I informed my two schools that I will not need more lessons and spend an orichalcum coin to by potions and several elixirs that I may need to complete my quest. That was a lot of money, but I still had several orichalcum coins, and it was better to spend money on stuff that will help me to stay alive.

  Three days later I was sitting in a cart protecting merchants. Job was boring, and until now nothing happened. I was riding in the front, holding my bow ready, but did not notice anything else. My thoughts drifted and I thought about the reincarnated goblin.

  I tried to put myself in goblins place. What I knew about him? I killed half of village goblins in their sleep and became a leader of the rest. Why? Because, I needed to become stronger and needed more power to enslave them. And I was not strong enough to kill them in a fair fight, so kill them while they are defenseless, to avoid any risk. So I gained their life force, increased my level, stats, got skills. Then I was strong enough to enslave them. Then using my new band I enslaved nearby villages, growing stronger and increasing my armies.

  But goblins had their own kingdom, with powerful mages and armies, and band of bandits, even thousands strong was no match for them. He probably killed hundreds to increase his level. And since with every level he needed more and more to kill, the goblin emperor did not look kindly on that. Only choice - run away.

  Goblins were known to raid this continent. Ashgrin was human kingdom located in the middle area of the continent, with no exit to oceans, but to its east were uninhabited lands. Dangerous lands filled with monsters and unforeseen dangers, but goblins used those lands to launch surprise attacks. Ashgrin was among weakest kingdoms on the continent. Perfect target for someone like reincarnated goblin. So he runs away from his native lands, uses goblins that were here before to find safe passage to Ashgrin and attacks borderland town. He kills every living creature on his way to get his army, himself or both stronger. Until now that would make sense, in a cruel way that had complete disregard for human life. But maybe goblins were raised that way, and he was born as one.

  I noticed that my thinking and behavior changed. Many times I acted like a girl, not like reincarnated man in girl's body. Maybe his way of thinking was influenced as well.

  That would make his action predictable. We will have advantage, since apparently his surprise attack failed. Question why. Only explanation that I could think of, he was betrayed. Probably goblin king or emperor or whatever found out about his plans and decided to warn us. That way he made sure that he will not be blamed for this attack, and also would get rid of a possible threat in the future, and also avenges killed goblins, if he cared enough about that.

  So what would I do next? Attack Grimsburg, and kill every one there to get more life force? Probably. Surround the town to prevent anyone from leaving and getting reinforcements and then attack. No, not right away. First I would become stronger, just in case. So my next moves were clear to me.

  I yawned and tried to concentrate on the road. In isekai novels I would definitely be attacked by monsters or bandits. But in real life, such attacks were rear, or merchants would be close to extinction. But that was no reason to drop my guard, so I try to concentrate on surroundings. But we got lucky and our journey came to an end without incidents. I brought my signed job completion form to Adventurers guild and received eight silver coins. Lousy pay, but at least I did not need to pay for transportation and food was included. I posted a quest, as a part of my plan to stop reincarnated goblin, and proceeded with second part of my plan.

  While I walked to my next destination I looked around. Town did not change. Same buildings, same people. There were new receptionists, but same guild master. Streets were familiar to me and I easily found Mage guild. It was second place on my list to visit.

  I expected to see Sally, my familiar receptionist in Mages guild, but there was different young girl sitting in her place.

  - Welcome adventurer, - she immediately recognized my profession, or just guessed: - How my I help you? Did you came here to learn some spells? Then you came to right place.

  - Yes. I wish to learn Primordial magic spells. Just three low level ones.

  - In order to learn them you need Primordial magic skill, and only our guild master can teach you those spells.

  - I know. I have the skill. Is Mesmer available?

  - Oh, you know our guild master. As a fellow elf?

  - No. Just tell him that my name is Avone. He should remember me, - at least I hoped that he will.

  - Very well, - she looked doubtful, but left the room, to talk to guild master. She returned soon and opened the door to higher floors.

  - Please follow me. Guild master will see you.That was good. At least he remembered me. Girl took me to third floor and knocked at the door decorated with gold runes and stylized magic circles. After receiving a confirmation she opened the door and let me inside.

  - Thank you Lily. Please wait for lady Avone outside.

  - Yes, guild master, - she bowed and closed the door behind her.

  - Lady Avone, please sit down.

  Mage guild master Mesmer was a high elf. In the past every time we met, I felt an urge to bow to him, but this time I felt like meeting an equal.

  - I see you have evolved into high elf. You must have worked hard.

  - Like you know I spend a lot of time hunting inside the dungeon.

  - Yes. I remember. Lily informed me that you wish to learn Primordial magic spells and that you managed to acquire Primordial magic skill?

  - Yes. But before that I need to talk to you.

