Chapter 204 A Warm Goblin Is A Happy Goblin

As Suzuka carried Hermit in her hand, the goblin was shivering and soaked, trying to speak through chattering teeth.

"M-m-master, it's c-cold. Hermit n-n-needs w-warm. Warm hug m-master. Please, just this once!"

Suzuka grumbled, "Warm, my foot. You just stink less after that little bath. I wouldn't give you a hug even if you were made out of gold. It does not change the fact that you stink."

Hermit, still trembling, mumbled, "S-s-s-stinky or not, Hermit n-n-needs warm. Please, give Hermit a w-warm hug like Muma Kaka used to. Please, carry me in your w-warm embrace."

"Shut up, I will not. Stinky!"

As Suzuka led the drenched goblin away from the inn, his stuttering chattering continued, "M-master, I d-do not kn-know why you h-h-hate us so much; we are g-good and f-friendly gobbies. G-give peace a ch-chance."

Suzuka sighed in frustration, replying, "Peace? Good gobbies? Listen, just a few days ago, my motto was 'the only good goblin is a dead goblin' and then you showed up. Now I learned that there could be so-called 'good goblins.' Do not expect me to just throw my beliefs out through the window and go worship the goblins just because some of you are looking for peace. You are lucky I am not cutting you down myself. The only impression of a goblin I had was that of a disgusting monster, just like the rest of the people."

Hermit, desperately trying to make his point despite his shivering, said, "But... b-but master! Such belief is wrong! Wrong I tell you! Wrong! G-gobbies like me w-w-want peace nothing more than anything! We are good gobs! G-give peace a ch-ch-chance. We can be your best friends!"

Suzuka rolled her eyes and continued walking with the goblin in hand, who was still soaked and shivering, his poor form dangling limply like a dirty rag in the wind.

 "So, Hermit! If you long for peace so much, that means you will have no problem telling, and showing all of the goblin breeding farms you know, also the locations where to find runaway goblins like yourself and all the rest of the refugees. Of course, so we could rescue them and shelter them, right?"

Hermit shivered, not from the cold but from fear. His lips closed with a loud chomp, and he stopped talking, his body trembling and limp, dangling in her hand. After a moment, he meekly whimpered, "W-what will truly h-happen to my f-fellow gobbies if I talk? Please, Master Helen. Be honest. Tell Hermit the truth."

Suzuka chuckled, her voice laced with a sarcastic tone, "Oh, don't you worry, Hermit. If you decide to lead us to these farms and help save your fellow gobbies, I promise you it'll be all sunshine and rainbows. Every day will be full of fun, food, drinks, goblin dances by the warm fire, and happy songs and each of you even gets your own little house. I'll even paint a picture of the happy goblins in their new, cozy homes. You will be able to walk with a happy smile, ear to ear big. Of course, first, your gobbies might have to make some new friends, like big, bad humans, but that's a small price for gobbies to pay for peace and unity, right?"

Hermit stared at Suzuka, torn between his desire for peace and his fear of subjecting his kind to greater suffering than the breeding farms. His eyes were wide and pleading, "B-but... g-gobbos... they are good, ready to serve and be loyal to their caring master. G-give them a chance... we will do anything to please our master for gentle treatment. No bad humans, please! Little gobbos did not deserve to be mistreated! If only suffering awaits us, I will not talk!"

Suzuka said, "I will not push you to tell me your secrets. But give it a good thought until we get back to my place. Let me just say that you are not the only goblin who knows how to speak our language, keep that in mind. We will talk about great things that are coming our way when we get back to my room. I will let you in on some good news. So shake off that frown, old chap!"

Hermit meekly agreed, "Okay, Master, Hermit will ponder." His nut-sized brain not catching up on the obvious threat that if he refuses to talk he will be disposed of.

Hermit was deep in thought the whole trip back to Suzuka's place. He couldn't help but ponder the delicate balance between his desire for peace, his fear of the suffering he could unwittingly bring upon his fellow goblins, and his own need for warmth and comfort. It was a torturous inner conflict, and he knew that sooner or later, he'd have to make a difficult decision.

Suzuka walked in through the doors of her room and went straight to the restroom. She tossed the goblin into the sink and said, "Wash yourself up, Stinky, and your filthy rags as well. Your goblin piss stinks awful. You've got some soap on the sink; use that. Maybe soap helps to rid that stench. I am going downstairs, into the hot spring. While I'm gone, do not dare to cause any trouble, or I will skin you alive."

Hermit landed into the sink bowl and lay sprawled. He timidly gazed at his master and pleaded, "Master Helen, please. Hermit does not want to bathe in cold water. Hermit is freezing already. Please, take me with you into the hot water place, like last time. Master, I beg. No more cold, I seek warmth. Warmth!"

