Chapter 209
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Chapter 209: Untitled
The afternoon sun hung low in the sky.
The combined forces of soldiers and adventurers came to a halt while still a considerable distance from the Goblin Tribe.
Lit dispatched two Guard Knights skilled in reconnaissance, accompanied by Lvzi and Army Lady, to verify the Goblin Tribe’s location and assess its general composition and numbers.
After completing their survey, the scouts returned.
The two knights delivered a concise report on the types and quantities of goblins observed, their expressions grave.
"Then let’s waste no time and strike immediately!"
Laikalis, a burly blond warrior, abruptly unsheathed the massive greatsword strapped to his back and rose with palpable battle fervor.
"Hey, you two—lead the way!"
"Boss… are we really charging in like this?"
"What alternative would you suggest?"
"Listen, Laikalis…"
Lit exhaled wearily.
"You haven’t changed—still acting without thinking."
"What’s there to ponder? They’re nothing but witless goblins! We slaughter them and be done with it! Lit, this sluggishness of yours is precisely why the lord lost patience and expelled you from the knight order!"
"That’s incorrect—I wasn’t expelled. If anything, it was a promotion…"
Lit couldn’t suppress his retort before launching into extensive explanations to dissuade Laikalis from an immediate assault.
After their forced march through the forest, even he felt weariness creeping in—ordinary soldiers weren’t the only ones fatigued. Regrouping and conserving strength before attacking the Goblin Tribe was undoubtedly the wiser strategy.
Regarding the optimal moment to strike—
Lit’s gaze lifted to the darkening sky.
Goblins operated by daylight, reserving nights for breeding and rest.
This presented the perfect opportunity: let the troops recuperate until nightfall, then launch a concerted assault on the Goblin Tribe with restored vigor.
The tactics were straightforward: initiate with fire.
The tribe’s crude shelters—constructed from timber, branches, and desiccated thatch—would ignite easily when bombarded with torches and flaming arrows.
Moreover, the proximity of these flimsy structures, some nearly touching, would ensure rapid fire spread.
When the flames took hold, chaos would erupt—whether among night watchmen or slumbering goblins, the dim-witted creatures would inevitably scatter in blind panic.
That moment would signal their advance!
While regular soldiers and adventurers carved paths through the fleeing hordes, the Guard Knights and higher-ranked adventurers would spearhead the assault to eliminate the Goblin King.
A tribe of this size unquestionably harbored a Goblin King. Its death would shatter the goblins’ morale, securing victory while minimizing their own casualties.
Later…
Throughout the waning afternoon into deepest night, Laikalis prowled restlessly like a caged beast—yet ultimately restrained himself from rash action against the Goblin Tribe.
"That hothead’s battle lust rivals Army Lady’s own."
Perched on a massive tree trunk that would require multiple people to embrace, Lvzi and Army Lady rested side by side on one of its sprawling branches.
Though Army Lady had shifted positions several times, Lvzi persistently closed the distance between them until the golden-haired warrior finally stopped bothering to move away.
The green-haired girl now leaned subtly against her companion, tilting her head to rest upon Army Lady’s shoulder. "His level might be low," she murmured, "but this man undoubtedly possesses considerable combat experience."
Army Lady’s attention sharpened at Lvzi’s observation. Her gaze fixed on Laikalis in the distance, a spark of battle lust gleaming in her eyes. While she had felled numerous powerful monsters, she’d yet to cross blades with a formidable member of the human race.
Laikalis stood at Class B, Level 8 – unimpressive compared to the monsters she’d previously encountered, yet noteworthy among current human settlements where he remained the only Class B warrior she’d observed.
The situation presented an intriguing challenge: currently disguised as a high-level Class C adventurer, could she defeat him while restricting her strength and agility to Class C parameters? Without level superiority, victory would hinge solely on skill application, combat instinct, and practical experience – all qualities honed through relentless battle.
"Perhaps I should test him in sparring during this downtime…" Army Lady mused aloud, already shifting to rise.
Lvzi immediately wrapped her arms around the warrior. "Not now."
"Why not? Evening’s still far off. Even after sparring, we’d have ample time to rest."
"That’s not the issue, silly Army Lady."
"Then what is?"
Being called stupid – and by this infuriating girl no less – prickled Army Lady’s pride. Only then did she notice Lvzi clinging to her, prompting an exasperated shove.
"Setting aside the risk of you accidentally killing or maiming him, even a clean victory would be problematic. Hundreds of eyes watch us here. Imagine the humiliation – a thirty-year-old Knight Commander bested by a teenage adventurer."
"Hmm…"
The logic held merit. Maintaining good relations with the town lord meant avoiding public embarrassment for his subordinates. Yet…
"If he won, the problem disappears, doesn’t it?" The words escaped Army Lady’s lips before she realized their implication.
"Does Army Lady believe she might lose?" Lvzi’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Of course not!" The instant denial came too quickly.
Realizing her self-contradiction, Army Lady backpedaled: "Well… not necessarily. At Class C parameters, defeat might be possible."
Lvzi giggled, pressing closer with a knowing smile. "I have absolute faith in Army Lady. Even at Class C, you’d surely triumph!"
"Preposterous. Outcomes remain uncertain until blades cross."
"Not preposterous at all! Mother always said you’re a combat genius – unbeatable in single combat!"
"Truly? She said that?"
"Yes!"
"Is that so… is that so…"
Flushed with pleasure, the dazed warrior failed to notice Lvzi nuzzling her neck, inhaling her scent while stealthily groping for softer contours. The silver breastplate foiled these attempts, yielding only unyielding metal.
Pouting in disappointment, Lvzi shook Army Lady. When no response came, she whispered hotly in her ear: "I made all that up."
"What?"
"Mother never said such things. Or have you forgotten losing to me once before?"
"You little-!"
…
Their playfight eventually subsided, and both joined the company’s rest period. As night fell and meager rations were consumed, Lit’s command rang out:
"Move out! We attack the Goblin Tribe!"
The war party stirred into motion.
