Light Novel Volume 5

'''Goblin Slayer! Volume 5''' is the fifth novel of the Goblin Slayer series.

Official Synopsis
''A young noblewoman has disappeared while out on a goblin hunting quest. When Goblin Slayer and his part set out to find her, they are stunned to discover a horde of goblins have built their nest within an ancient dwarven fortress...and these ones even appear to be followers of some primitive, sadistic cult! But what troubles Goblin Slayer most of all is their leader, who is stronger and more intelligent than any goblin he's faced before...''

- Yen Press

Summary
A desperate call for help to find a missing young swordswoman after a goblin hunt has brought Goblin Slayer's party to the mountainous land of winter to the north. Enduring great hardship and injury, they delve into the caverns and suspect that something has been directing the goblins to do their bidding. Now the adventurers must brave the ancient ruins and get to the bottom of this mystery!

Chapters

 * Chapter 1: Tutorial
 * Chapter 2: Mass Combat
 * Chapter 3: Hack and Slash
 * Chapter 4: Rebuild
 * Interlude: Of Those Who Were waiting
 * Chapter 5: Dungeon Raid
 * Chapter 6: Goblin's Crown
 * Interlude: Of the Gods Breathing a Sigh of Relief
 * Chapter 7: After Session - a New Dawn

Chapter 1
A party of adventurers, which included Noble Fencer, a half-elf girl, a rhea scout, a human wizard and a dwarf monk battled against goblins in a snowy environment. After defeating the group of goblins that attacked them, they set their sights on an underground cave located near the mountains, which also acted as a goblin nest.

Chapter 2
Back at the city, a letter arrives from Sword Maiden. In it, she gives her thanks for Goblin Slayer since she no longer has nightmares of goblins. It was written with such passion that both High Elf Archer and Priestess compared it to a love letter. The letter goes on to address the main issue: find and help Noble Fencer if she is alive or recover her personal belongings or remains if she is dead. It asks for "the most reliable, high-ranked adventurers". Since it involved goblins, Goblin Slayer's party accepted the quest.

While travelling on the winter road to the northern village, all but the Dwarf Shaman and Goblin Slayer suffered from the cold, the latter was well acclaimed to the cold environment, as such an environment was where he received his training. Goblin Slayer suggested that there was a great chance that the girl was alive, but none of them thought that she would come out unscathed.

Goblin Slayer and his party arrived at the village and discover that it was being pillaged by goblins. After killing the goblins they learn that the goblins had gathered all the hostages into one area, and the corpses of the villagers appeared unmolested, which aroused Goblin Slayer's suspicion.

The party of adventurers asked for a map and the villagers gave them a map of parchment. They went to the tavern to rest, but realize that because another group of adventurers bought up their supplies, only potato meals were available.

Chapter 3
Leaving the village at dawn, Goblin Slayer's party set out to infiltrate the goblin cave in the mountains. After concluding that there were only regular goblins, the adventurers used Priestess' Holy Light to their advantage to slay them. High Elf Archer suffered an arrow to her thigh during the fight, but after some effort, the party managed to take out the arrowhead and heal her wound.

While examining the cave, the party concluded that it was once a chapel where human sacrifices were offered. A naked and dirtied woman was found in the middle of the altar, who turned out to be Noble Fencer. After they discovered that her neck was branded with the symbol of the God of Wisdom, Goblin Slayer deduced that their enemy was a goblin paladin.

Chapter 4
At the village inn, Noble Fencer reflected on the series of mistakes that led to her unfortunate capture, before waking up and meeting Goblin Slayer.

After Goblin Slayer's party had their meal, Goblin Slayer told them the goblins' main habitation was not the chapel they had raided, but an old dwarven fortress above the chapel. Knowing that conventional infiltration was not a viable option, the party decided they would disguise themselves as members of the Evil Sect to infiltrate the fortress.

Noble Fencer, while emotionally unstable, declared that she would accompany them, despite High Elf Archer's objection. Once the party agreed to take her along, Noble Fencer cut off her ponytails and gave them as a reward for the time being.

Chapter 5
The party made their way toward the fortress with the male adventurers disguised as Evil Sect members and the female adventurers as prisoners in a cage. With the help of his Communicate miracle, Lizard Priest was able to convince the goblin priest to let them in. However, Noble Fencer was unable to control her anger and blew their cover after violently beating the goblin priest. High Elf Archer became angry with the way Noble Fencer ruined their plan, but Goblin Slayer eventually calmed her down.

After party freed the various women held captive, they sneaked into the old armory of the castle and armed themselves before taking on the enemy leader.

Chapter 6
The party watched a ceremony commence but a curse spell was activated where Noble Fencer's nape was branded. Unable to relieve her pain, the party gave out their location to the Goblin Paladin. Goblin Slayer promptly ordered the party to split up into two groups; Priestess, Noble Fencer and himself would act as bait, while the other group led by the Dwarf Shaman would use the opportunity to destroy the goblin food supply and sneak in the basement prison to rescue the captives.

After Goblin Slayer and his group held their own long enough in a intense battle, Goblin Slayer escaped with the group as they safely jumped off the parapets of the castle. The rest of the party members regrouped shortly after. Confronted by the Goblin Paladin, Goblin Slayer killed him and then signaled Noble Fencer to use her lighting miracle to create an avalanche, which wiped out the rest of the goblin army.

As Goblin Slayer was caught in the avalanche, Noble Fencer briefly grieved until he was later revealed to be alive. After climbing out of the snow, he retrieved and gave her stolen aluminium sword back to Noble Fencer, much to her happiness.

Chapter 7
After the battle with the Goblin Paladin and his goblin army the party returned to the Guild Tavern in time for the New Year to commence. As the adventurers celebrated in the Tavern, Goblin Slayer was nowhere to be seen, which created concerns from his fellow party members.

As instructed by Cow Girl, Priestess went on to deliver a box meal for Goblin Slayer until she found him isolated from the frontier town acting as a guard. Although she still found it futile to argue against him, Priestess decided to accompany Goblin Slayer and help him prepare stew.