Forests Don't Support Idle Goblins

Chapter 99 Journey West [3k]

"It's gone?"

Inside the Earl's Castle in Black Lion City, Philip frowned and asked.

"Yes, sir." Captain Jules nodded slightly. "The report from the Giethoorn Sheriff's Office mentioned that someone saw them leave the town early this morning, and there are no records of them entering or leaving the town at any of the checkpoints in the territory. I think they may have entered the forest."

"How many days has he been missing?" Philip got up from the sofa and walked to the map.

"It has been more than 7 days now."

"I remember humans can only stay in the Nightmare Forest for no more than three days, right?" Philip tapped his finger lightly on the map. "Are they looking for the goblins?"

"That's possible. If we bring enough energizing potions, we can stay a little longer, but not for very long," Jules thought for a moment and tried to express his opinion.

"They can't be looking for goblins. They used to disdain obeying my commands." Philip clenched his fist and slammed it on the map. "They're either already dead in the forest, or they've scattered across Father's territory, trying to break up and leave."

"They are a group of experienced adventurers with experience in cooperative combat. How could they die so easily in the forest?" Jules wondered.

Philip glanced at the other man, who immediately lowered his head, before slowly saying, "So this is just one option, and I'm more inclined to believe they want to leave the Valentine family's territory."

"Smack!" He punched the map again. "Damn it, you took so many benefits from me, and you didn't do anything right. *squeak*"

"You think you can just leave?"

"Jules, inform Father immediately and ask him to issue a lord's decree, mobilizing all the local police stations in the territory until they are found. I want to stuff them all into the mine."

"However," Jules paused for a moment before carefully adding, "the lord might reprimand you for that."

"Heh," Philip chuckled a few times, "I know, so when I catch them, I'll make sure they know the price of offending me."

"You can leave now." Philippe gave Jules a sinister look.

Jules bowed, turned and walked out of the reception room. Just as he was closing the door, he heard a woman scream from inside.

"Sigh—" Jules shook his head and sighed, then turned and left.

Not long after, he successfully completed the follow-up steps of the lord's decree and finally returned to his residence.

This is a three-story building with white walls and red tiles. The doors and windows are a bit old and faded, and the walls are covered with ivy.

"Uncle Jules, you're back!" Lila heard the voice and immediately came out to greet him.

"You're back." Jules smiled at the girl in front of him and handed her the longsword. "Behave yourself this time. The Duke said he wanted to expand the guards, so you should join them as soon as possible."

Lila took the longsword and silently carried it into the house.

Jules watched the girl's retreating figure, shook his head and sighed softly, then removed his light armor and went into the living room.

"Still haven't found it?" he asked softly.

"Mm." Lila nodded.

"Alright, I won't try to persuade you, but this time is different. The Earl's mansion has big plans for next year, and this is a rare opportunity." Jules reached out and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did Luna go to buy snacks again?"

"Yes, she ran out as soon as she got back." Lila finally smiled.

"By the way, I have a question for you. When you were in Giethoorn, did you see the Brotherhood of Storms?" Jules walked to the sofa, sat down, and reached out to pour himself a glass of water.

Lila immediately went over, picked up the teapot, and filled his cup. "Yes, we saw them. We saw them holding auditions when we left. What's wrong, Uncle?"

"They're gone." Jules took a sip of water.

"It's gone?"

"Yes, the Earl's mansion thinks they might be preparing to break up and leave the territory, but I think they went into the forest and didn't come out," Jules nodded and said.

"The forest? How many days have they been missing?"

"Seven days, is it possible they died in the forest?" Jules asked, looking up at Lila.

"They all died in the forest?" Lila covered her mouth, exclaiming in shock, "How is that possible?"

"There are many monsters in the forest," Jules said, his eyes unfocused, as if he had remembered something.

"I thought the forest was full of goblins," Lila chuckled. "But goblins are indeed quite dangerous; we almost got into trouble once."

Upon hearing this, Jules put down his cup, stared at the girl, and asked, "Something happened?"

With a creak, the door turned, followed by a cheerful voice: "Sister, I bought butter pancakes and roasted nuts."

Lila smiled and immediately ran out of the living room.

"Dangerous goblins?" Jules stared in the direction of the gate.

"Are you taking your men to the area where we used to look for food?" Sansio asked casually, adjusting his wings.

"Yes, that's right." Charles watched his men organize the equipment, without looking at the little fairy.

"I think you definitely need a mentor," Sansio said tentatively.

"Guide?" Charles was surprised and turned to look at him. "What are you trying to say?"

"I've flown all over that area—" The little fairy was still turning her head to fix her wings, deliberately not looking at Ciel.

