Entering the training ground, Tris saw Rin practicing her balance atop a small wooden post. This was part of her training to master the technique known as Flash Steps, which she had been working on recently.
As soon as she noticed Tris arrive, she cheerfully jumped down and said:
"Master, did you get what you needed?"
'Does she realize how much lighter and more graceful her movements have become compared to before?'
Tris thought to himself as he watched the way Rin landed before answering:
"Yes, I did."
Tris moved to the open space in the middle of the yard and brought out a stove, a large pot, and the ingredients he had just purchased. He sat down and began to prepare some of them.
Tris: "Rin, help me peel this like so."
Rin: "Yes, Master."
Tris: "Make sure to keep your gloves on. Don't take them off."
Rin: "Why?"
Tris: "Most of these ingredients are poisonous. It's best to avoid direct contact as much as possible."
Rin: "Poisonous? What are you planning to use them for?"
Tris: "To make insecticide."
Rin: "Insecticide?"
Knowing about recent events, Rin quickly guessed which 'insects' her Master was referring to.
Rin: "This is to deal with the Goblins, isn't it?"
Tris nodded, his hands moving at astonishing speed as he processed the ingredients.
And as if even that speed wasn't enough, Tris summoned two puppets, 'The Twins', to assist him. In effect, he was doing the work of three people at once.
Having seen this many times before, Rin was no longer surprised by Tris's methods. She only glanced at him with admiration.
She then returned to her earlier question, still slightly puzzled:
Rin: "Why compare Goblins to insects? Is it because of their green skin?"
Tris: "You know grasshoppers, don't you?"
Rin: "(╹ڡ╹ ) Yes, when roasted, they're crispy and delicious."
At her answer, Tris's hands, and those of the two puppets, paused briefly before quickly resuming their work.
Tris: "Grasshoppers are dangerous because of their ability to devastate crops. A few are harmless. But in swarms, they can cause terrible destruction."
Rin: "Ah, so that's the similarity."
A few Goblins were not dangerous, but in great numbers, they became a serious threat.
Understanding why her Master compared Goblins to grasshoppers, Rin's face showed satisfaction at having her question answered.
Tris gave her a subtle look before focusing again on his work. He believed Rin had overlooked an important detail, or rather, something she had not yet realized.
That detail was the difference between the diet of Goblins and that of grasshoppers.
If she thought carefully about that difference, her expression would not be so calm.
'We must act quickly. But surely the leaders of Aldor already understand this well.'
With Rin and the two puppets assisting, all the ingredients were swiftly prepared.
Tris then placed the large pot on the stove, poured in water, and heated it.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Thank you all for being here."
The speaker was Count Alistair Cedric, the chief administrator of the city of Aldor.
Seated around the large table with Alistair were three others.
The first was a tall, broad‑shouldered man with a prominent beard across his face, Captain Marcus.
The second was an elderly man with streaks of silver in his hair, wearing a robe adorned with the symbol of the sun.
He was Bishop Peter, temporarily overseeing the Church of Light in place of Bishop Draven, who had disappeared some time ago and was presumed dead.
The last was John, a man in his forties with brown hair and a neatly trimmed mustache.
His appearance was friendly but unremarkable, much like his name. John looked like any ordinary neighbor one might encounter anywhere.
Yet none of the others dared underestimate this seemingly ordinary man, for he was the current Guildmaster of the Adventurers' Guild in Aldor.
Alistair: "Given the urgency of the matter, I will proceed directly to the point. Bishop Peter, Mr. John, you two may have already heard the rumors of a Goblin King's appearance. I regret to confirm that these rumors are indeed true."
John: "What is the scale of their numbers?"
Knowing the gravity of the situation, the Guildmaster wasted no words and asked directly about the most critical issue.
Marcus: "According to reports from the scouts, the estimate is between 12,000 and 13,000."
John: "Not the worst case yet. Still, it is unusual for them to gather such numbers during winter."
Marcus: "Indeed, everything seems sudden and rapid."
John: "How many soldiers can the domain muster?"
Marcus: "As I discussed earlier with the Count, we can immediately mobilize 5,000. If we hastily conscript part of the populace, we might gain another 2,000. But don't expect those 2,000 recruits to be of much use."
John: "So the main force is only 5,000. As for the Adventurers' Guild, I will issue an emergency mission and begin recruitment. We should gather at least 500 participants."
Alistair: "Five hundred experienced adventurers will be a great help. I thank you in advance for this support."
The Count then turned toward Bishop Peter. Understanding the importance of the Church's involvement, Bishop Peter spoke up:
"Of course, we will gladly send those capable of healing and fighting to assist. However, due to recent upheavals within the Church, please understand that our manpower will be very limited."
Alistair: "No, no, I understand your difficulties. We will be grateful for any assistance, no matter how small."
Though his words were polite, Count Alistair was already calculating in his mind the maximum resources he could draw from the Church of Light.
As the lord of the domain with a wide network of information, Alistair knew that Bishop Draven had taken an elite force out of the city, none of whom had returned.
Normally, the sudden weakening of the Church of Light would have been a welcome development, given its growing influence in recent times.
But now, when every ounce of strength was needed to face the looming threat, Alistair could not help but think that Bishop Draven's presence would have been far more beneficial, providing invaluable support.
'Why did those Goblins have to appear at precisely this time… how wretched.' Alistair cursed inwardly.