  - Ou? About what?

  - The things that I am about to tell you must be kept quit. Even you are not supposed to know about them, - I took out from under my skirt my adventurer tag and placed it above my clothe.

  - Something that important, - he slightly smiled.

  - Yes. An army of thousands barbarians is approaching Ashgrin. Their first target will be Grimsburg.

  Mesmer's face became serious.

  - How do you know that?

  - You will probably be informed about that soon enough, by king's official representative. My job is different. It has to do with their leader. That is why I came here first, and need your assistance.

  - What is so important about him?

  - He does not want gold or slaves, or land. He wants power. Can you defeat high ranking magician, who is also a master swordsman?

  - Spellsword?

  - Or just someone with high rank and rear, balanced skills to use both magic and sword.

  - That would be difficult.

  - Yes. And he came here to grow stronger. When he takes the town, he will kill every person in here to get their life force. He has done it before, in his own kingdom, and now is coming to make himself even more powerful. That is all that he cares about. Once he kills everyone here, he probably will be as powerful as A rank adventurer, or stronger.

  - I see. That indeed sounds bad. So why are you here?

  - Two reasons. First can you teach me spells that will protect me from magic? That will block my opponents magic resistance skills. And spell that will make artifacts temporary useless. And two more questions. Can you use Time stasis spell? And can you use teleportation spell?

  - I can teach you those spells. Yes I now Time stasis spell. And no, I cannot use Teleport spell.

  - Then you will need to learn it. You will have a month to do that. But before that I need you to teach me three spells that I mentioned. We will have five days for that.

  Mesmer shook his head.

  - That is impossible. Primordial magic is an ancient form of magic. Instead of using the spell circles it uses mana to achieve desired results, without the assistance of spell circles. Mastering that will take you month in the least. Only then can you start learning spells. We do not have enough time.

  I looked around the room. Most people used magic lanterns, but Mesmer was old fashion, and room had candles in it. I pointed my finger at one of the candles and lighted it up. Then I used it on two more candles.

  - How did you?.. It was not a Fire magic. And did you use spell circles at all? Is it Nature, no. Life magic?

  - I learned it in Magic academy during my forth year. Some kind of special courses.

  - I see. Impressive. What spells can you use?

  - I can start bonfire. Create water. Also Holy word and Exorcism spell.

  - That should be enough. Maybe you can learn those spells after all. But you mentioned two things.

  - What is Nelly doing these days?

  - She was quite impressed by your example. She wants to get stronger and along with her companions hunts in the dungeon, often.

  - What level is she?

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  - Level twenty nine.

  - That is even higher that I expected. Could you tell at what level her job would change?

  - At level forty.

  - That is a shame. No matter. I would like your permission for her to accompany me. Once we are finished.

  - You wish to fight the barbarians?

  - No. I need to prevent their leader from getting stronger. Before he attacks Grimsburg.

  - I do not understand, - frowned Mesmer.

  I sighed.

  - That is easy. Warlord or barbarian general, if you prefer to call him that, is careful person. He will not attack, before he gets all possible advantages that he can get. And there is a great place to get much stronger. Especially for someone like him.

  - Dungeon?

  - Yes. I am here now to clear it.

  - I see. But two of you will not be enough. May I ask your level?

  - No. It is irrelevant. And I do not intend to do it just by myself. I already posted a quest in Adventurer guild. Let us hope that someone will accept it. Worst case, we go alone, but then we might not be able to get back in time.

  - You seem quite sure that you can reach dungeon's last floor.

  I sighed. I needed his help. So I will need to take the risk. I bitted my nails.

  - Remember. That our conversation must stay secret.

  - I understand. I swear on my ancestors that I will keep everything you say between us.

  - Good. Have you heard rumors that Cemetery dungeon and Gornagog dungeons are no more.

  - Yes, I have. But... I see, - Mesmer closed his eyes: - Why would you?

  - I needed to break the level thirty cup, and it was most efficient way to do that. But it is not important. What is. Will you help me?

  Mesmer nodded: - I will put my trust in my fellow elf. Is there anything else?

  - Yes. Once I am ready, we will need all stamina and anti-sleep potions that you can get for me and Nelly. And also our possible party members.

  - I can help you with that.

  - Thank you. To keep it quiet, please tell Lily that you agreed to teach me. I will cover the payment, to make sure that everyone believes us. And do not forget to learn Teleport spell, once we are done.

  - Fine. I would ask you why, but it seems that explanation will follow later. Once I completely believe you?

  - Yes. If everything else fails that spell and you will be our only chance to survive.

  - Survive, not win?

  I will need to be more careful around him. Elf had good ear for words.

  - Make sure Nelly is rested and ready in six days please.

