Goblin Knight - Chapter 345



Only Noblemtl

EP.345 Once Upon a Time (24)

To tell you the truth.

When he realized that the mission he had to accomplish in the past was to ‘save Nellivia who was in danger’.

Blanc was prepared to die.

It is already a task of considerable difficulty to escort a demon who is neither good nor wise, and has lost his power, from the human realm to the demon realm.

But even those who pursued them were a group of fanatics and enforcers who could not communicate with each other and each possessed an incredible amount of force.

Even Blanc, who had accomplished so many difficult tasks, had no choice but to admit it.

The pursuit will be immediate, and when that moment comes, it will be impossible for him and Nellivia to survive together.

So… in the short time left until the pursuit catches up, let’s teach Nellyvia everything so that she can survive and reach her hometown, even if we don’t have confidence.

‘I could see a future where Nellyvia would survive as Anneli, but I couldn’t know if I would be in that future. That’s why I thought about it even more… … .’

But what is the reality?

The expectation that it would take at least three days for the executors to catch up had long since been dashed. The journey had been peaceful for nearly a week.

I didn’t understand it at all.

‘No matter how strong the Executors are, it doesn’t seem like they’re ready to clash with the monsters head-on since war hasn’t broken out yet… What on earth are they planning?’

According to Sister Derk, the Broken Moon Village can be reached after entering the tundra climate and advancing deep for about a day.

That means, if nothing happens until tomorrow, you can enter the werewolf’s territory.

Then, even if they are executors, wouldn’t it be difficult to track them?

Of course, considering their insane nature, they would go to all-out war with werewolves if the law so dictates… but why?

If that’s the case, why didn’t they chase after me earlier?

‘It’s not that the Executors aren’t chasing Nellyvia… What if something more important came up that was chasing us?’

Perhaps because it was something that didn’t make sense in the first place, even the assumptions were extremely difficult.

An opportunity to easily capture the most noble being among the demons, the natural enemies of all dreaming beings.

What could be more important than an opportunity like that?

If something had happened that could shake the church to its core, then that would be different… … .

‘Damn it. How could I know?’

Perhaps if Blanc had been well-versed in history, he might have found a clue, but unfortunately, he was only a young goblin, not far from his second birthday.

Blanc looked back at the campfire and spoke, after putting aside the question that had no answer.

“… … Anyway, we haven’t entered the werewolf territory yet. Until then, we could be attacked at any time, so don’t let your guard down too easily.”

“What a boring conclusion.”

“The right to pursue fun in hunting is something only the pursuer has. We are the ones being chased.”

“Okay, I got it… … .”

Nellyvia grumbled and crawled into her sleeping bag.

Nellyvia glanced at him, her face barely visible through the hole in her sleeping bag.

“… … But is it really okay for me to be on night watch today? Well, I’m not fully recovered yet. Wouldn’t it be better for me to stand?”

“You are tired, and I am not tired. Is there any need to say more?”

“Hmm.”

“If you find it uncomfortable to see me suffer, build up your stamina. Even if you close your eyes after midnight, wake up before dawn and finish preparing breakfast.”

“Oh… Don’t say such horrible things. Right now, I’m just a pitiful human girl. What can I do about that?”

“… … .”

“Anyway, well then… have a good night.”

Nellyvia slowly closed her eyes.

After confirming that her heart rate had quickly subsided and she was completely asleep.

Blanc let out a small sigh.

‘… … Even if it is my mission to somehow save Nellyvia, other things are not meaningless.’

Things have changed so much that priorities have been pushed back.

The fact that Nelivia had to become good in order to connect with the future Annelie and at the same time fall in love with Blanc did not change.

How on earth should we solve these problems?

After spending a few days with Blanc, his words and actions became a little more gentle, but that was because he understood that he was his ally, not because his nature had changed.

It’s not like the distance has become particularly close.

Nellyvia’s comment that he was a ‘very convenient goblin’ proved the conjecture.

I wish it had been a bit more friendly, but it seems like we still have a long way to go.

And above all else.

‘If this journey continues, there will inevitably be times when the two missions of protecting Nellyvia and doing good will clash.’

Nellyvia is not Annelly.

I will neither sympathize with nor respect his belief that good will circulate.

That’s why we can’t just keep going straight like we have until now.

What choice should he make then?

Which of the two missions that form the foundation of Blanc Jen Heinzworks should be prioritized and which should be abandoned?

If you don’t decide in advance, you might end up missing out on both missions because you hesitate when it’s time to choose…

All you can hear is the crackling of the campfire and the rustling of your breath, and you have to keep poking the campfire so it doesn’t go out.

