Chapter 246 Preparations for Infiltration

Larry let out a heavy sigh, his expression grave.

"Hermit, I appreciate your bravery and willingness to help, but... but sending you in alone? It's too risky. We can't afford to lose you, especially not like this."

He glanced around at the rest of the team, silently seeking their input before continuing.

"We need to explore other options. There has to be a way to infiltrate the breeding farm without putting you in such danger. Are there... are there any other options? Any other way we can get you to infiltrate the goblin farm without putting you in harm's way?"

Hermit's voice trembled as he spoke, his words barely audible as they escaped his lips. He shifted nervously from foot to foot, avoiding eye contact with Larry and Suzuka.

"W-well, there... there might be another way. I-if I bring an offering to the goblin farm, they... they might... might not punish me. I could be granted passage without... without being harmed."

He paused, swallowing hard before continuing in a timid tone.

"B-but the offering... it has to be significant. I-it has to be something valuable... something that will convince them to let me in unharmed."

"Significant, huh? What exactly do you mean by significant, Hermit? What kind of offering are we talking about here?"

He leaned in slightly, his eyes fixed on the trembling goblin, awaiting an answer.

Hermit's voice quivered as he spoke, he shifted nervously from foot to foot, his eyes darting around anxiously.

"I-I would need... s-something fancy. L-like... shiny armor and weapons, some fancy-looking furniture. Anything that would... that would glimmer in goblin eyes, or..."

He trailed off, his gaze dropping to the ground as he fell silent, his entire body trembling with fear and uncertainty.

Larry furrowed his brow in thought, considering Hermit's timid words. He knew they didn't have any such items on hand, but he also realized that they needed to come up with a solution quickly.

"Okay, Hermit, I understand. But... is there anything else you had in mind? You mentioned 'or...' before. What were you going to say?"

Upon Larry's question, Hermit hesitated, his gaze shifting nervously between Larry and Mia, the female scout. With a trembling finger, he pointed towards Mia, his voice barely above a whisper.

"O-or... I bring a female slave for the evil goblins. Th-they will be more than happy with an offering like that, more than anything," he stammered, his words faltering with fear. 

His voice trailed off into a whimper as he turned away, unable to meet anyone's gaze, his hands clasped together in a trembling grasp. Tears welled in his eyes, his heart heavy with the weight of his suggestion. Hermit knew better than anyone what fate befalls the female slaves in goblin breeding farms and the weight of his suggestion.

Larry's expression hardened as he firmly denied Hermit's suggestion.

 "Absolutely not, I will not risk sending Mia into the goblin camp. I'm sorry, but that's not an option."

Before Larry could continue, Suzuka interrupted with surprising nonchalance.

 "I'll do it," she announced, her voice casual as if she were suggesting something as mundane as running an errand.

Larry turned to Suzuka, his face twisted in disbelief.

 "Helen, you can't be serious," he opposed, taken aback by her willingness to volunteer for such a dangerous task.

But Suzuka simply shrugged, a confident smirk playing on her lips.

 "Hey, it's no big deal. I can handle it," she replied dismissively as if she were discussing the weather.

Larry's expression hardened as he shook his head firmly. 

"Absolutely not, I won't allow anyone to enter that goblin farm alone, especially unarmed. It's far too dangerous, even for someone as skilled as Helen. It's out of discussion."

He glanced at Suzuka, his gaze filled with concern. 

"I appreciate your willingness to help, Helen, but this is too risky. We need to come up with a better plan that ensures everyone's safety."

As Hermit heard Suzuka eagerly volunteer, he convulsed in horror, a shiver ran down his spine, and his mind conjured terrifying images of the chaos and destruction that could ensue if she were to unleash her full power within the goblin farm. The thought of her wrath raining down upon the evil goblins filled him with dread, knowing that it could result in catastrophic consequences for everyone involved.

With a trembling voice and a heart heavy with fear, Hermit quickly interrupted, "N-no, please... I-I'll go alone. I-I can't risk... I-I can't let anyone else get hurt because of me. I'll find a way to do this on my own. I have to. It's... it's something I need to do for myself and my fellow slaves." His words came out in a rushed and stuttered manner, betraying his inner turmoil.

Deep down, Hermit knew that he was terrified of facing the goblin farm alone. But the thought of Suzuka unleashing her wrath upon the unsuspecting slaves filled him with even greater dread. He couldn't bear the thought of her losing control and causing harm to those they were trying to save.

