"...Of course, I’m sure you didn’t," Ron said. "We were just sniffing around and happened to stumble upon it."

"Excellent," Quest nodded, relieved. "You all should get going—Lavinia is waiting for you at the foot of the hill. She was even kind enough to give me an Agility Potion just now."

"But I still don’t understand why you’re doing all this," Sera said, her mind struggling to keep up. "You could have just sided with us directly—"

"My dear Sera, you’d be better off not thinking about it," Quest said with a cunning smile. "For a Barbarian, you’re using that brain of yours far too much."

"I happen to be the Chieftain of the Ocher Tribe..."

"Alright, alright. Let me ask you a question: what’s the best way to take down a hulking beast with a tough hide?"

Sera answered without a moment’s hesitation. "If it were Olaf, he’d find a way to get into its stomach and cut it open from the inside. As for me, I usually get underneath it. The belly is the weak spot for most creatures."

"So, you understand now?"

"Understand what?" Sera asked, confused. "I don’t even know why you asked that question!"

"Good," Quest said with a satisfied smile. "Now, you should all get going. I still need to dispose of these bodies in case Ming Datiss comes back to check my work—that would not be good."

Although Ron didn’t understand what Quest hoped to accomplish by going to such lengths to embed himself with Ming Datiss, having a man on the inside was clearly a good thing for him.

He now suspected that Quest’s previous mission likely hadn’t ended the way he’d claimed.

Regardless, after looting the bandits’ camp and meeting Lavinia at the foot of the hill, all of their objectives for this mission had been met.

"Are you planning on going back?" Down below the highlands, Ron saw Lavinia in her tattered clothes. The Half-Elf had clearly been through a lot these past few days.

"Lavinia!" Buni threw herself at her the moment she saw her, unabashedly wiping snot and tears all over Lavinia.

"I am. And Buni, get off me," Lavinia sighed, finally managing to push Buni away with considerable effort. "All my things are in town. I need to go pack up."

"Besides, look at my clothes! They’re all torn. I have to change into something clean—damn these bandits!"

"Do they have any idea this outfit alone was worth ten Gold Coins!?"

"They weren’t just after the ransom," Ron chuckled. "Well then, we’ll see you back to town—"

"Don’t!" Lavinia cut him off. "Just wait for me for a bit. I’m going to leave with you all—I’m thoroughly disappointed in Victor!"

"I’m the only Alchemist in town, and he wouldn’t even pay a hundred Gold Coins! It would be a disgrace for me to stay here any longer. I’m moving!"

"You’re planning to go to Delusional Land?" Buni was stunned for a moment. "Then I’m going too!"

"When I was over there, I saw that they’re almost finished! There should be rooms for us, too."

"You?" Lavinia glanced at her friend. "What would you do there? The town can’t be without a Priest—though I suppose I used to think they couldn’t be without an Alchemist, either."

"I’m not the only Priest. Someone will take my place," Buni giggled. "Besides, the heroes exploring Delusional Land are more deserving of Lady Luck’s favor, aren’t they?"

"I think you just want to tag along," Lavinia said, giving Buni a helpless look before turning to Ron. "She said your place is already starting to take shape. Is that true?"

"It’s a little rough. As you know, our only craftsmen are goblins." Ron had no reason to hide it; Lavinia would see for herself when she got there anyway.

"Hmm... I do know a few people in that line of work, but I’m only ’acquainted’ with them. I can’t get them to work for free."

"I think we have a sponsor who can probably cover the expense."

Ron was, of course, referring to Klade. The earth goblin had a sizable amount of savings, and with nothing to spend it on, it was just sitting there collecting dust.

He probably wouldn’t refuse to hire a group of people to improve the conditions at the outpost. They could even renovate the area around the cemetery while they were at it.

"Got it. I’ll go talk to them, then."

Ron saw Lavinia to the edge of town. There, he saw that some of the refugees who had scattered during the earlier raid had begun to gather again. The drought still hadn’t let up, and to survive, they had no choice but to live at the mercy of others.

"You’re from the Pioneer Corps!" a refugee exclaimed, recognizing them instantly as they waited for Lavinia outside the town. "Why have you come back?"

"Picking someone up." An idea sparked in Ron’s mind. ’Since the town of Fromm isn’t willing to take them in, why not try to recruit them?’

Delusional Land was vast. So vast that it was home to numerous native species, so vast that it contained all sorts of different terrains and ecosystems, so vast that the Goblin Hunters were still nowhere near finished exploring it.

Delusional Land had become a new home for the goblins; perhaps it was also large enough to become a Sanctuary for these people.

"Our outpost over there is mostly built, but we need more people to handle daily needs," Ron said, sizing up the refugees. "However, it seems you all came here to seek shelter with Mayor Viktor, so perhaps I should just—"

"No, no, no, don’t leave us behind!" the refugee said quickly. He was young and dressed like a farmer. "The mayor here is willing to cover our food, but he has no intention of taking us in!"

"We’re living hand-to-mouth here, with our very lives in someone else’s hands, just like during the chaos the other night. We’ve had enough of this life."

"Please tell me, noble sir, is the land in Delusional Land fertile? Is there plenty of water? Would we be so honored as to return with you and live a self-sufficient life there once more?"

The young farmer’s words resonated with the other refugees, who crowded around, looking at Ron with hopeful eyes.

"We have all of those things," Ron nodded with a smile. "But I must also mention what you didn’t ask about: for example, a group of goblins who will be your neighbors for the foreseeable future."

Delaford threw back his hood, proudly showing off his features to the crowd and sending them stumbling backward in fright.

One goblin was bad enough, but a whole group?

"I’ll go with you!" the young farmer said, steadying his nerves, his gaze firm. "As long as you can guarantee the goblins won’t use us as emergency rations, I’ll even pay a protection fee!"

"Everyone!" he shouted, turning to the other refugees who had come from three different villages. "We’re living outside this town with danger lurking around every corner. How is that any different from being carried off by goblins? Why not take a gamble? It can’t get any worse!"