--- Night in Kaine Plain ---

The three of us keep running since this afternoon, and we finally leave Meridien Forest and enter Kaine Plain, a large flat land circling Kain City.

"*Hngh"

"Graim have you came to?"

"Huh? where are we?"

"We just entered Kaine Plain. Hey, can you walk?"

"Yeah, it seems my legs are fine."

It's true that Graim doesn't look hurt at all, except his left arms which he used to defend that punch before.

"Anyway, where is captain?"

"Captain is . . . Wait, first, we should reach rest area in Kaine Plain. I will tell you then."

--- Dawn in Kaine Plain's Rest Area ---

"Let's stop here and take a rest first"

"So, what happened after I lost consciousness?"

"Actually . . ."

I tell Graim everything that happened at the goblin settlement, and of course about that goblin champion.

"Captain is . . . But, Dan.. Why didn't you help him!? It's true that I'm not someone to talk, but, you should be able to at least create an escape path for captain right?"

"I too . . . I wanted to help him!!"

"Then why were you - "

"But, captain asked me to go! I was in his way!! What can I do in that kind of situation!?"

"Hey you two. Don't make it as if captain already dead."

Different from us, Dia is able to keep her calm.

"He is strong you know"

" . . . "

It's true that captain is strong, far stronger than the three of us. But, is that enough to beat that goblin champion? I don't exactly know what to do, so I force myself to suggest that we take a rest first.

"Let's take a rest first. We need to tell the guild about this"

After that the three of us take a rest in silent

--- Morning in Kaine Plain's Rest Area ---

It's already morning, we only took a short rest after we reach rest area, but still, we should be able to keep going right now.

"Hey, let's go. Graim, how is your arm?"

"This small wound is nothing for me"

Then we move, but this time with a slower pace than usual. It's not like we want to walk slowly, but, it just feels different without captain.

--- Late Afternoon in Kaine Plain ---

"Hey! Silver Sky!"

From behind us, a loud and energetic voice is calling us. When I look behind, there is a coach approaching us.

"Good afternoon Dan-san, Graim-san, and Dia-san! Huh!? Gareth-san is not here?"

"Ah, there is a reason for that."

Hmm, that person on the coach, Taka? Ah, that's right, captain asked him to escort Minna.

"Anyway, you guys are going to Kain City, right? Why don't you three board the cart with us? It's fine, right, Cress?"

"If there is a space, there should be no problem."

"You heard him."

The city is already near, we might reach at dawn if we keep walking, but, if we ride the coach, we should reach at night. Well, there is nothing wrong with joining them. So, we take his offer and board the cart.

"That's right! is Gareth-san in some mission?"

"ah - - actually, captain is - "

"Oi, Minna. You should let them rest for now. They all looks exhausted from walking. Here, some water and potatoes."

"*hmph"

Well, it's not like we don't want to share the story, but, it just somewhat hard for us. It's not rare for a group to lose one or more members in a quest, but still, this is actually the first time for me. I always thought captain will be here together with us in this small group.

"Dan, Graim, Dia, you guys should take a rest here. it might be a little cramped with all of us here, but still, I can assure you that you guys are safe here"

Ah, that's right, this guy, Taka, he is able to run away from goblin champion without a scratch.

"and Minna, don't bother them, you hear me?"

"alright, alright!"

I wonder why, but I'm starting to feel safe here. Then I unconsciously close my eyes and take a rest.

--- Night in front of Kain City ---

*hngh

"Oh, you finally wake up. Graim and DIa is waiting for you in front of the Detection Post."

"Ah, right, thank you for the ride."

Darn it, why did those two not woke me up. Huh, wait . .

"Hey, you guys not coming to the Detection Post?"

"We are going in through the gate, I have a merchant pass after all"

Merchant pass? Ah, that's right, they need to check their goods.

"Oh, then, thanks for the ride"

Then I go and join Graim and Dia.

--- Night in Kain City ---

We pass the Detection Post as usual, and entered the city.

"I will go and report about the goblin champion to the guild, what about you guys?"

"Of course, I will go too"

"me too"

--- Kain City's Adventurer Guild ---

Once we enter the guild, we go straight to the receptionist and ask for the guild leader.

"Excuse me, Maaya-san, is Kazu-san here? We've got something to report"

"Please wait a moment, he should be available, but, I will go and check first"

"yes, please"

Then Maaya-san go inside, not long after that she come out again.

"It seems he can meet you guys, Pia, can you escort them?"

"Yes, leave it to me!"

Then Pia-san escort us and bring us to a meeting room in the guild building. The room is not small but not large either, there is a small table in the middle, and chairs circling the table. And there, at the end of the table, Kazu-san is already waiting for us.

"Take a seat."

After we take a seat, Kazu-san suddenly ask us

"So, what did you guys fight?"

Huh? Have we told him about the battle?

"Ah, actualy . . ."

So, the three of us try our best to tell about the goblin settlement and the goblin champion.

"A goblin champion!? It's been so long since a strong monster appear arround here. But, you guys have done well to report this. Don't worry, the guild will post an emergency quest once we confirm it all."

Huh? Confirm?

"Don't you believe us!?"

"Sorry, I don't mean it like that. I mean, I need to send some scouts to confirm the situation and measure the threat level. It will be dangerous if we send unsuitable adventurer groups right away"

Oh, that's right, the information from the three of us alone is not enough.

"Ah, right. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, it's fine. Anyway, you guys have done really well to report this to me. For now, let me handle it, you guys should take a rest and recover."

"Yes, sir. Thank you"

Then, the three of us go back to our own places.