Chapter 83: The Adventurer Squad by the Campfire

Chapter 83: The Adventurer Squad by the Campfire

"Revenge, revenge, this is our chance!"

An elder Lizardman spoke with excitement, its voice trembling as it clenched its right fist and slammed it onto a wooden plank. Hatred and exhilaration burned in its eyes. Having lost its wife, vengeance was the only thing left in its life.

The ferocious tone caught Bai Ling's attention, making her glance slightly at the Lizardman elder.

"Revenge? With what? Even the Swamp Crocodile King has been subdued by that Goblin!"

"It's too terrifying. We have to think this through carefully."

"That Goblin is unlike any other and has become a nightmare for all savage tribes in the Goblin Forest. We can't gamble the survival of our tribe on this."

"I would rather die standing than live in humiliation."

"Where was this determination before? You didn't speak like this when heading to the Goblin tribe."

As the discussion continued, the elders in the wooden hut began to argue.

"Quiet, quiet!"

Hei Lin finally put an end to the escalating quarrel. Hei Lin turned to Bai Ling, the High Priest seated at the head of the room, and bowed slightly.

"High Priest, please say something!"

As soon as those words were spoken, all the elders turned their eyes to Bai Ling. Under their collective gaze, Bai Ling sighed inwardly. At this moment, she had no choice. Before reaching the Wooden Stockade Stronghold, she had already lost the courage to resist her master. She knew all too well what the consequences of defiance would be.

They lacked the strength for revenge. Resistance would only lead to the total annihilation of the Lizardmen of the Northern Marshlands. The surviving females would be reduced to mere breeding tools for the Goblins, and their plight would be a hundred times worse than now.

Bai Ling raised her hands.

"Those who agree to submit to the Goblins, stand on the right. Those who choose revenge, stand on the left."

The elders in the room exchanged glances. No one moved, waiting for someone else to act first.

As the elders hesitated, Hui Gen made the first move. He stood up and moved to Bai Ling's right side.

Hui Gen's decision drew varied reactions from the other elders. Hei Lin was the second to rise, joining Hui Gen's side.

With the two chiefs making their choice, the other elders stopped hesitating. Some moved to the right, but others stood on the left.

The final outcome soon became clear.

Only nine elders chose to gamble the survival of the tribe.

"Cowards, cowards, you're all cowards! I would rather die standing than live kneeling!"

The Lizardman elder who led those on the left cursed loudly, glaring disdainfully at the others.

Bai Ling remained unmoved, her expression calm as she looked at the elders on the left.

"This is our choice, and it's your own choice as well. The Black Mountain Tribe's army has already reached the Northern Marshlands. If you can abandon your families, leave during the next hunting trip and never return!"

Bai Ling knew leaving these dissenters within the tribe would be a threat. One day, they might incite a rebellion against her master. As a Goblin, her master would not have the patience to give them a second chance. Unless the day came when she could regain her freedom, she would never risk the survival of the tribe.

It was better to let them leave than force them to stay.

"Hmph, Bai Ling, I hope you don't regret your decision today!"

The leading elder snorted coldly and cast a disdainful glance at the tribesmen who chose to live in humiliation.

Then it turned and strode out. The other dissenting elders quickly followed.

However, two of them hesitated at the door. Ultimately, they chose to stay.

---

Early the next morning, the Wooden Stockade Stronghold was bustling with activity.

Hunting squads of male Lizardmen left the settlement through its four gates, heading out to hunt.

Their departure quietly set certain events in motion.

---

That night, south of the Goblin River, in the forest.

The silver moonlight bathed the land, filtered through the dense canopy of leaves. The forest was silent and pitch black, save for the flickering glow of a campfire.

Deep within the forest, a bonfire blazed. Five people sat around it—the members of the adventurer squad.

"Captain, are we almost there?"

Eileen asked, sounding a little bored as she poked at the fire.

Odyssey pulled out a magical map from his coat.

"Almost. The airship's trace disappeared in the southeastern part of this forest."

Hearing this, Eileen's eyes lit up.

"Captain, does that mean we'll find the crashed airship tomorrow?"

Odyssey shook his head and put the map away.

"Not necessarily. We might have to search that part of the forest for a few days."

"Eileen, you should be able to sense the presence of crystals nearby, right?"

Martha suddenly turned to Eileen.

Eileen nodded, lifting her staff and waving it slightly.

"Yes, as long as they're not too far away, I can detect them!"

Martha smiled faintly and tossed another log into the fire.

"There should be a sizeable crystal on the airship."

Hearing this, all five of them exchanged knowing smiles.

It seemed their mission would soon be accomplished.

"Rachel, have you ventured deep into the Goblin Forest before?"

Martha asked Rachel curiously.

Rachel shook his head, glancing back at the dark expanse of the forest behind his. Pulling his hood tighter, she replied:

"The western edge of the Goblin Forest borders the Southern Wilderness Peninsula, the north connects to the Irisis Principality, and the south and east are flanked by the sea. A few centuries ago, the lands of the Irisis Principality were part of the Goblin Forest."

"Although I haven't gone deep into the forest before, I know a lot about it."

"The most common savage tribes here are the Goblins."

"They're the vilest creatures in the world, especially for women."

Rachel's words made Martha and Eileen blush. As adventurers, they were well aware of the Goblins' infamous characteristics and had encountered related missions during their careers.

"Fortunately, they're weak. Even rookie adventurers can take on ten at once."

"However, don't underestimate them because of this."

Rachel raised a hand, ticking off points on his fingers.

"One, Goblins always appear in groups. Never let yourself get surrounded."

"Two, never chase Goblins into dark caves."

"Three, don't try to eradicate them. They can never be completely wiped out."

"Four, carry plenty of magical energy supplies."

"Five, Goblin ears aren't worth much—ideal for beginner adventurers."

"Six, the greatest mystery of all is why humans continue to overlook their existence."

Rachel's thorough explanation gave the group a deeper understanding of Goblins.

"Rachel, why do we need to bring extra magical supplies?"

Eileen asked curiously.

Rachel tossed another log into the fire, clapped her hands clean, and looked at Eileen.

"Eileen, you're a mage. If you run out of mana and get surrounded by Goblins, what do you think will happen?"