CHAPTER 547: CHAPTER 286: THE MIDDLE-AGED VILLAGER’S FEAR IS...?

"Are you saying all these men were raped by goblins and then developed goblin syndrome?"

The Minister of State Affairs asked the attending physician with a pained expression, pointing at the soldiers curled up in their hospital beds, their expressions dazed.

The attending physician was also stunned for a moment. If a whole army had been raped, then goblins were truly terrifying creatures.

However, based on the rampant rumors of military defeat spreading through the city and the condition of the injured soldiers entering the hospital for treatment, the attending physician reached a general conclusion.

"No. Experiencing severe terror from goblins in a short period can also result in goblin syndrome. It’s very likely a post-war aftereffect from battling goblins."

"Getting post-war trauma from fighting goblins? How delicate are these soldiers normally? Do they feast on sea cucumbers daily?"

At this moment, the attending physician’s constant mention of ’goblin’ reached the ears of a nearby soldier, who screamed in panic while hiding under the bed.

It seemed like a chain reaction, and the entire large ward went into chaos.

"A riot! The mention of goblins caused a ward riot!"

The attending physician hurriedly led the nurses to suppress the sudden commotion.

The Minister of State Affairs, with a heavy expression, left the ward, taking the Defense Minister Mason, who was smoking outside.

The two walked along the main street into the Royal Palace.

Along the way, countless newspapers with headlines like [Royal Capital Army Defeated] fluttered everywhere, and excited people spread the news, even though patrolling officers were trying to maintain order, they couldn’t stop the news from spreading like wildfire.

Royal Palace.

At the top of the palace tower, Mason and the Minister of State Affairs met with King Delarosa.

Delarosa, with his hands behind his back, moved his gaze from the Royal Capital scene outside the floor-to-ceiling window to those in front of him.

"Minister Mason. Thanks to you, the whole country now knows our elite Royal Capital Army lost to goblins. Was ten thousand not enough, or was the Royal Capital Army’s combat power insufficient, or perhaps the equipment and supplies were inadequate for you?"

Delarosa’s eyes, like a cobra ready to strike, fixed on the green-haired Mason.

While the residents of the Royal Capital might find this a mere farce, as the monarch, Delarosa was entangled with countless thorny issues due to this.

The news of the Royal Capital Army being defeated by goblins spread like wildfire. The first to be affected was the Esper Royal Family; not only was their ruling power questioned, but their prestige in major cities significantly waned.

But compared to domestic situations, the international situation was worse.

In the Eastern Kingdom’s morning meeting, Delarosa had already been ridiculed several times by the kings of other kingdoms.

"This is a first in human history, the first time a regular army lost to goblins! And it happened in my kingdom, to my soldiers! Shame! Utter shame! A national disgrace!"

Delarosa shouted loudly, unable to hold back, tearing down a curtain beside him with one hand.

This showed how significant the impact of this event was.

"General Mason, how do you explain this? I should execute your entire lineage, no, I should even execute the entire line of your neighbors!"

Listening to Delarosa’s repeated mention of ’goblin,’ Mason couldn’t help but tremble; he quickly suppressed his shaking.

Indeed, the commander himself, after the goblin fire attack raid that night, also succumbed to goblin syndrome.

"Your Majesty, goblins are no longer what they used to be. They are not the foolish creatures that villagers could just gather to exterminate with farming tools. They have massive numbers, orderly military, and even specific enemy strategies! They raided and set ablaze the Royal Capital Army, systematically stole supplies and wiped out soldiers—this was not something the goblins under the previous Demon King could accomplish!"

Mason raised his head, looking earnestly at Delarosa.

Having lived over forty years, Mason often led troops to eliminate stray goblins near the Royal Capital during the Luwaka era. His words carried significant weight.

Delarosa fell into silence, but a murderous intent still lingered in his eyes.

"No matter what, I must execute you today, or how can I quell the civil unrest in the Royal Capital?"

"Please give me another chance, I assure you I can annihilate all the goblins."

Mason, pale, hurriedly knelt down.

Delarosa’s grave expression remained unchanged.

Mason stealthily glanced at the Minister of State Affairs beside him. The Minister understood and stepped forward.

Mason and the Minister of State Affairs had private mutual interests. Before coming here, Mason had secretly communicated with the Minister to have him speak on his behalf before Delarosa.

"Your Majesty, I believe Minister Mason has no reason to lie. Now, within Esper, peace reigns, and no city would dare to send troops to attack the Royal Capital Army; even some bandits and rogues have no strength to confront an army of ten thousand.

I saw the injuries of the returning soldiers in the military hospital. It’s not unlikely that General Mason is speaking the truth. Goblins might have evolved to a level we cannot underestimate. Minister Mason is a brave soldier, and dying on the battlefield is his honor. But if he chose to bear the shame and come back, it must be to deliver this crucial intelligence to us."

The Minister of State Affairs slightly bowed.

"Lord Delarosa, with this intelligence, we can begin preparations to resist the demon race before other countries."