Chapter 283 Full Schedule

Once they had finished eating, Olivia rose from her seat, her expression softened with affection as she bid Suzuka farewell for the day.

 "I'll come visit again soon. Take care of yourself, my love," she promised, her voice filled with warmth. 

Suzuka returned Olivia's goodbye with a fond smile, "I'll be waiting, don't take too long." 

With a final embrace, Olivia made her way to the door, her footsteps echoing through the empty hallway as she disappeared from view. Alone once more, Suzuka lingered in the kitchen for a moment longer, savoring the memories of their time together.

But as she made her way back to her room, Suzuka was surprised to find Silvia already awake and dressed, her eyes bright with anticipation for the day ahead. With a smile, Suzuka greeted her friend, "Hey, how was the night? Did you sleep well? I hope it wasn't awkward or weird to sleep with two other girls in one bed."

 Silvia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to find the right words to respond to Suzuka's question. 

"Um, well," she began hesitantly, "it was a little bit unpleasant to sleep with you because you nearly snuggled me to death." She offered a nervous chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood.

"But other than that," she continued, her voice growing more confident, "I don't really have a problem sleeping with other girls in one bed. It's something I'm used to, actually."

 "When I was living in the orphanage," she explained, "having your own bed was a luxury we couldn't afford. So, we often had to sleep with many other girls in one bed. It was just a part of daily life for us. So, I didn't find it unpleasant or awkward at all."

"Hey, good to know," Suzuka replied with a laidback grin, "We're gonna be sharing the bed for a few days anyway, good thing you don't mind. And as for my behavior, yeah, I can be a bit of a handful in my sleep sometimes. Sorry about that. But hey, if I start getting too grabby again, just give me a little nudge or a nibble. I'll try not to snuggle you to death."

"Y-yes, I'll try... if you decide to snuggle me again," she stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Silvia took a deep breath before continuing, "And one more thing. As for your offer to teach the goblins... I want to tell you that I accept your offer. I will be your teacher. After having a conversation and seeing how nice these goblins are, I've decided I want to help them grow to their full potential and improve themselves. I want to help them reach their goals."

Suzuka's voice rang out with enthusiasm as she responded to Silvia's acceptance of her offer. 

"Great, that's good to hear, Silvia! You won't regret this decision, I promise you."

With a thoughtful expression, Suzuka continued, "I am very happy with your decision. But let's settle about your payment. At the moment, I can't offer you much. In advance, I can give you a few gold coins, and provide food, protection, and shelter."

 She paused, her gaze steady as she considered Silvia's needs. 

"As I mentioned before, I am building from the ground up, and it will take a bit of time until things start rolling. Things will start small and will be that for a while. But I'll make sure you're taken care of in the meantime. So just to be sure, I will ask one more time."

With a reassuring smile, Suzuka extended her hand to Silvia, a silent promise of their forged partnership. 

"What do you say, Silvia? Are you in? Do you want to join me in my dream?" 

"Yes, Helen. I don't mind starting small, It's more than enough, I'm in. I want to be a part of your grand dream."

As Suzuka and Silvia settled in for their conversation, they were suddenly interrupted by a curious sight. From under the bed, Hermit emerged with a jaw-cracking yawn, his tiny form stretching and squirming as he shook off the last remnants of sleep.

With a squealing yawn tearing from his gaping throat, Hermit rubbed the morning sleep from his eyes, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated. As he chomped his mouth and blinked in the dim light, he turned his attention towards Suzuka and Silvia, his stomach rumbling with hunger.

"Food... Please, I need food... for me and my hatchlings... We're so hungry... We haven't eaten in days... food is needed to recover from injuries, and heal faster." Hermit mumbled, his voice muffled by his grogginess. 

Behind Hermit, two tiny hatchlings followed, their pitiful state evoking a deep sense of sorrow. After a night's rest and a dose of healing potion, they were able to walk, though their steps were unsteady and feeble. The hatchlings limped behind Hermit and clung to his ankles. Their bodies were frail and emaciated, covered in bruises and cuts. Their eyes, large and hauntingly sad, seemed too big for their skeletal faces. Their skin, a sickly pallor, hung loosely from their bones, and each step they took was accompanied by a pitiful whimper.

The hatchlings were grotesquely thin, their frail bodies covered in a mix of dried blood and grime. Their tiny limbs were bandaged haphazardly, evidence of the hurried attempts to mend their injuries. Their skin, a sickly shade of green, was stretched taut over their skeletal frames, making their every movement appear laborious and painful.

The hatchlings stood behind Hermit, their stance unsteady and weak. They clung to his ankles for support, their tiny hands trembling from suffering and fear. Their voices, when they whimpered, were soft and laden with pain, each sound a pitiful plea for comfort and sustenance.

