Chapter 217 Sharing Awful Hobbies

Suzuka, with a nonchalant smile, absorbed Valerius's words, her easygoing and somewhat callous personality resurfacing, "Well, Valerius, it sounds like you've just volunteered for the most tedious part of the job. Paperwork and politics were never my strong suits, I'm happy you're willing to tackle that mess, great having you on board."

Valerius couldn't help but chuckle at Suzuka's blunt response.

 "Consider it my contribution to your... vibrant vision," he said, emphasizing the word 'vibrant' with a wry grin.

"Ah, yes! One more thing, Valerius," Suzuka added casually, as if it were an afterthought, "do not mess with Hermit. He will be the king of the goblins and a member of the council. He will be responsible for all the goblin affairs; all goblin-related issues and matters will go through him." 

During their discussions, Hermit, still recovering from the ordeal with Valerius, timidly peeked into the room. His eyes widened with a mix of warmth and joy upon hearing Suzuka standing up for him. The fragile goblin, mistreated and abused, felt a surge of newfound confidence at the promise of being recognized as a leader among his kind.

As Suzuka stood up for Hermit, the abused and mistreated goblin, emotions flickered across his tiny, scarred face. The shadows of fear and despair etched deeply into his features, began to loosen their grip. The glint of vulnerability in his eyes transformed into a spark of astonishment, and tears welled up, not of suffering but of disbelief and joy.

For so long, Hermit had known nothing but torment and cruelty. His existence was one of perpetual fear, constant torture, and pain. The sudden shift in Suzuka's demeanor, from indifferent to protective, struck a chord deep within him.

The goblin, so accustomed to being overlooked and abused, felt a warmth spread through him like a comforting embrace. It was a stark departure from the cold realities he'd known, and for a moment, he struggled to grasp the concept of someone genuinely standing up for him.

A mixture of disbelief and gratitude played across Hermit's tear-streaked face. His oversized ears perked up slightly, and a shy smile, rarely seen on his visage, tugged at the corners of his mouth.

 The abused goblin, emotionally battered and broken, now stood on the ridge of a new chapter - one where he was recognized, valued, and, for the first time, shielded from the cruelty that had defined his existence.

Tears streamed down Hermit's face, not the usual tears of pain or despair, but tears of astonishment and gratitude. His voice, usually hushed and subdued, now quivered as he attempted to express the emotions that surged within him. 

"You... you're not going to hurt Hermit?" he questioned Valerius, his voice bearing the scars of countless abuses, yet now tinged with a glimmer of hope.

Valerius's eyes, with an otherworldly glint, focused on Hermit, who still bore the visible scars of his mistreatments.

 "Well, well, Hermit," he addressed the goblin with an unsettling mix of charm and malevolence, "It seems your fortune has taken a curious turn. Perhaps there's more to you than meets the eye. King of the goblins. Quite the dramatic title for our diminutive friend to acquire. I must admit, Goblin royalty - it has a certain ring to it. A creature so accustomed to torment, now elevated to a position of... significance. Rest assured I will not hurt you."

The words, 'King of the goblins,' echoed in his ears like a surreal melody, a tune he had never imagined would grace his existence.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Hermit's screeches of happiness pierced the air. The abused goblin, usually so timid and fearful, now transformed into a whirlwind of gleeful energy. He darted out of the room with an agility that defied his small stature, leaving behind a trail of tears and joy.

Hermit burst into the room where Larry awaited, his eyes wide with wonder and cheeks stained with tears. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed towards Larry, chattering in his goblin tongue - a chaotic mix of screeches and joyful squeals. His tiny hands gestured animatedly as if trying to convey the overwhelming happiness that flooded his being.

As Hermit, the newly appointed "King of the Goblins," left the room, the air seemed to shift. Valerius, his fascination with the goblin drama momentarily satisfied, turned his attention back to Suzuka.

"Now that we've settled your town affairs," Valerius began, a calculated charm underlying his words, "there is a matter I wish to discuss with you, Helen. A proposition, if you will."

He leaned in, his elfin features etched with an air of cunning, "You see, the evil goblin population has been a rather... persistent nuisance in our territories. If you're serious about your town, perhaps we can devise a mutually beneficial solution to the goblin problem. After all, we wouldn't want your vibrant vision marred by the troubles of a troublesome race, now would we? My request is simple, join in the squad to demolish these cursed breeding farms, leave only goblin slaves like Hermit alive and their kin, including their eggs of course."

