Chapter 26 The Search Request (5)

Countless footsteps are approaching the iron door that the Madam destroyed before. It might be tens, dozens, or even hundreds of goblins rushing to their position right now.

"Looks like escaping is no longer an option. We could only fight our way through," Uttered Abraham as he readied his knives. There is no hint of impatience or panic from him as if he's not even slightly bothered by the sudden turn of events.

"It can't be helped then. But they appeared at the right time, I'm furious enough that I feel like smashing the heads of all goblins living inside this lair right now," The Madam ready her morningstar and warms up her mana while emitting a dangerous vibe.

"Lady Belle. Please take care of Lady Alina and Lady Xena for us. We'll take care of the goblins. Raine, Ravia, guard the ladies," (Abraham)

""Okay, gramps!""

"O-Okay..." (Belle)

"Mr. Lyan. I'm sorry but I guess this will be a rather big fight. Will you be fine?" (Abraham)

"Well, I'll manage," Lyan draws one of his swords as he replied.

"Good. Then the three of us will face the goblins that coming in, while Belle, Ravia, and Raine watch over Alina and Xena, and watch out if something unexpected happens, you sure you're fine, Lyan?" (Madam)

"I'll be fine. I doubt I'll get my turn with the two of you in front of me anyway," (Lyan)

"Heh! Nice words," The Madam's morningstar got fully enveloped by her mana as she chuckled, dangerous red aura leaks out from it as if it's responding to the Madam's rage.

"Here they come!" (Abraham)

The goblins came disorderly from the entrance where they entered the room from. Without showing any hesitation, the Madam blows the goblins that approached her with a powerful strike. But unlike before, the explosive strength of the Madam got even stronger for multiple folds. As if it got rammed by a dragon's tail, the goblin got sent back to the entrance with a powerful force, bringing the other goblins with it.

"Come! You green brats!" (Madam)

As the Madam, Abraham, and Lyan face the goblins head-on in front of the entrance, Ravia and Raine ready their knives and watch out for the surroundings in case there are some goblins that suddenly appeared or slip away from the three of them and aim for Xena and the others.

"Here. Slowly, Alina," Belle slowly put Alina down beside Xena. With the two of them besides each other, it will be easier for them to protect them rather than having them lying in different cells.

"How did you find us?" Asked Alina. Because of the healing potion given to her, most of her injuries are already healed, and her vitality had returned.

"You remember the cloaked man that saved us the other day? He used Xena's hair to use a magic to find the two of you. Xena, is it still hurt?" Belle asked worriedly. Xena's complexion is still bad, Belle couldn't see a hint of liveliness in her eyes, as if she had already given up on her life.

"Xena... Forgive me... Because of me... Because you protected me... The goblins... The goblins..." Alina approached Xena with tears as she hugs her.

"It's fine... It's not your fault..." Replied her weakly.

It's obvious of what had happened to her just by looking at her appearance. She had gotten raped by the goblins that captured them, and she got treated roughly because of her protecting Alina from getting defiled by the goblins.

But even so, she didn't regret the fact that she protected Alina's virginity.

"I'm sorry..." Tears fell profusely from her eyes.

"This all happened because I brought you two to the river that day... I'm sorry..." (Xena)

"Xena... It's not your-" (Belle)

Just as they were soothing each other, suddenly the other end of the room got opened. Just like an elevator door, the stone walls that should be there got opened to the side, revealing a goblin with a huge body.

"A hidden passage!? Raine! Prepare for battle!" (Ravia)

"Y-Yeah!" Raine readied her knife.

Raine and Ravia attacked the goblin champion with a pincer. They are fast and strong. Even if they're not as strong as their grandfather, their speed and skill in knife-wielding are top-notch.

*Slash!* *Slash!*

Both of them successfully slashed the popliteal fossas of the goblin champion perfectly. With the goblin champion slowly losing his strength on its leg, it will fall by itself so they didn't waste any chance and once again charged toward the goblin champion to behead it. The goblin champion won't even have a chance to retaliate because of their speed.

Or so they thought.

"Gah!!"

"Ugh!!"

The goblin champion suddenly spins, sending the two of them flying with its giant club.

