Chapter 129 Sad Story

She leaned against the wall and watched the corridor while Larry settled himself beside Hermit. The sight of the goblin was grotesque and the filth stench was unbearable but he knew that extracting information from the old goblin would require some finesse.

 Larry had no doubt in Suzuka's battle prowess and abilities but he couldn't take chances, he wanted to get the information in case anything happens to Hermit on the way back. With her acute sense of hearing, she caught snippets of the conversation between Larry and Hermit.

Taking a deep breath, he began the conversation in a hushed tone for no one else to hear about it. "Hermit, if it's fine with you I would like to ask some questions. Please know that we are not here to continue your torment. We only seek knowledge, an understanding of the current state of affairs in the Goblin kingdom. We need to know about their military strength, their alliances, and any crucial details that could aid us in our mission. Can you help me with that?"

Hermit, his weary gaze meeting Larry's, mustered his strength to respond. "I... I can tell you what little I know, but I must warn you, my knowledge is but a mere wisp of smoke. It has been some time since I last set foot in the Goblin kingdom, and much has changed." The goblin said, obviously trying to withhold the information but Larry continued to listen, "The rulers, they... they demand absolute loyalty, and those who dare oppose them meet grim fates. Goblin-human hatchlings like me have no place in the Goblin Kingdom. I was a slave from the first day I crawled out of my egg, hatched in a goblin breeding farm."

Hermit's eyes held a weariness that transcended his years. He spoke with a mixture of sadness and urgency, his voice barely a whisper. "Larry, the situation in the Goblin kingdom is grim, more so than you can imagine. The peaceful goblins are forced into a cruel ultimatum: join the army or face enslavement within their own lands. This perspective, this notion of strength through power alone, has turned our rulers into ruthless beings."

Larry leaned closer, his voice laced with both curiosity and urgency. "I understand, Hermit. Please, anything you can recall could be of great value. How many goblin warriors stand under the kingdom's banner? Are there alliances or enemies that we should be aware of? And what of their tactics and strategies?"

 Hermit's voice trembled with a mix of fear and sorrow. "From what I know, the Goblin Kingdom has many strongholds and scattered towns across these lands. I have been to many different goblin breeding farms. They seek to expand their dominion, often clashing with other races. There have been conflicts with the catpeople, who yearn for peace, and the lizardmen, who desire no part in these wars. Our rulers care little for the consequences, Larry. They force anyone they capture into the pits or for breeding. Males are forced to fight for the amusement of those in power, even if it means turning against their own kind or friends, families, and loved ones."

"The goblin forces, once proud and united, now suffer from divisions and discord. Many have fallen under the sway of our oppressors, their loyalty forced through fear and oppression. Their numbers are formidable and their cruelty remains unchecked."

After a short pause he continued, "As for alliances, there have been whispers of dubious pacts with darker forces, dark creatures lurking in the shadows, eager to exploit our military. However, such rumors are veiled in secrecy, known only to those who dare venture deep into the kingdom's heart. I was a slave the moment I hatched, thrown in a cage, and forced into labor. Used and exploited in every way imaginable for many years." 

"As for tactics... ah, they haven't changed. Deception and ambushes are their favored strategies. They strike from the shadows, preying on their enemies' weaknesses with ruthless efficiency."

Larry listened intently, his mind piecing together the fragments of information Hermit shared. Though vague, the old goblin's insights offered a glimpse into the current state of the Goblin kingdom. Larry knew that Hermit was withholding some information and keeping it out of his story but he did not pry forcefully. Larry's jaw tightened, his grip on the cold prison floor firm. "This is alarming, Hermit. We cannot let this continue. Are there any goblins who long for peace, who seek an alliance with other races?"

Hermit's eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. "Yes, there are many goblins who yearn for nothing but peaceful lives. We dream of forging alliances with other races, seeking harmony, love, friendship, bonds, and understanding instead of bloodshed. But our voices are suppressed, drowned by the roar of war and the cruelty of those who hold power. We, hatchling slaves, are peaceful and long for nothing but peace. We are not aggressive as the true goblins."

Larry sat beside Hermit, his eyes filled with empathy and genuine interest as he listened to the goblin's sorrowful tale. The old goblin's voice quivered with a mix of sadness and anger as he began to recount his heart-wrenching past.

Hermit's voice trembled as he spoke, "It may sound strange or difficult to believe or even disgusting for humans to hear this, but let me share something with you, Larry. A long time ago, I fell deeply in love with a majestic being from a different race - the catpeople race. Those days were like heaven, a precious blessing bestowed upon me. We would meet in secret, yearning to explore a world free from oppression and violence, where we could truly be ourselves."

A heavy sigh escaped Hermit's cracked lips as the weight of his memories pressed upon him. "But our happiness was short-lived. Our secret meetings did not go unnoticed by our Goblin overlords. They discovered our love and sought to extinguish it, to quell any hope of cross-racial unity."

