Lucas had assigned tasks to the remaining 23 automatons: fifteen were designated as soldiers, two as miners, three as craftsmen, and three as workers. Seven other automatons, who had once monitored the classes, were also under his command. These automatons were all he had at the moment, but he intended to make the most of them.

While waiting for the goblin and messenger to arrive at the great lake, Lucas initiated “Operation Dungeon Rework”—his name for the project aimed at improving the cave’s defenses and productivity. It wasn’t a complicated task, especially since the automatons came with basic equipment. After all, it would be impossible for them to survive in battle armed with nothing but their hands.

The entrance to the cave was being widened and reinforced by the workers, carving out a hall spacious enough to accommodate five automatons side by side. Beyond that hall, three branching tunnels led to three distinct chambers, each route eventually converging into a medium-sized central chamber. Behind that lay the main chamber—the heart of the dungeon. This simple yet effective layout was well-suited for defense.

A few days later, the goblin and the messenger reached one of the villages along the great lake. The sheer size of the lake earned its title, with numerous villages dotting its shoreline and a prosperous island visible in the distance, distinguished by its tall structures.

The goblin and the automaton entered the village together. The sight of them sparked stares of suspicion, especially since the goblin had once deserted his people and now returned with an unfamiliar wooden figure. The village chief confronted the goblin, and their exchange quickly escalated into a heated argument.

After several tense minutes, the chief’s demeanor shifted, and his gaze turned to the automaton. The automaton answered the questions posed by the chief, though Lucas could only guess the nature of their conversation. He chose not to intervene, letting the automaton gather as much intelligence as possible. Lucas had specifically sent the messenger, not a soldier, to ensure the conversation remained uninterrupted.

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The goblin chief, flanked by several goblins bearing spears adorned with colorful feathers, came to the gate. The chief spoke to the goblin in a language Lucas could not understand, his tone laced with suspicion. “Hmmm, it seems the chief is wary of us,” Lucas thought. “As expected.”

After a few more minutes, the two goblins continued their conversation, and eventually, the chief allowed them to enter the village.

The village was primitive, yet it was clear they were struggling even by their own humble standards. Smoke curled from the chimney of a larger hut at the end of the path, signaling that something was being cooked inside. Many goblins gathered around, staring at the automaton as it towered over them. Some peered from the safety of their huts, eyes wide with fear or distrust.

As they entered the hut, the captured goblin and the chief resumed their conversation, this time without speaking to the automaton. Perhaps out of fear, the automaton remained at the chief’s side, acting almost like a bodyguard, silent and vigilant.

Over the next few days, more goblin chiefs arrived at the village, drawn by the promise of a gathering of kin. By the fifth day, the village was teeming with at least a thousand goblins. Their plight had grown more desperate, as many had arrived starving and on the brink of collapse. The chief had sent messengers to other villages, calling for reinforcements.

The goblins’ growing numbers were a double-edged sword. Their arrival brought a sense of solidarity, but it also heightened the tension. Would they rally to Lucas’ side, recognizing the opportunity to unite under his leadership? Or would they reject him, unwilling to trust a foreign automaton and its enigmatic creator?

Lucas watched from the shadows, awaiting the moment of decision. It was clear that something would have to give. The goblins could no longer afford to remain divided, but the path they would choose—whether to ally with Lucas or resist him—remained uncertain.