Chapter 327 Friendly Conversation

A heartwarming scene unfolded when the last of the precious eggs were gently placed in their new, safe nests. A small group of the most eager, caring, and loving goblins stepped forward, volunteering to become the guardians of these fragile, unborn lives. These goblins were not just caretakers; they were nurturers, their hearts overflowing with tenderness and devotion.

The room was filled with a tender buzz of activity, as the goblins fussed over the eggs with a devotion that bordered on reverence. The goblins clustered around the eggs, their movements a jittery mix of excitement and nervousness. Their grubby fingers stroked the smooth, delicate shells with exaggerated care, as though the slightest wrong touch might crack them. Each goblin spoke to the eggs with the babbling nonsense that only the simple-minded could muster. 

"Oh, you pretty lil' round thing!" one goblin cooed, his voice high-pitched and gurgling.

 "You's gon' be the biggest goblin ever, yup! Maybe bigger than me! Bigger than all of us, eh? Heh heh! You's gon’ see so many bugs outside! Big ones, fat ones, all for you to eat! Oh, so much fun waitin’ for ya!"

Another goblin, his eyes wide and glistening with awe, poked the shell gently with his grubby finger and giggled.

 "You hear me in there, lil' eggy? Huh? You hear? You's gonna have soooo many goblin friends! We's all waitin' for ya, yup! Oh, the world’s so big, with trees and mud and... and worms! Oh, ya gon’ love worms! Yummy worms, yup, yup!"

A third goblin squatted low, practically pressing his face against the shell, whispering in a gentle tone. 

"Psst... you's gon' be hungry, ain’t ya? I bet ya is. Little hungry hatchling, yes you are! You's gon’ eat tasty worms, yeah? And crunchy bugs, huh? We's gon' teach ya how to find them, don’t worry, lil' eggy. You’s safe. When ya break outta there, we's gonna have a feast!"

The goblins’ voices overlapped as they shared their wild, foolish hopes with the unhatched eggs.

"Ooooooh, you's gonna see the light in the sky! It's big and hot, but not too hot, don't worry! We's gon' show you how to find shade, 'cause we’s smart goblins!"

"Yup, yup! And there’s rivers! With fishes! You’s gon' catch 'em with yer bare hands! Or maybe we’ll catch 'em for ya, since yer gonna be so small when ya hatch, hee hee!"

One of the older goblins, a hunched and wrinkled figure with a missing ear, leaned in close to one of the eggs and whispered in a raspy voice, "You's lucky, lil' one. The world ain't all bad, nope. There’s good places too. Where the food grows and no one beats ya... not too often, anyways. You’s just gotta be smart. Smarter than the rest. Ain't that right, eggs? You’s gon’ be the smart one, huh? I can feel it!"

A younger goblin, practically bouncing with energy, nudged one of the eggs with his elbow and giggled. 

"You's gonna be the fastest goblin in the town! I bet ya! Bet ya can outrun a spider, huh? Or maybe a big ol' dog! Woof woof! Hee hee, but you's gotta hatch first, y’know. You's gotta come outta there real soon, okay?"

The goblins continued to fawn over the eggs, talking nonsense, their voices rising and falling like a chorus of fools.

"Don't be scared in there! It’s nice out here! Not like in breeding farms. Oh no, no!" 

"And food! We’s gonna feed ya soooo much food when you hatch! Mushy berries, and worms, and... uh... more berries! You's gonna be fat and happy!"

Their voices were low and soothing as they whispered to the unborn hatchlings within, their voices filled with a gentle melody of love and care. They sat around the eggs, their faces alight with gentle smiles. They spoke to the eggs so the tiny beings inside could hear and understand their words. Soft lullabies, tales of bravery and hope, and promises of a bright future filled the air. The goblins had even scavenged small storybooks, their pages worn but cherished, ready to read to the hatchlings as they incubated. These books, filled with tales of friendship, courage, and love, were read aloud with a sincerity that could melt even the hardest of hearts.

