Francois returned to Free City with good news: they had uncovered another area on the Southern Map.
Annan returned to the Stinking Swamplands. Just remembering the stench made him reluctant to go back, but Little Spider and Silly Cat were still in the Goblin Villages...
He had no choice but to plunge into the furnace-like heat of the Stinking Swamplands. He summoned Jack and Dole to the big house to settle the matter of the Goblin Golem as quickly as possible.
"Lord Annan, leave this to me." Dole, who was not even as tall as the table, volunteered.
"You're confident?"
"I'm a goblin too. I know their weaknesses..."
Between the swamp's harsh conditions and Annan's destination on this trip, he could not stay here long.
"All right. Jack, work with Dole," Annan instructed. He did not want Jack looking down on Dole for being a goblin. Then he reminded Dole, "The sooner you return to Free City, the sooner you can resume your post."
The Goblin Empire's former glory had shown Annan the potential of goblins. As the smartest goblin he had met so far, Dole might even restore that glory.
Dole was grateful for Annan's trust.
Night had already fallen, but Annan had no intention of staying until morning. Every extra minute here was torture... No wonder Roxie Province wanted nothing to do with the Stinking Swamplands. Perhaps only creatures like goblins and kobolds could survive there for long.
They fled the Stinking Swamplands almost as if escaping for their lives. Annan, Lemon, and Klein traveled beneath a bright full moon, then made camp in a clearing when dark clouds rolled in from the distance.
Fine rain pattered against treetops, roadside bushes, and soil.
The morning air carried the scent of earth, but five or six straight days