"Can it be done?" Mistress of the Game had a frown on her face as she waited for the reply from one of her subordinates.
Slave Enchanter, the man responsible for the creation of the slave collars and enchanting the ring Slaver Handler used to subjugate the salves, pondered over Mistress' request.
"A difficult task indeed my mistress, but you do not keep me around to tell you something can't be done. I shall look through my tome for the proper incantations, it may take a few days, but I will find a way to grant your request."
"Excellent…that will give me time to put him through more torture before his time in the pit."
"I know the first one, but what shall I use for the second connection?"
"Hmm…he is called Goblin Slayer, so make the second connection a goblin." Mistress had a cruel smile on her face as she pictured the scene in her mind.
"My you do have a wicked mind don't you?"
"You are one of the few who've known me long enough to be allowed to say such a thing…but yes I do."
Mistress of the Game exited the tent with a small smile upon her plans were being set in motion and adding to her good mood was the joyous sight by the Great Maw. For overcoming the goblin champion bare-handed and earning the adulation of the crowd, Heavy Warrior would be given a slight reprieve from his usual torture, but the other one…he would endure twice as much now. Goblin Slayer had been taken from his cage as normal, but after his initial beating, he was stripped of his armor and clothing and once again tied to the post fully exposed to the slavers around him.
"Would you look at this one, pale as a ghost! I'm sure the sun will add some color to your skin, also the fresh air should do something about the smell coming off you." Slave Handler had a hearty laugh as did the men around him as they looked over Goblin Slayer who remained silent as always. "Got to ask though, what's up with that black mark on your body?"
Goblin Slayer said nothing as he had a stern look about him while staring back at the slavers. Many of the slavers around him growled with anger and frustration as this slave remained defiant in the face of their abuse.
"Fine, you don't want to talk, then will make you scream. Mistress needs him in fighting condition for his next fight in the Great Maw so nothing permanent!"
Several of the slavers went to work repeatedly pummeling the naked Goblin Slayer, several of the slavers went about kicking and kneeing him in the stomach, while other kicked at his legs over and over. Goblin Slayer gritted his teeth and grunted with every blow he received, but refused to cry out as his torture was carried out. After several minutes, the tired and exhausted slavers moved back toward Slave Handler, all looking at Goblin Slayer, beaten, bruised, blood running from his mouth yet he continued to stare at them with an expression that hinted towards annoyance rather than anger.
"This…this one is insane."
"Even after all that…he looks like he ready for more."
"Enough of this, we've done what our Mistress has asked of us. Come on lads, lets gather some of the concubines to reward ourselves for our hard work just now." Slave Handler smiled externally but internally was unnerved by the sight of this man. "Don't you worry now, we'll be back to make sure those bruises stay nice and fresh."
The men laughed as they walked away from Goblin Slayer who spit the blood from his mouth before taking in a deep breath to calm himself. The act of breathing was painful as it seemed like every muscle in his body was tearing with even the simplest of movements.
"You must kill them."
Goblin Slayer paused as he heard the voice call out to him, this one was different from the Lich Queen. This voice sounded deeper, far more demonic and as he began to look around saw a figure standing before him. It was a figure in dirty leather armor, with a sword of strange length hanging from its scabbard and a small round shield attached to his left arm. This figure's normal armor was completely colored black as twin red eyes blazed within its helmet.
"Look at you…pathetic! You allow these fools to beat you and humiliate you! How do you expect to destroy the goblins when you can't even stop these men?" The armored figure moved forward drawing his sword out of its scabbard as he moved closer. "All you have to do is ask and I shall cut your bonds and aid you in slaying these human goblins."
Goblin Slayer looked toward this armored figure who extended his right hand toward him while still holding the sword in his left hand. Before he was able to even answer this strange armored figure, the Lich Queen appeared before him, purposely standing between the two of them. Lich Queen had a scowl about her face as she kept her raised right arm toward the armored figure while holding her left arm back to protect Goblin Slayer.
"Begone you foul specter! You will not lay a hand upon my Beloved!"
"Why do you stop me? This form is what he to become once his body and soul are consumed by your curse."
"Be that as that may, I shall not let you take him from me! Now begone!"
The armored figure chuckled sinisterly before vanishing from sight, leaving behind the Lich Queen and Goblin Slayer.
"Why did you stop him? Is that not to be my fate?" Goblin Slayer was calm in his demeanor as he looked toward Lich Queen.
