Forests Don't Support Idle Goblins

With a "thud," an arrow struck the wooden target and pierced through it.

"The penetration effect is not bad." Charles examined the target back and forth, while Evita walked over with her bow in hand.

"This bow is a bit heavy, and it takes more effort to draw the bowstring." Evita walked to the side, looking at the longbow in her hand.

Unlike the horned wood composite bows made by the centaur tribe, this longbow was a recurve bow that Shire bought at a high price from the blacksmith, and the armor-piercing arrow was also bought from the blacksmith.

"It's alright, there are still several bows left. You can try them all out and find the weapon that suits you best," Charles said nonchalantly. He had specially bought many longbows so that these centaurs could find weapons they liked.

"This must have cost a lot," Evita said after a few seconds of silence. "It already cost a lot to help us build the deer pen, and now you're going to help us build the wooden house, and now you're giving us these bows and arrows."

"These are all worthwhile investments; after all, the stronger you become, the safer I am as well."

"You mean the Evil Throat Army?" Evita frowned and gripped her bow tightly. Although she hadn't witnessed the horrific deaths of her people, the scene was easy to imagine.

"That's only one aspect," Sharl said, turning to look at the surrounding woods. The trees in this area had been cut down by the centaurs and goblins, revealing a flat clearing. In the distance, there was still a lush forest. "This forest is very large, and the Evil Throat Army is only a part of it. I believe there are other dangers. You should have heard from Sansio about those giant spiders and giant bees, and that druid who studies mushrooms. It's not easy for any species to live peacefully in the forest. We must constantly strengthen ourselves. Only in this way can we have the confidence to resist when danger comes."

"Did you come this way too?" Evita looked down at the goblin in front of her, still not quite used to what was on her.

"Yes, we've gotten to where we are today step by step." Charles nodded with a smile.

"That's amazing. Not only can they protect their own people, but they can also protect other races." Evita's mood was somewhat low. She knew that if it weren't for Sharl's help, her people would have become slaves of the Evil Throat Army sooner or later.

"How does this armor feel to wear?" Ciel asked, noticing that Evita was constantly adjusting her armor.

"Uh, it's a bit big, but it's okay. It's just that a few other parts aren't very comfortable." Evita tried stomping her hooves a few times. The armor she was wearing clearly didn't fit properly, and there was a black lion's head in the middle of the breastplate.

"There's no other way, you'll just have to get used to it for now. This is the smallest set available." Charles shrugged. Evita was wearing the same silver lightweight armor that Philip had worn before. He had simply disassembled the armor into several parts and put the usable parts on Evita. "This armor has one advantage: it can effectively defend against magical attacks. I'll try to modify it for you when I have the chance, or I might just make you a complete set later."

Because Valentine is still searching for these armors in the territory, the Shire has no choice but to temporarily store them in the fortress, including some of the Storm Brotherhood's armor.

But now that the centaurs have joined, he has temporarily found a use for the armor. He doesn't need the armor to fit perfectly, as long as it can provide some protection. Besides, the centaur tribe didn't have any effective means of defense to begin with.

"Now that you're wearing this armor, I think you can develop new fighting methods." Charles paced back and forth, looking Evita up and down.

"What battle tactic?"

"Charge with lances," Charles picked up a long branch from the side and demonstrated the specific movements to the centaur girl. He had seen the knights of the knightly order perform combat demonstrations for everyone when he was in the City of Goldflower. "That's it. You are all very strong. If you wear well-fitting armor, you will no longer be afraid of the opponent's close-range attacks. This way, you can directly unleash your impact."

"Of course, it depends on the specific situation. To be honest, I prefer your archery skills."

"Hmm," Evita covered her mouth with her hand and pondered, "We did have the tactics you mentioned before, but after the battle with the Evil Throat Army, everyone tried to give up charging as much as possible in order to save their lives, and instead used bows and arrows more often."

"Is that so?" Charles immediately became interested. "I'll get you a few more lances; they're much better than your sharpened wooden spears."

"Okay." Evita nodded, though she was clearly not very enthusiastic.

"Still worried about the Evil Throat Army?" Charles sensed the other party's attitude.

"Yeah, I have a feeling those goblins won't let this go. Even though we escaped using the portal, they might intensify their search."

