The Evolution Of A Goblin To The Peak

Chapter 918 Battle at the Selnes Country: Flaem Clan

In Zone 9...

Franklin, Vashno, and Eztein reached the vicinity of the Flaem Clan household.

”Is this the right place?” Franklin inquired, his gaze fixed on the barrier enveloping the entire area.

”Yeah, that woman assured us that weʼd find it here,” Vashno affirmed.

”Are you certain we should trust that woman?” Eztein questioned, casting a glance at the intense battles unfolding in the sky.

”If this doesnʼt pan out, Iʼll take you on, Vashno,” Franklin retorted.

”Donʼt fret; Iʼve already informed Souta about that woman, and he suggested that if we had the time, we should investigate,” Vashno explained.

”We? Iʼm afraid to say youʼve forcibly entangled me and this old man in your plan. It should be just you. Franklin and I should be on the front lines, fighting alongside the others,” Eztein responded.

”Enough talk. Letʼs get inside,” Vashno directed, taking out a small token from his pocket adorned with the Flaem Clan insignia.

”If the Flaem Clan Master discovers us, weʼre as good as dead. That woman can take down someone at the Five Shackles Realm, which clearly puts her among the top-tier experts. Sheʼs above fifth shackles and it put her on the level of top SSS-rank,” Eztein cautioned.

”Donʼt fret. She wonʼt kill you. Souta can handle her, so sheʼd think twice before attempting to harm us,” Vashno reassured.

”Damn it! Canʼt you sense our bossʼs presence? Heʼs currently locked in a fierce battle, and if we add to his troubles, weʼll meet our end too!” Eztein raised his voice. ”You donʼt understand because youʼre new! Our boss is ruthless! When I first met him, he nearly tortured me to death!”

”Youʼre naive,” Franklin chuckled. ”Thatʼs because you fail to see how extraordinary our leader is. Unlike you, when I first encountered our leader, I decided to follow him because I had a hunch that heʼd lead me into an unparalleled battle.”

Vashno sighed as he listened to the bickering between the two. He questioned his decision to bring these two along. Nevertheless, he glanced at the token in his hand and pressed forward, ignoring their arguments.

Franklin and Eztein fell silent and followed Vashno into the barrier. Thanks to the token, they were granted access past the barrier surrounding the Flaem Clanʼs premises.

Vashno surveyed his surroundings. As anticipated, the place appeared barren, with most of the clanʼs soldiers engaged in frontline warfare. If there was ever an opportune time to infiltrate a master clanʼs territory, it was now.

While they made their way forward, Vashno contemplated the woman from the store who had given him the token. He understood that she was no ordinary person. He surmised that she might be using them for her own agenda. Heʼd agreed to her task, as he hadnʼt detected any hostility from her. Vashno also speculated that she was working on something for the country but preferred to remain concealed.

”Perhaps some form of exile...” Vashno mused silently.

Before long, they reached the vicinity of the Flaem Clanʼs central building, a grand and imposing palace.

”There are knights...” Eztein whispered in a voice meant for their ears alone.

”As expected... They havenʼt completely abandoned their territory. Theyʼve left some experts here to guard it,” Vashno muttered.

Franklin squinted his eyes and remarked, ”They look formidable, strong.”

”So, are we going to do this? We canʼt get in without confronting them,” Eztein inquired, directing his gaze at Vashno.

Vashno nodded and replied, ”How about you go inside and infiltrate the palace, Franklin? Eztein and I will divert the guardsʼ attention.”

Franklin countered, ”What if you infiltrate, and I engage them in combat?”

Vashno sighed, ”Very well, youʼll take on the guards.” He then turned to Eztein and continued, ”Eztein, youʼll be the one to enter the palace.”

”Alright, so whatʼs my role?” Eztein acknowledged, seeking guidance.

”Simply locate the basement where the Flaem Clanʼs secrets are concealed. According to the woman, youʼll know youʼre in the right place when you come across a tomb,” Vashno explained, handing the token to Eztein. ”Use this to activate whatever you find in there.”

Eztein nodded as he stowed the token securely in his pocket.

Vashno and Franklin exchanged glances, and Vashno nodded before the two of them surged forward. Their energies flared, alerting the guards to their presence.

The guards swiftly turned their heads, sensing the sudden energy fluctuations. They spotted two figures rapidly approaching. Reacting, they readied their weapons and shouted, ”Halt!”