"I…I do not enjoy seeing you suffer. That figure may give you the strength to fight back, but…I will then lose you. I have come to greatly enjoy all the time I've spent with you, I've even come to tolerate those you associate with…particularly that little girl who calls you "big brother"." Lich Queen lowered her right hand to turn toward Goblin Slayer a distressed look about her face. "I am sorry Beloved. I am powerless to stop those men from attacking you. My curse will consume you and…although your soul may join mine, it will not be the same."
"I…I am glad that you are here with me." Goblin Slayer had a light smile on his face as he looked toward Lich Queen.
"Beloved…this will be difficult, but you must do what you can to retain your humanity. If I know your friends, they are searching for you as we speak, we'll find the right opportunity to slay these vile people and save those others." Lich Queen had a small smile upon her face before vanishing from sight.
Goblin Slayer closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh as he did his best to rest his body after his beating. Mistress watched his beating with much joy as she retreated to her tent to enjoy her wine as it was brought in by her young child slave. Unknown to all of them, the gods watched from above the scene from above, both interested and concerned about certain events.
xxxx
"These are indeed unforeseen circumstances." Chaos looked over the board game as the armored figure token, the once grey piece now had patches of black along its body.
"I would have figured that you and the other dark gods would take joy in something that might lead disorder within the game." Truth looked toward the piece then back to Chaos.
"You know this game piece already…it is one that we can not control. Your traps and plans, the monsters sent by Abundance and my own designs have yet to stop him."
"Is not Lich Queen one of your minions?" Illusion took a moment to look away from the board to discuss the game piece with Chaos.
"True, but even she could not foresee what her curse would lead to. She would claim his soul, and in place of this Goblin Slayer we get a figure who will randomly slay all in his path…Hero, Demon, this one will slay them all. How do you stop something that does not follow our designs?"
The gods all turned their attention back toward the board, this indeed would be quite the change to their game. There was the chance that this wraith would be slain by the Hero, then again, he might slay the Hero and the next Demon Lord just to satisfy his unquenchable thirst for blood and death. Then there was the Necromancer token as well, this one would also be quite the problem since the God of Wisdom had given this figure such a terrifying secret.
"These two tokens…can't we put them against one another, would they not destroy each other?" Wisdom looked back at the board in hopes that the problem of his creation might be dealt with.
"Oh no you don't!" Chaos and the other dark gods were quick to step in. "The Necromancer is an agent of Chaos…one that can be influenced indirectly, he is merely acting on the wisdom you bestowed upon him. For the moment, he is not the immediate problem for he can be manipulated to our will…the other one is the problem."
"The beasts he is creating…they are beyond what abundance has created before. If left to his own devices, he might very well become a god as we are."
"If he is to be a god of chaos…he could be the God of Resurrection, what better form of chaos than revive tokens that have fallen and turn them toward his will."
The gods continued to converse, granted both pieces were going to problematic in the near future but at the moment, their attention seemed to be focused on Goblin Slayer. A game piece that refused to be controlled was troublesome enough, but to have it slay anything and everything in its path, especially as a Wraith would be disastrous for the game.
"Then it is decided…Goblin Slayer must be dealt with first."
The gods turned to see the Supreme God step forward to look at the board game before looking back at his fellow gods and goddesses with a stern expression.
"Even as gods, we cannot simply change the course of the token's destiny directly. It must be the mortals who will act upon our suggestions. I shall send a handout to my loyal followers."
"As will I." Earth Mother stepped toward the board game to examine the token of her little one.
"So shall it be done."
xxxx
"I apologize my lady, but we have no information on the missing silver-ranked adventure or the individuals who took him away."
"I see." Sword Maiden had a frown upon her face as she heard the news from her acolytes. "It's been a couple days since the rest of his party departed from here, they must be more concerned about his disappearance than I am…especially that young priestess."
"We will continue to…"
Before the acolyte could finish, Sword Maiden gasped as she was surrounded by a bright white light. Those around her had to shield their eyes from the light, but in a few short moments the glow around Sword Maiden disappeared as she brought her right hand to her chest.
"My lady?"
"A handout…from the Supreme God."
"What…what did the Supreme God say?"
"We are to continue are search for Goblin Slayer immediately! We must not stop until he is found!"
