A/n: I apologize for not posting anything in a while, I've been busy and I've had a lot of fanfic ideas running through my mind that I couldn't focus.
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Albion's POV
Three days had passed since our arrival in Tortus, and I was beginning to understand why Selene had called this world dangerous. It wasn't just the monsters or the hostile environment—though both were certainly threats—it was the entire social and political structure that seemed designed to crush anyone who didn't fit their narrow definitions of useful.
We had managed to secure temporary lodging in the capital city of Heiligh, though it had required some creative storytelling and a few subtle applications of my [Arc of Embodiment] to create convincing identification documents. Officially, we were now a group of traveling mercenaries from a distant kingdom, skilled enough to be useful but not so powerful as to draw unwanted attention.
"The information I've gathered is... very concerning." Athena reported as we gathered in our modest inn room that evening. She had spent the day in the markets and common areas, her analytical nature perfect for gathering intelligence without raising suspicions. "This kingdom's treatment of the summoned heroes is more manipulative than I initially assessed."
"How so?" I asked, though I suspected I already knew.
"They're being trained, yes, but also indoctrinated. Every lesson comes with propaganda about the divine nature of their mission, the evil of the demons, and the righteousness of the Holy Church. The students are isolated from outside perspectives and encouraged to see questioning as disloyalty."
Kuroka, who had been perched on the windowsill watching the street below, turned back to us with a frown. "I saw some of them during training today. That Kouki kid especially—he's eating up every word they tell him. But a few of the others look... uncomfortable."
"Hajime?" I asked.
"Among others. There's a girl with short brown hair who keeps asking practical questions that the instructors don't like. And a few others who seem more interested in getting home than playing hero."
That would be Kaori and probably Shizuku, along with a few of the more pragmatic students. Good—it meant not all of them were being completely taken in by the Church's manipulation.
'The spiritual resonance of this place grows more disturbing each day.' Wraith's mental voice interjected. 'There are layers of enchantment throughout the capital; it is subtle but pervasive. They're designed to promote compliance and suppress independent thought.'
"That sounds like mass mind control?" I asked, alarmed.
'Not quite so crude, but yes. It is more like... atmospheric influence. Extended exposure would gradually make people more susceptible to suggestion and authority.'
That was even worse than I'd thought. The Church wasn't just manipulating the heroes through propaganda—they were using magic to soften their resistance to indoctrination.
"We need to do something." Kuroka said firmly. "We can't just sit here and watch them get brainwashed."
"I agree, but we have to be smart about it." I replied. "Any direct interference could backfire spectacularly. If we're discovered too early, we'll be branded as enemies of the state, and then we can't help anyone."
"What do you suggest?" Athena asked.
I was quiet for a moment, thinking through possibilities. "We start small. Subtle interventions that could be dismissed as coincidence. Maybe some of the students 'accidentally' encounter books or information that present alternative perspectives. Or 'chance' meetings with people who've seen the world beyond the Church's influence."
"Gradual counter-programming." Athena nodded approvingly. "Effective, though time-consuming."
"Speaking of time," I said, "what's the word on their training schedule? When are they supposed to start venturing outside the capital?"
"Soon, from what I overheard." Kuroka replied. "Something about practical experience against low-level monsters in controlled environments. Build their confidence and skills before facing real threats."
That matched what I remembered. The students would be taken on increasingly dangerous missions, ostensibly to prepare them for the war against the demons. In reality, it was designed to make them dependent on the Church's support and guidance while weeding out anyone who couldn't keep up with the pace.
And eventually, one of those missions would lead to Hajime's betrayal and fall into the Orcus Labyrinth.
"We need to position ourselves to be part of those expeditions." I decided. "Not as heroes, but as support personnel. Guides, maybe, or additional security. That way we can observe firsthand and be ready to act when the moment comes."
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The next morning, I made my way to the Adventurer's Guild—a separate organization from the Church, though still nominally under royal authority. If we were going to insert ourselves into the heroes' missions, we'd need legitimate credentials and a reputation for competence.
The guild hall was exactly what I'd expected—a blend of tavern and administrative center, filled with the kind of people who made their living facing danger for coin. Warriors, mages, scouts, and specialists of various types mingled around job boards and drinking tables.
I approached the reception desk where a middle-aged woman with calculating eyes looked me over appraisingly.
"New in town?" she asked without preamble.
"New to the kingdom actually." I confirmed. "My team and I are looking to register with the guild. We have experience, but we'll need to establish ourselves here."
"Experience with what, specifically?" she asked, pulling out a ledger and quill.
"Monster hunting, dungeon exploration, and escort missions. We're adaptable."
She nodded, making notes. "You'll start at Copper rank regardless of previous experience—guild policy. But if you're as skilled as you claim, it won't take long to advance. What's your team composition?"
