Chapter 401 - 323: Operation Serpent Slay (Part 2)

Chapter 401: Chapter 323: Operation Serpent Slay (Part 2)

Broken Tooth shook his head, cupping the teacup in both hands. A warm sensation instantly spread from his hands up his arms.

"They don’t have a map. They’re probably still navigating the forest using specific landmarks and the markers they made before. It’s normal for them not to be back so quickly." Shire looked up at the wooden map on the opposite wall. He knew this was Broken Tooth’s second trip to the Goblin Kingdom, and he was clearly more experienced now. "How many goblins are still there?"

"A lot," Broken Tooth said after thinking for a few seconds. He then looked down and started counting on his fingers. After running out of fingers on both hands, he looked up and said seriously, "A lot."

"Compared to the goblins we captured this time?" Shire tried asking.

"This time?" Broken Tooth frowned, thinking hard for a long time before looking at Shire with certainty. "A lot."

"Alright, I get it." Shire let out a soft breath. He had already decided that after this mission’s objectives were complete, he absolutely had to teach Broken Tooth Common Speech and how to count.

"Get some rest. I’ll have them go with you to the Feathered Serpent Kingdom tomorrow." He poured himself a cup of tea as well, taking a sip to ward off the winter chill.

Shire didn’t plan to lead the team personally this time. He was afraid that if he got too close to the Goblin Kingdom, the Feathered Serpent Evil God might sense him. If it took the initiative to attack him, the loss would far outweigh the gain.

Besides, he was just sending people to set up a Teleportation Gate to make it easier to launch a direct attack next time.

The goblins weren’t much of a threat to Shire. The real one to watch out for was the Feathered Serpent Evil God. However, in a little while, the coldest time of the year would arrive.

It had been almost two months since winter began. Once the coldest few days arrived, the Feathered Serpent God would definitely be greatly affected. Many members of the Serpent Race hibernate in winter. Shire couldn’t guarantee that the Feathered Serpent would hibernate too, but these mutated creatures generally retained the habits of their original animal counterparts.

He recalled a saying he had heard before: "For half the year, snakes eat rats; for the other half, rats eat snakes." In winter, some hibernating snakes become food for rats. This gave Shire a bit more confidence.

"Once it’s dead asleep, I’ll strike while it’s vulnerable," Shire said confidently, punching his palm.

Even if this operation failed, he would find a way to retreat immediately. Once the Feathered Serpent Evil God’s hibernation was disturbed, it would surely enter a state of low Energy if it tried to fall back asleep, putting it in an even more dangerous position.

"So at the very least, I can heavily wound the Feathered Serpent Evil God this time." Shire smiled confidently. At the same time, his gaze fell on the corner of the table, where a wooden-framed mirror nearly half a meter long was placed. This was the secret weapon Shire had prepared for this "Operation Serpent Slayer."

He slowly walked to the mirror, lowered his head to compose himself, and then practiced a few expressions in front of it. When everything was finally ready, he turned to the full-length dressing mirror in the stone house and spoke with great emotion, "O great Forest God, in a few days, I will lead my men deep into that mysterious Goblin Kingdom. Many goblins live there. I do not know how many years they have been breeding, but to have survived in the Nightmare Forest for this long, they must possess some unknown means."

Here, Shire paused. He stared quietly into the mirror as if waiting for something. A minute passed, but there was no reaction from the Domain map in his consciousness. He had no choice but to add more fuel to the fire. "I will seek out that sacred eye for the Forest God, but I have heard that a powerful Feathered Serpent resides there. I do not know if I can defeat it. I implore the great Forest God to help me and save my people."

After speaking, he continued to wait quietly. But this time, several more minutes passed with still no reaction on the Domain map. Shire studied his own reflection in the mirror, then turned his back and cursed silently, ’Lazy bastard. Some Lust. Should be called Sloth, if you ask me.’

His performance had failed to draw out the Demon Lord Lust, which annoyed him. But there was still time. He planned to try this several times a day for the next few days; he was sure Lust would eventually show up.

The Demon Lord was Shire’s last resort. If the Feathered Serpent Evil God truly didn’t go into hibernation, his only option was to sweet-talk Lust into leading the charge.

