Pest Control in the Fields
The journey was peaceful, with no encounters with thieves or goblins, and the weather held without rain.
Caspar seed to improve in health each day, and by the ti we reached the village where we were to serve as guards, he had completely regained his vigor.
However, Caspar had a strange way of eating, like an old man in hospice care. He would sip on diluted porridge with trembling hands, occasionally sporting an archaic smile without a word. Watching him eat like that was a bit unsettling, even if he was indeed recovering. It felt a bit frightening.
「Harvest season is lively, isn't it...」
The village of Tolman, where we were dispatched, was a rural place far from any cities.
Though not exactly close to Regor, the city where I was based, there were no other towns near Tolman Village, making it a rather inconvenient location.
Typically, village natives working in nearby towns would return ho and help with things like harvest season patrols. But Tolman Village is so remote, there aren't even any guild mbers from there working away from ho.
Thus, we, being strangers with no ties here, would normally be seen as outsiders to be wary of—villages are tough on strangers.
But Tolman Village seed to have a laid-back vibe, and I was treated well without being called so na from Sangreal.
It was quite fortunate that I could leisurely sip warm water while calmly observing farm work with Caspar-san. In other years, it might have been quite a different ambiance.
「Caspar, are you going to provide any healing here too?」
「Yes, during the afternoon break in the square. Many people get injured during harvest ti.」
「Yeah, people cut themselves, right? I used to do that a lot in my village.」
「It's not good if dirt or mud gets into the wounds, you know... So be careful, Mongrel.」
While cuts from plants or sickles were common troubles, wild animals lurking in wheat fields could attack as well. In this world, you couldn't let your guard down. Sotis aggressive pythons would appear from the fields too. Perhaps that's why long-handled scythes, which prevent unexpected encounters, are so popular.
In my own village, the main harvest thod involved dainty knives akin to karambits, which look like oversized cat claws. Though the knife looked like sothing only an assassin would use, it was quite handy. It would make opening Amazon boxes a breeze. Well, I don't need it now since I have a favorite knife.
「Hey there, young guild mber!」
「That's for you, Mongrel. Soone's calling.」
「What could it be? Coming~ What's up?」
「There's a goblin in the fields—could you take care of it outside the fields?」
Ah, it's ti to work.
The old guys from the third group are patrolling the village, and I've got the most stamina.
I would have liked to slack off so more, but guess it can't be helped. Ti to work.
「I need to head to the square later too. Take care, Mongrel.」
「Sure thing. Don't overdo it, Caspar.」
Goblins were everywhere. They reproduced often, had short gestation periods, could breed with boars, and were omnivorous. Above all, they were small in stature.
They often had hideouts in tight, unexpected holes, and sotis boldly lived right in the middle of village wheat fields.
Tall wheat fields provided concealnt surpassing even forests. If the planting was in straight rows, the view might be clear, but most fields in this world were scatter-planted. The far corners of the wheat fields were out of reach to people.
Barring exceptional circumstances, fields were left untended until harvest, and the only people venturing into the middle were the kind of rural youth sneaking in for outdoor trysts.
That's why, for small goblins, wheat fields beca excellent hideouts.
「There they are, stepping on our wheat field.」
「Yeah, I see them. Can't let them die in the field, huh?」
「Right. If you could take care of them over there, that'd be great.」
「Got it. I'll handle it quickly, so keep working on sothing else just in case.」
「Right.」
In the middle of the wheat field where I was guided, I saw shadows that seed to belong to goblins.
The stench leaving no doubt. It looked like there were about two of them.
Local farrs could handle them, but since we're here, let's show them the flair of professionals.
「Alright, let's start with this.」
While goblins were belligerent, they weren't totally stupid. If they thought their opponent was strong, they'd run away.
However, they were stupid enough to be lured by anger if sothing ticked them off.
「Oh, goblin-san, you see this delicious dried at? Mmm, quite tasty.」
I took out so dried at. A failed batch retaining a strong, odd aroma.
Still, the sll made it quite useful in situations like these.
「Guga.」
「Gya-gya!」
The goblins started growling at , almost as if protesting, "That's ours!」
Still hiding in the wheat, but they were close.
「Do you want it that badly? I'll let you all have just one bite...」
「Gyah! Gyah-gyah!」
「Changed my mind! It's so delicious!」
「Gugyaaaa!」
Got them hooked! Oh, they're super mad! Now, let's lure them out of the fields.
「Look at this juicy piece of at... like a sophisticated A5 steak...」
「Guge!」
「Gyah gyah!」
「This at is available to viewer gift... NOT! So delicious!」
Humans have far superior physical abilities. By taking care not to trip on the soft soil of the field, I could easily draw the goblins out to the road.
The goblins were full of murderous intent. What had I even done to them? Most convenient that even if I dealt with one, the other wouldn't lose morale.
Both goblins only had clubs as weapons. Even shorter reach than a short sword.
「Alright then, let's start a little three-second cooking.」
「Gugya...!」
I drew my bastard sword from its leather scabbard and swung it down toward the head of one of the raging goblins.
The blade bit deep into its cheek, killing it swiftly.
「First up, goblin Tataki.」
「Gii...!?」
「You're going to be a fillet!」
The remaining goblin, frozen with surprise, t the sa fate; I finished it off with a deep diagonal slice through the torso.
That sums up dealing with goblins.
「Hey, the goblins are taken care of!」
「Thanks!」
Harvesting resud after, and I was given the less-desired task of clearing the goblin corpses.
Perhaps I should have bludgeoned them to keep the ss minimal.
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