image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
A stone-paved road stretched un-invitingly into the depths of the forest, disappearing amidst the dense foliage to the north of the village. The trio embarked on their adventure, venturing deep into the heart of the forest, relying on the road as their faithful guide. Graybeard, a dwarf of remarkable agility despite his age and stature, fearlessly took charge, ensuring their progress. However, after venturing for hours on end, they had to separate from the main road, taking a detour into the woods to save time.
It was within this very forest that the elusive goblin cave lay concealed, and with each passing moment, Arbious' mind became consumed with thoughts of his ultimate ambition—world domination. The weight of such a lofty goal pressed on him, fueling his determination to overcome any obstacle that lay ahead.
It's an enormous task, no doubt about it. Enemies are lurking everywhere, and I can't afford to trust anyone, not even the goblins. Their betrayal during the Great War still stings. They abandoned the demon army, just to chase after their own selfish gains—gold instead of glory. How could they?
But this time, things will be different. They won't have the freedom they once enjoyed. No, I won't bother trying to win them over or convince them to join my cause. I'll take matters into my own hands. Every single goblin will meet their end at my hands, and then I'll raise them as undead. Yes... An undead goblin army under my control. Just the thought of it sends shivers down my spine. It's a twisted kind of excitement, I must admit. If I'm going to launch another siege, I need to change my approach. I can't follow the same course of action as before. It's time to devise a new strategy, one that catches everyone off guard. I'll make them regret ever crossing paths with me. They won't know what hit them.
I've already made preparations with Alpos. He will open a temporary demon gate near my location, allowing us to safely transport all the undead goblins to the very depths of hell I rule.
A mischievous grin spread across Arbious' face, fueled by an overwhelming surge of excitement as they traversed the dense woods in search of the goblin cave. The large trees loomed overhead, their large, twisted branches casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. The air grew thick with the earthy scent of moss and the faint rustling of wildlife. Mila's voice drifted to Arbious in a hushed whisper as she followed behind him. "Why are you so happy?"
Arbious paused for a moment, taking a moment to sense all the creatures around him. "Oh, I suppose it's because I'm excited to use this scythe."
Mila's brow furrowed, unsatisfied with his explanation. She peered into his eyes, her gaze unyielding. "That's not all there is to it," she persisted, "What's really on your mind?"
Why is she so persistent?
"I suppose you've caught me red-handed," Arbious admitted, his voice also a hushed whisper.
A hint of amusement laced his response as they continued their journey through the dense forest. "The truth is, I was hoping to secure our payment from this mission so that I could take you out for dinner later."
As his words reached Mila's ears, a rosy blush bloomed across her face, illuminated by the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Her voice took on a gentle yet flustered tone. "Oh... How kind of you," A soft laughter escaped her lips, belying her own anticipation. "I'll be look forward to it."
At the end of the day, she has the heart of a woman, and what woman does not want to be sweet-talked to? I remember Alpos telling me that once a long time ago.
Mila's grip tightened around Arbious' hand, her touch conveying a resolute trust as they ventured deeper into the forest's heart. Graybeard's keen eyes couldn't help but notice this intimate gesture, and a flicker of discomfort crossed his weathered features. His gaze repeatedly shifted back to them, hinting at a subtle unease sparked by the burgeoning connection between Arbious and Mila, a dynamic that seemed to challenge his role in their journey. Arbious, aware of Graybeard's reaction, found a certain satisfaction in eliciting such a response, even if it was unintentional on Mila's part.
Mila has lost her family to the holy knights... So, she might be willing to join the forces of darkness, if presented the opportunity. However, Graybeard might not be so understanding... This can prove to be a problem, because if I kill him, she will hate me, and if I don't kill him, he will let everyone know what I am if I do reveal myself. Which can lead to a third option... One that I don't want to act upon. Use my skill, 'bestow upon a favor' on a monster, and tell them to kill Graybeard.
But then again, she is Michael's blood...
"We're here," Graybeard whispered, his pace slowing as they neared a patch of dirt hidden amidst the dense foliage of the forest.
Mila stepped closer, her curiosity piqued. "But there's nothing here," she whispered, scanning the area for any signs of significance.
Intrigued, Arbious trailed behind them, his eyes darting from one spot to another, searching for any clues that Mila might have overlooked. As a Demon God, he could sense all the entities surrounding him, and a vast number of goblins were indeed located far underground. However, there were no visible entrances that led there.
How does he know there are goblins here? He has no magic. Does he have some sort of sixth sense?
"Look over there, lad," Graybeard beckoned, gently tugging Arbious' arm as they crouched side by side, finding shelter beside a sturdy tree. His weathered finger pointed with certainty toward a seemingly innocuous patch of dirt. "See that spot? It's too clean, too meticulously maintained. No doubt, it conceals a hidden entrance."
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Arbious turned his gaze to Graybeard, eager to learn how a seasoned dwarf like him would approach such a challenge. "What do you suggest we do?" he inquired.
As demons, they typically relied on their raw power and force to overcome challenges, yet, strangely, Arbious found himself increasingly open to new ideas and tactics. It was a peculiar inclination that set him apart from his kin. He was determined to learn more from Graybeard while he was still alive.
"You will handle the goblins when they emerge, while Mila, your task will be to clear the dirt obstructing the secret entrance," Graybeard explained, outlining their roles in the upcoming plan. "Utilize your wind magic to blow it away swiftly."
