The battle had ended with heavy losses on both sides. The elfin beast, Swven, had won against the enemy leader. He had reached his limit now — he was bleeding as well as starved, yet his resolve had not faltered in the least.

  Soon, Kraft came back. The lad was giving support to his almost unconscious companion, Harwin, who had dried up almost all of his magika reserves.

  “You are bleeding, Captain Swven! Gor, can you still cast a healing spell?” Kraft, worriedly, tried to offer support.

  “No need youngling. The boy is already on the verge of collapse. Go free up the rest of the captains; one of them, named Arwen, is a mage. If he is still alive, he will he able to heal up all of us.” Swven replied, calmly.

  Kraft proceeded to knock down each door and freed up any of the prisoners that were still alive. While he was busy doing so, Swven glanced at Harwin who sat beside him. He asked:

  “Who are you people? On whose orders have you come to rescue us?”

  “It is on the orders of Captain Viyetral and Captain Farelen that we are here.....Those two, in turn, were sent here on.....the command of the sword-saint, Graftel.” Harwin replied — he took pauses in-between due to exhaustion.

  “I see that the sword-saint has not abandoned us; I always knew that he will send someone to rescue this town from the treacherous council. Who could have thought that he will send Farelen and that ruthless schemer, Viyetral. How did you manage to infilterate this place?”

  Swven asked whilst pressing a cloth on his wound to stop further bleeding.

  “It was by the help of the leader of the outlaws of the town....I believe, he claimed to be the student of commander Neilzen, but unfortunately....he was slain in this battle protecting me....while I was trying to free you.”

  Harwin had only recently realised that this was the same man who had met Viyetral earlier — he was responsible for providing them with crucial information.

  “Celeborn....that is quite unfortunate. His master made sure to let him escape before the man was executed himself. I have failed to protect my old comrade’s student — his legacy....” Swven sighed in sorrow.

  Harwin did not speak either; he did not have any comforting words. Harwin felt as if the fault lay with him — that he should have been more careful. Swven quickly took notice of this.

  “Don’t fret child, he died while fighting for this town — for the legacy of his master. He could not have made his master more proud. In combat, we will lose many important and dear people to us, so you better get used to the feeling. He protected you because he knew that you were necessary for the success of the mission. You better uphold your end to honor his sacrifice.” Swven offered encouraging words which made Harwin feel abit better.

  The other surviving captains arrived soon as well — there were six of them left. All were starved, but they did not just laze around. Infact, they swiftly got to helping the injured. One individual chanted healing spells on anyone he could find, eventually making his way to Swven.

  “Arwen, old man, I trouble you once again.” Swven stated with a guilty look.

  Arwen was an old man. His beard extended down to the collarbone — the years had turned it grey. The old man was all bones with little to no muscles, yet he did not get tired while casting the spells at all.

  “Do not worry about it, young blood. Let us begin moving at once, as we can not afford to let these precious younglings fail after they have risked their lives for us. You there, do you need a healing spell as well?” Arwevn pointed at Harwin.

  “No need, but thank you. I am out of magika, so a healing spell would not do me any good. It is just as you said: we need to move as soon as possible, but our leader and guide died in the battle. None of the others know the pathway back.” Harwin replied.

  “Not a problem, we have travered through the dungeon multiple times. You people just need to point us to the final escape route.” Swven reassured.

  Soon, with most of the injured healed, they began to travel back. From the original twelve men including Harwin and Kraft about five remained; two were still guarding the escape route. Swven carried Harwin to not compromise their speed.

  Once they reached the sewers, all of them sighed with relief. Now, they were abit away from the clutches of their enemies which especially took a burden off of Harwin's mind.

  It took some time to finally reach the other end. Kraft, once again, casted his wind spell to gush out a strong wind upwards — launching the lid up. Immediately a rope was thrown down. All of them slowly and carefully climbed up to find themselves in the same carriage that had brought them here in the first place.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  A man, who was left behind in the carriage, got out of the carriage and immediately informed the driver regarding the next set of instructions. As for himself, he went to the colosseum to give the final signal.

  The driver, without wasting a single second, drove at full speed outside of the town. The guards did not try to stop them as anyone exiting the town was hardly ever checked. Just in case, the driver had exited from the most isolated gate of all.

  The carriage did not stop for the next hour until they finally reached a place far away from the town. It appeared to be an abandoned mine from the outside, but inside was a hidden base for the conservative council-men — most of whom had been exiled from the town.

  Sometime after the escape....

  The current council-men were horrified upon seeing the headless body of captain Lyrital, who was a powerful asset to them. Most of the dungeon guards laid dead as well. There were, however, a few unfamiliar dead bodies present, which were still being investigated.

  The thing that concerned the old-men the most was the escape of the captains. Those poweful men had been picked off one by one with great difficulty, but now they were nowhere to be found. This was catastrophic for the council. Soon, Thrandul walked up to the scene as well.

  “Thrandul, where were you this whole time? Forget it, arrest these two scoundrels! They have helped escaped the traitors of this town, so throw them in the dungeon immediately!” One of the council-men ordered.

  Farelen took out his axe and pointed it towards the council, who were petrified at the action

  “If you dare attack us, I will be sure to get rid of you lot before even a single strand of my hair can be touched.” Farelen threatened.

  “THRANDUL ATTACK HIM! HE HAS DRAWN HIS WEAPON AGAINST US!” One of the council-man cried, but Thrandul did not move an inch.

