bookpub Chapter 478 The Grand Forest - Part 9
Chapter 478 The Grand Forest - Part 9
"Well, there you go, Verdant. Do you think you can take one down?" Oliver asked. He noticed the way Lasha's eyes flashed with a question as he mentioned that. She seemed to think it impossible.
Verdant shook his head. "I am unsure. Certainly, I would not have been able to without first seeing you fight it... But nor am I confident that I am grateful enough to imitate what you have done."
"I'm surprised you're trying to make anyone else fight that..." Lasha said quietly.
"In a few weeks, I think, it'll be your turn," Oliver said. Even her retainers seemed shocked by that one. They at least knew enough of combat – given what they'd learned today – to realize the magnitude of that.
"Really?" None were more surprised than Lasha herself. The doubt was written across her face.
"Maybe," Oliver shrugged. "It would be a proper battle. But it might be enough for a breakthrough, if you get all the pieces in place beforehand. We'll work our way up to it, but I would definitely say you need something stronger than a goblin."
"D-don't you think that it would be fine to take things slower?" Amelia said. She had trouble keeping her voice level. The fear from the presence of the Hobgoblin still had its hold on. "..Ser Patrick?" She finished meekly.
Her sudden bit of respect was the strangest thing of all.
"It would be fine to," Oliver agreed. "But she's been training her whole life. She's got a belt of experience. She just needs tests, and confidence. Maybe she can break through to the Second Boundary off that."
"The Second Boundary?" Amelia repeated, looking to Pauline, thinking that the girl would explain it. But Pauline shook her head from left to right, indicating that she didn't know that either.
"Again you break their Taboo, my Lord," Verdant said. "It would be wise to not make references to the Boundaries a habit, though in this case, I might overwrite my own advice with my interest. Do you believe it to be possible for her?"
"Wise," Oliver said, nodding sagely. "Very wise. Damn... I might need to pen a letter to Greeves."
"Greeves, my Lord?" Verdant asked.
"Ah, a greasy merchant that I know. Though, I don't exactly trust him not to wring me dry for any advice that he has to give," Oliver said. "Regardless, I suppose the best bet is butchering this corpse and seeing what we can sell the ingredients for. As ever, I am lacking information."
"What further hunts do you have planned?" Verdant asked.
"I suppose another Hobgoblin or two, depending on how long it takes to find another," Oliver said. "Pauline, Amelia, can I borrow one of those daggers?"
"Uhm, I guess. What for?" Amelia said, sliding it from her side and handing it over.
Oliver didn't see it necessary to give a response. He kneeled down by the corpse and began the laborious process of butchering it. He started with the heart – a messy process. He pulled his sleeve back, but still didn't manage to escape soaking it with blood as he reached deeper.
"Uhmmmmmmm..." Amelia loudly proclaimed, hanging next to him. She was probably more than a little bit irritated by the fact that he was using her newly purchased dagger for a bit of butchery. "Aren't you meant to get someone else to do that?" Discover more content at empire
He looked at her. That wasn't the question he'd expected, but from the expressions on the faces of the others, it was a sentiment that they echoed.
"My Lord, you need not lower yourself to such tasks. My hands are more than enough," Verdant said.
Oliver frowned. "This is not work I consider beneath me," he said. He'd seen Nila butcher many an animal. It was a necessary part of the process. Whilst not as glamourous as the act of making a kill, it was just as important. He'd been around it enough that the grizzle of the task was second nature to him.