Diana Pov:
I was the first to wake up today, when I opened my eyes the master was sleeping hugging me and his face is inches from mine.
The master has an ugly appearance for being a Goblin, but compared to other Goblins he is very handsome, but what I like about the master is not his looks, but his cute way of caring about me and the other girls even though he is. the weakest of the group after Ibuki.
He’s always thinking about us, the day Kira and I arrived late from hunting the Undead without talking to him first, I’ll never forget looking at him as we enter the camp gates.
At first, I was startled by the sudden Aura that crashed down on me, the pressure of that Aura was big and intense but it wasn’t doing me any harm other than immobilizing me in place, then I noticed his gaze falling on me and I went pale at the stare into her angry eyes.
I didn’t understand why he was so angry at first, but when he came closer and started asking us questions I could see what was behind those eyes, I could see it wasn’t just anger in his eyes but also concern, anxiety, fear, and relief.
I only recognized that look because my dad once looked at me like that, it was a long time ago when I was still a kid, I was trained with my older brother by my dad and I wanted to be respected, so when my dad came out to ask for my mom preparing the food I went into the forest determined to hunt a monster to show how strong I was.
But I was wrong, I got lost in the forest for two hours before I made it back home, when I checked in my mother was crying and my brother ran to hug me, but suddenly I felt a great pressure immobilize me and soon I saw my father running from inside the forest sweating with the same eyes as the master.
My father lectured me for hours and then hugged me crying, it was the first time I saw him cry in my life.
I couldn’t help but feel guilty about the master losing control like this, I’ve known the master for a little while but he took care of me as a member of the family, not just me but the others as well.
After telling the master what happened that day we all went in and talked, the master likes to hold meetings every night and tell us all his plans, he always asks for our opinions and asks how our day went.
Seeing the master sleep so peacefully like this makes me strangely happy.
“It’s time to get up Diana, don’t disturb the master’s sleep.” (Kira)
At some point Kira woke up and got up without me noticing, I must have been pretty lost in my thoughts.
I get up and look at her changing.
“Alright, alright, I’m up.” (I)
“Come on, I’ll help you sort out what you’ll need for the trip back to Valen’s town.” (Kira)
“Thanks for your help Kira.” (I)
“We’ll try to get everything ready so when the master wakes up he doesn’t have to worry about anything else.” (Kira)
“Yes.” (I)
————-
After a few hours, I had everything ready to leave, I was just waiting for the master to wake up, I want to talk to him before I leave.
He woke up shortly after I was ready, he greeted everyone before coming to talk to me.
“Good morning, Diana.” (Zenos)
“Good morning Master.” (I)
“I see you’re ready to go, are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything?” (Zenos)
“I have everything I need, master.” (I)
“Remember to be careful on the way, Kira won’t be with you this time when you arrive in town avoid drawing unwanted attention, and lastly don’t put yourself in danger.” (Zenos)
“I want you back and safe, got it?” (Zenos)
“I understand master, no need to worry so much I’m not a child, I’ll take care of myself and return to the master in a few days I promise.” (I)
“I think it’s good to keep that promise.” (Zenos)
I chatted with the master for a while and felt like I was talking to my father or older brother as I left home to become an adventurer in the town of Valen.
After a while I said goodbye to everyone and left the camp, it was time to head to town.
————-
The trip took hours and I arrived at dusk at the city gates, maybe it’s because of the Undead but I only met monsters once along the way.
As soon as I arrived I got in line to enter the city, when I was in front of the gate and the guard approached I realized that it wasn’t Roger this time, but it must be one of his subordinates.
I hand my Guild card to the guard and he checks that I have a registered mission and my identity before returning the card and allowing me entry.
As soon as I enter I go straight to the guild as the master instructed me, it only takes me half an hour to get there.
As soon as I enter the Adventurers Guild I go straight to the reception desk on the ground floor, it looks like there aren’t many adventurers at this hour, so I’m going straight to talk to a receptionist.
