Chapter 245 Raid on the Goblin Breeding Farm

After a few hours, Mia and Max emerged from the dense foliage, their expressions grave as they approached Larry with their report. Larry's gaze snapped away from his spyglass, his attention immediately drawn to the returning scouts.

"Mia, Max, what did you find?" Larry's voice was low, his tone brimming with urgency as he awaited their assessment.

Mia stepped forward, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of their findings.

 "From what we saw, the goblin breeding farm is poorly fortified. They've built shabby tall wooden barricades around the perimeter, guarded by goblin guards who patrol the walls, armed with wooden spears."

Max nodded in agreement, adding, "We counted at least two dozen guards stationed around the outer walls. Their base is poorly defended and it would be an easy job to kill them, but if they sound the alarm, things would get ugly."

Larry's brow furrowed at the news, his mind already racing with strategies to overcome the problem.

 "Any sign of the goblin slaves? Are they being held within the camp?"

Mia shook her head, her expression grim. 

"We couldn't get close enough to confirm, but we did spot several small huts scattered throughout the farm. That's likely where they're being kept. We also identified the torturing device and the goblin who was screaming. In the middle of the camp, there is this wooden log embedded into the ground. A few, what appeared to be goblin slaves, were tied to it, being brutally whipped."

Max chimed in, his tone grave.

 "There are makeshift watchtowers positioned at regular intervals along the perimeter, manned by guards armed with bows and arrows. The main entrance is guarded by a spiked wooden log acting as a gate, and patrols are circling the grounds."

Mia nodded in agreement, adding, "We observed a few goblin slaves toiling in the fields, overseen by brutish taskmasters armed with whips. We'll need to devise a plan to infiltrate the farm and liberate them from their captors."

Larry listened intently, his brow furrowing as he processed the information. 

"What about the interior of the farm?" he asked, his voice edged with concern.

Mia shook her head.

 "We didn't get close enough to see inside the main buildings or the caves inside the cliff face. But we heard cries and shouts coming from within, indicating that they're being subjected to harsh treatment."

Max nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting the gravity of their discoveries. 

"The farm is heavily guarded, there are at least a dozen goblin guards stationed around the outskirts, armed with crude weapons and keeping a close watch on the surrounding forest."

Mia picked up where Max left off, "As for the total number of goblins, it's difficult to say for certain. But based on our observations, we estimate close to a hundred goblins are within the confines of the farm."

Max continued, "Inside the farm, I noticed rows upon rows of crude tents, I believe the goblin slaves are housed in these shabby tents. And that's about all I can say."

 Larry approached Hermit and Suzuka, gently rousing them from their slumber. With a firm but gentle touch, he shook Hermit's shoulder, his voice low and urgent as he whispered, "Wake up, Hermit. It's time."

Hermit blinked groggily, rubbing his eyes as he struggled to shake off the remnants of sleep. Beside him, Suzuka stirred, her eyes slowly open as she sat up, her gaze sharp and alert as she took in their surroundings.

Turning to the rest of his team, Larry relayed Mia and Max's findings, outlining their plan of action.

 "We'll wait until nightfall to make our move. With the cover of darkness, we'll have a better chance of slipping past the guards and infiltrating the farm undetected. Our priority is to free the slave goblins and kill all of the evil goblins."

"We've gathered enough intel to know that the main entrance is heavily guarded, but there's a secondary entrance along the eastern perimeter that's less fortified," Larry explained, his gaze flicking between Hermit and Suzuka. 

"Our scouts have confirmed that it's our best chance of gaining entry without raising the alarm."

Suzuka nodded in understanding and listened intently to Larry's words. Beside her, Hermit trembled slightly, his eyes wide with worry, and darted between Larry and the rest of the team.

"As we approach the farm, we'll split into two teams," Larry continued, his voice steady and authoritative.

 "Helen, you'll lead one team to create a distraction at the main entrance, drawing the guards away while Hermit and I sneak in through the secondary entrance."

Hermit's eyes widened in horror, a nervous fluttering in his chest as he realized the weight of Larry's plan. He glanced at Suzuka, his expression a mixture of fear and worry as he nervously fidgeted in place.

"With any luck, we'll be able to locate the goblin slaves and lead them to safety," Larry concluded, his tone resolute as he met the eyes of each member of his team.

