Chapter 303 Awe and Admiration

The goblins, done with their cheering and worshiping Hermit, huddled into a big pile of bodies, their meaty ears and limbs wrapping around each other to form a tangled mass of warmth and comfort. In their excitement and a newfound sense of security, they forgot that Suzuka had provided tents for them. Instead, they reverted to their instinctual behavior, creating a communal nest that radiated both solidarity and affection.

Hermit, their beloved leader, found himself cozily snuggled in the middle of this heartwarming pile. Surrounded by the bodies of his fellow goblins, he felt their unwavering trust and adoration envelop him like a blanket. The goblins, exhausted from the day's excitement and work, soon fell asleep, their collective snores filling the camp with a symphony of adorable little noises. It was a sound that spoke of peace and safety, the complete opposite of the terror and pain they had known for so long.

Meanwhile, Olivia had finished nursing Suzuka. She lay beside her, her body pressed close to provide warmth through the night. Suzuka, feeling the comfort of Olivia's presence, relaxed into a deep, restorative sleep. 

Jacob stood guard throughout the night. His eyes scanned the perimeter of the camp, ensuring that no harm would come to them while they slept. He felt a deep sense of responsibility. The quiet of the night was punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a nocturnal creature, but Jacob remained alert, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

The first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, casting a gentle glow over the camp. The goblins stirred, their snores giving way to the murmurs of waking. Hermit, feeling the warmth of his fellow goblins, smiled as he slowly opened his eyes. He saw the hope and trust in their faces, and his resolve to lead them to a brighter future only deepened.

Olivia, sensing the change in light, gently woke Suzuka with a soft kiss on her forehead. Suzuka stretched, feeling the effects of her exertion from crushing the mountain but ready to face the new day. Jacob, seeing the first rays of sunlight, knew his watch was over and allowed himself a brief moment of rest.

As the first light of dawn gently illuminated the camp, a precious scene began to unfold. The goblins, shaking off the remnants of their slumber, started to stir, preparing to resume their work of cutting down trees. But within the quiet morning, a new energy began to ripple through the air. Tiny hatchlings, as green as the freshest leaves of spring, burst forth from the huddled mass of goblins like an adorable tidal wave.

These tiny creatures, no larger than the palm of a goblin’s hand, scuttled with boundless enthusiasm and joy. Their wide, innocent eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement, and their tiny limbs moved with a delightful, almost clumsy coordination. Their appearance was nothing short of heartwarming - each hatchling a bundle of pure, unspoiled wonder.

As they surged toward Silvia's tent, their collective movement resembled a wave of green, their squeals and giggles filling the air with a chorus of innocence. The sight of these little ones, with their soft, meaty ears flopping as they ran and their tiny, almost comically proportioned limbs, was enough to melt even the hardest of hearts. They were a vision of cuteness that radiated warmth and joy.

The hatchlings' eagerness to learn from Silvia and the two dwarves, Thorin and Dwalin, was insatiable. They adored Silvia, who, with her kind eyes and gentle demeanor, had become a maternal figure to them. Her tent, a place of safety and learning, was their haven. The hatchlings scuttled over each other in their haste, their tiny bodies piling up as they jostled to be the first to greet her.

Silvia, hearing their approach, stepped out of her tent with a warm smile, her heart swelling at the sight of the hatchlings. She knelt, her arms open wide to welcome them. The hatchlings, squealing in delight, swarmed her, their tiny hands reaching out to touch her and be held by her. Each little touch and giggle was proof of their trust and love for her.

Thorin and Dwalin, the funny dwarves who had also become beloved figures to the hatchlings, stood nearby, their faces beaming with pride and affection. They watched as the tiny creatures clambered over Silvia, some trying to climb onto her lap while others tugged at her clothes to get her attention. The dwarves exchanged a knowing look, their hearts warmed by the precious sight.

"Look at them. They're like little rough green gems, aren't they?" Thorin said, his voice gruff but filled with tender admiration. 

"Aye! With a bit of polishing, they would become precious little treasures, they would." Dwalin agreed, his eyes misty.

Silvia began her morning lessons, her voice gentle and soothing as she spoke to the hatchlings. They listened with rapt attention, their wide eyes fixed on her as if she were the center of their universe. The hatchlings' eagerness to learn was matched only by their adorableness. Some of them mimicked her words, their tiny voices forming cute, imperfect versions of human speech. Others practiced the simple gestures and actions she taught, their movements clumsy but endearing.

