Chapter 16

The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away – 016

EP.16 The Physician Exam (2)

 

In the middle of the day, the forest was as dark as evening, obscured by dense foliage.

“Ouch!”

Gis who was walking beside me stumbled and let out a short scream, tripping over for the fourth time already.

“Hey, watch your step. Are we advertising our presence to the monster?”

A knight who couldn’t bear it warned the stumbling one.

He was one of the knights who stood guard when we first visited the knights’ training ground. His name was Boris.

“What can I do if I can not see the ground? I’m not a caveman, can’t I carry a torch?”

There was a sarcastic laughter at the Gis complaint.

“What did you just hear? Might as well hand out flyers to the monsters. ‘Fresh human meat provided free of charge, excellent deals available.'”

Several knights chuckled at my words. Gis frowned.

“If you think scaring me will affect my performance, it won’t. I know goblins are low-level monsters.”

“But they seem to be acting as a group. there might be a hobgoblin, so don’t underestimate them.”

“I won’t. Regardless, I’m here to prove my healing abilities. I’ll become the royal physician and enter the palace!” He shouted proudly.

But confidence didn’t necessarily help in monster hunting.

“Shh.”

Tanya, who was leading, put her index finger to her lips.

Communicating silently, the five knights formed a formation, each gripping their swords tightly.

“Charge!”

Following Tanya’s command, the knights rushed forward from behind the bushes.

“Hmm!”

“Kieak!”

Along with the dull sound of swords striking, the piercing screams echoed through the trees.

After the silence returned, we crossed the bushes to find three goblins lying dead on the ground, proving their skills as sword experts.

“This is the goblin’s territory from here. Don’t neglect to detect their presence and immediately eliminate them before calling for reinforcements.”

Tanya ordered. The other group following us understood the situation and quickly moved.

“Are they really acting as a group? Do we need to be this cautious in hunting them…?”

Gis raised his eyebrows, looking at the goblin corpses.

He still doesn’t seem to grasp the reality.

I kicked a pile of wood between them

“Look at this. It’s a sign of trying to start a  fire. They were either planning to camp here or signaling our presence to their base. Originally, these creatures wouldn’t be capable of such things.”

I nodded firmly towards Gis.

“This is definite proof of a leader. Stop complaining.”

Tanya interjected.

“When did I complain…? And since when did you know monsters so well, sir?”

Gis retorted.

“It’s an accurate assessment. You’ve studied well. Keep going.”

Tanya affirmed my statement. Only then did Gis fall silent.

We continued further along the grass where there were traces of goblins. Any encountered monsters were swiftly dealt with by the knights.

At the end of it, we discovered an opening in the cliff face, likely leading to a cavern.

“It seems to lead here.”

“Goblins living in caves are rare.”

“Lord, from here, we may need to use torches, making the extermination more hazardous. Should we proceed?”

Tanya asked, glancing at Father, who appeared slightly hesitant. He deliberated with the senior healers.

While they discussed, I searched around the cave entrance.

“Found it.”

I held up an animal skull and showed it to Father.

“What’s this, leftover bones?”

“Not rotten, but torn apart with tools. It’s ceremonial, not eaten.”

“Ceremonial?”

“Instead of a hobgoblin, there might be a shaman controlling the tribe.”

My statement caused a stir among the knights. However, the healers seemed unaware of the severity.

Gis questioned, “If it’s a shaman, is it a goblin using magic? What’s different?”

“It’s vastly different! Inside are goblins enhanced with magic, forming a military force. Sending a request to the guild, the difference between hobgoblin and shamans is like D and C rank!”

Boris rebuked Gis.

Tanya expressed her opinion.

“It’s not confirmed, but if there really is a goblin shaman inside, we may have to endure some casualties. Of course, our knights have the skill to exterminate them, but we can’t guarantee the safety of the healers.”

The healers shrank back in fear. Father nodded.

“The royal physician must heal the lord in any situation. However, risking lives in exams is not acceptable.”

Father made an immediate decision.

“We’ll request the guild for the goblin shaman extermination and proceed with nearby monster eradication for the exam.”

It was the right choice, considering we had healers instead of professional adventurers.

But I found something that bothered me, so I asked Father a question.

“When will the extermination take place?”

“It’ll probably be a few days until the guild commissions adventurers.”

“The kidnapped villagers should still be alive by then.”

“What?”

I ran my finger along the cave wall, feeling sticky blood.

“Judging by the coagulation of the blood, it hasn’t been six hours. It seems the goblins dragged someone inside after the kidnapping.”

“Hmm…!”

Father’s expression turned grave.

Gis countered my statement.

“But it might not necessarily be human blood, right? They could’ve taken animals for food.”

He had entered a cycle of opposition for the sake of opposition.

