My Isekai World’s NETORI Harem

Chapter -20.

"It's nothing much, but your axe technique was really great," Lucien said, waving his hand. "It looked like you were slicing vegetables while killing those monsters."

Gilbert, hearing the praise, laughed out loud. Waving his axe once again, he said, "Thanks for the compliment, but it's been quite some time since I started using this axe. You could say I've come to wield it like a knife while taking down those goblins." Although it wasn't his forte, Lucien had left a deep impression on him during the battle, so he spoke in a manner that might suit someone like Lucien.

"Mister Lucien, you were really good out there," the young boy who had been saved by Lucien earlier approached him once again. His clothes were torn in several places; however, thankfully, there were no visible wounds on his body.

"Thank you. Anyway, how is everyone back there? Did anyone get hurt badly?" Lucien asked, eager to get to the important topic. At this point, he felt they should rush to the goblin camp with whatever energy they had left, as their victory had lifted their spirits.

"Though a few have been wounded by those goblins, none of the injuries look serious, and they can move as soon as possible," the young boy replied with a determined expression, showing the short sword in his hand, which was stained with goblin blood, reflecting his brave personality.

Noticing the brave front the boy was putting on, Lucien affectionately tousled his hair and then turned to Gilbert, saying, "I believe we should press on; what do you think?"

"I agree; the sooner we strike the goblin camp, the better our chances for success," Gilbert replied, adjusting the axe slung across his back. He then called out to the weary villagers huddled on the ground, "Alright everyone, let's head to the goblin camp."

Prompted by Gilbert's commanding voice, the villagers, who had intended to rest, sprang to their feet, momentarily forgetting their exhaustion and injuries as the urge to eliminate the goblin camp ignited within them once again.

Guided by Gilbert, who had surveyed the goblin camp, the group moved as one, weaving through the towering trees that hid them while remaining wary of potential ambushes. This time, however, nothing occurred, and soon they heard the distant sounds of clanking weapons and the howls of the creatures.

As they neared the camp, a nauseating stench of roasting flesh assaulted their senses, causing everyone to cover their noses in revulsion.

"Those bastards... Are they eating their own kind or what?" one villager murmured, struggling to hold back the urge to vomit, mindful that it might attract the attention of the camp.

The sight of the crude tents and bonfires in the camp filled the group with disgust and rage. The villagers' expressions hardened with determination, as they recognized that the time for their vengeance had finally arrived.

"Do you have any plans? There might be stronger goblins here," Lucien said, looking toward Gilbert, who appeared ready to dart forward and eliminate all the remaining goblins in the tent by himself.

Hearing Lucien's voice, Gilbert snapped out of his rage-fueled reverie and looked at him with eyes full of respect. "No, I was just planning to push forward. What about you?" he asked, eager to hear whatever Lucien had to say or offer.

Lucien's gaze lingered on Gilbert and then shifted to the villagers, who looked a bit exhausted. "Though it's not entirely a plan, I was thinking that instead of us mindlessly attacking the tent, how about we let them come out first? Then we can ambush them."

A sudden smile appeared on Gilbert's face as he liked the idea, but a question quickly formed in his mind, which he shot toward Lucien without hesitation. "I like the plan, but how are we going to make them come out? If you're suggesting that we make them aware of our presence to lure them out, then I don't think that's a wise idea."

"I know that," Lucien replied. "But what if we set those tents on fire? Wouldn't that make them scurry out like rats?" He suggested this despite knowing he wouldn't have proposed such an idea if there hadn't been any signs of fire nearby and considering the condition of his comrades. However, taking all of that into account, Lucien felt this was a great idea.

"Setting the tents on fire, huh?" Gilbert mumbled, then fell into thought for a few seconds before giving Lucien a thumbs up and saying, "I like it. Let's set those bastards' tents on fire; who knows, we might burn a few of them in the process. But who's going to do the deed? To have access to the fire, one of us will have to make their way to those bonfires."

The young boy, who had been quietly listening to Lucien and Gilbert's ongoing conversation, saw an opportunity for himself and suddenly said, "I'll do it."

The sudden voice of the boy startled Lucien, but Gilbert, looking at the boy, said, "It's too dangerous, Adam. What would I say to your sister if something were to happen to you?"

"Don't worry. I have a small presence, and either way, it's almost evening. The darkness will make it more advantageous for me," Adam said with resolution, looking as if he was not ready to back down.

"What do you think?" Gilbert asked. Seeing the resolution in Adam's eyes, he fell into a dilemma and decided to ask Lucien's opinion. Lucien replied without hesitation, "We should let him do it if he really wants to; he has the right to take revenge on those goblins."

Gilbert was taken aback by Lucien's response and looked as if he was still not ready to accept such danger in Adam's hands. However, before he could say anything, Adam, utilizing his small stature, had already vanished from sight. This startled Gilbert, who almost shouted, "Where did this punk go?" He calmed down when Lucien pointed in the direction of Adam, who was making his way toward the bonfire as sneakily as possible.

***

[Thank you Daniel Avila for pledge]

Want to read more of this novel, and support me :- Patreon.com/Emptythoughts [I've uploaded few 🔥 character portrait there, you can check them out]