After the important lessons were over, Mil gathered the team around four in the afternoon, ready to depart...
He didn't bring many people: one Pope Knight, two Paladins, and one Exorcist who also served as the Tribunal clerk.
There was also Judicial Officer Paul, who served as an investigator.
The improved elven sub-species horses were one of this world's unique features; their speed wasn't particularly exaggerated, about 60 kilometers per hour, similar to racehorses from his previous life.
What was exaggerated, however, was their endurance; they could maintain this speed and run for an entire day.
Watching Lilith skillfully mount the horse and pull the reins, Mil was a bit surprised:
"I didn't expect the pampered young lady of a Duke's family to know how to ride a horse?"
"Hmm, I know a little, but my skill certainly can't compare to Princess Diana, whom you constantly think about..."
Lilith's gaze held a hint of sharpness amidst its charm, and her tone carried a sense of revenge.
The few people around them also cast surprised glances, and Mil suddenly felt like he had daggers in his back, as if he had instantly become a scoundrel.
"Don't talk nonsense... If you're ready, let's go."
Half an hour later, the group arrived at Lainier Village. Though called a village, it was actually already a town.
It was quite large, estimated to have nearly five hundred households, with wheat fields, orchards, and pastures. The village was crescent-shaped, arranged along the edge of a clear blue lake.
The creaking of the windmill blended with the noisy squawking of geese returning to their nests, and in the distance, the bronze bell in the church spire swayed gently in the strong wind.
Mil and the others first went to the church. After stating their identities and purpose, the priest instructed someone to gather the villagers involved in the "Hero Goblin" incident.
Judicial Officer Paul, who was in charge of this investigation, had been chattering incessantly along the way...
How should the investigation be conducted? How should the interrogation begin? What details should be paid attention to?
He wasn't old, not even thirty, yet he had the demeanor of an old leader.
But Mil didn't want to bother with him...
The villagers gathered in front of the church, chattering and buzzing non-stop.
When most of the people had arrived, Mil patted Judicial Officer Paul, handed him a notebook, and instructed:
"You're responsible for taking notes."
"Ah?"
Before he could react, Mil stepped forward and waved his hand:
"Alright! Everyone, quiet down first. How many villagers have been abducted by Goblins recently?"
The local priest counted on his fingers, then recited:
"In the past two months... approximately 21 have gone missing."
"Hmm, all of them female?"
"Half and half. Ten females, eleven males."
"There were males too?"
"Yes... That Goblin often appears near the village, and it's extremely vengeful!"
Mil nodded, then looked at the Judicial Officer who was still in a daze behind him, frowning:
"What are you looking at me for? Write it down!"
Judicial Officer Paul turned to look at the others; the three accompanying Knights and one Exorcist showed no intention of engaging with him.
Left with no choice, he could only silently begin to write.
Mil continued to ask:
"Let's start from the beginning... Who was the first to go missing? Approximately when? When was the first sighting?"
"Missing persons have always occurred in the village, but the frequency wasn't high, perhaps two or three a year? It's only in the last one or two months that the frequency has started to increase."
"Then speak of the recent events."
"Two months ago, three girls suddenly went missing one after another within a week, which raised our alarm."
As he spoke, the priest's expression turned grim, and he sighed before continuing:
"There's a very capable Adventure Team in our village called Iron Lily. After discussing it, they thought it might be a Goblin nest nearby, so they began to investigate."
Paul, feeling a loss of face, stepped forward and tentatively said:
"Why don't I ask? I'm more professional when it comes to investigating the actual situation."
"Don't interrupt. What happened next? Keep talking."
Mil frowned and glared at him. The priest nodded and continued:
"As a result, they were ambushed by a large number of monsters and encountered that Hero-level Goblin! The swordsman in the team, Mr. Machilo, covered the retreat for the others, but unfortunately, he didn't make it out..."
Saying this, he shook his head regretfully. Mil occasionally looked at Paul's notes and nodded, saying:
"Was that the first encounter with that Goblin? When was the first sighting in the village?"
"The first sighting near the village was near the winery. At that time, that Goblin was targeting Mr. Machilo's daughter."
"Time?"
Mil's words were concise, and he emphasized it again. The priest pondered for a moment before saying:
"Uh... nine o'clock in the morning, a week after that! Fortunately, Ms. Isotta, the captain of Iron Lily, discovered it in time and drove it away, but that Goblin was too powerful, and Ms. Isotta was also injured..."
"Were there any other witnesses at that time?"
"After hearing the commotion, many villagers gathered around. Many people saw it then."
After listening, Mil looked at the villagers, raised his hand, and asked:
"Are there any witnesses to this incident here? Describe its appearance..."
Several villagers began to ramble. From their descriptions, that Goblin had nothing particularly special about it except that it was taller.
It was 1.3 meters tall, wielded a longsword, was entirely dark green, and had pale yellow vertical pupils.
After investigating the appearance, the priest added:
"After that, Ms. Isotta brought the rest of the Adventure Team into the village, but that Goblin held a grudge and began to frequently attack the members of the Adventure Team."
"What do you mean by bringing the others into the village? Aren't the others from this village?"
"Hmm... Only Ms. Isotta and Mr. Machilo live in this village."
Mil raised his eyes and glared:
"Next time, speak clearly. Organize the times of these 21 disappearances, the time Iron Lily investigated, and the times that Goblin appeared."
Saying this, he handed the notebook to the priest. After he finished writing the timeline, Mil quickly glanced over it...
In the first week, three girls went missing, and the Adventure Team began to investigate.
In the second week, two villagers, one male and one female, went missing.
In the third week, one male villager went missing. The Adventure Team discovered the Goblin nest's location and set out to conquer it. Mr. Machilo sacrificed himself.
In the fourth week, two males and one female went missing. The first in-village sighting occurred, and attacks began.
Within the following month, 12 more people went missing, followed by 18 attacks.
Moreover, this Goblin's actions were very secretive; every time it was sighted, it was because it actively attacked members of the Adventure Team.
However, when it abducted villagers, it was never discovered, meaning its success rate was one hundred percent.
Judicial Officer Paul stood by, wide-eyed. In the blink of an eye, all the questions had been asked. He adjusted his collar, stepped forward, and cleared his throat:
"Since everything has been said, I'll say a few words! The Church will organize forces as soon as possible to deal with this Goblin's nest..."
"Don't organize it. Once a Goblin nest is discovered, it will change locations."
Saying this, Mil handed the notebook to the local priest:
"Sign here, then write 'I have read the above notes, and they are consistent with what I said.' Then put your handprint. Has Ms. Isotta arrived?"
"The Iron Lily Adventure Team went to the Adventure Association in the Holy City today."
"Take me to Mr. Machilo's house."