“Aren’t there a bit too many?”

Azeban turned to look at the frog mask, “Are you trying to insult me? While you might be coming alone, don’t insult me. Even if I don’t rob them silently, who amongst them could possibly stop me?”

Helplessly, Jessica could do nothing about this. She naturally didn’t think there was anyone that could stand up to Azeban. That was likely also the case for Joana. Though she was fairly certain, Joana was stronger than the Grade B goblin yelling out orders.

The issue was, this was a goblin troop. Meaning this wasn’t one of the attack forces that tried to hit the caravan. This was the force that remained hidden in the dark, watching for any openings. Having felt a large amount of pressure, they remained hidden in the dark.

Azeban had told them to stand so close to him. So she could look behind cover. Not worrying about being discovered. They were still whispering, besides Azeban. In front of them was at the very least a group of sixty goblins. Probably closer to a hundred.

While only a small number of them were graded beings. That didn’t mean that those that were still too young to grasp mana were without issue. For Azeban and Joana, possibly in small number, both Saleh and Jessica would be alright.

Only there were at least thirty of them. Even when the caravan was attacked, there were only around ten young goblins per attack. The most ambitious goblin group was thirteen young goblins, five Grade F, and six Grade E.

Because of the suppression of higher tier goblins, elite goblins would only be those at higher grades. Only disposable goblins of low linage would be used for these purposes. For that reason, they were a tier below those from Mercury City.

In this group alone, there was one Grade B, two Grade C, five Grade D, about ten Grade E, alongside at least twenty Grade F, and anywhere from thirty to forty young goblins. For Jessica and Saleh, they couldn’t make out the exact numbers of those below Grade D.

Distance and line of sight, caused them to be uncertain of the exact numbers. What they saw was enough to cause them to break out in cold sweat. If the troop attacked in full force, the caravan would have fallen.

Luckily for them, the Grade B and C goblins had enough intelligence to know that unless it was a military convoy, which was not something a single troop could attack. The losses with just a Grade C from Mercury City was not worth attacking. Let alone with a Grade B.

“I will take care of the Grade B and Grade C’s.” Turning to Joana, “You kill the Grade D’s and kill half the Grade E’s.”

Finally turning to the two, “You two will be in charge of killing the rest of the Grade E’s and the Grade F goblins.”

To their surprise, he wasn’t planning to just rob, but raid the troop.

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“Wouldn’t this be considered a declaration of war?” Saleh couldn’t help but ask.

They weren’t from the human territories. As far as he knew, both Jessica and Joana were human, though seeing as they were part of Mercury City, neither of them were likely connected to any higher ups of the human race.

Mercury City was neutral. And Jessica and Saleh had seen more than a few goblins in Mercury City.

Azeban only snorted, the one to answer was Joana, “It will be fine. Even if we weren’t going to wipe out the entire group, this is one of the troops that attacked us.”

Jessica was looking at Joana, clearly wondering how did she know that. Saleh to her side was one step ahead of her.

He was wondering why Azeban knew this. From his words he only came because Everblood told him to protect them as some crazy guy had caused trouble. Causing all the powers on the continent to react and put everyone on edge.

Without a detailed plan Azeban kicked off the ground, only once he was gone did his voice travel to them, “Go!”

Joana didn’t hesitate and took off, so quick that neither of the two could react. Saleh didn’t hesitate for long. Jessica however was skeptical and this caused her to delay slightly.

By the time she made it to the troop, there was already a battlefield set up for them.

To her astonishment, the Grade B was falling to the ground, as the two Grade C were missing. All the Grade F along with four Grade E were mysteriously grouped into a small ball. They all looked confused, however, for Jessica and Saleh. This was undoubtedly good, regardless of how it had been done.

There were young goblins scattered on the ground everywhere. Some were clearly dead, but most of them were terrified and shaking. Clearly being suppressed without any indication that there was anything there from the looks given by the Grade E’s and Grade F’s.

Because of the hierarchy, these goblins didn’t attempt to escape. None of them were from a high linage, it was likely the thought never crossed their minds. Not because they didn’t fear death, but the pain inflicted on them by not obeying those above them. After repetitively being taught what they would get for not doing what they were told, their first reaction was not to flee, but attack the two closest to them.

Grade F’s were around twelve. All of them had a rusty sword or rusty metal club in their hands. Such weapons could be seen scattered here or there. Likely indicating a dead Grade F in the vicinity. Five clumsy crafted metal weapons not covered in rust were in the hands of the Grade E’s.

Saleh moved first, drawing most of the attention, he had been mumbling under his breath as mana circled around him. During the time they were in the caravan, he hadn’t used much magic. Having been on the defensive, he was only able to prepare a spell before the first clash or near the end.

Now being on the offensive, he was in the perfect position to attack while there was some dull sense of dread clearly attacking the minds of the goblins, making them sluggish. By the time they regained their fluidity, a cracking sound came from underneath them.

There was no flashy attack, however, more horrifying, was that the ground split open causing a small rift to open in the ground. One or two Grade F’s were slow to react and fell in. While not being wide, it was in fact deep. Darkness cut off any sight below twenty feet.

The rift itself was only around ten feet long. Thus causing the deepness to feel even more frightening. Jessica took this opportunity to take the other half of the rift. While it was possible to get across, the edges of the rift were constantly enlarging by a tiny fraction as small clumps of dirt and rocks fell in.

Charging in, Jessica dodged one Grade E swing that missed her, while cutting off a strand of hair that rose in the air. Kicked up by her charge. Stabbing her dagger deep into a Grade F goblin, she didn’t stop. Continuing to push, she drew a slight arc as she shoved the corpse into another Grade F that failed to react and was shoved into the hole created by Saleh.