Cave

That hand was cold and powerful, as delicate as if it could be flicked away with a wave, yet it carried an irresistible firmness.

Ilya paused, frowned, and turned her head in confusion, “Why? Goblins are appearing incessantly. They need support.”

“We’re going into the cave. The Shaman isn’t dead yet. We must deal with it.”

Livia shook her head wearily.

Time was running out.

The reason they were indispensable to each other was that the cave was narrow. Livia, who knew the truth of the matter, had to lead Ilya down personally, while the other two needed to remain outside.

If either of them was drawn away, they would face a devastating end.

“…”

Ilya nodded without asking further questions, simply scooped Livia up by the waist, and agilely leaped into the cave entrance.

The cave was filled with thick smoke and the smell of burning. Countless disfigured goblin corpses lay scattered on the ground.

Just a glance revealed hundreds of them.

Ilya’s heart tightened.

These were not ordinary goblins…

They were practically an army.

An army that was small but agile.

Inside the cave, she clearly saw the scattered cleavers, sharp blades, bone bows, and bone spurs. The state of the corpses varied, with the stronger ones shielding the weaker ones in corners. They weren’t lying haphazardly but were clustered together, forming mounds like small hills.

This indicated that these creatures had a division of labor and cooperated.

It was only now that Ilya felt a trace of unease and realized the gravity of the situation.

“Livia?”

As she looked up, the little white ball was picking up a bone spur, holding it high above her head with both hands, and stabbing it fiercely towards the mound of corpses that still showed signs of wriggling.

—”Ouch!”

Amidst a series of screams, Livia saw the pile of corpses at the very end, truly piled up like a small mound.

She knew the Shaman was still alive and that this horde of goblins was being controlled by that Shaman.

A low chanting sound emanated from the pile of corpses, like some evil summoning.

Livia’s eyes turned cold. The scene of the town’s destruction flashed through her mind again—her best friend’s tragic death, and the cries of the innocent.

All of this was because of these goblins, because of this Shaman!

“Ilya, it’s over there!”

“Yes.”

The pile of corpses gradually slid down. In the faint firelight, the Shaman’s distorted face was illuminated.

In his hand, he held a baby skull staff, muttering incantations, attempting to cast the final spell.

Ilya gave him no chance. Her sword blade flashed like lightning, accurately severing the Shaman’s wrist.

The bone staff fell to the ground with a dull thud. The Shaman’s incantation ceased abruptly, replaced by a shrill scream.

“Ouch—! Please… please spare me…”

The Shaman’s voice was hoarse, filled with endless fear.

He curled up on the ground, blood gushing from his severed wrist, his eyes full of pleading.

“What.”

Ilya stood aside, holding her sword, her brow slightly furrowed.

Why could monsters speak?

How could low-level monsters like goblins speak human languages!?

And the bone staff in his hand, the profound evil in his eyes, why were they so horrifying?

Ilya considered herself someone who had seen many grand scenes, yet even now, she felt a visceral sense of aversion.

“Leave it to me.”

Livia stepped forward without hesitation.

Her gaze was icy, like frozen lake water. The spear in her hand glinted coldly in the firelight, pointing at the Shaman.

“No, no, you can’t kill me… you can’t kill me… I, I haven’t done anything, what wrong have I done…”

The Shaman’s pleas seemed to not register in her ears.

“You, your very existence is a mistake.”

“No—!”

“Don’t kill me… I can, I can offer you all the gold and jewels. Oh, and those magic gems… Whatever you want, I can give it, I can give it all…”

“Get lost. I only want your life.”

“Why, no, no, no, ahhh!”

The Shaman let out a piercing scream, trying to escape in terror.

Like a pig being led to slaughter, he stumbled backward, kicking his legs, emitting a shrill, intermittent wail.

“Why, why did I fail? It shouldn’t have happened. That person’s plan was foolproof. Elton town’s defenses were weak. Why did the secret of the invasion get exposed? How did you find out so easily—!”

“Do you know how much I’ve sacrificed to get to this point!?”

Livia’s voice suddenly rose, filled with endless hatred.

“I will reclaim everything from the jaws of death—No one can defy me!!”

Livia thrust her spear forward violently, accurately piercing the Shaman’s chest, “Not even fate!!!”

“Gah—”

The Shaman’s scream cut off abruptly. His body fell limply to the ground, his eyes still filled with unwillingness.

Ilya watched the scene, involuntarily gasping, a complex emotion surging in her heart.

She could feel Livia’s deep hatred, yet seeing her so decisively end a life, Ilya still felt a sense of shock.

Her gaze fell upon the white-haired loli’s face. That cute little face was still icy cold, but her eyes carried an undeniable fatigue.

She was such a cute and lively child… why did she have such a side?

What had she gone through…

“Let’s go?”

“No, there are still things to do.”

Livia looked coldly at the Shaman’s corpse, her heart devoid of any emotion.

She knew this was just the beginning of her revenge.

“The Shaman is dead. The goblins outside have lost their sacred connection and will scatter. Alice and Flora can easily kill them. You don’t need to worry.”

Livia said in a low voice, turning to walk deeper into the cave.

Her steps were unsteady, but Ilya could feel that her back seemed heavier than before.

‘Are you okay?’

‘Let me help you.’

‘Don’t push yourself.’

‘What exactly happened before?’

These words caught in Ilya’s throat.

Gazing at that delicate figure that looked like she could collapse at any moment, Ilya inexplicably harbored a sense of worry.

She wanted to care for the other person as she had been cared for, but her long-ingrained pride made it impossible for her to utter words of concern.

In the end, she could only lower her silver eyes and follow silently.

The two continued deeper into the cave. The firelight grew dimmer and dimmer, and the shadows around them seemed to swallow everything in silence.

When they reached a secluded corner, Ilya suddenly stopped.

Her gaze fell upon a nest of newly born goblin cubs.

They were curled up in piles of rotten grass, their eyes not yet fully open. Their pink paws grasped the bodies of their own kind, emitting faint cries.

Ilya’s sword-wielding hand froze for the first time.

These creatures were too similar to the curled posture of human infants.

A hint of hesitation arose in her heart.

She knew that these cubs would grow up to become monsters like their kind, but looking at their innocent state now, her heart still couldn’t find complete peace.

These guys.

Could they be domesticated?

Ilya recalled knights who rode demon wolves as mounts.