Bastard Swordsman

Pest Control in the Fields

The journey was peaceful, with no encounters with thieves or goblins, and the weather held without rain.

Caspar seemed to improve in health each day, and by the time we reached the village where we were to serve as guards, he had completely regained his vigor.

However, Caspar had a strange way of eating, like an old man in hospice care. He would sip on diluted porridge with trembling hands, occasionally sporting an archaic smile without a word. Watching him eat like that was a bit unsettling, even if he was indeed recovering. It felt a bit frightening.

「Harvest season is lively, isn't it...」

The village of Tolman, where we were dispatched, was a rural place far from any cities.

Though not exactly close to Regol, the city where I was based, there were no other towns near Tolman Village, making it a rather inconvenient location.

Typically, village natives working in nearby towns would return home and help with things like harvest season patrols. But Tolman Village is so remote, there aren't even any guild members from there working away from home.

Thus, we, being strangers with no ties here, would normally be seen as outsiders to be wary of—villages are tough on strangers.

But Tolman Village seemed to have a laid-back vibe, and I was treated well without being called some name from Sangreal.

It was quite fortunate that I could leisurely sip warm water while calmly observing farm work with Caspar-san. In other years, it might have been quite a different ambiance.

「Caspar, are you going to provide any healing here too?」

「Yes, during the afternoon break in the square. Many people get injured during harvest time.」

「Yeah, people cut themselves, right? I used to do that a lot in my village.」

「It's not good if dirt or mud gets into the wounds, you know... So be careful, Mongrel.」

While cuts from plants or sickles were common troubles, wild animals lurking in wheat fields could attack as well. In this world, you couldn't let your guard down. Sometimes aggressive pythons would appear from the fields too. Perhaps that's why long-handled scythes, which prevent unexpected encounters, are so popular.

In my own village, the main harvest method involved dainty knives akin to karambits, which look like oversized cat claws. Though the knife looked like something only an assassin would use, it was quite handy. It would make opening Amazon boxes a breeze. Well, I don't need it now since I have a favorite knife.

「Hey there, young guild member!」

「That's for you, Mongrel. Someone's calling.」

「What could it be? Coming~ What's up?」

「There's a goblin in the fields—could you take care of it outside the fields?」

Ah, it's time to work.

The old guys from the third group are patrolling the village, and I've got the most stamina.

I would have liked to slack off some more, but guess it can't be helped. Time to work.

「I need to head to the square later too. Take care, Mongrel.」

「Sure thing. Don't overdo it, Caspar.」

Goblins were everywhere. They reproduced often, had short gestation periods, could breed with boars, and were omnivorous. Above all, they were small in stature.

They often had hideouts in tight, unexpected holes, and sometimes boldly lived right in the middle of village wheat fields.

Tall wheat fields provided concealment surpassing even forests. If the planting was in straight rows, the view might be clear, but most fields in this world were scatter-planted. The far corners of the wheat fields were out of reach to people.

Barring exceptional circumstances, fields were left untended until harvest, and the only people venturing into the middle were the kind of rural youth sneaking in for outdoor trysts.

That's why, for small goblins, wheat fields became excellent hideouts.

「There they are, stepping on our wheat field.」

「Yeah, I see them. Can't let them die in the field, huh?」

「Right. If you could take care of them over there, that'd be great.」

「Got it. I'll handle it quickly, so keep working on something else just in case.」

「Right.」

In the middle of the wheat field where I was guided, I saw shadows that seemed to belong to goblins.

The stench leaving no doubt. It looked like there were about two of them.

Local farmers could handle them, but since we're here, let's show them the flair of professionals.

「Alright, let's start with this.」

While goblins were belligerent, they weren't totally stupid. If they thought their opponent was strong, they'd run away.

However, they were stupid enough to be lured by anger if something ticked them off.

「Oh, goblin-san, you see this delicious dried meat? Mmm, quite tasty.」

I took out some dried meat. A failed batch retaining a strong, odd aroma.

Still, the smell made it quite useful in situations like these.

「Guga.」

「Gya-gya!」

The goblins started growling at me, almost as if protesting, "That's ours!」

Still hiding in the wheat, but they were close.

「Do you want it that badly? I'll let you all have just one bite...」

「Gyah! Gyah-gyah!」

「Changed my mind! It's so delicious!」

「Gugyaaaa!」

Got them hooked! Oh, they're super mad! Now, let's lure them out of the fields.

「Look at this juicy piece of meat... like a sophisticated A5 steak...」

「Guge!」

「Gyah gyah!」

「This meat is available to viewer gift... NOT! So delicious!」

Humans have far superior physical abilities. By taking care not to trip on the soft soil of the field, I could easily draw the goblins out to the road.

The goblins were full of murderous intent. What had I even done to them? Most convenient that even if I dealt with one, the other wouldn't lose morale.

Both goblins only had clubs as weapons. Even shorter reach than a short sword.

「Alright then, let's start a little three-second cooking.」

「Gugya...!」

I drew my bastard sword from its leather scabbard and swung it down toward the head of one of the raging goblins.

The blade bit deep into its cheek, killing it swiftly.

「First up, goblin Tataki.」

「Gii...!?」

「You're going to be a fillet!」

The remaining goblin, frozen with surprise, met the same fate; I finished it off with a deep diagonal slice through the torso.

That sums up dealing with goblins.

「Hey, the goblins are taken care of!」

「Thanks!」

Harvesting resumed after, and I was given the less-desired task of clearing the goblin corpses.

Perhaps I should have bludgeoned them to keep the mess minimal.