Goblin Kingdom

[Race] Goblin [Level] 5

[Class] Lord; Horde Chief

[Possessed Skills] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia) [Attributes] Darkness; Death

[Subordinate Beasts] High Kobold > (Lv1) Gastra (Lv1) Cynthia (Lv1)

[Abnormal Status] >

As we exterminated the lizard doubles, the giant ants, and the pickle snaps that were in our way, we headed west.

“Have you grasped the trail of the orcs?” I asked.

The druid Gi Za nodded to my inquiry.

“Of course,” he replied.

Gi Za and the newly evolved Druid, the wind user, Gi Do, were positioned within the center of the magic-using goblins that were at the center of the army formation.

Moving in front were the wide-opened eye, Gi Jii, and the receiver of the divine protection of the Sword God (Ra Baruza), Gi Go. The next highest class to me is the noble class Gi Go, so I’m having the goblins from Gi Gu’s faction that specialize in coordination follow him to support him.

Substituting for Gi Ga who couldn’t move due to his injuries, is the spear-specialist, Gi Da. Positioned in the back are he and the one who received the divine protection of the Mad God (Zu Oru), Gi Zu.

The ones who I sent a day ahead are the beast warrior, Gi Gi, and the stealthy Gi Ji. It’s thanks to intermittent communication with them that we are able to follow the orcs’ trails.

“King, a messenger from Lord Gi Gi has arrived,” said Gi Za.

What entered my vision was the figure of a dog big enough to tower over the goblins, running through the meadows.

As I nodded to Gi Za’s words, I ordered the army following from behind to stop.

“Enemy, seems… divided to two groups,” reported Gi Gi’s subordinate, who could also control beasts, after he spoke with the dog.

So they’re separated into two groups…

“Do you know how many there are?” I asked.

Gi Gi’s goblin subordinate shook his head.

“The direction?”

The goblin pointed toward the west and the north.

Seeing that, I gave out my orders.

“Gi Go, take three groups under you, and meet the enemy in the north,” I commanded.

“Understood! Gi Jii, you’re coming with me,” said Gi Go.

“Yes,” quickly nodded Gi Jii as he began to run with Gi Go and the others.

If it’s the noble class Gi Go, then he should have enough strength to contest the orcs by himself. Moreover, with Gi Jii who specializes in coordinating with him, they should be able to manage even against 6 orcs.

Of course, I’ve also taken into my calculations psychological pressure they are receiving from the ones being chased.

“Gi Da, take the lead. Gi Zu, go protect the back. We’re moving out!”

I took a mouthful of jerky into my mouth, and bit it.

With the tamed dog in lead, we chased after the orcs.

◇◆◆

It’s been two days since we began pursuing the orcs. We quietly moved in the dead of the night.

Eyes that work in the dark are really convenient. The darkness of the night is considered a natural enemy for humans, but since coming to this world, it’s become an ally.

The path the orcs traversed was not a complicated forested path, but rather, a relatively open area. It’s true that this path is faster, but this also means that the pursuers’ attacks will become relentless.

If they can run quickly, then we can also chase quickly.

Moreover, they’re carrying wounded orcs with them. We confirmed it in the meadows this afternoon. There are patches of blood here and there, so they’re definitely carrying their wounded with them.

I don’t know how far they’ve gotten by now, but I want to close the distance while we still have the upper hand. It would be pointless to attack when the ones tired are us after all.

I looked around the surrounding area as I took a mouthful of my meat jerky. Then I followed the guide dog.

Suddenly, at that moment, a pungent smell wafted to my nose, causing me to stop at my tracks. The dog ahead also stopped, and even began to groan.

“The smell of blood,” muttered Gi Za.

I quietly nodded in affirmation.

My eyes swam around, searching for any hints of presence. The smell must have been brought by the wind blowing from ahead.

Which would mean… We caught up?

“Gi Da, take your subordinates, and see what’s ahead.”

The spear-specialist Gi Da, who I had left the position of the vanguard to, slowly nodded his head, then he moved ahead. Although he was paying careful attention to his surroundings, he moved surprisingly fast.

“King, it’s the corpse of an orc.”

I neared the corpse while keeping my guard up. So this is the source of the smell?

