Chapter 31 Kind Hearted Adventurer

 We stayed like that for a while, the adventurer’s hand moving in soothing circles on my belly, my laughter filling the air around us. I looked up at him, trying to find the words to express how much this meant to me, but my grasp of his language was limited. Still, I had to try.

“Th-thank you... kind,” I stammered, the words slow and unsure on my tongue. His language was difficult, each word a challenge, but I wanted him to understand.

The adventurer’s eyes softened even more, and he nodded, his hand still gently rubbing my belly. 

“Yes, yes, I'm kind. Very Kind. You’re welcome, little freak. I’m happy you like it.”

I struggled to find more words, to tell him how much his kindness meant in a world that had shown me so little of it. 

“You... good man,” I managed, my voice filled with sincerity. 

“Not... hurt. You... help. Good man? Not... hurt me?”

He smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

 “Oh, no, no hurt. I'm a good man. I’m doing whatever it takes to get me out of here. Even showing kindness to little freaks like you. I'm a good man, no lie.”

His words were simple, but they resonated deep within me. I nodded eagerly, wanting him to know that I understood and that I appreciated his gentle touch.

 “Yes... kindness... good. You... good.”

The adventurer leaned closer, his voice even softer now, as if sharing a secret.

 “We can be friends, you know. I just need a little help from you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

The word "friends" rang in my ears, like a melody I had been waiting to hear all my life. It felt warm, like the sun shining on a cool morning, and it wrapped around me in a way that made my little heart flutter with pure joy. Friends. The one word I knew so well, and yet, coming from his lips, it felt like something new, something magical. It sounded like something wonderful, something I wanted to hold onto forever, like a treasure too precious to ever let go.

I looked up at him, my big, round eyes sparkling with delight. They were a little too large for my face, making me look like I was always on the verge of surprise. My tiny, stubby sniffer wiggled as I tried to hold back the excitement that was bubbling up inside me, but it was no use. I nodded again, more vigorously this time, my whole body wiggling with the effort. My short, scrawny arms flailed a bit as I tried to contain my happiness, but they ended up just flapping around like little wings that couldn’t quite catch the wind.

A wide, goofy grin spread across my face, showing off my tiny, uneven teeth. They were more like little pebbles than proper teeth, but they sparkled with the sincerity of my happiness. My gaunt cheeks puffed out as I grinned, almost making my face look like a squishy, round ball. My ears, way too big for my small head, twitched with excitement, sticking out at awkward angles like mismatched wings that had a mind of their own.

“Friends! Yes, friends! We friends! I-I like that word,” I squeaked, my voice high-pitched and full of warmth, though it cracked slightly with the sheer amount of joy I was feeling.

 “Friends... I like being friends!” The words tumbled out of my mouth, each one filled with the kind of innocent enthusiasm that only a hatchling could muster.

 The adventurer gave me a second round of belly rubs. It made me look a bit like a puppy who had just been given a treat, my whole body unable to contain the happiness that was bubbling up inside me. My tiny claws, barely more than soft nubs, scratched at the ground as I tried to keep my balance, but I was so excited that I toppled over.

"I... I’m good at being a friend!” I added, my voice full of earnestness as I looked up at him with my big, hopeful eyes.

The adventurer’s smile grew, and he gave me one last gentle pat on the head before standing up. 

“I’m glad we become friends, little freak. I’m really glad.”

For the next few hours, we exchanged more words, each one carefully chosen, my limited understanding of his language making the conversation slow but deeply meaningful. I stumbled over the strange syllables, my tongue twisting in unfamiliar ways, but he was patient, smiling gently whenever I made a mistake. His encouragement filled me with a warmth I’d never known as if each word I managed to get right was a small victory in a much larger battle.

He taught me simple words, things I could use every day - like “sun” “tree” “food” and many more. I listened intently, my ears twitching with concentration, repeating the words back to him with my high-pitched voice, sometimes getting them wrong and sometimes making him laugh. Every time he laughed, it wasn’t the mean kind of laughter I was used to hearing from evil goblins; it was soft and full of kindness. It made me feel safe, even when I stumbled over the more difficult words.

When the words got too difficult, I scratched my head, my large ears flopping over my face in a way that made him laugh even more.

 “You’re doing great,” he said, and I beamed at the praise, my little chest puffing out with pride.

As time ran past us, the conversation slowly wound down, but the silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable. It was peaceful, filled with a shared understanding that didn’t need words. We sat there together, side by side, watching as the first stars began to twinkle above us.

Eventually, the night grew cooler, and he gently suggested that it was time to rest. I nodded, though I didn’t want the moment to end. But I was tired too, my little body worn out from all the pain and labor of the day.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I had something truly precious - a friend - and that was something worth holding onto with all my little goblin heart.

Returning to the shed, I shared the conversation with Kaka. Despite his weakened state, a flicker of hope appeared in his eyes. He knew we couldn’t trust many in this place, but the adventurer’s presence was a beacon of hope, a chance we were looking for. We would bide our time, gathering strength and waiting for the right moment. Kaka, even though still weak and recovering, shared all of his knowledge of the human tongue and taught me through the night as best he could.

The next day, I continued to visit the adventurer whenever I could. Each encounter strengthened our bond and gave me a little more courage. I told him about the horrors of the breeding farm, the cruelty of the master goblin and Slasher, and our desperate need to escape. He listened intently, his eyes burning with a resolve that matched my own.

With each conversation, my knowledge of his language grew. The adventurer taught me more words in his language, allowing us to communicate more effectively.

The adventurer’s kindness had given me the strength to keep fighting, and I clung to that hope with all my might. Kaka and I would survive, and one day, we would be free.

The adventurer, whose name I learned was Loran, told me stories of his life. He spoke of grand adventures, of monsters he had slain, and of the joyous celebrations that followed. His tales painted a vivid picture of a world beyond the cruel confines of the breeding farm. He described the bustling town he came from as a place teeming with life and filled with kind-hearted people. He spoke of the massive number of people living in the towns, each with their own stories and dreams.

"A town is a wonderful place, little freak," Loran said, his voice soft and filled with longing.

"People there are good and caring. They would welcome a little goblin, like you. They'd be fascinated by you, eager to learn your story. The food and drinks are plentiful, and everyone wears fancy, warm clothes. They live in nice homes, in happy families, free from pain and suffering."

I listened, captivated by his words. The idea of such a place was beyond my wildest dreams. It seemed like a fairy tale, a distant utopia. Yet, Loran spoke with such conviction that I couldn't help but believe him.

He paused for a moment, a wistful smile on his face, his green crystal tooth glinting in dim light.

"Oh, if only you could see it, little freak. My hometown is a paradise like no other. Picture this: mountains of food, more than you could ever dream of! Tables groan under the weight of feasts that never end. And the drink? Barrels upon barrels of the finest, most refreshing brews you could imagine, enough to fill a river!

And the people, well, they’re the kindest souls you’ll ever meet. They line the streets just to greet you, showering you with smiles and good wishes. They open their homes to strangers, inviting them in to share stories by the fire, and to sleep in the softest beds. It’s a place where every day feels like a festival and every night like a cozy gathering of friends. You’d never want to leave! The people of my town are as warm and welcoming as the embrace of a long-lost friend. They greet you with open arms and hearts as vast as the endless sky, inviting you into their homes where warmth and hospitality abound. Oh, little goblin, if only you could experience the wonders of my hometown for yourself!"

His words stirred something deep within me - a longing for freedom, for a life beyond the torment I had known. I imagined walking through the streets of the town, meeting kind people, tasting the delicious food, and feeling the warmth of a real home. It was a dream that felt almost touchable, within reach.