Light Novel Volume 4

'''Goblin Slayer! Volume 4''' is the fourth novel of the Goblin Slayer series.

Official Synopsis
''Even adventurers want a change of pace every now and then. Priestess stays behind for once, Cow Girl visits town without any work, Guild Girl takes a rare day off, and High Elf Archer reminisces about old adventures instead of looking for a new one. But evil doesn't take vacations. Goblin Slayer, Spearman, and Heavy Warrior are teaming up, but is this irregular party good enough to battle demons?!''

- Yen Press

Chapters

 * Chapter 1: Of Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Priestess
 * Chapter 2: Of a Certain Little Boy
 * Chapter 3: Of a Tavern Waitress
 * Chapter 4: Of a Perfectly Ordinary Goblin Nest
 * Chapter 5: Of a Day When He Isn't There
 * Chapter 6: Of the Destruction of the Demon-Enthralled Temple of Doom
 * Chapter 7: Of the Second Time the Necromancer's Plans Were Upset
 * Chapter 8: Of an Elf's Lazy Day
 * Chapter 9: Of the Three of Them, Some Months Ago
 * Chapter 10: Of Going There and Back Again

Chapter 1
Down in the sewers of the Frontier Town, Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric work to clear out the sewers of Giant Rats, taking the advice of the veterans and the Adventurer's Guild Staff to start slow and work their way up. As usual, Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric complain about their slow, steady, and safe pace isn't the glamorous life of an Adventurer that they envisioned when they left home. Rookie Warrior does the brunt of the work fighting while Apprentice Cleric takes care of their items and map given she only has an one-shot, once a day Miracle. Despite this, the two continuing working together well, even finding the skeletal remains of woebegone Adventures and returning their tags to the Guild.

After Rookie Warrior's sword gets stuck in a Rat, Apprentice Cleric uses her Holy Smite to get them out of the situation, but suddenly a Giant Roach attacks the two, forcing them to abandon the sword and proof of Rat slayings, resulting in another failed Quest for them. Realizing losing the sword and reward money has set them back even further, Rookie Warrior sleeps in the stables to allow Apprentice Cleric to use what money they do have to get a better night's rest. Meanwhile, Apprentice Cleric gets to the Guild early and claims "she already ate" so Rookie Warrior can get her share of the small breakfast they can afford so he can keep his strength up, showing the strong loyalty and love the two have for each other.

As he ate, Rookie Warrior apologized for losing his sword, that he'd find a way to get a new one and he'd make things right for her, but Apprentice Cleric warned him about the dangers of borrowing money telling him not to worry about it and that they'd figure something else out. Rookie Warrior corrects her, mentioning he was thinking about asking to borrow a weapon and with that Spearman overheard them and admitted he had spare weapons for them but also realized said weapons were more than likely out of their league. Witch comes over and even offers them magic weapons, but decides instead to give the two a more valuable item as well as a learning lesson. From her generous chest, Witch pulls a magical Seeker Candle, a magic item that leads the user to whatever they want, she imparts the two can use said item to find the missing sword, or sell it for a generous reward as she and Spearman leave for their "date". As they leave, Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric can't help but be in awe of the two accomplished Adventurers.

The Duo decide to use the candle to find the sword and keep the magic item for future use, realizing how valuable the candle could be in the future. Outside they talk to their friends, Scout Boy and Druid Girl, hoping to get a loner weapon from them, but Scout Boy admitted that a run-in with a Giant Slug had caused him to lose his usual dagger as well so they were out of luck. Looking over at Heavy Warrior and Female Knight's epic weapons make Rookie Warrior lament how he really wants one but Apprentice Cleric reminds him how impossible it is for the two to afford or even use said kind of weapons. Scout Boy has a laugh at his friend's expense until Druid Girl puts him in his place reminding him how she is in charge of his finances due to his spending habits causing both boys to lament how their "girlfriends" have them under their thumb. Druid Girl though offer good advice in that the Guild staff could hopefully give the Duo some pointers about the Giant Rats, Apprentice Cleric even wondering if it was so easy.

