Chapter 193 - 165: It Really Exists
"There shouldn’t be anyone else." Mary closed the book on the counter and glanced outside the Alchemy Workshop.
The sky had already grown dark, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the street. She tidied the items on the counter, then sized up the potion shelves behind her. ’Mr. Salumu has already left port with the merchant ship. He should reach Yangjiao Town again soon, and then our honey reserves will be sufficient.’
Shire had sent a notice earlier, telling her to press the Blacksmith Shop. They were to complete a batch of armor and weapons as soon as possible, even if it meant paying extra. ’Are we going to war again?’
’I’ll have Jack go press the Blacksmith Shop tomorrow and get a batch sent to the boss as soon as possible.’ She rearranged the potions on the shelves. Because of the buy-10-get-1-free sale on Healing Potions, Adventurers had started consciously grouping up to buy them. Many even bought them in bulk for themselves to use over time. Mary had even heard that some Adventurers were taking on quests to escort merchant caravans, coming to the Drink Undying Alchemy Workshop specifically to stock up on potions, and then reselling them at their destination.
In Little John’s words, "Adventurers have gone from hoping their teammates drink themselves to death so they can report the boss, to praying, ’Long live Miss Mary!’"
’Healing Potions have become a hot commodity. Maybe I should talk to the boss about running some ’promotions’ for the other potions, too?’ She picked up a rag and wiped down the counter. She always tried to keep the shop tidy, but the Adventurers inevitably brought in dust and bloodstains, so Mary frequently had to clean the Alchemy Workshop.
DING-A-LING! The bell on the door chimed as a middle-aged man in a black, mid-length Cloak pushed his way inside. "Excellent. I knew Miss Mary wouldn’t have closed up yet."
"I’m sorry, we’re about to..." Mary began, looking up, but she quickly corrected herself. "Mr. Herbert, it’s a pleasure to see you again."
"My sincerest apologies for disturbing you so late," Herbert said, pulling off his silk gloves and giving an elegant, shallow bow. His long, golden hair was tied back loosely.
"Oh, it’s no trouble." Mary hesitated for a moment and glanced outside. The sky had gone completely dark. "Is there something I can help you with, coming so late?"
"There is, in fact," Mr. Herbert said with a smile. "The custom potion bottles you ordered have arrived at the docks. This is only the first batch. I’d like to meet with your boss to discuss it with him in person."
"Ah," Mary hesitated. "Thank you for letting me know the bottles have arrived. I’ll arrange to have them moved into the warehouse right away. However, my boss isn’t in Yangjiao Town at the moment. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed."
She walked calmly to the counter and stood up straight. "If it’s alright, I can sign for this batch of potion bottles on his behalf."
"No, my dear Miss Mary," Herbert said, slowly waving his hand. "There has been a... slight problem with the fifty thousand potion bottles we have on order. I need to see your boss to discuss our partnership with him in person."
"Oh, is that so?" Mary’s mouth fell slightly agape. She knew Shire was counting on those potion bottles. Healing Potions were selling fast, and now they even had several Skeleton Warriors helping to brew them. A problem with the bottles could disrupt production.
"I will relay your message," she said after a moment’s thought. ’I’ll just have to tell the boss and let him decide what to do.’
"Very good." Herbert glanced at the potion shelves. "My contact address is the same as before."
"The Moonlight Inn, VIP Room 8?" Mary replied instantly, without having to think.
"Yes. You have a good memory." Herbert tapped the counter lightly. "Please notify me immediately if you receive a reply."
With that, he bid Mary farewell, pushed open the door, and walked out of the Drink Undying Alchemy Workshop.
Once his figure had melted into the night shadows, Herbert glanced back at the workshop’s sign. He tapped his gloves against his palm and said leisurely, "Goblin boss, I hope you can help me."
Then, he scanned his surroundings quickly before his form seemed to tear apart, transforming into a swarm of bats that flew silently into the night sky.
...
FWOOSH, FWOOSH... The torches sputtered in the forest’s night wind. Scarface knelt respectfully on the ground, not daring to lift his head.
He had just reported everything he had experienced and seen to the Earth Goblin in the tent. Now, he was waiting for General Evil Throat’s verdict.
After he started herding Cyan Hide back, the journey had been swift thanks to the markers he’d left behind. The biggest trouble on the road had been Cyan Hide’s repeated attempts to resist. If Scarface hadn’t viciously beaten him with a club over and over, the other goblin might have actually escaped.
But it was all worth it. The scratches from the thorns on his body still ached faintly, but whenever he thought of the rewards to come, his body trembled with excitement.
"Those Centaurs are with the goblins?" General Evil Throat finally asked after a long silence.