Sword Maiden's instructions carried such force that several of the acolytes were taken aback by her directions, but quickly followed her instructions and once again went about in their search. Sword Maiden herself was confused, though she did not show it externally. As to the meaning behind the handout she received.
"Find Goblin Slayer…do what you must to save the world." Sword Maiden pondered what could the Supreme God mean by this handout. "What does finding him have to do with saving the world? Why do I feel uneasy about the Supreme Gods' comment of "do what you must"…we must find him as soon as possible."
xxxx
"Should we not be looking for minions of chaos? Is that not what the king asked of us?" Sage was confused as to why her friend was so desperate to find the silver-ranked adventurer.
"I…I want to find that man. He and his party came to help us, he saved us from the Lich, how can we be considered heroes if we abandon him?" Hero was frustrated that their questioning at the local guild led to no useful information. "That man saved my village from goblins, saved and helped me with the Lich…I…I need to find him. I am going to become someone worthy of him."
"True, though odd, he is a capable adventurer and colleague. I wonder who would try to abduct him and for what reason?" Female Swordmaster followed along with her party leader.
"I'm not sure, but feel that it must be something…"
Hero was unable to finish her sentence as she was surrounded by a blinding white light, Sage and Female Swordmaster paused as they saw this, but as quickly as it appeared the light vanished. Hero stood there with a confused look about her face before turning back toward her comrades.
"I…I received a handout…a vision."
"What did you see?" Female Swordmaster was anxious to know what the Supreme God had instructed them to do.
"We…we are to find Goblin Slayer as quickly as possible."
"Goblin Slayer? The Supreme God has directed us to find this adventurer?" Sage was confused by the this vision her comrade had received.
"I'm not sure of it myself, but that is what we need to prioritize. Let's see if we can gather any further information from Sword Maiden."
"Agreed."
"Sounds like a logical approach."
The trio continued on their way to exit the large town and begin their trek toward Water Town. All the while Hero still had a concerned look about her face, one she did not let her comrades see.
"Why would he say that last part? Do what you must…to save the world? What does the fate of the world have to do with Goblin Slayer?"
xxxx
"They're dead?"
Guild Girl, Cow Girl and the others at the guild were shocked to hear from Goblin Slayer's party how they had found the salvers, but before they could get any information on the whereabouts of Goblin Slayer, Heavy Warrior and Female Knight, the salvers were silenced. As strange as it was, the odd manner in which the assassin was dressed and his quickness in taking his only added to their suspicions.
"Thank you for going to find as much as you could." Cow Girl had a weak smiled on her face as she looked toward his party.
"We haven't given up yet. We're going to find Orcbolg and the others." High Elf Archer put on a bright smile but internally was worried what was happening to her comrade.
"Damn strange thing, this man in the plague mask, taking his life…and that saying. What did he say again Scaly?" Dwarf Shaman placed his gloved finger against his mouth as he looked toward the mask they retrieved.
"For the Miracle of Life…that is what I believe he said Sir Mage."
"Wait…what did…you just say?" Witch had a slightly concerned look on her face as she drew closer to examine the plague mask.
"The assassin said "For the Miracle of Life" before cutting his throat, does that mean anything to you?" Dwarf Shaman turned his attention toward Witch with an arched eyebrow.
"This plague mask…it is meant to protect individuals from those inflicted with a dangerous sickness yes?" Priestess looked toward the mask wondering if there anything else to this mask.
"Ordinarily yes…but over our travels…a terrifying rumor…has been spreading. This man…how was he dressed?"
"A side from the mask, the figure was dressed in black from the hood to his robes and gloves…the only thing that stood out was his bright white mask." Half-Demon Thief recalled how it was an ordinary human under the mask.
"Did you think of something?" Guild Girl was hopeful Witch or Spearman had some insight that might help them.
"The description…and saying before…he took his life…sounds familiar. These mask…at first glance…look like bird beaks…and with…the black clothing…they would appear…to look like crows."
"Talking to other adventurers, there had been rumors of these men in plague masks sweeping over battlefields collecting certain dead bodies, the way a crow picks at a corpse." Spearman had a grim expression on his face as he joined his partner to examine the mask. "These men…it is said they're collecting the bodies for some kind of ritual…one to resurrect the dead."
"Resurrect the dead…like the Lich?" Priestess still was uneasy about the quest with the Lich Queen some time ago.
