Chapter 157: The Grimgarian Battalion.

Chapter 157: The Grimgarian Battalion.

Tugnuk blak! In, in, monster humans-prisoners! Kehehehehehek!

Dnasti! Dnasti! Dnasti! Kehehehek!

Dnasti! Dnasti! Dnasti! Kahiiaaaaaahhhekehekehek!

Revolting. Or maybe mortifying? Regardless of what words could be used to describe this group of cackling, green creatures, it was undoubtedly unpleasant to look at. This would, after all, be exactly what the typical adventurer would think the moment they met numerous goblins and hobgoblins howling out in laughter, waving their simple iron weapons in the air as they celebrated their victory.

However, unlike a common encounter with most goblins, these green fiends werent wearing shabby, low-quality equipment looted from unsuspecting caravans or unfortunate adventurers, but rather high quality gear made by their own blacksmiths. Orcish blacksmiths. The quality was incomparable to dwarven-made weapons and armor and the finesse was missing unlike the elves, however, these weapons were made to be brutish and to accomodate grimgarian body types.

Grrrrrrrr! Grarrrr! Dont look at her like that, you green shits! Ill rip your eyes out and- ARGH! In the middle of this rambunctious goblin group were a wolfkin and arvisian, both shoved into a makeshift prison cage by their capturers. Noticing the vile, lascivious gazes the grimgarian males were sending towards his companion, the wolfkin adventurer lashed out at his captors, but was immediately stabbed in the leg by a laughing goblin guard for his efforts.

Kahahek! Watching these helpless adventurers struggle gave the surrounding goblins endless joy, for they were sadistic beings. Greedy for power, conniving enough to backstab comrades they fought with, and filled with envy against those stronger or more influential than them. This is what makes a goblin a goblin.

Wulf stop it. You know theyre enjoying this, and youre just encouraging them, sitting in a corner, the green-feathered arvisian woman was scolding her male companion. The feathers on her arms were mostly ripped off and she was looking rather pale, probably due to blood loss from the wounds all over her body.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

Diena, Wulf couldnt help but look at his companion pitifully, as she gave him a weak stare. However, this only lasted for a moment as the goblins hysterical laughter brought him back to the reality of his situation.

Keheheheh! Die-die, you die-die! We feast-eat your bodies! Kehehehek! Driving their victims in despair and watching them suffer, those were the goblins intention as they continued to mock the adventurers. For them, it was like watching animals through a zoos glass panel.

Silence! It was then that a booming voice interrupted the gleeful laughter of the goblins, forcing them to turn to the source of it. Shaman here. Move!

Two massive grey-skinned orcs clad in heavy armor and armed with large axes pushed through the group of goblins, making way for a blue-skinned hobgoblin female in shamanic robes. With a bone staff in her hands, she signaled the orc guards standing behind her to move forward, dragging with them a large man.

Yubnrien! Gliedda yuf vernohn blieck, Marsven! The numerous goblins and hobgoblins prostrated before the hobgoblin shaman, repeating the same sentence in honor of their chosen deity the God of Darkness, Marsven.

Although goblins in general are devious, untrustworthy, and prone to violence, the one member they would never betray in their own race would be the blue-skin ones goblins born with the aptitude to become mages or shamans. This is primarily because these goblins were unable to betray the two beings they held in esteem over even their ruling lord or ruler: the gods Marsven and Edna, also known as the Night Father and Mother in the Black Tongue, the language of grimgarians. For if they were to betray these two deities, then Kronnaz, third daughter of Marsven and the Goddess of Grudges and Grimgarian, would strike them down.

Marine blue resembling the night most grimgarians believe that those of their race with the option to evolve into a blue variant were personally blessed by Edna to become shamans and mages, meaning they were as respected as white-robed priests for Aurena followers. While blue-skinned goblins can be as devious as their normal brethren, they were less likely to be consumed by greed and envy from both their superior intellect and the fact they already wield power over hordes of goblins.

The orcs carrying the wounded man opened the prison cell and tossed him in without consideration for the wounds on his body. Wulf quickly approached the man, calling out Raian, before pulling the injured man up just to notice the terrible state his arms were in and a bloody rag covering his right eye. Wulf spat out insults at his captors, but the shamans entourage just ignored them.

The blue-skinned hobgoblin then approached the cage. She was slightly shorter than a human female but still taller than a dwarven woman, with black hair flowing down her back, the most obvious signs she was an evolved goblin, unlike her shorter and bald relatives. Her nose was small and curved upwards, large eyes adapted for life inside a cave, and sharp ears almost the size of her head with an appearance resembling the elves.

We speak later. You will tell us the location of your home and its defenses, the shaman demanded from the adventurers. Numbers of soldiers, adventurers, walls, knights, mages. All, you will give us, all-all.

Ending her sentence with the goblins iconic speech impediment, Wulf couldnt help but click his tongue, scowling at her with rage-filled eyes. You think we will say anything, you goblin scum?! Dont underestimate us, you monsters! You attack us, we will wipe you all out! Wulfs threat, however? None of the goblins took it seriously, laughing maniacally at the futility of his threat.

