Chapter 378 Your Royal Sadness, Hermit the Tragic, First of His Name, King of Self-Pity

 She snickered, shaking her head.

"Pffft—servants? Oh, please. What do I look like, some noble with a stick up their ass? Nah, Cat Boss, I don’t do the whole ‘master and servant’ thing. You fight for the town, you live in the town—same as everyone else. No special treatment, no nonsense. Just people looking out for each other, simple as that."

She tilted her head, flashing a smug smirk. 

"Besides, your kin would make terrible servants anyway. Too proud, too stubborn, and way too fluffy. Could you imagine someone trying to boss you around? You’d probably scratch their face off before the first order was out of their mouth."

 She winked, then clapped her hands together. 

"Anyway, good to hear you’re on board. I mean, I figured you’d say yes—I’ve got a pretty convincing pitch, don’t I? So! When can you start packing? I’d love to have you guys move in before some other idiots try to mess with you, and I have to go out of my way to break a few skulls."

She glanced at Hermit, who still looked like he might pass out at any moment and nudged him off her leg.

 "Oi, Hermit, you hear that? Your old buddy here actually said yes! Try not to die of shock before we get back to town, yeah? And for god's sake, let go of my leg already, aren't you a bit too comfortable with it? I swear, if you start licking it..."

Hermit flinched at Suzuka’s teasing, his ears drooping as he clutched his hands together, looking like a kicked puppy. His big, round eyes shimmered with something between embarrassment and exhaustion as he muttered, "Master… you wound me."

Suzuka smirked, her fanged grin widening as she crossed her arms, looking down at Hermit with playful cruelty.

 "Ohhh, come on now, you little drama goblin. Should I get you a tiny violin to play your tragic little song? Maybe a bucket for all those imaginary tears?"

 She flicked his forehead lightly.

 "Or wait! Maybe I should start calling you ‘Hermit the Miserable.’"

His shoulders slumped, and he sniffled dramatically, though the effect was somewhat ruined by the nervous glances he kept stealing at Cat Boss. 

"After all the hardships we faced, after all the dangers we braved together… you still mock me in my darkest hour…" He let out a tiny, pitiful whimper, his lower lip trembling as if he might burst into tears.

Suzuka sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her chest as if overcome with sorrow. 

"Alas, what a cruel mistress I am, forcing you to live in comfort, stuffing your face with food, and treating you like actual family. How utterly unbearable! Should I start calling you ‘Your Highness’ now? Maybe carry you around on a pillow? No, no… I got it. Next time we go somewhere, I’ll introduce you as ‘Hermit the Tragic, First of His Name, King of Self-Pity.’”

Hermit dramatically turned away, hugging himself as he mumbled under his breath, "I shall suffer in silence, as always… forever the butt of cruel jokes… a lone goblin, betrayed by fate, scorned by his master…"

She gave him a pat on the back that was just a little too hard to be gentle.

 "Alright, enough whining, cheer up, your Royal Sadness. We've got unfinished business. Stop embarrassing yourself Infront of your old friend."

The Cat Boss inclined his head slightly, his golden eyes meeting Suzuka’s with a measured calm. His voice, deep and resonant, carried the weight of responsibility as he spoke.

“Helen, Ruler of Luminesia, I would gladly depart at once if it were that simple. But my kin must be considered. Some of my people are deep in the forest, on hunts that sustain us. Others are tending to our young or preparing for the coming seasons. I cannot simply gather them and leave without warning. It would take more than a few days to ready ourselves for such a journey. But you have my word—within a week, we will arrive at your lands. My people will honor this agreement, and we will come prepared to contribute to the dream you’re building. Until then, I ask for your patience.”

“I understand, a leader’s duty is to their kin first. I wouldn’t expect you to abandon your people unprepared. Take the time you need. So, looks like our business are done, I won't waste your time, see you next week. Until then."

After their meeting with Cat Boss, Suzuka and Hermit left the camp, the dense forest closing in around them like a living, breathing entity. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant cries of unseen creatures. Shadows danced between the trees, and every rustle of leaves sent Hermit skittering closer to Helen, his wide, fearful eyes darting in every direction.

“It's getting late, Master. That means... M-Monsters,” he stammered, clutching his tank top tighter around his small frame.

