For three day's I had been relentlessly scouting the terrain and finishing my preparations, I even discovered the green goblins base. I had circled the entire mountain, and was currently back to the border between grass land and forest, where the Rabid sheep resided.
Slightly panting I wiped away the sweat from my forehead, "One last chop!".
As I motivated myself I held the goblin sword tightly in my hands and swung vertically hitting a tree that had for the most part being cut through, and then with the final swing the tree slowly came crashing down.
*BAM*
"Fuuu finally"
Letting out a deep breath I looked proudly at my healed left arm and the area around me, as a bunch of fallen trees littered the forest floor, although allot were also still standing upright, but that was fine.
While moving the log a bit so it would touch 3 other trees that were still standing, I heard another crash in the distance and after some time a galloping black steed appeared by my side.
"Huh guess your also done Charcoal, then we can finally begin".
Throughout the past three day's I had traveled all over the mountain cutting down trees and placing them strategically so they would come in contact with the most possible plant life, as my plan was…. to cause a forest fire.
When I came up with the plan I knew I had to use the goblins to fight the salamander as otherwise I stood no chance, however the problem I faced was that it required both tribes to be in the same spot, which would obviously never happen under normal circumstances.
So my plan, a forest fire, A HUGE forest fire encompassing the entire mountain, as it would force both tribes to flee up the mountain towards the forest of dead trees that was only about a kilometer long so both tribes would be in close vicinity of each other, and with the tensions between them it would certainly lead to some sort of war, and if it didn't I would work a little magic.
Although I could already envision Environmental activists crying and berating me for my plan, I couldn't care less.
Further more to complete my plan I had to lure the salamander to the goblins and since they would be in the dead forest it would be much closer than if they were still down the mountain, which made it safer for me. With all of these factors working together, along with that I had never seen it rain on the mountain I concluded this to be the best plan.
My only concern was that the fire mages would somehow be able to stop the fire from spreading, however I felt that if the fire was big enough if not the flames the smoke and fear of suffocation would make them flee.
And to increase my chances of the entire mountain burning I had created chains of trees placed in the most advantageous positions around the mountain so that any area that might be a bit barren would still get burned.
Even tough I couldn't do this in close proximity to the bases of the goblins in fear of discovery, but the green goblins were already surrounded by greenery and their base was made out of wood.
While the red goblins lived in a cave and even if their was nothing flammable close by the smoke would force them out.
Seating my self on top of Charcoal I looked at the time I had left.
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[Trial panel]
Duration: 13:53:2
Objective: Survive
Final Reward: {Skill} or {Class}
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"Well hope this is enough time".
Looking at the tree I just cut down I lifted my hand and activated my spell causing a searing ball of flames to hit the crown of the tree immediately making it catch fire, then I saw the fire spread along the other trees connected to the chain I had made.
Satisfied, I now needed to ignite 9 more similar chains I had placed around the base of the mountain from where the fire would start and slowly spread upwards, I wanted to make more but my Mana and time was limited.
As circling the entire mountain would take me 4 hours and I was only able to shoot 8 fireballs before my Mana depleted, while my Mana only refilling by 10 an hour, after tracking how long it would take to refill using the trial panel, 10 was the maximum number of chains I could ignite.
Ordering Charcoal to move with haste I knew I didn't have much time as it would would also take me 7 hours to ascend to the top, not including the time it would take me to check up on the goblins bases, so I had to be fast….well at least Charcoal would have to be fast as the poor horse would barley get any rest today.
.....
"Phew, and that's ten".
Having ignited the last bonfire I felt slightly dizzy and light headed "Ugh, this is like getting a really bad hangover", as I said that I opened my status.
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Name: Aeron
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Level: 5. (F)
Class. None
Skills: [Lesser Fire Ball]
Health: 1076
Mana: 12/124
Strength: 13 , Agility 16 ,Vitality 10
Endurance: 10 ,Intelligence: 16 ,Sense: 9
USP: 0
______________
I already concluded that the reason for the headache was the low mana I had, after firing of the 7th fireball I already started to feel the signs, and afterwards I found that the lower my Mana gets the more pain i started to feel, I wouldn't be surprised that it went below 5 I would just pass out.
"I should definitely be more careful of my mana expenditure in the future, If I was ever in a fight and carelessy used many suddenly passing out, that would just be stupid".
Trying to take my mind of the migraine, I looked into the distance, seeing a red glow all across the horizon that was slowly traveling up the mountain, I was pretty satisfied.
"Its going to take a while before the flames reach the goblin bases, which tribe should I visit first, If I am correct I'm currently on the west side now so the green goblins should be closest".
Having decided to check up on the green goblins I made my way to them.
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[Trial panel]
Duration: 9:49:50
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........
POV Shift- Green goblin base
As fire ravaged the forest and unsuspecting critters caught alight a scene of madness enfolded as a stamped of desperate animals were seen making their way up the mountain to avoid the inferno, although for many who either didn't have the stamina or were encircled their lives came to a tragic end.
