Chapter 272 Towering Peaks

The goblins, both young and old, enjoyed the feast with passion, their emaciated bodies bearing the scars of untold suffering and torment. Brutally beaten and tortured to the brink of collapse during their long years of slavery in the breeding farms, starved to the point of emaciation.

These were not mere creatures; they were survivors, their bodies bearing the scars of countless wounds inflicted upon them by their cruel masters. Their bodies, mere husks of their former selves, moved on sheer willpower alone, driven by a primal instinct to savor every moment of freedom they had been denied for so long. With each bite of food and each sip of quencher, they pushed themselves beyond the limits of endurance.

But as the night wore on and exhaustion began to take its toll, the goblins began to falter, their bodies finally succumbing to the weight of their fatigue. One by one, they collapsed face-first to the ground, their limbs trembling with the effort of staying upright until they could fight no longer.

And so, as the last echoes of laughter faded into the night, the clearing was transformed into a sea of bodies, the goblins strewn across the ground like fallen soldiers on a battlefield. Yet even in their exhaustion, there was a sense of triumph, for on this night, against all odds, they had tasted freedom.

As the night went on, Larry, Max, and Jake indulged in their drinks a little too enthusiastically, their laughter echoing through the forest as they sank deeper into their makeshift seats, the remnants of their beer barrels scattered haphazardly around them like fallen soldiers in a forgotten battle. Their voices slurred with intoxication, they succumbed to the allure of the alcohol, their senses dulled by its seductive embrace.

With heavy lids and slurred speech, they slumped against the makeshift tables where they had drank their fill of beer, their laughter fading into contented murmurs as they drifted into a drunken sleep.

 Suzuka alone stood guard, her gaze scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. Her enhanced body, infused with the vitality of a werewolf's essence, rendered her resistant to the effects of low-alcohol drinks like beer, leaving her sober and alert. At the same time, her companions succumbed to the lure of intoxication. To get her drunk, she would need something stronger than that.

She took up her post by the fire, her sword at the ready and her senses alert for any sign of danger. She knew all too well that the forest was teeming with monsters who would gladly come to feast on their flesh, drawn by the scent of blood and the promise of easy prey.

The morning sun cast its golden rays across the clearing, Suzuka surveyed the scene before her with pity. The goblins, dirty and caked with years of grime, lay scattered across the field like discarded rag dolls, their hatchlings nestled against their chests in a futile attempt to find warmth and comfort within the mud and muck.

With a heavy sigh, Suzuka made her way through the sea of sleeping bodies, her gaze falling upon Hermit as he snored peacefully, his face buried deep in the muck. With a gentle kick, she roused him from his hangover-induced slumber, her voice tinged with a hint of impatience as she called out to him.

"Hermit," she called, "time to wake up. We've got work to do. No time to waste."

Hermit's reaction was a bewildered confusion as he was suddenly stirred from his deep sleep. Blinking groggily, he squinted up at Suzuka through bleary eyes, his head pounding with the remnants of last night's festivity.

 "Wha... what's going on? W-where... where I am? Wha-what?" he mumbled, his voice slurred with sleep.

As he struggled to shake off the remnants of his hangover, Suzuka offered him a hand. 

"We've got a long day ahead of us, Hermit," she said gently.

 "Time to rise and shine. I need you to lead your fellow goblins, and tell them what to do. We are going back to town after everyone is ready."

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, stirring the world from its slumber, Larry and his team sprang into action, their movements swift and purposeful as they made their final preparations to depart. With supplies packed and provisions secured, all that remained was to organize the goblins and their hatchlings, a daunting challenge given their ragtag group of 70 individuals. Fortunately, the four-wheelers they had brought along proved to be capable of accommodating the entire party with ease. Despite the cramped conditions, they managed to fit all 70 goblins onto the vehicles, their hatchlings nestled safely in their arms.

The breeding farm they had liberated was relatively small, with only 20 adult goblin slaves. And to their surprise, there were no eggs in the hatchery, they raided the goblin breeding farm just days after the last batch had hatched. With no additional cargo weighing them down, the journey ahead promised to be a relatively smooth one.

With everyone packed tightly onto the four-wheelers, Larry signaled for them to move out, his crystal compass pointing the way toward the town. The ride was rough for the goblins, their bodies jostling and rattling with each bump in the ground. Packed together like sardines in a tin can, they found little comfort in their cramped seat, their heads knocking together and their ears slapping against their faces with each jolt.