Mila's brow furrowed with concern. "But won't that jeopardize the element of surprise?" she questioned.
Graybeard's expression hardened; his voice resolute. "We aren't relying on surprise alone. Our goal is to lure them out of the cave, engaging them on open grounds. If they are led by an ogre, or a worst-case scenario, a Goblin Lord, we will have to resort to other means."
Arbious interjected as he attempted to make sense of his plan. "So, once the entrance is exposed, you plan to use the stink bomb to compel them to evacuate the cave?"
Graybeard nodded, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. "Haha! That's right lad! You learn quickly. The foul stench should be enough to drive them out, leaving them vulnerable and ready for confrontation in the open."
But Goblins live in filth, so what sort of stink bomb could force them out?
As the tension in the air grew, Graybeard's low voice cut through, asking a crucial question. "Alright, then. Are you both prepared?"
Mila and Arbious locked eyes, determination flickering within them, and in unison, they nodded. "We're ready," they affirmed, ready to face the imminent challenge that lay ahead.
Mila's voice resonated with power as she chanted her incantation, the words flowing effortlessly from her lips. "Aer Tempestas," she intoned, invoking the essence of wind.
This second-tier form of magic, primarily employed for cleaning purposes, carried a low mana cost and boasted a swift activation time. As Mila completed her chant, a gentle breeze materialized, obedient to her command. It swept across the area, brushing away the layer of dirt that obscured the surface Graybeard had indicated.
In the wake of Mila's spell, the concealed entrance was unveiled—a horizontal wooden door cleverly hidden within the ground, awaiting their discovery.
Interesting that she decided to use this spell. She told me she would show me a demonstration of her powers, I hope this isn't the extent of it.
Graybeard's hand gently descended upon Mila's head, his touch a gesture of appreciation for her accomplishment. With a nod from him, he set off towards the revealed door, beckoning Arbious to follow in his wake.
As their eyes fixated on the door before them, a pungent and repugnant odor wafted through the cracks in the worn wood, assaulting their senses. It bore the unmistakable stench of the wretched filth that lay within the depths of the cave. Confusion etched across Arbious' face, he turned to Graybeard, seeking answers.
A sly grin crept onto Graybeard's weathered features, anticipation glinting in his eyes. "Ah, I see the curiosity in your gaze, lad. Wondering about the nature of this remarkable stink bomb, capable of compelling them out," he remarked, his voice laced with intrigue. "Am I right?"
"What alchemy could be so dreadfully repulsive that even goblins find it intolerable?"
Graybeard's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he retrieved a vial from his pocket. Its captivating pink liquid immediately caught Arbious' attention, setting it apart from the usual colors of unsavory substances. "What is that?" Arbious inquired, his voice tinged with intrigue.
Graybeard presented the glass vial before him, the light glinting off its polished surface. "This, my lad, is known as 'Flora Belfiro.' It is an exquisite perfume reserved for the most esteemed women of the upper-class dwarves. And don't even get me started on how I got my hands on these, or how I know of such substance."
As Graybeard popped open the lid of the perfume, an overpowering scent of flowers permeated the air, its fragrance intense and all-encompassing. To his surprise, even Graybeard recoiled at the pungency. "I don't know what madwoman fancies wearing this concoction, but it's the most potent perfume you'll find. Goblins revel in filth, but flowers? Absolutely not! The moment they catch a whiff of this abomination, they'll flee without hesitation, I know I would!" Graybeard remarked, his face contorting with a mixture of disgust and amusement. "I almost pity them for having to smell this."
Struggling to contain his amusement, Arbious teetered on the edge of exploding with laughter. Graybeard's shrewd choice of words and his ability to turn a phrase with cunning wit were truly admirable traits.
He would've been a great Imp.
With a mischievous wink, Graybeard pressed his lips to the vial in a playful gesture. Then, he swung open the imposing wooden door and flung the perfume deep into the dark recesses of the cave.
A brief moment of eerie silence enveloped them, only to be shattered by the sound of glass splintering against the cave floor, resonating through the underground chamber.
A low rumble filled the air, growing steadily louder with each passing second. It wasn't just the sound of a few goblins approaching; it was the thunderous cadence of hundreds, if not thousands, of booted feet, echoing through the depths of the cave. The realization struck them like a bolt of lightning — this was no ordinary goblin cave; it was a sprawling goblin lair, teeming with an overwhelming horde.
"PREPARE YOURSELF, LASS!" Graybeard's voice boomed across the forest; the urgency evident as they swiftly retreated from the mouth of the cave. The thunderous footsteps of the approaching goblin horde grew louder, resonating through the air.
Arbious gripped tightly on his scythe, prepared to rip the goblins to shreds, the unending flames of fury and anger wanting a taste of blood, the blood of the treacherous goblins. He was prepared to unleash devastation upon them, reducing them to mere shards of their former selves.
Meanwhile, Mila, channeling her magical prowess, focused her energies on enhancing Graybeard's physical capabilities. With swift incantations and multiple low-tier spells, she shielded him from incoming projectiles and bolstered his agility, ensuring his safety and providing him with the advantage needed to navigate the impending chaos.
Brimming with sinister excitement, Arbious murmured under his breath, unable to contain himself. "Come you goblins. Come and face the wrath of your infernal master..."