Chương 36: The Return Journey

Kyle looked at the clear sky ahead and heaved a sigh. They were finally done with this quest. He quickly spotted a few girls lying behind a thick tree not far away, timidly looking at them.

"Are they the girls kidnapped from Khan village?" Kyle calmly asked.

"Yes, fortunately, we acted fast enough, so they didn't sustain any major injuries. I've healed them and told them to wait there for us," Tina nodded and said. Aaron looked at them and clicked his tongue.

"Tch! If it weren't for them, Captain Doy–""Aaron!!" Tina suddenly interrupted, her expression frighteningly serious.

"Never say such a thing! That's not what we stand for; Captain Doyle would scold you if he could hear you!" She looked as if she were going to beat him up if he said another word.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!" Aaron quickly waved his hands and said. He also realized that blaming the victims was wrong. Tina didn't say anything further; she shot him a warning glance before continuing to walk forward. They waved for the kidnapped girls to follow them before slowly walking up the hill. They walked rather slowly, careful so as not to move Doyle too much. At the top of the hill, Kyle briefly glanced down at the giant cave on the other side before slowly walking down.

They quickly noticed the hunter, Mark, who was waving at them downhill. One of the girls following behind started tearing up as she rushed towards him.

"Uncle Mark!"

"Grace!" Mark opened his arms and hugged her, overjoyed at her safety.

"Thank you, esteemed adventurers, thank you very much!" Mark gratefully bowed towards them after confirming the safety of all the girls.

"This…" However, when he saw the sorry shape Doyle was in as he was carried on a stretcher, his expression changed. He quickly ran forward to help. They slowly placed the wooden board sideways on the backs of two horses.

"Can you escort those girls back to their village? We need to get to Mirevale as soon as possible." Luke looked at Kyle and asked,"It's not an issue, but do you know the way back there? Even the outer range of Silverbark can be confusing without a map," Kyle said, rummaging through his bag for the map. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"It's fine; I lived in Mirevale for quite a while. I still know the way back from here." Luke raised his hands and stopped him.

"I see. Here, take these with you first." Kyle handed him the glass jar, the pouch containing the remains of the abomination, and the paper inscribed with the ritual. Luke solemnly took them. They have to present these things to the adventure guild as soon as possible.

"Good luck. I'll check in on you after I go back to Mirevale," Kyle nodded and said.

"Good luck to you, too. Goodbye." Luke waved and slowly led the horses away. Aaron and Tina also nodded before following behind, unable to hide the anxiety on their faces.

"What happened?" Mark asked with a confused expression. He saw the injuries on that man, and they didn't seem to be something goblins are capable of.

"Well, it's complicated," Kyle said as he walked to the village, disinclined to say more. Although he didn't know much about cults and rituals, they were obviously not something he could mention to a village hunter. Without the horses, they could only walk back on foot. Moreover, with the addition of 6 young girls, the return trip took even longer. It wasn't until the sun was setting over the horizon that they finally reached Khan village.

"Dad! Mom!" The girls cried upon seeing their relatives waiting for them at the village entrance. They rushed into their families' arms, crying heartbreakingly. The fear and despair they felt when they were kidnapped by the goblins was something they never wanted to feel again. Kyle silently watched this touching scene, feeling his disgust and hatred for the species known as goblins rise. At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh.

Unfortunately, the team that had worked alongside him to make this reunion possible couldn't witness it with him.

"Young man, thank you! You're a hero!" The village chief struggled to walk towards him with his cane. He held his hands and thanked him profusely.

"It's fine, it's my duty." Kyle waved his hand and said. It was only then that the village chief noticed the absence of Doyle's team.

"Esteemed adventurer, where are the other heroes?" The village chief asked with an inquisitive expression.

"Well, they went back first. One of their members was severely injured," Kyle calmly replied. The village chief's eyes widened upon hearing this. He looked inquisitively at Mark, who nodded affirmatively.

"That's terrible! Is he okay?"

"He's still alive," Kyle promptly replied. The village chief could feel Kyle's impatience. He looked at the setting sun over the horizon and remembered that Mirevale's gates close at dark.

"It's late, young man. Why don't you stay the night?"

"It's fine; I can still get back before dark." Kyle waved his hands and said.

"I understand. Here's your proof of completion." The village chief handed him a piece of parchment.

"Finally, please pass my gratitude and tell those adventurers that I hope their companion gets better. The Khan village will always welcome you." The village chief bowed and said solemnly. Kyle could only hold him to stop this old man from breaking his back.

"Goodbye." Kyle waved as he walked away, quickly disappearing into the horizon. The villagers waved back until they couldn't see his silhouette anymore. Walking across the official dirt path, Kyle couldn't help but reflect on this quest. This was undoubtedly the time he was closest to death.

'What is this Old Imperial Cult, and how were they able to transform a bottom-rank 1 goblin warrior into that abomination?' Kyle wondered.

"It seems there is much I don't know yet about this world." He muttered. He decided that after going back this time. Apart from training, learning about the world and the factions ruling it is a necessity.

'I especially need to learn about this cult. I can't always remain this ignorant,' Kyle resolved.