Big G, Coffee Machine and Goblin

Chapter 11 Misunderstandings about Height

"Is this guy the leader of that goblin gang?"

“That’s right,” Sharl nodded like a chick pecking at rice. “Only the strongest warrior can become the leader of the goblin tribe. It is the largest and strongest of the goblins and has the best weapons.”

"Furthermore, look at the necklace around his neck. It has the most wolf teeth, a total of seven. This indicates that he once hunted seven wolves alone in the forest, which is quite rare among goblins."

"By the way, the last time this group of goblins came to the village to steal sheep, someone saw it standing at the back, directing the other goblins. It's definitely the chief of that tribe, no doubt about it."

Ma Li was also trying hard to recall his first encounter with this goblin chieftain.

At 1.4 meters tall, it would be considered a dwarf by human standards, but it is quite imposing among goblins.

Ma Li once drove his G300p and flew directly over the head of a goblin with a knife, and also knocked away a goblin wearing a red hat. Only this goblin's head got stuck between the cow pen bars.

This also proves that it is indeed very "tall" and can be considered outstanding among goblins.

“It’s a misunderstanding,” Ma Li said. “I never intended to take this body as a trophy, nor did I plan to ask you for money. You know what happened back then; I just didn’t have time to clean it up.”

“Well… but it’s true that you’ve solved the village’s problem,” Charles said. “Please accept this money. Besides, Chief Diamond actually has something else he wants to ask you for this time.”

Ma Li thought for a moment. He did need some of this world's currency, so he put the bag of money into the armrest box and asked, "What is it?"

"That goblin tribe has just lost its chieftain and should be at its weakest point. But once they elect a new chieftain through a duel, they will likely make a comeback and threaten the village again soon. It would be best to wipe them out completely now, or at least drive them back to the depths of the Endless Forest."

“I’m not good at fighting,” Ma Li said. “Even an off-road vehicle might not be able to catch up with those goblins in the woods.”

“Oh, the village chief didn’t actually expect you to help again, and to be honest, the village couldn’t afford to hire an alchemist. Chief Diamond was actually hoping that you could give me a ride when you went to Eaglebeak City, and in return, the villagers would be willing to give you three more sheep.”

"Eaglebeak City?"

"That's the town closest to the village. Lord Belstein, the lord of Eagle Beak City, is also our lord. In previous years, Lord Belstein would send people to clear out the monsters and beasts on the outskirts of the forest every year. Logically, it should be time this year, but for some reason, no one has come yet."

Charles said, "Village Chief Diamond wants someone to report the current situation of Whitewood Village to Lord Belstein and request reinforcements, but it will take at least ten days to go back and forth, and the journey is not very safe."

"Captain Leibtos once told me that you brought me back to the village from Blackrock Canyon in less than half a night, and that you saw us appear at the village entrance in your tall and sturdy alchemical creation. So he suggested to the village chief that you take me to Eaglebeak City again."

"If it's just about traveling, it should be fine," Ma Li thought for a moment and said.

The supplies he prepared for this trip were enough to last a month. Only three days have passed, and he still has plenty of supplies. It would be more than enough for him to go to Eagle's Beak City.

Actually, while he was drinking coffee, he was also considering whether to go somewhere else to look around.

Whitewood Village is, after all, just a remote little village in the southernmost part of the Duchy of Gardland. The information that can be gathered here is limited. To gain a deeper understanding of this world, one must travel around more. Entering cities is of course the best option, as this allows for a more direct observation of the local technological level and economic culture.

But before setting off, Ma Li had a few things to figure out. "What is this country's attitude towards outsiders?" Ma Li asked the chestnut-haired girl.

"Does 'outsider' refer to foreigners? I'm not quite sure. Foreigners are rarely seen in Shiraki Village, but unless it's a country with a long-standing feud or at war, most people don't have much hostility towards foreigners."

"The Duchy of Gardran is a predominantly human nation, but it also trades with elves and dwarves. Not to mention halflings, they are popular wherever they go, and I've heard that you can even see goblins and goatmen in some cities."

Are you an elf?

“A half-elf,” the chestnut-haired girl said, touching her pointed ears. “My mother was an elf, but she left the village shortly after giving birth to me, and I have almost no memory of her. I grew up with my father, who was human and worked as an adventurer for a while. I learned my swordsmanship from him.”

"Why didn't I see your father this time you came back?"

"Oh, he passed away three years ago."

"Ah, sorry."

“It’s alright, that was a long time ago, and I’ve gotten through the worst of it…” Xia Er paused, “Actually, you don’t need to worry too much about what other people think of you.”

"Why do you say that?"

“Because you are an alchemist.” The chestnut-haired girl held up a finger. “Most ordinary people wouldn’t dare to mess with an alchemist. Besides, even if you do encounter any trouble, you can seek help from the Alchemist Association in the city. It’s one of the most powerful professional organizations on the continent of Revatres. Even if you’re not an alchemist from this country, you’ll still be protected by the Alchemist Association.”

Upon hearing this, Ma Li's heart stirred. If what Xia Er said was true, joining the Alchemist Association would be equivalent to having a pass, a pass that could be used throughout the entire continent of Revatres.

Furthermore, with his identity as a foreign alchemist, his G300p, as well as other miscellaneous trinkets on his person, all automatically gained a reasonable explanation.

That's more believable than him telling everyone he brought it out of the red mist.

Unfortunately, Ciel only learned about the Alchemist Guild from her father, who had been an adventurer, and she didn't know how to get certified.

Ma Li planned to go to Eagle Beak City to inquire about it himself; he now only had one last question.

"What did you mean when you said the road wasn't very safe?"

"Oh, because Eagle Beak City is on the border of the duchy, it attracts many people of dubious origin. Some of these people choose to become adventurers, taking on various commissions to make a living. Others find such work too slow to earn money, so they resort to smuggling or theft, and some even become bandits."

"It's manageable inside the city with guards and temple paladins maintaining order, but once they leave the city, no one can control them. Besides, there are many monsters on the continent of Revatres, like the goblins from before, which you might encounter in the wild if you're unlucky."

"Most ordinary people will never leave their place of residence in their entire lives, and even if they have to travel far away, they will try to travel in groups."

(End of this chapter)