[Hero's goblin knowledge: 75, defaults to success unless an extreme failure]
D70+50+75=d70(66)+50+75=191
"The answer is, four."
The Hero closed his eyes and thought for a few seconds, then opened them again and softly answered.
"Are you sure?" The Key Changing raised an eyebrow.
The Hero nodded without hesitation.
Infected by the Hero's calmness, the Key Changing's clapping became gentle as well.
"Congratulations, correct answer.
"You've answered correctly again. In this world, there exist powerful goblins, intelligent goblins — they can even create goblins that conform to human moral standards, good goblins.
"But the one thing that can never exist is a goblin that refuses to reproduce, that stays away from women."
After all, if goblins could refuse to reproduce, they might as well be considered another species.
Even though the answer was correct, the Hero scratched his head, not understanding the significance of these questions.
And what is a good goblin anyway?
The Hero frowned deeply, feeling his worldview was being challenged.
"Then the next question."
As if the goblin question was just a whim and unrelated to the main topic, the Key Changing shifted the subject without much explanation.
[Riddles Three, Four]
1.5. About the One-Winged Angel
2.6. About the Four-winged King
3.7. About the Fallen Angel
10. Great Success/Extreme Failure
"As mentioned in the first riddle, the angels built this city out of religious necessity. More specifically, to create a true Gate of Heaven at the center of the city.
"That gate, tightly closed to this day, is also the goal of us True Saint Disciples."
Despite the way the Key Changing described herself, if it were another occasion, no one would believe that a little girl barely reaching an adult's waist could be a senior figure of the Black Gate, let alone one of the culprits behind the destruction of the kingdom's capital.
"Well then, Hero, listen to the question—
"Third question: What was the original purpose of the Gate of Heaven?
"One, to purify the world.
"Two, to meet the God.
"Three, to create angels.
"Four, to annihilate humankind.
"Five, all of the above."
Without waiting for the Hero's reaction, the Key Changing continued directly:
"Since we've come this far, let's just ask another one. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novelꞁire.net
"Fourth question: The Gate of Heaven was once pushed open, who was the Door Pusher?
"Three, the Cleric..."
The little girl paused, with a meaningful smile at the corner of her mouth, and slowly gave the last option:
[Hero's thoughts (80-to seek clues, 80+choose one out of three, 100+choose one out of two, great success fully correct)]
After hearing the two consecutive questions from the Key Changing, perceiving her seemingly suggestive tone, the Hero's eyes opened wide, with emerald green pupils seemingly swirling with numerous lights.
Of course, she hadn't forgotten that this riddle game was not just a leisure activity but a means for the Key Changing to respond to her curiosity.
This means that the Key Changing's riddles were not pointless, and the answers were closely related to the history and current situation of this Ancient Royal City.
Where are there goblins?
Could they really have created good goblins and even let them push open the legendary Gate of Heaven? Is there something wrong with this idea?
The Hero's expression was indescribable.
Though she chose the fourth option in the second question, she actually didn't believe goblins could inherently possess a good nature.
However, she thought of the commandments forcibly bestowed upon her by the Four-winged King.
If such commandments were to descend upon a goblin?
With the near-ignorant intelligence of an ordinary goblin, it would probably be unable to break free of this constraint for its entire life.
Considering the situation of masochists and innocents, under the influence of powerful magic, making a goblin capable of only doing good deeds seems not much of a fairy tale either.
Even though it is a puppet created under external forces, objectively, this goblin is indeed "good."
Moreover, as long as the commandments don't consider "reproduction" as evil, the goblin can still pursue females through normal means.
Even if humans won't accept it, it can still entice regular animals. After all, goblins aren't picky in that regard.
But, no matter how much the Hero's mind spun until steam seemed to rise, she couldn't figure out who would go through such trouble to create such a goblin and for what reason.
Why would anyone try to chef up a pile of shit???
The Hero was dazed, with blankness in her eyes.
[The Hero's thought process, extreme failure!]
1.5. Consumed three clue opportunities
2.6. Answered one question incorrectly
3.7. Random selection
4.8. Four-winged King is a Goblin? (Trigger Commandments)
9. Can I not answer for now?
10. Great Success/Extreme Failure
"Hero? Have you decided? I'm going to start the countdown."
The Key Changing patiently waited for quite a while, but the Hero remained unresponsive, so she unhesitatingly began the countdown.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven—"
An empty-minded Hero shivered and suddenly returned to her senses.
Without even a chance to request clues and with the countdown nearing its end, the Hero blurted out two answers.
[Third question: D5=d5(1)=1]
D2=1: Correct♛/Incorrect(5)
[Fourth question: D4=d4(3)=3]
D2=2: Correct/Incorrect(4)♛