“Hi” (I)
“Good afternoon, what do you need?” (receptionist)
“Can you tell me if Mari is working today?” (I)
“The supervisor is yes, do you want me to call her?” (receptionist)
“Tell her Diana is back and I’ve completed the investigation we talked about.” (I)
“I’ll talk to her, wait here a moment.” (receptionist)
“All right.” (I)
The receptionist goes upstairs and after about fifteen minutes she returns accompanied by Mari.
“Welcome back Diana.” (Mari)
“Always good to see you Mari.” (I)
“Thanks for calling me, just let me talk to that muscle brain myself.” (Mari)
“The supervisor orders.” (receptionist)
“Let’s go to one of the rooms on the second floor Diana, there we’ll have more privacy to talk.” (Mari)
“Let’s go then.” (I)
Mari and I go upstairs and go into one of the rooms, I sit down on a sofa and Mari takes two bottles of beer from her bag and hands me one.
“Here, you must be tired.” (Mari)
“I’m more thirsty than tired, thanks.” (I)
“How were the missions, how many completed?” (Mari)
“I’ve completed all the missions.” (I)
I pull my Guild Card out of my pocket and hand it to her, while she checks the quests on the card I pull out the bags with the evidence of subjugation.
She checks each bag separately while checking the missions on my card, when she’s done she puts the bags away and gives me my card back.
“You completed all these missions fast.” (Mari)
“Are you feeling better now?” (Mari)
“I’m feeling better yes, the hardest was the Undead I could only hunt at night.” (I)
“Did you manage to investigate the Undead?” (Mari)
“Yes, do you want me to give my report now?” (I)
“Did you find the location of the cave?” (Mari)
“Yes.” (I)
“…” (Mari)
“Wait here and I’ll go get your rewards, after that we can talk about your report.” (Mari)
She gets up and leaves the room, her once relaxed face turned serious as she says I know the location of the cave the Undead are coming from.
It took her about twenty minutes to come back, as soon as she came back her face was calmer again, she sits down in front of me and pulls out two more bottles of beer.
“Do you happen to want to get me drunk?” (I)
“Your husband will end up being jealous.” (I)
“He knows I love him, and let’s face it, who would be brave or brave enough to play this kind of joke on me besides you.” (Mari)
“True, anyone else would die at that guy’s hands, after all, he’s completely crazy about you.” (I)
“He knows you and knows of our friendship, so he doesn’t worry about any old sparks between us reappearing.” (Mari)
“Here’s your reward from those quests you completed and for the initial investigation, it’s forty-five gold coins.” (Mari)
Mari hands me a small bag that I keep without checking.
“Now let’s get down to business, what’s the report on the investigation?” (Mari)
“It’s not a cave for a start, I discovered a tunnel under a dead tree trunk, the entrance is hidden inside the tree.” (I)
“That could explain why we weren’t able to find it after so long.” (Mari)
“Do you have any idea what numbers the Undead have?” (Mari)
“When I discovered the tunnel a few days ago they were at least five hundred, after a few days it must be about six hundred.” (I)
“…” (Mari)
Sigh
“The numbers are even a little lower than we thought, that’s a relief.” (Mari)
“Can you draw a map for this dead tree?” (Mari)
“May I, do you have a map of the Valley of Blood of the regions near the city?” (I)
“Yes, here it is.” (Mari)
Mari hands me the map and a pen, I draw the route from town to the dead tree, I also add some landmarks so no one gets lost.
“Ready.” (I)
“I’ll have someone with strong detection skills check to confirm the location and numbers.” (Mari)
“I’m not distrusting you, Diana, I just need up-to-date and accurate information before taking the next step.” (Mari)
“I understand Mari, you don’t need to explain yourself to me.” (I)
“You look more like a Guild master than your husband.” (I)
“He’s not very good with administrative stuff, so normally I take care of that, but if any serious issues come up he’s the one in charge.” (Mari)