Chapter 294 Unwavering Respect

Suzuka chuckled, amused by the goblin's dramatic recounting of events. Hermit's bravery was a tad exaggerated, but she knew better than to undermine it. She needed Hermit to be seen as a strong leader.

Just then, Hermit wobbled out of the shed, his steps awkward and unsteady. He clutched his butt with one hand, his face flushed with shame. His gaze remained fixed on the ground, unable to meet Suzuka's or anyone else's eyes. His appearance was pitiful, but the goblins saw him as a symbol of defiance and courage. 

He awkwardly shuffled towards her, one hand clutching the side of his soiled shorts and another his butt. He knew well that Suzuka would not pass this opportunity to make fun of his suffering and makes fun of him.

“Master Helen,” He whimpered meekly, “w-what is going on?”

But to his surprise she was serious, she kept her tone light to ease the tension.

 "Hermit, my brave friend! Look at you, walking out here like a true hero!" She reached out, gently lifting his chin so their eyes met.

 "I heard your heroic actions and how you stood up for your fellow goblins. You’ve done more than enough. You are the bravest goblin I know and I am so proud of you, you are a true leader. As you helped your fellow goblins, now it’s our turn to help you."

Hermit’s eyes filled with tears, he could not believe the kind words coming from her mouth, he was sure that she would roust him for what happened but she was showing good faith.

 Hermit stammered, his voice trembling, "I-I just wanted to protect them. I tried... I did! But..."

Suzuka squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, "And you did, Hermit. You did more than anyone could have asked. If not for you, things would been much worse. You did good Hermit. Now, let’s get you all out of here to a safe place where you can heal and live without fear."

She knew better than to make fun of him in front of his fellow goblins. She needed Hermit to be their beloved leader, someone they would listen to and follow. Any ridicule could shatter their faith in him. But unbeknownst to Suzuka, the goblins already had unwavering respect and faith in Hermit. In their eyes, he had performed the impossible. He was the first goblin slave to stand up against their masters, and he had even befriended humans. To them, Hermit was as if a god himself had descended from the heavens.

One of the younger goblins, with wide, admiring eyes, stepped forward and spoke up. 

“Hermit is our hero! He fought for us, stood up for us, and made friends with humans. We believe in him!”

Suzuka smiled warmly at the young goblin and then turned her gaze back to Hermit. 

"You see, Hermit? You've already inspired them. How about you lead them to a better tomorrow and let's get everyone to a safe place where we can start building a new life?"

Hermit nodded, still avoiding eye contact, but the determination in his eyes was clear.

 "Y-yes, Master Helen. We will follow you. We will!"

Thorin and Dwalin stepped forward, their rugged faces softened with empathy. Thorin gave Hermit a nod of respect, "Aye, lad. You’ve shown more courage than most. We’re here to help you with your new place."

Dwalin added with a grin, "You just rest easy. We’ll take good care of you and your kin."

Hermit managed a small, grateful smile, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Suzuka patted his back gently, "Alright, everyone, let’s get moving! Hermit, you can ride with me. We’ve got some comfortable seats for your hurting butt and plenty of snacks."

Before the goblins loaded into the four-wheelers, Suzuka decided to give them a little surprise. She reached into her magic item storage and began pulling out goblin-sized clothes. These simple tank tops and shorts might have seemed ordinary to most, but to the goblins, they were gifts fit for kings.

As Suzuka handed out the clothes, the goblins' reactions were immediate and overwhelming. Some stared in disbelief, their eyes wide with wonder. Others clutched at the precious garments, tears streaming down their faces. For many, it was the first time anyone had ever given them anything instead of taking from them, and the emotional flood was too much to bear.

One goblin with large, expressive eyes, fell to his knees, clutching the clothes to his chest.

 "Thank you, Master. We are not worthy of such kindness. We are nothing but filthy maggots, we do not deserve such gifts," he sobbed in a goblin tongue, his voice choked with emotion.

Another goblin, trembling with joy, eagerly put on his new clothes, the tank top hanging loosely on his thin frame but making him stand taller with pride. 

"Look, everyone! We are free and dressed like humans! We are truly blessed!" He shouted in a goblin tongue also.

Some goblins were so overcome with gratitude that they fainted, collapsing onto the ground with smiles on their faces. The scene was a mix of chaos and pure joy, with goblins bowing at Suzuka's feet, their voices a cacophony of thanks and praise.

Hermit, still clutching his butt but now standing a bit more confidently in his new clothes, stepped forward.

 "Thank you, Master Helen. We will follow you wherever you lead," he said, his voice filled with reverence.

As the goblins excitedly dressed in their new clothes, a small but delightful scene unfolded nearby. Tiny hatchlings, each no bigger than a goblin's palm, scurried about on the ground. There were around fifty of them, their small, fragile bodies moving with surprising agility. These little creatures, with their bright eyes and tiny, clawed feet, added a touch of innocence and wonder to the moment.

One of the goblins knelt down and carefully gathered a few of the hatchlings into his hands.

 "Look at these little ones, they are so precious." He cooed in a goblin tongue, his voice filled with tenderness.

