episode_0019

After finishing our meal, we headed to the pig farm.

The pig farm was located in a remote area on the outskirts of the city.

As we approached the swine farm, an incredibly foul stench pierced our noses.

All livestock farms have their own stench, but the smell of pigs is particularly strong.

That’s why even in modern times, most pig farms are located deep within rural areas.

We selected twenty healthy-looking pigs, pinching their noses shut to prevent them from escaping easily.

Eight people for twenty pigs.

It felt like suddenly becoming a large-scale farmer.

I took out a large glass bottle filled with black liquid from my bag.

I thought my shoulders would dislocate from carrying it.

When I opened the lid, a rather peculiar smell wafted out.

“What’s that?”

“A mysterious potion that protects pigs from beasts and demons.”

A potion made with a twist, commonly known as the “stench potion.”

It emits an extremely noxious odor to those with sensitive noses, serving as a special concoction.

We evenly spread the potion on the pigs’ backs.

By doing this, we could significantly reduce the likelihood of suddenly losing the pigs to an unexpected attack.

We applied the remaining potion to each other.

Mainly focusing on areas such as the neck and wrists, which are easily vulnerable to attack.

After completing all preparations, we bought food for the journey back and set off for the southern gate.

“Now let’s go back.”

“Sigh…”

Mirella seemed disappointed about leaving Odellin City.

“I’ll come back another time. I’ll definitely take you with me then.”

“Girl, spending money to come here may seem fun, but once you live and eat here, it will feel just like the starting village. There’s nothing to regret.”

Mirella slowly nodded at my and Riveron’s words.

“Is it time to say goodbye now?”

Stopping at the southern gate of the city, I prepared to bid farewell to Riveron.

Riveron looked at me intently before speaking.

“It is expected that the journey to bring twenty pigs back to the village will be quite perilous.”

Still, we have to find a way. These pigs are the hope of our village. We must bring them back.”

“Is that so? They are our hope.”

Riveron looked around at the grunting pigs.

“The patron angel has descended upon the neglected village, where no one shows any interest, to realize God’s will alone.”

“I’m not doing this alone. I’m doing it with the villagers.”

Liberone carefully looked over me, Mirella, and five of the guards.

“I sincerely hope that the noble goal of the patron angel is realized.”

“Yeah. Thanks for helping me on the long journey here.”

“Don’t mention it. I would give my life for the patron angel.”

“Haha. Thank you. Now, return to the order.”

“Well then… please take care, everyone.”

Liberone mounted his warhorse, Gashinante.

“You go first. I will leave after the patron angel departs.”

“Goodbye, Liberone.”

“Farewell, holy knight.”

We bid farewell to Liberone and turned onto the southern road.

As we left, I looked back and saw Liberone still standing there, watching over us.

Liberone, the battle NPC of the order who mistook me for the patron angel.

At first, he came to our village to destroy me and the knights, but in the end, things ended so well.

Having built this connection, I might receive help from him again in the future.

Farewell, Liberone.

* * * * *

A few hours after parting ways with Liberone and heading towards the village, there was a bit of commotion.

We encountered about three goblins.

Suddenly, those who had been rushing out onto the road and attacking the pigs began to vomit and stagger, allowing us to rush in and tear them apart.

The stench potion had worked perfectly.

The goblin we saw up close was truly grotesque.

About the size of a chimpanzee, with tough muscular bodies.

An old, grimacing face with fangs the size of a palm sticking out.

In the game, they didn’t seem quite as repulsive, but seeing them up close, I felt like I definitely couldn’t defeat them, even though they are weak experience material for low-level players.

It seemed that the guards, too, had never seen goblins up close like this, judging by their pale faces when I spoke about it.

“It seems that there’s a goblin nest nearby. Goblins never move in such small numbers.”

My words made the faces of my companions turn pale.

Let’s hurry. We should enter the nearby village before the sun sets.

We hurried the pigs and quickly left the scene.

Bandits and goblin-like small fries are trivial events frequently encountered on the street.

It was just annoying in the game, but now it’s a matter of life and death.

* * * * *

“Jack! I see a light over there!”

A welcoming voice came as if a fire had ignited in the darkness.

Indeed, there was a flickering yellow light ahead.

