"Please enjoy, my lord," said Edric as he placed the cake on the table.
"Very well, thank you for the dish," replied Marquis Vallerstein.
Alex, Michelle, and the counts immediately began to savor the meal served by Edric.
"My apologies if it doesn't taste good, my lord," said Edric a little anxiously.
"It's quite decent," replied Marquis Vallerstein.
He then continued, "Right, Michelle?"
"YESS! It tastes good!" Michelle answered energetically.
"Haha, you are truly spirited, Lady Vallerstein," Edric replied.
"Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you enjoyed it," he added.
Moments passed, and they finished the meal prepared by Edric, the village chief.
"Now then, let us move on to the main topic," said the Marquis.
"Very well, my lord. Here is the matter....
---
The scene shifted. At this moment, Marquis Vallerstein and his troops were heading toward the place mentioned by the village chief.
"Hmm, it seems we've arrived at the location, my lord," said Count Benedict as he spotted a horde of goblins in the distance.
"Wow, their numbers are truly astonishing!" said Michelle, marveling at the sight before her.
What lay before them was a swarm of goblins. Their numbers were not merely ten or twenty but reached the hundreds.
"A horde of this size will certainly destroy the village sooner or later if left unchecked," the Marquis remarked as he observed the goblins.
"If their numbers are this great, surely there must be someone leading them," said Count Dunhaven.
"Indeed, Count Dunhaven. With so many gathered, it is certain there is a Goblin King and Hobgoblins among them," replied Count Ebonile.
"Let us first observe the situation. Count Benedict, scout the surrounding area and gauge the enemy's strength."
"Yes, my lord."
Count Benedict's men, specialists in gathering intelligence, immediately moved upon receiving the Marquis's command.
"In that case, let us prepare our equipment while Count Benedict carries out his duty," said the Marquis.
They all began setting up tents nearby and readying what was needed.
"You truly are beautiful, my love," said the Marquis, entranced.
Before him stood a woman garbed in the attire of a mage. She was wrapped in a deep-blue robe adorned with golden horizontal lines, while her hand gripped a staff as tall as her body, crafted from special wood with ornate embellishments that marked her authority as a mage. Complete with a large gray hat decorated with a skull-shaped trinket, her appearance radiated both mystique and dread.
"You look splendid yourself in that armor, my love~"
Marquis Vallerstein stood tall, a middle-aged man exuding the dignity of both a noble and a warrior. His body was clad in dark silver armor engraved with golden accents, declaring his rank and glory. His broad shoulders were emphasized by massive pauldrons, while a long maroon cloak flowed behind him, fluttering gracefully in the wind. In his right hand, he held a one-handed sword with a gleaming silver blade and a black hilt adorned with a ruby, a weapon that looked simple yet lethal.
The two laughed after complimenting each other's appearance.
Not long after, Count Benedict's troops returned.
They reported their findings.
"Excuse me, my lord. We have finished analyzing the enemy's strength."
He continued, "At present, there are approximately 537 common Goblins, 25 Goblin Warriors, 21 Goblin Archers, 17 Goblin Mages, 5 Hobgoblins, and one Goblin King."
"Truly a staggering number. In that case, let us arrange our positions and prepare to strike."
"Count Ebonile, your troops will engage the Hobgoblins. Will that be a problem?"
"We shall defeat them, my lord."
"Good, thank you. Next, Count Dunhaven. Your forces will face the Goblin Warriors, Goblin Archers, and Goblin Shamans."
"We are ready, my lord."
"Lastly, Count Benedict. Your group will take on the common Goblins."
"Understood, my lord."
"Do not let your guard down simply because they are weak, Count Benedict," the Marquis added.
Count Benedict gave a firm gesture of understanding at the Marquis's advice.
"Very well then, let us set forth. I do not want anyone to perish on this expedition. I wish to see all of you return safely."
A cheer resounded after the Marquis spoke those words.
They then set off at once, each according to their assigned formation.