18 Goblin Attack (1)

The scenery that I was looking at was something you could see in a painting somewhere inn my original world. Of course if you are residing at countries with this kind of beauty, then you could see it first hand. Unfortunately for me, I was born and raised in south east Asia. It is a tropical country and the frequent gardens I could see are those of tropical plants. I could only see this kind of scenery in the movies I have watched.

"It is beautiful." I exclaimed while looking around in awe.

"If I knew you would like it, I would have brought you here much sooner." Vladford said. "It is just knowing when the snow lilies bloom was the problem. The timing is always off, I am sorry." He had a sad expression.

"You do not need to apologize, Vlad." I replied. "I understand why we couldn't see the snow lilies. And you have showed me many beautiful sceneries here in the duchy, so nothing is lost." I pondered.

"That is why I had Serena who is living near here watch and wait when the snow lilies bloom." Hilna said. "Her brother Aslan usually go out here to get those wild herbs and spices himself, and so he is the best look out."

"That is such a dedication that he himself go out to get the wild herbs." I said. "It is not an easy job to go and get it I assume."

"Well, their business is still small. Maybe when he starts supplying directly to the duchy is the break he needed to expand his business." Hilna said. "Maybe once it got bigger, then he could employ man power to not only get the wild herbs himself but also build a plantation for himself. As I know, he is good with plants. He had been thought by his parents just before they passed away."

"You know what, I have an idea." I said. "Why don't I fund the siblings business. Maybe I could get something out of it in the long run." I said.

I thought that maybe Aslan could also help me with the coffee business I am brewing up in my mind. Money is not a thing being one of the richest duchies in the Draconian Empire. And I have an inkling that Aslan is the right man to have under my wing.

"Are you thinking of doing a business with coffee beans?" Vladford asked.

"H-How did you know?!" I was shocked. I tried to remember if the male protagonist has mind reading capabilities but as I remember the game he has no such abilities.

"Well, I saw you reading a book about it earlier." Vladford smiled. "I think it is something that you could look into and research with Aslan, as he knows plants more. Having him will be an asset if you ate trying to cultivate on coffee plants more."

I was in awe with Vladford's words. It was as if he had read my mind, every single detail. He hot all that by just seeing me reading a book with coffee plants and beans in it. I never thought he knew me that well or even watched my every move so closely.

'I should note that my every actions are being watched by the male protagonist.' I thought as squealed internally. 'My bias is watching me closely that it makes my heart race.'

"Speaking of…" Jacob said. "I thought Aslan would be close by."

"You're right." Hilna replied and looked around the vicinity and something caught her eye. "Look over there." She pointed to the edge of the woods.

At a distance I could not pinpoint what Hilna was pointing at, but when I zoomed my vision more I saw a dark brown duffle bag on the grass. It was easily mistook for some branch or dirt if you do not look closely.

All of us ran towards the area of the said duffle bag. At a closer look the bag was filled with plants, probably the ones Aslan use to make wild herbs and spices. I was about to pick up the duffle bag when Vladford suddenly pulled me into his arms. I was alarmed looking so shocked on what might have happened.

"Take Rose and go back to the village, quick!" Vladford said with an alarmed voice. "Tell the villagers to barricade the entrance and prepare for a goblin attack!"

"What…?" I was surprised. "Goblins…?"

That was when I saw footprints on the ground not far a distance from the duffle bag. There was drag marks there also. That was when I realized that Vladford knew at once what had happened to Aslan after seeing those footprints and drag marks.

Vladford took out his sword and Jacob followed his actions.

"What are you waiting for?!" Vladford scolded. I was tense as this was the first time I saw him that way.

"I can fight!" Hilna argued with a raised voice. Vladford sighed and I saw he was reining in his anger.

"I know you can, Hilna." Vladford said. "But I need Rose to be safe. You are the only one I could count on. Please, Hilna."

Hilna understood what Vladford meant and did not push her resolve to go with them.

"I understand. I will keep Rose safe." Hilna replied and Vladford nodded.