Silvia, feeling a pang of sympathy and hunger herself, suggested they go downstairs to the Inn's kitchen to order some meals.

Upon returning with plates and bowls brimming with food, Suzuka placed the dishes on the table.

 "Here, have some soup," she said, her tone laced with mockery as she added with a grin, "and your favorite, eggs and bacon."

Hermit convulsed at the mere mention of eggs and bacon, a shudder running down his spine as Suzuka's cruel joke echoed in his mind. The memory of her twisted humor, insinuating that the eggs and meat were his fellow goblins, still lingered. Yet, as his eyes fell upon the steaming bowl of soup, his spirits lifted, and a glimmer of joy danced in his eyes.

Gently, he picked up his tiny hatchlings, cradling them in his palms before placing them carefully on the table. He then hopped onto the chair, his bony frame barely able to contain his excitement as he marveled at the feast spread out before him.

Despite their grievous injuries, the hatchlings wasted no time. One of them wobbled towards a plate, only to tumble face-first into it. Ignoring the pain, he began stuffing his mouth with the cooked egg, his tiny body almost the same size as the egg itself. Yet, like a turkey on holiday, he stuffed his mouth with insatiable greed, crumbs flying everywhere.

The other hatchling limped towards a bowl of soup, climbing into it with a splash. The warm liquid enveloped him as he scooped handfuls of it into his mouth, chugging it down as if each gulp were his last. The sight was both heartbreaking and endearing.

Hermit, too, wasted no time. He shoveled food into his mouth with abandon, his gaping maw opening wide to accommodate the squelching gulp that followed each bite. In mere moments, he had devoured the meal, his hunger momentarily sated.

The room was filled with the sounds of frantic eating, the hatchlings' pitiful whimpers intermingling with the slurps and gulps of their desperate feast. For a brief moment, there was a semblance of solace as Hermit and his hatchlings found nourishment and a fleeting respite from their hardships.

With the goblins fed and Silvia finishing her meal, Suzuka stood up and dusted off her hands. She looked at Silvia with a mixture of relief and gratitude.

"I'll be gone all day," Suzuka said, her tone brisk but friendly. 

"I have a lot to handle regarding the town plans. Can you hold the fort and keep an eye on Hermit while I'm out? Of course, only if you don't have any plans of your own."

Silvia smiled warmly. 

"I have nothing planned for today, Helen. I'd be glad to get to know Hermit better and learn more about his kin."

Suzuka nodded, appreciating Silvia's support. 

"Thanks, Silvia. I'll be back as soon as I can."

With that, Suzuka left her room, the weight of the day's tasks pressing on her shoulders. She had a full schedule ahead, and every minute counted.

Suzuka's first stop was the office of Elara, the esteemed architect known for her innovative designs and knack for problem-solving. As Suzuka walked in, the room buzzed with creative energy, with blueprints and sketches strewn across every surface.

"Hello there, Elara," Suzuka greeted warmly, her voice cutting through the hum of activity.

 "I need a little bit of help, I have a bit of a dumb goblin problem."

Elara looked up from her desk, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

 "Ah! Helen! Hello. What might be the problem?"

After a short exchange of friendly banter, Suzuka got to the heart of the matter. 

"I need someone who can teach the goblins to work by the blueprint, like real construction workers. Someone to show them the ropes."

Elara leaned back in her chair, tapping her chin thoughtfully. 

"Hmm, that’s quite an interesting problem you have there. But, as it happens, I might just have a solution for you."

Suzuka's interest was piqued.

 "Oh? Do tell."

Elara's eyes twinkled with excitement.

 "I know two dwarves who are absolutely bursting with enthusiasm to prove themselves in the field of architecture. They’re young, ambitious, and most importantly, eager to make a name for themselves. Your project could be exactly the grand opportunity they’ve been waiting for."

Suzuka’s curiosity grew.

 "And you think they’d be interested in helping with my vision for the town?"

Elara nodded.

 "Absolutely. In fact, they’re so eager to establish their reputation that they might even forgo payment for the promise of glory. Fame from a successful project like yours could propel their names far and wide. For architects, there’s nothing more desirable than fame from their work."

Suzuka was intrigued.

 "So, they’re chasing after fame?"

Elara grinned.

 "Indeed. And they’d be thrilled to be part of something as grand and promising as your vision. I’ll even write a letter of recommendation for you. Just hand it to them and make your best appeal. But honestly, with the scope of your project, I guarantee they’ll be more than happy to help."

Suzuka's eyes sparkled with gratitude.

 "Thank you, Elara. This means a lot."

Elara waved her hand dismissively.

 "Think nothing of it. I’m happy to help. Good luck with the dwarves. I am eager to visit your town someday soon."