Chapter 314 Coins and Gems

Hermit and his fellow goblins hugged and kissed each other in disbelief and joy, their hearts overflowed with gratitude for being saved from a life of suffering and pain. Tears of relief streamed down their dirty faces as they clung to one another, their joy echoed in the air. Their jubilant cries resonated across the forest, a chorus of liberation that reverberated with the trees and sky.

Suzuka and the rest of her team, however, were deep in discussion about the plan gone wrong. Their usual approach had failed spectacularly, nearly costing many goblin lives. Suzuka's face was a mask of frustration, her brows furrowed as she replayed the events in her mind.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Larry, sensing her turmoil, tried to reassure her.

"The plan was solid, Helen. Sometimes, things just don't go as expected. Trust me, I know. It's not your fault."

Jake and Max, standing nearby, voiced their concerns.

"Why were the goblins so agitated and wary?" Jake wondered aloud, his eyes scanning the treeline as if expecting an answer to leap out at him.

Max nodded in agreement.

"It's like they were ready for an attack. Something spooked them."

Mia chimed in.

"Maybe some monsters have been attacking them. They could've been on high alert."

Olivia, leaning against a tree with a playful smile, added her theory.

"Or maybe, Helen's grand display of crushing the mountain spooked the whole forest." She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"I mean, if I was a goblin and saw a mountain get squished like that, I'd be on edge too."

Suzuka sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her frustration.

"You're right, Olivia. They even sent scouts to check it out. We need to figure out a new strategy. We can't afford another mistake like this. We got lucky this time, we might not be so lucky the next time. We need a new plan. Disguising as a slave and an evil goblin almost got them killed today. We can't afford to take such risks again without careful consideration."

Jake nodded in agreement.

 "I think we should consider a full-scale assault. We have the element of surprise on our side, and with the right tactics, we can overpower them before they even know what's happening."

Larry added his thoughts. 

"A direct assault did not work out last time, also risky. If they have defenses we don't know about, we could walk right into a trap. We need more intel before we decide on an all-out attack."

Max, who had been silent up until now, spoke up.

 "I can scout ahead and gather information. Find out their weak points and numbers. It'll give us a better idea of what we're dealing with."

Mia nodded in agreement.

 "I can go with Max. We're both skilled in stealth. We can slip in and out without being detected."

Olivia leaned forward, her expression thoughtful.

 "What if we combine both approaches? We could use Max and Mia's scouting information to plan a precise strike. Hit them where it hurts the most."

Suzuka listened to their suggestions, weighing each one carefully.

 "All good points," she said.

 "But there's something else to consider. The element of surprise is crucial, but so is minimizing casualties. We can't afford to lose any of the goblins we're trying to rescue."

Hermit, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

 "Master Helen, I know it was risky, but the disguise plan has worked before. Maybe we just need to refine it. Be more cautious and thorough in our play."

Larry frowned.

 "Are you suggesting we try the same plan again, Hermit? After what happened today?"

Hermit nodded, his eyes earnest.

 "Yes, but with more preparation. We could use Max and Mia's scouting to identify key guards and weak points. We can time our entry better, and ensure that we're not walking into a trap. And perhaps we can add some new elements to the disguise to make it more convincing."

Jake, who had been skeptical, seemed to consider this.

 "It's not a bad idea. If we can gather enough information and plan our approach carefully, the disguise plan could still work. It's less risky than a full-scale assault and more controlled."

Olivia sighed, her playful demeanor gone. 

"I don't like the idea of those filthy goblins touching Suzu again, but Hermit has a point. The disguise plan has the advantage of getting us inside without immediate suspicion."

Suzuka looked around the group, her eyes meeting each of them. 

"Alright, here's what we'll do. Max and Mia, you'll scout the next farm and gather as much information as possible. Focus on guard rotations, weak points, and any unusual activity. Hermit, you and I will refine our disguise plan, incorporating the new intel. We'll be extra cautious this time. Larry, Jake, and Olivia, you'll be our backup. If anything goes wrong, you come in and start swinging swords immediately."

The team nodded in agreement, they knew the risks, but they also knew that this plan, with careful execution, gave them the best chance to free more goblins without unnecessary bloodshed.

 With their new plan in place, the team scattered to scavenge the breeding farm for anything useful before they settled for the night. Suzuka, her mind racing with possibilities, walked up to Hermit, and Timbo who knew the farm best.

