The carriage was on the move I was the only one who had freedom to move my head as the carriage was cramped caught a glimpse of outside scenary. What I saw at that time is still debatable whether it was scenary or a horrific start of omen which was definitely not a good one for sure. We weren't stopped for rest breaks few of them discharged in their expensive rugs making the carriage a pot chamber but I held in as I will haunt myself over this shitful happenstance for the rest of my life. After 4 days with literal no brakes and due to my position in that messy jigsaw like fitting arrangement which was such that allowed only my head to freely move.
I was forced to see that omnious track which emitted every possible dreadful feeling which an omnious thing can exude. We reached the destination finally allowed to take a breather. The forest we entered as far as I know was the forest of Gaspel (the forest goddess). Though being a goddess she never showed pity to anyone if she had shown then the survival rate of adventurers would have been high. But solemn expression of the troops stationed to the boundary clearly showed. What kind of grim place they were stationed as the soldiers who were stationed there were black bears the special force consisting of war veteran commanders and battle hardened soldiers. The infantry was known as Cubs though they weren't anywhere near cub like appearance each soldiers equipped in full gear looked as if they could take 10 bears at same time and would be the last one standing. Each of them with shaped physique exuding menacing aura which is better known as Will to kill or killing intent. There was once a paper published by the Regalis that if the killing intent is tangible or intangible which was very controversial because each topic even if the header is normal. If the publishers were The Regalis then the topic was bound to be something insane that is what's the opinion of every 8 out of 10 sccholars. But even The Regalis couldn't prove its tangibility but still being under the effect of same power whose nature was ambiguous by just a single glare of a 'cub'
If baby bear is this menacing what would be the papa bear be like I meant their squad Captain. The special thing about Black bears was that each unit was designed such that every unit would be tactically and practically sufficient. As this operation was in special need of guerrilla warfare. But even this veterans were showing sign of unease then the opponent to be faced were no ordinary bunch.
The forest of Gaspel is known to provide for plethora of monsters but there are very few monsters who can force especially this soldiers to make that kind of face. Even among the monsters there are types who could be dangerous but manageable and there were those who were literal embodiment of the word despair.
The briefing took place and the conscripted soldiers were told what to do but not whom to face but luckily I overheard and it made me despair. Yes we were were facing those walking despairs they are known as Hobgoblins.
Hobgoblins is a humanoid monster stronger than orc faster than horses and intelligent than goblins. All the other factors aren't the cause of this feeling of unfairness. What trully made them dangerous was their absurd intellect and for the god's sake we are the ones who are visiting their homegrounds. The count of deaths during this war would be huge maybe the nobles are about to get lots of pleasure toys.
The first thing my eyes caught in the camp was definitely food the four days of starvation would only be satisfied by a whole lamb. But to my surprise the menu too wasn't considerate of us and we were served with boiled Toucan(potato) that's it we were treated just like what we are a bunch of ragtags. There was rise of unrest among that group of conscripted teens. Next day supervisors bashed four skulls to death for this complaint while insulting the rest like airheads and dumb f**ks.
Prior to that day the arrangement where we prseided ourselves was stable as their were no horses due to nature of operation being a guerrilla tactic. The cold of the lush green flora wasn't too merciful as the cold was deathly as it finshed thirty six kids by cold itself. As there was little to no interaction everyone panicked but not to overbearing extent as all of them were relieved that it wasn't them. As I expected there wasn't any training to be provided the only way to carry ourselves forward was experience through work. Thus who fainted and looked lean enough they were selected to be bell boys that is they are prone to back attacks. I think on that context this much elaboration is enough. I felt sorry for the bell boys as the soldiers are agressive what if their fragile selves can't handle the attacks. At that point the death would be merciful to them than getting stabbed repeatedly at back. But the rest who were able bodied were given swords,bows and arrows and small yavka(small spear). I luckily got sword the most primitive yet reliable aid of mankind. Tomorrow is the day of battle many of them don't even know the difference between swords and blade are we gonna survive against this intellectual humanoid living menace.