"Not quite like the Lich, these men might be working for a Necromancer."
"Necromancer…hey dwarf, isn't that what the fat slaver was trying to say to us before he was killed?"
"Could be Long-Ears…all we got out of him was "Nec…" although he did mention something called the Hell Games."
"Hell Games?" Half-Dragon Mother was quite surprised to hear that phrase.
"Have you heard of them?" Lizard Priest turned his attention toward his mate.
"Remember when we met with my friend, she told us of terrible rumors of individuals being abducted for some sort of blood sport?"
"Bless that intellect of yours my dear, far greater than mine! If we go back to see her, do you think she or the others in the village might have information that could point us in the direction of this Necromancer or Hell Games?"
"It can't hurt to go and ask; it will take us a few days to travel there of course." Half-Dragon Mother had a light smile upon her face as she felt that she might be able to help Goblin Slayer in return for all the help he gave her and her daughter.
"We can be ready to go in an hour!" High Elf Archer had a bright smile as well as they finally had some lead that would point them in the right direction, she then turned toward Cow Girl and Guild Girl and nodded toward them. "We'll get Orcbolg and the others back!"
Cow Girl and Guild Girl too had a bright smile upon their faces, this little bit of news was enough to lift their spirits, if even for a moment. None of them though could have even guessed what kind of torture Goblin Slayer was going through.
xxxx
"Mistress…I'm scared!"
The small slave girl shook as the Slave Enchanter carved a strange symbol into the flesh of a goblin's left arm. The goblin cried out in pain, the sight of the creature was enough to scare the girl, but to see it scream in pain was even more terrifying. Once the symbol had been cut, the enchanter turned toward the girl with the same blade drawing closer to her. The slave girl looked toward Mistress with wide watery eyes but found Mistress staring back at her with a light smile.
"I know you are scared precious, but remember what you said, you'd endure any amount of pain to be free. It will hurt, but only for a moment, trust me."
"I…I…after this, will I be free?"
Mistress was silent for a moment as she looked toward the young girl, but soon her small smile turned into a large grin.
"I promise you…by tonight, you will be free. I only need for you to be brave for today."
"For you Mistress, I'll endure the pain." The slave girl was indeed scared but upon hearing that tonight she would be free made her happy.
Slave Enchanter smiled as he carved the same symbol into the young girl's right arm, all the while she screamed in pain. After a few seconds the task was done, and the young girl was sent to Mistress' tent to enjoy some cheese and apples while the goblin was taken away.
"It is done Mistress." Slave Enchanter smiled as he admired his handiwork.
"Excellent, by the end of tonight…I should be free of one of those horrid men. I am truly in high spirits today."
Mistress of the Game smiled as she stepped out from the tent to see Slave Handler and his subordinates going about beating the bound Goblin Slayer. For the last two days, Goblin Slayer had not been given any food or water, and left tied to the post naked to burn under the sweltering sun and freeze come night time. Not since his brutal training with Burglar, had Goblin Slayer felt as exhausted and sore as he felt at that moment. Over these last two days, Lich Queen appeared, a concerned look on her face as she looked over his bruised body, but always insight was the figure in black armor looking at him with twin red eyes.
"Beloved?"
"Nothing to be concerned with."
"Beloved you can't hide things from me."
"I'll manage."
Lich Queen frowned as she looked toward Goblin Slayer before turning to look at the dark figure that stared at them.
"Hard to believe this is the same Lich who wished to wipe out all mortals yet look at you now…you are pathetic. You've grown weak in your time connected to him."
"Perhaps…but I have enjoyed my time with him."
"Even you can't hold off what is coming. This man's will acts like a breakwater, trying to holding back the darkness that will consume him…darkness that you put there! Every battle, every wound against him only pushes him closer, no matter what you try, you can't save him."
"Though I am a product of the dark gods, I will not let you have him!"
The figure in the dark chuckled sinisterly before vanishing from sight, allowing Lich Queen to return her attention to the weakened Goblin Slayer. She grew frustrated at her inability to help him in any way, in this form she had no access to her previous magic abilities, all she could do was offer guidance.
"Damn this useless form…there must be something I can do."
"Calm yourself."
Lich Queen turned toward Goblin Slayer, shocked by his comment given his current condition.
"I'll endure this as I have most things."
"You console me, even as you endure such pain? You are truly an odd one Beloved." Lich Queen had a small smile on her face before she too vanished.
