Chapter 111 - 110: Still Standing

Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Still Standing A few days after their return, the village lit up with life. Gone was the somber hush of mourning. In its place rose laughter, the scent of roasted meat, and the rhythmic beat of drums crafted from stretched hide and bone. Campfires burned bright, their golden light dancing across the clearing and casting shadows on smiling faces. Goblins, kobolds, and humans, once strangers, now sat shoulder to shoulder, sharing drink, meat, and stories. The celebration was both a welcome feast and a declaration: We are still alive. We are stronger now. Krivex’s party had returned not just intact, but transformed, bringing new warriors, and new hope. Lumberling stood at the edge of the largest firepit, arms crossed as he quietly observed. Smoke curled skyward in thin trails, and a faint breeze carried the mingled scents of meat and pine sap. For once, he allowed himself to smile. This unity, however brief, was real. "Oi, boss!" Gobo1 stumbled over with a mug of something suspiciously frothy. His armor was askew, one tusk chipped, and his grin idiotically wide. "You see that? They’re eatin’ my lamb roast! Mine!" Gobo2, not far behind, waved a stick with a half-charred fish skewered on it. "I told ’em it was Gobo-style cuisine. Didn’t tell ’em I fished it outta the slime pond!" The two cackled, drawing laughter from those nearby. Even Krivex chuckled from his place by the fire, his scarred arm slung over Trask’s massive shoulder. "Someone’s gotta teach those two what a bath is," Celine murmured with amusement, cradling baby Evelyn on her lap. She sat beside Uncle Drake, whose hand rested on her back protectively. Jen tugged at her sleeve and whispered something, nodding toward Sylra. Sylra stood at the edge of the gathering, alone. The firelight flickered over her face, casting one eye in shadow, the other dull and unfocused. Her arms were crossed, but there was no tension, only distance. With gentle insistence, Jen and Celine pulled her toward the warmth. She didn’t resist, just walked slowly, as if unsure she still belonged among them. The moment Evelyn laughed, a sudden, bright giggle that silenced half the campfire, Sylra blinked. Her eyes shifted, not to the baby, but through her. And then, just for a breath, something flickered in her gaze. Softness. Longing. It was gone just as quickly. But Lumberling saw it. Around the fire, the chain of command was felt more than spoken. The evolved radiated power, subtle to some, but unmistakable to those who had trained for it. All captains now stood at the mid–Knight Apprentice level, save for Vakk, who remained at the early stage, though his endurance had clearly improved. Among the vice-captains, Gorrak alone had reached the peak Knight Page level, his thick arms crossed proudly as he gnawed on a smoked leg of meat. The others followed closely at the mid-level, no longer green, no longer uncertain. Krivex gestured toward the line of evolved warriors seated proudly: Zephar, Thom, Thurgan, Kelgroth, each bearing fresh scars and deeper eyes. "They fought off a rock-scaled bear," Krivex recounted, voice low but resonant. "And Zephar nearly lost his damn tail." "Did not!" Zephar barked. "You rolled into a bush screaming," Thom muttered. The campfire erupted in laughter again. From across the flames, Shen of the hunter squad leaned in. "You think that’s bad? We got chased by a pack of those half-ape things. Six arms. Teeth like daggers." "No, no," said Zuna, "eight arms. And one of them threw poop." "Truly terrifying," Gobo1 muttered, pretending to write it down. "Add that to the monster compendium. Kobold Throwpoopus." Even Lumberling chuckled at that one. Trask, one of the last-standing Duskpire mercenaries, spoke next. "Humans are weird, you know. We passed through some ruins, and these human farmers were arguing with scarecrows." "What?" Gobo2 blinked. "No lie," Trask smirked. "Apparently the scarecrows were cursed. They wanted us to fight them." "Did you?" asked Jen. "We roasted their field and moved on," Trask said, laughing. "Let ’em deal with haunted straw." As the night deepened, eyes turned toward the