Alastair Carter is a 27-year-old marketing and management teacher like many others around the world. Well... maybe besides the fact that he teaches some of that world's prodigies, but it's just a small detail. Even though he loves fantasy novels, he...
"What now, Master?" Sirgia asks as we observe the two sentries from behind a corner.
"It would be best to gather as much information as we can. About their numbers, strongest warriors and possible captives. But, none of us has any useful scouting abilities."
"I could just run inside while enhancing my speed and take a quick look around. It would alert them, but I could lead the pursuers into a trap we prepare beforehand or into a more favourable position for us to strike," Astrea suggests.
"Wait. I have an idea. Let me just check one thing."
I pull up my status and open one of the skills I rarely check, also making it visible to the girls so that they don't just stare at me in complete confusion.
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"While I do not know Goblin or whatever the language they use to communicate is called, there's a chance that it is considered a humanoid type. We could try capturing one of the guards and test it out with my Charm Magic, asking for some information about their base," I explain my idea.
Sirgia nods. "That could work."
"We are lucky. Both of them seem to be females. Your magic should have a stronger effect on them," Astrea adds after glancing behind the corner again.
"Alright. Let's do it the same way as earlier. Just knock them out instead. Since both of them are females, it's better to keep two alive instead of one, for more possible information."
I prepare the Void Chains in my mind and watch as Astrea and Sirgia apply their respective version of Physical Strengthening while focusing it on their legs to boost their speed. With a simultaneous nod, all three of us jump out of hiding.
Placing my hand on the ground—which, as I have learned in the past, boosts my effective range with this ability—I send out wide purplish straps that emerge from the wall behind the two Goblins and wrap themselves around their mouths and bodies, also capturing their crude weapons to not let them fall to the ground.
The girls arrive at their sides in a blink while avoiding the middle where the entrance could reveal them. Astrea drives a non-hardened fist into the stomach of the left one while Sirgia bonks the right one with the flat side of her hammer in its dormant state, making it look like she is playing whack-a-goblin instead of going after an opponent.
The two clearly lose consciousness and my lovely partners pick them up with ease. Both of them are plenty strong, even without my bonuses. They carry the duo of Goblins back to our corner and we hide behind it again.
It's better for other Goblins to see that the guards disappeared somewhere than to stumble onto us interrogating their friends and start shouting before we can silence them in time. Just less risk. And Astrea should be able to notice anyone coming towards the entrance.
I move closer to one of the ugly green bastards. Gods. They seriously stink. I pity Astrea and her much more heightened senses than mine. Unless she can somehow tune the smell out. She doesn't look that bothered by it but certainly can perceive it. Perhaps one of her racial perks again.