Goblin Slayer closed his eyes as he did his best to focus on how he and the others would eventually escape from this camp assuming his friends were even looking for them, though this brief rest was not meant to last for long. Throughout that day the slavers under the direction of Mistress continued with their attacks, never dealing anything devastating, but the beatings were painful enough. The sun finally began to set and with it, Goblin Slayer was released from his bonds, the moment the slavers did this he fell forward hitting the ground hard.
"What's the matter boy? You feeling a little weak?" Slave Handler laughed as he gave Goblin Slayer a swift kick to the side. "It's your turn to fight in the Great Maw tonight. Mistress even has a surprise for you. So get up, we even got your armor clean of the waste…you need to look good when you die!"
Goblin Slayer was dragged to a nearby tent where he was forced to once again don his armor; it took a bit longer than normal but soon he was back to his usual appearance. Goblin Slayer felt unsteady on his feet and had to grab onto a nearby table to keep from toppling over. The slavers laughed at his current condition, but soon Goblin Slayer gave a final grunt as he was back on his feet no longer using the table for support.
"I'm ready."
"We'll see about you damn fool!"
Goblin Slayer followed behind the slavers to the Great Maw, with every step and every breath there was pain, but he would not let that stop him. Goblin Slayer entered into the pit, on the opposite side of the arena was a single goblin tied to a wooden post. Instinctively, Goblin Slayer reached for his sword but sighed in frustration as his weapons were gone. He looked up to see not only the slavers around the pit but found both Female Knight and Heavy Warrior and several of the slaves who had fought in the Great Maw and survived. Each was bound with chains around their arms to keep them from resisting the slavers. Mistress sat upon her stone throne with a small smile as she looked down at Goblin Slayer, seated beside her was a young girl, bound at the wrists with a frightened look on her face.
"I'm hoping these last three days won't hamper your ability to entertain us."
"What could she be planning Beloved? Why have this lone goblin tied to a post before you?"
"You're challenge for tonight…protect that goblin from harm!" Mistress chuckled as her smile grew wider.
"Protect the goblin?" Goblin Slayer's gaze moved from Mistress to the goblin then back to her. "I am Goblin Slayer…I slay goblins."
"Oh I am well aware, but watch this very carefully." Mistress drew out a small knife from within her boot and moved to the little girl. "This may hurt a little."
"Mistress?" The young girl had tears in her eyes as she looked toward her Mistress drawing closer with the knife.
Mistress smiled as she jammed the blade into the girl's right shoulder amidst her cries of pain, but the moment the girls was injured an identical injury appeared over the goblin's right shoulder as well. Everyone saw this with wide eyes, their gaze changing from the goblin to the little girl then to Mistress.
"You damn monster, what the hell have you done?" Heavy Warrior struggled to break his bonds but it was no use.
"It is quite simple, I've had this beautiful little angel of mine linked with that disgusting monster down below. Any damages the goblin receives, then this poor child shall endure them as well."
"Damn you to hell!" Female Knight too pulled at her bonds growling as her bestial instincts taking over.
"My dear you wound me. All Goblin Slayer has to do is protect that little monster to keep the girl safe."
Goblin Slayer soon heard the sound of laughter from behind him and turned to see six slavers enter the pit armed with clubs. Though it meant going against his normal practice, Goblin Slayer backed up toward the goblin to keep it safe from the slavers. The crowd above cheered as their fellow slavers spread themselves out all while drawing closer to Goblin Slayer and the bound goblin. One of the slavers rushed forward to attack the goblin, but Goblin Slayer tackled the man to the ground hit him with his right fist. The moment this happened, the other slavers rushed in and struck Goblin Slayer with the clubs knocking him off their comrade.
"You pile of shit. How dare you strike me, filthy slave. Beat him to death!" The slaver spit the blood from his mouth as he went to retrieve his club.
Goblin Slayer struggle to get back to his feet, the constant beating had made sudden movements very painful when he was suddenly struck atop his helmet knocking him back to the ground. The slavers struck at Goblin Slayer over and over, these were not small goblins but full-grown men and seasoned fighters as they brough their full force down upon him. The beating continued for several minutes, blood hit ground as it flew from within his helmet, but soon Goblin Slayer lay motionless. His armor cracked and dented, blood around his body, for his colleagues there was worry that he was truly dead.