Vashno came to a stop and signaled for Franklin to cease his advance, intending to stall the guards and provide Eztein with the time he needed to complete his mission.

The guards scrutinized Vashno and Franklin before one of them inquired, ”Who are you? And how did you manage to breach the Flaem Clanʼs premises?”

”Weʼve been tasked by Clan Leader Hono to conduct an investigation here,” Vashno replied.

”Youʼre mistaken...” a voice interjected.

A man emerged from the doorway, regarding the two intruders with a cold stare as he passed by the guards stationed at the gate. He was a middle-aged individual with purplish skin and pointed ears, standing a few meters away from Vashno and Franklin.

”Iʼm Arche, and you could say that Iʼm a friend of Clan Leader Hono. To be more precise, I hold the position of Chief Instructor among the Flame Knights of the Flaem Clan,” the man introduced himself. ”Clan Leader Hono explicitly tasked me with safeguarding this place. She instructed me not to heed anyoneʼs words other than hers. If she had any business here, she would have come herself instead of seeking help from outsiders.”

Vashno wore a troubled expression at Archeʼs words.

”I was already prepared for this. They wonʼt accept anything except what their comrades say,” Franklin whispered to Vashno. He then addressed Arche and the two guards, declaring, ”Well, if itʼs come to this, letʼs fight.”

Arche pointed his finger at the two intruders and ordered, ”Seize them! Anyone who trespasses into our territory will face the consequences!”

The two guards immediately sprang into action upon receiving the command.

”Damn it!” Vashno cursed as he and Franklin leaped away, with the guards hot on their heels.

While Vashno knew that the guards were formidable, the true concern was the man who called himself Arche. He could sense an overwhelming aura of dominance emanating from him.

ʼHeʼs probably at the Four Shackles Realm, or someone close to it, likely stronger than me,ʼ Vashno speculated internally as he skillfully evaded the attacks from the guards.

Meanwhile, Franklin was already engaged in a heated exchange with one of the guards. His body had grotesquely transformed into a mound of flesh to keep up with his opponent. Nevertheless, all he could do was hold on.

Franklin was clearly outmatched in terms of strength, speed, and energy. The guard he faced was an elite expert at the Three Shackles Realm, while Franklin remained at the Two Shackles Realm, creating a notable disparity between them.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

One shockwave after another swept out as Franklin continued his fierce duel. Blood sprayed from his body, yet he paid it no mind, instead channeling his [Element Drive] to muster more force in hopes of keeping up with his opponent.

Vashno monitored the battle from the corner of his eye, debating whether he should intervene or not. His own adversary was also at the Three Shackles Realm, but Vashnoʼs experience in this realm placed him above in terms of strength, speed, and energy. Nonetheless, it would still take him several minutes to overcome this guard. Regardless, both of them were firmly rooted at the Three Shackles Realm.

ʼThe objective is to stall... I shouldnʼt conclude this battle. Iʼll only exert myself when that man, Arche, joins the fray,ʼ Vashno decided internally. His current mission was simply to bide time for Eztein to complete his task. Moreover, he couldnʼt afford to kill his opponent, as they were essentially allies in this ongoing war. All he desired was to uncover the secrets of the Five Master Clans, one of the few elements that could potentially shift the course of the conflict.

He had an inkling that the true extent of the secrets held by the Five Master Clans was deeper than what lay on the surface.

Boom!!

A resounding explosion erupted, prompting Vashno to turn his gaze. His eyes widened as he witnessed the origin of the explosion: Arche.

Arche had pinned down a figure in the center of a small crater, his aura overwhelming and exerting intense pressure. The figure beneath him was Eztein, who was gritting his teeth with blood trickling from his mouth.

ʼHe sensed Eztein?! No, the plan has failed!ʼ Vashno immediately activated his [Element Drive] and harnessed the power of his parasite. His body transformed into a colossal monstrosity.

Swoosh!

In a fraction of a second, Vashno unleashed a devastating strike upon his opponent. Caught off guard by the abrupt shift in Vashnoʼs strength and appearance, the guard was sent hurtling through the air, ultimately colliding with a nearby structure.

ʼThis should buy me a little more time to rescue Eztein.ʼ

Without sparing a glance for the downed guard, Vashno dashed toward Arche, who still had a firm grip on Eztein.