Asking Guild Girl, she reveals it's not that easy as Adventurer's are expected to handle the Monsters while they handle the financial and managerial aspects of Adventuring. Seeing them dejected, Guild Girl suggests they rely on their Adventurer's toolkit for basic items like the lantern and try to bolster their defenses with better armor despite their meager savings. Then Goblin Slayer who has been mentoring their fellow rookie Priestess arrives in his usual grimy fashion; Guild Girl suggest the Duo ask him for advice, given Goblin Slayer is an expert in doing a lot with minimal equipment. The Duo is hesitant though, revealing an early misunderstanding had caused them to be rude to him earlier in the year but Guild Girl assures them, Goblin Slayer doesn't care.

Approaching him, Goblin Slayer informs them his usual sword had to be discarded so he picked up a club from the Goblins mentioning how stealing weapons was beneficial in a pinch. When questioned if the club was useful against Rats and Roaches, Goblin Slayer admitted he was no expert, but the blunt club would indeed hurt them and the rookies wouldn't have to worry about a chipping, breaking, or the blade getting grimed up in blood and fat making it a good choice of weapon. As he left to make his report, the Duo realize Priestess, a rookie like them was now an Obsidian Rank, one above them so quickly; meaning Goblin Slayer indeed knew what he was doing making them take his advice seriously.

Back in the sewers, the Duo admit that if they fail now, their careers are essentially over and they'll be forced into slavery and prostitution to work off the new debt they were in meaning failure was no option for them. The two are able to use the club effectively, even adding Apprentice Cleric's hair-tie to the club's handle so it would be dropped. Suddenly, the candle flashes violently, the appearance of a giant roach twice the size of an average one causing the flames to dance madly. Realizing the sword is inside the Roach, Rookie Warrior throws the lantern at the roach causing it to jump in fright, giving Apprentice Cleric the opening needed to use Holy Smite, and allowing Rookie Warrior to finish it off and reclaim his sword, all the while being covered head to toe in slime and other juices.

His sword reclaimed, some money in their pockets, and of course coming out alive, Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric take a moment to look at their outlook. Both had prevailed over a low point and while not exactly financially in the black, they were certainly not endanger of going into the red anymore. The two reaffirm that they can take care of each other and towards their future as Adventurers.

Chapter 2
In a remote Village, a young boy is awakened by his sister for breakfast, earning some chastisement for sleeping in, as he eats his breakfast, he is reminded to go to the Village Temple around noon for schooling. Outside, the Boy uses a wooden sword to vent his frustrations that his friend from next door, The Girl, had gone into town, a real adventure that even he hasn't been able to go on. An older Farmer walks by and tries to raise his spirits about how she'll have fun and bring him back gifts, and how she'll grow up to be beautiful for him but to no avail as the boy is still upset and having missed out at adventure.

As the old man leaves, he warns the boy to listen to his sister's warnings to stay out of the Eastern Woods as Goblins have been sighted there; piquing the Boy's curiosity. Other villages complain about the Goblin sightings and debate whether they should handle it themselves rather than risk and Adventurer coming to the village. Some argue that not hiring an Adventurer would spell doom for their village and womenfolk, mentioning that there is a reliable expert villages can call upon for Goblins who asks for little reward.

The Boy, on the other hand, had ignored all warnings and rushed into the Eastern Forest to just see a Goblin in order to brag to the Girl when she returned. Upon entering the forest however, the Boy sees tracks he doesn't recognize and is attacked by a Goblin, one he cannot hurt due to only having a wooden sword. Running away, the Boy finds a cave he didn't know was in the forest that is the nest of the Goblins. Surrounded, the Boy realizes he's doomed until the arrival of an Adventurer, the Goblin Slayer unknowingly saves him as he slays the two Goblins outside the cave. Finding his courage the boy screams out about the location of the Goblin from earlier and Goblin Slayer is able to kill said Goblin, which was right behind the Boy. Goblin Slayer picks up the Boy's wooden sword and gives it back to him, thanking him for his help as he ventures into the cave to kill the Goblins.

Back at his home, the Boy's Sister scolds him for his brazen stupidity; to which the Boy accepts and apologizes for. His sister is happy he is not hurt and tells him that Goblin Slayer and slew all the Goblins ensuring the Villages safety. As he goes to bed, the Boy reflects on how crazy his day was, getting chased by Goblins and all, but he got to meet a real Adventurer and helped him protect the village, something he was looking forward to bragging to his friend when she returned tomorrow. That he got to go on a real Adventure!

