第７８掘：被害は拡大する
### Chapter 78: The Damage Spreads
**Damage Spreads**
**Side: Steve | Race: Goblin Army Leader**
This is the worst.
I really don’t want to get involved with the Boss’s wives.
Well, only one of them, specifically.
The other wives are harmless. Deryu-ane-san is a bit... *eccentric*, but still within the margin of error.
But Seraria-ane-san? I refuse.
What was it the Boss called it? "Passenger refusal"? Yeah, count me out!!
"Steve, don't get hurt, okay!!"
Our little princess of the monsters, standing by the Boss’s feet, cheers me on.
That gives me a little bit of motivation.
"Steve, don't you dare hold back."
Ah, motivation gone.
She has impeccable timing, doesn't she, Seraria-ane-san?
"With Aslin leading the way, and even Viria and Hiiro here today, you can't afford to look pathetic, can you?"
She’s a demon!!
The Boss was forced to fight under similar conditions just a while ago!!
Using the children as a shield—that’s beneath any human!!
Hey, Boss!!
I shoot a look at the Boss that says, *Tell your wife to show some restraint!*
All I get back is him pressing his palms together in a prayer gesture...
Ugh, I have no allies!!
Ah, why did it come to this...?
Thinking that, I stare at my reflection in the longsword I’m holding—the one with the blade dulled for training.
Right, it started after the Boss defeated the adventurers.
At the time, our A-Team was guarding the area around the Adventurer’s Guild, and I happened to be inside the guild to confirm the situation.
"Hm? Why is a goblin in a place like this?"
One of the adventurers called out to me.
"A monster... but why isn't it attacking?"
"Look, it’s that thing, right? The explanation that monsters outside the dungeon district are under control."
"Oh, come to think of it, it is wearing an armband that says 'Security'."
That’s right, so please move along already.
I can’t even enjoy my grape juice in peace.
Oh, by the way, we monsters working for the city’s security and military get paid, technically.
Apparently, it’s to show the townspeople that we aren't dangerous.
We’ve been actively patrolling the city, schools, and training grounds, shopping at local stores, and getting along with the residents.
I mean, today was supposed to be my day off.
You guys showing up ruined my day off!!
I finally felt like I was going to win at *Doubt* with the cards for once...
Thanks to the Boss, we’re actually quite intelligent; we’ve learned to read, write, calculate, and even play games.
The wives don't even do that, so it feels like we’re actually more trusted than them.
I was lost in thought like that, but they wouldn't leave.
"Hey, this goblin says it's security, but is it actually strong?"
"What are you talking about, you idiot? It’s a goblin. You know the guild’s subjugation ranks, right?"
"Well, it’s Rank 2 for beginners, but would they really entrust security to something like that? These guys are being managed by that Seraria-sama’s husband, you know?"
"Now that you mention it, that’s true..."
Don't stare at me like that!!
I’m not interested in men!!
"Even a Lord or Knight-class goblin is only Rank 3 or 4, right?"
"Ah, if it’s around 4, maybe it’s fine for security?"
"Maybe, but look at its gear—I’ve never seen that before. And it’s not particularly big like a Lord or Knight."
"True, it’s just a regular goblin wearing high-quality clothes and equipment. Wild ones only wear loincloths and carry simple weapons."
Hey! Don't lump me in with those wild exhibitionists out there!!
Do you have any idea the pain I felt when the dungeon was first created and I saw my own kin acting like exhibitionists outside?!
I don't want to be associated with those perverts who don't bathe and smell like a dumpster!!
Our unit wiped those exhibitionists out.
Completely. To the last man.
If you’re having trouble imagining it, just think of it this way: imagine an acquaintance in a big city walking toward you in nothing but their underwear, reeking of filth, and waving at you!!
"Is something the matter?"
"Seraria-sama!?"
"Oh, no. It’s just, a monster—a goblin—was walking inside the guild, so I was a bit surprised. Is it really okay for a monster to be in security?"
"Hm? As the armband says, they are security. Didn't you hear the explanation?"
"No, I heard it, but I was just surprised that the security was a goblin."
"Ah, I suppose that is understandable."
"So, if I may be so bold, we were just discussing whether it’s actually suitable for security..."
"I see~"
Ah, I have a bad feeling about this.
When Seraria-ane-san’s eyes narrow, it’s dangerous!!
She looks like a muscle-head, but she actually thinks things through.
Mostly in ways that aren't needed.
I tried to slip away quietly, but...
*Grab.*
My collar was snatched, and I was dragged toward Seraria-ane-san.
"Steve, where do you think you're going?"
"Gob, gob... (N-no, I’m security, I have to go check the other areas...)"
"Oh my, people are saying they’re uneasy because you’re the security, aren't they? We have to address that first, don't we?"
With a beautiful smile, I was forcibly taken away by Seraria-ane-san.
And the result is this.
"Now then, this is Steve, the goblin representative of our city’s security. Some adventurers just voiced concerns about whether a goblin is truly capable. That is a fair point. Therefore, I want you adventurers to fight Steve here and experience his strength for yourselves. Naturally, if you can kill him, you are free to do so."
Hey!!
"And since there’s no benefit for you all, if you manage to defeat Steve, I’ll give you one platinum coin."
" " "Oooooohhh!!!" " "
*Gyaaaaah!* She’s saying all sorts of outrageous things!!
Unlike the Boss, she’s actually aiming for the kill!!
I want to scream about human rights—no, monster rights!!
I’m a living being too!!
"Steve, do your best, just like Brother!!"
"I don't think he can do his best like Brother, though..."
"Sister, you shouldn't say that."
*Ugh*, the Boss gets all the favoritism.
"Now, who would like to try fighting him?"
As Seraria-ane-san says that, I mutter under my breath.
"Gob...? (What about killing the opponent?)"
"No."
"Gob!? (That’s cruel!?)"
While we were doing that, the adventurer from earlier stepped forward.
"One platinum coin. Well, I don't want to say I was lured by that, but it’s true that I’m interested in that goblin’s strength. I’ll be his opponent."
*Ugh*, can I run away now?
"Ho ho ho. This looks like an interesting development. Seraria-sama, may I observe?"
"Yes, please do."
My escape route is gone!?
If I run away now, I’ll get a pay cut!!
You demon!! You witch!! Your chest is so mediocre, anyway!! Pick a side, flat or big!!
"...Pay cut."
"Gobyu!? Gobu—!! (Did she hear me!? That’s tyranny!!)"
"Then just win. It should be easy, right?"
There’s no turning back now!!
I’ll just have to beat him to a pulp!!
Come to think of it, this guy is the cause of all this; it’s his fault for picking a fight!!
"Then... both parties... begin!!"
Seraria-ane-san gives the signal.
"GOBUUUU!! (Go to heaven!!)"
"Hii!?"
In the end, I went too far, and the medical expenses were deducted from my salary.
...That’s just too much.
Yes, that was the story of Steve.
In a way, Seraria’s goal was to show the adventurers what happens when you bite the hand that guards you.
Though, more than half of it was just for her own amusement...
I offer a moment of silence for Steve’s wallet.