Suzuka walked up to the sink and with a cold tone said, "No! You stink! Stinky! If you don't like cold water, then turn on the hot one, you idiot. The sink has cold and hot water." She turned on the cold and then the hot water, demonstrating to Hermit how it worked. The cold water splashed on Hermit's head, causing him to stir and convulse with a scream, "Wreeeeee! Cold! Master! Wreeeee! Cold! Noooo!"

Then the hot water splashed on him. Hermit froze in place, his frigid skin warming up fast. He yelped with delight in his voice, "Water hot! Not cold! No! Not cold!" He screeched, pointing at the steaming water, "Yapeee! Yupeee! Hermit warm! Hermit happy, happy goblin!"

Suzuka rolled her eyes and left, saying, "Yeah, whatever, just don't get in trouble till I'm back."

In the sink, Hermit continued to babble and gurgle, his elongated tongue occasionally slipping out of his maw as he rambled incoherently. He was practically singing a joyous goblin tune.

"Ooooh! Hot water is nice! Hermit likes hot water, it's not cold! Yay!" Hermit cried with glee as he continued to splash the warm water over himself.

Hermit played with the soap, making funny shapes in his small green hands.

"Goblin stink is gone now! Yippee! Master won't hate stinky Hermit anymore!" he chattered happily as he scrubbed himself with soap.

He chuckled, "Hot water is fun! Stinky no more, stinky no more! Hermit is so happy! Now the precious clothes that master bestowed upon me! Soapy I rub on! Stinky be gone! Gone I say!"

With his clothes done, the goblin sprawled in the sink as he continued to enjoy the soothing warmth of the steaming water.

"Gobbie likes hot! Hottest! Nice hot water! Warm goblin, happy goblin! La la la, hot hot hot!" he chanted, his enthusiasm uncontainable. He'd occasionally splash some water on his face, giggling uncontrollably at the stinging sensation of steaming hot water.

Hermit enthusiastically splashed water in all directions, some droplets landing on the floor, others on the mirror. His happy bathing involved flapping his arms wildly, causing even more splashes.

The hot water had an almost magical effect on Hermit. It enveloped him in warmth, and as the steamy tendrils wafted around him, the goblin's eyes grew heavy, his body relaxed, and a deep sense of bliss washed over him. He snuggled down in the sink, which was now more like a cozy, warm bath for his tiny body.

His scrawny limbs dangled over the edge, nearly touching the bathroom floor. His head leaned over the sink's rim, one of his big ears drooping all the way to the ground, covering a considerable area like a soggy, green blanket. The water continued to gently warm his form, lulling Hermit into a deep slumber. With a jaw-cracking yawn, he succumbed to weariness and fell asleep.

With his mouth wide open, emitting a soft, melodic snore, Hermit looked surprisingly peaceful. His tucked-in belly, once a bloated reservoir of beer, now rested blissfully in the warm water, rising and falling with each gentle breath. His green skin, which had recently taken on a grayish tint from the cold, regained its usual vibrant green hue. The goblin had found a brief respite from the troubles that seemed to follow him everywhere.

While Hermit enjoyed his blissful slumber in the sink, Suzuka indulged herself in the comforts of the hot spring. The cool rain was pouring down outside, and the hot spring was exceptionally steamy, providing a delightful contrast to the chilly atmosphere outdoors.

Suzuka reclined in the steaming pool, her body enveloped in the warm, soothing waters. The rain outside had turned the hot spring area into a serene oasis, and the pattering of raindrops against the pool's surface provided a tranquil background melody.

The hot water worked wonders on her muscles, melting away any remaining tension from the earlier argument. She lay back with her eyes closed, letting out a contented sigh, the relaxing sound of the raindrops creating a peaceful symphony in the background.

With each gentle tap of the rain, Suzuka's senses drifted into a realm of tranquility. Her mind cleared, and she allowed herself to be fully present in the moment, relishing the warmth, the soft rain, and the overall feeling of relaxation. For this brief period, all worries and tensions were forgotten, and she simply savored the serenity of the hot spring and the rain, hoping that when she returned, her little goblin friend hadn't caused any trouble.

While Hermit slumbered in the warmth of the sink, Suzuka had finished her soak in the hot spring downstairs. After grabbing a plate with a few sandwiches she returned to her room, hoping to find the goblin all clean and ready to be of use.

 She entered the restroom to check on the goblin. Instead, she was met with the sight of Hermit snoozing in the sink, his body nearly spilling over the edges.

His blissful snores filled the room, and he appeared to be in a state of utter relaxation. His diminutive form was crumpled in the sink, his limbs dangling over the edge, and his big ears lay drooped all the way to the ground, occasionally twitching as if reacting to pleasant dreams.

His mouth was wide open, and he emitted soft, rhythmic snores, each one accompanied by a contented little snort. His greenish skin had regained its natural hue, and the goblin seemed peaceful, free from the burdens and worries of the world.

She let out a sigh as she gazed at the sleeping goblin, still in disbelief at his ability to fall asleep anywhere and everywhere. Suzuka approached Hermit, causing him to stir slightly in his sleep.