 "Hermit, ask Timbo where are the goblin master's chambers? We need to loot anything useful he might have stashed away. With looted spoils, we will make our town a better place for all of us."

Hermit and Timbo exchanged a short chat in goblin tongue. 

"Follow us," Hermit said, his voice a mix of fear and excitement. They led Suzuka through the farm, their feet crunching on the dirt floor. The dim evening light barely illuminated their path, casting eerie shadows on the ground.

Finally, they arrived at a small cave. In front of them was a rough wooden wall with a pair of big, sturdy doors. Timbo pointed a trembling finger at the door.

 "Master goblin chambers," he muttered.

Suzuka didn't hesitate. With a powerful kick, she sent the doors flying off their hinges, the wood splintering and crashing to the ground. The room inside was a disgusting sight, even by goblin standards. Filth covered every surface, and the air was thick with the stench of filth. The ground was littered with all manner of junk, and a few rough tables and beds were strewn around the room, piled high with refuse.

Despite the filth, Suzuka's eyes gleamed with anticipation. She began to sift through the piles of debris, her hands moving with practiced efficiency. What looked like junk at first glance soon revealed hidden treasures. Underneath stinking pelts and rotting hides, she found a small chest, its lock rusted and broken.

She pried it open, her breath catching as she saw what lay inside. The chest was filled to the brim with coins and gems, glittering in the dim light. These were the master goblin's hoarded spoils, taken from countless victims and stashed away for his greed.

Suzuka's heart leaped with joy.

 "Jackpot," she whispered to herself, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. She carefully stashed the coins and gems into her magic item storage, her fingers brushing over the cool metal and smooth stones.

As she continued to search the room, she found more items of value: all kinds of crystals, rare ores, and even weapons and armor that belonged to some unfortunate adventurers. She took everything that looked valuable, her magic storage eagerly taking in the newfound loot.

When she finally stepped out of the chamber, Hermit and Timbo were waiting anxiously. 

"Did you find anything? Anything that would help us toward a better tomorrow?" Hermit asked, his eyes wide with hope.

Suzuka nodded, her smile widening.

 "Oh, yes. We hit the motherlode. This will help us a lot." She patted her magic storage. 

The goblins' faces lit up with joy. They knew that the treasures Suzuka had found would be a great boon to their efforts. As they made their way back to the rest of the group, Hermit couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope. With Suzuka's leadership and the newfound resources, they had a real chance at building a better future. And with that hopeful thought, everyone settled for the night.

In the early morning, Suzuka and her team escorted the rescued goblins back to her town, where the goblins quickly rushed the eggs into the new hatchery, carefully placing them to incubate. The sight of the goblins, once so oppressed, now bustling with purpose and hope, was heartwarming and encouraging. After ensuring the new arrivals were settled, Suzuka and her team set off to the next breeding farm. The journey was long, and by the time they arrived, the sun was already high in the sky, marking the middle of the day.

Without wasting any precious time, they swiftly executed their plan. This time, Timbo, despite his brutal injuries, volunteered to approach the farm gates alone to check the mood of the evil goblins and signal for Suzuka and Hermit to approach in disguise. His longing to help his fellow slaves overshadowed the pain, and his resolve was unshakable.

Timbo limped toward the camp gate, every step a painful squeal escaping his lips. His face was contorted in a mask of agony and desperation, making him the perfect picture of a pitiful, broken slave. As he reached the gate, he pleaded with the guards, his voice a miserable, pathetic whine.

"Please, masters, please," Timbo groaned, clutching his side as if every word caused him physical pain.

 "I beg of you, spare a moment for poor Timbo. I... I come from far, far away. Escaped the nasty adventurers, I did. Barely made it out with my life. Need... need a place to hide, yes. A place to serve, to be useful again."

The guards, hardened by their cruel duties, eyed Timbo with a mix of suspicion and disdain. One of them, a particularly nasty goblin with a scar running down his face, stepped forward and sneered. 

"What's this, then? Another runaway, eh? Think you can just waltz in here and be taken in?"

Timbo fell to his knees, his hands clasped together in a pitiful gesture of supplication.

 "Oh, no, no, mighty guards. I just want to serve, to be of use. Got no place else to go. They'll kill me if they find me, they will. Please, let me in. I can work, can help, promise!"