The dwarves joined in, their presence adding a layer of fun and laughter to the lessons. Thorin and Dwalin would occasionally perform exaggerated, comical gestures that sent the hatchlings into fits of giggles. Their antics were met with applause and cheers from the little ones, who adored their funny uncles.

While the hatchlings were engrossed in their lessons with Silvia and the dwarves, Hermit took charge of the goblin workforce. His eyes scanned the bustling scene with a sense of pride. With so many new hands on deck, the goblins were making impressive progress on clearing the forest on Suzuka's lands. Hermit, despite his small stature and timid nature, had found newfound confidence as he directed his fellow goblins, shouting orders and organizing teams with surprising efficiency.

Larry and his team patrolled the perimeter, their keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. Isaac had joined them, his presence adding a layer of security. His imposing figure and battle-hardened demeanor were reassuring to the goblins, who had seen him as a figure of strength and protection.

Jacob, after taking a much-needed rest, emerged to oversee the goblins' progress. He walked among them, offering words of encouragement and praise. The new goblins, though exhausted and hurt from their labor on the breeding farm, were driven by a sense of purpose and hope. They toiled with a judgment fueled by the promise of a better future under Suzuka's leadership.

As Jacob moved through the clearing, he began to use his earth magic to assist in the work. He touched the ground with his hands, and the ground responded to his command. The earth trembled and shifted, leveling itself and unearthing stubborn tree stumps that the goblins had struggled with. The display of magic was nothing short of miraculous, and the goblins were left in awe.

Some of the new goblins, witnessing Jacob's magic for the first time, were so astonished that they fainted where they stood, their eyes wide with disbelief. Others began to squeal and scatter, running to hide behind their fellow goblins, their tiny hearts pounding with a mix of fear and amazement. The sight of Jacob manipulating the earth with such ease was beyond their comprehension, and they could hardly believe their eyes.

Hermit, seeing the reaction of his fellow goblins, quickly intervened. He reassured them, his voice calm and steady, explaining that Jacob's magic was a gift meant to help them. Gradually, the goblins' fear subsided, replaced by a sense of wonder and respect. They began to see Jacob not just as a human, but as a powerful ally who could shape the land itself.

Jacob continued his work, his movements fluid and precise. With each gesture, the land transformed, becoming more suitable for the goblins' needs. The stumps were easily pulled from the earth, and the ground was leveled to perfection. The goblins watched in amazement, their earlier fear giving way to admiration. They marveled at Jacob's skill, their hearts swelling with gratitude for the human who had come to their aid.

Even as the goblins marveled at Jacob and the others and their immense powers, it was Hermit who truly captured their awe and admiration. In their diminutive minds, the concept of a fellow goblin slave being friends with such divine, god-like beings was unfathomable. Hermit, their small and humble leader, had managed to align himself with individuals who wielded power beyond their wildest dreams.

The goblins whispered amongst themselves, their eyes wide with wonder as they watched Hermit direct the workflow with newfound authority. Every command he gave was executed with eagerness, his words carrying the weight of a trusted leader who had brought them from the depths of despair to the brink of hope. They saw in Hermit not just a leader, but a savior, a hero, a beacon of light in their previously dark and oppressive existence.

Some of the goblins, still shaking from the sight of Jacob’s earth magic, looked at Hermit with something akin to reverence. To them, Hermit was no longer just a fellow slave who had shared their suffering; he was a chosen one, a goblin who had earned the favor of beings capable of performing miracles. It was as if Hermit had been touched by the gods themselves, his actions guided by a higher power that the goblins could barely comprehend.

When Hermit walked among them, issuing instructions and providing encouragement, the goblins felt a surge of pride. They straightened their backs, worked harder, and smiled despite their exhaustion. They were no longer just laborers; they were part of a grand mission led by a hero among goblins, one who had dared to dream of freedom and had made that dream a reality. A goblin slave who made the impossible possible.

As the day wore on, the goblins became more confident in their work. Under Hermit's direction and with Jacob's magical assistance, they made significant progress. The forest was gradually being transformed into a flat clearing, inching closer toward the crushed mountain remains.