  Mesmer smiled: - Very well. Lily! - he called the receptionist and she opened the door: - I have agreed to teach my fellow elf three spells. It will cost her ninety gold coins. Please prepare everything. An inform everyone that I will be busy. Make sure no one disturbs me, unless it is an emergency.

  - As you wish guild master. Please follow me lady adventurer.

  - My name is Avone, - I smiled at her and she nodded.

  - I see. Then please come with me lady Avone.

  I followed her downstairs and after paying ninety gold coins she took me to second floor. The room that we entered was round, with no windows. All that was inside were several big candlesticks with candles. Mesmer was already waiting for me.

  - First, - started Mesmer: - Primordial magic does not requires magic circles. In order to use it you need to use your mana directly. Using Primordial magic without Intelligence skill is incredibly difficult. But since you have it, it will be easier for you. Also you will need to use your imagination and cast spells in ancient language that dragons originally used. That language is also called primordial language. I do not speak it, but some of the spells were passed down through generations. There is no need to say spells out loud, you can just cast them in your mind. Since we are short in time, we will have to work without taking breaks, or at least as less as possible. I also prepared for you two anti-sleep potions. Now let us begin with our lessons.

  * * *

  Mesmer guild master from Mage guild was using Clear view spell to watch a knight squadron entering Grimsburg. After he received warning about possible invasion, he used the spell to scout the area around the town. He noticed knights and now was watching them through the magical window.

  Knight leader was familiar to him. Former adventurer Trevor. When they first met, Trevor was just a rookie adventurer, but now, ten years later, he returned as royal knight lieutenant. He was wearing custom made armor, but the yellow rose emblem on knights flag meant that he was granted the rank of paladin. In Ashgrin, royal knight had ranks: apprentice knight, knight, paladin, holy knight and holy paladin. Paladins were equal to C rank adventurers, and were only granted such rank after defeating many monsters and performing deeds that proved their bravery and sword skills. And since Trevor was just a commoner, he must have done something that even nobles could not deny, and worked twice as hard to achieve the rank of Paladin.

  Mesmer heard that he was called Trevor the brave, and was slowly becoming one of the famous knights of Ashgrin. After he first met Grimsburg dungeon adventurer's party, he followed their carrier, mostly interested in fellow elf Avone, but after one of the party members died, and party was disbanded, he received no news about Avone from Adventurer guild. The rest of party members were slowly growing stronger and becoming famous, but Avone disappeared from his view, only to resurface as a B rank adventurer who managed to conquer two dungeons and now was hired to stop dangerous individual who threatened Ashgrin kingdom.

  Mesmer thought about her past and role in the coming battle, when guilds receptionist knocked at his door. She brought him letter, inviting him to the town lord's palace.

  Mesmer already expected this invitation and was not surprised. He nodded and told Lily that he will need to leave the guild for a while, to visit town lord. He took his staff and went to the palace. Unlike most important people, Mesmer did not have guards. As master magician he could use warrior bodyguards, but he saw no need for them. Not while he was inside town. And not when he probably was most powerful person inside it. By adventurer standards he would be rank A, and not many people in the kingdom were as powerful as he was.

  Guards immediately opened castle gates, and one of servants took him to the town lord's meeting room. Current town lord was a duke. His name was Frederick and he inherited duke title and town lord position from his father. Frederick was competent leader, who participated in several battles, and proved to be brave and competent leader.

  Mesmer entered the room and looked around. All people inside were familiar to him. Town lord, two of his advisors, Adventurer guild master, general in charge of town forces and royal knight Trevor.

  - Master Mesmer. Thank you for coming so fast. Please apologize me for sudden request, but time was short and matters were important.

  - No need to apologize lord Frederick. I am sure that you summoned me, because you had important reasons and town's best interests at heart.

  - Yes, of course. Let me introduce to you lieutenant Trevor from royal knights. He is the reason why I asked for your presence.

  - We are acquainted. Welcome back to Grimsburg, lieutenant Trevor.

  - Thank you, - Trevor coughed: - Like duke Frederick told you my name is Trevor. I am lieutenant and member of king's royal knights. We received an urgent and troublesome messaged, passed down to us from Holy Griffin Empire. Message was from goblin emperor. According to him a rogue warlord and a bandit, responsible for killing countless of goblin kingdom's citizens, escaped emperor's justice, by coming to our continent. He is leading an army of thousands barbarians. And there is a possibility that he will attack Grimsburg.

  Two advisers whispered among themselves and Adventurers guild master scratched his cheek.

  - How reliable are those news? - asked general. He was human, former adventurer who changed his profession after severe injury.

