The day after planing to part ways with his birth mother and preparing to conclude his simulated, Dick stood in the forest ridge, witnessing the birth of another batch of goblin cubs. The goblin scout, whom he had appointed as his successor, took over the lair, ensuring its orderly transition and management.
Now, Dick embarked on his journey home, burdened with significant responsibilities: the human captives from the goblin lair and his mother, the forest elf Risa.
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, we can finally go home," sobbed one of the human women. Clad in tattered garments and simple animal skins, she stepped out from the dark, fetid confines of the cave into the bright, fresh air of the outside world. Overwhelmed by the contrast, she broke down in tears, her emotions resonating with the other women, who began to cry softly as well.
They marveled at the thought of escaping the dark, fearsome goblin lair alive.
"Baby," Risa murmured, her small hand clutching Dick's dark green, withered one, trembling slightly.
Dick glanced back at her. The forest elf, with her blonde hair and pointed ears, appeared both excited and nervous, as if reacquainting herself with a world she hadn't seen in a long time. Yet she clung to Dick's hand, seeking comfort in her unrealistic fears.
Since being spared from the goblins' torment half a month ago, Risa had gradually regained her strength, her sanity returning. Despite her son's goblin form, her maternal love remained unshaken. She often forgot that Dick had grown up, still yearning to nurture and care for him as if he were a baby.
Dick found this dynamic perplexing but accepted it, knowing that to long-lived forest elves like Risa, he was still but a child. However, he was acutely aware of the prolonged suffering that came with their longevity. Whether victimized by goblins or humans, forest elves often endured a lifetime of captivity and abuse, leading to frequent mental breakdowns as a form of self-protection.
"Now I will take you back to the forest elves' territory, and our paths will diverge," Dick stated calmly, his tone resolute. He had no intention of indulging in any further mother-son sentimentality with Risa. Her birth and subsequent life had been fraught with despair, and now that his mission was complete, it was time to part ways.
Risa fell silent upon hearing Dick's words. Since regaining her senses, she had noticed something different about her son. He was nothing like the cruel, mindless goblins she knew; instead, he was composed, focused, and frighteningly powerful. She had seen him use forest elf magic, like life absorption and plant growth, with a proficiency that surpassed even some elders. This revelation filled her with awe and deepened her love for Dick.
Regardless of the past, Risa believed Dick would always be her cherished child. Embracing him from behind, she clung tightly, her heart bursting with maternal affection. She cherished his warmth, unconcerned with his goblin form, enveloped in the pure love of a mother for her son.
"Baby, would you live with your mother in the territory of the forest elves?" Risa's voice was tinged with hope and humility. She longed to care for Dick, her son, for the rest of her life, and in turn, be protected by him. Such mother-child cohabitation, she knew, was accepted among the forest elves.
Dick, however, remained silent in response to Risa's request. The simulation was nearing its end, and staying with her was not a feasible option. His silence cast a shadow over Risa's hopeful expression, leading her to smile bitterly in resignation.
"Baby, mommy will always miss you, always..." she whispered, her voice laced with a mix of love and sorrow.
As time progressed, Dick, accompanied by the group of emotionally burdened women, arrived at the territory of the forest elves, the Green Forest. Scouts soon spotted Dick, a goblin accompanied by many women, and rushed to report this unusual sighting to their tribe. Dick knew it wouldn't be long before a contingent of forest elves arrived, and escaping their attention would be challenging, given the traditional enmity between goblins and elves.
He turned to Risa, who clung tightly to his clothes, unwilling to let go. "It's time for you to go back. Remember, never be alone. If you encounter a goblin, run immediately and take care of yourself," Dick advised her, his voice firm.
Without further ado, Dick used his vine magic to entangle Risa, gently but firmly pulling her away from him. Risa's grip was surprisingly strong; she even tore part of her coat in her desperation.
"Baby! My baby! Woohoo! Baby! Baby!" Risa cried out, tears streaming down her face as she watched Dick walk away, his back to her, his demeanor resolute.
Thus, Risa saw her goblin son, who had protected and cared for her for two months, disappear from her sight. She was soon rescued by a large contingent of forest elves and brought back to her family for rehabilitation and care.
Meanwhile, Dick approached the human women who were tied near a tree. He had deliberately kept them separate to avoid revealing the location of the forest elves' territory to others. He had worked hard to find this secluded place and didn't want it disturbed.
"Why can't you just let us go? We can walk on our own now. We can definitely make it back alone," pleaded one of the women. "You saved us, and we're grateful, but please, can you let us go now?"
The women, anxious and eager to return to their own world, implored Dick to release them. They wanted nothing more to do with any goblins, despite Dick being the one who had rescued them.
"Don't worry, I need to ensure you're far enough from the goblin lair. You might remember its location and seek revenge," Dick replied, ignoring their pleas as he continued leading them through the forest. He didn't fully trust these human adventurers and wasn't prepared to take any chances.
Determined to guide them safely out of the forest and end the simulation, Dick pressed on. But as they journeyed, they encountered an unexpected and significant crisis – the greatest challenge Dick had faced in the simulation.