Chapter 270 Newfound Freedom

As the weight of victory finally settled into Hermit's mind, he wasted no time in shedding the vile goblin guard armor, ripping it from his body with a rush fueled by disgust. With a vehement sputter, he tossed the loathsome attire to the ground, as if afraid it might infect him with its malevolence. His entire body seemed to shiver with revulsion, as though he were experiencing an allergic reaction to the very fabric of his former guise.

In a burst of newfound freedom, Hermit dashed toward his fellow goblins and hatchlings, his heart pounding with joy as he embraced them in a collective hug. Their ragtag group huddled together, unable to believe the reality of their newfound freedom. The air crackled with joy as goblins and hatchlings alike squealed with joy, their voices merging in a sound of happiness.

Some of the goblins, overcome with euphoria, began to dance with awkward stirs, their movements a clumsy but heartfelt expression of their newfound freedom. Hermit joined in the revelry, his heart soaring with each joyful squeal and awkward step. At that moment, surrounded by his fellow goblins, he knew that despite the torture they had endured, they had emerged victorious, their spirits unbroken and their future filled with promise.

Suzuka slowly walked up to Hermit and whispered, "See? Just as I said, everyone is alright. Remember that, Hermit, I always deliver what I promise." 

Larry's reaction was nothing short of ecstatic as he rushed towards Hermit, his arms outstretched in triumphant celebration.

 "Hermit!" he shouted, his voice ringing out with unbridled joy. 

"Hermit! My friend, you've done it! You've done it, little buddy! You've helped lead your fellow slaves to freedom! They owe their lives to you! They are alive thanks to you and your bravery! You're a hero, Hermit!"

Larry lifted Hermit high into the air, his grip firm yet gentle as if cradling a cherished child. The other goblin slaves erupted into a racket of cheers and applause, their voices blending in a chorus of gratitude and admiration. They fell to their knees, hands clasped together and pressed to their chest as they cheered. They chirped and clicked in their native goblin tongue, their expressions filled with awe and reverence as they saluted Hermit as their savior and liberator.

Hermit dangled from Larry's grasp, tears streaming down his face in an unstoppable torrent of emotion. But these were not tears of fear or pain; they were tears of pure, unadulterated joy. His mouth stretched impossibly wide in a scream of ecstasy, a sound that echoed through the forest like a triumphant roar.

For the first time in his miserable existence, Hermit felt something he had never experienced before - recognition. Someone praised him, celebrating his bravery and resilience instead of ridiculing him and inflicting pain at every turn. The weight of that emotional support and warmth filled his tiny, scared heart with unimaginable joy, flooding his soul with waves of happiness that overwhelmed him. The warmth of Larry's embrace and the outpouring of support from his fellow goblins filled his heart with a happiness he had never known or even dreamed about. 

As Hermit's cries of joy echoed through the breeding farm, the other goblin slaves watched in awe, their own suppressed emotions bubbling to the surface in a torrent of squeals and screams. It was as if a dam had burst, releasing years of pent-up frustration and despair in a clamor of noise and chaos.

Jake rushed forward with a shout, his words cutting through the din.

 "Enough with the tears, my friends! Tonight, we celebrate! We celebrate our victory and your freedom!"

Max added his enthusiastic shout. 

"Hell yeah! Damn right, we are! We'll party till the morning light, and then some! Let the festivities begin! Boo yeah!"

Within the rejoicing atmosphere, Suzuka found herself slowly backing away into the shadows, her presence fading into the background as she observed the scene before her. She knew all too well the terror her powers could inspire in those who had never witnessed such magic before, and she had no desire to dampen the spirits of the goblins on this happy occasion.

Leaning against a nearby wall, a small smile played upon Suzuka's lips as she watched Hermit bask in the adoration of his newfound companions. At that moment, she felt a swell of pride and happiness, knowing that his brave actions had earned him the praise and recognition he so rightfully deserved. In his fellow goblins eyes, he was now a true hero.

As she watched Hermit bask in the praise of his newfound comrades, a small, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Suzuka's lips. She knew that with Hermit hailed as their hero, she held the key to their loyalty in the palm of her hand. With a mere word from her, Hermit would be able to sway his fellow goblins to her cause, bending them to her will with effortless grace.

Larry couldn't help but notice Suzuka's reluctance to join the celebration. He sauntered over to her, a grin plastered on his face, thinking of lifting her spirits.

"Hey there, Helen! What gives? Not joining in on the fun?" 

Suzuka offered him a small smile, but there was a hint of sadness behind her eyes.