  - King is taking this news seriously. But Grimsburg could be just one of possible targets. I and a squadron of knights were sent here to reinforce your soldiers, but since we do not have definite proof that they will attack Grimsburg, king could not send more men, because we need to send reinforcements to other towns as well.

  - That is wise, - said Frederick: - Let us hope that we can protect Grimsburg ourselves. At least long enough for reinforcements to come here.

  - As a former citizen of Grimsburg, I swear to protect the town and all its citizens, - stood up Trevor.

  - We will definitely count on you, - chuckled Fiord: - If they will attack. When will it be?

  - In a month. Could be less, could me more, but we still have some time.

  - May I suggest then to post a quest at the Adventurers guild, for scouting the lands around Grimsburg, - Fiord, Adventurers guild master looked at Frederick: - Adventurers are more skilled scouts, than your soldiers and know lands around Grimsburg better than anyone else.

  Adventurers unlike soldiers had no obligations to fight other kingdom armies. Their job was fighting monsters and dungeon exploration. Unlike ordinary citizens and soldiers they could refuse to fight kingdom's enemies and leave the town. The only way to convince them to work was money. Mages were similar, but they had obligation to protect the town, both from monsters and invading armies.

  - Please do that, - agreed Frederick: - Also we will need adventurers to fight, if goblins will arrive to attack Grimsburg. Of course I will pay them, - sighed Frederick. Hiring adventurers was always costly: - But I will count on your help to convince them to fight alongside us.

  - Most adventurers in Grimsburg have families and live here. I do not think that they will refuse. You can count on me and my adventurers lord Frederick.

  - Good.

  - My mages and me are at your disposal, - bowed Mesmer.

  - Thank you master Mesmer. We will need your help.

  - May I ask you some questions? - Mesmer turned towards Trevor.

  - Of course. What would you like to know?

  - Do we know anything about the army's leader?

  - Not much. All I was told was that he is from an ordinary background. But he became leader of his tribe, and started conquering neighboring tribes to create an army. Conquered tribes had a choice - join him or die. During his raids, he does not leave any survivors. And I mean no survivors. He apparently enjoys killing people. That includes men, women, children and elderly.

  - I see. It could be that he is a cruel men, like you said. Or perhaps he wants to level up, by getting their life force.

  - I did not think about that, - Trevor looked ashamed.

  - Do not worry. Not the usual way to level up, after all. But I think that we should keep such possibility in mind. Powerful high ranking mages or warriors are hard to kill and could change the outcome of a battle. We should prevent the possibility of such individual from getting too strong. Don't you agree? - Mesmer turned to Frederick.

  - Of course. Do you have some suggestions?

  - Yes, - nodded Mesmer: - The easiest way to increase someone's level around Grimsburg is hunting in the dungeon. Any individual capable of conquering the dungeon could potentially become unstoppable, because of high level and artifacts that could be found in the dungeon. Town has limited usefulness for it. My I suggest conquering the dungeon and removing its dungeon core, to prevent this warlord from using it to commit evil deeds. Guild master Fiord. Is there any possibility to conquer he dungeon, using your adventurers?

  Fiord coughed: - Usually I am not supposed to talk about it. But there was a request from capitol adventurer. This adventurer was searching for companions. Adventurer's goal was conquering the dungeon. Adventurers who accepted the quest, are supposed to meet this evening. I did not think that they could succeed, but I agree. Dungeon could me potential danger for us. What do you think about that lord Frederick?

  - If you both agree, then I will too. Possible dungeon monster stampede, is always a potential problem for the town, and it is not worth any profits that we get from monster stones.

  - Then we are agreed, - said Mesmer: - From our side I will send our archmage to aid those adventurers. Lieutenant Trevor, may I ask a favor of you?

  - What kind?

  - Will you not consider joining these adventurers? If your goal was to protect Grimsburg, then limiting danger for the town, by destroying the dungeon, could be of great help. And I am afraid that if conquering the dungeon would have been so easy it would have been done long ago. Help from such a hero as you could mean the difference between success or failure.

  - I think that it is a good idea, - agreed Frederick: - Besides it will give you an opportunity to grow stronger. Fiord can you arrange everything?

  - I will arrange the meeting and make introductions. I will also recommend lieutenant Trevor for the job. If you are fine with that?

  Everybody in the room turned to Trevor. He felt that there was something wrong with that request, but opinions of such important and wise people overwhelmed him.

  - Yes. I also agree.- Wonderful, - said smiling Frederick: - General Evan prepare our troops. Guild master Fiord I will leave reconnaissance to you. Master Mesmer you know best how to use your mages in case of an attack. And sir Trevor, we leave the dungeon in your capable hands.

  - Yes, lord, - everyone bowed to Frederick.

  Mesmer looked in the window. On his lips was a slight smile.