Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer
Chapter 200: Sentinels (1)

Chapter 200: Sentinels (1)

"I didn’t expect a goblin settlement here of all the places," Sophia mumbled as the trio watched over the settlement from the foliage of trees.

Amelia nodded, noticing how advanced the goblins within the settlement were. It was a rare sight indeed, for goblins were typically known for their cunning and pack-hunting prowess, not for their architectural skills.

However, even with their pack mentality, it was rare to see them make large settlements above ground when they were usually nestled underground or in dark caves.

Based on experience, Adrian knew that the only cases in which the goblins opted to create settlements were in three conditions.

First, because no natural predators remained in the surrounding area, the goblins had nothing to fear and nothing to hide from. Hence, they lived as they pleased.

Second, when they had no enemies regarding other goblin clans, which was impossible due to their greed. And third, the condition where the goblins become fearless due to strong leadership.

Judging from the situation, it could be any reason. Firstly, since it was a dungeon filled with goblins, it would satisfy the first condition of not having any predators.

However, the second condition would be invalid if that were the case. The goblins’ endless greed would force them to fight with the other clans. But that didn’t seem to be the case, as the trio had noticed a few goblin traders moving about the place.

Which meant the third condition was valid in their case. A strong leader had united all the tribes, and they were working together.

"Of course, it had to be the worst scenario," Sophia rolled her eyes.

"Not necessarily," Adrian commented. "Only someone as strong as the Goblin lord can unite all these tribes. But someone like that won’t leave the settlement unchecked."

"In other words, the goblin lord has its sentinels deployed within the settlements to ensure safety," Amelia concurred. "Probably someone like a shaman."

"Oh, I see," Sophia smiled. "Besides, Goblin Shamans have high intelligence, meaning they can communicate with other species. If we can make them talk, then clearing this dungeon would be pretty easy."

"That’s the plan. Let’s go wreak some havoc."

***

In the heart of a dense forest, hidden away, was a bustling settlement of goblins. Their homes were carved into the earth, with twisted roots and moss-covered rocks forming the walls.

As usual, goblins scurried about, their green skin blending with the foliage as they went about their daily life.

A group of goblins gathered around a bubbling cauldron, stirring a foul-smelling concoction while others tended to the nearby crops. Children played tag among the twisted trees, their laughter echoing through the forest. However, the peace was short-lived.

Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the silence as a massive ball of fire hurtled towards the settlement, crashing into several houses with a thunderous explosion.

More explosions followed, setting a better part of the settlement on fire. Flames erupted, consuming everything in their path as panicked screams filled the air.

"KEEE! KEEE!"

The goblin yelled, rushing to grab buckets of water to douse the flames. Simultaneously, goblin guards scrambled towards the settlement gates to fight the undetected enemy.

However, the moment they stepped outside the gates, most of them had their heads severed by a swordsman wielding a broadsword skin to those wielded by the minotaurs.

But the man wasn’t alone. An elf was by his side, wielding a dagger in her only arm. Together, the two slaughtered any and all goblins that they came across.

"Who dares to attack our settlement?" cried out an elderly goblin.

The swordsman said nothing, his gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd before fixing on the elderly goblin. Unlike the usual shamans, who were weak and always hid behind an army of goblins, this Shaman looked more like a warrior than a weak mage.

"Oh, you’re early," Adrian commented, staring at the Shaman. "And here I thought I’d have to kill more of your kind before you showed up."

Instead of replying, the Shaman immediately began chanting, preparing to hit the intruders with a spell. The goblin guards gathered before the Shaman to buy him some time in case the intruders tried to attack him.

The Shaman expected the intruders to panic and attack. However, they remained calm. It almost felt like they wanted to see what the Shaman was capable of.

The Shaman felt annoyed by their arrogance, but he also felt relieved because the enemy’s foolishness worked in his favour.

However, instead of attacking both intruders, the Shaman aimed so that the man would take the brunt of his attack, leaving the woman scarred but intact.

’Someone like her deserves to serve me for the rest of her life,’ the Shaman thought, licking his lips.

The Shaman, with his twisted grin, raised the staff high above his head. A moment later, a powerful blast erupted from the tip of his staff.

The blast tore through the air with a deafening roar. It raced towards the intruders and struck the ground with a resounding boom, sending shockwaves rippling through the settlement.

The blast struck with devastating force, engulfing the settlement in a blinding flash of light. Houses crumbled, trees splintered, and the earth gave away.

It was the Shaman’s ultimate magic. Something the goblin lord had bestowed upon him. The Shaman rarely used the spell, but when he did, it always ended in his victory.

But as the dust began to settle and the smoke cleared, the goblins’ cheers turned to gasps of disbelief. Standing amidst the wreckage were the intruders, unharmed and seemingly untouched by the Shaman’s powerful blast.

But that wasn’t all. Beside them was another woman, her expression calm as she raised a barrier around them, protecting them from the Shaman’s devastating magic.

The Shaman’s grin faltered, replaced by a look of disbelief and rage. How could this be? His most powerful spell, his greatest weapon, had been rendered useless against these humans.

Angered by the unexpected outcome, the Shaman raised his staff again, his hands trembling with fury. But before he could unleash another attack, Adrian’s whip wrapped around his neck and pulled him inside the crater.

The Shaman fell into the crater as Adrian leapt above. Before the goblins knew what was happening, Adrian’s blade struck true, severing both of the Shaman’s arms, rendering him incapable of using his magic anymore.

Adrian grabbed the Shaman by the neck before slamming him down with brutal force. Not enough to kill him, but enough to let the Shaman know Adrian wasn’t playing around.

"The Goblin Lord, where is he?"