"Scout, combat specialist, support specialist, and myself as the leader. We work well together."
"Names?"
I had prepared for this. "Albion Nava, the team leader. Kuroka, our scout. Athena, our support. And..." I hesitated slightly, "Wraith, our combat specialist."
The woman paused at the last name, looking up from her ledger. "Wraith? That's an unusual name."
"He's an unusual person." I said with a slight smile. "He prefers to keep to himself, but is extremely effective in combat situations."
"I see. Well, you'll need to demonstrate basic competency before full registration. There's a standard test—clearing out a goblin nest about an hour outside the city. Straightforward enough for experienced adventurers, but it weeds out the amateurs."
"When can we take this test?"
"Tomorrow morning, if you're ready. Fair warning though—we've had several teams try that particular nest in the past week. The goblins are more organized than usual, and they've set up some nasty traps."
That was interesting. "Any idea why?"
"Could be a hobgoblin leader, could be an external influence. Won't know until someone competent takes a look." She gave me a meaningful stare. "Think your team is up for it?"
"We'll manage." I said confidently. "What's the payout?"
"Standard goblin extermination fee, plus a bonus for clearing the nest completely. Should come to about fifty gold pieces, plus whatever loot you can salvage."
I nodded and completed the registration process, providing the necessary documentation and fees. As I left the guild hall, I was already planning how to approach the mission. It would be a good opportunity to establish our capabilities without drawing too much attention.
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That evening, I briefed my team on the upcoming test while we shared a meal in our room.
"Goblins shouldn't be a significant challenge." Athena observed. "Though if they're more organized than usual, there may be tactical considerations."
"It's not about the difficulty." I explained. "It's about establishing our credentials and reputation. We need to be impressive enough to get noticed by the right people, but not so impressive that we raise questions about our true capabilities."
"Controlled demonstration." Kuroka nodded. "I can work with that. What's our approach?"
"Standard dungeon clearing tactics, but refined. Kuroka scouts ahead and identifies threats and traps. Athena provides support and tactical analysis. Wraith handles direct combat when needed, and I coordinate and provide backup as necessary."
'Finally, a chance to stretch my metaphorical muscles.' Wraith's mental voice carried satisfaction. 'It has been far too long since I've had proper opponents.'
"Remember," I cautioned, "we're supposed to be competent mercenaries, not legendary warriors. Keep your more exotic abilities in reserve unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood." Athena replied. "I'll limit myself to standard alchemical techniques and basic enhancement magic."
"And I'll stick to my exceed abilities and basic combat magic." Kuroka added. "Nothing that screams 'dragon slayer training.'"
'I shall restrain myself to conventional spiritual techniques.' Wraith agreed, though I could sense his disappointment at not being able to fully unleash his power.
As we finalized our plans, I found myself thinking about the larger picture. This goblin nest was just the first step in a longer process of establishing ourselves in Tortus society. We needed to build a reputation that would eventually get us involved with the heroes' missions, all while gathering information about the ancient magics we'd come here to learn.
It was a delicate balance—staying true to our goals while navigating a world that seemed designed to corrupt or destroy anyone who didn't conform to its expectations.
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The next morning dawned clear and cold, with a bite in the air that reminded me unpleasantly of some of the harsher climates I'd experienced. We gathered our gear and made our way to the guild hall, where our official guild examiner was waiting—a grizzled veteran named Marcus who looked like he'd seen more than his share of monster encounters.
"So you're the new team." he said, looking us over with professional assessment. "Fair warning—I've seen a lot of overconfident groups get themselves killed because they thought goblins were beneath them. These particular goblins have killed two teams already."
"We'll be careful." I assured him. "What can you tell us about their setup?"
"A cave system is about five miles northeast of here. Multiple entrances, but most are trapped or blocked. The main entrance is obvious enough, but that's where they'll expect you to come from. They've got sentries, and they're smart enough to use coordinated tactics."
"What are their numbers?" Athena asked.
"The best estimate is thirty to forty goblins, plus whatever's leading them. Could be a hobgoblin, could be something worse. You'll find out when you get there."
Marcus handed me a small crystal. "A communication stone. Check in every hour, and signal immediately if you need evacuation. Pride isn't worth dying for."
As we set out from the city, I couldn't help but smile at the irony. Here we were, some of the most powerful individuals ever to set foot on Tortus, going to deal with a goblin problem as if it were a serious challenge.
But in a way, it was. Not because of the goblins themselves, but because of what this mission represented—our first real test of how well we could integrate into this world's systems and expectations.
The real challenge wasn't going to be the monsters.
It was going to be pretending to be normal.
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The trek northeast from Heiligh took us through increasingly wild terrain, the manicured fields near the capital giving way to dense forest and rocky outcroppings. As we traveled, I took the opportunity to study the natural mana of Tortus more closely. It really was denser than Earthland's ethernano, and I could feel my companions adjusting to it as we walked.
