Goblin Kingdom

Race: Goblin

Level: 15

Class: Lord; Horde Chief

Possessed Skills: Ruler of the Horde; Insurgent Will; Overpowering Howl; Swordsmanship B+; Insatiable Desire; King’s Soul; Ruler’s Wisdom I; Eyes of the Blue Snake; Dance at Death’s Border; Red Snake’s Eye; Magic Manipulation; Soul of a Crazed Warrior; Third Impact (The Third Chant); Instinct; Ruler’s Wisdom II;

Divine Protection: Goddess of the Underworld

Attributes: Darkness; Death

Suboridnate Beasts: High Kobold Hasu; (Lv1) Gastra (Lv20) Cynthia (Lv20) Orc King Bui; (Lv36)

After seeing Rashka and Gilmi’s exchange, I heaved a sigh of relief.

“…Chief, I am ashamed.”

Gi Go approached me with his head down.

“No, it’s fine. I also lost focus for a moment.” “…Right.”

“I guess it’s about as expected from the four tribes.” “What do you mean?”

As Gi Go inclined his head, I explained it to him.

“Everyone thought Gilmi had given up when he let go of his bow. And considering the pressure Rashka exuded, being able to hit only Rashka’s eye was nothing short of a miracle.”

“I see.”

As Gi Go humbly nodded, I continued.

“And yet Gilmi managed to pull it off. All the while holding back.” “Holding back…?”

“He didn’t intend to kill Rashka. So he held back just enough to make sure that the arrow only pierced Rashka’s eye.”

“Impossible…”

We normal goblins who couldn’t even use bows understand very well just how abnormal that was. If Gilmi felt like it, he could’ve easily killed Rashka.

“And Rashka as well. If he were affected by the environment, and had grown nervous, then he would definitely not have seen through Gilmi, and he would not have been able to take Gilmi’s arrow without showing an unsightly appearance at the sudden pain.” “That’s… certainly.”

So long as you expect it, then pain can be endured to some extent. But unexpected pain is another story altogether. Still… being able to endure having his eye pierced by an arrow, that’s more Rashka showing his monstrosity than mere enduring.

“Everything most likely went according to Gilmi’s plans. From here on, there won’t be any more enmity between the two clans of Ganra and Gaidga.”

I might just be reading a bit too much into this though.

“…Ra Gilmi, it seems I won’t be able to put my guard down around him.”

“He’s quite skilled. But he also has a weakness. After all, he is the hero of Ganra.”

To protect Ganara and prosper it. Gilmi certainly has the necessary abilities for that. But Ganra is always in Gilmi’s mind. That in itself could be a shackle around Gilmi’s legs.

The dumbfounded and speechless Gi Go, shook his head once as he excused himself and withdrew from my presence.

I’m not trying to purposely stir up discord.

I just want him to work hard.

In any case, all that’s left now is Gordob.

As for how to conquer them, I’ll first have to gather information.

After war, obviously comes a banquet.

So when I returned, I ate some meat, and had my fill.

◆◇◆

Late into the night. The wind blew past the grass-covered plains, singing a hymn as the cries of beasts resounded. The two moons hanging from the sky overlapped each other, boasting of the brightness of their two lights.

In the village illuminated by fire, goblins could be seen sleeping here and there. It was a peaceful night. So peaceful that one wouldn’t think for a second that these goblins had been killing each other just some hours ago in the afternoon. As the wind gently caressed their cheeks, the light of the moon fell upon them. What a beautiful world.

But then suddenly, that silence was broken.

Up in the sky was a bird of misfortune Skyura, gradually descending until it finally landed right in front of me.

I grabbed Iron Second tight, making sure I had a firm hold over it. Then I moved every part of my body, making sure that I could move out at any time.

“Good evening, King. I believe it’s our first time meeting.”

The bird of misfortuneSkyura that had just descended opened its mouth. Until now I had no idea birds of misfortune could talk.

“Who are you?”

Unintentionally, I let out a heavy voice, frightening the bird of misfortuneSkyura a little. Or then again, perhaps, that “fear” of it, was a mere act too.

