Heartwarming / Goblin Slayer

Per wiki policy, Spoilers Off applies here and all spoilers are unmarked. You Have Been Warned.

Goblin Slayer is about more than a broken man laying vengeance on the savage race that ruined his life. It's also about that man appreciating other parts of life, connecting with others, and recognizing the positive impact he's left on the world.

General

"Companions." He rolled the unfamiliar word around in his mouth. "...I suppose they are."

• While it's shown that Goblin Slayer is generally looked down upon by other adventurers, it's also made clear that it is just them; all of the Guild Clerks respect him, bards sing songs about him, and the commonfolk knows him by reputation alone. Goblins are a serious threat and he's admired far and wide as one of the few people actually doing something about them.
  • Even the skepticism no longer apply to the regulars at the Adventurers Guild, who have since discovered for themselves how much of a reliable person Goblin Slayer is.
  • In the same vein, Goblin Slayer getting a party of True Companions who respect and look up to him, especially considering the solitary man he was before meeting Priestess.
• The relationship between Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl is this in a nutshell - When she was only eight, she left to go visit her Uncle's farm only for her hometown to be raided by goblins later that same day. There were no survivors except her Childhood Friend who went missing, but considering what goblins are known for... Five years passed, with only a few bits and pieces she brought along serving as her only memories of home. But then, one day out of nowhere, Goblin Slayer shows up. Sure, he's got a few issues now, but it's clear they both mean the world to each other; he rents out her uncle's shed when he can easily afford better lodging and performs daily patrols, and she makes sure he'll always know that there's a home he can return to and a warm meal waiting for him there.
  • The prequel portrays the moment Cow Girl approached Goblin Slayer for the first time since their falling out. When Goblin Slayer confirms that he indeed recognizes her, Cow Girl cries in utter joy. Her uncle, while cautious, is similarly elated to hear the news, knowing how much the boy means to her.
  • Another point worth mentioning: When Cow Girl asked GS to wait there for her to run to her uncle to ask for permission, he actually stood there until she returns, even as he recounts and organizes his first hunt in his mind.
  • After Cow Girl apologizes to Goblin Slayer (for the fight they had as kids, though he has no idea why), she happily lets him rest on her lap.
• Despite how much of a loner and one-track minded Goblin Slayer is, he is very compassionate about his party members and all those he befriends and it's moreso just difficult for him to express that. The series itself sometimes focuses on him growing out of his shell and learning to be more open with people.
  • Priestess wants this for him more than anyone else and tries to help him out with that from time to time
• The fact that Goblin Slayer has saved many lives and protected the happiness and innocence of many more, just by doing his relentless goblin slaying and protecting villages...and yet, he never receives any of their gratitude, and many of the people he saves will never know what kind of danger they were in, or the horrors they were spared from. And he's fine with that. While people who know so little about him will just assume that he's crazy for being so obsessed with goblins, they have no idea what kind of difference he makes. However, the fact that there are bards making songs about him and the fact that he's known as the frontier's kindest shows that he is actually extremely popular among the common folk.
  • For example, the Guts-expy swordsman is revealed to come from a village that was saved by Goblin Slayer, and the Chosen Hero, a happy and kind-hearted girl who goes on to slay the Demon Lord, came from a village that was fated to become a Doomed Hometown via goblin attack—until Goblin Slayer saved it and wiped out the local goblin threat. She'll never know that he spared her from the same fate that he himself suffered from, and he'll probably never know it, either—but it demonstrates that, as broken and damaged of a person as he is, Goblin Slayer has really made a difference and turned his tragedy into a positive change for the world, through enormous effort, determination, and bravery.