wolves. Lunira lay curled protectively near Evelyn and Celine. She raised her head as laughter peaked, tail swaying. Six dire wolves now, with Lunira evolved into a Bloodfang, her presence commanding but serene. And Skarn’s boar, now a Dire Tuskwrought, snorted from the shadows, its silver-tipped tusks glinting like drawn blades. ..... Elite Squad: Former Duskpire Mercenaries (54 Total) Trask – Kobold Berserker, (Mid–Knight Page Level) Newly Evolved: All at the Early–Knight Page Level Zephar – Kobold Berserker Thom – Kobold Berserker Thurgan – Hobgoblin Warrior Kelgroth – Hobgoblin Warrior Those Who Evolved During Forest Training Archer Units (52 Total) Early–Knight Page Levels: Ragza – Hobgoblin Warrior Ruk – Kobold Berserker Hunter Units (117 Total) Early–Knight Page Levels: Kren – Hobgoblin Warrior Zuna – Hobgoblin Warrior Shen – Kobold Berserker Militia Units (53 Total): Zel – Kobold Berserker (Early–Knight Page Level) Boar Cavalry Units (93 Total): Early–Knight Page Levels: Tor – Kobold Berserker Rud – Kobold Berserker Nari – Hobgoblin Warrior Jekka – Hobgoblin Warrior Guard Units: 26 Guards Scout Units: 25 Scouts New Recruits: 25 members Krivex’s team had returned stronger than when they left. In addition to the original seven elites, they brought back: 38 evolved hobgoblins 57 elite kobolds Even the beasts that carried them had changed. Skarn’s Boar - A Dire Tuskwrought, the second evolution of a common boar. (Knight Page level) Ironback Boars – 22 boars had evolved into this first-tier form. Wolves (26 Total): Lunira – A Bloodfang, leading the pack. (Mid-Knight Page Level) And the original four dire wolves had grown to six. Strength. Growth. Hope. But Lumberling’s gaze strayed once more to Sylra. She sat now beside Celine, not speaking, not smiling. But she was there. And sometimes... presence was the first step to healing. .... Weeks passed. The village settled into its new rhythm, morning patrols, mid-day drills, evening construction. Even the nights, once filled with anxious whispers and distant howls, had grown quieter. Lumberling sat cross-legged on a broad, sun-warmed stone just outside his quarters. The early morning mist still clung to the treetops like stubborn ghosts. His eyes were closed, and his breathing calm, almost imperceptible. Between his fingertips, a strand of Qi spiraled, thin, delicate, and glimmering faintly in the pale light. He studied its motion in his mind’s eye, trying to understand its rhythm, its source. He opened his eyes. Beyond the palisade, figures moved with quiet urgency. Goblins and kobolds alike were strapping on armor, packing supplies, checking weapons. The hunter squads, archers, militia, even the boar cavalry, assembled and preparing for departure. Krivex approached with his usual sharp posture. "Heading back to the second base already?" Lumberling asked without rising. "You don’t want to rest a few more weeks?" Krivex offered a tired smile. "We’d like to stay, believe me. But if we don’t return soon, the place we built might fall apart. The captains are restless. The Earl’s threat still looms... and they’re eager to test themselves against True Knights." Lumberling gave a slow nod. "You could let Skitz go in your place, you know." Krivex’s expression shifted subtly, relief behind the smirk. "Actually... that would be for the best, my Lord." Lumberling’s eyes narrowed. "Something happened?" Krivex exhaled slowly, the memory clearly unpleasant. "During our last rotation, we encountered a Dreadmaw. A grotesquely oversized crocodile... easily the size of a house. Its strength was comparable to a Quasi-Knight. It kept harassing the second base, attacking our outer watchposts. We had to call for Skarn’s help just to drive it off." Lumberling frowned. "So that’s why your group didn’t return in time for the Earl’s attack?" Krivex nodded. "Exactly. And I don’t think it’s dead. We wounded it, made it retreat, but if it returns while we’re gone, the base might not hold. That’s why I’d rather stay here and let Skitz lead the return trip." "Very well," Lumberling said. "Have Skitz lead this time, and send the elite squads with him, no use keeping them idle here when there’s no threat." Krivex gave