Goblin Annihilation
“Wh-what do you mean you can't help?!”
Merchant leader Delros shouted into the crystal orb. It was a magical communication device he'd bought from a mage at a premium price. He'd felt a swell of pride as a successful merchant back then, knowing even one use consumed a fair bit of mana stone. But when the person on the other end was uncooperative, it was nothing more than a hole to pour words into.
Ah, didn't I say I'd gather adventurers and send them?
“That's not enough! Those adventurers will just end up as corpses too!”
Delros was burning up inside at this lord who refused to listen. “There could be dozens of goblins—maybe even more. And there's a strong one among them. That won't cut it.”
They're just goblins, aren't they? Even a sturdy farmhand can chase them off with tools. You're overreacting.
“That's not the same thing! You know the monsters coming out of those Gates aren't ordinary...!”
Ah, our territory doesn't have the spare resources either...
Delros ground his teeth as he yelled. The lord's attitude made it clear—he'd never intended to help in the first place. Now that things had gone south, he just wanted to cut his losses quick. He'd happily taken the support fees and commissions upfront...
How the hell did things end up like this?
When he'd first gotten word from Armeyna Territory, everything had seemed perfect. Monsters from the Gate yielding heaps of mana stones and hides. Even a proposal to trade stolen goods from corrupt nobles. An opportunity a small merchant caravan like his would never sniff in normal times. If Armeyna weren't such a backwater, it wouldn't have come their way at all.
I thought this was my ticket to scaling up to a mid-sized outfit...
Then goblins poured from a Gate along the route. Luckily, veteran merchant that he was, Delros managed to rally his people and escape with minimal losses. The real problem...
“Please, I beg you. They took my daughter...”
...was that the goblins had kidnapped his only daughter and dragged her to their nest.
The sole woman in the caravan. The reason they'd taken her alive was obvious. He'd sent the hired escorts to rescue her. The result? Disaster. All dead, save one who barely escaped wounded. His untrained staff couldn't fight. In desperation, he'd begged aid from the nearest territory, but they kept dodging with excuses.
Ahem! Just wait a bit. Didn't I say I'd send adventurers? We're looking hard for good ones right now...
“Looking? You mean you haven't sent anyone yet?!”
Anyway, we're cooperating as much as we can.
“Hey! Hey...!”
The connection cut off abruptly. In a rage, Delros hurled nearby objects.
“Goddamn nobles!”
His clenched fist dug nails into his palm. Kidnapped by goblins—time was life. They needed to go in fast, but he couldn't even guarantee rescue was possible.
“Damn it. Guess I'll have to go myself.”
He knew it was insane. Even his battle-hardened escorts had been wiped out. What could a mere merchant do? Die pointlessly, that's what. But his precious daughter haunted his thoughts—he couldn't sit still.
“Merchant leader.”
Stepping outside, a staffer called to him. “What did Ricota Lord say?”
“...Don't expect much support.”
“...Understood.”
The man sighed, face grim. “Any changes at the nest?”
“Nothing. But we have a visitor.”
“Visitor?”
“The lord of Armeyna.”
Delros's face twisted like he'd swallowed bile. Dealing with another lord in this mess?
No, he couldn't blame them—they were victims too, of a failed deal. They might've taken losses themselves.
“Show him in. Least I can do is explain personally.”
“Yes, sir.”
The lord of Armeyna was a striking young man with a memorable face. His secretary's beauty was no slouch either. Faces like theirs could place any noble house.
“Sorry to make you come all this way. I'm Delros, the caravan leader.”
“I'm Ian Armeyna, lord of Armeyna.”
The lord used formal speech with a mere merchant. That alone earned goodwill.
And... that's not all. A young guy carrying this kind of presence.
Sharp yet heavy aura. Among the many figures Delros had met as a merchant, this ranked top-tier. No escorts either. Armeyna wasn't wealthy, but coming alone with just a secretary?
“I heard the situation from your staff. Your daughter's been kidnapped.”
Straight to the point. With every second counting, Delros appreciated it.
“Yes, sorry, but the deal...”
“Let me be direct. If your daughter returns safely, can the caravan move out?”
“Pardon?”
“I get the situation, but I'm in a rush. Want to wrap this quick.”
“Ah, yes. Of course—if she's safe, we could leave in an instant...”