Main Story

Volume 1

• At the start of the second anime episode, Goblin Slayer re-iterates that he and Priestess are never to enter a goblin nest unless there is no other way to kill the goblins. The preferred method is smoking them out (or trapping them inside and burning/suffocating them to death). Now recall that we are introduced to Goblin Slayer inside a goblin nest. Why did he do that? Because there were recent captives and rookie adventurers inside.
  • This also leads to some Fridge Heartwarming: Why was Goblin Slayer even there in the first place if someone else had already taken the job? Guild Girl must have told him about the party.
• In the manga when Goblin Slayer burns the old elven fortress goblins use as their hideout, we get a scene with the villagers seeing smoke from the fire and rejoicing that their goblin terror has ended. This shows that while Goblin Slayer's methods are brutal and merciless enough to cause Priestess to doubt why she got that miracle from her goddess, it shows that what Goblin Slayer does is necessary and the right thing to do.
  • Made more poignant by the scene showing a small child asking her mother what the smoke means, and the mother replying that they "are safe now."
• Seeing Goblin Slayer succinctly and repeatedly refuse to accept a mission to save the world because goblins are not involved is hilarious. However, he then goes on to say something that solidifies his position as an ultimately good person:
  Goblin Slayer: But before the world ends, goblins will put an end to many more villages.
• Priestess runs to Goblin Slayer to show off her new Obsidian Tag and thank him. He tries deflecting her gratitude, but she follows through anyway by expressing her appreciation for everything he's done for her, including the day when they first met. He doesn't say anything in response, but her words clearly left an impact.
  • In Volume 6, Priestess casually mentions that Goblin Slayer would probably excuse himself this time around from participating in a meal celebrating her latest rank promotion. A seemingly innocuous line, until one connects the dots and realize that Goblin Slayer invited Priestess to eat together to commemorate her new Obsidian rank in a completely off-screen moment.
• When Goblin Slayer makes his formal request, Spearman asks about the reward. What is it worth to Goblin Slayer for help fighting a horde of goblins? The answer is everything. This is Not Hyperbole, as Goblin Slayer explains this is everything within his discretion: "My equipment, my assets, my knowledge, my time." He would be willing to kill himself after the horde was destroyed, if that wouldn't make Cow Girl sad, and he promised the girl's uncle that he wouldn't make Cow Girl sad, so that is the only thing not within his discretion.
  • Spearman turns down such a reward and says "a strong drink" is enough. Then, being Spearman, he boasts about what an incredible deal it is to have the Frontier's Strongest at such a low price.
• Spearman and Guild Girl being the two forces that get the adventure guild helping out to fight the horde. Without Guild Girl assigning a generous bounty, not many would have come. Without Spearman forcing Goblin Slayer to ask properly, i.e. a quest, Guild Girl would have never been able to do that.
• Once Guild Girl has successfully mobilized all available adventurers to help Goblin Slayer on the raid, his previously skeptical colleagues actually begin to give reasons about why they're joining. Perhaps what stands out is the background chatter:
  I'd feel weird not hearing him go "any goblins?" every day.
  Yeah! He's sort of an institution at our guild.
  I remember all the trouble goblins gave me when I was starting out.
  We can't just let them do whatever they want.
  I became an adventurer the same day he did. I guess that's fate for you.
  I've always been curious how he fights - he got all the way to silver rank this way.
  We ain't comrades, and we ain't friends - but we're all adventurers!
  • It goes to show that while most of the Adventurers Guild treat Goblin Slayer like an outcast for being being a goblin-obsessed weirdo, it's pretty clear he is their goblin-obsessed weirdo, and they feel the Adventurers Guild wouldn't be the same without him.
• The aftermath of the Raid on the Farm has Goblin Slayer and Priestess sitting quietly by the sidelines as everyone else parties. She asks him why he walked straight up to the Adventurers Guild and begged everyone for help, rather than just post a quest. Goblin Slayer responds that it's because no one came to the rescue when his village needed it, and that he was just lucky this time. This causes Priestess to assert that she will always be there for him. And after just what they've been through, so will the rest of the adventurers in town.
• Goblin Slayer giving Priestess his gold coin for defeating the Goblin Lord, noting that she was essential to his victory. Priestess timidly asks for another reward...could she see him without his helmet. Goblin Slayer takes all of a moment to consider this before taking it off. While the audience doesn't get to see, whatever Priestess and the other adventurers saw have them complimenting him on his fine looks.
  • As Goblin Slayer is being pulled into the crowd who wants to take a look at his face, he recalls Priestess' words. He gives a hopeful smile.
  • Moreso if you prescribe to the idea that GS wears his armor all the time as a form of PTSD and he still takes it off.
• The next day, Chosen Hero and her party come strolling in for a festival and remark on how goblins are a problem in the area, but they are a problem well in hand because a local expert slays them. Then there is a Call-Back to the third episode, when Goblin Slayer angered High Elf Archer by saying that her world-saving quest was not more important than goblin slaying.
  Chosen Hero: Wouldn't it be terrible for the town to be completely destroyed just after we saved the world?