"My friend, do you want me to be hunted down by your father?" Charles looked helplessly at the little imp in front of him. "Stay safe in the fortress and don't wander off. Your mother has just recovered."

"Uh," Sansio choked, muttering, "They used to say that fairies should be forest spirits."

"You want to be an elf, not a ghost. Do you want to become a ghost and drift through the forest?" Ciel said irritably.

"But you do need a guide." Sansio flapped his wings and flew to Ciel.

"No," Charles refused outright. "I promised your father that I wouldn't let any little goblin be in danger."

""

"Sigh," Shan Xiao flew away dejectedly after being rejected, saying as he flew, "This cold forest perfectly matches my lonely heart—"

"So chuunibyou," Ciel muttered.

Then, he looked at his 20-odd men who were fully equipped and ready to go, their faces beaming with confidence.

This time, Charles planned to visit the goblin territory in the west. He had heard from Sansio's father that those goblins didn't need to eat, and he was very curious.

Despite his curiosity, he would still observe carefully. If he confirmed that the other party did not have any major problems, he planned to merge with their tribe and have 150 subordinates as soon as possible, so that he could activate [Blessing of the Gods].

Charles knew that goblins had no blessing from the gods and could only rely on evil gods to get some help, but he estimated that it would come at a great cost. The effect of the Gods' Blessing could directly and forcibly obtain the blessing, and it would bless both the territory and himself at the same time. This effect was so tempting that he wanted to get it immediately.

"CaoCao also wants to travel with Green Egg." The troll sat on the ground with his legs apart, pouting, looking somewhat aggrieved.

"Cao Cao, be good and watch the house. Be careful of bad guys." Xia Er patted Cao Cao's arm to coax him.

"Cao Cao won't let bad guys in," the troll said in a gruff voice.

"Alright, let's go." Charles patted Lupus's fur, waved his hand, and gave the order to move out.

The group continued westward, but they didn't notice that a little fairy carrying a piece of candy had secretly followed them.

"Chief, the venison is ready." Red Eyes stretched out his hands and held up a skewer of venison in front of Sharl.

Charles took it, took a bite, and said, "Hmm, it's alright."

After seeing their leader eat, the other goblins also began to eat.

When they first spotted the deer, they shot it dead very easily. Charles was surprised that they could catch prey so easily.

However, he soon realized that his subordinates had grown a lot, and perhaps he was still viewing them with outdated perspectives.

"Rupus, come and see these things." Charles, holding a skewer of venison, led Rupus to the side of the entrails that had just been dug out and thrown aside.

He had to talk to Agatha for a long time before she agreed to give him Lupus, and this trip westward together had made him much more thoughtful.

"It smells delicious," Ciel said, pointing to the offal. He then tore off a piece of venison in front of the Starhound and began to chew.

"Eat," Charles said with a smile, demonstrating, "It's delicious, have a taste."

He smiled innocently and kept encouraging the astral hounds.

Lupus twitched its nose and slowly approached the internal organs, then pawed at them with its paw. The strong smell of blood entered its nasal cavity, making Lupus a little curious.

"Eat, have a taste," Charles continued to encourage softly, like a strange uncle coaxing a child with a lollipop.

Finally, with Charles's "tireless" encouragement, Lupus bent down and picked up a piece of entrails.

"Beautiful!" Charles exclaimed with delight. "Try it, try it!"

Lupus tore off a piece, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it. Then, it seemed to be savoring the taste, pausing for a few seconds.

In the light of Charity's own eyes, Lupus lowered his head and began to eat again.

"Great!" Charles laughed, stroking the Astral Hound's fur. "The dog-raising plan has finally begun."

"Boss, something's up." A green head popped out from the shadows nearby.

"What is it?" Ciel asked, looking down.

"A big tree is walking towards us," Broken Tooth said.

"A big tree?" Charles frowned, then immediately gave the order: "Everyone, take cover and be on guard, ready for battle at any moment!"

"We won't run into enemies so soon after leaving the territory, will we?" He frowned.

"Hollow, hollow, hollow," came the heavy footsteps. Soon, Xia Er saw a large tree emerge from the gaps in the trees and walk towards him.

"I hope it's just passing by," Charles muttered. He and his men were currently hidden in the trees and grass. If the other party was just a monster passing by, then there would be no need for a conflict.

Soon, the large tree arrived at the area where the goblin was hiding, and then stood still, slowly rotating back and forth as if searching for something.

"Come out," an old voice said.

"Coming for us?" Charles immediately raised his hand, ready to have his men throw out the blazing glue.

"Stop! This tree-man means no harm!" Shansio shouted from behind, flying to Xia's side to stop him.

"You still followed me?" Charles glared at the little imp, annoyed.

"Heir to the ancient will, I implore you to appear," the treant's aged voice rang out once more.