Hermit's heart skipped a beat, then started racing in sheer terror. Images of Suzuka, a force of nature unleashed, flashed through his mind. He imagined her wrath descending upon the farm like a thunderstorm, obliterating everything in her path with a single angry flick of her finger. The mere thought of her immense power sent shivers down his spine, and he knew he couldn't bear the responsibility of putting his fellow slaves in harm's way.

"Hey, don't worry about me, I can do it." Suzuka persisted.  

With her words ringing in his ears and panic rising with each word, Hermit began to envision the catastrophic consequences of Suzuka's presence on the farm. He pictured her eyes glowing with fury as she unleashed torrents of magical energy, leveling the entire breeding farm with a single furious glance. The evil goblins, he imagined, would cower in terror at the mere sight of her, their feeble attempts at resistance crushed beneath her unstoppable might. As for the poor goblin slaves they were trying to rescue, Hermit could only imagine them being trampled beneath Suzuka's formidable power, mere collateral damage in her rampage.

"Helen, you're not going and that's finals. As for you, Hermit," Larry began, his voice gentle yet firm, "I understand your concerns and respect your courage. You've shown remarkable bravery in facing this challenge head-on, and I commend you. But it does not change the fact that it is too risky to let you go alone."

Hermit's voice trembled with emotion as he spoke, his words tinged with a mixture of fear and determination.

"Larry, I-I'm scared. I'm trembling with fear and anxiety, but... but I can't let that stop me. I have to do this. For my goblin friends, for the innocent little gobbies who hatched just to be tormented every day. I can't bear to see them suffer any longer. I am the only hope they will ever get. I can not let this miracle slip by. This is the only chance to have a better life, for us, goblin slaves."

He looked up at Larry with eyes brimming with tears, but also with a newfound resolve shining through.

 "I promise I won't risk my life needlessly. If I'm in danger, if I need rescue, I'll give a sign. A signal for you and your team to attack."

With a shaky breath, Hermit raised both arms and gently pounded his head with his tiny fists.

 "This is the sign. If you see me do this, it means I need help. Please, Larry, promise me you'll be ready to act."

Despite the fear gnawing at his heart, Hermit stood tall, ready to face whatever lay ahead for the sake of his fellow goblins.

Suzuka grinned, her eyes glittering with amusement as she listened to Hermit's heartfelt declaration. She couldn't resist a playful jab at the goblin's expense.

"Well, well, look at you, Hermit. I must say, I didn't expect such bravery from someone as... timid as yourself."

Her tone was light and teasing, but beneath her playful facade, there was genuine respect for Hermit's courage. Suzuka knew that despite his fear, he was willing to face danger head-on for the sake of others, and that deserved recognition.

"But hey," she continued, her smile widening, "I suppose even the smallest goblin can muster up some courage when it counts, huh? Don't worry, Hermit. We've got your back. Just give us that little signal of yours, and we'll come charging in, swords swinging and spells flying. Right, Larry?"

Larry listened to Hermit's words, his heart heavy with concern for the timid goblin. He could see the fear in Hermit's eyes, but also the speck of bravery burning within him.

"Hermit, I understand your fear, but I also admire your courage. It takes great strength to face your fears head-on, especially for the sake of others."

He placed a reassuring hand on Hermit's shoulder, offering a comforting squeeze.

 "I promise you, we'll be ready to act at a moment's notice. If you give us that signal, we'll charge in without hesitation to rescue you and your fellow goblins." The rest of the team nodded in silence agreeing with Larry.

With a shaky breath, Hermit expressed his gratitude to Larry for placing his trust in him. 

"Thank you, Larry."

He straightened his posture, attempting to muster as much courage as he could.

 "But please, promise me one thing. Don't attack the farm until I give the signal. I need time to talk to the other goblin slaves, to let them know what's happening. We won't fight back. We'll hide and cover ourselves while you and your team take on the evil goblins."

Hermit's voice wavered slightly, but there was determination in his eyes. 

"This is our best chance to save as many of them as we can. I just need a little time to make sure they understand what to do."

Larry nodded acknowledging Hermit's request. 

"You have my word, Hermit. We won't move until you give the signal. Take all the time you need to talk to the other goblins. Your bravery in facing this danger alone is commendable."

He placed a reassuring hand on Hermit's shoulder. 

"We'll be ready to act as soon as you give the word. And remember, if things get too dangerous or if you need help, just give us that signal, and we'll be there to support you."

With a firm nod, Larry stepped back, giving Hermit the space he needed to prepare for his mission inside the goblin farm.