At this thought, Shire, with his back to the mirror, stretched. "Forget it. I’ll go see how Agatha’s preparations are coming along."

With that, he turned and walked out of the stone house.

Nearly ten minutes later, a figure flashed into existence within the mirror in the stone house. Perhaps because no one was standing in front of it, the figure appeared to be made of black mist, its features completely indistinguishable.

"Strange. Did someone just summon me?" the black mist in the mirror murmured. "Who was it?"

It scanned the furnishings of the stone house, then reached up to scratch its scalp. "Where did this one come from? I’ve signed contracts with so many humans, I can’t quite remember."

"Oh well. They’re not even in front of the mirror. It probably isn’t anything important. I’ll just go find someone else." With that, the dark figure flickered and vanished from the mirror.

Just a few minutes after the dark figure disappeared, Shire ran back into the stone house, panting. "Lu— ah, no, Forest God, don’t go! I’m back!"

The moment he had reached Agatha, he sensed Lust’s mark appear on the Domain map. He’d had to sprint back, afraid Lust would leave immediately upon finding no one there. Unfortunately, despite his haste, he still missed Lust’s Clone.

"Damn it all! How can a Demon Lord like you be just like Pazani? Are you that busy punching a time clock?" Shire cursed irritably. "Summoning a Demon Lord really is a pain. I’ll just have to try again later."

As long as he could successfully meet with Lust in the next few days and reinforce the plan he’d mentioned about exploring the Goblin Kingdom, he was confident the Demon Lord would keep it in mind. With Lust’s participation, the operation would be ninety percent successful.

* * *

「Plantagenet City」 In a quaint-looking, two-story building, Elma sat at the desk in her bedroom, examining the object in her hand.

It was a blue sphere, about the size of a human eyeball. Or rather, it *was* an eyeball.

The eyeball had completely crystallized, its surface a brilliant sky blue. It was even more dazzling and captivating under the flickering candlelight.

’I’ve only just become a Magic Consultant, and I’m already getting a house and jewels,’ Elma let out a soft breath, placing the "Gemstone" in her hand into a small, gold-inlaid box on her desk. ’As expected of a Prince of the Fran Kingdom. To give away such a precious ’Eye of the Sky’ just like that.’

The "Eye of the Sky" was actually made from the eyes of Cave Goblins. But because of its brilliance, Cave Goblins could no longer be found on the continent, which in turn caused the price of the ’Eye of the Sky’ to rise even further.

’That ’White Shell’ lady and I each received one,’ Elma thought, holding the gold-inlaid box, her fingers unconsciously stroking its surface. ’That person seems so mysterious. They say she’s the disciple of a Great Mage, but I’ve never heard of her before.’

"Never heard of what?" A languid voice drifted from the mirror beside her. Elma’s eyes shot wide open. With a RUSTLE, she shot up and moved to the mirror.

"Elma, how is my commission coming along?" In the mirror, Lust had taken on Elma’s appearance—or rather, the appearance of her sister, Agatha. "I’m very eager to hear about your progress."

"Master, I have approached the Second Prince as you instructed, but," Elma hesitated for a moment before saying, "I haven’t found any suspicious individuals. Could Pride really be with the Second Prince?"

"Are you questioning me?" The "Agatha" in the mirror gave a charming smile.

"No, not at all," Elma immediately corrected herself. Then, as if remembering something, she added, "However, I did meet a mysterious Mage. I wonder if she could be the person you’re looking for."

"Since you have a lead, then follow it. Don’t be lazy and sluggish like a goblin," Lust said softly, shaking her head bewitchingly.

"Yes, Master." Elma quickly lowered her head.

But when she lifted her head again, the figure in the mirror was no longer moving on its own.

"Master?" she asked tentatively, but there was no response from the mirror. "Are you gone?"

Elma slumped like a deflated ball. Thinking of "Agatha’s" bewitching smile from before, an expression of resentment crossed her face. She raised her hand, preparing to throw the gold-inlaid box she was clutching.

But the thought of the priceless "Eye of the Sky" inside made her slowly lower her hand and give up the idea.

"Fine. I’ll start my investigation with you, Miss ’White Shell’."