There were even straps of leather to make makeshift leashes and as Vladimir was still disguised as an orc, even though under a closer examination he would be revealed… They gathered the materials and after Bread explained Vladimir the way, they left, camouflaged as young, sickly noble and his slaves, coming to the Church of Staumaz to mark them.

They avoided the most crowded avenues and confidently went right in the middle of the road, the hissing and steaming trams moving past them. The technology was based on simple hydraulics yet effective thanks to used materials and fuel. Vlad really wanted to get a hand on those magic crystals and do extensive research on them. Unfortunately, they were in a very precarious position right now and he forced himself to focus.

Vlad didn’t know if Lady Luck personally interfered, but nobody took a second glance at them.

The group of young goblins and Vlad now had a grand quest before them. The Temple of Staumaz was right below the Tower of Devil and the square before it was bustling with priests, slaves and orcs. There was no alley connected to the temple.

The kids were getting tired and restless and the few adults had to take care of them. Some of the younger ones had to also be carried which greatly impeded their speed.

Bread tried to remember some of the older hideouts in the city where they could hide over the night while she and Vlad made their way into the temple and alert the supporters, but to no avail and Bread did not want to leave the kids alone even for a second as they could very well be the last of the revolution and free goblins in these parts.

While Vlad was trying to find a way, the city horns suddenly roared all over the city.

“The prince is returning…” Bread whispered, already suspecting what happened. Za’Dek, her adoptive father, Goulash and the rest of the army… A single tear fell from her eye. Vladimir saw as she took a sharp breath and gritted her teeth. Her cute eyes were filled with determination.

The square slowly emptied as the orcs went to see the procession. Only a few goblins doing their duties stayed and guard-goblins overseen by orcs.

Guided by Bread, they hastily went straight to the temple. The temple was a massive, Roman-style building made from white marble. To the main entrance led a with statues on the sides of a massive orc in plate armour and a raised hand where a fire was lit and in the second hand alongside his body, he held a sculpted antique pistol. The details were incredible. The sculptures’ craftsmanship already overshadowed Michelangelo, that much Vlad could discern. Before the main entrance were two dangerously-looking fully-armoured guards with two guard-goblins at the sides who were equipped by the rifles.

They didn’t go up and instead went around where the small side entrance was located. It was guarded by two guards-guards, lightly napping, leaned on their rifles.

“They… They are contacts,” she lightly stuttered as her lovely shyness returned. There was also a well-hidden sadness in her voice. Vladimir started to admire her when he saw the determination in her eyes.

She handed two kids that she was holding and who were already calmly napping. Sou’Rek was still unconscious, his state degrading rapidly as he was still heavily bleeding.

“Hey!” Bread lightly tapped one of them after Bread pointed.

“Lieutenant, what are ya doing here?” The goblin woke up with a scare and saw Bread standing above him. Then he noticed the disguised human and for a moment he thought they came for him but noticed the inconsistencies as he looked closer. “Human…” He muttered in recognition.

“The camp was attacked, nowhere is safe. Lead us to priest Sural,” Vladimir took over the conversation. The goblin glanced at Bread and after seeing no disapproval just nodded. The second goblin opened the smallish, steel gate.

The hallway was empty, except for murals on the walls, showing exploits of their god. Mostly slaying of diverse devils with steam-powered machinery and weapons.

They arrived before the main hall, decorated by sculptures, murals, tapestries and ancient artefacts in cages. Priests and believers were kneeling before the 6-metres tall bronze sculpture of Staumaz, which was dominating the middle of the hall, side by side.

However, they did not enter and instead went left, into another hallway leading to sickbay.

They entered a room with an orc priestess tending to wounded goblins and orcs alike. She had braided, black, long hair, undecorated small tusks and a sharp gaze that penetrated deep into the soul.

“Tork, what have you brought this time?!” She snapped at their guide.

“Priestess Sural, they are from,” he made a significant pause, “you know…” he showed the secret sign.

