# Chapter 52: 52
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—Aah…
Radis suppressed a sigh.
The best thing would be to let those crazy bastards die, just like the rest of the squad said.
They are an investigation team sent by the imperial family. If they die, the responsibility will fall on our... no, it will fall on Robert's shoulders.
If that happened, the imperial family might try to remove Robert's seal even after he went to the capital just to obtain it.
It would be as if you received it for a brief moment, only to have it taken away right away. It would be an unbearable humiliation for Robert.
I can't let that happen.
Radis opened his lips.
—Divide into three groups and move immediately. The exploration group will follow the investigation team's tracks as quickly as possible, and the other two groups in the squad will advance with caution against any monster attacks. Our objective is not to hunt, but to find the investigation team. Move forward quickly and avoid close combat.
Before leaving, Robert had left him a few words.
—I trust you, Dee.
Robert said that while placing a hand on her shoulder.
—You are the only person I can trust. I leave the squad in your hands. AND…
-…?
—There is something I want to tell you.
—Please speak, Captain.
—No… when I return. I'll tell you when I get back.
I was curious about what he was going to tell her, but it wasn't something I thought about much.
Robert had given him full authority and responsibility over the squad.
Radis adjusted his helmet and sheathed his sword.
Captain. I don't know if I can do it, but I'll do my best.
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—Miss Radis?
When Allen called her, Radis snapped out of her reverie.
-Yeah?
—As I thought, it's still out of stock. I think it's best to stop here for today.
-I'm not tired...
Radis was disappointed, but soon changed her mind.
—Okay, let's continue next time.
More than his body, it was his mind that was tangled in a complicated knot.
In that case, it would be better to move your body instead of sitting still.
Radis smiled.
When Allen saw her, he also smiled back, not knowing why she had such a bright expression.
───── •????️• ─────
Ooooong.
The familiar resonance shook his heart, and a hot energy spread throughout his body.
Radis kicked a large wooden barrel closer with his foot and then kicked it sharply towards the wooden fence.
Baang!
That fence, which was barely waist-high and did not seem to have a clear purpose, broke under the wooden barrel.
Behind her, small monsters with crude weapons began to emerge.
—You miserable rascals.
With a cheap iron sword in hand, one he had borrowed from Marquis Russell's arsenal, Radis imbued his weapon with energy.
The mana ignited and enveloped the rusty and dull iron sword.
When he swung it twice, five goblins screamed loudly and retreated.
Goblins were low-ranking monsters, but they were so greedy and cruel that the villagers near the forest feared them.
Other low-ranking monsters feared fire, so they could be scared away by lighting torches around the village. However, the goblins, who knew how to use tools, did not fear him.
Aside from that, the villagers feared them more than bandits since they often stole human weapons.
This place also looked like a booth that had been attacked like that.
A salty smell hung in the air as he saw an arrow approaching.
The goblins even knew how to use poison.
Most of them crudely applied poisonous herbs that could be found in Monsterwood to their weapons. Although the poison was not deadly, it would be unwise to be hit by a poisoned weapon during close combat.
Radis swung his sword and shot down two more arrows. He ran forward and jumped.
Then, his sword quickly pierced the chest of the monster that shot poisonous arrows from the branch of a low tree.
Valiz