...
Back to the village.
The two had already cleaned their bodies.
Gauss certainly couldn’t return to human society covered in blood and dirt.
In the village, some were sad, and some were happy.
Successfully clearing out a sizeable goblin nest eliminated a hidden threat for the village, so there was no need for an emergency relocation.
Moving is a troublesome affair at any time, in any world, especially in a situation full of anxiety and urgency.
Moreover, taking down a goblin nest of this scale had another benefit: for a considerable time, the village vicinity would not be disturbed by too many monsters.
No one could clearly explain why, perhaps some mysterious force field was left in the environment, affecting the passing monsters, causing them to stay away until the force field effect dissipated, and monsters would slowly flow into this vacant lowland.
From this perspective, this successful cleansing was indeed a good thing.
As for the sadness, it belonged to the families of the two deceased young men. The loss of two strong and vigorous family members was not only emotionally unbearable but also dealt a severe blow to the productivity and economic situation of the entire family.
Gauss had no solution for this.
He had nothing to feel guilty about; he hadn’t wasted much time on the way or during the task.
If people still died, perhaps it was fate.
He was just a level 2 Magic Envoy, not an omniscient savior.
Doing your best is all you can do...
Gauss withdrew his gaze from the grieving family members and siblings clutching their loved ones, sighing inwardly.
Village chief Bob smiled broadly as he warmly welcomed Gauss and his companion.
The two had a meal at the village chief’s home that could be considered "lavish."
It was barely so because the quality of the dishes was ordinary for Gauss, who had tasted many delicacies.
But it was clear the village chief’s family had prepared the meal with utmost care and the highest standards.
They even slaughtered a lamb and an old hen for this occasion.
They prepared a table of roast lamb, stewed chicken, coarse black bread, root vegetable stew, honey-glazed wild berries, and home-brewed beer dishes.
This meal was likely more extravagant than any they would have during the New Year.
Unfortunately, due to limited cooking techniques and seasonings, the final products weren’t that delicious.
At the dining table, watching two little children drooling but afraid to touch the meat dishes, only daring to quietly eat the black bread and vegetable soup, Gauss felt moved.
He knew the adults must have emphasized the rules to them several times.
After Gauss invited several times, the village chief and the old village chief exchanged glances, finally allowing their children to enjoy the rare delicacies.
After eating and drinking to their fill.
Gauss bid farewell.
Watching Gauss and the Half-Snake Man mount the chocobo and leave together.
The village chief, the old village chief, and the rescued villagers and families all waved at the village entrance.
"Although one of their companions seemed fierce, these two Adventurers were good people!"
"Mm, mm."
"That young man was really good-looking; I’ve never seen anyone as handsome in my life."
"I heard the half-snake man call him something, and it seems that young man is their team leader."
"..." Seeing the villagers discussing among themselves, Theo, the only one who had witnessed Gauss’s ghostly form, didn’t spread the word. Instead, he was a bit secretly proud, as if he knew some tremendous secret.
"Bob, have the Adventurers already left? They left 30 Silver Coins and a letter at home as payment for the lunch."
The village chief’s wife hurried over from home.
Hearing this, Bob looked at Gauss and his companion’s figures, long vanished at the road’s end, and opened his mouth for a long time without saying anything.
Compared to those arrogant Adventurers, he couldn’t help but feel his village was fortunate to have encountered good people.
PS: There will be another Chapter before midnight.