He looked at Kelvin seriously. "Does that bother you? That I killed them so easily?"

Kelvin considered the question carefully. "A week ago, it would have. But after seeing those women , Kelvin won't want anyone to treat his sister that way. Some things can't be forgiven. Some people can't be allowed to continue existing when they'll just cause more harm."

"Exactly," Satou said. "And that's a hard lesson to learn. Power without the willingness to use it when necessary is useless. But power without restraint becomes tyranny. Finding the balance is what makes a true leader."

"Let's head back," Satou said, adjusting his grip on Kelvin to make the young Hobgoblin more comfortable. "You need proper rest, and I need to establish some new rules before this kind of thing can happen again."

They made their way back through the forest, retracing the path they'd taken earlier. The sun was lower now, casting long shadows through the trees. The sounds of their footsteps were the only noise for a while, both lost in thought about what they'd witnessed.

As they approached the cave entrance again, Satou's enhanced hearing picked up new sounds—organized movement, soft voices speaking in elvish, the rustle of fabric.

When they rounded the final bend, the scene before them was both heartbreaking and hopeful.

The elven rescue team had arrived with remarkable speed. There were at least fifteen elves, both male and female, all wearing the simple but elegant clothing typical of their race. They moved with practiced efficiency, clearly experienced in rescue operations.

Female elves were carefully clothing the women who'd been imprisoned, replacing tattered rags with clean, modest garments. They worked gently, speaking in soothing tones even though the women were still under Cassius's sleeping spell. Each woman, once properly clothed, was carefully positioned on the back of a male elf who would carry her back to the settlement.

One of the elves, a tall female with silver hair and kind eyes, approached Satou. She bowed respectfully.

"Chieftain Satou," she said in accented but clear Common. "I am Selene, leader of this rescue team. Cassius briefed us on the situation. We've secured all thirty-five victims and are preparing for transport. They'll be taken to the medical facilities in your settlement where our healers can provide proper care."

"Thank you," Satou said sincerely. "How long until they can be moved?"

"We're ready now," Selene replied. "The sleeping spell will last for several more hours, which should give us time to reach the settlement and have proper medical facilities prepared. Lady Morgana has already been contacted and is arranging portal transport. She should arrive within two days to perform the memory manipulation."

"Two days," Satou repeated. "Can the women handle waiting that long?"

"We'll keep them comfortable and sedated," Selene assured him. "They won't be conscious or aware during that time. When they wake after the memory spell, it will be in clean beds, surrounded by people who want to help them, with no recollection of their captivity."

Satou nodded, relieved. "What about the goblins from this settlement? Are your people comfortable with them joining us?"

Selene's expression became more guarded. "Cassius explained that you... dealt with the leadership that was responsible for this atrocity. The remaining goblins claim they either didn't know about the captives or were too afraid to speak against the elders. Is this accurate?"

"According to my questioning, yes," Satou confirmed. "The younger generation genuinely seemed unaware. The older generation who knew but stayed silent are being watched carefully by Elder Mok, the one elder who tried to help the captives. But I want to be clear—if any goblin from this settlement shows even a hint of continuing these practices, they will be executed immediately."

"Good," Selene said with surprising firmness. "My people have no love for goblins, as you can imagine. We've rescued too many elven women from similar situations over the centuries. But if you're truly committed to changing goblin culture, to eliminating these barbaric practices, then we'll support that effort. Actions speak louder than words, Chieftain Satou. You've taken the first action by killing those elders. Continue proving yourself, and you'll earn our full trust."

"I intend to," Satou said.

Selene nodded and returned to her team, coordinating the final preparations for transport. Within minutes, the elves were moving out, each carrying a sleeping woman with careful reverence. They moved through the forest like ghosts, their steps silent despite their burdens.

Cassius approached as the last elf departed. "I'll accompany them back to ensure safe arrival. Elder Mok has agreed to bring his people to your settlement tomorrow, after they've had time to bury their dead and gather what few possessions they have. The cave will be abandoned permanently."

"Good," Satou said. "Make sure Urgak knows what happened here. He needs to be prepared for the influx of new residents and the... sensitive nature of this situation."

"Understood," Cassius replied. He glanced at Kelvin, who was looking increasingly exhausted. "Get him to Jessica. He fought well today, but those injuries need proper attention."

"I will. Thank you, Cassius. For everything."

The vampire nodded once, then disappeared into the shadows, following the elven rescue team.

Satou and Kelvin continued their journey home, moving more slowly now as exhaustion began to set in for both of them.

Return to the Settlement

By the time they reached their settlement, the sun had fully set, and torches illuminated the village square. The moment they passed through the gates, a crowd gathered, word having spread that Kelvin had fought twenty Dire Wolves.

Jessica was the first to reach them, her face pale with worry. "Kelvin! Oh gods, you're covered in blood! Let me see—"

"I'm okay, sis," Kelvin said, managing a tired smile. "Most of this blood isn't mine. Big brother's blessing kept me alive, and I killed all the wolves. I actually did it."

Jessica's eyes filled with tears as she began casting healing magic, her Holy Maiden powers washing over Kelvin's battered body. "You're an idiot. A brave idiot, but still an idiot. Twenty wolves, Kelvin. Twenty!"

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