Chapter 242 Journey to Freedom Begins

As Suzuka sat in her room at the Mystic Oasis Inn, her diploma safely tucked away, her mind drifted to the upcoming mission. She meticulously planned and strategized, considering every possible scenario and outcome.

She envisioned herself leading the charge against the evil goblins, her gravity magic swirling around her as she deftly dodged their attacks. She strategized ways to minimize casualties among the slave goblins, knowing that they would be vital to her town-building efforts.

Suzuka calculated the best routes to take, the most advantageous positions to hold, and the most effective spells to cast. She knew that success would require not only strength and skill but also careful planning and foresight.

Evil goblins were infamous for their cunning schemes and ruthless tactics, stopping at nothing to achieve their sinister goals. They had no qualms about sacrificing their kind if it meant securing victory.

The following morning, a knock echoed through Suzuka's room, pulling her from her slumber. Larry stood at the door, his expression grave yet determined, ready to deliver urgent news.

"Hello there, Helen. I hope I'm not too early. I just came by to say that we're all set to depart. The time has come to kill the evil goblins and put an end to their breeding farms. Are you ready to join us?"

Suzuka, still groggy from sleep but filled with resolve, nodded.

"Hey, Larry. Yeah, I am ready to go at any moment. Just give me a minute to grab my things."

"Great, meet me at the guild in an hour. I will introduce you to the gang and we discuss the plan there. See you there." 

With a final nod, Suzuka closed the door and quickly set about gathering her equipment. With her selfish desires driving her forward, Suzuka set out to meet Larry and the others at the guild, eager to embark on the rescue quest to secure herself some goblin slaves. She knew that by assisting in the destruction of these farms, she would not only be seen as a hero by the goblin slaves but would also gain favor and influence in their community.

She arrived at the guild, spotting Larry within the bustling crowd, she made her way over to him.

"Hey, Larry. Ready to go?" Suzuka greeted.

Larry turned to greet her, a reassuring smile on his face.

 "Hey, Helen. Absolutely. And I see you're all set too, you're right on time. But before we head out, let me introduce you to the team."

 Larry turned to his team and said, "Everyone, this is Helen. She's here to help us take down the goblin breeding farms."

Suzuka, with a modest wave of her hand, greeted the group, "Hello."

Her gaze narrowed as she spotted the tiny green foot poking out from beneath the tablecloth. Curious, she took a glace underneath, only to find Hermit cowering in fear. Huddled under the table, trembling with fear and clutching the legs for dear life. His tiny form shook with fear, green skin quivering as it tried to conceal itself from the others. Hermit's only response was a whimper as he clung to the table legs, his tiny frame shaking with anxiety.

Ignoring his pathetic display, Suzuka turned back to the rest of the team, a smug grin playing across her lips. She had no time for cowards like Hermit, only those who shared her ambition were worthy of her respect.

Larry gestured to the group of individuals gathered nearby, each one bearing the mark of seasoned adventurers. Suzuka took a moment to size them up, noting their varied appearances and confident stances.

"This is Jake," Larry began, indicating a brawny man with a tough appearance.

"He's our muscle, the one you want by your side in a fight."

Jake nodded in acknowledgment, a faint grin playing on his lips as he exchanged a brief nod with Suzuka.

"And this is Mia," Larry continued, motioning to a woman with a lustful glint in her eyes.

 "She's one of our scouts, quick on her feet and sharp as a tack."

Mia offered Suzuka a nod of greeting, her gaze piercing as she assessed the newcomer with lecherous interest.

"Next up, we have Max, our sharpshooter, and our second scout who always thinks three steps ahead," Larry said, indicating an athletic man with a solid appearance and a confident stance.

With a confident stride, Suzuka approached the team gathered around the table, her demeanor relaxed yet assertive. They all sat at the table and Suzuka followed suit. She sat at the chair where Hermit was covered in fear and gently kicked him to mess with him a little, but the goblin only shook and continued his miserable act, clinging to the table legs and trembling in fear.

With everyone seated, Suzuka flashed them a friendly smile and introduced herself.

"Hey everyone, I'm Helen," she began, her voice carrying a tone of easy confidence.

 "I specialize in both magic and close combat, so you can count on me to hold my own in any situation. I'm ready to lend a hand and kick some goblin butt. Let's make this mission a breeze!"

With a commanding yet reassuring tone, Larry cleared his throat to gather the attention of the team.

 "Alright, folks, now that we've all been acquainted, it's time to get down to business," he began, his eyes scanning the faces of each member of the group.

