Monster Breeder

123. Preparations for the Elder Tree Battle

*Goblin Herbalist blowjob – One Goblinoid Mark!*

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Orc Stature

Orc Strength

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Goblin Apprentice Fast Learner

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Herbalist Herbal Medicine

Herbalist Herbal Amplification

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“I have Herbal Medicine and Herbal Amplification available,” I tell her.

Gabby nods to herself and gives her analysis. “Herbal Medicine is my innate knowledge of ingredients, preparation methods, and application dosages. It will allow me to prepare various salves, powders, extracts, and potions. Herbal Amplification is a magical ability that increases the effectiveness of my creations.”

In other words, a normal healing salve has antibacterial properties, but a Goblin Herbalist’s salve would magically accelerate a body’s natural regenerative processes.

“So, nothing effective in the short-term?” It’ll take hours, if not days, for Gabby to gather all the herbs she needs and prepare them accordingly.

“No,” she acknowledges, “But we may be able to exploit these abilities by the day after tomorrow.” When I raise my eyebrow with interest, she goes on to say, “My Plant Growth spell is limited by what I’ve seen a Treefolk grow. A cooperative Flower Dryad could expand my repertoire.”

Hmm, Mother Heather isn’t what I’d call, ‘cooperative,’ but perhaps we can strike a deal. “Or I could take Herbal Medicine and Flower Dryad Plant Growth.”

“Those are from separate ability trees,” Gabby counters. “It may be effective with practice, but I doubt you’ll be able to bridge the gap instantly even knowing what I’m asking you to grow.”

Ahh, I see. If she asks for ‘mellow hornwort’ or whatever, I can picture the plant with Herbal Medicine’s knowledge, and Flower Dryad Plant Growth would give me the capability to grow it, but not necessarily the magical pattern of leyline manipulation to produce said plant. Trust a Flower Dryad to have that instinctual knowledge.

Although, I could copy the spell to grow the plant in question if I saw a Dryad do it with Quick Study equipped. But Gabby can say the same thing.

“We need Mother Heather’s help.” After the way we butted heads today, I doubt that’s happening any time soon. “Anyway, all that’s left is to assemble a team to go fight the Elder. And you’re sure you want to do this?”

Even though it’s starting to get dark, Gabby levels a glare at me that says in no uncertain terms there will be rioting if I don’t give it my best shot. At least this is just a heist. I don’t think we can kill the Elder without Suka and Dura.

I loudly clap my hands. “Alright, quick orgy-pause. We’re headed out to fight the Elderberry Tree and need some volunteers.” Most of the orgy-goers resume what they were doing, but my harem and a few others gather around to help us plan.

“I’m coming,” Brenda says. “I want revenge for what that bastard did to my family.”

“Where she goes, I go,” Jonny adds.

I suck my teeth and squint, “I hate to say this, because I’m all for letting you come on missions where you might be helpful, but this is like a boss battle in an Arr Pee Gee.”

“A what?” Gabby asks.

“‘Arr Pee Gee,’” I explain, “Is a term from ancient humanity. The phrase’s origins are lost to the annuls of history, but descriptions of examples were passed down through oral tradition that were eventually transcribed into books that remain in my hometown’s library to this day.”

“Interesting,” the Gobliness mumbles.

“Anyway, Jonny, you’re a vulnerability in a fight against a third-tier. Please, stay home for this one. You can come with us on a mission tomorrow, I promise.”

He doesn’t like it, but Brenda agrees with me. She isn’t confident she can protect him from attacks with a full tier differential yet.

“As a third-tier, I should come,” Megan announces.

Surprisingly, Gabby objects this time, “You’re our best war asset at the moment, true, but you’re at your weakest right now. Your body isn’t fully transitioned, and you don’t have a source of Electric Magic. We can’t afford to lose you if anything were to happen.”

Damn, that’s a decent case against her coming. Everything Megan does in the battle will drain her battery for tomorrow.

“But you need me, look,” the Denki Nezumi concentrates, and her fur glows brighter and brighter. Even her nipples start to shine like Ell Eee Dee’s. It wouldn’t be impressive during the day but, as the sun sets, I see how vital this ability will become. “It doesn’t take much energy for me to glow. Nothing beats a surprise attack with a flash-bang!”

I get the ‘flash’ is her showing nipples, but what’s the ‘bang?’

It’ll be dark by the time we get there. Yup, “You’re in,” I say.