"The mana density is affecting my calculations." Athena noted as we paused to check our bearings. "My alchemical formulas will need recalibration. The reactions occur faster here, with greater intensity."
"Same with my magic." Kuroka added, flexing her fingers experimentally. "Everything feels amplified. I'll need to be careful not to overdo it during the fight."
That was a valid concern. The last thing we needed was to accidentally level a hillside while dealing with a few dozen goblins. "Good point. Everyone scale back your initial estimates. We can always add more power if needed, but we can't take it back once it's unleashed."
'The spiritual energies here respond eagerly to my will.' Wraith observed. 'I feel more substantial than I have in years. This world's nature suits my condition.'
I glanced at his spiritual form, noting that he did appear more solid than usual. The denser mana was clearly benefiting him, which boded well for our ultimate goal of giving him a proper body. If just the ambient magic of Tortus could strengthen him this much, the ancient magics we sought might do far more.
We reached the cave system around midmorning. Just as Marcus had described, the main entrance was obvious—a dark opening in the hillside, with crude markings around it that suggested goblin territory. The smell hit us before we got too close: the distinctive stench of goblin habitation, all rot and waste and unwashed bodies.
"There are sentries." Kuroka whispered, her enhanced senses picking up details mine couldn't quite reach yet. "Two at the entrance, hidden in the rocks. Probably more inside. And I can smell the traps—they've coated some kind of irritant on tripwires near the entrance."
"Can you neutralize the sentries quietly?" I asked.
She grinned, her competitive nature showing through. "Watch me."
Kuroka melted into the shadows, her exceed agility and natural stealth making her nearly invisible as she approached the cave entrance. I had to admire her technique—she'd grown considerably since joining me, developing her abilities far beyond what most would expect.
Within moments, the two sentries were down without a sound, neatly incapacitated rather than killed. Kuroka had a soft spot that occasionally surprised me, preferring nonlethal solutions when the enemy wasn't an immediate deadly threat.
"Entrance is clear." she reported, reappearing beside us. "But the tunnels branch off pretty quickly inside. I marked the trapped passages."
"Athena, can you map the interior based on the airflow and acoustics?" I asked.
The alchemical doll closed her eyes, her enhanced senses extending into the cave system. "There are three main tunnels. The leftmost leads downward, likely to their main chamber based on the warmth and concentration of scent. The center tunnel appears to be a dead end—probably a trap. The rightmost connects to a secondary chamber, possibly a barracks or storage area."
This was why having Athena along was invaluable. Her analytical capabilities turned what could have been a dangerous, blind exploration into a tactical operation.
"Here's the plan," I said. "we take the left tunnel directly to the main chamber. Speed and decisiveness. If we eliminate the leadership quickly, the rest should scatter or surrender. Kuroka, you take point for trap detection. I'll follow for immediate combat support. Athena provides ranged backup. And Wraith..."
'I shall ensure nothing flanks us from behind,' Wraith finished. 'And deal with any that attempt to flee and warn others.'
"Exactly. Everyone ready?"
Nods all around. We entered the cave.
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The interior was dark, but none of us had trouble seeing. The tunnel walls were rough-hewn, marked with crude goblin graffiti and the occasional bone fragment. The deeper we went, the stronger the stench became, and soon we could hear the chittering, guttural sounds of goblin speech echoing from ahead.
Kuroka raised a hand, signaling us to stop. She pointed to a nearly invisible tripwire stretched across the passage at ankle height, then to a section of ceiling that looked subtly different from the surrounding rock. A collapse trap—step on the wire, and the unstable ceiling would come down.
She carefully disabled it, and we proceeded.
As we approached the main chamber, the sounds grew louder. I could make out at least two dozen distinct goblin voices, along with something deeper and more commanding—the leader Marcus had warned us about.
We paused at the entrance to the main chamber, taking in the scene. It was larger than I'd expected, a natural cavern that the goblins had expanded and fortified. Crude weapons and stolen equipment were piled around the edges, and in the center, on a throne made of bones and scrap metal, sat the largest goblin I'd ever seen.
"A Hobgoblin." Athena confirmed quietly. " an evolved variant. It is significantly stronger than the standard goblins, and intelligent enough to coordinate them effectively."
The hobgoblin was easily twice the size of its underlings, with mottled green skin, prominent tusks, and eyes that gleamed with cruel intelligence. It wore a patchwork of armor scavenged from its victims, and clutched a wickedly sharp cleaver that had clearly seen plenty of use.
Around it, perhaps thirty goblins went about their business—sharpening weapons, squabbling over scraps, and generally behaving like the vicious pests they were. A few showed signs of being slightly larger or better equipped than the others, likely lieutenants of some kind.
