Chapter 119: Goblins in Winter (5) The Mental Toll

The fortress was in chaos when I arrived back. Shouts and cries echoed through the stone halls as adventurers and soldiers scrambled to regroup after the recent retreat. The scent of blood and sweat hung heavy in the air. I pulled my hood tighter over my head, concealing my identity as I moved through the throng, assessing the situation.

The first thing I noticed was the variety of people present. There were seasoned adventurers with worn armor and hardened faces, fresh recruits with fear still gleaming in their eyes, and local militia who looked barely able to hold their weapons properly. Each person told a story, their stances, and actions revealing much about their backgrounds and current state of mind.