Chapter 3
In the Tavern of the Adventurer's Guild, Padfoot Waitress runs around the tavern filling orders for the various Parties who have returned from a long and hard Adventure. Filling the orders for Heavy Warrior's Party fills her with laughter as Female Knight and Half-Elf Light Warrior get into a hilarious argument; whereas as filling the orders of Spearman & Witch causes her to get annoyed with Spearman ignoring Witch's obvious affections. She makes her way to Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric who would obviously had a hard day, ordering only the mare minimum and cheapest meal. Seeing their troubles, she and Rhea Chef grant the Duo some extra food who's shelf life is about to come up, allowing the Duo to get more food. Then the Party of Goblin Slayer arrives and Padfoot Waitress takes their orders and as she looks to the man himself, he simply bows his head and leaves for home much to her shock.

In the back, Padfoot Waitress complains to Apprentice Boy, who she had brought leftovers too, about how Goblin Slayer never stays for dinner in "her" tavern, disgracing her "honor as a waitress". Apprentice Boy mentions his and Smith's own headaches his Goblin Slayer and mentions he's heard Goblin Slayer likes Beef Stew giving Padfoot Waitress an idea. Later Padfoot Waitress makes a big pot of Beef Stew, one that Guild Girl and Inspector, who Padfoot Waitress secretly wants to fatten up due to her small waist, mentions looks like a big pot of blood, much to the waitress's shock. Despite her hard work, no one eats her stew, Goblin Slayer not even staying for a meal. Padfoot Waitress goes on to believe Apprentice Boy tricked her, but he then tells her to try asking how Goblin Slayer likes his meals, giving Padfoot Waitress another idea.

The next day, Padfoot Waitress asks Cow Girl, who she takes time to admire her extremely curvaceous body, about cooking and such for Goblin Slayer, sparking some jealousy from her friend. Padfoot Waitress assures Cow Girl she only feels obligated to feed the Adventurers who risk their lives out of duty, not for any romantic pursuits, allowing Cow Girl to teach the waitress the recipe Goblin Slayer's Older Sister taught her. Later that day, Goblin Slayer approaches Padfoot Waitress at the behest of Guild Girl who asks him to try her stew, he does and admits it's good much to her satisfaction. Despite this, he declines to place an order much to her confusion; his reasoning being "someone is waiting for me"; Padfoot Waitress realizing his is talking about Cow Girl. Realizing Goblin Slayer isn't personally slighting her, just that he likes his meals made by Cow Girl, Padfoot Waitress accepts some people just prefer to have their meals made by certain people and resolves to continue serving her customers with everything she can muster.

Chapter 4
Deep in a Goblin Nest, a Goblin Sentry stands guard with a new spear as his brethren above him on the pecking order have their way with a captured Adventurer. As she pleads with the Goblins to stop, the Goblins order the Sentry to continue standing guard until they are "finished" much to his annoyance. When they leave, the Sentry enters the room and assaults the Adventurer as she begs him to return her spear; the Spearwoman having had her precious weapon stolen by the Sentry. As he leaves, he notices the Goblin Slayer has arrived and begins to slaughter his brethern. The Sentry tries to use the stolen spear to sneak attack Goblin Slayer, but he counters and ends the Sentry.

Realizing that the spear is finely made, thus not of Goblin make, Goblin Slayer searches for the Spearwoman to return it to her. He slaughters the remaining Goblins and goes to confront the Hobgoblin in command of the nest as he uses Spearwoman as a shield against Goblin Slayer. Goblin Slayer drops the weapons but then fiercely kicks the Hobgoblin in the crotch giving him an opening to finish the Hobgoblin off.

The Nest cleansed, Goblin Slayer carries Spearwoman out, letting her know he secured her spear, but it was damaged in the fighting. "Though the shaft is broken the tip is strong", reaffirming to Spearwoman she still has a chance to recover and move on with her life now that she isn't in the grasp of these monsters.

