Chapter 286 The Charming Snake

Isaac clenched his jaw, his eyes blazing with fury that seemed to light up the room. He took a deep breath, the intensity in his gaze was unwavering, and his voice, though steady, quivered with a barely contained rage.

"Yeah, that sounds about right. That’s Clive, all right. The bastard would throw his mother under the cart if it meant saving his sorry hide. Clive, the ever-charming snake, always playing the part, always smiling that crooked smile. He'll use anyone and anything, twist every situation to his advantage, all to save his skin. He doesn't care who he hurts or betrays. Loyalty, honor, friendship - none of it means anything to him. He's nothing but a cunning, heartless schemer. And the worst part? He's good at it. So good that people don't see him coming until it's too late."

Isaac's voice softened, but the intensity remained.

"But mark my words, he'll get what's coming to him. One day, his lies and betrayals will catch up to him, and he'll find himself alone, with no one left to use or deceive. And when that day comes, I'll be there to watch him fall, to see the fear in his eyes as he realizes he's finally run out of people to betray."

Suzuka leaned back, a casual smirk playing on her lips, her eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of amusement and malice.

"He left me to die, I thought I was done for, but guess what? I survived. And the thought of seeing him squirm and pay for what he did... Well, that's just going to be the cherry on top."

Her gaze locked onto Isaac's.

"So, now you know my history with that slimy bastard. He's a snake, a liar, and a coward. Been on my personal hit list for a good while now. But hey, if you'll help me with the goblin escort, I will be more than happy to help you track him down. I'm all in."

She stretched her arms, almost as if the whole thing was a minor inconvenience, a casual flick of her wrist dismissing any semblance of seriousness.

"Let's make a deal then. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. We'll find this piece of scum, make him regret ever crossing paths with us, and I'll get those goblins to safety. Easy peasy."

Isaac's demeanor shifted like the tide calming after a storm, his intense gaze softening into a thoughtful expression. His nod was deliberate, conveying a sense of newfound cooperation and intrigue.

"We're in business, my friend," Isaac replied smoothly.

"But before we set sail on this adventure, let's talk strategy. Do you have any inkling of where that rat might be hiding these days?"

Suzuka leaned back lazily, her expression relaxed and unconcerned. She took a moment as if pondering over something.

 "Hmm, let me think. Last I heard, he hired a bunch of adventurers and headed off to Windmill Town. But you know him - slippery as an eel. By now, he could be anywhere, scheming up some new trick. Since then, I haven't heard his name around, I assume he did not return."

She chuckled softly as if amused by the thought.

 "Honestly, trying to pin him down is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. I'm thinking about heading back to Windmill Town myself. Soon, when my goblin problems settle. You know, visit my folks, maybe track him down, and give him a good chase. Hunt him down like the rat he is, for old times' sake."

Suzuka stretched her arms above her head, yawning slightly.

 "For all I know, he's already moved on to some other hidey-hole. He never stays in one place for long. So, that's all I've got. Not much, but hey, it's something, right? Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and stumble across him. Or maybe not. Either way, life's too short to stress over a slippery snake like him."

Isaac's eyes narrowed. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a smooth, almost hypnotic whisper. 

"Thank you for this lead, even if it's small. You’ve given me a glimmer of hope, I am truly grateful. One day, I will find him. And when I do, he will pay for every wrong he's ever done. Justice will be served, not just for me, but for all those who suffered because of him. And I won't rest until I see this through. Mark my words, his days of hiding are numbered."

Suzuka placed a hand on Isaac's arm, her touch reassuring. She flashed him a laidback smile, her easygoing nature shining through.

"Hey, don't worry. We'll find Clive, I promise. But let's take it one step at a time. First, we need to make sure those goblins get to my lands safely. No need to rush and stress out. My lands are right between Rockmine and Windmill towns, so it's right on our route."

"You know, I was planning on heading to Windmill town soon anyway. Got some business to take care of with the town ruler. Perfect timing, right? We can drop off the goblins, make sure they're settled and safe, then head over to Windmill. Once we're there, we can start asking around for our buddy Clive."

