Chapter 66: The Goblin of My Dreams

"Look what we have here," the tall goblin said. "A bunch of miserable green goblins wandering into our territory."

Talia stepped forward, tightening her grip on Orgrun’s staff.

"We’re not here to cause trouble. We’re looking for an audience with your chief."

The tall goblin let out a mocking laugh.

"An audience? You arrive at our borders with a crowd of beggars, carrying weapons and dragging your wounded along, and you expect us to welcome you?"

"We’re not asking you to welcome us. We’re asking you to take us to your chief."

"And why should I do that?"

"Because I have something to discuss with her."

He looked her over, his gaze briefly settling on the staff in her hand.

A crooked smile appeared on his face.

"Orgrun’s daughter, is that right? I heard your chief finally kicked the bucket. I suppose you’ve decided to come crawling to us now that you no longer have anyone to protect you."

Several goblins behind me shifted uncomfortably.

Gunther stepped forward, his expression darkening.

"Watch your mouth."

The tall goblin turned toward him.

"What was that?"

"I said watch your mouth."

A few of the red-skinned goblins raised their weapons, and the archers adjusted their aim.

The goblins behind us responded by gripping their own weapons.

Considering how exhausted and injured most of them were, starting a fight here would be a terrible idea.

Talia raised her hand, stopping Gunther before he could take another step.

"Don’t waste your breath on him," she said, looking directly at the tall goblin. "I came here to speak with your chief, not to entertain one of her guards."

The goblin’s smile disappeared.

"You’re standing in our territory, green skin. You don’t get to tell us what to do."

"And you don’t get to decide who deserves an audience with your chief."

His expression twisted with anger. He took a step toward her, his hand moving toward the weapon strapped to his back.

I was beginning to wonder whether Talia would have to knock some sense into him before we could proceed.

The difference in numbers was already against us, and provoking the entire group wasn’t going to improve our situation.

Fortunately, someone else decided to intervene.

"That’s enough."

The voice came from behind the red-skinned goblins.

It was a woman’s voice, smooth and distinctly feminine, with a low, sultry quality that carried easily through the clearing.

The goblins surrounding us immediately moved aside, creating a path for someone approaching from the trees.

I turned my attention toward the newcomer.

And promptly forgot what I had been thinking.

A female goblin emerged from between two trees, accompanied by several armed guards.

She was taller than Talia, with a slender but well-proportioned figure and long, flowing crimson hair that reached down her back.

Her skin was a rich shade of red, noticeably smoother and brighter than that of the other goblins around her.

Small, dark horns curved backward from her temples, adding to her striking appearance.

She wore a fitted black outfit reinforced with dark leather and metal plates.

The armor covered her shoulders, chest, and waist while leaving her arms largely exposed.

A decorative belt rested around her hips, holding several small pouches and a curved dagger.

Her long legs were protected by fitted leather boots, and a dark cloak hung loosely from her shoulders.

Her face was equally striking.

She had sharp features, a narrow nose, full lips, and a pair of crimson eyes that seemed to examine everything around her with effortless confidence.

There was an almost lazy elegance in the way she walked, as though she had never needed to hurry for anyone.

She was beautiful.

Actually, beautiful didn’t quite describe it.

If someone had asked me to imagine the female goblin of my dreams, I would have struggled to come up with anything better.

Her figure was stunning, and there was something particularly captivating about her voice. Even the way she looked at the people around her carried a certain charm.

I blinked.

Was this real?

Drake chirped against my shoulder, seemingly noticing that I had stopped moving.

I quickly straightened my posture.

Get a grip, Sylas. She is the enemy or a potential enemy. You gotta be focused.

I used [Analyze]

[Zarvessa, Goblin Chief, Level 47]

Level 47? That was higher than the dwarf.

The woman stopped beside the tall goblin, who immediately lowered his head.

"Chief."

Chief? So this was the leader of the neighboring clan.

She glanced at him before turning her attention toward Talia.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Well, well. If it isn’t Talia."

Talia’s expression remained guarded. "It’s been a while."

"Indeed. I was beginning to wonder whether you had forgotten about us."

"Believe me, I haven’t."

The female chief gave a soft laugh. "I’m touched."

Her words sounded pleasant, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath them. She seemed to enjoy the discomfort her presence caused, and judging by Talia’s expression, this wasn’t their first unpleasant encounter.

"I wasn’t expecting you to come here with so many people," the chief continued, looking over the group behind us. "What happened? Did your little settlement finally become too small for you?"

Talia tightened her grip on the staff.

"Our settlement was attacked by humans. We lost our chief and several members of our clan. The survivors need somewhere safe to stay."

"How unfortunate."

The chief’s expression barely changed. She looked over the injured goblins, then returned her attention to Talia.

"And you thought of coming here?"

"You’re our neighboring clan. I thought we could discuss the possibility of staying here temporarily."

"How generous of you to assume we have room."

"We can contribute to the clan. We haven’t come here expecting to receive everything for free."

The chief tilted her head.

"Can you? Your people look rather exhausted. I doubt they’ll be much help with anything."

"We can work."

"Of course you can."

Her smile widened slightly, but there was no warmth in it.

I watched the exchange in silence.

The two clearly...