The goblins took turns sitting vigil, ensuring the eggs were always attended to, never left alone for even a moment. They would gently stroke the shells, their touch filled with a tenderness that spoke of their deep affection and commitment. Some goblins even sang soft, melodic songs, their voices surprisingly sweet, creating a cocoon of warmth and love around the eggs.

While the goblins busied themselves with their tasks, Suzuka headed straight for her tent, yearning for some much-needed rest. Her muscles ached, her mind was foggy, and the weight of the day's brutal encounters hung heavily on her shoulders. As she began to unfasten her armor, the flaps to her tent were abruptly pushed open. Isaac and Jacob strode in with urgent expressions.

Annoyance etched across Suzuka's face fueled by exhaustion.

 "What now?" she asked, "Did anything happen while I was gone? Why do I even ask, of course, it did. What is it?"

Isaac began, "Nothing major happened, but we caught some interlopers sneaking around the camp. More scouts showed up, likely drawn by your magnificent display of power when you crushed the mountain. It's got the attention of every intelligent race in these lands."

Jacob chimed in, "Yeah, long story short, a few lizardmen showed up, sniffing around with their lizard noses. Then a few catpeople sniffed around and even some human scouts lurked in the shadows. But no worries, we took care of them..."

Suzuka's eyes widened with alarm, cutting Jacob off mid-sentence. 

"Oh for the love of god! Took care of? Don’t tell me you straight out killed them? God damn it, Jacob, Isaac!"

Jacob quickly reassured her, "Oh no, no, they’re fine. Relax, take it easy. We just scared lizardmen a bit and restrained them. Humans took off before we could come close and the cat people didn't stay long either. They are fine, we did nothing to them."

Isaac added, "We figured you'd want a word with them since you're building a town where monster kin and other races can coexist. They're resting in the nursery."

With a sigh of relief, Suzuka said, "Oh bless the soul of Melwyn, I thought you slaughtered them. You did a good job. I’ll talk with them, but not now. It's a bit late. Tomorrow, early in the morning, I promise."

Jacob and Isaac nodded and left, leaving Suzuka alone. She began to relax, but her solitude was short-lived. Olivia slipped into the tent, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She moved gracefully to Suzuka's side, helping her undress with ease.

"Well, looks like the fun's not over for tonight," Olivia teased, her voice a sultry whisper.

"Couldn't wait, could you?" Suzuka said with a chuckle, her voice tinged with exhaustion and amusement.

"Not at all," Olivia replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 

"We have some catching up to do, remember?"

As the night wore on, their playful banter turned into something more intense. Olivia took her time, making sure every moment was savored. Their laughter and whispered words of affection filled the tent.

Hours later, the evidence of their 'catching up' lay scattered around them - yet another sleeping bag lay in ruins, the fabric soaked, torn, and stretched beyond repair.

"You're going to have to requisition more of these sleeping bags," Suzuka said, her voice a lazy drawl as she lay back, catching her breath.

"I'll think about it," Olivia replied, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. She snuggled closer to Suzuka, her head resting on her chest.

 "You know, if we keep going at this rate, we'll need a new tent too."

Suzuka laughed softly, her fingers running through Olivia's hair. 

"I suppose that's a problem for another day. For now, let's just enjoy the moment."

As dawn broke, Suzuka awoke feeling refreshed. She dressed swiftly and headed to the nursery where the captured lizardmen were being held. The air was thick with anticipation, the goblins whispering among themselves as she passed by. Upon entering the nursery, she found the lizardmen restrained but unharmed, their eyes wary yet defiant.

Suzuka approached them with a measured calmness, her gaze firm but not unkind. With an easygoing demeanor and a slightly mocking tone, she began, "Well, well, well, what do we have here? A bunch of overgrown geckos taking a stroll in my territory? What's the deal, fellas? Did you lose your way, or were you just curious about the new neighbor in the neighborhood?"

The lead lizardman, a tall, scarred warrior, hissed, his eyes narrowing at her words.

 "We saw the mountain fall," he replied, his voice filled with suspicion.

