Overlord: Start from the Goblin Lair.

Chapter 38: The Madwug Territory Across the River

When everyone returned to the fantasy land, the prototype of the entire trading post had been completely completed. Karad showed great enthusiasm for the joining of craftsmen and refugees, and even took the initiative to ask his men not to harass them without reason.

But goblins are not such obedient creatures, so even with all kinds of restrictions, friction between refugees and goblins still occurs - most of the time the goblins try to steal, rob, and cheat the refugees of their few remaining supplies, and the latter have to undergo a full range of education from verbal to physical. However, the goblins never get tired of this.

However, even in this situation, the refugees still felt that this was a good place: at least there was unlimited drinking water, they could be self-sufficient in hunting, and there was a lot of open space around the trading post, enough for them to build homes.

Lavinia and Boone both got what they wanted. Ron's workshop, which was temporarily unused, was given to Lavinia, and inside the workshop, the goblins opened a passage that could connect to the main building of the trading post next to it. As for the craftsmen, they immediately started working overtime after receiving the wages paid by Kalade.

"The map has been rushed out, covering about two days' journey around here," Karad handed Ron a piece of dry animal skin, on which the outlines of some mountains and rivers were outlined with charcoal. Some places with significant signs were also specially drawn.

For example, at the confluence of two rivers, there is a small island in the middle of the river with two pine trees.

"Do you need me to come with you this time?" Kalade asked in a deep voice. Seeing Ron's gaze lingering on him, he knew that this human must have some new target.

"No need. The trading post is more important now," Ron declined the hobgoblin's kindness. "We don't have that many good fighters now. I can only trouble you to guard the stronghold."

"Other matters should be mainly left to our team to handle."

It's not that Ron doesn't like the roaring sea of ​​goblins, but now it's different from the past few days. Those who are barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes. If Mindatis really makes a feint to the east and attacks to the west to lure the tiger away from the mountain, and steals this place while the trading post is empty, it will really be a loss.

"Then I wish you all the best." Kalade naturally understood what Ron meant and did not insist.

After resting for half a day at the trading post, Ron and his companions packed their equipment and set out under the cover of darkness that evening.

There is no need to elaborate on the journey. By the evening of the next day, Ron's team of five found the very special island in the middle of the river.

The island is located in the middle of two converging rivers. The water flows slowly, and under the moonlight, it emits a silver halo. There are only two pine trees standing on the sand and gravel island. They stand tall and lush, and seem to be guarding the entire island day and night. When the moonlight shines on the treetops, it forms patches of mottled shadows, making the sand under the trees reflect green brilliance. The air here is fresh and quiet, and a few mosquitoes fly by the river, making a faint buzzing sound.

Just occasionally, a few low frog croaks seemed to be heard not far away, exploding like thunder in the night that should have been peaceful.

Under the pine tree, Ron and his friends indeed found traces of a burning campfire.

"It looks like they were left there yesterday," Sera squatted down, touched a handful of ashes on the ground with two fingers, and sniffed it. "Obviously they didn't expect to be exposed, so they didn't even try to hide." "You can actually smell it?" Victoria was amazed at Sera, "How did you do that?"

"I'll teach you some other day," Sera laughed, "It's not difficult, but you probably don't like to put your face on the ground."

"But for us, this is an essential skill whether it's tracking prey or finding plant roots buried under the snow in winter."

"There are frog croaking over there. That's probably the territory of the Madwugs." Ivy looked across the river. The river was neither deep nor fast. There was a rocky path from the island to the other side. If Mindatis and the others wanted to take the next step, they would probably have to cross the river from here.

"Let's be careful and try not to provoke them." Ron signaled everyone to keep a low profile.

There is a reason why the word "mad" is added to the name of the Madwug. These frog-headed amphibious humanoids believe that they are the most qualified and suitable rulers of the swamp. They like to show off their lordship to outsiders who trespass into their territory, so their warriors will try to capture invaders alive instead of killing them.

Captives are brought before the Bullywug King or Queen and forced to beg for mercy from the Bullywug leader. Captives may be able to coax their freedom from the Bullywug leader with bribes, treasure, and flattery, but only after the leader has shown off his territory and wealth to his "guests." Driven by a complex of emotions mixed with a strong inferiority complex, the Bullywug leader will do his best to portray himself as the real king and queen, desperately hoping that these outsiders will show them awe.

Whether confronting them head-on or being forced to listen to them showing off their so-called "dignity", this was definitely not what Ron and the others wanted to see - this had nothing to do with tracking down Mindatis, it was simply because they couldn't stand it.

After all, no matter how the Madwugs behave, they cannot change the fact that the environment where they live is damp and rough.

After wading across the river, Ron and the others didn't even turn on the lights, but moved forward slowly under the guidance of Driver and Ivy. Not long after, the goblin hunters tracked down a bunch of messy footprints, which were left by the soles of shoes.

"It seems that our old friend has not learned any lesson from the last time, or he simply doesn't know why he was discovered last time." Ivy sneered.

But this time was a little different from before. After Ron and others tracked for a while, the footprints suddenly disappeared, and were replaced by footprints left by huge webbed feet in the mud.

"They encountered the Bully Wugs, and these are more likely to be giant frogs," Ivy judged.

Like the Saurus, the Bullywugs use their innate advantages to unite their wild allies. They use the frog calls in their language to communicate over a wide area, and creatures such as frogs and toads can understand some simple concepts in this language. The Bullywugs will select some larger species and establish an alliance as mounts and helpers, such as the giant frog that can swallow creatures whole in one bite.

(End of this chapter)