  “HAVE YOU GONE MAD? DO YOU NOT KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF GOING AGAINST US?” The same council-man threatened.

  Thrandul did not react now, either. Seeing this the council-men were horrified — their final card was not adhering to their commands, and now they had declared an attack against one of the greatest warrior of the elfin race. Even whilst standing on their own turf and being surrounded by their guards, the council-men did not feel safe at all.

  “Now, now. Let us not be so hasty. Were we not with you for the entire duration, spectating the fight as well? How could we have done any of this when none of our men were missing? Before pointing fingers, it would be better to investigate this whole area. Thrandul, you should check the unkown bodies found in the dungeon; maybe you will be able to identify them.” Viyetral acted as the mediator — there was a sly smile on his face the whole time.

  The council-men, realizing that their lives were at risk, signalled the guards to lower their weapons. This action was followed by Farelen as well on the instructions of Viyetral.

  Thrandul made his way through the crowd and began his investigation. It did not take much time before he returned and declared:

  “One of them is the student of Neilzen, Celeborn — he was quite dear to him. Neilzen before being captured planned for his student’s escape. I had heard reports that this man had organized a small band of criminals in the town, and often hunted down a few of our men as well. The other bodies also appear to be his men.”

  “Are you sure? Did you identify them correctly?” Viyetral asked — an odd yet meaningful question.

  “Yes, I had met him various times. His face is perfectly preserved and identifiable. I can guarantee that this is the same man that trained under Neilzen.”

  “Very well, first we apologize for doubting you two. What happened to the others that were with you? They were there when we left the arena.” The old-man of the council objected to a new issue.

  “I had sent them away as they were tired already. It was the right call as well considering you just raised your weapons on us without even the slighest of delays. Who knows how the young blood would have reacted.” Viyetral answered.

  “I see, let us discuss this matter further tomorrow. I am sure, we are all preplexed by this sudden turn of events. It would be better to calm down first, and then investigate together of what exactly has occurred.” The old-man, Quintel, suggested with an obligatory smile.

  The council-men were hardly satisfied with the outcome, but as they were cowardly and sheepish in nature, they decided to not pursue the matter further.

  “I agree, but the matter that we will be more keen on discussing in the morrow or even right now is the result of the duel. You already have tested the successor of the sword-saint, and I want your answer as soon as possible.” Viyetral replied.

  “Yes, we shall discuss this matter as well. Do meet us in the council hall tomorrow; we will be awaiting your presence.”

  Viyetral and Farelen left with this. Thrandul instead of continuing to investigate, followed behind his old comrades.

  “WAIT…WAIT!” He yelled.

  The two of them turned with a slight delay. Thrandul was exasperated as if someone who was in great agony.

  “What of them? Are they safe?” Thrandul asked — almost mumbling.

  “Do not take us for those heartless and coward council-men of yours. They are safe and shall not be harmed in anyway. When we see it fit, we will allow you to meet them as well, but until then, do not mention of this matter with anyone. Now you have already made your position quite doubtful for the cravens in that damn building so make yourself useful, and go do their bidding — gain their trust. We will discuss what we require from you, soon.”

  Viyetral demenour had changed from that of a friend to that of a foe. He now saw his old comrade as a tool — to be used as he pleased.

  Thrandul did not speak, but he had calmed down a little. Viyetral began moving again, Farelen, however, punched Thrandul in the face, throwing the man off his feet to the ground. Thrandul did not react, neither got furious — he knew that this was well deserved, and was rather relieved. Farelen did not say anything after that and just followed behind Viyetral.

  Thrandul saw how the two of them got lost in the crowd of the bustling town. He got up and then went back to the building to perform his new mission.

  How did the Viyetral turn Thrandul into his personal tool? It would only be revealed later how dangerous this subordinate of the sword-saint really is.

  ??? GOBLIN SMASHING ???

  by CSN Publishing

  GOBLIN SMASHING

  Tokyo, 2045. For most, a future costs more than they’ll ever earn. For Rin Kazehaya, it costs everything his family’s home, his mom’s life in a hospital, and debt collectors closing in on his siblings. The only thing that pays is hustle and hope.

  When Hero’s Glory Online launches its Crystal League expansion, a single tagline is everywhere: “Bring your business here.” One week. Discounted entry. Real cash for every match, every territory won. Anyone can play but not everyone survives.

  Rin gambles the last of his savings on a shot he can’t afford to lose, logging in from a battered first-gen pod built by his father. But a glitch locks him in as a Goblin the weakest, most-mocked race in the game. No reset. No second chance.

  Now, every victory means cash, every loss risks everything, and every move is broadcast to millions while Tokyo’s most ruthless family closes in on his real life. If he fails, he loses more than a game.

  But Goblins don’t know when to quit. With nothing left but his wits, a gambler’s instinct, and a dream nobody believes in, Rin’s about to find out what happens when the underdog brings his business and his fight to the world’s biggest stage.

  New chapters every Friday at 8pm Central Time.

  Goblin Smashing comes from someone who’s lived the grind as an esports organization owner and competitive MOBA player. If you love siege games, high-stakes MMOs, and underdog stories, you’re in the right place.

  This story is only published on Royal Road.

  If you spot it anywhere else, it’s fake, please flag and report.

  ?? Listen to the Official Goblin Smashing OST ??

  

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