"You're right, that's why we need to keep strengthening ourselves," Charles said with a smile and a nod.

"But you should have seen them, those strange slave soldiers. They're like the demons of legend, completely unafraid of death," Evita said seriously. "I'm afraid my people will bring the Evilthroat Army here, causing irreparable consequences."

"I know, you don't need to think like that," Charles gently pressed his hand down, signaling the other person not to be so tense. "I saw those goblins. They were all red and only knew how to kill. They are completely different from the original goblins."

"No one knows goblins better than me," he chuckled, then continued, "I think they must be under some kind of spell that has driven them into a frenzy, making them want to kill any enemy in their path."

"We also have some anti-magic barrier scrolls. Although we don't have many left, we can find a way to replenish them. This way, when the enemy rushes over, the magic will be ineffective, and then we won't be a problem."

"Is that really true?" Evita asked, her head bowed and her forehooves pawing the ground. "Those goblins are ruthless, and the Evilthroat Army is very difficult to deal with."

"Yes, they do look very strong, but as long as we are strong enough and confident in ourselves, they are not invincible." Charles pointed to a wooden target next to him and handed Evita a shovel-shaped arrow. "Try shooting at that target."

With a crisp "crack," the wooden target was shattered into pieces by Evita's close-range shot.

"Look at your strength now that you've become powerful. You should know that the other side only has goblins and goblins, and maybe a few ogres. In principle, they don't have the strength to contend with us. They just have some strange powers now, but these powers are not enough to overturn the gap between us."

Charles picked up another arrow and handed it to Evita. "We need to find the source of their power and then figure out an effective countermeasure. That way, they won't be a threat."

"Is that so?" Evita still found it hard to believe what Ciel was saying.

Charles looked at the centaur girl and nodded vigorously. He wanted to tell her that a great man once said that all reactionary forces are paper tigers.

"I've left Broken Tooth in your village. If they give up monitoring your village, then we can try to get some information back." Charles grinned. "That way we'll know why those goblins turned red."

At the same time, Sharl also needs to go to the centaur village to bring back those pure white stones. The previous time was too rushed, and those stones were left behind. He doesn't want to give up those runeword materials.

"You're right, we need to investigate this carefully." Evita gritted her teeth. If things were as Charles said, she would definitely lead her people to do everything in her power to kill those earth spirits.

"So be patient, improve your strength, and live a good life." Charles handed the arrow in his hand to Evita.

…………

"You've disappointed me greatly." The goblin Evilthroat looked down at the goblin kneeling before him. "I've told you several times to be careful of the centaurs' movements, yet you still managed to let them escape."

"General, it's not my fault!" Three-Scarred stammered, trembling as he defended himself. "I didn't know those centaurs suddenly disappeared, and..."

His eyes lit up and he immediately had an idea. "Besides, those ogres completely ignored my orders. I told them to go over there immediately, but they dragged their feet and the centaurs got away."

"Shut up! Are you questioning my decision?" Evilthroat stared intently at the goblin in front of him, his anger making his large nose even redder.

"Wrongdoings must be punished." He waved his hand, and a goblin walked over, grabbed Scarface's ear, and then, amidst Scarface's groans, cut off the ear with a swift stroke.

"Smack!" Three-Scar's ear was thrown in front of him.

"I'll give you one more chance. Take a few goblins and search carefully for the centaurs' movements. They'll definitely leave traces." Evilthroat shifted his gaze away from the goblin on the ground, which was trembling with pain and wanted to scream but dared not. "If you can't find them, your head will be chopped off and thrown to those ogres."

"Yes, General." Three Scars kowtowed frantically, then picked up his ear and "rolled" out of the tent amidst the goblin's reprimands.

"General, can these goblins really find traces of the centaurs?" a goblin stepped forward and asked.

"Maybe we can find it, maybe we can't." Evil Throat walked to a large wooden barrel that was tightly bound with ropes and gently tapped the lid of the barrel.

"Then why...?"

"It's just a way to appease the ogres," said Evilthroat, knowing which was more effective: a goblin or several ogres.

"What if the goblin is actually found?"

"Then I will definitely find the forces hidden behind this and completely crush them." Evil Throat clenched his fist tightly.