Chapter 5
Awakening, Cow Girl got out of her bed and prepared for her day, realizing he clothes were feeling a bit tight on her making her realize she was "growing" again much to her womanly pride and annoyance of have to adjust her clothing. After breakfast, her Uncle had suggested her taking the day off and going into town for fun, something she wasn't sure she knew how to do sadly. with some insistence, reminding her she is eighteen and very close to nineteen years of age, she decides to take his advice and go into town. Without delivers to make, Cow Girl takes time to note if she even has any friends, remembering how all her childhood friends sans Goblin Slayer were dead, and in her ten years in the Frontier Town, she had only starting venturing out into town in the last five years since her childhood friend had been discovered alive and helped her out of her survivor's guilt.

As she debates what to do, Priestess approaches her, in her casual dress. The two are surprised to see each other, as Cow Girl thought Priestess would've gone off adventuring with Goblin Slayer, to which Priestess revealed that she was "having a rough day" and had to sit out. Cow Girl understanding the hidden meaning dropped the subject and asked Priestess what she does on days off like this, admitting she had no idea what to do. Priestess states she either prays, her duty as a cleric, and studies the Monster Manual trying her best to learn as instructed by Goblin Slayer. Their conversation eventually leads them to how Goblin Slayer praised her for buying chain-mail, thus she treasures it deeply; the sudden mention of chain-mail piques Cow Girl's interest to see the armor at the Guild's Armory.

Entering the Armory, Cow Girl and Priestess were left aghast at the pair of chain-mail bikini styled armor that was on display. Apprentice Boy gives the pair the sales pitch for them, that the armor is used for speed and freedom of movement, but admits that is just the sales pitch and that they really are for more "attraction" purposes. As Cow Girl admits the armor obviously appears to be used in such a fashion, but Apprentice Boy counters that enough women buy them to make them worth keeping in stock and on display, shocking the two young ladies. The girls then notice a helmet on display which Cow Girl notes is the original helmet Goblin Slayer bought, complete with the horns intact. Both try the helmet on, becoming shocked at how Goblin Slayer sees the world. Content, the girls prepare to leave, but before they do, Cow Girl manages to talk Priestess into trying the chain mail bikini on much to Priestess's mortification.

In the Guild Tavern, Cow Girl and Priestess overhear High Elf Archer lamenting "her kingdom" is doomed, and find her crying over a tabletop RPG game, Guild Girl consoling her. As they approach, the off duty Guild Girl explains the game she and High Elf Archer are playing as Inspector acts as their "Dungeon Master" and urges the two to join them as High Elf Archer asks for help "Slaying the dragon". Cow Girl chooses a "Human Knight" styled piece resembling her precious Goblin Slayer as Priestess is drawn to a "Elf Sorceress" piece with a particularly curvy design, while High Elf Archer continues as a "Dwarf Warrior" (trying to prove she could be a better Dwarf than her friend Dwarf Shaman) and Guild Girl continues as a "Human Scout". Inspector decides to join the "Party" as a "Human Cleric" as they "go on an Adventure". Sadly, the girls lose the game but as they depart they admit that they all had fun and look forward to their "next Adventure".

Chapter 6
In the forests, a caravan is attacked by a Gargoyle which grabs a Cleric of the God of Knowledge despite her allies attempts to save her. The encounter ends in disaster as the Gargoyle drops the Cleric from high in the sky, killing her instantly. In the distance, a large white tower filled with Demons and Monsters rises in the forest causing mass panic for the Kingdom. The King laments the situation to Sword Maiden, who calls him out for worrying about this and not helping the villages with the growing Goblin problem. After the small argument, the King admits he'd rather take on all the problems himself but accepts he needs to rely on Adventurers to deal with the problem. With that, Sword Maiden states she knows exactly who the King should call upon.

At the Frontier Town, Heavy Warrior laments the Royal Court asking him to complete the quest with the Tower, mentioning his partner Female Knight is "under the weather" and he doesn't want to endanger the kids he adventures with. Guild Girl suggests that he temporarily partner with another Party, but finding Adventurers that can match his abilities proves elusive. Hearing her need for a warrior and mage, Spearman immediately volunteers for Guild Girl much to Witch's and Heavy Warrior's annoyance. Realizing they would like at least one another, preferably a Scout, Guild Girl approaches Goblin Slayer for help, who agrees much to everyone's shock. When asked why he would agree, Goblin Slayer admits that there were no Goblin Slaying Quests at the moment, he could use the money from a royal request, and he feels he has a debt to pay to Heavy Warrior and Spearman.

