After sitting on the bench and table provided, and as Prince opened the map he drew, he said that there were about 500 tents visible among the many trees. Hearing that, my face immediately turned pale, while thinking about how many arrows it would take to exterminate the goblins.
While listening to Kruger's explanation—that we will form (and have already formed and are on the way) an army of more than 1800 men to destroy this goblin settlement—my mind immediately stopped for a moment.
And after refocusing, I said in my mind, "Damn... it turns out Kruger already knew about it from the start," with a sigh of relief.
After hearing Kruger say that they had been instructed to form small teams while walking in the forest, I, who had just realized that, muttered, "That's why at every rest post, a letter is always left. I thought it was just to find out the whereabouts of the Prince," in an interested tone.
After learning from Kruger that the troops who would come would create 8 impromptu post points simultaneously, I nodded. As expected from Kruger. Even though he retired and became the Prince's bodyguard, his instincts were still sharp—especially for that group of cunning goblins.
After hearing from Kruger that Gunther would bring reinforcements of 200 cavalry, I immediately smiled and nodded, thinking, "And we'll be able to maneuver (help each other) from 4 directions quickly."
After Kruger said that the attack would be launched in the afternoon, I heard Prince say, "Alright, at least my heat sensor can still be of use." I immediately looked at Prince with an interested face.
When Prince saw my expression for a moment, he ignored it and asked the assassin Tanya to help release the prisoners. Hearing that, I remembered—while saying in my mind, "Oh, yeah... of course, they have a lot of hostages from the missing adventurers,"—thinking back to when all the female adventurers were missing in the fake goblin nest.
After exiting the dungeon, I saw Prince setting up a strange device. When Prince said it was the Arcwave Relay 8, I, still confused, was told its function by Ranya, who said in a lazy tone, "This is a long-distance communication device."
After watching Prince use it, I became interested and took a closer look, saying, "With this, there's no need for long-distance messengers anymore," with a nod. Hearing that, Kruger and Ranya nodded as well.
Hearing that Commander Brunhild would be leading the charge from the front, I became curious about what tactics she would use.
While we were waiting, I was surprised by the number of goblins heading toward the settlement in groups. After hearing that there were around 1,206 goblins, including 200 Goblin Soldiers, 30 Goblin Sorcerers, 12 Goblin Commanders, 74 Goblin Skirmishers, and 7 Goblin Champions, I became even more gloomy, muttering, "How many more are there in the goblin settlement..." in a sad tone. Hearing my words, Renya just nodded.
When I heard that many were injured, I wasn't too surprised. But when I learned that many weapons and armors were damaged, I had a bad feeling.
After seeing Prince take out a strange object that looked like a weapon, I became interested and approached him, but... Prince said, "Greta, take this to Brunhild. Give her everything she needs," while handing me a spatial bag in a serious tone. Hearing that, my hopes of seeing the weapon used were shattered into pieces. I performed a knight's salute to the Prince and said, "Yes..." while walking toward Brunhild with a heavy heart.
Just as I was about to jump from tree to tree to move quickly, Prince called out again. I turned back and walked toward him as he pulled something else out of the spatial bag. Seeing that it was a strange robe, I became a little curious—but was chased off again by Prince, who said his supplies were very important.
With a heavy heart and a sigh, I darted quickly through the trees, heading for Brunhild.
After quickly moving to where Brunhild was, I got down from the tree trunk, saying, "Here it is… hop." When Brunhild heard that, she turned around and said, "Ah… Greta. So you're also assigned to guard the Prince."
Hearing that, I immediately replied, "Yeah… that's how it is. Babysitting duty is so hard…" with a dramatic sigh, while taking out the supplies she needed.
After finishing, I thought I'd finally get to see Brunhild commanding and fighting. But… with Brunhild saying, "Can you deliver these to the other seven outposts?"—and with that hopeful face, how could I refuse?
She even added, "It would take too long to carry them manually," still with that same hopeful look.
Thinking, "That's true…" I just sighed and said, "Ugh, such a hassle... fine, I'll deliver them," groaning as if reluctant, but knowing it had to be done.
With that, I quickly headed toward the eight outposts one by one, delivering and handing out the needed supplies.
While delivering to the 7th post, I suddenly heard a loud, "AAAAaaa!"
Oh… it seems like the King is raging awake, I thought with a lazy tone, already moving toward post 8.
