The goblin encampment was a rudimentary settlement, constructed of branches and leaves on a flat ground beneath a cliff. Bonfires crackled between the huts, heating large pots filled with captured prey. After gorging themselves, the goblins would fall asleep, only to be roused by hunger, forcing them to hunt again. Laziness or custom prevented them from hoarding food.
An old goblin guarded the bonfire. If it were to go out, younger goblins would beat or even kill the elder, cooking their body for food. For the captured children, it was a living hell.
As a little girl was dragged towards the pot, the boy's eyes widened in horror as he struggled futilely. Just then, a twig snapped outside. Two goblins dropped the girl and approached the noise, armed with a kitchen knife. Suddenly, the goblin holding the knife was lifted by an unseen force and flew into the air, the knife clattering to the ground.
The remaining goblins stood petrified, looking up at the twinkling stars. Their companion had vanished. Aflra, using the vine noose to create the illusion of the goblin's disappearance, coldly removed the dead goblin from the noose and tossed the body into the pot. Boiling water splashed and scalded several goblins, extinguishing the fire.
Darkness descended, plunging the goblins into chaos. Despite their rudimentary civilization, they feared the dark. Amidst their fear, Aflra swiftly took action, capturing and eliminating more goblins with a lasso. Each success intensified their panic.
Not far away, Phoebe and Kelly watched the scene with compassion. Aflra continued her assault, using stones to extinguish the bonfires, causing even more chaos. The goblins eventually calmed down and relit the bonfires, only to collapse again due to new terrifying events.
Most of the goblins eventually fell into a deep sleep, even the guards hypnotized by the snoring. Aflra seized the opportunity to clean up the scene and rescue the children. Phoebe and Kelly, each carrying an unconscious child, followed Aflra as they quietly left the terrifying place.
While Aflra was intimidating the goblins, a pale girl faced a golden-furred lion on White Fang Mountain. Her retreat was blocked by a pack of wolves and a witch. The lion's every movement exuded an aura of royalty. It leaped down from its throne, circling the girl, who was frightened into a sitting position by its aggressive gaze.
Suddenly, the lion spoke, "Aigesa, my niece, I didn't expect you've grown so much."
Aigesa's eyes widened in disbelief, "Who are you?"
The lion grinned, albeit comically, its expression filled with terror for Aigesa. "I am Alex, your uncle."
"But aren't you already dead?" Aigesa exclaimed.
The witch behind her scolded harshly, but the lion silenced her, turning to Aigesa and saying, "Look at me now, what difference is there from being dead? The Garcia family does not allow such a monster to exist."
He explained why the family could build a castle on the dangerous White Fang Mountain, revealing that he needed the heart of a sixteen-year-old virgin to regain human form. To achieve this, he had manipulated a series of events, including making his brother the head of the family and arranging for him to marry the daughter of the Duke of Thornbird, who bore Aigesa.
Aigesa trembled, her lips pale. Alex ordered his subordinates to take good care of her until the full moon night. The witch approached Alex intimately, while the shadow wolves gossiped on the side.
Meanwhile, in the central castle of Angeles, servants were busy dealing with green blood and cleaning the wounds of Earl Berens. After the doctors failed to treat him, Earl Berens summoned family members, loyal vassals, and outstanding young people from the city, announcing that whoever could save his daughter could marry her and inherit everything.
The news spread, and noble children, knights, blacksmiths' sons, and even adventurers prepared to set out for the rescue. The entire city was abuzz with excitement, everyone eager to seize this opportunity.
On the other side, Alison woke up from a nightmare, finding himself in an unfamiliar environment. When he realized he was using a spotted tiger as a pillow, his heart almost stopped. Fortunately, the tiger seemed harmless, lazily yawning. However, when a spotted leopard with blood in its mouth appeared beside him, he was scared again. Phoebe, satisfied with Alison's reaction, kicked Kelly awake, signaling it was time for breakfast.
Phoebe was an excellent hunter but struggled to keep the prey alone. Since meeting Aflra and having Kelly as a companion, this situation had changed. Although he had to hand over most of the prey to Aflra as a protection fee, he no longer went hungry.
Kelly lazily got up and followed Phoebe out for breakfast. Aflra had certain standards for cleanliness, and any mess in the cave would have disastrous consequences.
Alison wiped the sweat from his forehead and stood up to look around. The cave had been modified, with a flat ground and several chiseled-out holes resembling rooms. His bed was made of layers of animal skins, very soft.
Alison felt confused but at least safe for now. He began to worry about the safety of his sister, Aurora. He remembered his mother's deathbed words for him to protect his sister, but he did not dare to act rashly now, fearing to anger the two big cats.