The Two Leaders

Even a child would know better than to wash up like this. He stuck his arms into the water, waggled them around a little, and that was that. He didn’t even dry himself off.

Although Enri had already washed off the plant-scent on her hands, Agu still reeked of torn leaves.

For forest goblins, a scent like this was a form of self-defense against magical beasts with keen sense of smell. As such, they might have never developed the habit of washing themselves thoroughly.

Even so—

“You do it like this.”

Agu made an annoyed face as Enri tried to teach him. However, he thought of his own position and what the other goblins had said earlier and grudgingly, he started to thoroughly clean himself.

“That’s right, you’re doing great…”

“Hey, after this, use this to wipe your body. Make sure you get all the blood off.”

Agu didn’t look happy about it, but he still cleaned himself with the damp towel.

“So we just dump the dirty water outside?”

“Yeah, just like that. Ane-san, go have a seat. We’ll take care of the rest.”

With that, Enri headed to the nearby table. It was surrounded by chairs since so many goblins lived here. As she chose a place to sit, she suddenly realized how tired she was. Her arms and legs were like logs, and her head was heavy.

Although part of the reason had been gathering herbs, what had really worn her out was the battle against the barghest.

All I did was watch… Enfi and the goblins were fighting, but they can still be this active… looks likeI’m never going to be a warrior… or rather, Enfi’s gotten really strong…

Even though she knew that her childhood friend could use magic, she hadn’t expected that magic to be so powerful.

He’s amazing…

As she thought of her suddenly-different childhood friend, Enri’s heart swelled with an emotion she couldn’t put into words. It seemed to be surprise, but then again it seemed like something else entirely.

A clear sound brought Enri back to her senses, and her eyes fell on the ceramic cups on the table.

They were filled with a transparent fluid that gave off a citrus smell, and Enri decided to help herself to a cup.

The cool, sweet and sour taste washed over her entire body, and she felt like she was filled with energy. Agu had sat down beside her at some point, and he gulped his down in one shot and immediately asked for another.

Yet, Lupusregina didn’t touch hers.

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lupusregina-san eat or drink.

“…Hm? Something wrong? You’ve been sneaking glances my way recently. Are you in love with me? Ahhhhh, how troubling~ my, how shocking, to think that En-chan is a lesbian~su. Looks like I need to let everyone know~su”

“What— no! No! It’s not like that!”

“Wahahahaha~ Just kidding. I know En-chan likes men.”

While thinking about how to reply, Enri’s eyes narrowed into a straight line.

“Although, it’s kind of slow… hm? Looks like they’ve arrived.”

Enri turned to the door, but she had the feeling there was nobody outside.

“Really? But I don’t hear anything at all.”

Agu cupped his ear forward with his hand.

“Hey, are humans a race with good hearing?”

“That, that, I don’t know about that, but I don’t think Lupusregina-san would lie about this sort of thing… though she might… prank people a little.”

Then is she lying? Agu thought as he stared wide-eyed at Lupusregina.

“No, really, I heard them. They’re coming for sure. You’re pretty amazing.”

“Hm? Ah, that’s not the case at all. Compared to Enri-san over there, I’m nothing much.”

Agu seemed to swallow it up, and looked back at Enri with a surprised expression.

No, that’s not how it is. That smile on Lupusregina-san’s face is so damn fake! Enri wondered how she should tell Agu the truth, but before that, a knock came from the door.

Shortly after, Nfirea and a woman in leather armor entered the room.

Brita, the former adventurer, had moved into the village after Nfirea. Originally, she had been an adventurer in E-Rantel, but had retired after certain events. Even so, she still needed to earn a living, and so she responded to the village’s solicitations and moved here.

She was studying to be a ranger, and she had potential. Even though she was weaker than Jugem, she was still one of the strongest people in the village and the leader of the village’s self-defense force (even though it still wasn’t at a level where it could be described as such).

She’d been called along because she was the defense force’s leader, and because she had entered the forest while practicing her fieldcraft.

“Ah— it really is a new goblin… no, hm, I keep thinking from an adventurer’s point of view… he’s not an enemy.”