Chapter 68

**"Tornado of Magic"**

"Defensive stance!"

The white light that shot out from the Goblin Mage's palm flew straight toward Baron Oliver, trailing a long tail. The light struck the shield that was braced to receive it, and a whirlwind of white light erupted, centered on the impact point, raging through the campsite of the Lester Viscount's knights. The knights, who had formed a tight defensive formation to counter the threat of the Great Hobgoblin, were mostly caught in the whirlwind. After the light subsided, only Lady Felicia and one knight remained standing. Baron Oliver, who had been the target, was exposed to the full force of the magical impact and could barely kneel on the ground. Three other knights were also on their knees, and many of the other knights and retainers lay groaning on the ground.

"Damn, we won't lose!"

Lady Felicia, along with the one knight who could still move, stood forward, sword in right hand and shield in left, ready for battle. Two Great Hobgoblins charged at them. Standing over two meters tall, they towered a head above her. The green-skinned barbarians, with muscles bulging, wielded sharp, claw-like talons as large as short swords. One of the Great Hobgoblins swiped horizontally with its talons. The other knight parried with his shield, but the Great Hobgoblin was one step ahead. It hooked the edge of the shield with its talons and knocked it away. Lady Felicia was caught in the impact, struggling to keep her footing by spreading her legs and lowering her center of gravity. She managed to time her strike and swung her sword, but it bounced off the Great Hobgoblin's arm.

"Doesn't work?"

This was unthinkable against a regular Hobgoblin. The Great Hobgoblin grinned. The other Great Hobgoblin crouched, spread its arms, and charged at her with its entire body. Lady Felicia was blown back and fell on her buttocks.

"Ha ha ha!"

The Great Hobgoblin laughed, drooling and letting out a triumphant roar. Seeing this, the retainers, who were a short distance away, hastily fired crossbow bolts, but they were deflected by the Great Hobgoblin without any effect.

"Damn it!"

Baron Oliver, who had just managed to regain his footing, thrust his spear at the Great Hobgoblin. The spear pierced the Great Hobgoblin's thigh, though it did not fully penetrate, it was embedded halfway.

"We got it!"

Baron Oliver quickly tried to twist the spear to deepen the wound, but the spear remained stuck, immobile.

"Ha ha ha!"

The Great Hobgoblin let out an indistinguishable cry, a mix of a scream and a roar, and grabbed the spear embedded in its thigh.

"What the—?"

A contest of strength ensued between Baron Oliver and the Great Hobgoblin. However, the Great Hobgoblin seemed to have the upper hand. Unable to withstand the force, Baron Oliver released the spear, and the Great Hobgoblin pulled it out forcefully from its thigh.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The Great Hobgoblin, holding the spear, let out another incomprehensible roar. Dark green blood spurted from its thigh, but the Great Hobgoblin seemed unconcerned, swinging the stolen spear around.

"Regroup. This one is tough, don't let your guard down."

Baron Oliver, holding his sword with both hands, braced himself. The other knights, who had been on their knees, struggled to their feet, forming a circle around the two Great Hobgoblins and readying their weapons. Lady Felicia and the knight who had fallen with her also stood and joined them.

"Ha ha ha!"

The two Great Hobgoblins stood back-to-back, facing the knights. On the back of the Great Hobgoblin without a spear, a red-skinned Goblin Mage could be seen peeking out. As the knights were about to use their combat techniques, the Goblin Mage on the Great Hobgoblin's back fired a magical arrow to deter them. During this time, one of the knights was blown away by the Great Hobgoblin's spear and talon attacks and could no longer move.

"Coordinate your attacks, don't give them an opening. Where is Lord Wald?"

Looking around, the retainers were also engaged in battle with the Goblins climbing the hill, turning the area into a chaotic melee. They should have had the upper hand in terms of strength, but the Goblins were too numerous.

"Stay calm, we are stronger. Just hold on."

Baron Oliver's voice, hoarse from encouraging his men, continued. At that moment, the sound of horse hooves echoed from the bottom of the hill. It was Narish and the others, with Al running alongside the horses at the same speed.

"Lord Narish! Please instruct Lord Wald to send reinforcements—"

Given that he and Lady Felicia were struggling, Baron Oliver did not want to put Narish, the second son of a viscount, in danger. However, seeing the difficult situation, Narish shook his head.

"I am a knight. Such consideration is unnecessary. Besides, we have trained for such enemies. Al, I'm counting on you."

**"Physical Enhancement"** – 50% contact application

Al, who was at Narish's feet, touched his legs. Without prior training, it would have been impossible to control the physical enhancement from another person. For almost a week before the mission, Narish and Al had trained to master this technique. Initially, they struggled to walk and often broke the spear handles while swinging them. Nevertheless, they managed to control the enhancement to about 50% by today, making it combat-ready.

"Let's go!"

The knights surrounding the Great Hobgoblin made room for Narish to charge. Narish's horse neighed.

**"Magic Arrow"**...

Seizing the opportunity, the Goblin Mage aimed a magical arrow at Narish. However, Al, who had the same idea, fired a magical arrow first, striking the Goblin Mage.

**"Charge"** – Damage increase technique

Narish, in harmony with his horse, charged at the Great Hobgoblin, following the magical arrow.

"Ha ha ha!"

The Great Hobgoblin roared, challenging Narish, and swiped at the tip of the spear Narish held from the saddle. However, the spear pierced the Great Hobgoblin's hand, penetrated its palm, and bent its arm, finally piercing its chest.

"Ugh ugh ugh ugh!!!"

The Great Hobgoblin let out a scream. The spear pinned it to the ground.

"Too strong?"

Narish quickly dismounted and drew his sword.

"Lord Narish!"

On either side of him, Baron Oliver and Lady Felicia, despite their injuries, readied their swords. The surviving Great Hobgoblin, showing off its talons, faced them. Behind it, Lord Radyard and Sigmund, who had caught up, also readied their weapons. The Great Hobgoblin pinned to the ground by Narish, and the red-skinned Goblin Mage on the back of the Goblin Slinger, who had been hit by Al's magical arrow, collapsed weakly.

"At least we made it in time. Goblin Slinger, you won't get your way."

Narish's voice rang out strongly.

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