Mastery Is Earned

The first person Raymond saw upon entering the room was a portly man of about fifty, with a prominent belly. He wore a long burgundy wool coat and finely made leather boots polished to a shine. He looked less like a sheriff charged with protecting the town and more like a civil official.

“Raymond, this is Sheriff Marcus,” Carter said hurriedly as soon as Raymond entered.

“Sir.” Raymond bowed.

Marcus inclined his head. With his hands behind his back, he looked Raymond over before asking, “You saw this fire-breathing goblin with your own eyes?”

“Yes, sir.” Raymond nodded.

Carter had clearly already told the sheriff what had happened, so Raymond did not repeat the entire story. He focused on how he had killed six ordinary goblins and closed in on the Dragonblood Goblin, followed by the Greater Goblin's sudden rampage. Marcus's expression grew grave as he listened. Carter had told him a great deal, but his account was inevitably less complete than that of Raymond, who had experienced it firsthand.

“So this goblin was as thin as the others, but it had extremely tough scales and could command the Greater Goblin?” Marcus quickly summarized.

“Yes, sir. After I blinded one of its eyes, it fled immediately. It made no attempt to help the Greater Goblin and even abandoned the young in the nest,” Raymond added. “When we left, we also found a trail of black blood leading deep into the Blackstone Mountains.”

“A mature Greater Goblin normally won't allow another goblin undergoing a throwback mutation to continue growing in its nest,” Marcus mused. “Yet you found both a mature individual and one that was still undergoing the change.”

“If it could suppress the Greater Goblin's instincts and make it tolerate a potential rival... then the fire-breathing goblin was probably the true leader of the nest.”

“First, livestock and food began disappearing from the surrounding villages. Then a forest ranger vanished a month ago. Ten days ago, a hunter went into the mountains and never returned.” Marcus paused before continuing. “Five days ago, a girl from town also disappeared. Could these goblins be responsible for all of it?”

Raymond did not answer. He merely lowered his head and remained silent.

Carter, lying in bed, was clearly more familiar with Marcus and immediately took up the conversation. “Stealing food and livestock certainly fits goblin habits. The ranger and hunter both entered the forest, so the goblins may have attacked them.”

“But if the girl had been attacked by goblins, they would have left obvious traces at the scene.”

“There were no signs of goblins,” Marcus added. “In fact, there were no signs of any other monsters either.”

Carter shook his head. “If goblins attacked a human for food, they wouldn't leave the scene that clean. For now, it would be best to investigate these incidents separately.”

Marcus nodded at Carter's assessment.

“Also, while tracking the goblins, I noticed that the mist over the Blackstone Mountains seemed much thinner,” Carter added after a brief silence.

At this news, Marcus's expression grew even more serious. He turned toward the door. “Someone come in.”

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One of the guards stationed outside quickly opened the door and entered. “Sir!”

“Go back and tell Dario to increase patrols around the outskirts of Blackpine Forest starting today,” Marcus ordered. “Send men to the nearby villages as well and tell the residents not to enter the forest alone for the time being. As soon as the other two investigation teams return, have them report to me immediately.”

“Until we determine exactly what that goblin is, no one is to venture recklessly into the depths of the forest. But we cannot neglect the necessary precautions.”

“Yes, sir!”

After the guard left to carry out his orders, Marcus turned back to Carter and Raymond. “Do you still have the goblin ears and the rest?”

“We do. They're the best proof we have.” Carter nodded quickly.

Raymond promptly retrieved all the goblin ears they had kept and arranged them one by one on a wooden board. Marcus counted them carefully, then nodded. “You did indeed uncover an important lead on this assignment. And with these goblin ears...”

While Marcus was counting, Carter shot Raymond another meaningful glance. Raymond understood immediately. He took out the two green gemstones they had stored away and handed them to Marcus as well. “We found these in the nest. Please take a look at them too, sir,” Carter added.

“Mm. They're in decent condition.” Marcus turned the two gemstones over in his hands. “Six silver coins for the pair. How does that sound?”

“Thank you, sir,” Carter said quickly.

The assignment payment, reward for the information, and monster bounties came to a total of sixteen silver coins and ten copper coins. Marcus had clearly come prepared. He took sixteen silver coins and ten copper coins from a leather pouch stamped with the town guard's seal, then added six silver coins from his own purse for the gemstones and placed the money on the table.

Carter casually picked up a silver coin and slipped it into Marcus's hand. Marcus just as casually put it in his purse. The exchange was so practiced that it was clearly far from their first time.

Raymond watched without comment. That silver coin paid for more than the settlement of this assignment. It also paved the way for more commissions and favors in the future. As long as Marcus did not get too greedy, it was money well spent.

“Will your injuries heal?” Marcus asked Carter once their business was concluded.

Carter shook his head, his expression darkening. “I'm afraid not.”

“I see.” Marcus sighed.

“This young man is Raymond.” Carter pointed to him. “If not for him, I wouldn't have made it back. He's steady, brave, and capable. If a suitable commission comes up in the future, I hope you'll give him a chance.”

Marcus studied Raymond, then gave a distracted nod. “Raymond, is it? I'll remember the name.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Marcus left the house, leaving Raymond and Carter alone. Once Marcus was gone, Carter counted the coins on the table again. Following the team's usual rules, he first set aside the shares and death benefits due to the three men who had died, then reserved money for treatment and other shared expenses. After going over the figures several times, Carter pushed six silver coins toward Raymond. “These are yours.”

Carter briefly explained what the various sums were for. Once Raymond confirmed that everything was in order, he accepted his share without hesitation.

Together with the two silver coins he had found in the pouch at the nest, his personal earnings from the assignment came to about eight silver coins. This money would cover his essential living expenses for the immediate future. It was enough to let him recuperate and train for a while, but not enough to live on indefinitely. Once his injuries healed, he would still need to find new work and commissions.

“Normally, five percent of a commission's payment goes to whoever arranges it,” Carter said quietly. “Marcus asks for more—usually ten percent. Loot and bounties aren't included.”

Raymond nodded and committed the information to memory. Marcus was clearly considered one of the greedier sorts even by other people's standards. Naturally, he received the highest cut: a full ten percent.

“Only by staying on good terms with him will you have an easier time getting suitable commissions in the future. Having the skills is one thing. Finding paying work is what matters most,” Carter said with a trace of self-mockery.

“I'll remember that.”

“I may never be able to hold a sword again. From now on, you'll have to deal with him yourself, but I'll do my best to arrange everything else for you,” Carter said quietly.

“Being unable to hold a sword doesn't mean you can't do anything.” Raymond shook his head. “I still have a great deal to learn from you, Captain Carter.”

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