Commander Aldric Thorne stood before a detailed map of the southern territories, his jaw clenched tight enough to make his teeth ache. Two weeks and some days had passed since he'd sent Vegeta to eliminate the goblin threat, and the silence was unusual in exactly the wrong way.
At first, he'd assumed Vegeta was taking his time. Enjoying himself, as the arrogant bastard often did. Heroes weren't known for punctuality, especially not ones as cocky as the Shadow Hero.
But two weeks? That was excessive even for Vegeta.
"Something happened to him," Aldric muttered, running a hand through his graying hair. "He's dead. He has to be."
One of his lieutenants, standing nearby, looked up sharply. "Sir? You think a hero could be killed by goblins?"
"Not goblins," Aldric corrected. "That goblin. Satou. The one who allied with orcs. The one who killed twenty of my men across two patrols using tactics and coordination no goblin should possess."
