86. Goblin Assault and Promise with Claire
The chaotic melee dragged on. But we were starting to gain the upper hand, pushing back the goblin horde.
I was worried about Claire in the central wagon. The front and rear were solidly guarded by adventurers, but the sides were thin since the drivers doubled as fighters. Protecting the caravan's cargo—and Claire—was our job as escorts.
I loosed an arrow to intimidate the enemy archers while checking on Mizuki.
She moved with graceful precision, swinging her sword. One goblin fell to her strike, vanishing into particles.
No sign of mental shock from killing Task, it seemed.
Fang fought steadily at her side. His axe swings looked wild and brutal, but they were clever maneuvers that dealt fatal blows and deflected arrows. No wasted motion—just refined technique.
"Hey, quit dawdlin'! You're worried about the merchant folks, right?"
Fang yelled, noticing my gaze.
"Mizuki!" I called to her beside him.
"I'm good. Leave this to us. Fang and I can handle it."
She replied to my shout.
Fam came over, probably to stick with me. I switched to my knife and nodded to her.
"We don't need two healers. Doris, guard the leader!"
Doris gripped her staff at Fang's words and nodded.
Myra, who'd started toward me, stopped. She shot me a sad look, but there was nothing for it. Somehow, Fang had taken command without me noticing. No one knew who was really in charge anymore.
She vented her frustration by smashing her mace down on a nearby goblin.
While cutting down goblins swarming the caravan, I headed for Claire's central wagon.
An enemy arrow flew at me. Fam batted it away with swift motion. Her growth was reassuring.
I hurled a stone orb from my Stone Magic at the archer. It wouldn't faze bosses or heavily armored foes, but goblins took the damage fine.
As it flinched, Fam leaped in, slashing it down. The goblin vanished. She spotted another lurking in the brush and struck—its death cry echoed.
She picked up a Mana Seed and returned.
"You're quicker now."
"It's the Mibu Wolf skill. Hit level 20, so now I can burn MP to boost agility."
"Fits you perfect."
I reached to pat her head but noticed Doris watching. Feeling awkward, I pulled back.
"Alright, let's hurry to Claire."
Fam and Doris nodded.
Near Claire's wagon, Mercedes had dismounted and was fighting with the drivers.
His arm was wounded. He swung his sword to keep enemies at bay, but the injury made his moves stiff.
Fam slipped between him and the goblins, pulling him back to safety. Doris rushed over to heal.
He was hurt, but this spot had thinner encirclement than front or rear.
"Where's Claire?"
"The young miss is inside the wagon."
I switched to my bow, firing at surrounding foes.
As we fought guarding the wagon, the enemies began fleeing.
I wanted to pursue, but with limited fighters, we let them go.
In frustration, I shot at one retreating back—missed.
Suddenly, Doris was beside me.
"Mercedes?"
"Light wound. He went back inside to check on Claire."
She'd been watching me intently.
"Something on your mind about me?"
"N-no... B-b-b-boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs!"
Doris started yelling instead of denying. Fam, scanning around, looked over in surprise.
Doris looked shocked too. I thought she'd lost it—then remembered the penalty for lying to my questions.
"You don't have to yell 'boobs' for lying anymore."
That should lift the command.
"But why lie?"
"...Sorry. I didn't mean to. I compared you to my old party. But... are you sure? You could've waited till after my answer."
"Maybe, but it's my fault, and getting 'boobs' screamed suddenly is scary. Should've gone with normal lewd commands. Anyway, no more slave crest orders— you're free."
"Normal lewd commands... You really think about naughty stuff all the time, huh."
She giggled and nodded. Better her laughing at my side than hovering timidly.
"Your old party—the ones heading east?"
She nodded. Did they try reclaiming her after selling? Hard to ask her feelings on them.
"They didn't try getting you back after selling?"
"At first, Izark... I mean, Izark tried buying me back, but the price was too high."
"Even if pricey, you only needed healing funds. Pay that and earn the rest..."
I trailed off, realizing. My special skill gets Mana Seeds, so I'd never worried much about money. Watching her, glad I picked rare item drop up—saved Fam's curse symptoms too. Lucky.
Still, how much gold did the church demand?
"Once freed, back to your party?"
"I'll look for them. But adventuring again... not sure."
As we talked, Claire and Mercedes emerged from the wagon.
Claire scanned anxiously, confirming the fight over.
Aver strode from the front. No damage on her—bikini armor as tough as ever.
"Enemies retreated," Aver said.
"Any serious injuries?" Claire asked, nodding.
"No one's down. Front wounds—Ira's healing them."
"Then gather locals here for Doris. Rear to Myra. Fam, tell 'em."
Fam nodded and ran off.
"Once healing and wagon/horse checks done, we move."
"Yeah. Don't wanna linger—this depression's got bad sightlines. Make it quick."
Aver replied to Claire. Both looked to me for input.
"Big Hoppers stirred local monsters. Stay alert."
As I headed to the rear wagon, Claire tugged my hem.
"Mash, ride my wagon as guard against more attacks."
Travel resumed.
Healers finished quick with three, no horse/wagon damage.
Fang and Doris rejoined Altail upfront; Cecily patrolled mounted.
Rear wagon: Fam, Mizuki, Myra, Ira guarding. Me: central with Claire.
This wagon felt luxurious—cushioned seats, subtle decor. Claire, Mercedes, two merchants inside.
Claire and I faced forward; Mercedes beside her. Merchants by us.
Somehow awkward. Should've dragged Fam along.
Mercedes cleared his throat, glancing meaningfully. Wants me talking to Claire.
"Rough time in Niren, huh."
"Yes. But Mash was amazing. Father knew his stuff."
"How long to Fulft?"
"Five days if smooth."
Silence. Alone, light chat; but merchants made words stick. No lovey-dovey vibe.
"Mash-sama, don't mind us—keep talking to the young miss."
Mercedes eyed me pressingly. Mateo ordered him to make us happen?
Claire looked awkward too.
"Mash, Mercedes worries our relationship isn't progressing."
I know, but just grab her? Could I grope now and it'd be fine?
"Fulft's lively and pretty. Stroll it together on arrival?"
Mercedes prodded, impatient.
"How long staying?"
"Transfer cargo to ship—minimum day. Total three, but late arrival risks missing booking. Then wait for next."
Delays cause issues. Rain and Hoppers slowed us. They planned buffer—how much?
"Got it. One day, you and me."
Claire didn't reply; Mercedes sighed relief.
Now wondering Claire's true feelings. Hope not like Kalpana—duty sex.
Thank you for reading.
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