"Remember everyone." I murmured. "Controlled and efficient. We're competent mercenaries, not gods of war."
Then I stepped into the chamber.
The reaction was immediate. The nearest goblins shrieked in alarm, scrambling for weapons as the hobgoblin rose from its throne with a roar. Within seconds, the entire chamber was alerted to our presence.
"For the kingdom." I said dryly, mostly for the benefit of any potential witnesses, and launched into action.
I'd decided to rely primarily on physical combat and basic magic for this fight—nothing that would reveal my true nature and power as a dragon slayer. My enhanced physique alone made me more than a match for ordinary goblins, and I waded into the nearest cluster with measured strikes that dropped them efficiently.
Kuroka was a blur of motion beside me, her agility letting her dart between enemies, striking vital points with precision. She'd drawn a pair of short blades and moved like a dancer, each motion flowing into the next.
Athena took up a position near the entrance, her alchemical abilities manifesting as bursts of concentrated force that knocked goblins off their feet or sent them flying into walls. She was careful to keep her techniques looking like standard combat alchemy rather than the more exotic abilities she possessed.
And Wraith... even restrained, Wraith was terrifying. His spiritual form flowed through the chamber, and where he passed, goblins simply collapsed, their life energy briefly disrupted by his touch. To any observer, it would look like some form of debilitation magic rather than the soul-affecting power he truly wielded.
The hobgoblin, seeing its forces falling, bellowed a command. The remaining goblins regrouped, attempting the coordinated tactics that had killed previous adventuring teams. They formed up, using their numbers to try to surround and overwhelm us.
It might have worked against ordinary adventurers.
Against us, it was almost pitiable.
I let a few of them get close, maintaining the illusion of a challenging fight, before dispatching them with strikes that looked impressive but were well within normal human capabilities. The hobgoblin itself finally charged me, cleaver raised, clearly intending to crush the apparent leader of the intruders.
I sidestepped its clumsy swing and delivered a precise blow to its midsection. The creature doubled over, and a follow-up strike to the back of its neck dropped it unconscious. I'd considered killing it outright, but a live hobgoblin leader might be worth questioning—and it would look more impressive to the guild if we brought proof of capturing rather than just killing.
With their leader down, the remaining goblins broke. Some tried to flee through side passages, only to find Wraith waiting for them. Others threw down their weapons in surrender, cowering before us.
The whole fight had taken less than five minutes.
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"Well," Kuroka said, surveying the chamber as she cleaned her blades, "that was almost disappointing."
"Disappointing is good," I reminded her. "Disappointing means no surprises, no injuries, and no reasons for anyone to look at us too closely."
We spent the next hour securing the chamber, binding the surrendered goblins and the unconscious hobgoblin, and salvaging anything of value. The goblins had accumulated a surprising amount of loot from their victims—coins, weapons, jewelry, and various trade goods. Much of it would need to be returned to the guild for identification and potential restoration to the families of the slain, but the unclaimed portion would be ours to keep.
"Master." Athena called from a corner of the chamber where she'd been examining the stolen goods. "You should see this."
I joined her, and she handed me a small leather pouch containing several crystalline objects. They pulsed with a faint magical energy that felt distinctly different from the natural mana of Tortus.
"These don't appear to be goblin-made." I observed, studying them. "And they don't feel like standard Tortus magic either."
"My analysis suggests they're some form of magical communication device." Athena explained. "But the enchantment style is unfamiliar. Sophisticated. Far beyond what goblins could produce or even understand how to use properly."
That was concerning. "So someone gave these to the goblins. Or the goblins took them from someone who shouldn't have been in this region."
'External influence.' Wraith noted, echoing the guild receptionist's earlier speculation. 'The receptionist mentioned the goblins were more organized than usual. Perhaps someone has been manipulating them.'
I pocketed the crystals for later study. "Another mystery for the pile. We'll investigate when we have time and resources. For now, let's finish up here and report back to the guild."
As we prepared to leave, I took one last look around the chamber. Our first mission in Tortus was complete—efficiently, cleanly, and without revealing too much of our true capabilities. We'd established ourselves as competent without being suspicious.
But those crystals nagged at me. In my experience, mysteries like this had a way of connecting to larger problems. And in a world ruled by a false god and his fanatical church, larger problems tended to be very dangerous indeed.
At first, I thought it would be the demon Freid Bagwa since he used the ancient magic [metamorphosis magic] to control monsters but it is best not to jump to conclusions.
"Let's move," I said, hefting a bag of salvaged goods. "I want to get these goblins back to the guild before nightfall. And I have a feeling we're going to want to ask some questions about those crystals."
The journey back to Heiligh would give me time to think. We'd taken our first step into Tortus society, and so far, things were going according to plan.
But I'd learned long ago that plans rarely survived contact with reality for long.
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*To be continued...*