The surrender hangs in the fog. Then the remaining goblins turn sharply toward the covered fire pit, where a muffled scraping answers from beneath the flat stones.
The goblins recoil despite their disarmed state. Their unconscious captain lies near the crates, unable to confirm or deny their frightened gestures, while the fog hides movement beyond the firelight.
Aqua
What is beneath those stones? Do not tell me this was merely a camp of enemy scouts.
Darkness
The captain's warning was directed toward the fire pit. Something else may be approaching from below.
Megumin
A hidden foe beneath the battlefield... at last, a worthy target for my ultimate spell.
Another scrape drags across stone, slower and heavier. The covered pit shudders beneath its ash-coated lid, and a thin crack opens between the slabs.
The Goblin Scout
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the hidden presence contained beneath the camp
“I inspect the cracked stones while keeping my bow ready.”
SUCCESS (Superb Perception, rolled +1)
Kazuma steps toward the cracked fire pit with his bow raised, keeping the fog between himself and the surrendering goblins. Ash swirls around his boots.
Kazuma Sato
The stones are shifting from below, not from the wind.
He crouches beside the pit and studies the opening without touching it. Beneath the slabs, a narrow iron-bound hatch is visible, its edges scratched from within.
Aqua
Kazuma, report! Is it a monster, a trap, or something even more terrible?
A second inspection reveals a crude chain running from the hatch toward the captain's supply crates. The chain is slack, and a brass key lies beside the ashes.
Darkness
So the goblins concealed a sealed passage beneath their camp. We should secure it before whatever lies below emerges.
Megumin
A hidden chamber beneath an enemy camp is an excellent stage for my ultimate spell. Kazuma, declare whether it deserves destruction.
“I make the surrendered goblins explain the chain”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Kazuma Sato
Explain the chain. Tell us what the hatch contains and why it is hidden beneath your camp.
Kazuma keeps his bow trained across the surrendered goblins while the fog curls around the fire pit. Darkness stands between them and the hatch.
The Surrendered Goblin
It leads to an old burial chamber beneath the road. The captain ordered us to guard it, but we were forbidden to open the hatch.
The Surrendered Goblin
The chain holds the hatch shut from above. The brass key releases it, but something inside scratches whenever the stones grow warm.
The goblin points toward the supply crates with both empty hands. Another surrendered scout nods rapidly, eyes fixed on the cracked stones.
The Surrendered Goblin
We heard voices below three nights ago. Not goblin voices. The captain said the chamber belonged to an older power, and ordered us never to investigate.
Aqua
An older power beneath the road? Kazuma, that sounds exactly like the sort of dreadful thing that requires divine intervention.
“I reinforce the hatch and chain immediately”
FAILURE (Mediocre Strength, rolled -1)
Kazuma moves immediately, pressing the loose stones back over the hatch and reaching toward the chain’s line beneath the supply crates. The chain is not in his possession, and its far end disappears under the stacked cargo.
Kazuma Sato
The chain cannot be secured from this side without moving the crates.
He bears down on the nearest slab, but the cracked stone shifts instead of settling. The hatch jerks below it, widening the gap and throwing ash across his boots.
Aqua
Kazuma! You have made the seal worse! Divine intervention is clearly required!
A low scrape travels through the iron, followed by a dull knock from beneath. The slack chain rattles under the crates, beyond immediate reach.
Darkness
The hatch is no longer stable. We must keep everyone away from it before the chamber opens further.
Megumin
Then the seal has declared itself unworthy of preservation. Grant me one decisive spell, and I shall bury the entire entrance.
“I order everyone away from the hatch”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Kazuma Sato
Everyone away from the hatch. Move back and keep clear of the fire pit.
Kazuma's order cuts through the fog. Aqua, Darkness, and Megumin immediately retreat from the cracked stones, while the surrendered goblins shuffle farther toward the road.
Aqua
At last, a sensible command! I shall remain at a perfectly safe distance while observing this ominous seal.
Darkness
Understood. I will guard the others from here and prevent anyone from approaching the hatch.
Darkness plants herself between the party and the fire pit, shield raised. Aqua gathers her robes beside the wagons, and Megumin backs away with her staff held ready.
Megumin
Very well. I shall await your declaration that the entrance is suitably exposed for destruction.
The surrendered goblins obey as well, abandoning the crates and pressing together beyond the campfire's reach. The hatch remains unattended beneath its loose stones, its iron frame faintly rattling in the fog.
“I order the goblins to reinforce the seal”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Kazuma Sato
Reinforce the seal. Move the stones back into place and brace the hatch with whatever you can find.
The surrendered goblins exchange frightened looks, then hurry toward the fire pit. They gather flat stones from the roadside and drag the abandoned crates into position.
The Surrendered Goblin
Yes, road-walker. We will seal it again. No one wants the old power beneath us to wake.
Under Darkness's guarded supervision, the goblins stack stones over the iron-bound hatch and wedge timber beneath the crates. The rattling gradually weakens.
Darkness
The seal is holding. Keep your hands clear while I secure the final brace.
Darkness lowers her shield against the outer stones, pinning the brace firmly in place. The hatch settles beneath the weight, and the fog carries no further scraping from below.
Megumin
A disappointing lack of explosion, but a sealed ancient chamber may yet await a more magnificent occasion.
Quest Complete
Keep the hidden presence contained beneath the camp
Skill Upgrade: Elemental Magic Good→Great