At the Tower, Heavy Warrior and Spearman assess the defenses, floors, potential monsters, and how long it should take to climb the tower, until Goblin Slayer chimes in that they should just scale the outside of the tower circumventing all the danger. At first taken aback by such a suggestion, the two admit that it is a rather ingenious strategy. Using a strength potion, Heavy Warrior is able to pound pipes into the tower, creating a "ladder" of handholds for the trio to climb up, all the while being pestered by Spearman's constant bickering trying to impress the stoic Goblin Slayer with his skills. As Gargoyles approach, Spearman casts Slow on them to cause them to fall out of the sky, killing them instantly; though impressive, he admits that now he only has one spell left so they need to hurry to the top.

Reaching the top, both Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer mention relief that their usual Party's didn't come with, worrying that Priestess, Scout Boy, and Druid Girl lacked the stamina for the climb; Spearman cracks a joke that how Witch would never have made the climb being so "top heavy", the joke being lost on Goblin Slayer. As Spearman annoyingly tries to explain the "boob joke" to Goblin Slayer as well as a numerous bad advice on women, Heavy Warrior directs their attention to the center of the room. A sorcerer rises and mocks the trio proclaiming his intentions but is cut short by Goblin Slayer who throws his sword right into the Sorcerer's chest, killing him.

As Spearman complains that Goblin Slayer could've at least let the Sorcerer finish monologing, he rises up from death explaining that he completed his ritual that won't allow him to be killed by mortal hands. As he summons more demonic entities to help him, the three Warriors cut them down with ease. The Sorcerer prepares a massive spell that would spell doom for the Party, Goblin Slayer quickly throws one of his pepper bombs, blinding and silencing the Sorcerer. The gives Spearman the opening to cast Spider-Webbing on the Sorcerer trapping him, despite him still bragging he could not be killed. Goblin Slayer hearing his ravings, suggests just throwing the Sorcerer off the Tower, which cause him to die, not be killed; the loophole actually working as Heavy Warrior throws the Sorcerer to his death.

Spearman brags about his much higher kill count which Goblin Slayer confirms as Spearman gleefully celebrates and searches for loot. Heavy Warrior ask if Goblin Slayer is okay with Spearman's "victory", to which Goblin Slayer states he's fine, as none of the enemies were Goblins. The three find a treasure chest and as they open it they all realize that quite a few people from their respective Parties will be pretty upset that they missed out on such an Adventure as the chest of loot opens.

Chapter 7
In a Capital Inn, the Hero awakens in her usual energetic manner and prepares to meet the day full force; jumping from her second story bedroom to the tavern floor in a single bound. While everyone else is startled by the young girl's energy, her partner, Sword Saint, is far from impressed and scolds her Leader for still acting like a child. As she orders her breakfast, the two wonder how long their third Party Member will sleep for, commenting she had worn herself out the night previously using her magic to keep a Necromancer's Undead army at bay so the two of them could deal with the Necromancer. As she ate, Hero mentions she had a strange dream about the Gods telling her to do something.

Just then, Sage comes downstairs informing her Party that Hero had received a Handout form the Gods and asked her for particulars of the dream. Sadly, Hero's explanations are as nonsensical as a small child trying to describe a fairy tale's plot, but Sage is able to decipher enough of it to realize that the Gods have tasked Hero with going to the Western Frontier Town during the Harvest Festival to deal with the Forces of Chaos. The Three agree to sent out and Hero happily announces they have an adventure before them as her Party reminds her to finish her breakfast first.

Chapter 8
In the Frontier Town, High Elf Archer awakens in the "morning", actually far closer to noon than morning, she does a quick check of her equipment, having a spider give her silk for her bow string before dressing and starting her "morning". However, the unsightly mess of her room forces her to accept she'll probably spend her day off having to at least start some laundry, much to her annoyance.