This disturbance was also picked up by two green goblins who were hunting in the forest below, seeing their prey along with bears and horses rushing towards them, they were initially frightened.
Scared it was the end for them, after the creatures rushed past them with not even a single glance being given to them they became confused until they noticing the flames on the horizon. Understood the implications they desperately rushed back to their tribe to tell the news.
After two hours the two green goblins reached their base and quickly spread the news.
With all the goblins panicking it created a commotion that attracted the chiefs attention, leaving his hut he was irritated that this was the second commotion in only a few short days that required him to leave his home.
But as soon as he saw that the entire base was in a state of panic, his previous irritated expression became serious, seeing one of his right hand man worriedly arrive he asked "Under attack we?".
The advisor quickly shook his head and responded "No, fire! the forest on fire!".
Understanding the gist, he hurriedly made his way to the fence around the base currently crowded by his citizens all looking with at something with shocked expressions, pushing them out of the way he saw the forest below filled with fire, like a red flood moving upwards, as the roars of animals reverberated throughout the area.
Understanding the severity of the situation, he looked at his right hand man and said "We leave base, tell them to bring meat and weapons we move up Mountain".
The right hand man naturally shocked by what the chief just said, as this meant abandoning his home and place he grew up, so he asked " Why, can not just chop down some trees prevent fire from reaching".
The Chief looked at him sternly, "Fire to big, cannot work".
Accepting the chiefs explanation as normally they only dealt with small scale fire's the right hand man quickly relayed the news causing the 200 goblins in the tribe to quickly start packing up.
The chief still standing at the fence looking at the burning forest below was deep in thought, "Fire to big, unnatural, did red goblins do this? Is it declaration of war?".
Although smarter than the average green goblin the chiefs intelligence was still not incredible, and feeling a headache from all the thinking he decided to leave the matter for now although he would surely confront them if he had the chance.
After fifteen minutes the Chief decided that it was enough time as he feared the fire would get to close, calling the goblins together they left their base creating the largest exodus in their history.
Off the 200 hundred goblins that left, 130 were regular goblins acting as pack mules and were carrying all the supplies, while the 70 Warrior goblins were just carrying their weapons, although 15 of them were on horse back including the chief who was at the front leading their way up the mountain.
POV Shift- Aeron
Secretly spying on the Green goblins, as I saw them leave their base relief encompassed me knowing that at least part of my plan had been successful.
Apprehensively looking at the fire behind me and seeing that it was getting close I thought "Do I have enough time to check on the red goblins, Well if the fire reaches me before I get there I can always just go straight to the salamander, it doesn't matter that much if I see them leave anyways, it is more for my peace of mind".
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[Trial panel]
Duration: 6:34:43
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.........
Two hours later
"I-I, made it".
Looking at the scene in front of me I saw that the red goblins had grouped up outside of their cave and were about to leave their base behind.
A few things about their line up did pique my interest though, as unlike the green goblins they seemed to have significantly less members with only about 130 and of these only 50 were mages with the rest being regular.
Although unlike with the warrior goblins who all looked the same their were a few differences between the mages as I could make out 10 that had a monster core attached to the top of there staff while the rest didn't.
Also their was one goblin who stood a little taller than a warrior goblin, it was also the only one who wore a shaggy robe, that reminisced an ancient monks, and his staff had a monster core that was significantly bigger than the others.
Unlike with the green goblins he was in the middle of the group, and was probably the chief.
Spying on the chief through the woods, as I scanned his equipment suddenly he turned to my direction, freezing up I quickly realized I had being spotted and ordered Charcoal to immediately leave.
The Red goblin Chief feeling the presence of the spy observing him suddenly leave, had an angry expression, "Those fools did they cause this fire, do they finally want to end this conflict".
The Chief having mistaken Aeron for one of the green goblin horse riders was naturally vexed as he didn't understand what those simpletons were planning, but feeling a bit vulnerable ordered more of his subordinates to surround him, as they traveled up the mountain.
"Well that was frightening", Suddenly being stared at by the goblin chief had momentarily stiffened up my body, not expecting him to find me. But Luckily since I was a fair distance away I could safely escape with Charcoal.
Deciding to make my way to the lake on top of the mountain now I moved with haste.
......…
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[Trial panel]
Duration: 42:19
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"Phew 42 minutes left".
Having made it to the lake I vigilantly stayed at the edge to make sure I didn't disturb the Salamander yet.
Dismounting the horse that could finally get some rest, I held a fox corpse on my right shoulder. I had picked this fox up along the way using charcoal to kill it with one kick. The reason I killed the fox was so that I could use it as bait to lure the salamander out of the water.
While that was my plan I became momentarily distracted by something interesting happening below, as it seemed both goblin tribes had met up, which made sense as their was only one real path to get up here with the others being steep cliffs that were untraversable.
I could vaguely make out both groups causing a slight grin to encroach on my face, " It seems my plan worked, now only this dammed beast, and then everything should be ready".
Moving my attention back to the lake I initiated the last phase of my plan.