Awareness had come to them like a knife. One moment, they knew nothing, then the next, they did. The change from non-existence to existence would have been disorienting, maybe even debilitating to most, but these were monsters, and they were beyond such things. That being said, of course, hobgoblins were notoriously callous creatures, and their resiliency and adaptability were well known. The fact that they had endured and grown up in an industrial kill garden meant nothing, only that they were better killers.
Their lives on the fifth floor were full of metal beasts and large-scale things hunting and hurting them, forcing them to grow and adapt to their unique troubles. There were twenty of them originally, now they were only five, a testament to the danger there, and the strength they had earned.
This brings attention to the five following Arthur, the human outsider their master and creator entrusted them to. Currently, they were assembled in a strange dark room with other humans. The hobgoblins knew they were allies but were no less ready to disable and strike. They would tolerate working with outsiders, but that didn’t mean they had to enjoy it anymore.
“My lord, I am not questioning your wisdom, but-”
”Then be silent soldier, these creatures are a gift from our ally, do not question them.”
”O-of course milord, apologies.”
He turned to them.
”Do not mind them, they are frightful of what they do not understand.”
The lead hobgoblin spoke.
”Our only concern is the will of our maker, we shall obey so long as he commands us to.”
It was deep and raspy, almost like sandpaper to the ear.
These monsters were beyond offense, not that they had the social understanding to take it anyway. Time in the machine jungles stepped them of any desire to socialize, and how to.
”Good, our current priority target is currently too well guarded at the moment, we plan to draw away her guards by attacking their incoming pilgrims and supply wagons. From what we know, the Budland head priestess has no additional forces outside of her guardians and paladin Shiem, who will be our next target afterward.”
”How will we get the guards to leave though, milord?”
”Not your concern soldier, no questions for now, am I clear.”
”Yes, Lord!”
”Good, now, begin equipping yourself, we leave immediately.”
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The hobgoblins found themselves overlooking the plains below their birthplace, as far as they knew, as little as it was, this was the farthest any of the dungeon-born had ever gone. Their human companions had changed out of the house garb of Nightingale and looked like common bandits, a slight, almost unnoticeable blurring was around their exposed parts, keeping them from being seen properly.
“Hobgoblin, my men and I will approach the front, you and the others will approach from the sides and back.”
”Hmph.”
The humans began to approach the wagon, shouting demands and threats.
The lead hobgoblin jerked their head, motioning the other four to move. Sneaking around the group in the middle of talking, the five monsters positioned within the long grass and waited for the signal.
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”-And I can be a reasonable man, just drop everything and leave, a good deal as can be.”
”You fucking thieves, this is for the head priestess herself, how dare you offend her holiness! Who sent you, Barneball, Strivand?!”
”Fuck ‘em, she’s not here and I’m no one’s man, I do this for me.”
”If you think I’ll- Wait, Malthus STOP!”
A younger human rushed out of the group, screaming bloody rage toward the lord in disguise.
”Least someone has some steel in their spine, men, get’em!”
Their human allies engaged with the others, the lord in disguise cutting off the arm of the youth before kicking him to the side.
Not to be outdone, the hobgoblins jumped out, preventing their escape.
“Monster-!”
The lead hob struck the screaming human with his spear, striking just below the man’s unprotected neck. Pivoting in a circle, the unnamed creature jumped onto the back of another human fighting its brethren and began using its claws and teeth. Once the man had stilled, the hob collected its spear, and an almost cruel smile adorned its face. And the battle, if one bothered calling it that, continued. Untested and green men and women were all they fought, and quickly the hobs grew bored of killing witless caravaners.
Once all was done though, the human lord began to talk.
“Gather yourselves, we leave immediately.”
He turned to them.
”And as for you five, I want you to cover the food and goods in this, and wait here.”
He held out a large pouch, inside was a dark powder that made the creature recoil from the smell.
”The stench will clear once it has been applied.”
Without another word, he and his other humans left back up the mountain.
The hobgoblins did as they were told, but were unsure of what to do afterward. Their master had ordered them to obey the human, but just standing around wouldn’t help the maker. What were they doing here still then?
But after several hours of lazily standing around, they got that answer.
”I see the wagons, and, wait- Monsters!”
Humans loved screaming, didn’t they?
The self-appointed leader jerked his head again, getting the others ready to fight. But something was different about these, for starters, there were only three of them. A short ugly thing with a small body and fat head was leading two tall armored people.
As they broke into a sprint towards the trio, the leader felt his head fall over, only to see his body standing there alongside four other headless bodies. The hobgoblin felt confused, what had happened, why was his head so far to the ground, and why couldn’t he keep his eyes open? But as he was fading away, he could hear bits of talking.
“Sickly creatures, better clean the mountain of their taint.”
”Shall I have them burned then ser?”
”Neigh, it’ll be faster if I do it, [Ashen Flame!]”
The distant sound of… something filled his ears, but not before catching one more thing.
”Was that really necessary, they are common beasts, and the dungeon is already guarded from the fool’s attack half a year ago?”
”Perhaps, but he was empowered by our lord himself, do not question his purpose. Now, have the followers collect what’s left and bring it to camp, ration are dwindling.”
”And what of the owners of these wagons?”
”They’ll know better than to confront us.”
“So you say, Paladin-Commander.”
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Higher up on a ridge, Arthur looked over the scene with his men, using a far-sight scroll to look at the situation fold out.
”Crap.”
After killing the rest, they ascended the mountain again, waiting for the Budland people to take the bait. What they hadn’t anticipated was that the kannorites would sniff things out before the head priestess did.
Sigh
They could work with this, the goods were still marked as Budland’s, and hobgoblins weren’t known to be the smartest, so their coating the food and potions with such a specific toxin wasn’t likely. The stone-blood toxin was a very dangerous powder that when ingested could solidify the blood and other fluids within a person. It was difficult to make and very expensive, but worth it as magic has a difficult time tracing it. Best case they scan, find nothing, and die, but was unlikely seeing as paladins were immune to most poisons, toxins, and like things.
“Um, lord?”
”I thought I told you no questions soldier.”
”Not that, um, what about the monsters?”
”And what of them? They have served their dungeon and us as well, do not mourn them, we can always ask for more if the need arises.”
”Oh-ok milord.”
Hmph, maybe he’ll need to review his men again. For now, it's time to head back, doubtless, Arthur is needed back at the castle again. But once his message reaches the city governors he’ll have all the men and women he’d need, and then he could get things going.
They began to stride back, none noticing Arthur’s eyes darken, and turn ever so slightly purple.
Infernal Attribute:
Unlock: 25%