The Forest Feeds No Idle Goblins

Chapter 255: Chapter 228: The Effect of a Collective Intelligence Debuff

Bald Hide had been optimistic about this battle from the start. He believed that with flying goblins in the sky and charging Petrifying Lizards on the ground, no creature in the forest could withstand their combined assault.

As a Dongtou and a participant in several previous hunts for the Naga of Darren Lake, he knew the combat strength of the Giant Snake Kingdom. Although he didn’t understand why the Feathered Serpent Divine Being wanted to eat those Naga, dead or alive, it didn’t affect his perception of the Kingdom’s standing in the forest.

’It’s just a bunch of Centaurs. When they see those Petrifying Lizards charging at them, their only reaction will be to turn into stone statues in shock.’ A corner of Bald Hide’s mouth lifted as he reached up to straighten his slightly askew feathered headdress. The tail feathers of the forest grouse were long, but the headdress had been made too hastily, leaving it unbalanced and constantly tilting. ’But it doesn’t matter. After this battle, I’ll go back and make a new one properly. For any future missions the Kingdom undertakes, the High Priest will surely have me lead the men again. Then I can wear a feathered headdress all the time.’

He hadn’t failed to notice the defiant Dongtou and their venomous glares; he just felt they were all fools, and it wasn’t worth stooping to their level. ’Among all the goblins in the forest, I’m the smartest. Maybe after the High Priest dies, I’ll be the one to lead this great Kingdom.’

Bald Hide could even imagine those other Dongtou returning to the Kingdom and complaining specifically about him to the High Priest, but as long as he won this battle, their grievances would be no more significant than the whining of little goblin children.

"Dongtou, a goblin was shot down," a nearby goblin said, drawing close.

Bald Hide frowned and once again adjusted his tilted feathered headdress. He looked toward the sky and saw arrows being continuously fired into the air in the distance, and stones were being hurled as well.

"They can throw that high?" he muttered, tilting his head back and taking a small step backward. "It seems those Centaurs have spotted us. The goblins they’ve enslaved should be charging over any minute now."

"Dongtou, the flying goblins are already pulling back to dodge the arrows. Should we all charge now," the goblin beside him asked, punching his fist into his palm, "and catch them off guard?"

Bald Hide fell into thought, snatching his headdress just as it was about to fall to the ground. He mulled over his next move: should he order an immediate, all-out charge, or was there another option?

For some reason, a voice in his head kept telling him that sending the Petrifying Lizards to charge immediately was the better option. But if he did that, what would the other goblins do? He had brought 800 goblins with him, after all. If they charged directly, 800 against just over 200, the advantage was still immense.

Gradually, his gaze grew firmer as he became more certain of his idea. ’Didn’t those other Dongtou say I don’t know how to command? I’ll show you my Ability. As long as I bring most of the men back this time, no one in the Kingdom will ever question me again.’

And so, he puffed out his chest, took a simple flute made of tree bark from his pocket, and blew into it with all his might.

The moment this flute sounded, the Petrifying Lizards at the very front of the formation, along with the few dens of goblins herding them, would begin to charge the enemy.

At the same time, he raised a hand, stopping the goblin beside him. "Relay my orders. Everyone holds their position. Wait for the vanguard to scatter the enemy, then we’ll charge in and deliver the final blow."

The order was quickly passed down the line. Bald Hide, wearing his feathered headdress, stood at the front of his troops, making sure every goblin could see his confident posture. ’I need to think of what to say so I can better present my role in this battle to the High Priest when I get back.’

As the vanguard charged into the woods, a constant RUSTLING of leaves came from ahead. With his hands behind his back, Bald Hide strained to see into the distance. He wished he were taller so the bushes wouldn’t block his view, then he could clearly witness the "grand spectacle" of the Petrifying Lizards crashing into the Centaur Race. ’I should be hearing their screams of agony any second now.’

Bald Hide nodded in satisfaction. His movements were slight, as if he were afraid the feathered headdress on his head might fall to the ground.

Just as he was standing there, chest puffed out in anticipation of the battle’s turn, a long CHIRP echoed from not far away. This puzzled him. ’Where did that bird come from?’

In the next moment, his eyes flew wide open. A dazzling white light flashed in the distance, followed by a continuous CRACKLING sound that filled his ears as a distinct white line rushed rapidly toward his position.

Bald Hide stumbled back two steps in astonishment. The white line advanced so quickly the entire process took only a few seconds. Then, he stared in shock at the incredible sight before him.

The entire area was frozen solid. Bald Hide’s mouth hung open, but no words came out. He didn’t even notice that his feathered headdress had fallen off during his retreat and was now half-frozen to the ground.

"W-what is this?" Bald Hide finally managed to stammer out a few seconds later. The goblins behind him began to murmur as well, all of them stunned by the shocking scene.

It wasn’t that these goblins had never seen ice. Although it was a rare sight in nature, they had seen some of the Water Magic used by the enemy during their battles with the Naga Race, including abilities like the Ice Arrow Technique and Frost Storm. But that Magic was nothing compared to the vast expanse of ice before them now.

"Dongtou, what... what do we do?" It was the same goblin, leaning in to ask again. All the goblins had witnessed the change. They saw the Petrifying Lizards—those small mountains of flesh—frozen motionless to the ground. Their resolve began to waver as fear crept into their hearts.

"We..." Bald Hide paused, knowing he had to make a critical choice: continue the attack or retreat immediately.

However, an idea gradually began to form in his mind. "Tell everyone to hold their ground! This Frozen Magic didn’t even harm us. Their Ability must be limited; they probably can’t cast Magic like that again. We still have the flying goblins!"

The words had barely left his mouth when a scream tore through the sky. A goblin, riddled with several arrows, plummeted to the ground. In the distance, boisterous shouts erupted.

Bald Hide frowned and reached up to adjust his feathered headdress, but this time his hand grasped at empty air. As the shouts grew louder, he suddenly realized—

They were charging at them?

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!