Chapter 302 Mana Sickness

As the shockwave of Suzuka's power spread through the camp, Larry's team and the dwarves exchanged glances of sheer amazement. The dwarves let out triumphant roars, slamming their fists in a display of raw emotion.

"That's our boss!" they shouted, their voices echoing through the clearing.

"Glory and fame will be ours!"

"We knew we made no mistake coming here!"

Olivia watched with a knowing smile, her eyes brimming with pride. She had always believed in Suzuka's unparalleled strength, but witnessing such a monumental feat firsthand filled her with a profound sense of admiration and love.

The only one who wasn't utterly blown away was Jacob, who knew what was going on behind Suzuka's dramatic display. While everyone else stood in awe of her incredible feat, Jacob's sharp eyes quickly assessed the real situation. Suzuka had pushed herself far beyond her limits, and the consequences were severe. Mana sickness had gripped her tightly, her normally vibrant energy now a pale shadow of its usual self.

As the others continued to gape at the vanished mountain, Jacob swiftly made his way to Suzuka's side. The sight that met him was alarming. Her face was ghostly white as if all the blood had drained from her. Her body trembled, each shudder proof of the immense strain she had endured. Her breath came in ragged, uneven gasps, each inhaling a struggle against the crushing weight of exhaustion. Sweat poured down her face in rivulets, soaking her hair and dripping onto the ground below.

Dark circles ringed her eyes, deep and pronounced, making her look as though she had not slept in days. Her limbs hung limply, and even the smallest movement seemed to require an extraordinary effort.

Her once strong posture was now hunched, her shoulders sagging under an invisible burden. Her clothes, drenched in sweat, clung to her body, accentuating her gaunt appearance, her legs barely able to support her weight. Jacob’s heart sank at the sight of her like this, knowing all too well how mana sickness felt.

"What were you thinking, you stupid girl?" Jacob scolded quietly, his voice a mix of anger and worry.

"Do you have a death wish? Nobody uses up all of their mana in one spell. How are you even still standing after that? Can you walk? We need to get you to your tent before the others see you in this weak state, otherwise, your magnificent performance will go to waste when they see you in this miserable condition."

Suzuka's eyes fluttered open, her lips curving into a faint, pained smile.

"Just... had to show them... who is the boss... around here," she murmured weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jacob shook his head, his worry deepening.

"You sure did, haven't seen so many gaping mouths in my entire life," he muttered under his breath.

"Come on, let's get you out of sight."

He wrapped a supportive arm around her waist, helping her to walk towards her tent. Each step was a monumental effort for Suzuka, her body screaming in protest. It took every ounce of her remaining strength to keep moving, to maintain the facade of composure.

As they walked, the crowd began to stir, their focus shifting from the vanished mountain to their retreating leader. Isaac, Larry, Olivia, Silvia, and the dwarves turned their attention back to Suzuka, their admiration undiminished but now tinged with concern. They saw her leaning heavily on Jacob but were too far to discern the extent of her weakness.

Suzuka maintained her regal posture with painful effort until they reached her tent. Once inside, Jacob lowered her gently onto a bedroll. She collapsed onto it, her body finally surrendering to the overwhelming fatigue.

Jacob knelt beside her, his expression a mix of frustration and deep concern.

"Are you crazy? What was that all about? Couldn't you take a few hits and not go spelunkers on that mountain?" he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her sweat-drenched forehead.

"That was insane. A normal person would have died, there and then. You are lucky that you can walk and speak after that. Mana sickness is not a joke, I know that very well."

Suzuka nodded weakly, her eyelids drooping.

"I know," she whispered.

"But they needed to see... they needed to believe."

"And they do," Jacob assured her.

"They believe in you more than ever. Now drink this potion and rest. I'll make sure no one disturbs you."

The goblins, slowly recovering from their shock, began to murmur among themselves. Their awe and reverence for Suzuka had reached new heights. They now saw her not just as a great leader, but as a divine being who had answered their desperate prayers for salvation. They huddled together and, inspired by Suzuka’s incredible display of power, vowed to work even harder to build a future worthy of their goddess.

With the initial excitement and wonder finally fading, everyone gradually returned to their respective duties. Silvia and the dwarves, still reeling from the day's extraordinary event, retired to their tents early, eager to rest and recharge. Larry and his team took up the night watch duties, allowing Isaac to get some well-deserved sleep after his shift.

