Chapter 171 Grand Goblin Feast

He was still sprawled under the table like a discarded, worn-out doll, feeling utterly bewildered by the sudden turn of events. His face, once smeared with raccoon spit, now had a look of astonishment mixed with confusion as Suzuka held him in her embrace.

"Oh, you're finally awake, my lovely goblin! I was so worried about you! I missed you so much, you little charmer. What would you like to do today, my precious Hermit?" Suzuka clamored in a sing-song voice, her cheerfulness almost overwhelming. 

The shock of her sudden kindness sent a jolt of electricity through Hermit's body. He felt like he had been transported to a realm of fantasy where everything was too good to be true. Before he could respond, however, Lisanna appeared like a whirlwind, swooping in and snatching him out of Suzuka's hands with a burst of excitement.

Hermit's head spun as Lisanna showered him with cuddles and kisses, her affectionate words falling like sweet nectar upon his ears.

 "Oh, Hermit, I'm so sorry for being mean to you! You are perfect, beautiful, and brave, my mighty goblin! Your ears are the most magnificent of all the goblins! Let me fix my mistake by showering you with cuddles, hugs, and kisses!" she shouted, her voice filled with guilt. 

Hermit's ears perked up at the mention of his magnificent ears, and he couldn't believe his luck. Lisanna's praise was like a symphony of adoration, each word a melodious note that caressed his senses. And that wasn't all, he looked at his ears and stirred in astonishment. A moment ago his ears were in terrible condition but now he slowly raised them up in the air and they were as big as a ship's sails. 

"Please! Allow me to touch your magnificent ears, oh mighty Hermit! I will do anything you ask of me. Oh, Hermit, you are so handsome!" Lisanna begged on her knees, her eyes gleaming with admiration. 

Hermit's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and his heart felt like it could burst from the overwhelming surge of joy as he admired his magnificent ears. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined such attention and affection from both Suzuka and Lisanna.

Hermit's surprise didn't end there - it escalated to levels of surreal disbelief. As David rushed toward him with rapid, almost quaking steps, he dramatically fell to his knees, his eyes brimming with tears of repentance. 

"Oh, Hermit! I'm so sorry for how I treated you. I am a pathetic loser, and I deserve to be punished, not you. Please forgive me. I will do anything for you, be your slave for the rest of my life! Step on me if it makes you feel better!" David wailed, tears streaming down his face as he begged for forgiveness.

Hermit's jaw dropped, his mind unable to comprehend the sudden transformation of his once tormentor. As Hermit stood there, his mouth agape in astonishment, he couldn't believe the fantastical scene unfolding before his eyes. 

But the surprises didn't stop there, for with a thunderous bang, the massive main doors of the guild hall burst open, revealing a spectacle that could rival the grandest of fairy tales.

In a flurry of energy, Larry bounded into the room like a whirlwind of joy. His steps were so light, it was as if he was floating on a cloud of sheer delight. With a grace that rivaled the finest dancers, he made his way toward Hermit, practically dancing with joy.

In a truly theatrical fashion, Larry swept Hermit into a tight and heartfelt embrace, spinning him around like a figure in a joyous waltz. Hermit's feet flailed in the air as Larry twirled him, and at that moment, it felt like time itself had slowed down to witness this extraordinary display of affection.

Hermit's mind struggled to process the whirlwind of emotions, but before he could find his words, Larry showered his ears with kisses, making the whole scene seem like a fairy tale come to life.

"Oh, Hermit! Behold the miracle!" Larry shouted, "I have single-handedly rescued all of your fellow goblin slaves! The impossible has become possible! The peace between races has been achieved, and the once-divided Goblin kingdom now basks in the warm embrace of tranquility!"

Hermit's heart swelled with emotion, and tears of joy streamed down his cheeks like a cascading waterfall. He looked towards the open doors, and there stood an awe-inspiring sight that would forever be etched in his memory. 

Goblins, once shackled and oppressed, now stood tall and proud, walking freely on the town streets like respected citizens. They held hands with humans, elves, and other races, forming bonds that transcended their differences.

As Larry finished shouting, Hermit couldn't believe his eyes as the guild hall doors burst open one by one, revealing a flood of his fellow goblin slaves, each one more spirited than the last. In a matter of seconds, the entire hall was transformed into a jubilant carnival of goblins, even including those he had long thought lost or vanished into the shadows of the past. The room was alive with cheer, laughter, and giggles, all dedicated to Hermit.

