Seeing that Martina was getting ready to face the trial, the emperor shouted loudly:

“Brave mortal! If you are challenging the third trial, tell me your choice of weapon!”

“What are you shouting so much? No one will ignore you, don’t worry.”

Zotrahn’gra looked at Martina’s back with diabolified. He quickly closed his eyes and told himself to keep calm.

In a strained voice he asked again:

“So what is your choice?”

“I guess I would take a tank then.”

“A… tank? Are you sure? Mind you, gifting it to the village doesn’t count as passing the trial!”

“Ok.”, sighed Martina in disappointment.

“Then I don’t need anything.”

The emperor’s eyebrow twitched slightly. Did this old lady think they were a charity? Although this trial was rather easy it still wasn’t to the point where they would just hand out wishes randomly.

“Are you sure, mortal? You can’t change your selection later!”

Everyone waited for Martina as her thoughts slowly moved.

“Oh never mind I have an idea. Give me a fireplace, a rocking chair, blanket, some yarn, and some needles.”

Zotrahn’gra stared at Martina for a second, but he couldn’t be bothered anymore with questioning their choices.

Once again, a message was sent, and a goblin arrived after a few minutes. With magical storage in hand Martina turned around, looking down at the goblin village.

“Hero! As soon as you touch the bubble, the third trial will begin!”

Tension spread in the bubble after Zotrahn’gra’s announcement. This would be the final trial. If they could pass it, the three grandmas could finally go home.

With some longing in their eyes Olivia and Dongmei encouraged Martina. The old German lady nodded solemnly. Taking a deep breath, she reached out with her hand.

Over the last few seconds no one but the high priest had paid any attention to Tarun’gra. The small goblin girl’s mood had turned worse and worse as she observed the arguing goblins.

Growing up perfectly secure the girl had never experienced the cruel society. It was hard for her to understand why people just couldn’t be friendly to each other.

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Thus, the goblin girl had been growing anxious. Her ears twitched as she listened to her dad. From the corner of her eyes, she observed Martina. Just as the old lady was about to touch the bubble, Tarun’gra’s hand also shot forward. With perfect timing the two women touched the bubble at the same time.

The high priest shook her head with a smile. The emperor’s eyes grew wide. Olivia and Dongmei were surprised as a golden light flashed and Martina vanished together with Tarun’gra.

Sinking into his throne, Zotrahn’gra held his head. Why was his daughter creating trouble for him? If the great god was adamant about the rules, his daughter would get punish. Naturally the emperor wouldn’t let this happen. He would take responsibility. A forlorn sigh left his mouth, lamenting as everything went wrong during this trial.

Martina, however, didn’t care about the emperor’s troubles. She kindly smiled at the goblin girl who had appeared next to her at the village gate:

“Tarun’gra? How come you are here?”

“I… it is my duty as princess to help this village!

How can I watch on as our subjects fight amongst themselves?”

“You’re a benevolent ruler.”, laughed Martina as she patted the girl’s head.

Naturally their sudden appearance startled the goblin village. Multiple eyes turned towards them, mustering them skeptically.

After a moment Oring’tra stepped forward, quickly followed by Nirau’nja.

The former just wanted to open his mouth when an annoying voice came from behind his back:

“You there! What are you doing in our village?”

Normally sudden intruders would be instantly apprehended, but everyone felt the burst oh holy energy just now. Someone capable of using such energy had to be important in some way, so the goblins were rather hesitant.

Satisfied with the resulting attention, Tarun’gra took a step forward before Martina could react.

“Proud warriors! I am Tarun’gra and this is Martina. She is a hero undergoing the famous Heroes Trial! Please, listen to what she has to say!”

Oring’tra and Nirau’nja looked at each other, noticing the sepsis in the other’s eyes. They had naturally heard about the Heroes Trial. But when they mustered the old human before them…

The two warriors didn’t dare to voice their doubts, but some other goblins among the crowd were whispering among themselves:

“This is a hero?”

“Which world has such weak heroes?”

“Isn’t she too old?”

“What species is this? I haven’t learned about them in school yet!”

“Humans? Aren’t they amongst the strongest races? Why is this one so weak?”

Fortunately, Martina didn’t hear their whispers. Although it would be questionable if those would even bother her.

They old woman smiled kindly as she prepared.

Under the confused eyes of the goblins a fireplace suddenly appeared in the middle of their village. A magical fire burned within it, spending warmth on this rather cold day. No one noticed how the dark energy had seemingly found its nemesis, not daring to near the fireplace.

Next, Martina sat down, covering herself with a blanket. Tarun’gra’s eyes lit up as she hopped onto the grandma’s lap, making herself comfortable.

Laughing silently the old lady took out yarn and needles, calmly beginning to knit.

The surrounding goblins watched the old lady. They didn’t understand what the hero tried to do. But they had to admit that the fireplace’s warmth seemed to embrace their souls. It felt strangely attractive. As if could burn away all their worries.

“All of you, why don’t you gather here? Let granny read you a story.”, offered Martina kindly.

Turning their heads left and right the goblins were hesitant. They still had to prepare for a big battle. Was it really right to take a rest now? But they also felt a strong urge to be part of this warm scenery.

Suddenly Oring’tra shrugged his shoulders. He took a few steps forward and sat down near the fireplace.

With someone setting an example the other goblins also dropped their doubts. Soon all the goblins sat around Martina, waiting in anticipation.