"Gob…Goblin Slayer." Female Knight looked on with wide eyes as his comrade lay there.
"Get up Goblin Slayer!" Heavy Warrior growled as he strained his body in a futile attempt to break his bonds.
"Finally, one of them is dead!" Mistress of the Game eyes were wide as a wicked smile crossed her face. "Kill the goblin!"
All eyes then switched from the downed Goblin Slayer to the Mistress.
"Mistress? I…I thought I was to be set free?"
"You will my dear…once the goblin is dead, you'll be free of everything, even your life."
The slavers in the pit chuckled to themselves as they slowly approached the captive goblin who was busy screeching in fear, the crowd cheered in a frenzy while the other captives shouted their protests. Goblin Slayer lay there, great pain surged through his body which at least told him that he was still alive.
"I…I can't move…need…to fight…but…"
"Look at you…I thought you were stronger than this."
From within his helmet, Goblin Slayer struggled to look around then caught sight of the figure in the dark armor.
"You need to give into the darkness if you want to have any chance of winning."
Goblin Slayer struggled to keep himself awake as he felt his consciousness slipping, so weak that he could not hear Lich Queen crying out to him.
"If you fall now, then that girl you're trying to protect will die! You swore to slay all the goblins did you not? If you fall here, who will carry on? Now get back on your feet and embrace the darkness within!"
Goblin Slayer grunted as he suddenly got back to his hands and knees before slowly standing once again much to the surprise of everyone watching. Goblin Slayer threw his head back and let out a scream of pure rage that actually scared the slavers in the pit below. Suddenly everything was calm that is until Goblin Slayer began to chuckle before turning to face the slavers his eyes ablaze within his helmet.
"Why fight a defenseless goblin when I'm still standing?" Goblin Slayer spoke but the dispassionate voice from before was gone, now there was a more demonic voice and had a hint of anger.
"You just don't know when to quit do you?" One of the slavers rushed forward with club raised.
Goblin Slayer, suddenly with new vigor, dodged the swing of the club and maneuvered behind the slaver and took hold of the salvers head with both hands. He gave it a violent twist, the crack of the vertebrae audible to all, before he threw the corpse to the ground. Three more of the slavers rushed in to avenge their fallen comrade, but Goblin Slayer was ready for this. He used his shield to knock back the club of the first slaver, then chuckled as he slammed his right fist into the man's groin. As that man screamed, Goblin Slayer then placed both hands into the slavers mouth and pulled in opposite directions, tearing away the bottom jaw of the man. He left the man to collapse to the ground gurgling on his own blood as he charged the next man swing his shield upward, slashing at the man's throat. The third slaver still shocked by all of this did not react fast enough as Goblin Slayer tackled the man jamming both of his thumbs into the man's eyes. Goblin Slayer stood as the man thrashed about, screaming as he brought his hands up to the bleeding pools that were his eyes.
"You're making too much noise." Goblin Slayer calmly placed his boot over the man's throat and slowly applied pressure until he crushed the man's neck.
With four of the slavers dead, the last two nervously watched as Goblin Slayer picked up one of the clubs and slowly walked toward them. Up above, the cheering had stopped as they all watched Goblin Slayer brutally dispatch each of the men. Female Knight and Heavy Warrior had never seen this behavior in him before, but figured it was his rage at the torture he had endured. One of the men rushed swinging his club twice, but missed each time until Goblin Slayer swung his own club and struck the man's knee cap, breaking the leg. The slaver screamed as he dropped to the ground, but the moment this happened, Goblin Slayer then walked over and struck the other kneecap breaking that leg as well.
"You wait there…I'll be back to deal with you."
Goblin Slayer turned his attention to the last slaver who nervously back away from the armored man. The man yelled as he dropped his club and ran toward the gate, screaming for the men to open it and let him out. He was unable to pound against it as there were several spikes in the wooden door, a quick glance back showed his Goblin Slayer was now directly behind him. Goblin Slayer gave him a quick push and the man's body was impaled on the spikes of the door. The man's body twitched as he lay there on the spikes, but Goblin Slayer was not done yet as he placed his boot on the man's body and pushed further, forcing the man's body deeper onto the spikes.
"Now then, you're the last one." Goblin Slayer tightened his grip on the club as he turned his attention back to the crippled man.
"No…please…" The wounded slaver dragged his body in a weak effort to get away from the armored man.