She groaned at it, dismissed him with a wave and beckoned Vlad’s group to follow her. When Vladimir observed her more closely, she seemed somewhat familiar. The encyclopaedia promptly provided the memory upon his notion. She was the priestess who resurrected Sou’Rek after their last fight in the arena.

They entered a small, empty sickbay after she led them to the cellars.

“Put him here,” she pointed at a cot in the size of goblin near the wall. The two goblins happily dropped the stretches on the cot and sat down, exhausted. The kids were gently laid down too. “Bread! Good to see that you are fine… So in the end Za’Dek went for the prince, huh?” She said as she examined the almost dead fallen inquisitor.

“Yes…” Bread said, finally relieved. A sudden burst of tears started falling from her eyes as she silently sobbed. They were relatively safe now so she could let go. Vlad did not know what to do, so he sat next to her and hugged her around her shoulders.

The orcette priestess sighed and started casting a divine spell. Again, Vladimir observed it closely, using everything at his disposal.

“Lord, by thy will I will stop his bleeding. By thy will I will heal his wounds,” she chanted the short prayer in a different language from the native. Out of nowhere, white steam formed closely around Sou’Rek. His wounds rapidly closed while the embedded bullets were expelled.

[Encyclopaedia updated: Prayer of Healing]

Bread sighed as she saw it through her teary, red eyes. She leaned to Vladimir's chests and closed her eyes. Shortly after, she fell asleep.

“I have more duties now. Sleep. Tomorrow we will talk,” she glanced around, checking if everyone was fine and after she was assured the rest was not hurt, she left.

Vladimir smiled a little bit as he looked at the sleeping, olive-green goblinette and went to sleep too.

They were woken up by temple guard-goblins in the middle of the day. They brought them plenty of food, Fruits, vegetables, animal meat and clean water. Everyone got their share.

When Bread woke up, still leaning on him, she went red as a tomato.

They were asked to limit themselves on the cellars as the temple was occupied by nobles attending to the injured prince. Seems like someone got a lucky shot and hit him in the neck.

Vladimir asked about Za’Dek and Goulash but the guard just shrugged and told him to wait for the priestess. He also had to ask about the stupid potion. He was never so close to being healed. Now, as he thought about cancer, he wondered where the Loony Voice went. It greatly worried him, but Loony just did not respond at all. It felt as if he was using the D-Join drug again. He checked his status while at it.

Vladimir D. Svoboda

Age: 229

Race: Homo Sapiens Sapiens - Earth origin

Level: 3

Essence: 50.00%

VIT Vitality: 17.32 (decreasing by 0.21 per day) / 11.00

CAC Cell Activity: 2.50 / 4.50

ISS Immune System Strength: 2.50 / 4.50

NSS Nervous System Speed: 2.50 / 4.50

MPA Mental Processing Ability: 6.00

Ailments:

Dissociative identity disorder (mind)

Pancreatic cancer (4th stage - 82 days left) (body)

Magic-less/Ki-less (body/soul)

Perks:

Centennial Genius

Unknown origin

System Modules:

Enhanced Evolutionary System

Analyser — basic sense-grade

Encased Soul

Encyclopaedia

Skill List:

Weapon Mastery:

Unarmed - Beginner

1-H Bladed - Beginner

1-H Firearms - Beginner

Science:

Energy transmission - Adept

Space - Beginner

Energy:

Meditation - Beginner

Focus (Meditation sub-skill) - Beginner

Resistances:

Serum F7

Cutting Trauma F10

Blunt Trauma F10

Mental Disorder E8

He sighed at the slow progress. The mental disorder went right up. He judged that may be the reason why he couldn’t hear Loony. Even though he was still worried. After all, Loony could mess with his emotions and he could be never certain. At least, until the ailment was gone.

“Vlad?” A meek voice sounded behind him. He turned around and saw Bread with two kids at her sides, picking their noses. “I just… Thank you!” She suddenly hugged him. Vladimir realized it was for the first time someone called him like that here, except his mother.

