chapter 41 prince quest

As Kaelith followed Prince Valtar through the grand halls of the Goblin Kingdom, he kept his expression neutral, but his mind was racing. This was an unprecedented opportunity—to see the heart of goblin civilization, a place few humans had ever stepped foot in. More importantly, it was a chance to uncover valuable resources, potential allies, and hidden opportunities.

Valtar led him down a wide corridor, lined with goblin sentries in polished black armor. The walls were decorated with intricate carvings—scenes of goblin warriors battling enormous beasts, ancient kings seated on rocky thrones, and strange symbols that pulsed faintly with magic.

"This is Zha'Thul, the greatest underground city of my people," Valtar said with pride, his voice echoing slightly in the stone passage.

Kaelith said nothing, but his eyes darted from one carving to the next, committing details to memory.

The Grand Reveal – Zha'Thul

As they passed through a final archway, the passage suddenly opened into a vast underground cavern.

Kaelith stopped in his tracks.

The sheer scale of Zha'Thul was breathtaking. The city sprawled out before him, built into multiple layers along the cavern walls. Glowing crystals of various colors—blue, green, and violet—were embedded in the ceiling, casting an otherworldly light over the entire city. Streams of lava flowed beneath bridges, providing both warmth and energy to the forges below.

At the lowest level, a sprawling market district teemed with goblins. Stalls overflowed with rare minerals, enchanted weapons, glowing potions, and exotic beast pelts. Goblin merchants shouted over one another, bartering in a strange yet rhythmic language.

Higher up, rows of stone buildings were carved into the cavern walls, each adorned with intricate banners representing noble families. The largest structure, located in the highest district, was a fortress-like palace—likely the residence of the royal family.

Kaelith took it all in, mentally mapping out the different areas.

"A city built for efficiency. The goblins waste nothing."

The Market District – A Place of Rare Goods

As Valtar led him down toward the market, Kaelith's sharp eyes immediately picked out several noteworthy shops.

A blacksmith forge where goblin craftsmen hammered out shadowsteel weapons, their hilts adorned with crystals humming with magical energy.

An alchemist's shop, its shelves lined with elixirs that glowed faintly—some of them possibly potions Kaelith had never encountered before.

A beast tamer's stall, where strange underground creatures—some resembling oversized lizards, others with multiple glowing eyes—were housed in reinforced cages.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Valtar smirked. "Goblin craftsmanship is among the finest in the world. We don't just create—we innovate."

Kaelith nodded, stepping closer to a dagger displayed on a weapons rack.

Its blade was pitch black, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. When Kaelith reached out, he felt a strange chill radiating from the metal.

"Shadowsteel," Valtar explained. "It bends light and sound, making the wielder harder to detect in darkness. Perfect for assassins or spies."

Kaelith's fingers itched to own one. Weapons like these would fetch a fortune on the surface.

He filed the thought away for later.

A Glimpse of the Forbidden

As they continued walking, Kaelith noticed a heavily guarded pathway leading deeper into the kingdom. Unlike the market and forge areas, this one had thick stone gates reinforced with enchanted runes. Goblin warriors stood watch, their eyes sharp.

Valtar noticed his gaze but smirked.

"Curious, aren't you?" He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. "That's where we keep our most valuable resources and artifacts."

Kaelith kept his expression neutral, but his interest spiked. A restricted area? That means hidden treasures.

But why was Valtar telling him this?

Was it to test his reaction? To lure him in? Or was the goblin prince subtly inviting him into something bigger?

Whatever the case, Kaelith had no intention of wasting this opportunity.

For now, he simply smiled and said, "I see. Your kingdom is full of wonders."

But deep inside, his mind was already formulating a plan.

Kaelith's sharp eyes flickered with interest as Prince Valtar spoke.

"So, access to the restricted area comes at a price."

He had expected this much. No kingdom would allow an outsider into its most secretive vaults without a good reason.

Valtar folded his arms, his expression serious. "The bandits who kidnapped me didn't act alone. They have a foothold in our lower districts, stirring unrest, robbing our traders, and undermining our authority. If we don't deal with them soon, they might become a greater threat."

Kaelith leaned against a stone pillar, considering his options.

"Why not have your army wipe them out?" he asked.

Valtar scoffed. "It's not that simple. Some of our merchants rely on them for smuggling rare goods, and there are whispers that someone within the noble houses is protecting them." His golden eyes gleamed with frustration. "If we attack openly, it could start an internal conflict."

Kaelith understood immediately. The bandits weren't just raiders; they were pawns in a larger game. Someone was backing them from the shadows.

The goblin prince took a step closer. "But you… you're an outsider. No political ties, no obligations. If you eliminate them, no one will question it."

Kaelith smirked. So that's your game.

"And what do I get in return?"

Valtar grinned. "Complete access to our restricted vaults." He gestured toward the heavily guarded gates. "Artifacts, rare minerals, weapons—things humans have never even seen."

Kaelith's fingers twitched. The rewards were too good to ignore.

"Fine," he said. "Point me to their hideout."

Valtar chuckled. "I thought you'd say that. I'll have my informants gather intel. For now, rest up—you'll need it."

As Kaelith followed the prince deeper into the city, his mind was already forming a plan.

[Epic Quest Accepted – Part 1]

Quest Name: Purge the Hidden Threat

Objective 1:

☑ Kill all Bandit Occupation (Level 3) in the goblin kingdom.

Objective 2:

☑ Find a clue about who orchestrated the prince's kidnapping.

Rewards:

✔ Access to the Restricted Vault

✔ ??? (Hidden Reward)

---

A System Notification Appears

[System Alert!]

You have accepted an Epic Quest!

Your actions will shape the fate of the Goblin Kingdom.

Failure will result in permanent hostility with the goblins.

Do you wish to proceed?

→ [Yes] / [No]

Kaelith smirked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Time to clean up this mess."

[Epic Quest Accepted!]

Kaelith's vision flickered as the system notification solidified before him.

[System Alert!]

✔ You have accepted the Epic Quest: "Purge the Hidden Threat"

✔ Your reputation with the Goblin Kingdom has temporarily increased!

✔ Failure will result in permanent hostility!

Kaelith didn't hesitate. He reached out—

[Quest Accepted!]

The notification vanished, and a faint surge of energy coursed through his body. His instincts sharpened, his surroundings felt clearer, and a new objective marker appeared on his map.

Prince Valtar watched him with an amused expression. "That was faster than I expected."

Kaelith cracked his knuckles. "A job's a job. Where do I start?"

Valtar gestured toward the towering walls beyond the city center. "The bandits are hiding in the abandoned lower district. We have a few leads on their movements, but we can't act without proof."

He handed Kaelith a rolled parchment. "Inside is a list of suspected locations. You'll have to wipe them out and find any evidence linking them to my kidnappers."

Kaelith glanced at the parchment before tucking it into his pouch. "Simple enough."

Valtar smirked. "For now. Just don't die before you reach the vault."

Kaelith chuckled. "No promises."

With that, he turned on his heel, ready to begin the hunt.