Arriving at post 8 and just finishing the supply drop, I heard a slightly different scream—"AAAaaa!"—from the Goblin King.
Hearing that, I muttered, "Why is he angry?" with a bit of confusion.
A moment later, Prince contacted me and said, "Greta, quickly get ready in front of the goblin settlement wall. This is a good opportunity," in his usual cheerful tone.
Hearing that, I—who had just been walking around—sighed and replied, "OK..." before moving toward the tree closest to the goblin settlement wall and hiding behind it.
Right after another "AAAAaaa!" roar from the Goblin King, the gate opened, and the goblins—already formed into an army—separated into four groups, heading in different directions: North, South, East, and West.
Shortly after the battle began at those four fronts, Prince contacted me again, saying, "Greta, now... there are approximately 104 hostages."
Answering, "Roger," I dashed toward the wall.
Upon reaching it, I scaled it in one fluid motion and vaulted over the top. Activating my [Hawk Vision], I twisted midair in a graceful horizontal spin.
Spotting my target, I launched a flurry of arrows—Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip.—and landed directly on top of a goblin's head. Thud.
I sprinted toward the indicated tent, where Prince had said the hostages were restrained with slave collars—automatic skill-based devices that controlled their movements. Since they were safe to approach, I quickly unloaded the necessary supplies: weapons, armor, crossbows, and easy-to-digest food and drink.
Shouting toward the tent, "Hey... don't take too long, okay!" I bolted toward the next tent, shooting any goblin in my path—Twip. Twip. Twip.
Once all the tents housing hostages had been supplied, and many had started fighting back against the goblins, Prince contacted me again and said, "Close the gate using the stone I stored in the spatial bag."
Hearing that, I froze and muttered, "Huh?!" A moment later, I snapped, "Why on earth did you collect so many stones, Prince?!"
Hearing the Prince say that it would definitely be useful one day—especially in a situation like this—I sighed, muttering, "Our Prince is really something..." while slapping my forehead.
As I began taking out the scattered stones, I called out for help, and a few moments later, the hostages and the assassins—along with their leader—arrived.
When I saw that the stones looked sufficient to block the gate, I shouted in an enthusiastic tone, "Keep your spirits up!!! Don't let the goblins get back into this settlement!"
Once the gate seemed impossible to open—even if someone tried to force it—I contacted Prince and said, "Done."
But before I could relax, another task came in from Prince: "Head to the other gate. Have the hostages and assassins secure it as well."
Replying with a quick, "Roger," I dashed toward the other gate.
When I arrived and saw the assassins and hostages already gathered there, I immediately took out the stones to seal off the gate.
After making sure everything was properly reinforced, I reported back, "Done," to Prince.
I thought that was finally the end of it… but then Prince continued, "Now the settlement is under our control. Greta, go assist Brunhild in dealing with the special goblins—especially the Goblin King." His voice was serious.
Hearing that, just as I was about to sit down and rest, I stood up again and muttered in a sad tone, "I was just about to lie down..."
While saying "Roger" into the communication device, I ran out of the goblin settlement and headed toward the battlefield.
As I scanned the four battlefronts, I muttered, "So... which one should I help attack the goblin troops?" with a confused look. Unable to decide, I turned on my communicator and said to Brunhild, "Hai hai… is there any job for me?" in a cheerful tone, nodding to myself.
A few moments later, Brunhild responded, "Greta, go to the West Area. Reinforce the western attackers."
Hearing that, I simply replied, "OK~" in a chirpy tone before cutting off communications and dashing toward the western battlefront.
Upon arrival and seeing the state of the battlefield, I could only say one thing, "This is very bad..." with a worried expression.
Because the "U" formation was being taken out one by one, the front line of the "U" was now being pushed by a goblin commander, and the troops were slowly retreating into a reverse flank position.
As I stood there, trying to think of what to do, a voice came through the radio—the western leader's panicked report: "Commander... West... the Goblin King... he's in the west..."
Hearing that, my face turned pale. I muttered, " Damn... really bad luck," while activating [Hawk Vision], readying my bow toward the Goblin King.
Then, I whispered, "[Wind Guidance]" to steady my aim.
After locking onto my target, I activated another skill, muttering, "[Rapid Fire]"—and in an instant, my hands moved like lightning, loosing 15 arrows in rapid succession.
Just as they were about to strike the Goblin King, his sharp instincts kicked in—he blocked 13 of the arrows with his massive sword.
But two slipped through.
