After all the preparations were complete, the four goblins along with several warriors bid farewell to the village. The journey to the land of the elves took quite some time, about two days to reach it. And that's not including the journey to their kingdom which is even deeper and might take another day. Especially because of the 'Blessing' day. There will be so many people there.
However, as a race intervening to help them, the elves provided them with another entrance, a secret entrance known only to a few races. One of the reasons the village head asked for help from the elves. Because that path, is completely unknown to humans and can only be accessed using a light blue gemstone with a magic seal engraved on its surface.
"Guard this key well, Glok. Don't let anyone else but you use it, including your friends. That's the elves' request and I asks you to keep their trust well," said the village head while handing the gemstone to Glok and clasping his child's hand tightly.
However, as a father, he would certainly worry about his child, even though they are already adults. There's only one thing the village head wants, for Glok to return safely.
"Don't worry, father. We'll be fine, it's just a 'blessing'. We'll definitely come back, I promise," he said confidently.
The village head sighed, nodding in agreement. "That's right," he said, looking at his son with a firm yet loving gaze. "We'll wait for you to return, and I promise to prepare 'it'." His teasing made Glok slightly panicked, hoping Teena didn't hear and feel reassured as Teena was also talking to her parents.
Glok's mother approached, handing Glok a meal, something she always did whenever Glok was about to go far. "Don't forget to eat. You always forget when you're too busy, just like your father," she complained, giving a sharp glance at her husband who could only nervously laugh. "Take care of yourself there, don't forget to give our regards to the elders."
Glok nodded. "Of course, mother. As the next village leader, I wouldn't tarnish my parents' reputation, would I?" he replied, smiling widely.
"You, can't you just say yes?" his mother complained once again with the same smile.
Not far from there, on the cart, Ailord didn't understand what they were saying. However, he knew they were bidding farewell, and hearing their loving tones made his heart ache, especially after the strange dream that felt so vivid for some reason.
It had been so long since he last saw his mother. If only he could turn back time, he would do it, even if it cost him his life. There was still so much he wanted to say, to do, to tell her.
Luckily, he was under the pile of provisions; otherwise, someone might have seen his tears flowing down.
It didn't take long before they were out of the goblin territory, using two legged green lizards for towing each carts and arrived at a vast grassland with a single road running through the middle. Behind them was the forest they came from, while to the left stood towering mountains, their peaks blanketed in white. The domain of cold-dwelling races. Then, on the right, was a descent that only about an hour's walk away, you'd find a beach. The continent's end.
Glok had longed to go there, to visit and relax on the beach as he often heard from academy students' stories. It seemed that humans often did it for fun, to calm their minds from the chaos one might be experiencing in their life.
Though humans had the least amount of mana, he had to admit, they had the most ways to have fun.
It had been so long since they out from the forest. Being able to feel the fresh breeze under the sunlight, adorned with fluffy clouds as soft as cotton and the beautiful chirping of birds, made not only Glok's heart, but all of them feel warm. It was as if every burden of life had been lifted temporarily. It had been so long since they felt this free, able to breathe as one would truly live. Not just opening their eyes to fulfill a mission or task in search of the meaning of life.
One thing Glok's father often said was, "Never forget to enjoy life because only then do you truly understand the meaning of life."
"Are you quoting your own father, Glok?" Teena teased, accidentally overhearing.
Glok was startled, embarrassed for not realizing he had muttered loud enough. "Uhh.. I was just recalling my father's words."
Teena chuckled. "It's okay. I like it too. Don't forget to enjoy life... Without it, I might still be someone who's constantly chasing magic."
'Ah, that's right. She was once so obsessed with magic that she forgot to eat and sleep, ending up sick. Teena at that time was more like a crazy witch that I was even afraid to approach. Fortunately, it didn't last too long,' Glok thought, recalling the image of Teena who was completely a mess in the first year of academy. He still wondered how the beautiful goblin turned into a swamp dweller in an instant.
"Don't remember that version of me!" Teena exclaimed, pulling down Glok's ear in annoyance. She felt truly embarrassed to be reminded of a version of herself she didn't want to acknowledge. "I know you're imagining it. You always make that face."
"Aaa... Ouch!" Glok yelled, quickly rubbing his ear once it was released. "Anyway, that was you. I can't just forget about it like that," Glok replied, flustered, instantly realizing what he said with a red face.
"Y-you... Really mean that?" Teena asked, looking at Glok with hope in her eyes.
Seeing her like that, especially since Teena rarely acted this cute, Glok gazed at her, holding her cheeks that he had pinched so many times before, and said, "Of course. No matter who you are, as long as it's you, Teena, I will always like and love you."
Teena couldn't utter a word, only able to remain silent with her heart beating so fast until Rako cleared his throat several times, startling both of them, finally realizing they had become a spectacle for others.
"I apologize for interrupting your moment, but if you plan on doing that, it's better to be behind the lines rather than at the forefront," he said with a wide grin.
Glok quickly withdrew his hand, clearing his throat several times, calling out, "Onward!"
Knowing their leader was trying to contain his embarrassment, the warriors simply walked on without saying anything. However, they tried hard to hold back their smiles because it's been so long of watching the two lovebirds not express their feelings for each other. So many moments had passed, moments that should have been when they both became a couple. But they were so oblivious even though the knights had intervened several times.
Unnoticed, the sun began to set. The sky, once a beautiful blue, was now replaced by shades of orange, prompting them to pause for a moment to admire how beautiful the sky was now.
Therefore, Glok decided to rest and continue the journey the next day. Although this area was still safe, no one knew what would happen at night. It could be that some bandits were waiting to ambush or some monsters were prowling outside the forest. Moreover, in the last few days, monsters began to appear on the road for mysterious reasons. No one knew why since this had never happened before.
"Could it be because of the lizards in the inner forest?" asked one of the knights who was setting up the tent.
"Perhaps. There are only a few monsters besides them roaming in the inner forest. It's possible that they are starting to expand their hunting grounds, and other monsters are becoming wary, deciding to seek new places to avoid them," explained another knight who was assisting him.
"Weird. No one has ever heard of those lizards, and they suddenly appear. Then, the monsters start roaming outside the forest. Isn't that a little too strange to be called a coincidence?"
He tied the rope to the wooden peg and drove it into the ground. "Whatever it is, we just need to ensure the young master arrives safely. Besides, the roaming monsters are only Blue Core level monsters that can even be defeated by academy students. So, we should be safe until we reach the elf kingdom," he sighed deeply, finishing his task and stretching his body.
"You're right, and look at them," They both looked towards the young master and Teena sitting near the campfire, chatting and laughing together. "Last time, they didn't sit so close. But now, Miss Teena even rests her head on the young master's shoulder. Our efforts have paid off!" he exclaimed happily.
The goblin smiled. "After years of our efforts... Indeed, endeavors will come to fruition."