Volume 2

• Chapter 17 has the Rhea Scout who cheated his party out of their share in a promotional exam overseen by Guild Girl. Lots of heartwarming stuff happens here.
  • Rhea Scout is demoted and barred from taking quests in the town again. It's implied, however, that his companions (including the Monk supporting a family) are going to be promoted.
  • Goblin Slayer, in full and complete sentences, agrees with Guild Girl's reasoning that adventurers who cheat their party out of loot don't deserve to be adventurers. This is another demonstration of Goblin Slayer's core of morality, outside of his ruthless hunting methods.
  • Rhea Scout is so furious that he has an Imagine Spot of attacking Guild Girl, and he gets his face smashed in during said Imagine Spot by Goblin Slayer before he can get close enough. If this happened in reality, it would be the first time that Goblin Slayer struck someone who wasn't a goblin or a goblin's master. This is, in fact, why Guild Girl asked him to observe the meeting. His presence makes her feel safe.
• High Elf Archer, listening in on a group of adventurers mocking Goblin Slayer among themselves, deliberately makes her presence known and cuddles right against him to shut them up.
• After being slammed into a stone pillar by a Goblin Champion,Goblin Slayer drags himself back to his feet after hearing his party members fighting for their dear lives. Surveying the chaos, a single image comes to his mind, that of his dear sister. He's already lost a loved one once, like hell is he gonna let another be taken away from him. This sets the stage for one of the most badass moments in the series thus far.
• The conclusion of the party's first battle with Water Town's Goblin Champion has High Elf Archer rush to Goblin Slayer's side to prevent him from collapsing. After exchanging concerns for each other, he asks to see the badly-wounded Priestess, whose eyes flutter open upon his approach. Weak from pain and blood loss, she feebly lifts her hand and apologizes for her state. The battered warrior doesn't care about that. He gently takes Priestess's hand with his own and soothes her with reassuring words. Only then does he succumb to his injuries.
• Seeing everyone acting like their usual selves after the harrowing events preceding Chapter 24 comes as a great relief. Even Goblin Slayer, guilt-ridden over having his teammates deal with the ramifications of his failures, seems appreciative of the sight.
  • The chapter ends with Priestess lifting GS' hand up and laughing. It's an endearingly sweet gesture, compounded by how she still retains the capacity to be so happy.
• Goblin Slayer and Priestess are persuaded to take a day off while the rest of the party investigates the catacombs. What follows is an incredibly Ship Tease-y walk about town with many heart-to-heart moments between the two, culminating with Priestess unabashedly reaffirming that, no matter the risks, she wants to follow him wherever he goes.
  • Ice cream. Goblin Slayer and Priestess stop by an ice cream vendor, purchase some, and Goblin Slayer asks the vendor how the ice cream is made. Not because he plans to kill goblins with this knowledge (though he probably will eventually) but just because he was curious.
• Lizard Priest makes a casual comment about comrades after lightly teasing Goblin Slayer, getting tripped up by Priestess' scolding and all. GS is astonished - he never once considered before that his partners see him as a friend.
• The talk between a broken man and a broken woman. Sword Maiden, a former prisoner of goblins, is haunted by nightmares of them every night with no one to confide in, and those she does dismiss her fears because she's a Gold-ranked adventurer. Sensing a kindred spirit in Goblin Slayer, she desperately reaches out to him throughout much of the light novel. Sadly, he responds like he always does: Professional, distant. Cold. Goblin Slayer rebuffs her, stating that he doesn't understand her at all. and these words send her spiraling down in despair. But then...
  Goblin Slayer: But.
  She looked up in surprise at the single echoing word.
  Goblin Slayer: If goblins appear again, summon me. I will kill them for you.
  Sword Maiden: Even...even in my...my dreams?
  Goblin Slayer: Yes.
  Sword Maiden: You...will...You will come?
  Goblin Slayer: Yes.
  Sword Maiden: Why?
  Goblin Slayer: Because I am Goblin Slayer.
  • The thing is, it works: The next novel contains an interlude about Sword Maiden - she's been sleeping soundly ever since, and her aide comments on her improved health and mood.
  • It should be noted that while Goblin Slayer acts cold toward Sword Maiden, it's because he knows that he can't be a Knight in Shining Armor to save her from her own fears. He doesn't sugar-coat anything. He understands why she feels terror toward goblins, even if he doesn't precisely comprehend those feelings - after all, his response to goblins is cold hatred. He knows he cannot be what she wants... so he promises that he will do the one thing he is good at, and slay goblins for her if she ever needs it. And that's enough to allow Sword Maiden to rest easy and grow beyond her own deep-seated terror.
• And at the end of the adventure what does Goblin Slayer, a man noted for his thorough obsession who previously only talked about, thought of, or made preparations to kill goblins do? Think about the next nest to look for? Repair his equipment so that he can continue killing goblins? No, he just wants to make some ice cream. Slowly but surely, taking a bit of interest in other things, he decides he wants to try making ice cream, then the rest of the crew join in and for the first time, the party feels like a normal group of friends. A rather sweet end for their dark adventure.