But despite the discomfort, there was a sense of wonder and excitement, as the goblins marveled at the modern world. It was the first time they had ever seen such wonders, and they couldn't help but stare in awe at the vehicles that carried them to safety.

As the four-wheelers rumbled along the uneven terrain, the tiny hatchlings clung tightly to their goblin guardians, their wide eyes darting about in wonderment at the world rushing past them. Despite the discomfort of the journey, they found moments of joy and excitement in the simplest of things.

Some of the hatchlings giggled and squealed with delight as they felt the wind whip on their sensitive skin, their tiny hands reaching out to catch the fleeting sensation of freedom. Others busied themselves with exploring the unfamiliar surroundings, their curious minds drawn to the myriad sights and sounds that surrounded them.

As the journey continued, a group of tiny hatchlings, barely a few days old, began to crawl up Suzuka's body with unbridled enthusiasm, drawn by her warm and welcoming presence. Darting in and out of the crevices they could squeeze through, they squirmed and wriggled under her garments, their tiny forms disappearing into the folds of her clothing as if they were embarking on a grand adventure.

Some of the bolder hatchlings leaped into her pants pockets, their tiny claws scrabbling against the fabric as they sought out hidden treasures within, their tiny bodies nestled snugly against the fabric as they peered out with wide-eyed curiosity. Others, emboldened by their newfound freedom, made their way up her arms, their tiny legs tickling her skin as they wriggled and squirmed beneath her leather jacket sleeves.

A few bold hatchlings ventured under Suzuka's shirt, gazing up in awe at the two round mountains that rose above them like towering peaks, their tiny minds unable to comprehend the vastness of the world beyond. Entranced by the sight, one adventurous hatchling decided to take matters into its own hands, embarking on a daring climb up between the mountains like a miniature mountain climber in search of new heights.

He squeezed himself between the two round mountains that rose before him, his tiny form disappearing into the soft darkness.

With each wriggle and squirm, he made his way to the summit, his heart pounding with excitement as he reached the pinnacle of his journey. And as he peeked his head out from between the soft curves of Suzuka's chest, he gazed out at the world before him with wonder and awe. From his perch nestled snugly between two round mountains, he had a front-row seat to the breathtaking vista that stretched out before him, a sight that filled his tiny heart with joy and wonder.

Suzuka couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the hatchlings' antics, their playful curiosity bringing a smile to her lips even as they explored every nook and cranny of her body. Despite their ragged appearance and the stench of the breeding farm clinging to their tiny bodies, she found herself strangely drawn to these adorable creatures. Unlike their adult counterparts, whom she had always regarded as nothing more than filthy, poop-eating creatures, these hatchlings possessed a charm and innocence that was hard to resist.

With their bulbous eyes and chubby cheeks, they looked like nothing more than frogs attempting to walk on two legs, their awkward movements endearing in their clumsiness. Yet despite their peculiar appearance, Suzuka couldn't help but find them strangely cute, their tiny wriggling forms tugging at her heartstrings in a way she had never expected.

After a few days of arduous travel, Larry and his team, along with the weary goblins, finally reached the outskirts of town. Larry knew better than to risk bringing them through the main gates, where prying eyes and wagging tongues would surely cause a commotion. Instead, he led them on a different route through the dense forest, where hidden from view, a humble shed awaited their arrival.

Hidden from prying eyes within the tangled undergrowth, the shelter stood as a beacon of hope for the miserable goblins. Built with haste but sturdy enough to withstand the elements, it provided a meager sanctuary for the goblins until Suzuka could begin her ambitious project of building a dedicated town and goblin district.

As the makeshift shelter came into view, Larry signaled for them to halt. With a leap from his four-wheeler, he landed on the forest floor with a resounding thud. The goblins followed his example and tumbled from their vehicles like ripe potatoes spilling from a toppled basket.

Disoriented and exhausted from the rough journey, they scrambled to their scrawny feet, their limbs trembling with fatigue as they formed a ragged crowd, clutching their precious hatchlings close to their chests as they awaited further instruction. 

Max and Jake sprang into action, with a few words exchanged with Larry, they dashed off to return the four-wheelers and gather much-needed supplies for the goblins, their figures disappearing into the distance.