“Are you okay!?”
Argo grabs my shoulders the moment we go in.
I’ve never seen such a serious expression on his face, and the pain from how hard he’s grabbing me makes me wince.
“Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
He says while stepping back, looking a little embarrassed.
“No, it looks like we worried you. So what happened?”
“Let’s sit down first. I’m sure you’re all tired.”
Says Guilford before Argo can respond.
Yes, this isn’t something to discuss while standing here.
We sit on chairs with drinks, and get right into it. First, we were all questioned, and it seems it was pretty much the same as me.
They asked about the goblins we delivered, the item bag, and stuff like that. I took the goblins out of my Item Box, but I made it seem like I was taking them from an item bag.
The item bag was confiscated along with the rest of our equipment, but they gave it back.
If they had magic items that could study features, they might have been able to see through its performance, but while this item bag can fit a lot, its function to stop degradation is limited to about fifteen days, so it’s not that impressive.
Conversely, the item pouches the girls have are able to keep things for longer, but have smaller capacity. They generally keep things like food and spare equipment and clothes in there.
These item pouches can fit two or three big monsters, but even if they were using all their item pouches, they probably wouldn’t be able to fit over twenty goblins, even though they’re relatively small.
Did they release us after reaching that conclusion?
“I see. We heard a village was destroyed by goblins. The survivors ran to where lumberjacks were, and adventurers that were there took the initiative to investigate and check out the village.”
Argo nods after we’re done talking, and starts explaining.
What the adventurers saw there were scorched and collapsed houses, ragged corpses, and the remains of eaten livestock.
“But the adventurers asserted that it must’ve been done by a big group of goblins.”
The survivors said the village was attacked by a group of goblins, and the adventurers said that judging by the traces left behind, that appears to be the case.
They won’t know for sure without a proper investigation, but there were dozens of them, maybe more.
“But they can’t figure out where the goblins came from or where they went. Their footprints were completely gone.”
Says Argo while tilting his head.
“What do you mean?”
“According to the survivors, the goblins just suddenly appeared in the village.”
And the adventurers said that they looked around the village, but the many footprints that should be there were nowhere to be found.
“Then, adventurers that are good at investigating were dispatched, and they’re waiting for the results.”
“And these adventurers…”
“Ah, they’re not the same ones that went there after your report. And we were a little curious, so we did some investigating of our own, but…”
“Apparently the people that accepted that first investigation quest are high rank adventurers, but they don’t have the best reputation. Even if the guild likes them.”
Says Guilford with a sigh after Argo turns to him. According to Guilford, there were quite a few people who had to clean up their messes. Does the guild know that? It would make sense if they did, if adventurers know.
“They don’t go to the dungeon, and do a lot of work outside.”
I guess that’s why the guild likes them. Most adventurers here go to the dungeon, so not many do monster hunting quests like Argo did. This means the guild treasures them.
“Did the guild ask them about this incident too?”
“Yes, but apparently people haven’t seen them around town since then. They either left after accepting a quest, or ran away.”
There’s too much information flooding in, so my head is tired.
Wait, is that why they told us not to leave town after they released us?
“…We should leave it here for now. I’m sure you’re tired, so let’s continue tomorrow. We’ll go to the guild to see if there’s any new information.”
Says Argo, probably sensing how we’re feeling.
We call it here for today, and I lay down on a fluffy bed for the first time in a while.
It’s like it’s enveloping me, and I feel strength leave my tired body.
I couldn’t really rest in the cell, and since I couldn’t even walk, the stress and exhaustion built up.
There’s a lot I want to know, but I try to give both my mind and body a break.
I’m sure even if I try to think in this state, I won’t get anywhere.
Thanks for the treat.