A flicker of pain crossed Hermit's eyes as he continued, his voice filled with anguish, "One fateful day, we were both captured, torn apart by the merciless hands of their soldiers. I was forced to witness the unthinkable, a scene forever etched into my tortured soul. They took her life right before my very eyes, extinguishing the flame of love and hope that once burned so brightly within us."

Tears welled up in Hermit's eyes as he choked on the bitterness that consumed him. "I will never forgive them, Larry," he whispered, his voice laced with a mix of grief and righteous anger. "The pain of that loss, the agony of watching her light fade away, still haunts me to this day. It shattered not only my heart but also any remnants of trust I had in our goblin overlords. Love turned to despair, and the world I once dreamed of crumbled before me."

Larry placed a hand on Hermit's shoulder, offering solace in his presence. Words seemed inadequate in the face of such profound loss, but his silent support conveyed a shared understanding of the goblin's anguish. Larry knew that Hermit had much more knowledge than he shared but did not force it. 

Suzuka stood outside the cell, her mind racing with thoughts. The information shared by the old goblin had shattered her belief. She had always held an impression of goblins as mindless monsters, mere beasts consumed by primal instincts of breeding and killing. Yet, Hermit's words had peeled back the layers of ignorance, revealing a glimpse of their humanity.

Larry asked, "Hermit, you said you helped the other members of your group escape, do you know where we can find them? We can help them after we get you to safety. And not only them, tell all of the peaceful goblins' locations."

Hermit obviously withheld the information and lied, "I'm sorry Larry, I don't know any locations. While bandits enjoyed brutally beating me up, the group I was in, they escaped."    

Larry leaned in closer, his voice lowered. "Hermit, we must find a way to help your people. To bring about change in this world and put an end to this cycle of violence. I promise you, we will not let your cries go unheard. When we get back to safety please share every possible detail about the Goblin Kingdom, no matter how little it might be. We are trying to..."

As Larry's words lingered in the air, a sudden, thunderous thud reverberated through the corridor, jolting them from their conversation. Larry's gaze shifted abruptly, leaving Hermit behind as he hastened toward the source of the noise. The echoes of successive thuds followed, creating an unsettling rhythm until a resounding crash shattered the silence, rousing everyone from their rest.

Larry's steps quickened, a sense of urgency driving him forward, as he pondered aloud, "Do you think the monsters have broken through the doors? I hope our barricade can hold them back."

Suzuka, her voice brimming with reassurance, responded, "Don't worry. In fact, this might work in our favor. Once I'm through with them, we'll have fewer monsters to worry about."

Larry's eyes, filled with willpower, scanned the dimly lit corridor as he cautioned, "It's good to stay positive, but let's not underestimate these monsters. While I have no doubt that you could handle them on your own, we mustn't let our guard down."

After a nerve-wracking minute, the monster descended, emerging from the depths of the shadows. Each step it took down the cold, hard stone steps echoed with a bone-chilling clank of its razor-sharp claws. The monster's deliberate pace sent shivers down the spines of its prey, its grotesque visage instilling terror in their hearts. Bathed in the eerie, dim-lit glow, its fleshy skin appeared repulsive, its face a dreadful display of fangs and blood. A guttural growl escaped its throat, a menacing warning to all who dared to challenge it.

The once formidable iron bars now seemed feeble in the presence of such a monstrosity. Towering above even the largest of bloody wolves, the beast seemed to warp the very dimensions of the corridor, making it appear narrower and more claustrophobic. Drawing closer to the barricade of iron bars, it effortlessly clamped its massive jaws around one of the bars, causing it to snap like a brittle twig.

Larry stood steadfast beside Suzuka, his sword unsheathed, while Arin, armed with his bow, lingered further back. David, seeking refuge, peeked cautiously from the corner of his cell. Larry, his voice filled with urgency, yelled, "Damn these iron bars! They won't hold these creatures for long. Shouldn't you be blasting it with your magic?"

Suzuka responded, her voice laced with unwavering concentration, "I'm waiting for more of them to appear. If I kill it now, the others will scatter and retreat to the shadows. I want to strike down as many as possible in a single, devastating blow."

Larry, his voice filled with a menacing tone, urged Suzuka to unleash her magic. "I doubt there will be more. This one's probably just scouting, testing our reactions, or trying to instill fear. If it truly wanted us dead, it would have torn down the barricade and attacked us already. Finish it off now, before it flees or lunges at us."

Suzuka, wary but swayed by Larry's words, acknowledged, "Yeah, I suppose you have a point." Her hand became shrouded in an eerie, shadow-like flame as she extended it forward, ready to strike. However, in a terrifying twist, the beast reacted with astonishing speed the moment Suzuka revealed her intentions. It swiftly darted back to where it had come from, evading her deadly grasp. Her attempt to kill it in time proved futile as the creature escaped into the darkness.