Volume 3

• A small moment, but in Chapter 30 Goblin Slayer returns from a quest to relay his findings to Guild Girl. High Elf Archer drunkenly snaps at him to forget about his report and greet his friends already, to which he responds, in typical GS fashion, that he doesn't see a point since they already know he's here. Meanwhile, the "friends" part goes by unquestioned.
• After sitting on her feelings for five years, Guild Girl finally musters up the courage to ask her crush out to see the Harvest Festival together. She can barely stammer the words out, but she manages; Goblin Slayer accepts. The look on Guild Girl's face is nothing short of pure delight, and the rest of the table (Spearman notwithstanding) congratulates her on a job well done.
• At the end of Female Knight's conversation with Goblin Slayer, she apologizes for inconveniencing him for advice. He states that he doesn't mind since colleagues are supposed to help each other. Although Female Knight is taken aback by these words, she responds by warmly complimenting him, rendering the grimy warrior speechless.
  • Extra level of heartwarming when you remember that prior to the raid on Cowgirl's farm, Female Knight was among the Silver-Ranked adventurers who looked down on Goblin Slayer. It's a nice bit of Character Development that she, and all of the other adventurers in the Guild by extension, have come to respect and appreciate Goblin Slayer as both a Silver Rank adventurer and a person.
• Chapter 32 touches upon how far Goblin Slayer's interactions have come along since the beginning of the series.
  • Sword Maiden's interlude is adapted: The once-melancholic archbishop positively beams at the prospect of writing Goblin Slayer a letter.
  • Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest want to contribute to the town's Autumn Festival, so they offer to make floating lamps for the main event. The two choose to sit with a lone Goblin Slayer as they work just to give him some company.
  • The discussion between the three adventurers turn the subject towards the floating lanterns' purpose as guides for the deceased. Lizard Priest admits that this belief comes off as odd due to his culture. However, he empathizes because people everywhere share a universal need to grieve for lost loved ones.
  • Shortly after, the group is approached by High Elf Archer and a gaggle of novice adventurers, who all join in and help the guys out with their project. Considering that many of them had given Goblin Slayer a wide berth in the past, it is nice to now see these kids comfortably gather around the grungy knight like he's one of them.
• Chapter 34 shows that Female Knight has indeed followed through with Goblin Slayer's advice and successfully roped Heavy Swordsman into a rowboat date. Guild Girl just smiles at them in acknowledgement, and even Goblin Slayer nods in approval.
• Chapter 36 has a couple of back to back heartwarming moments.
  • First up, when Goblin Slayer realizes a goblin attack is imminent, he immediately heads out (with various townsfolk wishing him luck), only for his adventuring party to be waiting at the town gate, ready to join him in the city's defense. Goblin Slayer states in his own blunt way that he appreciates their help, only for Priestess to brush it off.
    Priestess: Don't mention it. We're your friends, aren't we?
    Goblin Slayer: I see . . . . . So you are.
  • Secondly, Lizard Shaman asks if they should attempt to recruit more adventurers for help. Goblin Slayer firmly says no, that they will be enough. What makes this heartwarming is that you see Goblin Slayer flashing to all of the other adventurers having a good time at the festival, and you realize why he doesn't want to ask them for help. These colleagues are having their own day off, relaxing and enjoying themselves, and he doesn't want anything to interrupt their good time. He's looking out for his fellow adventurers, whether they realize it or not.
• Cow Girl said that Goblin Slayer is best represented by the Osmanthus flower, though he can't bring himself to agree after researching its meaning. As he sets out on the road to slay goblins once more, Cow Girl reaffirms that it is a fitting assessment:
  Cow Girl: Virtue. Humility. True Love. First Love. I think it suits you perfectly.