a quick bow, then paused. "You sure you don’t want to come see the new base yourself?" Lumberling shook his head. "Tempting, but I’m working on something." Krivex chuckled, then turned to leave. "Oh, and Krivex," Lumberling called out. "You’ll be handling Skitz’s duties here while he’s gone. Village management, logistics, training reports. You know, paperwork." Krivex stared for a beat, then sighed in resignation. "Of course. I knew that offer was too generous." Lumberling gave him a mock salute as he stood and stretched. "Welcome back to headquarters." While Skitz and the captains prepared to depart for the second base, Lumberling returned under the tree and resumed his meditation. There was something he wanted to test, something beyond brute force and polished technique. The Qi thread still lingered between his fingers, waiting. ..... Earl Cedric Ravenshade’s Estate - Study Hall Rain drummed softly against the stained glass windows, casting fractured light across the dim study. The fire crackled in the hearth, but even its warmth could not thaw the cold pit in Earl Cedric’s stomach. He stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, staring at the muddy road winding into the distant hills, still no riders. "Three weeks," he muttered. "Not a single word. Not even a corpse returned." A soft knock broke his brooding. "Enter," he said, voice clipped. Henry stepped in, a tall man clad in black and silver, his armor polished despite the wear of war. He bowed lightly. "My Lord," Henry said, hesitating, "should I look for them? Perhaps send a scouting party?" Earl Cedric turned sharply, face pale with strain. "No," he said. "I can’t lose you too." Henry lowered his gaze but didn’t move. Cedric resumed pacing. The carpet was worn thin where he walked, his path as obsessive as his thoughts. ’They should have returned by now. All of them... dead? Impossible.’ His lips tightened. ’They were my best.’ ’Did they run into the Sengolio army?’ Cedric frowned, unwilling to believe that the Duskpire Legion could have fallen them. ’No... impossible.’ And yet, the silence dragged on. No reports. No survivors. Not even a whisper. He regretted it now, sending all of his Knights, Knights didn’t just grow on trees. They were cultivated with care, decades of training, rivers of coin, rare elixirs and bloodline techniques. Each one was a pillar of power, a declaration of status. And now they were gone. All gone. "And the elf," Cedric growled. "Not a single damn trace." His eye twitched at the memory, glimmering silver hair, pointed ears, ancient eyes brimming with magic. A fortune, gone to waste. ’It was all that damned Baron Velric’s fault. I should never have entrusted the operation to him. And those Duskpire mercenary dogs...’ "I’ll make them pay," Cedric said aloud. Henry glanced up. "Then shall I send men to find her trail, or?" "I said no!" Cedric snapped. "Did you not hear me the first time?" He stormed to the desk and slammed his palm down. "We’re barely holding this territory together as it is. Those fools cost me everything. My Knights, my resources, my leverage. And now you want me to throw more men into the abyss? Do you think I can pluck Knights from the air?" Henry remained silent, jaw clenched. Cedric stared into the fire. Shadows danced along his sharp features. He still had Henry, his last remaining trump card. A Knight two stage. But one man wasn’t an army. And the war had reached their borders. Skirmishes were already reported near the eastern farmlands. The once fertile land of Ravenshade was bleeding, and Cedric knew the nobles were circling like vultures. He had kept them at bay with strength, but now... ’Now I’m a crippled lion in a pit of wolves.’ Henry finally spoke, voice low. "We need a plan, my Lord." Cedric didn’t answer. His thoughts churned. ’That fool... I should’ve handled it myself.’ He turned back toward the window. The rain had stopped. But no riders came. Just silence. "We survive," he muttered. "That is the only plan. We survive, or we die in disgrace." Henry bowed again. "As you command." The door shut behind him, leaving Cedric alone with the firelight and the ghosts of a decision that may have doomed them all.