Chapter 10 – Lady Cass and the Resolve of a Knight
Today was a day that shocked and stirred everyone living in the Earldom of Rivenhart.
Because they heard news that had not occurred for at least thirty years: the daughter of an earl had actually been abducted by goblins.
This was almost a humiliation without equal.
Noble humanoid parties rarely lost against low-level creatures like goblins. This was not only because humans had more money than most goblins, but also because of the sophistication of their weapons, which widened the gap between the two sides.
Goblins, like most creatures, would choose to avoid rather than attack when faced with a group of human nobles. Even if advanced individuals appeared, they mostly targeted common folk.
But now, tragedy had struck.
Naturally, such shocking news was not limited to the Earldom of Rivenhart.
The family of Baron Cass, who had fallen in status from earl to baron, had just welcomed the birth of a baby. Now, his eldest daughter, the 20-year-old Cassvia, seemed ready to set out on a journey to subdue the goblins.
In the cradle, a baby boy, still swaddled, slowly opened his eyes. Though his consciousness was blurred, he heard the conversation between his mother and younger sister.
Although he was one among billions of beings who had traveled from another world, he could not understand the general meaning of their words. Humans were not like other creatures. There were no advanced individuals among newborns, only those with special talents.
It was clearly impossible to understand this world's language and retain ancestral memories from birth, as with other races.
His consciousness was still hazy. His thinking ability and physical functions as a baby had not yet fully developed. He could not do anything during this period.
But there was one thing he was certain of: he had been born into a human noble family, though its background was modest.
My father had only four daughters and no sons, so he needed the eldest daughter to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family.
My younger sister fulfilled everyone's expectations and became a mid-level knight, bringing honor to our father.
Thanks to his younger sister's efforts, the family finances recovered, and then he was born. At that moment, all the family's hopes shifted from his sister onto him.
In a labor-based society, men were essentially superior and women inferior. Men were the foundation of the family and the unquestioned heirs of property and title.
All of his sister's earlier efforts now no longer mattered. What was important was how he could create a better starting point for her younger brother.
Now, their family saw a new opportunity. Rescuing the daughter of Earl Rejerson would surely bring greater benefits to their prospering household.
So they ordered their sister, Lady Cass, to join the crusade to help the earl solve his problem and rescue Lady Lyra, who was in danger.
Intermediate Knight Cassvia readily accepted. After all, her enemy was only goblins, so it was no big deal.
Creating better conditions for her younger brother was also her responsibility as an elder sister.
The baby in the cradle looked at his beautiful younger sister and smiled with joy.
As a sister-con, nothing was more delightful than having a younger sister who loved her family dearly, was willing to act for her younger brother, and was extremely capable.
In short, his sister was as beautiful as a star. A sister that beautiful abandoning her fine clothes to don cold armor to fight for her family—she must be the most radiant light around him in his life.
I truly love a sister like that!
On that day, the gods proclaimed that all people of the world would journey across time and space, arriving in this world one after another within ten years. After the trial ended, those who survived would be able to travel back and forth between the two worlds and enjoy life in both.
Some would be long-lived elves, some would be humans with great potential, and some might be alternative races—from undying goblins and slimes to trolls, dragons, and monsters.
They would not belong to the same camp; they would have to fight each other, and the victors would survive.
Alien species could grow into boss-level demon kings, while half-human beings could also transform and rise as heroes and brave warriors.
They had no assigned tasks or missions; they could do anything in this world. Thus, everyone had to stay wary of what others might do.
It should be noted that this world was filled with magical particles, and pure physical attack power was eroded and weakened by them.
Whether it was bullets relying on gunpowder or technological weapons relying on energy released from reactions, their power was greatly reduced in this world.
It was impossible to conquer the world relying solely on technology—magic had to be added.
Without a doubt, he was one of the luckiest.
Because he did not see modern things appear before him, it was likely he was among the first to travel through time.
What mattered was who was born first.
Though it was impossible for him to grow up, sire children, and raise modern-born followers within ten years, the earlier he was born, the greater his chances of not being exploited by others.
Sister, it's all up to you!
But in truth, the younger sister he regarded as the most beautiful and responsible in his heart was now consumed by sorrow.
Back in her room, Cassvia stared at her sword and thought hard.
To revive her family, she had resolutely discarded her fine clothes, refused the proposal of her childhood sweetheart, and risen to hone herself, becoming a brave and strong knight with the support of her parents and siblings!
But now, all her efforts were in vain because of her identity as a girl.
She loved her home, but she also hoped to receive praise and expectation from her family, rather than being commanded to do everything under the guise of self-righteousness.
The eldest son of Earl Rejerson would also join the expedition against the goblins, and her parents' intention was clear: they wanted to use her marriage as a bargaining chip for her younger brother.
There was no need for war to defeat the goblins, but Earl Rejerson wanted to kill every goblin there to vent his hatred and restore part of his reputation, so he organized a large force.
This was one-sided slaughter, giving her no chance to show her skill. She was instructed by her parents to seek opportunities to approach the earl's eldest son.
In fact, her parents did not know that she had already met the earl's eldest son when she was still a junior knight. The eldest son had clearly confessed his feelings to her and even threatened to make her, a low-born woman, his legal wife.
But she had refused.
Her reason was because she was a knight, and she wanted to carve her own path forward with her sword!
"I hope those ugly, lowly goblins can become stronger and give me a chance to prove myself. If I can become a high-ranking knight, perhaps…"
Cassvia sighed softly and had no expectations for this journey.
After all, they were just goblins.
Yet, unbeknownst to anyone, the goblins outside the Qirwood Forest had already undergone great changes.
"Reform, there must be reform!"
Altair shouted before hundreds of goblins. He was already fed up.
There were hundreds of goblins, and at a glance they were all warriors, with only a few archers and scouts at most. How could they not even see two knights, which was a stronger profession?
Goblins were initially forbidden from entering the central area, and their professions were utterly lacking. If they waited for the real human crusade to arrive, would they not be wiped out instantly?
"Come here and line up. I will assign you new professions."
As the Goblin Emperor, Altair had the power of an emperor and could determine the jobs of young goblins.
The first goblin Altair designated was the third Violet Goblin he had found on the outskirts of the Qirwood Forest. That Violet Goblin had quietly played a crucial role in facing the first and second waves of human invasion.
That goblin's profession was Violet Goblin Viper Commander, able to command venomous snakes in battle.
This profession was not created by Altair, but emerged among hidden professions. Every goblin capable of choosing a profession had its own list of hidden jobs, and all Altair could do was select from those lists.
The young Violet Goblin who could command venomous snakes was an unexpected surprise he had discovered in this goblin region.
Now, Altair's top priority was to increase the number of goblin archers, goblin knights, and goblin scouts.
In human society, the knight's title was an aristocratic profession attainable only by nobles. Knights required refined combat skills, advanced armor, and even a stable of horses. Commoners could not afford the high costs of training a knight.
But goblins were different. They could carry wooden planks and wield wooden spears as knights. They could ride Dire Wolves and boars as knights, even riding their own kind.
As perfect tank soldiers, the White Goblins, in addition to wielding giant clubs, could also serve as Goblin Knights with spears strapped to their backs, could they not?