Looking at it carefully, I see there are scars all over the body. It’s not hard to realize that this orc exhausted all of his strength here.

“So he exhausted himself here, huh?” I muttered to myself.

I ordered Gi da and his men to deal with the corpse.

“…They’re close. Can we catch up to them in a day?” asked the druid chief, Gi Za, as he took a peep at the corpse.

“If possible I wish to do just that. But…”

If they were running to just one direction, then it would be fine. But I have to also consider the possibility of them lying in wait to ambush us. I can’t let my guard down.

The fact that they left behind a corpse means that they’re being driven into a corner. They didn’t have the luxury to hide the corpse.

Or is it a trap? A trap to weaken our noses?

I thought of that possibility as well, but I shook my head. No, there’s no one left to lead the orcs, right? If there was, then I wouldn’t have been left alone while I was on the verge of death.

There’s nothing to fear.

We’ll continue like this, and pursue the orcs.

◆◇◇

Because they have been walking throughout the night, fatigue could now be seen amongst the goblins.

But their efforts were appropriately rewarded. The stealthy Gi Ji had finally caught up to the orc horde.

Right now, we are rendezvousing with Gi Ji, and will rest in the forest as we observe the orcs.

The orc horde currently number 20.

It’s a lot bigger than what I had expected, but they are clearly exhausted. We continued to observe the orcs while being wary of the wind’s direction.

“That orc has been controlling the orc since a while ago,” said Gi Ji as he pointed his fingers.

On the other end of the direction he was pointing at was an orc that was a size smaller than the others.

“A… child?” I asked.

After thinking for a while, Gi Ji shook his head.

“No, it shouldn’t be that young. But that orc’s definitely responsible for keeping the horde together.”

The fastest way to win a fight between hordes is to finish off the head.

As I narrowed my eyes, I took a peek at the orc horde again. There, I saw a bigger orc push away the smaller orc.

“They seem to be having some internal disputes,” I commented. “Yes. It’s been like that for some time now,” responded Gi Ji.

It must be dissatisfaction from being ordered around by someone with a physique clearly weaker than theirs. And right after suffering a defeat too.

“Tell me about the orc horde that split off from this one.” “Yes.”

While I listened to Gi Ji’s report, the orcs continued to fight.

Apparently, the horde that split off from this horde separated after fighting with the smaller orc.

The one leading this horde is that smaller orc. It seems to want to completely retreat. Chances are it probably wants to retreat back home as soon as possible. And since it actually brought the weakened orcs with it, it doesn’t seem to be tainted by the law of the jungle.

In other words, it’s an intellectual. Or at the very least, it’s smarter than the bigger orc that pointlessly pushed it.

From my fight with Gol Gol, I know that orcs can more or less talk.

Up till now we haven’t shared any conversations aside from with our Overpowering Howls, but if there are also intellectuals amongst them, then it should be possible to negotiate. If anything, it would mean that there’s no need to completely exterminate the orcs. There’s no reason to fuss over a few pebbles on my way to become the Goblin King after all.

The restoration of the village is also halfway done. I don’t want to needlessly expose the goblins to danger.

“You will lose her, you know?”

Altesia’s words echoed within my mind.

The human threat coming from the east. Rather than destroying the orcs, the danger lies in the east. I need to use everything I have in order to strengthen my weak pieces.

As I was caught up within my thoughts, I saw the bigger orcs take five with it as they separated from the horde.

“What shall we do?” asked Gi Ji. “Attack, of course,” I curtly replied.

The corners of my mouth naturally rose up, forming a smile. If there is any question… that would be: which to attack first.

◇◆◆

“Master Bui…”

As the gazes of my wounded brethren fell on me, I raised my fallen gaze up.

“Master Goi and the others have…”

Their voices were all shaken up. In order to soothe their panic, I clearly replied.

“I had them fight the goblins as a separate horde.”

It’s clearly a lie, but even then, I mustn’t show any weakness.

I couldn’t throw my wounded brethren away, and we spent so much time gathering our comrades. I don’t think I made the wrong choice, but even then, I can’t help but fear. It’s almost as if the goblins chased after us right after we left.

I ran away from the goblin village after the death of Master Gol Gol with my wounded brethren in tow because I was scared.