Volume 4

• When Rookie Warrior loses his sword to giant rats and cockroaches in the sewers, not only do his pleas for aid not go unheard, both Goblin Slayer and Witch, silver-ranked adventurers, take the time to share their expertise (and a quite effective, if simple magic item in Witch's case), with Spearman not helping only because he simply didn't have a weapon that the low-level Rookie Warrior could borrow and actually use.
  • Additionally, after the duo get Rookie Warrior's sword back, they go celebrate it, and are joined not only by their fellow beginners, but by Spearman, Witch, Heavy Warrior, and Female Knight, with Spearman even leading the toast, treating it as the major triumph it was for the two beginners.

Volume 5

• In the aftermath of a goblin raid intervened by the party, Goblin Slayer watches a young girl and her older sister tearfully embrace each other, only breaking his gaze away when he notices Priestess beaming at him. When he asks her why she's smiling, she says that she just can't help but think that Goblin Slayer looked genuinely happy at seeing the two siblings reunite.
  • While the raid was underway, the child explained to the team that she'd been told by her sister to stay hidden, no doubt eliciting bad memories from a clearly haunted Goblin Slayer. The survival of these sisters means a lot more to him than he is willing to admit.
• Priestess' behavior towards the Noble Fencer to help her. She's the one who gives the deciding vote to have her come along since she had been where she had, the only survivor of a rookie party, and knew that she wouldn't be able to find salvation otherwise. She keeps her warm and stays close while they're in a cage, doesn't blame her when she ends up getting her cut, and so on.
• When Noble Fencer breaks down later on at the sight of the Goblin Paladin using her stolen sword, Goblin Slayer tries to comfort her the way he knows best - by promising to kill all the Goblins and reclaim the sword for her.
  Goblin Slayer: So please...do not cry.
• Noble Fencer blames herself later when he gets caught in the avalanche that kills the Goblin Paladin, thinking he'd died trying to keep that promise. But not only does he soon show up alive and well, he digs around in the snow and pulls out her scabbard (which had been swept away in the avalanche with the Paladin's body) before sheathing the retrieved sword and giving it back to her. Awkward and emotionally stunted he might be, but when he makes a promise, you better believe he'll keep it.
• Priestess and Goblin Slayer interacting during the New Year's Festival. The latter half of the exchange is unabashedly adorable, but it closes the volume with this hell of a crowner:
  Goblin Slayer: ...Oh, that's right. There's something I meant to say.
  Priestess: What's that?
  Goblin Slayer smiled, just slightly.
  Goblin Slayer: I look forward to another year of adventuring with you.
  

Volume 6

• At the beginning when Goblin Slayer is meeting with his party at the Guild, its mentioned that spring has arrived and with it a new batch of adventurers. While many chuckle at his moniker due to their low opinions of goblins, some look at him with quiet admiration. The light novel outright says these men and women were either children whose villages were saved by GB or have heard the bard's songs about him.
• The party comforting Priestess after she's passed over for promotion to the 8th rank and being upset, especially since the story began with her in a good mood for starting her second year of adventuring.
• This bit at the end of the volume, though only Wizard Boy and Rhea Fighter were fortunate enough to witness it:
  The softest muffled sound of laughter.
  It creaked a bit, like an old door that hadn't been opened in years.
  But Goblin Slayer was laughing.
  He was actually laughing out loud.
• As Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl watches Wizard Boy and Rhea Fighter walk away in the distance, Cow Girl notices that Goblin Slayer is actually happy. Goblin Slayer had seen himself in Wizard Boy, both losing their sister to goblins, and, filled with nothing but hatred, wanting to exterminate all goblin-kind. Goblin Slayer was overjoyed that Wizard Boy will not end up like him, because unlike Goblin Slayer, Wizard Boy was able to accept what had happened, move on with his life and fulfill his dream of becoming a proper adventurer.
  Cow Girl: Something good happen?
  Goblin Slayer: ...Yes.

