Chapter 13 – The Knight's Superior Bloodline
The goblins hurriedly moved their belongings. Some stood firm, others stumbled and were dragged along.
Altair frowned, deep in thought, then said,
"Lyra, it seems they are relocating their lair."
"Ah? Could it be someone's coming to rescue us? Then… should we leave a sign so others know we were imprisoned here?"
"Don't worry, I thought of that long ago. I already left a trace. If someone truly comes to save you, they'll find it right away."
"Uh-huh."
A spark of hope grew in Lyra's heart; she longed for her day of rescue to come soon.
Lyra's Current Hope Value: 20
After calming her, Altair prepared a delicious meal. Lyra's appetite remained strong, and the babies inside her were growing quickly.
At the moment, most goblins were too busy setting traps and training their battle skills to hunt. Supplies dwindled, and the goblin district entered a period of food scarcity.
The hungry Goblin Emperor Altair chewed on wild vegetables in a place hidden from Lyra's sight, his eyes fixed on the battle unfolding in the abandoned goblin cave.
Before long, his gaze locked onto one striking figure.
Cassvia danced with valor, swinging her greatsword and cleaving a goblin soldier in two with a single slash. Goblin blood splattered across her armor; her face showed a hint of disgust.
"Goblins are still goblins. They're not even worth training," she muttered, regretting she had no chance to showcase more of her strength.
Behind her, along with her comrades, lay the corpses of a White Goblin and dozens of goblin soldiers.
Individual Name: Human Noble (Cassvia)
Age: 56 years (lifespan)
Attack Damage: 7 (+42)
Vitality: 28 (+61)
Magic: 10 (+21)
Intelligence: 22 (+45)
Impact Resistance: 4 (+9)
Magic Resistance: 1 (+1)
Attribute: Thunder
Occupation: Intermediate Knight (undetermined)
Special Skill: —
Genetic Talent: Attack Power
Current Hope Value: 38
Statistically, she wasn't higher than a White Goblin. Yet with her greatsword and armor, she surpassed a White Goblin armed only with a crude club and wooden shield. Combined with the goblin soldiers' clumsiness and lack of support, the outcome was inevitable: they fell.
In truth, the goblin losses had been intentional. To quell human rage and "buy breathing room" for their emperor, the goblins sacrificed lives: abducting Lyra, two White Goblins, and one Violet Goblin—the price was blood.
For survival of the race, life could be that simple.
Yet the victorious humans received grim news when the empty cave collapsed in flames as they fled: Lady Lyra had been slain by goblins, burned and buried within.
As Altair had planned, they retreated in grief and fury. To reach that point, the humans had paid with over a dozen lives. Thirty men were not enough to exterminate all the goblins—especially with a Goblin Shaman wielding second-tier magic.
So they withdrew, stationing men to guard the east and west against goblin movement, while others set up camp to await the main force's arrival the next day.
By the campfire, Cassvia removed her helmet, ate dried meat, drank water, and raised her hand to reject the "flirtatious" gaze of adventurer Klethar. Grim faces surrounded her; the news of "Lyra's death" weighed heavily.
With a sigh, Cassvia thought of her future. In their conversation, the young knight—beautiful and strong—shared her hardships and experiences, hoping the old adventurer would offer guidance.
Klethar revealed a secret of traditional remedies rarely known:
"Lady Cass, I know a potion recipe. The bodily fluids of high-level goblins can boost vitality and blunt-force resistance in humans. The stronger the goblin, the greater the effect—even slowing aging."
"High-level goblins? That sounds… worth hunting," Cassvia mused, even wondering whether the corpse of the dead Goblin Giant Warrior still held value.
Klethar's face darkened as he recalled something.
"There are rumors that goblins in some parts of the kingdom have grown hyperactive. It seems higher-level goblins have been born."
"Higher-level goblins? What are those?"
"Red Goblins," Klethar replied. "Their skin is hellish blood-red, standing two meters tall. Their attacks are savage, their vitality, magic, physical and magical defense, and intelligence—all extraordinary. One once fought several rounds against a silver-tier adventurer team and even injured one of them."
Cassvia was stunned. To her, goblins were always synonymous with weakness. If a single Red Goblin equaled a silver-tier adventurer—nearly the level of a high-ranked knight—that was terrifying. Even across Earl Rejerson's vast lands, there were fewer than ten high-ranked knights.
"Are the goblins here dangerous?" she asked, recalling today's battle and feeling her worry might be excessive.
Klethar chuckled faintly. "Impossible. Relax. The goblins here are very weak. Novice adventurers often train against them. Even if a Red Goblin appeared, it'd still be a 'lion cub.' With goblins' growth rate, ten days aren't enough to mature. The real trouble lies with goblins elsewhere."
"Oh yes—the Goblin Kingdom in the west, lands under Duke Nass, said to be the birthplace of a Goblin King. Once sacred to goblins, now our adventurers call it the 'Goblin Graveyard.'" Klethar leaned against a tree. "Compared to such places, the goblins here are nothing. This was simply bad luck and the escort captain's carelessness—horse and rider fell into a spiked pit. Without that, how could goblins have kidnapped Lady Lyra?"
"Tomorrow, Lady Lyra's vengeance will be carried out," Cassvia said coldly. She cleaned her sword of goblin blood and cast aside the stained cloth.
"The Earl's eldest son will arrive, accompanied by two senior knights, to avenge his sister."
"Goblins are lowly, filthy, disgusting creatures. Let us wipe them out," she concluded.
Cassvia then dozed briefly under a tree. It wasn't her watch. Even resting, she didn't remove her armor—only her helmet. Firelight flickered over her delicate face; her skin was soft and white. Even in sleep, her expression was resolute. Her fine armor gleamed with sparks, her graceful figure hidden beneath, only her shining sword at her side declaring: do not approach.
Yet to some beings, that was exactly the sign that ignited desire—proof of a healthy body.
A brave knight woman, hungry for battle… surely she bore superior blood.