"Oh, my wreeee! Look at all these goblins! Hermit can't believe it! They're all here for me! All my goblin friends! I'm not alone anymore! Reeeee! Yupee!"

"Master Helen, Larry, look, it's Tugrik! He's here! I thought he was gone forever, but he's here!  Oh, Tugrik, it's me, Hermit! Remember me? I thought we lost you in that cave! You survived!?"

"There's Grizzle too! Grizzle, my old buddy! I missed you! Look at us, all together again, celebrating! Wreeee!"

"And... and there's Jiblets! Wreee, Jiblets, my little pal! Look how much you've grown! I'm so happy to see you! I... I thought we lost you to that hound!"

"Master Lisanna, did you know they'd all come? It's like a goblin party! Wreee! A party for me! I feel so loved!"

"Wreeee, Ruffshank, you sly goblin, you made it too! I thought you were eaten alive, but here you are! Wreee!"

Just then, a grand spectacle unfolded as a massive table, adorned with an extravagant spread of mouthwatering delicacies and an endless array of delectable drinks, rolled into the hall. The sight alone was enough to make any goblin's heart race with delight. As the crowd chanted Hermit's name, he felt a surge of pride and emotion wash over him like a tidal wave.

"Larry, I can't thank you enough for bringing them all here! This is the best day of my life! Wreeee! More goblins are arriving! Look, it's Splunk! Splunk, buddy, over here!"

Without hesitation, Larry, Lisanna, and Suzuka swooped in like doting parents, carrying Hermit to the magnificent table. With spoons in hand, they lovingly fed him each sumptuous dish, making sure not a single delicacy escaped his eager taste buds. The flavors burst in his mouth like fireworks, and his senses were overwhelmed by the sheer ecstasy of the feast.

"Reeee, the food! So much food! My belly is gonna burst, but I don't care! Uwieee!"

Tears of pure bliss welled up in Hermit's eyes as he took in the sight of his fellow goblin friends, all gathered around the table, their faces lit up with joy and affection. The camaraderie and sense of unity he felt were unlike anything he had ever experienced before. As he looked around his fellow goblins his tears of joy couldn't stop flowing.

"Oh, uwieee! It's like a dream come true! My goblin friends, all together in one place! Such joy, such bliss! My heart can't handle all this happiness! All of my gob-friends... in one room... celebrating! Oh so happy! Hermit is so happy!"

Amidst mouthfuls of heavenly food, Hermit's heart swelled with happiness. He eagerly shouted and waved at his old comrades, a symphony of joyous sounds mingling with the symphony of flavors dancing in his mouth. But alas, the delicious food rendered him temporarily speechless, and he could only offer muffled sounds of delight in response.

"Hmm... mm... mmph! Oh, this food... mmh... delightful! Master Helen, you... mmh... are the best! Ah, these flavors... mmh... like a heavenly feast! Mm... thank you! Thank you!"

As Hermit chomped and slurped, it was as if the universe had conspired to create the most scrumptious feast imaginable just for him. His eyes darted around the room in a wild frenzy, barely able to keep up with the mesmerizing display of delicious dishes entering his mouth. It was a symphony of culinary ecstasy, and Hermit was the star conductor.

"Mmmph! Oh, by the glowing stars above, this food is divine! Mmmm! Sooo good! I can't believe how tasty it is! Mmm! My tummy is doing a happy dance right now! Mmmmph!" 

Just as he thought he had reached the pinnacle of gastronomic pleasure, the kitchen doors swung open with a dramatic flourish, and there stood David, holding a magnificent cake of colossal proportions. Hermit's eyes widened like saucers, and he opened his mouth as wide as he possibly could, preparing to conquer this towering sweet.

In one audacious move, Hermit swallowed the entire cake whole, as if he had been training his entire life for this moment. The sensation was mind-boggling, as layers of moist cake, rich cream, and luscious fruit exploded like a flavor supernova inside his mouth. It was as if he had just devoured a slice of heaven itself.

"Grrmmpph! W-what just happened? Cake...cake...divine cake! So...so good! Mmm, mouth full...whole cake! I'm the goblin cake master! Ha! Take that, David!"

As Larry, Lisanna, and Suzuka pampered Hermit, they treated him like a king, showering him with affection and attention fit for royalty. Hermit basked in this outpouring of love, feeling like the cherished center of the universe. His heart swelled with happiness, and he couldn't contain his overflowing joy, letting out ecstatic cheers between mouthfuls of food like a goblin possessed by jubilation.