Stab. Stab.
They embedded themselves in his eye and shoulder.
When the Goblin King roared in pain, "AAAAaa," the Goblin Soldiers, Goblin Commanders, Goblin Strategists, and Goblin Champions nearby stopped and advanced into battle, waiting for the signal from the Goblin King who had been hit by the arrow.
The Goblin King, whose pain from the pierced eye had subsided, immediately pointed his sword toward the direction where the arrow had hit. The surrounding Goblins immediately moved in the direction he was pointing.
Seeing that, my face immediately turned pale. In that moment, I contacted the Prince and said, "Prince!! Help me...!! They're all coming towards me!!!" in a panicked voice, watching the elite goblin horde heading toward me. Hearing that, the Prince only responded with, "Hide first."
As the goblins started surrounding me, Greta, who hadn't been found yet, immediately used a skill, saying, "[Camouflage]."
While the goblins searched for Greta, the Goblin King arrived and shouted, "AAAaaa."
As they continued to search for me, one goblin suddenly dropped dead with a hole pierced in his head. Thump—he fell.
The goblins around him were confused, shouting, "AA- "aa!" As they approached and checked the fallen goblin, the Goblin Strategist just shook his head.
For a moment, the Goblin Strategist decided to leave, but thump, he too fell.
Seeing that, all the nearby goblins screamed in surprise, "AAAaa!" "aa-Aaa!"
Seeing that, the Goblin King, who had arrived, roared, "AAAaaa!!"
Instantly, all the goblins rushed to cut down the trees nearby. Confused, I was contacted by the Prince, who said, "Attack, I'll help if all the trees fall." Hearing that, I resignedly sighed and immediately started attacking the special goblins first, while activating the skill: [Wind Guidance]. Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip.
As I came out of hiding, jumping from one tree trunk to another, I shot all the nearby special goblins: the Goblin Sorcerer, Goblin Commander, and Goblin Strategist.
The Goblin King, seeing this, angrily roared, "AAAAaaa!"
Instantly, all the weapons from the Goblin Soldiers, Goblin Commanders, Goblin Champions, and Goblin Strategists were thrown up toward me. I, still in the trees, dodged while taking cover between them and simultaneously aimed and shot at the special goblins.
At the same time, the Western soldiers, who had managed to defeat the remaining goblins, arrived and formed an impromptu formation to counterattack with a reverse two-wing formation.
"Attack!!"
"Hold!!"
"Arrows, Attack!"
"Stay in formation!!"
"AA—"
"AAaa"
Seeing this, the Goblin King immediately shouted, "HAH-"
In an instant, all the goblins near the Goblin King counterattacked toward the soldiers. Clang—clang—clang.
"Hold!!"
"Kill!!"
"AAAaa--"
"AA-"
After all the goblins blocked the soldiers, the Goblin King began walking leisurely toward me. I kept shooting arrows at him, Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip. Twip.
Clang—clang—clang—clang. The Goblin King kept deflecting my arrows with his sword. Seeing that, I became gloomy but pushed forward, shooting arrows faster and faster.
As the Goblin King drew closer, I had a bad feeling. I immediately contacted the Prince, shouting, "Prince, Help!!" A moment later, the Prince's casual voice came through, "Jump as high as possible."
Without hesitation, I leapt toward the highest tree trunk and then vaulted over it.
Just as I was about to jump again, the Goblin King suddenly unleashed his [Tyrant Smash] skill, roaring, "AAAAaa!" He slammed his sword into the ground with a thunderous BOMM.
All the trees around him fell, thump, thump, thump. I stayed high above, but the air vibrated with the destruction around me.
From my position, I heard a small boom. Suddenly, paper-like crystals appeared around me. I recognized the Prince's voice, "Jump and shoot through it. I only have 3 shots..."
"Thank you, Prince!!" I yelled, as I jumped through the ice crystal paper, my arrows drawn, aimed at the Goblin King.
With the support of the ice rune, I let the arrows fly, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip!Clang—clang—clang—clang!
The Goblin King was blocking every shot, but I kept leaping above him, my arrows striking with relentless speed, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip!Clang—clang—clang—clang!
Boom! The second ice rune paper appeared, and I kept firing as the Goblin King continued to fend off my arrows, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip, Twip!Clang—clang—clang—clang!
I heard a voice from the commander (Brunhild) who said, "Step back...!! I'll handle him..." With that voice, I, who was a little panicked, calmed down and said, "Ok... Thanks, commander."
