The dragon’s harem

Arad stood before the quest board, looking at the hanged papers with a stern look. “Bandits, goblins, treants, find a cat and bull’s testicles again… Even the needed help from the elephant trunk,” He sighed, glaring back at Abel. “Hoi! We already took care of your quest. Why is this one still up?”

Abel looked away, “It’s not my fault a lot of people want to work there. The pay is good, after all.”

Arad sighed, “Fine, do what you like,” He looked at the board, “Aella, what do you think?”

“If I was to choose, I would take this,” She pulled a quest from the corner. “Goblin nest clearing,” She showed Arad the quest. “It’s right between the border with the elves’ kingdom, and I fear the goblins have kidnapped some people.”

Arad looked at the quest.

[Goblin nest]

[A large goblin nest has appeared behind Eldory’s mountain range in a small cave. Several goblin riders, chargers, and even shamans were spotted marching in armed groups of over thirty each. We suspect a goblin king lives there.]

[Quest objective 01: Kill all the goblins, and bring the king’s head.]

[Quest objective 02: Rescue any hostages the goblins might keep.]

[Quest rank: B-rank]

[Quest reward: five gold coins for clearing the quest. Five gold coins bonus for the king’s head. And one gold coin for each rescued individual.]

[Notes: The goblin shamans use a lot of lightning, fire, and earth magic. They are also experts and creating traps and poisons. The goblin fighters have been spotted rinsing their rusted weapons in their wastes, so don’t get hit. They use multiple poisons synthesized from the native death bellflower.]

“Such evil,” Lydia put the bandit quest she picked and started at the goblin one, “We must eliminate those things,” she growled.

“I know, right?” Aella smiled, “We can’t leave them to fester like this,”

Jack scratched his head, “You, this isn’t a normal B-rank quest,” He stared at them, “I bet it was an A-rank but was dropped since no one took it.”

“Jack is right,” Nina approached them, “It’s true that even a C-rank party should be able to clear it with careful planning. It will take an A-rank for a risk-free clear.” She sighed.

“A compromise between safety and needed skills,” Jack scratched his head, looking at Nina, “So, why aren’t the elves taking it?”

“The cave is located in our land, so it’s our problem.” Nina looked at Aella, “The goblins are keen on attacking the elves and then escaping back to our land where they can’t be chased without causing a war.” She explained.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Arad stared at her, “There are goblins, and they need to die. Which part of that will start a war?”

“Sending armed people to our land. It won’t matter how stupid or trivial the reason is. All that is needed is a spark.” Nina looked at Arad, “I’m just repeating the guildmaster’s words. It’s not like I understand.”

“I understand,” Aella looked down.

“The goblins aren’t smart enough to understand war. They only knew that the elves won’t chase them back to the cave, so they abuse that power.” She looked at Arad.

“The elves won’t risk going into the human land without sending a messenger, but that takes time. And even then, the humans would refuse to let the elves in, and say they will take care of it.” She looked at Nina, “But they can’t be bothered to waste resources saving elves, so they throw it as a quest and do nothing about it.”

“So all we need to do is kill everyone there,” Arad clenched his fists, [That would be a lot of exp and souls.]

“It won’t be that easy,” Lydia stared at Arad, “Goblins would kill the hostages or torture them to keep us away. They don’t have morals to live by,” She grabbed the hilt of her sword, “As much as I want to drop a smite from god at them, we have to plan carefully this time.” 𝒷ℯ𝒹𝓃𝓸𝓿ℯ𝓁.𝒸ℴ𝓶

“And your site doesn’t work on them that well,” Jack looked at her.

“It’s half as effective against vampires and undead since they are evil but not unholy,” Lydia replied.

“So, are we taking the quest?” Arad looked around.

“I won’t be able to go if it takes more than four days. I do have duties as the lord’s son,” Abel declared.

“Me as well,” Merida lifted her hand, “I can’t if it will take more than a week. I have to take care of the shop and knit some dresses for the nobles.”

“Hee?” Aella looked at Merida with a smile, “You make noble dresses?”

“A certain someone is becoming a noble soon, and they are trying to get ready for his party,” She glared at Arad, “I wonder who it is, sir Arad.”

“It’s not my fault.” Arad stared back at her.

Merida sighed, “I’m getting decent traffic thanks to you. Throw one or two more parties for me. It will help my business grow.”

Lydia sighed, “I heard it’s embarrassing for a noble to show up to a party with clothes he wore to another party before.”

Merida looked at her, “Yeah, it makes the noble looks poor, and if he wasn’t, then it’s taken as an insult to the host.”

Aella looked at Arad, “We need to buy new clothes as well.”

“You can buy as many clothes as you want,” Arad replied with a smile, “But don’t bother for the party. I feel like that would be a waste.”

[I think you should play the noble role if you could. Getting close connections to the other nobles could provide you with valuable information about the lands.]

“We should still get some.” Aella looked at Merida, “I would like to order a set for me and Mira, as well a woman and…Forget it, come to our house and see for yourself.”

Arad looked at Jack, “Jack, I’m leaving to meet Roberta, so please take care of the registration with Nina.”

“I can’t do it. I have to buy supplies and antidots for the death bellflower. Let Aella take care of that with Lydia.” Jack looked at the two girls.

“Of course,” Aella smiled.