Even If They Fought Desperately

If that was the case, there was a chance things had gone terribly wrong.

Of course, this was nothing more than speculation…

“No… but wait. The wall fortress was built really sturdy. Sturdy enough that even an orc slamming into it at full force wouldn’t break it.”

“Even against magic?”

“…That… I’m not sure. I don’t really know the details.”

Kuon sounded uncertain, and Kikori also thought he was probably right.

It hadn’t been breached until now. Kikori couldn’t believe it would fall so easily.

He couldn’t believe it… but there were no absolutes.

“I’ll tell the guards, just in case. No idea if they’ll listen, though.”

“Yeah. They might’ve already noticed and started taking countermeasures.”

They nodded to each other, and Kikori and Kuon started walking toward the edge of the forest.

Then… they noticed “that sound” and hid behind the trees.

Step, step, step.

Goblins were moving along the “Adventurer Road.”

Goblins armed with clubs, axes, swords… all kinds of weapons, with hobgoblins following behind them.

The unbroken line even looked like a single army.

“…”

Neither Kikori nor Kuon could stop the sweat pouring down their bodies.

They forced their breathing silent and waited for the goblin host to pass by.

‘Why…!? That was the Adventurer Road… the route with the most traffic! So why…?’

As he thought, Kikori realized the answer.

Right. That was it.

The Big Goblin incident. Yesterday’s raid.

Many adventurers deliberately left the Adventurer Road, hoping there was something off the main route.

And among them were plenty strong enough to take down a commander.

So then, so then…

Right now, the Adventurer Road had become the safest route for the goblins.

They could boldly counter-invade along that stable path, trampled firm by countless adventurers.

‘Then yesterday’s raid, too… was it steering our thoughts into believing the wall fortress might be attacked…!?’

With adventurers absent, and the guards’ defensive strength spread thin.

For example, what if an attack had actually been happening somewhere along the wall fortress?

What if even more forces had been pulled away?

Imagining the massacre, Kikori fixed his gaze on the endless goblin host.

If he charged into that goblin army here… what were his chances?

‘No. I can’t win. Even if I fought desperately… they’d torture me to death.’

Thud. The ground-shaking footsteps echoed.

Something even bigger than the Big Goblin passed by.

Clad in armor, carrying a massive shield and a sword.

Was that… the goblins’ commander?

“Goblin General…”

That tiny whisper from Kuon echoed inside Kikori.