We were almost reaching the unnamed village between Leanso Village and Odellin City.

We’ll have to spend the night there.

Seems like goblins are lurking around, and we can’t fend off a surprise attack by goblins alone at midnight.

Goblins are nocturnal, with very keen night vision, and can move at incredible speeds in forests like this.

If we’re not careful, the pigs will be stripped clean.

Even if we use the stench potion, it’s hopeless if they swarm us.

It’s really regrettable to have taken on the role of a shopkeeper at times like this.

Even if you’re not the protagonist, how nice would it be to possess the special power of possession.

Then we wouldn’t have to go through such hardships.

But regretting what has already happened is pointless.

At that moment, a guard sent ahead came running towards us.

“There are goblins ahead…!”

“Goblins?”

“I saw their eyes in the forest. Roughly estimated, there seem to be more than thirty.”

Upon hearing this, the guards looked at each other with tense expressions.

“What should we do?”

Even ten would be overwhelming, let alone thirty, especially with the pigs.

“It might be better to return to Odellin City and come back after daybreak.”

The guards’ words were right.

It’s better to return and come back after daybreak.

We originally thought we would arrive at the village before sunset, but due to the pigs being so uncontrollable, it’s later than expected.

“Let’s go back. It can’t be helped. Let’s report to the Odellin City guards.”

As we turned the pigs around, we saw Reberone, who was riding a warhorse, slowly approaching from the northern road we had taken.

“Reberone…?”

“Master Behind Angel. It seems there’s a problem.”

“Why are you here…? No, more importantly, you shouldn’t go further south. There are about thirty goblins hiding ahead.”

“Goblins, you say?”

Liberone slowly looked down the darkening southern road.

“I will take care of that. The abominations that threaten travelers’ safety cannot be overlooked by the holy knight Liberone.”

Before anyone could say anything, Liberone dashed forward.

“Huh? Holy Knight!?” “Liberone! It’s dangerous!”

Can she handle it alone?

I wondered.

In an instant, the situation came to an end without us knowing what had happened.

The golden-armored warhorse Thistleante and Liberone, now devoid of sacred power, were covered in the bodies of slain and mutilated goblins.

Those who could flee had all escaped into the darkened forest.

We all marveled at the unbelievable sight and foolishly applauded.

Indeed, a holy knight.

To low-level monsters like goblins, she is an unstoppable force of nature.

Liberone, dismounting from her horse, dragged a goblin whose breath still lingered and approached Mirella.

“Girl.”

“Yes…?”

Mirella, who had been dazed, looked up at Liberone in surprise.

“Kill this goblin.”

“What?!” “What did you say?!”

Both Mirella and I shouted in surprise simultaneously.

However, Liberone was not joking.

“Strike the goblin’s head with this club and kill it.”

“Why do I have to…?!”

“Opportunities to actually kill abominations are rare for you.”

“But why should I have to kill an abomination?”

“Because you have ample potential as a warrior. Didn’t you cause an aura when we first met?”

“Use an aura? Me?”

Liberone nodded.

“Yes, Guardian Angel. This girl has the talent of a warrior. If she meets a good mentor, she will surely grow significantly.”

Well, she did it in the garbage dump last time, and Mirella’s agility wasn’t a coincidence.

“Is that really true?”

Mirella demanded a definite answer while holding the club opener.

“Do it, girl. If we don’t kill this goblin here, it will attack humans somewhere else and cause damage to the village.”

“Ugh…. Then….”

Mirella tightly closed her eyes and swung down the lid opener.

“Ahhhhh!!”

In an instant, a red aura flashed, and the goblin’s head exploded.

You really used aura?!

“Wow!!”

The guards all exclaimed in amazement.

“Ugh, it’s dirty.”

Wiping the blood and brain matter splattered on her face, Mirella frowned.

“Well done, girl. Remember this feeling.”

Throwing away the goblin’s corpse with its head blown off, Reberone casually remarked.

Terrifying.

Anyway, since she saved us, let’s express our gratitude.

“Thank you, Reberone. If it weren’t for you, we probably would have all died here.”

“I told you. I can sacrifice my life for the sake of the benefactor angel.”

Reberone said seriously, with a look that showed no hint of joking.