Volume 7

• High Elf Archer firming stating her intention to stay with her adventuring party to her domineering, about-to-be-Queen elder sister. The sincere, poetic fondness in her words makes it clear that, whether it be platonic or romantic, she really does love Goblin Slayer, and wants to take part in the adventure of his life.
  “Maybe his life will last another fifty years, sixty, seventy. I don’t know. It might end tomorrow.” In the moonlight, her smile made her seem so young as to appear cherubic, innocent. “So why not stay with him? I have the time to spare.”

Volume 8

• Priestess is doubting herself after their adventure, comparing herself to her more experienced companions and wishing she was stronger as she tends to do. But then Guild Girl shows up and tells her that the Princess has decided to become a cleric of the Earth Mother, trying to take after Priestess. The thought of being someone else's hero leaves Priestess very emotional indeed.

Volume 9

• Early on, while waiting to escort Cow Girl on a delivery, Goblin Slayer briefly considers asking his friends to help before deciding that it's neither important nor dangerous enough a task to warrant such a request. The heartwarming part comes from the fact that this time he calls them his friends in his head without any hesitation; previous volumes had him graduate slowly from calling them companions, to letting the others call him their friend, and then to hesitantly allowing himself to call them his friends, and now he's finally embraced their friendship wholeheartedly. It shows how far their bond has come.
• Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric are in a bit of a bind, having been given a handout by the Supreme God to go north where they have no experience. With Goblin Slayer out with Cow Girl on her delivery, Priestess, High Elf Archer, Dwarf Shaman, and Lizard Priest all join in to help them out.
• Though the odds are already against him, Goblin Slayer goes to a lot of trouble to rescue the two captive women from the goblins' midst, and gives them breath rings to keep them safe in a well while he fights.
• Goblin Slayer is almost emotional when his friends arrive to save him from the ogre in the nick of time with a Holy Light miracle, having to fight to keep his voice even as they briefly trade notes before resuming the fight. He also compliments Priestess on her cloth sled, calling it a good idea and eliciting a smile "so bright it rivalled her miracle of a moment ago."

Volume 10

• Priestess is in the grips of another self-loathing fit as she observes several adventuring groups mobilize to defend her temple after the partial uncovering of the conspiracy against it. Sister Grape pinches her out of it and, when quietly asked how she can maintain such a cheerful outlook, tells Priestess that idle gossip only has the effect they allow it to have, and that their goddess loves them no matter what and commands them to cherish and defend all life in turn. Priestess departs with renewed conviction.

Volume 13

• The young aspiring adventuress whose story the volume follows. Though she's ostracized by the village she lives in, she's treated kindly by the various members and affiliates of the Adventurer's Guild she meets, who all take her desire to be an adventurer seriously and offer their sincere and heartfelt advice. One can't help but cheer for her as she makes her way along.
  • Though it's absolutely terrifying when she accidentally stumbles upon a secret area filled with goblins and other strong encounters, the little girl does everything she can to move forward in spite of not knowing how much danger she's actually in, successfully utilizing Goblin Slayer's spilled bag of tricks even though she has no idea what most of them do. When she excitedly recounts the events to Goblin Slayer, the man doesn't burst her bubble with the truth. After all, in his eyes she's undergone a real adventure, and who is he to take that from her?

