Goblin Knight - Chapter 313



Only Noblemtl

EP.313 Time Problem (21)

Progress was sluggish.

The forest of tin trees has grown so densely that it is difficult to even secure a view in front of one’s eyes, making it a difficult terrain for humans to move through.

What more so, since in the meantime, they are moving forward while being on guard against attacks, removing landmines, and then planting foreign substances in those locations.

Even though the distance to the destination, the factory, was not that far, it still took ten hours just to reach the entrance.

‘Is this the place?’

Blanc looked up at the massive structure he had finally arrived at and couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

It didn’t have any special decorations or anything particularly beautiful on the outside, and there weren’t any otherworldly objects that stood out, but… its enormous scale, which filled the field of vision and left much to be desired, was worthy of being called a wonder.

Even the largest and tallest wall I had ever seen did not seem to be able to match the outer wall of that square building.

While repeatedly wondering how the beings of the past were able to raise the roof of such a building, and wondering if some kind of magic was at work since it was in the East, I thought about it on the other hand.

‘It would have been nice if I had just watched it… … .’

Looking around, I saw mercenaries, just like Blanc, swallowing their saliva as they were overwhelmed by the scale of the building.

Tension and fear are evident on their faces.

Up until now, they had only repeated the monotonous reconnaissance and elimination tasks without encountering any external enemies, but they knew that from now on, things would be different.

‘I thought it was fortunate that we didn’t mix up our words.’

Blanc thought so, even though he felt a sense of guilt rising in him that he couldn’t ignore.

Because the unlucky ones among them will soon meet a meaningless death inside.

And for Blanc, who cannot help them either by his role or by force, it would be best to minimize his regret by not knowing anything about them.

They must have known that fact very well.

That’s probably why, even during the boring process that lasted over ten hours, no one was able to have a lively conversation with anyone else…

‘… … Because everyone is desperate.’

Blanc closed his eyes tightly and stopped his thoughts.

Until now, he was in a position to take impulsive action based on his personal beliefs or whims, but not this time.

If you neglect your duty by being swept away by personal feelings, you could ruin Blanc’s purpose and even the thing they risked their lives to achieve.

You can always be depressed later.

For now, let’s just let go of our emotions and focus on our roles…

“Are you mentally prepared?”

When Blanc opened his eyes again, Gilan, who had already moved forward, was looking at them while taking out a card in front of some slot attached to the outer wall of the building.

A small laugh spread through the unit when Nicola replied, ‘I don’t have a heart yet, organism.’

And after a brief silence… … .

– Your identity has been confirmed as a security level 3. The entrance will be opened. Have a nice day today.

“All units, get into position!!”

The attack has begun.

The moment Gilan’s command was given, the mercenaries waiting on both sides of the entrance to the huge factory that resembled a castle gate rushed in and formed a defensive formation.

A unit equipped with shields in the front, a huge hammer and throwing net in the center, and crossbows with small lightning bolts on their arrowheads at the rear completely blocked both sides of the factory interior, and a reconnaissance unit advanced toward the secured front.

Papapapak! In an instant, the mercenaries secured the area near the entrance and threw something like a round mud object into what appeared to be the main passageway.

The mud stuck to the wall and soon began to emit a soft red glow around it.

“That?”

“It’s a basic boundary marker. If an unauthorized entity enters the area, it will notify the caster and all markers.”

It would be useless if the opponent could use even a little bit of magic, but Gilan explains that it is unlikely that those they are currently dealing with will use magic.

Before I knew it, all the mercenaries who had been filling the area around the entrance had entered the factory and were each shouting loudly, “Safety secured!”

“That’s what they say. Shouldn’t we start going in soon?”

“Wait a minute. The left and right wings are made up of eight units in total. However, voices were only heard from seven units… … .”

As soon as Gilan finished speaking, a loud bang was heard that shook the entire factory.

It was a sound like the kind of impact a giant axe would make if it smashed a shield and split someone’s head in half.

– Left 2nd Unit, engagement breaks out!!

– Tin Woodman 2! It’s difficult to respond because the camp isn’t set up yet, so please provide support if possible!!

“That’s how it is.”

Gilan glanced to the left where the urgent sound was coming from, then spoke in a calm voice.

“It seems like the passage has been secured, so let’s charge in. We’ll advance straight to the secured position of the 4th division on the right wing.”

“Do I have to help you?”

“That’s for the other units on the left to decide. The fighting has come much faster than we thought. We have to hurry. Nicola!”

“I know.”

Gilan climbed lightly onto the friendly tin man’s shoulders and looked down at Blanc.

“That should have put most of the dolls inside the factory on alert. They’ll be able to stop them from joining in… but we’re not safe either. Prepare for battle.”

“… … Okay. Any advice?”

“If I have to say, it would be better not to use the blade. It would be better to hold the sword in reverse and strike the head with the guard, or beat it with the gauntlet.”

“Advice that becomes your blood and flesh.”

