Chapter 30: Aftermath and Regroup
Srabon's eyes fluttered open to the sound of crackling firewood and the soft murmur of voices. The familiar scent of herbs and ointments filled his nostrils. He groaned, trying to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his ribs.
"Easy now," Mira's gentle voice said, pushing him back down. "You're still injured."
Srabon winced, his head throbbing. "What happened? The Goblin King..."
"Dead," Magnus said, stepping into the hut. His arm was bandaged, and a deep bruise marred his cheek, but his eyes were shining with relief. "You did it, Srabon. You saved Leto's sister and took down the Goblin King."
Srabon exhaled, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. "What about the village?"
Mira exchanged a look with Magnus. "We've suffered some losses. The goblins launched a counterattack while we were in the cavern."
Srabon's heart dropped. "How many?"
"Five dead. Several wounded," Magnus said, his jaw tightening. "But thanks to the defenses we set up, the goblins didn't get far."
[New Quest: Rebuild and Fortify the Village. Reward: 3000 Gold, 2000 Elixir.]
Srabon gritted his teeth, the system's notification echoing in his mind. "We need to rebuild. Strengthen our defenses."
Mira nodded. "Leto's sister is recovering, but she's traumatized. She won't speak to anyone."
"I'll talk to her," Srabon said, forcing himself to sit up despite the pain. "We need every ally we can get."
---
Outside, the village was a flurry of activity. Villagers worked tirelessly to repair the damaged walls, patching up holes and reinforcing barricades. The air was heavy with the scent of burning wood and the cries of the injured.
Srabon walked through the chaos, his legs shaky but determined. Mira and Magnus flanked him, their eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Chief!" Leto rushed over, his eyes red and puffy. "Thank you... thank you for saving my sister."
"Is she alright?" Srabon asked, placing a reassuring hand on Leto's shoulder.
Leto's expression darkened. "She hasn't spoken a word since we brought her back. She just stares at the ground."
Srabon's heart twisted. The cost of war was more than just blood and bodies; it was the scars left behind.
"I'll speak to her," Srabon said, his gaze hardening. "But first, we need to secure the village. The Goblin King may be dead, but his forces are still out there."
Magnus crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "I'll start training the new recruits. If the goblins come back, we'll be ready."
Mira nodded. "And I'll set up scouts to monitor the forest. If any goblins are planning a counterattack, we'll know."
Srabon took a deep breath, the weight of leadership pressing down on him. "Good. We rebuild, we regroup, and we get stronger."
[Quest Updated: Rebuild and Fortify the Village. Collect 5000 Wood and 3000 Stone to repair the walls.]
Srabon glanced at the system map, his jaw clenched. "This is just the beginning. We're not just defending this village. We're building an empire."