That Goblin King.

Even though he had a small body like mine, the aura surrounding his body was completely different.

It was scary. Using a flame-clad great sword, a mere goblin actually exchanged blows with Master Go Gol… and won.

A heaven-earth revolving event or a bolt from the blues… I don’t know. I don’t know what I should call it, but anyway, it was a shock.

“Let’s rest a bit,” I said.

Right.

We should have also inflicted plenty of damage against the goblins. They shouldn’t be able to chase after us right away.

So it should be fine if we just rest here for a bit, and let everyone recover their strength.

“Alright,” responded the others.

Seeing my brethren nod their head, I sat myself as well.

My sword and spear are unusually heavy.

It seemed like I could drop it at any time, so I left it on the ground.

Master Gol Gol who appointed young and little me is no longer here.

Goi, Gui and the others are all my seniors, so they refused to listen to my orders, and acted on their own.

I know. I know that it’s because I’m not strong enough.

I don’t have the power to make them give in, that’s why they left.

Even the orcs here too. The only reason they’re following my orders is because Master Gol Gol’s influence is still lingering.

I want power.

At the very least, something like that of the Goblin King’s.

Suddenly, I heard a voice scream from the forest.

My nose moved, and the smell of blood wafted to my nose. It’s the blood of my brethren! The distance is… no way. Why are there so many goblins nearby!? And these many too!?

“Everyone, stand up!”

Flustered, I quickly wielded my shield and sword. But as I was about to set a route, I was shocked.

Why are there goblins in front of us!?

As I was thinking that, another scream bellowed out from behind.

“Goblin…!”

They should have been a species weaker than us. But right now… what stood in front was a goblin with tawny skin, a black mane fluttering over its three horns, a vicious face, and a physique that was incomparable to us… it’s him!

The Goblin King who killed Master Gol Gol! He’s chased after us!

“M-Master Bui”

Someone called out to me.

With my legs shaking, I walked toward the king of the goblins. His face was broadly grinning. It was vicious.

Scary! Scary! Scary!!

The subordinates behind the Goblin King threw something.

“Goi!?”

Goi and the others who separated from the horde before had been dismembered and thrown at our feet.

“GURUuuuAAaA!”

The howl of the goblins bellowed, sending chills up our backs, causing our feet to vigorously shake.

Scary! Scary! Scary!

This is even scarier than when there was a giant spider!!

“Orcs!”

The Goblin King’s voice echoed.

It’s as if his great voice was shaking even the very piths of my stomach! Scary!

“I will give you a chance!”

As I stood there in front of my brethren, I heard voices scream out from behind me again.

Swallowed by the fear, and from a quick look at the surrounding area, I knew… We were already completely surrounded by the goblins.

“Fall under my lead! If you refuse, then you shall all die here!”

We’ll be eaten!

Scary! Scary! Scary!!

“A, Ahh…”

I couldn’t talk straight.

“G-Give m-me time to t-talk with my b-brethren.”

For a moment, I thought I felt the goblin’s golden pupils flash.

“No! If you are the chief, then you must decide!”

It’s impossible!

Unlike Master Gol Gol, I don’t have the power to convince my brethren. The only reason I was able to bring everyone here is because of Master Gol Gol’s influence.

For someone like me to…

“T-That’s…” “Master Bui…”

I turned my head to that shriek, and there, I saw my brethren all looking at me.

That gaze of theirs that seemed to cling to me made me want to cry.

I can’t answer to your expectations! I’m small. I’m weak. I’m a crybaby.

That’s why… That’s why this is the only choice I can make!

“Oh?”

From the Goblin King’s subordinate, I heard a voice that seemed to both be shocked and admiring.

“… We will surrender, Goblin King.” “I accept, Orc King.”

Wrong. I’m not the Orc King. That’s a title only Master Gol Gol has.

Someone like me is… Someone like me could never become a king.

But even as I thought that, I shook my head to the Goblin King’s words.

Orc King…

Like this… we became subordinated to the goblins.

◆◆◇◇◆◆◇◇

Orc King Bui (Lv34) has been subordinated.

◆◆◇◇◆◆◇◇

Author’s Note: So they were able to take control of an orc tribe.

I came to like Bui as I was writing the chapter.