Civilians once again cheered for their knights after the death of two more knights and thought that the rest of the remaining force would also fall into the hands of the monsters.
The fight between Eugeo and the king goblin turned into a sword one, exchanging decisive blows, parrying attacks that can't be avoided, and yet not thinking of backing down, for it may be seen as cowardly at this point in their battle.
Yeah, that was the turning point of the fight. Everyone's expectations were slowly being met by the knights, gradually overpowering the queen and king after the quick recovery of the three injured warriors. All thanks
to the healers, they were back in action.
The civilians' voices rose, loud cheering and gasps would be heard and prayers were sent above, hoping that the fight would soon end.
Little did they know about what was to come next...
"Ahhhhh!"
Eugeo and the rest of the knights were shaken by the deafening scream of a lady upon having her abdomen hit by an arrow. The weapon was
quite different from the one the queen used.
"L-Look! The goblins are trying to climb up the wooden log wall!"
Turmoil once again broke out behind the open gate but some of them remained calm.
"Pick up rocks or whatever object you can throw at them just to prevent the goblins from coming over to this side!"
Noticed the goblins were too late, for the little monsters had already gone over the fence and were on their way to slaughter each and every remaining human.
Xenon grimaced, turning his back at his opponent where his eyes met the teary-eyed gaze of his wife with her hand reaching out to him.
"Xenon!"
And his body twitched from the abrupt yet fleeting pain. His body went stiff and the last thing he saw was his weeping partner who ran off in his direction before Xenon thudded lifeless on the ground with an arrow piercing from the back of his neck to his agape mouth.
Ultimately, the goblins succeeded in driving the humans away from their homes. However, chasing after them was not enough. The goblins' desire to eradicate the people that took their place was greater than taking the mountain back now that it is plunged into the sea of flames.
Xenon's death was the start of the utter fall of the remaining knights. The king and queen triumphed over the prideful knights, thus taking their lives with their own swords.
"I have... fought various types of m-monsters in the past."
Bloodied, tired, and missing an arm, Eugeo eventually lost all his strength and was lying on his back where his own sword was stuck in his abdomen.
The sky opened up for him, revealing the dazzling gleam of the moon.
Whenever he was feeling down, Eugeo would look at the horizon, the blue yonder to have peace of mind. And now, he could not calm himself down with all the frustration and regret he was experiencing at the moment.
"To think that... I would die in the hands of... some mere monsters...!"
And so, Eugeo was left to suffer in misery with his body slowly crumbling and his consciousness gradually fading.
"I can't see... the light that I once saw..."
Invictus was overflowing with elation. His plan was a hundred percent successful and it did not disappoint.
"It might not be fancy enough but I enjoyed the fireworks display."
Earshot rustling noises were heard behind the dark. The faint sound of footsteps gave Invictus how many of the monsters had found their way to the falls.
"Before we go, shall I finish this event with a little bit of a twist?"
Smilingly, Invictus got up off of his seat, carelessly pulling his sleeves up, and left the two ladies baffled.
"Are we expecting someone?" asked Rahel, sipping her last glass of rice wine.
Aeriel also doesn't know who Invictus was talking about, thus shrugging her shoulders.
"Might be some unexpected guests?"
"Watching the fireworks display and how high the fire reached in the sky made me a little bit hot."
With his clothes on, after taking off his shoes, Invictus motioned the monsters hiding in the dark to come out. He might have lost his ability to emit a much intense bloodlust with his magic, but Invictus still has the knack for taunting and intimidating his opponents just by his aura and gaze alone.
Hesitantly, the goblin trio carrying a weapon of their own jumped in the ankle-deep water gushing from the tall falls and splashing all over the flowing
river.
"Hmm... How clever. They are using human bones as shafts for their axe.
And they picked the leg part where the bone is quite sturdy."
The goblins were adapting to civilization and utilizing whatever resources they have to survive in this cruel world. None of them wants to die and perish, not until they have fulfilled their roles, the reason why they were born.
"Krieee!"
The goblins knew who to attack first. Their eyes were fixated on the ladies who they noticed to be anxious upon seeing them.
Aeriel and Rahel were oozing with anxiety and fleeting fear wherein the goblins could sense and identify their prioritized targets.
"Uh-uh, that's a no-go."
In the face of a stronger opponent, where intimidation overwhelms mighty
will, the goblins' intentions of hurting the ladies shifted solely to Invictus. Not because they sensed fear and discomfort but due to their sixth sense telling them not to touch the ladies and must kill Invictus first.
"Good, come here. It should be me you're trying to attack."
Taunted by Invictus' provocative motions, the goblin trio uncoordinated ran through the ankle-deep riverbank, where each step splashes water to both sides.
Uncoordinated as it may seem, every little thing once belittled or looked down on, can be lethal or dangerous to an arrogant or overconfident person.
"One must never underestimate his opponent," a speedy punch flew to
the leading goblin's face, breaking some of that protruding teeth and sending him away. "One must never turn his back on an opponent."
Twisting his body, clenching his fist as tight and hard as a rock, he swung his arm behind him upon noticing the second goblin trying to sneak up from behind.
His fist hit the goblin's neck, which made the monster grunt in pain, also sending the goblin a few meters away.
~