down what was left of his knee cartilage and end up crippled.
"Mom! Dad! Grandpa!"
Even bratty Jenny turned into a sweet pup around family. She leaped into their arms the second she saw them.
"So you only bitch at me, huh."
The chief's family reunion. Village aunties dabbed at tears.
Menopause or not, seemed like the hormones were still flowing.
'Or maybe menopause is still far off?'
Hard lives aged them. Don't judge by looks alone, or you'd be way off.
While I pondered the aunties' ages solo,
the women who'd followed me offered their thanks.
"...Thank you for saving us."
"Just doing what needed doing. No biggie."
We saved them while hunting Jenny. Wasn't some grand act of charity.
"Dyke."
An elder approached, speaking for the sobbing chief and his son. His eyes asked who the women were.
"Victims from the goblin village. Not locals, so I brought 'em here for now."
"Ah... I see."
The old geezer eyed them up and down. Lust crawled in his gaze like bugs.
'Called it.'
Just like a hentai game. Ghosted right in with that sleazy stare.
Busting his skull for leering felt off...
Even from a retired hero's view.
"Come on in. We'll talk inside the village."
The geezer led the way.
The victims entered safely. No guarantee it'd last, though.
This world's casual with harassment and groping.
'That's their business.'
Not my problem. My job ended with the rescue.
Their lives after? On them.
"I'll take them to the Cradle of Abundance. Plenty of empty rooms with few guests."
"Yeah? If you're offering..."
The geezer sneaked peeks at the victims, smacking his lips. Other men perked up too.
Bald old timer, potbellied middle-ager, strapping youth.
All nuts for women.
"......"
Their eyes locked on one woman especially. The one who'd escaped the cave first with the kids.
Grind.
She ground her teeth, sensing the stares. Not the type to brush off advances.
Polar opposite of Denis.
'...More mercenary than adventurer.'
Her scars and attitude screamed pro sword-for-hire, not casual traveler.
"That's the Cradle of Abundance. More than enough for a short stay."
"...Appreciate it."
"Stay as long as you like."
Ding-a-ling.
We entered the Cradle. The bell rang; folks inside turned to look.
Denis at the counter, Lisa glued to her side watching for moods, Olivia Number Two mopping the floor diligently.
"Welcome."
I brought women. Strangers to them.
But Denis clocked the situation instantly. Just handed over rooms.
"Lisa, show them around."
That was Denis. She'd doted on the hero party no matter how ragged we returned.
Even when the mission-complete hero wandered back out of the blue, she asked nothing.
Lisa jangled her keyring upstairs. Victims trailed awkwardly behind.
"You must be beat."
"Nah, nothing major."
Solo hero gigs were rougher. Monster levels aside, the lives I couldn't save haunted me.
Denis approached with a glass. Ice cubes bobbed inside.
I chugged the cold water.
"Ahh...!"
I loved this vibe. Made me jealous.
A woman warmly greeting her man home from work. Noisy kids.
"Olivia."
Olivia Number Two wasn't the loud type. Calm, serious. Wary beyond her years.
Her rough upbringing meant she didn't trust adults.
'...Number One craves affection.'
Still carrying childhood trauma? She eyed her younger self with pity.
'I'm the idiot.'
Blame the hymen. Sharing "first time" vibes made me soft on Olivia Number One.
Even if she's really just a foul-mouthed psycho bitch.
We'd met barely a day ago. Pretty ridiculous in hindsight.
Tina hangups?
'No point dwelling now.'
I shook off the thoughts.
Approached Olivia Number Two, focused on cleaning. She flinched and tensed.
"Why mop alone?"
"...Felt like I should. You're feeding and housing me."
She wanted to earn her keep. That resolve shone through.
Mature for her age. Had to grow up fast to survive.
Makes sense.
'Tina was like that too.'
Tina wasn't childish mentally either. Raised poor.
More adult than peers.
Till that blond thug dick broke her brain...
"Impressive."
What to say? I settled on praise, stroking her head.
Below the shoulders felt too soon for us.
Then the inn door opened. Everyone in the hall whipped around.
Whoosh whoosh.
'Orc?'
Not an orc. Olivia Number One.
That's when Olivia Number Two clung to my leg.
"...Mister, hold me?"
"Huh?"
Ah. Needed Daddy warmth.
Perfect timing—Number One just arrived. Shower her with love right in front.
Number One'd love that.
I scooped up the little Olivia. Tiny frame, light as a feather.
"You little bitch!"
"!"
"I told you not to, you mangy mutt!"
Olivia Number One exploded. Blinked right in my face with short-range teleport.
Reached to grab little Olivia's hair.
Instinct kicked in—I drew my kitchen knife from my bosom and swung. To protect Olivia Number Two.