 "Such power cannot be ignored. We came to see who wields it and why."

Suzuka chuckled, shaking her head.

 "Ah, I see. So you thought you'd just slither on over and check things out? Sneaky, sneaky. But seriously, what did you think you'd find? A giant lizard buffet?"

The lizardman growled, clearly irritated by her mocking tone.

 "We needed to know if you were a threat to our people, to our land."

Suzuka's expression softened slightly, though her tone remained playful. 

"A threat? Me? Come on, I'm more interested in building bridges than tearing them down. I'm creating a place where everyone, even sneaky lizard scouts, can coexist peacefully. But you can't just skulk around and expect a warm welcome. You could've just knocked, you know. Oops! The gates aren't done yet, sorry, my bed."

The lizardmen exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. One of them spoke again, his voice less hostile.

 "We didn't know what to expect. The power was... formidable. We had to be sure it was safe for us and our eggs to live so close."

The lead lizardman, a tall, scarred warrior, stepped forward as much as his restraints allowed.

 "So as we saw the mountain fall, we came to see who wields it and why," he hissed, his voice filled with suspicion.

Suzuka pointed a finger at herself, understanding their fear but not letting go of her playful demeanor. 

"That was all me. Hello, my name is Helen, nice to meet you. Well, now you know. But I’m all about peace and unity. So, what's it gonna be, scales? Are you going to report back that I'm a big bad dragon, or are you gonna give this place a chance?"

The lead lizardman's eyes widened in bewilderment as he took in Suzuka's words. His scales quivered slightly, and he exchanged glances with his fellow lizardmen, their collective disbelief etched on their faces. Seeing the powerful presence standing before him, wrapped in such a deceptively beautiful form, was another matter entirely.

"Impossible," he muttered to himself. His gaze traveled from Suzuka's serene face to her poised stance, every inch of her exuding a strength that seemed incongruous with her appearance. 

"You..." he began, his voice a mix of awe and confusion, "you possess the power to shatter mountains? But... you are so... so..."

"Beautiful?" Suzuka interjected with a playful smirk, "Not what you were expecting, huh? Don't let the pretty face fool you. I pack quite a punch."

The lizardman shook his head slowly, still trying to reconcile the image before him with the incredible display of power they had witnessed.

 "I had the word fragile in mind but... well, never mind. It is... unheard of. Such divine power in one so... unassuming. We thought... we thought it would be some ancient beast or a giant, or perhaps a monstrous being, a creature of great and terrible might. A creature appearing in nightmares. Not... not someone like you."

Suzuka chuckled, the sound light and almost musical in the tense atmosphere.

 "Well, looks can be deceiving, my scaly friend. Power comes in all shapes and sizes.

"Your power is... divine. We have never seen anything like it. How can someone so... so..."

"So what?" Suzuka prodded, a teasing edge to her voice.

 "So petite and harmless-looking? Come on, I thought you guys had better instincts than that."

Another lizardman, younger and less scarred, spoke up, his voice trembling. 

"Forgive our doubt. It is just... difficult to understand what we have witnessed with what stands before us. We were afraid. We thought you might bring destruction to our lands, that you were a harbinger of doom."

Suzuka's expression softened, and she reassured them.

 "No offense taken. It's a lot to take in, I get it, I do. Fear of the unknown can make us see monsters where there are none. But I promise you, my goal is to create a place where all can live in peace. A place where even lizardmen can find a home. For god's sake, haven't you seen a goblin crowd outside? If they can live here in peace, I don't know who can't."

The lizardmen swallowed hard, still grappling with the reality before him.

 "We... we will tell our kin of what we have seen and heard. Perhaps, in time, we can come to trust you, as you have said. May we leave now?"

Suzuka nodded, her smile warm and inviting.

 "That's all I ask. Go in peace, and know that you have nothing to worry about from us."

As the lizardmen slowly walked away, still casting incredulous glances at Suzuka, the older one couldn't help but murmur to his comrade, "We must tell the others. She is not just a woman... she is a force of nature. She is dangerous, we need to be cautious."