 "But we need to be prepared for anything. Stay alert, and remember, our priority is the safety of the goblin slaves."

As Larry outlined the plan, Hermit's nervousness became increasingly evident. He fidgeted anxiously, his hands trembling as he struggled to maintain his composure. Suzuka couldn't help but notice the fear in his eyes, the subtle signs of his overwhelming terror.

"Hey, Hermit, you all right? Do you want to eat poop or something?" Suzuka asked, her voice laced with concern as she placed a comforting hand on the goblin's shoulder.

Hermit flinched at her touch, his gaze darting nervously from Suzuka to Larry and back again. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words came out as a hesitant mumble, barely audible above the rustle of the leaves.

Suzuka's brow furrowed in confusion as she strained to catch Hermit's timid words. It was clear that something was troubling him, something he was too afraid to voice aloud.

"Larry, I think Hermit might have something to say," Suzuka said, shooting a meaningful glance at the trembling goblin beside her.

Larry turned his attention to Hermit, his expression expectant as he waited for the goblin to speak up. But Hermit remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground as he struggled to find the courage to voice his concerns.

"Come on, Hermit, you can tell us," Suzuka urged, her voice gentle yet firm. 

Hermit swallowed hard, his throat dry as he struggled to form coherent words. Finally, with a shaky breath, he spoke.

"I-I'm scared," Hermit admitted, his words trembling with fear.

 "I-I don't think... I don't think Larry's plan will work. It's too risky, too dangerous..."

Hermit's voice quivered with fear as he spoke up, his words tumbling out in a rush as he desperately tried to convey his worries.

"Larry, y-you don't understand," Hermit cried, his voice rising in urgency.

 "The evil goblins... they're ruthless. They don't care about our kind. They won't hesitate to use the goblin slaves against us. They'll force them to fight, to act as shields while they attack from behind. They don't care about the safety of the slaves - they'll kill them without a second thought if it means getting a hit on us. They'll use every dirty trick in the book to win, even if it means sacrificing every single goblin slave."

His eyes widened with terror as he painted a vivid picture of the horrors that awaited them at the breeding farm. He paused, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he struggled to convey the full extent of his terror.

 "Their tactics are... are brutal, they'll send the slaves running at us, latching onto us, hindering our movements while the evil goblins burst from hiding and stab at us with their spears. They don't care if they kill the slaves in the process - they'll even use them as shields, carrying them or throwing them at us to distract us."

Hermit's voice trembled with fear as he recounted the atrocities he had witnessed at the hands of the evil goblins.

 "You don't know what they're capable of. They'll stop at nothing to protect their precious breeding farm, even if it means sacrificing the innocent lives of tiny hatchlings chugging them as some rocks."

He looked at Larry and Suzuka with pleading eyes, silently begging them to reconsider their plan of attack.

 "Larry... please... you can't just rush in blindly."

Larry's expression softened as he listened to Hermit's desperate plea, his eyes filled with compassion for the frightened goblin.

"If what you say is true, Hermit. We can't afford to charge in blindly. We need to come up with a plan that takes into account the evil goblins' brutal tactics and ensures the safety of the slaves."

Turning to Hermit, Larry asked, "What do you suggest, Hermit? You've seen firsthand how the evil goblins operate. Do you have any ideas for a plan that might work?"

Hermit paused, steeling himself for what he was about to suggest next.

"I-I could go alone. I could infiltrate the breeding farm... pretend to be a stray goblin slave that escaped from another farm after it got raided by adventurers. It's... it's a common thing... for goblins to wander to other farms seeking shelter. I did it many times."

"But... but the problem is... I'll have to endure the punishment from the guards," Hermit continued, his voice trembling with dread.

 "Evil goblins don't take kindly to goblin slaves as they are... and a stray goblin would be treated even worse. But... but I must infiltrate the camp... and tell all of the goblin slaves that I'm there to help them... and gather them in a safe spot. Most of them do not know your language and only speak goblin. I must tell them. I must."

Hermit glanced around nervously, his eyes darting from face to face as he waited for their response.

"Then, when I'm done convincing my fellow slaves I will show a sign... Larry and his team can... can kill the evil goblins. But... but I'll tell the goblin slaves not to attack... just to run and cover from the adventurers that have come to help and save them."

He swallowed hard, his throat dry with fear, "It's... it's risky... but I think it's our best chance to save them. What... what do you think?"