Chapter 201: The Fall of the Goblin Kingdom, Hidden Plot Unfolds Early, but... (2)
In the process, Sistine inadvertently inhaled a wisp of the mist.
The cavern wasn’t narrow, but accommodating such a large group had stretched their formation into a long line.
Their priority was to find an exit.
The further they ventured, the brighter it beca.
Seeing light ahead, their spirits lifted—freedom seed within reach!
Yet just as they were about to celebrate, Sistine raised her hand, halting everyone in their tracks.
Ahead, in the light, countless goblins milled about, blocking the path entirely.
The sheer number of them was overwhelming, like a green tide.
Although individually weak compared to the girls, their staggering numbers were daunting.
A quick glance estimated their numbers to be in the thousands.
The dense mass of goblins nearly covered the entire space, resembling a green adow at first glance.
Sistine’s fingers tightened around her sword hilt one by one, her body radiating a chilling aura.
Her gaze locked on the scene ahead, ready to charge.
Even if these goblins were overwhelming in number, she would lead the others to fight their way out through the only exit!
She raised her hand, silently counting her breaths.
The mont her hand dropped, the attack would comnce!
But Shia reached out, pressing her hand down and lowering it.
His voice was soft but carried to everyone.
“Don’t waste energy needlessly. Save your strength—the path ahead might be a dead end.”
So were puzzled and whispered questions.
“But we can see the light outside.”
“Light doesn’t always an an escape route. It could be a trap set by the goblins to lure us in.”
Shia’s words were directed at Sistine.
She turned to him, her gaze scrutinizing his face through the thin veil she wore, doubtful.
Could goblins, the lowest-tier monsters, really possess such intelligence?
Shia understood her skepticism but chose not to explain further.
Instead, he turned to Rong for assistance.
“Please help us.”
As an assassin, her stealth and concealnt skills weren’t only for approaching targets; they were also perfect for scouting.
This fundantal skill was crucial in their current situation.
“Rong, we’re counting on you.”
All eyes turned to Rong at Shia’s words.
The shy girl stiffened, overwheld by the collective attention.
Her nerves kicked in, and she instinctively wanted to retreat. How could soone with social anxiety handle such pressure?
She nearly ducked behind Shia for cover.
But now wasn’t the ti for hiding.
Shia took her hand, stopping her escape.
Even as she fidgeted, her ears flushed a deep red.
Shia tilted his head and locked eyes with Rong.
"You're the only one who can do this, right?"
This was step two of overcoming her social anxiety: teaching her to face others with courage.
Rong lowered her gaze, her breathing quickening.
Could she do it?
Probably not, right?
Yet, she felt the hand holding hers tighten, with a gentle teasing stroke across her palm.
Looking up, she t Shia’s steady eyes, filled with encouragent and trust.
Suddenly, her wavering thoughts transford into determination.
With him beside her, cheering her on and supporting her, what was there to fear?
Rong pressed her lips together, her eyebrows lifting as she nodded firmly.
While Rong went off to scout, the others didn’t remain idle. So leaned against the walls to recover their strength, but a few, unwilling to sit still, started observing their surroundings.
Violet, for one, couldn’t stay seated. Standing at the edge of the dim area, she carefully watched the movents in the distance.
At first, she didn’t think much of it. While the sheer number of goblins was intimidating, she believed that with their abilities, they could fight their way through.
She even thought the idea of sending Rong to scout was overkill.
But the more she observed, the more alard she beca.
Though chaotic at first glance, the goblins’ movents were surprisingly orderly. There were patrols, training groups, and even shift changes happening.
This discovery sent a chill down her spine.
As a princess with royal training, she could recognize this level of organization instantly.
The goblins guarding the “exit” were nothing like the mindless ones outside!
The goblins they had encountered earlier lacked intelligence, driven only by primal instincts like hunting or reproduction. They attacked instinctively, with no coordination—a scattered, disorganized force.
But here, what she was seeing was a disciplined army!
They had structure, cooperation, and purpose.
More shocking still, this army wasn’t the only one.
Compared to the seemingly vulnerable goblin nest above, this underground palace was likely the true heart of the goblin kingdom!
Reflecting on the sudden collapse that had brought them here, Violet’s unease deepened.
No longer did she think Shia’s caution was unwarranted. Anxiety gripped her as she clenched her fists tightly. Were they truly trapped?
As Violet wrestled with her growing fear, Rong’s figure suddenly reappeared among the group.
She stood by Shia’s side, her face pale and her expression shaken. The stares from everyone made her visibly uncomfortable, her unease apparent as she avoided their gazes.
All eyes were on her, brimming with hope for good news.
But Rong simply pressed her lips together, looked at Shia, and shook her head lightly.
This subtle gesture extinguished the group’s hopes.
"The light ahead is just the glow of stacked phosphorescent stones," Rong said, confirming Shia’s earlier suspicion.
Everyone turned to Shia, their awe growing.
He had been right—it was indeed a trap!
Their initial admiration quickly gave way to dread.
If the light wasn’t an exit, then where was the real way out?
The idea that goblins could set such a cunning trap only added to their despair. How slim were their chances of escaping now?
What could they do next?
The girls exchanged disheartened glances, the atmosphere growing heavier with each passing mont.
Violet, despite wanting to inspire hope, found herself at a loss for words. Unlike the others, her royal upbringing gave her a deeper understanding of just how dangerous the goblin "army" outside was.
In the end, she too hung her head in defeat.
Everyone’s eyes naturally turned to Sistine.
Surely their senior, the Sword Saintess, would have a solution.
Standing tall with her blindfold of white silk, Sistine exuded an ethereal, icy grace. The longsword in her hand glead faintly, her figure like a cold fragrance atop a snow-capped peak.
Yet, she remained silent, unmoving. Not even a flicker of intent to speak crossed her face.
Was their fate truly sealed, with nothing left but to wait for destruction?
The oppressive silence lingered, until it was broken by the calm, clear voice of a young man.
“There's no need for everyone to despair. After all, this is nothing more than one of the smallest trials we’ve faced.”
His voice carried gently, yet confidently, cutting through the gloom.
“True, the situation has changed, but isn’t the unknown more challenging? Isn’t it the unknown that proves your growth?”
“What’s this? Have you all lost faith in yourselves?”
All eyes turned toward Shia.
The refined young man stood there, exuding a soothing, reassuring presence. His words were steady, his gaze resolute.
Sotis, the power of words and a leader’s charisma were enough to rekindle hope.
“Don’t forget—you’re all top-tier talents, the best of the best! Surely, you’re not about to give up so easily, are you?”
His words struck a chord. The girls felt the shadows in their hearts begin to dissipate.
That’s right—they were the elite. How could they falter in the face of a re challenge?
They hadn’t even started trying—how could they think of surrendering?
One by one, a light returned to their eyes.
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