Chapter 21 Goblin Kingdoom

"Ara ara," Alitia teased, her flirtatious tone continuing, "Lumi, my sweet little sister, you seem to have left out some crucial details when introducing Kazuki to our world. I thought you would boast about Boss Cat first since he's your favorite, next to the Wrestling Raccoon, of course."

Lumi blushed and chuckled nervously.

 "He he, I might have forgotten to mention it," she admitted sheepishly.

Surprised to hear this, I couldn't help but ask, "Wait, a cat is a council member? How is that even possible? He's just a cat, right?"

Alitia explained as we started to walk back to the mansion, "You see, Kazuki, Boss Cat is no ordinary cat. He represents the catpeople, a magical and mystical race with unique abilities."

Excitement gleamed in Lumi's eyes as she eagerly joined in, unable to contain her enthusiasm. "Oh, Kazuki, Kazuki! Catpeople are incredible and fascinating! They possess the gift of transformation, allowing them to shapeshift into the form of an ordinary cat for stealth and observation. But that's not all! When faced with more challenging tasks, they can look almost human-like, allowing them to interact and communicate with us directly. Yes, Kazuki, they can even speak our language!"

The realization of such a wondrous existence filled me with awe. 

"That's unbelievable! I had no idea such magical beings existed in this world," I said, genuinely intrigued.

Alitia nodded, her eyes softened with affection for her sister's enthusiasm.

 "Our world is filled with enchantment and surprises, Kazuki. The council represents the diverse races that inhabit Luminecia, each contributing their unique strengths and qualities to our society."

Alitia's gaze bore into me, her curiosity evident in her serious yet slightly bashful demeanor. "Say, Kazuki, what are your honest thoughts about all the races you've encountered so far? I value your sincerity, no need to sugarcoat it," she said earnestly.

In this world of fantasy, these few days felt like a dream, a captivating journey beyond the mundane confines of my previous life. Each species I encountered brought with them its unique charms and complexities, and I found myself genuinely appreciating the diversity that surrounded me. With a steadying breath, I knew I needed to be truthful in my response.

"Well, Alitia," I began, my voice carrying a warmth of admiration, "I must say, each race has left an unforgettable mark in my mind. I haven't had the chance to interact with every one of them. But from what I've seen so far, I am truly impressed and captivated by their unique qualities."

In the midst of our conversation, the atmosphere shifted as a sudden commotion erupted nearby. From the corner of a building, a swarm of small goblins burst into view, their youthful appearance hinting at their tender age. These little creatures seemed like they had been through their fair share of hardships, their small bodies bruised and scarred, a testament to the torment they had faced.

The first goblin in the group, seemingly eager to lead the way, stumbled and accidentally crashed into Alitia. The collision set off a chain reaction, as the others were knocked over in a tumble of small bodies, creating a comical yet endearing pile of goblins, one atop another.  Amidst the jumble of limbs and a chorus of apologies, the goblins struggled to regain their footing. With effort, they wriggled and writhed, untangling themselves from the pile of bodies until, one by one, they managed to stand upright. 

With a mixture of curiosity and amusement, I couldn't help but chuckle at the adorable scene that unfolded before us. It was evident that these goblins were brimming with youthful energy, despite their occasional clumsiness.

One of the goblins, seemingly the spokesperson for the group, approached us with a mixture of anxiety and remorse.

 "We sorry! Very sorry! Apologies, Masters! Mercy, please?" the little goblin pleaded, his voice wavering with both fear and hope.

Alitia couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of these tiny troublemakers. 

"You can go," she said with a soft smile, "Just be more careful from now on, alright? We don't want to see you hurt yourselves any further. Take it slow and be mindful of your surroundings."

Upon hearing her lenient response, the small goblin's eyes lit up with gratitude. He couldn't contain his joy, jumping up and down with enthusiasm. 

"Master! Thank you! Thank you! We will go now," he cried happily, and the rest of the goblins followed suit, excitedly bouncing around.

When the young goblins departed, I turned to Alitia, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Why were they so beat up, Alitia? And why did they refer to us as their masters? Are they considered slaves here in Luminecia?"

With a slightly sad tone, Alitia explained, "These goblins are now native to Luminecia, but they were hatched and enslaved in goblin breeding farms. We rescue these poor creatures from such torment, and the young ones you saw are some of the ones we were able to save."