"Kukukuku! KKiakakakkkkk!" The goblin champion disgustingly laughs as it thought that the number of women for him to use and torture had increased.

"Ravia!! Raine!!" (Belle)

(What should I do... But if I left Xena and Alina here, they will-) (Belle)

Belle's eyes met with the goblin champion's.

At that moment, she suddenly lost all of her strength. No thoughts of how to overcome the danger, how to save her friends, or what she should cast. Nothing.

Just terror.

Not only Belle, but Xena that just got raped by the goblins not long before also got frozen with terror.

As if getting interested because of the eye contact, the goblin champion started to approach the three of them.

"Belle... Xena... Don't just stand there..." Alina desperately shakes the both of them weakly to make them get to their senses.

(This is bad... If we stay like here, the three of us will die!) (Alina)

"Guh... Belle!!!" Ravia shouted, hoping that her shout will bring Belle to her senses.

But it's futile.

(I'm sorry... I can't move...) (Belle)

Tears flows from Belle's eyes profusely as her whole body trembled.

(Ugh... I need to move!! Raine? Is Raine okay?) (Ravia)

Just like her, Raine is desperately trying to stand with her battered body as she looks at the three girls getting approached by the goblin champion.

But no matter how much they tried, their body that just got a direct hit from the monstrous strength of the goblin champion didn't have the strength to stand, let alone to run and protect the three girls.

"DON'T COME NEAR HERE, YOU UGLY BASTARD!!!!" Alina musters all of her strength to shout those words.

"kkkiieeeeekkk!!!" The goblin champion shrieked, seemingly enraged because of Alina's shout towards it. Rushing with its gigantic club, the five of them stared at the goblin champion rushing with despair written all over their faces.

(We should call grandpa and the Madam-) (Ravia)

When she shifted her gaze, she saw that the two of them are battling with one goblin champion with red skin each.

(A-A variant!? If I call them and make them lose their focus right now, it will be bad for them...) (Ravia)

Suddenly, Ravia remembered that there is an additional member of their rescue expedition party.

"That guy. Where is he...?" (Ravia)

"Go away!!" Alina threw a pebble towards the approaching goblin champion as she screamed.

But it didn't hinder the goblin champion movement even the slightest. The goblin champion finally arrived in front of them, and with a disgusting shriek, it raise its massive club, preparing to strike.

The five of them watched the scene unfold in despair.

"Please..." Alina closed her eyes as she plead to be saved. As she closes her eyes, a figure wearing a cloak appeared inside her mind.

"Save us..." (Alina)

Finally, the blow from the goblin champion arrived.

*BOOM!!!!!!*

As if a giant had stomped the ground, the strike from the goblin champion's club gives a powerful sound of explosion throughout the cavern. But-

"Eh?" (Alina)

The spot where the goblin champion strikes with its massive club is the empty spot right beside the three of them. The five of them stare at the confused goblin champion confusedly because of its strange strike.

(This feeling of deja vu... Where did I see this scene before...) (Alina)

*Clap!!*

Suddenly, a loud sound of thunderclap came together with a flash of blue-white light heading towards the goblin champion's head.

*Thud!*

!?!?!?!?!?!!??

The goblin champion fell motionlessly to the ground, shocking the five girls because of the sight of a sword stuck on its head.

"I-It died!?" (Ravia)

"Ugh... Goblin's blood is disgusting..." A dissatisfied voice appeared together with a cloaked figure walking leisurely approaching the goblin champion's corpse.

Looking at the scene, Alina finally remembered.

(Ah... It's just like that day when we got surrounded by the goblins... The hobgoblin rushing towards him slashed the empty air only to get killed by him) (Alina)

Lyan pulled out the sword from the goblin champion's head, making its blood to gush out like a stream.

"Ugh... Disgusting..." (Lyan)

As he's swinging his sword to get rid of the blood sticking into it, more goblins started to approach the hidden passage.

"Hm... I guess it can't be helped. I need your help. Come and heed my call, [Shadow Hobgoblin]" (Lyan)

____________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lyan

Occupation: Mercenary

Money: 22,800 Elnes

Weapon: Hobgoblin's Sword, Normal sword

Equipment: Black leather cloak

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, Shadow Hobgoblin