Even as we struggle endlessly over difficult problems that can never be easily resolved, time passes mercilessly.

The night was drawing to a close.

* * *

It’s morning again.

After finishing off the elk we had trimmed the night before, we cleared out the campsite, cleared the trail, and headed further north, deep into the forest.

In the end, the enforcers did not pursue.

And Blanc and Nelivia stood before a large claw mark carved into a giant tree.

“This is… … .”

“It’s the mark of the wolf.”

This time, it was Nellyvia who returned to the explanation station.

Even though she may not know much about the ways of the world, as a princess of the Demon Tribe, it was natural that she would know much more about the ecology of monsters than Blanc.

“That’s how those half-wolf guys mark their territory. But why don’t you know that?”

“Because this is my first time entering werewolf territory.”

It was only natural, since the werewolf species itself was nearly extinct during the time he was in.

Nellyvia, who had no way of knowing the circumstances, asked with a face that was half puzzled and half superior.

“It’s amazing that there are things you don’t know, let alone something so basic! Isn’t this common sense for all travelers, regardless of race?”

“… … It’s complicated.”

“Ha! Anyway, that’s good. This princess of the Demon Tribe, Lady Nellyvia, will kindly grant you knowledge, so open your lovely ears and listen carefully!”

“Wait a minute. What are my ears saying?”

Nelivia said proudly, as Blanc’s face contorted into a grotesque grimace at the first appearance assessment she had ever heard in her life.

“Now! As you can see, they mark their territory with their claws and give a warning at the same time. This is our territory, so don’t dare invade. But what do you think we’ll do if an intruder ignores that warning and steps in?”

“How do you do it?”

“Werewolves have a fairly distinct class system. Among them, those with particularly agility and keen senses become stalkers and hide near the borders of their territory. Then, when an intruder appears, they immediately take bloody revenge.”

Nellyvia smiled and nodded at Blanc.

“In other words, walking past a tree like you were just trying to do is an act of impertinence that would have you torn to pieces right away. Well, since you’re under the protection of a saint or something, I don’t think it’ll matter much.”

“It’s surprisingly a good story, Mongma.”

“Isn’t that so? This is my true self… What do you mean, unexpected!”

Blanc asked with a smirk.

“So what if you want to enter the territory as a guest rather than an intruder? You probably won’t try to tear all the visitors to pieces.”

“You should be polite. We demons don’t need to be polite, so I’ve never done it before, but I think you’ll like it if you do.”

Nellyvia pointed to the claw marks on the tree.

“See the five claw marks? Put your hand in the center and line up your fingers with the claws.”

“like this?”

“Yes, that’s right. Then the spell on the tree will let us know that a guest has arrived, and if we hear a howl from inside, that will be the answer. If we hear it twice, we’re out, but if we hear it once, the tracker will show up to guide us.”

Just as she finished speaking, a loud wolf howl was heard from above the forest.

Blanc was amazed by the new experience.

“Oh… Really? So the guide will be here soon?”

“……what?”

“uh?”

“The sound… is strange. Something is wrong.”

While Nellyvia frowned, just as she said, a werewolf slowly appeared from the shadows of the forest.

Blanc was about to greet them, wondering if they had come out to guide him.

“That’s… not language. That’s just… a threat, no different from what a wild beast would make… .”

– Grrr… ugh, ke, keureu… … .

“… … !”

The moment I noticed that the werewolf’s eyes were bloodshot and filled with wildness, no, madness.

Blanc threw himself in front of Nelivia and drew his sword.

“Stand back!!”

“Huh!?”

Kakakkak!!

The two claws that were about to leap silently and tear Nelivia apart were blocked by Blanc’s silver sword.

The eyes of the monster that had lost its reason were filled with annoyance at the fact that its claws were blocked by such a small sword.

– Kru… rug, pole… straw bale, etc… … .

“What, what is that guy… His condition is… …!”

You can tell something is wrong just by looking at it.

More than that.

‘The forest… is roaring.’

The sound of other werewolves flocking here.

Is it because you heard that howl? Or is it for another reason? What happened to the protection of the saint? Why did you become so violent? Does it have something to do with the future I know?

Forcing myself to swallow all those questions.

‘I don’t know what the hell happened, but… … .’

Blanc gritted his teeth and pulled out his iron sword.

“Mongma, do you remember the teachings?”

“What, what teaching!? Well, I remember it… …!”

“Then that’s good. Stay behind me.”

Blanc crossed his two swords in front of him as Gwangrang took a step back and prepared for his next attack.

“Stand behind me, so I can protect you!”

“… … !”

“Coming!!”

The mad werewolf charged at them again.