"Breeding farms?" I asked, horrified by the implications.

Alitia nodded, "Yes, these goblins are a unique breed known as human-goblin hatchlings. They are treated as filth and considered lower than slaves within the goblin kingdom. From the moment they hatch from their eggs, they endure unimaginable cruelty, which instills an obedient and passive demeanor in them. That's why they refer to anyone but their fellow slaves as 'masters.' It's truly a heartbreaking sight to witness."

The revelation left me stunned, and the cruel reality of this world began to sink in even deeper. This world was far more complex and dark than I could have ever imagined.

"So, these are the goblin race living here," I spoke in a somber tone, gazing at the goblins with a mix of surprise and compassion. 

"They look kind of adorable, very different from what I had imagined. I always had this image of goblins as fierce and ruthless beings."

Alitia nodded in understanding, "You're not entirely wrong, Kazuki. True goblins are indeed monstrous creatures, stronger, cunning, and skilled in combat. The hatchlings, however, are like worker ants - weak, dimwitted, clumsy, and tragically unfortunate. They are bred to serve as laborers or they become food for their cruel masters or mere playthings for their amusement. These hatchlings are piece and quiet loving goblins. They have no hostility, they are passive, unable to stand up for themself against their oppressors."

Alitia paused for a moment before continuing, her expression reflecting both sorrow and affection, "But there was one brave yet unfortunate goblin slave named Hermit. He dared to dream of a better life and a brighter future."

Recognition dawned on me. 

"Ah, the same Hermit who holds that position... the council member representing Goblin affairs, right?" I remembered.

"Yes," Alitia confirmed, "Hermit, along with a group of other brave souls, led countless raids on breeding farms to liberate the enslaved goblins. While he may have suffered terrible beatings each time, the mere thought of freedom and hope kept him going. We, his allies, would step in to protect him and defeat their oppressors. After all, it's the thought and effort that counts, right?"

Lumi's sobbing broke the flow of our conversation, her compassionate heart burdened by the plight of the goblin hatchlings.

"Those poor goblin hatchlings... It's so heart-wrenching to think of the cruel fate they endured," she said, wiping away a tear.

Sensing the need to shift the mood, Alitia redirected our attention to a more uplifting aspect of Luminecia.

"But now, Luminecia is a haven for them," Alitia began, her voice filled with hope.

 "Here, they are treated with kindness, spared from torture and starvation. The streets they walk are no longer riddled with fear of the whip. They have their own little houses, and most of them have found their purpose in work. For those who are less bright and still learning, Luminecia offers a safe place to grow and acquire new skills."

Curiosity piqued, I inquired, "What kind of work do they do?"

Alitia smiled warmly, her pride evident in the transformation Luminecia had brought about. "The smart and capable ones take on roles similar to any other citizen, contributing their skills to various aspects of our society. As for those who may need more guidance, they are involved in honest labor work that ensures food is on everyone's table."

Lumi's sudden shout caught us off guard, and we turned to her with curious expressions.

 "Ahh! I forgot to introduce Kazuki to the goblin butler in Helen's mansion," she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

 "He's been such a helpful friend, always guiding me and showing me the best hiding spots to escape Olivia and Alitia's antics. He's truly a kind-hearted goblin."

Alitia couldn't help but roll her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Tck! He should really mind his own business."

I smiled reassuringly at Lumi, putting her at ease. 

"Don't worry about it, Lumi. We can meet the goblin butler the next time we visit Helen's mansion. I'd love to make new friends, especially those who have been there for you."

With that said, we continued our walk, our laughter, and excitement filling the air. After a few more minutes of walking, we finally arrived at Lumi's parents' magnificent mansion. As we approached the main gate, I noticed a mysterious young man standing there, seemingly waiting for someone.

I cast a brief but curious gaze at the man. He donned a sophisticated white-gray coat that exuded an air of elegance, perfectly tailored to his form. His slick, short black hair framed a face that could only be described as handsome, adorned with a kind and welcoming smile.

 His hands were enveloped in a pair of sleek black gloves, their white patterned emblem adding a touch of refinement. The rest of his attire consisted of an elegant shirt and impeccably tailored black pants, completing his polished appearance.