Chapter 28 - Extermination Part 1

Chapter 28 – Extermination Goblin Part 1

While three drones maintained aerial surveillance over the target area, the other three scouted the surrounding terrain from a distance, each sweeping along the animal trails that led to the goblin settlement.

As Paul monitored the aerial feed, he spotted several green figures moving stealthily through the forest toward the settlement. He quickly reported,

“Goblin group spotted. South—heading toward the settlement.”

He turned to Kruger and repeated,

“South approach.”

Kruger nodded and replied curtly,

“Roger.”
He immediately relayed the update through the microphone.

Moments later, Iron Fist (Front Command) came through the channel,

“This is Iron Fist. South Fang, deploy three Wanderer squads to intercept and eliminate the goblin group. Ensure none of them reach the settlement. Reminder: All eight guard posts must remain undetected. Over.”

South Fang (Southern Striker) acknowledged promptly,

“This is South Fang. Orders received. Intercepting now. Over.”

Shortly after, Paul observed three adventurer parties moving swiftly to intercept from the south. As the ambush was being set, Paul shifted his attention to the two outer-range drones. One of them picked up movement.

“Another group spotted… north.”

Kruger relayed the sighting.

One after another, goblin groups began emerging from the forest, converging on the settlement from multiple directions. Each group was quickly engaged and neutralized by the concealed forces.

By the time forty groups had been eliminated, the eight guard posts had returned to silence. No further movement was detected.

Paul continued to scan the feeds, confirming a temporary lull. Then Kruger spoke into the radio, voice level and serious,

“This is Iron Crown. Iron Fist, status report.”

Brunhild’s voice came back through the channel—calm and authoritative,

“This is Iron Fist. Guard post status: 25 lightly injured, 9 seriously injured. All have received treatment from the healers deployed from the city.”

A brief pause followed. Then she added,

“As for equipment losses: 56 shields, 145 polearms, and 97 short swords are out of commission. A resupply will be needed before the main assault. Over.”

Kruger glanced at Paul with a knowing look.
Paul sighed, then asked quietly,

“What about the Wanderers ( Group Adventure ) ?”

When Kruger relayed Paul’s question about the Wanderers, Paul turned to him again, brows furrowed with concern.

“Are they using old weapons from the arsenal?” he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Kruger hesitated for a moment before answering,

“No, Prince. Once a year, both veterans and new recruits are issued new standard weapons. The only ones exempt are magic or enchanted weapons—those obtained through dungeon drops or personal enchantments.”

Paul narrowed his eyes, more puzzled than before.

“Then why so much damage?” he muttered, glancing toward the shade of a nearby tree. He tracked the position of the sun and mentally counted the time remaining.
“Are you sure you want to continue with this? The Raven unit won’t arrive for at least another 30 minutes.”

Kruger let out a low breath before replying,

“Prince, based on the reports I’ve received from the front lines—and from the surveillance you’ve provided—at least a few of those 41 goblin groups heading toward the settlement weren’t ordinary.”

Paul looked toward him sharply, and Kruger continued, voice grave,

“From the 1,206 goblins we’ve eliminated so far, we’ve confirmed the presence of:
200 Goblin Soldiers
30 Goblin Sorcerers
12 Goblin Commanders
74 Goblin Skirmishers
–And 7 Goblin Champions.”

Kruger’s tone was heavy, the implication clear: this was no ordinary goblin horde.

As Paul processed the numbers, a crackle came through the radio. Brunhild’s voice followed shortly,

“This is Iron Fist. Approximately ten adventurer parties are requesting to return to the capital and abandon the mission. Of those: Three have damaged weapons, One has a seriously injured member (stable), and Two have light injuries.
Requesting permission to issue standard spare weapons and distribute healing potions. Over.”

Paul gave a firm nod.

Kruger immediately responded into the mic,

“Iron Crown here. Request approved. Spare weapons and potions may be distributed at no charge. Our top priority is the success of this operation. However, ensure the adventurers stay on mission. No deserters. Over.”

Brunhild replied without delay,

“Iron Fist here. Orders received. Over.”

“Greta, come here...”
While opening his spatial bag, Paul began pulling out equipment: an electromagnetic rifle, a coilgun, a thermal scope, several ammunition cartridges, and a set of thermal imaging binoculars.
After taking everything he needed, he turned to Greta.
“Greta, take this to Brunhild. Give her everything she needs,” he said, handing the spatial bag over to her.

Greta accepted the bag with a knightly salute.

“Understood, Prince,” she said, preparing to leave.

But before she could turn away, Paul called out,

“Ah—wait. I almost forgot…” He jogged toward her.
“My camouflage suit.”

Greta blinked in surprise and looked into the bag again.

“Hmm... which one is that, Prince?” she asked, rifling through the gear.

Paul chuckled and replied,

“The one that looks like a pile of hay—covered in grass patches.”

Greta finally found it and pulled it out, raising a brow.

“Oh... this one? I thought it was a dirty old cloak you forgot to throw out.”

Paul grinned as he took it.

“Nope. That’s my special battle suit.”

Without wasting another second, Paul slipped into the ghillie-like camouflage suit, tightening the straps and adjusting the fit. The rough, grass-patched fabric rustled softly in the wind as it settled over his form.

Noticing Greta still eyeing the suit with mild curiosity, Paul waved a hand dismissively and said,

“Alright, go on. Brunhild’s waiting for you.”

Greta puffed out her cheeks in a slight pout but replied with a quick,

“Okay…”
She turned on her heel and darted away, leaping gracefully from one tree trunk to another as she made her way toward the front line.

With the thermal scope now attached to the coilgun rifle, Paul turned to Kruger and smiled.

“Kruger, I’m leaving command in your hands.”

He slung the electromagnetic rifle across his back and, with a casual motion, tossed the thermal imaging binoculars toward Renya.

“Renya, come on,” he said as he gripped the coilgun rifle in both hands and began walking toward a nearby high vantage point with a clear view of the goblin settlement.

Renya caught the binoculars with ease but raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“What are you planning to do, Prince?” she asked, glancing down at the gear in her hands.

Without turning around, Paul answered simply,

“Practice, of course.”

Renya frowned slightly, as if she already knew what was coming.

“Then… who’s commanding this extermination?”

Paul grinned and glanced back over his shoulder.

“Kruger, obviously. Right, Kruger?”

Kruger sighed, but stood up with a steady expression and gave a formal salute.

“Of course, Prince.”

As Kruger sat back down and resumed monitoring the radio, Paul shot Renya a satisfied smile.

“See?”

Then, without waiting, he continued walking.

“Come on, Renya. We need a good position.”

Renya slapped her forehead lightly with one hand and sighed in resignation.

“Prince…” she muttered, then followed after him while cradling the binoculars.