Chapter 28 - Extermination Part 1

While three drones kept watch over the target area from above, three others scouted the surrounding terrain from a distance, each circling along the animal trails leading to the goblin settlement.

As he observed the settlement from the air, Paul spotted several green creatures moving through the forest toward it. He quickly reported, "Group of goblins spotted," then turned to Kruger, adding, "South, heading toward the goblin settlement."

Hearing that, Kruger responded with a brief, "Roger," then repeated the report into the mic.

Iron Fist (Front Command) immediately came through on the mic, saying, " This is Iron Fist. South Fang, deploy three Wanderer (adventurer parties ) squads to intercept and eliminate the goblin group. Ensure none of them make it to the goblin settlement. (Note: The eight guard posts remain concealed from the settlement.) Over."

With that, South Fang (Southern Striker) replied, "This is South Fang. We received the order. Over."

Soon after, Paul saw three adventurer parties heading south toward the approaching goblin group.

As he watched the adventurers set up a trap for the goblins, Paul shifted his focus to the two drones flying farther out.

Spotting another goblin group, he reported, "Found another goblin group... north."

Kruger quickly relayed the message through the microphone.

Following that, more goblin groups began to emerge from the forest, one by one, moving toward the goblin settlement from all directions.

After several goblin groups had been eliminated—at least forty in total—the eight guard posts fell silent, returning to a calm state.

Once Paul confirmed that no more goblin groups had appeared, Kruger spoke into the mic with a serious tone: 'This is Iron Crown. Iron Fist, report status.'

Upon receiving the request, Brunhild (Front Command) responded, "This is Iron Fist, reporting. From all guard posts: 25 lightly injured, 9 seriously injured. However, they've been treated by the healers we brought from the City."

After a brief pause, Brunhild continued, "As for the damaged supplies, we've lost 56 shields, 145 polearms, and 97 short swords. Looks like we'll need a significant resupply for the battle ahead. Over."

Hearing that, Kruger immediately glanced at Paul. Paul let out a sigh and asked, "What about the Wanderers (adventurer party)?"

When Kruger relayed Paul's question, Paul added, 'Are they using weapons that have been in the arsenal for a long time?' His tone was filled with confusion.

Kruger was momentarily silent before responding, 'No, Prince. Once a year, veterans or recruits replace their weapons with new ones. The only exceptions are magic weapons—those obtained through enchantments or dungeon drops.' His tone was serious as he explained.

With that answer, Paul became even more confused and asked again, 'But why is there so much damage? Are you sure you want to continue with this? We still have at least 30 minutes until the Raven unit arrives.' He glanced toward the shade of the tree, observing the position of the sun as he mentally counted the hours.

Hearing that, Kruger responded, 'Prince, from the reports I've received from the front lines—the goblins that have been exterminated—and from your surveillance updates, there were at least a few special goblins among the 41 separate groups that came to the goblin settlement.'

While Paul was deep in thought, Kruger continued, 'From the 1,206 goblins we managed to exterminate, we found 200 goblin soldiers, 30 Goblin Sorcerers, 12 Goblin Commanders, 74 Goblin Skirmishers, and 7 Goblin Champions.' His tone was serious, clearly emphasizing the strength of the goblin force they were facing.

As Paul processed the information, Brunhild's voice crackled over the radio. 'This is Iron Fist. About 10 parties want to return to the capital and abandon the mission. Three of them: weapons are damaged. One of them: seriously injured (can still be saved). Two of them: lightly injured. Requesting permission to issue ordinary spare weapons (not magic/enchantment) to the adventurer parties and to distribute potions to the injured. Over.'

Upon hearing Paul's nod, Kruger immediately replied into the mic, 'Iron Crown here, request accepted. Also, provide weapons and potions to the adventurers free of charge. The main priority is to exterminate the goblins. However, ensure they stay on the mission and do not abandon it. Over.' His tone remained serious and authoritative.

Brunhild's voice came through shortly after, 'Iron Fist here, command received. Over.'

After the communication was finished, Paul turned to Greta and said, "Greta, take this to Brunhild. Give her everything she needs." As he took the electromagnetic rifle, coilgun (rifle), thermal scope, ammunition, and thermal imaging binoculars out of the spatial bag, Paul handed the bag to Greta.

After Greta took the spatial bag, she saluted like a knight and said, 'Yes...' before she was about to leave.

Before she could go, Paul called her back, saying, 'Ah... wait... I forgot my camouflage suit...' as he ran toward her.

Greta, slightly confused, searched through the spatial bag for the suit Paul mentioned and asked, 'Hmmm... which one is it, Prince?' while rummaging through the bag with her hand, as if looking for something she couldn't quite identify.

When Paul remembered that Greta still didn't know about the camouflage suit, he immediately said, 'That... the one with a lot of grass patches (like haystacks) on that suit...'

Once Greta found it, she immediately pulled it out and said, 'Oh... this one... I thought this was the suit you forgot to take out—the dirty one—' while handing the camouflage suit to Paul.

Taking the camouflage suit from Greta, Paul replied, 'No... this is my special battle suit...' and immediately put it on.

After putting on his suit and noticing Greta still staring at his clothes with interest, Paul immediately said, "Okay, go on... Brunhild is waiting for you..." while waving his hand as if shooing her away.

Upon hearing Paul's words, Greta pouted and replied, "Okay..." before turning around and quickly leaping from one tree trunk to another, heading toward the front line.

After attaching the thermal scope to the coilgun rifle, Paul smiled at Kruger and said, "Kruger, I leave the command to you."

While securing his electromagnetic rifle behind his back with a belt, Paul tossed the Thermal Imaging Binoculars toward Renya and said, "Renya, come on..." as he gripped the coilgun (rifle) with both hands and walked toward higher ground, positioning himself for a clear view of the goblin settlement.

After catching the binoculars, Renya, still confused by Paul's words, asked, "What will you do, Prince?" while looking at the binoculars she had caught.

Hearing that, Paul immediately answered, "Of course, practicing," while looking towards the goblin settlement.

Renya, who must have realized this, still said, "Then, who commanded this extermination?"

Paul answered immediately, "Of course Kruger, right… Kruger?" while looking towards Kruger with his command radio.

When asked like that, Kruger could only sigh, stand up, and say, "Of course, Prince," with a knightly salute.

As Kruger sat back down, Paul looked at Renya and said, "See..." with a smile. As Paul walked back, he said, "Come on, hurry up Renya, we have to find a good position," walking fast.

Renya, who knew that, just slapped her forehead and said, "Prince..." while sighing as if giving up. Renya said, "Okay…" and then walked, following the prince from behind, while holding the binoculars.