Re: Goblin Slayer

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***

On the way to my companions' house we visited the headman's house, where I, rather out of ignorance, decided to report on the work I had done, though I might not have done it, but suddenly my prank brought me some profit.

The first thing the old man asked me on the doorstep was about the village girl recently kidnapped by goblins, and then about the task itself.

I shook my head at the first one, as I couldn't find Marina, which upset my grandfather, but the news about the goblins' extermination was welcomed.

The old man's former sadness was almost gone, and he, noticing that I had no weapons, mused something in his own language, ran around the room and ran out the door into the other room.

- The headman of this village is very strange, don't you think so, Arien-san? - Yuki shook her head perplexedly, looking at me curiously expecting something.

- Everyone has their oddities,' I grinned, noticing at the last moment my hand hovering over the kitty's head in an attempt to stroke her head. She was too sweet and innocent, and I wanted to squeeze her... unknowingly.

- Is that so, then you have an oddity too? - she asked with an innocent look.

I thought about it: a lot of things had happened in my life, and I couldn't count them all, and it was better not to think about the future at all.

- Perhaps life doesn't stand still, and soon you'll see what I mean.

Nodding, Yuki noticed my movements, smiled and nodded as if giving permission.

- If... if you want to pet me so much, I as a Lady can't refuse you!

The glove disappeared by itself, while I clearly realised who had done it. Gently and gently I ruffled Yuka's hair, not forgetting to pay attention to the girl's cat ears, which made her squirm and squeak. Her ears were soft and floppy, and they twitched amusingly, just like a real cat's.

All good things come to an end, and the old man returned a few minutes later, carrying a sword in a scabbard and a small pouch.

I had to stop torturing Yuki, much to the latter's delight: all red and breathing heavily, she went out for some fresh air, leaving me alone.

Sad, I didn't think she'd be so embarrassed about it.

The headman did not say a word about what he had seen, handed me the sword and pouch, nodded and said: 'Peace be with you, my lord.' I could see from his red eyes that he would not take no for an answer.

- Well, I've done all I can. I nodded, hanging my sword on my hip and leaving the headman's house. Though I was thinking about the trap I'd set with the girl.

For once, someone had died because of my plan. Did I feel any regret? I don't know... and I didn't think about it for long. As soon as I noticed Yuki still red with embarrassment, the extraneous thoughts disappeared.

- Well Yuki, by the way, I don't really need this right now, so here you go... consider this as a second advance for your future work.

I handed the shocked girl a coin-ringing pouch.

- But, I didn't do anything! Arien-san, it's... it's... - the girl crumpled, not knowing where to put herself.

- It's okay, I understand. But, consider it an investment in your future! I need responsible, loyal... ahem, servants!

With the last decision I was convinced by Mika, whose argument was a serious argument, in her opinion. Well, the girl glowered again, clutched the pouch to her chest and nodded her head.

'Phew, that was intense,' I wiped away a mental sweat. I was feeling tense now more than ever.

The proud Yuki made a bow, made a serious face and said:

- I will not let you down, Arien-sama! I will be a loyal and responsible servant! You'll see! - She grabbed my hand with childlike directness. As soon as she realised her impulse, she blushed sweetly, but did not loosen her grip, only modestly brushed a strand of her hair back.

Servant initiation complete!

Remember - servants are people too!

In response, I stroked her head again and smiled.

- Great! Then, if you need to finish your business and pick up your things, I'll help you.

- Um... okay...' she nodded, trying not to look me in the eye, pulling me along with her.

I grinned and grimaced more and more at this sort of thing, mentally rubbing my hands together.

'However, how did you know she would agree?' - I turned to my personal goddess with one question, to which she only smirked.

'Sempai, I'm a girl and I have my secrets! But be that as it may, since you're my favourite little brother, I have nothing to hide from you! Intelligence... how should I call it... I'm not quite sure how I do it, but I can control the emotions of the intelligent, just a little bit, so, instil in them a slight calmness, trust, a desire to thank you, and if the target has no resistance; if treating you favourably, he or she will want to thank you themselves, like they did with the headman!'

So the reason for Yuki's quick agreement was due to a little focus of my personal goddess? Of course, I was a bit discouraged after Miki's confession, but I quickly recovered. After all, I had desired similar powers myself, so I was only glad. All that was left was to find out what else she could do, to raise her strength, and then....

Hmm... that's a difficult question that I decided to leave for later.

I asked Yukiona a bit about her life on the way, but she was too embarrassed to speak clearly, but somehow I managed to get some information out of her.

Of race, as you can already see, she was a species of white cat; orphan, 1* years old, but because of her species grows much slower than ordinary children. Travelling from village to village with a friend.

Up ahead, a small house was waiting for us, which turned out to be a sort of inn or tavern. Yuki lived in the back of the house. Not that the conditions were terrible, but they were quite comfortable: warm, cosy, a pile of hay on which the futons were now spread, and a friend with whom she shared her lodgings.

Admittedly, the latter was currently absent.

- Arien-sama, where are we going to go? - She finally asked the question that had been nagging at us as we packed up our small belongings.

- There's a border town nearby, so that's where we'll be going. Also, you'll be staying with my acquaintances. Don't worry, my assistant won't let you get hurt,' I answered serenely, noticing her white panties....

As soon as I finished, I met Yuki's gaze.

- P-I see, then... can I ask you a favour? - She looked firmly into my eyes with childlike seriousness.

We looked at each other for a couple of seconds and I nodded. I don't think it would be anything serious.

- Unless, of course, it threatens to endanger you.

- Then please! Let my friend live with me! She won't be a nuisance to you, I promise! I'll take full responsibility for her! She will also help you! She's very strong! - Yuki ranted, and in the end, she clutched the edge of her skirt, still staring into my eyes.

And in terms of emotion, how she was glistening... I can't tell you. Hope alone overrode everything else.

To refuse her now would be to ruin her recruitment efforts, and if I accepted... I dreaded to imagine her reaction.

The silence didn't last long, mostly I pretended to think about it, as if I was making up for it. Toward the end, when she started to barely flinch, I knelt down in front of her, smiled, and ruffled her hair like a loving father.

- I told you I wouldn't mind as long as it didn't endanger your life.

The girl's emotions exploded in a whirlwind, and she literally jumped on top of me and hugged me tightly, wrapping her legs and arms around my back, rubbing my cheek, almost licking my lips with her rough tongue!

- Ah! Thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you! Arien-sama! You're the best! - her snow-white ponytail stood up behind her back, flooding me with her gratitude and childlike love....

Yep... now I have a... favourite kitty? Damn, that sounded weird, but come on....

Really what I didn't expect to see was jealousy and resentment from the armour... deciding to peek out and look at the object of annoyance.

'Oh man.'