“If Megan is coming, I’m coming too!” Gale says, flapping her Rainbird wings and sending a sprinkle of droplets everywhere.

“I-I’m not much of a fightewr, but I can be useful,” Sue steps up as well, not wanting to be left behind by her Mistress and lover.

“No objections,” Gabby says.

They don’t look like much, and they’re not big damage dealers, but I can think of a few ways for them to help.

“I’m a third-tier t-too,” Cottontail volunteers, stepping forward, but two pairs of hands hold her back.

“Which is why you have to stay,” Bonny says.

“The New Warren isn’t stable enough yet,” Chris adds. “There are way too many predators going wild at this party for the only other Prey third-tier to leave. To be honest, we don’t feel safe without you here.”

Cottontail takes the news fairly well, though she looks disappointed she can’t come along this time.

One of Flou, either 1 or 3, shlorps forward. “I’m sending one of my bodies with you, of course.”

“Even though you just got back to full strength?” I ask.

“What’s the point if I don’t use it?”

Gabby and I both nod.

Then Olindia takes her place between Brenda and Flou. “Slime solidarity.”

I wasn’t going to ask her to come because she’s been a big help today, but it warms my heart to see the formerly lazy Slime girl being proactive.

“Drosera?”

He shakes his head. “You can make me come, but I doubt I’ll be useful. My magic is pitiful compared to the Elder’s and my attacks are weak against him and the other Treefolk. I’ll be just as much a liability as Jonny, no offense darling.”

“None taken.”

Hmm, type-advantage or lack thereof is nothing to scoff at. We’ve already evacuated the hostages we could find and there shouldn’t be any prisoners to take home. I think he’s right.

“Aello?”

“Do I look like an Owl Harpy?” the Matron says before her eyes register my humorless expression. “Um, w-what I mean is, you can force me to choose between coming or being executed, but I’ll probably end up dead either way. Whether its crashing into a tree in the dark or sitting still and letting my large form soak up damage, there’s not much I can do in a fight after sunset besides die.”

Right, Gale is relatively small and nimble compared to her mother. Aello’s Air Magic won’t be an effective defense against third-tier Earth or Plant Magic if the Elder is the evolved form of a Twisted Apple Treefolk. Then there’s the risk of hitting something in the dark. Sure, Megan can light up a clearing, but a proper Harpy Matron flyby would soar low above the forest canopy at night at hundreds of miles an hour. She’s not just being cowardly; this is a suicide mission for her.

“If you’re staying, you can supervise the feast. That frees Spindle to join us,” I say.

“As you wish, Vermillion.” The spider girl bows dramatically, “A maid obeys.”

Next, I turn to our unexpected guest, “Kani, I’d appreciate an assist.”

The crab girl looks from me to our team and back, mentally measuring her chances. “If you’re going to fight the Kraken, I’d like to see what you’re made of.”

Nice! Having her along will be like riding an ancient human tank.

“Slime solidarity team—partners?” I ask.

Flou gravitates to Megan, forming a cute fur bikini on the tiny, sexy woman. “Let’s team up again. You need to be protected until your body catches up with your power.”

Olindia approaches Sue. “You can keep yourself out of trouble and need a way to deal damage. Mind if I rent a room?”

“Eh? Um, surwe? Eep!” Sue staggers as Olindia roughly forces herself up the frog girl’s nether tunnel. “Ahn!” Webbed digits clutch at a distended belly that slowly deflates as Olindia’s excess mass dissipates. “That was… whew, something else.”

Pink Jellyfish tentacles emerge from Sue’s depths to create a cute leotard that contrasts nicely against the frog girl’s complexion.

The Stone Ooze steps in front of Gabby. “Neither of us are going anywhere once the battle starts. Let me protect you.” At the Goblin girl’s assent, Brenda envelops Gabby. She reforms herself with the Apprentice Herbalist embedded in her front like a forward-facing baby carrier.

“Pff,” I stifle a laugh. I hear a few snickers around me before Gabby silences us with a deathly glare.

“No,” Gabby says. Brenda immediately shrinks to form a statuesque second skin around the Goblin girl’s body. “Better.”

“What’s our plan?” Brenda asks.

Gabby and I look at each other.

“It’d be great if we could recreate the strategy we used against that Twisted Apple Treefolk,” I say, “But I can’t pass for a defenseless human anymore.” Jonny opens his mouth. “No, the Elder is a pervert, but he’s het. He won’t see you as anything but a meal.”

“So, you need someone to play honeypot?” a familiar voice says.