Chapter 127 Much Needed Rest

With a surge of raw power, she unleashed her enhanced strength, gripping the iron bars tightly. The metal groaned and protested under the strain, but she pressed on and applied force with unimaginable might.

With an earth-shaking display of force, she forced the iron bars downward, embedding them into the solid floor. The once empty corridor transformed into a formidable obstacle, now fortified by a tightly woven iron bar net. Each bar formed an impenetrable barrier, blocking any passage in or out of the corridor.

 As she stepped back, a mischievous glimmer danced in Suzuka's eyes, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Here, all done. This should hold until we're ready to go," she proclaimed, gesturing towards the solidly reinforced iron bars.

Larry's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his admiration evident. "You handled these iron bars like they were mere twigs. I've never met anyone who could twist metal so effortlessly," he exclaimed, clearly impressed by Suzuka's display of strength.

Suzuka's heart skipped a beat, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She hadn't intended to show off her extraordinary abilities. She tried to downplay it, wanting to avoid drawing attention. "Oh, you know, we half-dwarfs are naturally strong," she chuckled, attempting to brush it off with an obvious lie.

Larry, perceptive as ever, caught on to Suzuka's attempt at diversion, but he respected her desire for privacy. He didn't want to pry into her secrets, sensing there was more to her than met the eye. Instead, he simply nodded and said, "Well, that explains it. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by your remarkable strength by now."

Suzuka let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Larry didn't push further. She knew she had to be cautious about revealing her true abilities, especially in a world where acceptance could be scarce. 

After the corridor was blocked, a sense of relief washed over everyone in the room. The underground prison hold, with its thick stone walls, seemed more secure than ever before. The blocked corridor was the only entrance and exit, and with it impassable, they felt a newfound sense of safety.

Arin, burdened by his thoughts, approached Larry and spoke in a weary tone, "I need a short break, but someone must remain on guard. Can any of you handle it?" Larry, ever the vigilant one, replied without hesitation, "Sure thing, both me and her will keep a watchful eye on the doors. You go ahead and take a rest, Arin." Grateful for the offer, Arin expressed his thanks and made his way to one of the empty cells, where he lay down on the bed, hoping to find some solace.

Meanwhile, David remained in a sour mood, still seated on his bed, lost in his own thoughts. Larry turned to Suzuka and gestured toward the cell where the old goblin was being held captive. "Now that we've secured the door, we have a bit of free time. You keep an eye on the doors, Helen. I need to have a conversation with that goblin," he said, curiosity shining in his eyes. 

Suzuka nodded, a mix of curiosity and caution evident on her face, "But what kind of information could a goblin possibly possess?"

 Larry sighed, his gaze fixed on the cell, "That's precisely what I aim to find out."

Larry stepped into the cell, taking a seat beside the trembling goblin. The filthy and horribly stinking creature, desperate and terrified begged, "Please! Hermit did nothing wrong! No more torture, please!"

 Larry looked at his filthy abused body, his expression softened, "I'm not here to torture you, Hermit. I am here to help you."

The words that came out of Larry's mouth made goblin dance in his mind with happiness, thinking that finally his prayers were answered and someone actually came to save him.

"W-w-water, please... Hermit had no water and food since got captured. The bandits... they forced me to drink piss and eat feces. Please, water and food. Hermit can't move anymore, too weak and tortured."    

Larry poured a small amount of water into his palm and carefully dribbled it into Hermit's mouth while saying. "I want to understand what happened to you, tell me your story. Tell me, how did you end up here?" Larry reassured him, hoping to coax out the truth that lay hidden beneath layers of fear and desperation.

The old goblin swallowed the water with a wet gurgling sound and turned to Larry then began, "Hermit was part of a small group of goblins who dared to dream of a life beyond constant violence and fear. We longed to escape the clutches of our cruel overlords and find a place where we could live in peace, free from the shackles of our past. We escaped our slavery camp and embarked on a treacherous journey through perilous forests, evading danger at every turn."

Hermit's eyes, filled with a combination of exhaustion and resignation, met Larry's gaze as he continued. "But one fateful night, as the moon shone brightly overhead, our band found ourselves surrounded by a ruthless gang of bandits. They planned to toy with us before killing us all, we had no choice but to run."

A flicker of sadness danced across Hermit's face, and he whispered with a tremor in his voice, "Despite our valiant efforts to flee, the group was soon surrounded by the bandits' brute strength. In the midst of the chaos, I, being the oldest and wisest, urged my companions to flee, sacrificing my own freedom to ensure their escape."

A tear welled up in Hermit's swollen eye, reflecting the weeks of suffering etched on his face. "I found myself at the mercy of the bandits, enduring days of torture and torment in this crude prison. They beat me, whipped me, burned my skin, and molested me in all possible ways they could think of. The bandits sought to break my spirit, forcing me to reveal the secrets and hidden treasures of my goblin brethren. But Hermit didn't have any treasure or knew where to find one. The bandits didn't believe and kept torturing." 