Jacob, deeply concerned for Suzuka's well-being, approached Olivia with a grave expression. 

"Suzuka is in bad shape. She used way too much mana and is now sick. She needs someone to look after her, and since you two are a couple, please look after her, Okay?"

"Well, no surprise there, to do what she did, one needs a lot of mana. But let's not dwell on that, I will take good care of her."

Without a moment's hesitation, Olivia made her way to Suzuka's side, her heart heavy with concern. Jacob, meanwhile, stationed himself at the entrance of Suzuka's tent, ensuring that no one would intrude while she was in such a vulnerable state.

Some of the goblins, still in a state of shock, huddled together in a massive pile near their makeshift shelters. Their faces were frozen in expressions of absolute bewilderment, their minds struggling to grasp the reality of what they had witnessed. A mountain that once scraped the clouds and reached for the heavens had been reduced to nothing in mere minutes. It was as if a goddess had descended from the heavens and performed a miracle before their very eyes.

Their dumbfounded gazes remained fixated on the spot where the mountain once stood, now a mere memory etched into their minds. Whispers of disbelief and awe rippled through the goblin crowd, their voices hushed as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile reality they were clinging to.

"Did you see that?" one goblin whispered, his eyes wide with incredulity.

 "Yep! Yep! She just... destroyed it. Like it was nothing."

"She must be a goddess," another murmured, his voice trembling with reverence.

 "Of course she is! No one else could do something like that. Our master is divine!"

Meanwhile, Hermit struggled to regain his composure. His arms shook uncontrollably from fear, and he clutched his hands tightly in a vain attempt to stop the trembling. Despite his efforts to appear cheerful and mask his terror, the deep-seated dread lingered. He knew Suzuka's character well, recalling her indifference to his pain and the casual way she wielded her immense power. The worst-case scenarios played out in his mind, each one more horrifying than the last. No matter how hard he tried to think of something else, the sound of the mountain crumbling still rang in his ears.

Soon, the other goblins noticed Hermit standing nearby and surrounded him in a whirlwind of cheers and applause. They adored him, showering him with gratitude for bringing them salvation, for rescuing them from the years of relentless pain and suffering that had crushed their spirits and bones. They cheered his name with such fervor that it echoed through the clearing, lifting him on their arms in a sea of joyous goblins.

Hermit felt his fears melt away as quickly as they had surfaced. The laughter of his fellow goblins, a sound he had never heard in the breeding farms, washed over him like a healing balm. It was a symphony of hope, replacing his dread with a newfound sense of purpose. The goblins recognized Hermit as their unquestionable leader, swearing their loyalty to him with a fervor that left him deeply moved.

"We owe our lives to you, Hermit!" one goblin cried, tears of joy streaming down his face. 

"You led us to freedom, and now we can finally live without fear!"

"All hail Hermit, our leader and savior!" another goblin shouted, and the chant was quickly taken up by the rest, their voices rising in a powerful sound that reverberated through the clearing.

Carried high on the shoulders of his fellow goblins, he looked out over the sea of faces, each one filled with gratitude and hope. He raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent, waiting for him to speak.

"My friends!" he began with a squeak, his voice trembling and cracking with emotion.

 "We have endured so much, so much hurt, so much pain! But today, today is a new beginning, yes it is! With Master Helen and our allies by our side, we will build a future free from pain and suffering. No more beatings, no more hiding, no more fear!" He pathetically screamed while his snot and tears streamed down his face.

"Together, we will create a home, a real home! A place where we can live in peace and happiness, where we can be safe and free. No more running, no more whips. Just us, our friends, our family, living the life we deserve!" He screamed, his voice cracking.

He raised his tiny fists in the air, his voice growing louder and more emotional.

 "No more will we cower under the lash of the overseers, nor fear the cruel laughter of the guards. With each stone laid and each crop planted, we will shape a home where every goblin can find solace and joy. We will create a home, a place where we can live in peace and happiness. No more beatings, no more hiding in fear. We will stand tall, not as slaves, but as free goblins! Free to laugh, free to love, free to live!"

The goblins erupted into cheers once more, their spirits soaring. Hermit felt a swell of pride. He knew the road ahead would not be easy, but with the unwavering support of his kin and the incredible power of Suzuka, he was ready to lead his fellow goblins.