Goblin Slayer calmly walked toward the man before calmly placing hit foot on the man's back to keep him from moving any further.
"Please…have mercy!"
Goblin Slayer was silent as he looked down at the man, his expression hidden behind the helmet.
"I have none to give." The response was completely devoid of any emotion.
Goblin Slayer raised his club high and brought it down upon the screaming man's skull. Goblin Slayer continued to strike the man over and over, long after the man was dead as blood and brain matter splattered against his damaged armor. Goblin Slayer stopped as he looked over the carnage around him, the crowd above was silent until one of the Yuan-Ti shouted something.
"Slayer!"
The cry was triumphant, drawing everyone's attention to the bound captive. The Yuan-Ti continued to cry the same word over and over, but soon he was joined by the rest of his brothers, and still more of the bound captives chanted along with him.
"Slayer! Slayer! Slayer! Slayer!"
"You damn salve trash be silent!" Slaver Handler snapped at the captives threatening to use the slave collars if they did not be silent.
Down below, Goblin Slayer stalked toward the bound goblin tearing at the rope before throwing the goblin to the ground. He loomed over the goblin with club in hand, his bloodlust still not satisfied as he prepared to kill the small monster. In a flash, he gripped the goblin with his left hand, pinning the goblin to the ground as he tightened his grip on the club.
"Goblin Slayer no!" Heavy Warrior cried out to stop his friend from doing some irreversible.
"You can't Goblin Slayer, think of the girl!" Female Knight also cried out to stop him.
"Kill the goblin! You are Goblin Slayer now kill this little monster, let the dark gods see the bloodshed!"
Goblin Slayer raised his club and brought it crashing down but stopped short of hitting the goblin's skull. To those around the pit, it would appear that Goblin Slayer had stopped himself, but what they could not see was Lich Queen grabbing Goblin Slayer's arm with both her hands.
"Beloved that's enough!" Lich Queen struggled to keep Goblin Slayer from striking the creature. "If you kill this creature, you'll kill the poor girl as well. Those who hurt you are dead; you don't need to do anymore!"
"What do you think you're doing? You are a minion of evil are you not? Didn't you curse him so that he would be the instrument of your revenge against the mortal race?"
"I…no, not like this. I will not allow him to succumb to the darkness, I will save him!" Tears ran down Lich Queen's face as she finally managed to get Goblin Slayer to drop his weapon.
Before anyone else could say anything, the goblin's throat suddenly erupted in a small geyser of blood. Goblin Slayer gasped as he backed away from the goblin, he had returned to his senses to know that he had not injured the goblin, so what caused it to die so suddenly. Everyone else saw this, but knew Goblin Slayer had not harmed the goblin, they instead turned toward Mistress of the Game to see her stained with blood. Mistress of the Game had a small frown on her face as she finished slashing the poor girl's throat, grunting as the slave girl's blood splashed against her face and clothing.
"Mis…tress?"
The slave girl's eye were wide with disbelief before she fell forward with her blood spattering around the throne, all the while Mistress had a cold expression on her face.
"What a damn nuisance, you dirtied my glasses." Mistress was calm but annoyed as she took a white cloth from her pocket to wipe the blood from her glasses.
"You damn monster!" Heavy Warrior's rage was a boiling point as he tried to stand and charge at the crazed woman.
The other slaves were also trying to fight back, but as they were bound could do little as the slavers quickly subdued them.
"Get these slaves back to their cages."
"At once Mistress." Slave Handler quickly nodded his head towards his Mistress then turned her attention back to his subordinates. "Get this trash back in the cages right now!"
Mistress calmly walked over the corpse of the small girl as she looked down at Goblin Slayer who returned the gaze with his red eyes.
"If you must blame someone for that poor girl, blame yourself. You only needed to die, and because of your refusal to that simple task, she had to suffer." Mistress annoyed by this man kept a neutral face as she looked down at this man.
Goblin Slayer clenched his fists as she stared at the woman before he was forced to drop to his knees by Slave Handler's ring affecting his collar. Goblin Slayer and the other slaves were all thrown into their cages, while the slavers all discussed everything that had transpired at the game this night. Mistress had returned to her own tent to drink some wine to calm herself, but soon threw her glass against the table watching as it shattered.
"How dare you defy me! You worthless slaves are beneath me! I'll make sure everyone of one pay for this humiliation!"