"Jacob and I will track where the goblins had taken Aslan." Vladford said. "Goblins should not have taste for human flesh, unless…"

"Unless, what?" I was curious.

"Unless they have a troll with them." Jacob was the one that replied. "Goblins sometimes have trolls in their ranks. Unlike goblins who have some intelligence and mischievous, trolls are mindless and only thinks of what they will eat next."

"Goblins are small and they fight in numbers. But if they encounter fiends bigger than them, they will have a predicament." Vladford explained. "They use trolls whenever they are faced with a huge foe. Trolls are big and they are extremely strong. Goblins only need to feed this kind of trolls and they have themselves a pet that would do there every bidding."

I then remembered how I had a hard time defeating those mindless but big trolls. They are a pain in the ass to defeat. If these creatures are here in real life, then if you are a normal person, just make a run for it.

"Let's go, Rose." Hilna said.

"Wait a minute." I said. "Van, come here."

*WOOF*

"You go and assist Vlad, okay?" I said. "You would easily track those goblins with Van. Take him with you." I said to Vladford.

"No, I can't." Vladford replied. "I will be more ate ease to know that he is with you and guarding you." He said while stroking my face.

"No…" I shook my head. "It is me that will be more at east while Van is with you. The two of you are going into more danger than we are. Please, I insist."

Vladford was still debating in his head in what to do.

*WOOF*

Van rubbed his nose on Vladford's legs as if saying he insists in coming along.

"I understand boy." Vladford petted him. "You will come with us then."

"Be careful, Vlad" I said wrapping my arms around his waist. "Come back safe to me."

"I will." Vladford replied. He tipped my chin to look up and out lips met.

I never thought how tall the male protagonist was until now that we are standing beside each other and reached for a kiss. At least I did not need to tip toe but Vladford bowed his head low to meet my lips.

"Now go." Vladford said after our parting kiss. "Be careful."

Hilna and I ran towards our horses. We looked one last time towards Vladford, Jacob and Van.

"I am going to send a messenger bird to the duchy!" Hilna said. "Expect reinforcement to be here soon!" Vladford nodded and the three went into the woods.

Hilna and I rode fast back to Farenlite. We were silent all the way until we came to the entrance of the village.

"Here me, villagers!" Hilna shouted. "Goblins had been sighted in the woods! We need to barricade the entrance and prepare for a night raid!"

The villagers scrambled around after hearing Hilna's words. Many people started to chop wood to make pointed fences. Others took out there weapons that were stored in their houses. The village guards were called in attention as well."

"My lady Hilna." A man that I thinks was the captain of the village guards came to us. "How many do you think there are?"

"I am not quite sure." Hilna replied while coming down her horse. I followed her lead. "But expect that they have a troll or two."

"Heavens…" The village captain guard. "May the lord of light save us all."

"Praying will not do us any good." Hilna said. "Rose, can you please write what has happened here. Captain, do you have a messenger bird here?" She asked.

"Right away." I pondered and looked at my bag. Thankfully I always have the tendency to carry small notebook and a pen with me.

The pen was one of my inventions when I first came here. At first they used quill and ink to write. I found it rather bothersome and I want something that I can put inside my bag without any ink spilling.

I then designed the very first ball pen in this world. I let my father patented it and it had made quite a fortune until today.

I wrote a short but clear message about the goblins and a possible troll.

"The village chief has a messenger bird." The captain said. "Come with me."

Hilna and I hurried and followed the captain. Not long the village chief came out of his home with the messenger bird. I quickly rolled the paper and Hilna put it inside the messenger bird's bag. Hilna whispered something to the messenger bird and it flew to the direction of Wisteria.

To this day I am still confused how does messenger birds know where to take the letters they are carrying. I just brushed it as some plot twist in this world.

"Now we could only do is wait." Hilna said looking at the flying messenger bird.

"We could help the villagers barricade the entrance." I said with a smile.

"You are probably right." Hilna sighed. "Goblins frequently attack at night. They do not have a love of sunlight."

I readied myself with the thoughts of an upcoming attack. This will be the first time in my life, added the life in my original world, to experience goblin attacks.