 "I think it's best to let them have their moment. I don't want to intrude with my... shall we say, intimidating presence."

Larry scoffed at her concern. 

"Oh, come on, Helen. You've got nothing to worry about. Those goblins practically worship the ground you walk on. They see you as their savior, just as much as they do Hermit, maybe even more. They're grateful to you, not afraid."

Suzuka's smile faltered, a shadow passing over her features. 

"You didn't see their eyes, Larry. When I unleashed my magic, they were terrified. In their eyes, I was the monster. Me, the one who was supposed to save them. It's... it's a bit sad, knowing that even those who suffer at the hands of true monsters still see me as one of the monsters."

"Now, now, Helen, you're overthinking things! These goblin slaves may be simple creatures, but they're not dumb. They know a good hand when they see one, and let me tell you, they've seen plenty of bad ones in their time. But you? You're different. You've shown them kindness, compassion, and a willingness to fight for their freedom. That counts for something."

He clapped Suzuka on the back, his expression earnest as he continued, "Trust me, Helen. If you treat them right, they'll be more than grateful. They'll be downright friendly. You've already won their hearts, now all you have to do is keep being you. And who knows," he added with a wink, "maybe you'll even get a few goblin hugs out of it. Now wouldn't that be something?"

"Thanks, but no thanks for the hugs from filthy goblins. I'll pass on that offer. However, I do agree with you on one thing. I would like to have friendly relationships with them. Despite their... less than appealing appearance, they deserve to be treated with some respect and kindness. After all, from what I saw in these breeding farms, they've been through enough already."

"Well then, why don't we take it a step further and make it an even happier day for the goblins? How about you pull out those supplies we packed into your item storage and whip up a feast for our new little buddies, eh? I bet they'd love nothing more than a good meal after everything they've been through. And let's not forget those few beer barrels as well," Larry added with a wink, "we can't celebrate without them, now can we? Nothing brings folks together like good food and good drink!"

As Hermit and his fellow goblins enjoyed their newfound freedom, Suzuka and the rest of the team set about preparing a meager feast to celebrate their victory. They set about cleaning the field of wreckage, removing the twisted remnants of the evil goblins that had once ruled over the camp like tyrants.

Once the field was cleared, they scavenged a few rickety tables from the remains of the goblin camp, their surfaces scraped with age and neglect. They arranged the tables in a crude semblance of order, the uneven legs wobbling slightly beneath the weight of their meager offerings.

As the preparations neared completion, Suzuka and her companions set about arranging the feast, their offerings simple yet heartfelt. A pot of hearty stew bubbled over an open fire, its savory aroma filling the air with a tantalizing fragrance that stirred the senses. Beside it, a platter of freshly baked bread awaited, its crusty exterior warm and inviting.

And at the center of it all, a simple but sumptuous dish awaited: roasted game meat, cooked to perfection over an open flame, its juices dripping tantalizingly onto the waiting platter below. It was a modest spread, to be sure, but to Hermit and his fellow goblins, it was a feast fit for kings, a symbol of hope and renewal in a world once consumed by torment and starvation.

As the starved-to-death goblin slaves caught sight of the delicious spread laid out before them, their reactions bordered on the absurd and comical. Eyes wide with wonder and mouths agape in astonishment, they stumbled forward in a clumsy frenzy, their movements resembling those of overexcited children stumbling upon a treasure trove of sweets.

Each goblin, more skeletal than the last, stood frozen in place, their sunken eyes fixated on the feast before them, their mouths gaping open in disbelief, drooling. The tantalizing aroma of the food filled their sensitive sniffers, sending shockwaves of sensation coursing through their starved bodies. With a shuddering gasp, some, overcome by the overwhelming stimulation, collapsed to the ground in a heap, their frail frames unable to withstand the sudden smell of tasty food. Others staggered and swayed on unsteady legs, their sunken cheeks flushed with feverish excitement as they struggled to comprehend the reality of what lay before them.

Huddled together in a pitiful crowd, the goblins looked on with pleading eyes, their gazes filled with a mixture of longing and despair. In their miserable existence as slaves, they had never known the luxury of eating food, surviving instead on meager scraps and the bitter taste of feces. Starved until they were little more than skin and bone, they had been forced to subsist on filth and excrement, their bodies ravaged by hunger and pain.

But even now, with the promise of sustenance within reach, they dared not approach the table. Years of conditioning and cruelty had left them broken and obedient, their minds programmed to obey their masters' every command without question. To eat without permission was unthinkable, a transgression punishable by further torture and torment.