 "No need to worry too much. We'll handle this. Let's just get moving and see where the road takes us. Who knows? Maybe we'll get lucky and find Clive sooner than we think."

She gave Isaac a playful wink, her laidback attitude infectious.

 "So, let's get these goblins to safety, swing by Windmill town, and go on a little adventure. Sound good?"

Isaac nodded, his resolve solidifying as a charming smile spread across his face. 

"Agreed. Let's get this done, Helen. When do we depart?"

"I'm planning to move out by the end of the week, so in a few days. Meet me at the guild, and we will move from there to pick up the goblins and head straight to my lands. I’ll have a few other fellows helping us out, so don’t worry, it won’t be just the two of us."

Isaac chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a playful glint. 

"Good to know. It would be a dull journey if it were only the two of us. I look forward to it. See you at the guild in a few days then."

With their pact sealed, Suzuka left the Bear's Paw Inn, with a satisfied look as she made her way to Walter the blacksmith to check on her order. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows as she navigated the bustling market streets. Merchants called out their wares, the clatter of horse-drawn carts echoed off cobblestone streets, and the scent of fresh bread mingled with the sharper smells of leather and metalwork.

Walter's forge was a hive of activity, the heat of the fires and the rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil creating a symphony of productivity. Sparks flew as Walter, a hulking figure with arms like tree trunks, pounded a glowing piece of metal into shape. His face was a mask of concentration, sweat gleaming on his brow.

As Suzuka approached, Walter looked up, wiping his hands on a dirty rag. 

"Hey, Helen!" he greeted her with a gruff nod.

 "Right on time. Your order's just about ready."

 "Good. I need everything to be perfect."

Walter led her to a workbench where several items lay, gleaming and ready. 

"I've got your custom instruments here. They are made from the best materials. Lightweight, but strong enough to withstand a dragon's bite," he said, gesturing to an array of finely crafted tools, each etched with intricate designs and balanced to perfection.

Suzuka inspected the items, her fingers tracing the craftsmanship.

 "Excellent work, Walter. This will make a difference. I love it."

Walter grinned a flash of pride in his eyes.

 "Since you're taking on a hell of a task, I put my best into this. Anything else you need?"

Suzuka paused, her mind racing. 

"It will be all for now. Thanks, Walter."

As she turned to leave, Walter called after her. 

"And Suzuka, be careful out there. You're not just fighting monsters. You're changing the world."

Suzuka glanced back.

 "I know, Walter. And I'll make sure it's a world worth changing."

With her order secure, Suzuka strode out of the forge, her pace quickening as she headed back home. By the end of the day, Suzuka had accomplished a lot. She returned to her room, tired but satisfied, knowing that each step brought her closer to realizing her vision. She found Silvia and Hermit engaged in a quiet conversation, the room filled with an unusual sense of calm.

"How did it go?" Silvia asked, looking up as Suzuka entered.

"Productive," Suzuka replied with a satisfied smile. 

"We've got a lot of moving parts, but it's coming together. Thanks for holding down the fort."

Silvia nodded, her eyes warm with understanding. 

"Anytime. Hermit and I had a good chat. He's quite a remarkable goblin."

Suzuka looked at Hermit, who seemed more at ease than she had ever seen him. 

"Let's get some rest. Tomorrow is another big day." With that, they settled in for the night.

But before they could settle for rest, a loud, insistent knocking echoed through Suzuka's room. She groaned, dragging herself to the door. Swinging it open, she found Larry standing there, looking as swagger as ever.

"Good evening, Helen," he said with a nod, his eyes scanning the room.

 "As promised, I came to pick up Hermit and the hatchlings. It's time to reunite them with their fellow goblins."

Suzuka sighed, stepping aside to let him in. 

"Jeez, finally. No more mister whiny little baby."

Larry chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

 "Aww, don't be so harsh on him, Helen. He was through a lot."