Light Novel Volume 14

'''Goblin Slayer! Volume 14' is the fourteenth light novel of the Goblin Slayer'' series.

Official Synopsis

 * Goblin Slayer has been acting strange lately—to the point where he, of all people, proposes that he and his party embark on an adventure! At his urging, the group travels north across snowcapped mountains to a country of darkest night where they encounter an indigenous epic, a completely different language and culture, and the proud chieftain who governs it all with his beautiful wife. The inhabitants, meanwhile, claim that ghosts lurk in the sea to the north and that no ships return to port…Just what awaits Goblin Slayer and his companions in this new land?

Chapters

 * Chapter 1: To What Shall we Compare the Heart?
 * Chapter 2: Over the Misty Mountains
 * Chapter 3: The Faraway Princess
 * Chapter 4: Game of Thrones
 * Interlude: Of How the World Keeps Turning Even If You Can't See It Yourself
 * Chapter 5: Vikings
 * Chapter 6: Deep Rising
 * Chapter 7: Honey Moon
 * Chapter 8: A slice of bread, a Knife, and a Lamp

Chapter 1
In the Guild Tavern, High Elf Archer vents her frustrations that Goblin Slayer seems troubled by something for a while now to Cow Girl, Priestess, and Padfoot Waitress. The ladies make reference that he's been softer, more understanding, and his last couple major adventures have been quite out of the ordinary for Goblin Slayer like saving the Earth Mother Temple's grape harvest and going to the Desert Kingdom in summer, going off on a quest with Heavy Warrior and Spearman in Fall, and finally making a Mock Dungeon in the beginning of Winter. The girls decide he either needs a break if he's tired, which would leave with with Cow Girl for quite some time, or to take him on a real adventure if he needs a lift to his spirits.

Back at Blacksmith's shop, Goblin Slayer helps Guild Girl with her shopping like he promised, even asking the smith how the Scrawny Girl was doing, who was doing fine. After some banter and Goblin Slayer picking a ribbon for Guild Girl, even recognizing her usual ribbon color, Goblin Slayer decides he wants to go "Over the Northern Mountains" shocking both Guild Girl and Blacksmith. Guild Girl, amazed, even teases she may actually have a way for him to go "on an adventure" perking his interests.

Assembling his Party, Goblin Slayer shows the the quest them much to their fascination that he would ask for this, and quickly, High Elf Archer, Dwarf Shaman, and Priestess agree to go. Lizard Priest is at first apprehensive, but refuses to be bent by fear of the cold and agrees to go; Priestess even revealing the Earth Mother has gifted her with a new Miracle. Going over the quest, the party learns that the Vikings of the North had joined the Kingdom and were hoping to create an Adventurer's Guild; Guild Girl had granted them the quest because they are such a diverse Party and would be an excellent "show piece" of a Party.

Later, Priestess prepares her Winter equipment and wash it with the help of Padfoot Waitress, being amazed at the Wolf-Girl's immense strength. Club Fighter, Supreme God's Cleric, and Harefolk Hunter soon arrive with their own laundry and hear of Priestess's new quest and liken her to a Gold-Ranked Adventurer for performing a quest for the Royal Court. Taken aback, Priestess begins to lose herself in the idea of being Gold-Ranked as Harefolk Hunter asks Priestess to deliver a letter and a Troll Fang to her village along the way, showing off her Party's recent accomplishment.

At the farm, Goblin Slayer informs Cow Girl and her Uncle that he will be going away for awhile up North, even asking Cow Girl permission to go, much to the Farm Owner's humor. Cow Girl, of course, gives him permission, even laughing that he felt he had to, only asking him to bring back a souvenir that wasn't an animal this time.

Chapter 2
Three days after leaving the Harefolk Village, Goblin Slayer's Party find themselves clinging to an icy cliff side in the middle of a snow storm. As they shuffle along slowly but surely, they find a cave to seek temporary refuge from the storm. Resting, Priestess reveals her new Miracle which creates a purifying space free from the outside world to keep the group warm while they rest. Weighing their options, Goblin Slayer reveals his master had trained him in these mountains and there was an alternative route in the mountain itself which the group agrees to try.

Inside the tunnels, the Party find an old abandoned Dwarven Fortress, crawling with larger than average, but no quite Hobgoblin level, Goblins looking for a fight! After an extremely long chase through the ruins, The Party finds their way to an old Dwarven Bridge, one that Dwarf Shaman aims to collapse as soon as they get enough Goblins on the bridge. With Goblin Slayer and Lizard Priest protecting the Party, Dwarf Shaman collapses the Bring sending all the larger Goblins into the dark depths.

Outside, the Party is temporarily blinded by the twilight upon the snow, but wearing snow googles, High Elf Archer is able to lead the Party down the mountain to a village. Coming upon the village, the Party is shocked to see the village is being raided by other Vikings, women are being taken, but the women are happy!? Lizard Priest explains to the culture shocked party that in Viking customs, not only is being raided and raiding part of the territory, but being abducted as such is a sign that a strong warrior values you as a woman of "strong marriageable features". While Priestess and High Elf Archer are beyond culture shocked, Goblin Slayer walks up to the defenders who have repelled the Raiders and announces himself as an envoy from the South. Though Priestess is terrified, an an extremely beautiful woman steps forth acknowledging herself as a leader of the Village and welcomes the Party, even inviting them to her home, much to Priestess's shock.

Chapter 3
The Húsfreya shows the Party around, despite the village being apart of a battle only moments ago, even mentioning the seax blade Goblin Slayer pick up in the Dwarven fortress seems to be an old, special one earning him a lot of respect from the Vikings who are taking note of the Party members. The Party meet the Chieftain, who reveals himself to be from the Kingdom like them, and begin their greetings with each other, most of which only continue to cause Priestess to fall into more and more culture shock from the Vikings' strange customs to their choice of worship in a Chaos affiliated Goddess.

As a feast is being prepared, the Húsfreya takes Goblin Slayer, Priestess, and High Elf Archer on a tour of the village, specifically to the port so Goblin Slayer can inspect a winch crane. To their surprise, the Húsfreya arrives to give them the tour and explains more about the Northern culture even explaining the Goblins are called "Orcs" in this region and are even less of a concern given the strong warrior culture in the North. High Elf Archer makes note that she noticed the Chieftain's right arm appeared to be damaged; the Húsfreya confirms this but denies help from Priestess, explaining she had ways to heal her husband.

Later that night before the banquet, the Party are all given their own drinking horns as custom and are given a seat of honor across from the Chieftain and the Húsfreya. As they are offered drinks, Priestess realizes the drinking horn are designed so they cannot be put down until the drink is finished, so worried about her own drinking abilities and trying not to offend the locals, accepts goat milk. Her acceptance of milk causes Lizard Priest to ask for milk as well so High Elf Archer trades her horn with him causing the Vikings to believe they are married due to their customs, Priestess attempts to diffuse the situation but decides to keep quiet less she causes an incident.

Trivia

 * High Elf Archer makes reference to how the "Age of Ice" had wiped out all of Lizard Priest's ancestors and patron Gods: The Dinosaurs. An obvious reference to the theory that the Ice Age had completed the extinction of the Dinosaur race in real life.
 * Throughout the story, Priestess makes numerous references to not seeing any "horned helmets" among the Vikings, this is a reference to the real-life misconception that Vikings had horned helmets.