Everyone
As Tyrone makes a slow retreat, eyes focused on the goblins and a rune at the ready, they speak up- Apparently, not quite agreeing to his speech- As Studies begins the arduous process of slowly converting the rune to a different kind. At first, it looks like he would simply ignore the goblins, choosing to continue, though eventually he slows to a halt. Perhaps actually interested in what they have to say. Perhaps just thinking they are wrong and wanting to "correct" them.
"Erm, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but your argument about merfolk being objectively superior is....well, flawed."
"For one thing, you guys are pretty much restricted to the ocean, right? I mean, you can go out of the water, but you lose a lot of your strengths by doing so. At the very least, you're less maneuverable. Because of just that, I'm actually pretty sure I could beat any one of you in a straight fight on land. Not so sure about underwater, but I'd be willing to give it a try, if I had to. And I'm just one goblin - if a single "lesser version" of man can beat your species, then wouldn't the regular men have an even better shot?"
Tyrone raises an eyebrow, before replying.
"Your own arguments are just as flawed I'm afraid. Because yes, you're right, we can survive on land, but we do lose quite a bit... But we could survive."
"However, reverse the roles. Pray I do not give a demonstration-" He says, cocking the rune, oblivious that the goblins are aware of his "bluff".
"Considering we'd live, and you'd die, I think it is quite a moot point. Just because the surface world is more important to you doesn't mean it actually is- We may live in isolation, but the ocean is far larger than land. And there live other things here as well, besides us merfolk..."
"As to your matter of how you could defeat one of us... I said an ordinary merfolk against an ordinary man. That's one thing I'll admit- You are certainly not ordinary."
"However... Put yourself against someone extraordinary of our kind, and we'd see who gets out on top."
It seems Hears words did nothing to sway him from his conviction- Though Hears doesn't relent, continuing-
"And of course, even if you don't believe me when I say I could do something like that, there's also the big, obvious fact that you're completely overlooking. That, if merfolk are so superior....then how did Triton, apparently the most powerful merfolk of all, lose his crown to a ragtag group of goblins and humans. Especially when he had an army backing him up. Plus the Trident thing."
Tyrone gives a frown, though does immediately reply.
"You want to know why? Two things. Firstly, he was cocky and foolish, and hence his tactics were flawed compared to yours. He should have put more men on your choke point, rather than spread them so thin in a show of numbers that the choke point you created lasted long enough for you to focus on him and his men, while steadily outnumbering him. But that doesn't mean that you're kind is better, per se... Even Prometheus stole fire from Bahamut on a day."
"...And the second thing?"
"Well... You did have a merfolk on your side. A sea witch in fact. And isn't she the most extraordinary merfolk of all?"
"...You're totally fucking bonkers aren't you?"
"I am just a man of strong conviction dear. That you do not see the same is your own flaw."
As Hears only barely is able to restrain Voice from outright trying to murder the guy, Cut herself is outraged, "chiming in" herself- Studies meanwhile managed to alter the rune slightly, into something no longer being "haste"- But neither being explosive just yet...
"No. You are worse off. Your culture is stagnant, many of you are bigots, and really your offer is nothing. You are blinded by your ego. And you know what? Being able to live longer means you are less likely to learn new, to adapt. Your people are stagnant in old ways. Sure goblins are weaker physically, and as a whole we do not have much magic. But in the course of only a few days we have became more powerful than your average human."
"Ah, you are correct my dearest- But you fail to see the correct point- We are stagnant because of the old ways, but those are our human ways- If we could only kick ourselves off those, it could solve all our problems..."
"...You're totally fucking bonkers."
"Now if you really think that you are superior in everyway then you are lost, and everybody that agrees with you is the same. As for your threat, you probably have not heard because of your lack of communication, but I assure you that if you do go with your threat and do indeed kill us, then you will face the concequences of the only ones attempting to save the universe from becoming non existant and that includes yourself this city everything. We do not need this blatant bigotory, nor you to stop us and kill us."
"As I said my dearest... I have no intention to kill you unless I'm given no other choice. As for your whole saving the world issue..."
"Honestly... So many... Heroes have come and go who said that. Many times, said heroes died. And we're still here."
"What makes you think you're different from them? This world is sturdy. It'll keep on ticking."
"Of course, there is a problem with you tryig to get away. You see, we have access not only to the trident, but numerous other sources. So answer this, why did you ambush us? You only showedyourself as a threat and you gained nothing."
"My motivations are my own, and my reasons too. Now, it seems that no matter what arguments I bring up, you will remain unconvinced... Neither will you go in on my other offer, so I think it really is getting time for me to leave."
"Now, remember- No funny business. And wait 5 minutes."
"So go already. What, are you hoping we'll invite you to stay?"
Hearing that, the merman finally turns and swims away at surprisingly rapid speed. For just a moment, dousing the area in silence.
However... Studies did manage to alter the rune.
And not long after, there's a sudden boom, followed by a bubble of air rising up to the surface slightly in the distance- And a green mage that can only barely contain a smirk.
The reaction from those watching, from what you can make out from their brief, quick looks, is mostly confusion- Though you do notice one indistinct shape swimming in the direction of the explosion, trying to stay out of sight.
The question now, however, is if you will simply wait those required "five minutes". It certainly doesn't seem like any of those hiding- You're uncertain how many, though at least four- Are going to do anything...