108 — Encounter Between Two Groups

Two hours passed. During that time, apart from a few who were sent to scout the surroundings, the rest were occupied with collecting belongings from the dead. Many items were found, and among them the most notable result was a map.

It was a map drawn while thoroughly searching the island, detailed and precise. It clearly showed they hadn’t been here for just a month or two.

The detailed map was valuable enough to be preserved later in the royal archives. At any rate, it confirmed that they had explored most of the island.

However, nothing on the map indicated the ruins. Perhaps intentionally omitted, but there were no marks at all. That left them frustrated — until an hour later, when Agent Hanseuran returned with hope in his eyes.

He brought back one prisoner, his sleeve faintly stained with blood — clear evidence of torture. Princess Adrina noticed but deliberately said nothing. A trembling captive sat nearby, and Hanseuran reported.

“Fortunately, we’ve learned the location of the ruins’ entrance. And there are still survivors.”

“Survivors?”

“Yes, they said the rest have entered the ruins.”

“So they found it already.”

“They seem to have only located it, not yet broken through the entrance. Luckily, they discovered it just on the third day.”

“How ironic.”

“Yes, very fortunate indeed. And it was even more fortunate they didn’t know we had arrived.”

Had more time passed, the enemy might have noticed their presence, and today’s success would not have been possible. They had been careless, thinking no one else was on the island, and had been struck swiftly.

“Where did they say the entrance is?”

“Not far from here.”

“And we found a map — it depicts the terrain of this island precisely.”

“Is that so? That will make things easier.”

Hanseuran brightened, searching for the one with the map. When it was brought forward and spread out, he studied it. While he examined, Princess Adrina suddenly heard a rustling sound.

Everyone immediately raised their rifles toward the bushes, only to relax when a whistled signal came — a code indicating friendlies. Three scouts emerged.

One of them carried what looked like a goblin. Limp — dead? But the report said otherwise.

“Capture complete.”

The words were clipped, devoid of emotion. He set down the unconscious goblin. It was alive, unharmed, which meant it had been subdued barehanded.

“We’d better bind it.”

They tied it tightly, expecting it would cause trouble if it awoke. Curious, Princess Adrina stepped closer, but Hanseuran warned her.

“Be careful. Records say goblins react strongly to human women.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. Even if its mouth, hands, and feet are bound, you can’t predict what it will do. Best to keep away.”

“I understand.”

She backed off, still glancing curiously at the goblin.

“How could such a thing exist here?”

“Perhaps it came from within the ruins.”

“Haven’t they been abandoned for centuries? How could they have survived?”

“Possibly suspended by magic.”

“Then their numbers aren’t large?”

“Hard to say. But from what I know, goblins breed at an extraordinary rate.”

“Then if even a small number survived, they could multiply enough to overrun the island?”

“Quite possibly. The key is to see inside the ruins for ourselves.”

“Very well. When do we depart?”

“Once we finish preparations.”

She nodded and stepped aside. Hanseuran ordered the men to gather weapons and ammunition from the fallen Magnia soldiers. They would need every bullet, with goblins prowling the area.

After finishing preparations and even retrieving their own supplies left behind, they marched. After a kilometer they reached what seemed to be the entrance to the ruins. No guards remained, only traces of campfires and tents.

‘With all that gunfire, they must have thought enemies had come.’

At that moment, the captured goblin stirred, straining against its bonds. A secret agent stepped on its torso to restrain it. Hanseuran muttered.

“Hmm. Without knowing how many there are, it’s hard to decide what to do.”

“Keeping it will be a problem, won’t it?”

They couldn’t spare men to guard a goblin while also facing unknown enemies. But bringing back a live one was tempting. While he hesitated, Princess Adrina flushed red.

“What—what is that?!”

The goblin’s exposed body revealed an aroused organ, reacting aggressively to her presence. Its breathing quickened.

Goblins were infamous for their rampant lust, and chronicles told of villages where goblins raped human women, who invariably bore goblin offspring.

Disgusted, Hanseuran waved the guard aside and kicked the creature hard. With a squeal it rolled across the ground.

“Savage beast.”

As it writhed, guttural cries came from the ruin’s entrance. Moments later, a horde of goblins spilled out.

“Kill it.”

There was no need to keep the captive. With dozens more charging out — fifty at least — it was meaningless. An agent stomped down, crushing its skull with a sickening crack.

At Hanseuran’s shout, rifles thundered. Bang! Bang-bang-bang!

The goblins fell in heaps. Though many in number, half were cut down instantly. The rest fared no better, mowed down by the agents’ deadly precision.

Within minutes, the battle ended. The agents reloaded and scanned the ruin’s entrance. No more creatures emerged.

“So goblins spilling out means something happened to those inside?”

“Not necessarily.”

“Why not?”

“They came out unscathed. If there’d been fighting, we’d see bullet wounds. This suggests multiple passages inside.”

“Is that so?”

“In any case, we must prepare thoroughly before entering.”

“Let’s go in.”

“You’re going yourself?”

“Of course. My purpose in coming here was to see the ruins with my own eyes.”

Resolute, Princess Adrina gazed at the overgrown stone and roots marking the hidden entrance. Without the enemy’s clearing work, it would never have been found.

They lit lanterns against the darkness, checked weapons, and advanced. About thirty-five men entered, leaving some to guard baggage and prisoners.

The passage was narrow, forcing them to crouch.

“Watch your step, Your Highness. Don’t stumble.”

“I will.”

Rough stones lined the floor. By lantern light they descended until reaching a worked chamber — gray walls etched with dense ancient script.

“This must be the branching point.”

Indeed, three stairways led downward. Princess Adrina asked.

“Which way?”

“Not that one.”

Hanseuran pointed right. She frowned, and he explained, pointing to the ground.

“See the goblin tracks? They’re thick there. That’s where they came from.”

Sure enough, the dirt floor bore many prints. Human footprints, however, concentrated toward the central stair.

“They must have gone that way. Let’s follow. They’re likely waiting.”

“Then let’s go.”

She urged haste, and they descended the central stair.

The descent was deeper than expected, indicating the ruins stretched far underground. At last, another entrance appeared.

They stepped cautiously inside — and stopped in awe. Even Princess Adrina’s breath caught.

“It’s like another world.”

“Likely the power of magic.”

Before them, crystals embedded in the ceiling shone with brilliant light, illuminating pools of water, lush grass, and blooming flowers. An underground ecosystem.

Their wonder ended when ten agents raised rifles at once. Others followed, tense, as figures appeared from the shadows.

At least twenty men revealed themselves. Survivors. Hanseuran shielded Princess Adrina.

‘Her Highness must not be exposed. They didn’t attack on sight — are they unsure of us?’

Indeed, perhaps they didn’t yet know who they faced.

“Who goes there? Identify yourselves!”

The call made it clear: the other side still wanted to talk.