Chapter 244 Stealthy Camp

Suzuka recoiled at the notion of embracing the goblin, her face contorting in disgust at the mere suggestion. With a disdainful snort, she took a step back, her eyes narrowing in disgust.

"Eww, no way, I'd sooner hug a swamp slug than touch you. Keep your grubby little hands to yourself. Who knows where were they, knowing your enjoyment in munching on your own poop. I'm not risking getting your shit smeared on me, ew!"

Her tone was cold and dismissive, the complete opposite of the warmth and compassion she had shown moments earlier. There was no room for sentimentality or affection in Suzuka's world, especially not for a lowly goblin such as Hermit.

"Master... I don't eat my poop... I don't... I don't." He whimpered through tearful sobs.

After finishing packing supplies Larry approached Suzuka and Hermit with a confident stride, a bright smile on his face, unaware of the emotional turmoil that had just unfolded. His eyes fell upon Hermit, and he noticed the goblin's tear-stained cheeks, a puzzled expression crossing his features.

"Hey there, Hermit! What's with the tears, buddy?" Larry asked, his tone cheerful and upbeat.

 "Are you just that excited about our little rescue mission? I can't blame you, it's gonna be one heck of an adventure! Your friends will finally be free and happy."

But as he awaited Hermit's response, a hint of concern flickered in his eyes, a silent question lingering in the air. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Hermit's tears than met the eye, but for now, he chose to focus on the task at hand and the adventure that lay ahead.

Hermit sniffled, wiping away the tears with the back of his hand, trying to compose himself in front of Larry's cheerful demeanor. He mustered a weak smile, though his eyes still glistened with unshed tears.

"Oh, uh, yeah, Larry, tears of joy, you know?" Hermit replied, his voice cracking slightly. 

"I-I'm just happy that we're going to rescue the others. It's... it's been a long time coming."

Despite his attempts to hide his true feelings, Hermit's voice trembled with emotion, a mixture of fear and hope swirling within him. He was grateful for Larry's optimism and enthusiasm, but deep down, he couldn't shake the nagging sense of dread that accompanied their mission. Still, he knew he had to be strong, for the sake of his fellow goblins and their chance at freedom.

Suzuka flashed a bright smile, masking any hint of doubt or concern that might have lurked beneath the surface. She clapped a hand on Hermit's shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze.

"That's the spirit, Hermit! We've got this," Suzuka yelled, her voice brimming with false cheerfulness. 

"No time for tears now. We've got a mission to accomplish, and with you on our team, I'm sure we'll succeed. You're the future goblin hero, after all, they will sing songs about you. But enough loli gaging let's go already, no time to waste, and by the looks of it, everyone is ready."

Larry beamed at Suzuka's encouraging words to Hermit, nodding in agreement.

"Absolutely! Hermit, you're lucky to have her with you. Helen, my friend, you and Hermit make quite the duo!" Larry shouted, his voice filled with genuine warmth and admiration.

 "I've seen the two of you together, and I have to say, it's like you were meant to be a team. You're the strongest member of our group, Helen, and with you watching over Hermit, I have no doubt he'll be safe and sound."

He knew that she was more than capable of handling any challenges that came their way, and he had full confidence in her leadership skills.

"As for you, Hermit," Larry continued, turning his attention to the trembling goblin, "you're in good hands with Helen. She's tough as nails and has a heart of gold. Stick close to her, and you'll be just fine."

His tone was encouraging, meant to bolster Hermit's spirits and alleviate any lingering doubts or fears. Larry believed in the power of teamwork, and he was determined to see Hermit succeed.

"So, what do you say, Hermit? Ready to lead our little team to the breeding farms?" Larry asked, a playful twinkle in his eye.

Hermit, still trembling slightly, mustered a feeble nod in response to Larry's words of encouragement. His eyes, still glistening with unshed tears, flickered with a mixture of fear and tentative hope.

"Y-yes, Larry. Th-thank you... I-I'll do my best to help."

Hermit straightened his posture as best he could, his tiny frame trembling slightly with nerves.

"I-I'll try my best," he added, his voice gaining a hint of courage.

 "F-for my fellow goblins... I'll do whatever it takes."

With Larry's cheerful encouragement and Suzuka's unwavering support, the team set out on their mission to rescue the goblin slaves from the breeding farms.

Outside the guild awaited 4 magic-powered four-wheelers ready to roll out. Since these machines had no combustion engine to power them they made little to no noise, making them especially great for traversing rough forest terrain and covering long distances without spending too much energy compared to walking on foot. 

As the journey commenced, Suzuka kept a close eye on Hermit, her mind churning with thoughts of her town plans. She saw him trembling with fear at every rustle of leaves and flicker of shadows, his resolve wavering with each step closer to their destination.