I silently prayed that my words would be wrong, performing a reverse rain dance. Keep going. Let me be wrong just once.

——–

Diagnosis activates.

Injury Status: Bleeding

Injury Location: Left temple

——–

It must have detected human blood to activate the diagnosis.

It’s quite convenient that the diagnosis activates even just by examining part of the injury.

I addressed Gis, “As a healer, shouldn’t you be able to distinguish between human blood and animal blood? Look, it’s human blood. And if we return now and miss the golden hour, the responsibility will be yours, right?”

“That, that’s…”

As I pushed Gis with my finger stained with blood, he stuttered his response.

I sought my father’s opinion.

“What will you do Father? Since the cave is the goblins’ stronghold, it’s risky to enter with this formation.”

“Hmm. Healer Lars, are you sure that blood is human?”

As it was an official occasion, Father addressed me formally.

I replied firmly.

“I’m sure.”

“Understood. Commander Tanya, prepare for entry.”

“Yes. Everyone, proceed in defensive formation. Place the healers inside to prevent ambushes.”

The knights moved quickly, forming a protective circle around the healers. Some of them held torches.

“We’re entering. Don’t let your guard down.”

We moved forward.

As we passed through the cave entrance, the darkness closed in, and the decreased oxygen made it hard to breathe.

The leading scout extended a long spear to inspect the wall structure as we proceeded.

Tanya led the main group following behind.

…Tension hung heavy in the air.

No one even thought of chatting.

Shadows danced on the cave walls.

The flickering torches indicated a draft somewhere. The cave wasn’t sealed.

“Commander , it’s a fork in the path.”

“Hmm.”

Tanya seemed to ponder which way to go.

Maybe I could offer some help.

“Goblins living in caves always make multiple exits, in case they need to flee.”

“Young Master.”

“But if they’ve captured humans from the outside, there’s no need to confine them near exits.”

I dabbed my finger in saliva and pointed to the two cave directions.

The wind was blowing from only one side.

“There’s a high chance the hostages are on the blocked side. I recommend exploring the right first.”

Tanya’s eyebrows raised slightly.

“You have considerable knowledge. Impressive. Have you been an adventurer?”

“Nope.”

I’ve had enough of the hero party.

It’s an extreme job. Not recommended at all.

“Then we’ll head to the right. Watch out for traps at the front.”

The path narrowed, so we proceeded more slowly and cautiously.

Since maintaining formation was difficult from here, each unit separated again.

Before long, Gis urgently pointed at the end of the cave.

“There they are!”

Gis rushed forward, thrusting his torch. Two people lay unconscious amidst the animal carcasses gathered by the goblins in the corner of the cave.

“Wait! Don’t break formation!”

Tanya urgently commanded, but Gis had already rushed to the fallen villagers.

Their condition did indeed seem dire. Their clothes were torn, and their bodies covered in bruises.

There was one man and one woman, with the woman bleeding from her head. It was clear from diagnosis.

“In the name of the merciful goddess above, I beseech thee! Here awaiteth a lamb in need of mercy….”

Gis unfolded his scripture and began casting a healing spell.

While it could be seen as a display of dedication to his profession, it was reckless behavior at the moment.

– Keek!–

– Keh-ak!–

The echoes of goblin cries reverberated through the cave.

Goblins wielding clubs began emerging from the darkness in droves.

Their small, hairless bodies were always repulsive to behold.

“Ugh!”

Startled, Gis stumbled and fell backward. The goblins swiftly swarmed over him like cockroaches.

“Damn!”

Bastard sword swung swiftly, cleaving through the goblins.

It was Tanya’s sword.

“It’s an ambush!”

“Everyone, assume combat positions!”

The knights drew their swords and swiftly engaged in battle. The narrow cave turned into a battlefield in an instant.

“Wh-where did they come from all of a sudden…!”

Gis trembled in shock. I slapped the back of his head.

“Luring prey into traps for treasure is their basic tactic. With their small size, they often move through unseen passages or hide in crevices. Stay alert.”

“Ugh, okay, I understand!”

Wiping sweat from his forehead, Gis resumed casting healing spells.

Other healers also joined in to heal the fallen villagers.

I surveyed the surroundings to assess the situation.

The Gothberg Knights were formidable, a testament to Tanya’s excellent training. Despite being ambushed, they easily fended off the goblins and would soon eradicate them.

The knights guarding Father were also fulfilling their duty diligently.

And there was Acella’s  head maid, assigned as supervisor.

Hmm.

Despite the situation, there was no sign of agitation. It felt as if I had been standing in the right place to avoid being ambushed.

As long as I protect myself, everything should be fine.

“Ha-yap!”

No need to hold back. I swung my sword with all my might.

– Keeyak!!–

One of the goblins rushing towards me received a blow to the head and staggered back.