Chapter 7 (1/2)

It was most likely a trap.

That was the thought that kept going through his head.

Although goblins had low intelligence, it was hard to believe they were stupid enough to not post anyone to keep watch at the entrance.

Even mindless beasts, if they lived in packs, would make sure that some of them were guarding the entrance to their nests.

But there were no signs of any goblins keeping watch.

“Lucky that there isn’t anyone on watch. They must have been so scared they forgot to.”

Loren started shutting out Sarfe.

If he didn’t, he knew his mind wouldn’t last until the quest was over.

But still, their conversation managed to reach his ears as static.

“The trail of blood is still here so they must have gone this way.”

“In the end they’re just goblins. They were so hurt they didn’t even think about setting watch.”

“What’s your take on this Loren?

Lapis asked Loren and looked up at him, quite interested in Loren’s opinion. He was about to keep silent but then reconsidered, thinking that maybe talking to her will keep his mind off Sarfe and the others.

“It’s a trap for sure. No guards mean they’re ready to ambush us.”

“Goblins have that kind of knowledge?”

“Not sure. I don’t know much about goblins. But I do know that even monkeys set up watches. I don’t think goblins would do less than monkeys.”

“The difference in intelligence between goblins and monkeys. That’s kind of interesting.”

Lapis put her hand on her chin started speculating with a serious look on her face. Loren looked at her and felt a different kind of disbelief than with Sarfe and the others.

Since she was a follower of the god of knowledge, Loren thought that her way of thinking couldn’t be helped, but still, there was a time and place for that, and right now was definitely not the time and place.

“Are you saying that you think goblins are more intelligent than monkeys?”

“Well, of course they are.”

Although he thought of it as a problem, he diligently answered her because it helped keep his mind off his problems.

“Of course, huh. I don’t think so. Monkeys live in societies, they use tools, and they learn. How different can they be from humans?”

Loren couldn’t find anything to say and continued to chase after Sarfe and the others.

He didn’t have a logical answer like she had just now.

He thought that goblins were smarter than monkeys because he felt that they were. He had no clear evidence.

But if he said that out loud, it would sound like he was saying that there isn’t much of a difference between humans, monkeys, and goblins.

“I guess it just means we shouldn’t underestimate them?”

Not being able to come up with a good argument, he concluded that Lapis may be right, and muttered under his breath.

Lapis heard him and nodded, looking straight at his face.

Meanwhile, Sarfe and the others were pulling further and further ahead.

Since the only source of light was Oxy’s magic, Loren made sure not to lose sight of them.

He couldn’t help but worry that they were being too careless going this fast.

Loren was about to make a point when Sarfe suddenly stopped.

The path was slightly curved, and Loren couldn’t see what the three in front were seeing.

As Loren started to suspect that something happened, Sarfe spoke up.

“There’s a chamber up ahead, and there’s light pouring out of it.”

If that were true, it meant whatever is inside there could see Oxy’s light as well, and there was no point in stopping here. However, Loren decided not to interrupt Sarfe.

“An ambush?”

“Kind of sucks that they have bows.”

Naron and Oxy started a carefree conversation.

Sarfe, who finally made up his mind, faced them and told them his decision.

“I’ll charge in first and block the arrows. You guys follow me up.”

“You’ve got guts to run face first into an ambush with arrows ready for you.”

Thought Loren, looking at Sarfe with pure amazement.

Even though the enemy were goblins, Loren thought that running into archers in this narrow cave with no space to dodge the arrows was suicide.

“Do you need the magic > ?”

Sarfe nodded when Oxy asked him, and she closed her eyes and proceeded to cast the spell.

Loren found nothing to say, seeing that she was using one of her three spell usages on such a thoughtless charge. He felt Lapis tug at his sleeve.

“You seem dissatisfied.”

Not wanting to show his true thoughts, he averted his eyes and answered her, who asked him in a teasing manner.

“Hmm, not sure.”

“If you were in charge, how would you handle this situation?”

Loren wasn’t sure why she wanted to know, but answered her, thinking of it as a change of pace.

“I’d pile raw wood in front of the cave and set in on fire.”

Loren believed that it was the simplest yet most certain mean of attacking enemies within a sealed space such as a cave.

He wasn’t sure how large the cave system was, but the smoke and heat would eventually fill up inside. After that, most creatures inside would be dead soon enough.

“We’d need oil for that.”

It’s not easy to burn raw wood.