Trapped in a hole, with no weapons, no armor, and no infantry to help, we are in a desperate situation.
“We are in deep trouble.” I muttered.
“You are definitely right about that, my friend.” Tom said.
“I hate Hoglins!” General Bart loathed the creatures. “I swear on the 15th infantry’s honor, I’m going to take them down one by one. Those Hoglins think they had the last laugh? Well, we will see who is going to be laughing now.”
“No one’s laughing right now, so you’re just making things up.” Tom replied.
“I know it was just an expression. Anyway, do you have that wretched block after all?” General Bart asked us.
“Yes.” I turned around and showed him my back. “I am carrying the Copper Block now.”
“Good. At least this lost battle wasn’t in vain. We accomplished what we came here for. Now, off to deliver the last block to Mr. Bones!” General Bart replied.
“Yep, but how are we going to do that without an infantry by our side?” Nora asked.
“I’m thinking… “Paul replied. “Maybe if we dig deeper and then try to dig to the side, making all the lava flow through the hole underneath, creating an artificial canal to drain out the lake and…”
“That’s overly complicated and it is not going to work at all.” General Bart replied.
“Oh, really do you have a better idea, then?” Paul asked him.
General Bart looked at him in disapproval.
“I will! Give me some time.” General replied. “I shouldn’t have taken the infantry out in the open. It was the worst decision ever.”
“What really happened?” I asked him.
“We went out in the open to watch out for the enemy. The Nether area is vast and there’s enough space to see someone coming a mile away. I thought it was more than enough… But then, the wild monsters waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. As soon as I took my eyes off the east side, they came running. One of my soldiers noticed the monsters coming, but it was too late. By the time I gave them orders to strike, the wild Hoglins had already attacked my soldiers. The battle was lost right there. I had no choice but to run away before they came after me. My soldiers fought valiantly, even though they were at a disadvantage against the enemy. They gave me enough time to make my escape, and here I am now. Thanks to the 15th infantry’s gallant efforts, I made it.”
“I see… sorry to hear that.” I replied. “It must have been tough to see your infantry lose a battle.”
“It was a lost fight but at least I did not get attack, so I suppose it was fine.” General Bart replied.
“Unbelievable.” Tom replied. “Your soldiers are doing their best in a dire situation and you’re just relieved that you did not get attack by the Hoglins? I still ask myself every day why you are a general.”
“I’ll have you know there is no better general in the whole city of Albeja, so show some respect, Strider!” General Bart said.
“How many Generals are there in Albeja?” Tom asked.
“Well… One! But that’s only because Frank Bones did not want to hire another one.”
Tom started laughing.
“Hahaha, I see! Frank thought you were more than enough, so he hired one general and called it a day. Got it.”
“What are you laughing at?!”
“Nothing. I find it all so funny.” Tom replied.
“Well, you should be thinking of a way to get out of here, rather than make fun of me!” General Bart said.
“You’re right. I think we should wait until the monsters go away. That’s my plan.” Tom said.
“You know what? That’s not a bad idea at all.” I replied. “We will have a better chance of escaping once the wild Hoglins are gone. They cannot stay up there all day long, can they?”
“I hope they will leave soon.” Paul said. “Not sure how radioactive creatures function, but I guess they still have their basic needs so they might leave this place to eat or rest. Maybe, if we sit tight and wait for some hours, they might go away and leave us in peace.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan.” Nora said. “Waiting can be boring at times, but it’s better than getting struck by Hoglins. We will wait here and leave the area once it is safe.”
“Sounds good to me.” General Bart said. “I cannot take them all with my sword… But I’ll definitely come back here once the 15th infantry is back on track!”
“Still talking about defeating the Hoglins, old man? Just give up already.” Tom replied.
“I’ll have you know that I am not old at all! This gray hair is just stress, due to my busy schedule.”
We had to wait until the wild Hoglins left the area. In the meantime, there was nothing to do other than listen to Tom and General Bart’s bickering.