The only goblin who didnt laugh was the shaman. You will speak. Or we continue breaking the warrior. Another eye for our elixir. You will be sacrificed to honor the Night Father and Mother; however, your death will be filled with pain if you dont speak. You speak and die in flames, honorably. Or we feast on you while you still live. Death as prey. Not warrior!

With the words of their shaman, the goblins ravenous stares returned, eying both adventurers while licking their lips with greed. Some of the goblins sadistic desires even awoke at how frail and fragile the female arvisian looked with her injured arms, jumping and taunting her with glee.

Graaaaaaaaaaaaa! Mine-mine! Mine!

Mine! Gliedda yuf vitriolr blieck! Me strongest!

After he was done sniffing the goblin, he chucked him on the ground like a used-up toy. I can smell fear and exhaustion. Your sweat doesnt smell like that of a liar, midget. Hmph, the commander will not like to hear this.

Humans who knew of the battalions position fled the forest, meaning they were now a risk factor since they could inform the hunters guild of their position. In the orcs mind, he knew the commander of this battalion would not be happy to hear this. In fact, it was very likely he would be angered enough to lash out at his subordinate for ruining the plan. The fear of this happening was far worse than caring about the disappearing bodies of the warg riders.

The scouts were recalled back to the cave and nobody was allowed to leave the cave until the commander had decided on their next actions. That was their order and not even the shamans could ignore it. So, every grimgarian delved deeper into the mountain, where this military unit was stationed, leaving the entrance unguarded. Now, if someone were to enter, they would enter the grimgarians playing field and suffer the same fate the unfortunate adventurers did.

As time went by, with the noon sun blazing brightly in the sky, black smoke suddenly entered the cave. It wasnt unusual, as there were troll warriors roasting meat and brewing stew for the ever-hungry battalion, especially the ravenous orcs and their endless appetite. Some smoke and coughing here and there was to be expected inside a cave.

However, what made it worrying for the grimgarians was when the smoke continued to gather at the caves ceiling like a cloud, never dispersing. The halls filled with the echoes of coughs, eventually forcing the orc guards to drag goblin mages from the depths of the mountain to the front to order them to ventilate the cave with wind spells. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, the clouds would simply return inside, even larger and darker.

At the same time, the temperature inside the cave steadily rose until it became too warm for the grimgarians to handle, sweating and coughing uncontrollably. No matter how disciplined a grimgarian could become, the terrible situation inside the cave drove the goblins, kobolds, orcs, and trolls into a frenzy, provoking them to rush out of the cave.

In all this chaos, nobody cared for the adventurers.

As the grimgarians rushed to the caves entrance desperate for clean air and cool winds their ears were suddenly filled with the sound of a female voice accompanied by musical instruments the grimgarians had never heard before. But, no matter what it was, their legs would not stop as long as they were drenched in sweat and crying from a lack of oxygen.

Once the light of the outside came into view, hope filled the grimgarians hearts It was just unfortunate that such hope was quickly burned to ashes.

The orcs leading the way forward flinched in pain, stepping back as blazing heat singed their faces. Their eyes watered as a response as they gazed at the red pyres standing outside the cave. An inferno encircled the entrance, having already killed any vegetation inside it. As their eyes were recovering from the sight, their hearing was once again stimulated by a serene voice. Their eyes wandered to the source.

A single person stood alone in front of them, unperturbed by the rising heat. She had her arms crossed while her white robes were fluttering amidst intense winds created through her magic, pushing the black smoke created by the inferno into the cave. Most would see her as a normal human girl if it wasnt for her twin horns, scaled arms and legs, and a long tail flowing out of her skirt.

In my purgatory, I make the devil cry

In Hellfire

All you hear are his screams, begging to be released

Its Music

Music was booming next to her, with the wind imitating a girls voice and instruments through magic alone. The girl, having noticed the grimgarians, opened up her eyes, revealing two sharp predatory irises. This is your first and only chance. Return the three adventurers you captured and get out of Artorian lands this instance! What is your answer to this ultimatum?

The mere sound of her words was heavy on the grimgarians minds and body. They felt an instinctual fear and terror from the girl while their minds were telling them to obey her every words, as if she was their lord and master. Like a tyrant gazing down on her unworthy subjects.

No answers came out but the girl waited patiently, as if the grimgarians every action was worth before her. That was when a blue-skinned goblin moved forward. Breubon Iblis! Aurena! She is a priestess of the Bright Scourge!

The shout from the hobgoblin shaman was like a wake-up call, dispelling the fear inside the different grimarians and stirring them to a frenzy. Anger rose and dyed their eyes red. They raised their weapons and gave the girl their answer.

GUARGGGGGHHHHHH!

Hmph. Just like my first encounter with orcs. The girl sighed as the grimgarians rushed forward, shouting war cries as the heat and smoke destroyed any semblance of battle discipline they learned. The girls eyes sharpened, glaring at the approaching horde with frustration and annoyance.

She raised her hand and snapped her claws.

The cries of numerous grimgarians were then buried under a mighty explosion.