POV Brunhild:
As I watched Greta's arrows being blocked one after another by the Goblin King's immense strength, I couldn't help but murmur, "Really unexpected..." With a slight pause, I added, "Looks like this will be an interesting fight."
I gripped my sword tightly, readying myself for what was about to unfold. "[Glacial Dash]!" I shouted as I dashed forward at breakneck speed, using the icy technique to slide across the battlefield with incredible agility. The wind whipped past me, my eyes locked onto the Goblin King.
The Goblin King, seeing me approach, immediately swung his massive sword horizontally with a furious "AAAAaaa!" He unleashed his [Heavy Cleave], aiming to cut me down in one sweeping motion from right to left.
"Oh, do you want to test your strength?" I called back, my voice calm and focused. I swiftly adopted a strong stance, my sword raised in the upper right-hand position. "[Glacial Slash]!!" I shouted as I slashed down in a powerful arc from right to left, meeting the Goblin King's strike head-on.
BOOOMMM! The clash of weapons was deafening, and the ground beneath us cracked and shifted. Neither of us moved back. We were locked in an intense battle of strength, each of us pushing against the other's force.
As we stood in a deadlock, our swords grinding against each other, the Goblin King let out a furious roar, "AAAAaaa!" In a fit of rage, he lifted his weapon high above his head, preparing for another devastating strike.
Seeing that, I immediately said with the sword stance behind me right by saying, "Oh... do you want to show off your strength again?"
While the Goblin King used the [Tyrant Smash] skill with a shout of "AAAAaaa," he slashed his attack vertically toward Brunhild.
I, who saw that the Goblin King was going to attack vertically, said, "Then I accept!! [Glacial Slash]!!" while slashing vertically upwards to deflect the Goblin King's sword. BOOOMMM.
After the clash, the Goblin King's sword bounced up, "aaa," and when I saw that, I immediately jumped toward his heart and muttered, "Chance!!" while jumping by pointing the sharp sword toward his chest (heart). But before reaching his chest—clang! It was parried by the Goblin King's sword, which had been pulled back and covered his chest.
At that moment, the Goblin King swung "hah..." his sword horizontally to throw Brunhild. After bouncing 6 meters, Brunhild fell on her feet while spinning her body once.
A moment after Brunhild stood, around the battle area there was a sound:
"Cavalry, attack...!!"
"Attack!!"
"Attack..!!"
After that: Clang clang clangslash slash slash
"AAaa--"
"AAAA"
"AaAA"
Soon after that, there was the sound of thundering boots and voices shouting:
"Formation!!"
"Stay in formation!!"
"Team, attack!!"
Slash slash slash
"AAAaa"
"AAaa"
Hearing the sounds around him, the Goblin King immediately panicked and shouted, "AAAAAA!" towards Brunhild.
Seeing that, I said, "How about we end this?" while taking a sword stance.
Seeing that, the Goblin King also took a stance, ready to attack.
Seeing that, I immediately giggled and said, "I'll go first, huh... [Glacial Dash]" and immediately dashed towards the Goblin King.
When the Goblin King saw Brunhild attacking from the front, he immediately raised his weapon up and shouted, "AAAAAA!" (activating skill: [Tyrant Smash]), slashing vertically and quickly, right about to hit Brunhild who was moving very fast.
Just before it touched me, I activated my skill and said, "[Frost Step]," and flash—disappeared in front of the Goblin King.
And BOOOMM—the Goblin King's sword touched the ground.
While I appeared from the sky behind the Goblin King, I said, "Thank you for the fun," and by raising my weapon up, activated the skill by saying, "[Avalanche Strike] !!," and immediately dove under the Goblin King quickly. Slash.BOOOMM.
The Goblin King, who was still confused that his attack didn't hit me, was split in two—along with the ground and floor around him. CRACK!! CRACK!! CRACK!! Split and froze.
While looking around, where the fight was about to end, I sighed and said, "Finally, this mystery is over..." looking at the large Goblin King's sword that looked luxurious.
Greta, who was beside me, said, "Yes... it's over," while looking at me. I looked at her when she said that, and she then asked, "But can you explain to the Prince about that?" while pointing at the Goblin King.
Seeing what Greta pointed at, I was shocked and said, "Magic Core!!" —but it had been split in two...
Seeing that, I shouted, "Nooooo!! It's broken again!!!" while holding my head.