The Forest Feeds No Idle Goblins

Elma stared blankly at the parchment in her hand. She was now completely bound to the Demon Lord, Lust. She couldn’t help but regret it; back when she was cursing her sister, Agatha, in front of the mirror, she never should have accepted the temptation of that "Ghost" inside it.

Those Demon Lords could play with people’s hearts and toy with human souls at will, and now she was sinking deeper and deeper. She had read in many books about the fates of those who signed pacts with demons. Without exception, their stories were all tragedies. They were forced by the demons to commit many evil deeds—murder was just child’s play. More often, these people would orchestrate massacres, unleash disasters, and reap the souls of ordinary people. And their own souls, also without exception, were then claimed and tormented by the Demon Lord, trapped in eternal suffering, unable to return to the Nether Sea, unable to find peace.

But as Elma looked up and saw her own face in the mirror again, her eyes turned cold once more. ’Compared to my soul being scorched by the Purgatory Fire, I’m more afraid of losing all this.’

Losing her Magic Ability, the praise of those around her, her current lofty status, and even this beautiful face.

She reached out and kneaded her cheeks, as if to confirm her own features. Just moments ago, Lust had been constantly shifting appearances in the mirror, which made her feel a little distrustful of her own face now.

"I have to return to Plantagenet Royal City at once," Elma said, slumping dejectedly to the floor. ’The deadline I gave the Adventurer Association is almost up, anyway. I need to go back and resume my duties as a promotion examiner.’

She whispered a command, and a black rift to the Star Realm appeared beside her. Then, the giant python slithered out from the rift.

Looking at the Star Realm Python, Elma couldn’t help but remember the slender black viper that Lust had crushed in his grasp. She gave a bitter smile. "There’s no going back now."

’But,’ she thought, turning to look out the window, ’just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean that goblin is getting off easy.’

She patted the Star Realm Python, then used its body to pull herself up. Walking briskly to her desk, she focused her will, and a piece of paper and a pen flew into her hands.

Elma gazed northward through the window. Under the night sky, the distant landscape was shrouded in darkness, with only the twinkling stars above.

She lifted the pen, carefully considered her phrasing, and then began to write:

"Honorable Count Valentine, do you wish to know how your child, Philip, died? I can tell you now..."

...

"I’m very sorry, but that’s too much Holy Water. The Church can’t approve that amount right now," a Priest from the Earth and Life Church said, shaking his head apologetically.

"But, Priest, you already took my money and agreed to the deal," Little John said, spreading his hands.

As he spoke, he sized up the Cathedral behind the Priest. This church of the Earth and Life Church, located in the northern district of Black Lion City, was the largest in all of Valentine County.

People were coming and going at the entrance. Many had just finished their prayers and were now leaving the Cathedral to head home.

The Priest hurriedly pulled Little John aside. "I don’t know why, but the Lord Bishop has suddenly tightened the distribution of Holy Water," he whispered. "I can return the money you paid me."

"But my Alchemy Workshop is waiting on that Holy Water for its ingredients, you know that," Little John stressed. "Winter is peak season for Adventurers heading into the forest. Those potions will sell extremely well."

"I know, but you’re asking for an entire barrel," the Priest sighed. "The Church doesn’t just bottle water from the Darren River and call it Holy." He then started patting his pockets, looking as if he was about to pull out the money to give back to Little John.

Little John watched him go through the motions of searching his pockets for a few seconds and knew exactly what the man was playing at. "Keep the money. I just want the Holy Water."

His boss, Shire, had been very serious when he told him this Holy Water was critically important. It was a matter of life and death for their entire people and had to be acquired as soon as possible. He had already bribed this Priest, who had puffed out his chest and sworn he could get it done as he pocketed the Gold Coins. But now that it was time for delivery, this was the result.

"I really can’t get my hands on that much Holy Water," the Priest said, stomping his foot as if in great regret. "I can’t just trick you with water from the Darren River like I do with the poor, now can I?"

The corner of Little John’s mouth twitched. Not far away, a few ordinary-looking citizens were leaving the Cathedral, reverently cradling a small wooden bucket filled with water.

"Your potions wouldn’t work, you’d come straight to the Cathedral and expose me, and the trouble wouldn’t be worth the reward." The Priest, oblivious to Little John’s expression, continued muttering, "Or you could just wait. Things might not be so strict after a while. I heard Count Valentine pre-ordered a large batch of Holy Water from the Church for his own use."

"The Count," Little John repeated, raising an eyebrow. That was strange. "What would he need Holy Water for?"

"I have no idea." The Priest shook his head. Just as he was about to try persuading Little John further, a woman’s voice from nearby interrupted their conversation.

"Little John." A woman in the robes of the Earth and Life Church walked toward them, raising her hand in greeting.

Seeing her, Little John raised his hand in greeting. "Didn’t expect to see you here, Sofia."

The young woman, who had a round face and red hair coiled in braids at the back of her head, came to their side. The hand she had raised moved naturally to cover her mouth as she let out a yawn. "Yeah, fancy seeing you here. Did you come to pray?"

"No, I’m here to..." Little John hesitated. Then, noticing the Priest’s reverent posture, he realized Sofia must have some standing within the Earth and Life Church. "I’m here to purchase some Holy Water."

"Holy Water?" Sofia glanced between the two men, and her expression suggested she understood the situation. "You can just talk to the attendant inside for that."

"I need a pretty large quantity. You know I work for an Alchemy Workshop," Little John said with a shrug. "Adventuring is just a side gig. I’m primarily a Medicine Gatherer in the forest."

"Is that so?" Sofia said, sizing up the "Medicine Gatherer" before her. He was dressed in studded Leather Armor, wore Arm Guards and greaves made of Fine Steel, and the Great Sword on his back looked lethally sharp.

"You don’t look much like a Medicine Gatherer," Sofia said with a small smile.

"So, can you help me buy a full barrel of Holy Water?" Little John asked, smiling back at her. Neither of them paid any mind to the Priest, who was slowly shuffling backward, trying to slip away.

"I can, but I have a favor to ask of you in return," Sofia said with a nod, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Find me a batch of goblins."