 "Munchity-munch! I'll eat all the cakes, and then some! Slurpity-slurp! I'm the goblin cake devourer! Ha-ha-ha! My belly's a happy bakery! Brrr, cake chill! But who cares? Not me! Blop, cake hiccup! Oopsie! Burpity-burp! Excuse me, cake aftermath! Ha-ha! What a ride! I love you, cake! I'll remember this moment forever! Mmm...cake paradise! More, more, more!"

The once-oppressed and downtrodden goblin slaves were now like a triumphant army reveling in their newfound freedom. They didn't just celebrate; they unleashed a symphony of laughter, dance, and song that echoed through the very heavens. Their jubilant voices soared, breaking the shackles of their past and creating a harmonious chorus of liberation.

"Look at us! No more chains, no more whips! We dance like wildfire, wild and untamed! Uuwieeee! We are no longer caged, no longer confined! We are the rulers of our own lives! Mmm... freedom!"

As the triumphant tunes echoed through the streets, even the birds above couldn't help but join in, harmonizing with the goblin's joyful cries. The sun itself seemed to shine a little brighter as if acknowledging and celebrating the goblin's hard-won victory.

"More! I need more!" Hermit thundered, his voice booming like the roar of a mythical beast, causing even the bravest of goblins to quiver in awe. With a primal hunger driving him, he lunged towards the table, his movements so lightning-fast that it was like he had sprouted wings and soared through the air.

In a frenzy of indulgence, he scooped up ice cream sundaes the size of boulders and cookies as large as shields, shoving them into his already overstuffed mouth. Creamy goodness and luscious pastries vanished into the abyss of his insatiable appetite. The ice cream melted at the touch of his fiery hunger, dripping down his chin like molten lava.

"Mmm... yum-yum... want more! Need more! Don't stop, never stop!"

As he ravaged the sweets with a fervor unseen before, his hands moved at a blinding speed, an ethereal dance of confectionary mastery. Goblins around him gasped in astonishment, unable to tear their eyes away from the mesmerizing spectacle before them.

 "Hermit is the dessert king! No one can beat my mighty appetite!"

A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd, shaking the very foundations of the hall. They raised their hands, holding their dessert spoons like war banners, chanting Hermit's name in unison, the thunderous sound echoing throughout the hall like a divine chorus.

"Hermit! Hermit! Hermit!" they chanted, their voices blending into a harmonious symphony of praise for the gluttonous goblin. They lifted him up on their shoulders, carrying him like a conquering hero, their cheers reaching a crescendo of euphoria.

In a moment of disbelief, Hermit caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance. He could barely breathe as he whispered her name, "L-Lusseria?"

Suddenly, as if a furious celestial being had taken offense to his audacity, an invisible force materialized out of thin air and slapped Hermit across the face with such a thunderous impact that his features stretched like a rubberband, contorting in unimaginable ways.

 His cheeks stretched outwards, his nose flattened, and his ears became wildly elongated, turning him into a comically grotesque caricature. A low, haunting whistling of his name, "Hermit... Hermit..." echoed through the air, as if the very universe itself was scolding him for daring to utter that name.

The reality around him swirled into a dizzying dance of colors and shapes, threatening to pull him into an endless void of darkness. But Hermit, fueled by determination and fear, clung to a nearby table for dear life. His tiny hands gripped the edges with a strength that seemed impossible for a goblin of his stature.

In a desperate plea, he extended his trembling arm toward the mysterious woman, who seemed to exude an aura of divinity.

 "Please! Goddess Lusseria! Please, let Hermit stay in this dream forever! Please! I am begging you! Do not return me to reality!" he cried out with a voice that trembled with emotion.

The woman's laughter pierced through the air like an ethereal symphony of cruelty, her eyes glowing with a mesmerizing allure that masked her true intentions. With a simple click of her fingers, the table to which Hermit clung so desperately vanished into thin air, leaving him suspended in the void of darkness. The dream he held onto so fervently slipped through his grasp like grains of sand, and he found himself plummeting into an abyss of despair.

In a jolt, Hermit's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself back in the harsh reality of his existence. But before he could fully comprehend what had happened, he received a brutal slap on his face, snapping him back to consciousness.

With a sharp gasp, he woke up, blinking rapidly to adjust to the sudden brightness. His cheek throbbed with pain from the mystical slap, and he could still hear the haunting echo of the Goddess's laughter in his mind.