Chapter 116 - 115: Not Your Enemy
Village path - Late afternoon
The elven visitors trailed behind Lumberling, their keen eyes scanning every corner of the village. They passed terraced fields where goblins and kobolds worked side by side, stone-and-timber homes standing tall with smoke curling gently from their chimneys. Curious eyes peeked from behind shutters, goblin children, kobold craftsmen, even a few humans.
The blonde elf scoffed quietly, casting a glance toward the blue haired elf before stepping forward. "Hey, human. Who built all this?"
Lumberling turned to her, calm and steady. "All of us. I taught them the basics... but they built it with their own hands."
She swept her hand across the view. "The irrigation system? Animal pens? Chimneys on multi-story houses? This isn’t the work of savages."
"Irrigation was my design," he said plainly. "The rest, they adapted, improved. They learn fast."
She raised an eyebrow. "You’re telling me they did this? Monsters?"
Lumberling met her gaze without flinching. "Believe it or not, you’ll see it for yourself."
Her skepticism lingered, until they passed a group of goblin and kobold children. They looked up at her, wide-eyed and curious, their gazes unclouded by malice. Something shifted in her expression.
Just a little.
She believed him.