 "As you all know, our mission is to put an end to the goblin breeding farms and free as many enslaved creatures like Hermit as possible."

Larry gently lifted the goblin, placing him at the center of the table, and all eyes followed. Hermit's eyes widened in fear as he found himself the focus of everyone's attention, his tiny frame quivering under their gazes. He looked around with wide, fearful eyes, his ears drooping and his body quivering with anxiety. The goblin, now the focal point of their discussion, stood with meekness etched into every trembling limb.

"Now, this little fella here," Larry continued, gesturing to Hermit, "is going to be our guide through the forest. His kind has an innate sense of direction, especially in areas where corrupted magic distorts our senses. He'll lead us straight to the nearest goblin breeding farm."

Hermit's eyes widened even further as all eyes turned to him, making him feel smaller than ever before. His heart pounded in his chest, and he stood there meekly, his ears drooping and his body slouched in a posture of defeat, unsure of what to do with the sudden attention.

As Hermit stood there, visibly shaken, Larry's voice remained steady and composed.

 "Once we reach the breeding farm, we'll need to act fast. Our priority is reconnaissance. We need to gather as much intel as we can about the layout and defenses of the farm before we make our move."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in before continuing.

"Our mission is simple, yet crucial. When we reach the breeding farm, stealth will be our greatest ally. We must scout the area, assess the threats, and formulate a plan of action on the spot. But make no mistake, our primary objective is clear - eliminate the evil goblins and free the enslaved goblins such as Hermit. But remember, this won't be a walk in the park. We'll need to stay sharp and vigilant at all times. One wrong move could alert the entire farm, and we'll be facing a horde of angry goblins who will stop to nothing to kill us."

He paused, allowing his words to sink, "Any questions?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the team.

The team Larry assembled were professionals and knew what needed to be done, with a collective nod they agreed, "No questions, all clear."

With a nod of assurance, Larry concluded his briefing.

 "Alright, everyone, let's gear up and make our final preparations. We leave as soon as we're ready."

Under the scrutinizing gaze of the team, Hermit felt like a cornered animal, trapped and exposed. He couldn't bear the weight of their stares, each one feeling like a dagger piercing through his fragile resolve. His breaths came in shallow gasps, his heart pounding erratically in his chest as panic threatened to overwhelm him.

Finally, as the team stood up from the table, preparing to embark on their mission, Hermit could bear it no longer. With a panicked haste, he scuttled and leaped from the table, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated. He leaped and dove head-first off the table, and he crashed to the ground with a painful thud, producing a hurt yelp from his lips. He lay there for a moment, stunned and disoriented, before slowly crawling back under the safety of the table, his body aching from the rough landing.

Wincing in agony, he rubbed at his bruised and aching limbs, his face contorted in a mask of pain and self-pity. Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment, as he lamented his misfortune in hushed whimpers.

 "Ouchies, why does everything have to be so scary? Ouwies, why can't I be brave like the others? Why am I always so clumsy?" he whimpered, his voice a painful whisper.

Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision as he struggled to hold back his sobs. He felt small and insignificant, like a tiny speck in a vast and uncaring world. All he wanted was to be accepted, to be seen as more than just a cowardly goblin trembling in the shadows.

His trembling hands reached out to clutch the sturdy legs of the table, seeking comfort and security in its familiar presence. But even as he huddled beneath its shadow, he couldn't shake the gnawing sense of dread that consumed him.

"The breeding farms were scary... painful," he mumbled, his voice barely audible over the din of preparations.

 "But this... this is even scarier. I'm not brave like the others. I'm just a cowardly goblin, too afraid to face the evil goblins."

Suzuka approached the table and knelt, spotting the goblin's trembling figure.

 "Hey there, Hermit. Being a coward as always I see? How about I give you a pat on the head?" she asked gently, reaching out a hand to offer comfort.

The goblin flinched at her touch, recoiling further under the table.

 "I-I'm sorry, M-Master. I-I-I can't," he stammered. 

"P-please don't hurt me. I don't want to go. It will be scary and painful, I know!"

Suzuka's heart softened at the sight of the frightened creature. She offered a reassuring smile and spoke in a soothing tone.

 "Don't worry, Hermit. I know you are a big coward and being around new faces scares you but we're not here to hurt you. We're here to help. This is it, Hermit, this is the day. The day were your and your fellow goblins' journey to freedom begins. So man up and get the hell out from under the table. We have a long trip ahead of us."