Chapter 112 - 94: We Won
"Wind of Revival."
A flock of little goblins flew in circles around several wailing goblins, watching as their pain gradually subsided.
"Thank you," Shire said, looking at the little goblins before him.
"No, we are the ones who should be thanking you. Little goblins do not forsake friends who have helped them," Shan Xi Ao’s father said, hovering before Shire with his hands outstretched.
"I thought you wouldn’t bother with us. You know, since we’re goblins." Shire glanced at the distant little goblins flitting about like butterflies.
"Yes, you’re right about that," the Little Elf Race Leader nodded. "But we don’t rigidly define a group of beings as good or evil based on their Race. We judge them by their actions."
"That’s very wise. It reminds me of a saying I once heard: ’Race does not dictate honor. I have seen the noblest of Beastmen and the most vile of humans.’" Shire nodded slightly in agreement.
"Who said that? It sounds very wise. If I ever get the chance, I’d love to meet them." The Little Elf Race Leader laughed heartily.
"Someone from long ago. But you are just as wise." Shire glanced at the ceiling, his thoughts seeming to drift far away. He quickly came back to himself, smiling as he extended his palm toward Shan Xi Ao’s father.
"Speaking of wisdom, you’ve done far better than I have as a leader of goblins." The Little Elf Race Leader landed in Shire’s palm, folding his wings.
"No, you give me too much credit." Shire chuckled, then quickly changed the subject. "Did your whole clan come? Where’s Shan Xi Ao?"
"Not everyone, but most of us. Shan Xi Ao came back and told me you were in a battle." Shan Xi Ao’s father fluttered his wings, then turned and called out, "Shan Xi Ao!"
Shan Xi Ao flew over from the group of healing little goblins and hovered in front of Shire.
He looked up at the surrounding stone pillars and walls and said proactively, "Don’t thank me too much. It was just a small thing."
Shire laughed as he watched Shan Xi Ao’s casual act. ’The kid was probably sneaking glances over here the whole time he was healing. He flew over the instant he was called, yet he’s wearing an expression that just screams, "I didn’t do anything, it was no big deal, but please praise me, praise me lavishly."’
"Right, a small thing. But it saved the lives of many goblins." Shire smiled and gave a firm nod. "Thank you, my friend."
"Ah, it was nothing." Having gotten the acknowledgment he wanted, Shan Xi Ao grew a little bashful. He wanted to wave his hand in a gesture of modesty but seemed unsure of the motion. Finally, he just blurted out, "I’m going back to healing."
He practically fled.
"He’s a good kid," Shire said with a smile.
"Yes, but he’s still so young. It’s a good thing it was you he met." Shan Xi Ao’s father watched his son fly away. The thought of his missing daughter brought a somber look to his face, but he quickly composed himself. "Speaking of you, goblin leader, you still have a battle waiting for you."
Shire followed the Little Elf Race Leader’s gesture toward the roaring bonfire. "Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon."
He knew the enemy had retreated into the tunnel, just waiting for the Blazing Fire Glue to burn out. This, however, fit his plans perfectly.
"Buck Teeth," Shire immediately approached his subordinate to give orders. "Take a few goblins, open that room over there, and bring out the Brain-Eating Monsters. Then, exit through the passage, circle around to the fortress’s main gate, get close to them, and release the monsters."
Buck Teeth nodded, gathered ten goblins, and rushed over to open the small stone room where the Brain-Eating Monsters were sealed. Each carrying two of the creatures, they quickly ran out of the passage.
"One-Eyed," Shire continued, "you take a few goblins and some Brain-Eating Monsters and get into position up front. When you hear the enemy shout, throw the Brain-Eating Monsters at the entrance."
He planned to use the Brain-Eating Monsters to pincer the Storm Brotherhood in the narrow tunnel—catching them like fish in a barrel.
"Broken Tooth," Shire called over another subordinate. "Circle around to the Brain-Eating Monster room immediately. Watch the Adventurers’ movements. If anyone tries to escape, gut them on the spot."
"Red Eyes, you and your squad hold this position. Stop them if they try to risk a charge through the flames."
After giving his orders, Shire declared loudly, "This is the final battle! We’re about to win!"
...
Emlyn sat on the ground, his back against the wall, his hands trembling slightly. He couldn’t tell if it was from muscle spasms after drawing his bow too many times, or from the bone-deep fear of having witnessed so much death.
The Storm Brotherhood, once forty strong, was now down to just fourteen. Many of them were wounded, and though the Healing Personnel were constantly casting their techniques, the effects of a Low Level Healing Technique were limited.
"What a tenacious bunch of goblins," he said with a self-deprecating laugh. He finally believed what Lira had said: there really were formidable goblins in this forest. They could not only set traps but could also use fortifications to fight the Brotherhood to a standstill.
Emlyn looked up at the tunnel ceiling, a little over two meters high and dotted with fluorescent Mushrooms. ’Should we run now?’ he wondered. ’I heard someone whispering about it earlier.’
"Goblins this strong must have a lot of good loot," two veteran members of the Storm Brotherhood chatted loudly nearby.
"Yeah, and this Relic is huge—way bigger than any of the others we’ve explored."
"Once that fire burns out, they’ll have no defenses left to hide behind. The Brotherhood can just charge in and wipe out those little runts in an instant."