"Yes, General," Scarface replied hurriedly. The Earth Goblin’s tone was unreadable, which puzzled him.
"Tell me what you saw again," General Evil Throat said, lightly tapping the black Leather Armor on his chest. "Slowly this time, and in more detail." He mulled over the goblin’s report.
Scarface once again reported everything he had secretly observed to the Earth Goblin in painstaking detail: from the half-goblin to the Centaurs, from the underground entrance large enough for many goblins to the giant ants that helped with chores, from the Unicorn wandering in the massive clearing to the herd of deer frolicking in a pen.
He relayed it all in great detail, adding his own interpretations, his disdain for the other races, and plenty of flattery for the Earth Goblin.
"I’m sure they have no idea they’ve been exposed. If you lead the army in a surprise attack, General, you’re certain to wipe them out in one fell swoop." Scarface beamed with a fawning smile. He looked up at General Evil Throat on his high seat and began to imagine himself standing in that position, with hordes of goblins and Ogres kneeling before him.
"You’ve done well," General Evil Throat said, casually tossing a piece of meat onto the ground in front of Scarface. "Go back to your burrow and wait."
Scarface immediately snatched the dark-colored piece of meat, clutching it tightly in his hand as he backed out of the tent. He didn’t dare to peek back inside, but he could hear the Earth Goblins discussing their next move—how many goblins to deploy.
’Soon,’ he thought, taking a vicious bite of the meat General Evil Throat had tossed him. It looked like venison, but the Quality was clearly poor; it even had a strange smell. Still, Scarface figured it was much better than the little bird he’d eaten earlier. ’That was all tiny Bone, with barely any meat.’
"Once the army attacks and makes these goblins drink the Holy Water, victory will be within our grasp," he mumbled while chewing the meat, scanning the goblin heads poking out from several nearby burrows with a face full of Pride. ’Pathetic and skinny. You can tell they’ve never had a good meal.’
Just as he was about to return to his burrow, Scarface glimpsed Cyan Hide in a dark corner, talking with other goblins. After Scarface had herded him all the way back, the Earth Goblins hadn’t given Cyan Hide much grief—they’d just kicked him back into his burrow.
At first, Scarface had considered using Cyan Hide as live bait on the journey, a way to ensure his own escape if they encountered a wild beast. He’d also be a witness to corroborate Scarface’s story. But along the way, he decided that claiming this glory was something he should do alone. He would only push Cyan Hide forward if the General specifically asked for a witness.
It seemed the General had believed him without question. ’Looks like the General really trusts me. Once we win this battle, I’ll be made a Commander-in-Chief.’
"Get out of the way! This is the Commander-in-Chief’s spot." He walked over with Pride, kicked another goblin aside, and sat cross-legged on a bundle of weeds. He began to noisily devour the venison in front of the other goblins, intentionally smacking his lips and making all sorts of sounds.
"Your good days are coming soon," Scarface said between bites, glancing at the goblins huddled in a corner of the burrow. They all raised their heads slightly but didn’t dare to look at him directly. Only Cyan Hide paid him no mind. In fact, when Cyan Hide saw the chunk of meat in his hand, he even sneered.
’Just wait until the battle’s over and I’m a Commander-in-Chief. I’ll make sure you get what’s coming to you,’ Scarface thought, glaring viciously at Cyan Hide. He knew that if he rushed him now, the other goblins would gang up on him.
As the night wore on, Scarface finished his venison and fell into a deep sleep. Cyan Hide, however, lay on the ground, staring blankly out of the burrow. The bruises and cuts covering his body made every position painful, and his memories of the Fortress made sleep impossible.
"Venison," he murmured, glancing at Scarface asleep on the weeds. ’At the Fortress, he had seen those goblins sleeping on beds. And even though he didn’t have a bed himself, the leader had given him two furs. They were so warm.’
"Cyan Hide," a goblin whispered. Seeing Cyan Hide stir, he slowly shuffled closer. "Is that smoked fish you talked about really that tasty?"
"Yeah," Cyan Hide said, looking at the other goblins who were slowly inching closer. It seemed none of them could sleep. "Not only do they have delicious food, but they also get to sleep in beds."
"What’s a bed?" a goblin whispered. His voice was tiny, afraid of waking the snoring Scarface or alerting the Earth Goblins on patrol outside.
"It’s something made of wood, so you don’t have to sleep on the ground," Cyan Hide explained quietly, looking at the gathered goblins. "And it has furs on top. It’s really warm."
The goblins all squeezed together, partly to get closer to hear Cyan Hide speak, and partly to huddle for warmth.
"Do days like that really exist?" asked a young-looking goblin, blinking his eyes.
"They do," Cyan Hide said with certainty.