Suzuka watched with a warm smile as the goblins, momentarily distracted from their new clothes, began to gather the hatchlings. Some goblins gently petted them, while others carefully cradled them in their arms, cooing softly. The hatchlings chirped and nuzzled against the goblins' hands, their big meaty ears fluttering in delight.

Hermit, still adjusting his new attire, approached Suzuka with a slightly awkward but proud gait.

 "Master Helen," he said softly, "these hatchlings are the future of our kind. We must protect them and raise them well. Please, master, protect us with your divine power."

One of the goblins, eyes wide with a mix of pride and excitement, stepped forward and extended his hand. Nestled in his palm was a tiny, wriggling creature no bigger than a goblin's palm. It had delicate, big ears and a soft, greenish hue to its skin, looking every bit like a miniature version of a larger goblin.

"They're our hatchlings, Master," the goblin said, voice filled with reverence.

 "They hatched just recently, and we need to take good care of them. They are our future."

Suzuka's eyes softened as she crouched down to get a closer look. The tiny hatchling peered up at her with bright, curious eyes, its little limbs moving in the air as if testing its new surroundings. Other goblins soon gathered around, each one cradling hatchlings in their hands.

"Well, aren't you all adorable," Suzuka said, her usual easygoing demeanor masking the seriousness of her thoughts.

 "These little ones are precious indeed. We'll make sure they're safe and well taken care of."

Hermit shuffled forward, his share of hatchlings nestled protectively in his hands.

 "Thank you, Master Helen. These hatchlings mean everything to us. We will do anything to protect and give them a better life." He said softly. 

With everyone dressed and ready, Suzuka and her group helped the goblins onto the four-wheelers. Though still hesitant, the goblins were encouraged by Hermit's bravery and Suzuka's kindness. They climbed onto the vehicles, securing themselves as best as they could. Suzuka made sure Hermit was comfortable, his bravery acknowledged and his hurt butt on the soft seat.

Suzuka, Hermit, Jacob, and the two dwarves, Thorin and Dwalin, took the lead, with the middle group comprising Jake, Max, Mia, and half of the goblins. Larry, Isaac, Olivia, and the remaining goblins covered the rear, ensuring everyone stayed together and safe.

The convoy of four-wheelers rolled forward, the forest around them thick and teeming with life. Suzuka led the way, her sharp eyes scanning the terrain. The journey was arduous and fraught with danger. The forest terrain was rough and unforgiving, with gnarled roots and dense underbrush making the path difficult to navigate. The four-wheelers bounced and jostled, causing the goblins to cling tightly to their makeshift seats.

Occasionally, a particularly nasty bump would send a goblin tumbling off the back of a four-wheeler with a startled yelp. One mishap occurred when a goblin misjudged his grip and ended face-first in a muddy puddle. He scrambled up, dripping and muttering, as the other goblins stifled their laughter.

Another goblin got his foot caught in the wheel well of one of the vehicles, causing him to hop around on one leg until Larry and Isaac could free him. He winced in pain but tried to put on a brave face, earning him a pat on the back from Olivia.

As they progressed deeper into the forest, they encountered various creatures. Monsters with gleaming eyes stalked them from the shadows, but a swift display of Jacob's earth magic quickly sent them scattering. Jacob formed spikes of earth from the ground, deterring the beasts and protecting their convoy. Suzuka's aura of leadership kept everyone moving forward, her voice a constant source of encouragement and direction.

One evening, as they made camp, a giant spider, the size of a goblin palm, descended from the treetops, its fangs glistening menacingly. Hermit, despite his lingering injuries, managed to fend it off with a combination of quick thinking and sheer grit, earning even more respect from his fellow goblins. His bravery was like a beacon of hope, inspiring the goblins to stand their ground despite their fears.

Big spiders like this were a common cause of death to young hatchlings. The arachnids lurked in the shadows of the forest, their beady eyes glinting with malevolent hunger. It wasn’t uncommon to hear the terrified squeals of hatchlings being dragged away into the darkness, their tiny limbs flailing helplessly. But because of Hermit's heroic actions, the spider claimed no hatchlings.

Each night, they set up camp and tended to the hatchlings, whose tiny cries filled the air. Silvia's and Hermit's mixed healing potions worked wonders, ensuring that the goblins' injuries, though frequent, were never too severe. Suzuka often sat by the fire, reading her book and keeping a watchful eye on everyone, her presence a calming influence.

On the evening of the seventh day, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they finally saw it - the peak of the mountain that marked Suzuka's lands.

The mountain was a formidable and awe-inspiring sight. Its peak, hidden in the thick clouds, gave it an ethereal and almost mythical appearance. The slopes were steep and rugged, covered in dense, dark forest that seemed to whisper ancient secrets. Surrounding the mountain was a persistent mist, swirling with the faint, eerie glow of corrupted magic. The forest at its base was thick with twisted trees, their branches gnarled and covered in a layer of dark moss, giving the entire area an ominous feel.

Suzuka halted the group, her eyes fixed on the peak.

 "We're here. Welcome to our new home," she announced, her voice filled with joy.