As evening fell, the members of the extermination force came together for a last meeting.

“I spoke with the captain earlier,” Gerrit began, “and he told me that he, quite correctly, considers his duty fulfilled and will return to Pel Darni. For the rest of us, however, the mission isn’t over.”

Edwin exchanged confused glances with Bordan. He had assumed that, now that the nest was destroyed, they could finally return to the city and take some time off.

“A few dozen goblins got away after the battle, and there were still several hunting parties out there that we didn’t find. Without the nest to back them up, they don’t pose an existential threat to the surrounding settlements anymore, but if we don’t find and hunt them down, a lot of people will die. Protecting them is our duty, so we don’t get to go home quite yet.”

Edwin groaned quietly. With their fixation on the nest, he had simply assumed that they would be done afterwards. Gerrit was correct, of course, but that didn’t mean that he felt like spending yet more time hiking through the wilderness, hunting goblins.

He wasn’t alone in that opinion, as he heard a few sighs from the crowd around him.

“Foris will be heading back with the soldiers, and me and my team will be joining them until Newmark, from where we will direct the reinforcements that are still on their way to help with the cleanup. That just leaves your two teams, Doren and Bordan. Will you be able to travel tomorrow?”

“We’re good to go.” Doren said. Of his team, only Hetta and Moss had sustained more than a few scratches, and their injuries wouldn’t prevent them from marching or fighting.

“We will be too.” Bordan said. Salissa was still out, but Edwin had assured them that she would be up and about soon, and that her mana drain wouldn’t cause any actual problems.

“Good.” Gerrit nodded. “After this, we’ll have a look at the maps, make a plan on where to send you and which places to leave to the reinforcements. I have one more thing I’d like to talk about, though.”

He cleared his throat and turned towards the soldiers.

“We adventurers don’t usually bother with things like medals or accolades. Hunting monsters is our duty, it’s the life we chose and so we do it. The one medal we have is awarded to non-members who risk their lives to help us fight monsters. Once this whole thing is over and I’m back in Pel Darni, I’ll request that the Chaptermaster give this award to all of you, as well as your fallen comrades.”

“I know that you were ordered to come here, but none of you signed up to fight monsters, or were trained to do it, so I believe that you qualify. You also fought with outstanding bravery against overwhelming odds, so I believe that you deserve it. I am honored to have fought by your side, and I would be honored if you wore this medal as a sign of our gratitude.”

His words were met by a stunned silence. After a few seconds, Captain Vellis regained his composure and stepped forwards.

“Thank you for your kind words, Gerrit. As you said, it was our duty as soldiers to come to your aid, but we would be honored to wear this award as a memorial for what we did here. I have been a soldier for many years, and in that time, I have met many brave and valorous individuals. After standing shoulder to shoulder with all of you, I can say with confidence that you are among the best of them.”

“Sometimes, us army men don’t give you the respect you deserve for what you do. I vow that as long as I breathe, I shall permit no ill word about your competence, bravery or dedication to the protection of our duchy to stand in my presence. I consider each one of you a brother or sister in arms.”

Whoops and cheers erupted as Vellis and Gerrit grasped forearms and shook hands, then both groups intermingled as men who had fought alongside each other shook hands and slapped backs. The festive atmosphere remained until late into the night, with soldiers and adventurers sitting around the cooking fires and swapping stories, celebrating that they had survived the bloody day, and remembering those who hadn’t.

--- ----- ---

“I hate you.” Salissa grumbled for the tenth time. Edwin didn’t bother responding.

She had awoken early in the morning, and as expected she had a piercing headache. Captain Vellis had thanked her for healing his men, then the soldiers had departed for Newmark.

Sadly, Orsen hadn’t made it. The young soldier had lost too much blood before they had been able to help him, and he had quietly passed away during the night. Paril was doing better, though, and Vellis was confident that he would make it.

Having said their goodbyes, Edwin and his companions had left as well. Doren’s party had accompanied them for a while, but soon they too had to turn away, and it was just the four of them once again.

As predicted, Salissa’s headache passed within a day or so. She was still a little mad at Edwin, accusing him of manipulating her, but he figured she was simply mad out of principle, so he didn’t let it bother him.

Even with fall coming to an end, the weather remained decent, and their trek through the wooded hills was reasonably enjoyable. They didn’t find any goblins or other monsters, and after another day they finally stepped onto the road that they had aimed for, turning towards the village that Gerrit had assigned them to patrol.

--- ----- ---

“You adventurers are fast!” The headman said, his surprise obvious when they had walked into his office. “We only just sent the request a few days ago.”

“We didn’t come here in response to a request.” Bordan said. They took a seat while the former soldier explained the situation.

“Well, that explains a lot.” The headman said slowly. “A couple of days ago, one of the hunters was stalking a deer when a bunch of goblins jumped out of the bushes and killed his prey, then dragged it off deeper into the forest. I figured it was just a normal band of the things, but with what you’re telling me, it’s likely that it’s one of those hunting parties you mentioned.”

“Could we talk to that hunter?” Bordan asked. “If he saw where they dragged it off to, that should give us a good idea of where they’re hiding. If we don’t have to search the whole forest around here, that would speed this up a bunch.”

“Sure. It’s getting late, why don’t you head on over to the tavern and I’ll see if I can find him and send him your way.”

The adventurers did just that, as the prospect of proper food and beds was enticing. By the time they each had a steaming bowl in front of them, the headman returned with the hunter in question. He immediately agreed to show them the place where he’d seen the goblins, even offering to add his bow to their efforts, which they declined.

--- ----- ---

“I need a break.” Leodin grumbled. The villagers had left and dinner was over, but the adventurers were still sitting around their table, too lazy to go to bed yet.

“Me too.” Salissa sighed. “We were supposed to get some time off after our first trip, not head out immediately to fight an army of goblins.”

“Well, look at the bright side.” Bordan said. “Once we’re back, we’ll definitely be able to relax. They said that the monster wave is dying down, so by the time we’re back in the city I’m sure it will be way less stressful.”

“I’m looking forward to being able to pick our assignments ourselves.” Edwin said. “This whole being sent to do a bunch of requests in a short time is fine for now, but I wouldn’t want to do it for long. We did in a season what we would’ve usually done in a year.”

“I’m right there with you.” Bordan said. “Part of the reason why I joined the Guild was that I thought I’d get more time with my family than I did in the army. My wife is not happy with me right now.”

“Well, good thing we’re just about done then.” Edwin said, slapping the table. “Come on, let’s head to bed. Just a few more days and we can finally head back to the city and take the break that we deserve.”