Suzuka met Valerius's proposition with an arched eyebrow and a thoughtful expression. Her easygoing demeanor hides the shrewd mind beneath, one well-versed in navigating the intricate webs of deception.

"Hmm, Valerius," she responded, her voice carrying a touch of feigned innocence, "I appreciate your concern for my vibrant vision. And It's heartening to see your willingness to collaborate for the greater good."

A subtle smirk played on Suzuka's lips as she continued, "However, I can't help but wonder about the true nature of your noble intentions. I assume you just want to collect goblin hatchling eggs and amass goblin slaves for your sick MIS experiments and such, with a pretext for the greater good like worrying about the safety of the town. It seems your interests are more in your gains rather than others' greater good."

Suzuka leaned back, her gaze piercing through the shell of Valerius's charm.

 "So, let's be honest, Valerius. What's in it for you? Why this sudden interest in resolving the 'goblin problem'? I'd hate to think you're just trying to clear the board for your own twisted game."

Valerius, his calm facade momentarily slipping, let out a sigh as he regarded Suzuka with a more honest expression. The calculating glint in his eyes held a touch of resignation, acknowledging that his true intentions had been laid bare.

"You are sharp, Helen," he admitted, a hint of the sinister gleam resurfacing in his gaze.

"I suppose there's no use dancing around the truth. My interests lie not in the well-being of goblins or people of the town but in the research data they provide. The hatchling eggs, the slaves - they're valuable commodities, hard to come by. The only place to get them is flourishing goblin breeding farm... but hard acquisitions."

Valerius leaned in, his tone lowering as he unraveled the dark underbelly of his intentions.

 "You see, Helen, the goblin breeding farms are a unique wellspring of test subjects for my experiments and studies. But there's a peculiar challenge - the goblin eggs simply do not survive the journey back to me unscathed."

His eyes gleamed with an unsettling desire as he continued, "The hatchlings are delicate, and it's been discovered that they require a rather unconventional method for proper development. They need to be placed in goblin feces, you see, to absorb the specific nutrients essential for their survival and growth. It's a rather... messy affair, but the results are nothing short of extraordinary."

Valerius continued, his voice tinged with a scientific fascination, "These goblin hatchlings, just hatched from their eggs, possess remarkable learning capabilities. Their minds are like sponges, absorbing information at an astounding rate. I want to explore that potential, to understand the depths of their cognitive abilities and, perhaps, harness it for advancements in my studies."

Valerius, having laid bare the unsettling truth about the goblin eggs, shifted his focus to the topic of goblin slaves, his tone still laden with a disturbing mix of fascination and desire.

"And the goblin slaves," he continued, his eyes glinting with an unsettling eagerness. 

"They are not just mere laborers to be exploited. No, Helen, they are living canvases for my experiments, subjects for my studies into the intricacies of goblin biology. Goblin slaves possess a unique combination of resilience and malleability. They become conduits for my magical research, testing the limits of their physical endurance and magical adaptability. Through their suffering, I seek to unlock the secrets of the goblin's potential. You see these goblins, in their subservience, make for exceptional subjects in my experiments. They offer insights into the resilience of the goblin physiology, their adaptability to various conditions, and the effects of prolonged exposure to certain magical influences."

He paused, seemingly lost in the twisted beauty of his experiment's explanation, before continuing with a chilling detachment, "I've conducted extensive studies on the effects of different enchantments, both benign and malevolent, on these goblin subjects. The results have been... enlightening, to say the least. Goblins, you see, possess a unique resistance to certain magical forces, such as the corrupted magic, making them ideal candidates for my research."

Suzuka, her expression unchanged despite the disturbing revelations from Valerius, maintained her cool composure. She tilted her head slightly, regarding him with a detached curiosity that betrayed neither intimidation nor empathy for the goblins.

"Interesting pursuits you have there, Valerius," she remarked with a nonchalant tone, "but let's cut to the chase. What exactly do you want from me? It's clear to me that you have a taste for the... intricacies of goblin life. Are you proposing some sort of concrete demand, or are you merely here to share your awful hobbies?"

Valerius, undeterred by Suzuka's lack of visible shock or disgust, leaned back with a sly smile.

 "Helen, my dear, my apologies for being so vague. What I propose is a simple exchange. A few fertile eggs from each goblin breeding farm hit and a healthy goblin slave. What happens to the rest? Frankly, I couldn't care less. You may keep them, release them, or do as you please -kill them if you want. The specifics matter little to me. I'm merely interested in securing the resources essential for my experiments. So... do we have a deal?"