Soon, Goban arrived with the rest of the hobgoblins, returning from their scouting mission.
"Master, we are near the village," Goban reported, his tone laced with a mixture of excitement and dread. He pointed toward a dense thicket. "It's just beyond those trees, hidden at the base of the hill."
Leon stepped forward, narrowing his eyes as he scanned the horizon. Beyond the thinning treeline, crude wooden structures and a spiked barricade peeked through, with smoke spiraling from their campfires. The goblins inside were faintly visible, some huddling around the fires, others wandering aimlessly under the watchful gaze of Orc sentries.
He rubbed his chin, his mind working. 'An Orc. I've never faced one before. How do you even deal with something that size—head-on or strategically?'
But then he smirked, already forming a plan. A direct assault was too risky. His strength was strategy, not brute force. He looked at Goban, who awaited orders with unwavering loyalty.
"Come here, Goban," Leon gestured, leaning in to whisper as the hobgoblin approached.
Goban's expression hardened, nodding quickly. "Understood, Master. I will carry out your orders."
Leon watched as Goban turned to the rest of the hobgoblins, giving quick commands. Soon, they disappeared into the shadows, heading toward the village.
As Goban and the hobgoblins entered the outskirts of the village, the familiar surroundings stirred memories for many of them. The ramshackle homes, the central bonfire pit, the sounds of goblin younglings laughing faintly—all of it carried a weight of bittersweet nostalgia.
Several hobgoblins hesitated, looking around for faces they hadn't seen in what felt like an eternity.
The other hobgoblins exchanged glances, some emotional, others unsure how to process the sight of their kin again. It had been so long since they were taken from this village, and for a moment, the lines of allegiance blurred.
But before emotions could fully take hold, a deep, booming voice roared from the center of the camp.
"WHO DARES DISTURB MY DOMAIN?"
All eyes turned to the towering figure emerging from the largest structure—a monstrous Orc, his muscular frame glistening in the firelight. He held a massive battleaxe, the edge chipped but deadly, and his crimson eyes swept across the gathering. His face twisted into a snarl upon seeing Goban.
"So, the runts who fled think they're worthy to return," the Orc sneered, stepping forward with ground-shaking footsteps. "What, here to beg for scraps?"
Goban stepped forward, his voice steady. "I've come to challenge you! Leadership of this village—through battle to the death."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd of goblins, their eyes flicking between Goban and the Orc leader.
Orc roared with laughter. "You? A challenge? you somehow evolved dosen't mean you can defeat me I'll break you before you can even draw blood."
Leon crouched in the shadows, lying prone on the crest of the hill. His rifle was braced against his shoulder, the scope aligned with his eye.
He muttered to himself, "Come on, Goban. Hold out. Just a bit longer…"
Down below, the fight began. Goban charged first, his blade a blur as it swung toward the Orc's side. But Groghur moved with surprising speed, deflecting the strike with his axe. The clash of metal echoed across the camp, and the goblins around them cheered and jeered.
Goban fought valiantly, using his smaller size and agility to keep ahead of Groghur's heavy strikes. For a moment, it seemed like he might hold his own. But then Groghur feinted, catching Goban off-balance, and delivered a powerful kick that sent him sprawling.
"Pathetic!" Groghur bellowed, raising his axe high.
Goban struggled to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth. His defiance burned brightly in his eyes, but it was clear—he wouldn't last much longer.
Leon's finger tightened on the trigger as his crosshairs locked onto the Orc's head. "Show's over."
The rifle cracked, its silencer muffling the sound, and a high-caliber round tore through the air.
Down below, Groghur's gloating expression froze. A hole appeared in his forehead, blood and brain matter spurting out as he toppled backward like a falling tree.
For a moment, silence reigned. Then chaos erupted among the goblins.
Leon rose to his feet, slinging his rifle onto his back. "Let's see how the new leader handles this."
Goban staggered to his feet, staring down at the dead Orc. His chest heaved, but he turned to the gathered goblins and raised his bloodied sword.
"I am your leader now!" he roared, his voice echoing with authority.
The goblins hesitated, glancing at each other, but then one by one, they lowered their heads in submission.
From the hill, Leon smirked. "Now the real work begins."