Volume 14

• This volume showcases the growth that Goblin Slayer has undergone.
  • He journeys up north not for goblins but because his curiosity was piqued by the songs and stories of the area from long ago. Sure, it somehow ends up involving goblins in the end anyway like most of their usual adventures, but a large portion of the volume sees him off the clock, sightseeing in the viking town. Cow Girl can tell he enjoyed himself when he returns, especially because this time he actually tries to talk about his experiences as best as he can in spite of his Terse Talker tendencies.
  • When passing through the dwarf ruins in the mountains on their way to the north, Goblin Slayer unexpectedly seizes a large, beautiful dwarven greatsword that is way outside the norm for his usual choice of equipment. Moreover, he takes it with him out of the tunnels even as they're running from goblins, and is caught looking at it, admiring it several times during their stay. Dwarf Shaman eventually suggests that he get a sheath made for it, which he does before going home and offering it to Cow Girl as a decoration. Cow Girl, sensing his unusual attachment to it, suggests he use it to decorate his own shed, and smiles when she watches him sneaking a peak at it every now and then. Goblin Slayer is keeping this sword not because he wants to use it, but because he finds it really cool and can't help himself, with Cow Girl mentally comparing it to a similar reaction he had to a toy sword when they were younger.
  • It's clear in this volume that Goblin Slayer's been thinking about what an adventurer is, and has come to his own understanding of the subject. When the party is challenged to prove that they can be trusted to participate in the coming goblin hunt, Goblin Slayer elects Priestess to represent them in the board game. Not because he think she'll win, but because he believes her the better "adventurer". He's vindicated when she wins over everyone's hearts, not by winning but by enjoying herself and pulling everyone else into the fun.
  • At the end, after having routed the goblins and helped defeat the monster in the deep in spectacular fashion, Goblin Slayer requests that the people of the north, who have until this point seen adventurers as rogues or thieves, "treat adventurers as adventurers". Goblin Slayer may not think himself an adventurer, but it's clear he now has some grasp on adventure's romance, and wants to see it grow. At long last, he's developed a dream beyond goblin hunting.

Year One

Volume 1

• Goblin Slayer and Priestess's (actual) first meeting. Goblin Slayer had been brought to the Earth Mother temple after dealing with a goblin raid on a town injured. Seeing him hurt gave her the necessary desire to cast her first Miracle instinctively.
  • And the one who dragged Goblin Slayer to the temple? It was Spearman, who found him laying on the edge of town unconscious.
  • There's more. The reason GS was on the edge of town? After a short chat with a young girl from the town he helped, GS replied that he's going home.
  • That little girl, by the way? The Hero. By stopping the goblins from attacking the town, Goblin Slayer had inadvertently saved the world.
• In a cute moment between Heavy Warrior and Female Knight, when she goofs and puts on her gauntlets before tying her hair up for her helm, he does it for her, causing her to blush.

Volume 2

• After recently losing Half-Elf Shaman to the Rock Eater, Young Warrior went into a depressive funk. However, he soon bumps into a young Martial Artist and her party about to head off on their first quest. He accompanies them as Martial Artist closely resembles Half-Elf Shaman enough to bring out his protective instincts. Thanks to his experience and leadership, no one dies while battling the goblin horde and escaping the warlock. After the encounter, Young Warrior feels he has redeemed himself with successfully protecting people he cares for and decides to join Martial Artist's party on more adventures with renewed spirit.
• Before she crosses the boundaries of the world, Arc Mage turns to Goblin Slayer and thanks him deeply for helping her on the final step of her journey, tells him he has the same spark inside him that has driven her to ascend, becomes the first person to express belief that he will succeed in his goal to rid the world of goblins, and caresses his cheek tenderly with a smile and a whispered "See you."
  • As he collects his reward after escorting Arc Mage like mentioned above, Goblin Slayer does a monologue about him not understanding the full detail of Arc Mage's dream, but still acknowledging her sacrifices in doing so, and is certain that she will succeed in achieving it. He does not just wish his travelling companion a good luck; He is certain that she will make it. Remember, this is the character who barely cares about anything that is not related to goblin extermination.

Volume 3

• Shortly before Capital Inspector comes by, Guild Girl has ended up in a genuinely cheerful mood, something noticed by Inspector, who's used to her being a Stepford Smiler. It turns out the reason is because of the presence of Goblin Slayer, who has been a massive help to her in regards to both the goblin dilemma and the resulting frequent newbie deaths their quests cause, which both makes her feel rather emotionally relieved and signifies her developing a fledgling of her future crush on him. Of course the arrival of Capital Inspector completely sours the mood, but it was nice while it lasted.
• While it's always been obvious how much Goblin Slayer cared for his dead sister, the fact he was either dead-focused on goblin-slaying or interacting with other characters about present situations meant he didn't get to show exactly how much he loved her. Chapter 50 rectifies that by providing contrived circumstances that force him to be alone with his thoughts away from goblin-slaying, and when mulling over his preparations for improving his goblin-slaying effectiveness, he ends up repeatedly thinking back to life with his sister, from when they played together to when they experienced disagreements about things. While they all end on sour moments denoting how she's gone now, the moments themselves quite clearly show how happy and full of fun life was when they were still together.
• Once More, with Clarity on the Heavy Swordsman's village. His best friend who retired from the adventuring life was living in that village, and Heavy Swordsman was raddled with stress over which job to take and looking after his party members at the same time. When he heard about the potential goblin attack, he was more than willing to forego rest and any other jobs, just to go down there and help out his friend. He was too late, because Goblin Slayer returned and told him to his face that he had already killed the goblins. HS doesn't get a word in, because Female Knight takes the opportunity to drag him back to bed. Since his friend was safe, he had nothing to be concerned about.