She released him after a bit and started to fidget.

“Do you need anything?” He firmly, yet softly asked her. She stared at the ground and lightly nodded. “You want me to help you find Za’Dek and Goulash?” Vlad guessed. Another nod. “Hmm… Okay, but after Sou’Rek wakes up and we talk to Sural,” Vladimir agreed, but secretly hoped he wouldn’t need to go into the city.

The rest of the morning went in a flash. They entertained the bored, unruly runts. Bread was still visibly nervous, but now she had some hope. Vlad knew the chances were slim.

Sou’Rek finally awoke and the moment he noticed where he was, he grimaced. “What do you mean, there was no other choice, human?!” He yelled at Vladimir while the said man stood before the entrance.

“You were dying! And stop yelling or the royals will hear you!” Vladimir shouted back. At that Sou’Rek quieted down. He knew the repercussion if the royals would find them.

Bread was standing behind Vlad, peeking from behind. “Uhm, Sou?” She asked.

“What?” Sou’Rek grumbled, unhappy at the situation.

“Do… Do you know what… What happened with the rest?” She asked with mixed hope and fear.

He sat down on his bloody cot and sighed. “No. But I guess they are dead,” he looked at the younglings around him and grimaced again.

“What even happened?” Vladimir asked, still standing in the doors. Just for surety.

“Ko’Rak happened. Fucking traitor…” He grumbled again.

“Ko’Rak?” Vladimir was confused. He never heard of that goblin. And he remembered almost all of the camp inhabitants, thanks to his eidetic memory.

“Uhm… Quartermaster… I can’t believe it…” She muttered in disbelief.

“Yeah, him. The trash was spying on us for some time… I questioned him a little bit after the gathering, but he slipped away. He was stronger than he let on, that slimy, piece of pig shit,” Sou’Rek explained. “When I followed him, I lost track of him and met the orc group waiting in ambush,” He raged. The joints on his hands were completely white.

“That is not good…” Vladimir responded and then something occurred to him, “Oh fuck! The devils and orcs will know I had adjusted the breathing techniques!.” The thought of it made him sweat profusely. They were already searching for him. Hopefully, they would get greedy and go for a silent approach. Bounty posters would be no good. He needed to reach the sea!

“Yeah… The revolution is done too. At least for some time,” Sou’Rek mourned them. “So many good goblins, friends and mates…” He sighed at the reminiscence.

Some kids sniffed and Bread bawled her eyes out.

Vlad decided to help them. Somehow. After he got that blasted potion or healing.

At that moment, priestess Sular entered. “What happened here?” She asked, but then facepalmed. “Of course, what a stupid question. Yeah, Za’Dek was killed. Goulash was sentenced to death by three deaths at the Coliseum,” she noticed as Sou’Rek winced. “Yes, the same as you. And no. Kulgar is gone, the prince will do it himself. That means royal guards and the army surrounding the place and no goblins allowed!” Words exploded from her.

“Can we save him? Please?” Bread inquired, shaking and with urgency in her voice. Vlad saw how hard the news took her. Her eyes were completely red and tears flowed freely.

“Maybe… He is not under the Coliseum yet… The priest who was keeping him alive during interrogation said that he was too…” She explained, pausing as she tried to find the right words, “damaged to be moved, even with spells. The royals refused to pay for the resurrection or extensive healing,” she added before Vlad could ask.

“When and where?” Vlad asked in the end.

“At most in the next three hours and they are in the camp near the forest, just two hours from here,” she gave the info. “Temple guards will help,” she sighed and looked at Bread. “We were given a quest by the arch-bishop herself. Now that Sou’Rek and Za’Dek are gone,” she significantly paused as she glanced at Sou’Rek, “Goulash is the only eligible leader.”

“What about Bread?” Vlad asked, making her redden again.

“Don’t make me laugh,” she dismissed the notion. Vladimir tensed, which did not escape Sular’s attention.

“Heh… A human angered for a goblin…” Sular snorted.