 “They’re everywhere, Master Helen. What if they—what if they—”

 “We’ll be fine as long as you don’t wander off. And try not to scream. It's annoying.”

Hermit nodded vigorously, though his trembling didn’t cease. He stuck to Suzuka like a shadow, his small feet struggling to keep pace with her long, confident strides. The journey back to Luminesia was tense, every snap of a twig or distant growl sending Hermit into a fresh wave of panic. But Suzuka moved with the precision of someone who was far worse than monsters in the dark.

When they finally emerged from the forest and into the relative safety of Luminesia’s borders, Hermit let out a shaky breath. The town’s half-built walls loomed ahead. Without a word, Hermit scurried off, muttering something about checking on the new goblins Larry had brought into the town. She watched him go, a faint sigh escaping her lips. 

She made her way to her house, a sturdy structure at the heart of the town, and stepped inside. The familiar scent of parchment and ink greeted her as she climbed the stairs to her office. But as she pushed the door open, she froze.

David was there.

He sat in the chair opposite her desk, reading a book.

“Well, well, well. Look who the cat dragged in. Where did you even come from? And I have to say, in the time I didn’t have to see your face, you’ve managed to look... less terrible.” Suzuka said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she crossed her arms.

David closed the book with a soft thud and set it aside.

 “Hello, Helen. Nice to see you too. I came with Larry—we just missed each other, that’s all. Seems he forgot to mention me. Typical Larry.”

Suzuka stepped further into the room.

 “So? What are you here for? I hope you’re not here to spread your usual misfortune. Things are finally moving in a good direction around here, and I don’t need you screwing it up.”

David raised his hands in mock surrender. 

“Don’t worry, Helen. I won’t be staying long. I’m leaving soon.”

As they spoke, Hermit scurried up the stairs, intent on speaking with Suzuka about the new goblins Larry had brought into town. But as he reached the closed door, he overheard the conversation inside. Not wanting to interrupt, he hesitated. He pressed his ear against the door, his small heart pounding in his chest.

 “Well then, speak. Don’t keep me waiting. What is it you want, David?”

David leaned back in the chair, his tone casual but carrying an edge. 

“Valerius told you what I’d be doing for you, didn’t he? You give me the goblin egg and a goblin for his experiments, and I deliver them to him. He said he had a deal with you for his support. I’m just here to collect. The moment you hand over the goods, I’ll be on my way.”

Hermit’s breath caught in his throat. His small hands flew to his mouth, muffling a gasp of shock. His wide, watery eyes filled with horror as the words sank in. 

"A goblin egg? A goblin for experiments? Master Helen surely not." His heart ached at the thought of his kin being treated as bargaining chips.

Inside the room, Suzuka sighed, her tone dismissive.

 “Yes, yes, the deal. I haven’t forgotten. I’ll get you the egg and the goblin by evening. You can leave tomorrow.”

Tears welled up in Hermit’s eyes, spilling over as he bit down on his tiny fist to stifle his sobs. The pain of betrayal cut deep, and he felt his small body tremble with grief. His fellow goblins—his precious kin—were being traded like tools, and he had been powerless to stop it.

David stood, brushing off his coat as he made his way to the door.

 “Good. The sooner, the better. It’s a long way back, and I’d rather not linger. We are behind agreed time because of Larry going out of our way to fight some goblins. We lost few days because of that, and Valerius isn't keen of waiting.”

Suzuka waved him off, her voice tinged with irritation.

 “Yes, yes, I know. I’ll handle it when I can. Now go. Make yourself useful around the camp—or better yet, don’t. Knowing you, you’d just mess things up. You will get your egg and goblin by the end of the day.”

David strode toward the door, barely giving the room a second glance. Hermit ducked into the corner, hiding himself as David walked out, oblivious to the eavesdropping goblin. As soon as the coast was clear, Hermit pulled himself to his feet, dragging his miserable form through Suzuka’s doorway. His limbs hung limp, his posture slouched, and his meaty goblin ears drooped so low they nearly touched the floor. His face was the very picture of despair, his eyes red and swollen from holding back tears.

Suzuka, catching sight of his pathetic entrance, couldn’t help but shudder in disgust.

 "Ugh, Hermit, what’s with that face? You look like you just crawled out of a grave."

Hermit could only look at her with those sorrowful eyes, his voice choked by the betrayal he felt in his heart.