Other

Brand New Day Spinoff

• Goblin Slayer, sitting on a bench with Priestess, is noticeably snippy when the Rookie Duo attempts to ask him for advice. He tells them to make it quick, and it's apparent why when the scene pans down onto Priestess' sleeping face.
• Chapter 10 sees GS arrive from a goblin hunting quest he just completed and along the way he encounters characters both from Brand New Day and the main series. In contrast with how he was viewed at the beginning of the series, they're all friendly with him and treat him as a fellow comrade if not a friend outright.
  • While Goblin Slayer is waiting to make his report, the Rookie Duo (who were introduced badmouthing him) come over to make sure he's taking care of himself. When GS notices that Rookie Warrior he's held onto the club as his weapon of choice, the armored warrior compliments him on his idea of adding a strap as not to lose it. While walking away the two of them look elated at the praise he's given them.
  • After making his report, Guild Girl gives him a basket of corn: a gift from a village he had saved from a goblin raid in a previous chapter. He proceeds to share his bounty with a couple of characters including Apprentice Smith, Padfoot Waitress, and Lizard Priest on his way home.
    • The fact that the Spearwoman who Goblin Slayer rescues in Chapter 4 was not broken by her week of endless rape, but instead stands up once more and courageously continues her life; as an adventurer still, no less.
  • Heavy Warrior, three sheets to the wind, bellowing across the hall and telling Goblin Slayer to join them in celebrating their latest success. Female Knight, who's as drunk as he is, complains about inviting GS over... and then tells her compatriots to make room for him. Keep in mind the very first scene involving them consisted of complaining how Goblin Slayer was made a Silver Rank for hunting exclusively goblins.
  • When he encounters his party on the way home, High Elf gives him the task of escorting Priestess to the temple which he does with no complaint. ^note In fact she's the one who protests not wanting to inconvenience him. Their trip together ends with Priestess telling Goblin Slayer to make sure he tells them, and her specifically, when he has another job so they can join and support him.
  • Why did Goblin Slayer need the reward for his latest quest? It's to give to Cow Girl, whose birthday is that day. It's clear from their interactions that he could've taken her shopping since he didn't know what to get her, and she thanks him nonetheless in appreciation knowing he was doing his best.
  • The last line of the spin-off is Cow Girl welcoming him home.
    Goblin Slayer: I'm home.

Anime

• The anime has a moment in Episode 2 that's a breath of fresh air after the first episode. When we hear a Porcelain-ranked party has taken on a goblin-slaying quest we fear for their safety after the horror of what happened to the Rookie Team in the first episode, but as Goblin Slayer is monologuing about how he's become a goblin to the goblins while out on a quest of his own, the door of the Guild swings open and we see the party who went on the quest, tired and bruised up but alive and successful.
• For those who read Year One, one of the faces shown among the adventurers that join the farm raid protection quest in Episode 11 can be recognized as Newbie Swordsman. While his fate after Year One is never stated, the fact one adventurer in both the novel and manga adaptions always states they joined at the same time as Goblin Slayer during the scene could imply it is Newbie Swordsman who says the line in all continuities. Why it's heartwarming is considering what happened with Newbie Swordsman in Year One, the mere fact he's continued to be an adventurer despite that is one in itself.
• In episode 7, a subtle yet beautiful heartwarming moment can be seen in one of the most nightmarish scenes of the whole series. Right after having a chunk of her arm bitten off, Priestess, in pain and tears, with her eyes devoid of life, is at the mercy of the Goblin Champion. All hope of overturning the situation seems lost. But just then, past the Champion's shoulder, Priestess sees a pair of feet slowly dragging themselves towards them. Instantly, life returns to her eyes as she knows he is coming to her aid. Goblin Slayer is not only a force to terrorize goblins but also a beacon of hope for those trapped in the direst of situations.

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