Larry's voice carried a mix of empathy and concern as he spoke, "Hermit, I can see the pain etched on your face. I wish there was more I could do to soothe your suffering. You're not just a goblin, Hermit. You are a being with hopes, dreams, and the capacity to feel. No one deserves to endure the cruelty you've faced."

Hermit's weary eyes widened, a glimmer of hope flickering amidst the pain. "It has been a long and harrowing road, filled with despair and anguish," he confessed, his voice tinged with a touch of resignation. "Sometimes, I wonder if freedom is merely an illusion, forever beyond my grasp."

Suzuka, unable to contain her sarcasm, interjected with a sardonic tone, unable to hide her disbelief. "Well, well, for a goblin, you certainly have a great grasp of our language. It's truly incredible. I've come across humans who struggle to string together a sentence, let alone express themselves as well as you do."

Hermit, sensing the sarcasm dripping from Suzuka's words, responded with a touch of hurt in his voice, taking her jest to heart. "Ah, yes. You see, during my years in slavery, I had the great fortune of meeting countless humans, sharing the same cramped cages as them. It was an informative experience, to say the least. I took it upon myself to learn from these individuals, soaking up their wisdom like a thirsty sponge."

Suzuka softened her tone slightly, though a hint of skepticism remained. "Well, isn't that just fascinating? Learning from humans while in captivity. It must have been an academy of enlightenment, surrounded by such esteemed scholars. The lectures on 'Surviving Torture 101' and 'The Art of Broken Spirits'. How fortunate It was for you to partake in such esteemed educational pursuits."

Suzuka couldn't contain her laughter, the absurdity of the situation washing over her. "Oh, Hermit, you truly had the privilege of experiencing the pinnacle of academic enlightenment. It's a shame they didn't offer degrees in 'Overcoming Bandit Brutality' or 'Mastering the Art of Captivity.'"

David's chuckles echoed through the prison cell, filled with dark amusement, as Suzuka taunted the vulnerable goblin. Larry interjected, breaking the unsettling ambiance that had settled in the room.

"David, enough," Larry's tone carried a firmness that demanded attention. His eyes shifted towards Suzuka, who had momentarily diverted her focus. "Helen, we need you to resume your position and stand guard. Please."

David's chuckles gradually subsided, replaced by a somber expression that hinted at a deeper understanding. Suzuka couldn't help but roll her eyes, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

But before she could say anything back to Larry, Hermit's eyes twinkled with a mixture of pain and amusement. "Ah, indeed. My diploma in 'Enduring Agony with Dignity' should be arriving any day now. A true testament to the wealth of knowledge I gained during my time in this illustrious educational institution."

Suzuka playfully nudged Hermit's shoulder, a warm smile adorning her face. "Well, Hermit, your resilience and wit are truly admirable. If there's one thing this captivity has given you, it's a Ph.D. in the art of sarcasm. Quite an accomplishment." With that said she walked out of the cell and resumed her watchful stance.

Larry sat beside Hermit, his face etched with concern. He took a deep breath before asking, "Hermit, I need to know... Do you have any idea what happened to all those bandits who captured you?"

With a voice tinged with fear Hermit replied in a hushed tone, "I don't know. Bandits threw Hermit in here and locked the doors, leaving me behind. When the screams echoed through the corridors and the monstrous growls rumbled, Hermit crawled as further from the screams and hid here, hoping the monsters would eventually leave. It's been maybe a few days now, but I don't know what became of the bandits."

Larry glanced at Hermit one last time before standing up and stepping out of the cell. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he approached Suzuka. Lowering his voice to a hushed whisper, he inquired, "Well? Any signs of movement? Do you believe we're truly safe here?"

Suzuka's serene expression remained unwavering as she replied, "Don't fret, Larry. We have nothing to fear. The only entrance is securely blocked, and even if they manage to breach it, I possess the power of gravity magic. I can flatten them with ease. If anything, it might be a welcome opportunity for them to come at me. It would save me the trouble of venturing out and searching for them."

Larry's tense shoulders relaxed, and a sense of relief washed over him. "That's good to hear. You have things under control," he acknowledged, gratitude evident in his voice. He knew he could rely on Suzuka's formidable abilities and unwavering resolve.

With weariness evident in his eyes, Larry confessed, "It's been a tough day. Would it be alright if I took a short nap? I could use a moment of respite." He trusted Suzuka to keep watch while he recharged his energy.

Suzuka nodded, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. "Of course, Larry. You go ahead and rest. I'll remain sharp," she assured him, her voice gentle and reassuring. Larry found solace in her words as he found a quiet corner, settling down to steal a few moments of much-needed rest.