Ian nodded and turned toward the ancient ruins where the goblins nested.
“...How old is she?”
“Just came of age.”
“She's young.”
Muttering, Ian drew his sword. The motion choked Delros's breath.
What...? Is he really a lord?
Not just drawing a weapon—the air itself grew heavy with pressure. He looked like a knight honed over decades.
“You heard. I'll be back.”
The secretary stared, then sighed. “Even if I say it's dangerous, you won't listen, will you?”
“I can't ignore it now I know. Plus, you're a valuable client.”
Ian checked his blade lightly and turned. “I'll head out then.”
“Pardon? Where to...?”
“The goblins took her, right? Gotta rescue her.”
“It's d-dangerous!”
Delros shouted reflexively. Ian looked no ordinary swordsman, but to him, it seemed the bravado of a naive young master.
“My escorts went in—multiple—and all died. How could you alone...?”
“Yeah, whatever.”
Ian waved dismissively, cutting him off. “Figure out the deal payment. Include the rescue fee.”
With that, Ian kicked off and bolted.
“So fast...!”
Before Delros could stop him, Ian was gone. Charging in without hesitation to save someone—it struck Delros as heroic.
If... if he really saves Rana...
Delros, who never prayed, clasped his hands this once. Gods, grant that hero strength. Bring my daughter back safe.
Good thing it's simpler than I thought.
I'd figured the caravan was wrecked if they got caught in a Gate. Damage was lighter than expected. Saying it's fortunate with a kidnapping? Debatable...
Regrettably, in the hunter business—especially managing people—you end up quantifying casualties.
Bad habit. Necessary one too.
Anyway, not the time. Goblins aren't to be underestimated—shouldn't be.
If numbers and terrain align, an intelligent monster is trickier than raw strength.
Goblins loved traps and ambushes. Plenty of hunters died carelessly to them. They'd even claimed these abandoned ruins for a nest. Kidnap humans, breed, build power—classic.
“Even this world knows you crush goblin forces before they grow.”
Unless the local lord was utterly incompetent. A nest this close needed clearing anyway—wasted chance to earn favor with the caravan.
...Goblins. Even posted a sentry.
A spear-wielding goblin stood bored at the ruins entrance. Scrawny and small—low-status. Just one suggested the group wasn't huge yet.
Or enjoying themselves inside.
...No time to waste. I chucked a suitable stone at its head.
Whoosh! Thunk!
The rock flew straight, smashing into the temple. A dull rupture, head snapped grotesquely, body tumbled.
“Sentry down.”
Inside reeked of musty earth. The ruins' gloom and damp clung to the skin. Goblins weren't pushovers. This was their turf—like entering a Gate.
But fewer traps, probably.
Not their original home—just seized ruins. Even residents wouldn't know the layout cold. Humans might, but goblins lacked the brains. Escorts had gone in already—any traps would've been triggered.
Kidnap girl, steal goods, hole up, fight escorts. No slack for resetting traps.
...Blood.
Blood scent hit soon. Corpses ahead—men's heads bashed, guts stabbed. Goblin bodies too.
Left the bodies.
No interest. To goblins, men and even allies weren't worth considering. Fewer rivals for food or women? Bonus. Too dumb to note lost manpower.
Leaving corpses meant they'd started something deeper in.
“Gotta hurry.”
I halted in a wide chamber. Goblins slept in the corner.
Five... no, six.
Front sentry lulling them? Fine by me. I crept up, clamped a hand over one's mouth.
“!!”
Squelch... Crunch.
Stabbed its throat. Eyes bulged, but too late. Gurgling collapse. Repeated for all.
Decent sizes. Had pull in the group.
Footprints on the floor: normal ones mixed with deeper, oddly shaped. Hobgoblin and Goblin Shaman.
Shamans hoard loot inside. Ruins layout meant the big chamber soon—their base.
Weakest on sentry or cleanup. Mid-tier resting. Boss and rest...
“Deeper in.”
Ruins weren't vast. Survivors clustered with boss. Daughter likely there.
No screams—good sign.
Goblins don't kill captives. Purpose is playthings. No screams meant something else.
If they finish their ritual, it'll get annoying.
Shook goblin blood from my blade and charged in. No letting them have their way.
Borrowing a line from an anime I enjoyed in my past life... goblin annihilation.