Blanc glanced back at Trasha.

She’ll probably join in too, but… it’s hard to expect her to be of much help since she’s carrying the pumpkin carriage that Annelie and Ella are lying in on her back.

I just hope Trasha will take good care of them.

“Let’s go, Trasha!”

– Ugh!

Blanc followed Nicolas in, leaving behind a hint of anxiety and the sound of fierce fighting in the distance.

At the same time, all the mercenaries except the unit that was engaged followed behind them at their own pace.

The mercenaries would move with them, occupying corridors and doors on either side of the main passage, then withdrawing, and when they encountered the enemy, they would advance while the unit blocked the dolls in the narrow passage.

The appearance was organic, like the legs of a spider.

A spider that gives one of its legs as bait and runs away whenever it meets a strong opponent.

“One lumberjack in the right corridor! Right wing 2nd unit, we will temporarily withdraw for suppression!!”

“The passing marker has sounded an alarm! There are three of them, and they are not far away… They will be here soon. Left wing 1 and right wing 1, stay here and guard the rear!”

“What a hole! Up, up! Left 3rd Division, retreat! Stop them! Stop those who are falling!!”

It was certainly a strategy that allowed for endless forward progress without slowing down… but after about four repetitions, it seemed to reach its limit.

As the mercenary force guarding them dwindled to roughly the size of the original unit, Blanc began to feel uneasy about whether he could continue with this strategy.

“Hey, is this really okay!? There are only two units left! How much further is it to go to the management office!!”

“Damn, the road is so twisted for no reason… But we’re almost there now! If we follow the directions, it’ll only be about 200 meters more!!”

“Guidance? What guidance!?”

Gilan pointed upwards nervously, as if there was no time to explain.

Sure enough, there were some words written there along with arrows pointing to each direction, but Blanc couldn’t understand them because they were in a language he had never seen before.

Anyway, since it was said that there was a basis for judgment, Blanc, who was convinced, kept his mouth shut and looked straight ahead.

In the darkened hallway, a red light blinked and flashed, and a metal doorway appeared that looked much sturdier than the other doors I had seen so far.

At the same time, four dolls were running behind me.

“Damn it! Left and right wing 4th division, stay and block it!!”

“You’re too wide. It’s hard to deal with you two at the same time-”

“I know! Sir Blanc and the other mercenaries, join the defense! If we just gain control, we can neutralize them all, so hold on tight and die!!”

Gilan, feeling increasingly impatient, shouted in an agitated voice as he deployed the last mercenary unit.

It was only after they literally threw their bodies at the enemy and blocked their rear that the group was able to reach the door.

– I will verify your identity. Insert your card into the slot.

“Okay, open it quickly, Scrap Iron Snow!!”

– Identification. Gate will be opened. Have a nice day today.

Gilan cut off the dry woman’s voice and vigorously entered the key card into the machine.

With a mechanical sound of “clank, clank, clank,” the huge iron pillar that had been closing the door began to slide up and down, opening the entrance.

An axe blade was visible, swinging from the crack in the door.

“──!!”

Blanc was the first to react.

He leapt so hard that the tiles on the floor shattered, and caught the axe handle just before the blade split Gilan’s head in two.

At the same time, Nicola protected Gilan by half-throwing him behind him, and pointed his left elbow towards the still transparent doll’s front.

“Nicola!? What are you doing, you’re finished-”

“I’m doing this to get off!!”

Nicola’s elbow cracked open, and a surprisingly smooth silver cylinder rose out from within.

Suddenly Blanc thought he had seen it somewhere.

Wasn’t that the hand cannon that Ray used in the bandit village where he first met Trasha?

“Fire main gun!!”

──Boom!!

The tin man figure that had been slamming into them seemed to be crushed by an invisible shell for a moment, then flew away at incredible speed and crashed into the wall.

Aha, so that’s what got Ella flying away. Blanc looked at the flying doll with a silent realization.

The tin man was completely destroyed, his body completely exposed, and he was left lying on the floor, twitching and convulsing.

… … How could he have been so unharmed despite being hit by that much power? Blanc realized once again how terrifying the woman he had saved was.

Anyway, now that we’ve arrived at the management office, what should we do? Blanc looked at Gilan with that question in his mind.

I tried to look at it.

“… … It hurts, Mom, it hurts… … .”

“what?”

Blanc couldn’t help but fix his eyes on the single mechanical sound that came from the broken tin man.

“Ma, could you tell? No, more than that, it’s definitely Mom now-”

“Don’t come near me!!”

Whether or not Nicola shouted to stop him, Blanc found himself approaching the broken doll without realizing it.

Maybe, because the thought of that doesn’t come to mind.

As if responding to that thought, the doll raised its shaking left hand and reached out to him.

And then she bent her elbows and turned them toward his face.

“uh-”

Before Blanc could even react to the sight of the main gun exposed right in front of him.

bang!!

There was a loud noise.

It was the sound of Nicola finishing off the doll.