Larry and his team trudged through the dense foliage of the swampy forest for a few days. His team maintained a vigilant watch, their senses attuned to any signs of danger lurking in the shadows. The oppressive humidity hung heavy in the air, clinging to their skin like a suffocating blanket.

Suddenly, Hermit's ears twitched, a telltale sign that he had picked up on something. His eyes widened in recognition, his gaze darting anxiously in the direction of the distant screams echoing through the murky forest.

As Hermit's meaty ears twitched, Suzuka and the rest of Larry's team paused in their tracks, their attention immediately drawn to the trembling goblin. The air around them seemed to thicken with tension as they awaited Hermit's next words.

Hermit's heart raced as he listened intently to the agonized cries echoing through the dense foliage. Each scream was like a dagger to his soul, a painful reminder of the suffering endured as a goblin slave.

With a sense of urgency, Hermit turned to Larry, his eyes wide with fear and horror.

"Larry, the farm... It's close. I-I can hear them, the other goblins... They're in pain, I can hear them scream!"

His words trembled with a mixture of fear and worry, his small frame quivering with tension. Though every fiber of his being screamed for him to turn and flee, Hermit knew that he couldn't abandon his kin to suffer.

Larry's gaze softened with understanding as he placed a reassuring hand on Hermit's shoulder.

"Stay calm, Hermit," Larry urged, his voice steady and firm, "We're here to end this. Lead the way, and we'll follow. You've shown incredible bravery so far, and I know you'll continue to do so."

Larry hopped off his four-wheeler and instructed the others, "Listen up, everyone. We will walk on foot. Cover the wheelers with disguise and follow the goblin."

With the cover-up done, Larry turned to Hermit and said, "Lead the way, little buddy. We are ready." 

Hermit nodded eagerly, his fear momentarily replaced by a sense of hope as he took the lead, his senses honed in on the faint sounds of suffering emanating from the nearby goblin farm.

As they drew closer, the cries grew louder, echoing through the dense foliage of the forest. Hermit's heart pounded in his chest, his stomach churning with a mixture of fear and anxiety.

"We're almost there, Larry. The farm is just down this hill, there, in the distance by the cliff face."

Larry nodded in understanding, his expression grim as he surveyed their surroundings. With a hand signal, he gestured for Mia and Max to move ahead and scout the area in stealth, ensuring they wouldn't be detected by any wandering goblin guards.

Mia and Max split up, disappearing into the dense foliage with ease. Their forms melted into the foliage, blending seamlessly with the darkness of the forest as they set off on their reconnaissance mission.

With the scouts gone, Larry turned to the rest of the team, his voice low and urgent.

 "Alright, everyone. Let's set up a stealthy camp here. We need to remain quiet and hidden until Mia and Max return with their report."

Turning to Suzuka and Hermit, Larry's gaze softened with concern.

 "You two should rest while we wait for the scouts to return. We'll need all our strength for the upcoming battle."

Without a word, she reached into her item storage and pulled out a camouflage blanket, draping it over herself as she settled onto the forest floor.

With a sigh, she closed her eyes, her body relaxing against the soft cushion of the forest floor. Despite the wails of distant cries that echoed through the trees, Suzuka soon found herself enjoying a nap.

With a whimper, Hermit lowered himself to the forest floor, his movements careful and tentative. Casting a furtive glance at Suzuka, who seemed remarkably composed despite the looming danger, Hermit's heart pounded with fear.

His movements became more frantic, his hands shaking as he gathered branches and leaves to fashion a makeshift hiding spot. With trembling fingers, he arranged the foliage around himself, creating a small cocoon of concealment within the underbrush.

Curling into a tight ball, Hermit pressed himself against the earth, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he buried himself beneath the makeshift shelter. In the dim light of the forest, Hermit's form was barely discernible beneath the layers of foliage, his trembling frame barely visible against the backdrop of shadows. With each passing moment, the weight of impending danger pressed down upon him, his senses attuned to the slightest rustle of leaves or snap of twigs that might signal the approach of danger.

Huddled in his makeshift hideaway, Hermit could feel the pulse of his heartbeat echoing in his ears, the rhythm of fear pounding through his veins. Though he longed to join the others in their brave quest, the overwhelming terror that gripped him like a vice kept him rooted to the spot. Hermit knew that the only way to save his fellow goblins was for him to return to the breeding farm.

As the hours slipped by, Larry remained vigilant, his eyes trained on the breeding farm through his spyglass. With each passing moment, his heart grew heavier with the weight of responsibility, knowing that the fate of the goblin slaves rested on their shoulders.

Jake leaned against the sturdy trunk of a nearby tree, his eyes scanning the surrounding foliage for any sign of movement. Though he appeared relaxed, his muscles remained coiled with tension, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Meanwhile, Suzuka was enjoying her nap time, her form cocooned in a blanket as she lay nestled against the gnarled roots of a nearby tree, a faint smile gracing her lips as she slept in peace.