“Please don’t be on guard. I am not your enemy.”

As it tried to ease my tension, it flapped its black wings.

“I don’t know any bird of misfortune.”

“I am a messenger from Gordob. A servant of Master Kuzan, Yellow. Normally, I would go in person, but due to some circumstances I’ve been forced to send a familiar. Please forgive my rudeness.”

At the bird of misfortune’sSkyura fluent speech, I looked back at it with dubious eyes.

Familiar…? Does that mean it’s tamed this bird of misfortune?

I’ve heard that they’re a tribe that uses beasts, but it seems that their beasts are a bit different from Gi Gi’s. They seem to have used some magic as the bird of misfortune is able to talk.

“And? What’s your business?”

“Please allow me to pay respects to the king as your servant.”

So they want to be my servant, huh? That’s not a bad proposition, but… why? The only reason I can think of is that they want to match the timing of the Gaidga’s surrender. Were they observing us?

“If that is so, then why is it that the Gordob refuses to show itself before me?”

“Our chief, Master Kuzan is ill, he is unable to show himself before your excellency. Please forgive my rudeness.”

So the goblin, Yellow, is representing Kuzan then.

“Then why are you not showing yourself?” “I am needed to take care of Master Kuzan.”

No matter how you look at it, this story is fishy.

No matter how many times I try it, I don’t think this conversation we’ll progress like this.

“Then there shouldn’t be a problem if I were to go directly to where you are, right?”

“Ohh! By all means!”

Is this a trap? I need to gather information about Kuzan. Depending on the situation, I might have to attack them.

“I need to make preparations. In a few days, I’ll head for Gordob’s village.”

“What wonderful news. Then, I shall take my leave.”

With a start, the Skyura’s body suddenly started shaking, then it fell over and fainted.

The Skyura was already dead.

“Necromancy, huh?”

Is that a technique from the other side of the Gates of Hades? Or is it from something else?

Gordob… you’ve roused my interest a bit.

◆◇◆

Outside the Forest of Darkness, Northeast of it, are the lands ruled by King Ashtal.

In the territory to the west, granted by the king, a lone, old man exited his carriage toward the mansion of the feudal lord that ruled over the territory that governed the boundary of the Forest of Darkness. With a dignified face and a straight back, anyone could think him a butler if not for the sharpness hidden in his gaze or that clear martial aura wrapped around his body. With his white moustache and his combed down hair that were almost silver in color, an overbearing pressure firmly exuded into the surroundings.

But what was most eye-catching of all was that iconic iron hand of his which showed who he was: The Iron Arm of the Holy Knights, Gowen, the oldest of the strongest soldiers of this kingdom, the Holy Knights. He had gone here to personally check the soldiers under his territory.

As for why, that was because of the order he had received a few days ago.

Take the Saint of Zenobia back alive.

In other words, rescue the captive maiden from the Forest of Darkness. The sort of troublesome order that a minstrel might sing tales of.

“Welcome home, milord.” “How’re things progressing?”

“Just as you’ve requested, I’m gathering able-bodied men who should be able to meet your demands. All men are expected to be gathered in ten days’ time.”

“Have them come sooner. I’ll take a look at them once they’ve all arrived. Until then continue preparing the supplies.”

“Very well, milord.”

After the three holy knights received the king’s orders, Gowen suggested to split the work. After all, there was no way they would be able to work together. If anything, they’d just try to kill each other in their sleep the moment they entered the forest.

The strongest of the kingdom certainly sounds nice, but they are too individualistic, so it’s hard to make them listen. So instead of trying to fight a futile battle, it’s much easier to just compete with each other.

The scope they have to search is simply far too big. It’s not the sort that the three of them could deal with by themselves. So instead it’d

be best for them to use others to help them. Besides, there shouldn’t be any powerful beasts with nests near the region.

“There’s no need to rush, but… I can’t fall behind.”

As a veteran of the holy knights, who has aided the kingdom much, there was no reason for him to go out of his way to compete for achievements. So what he needed to do was to show that he could use those two well.

The various stores lined up in the town around the castle were packed with people. It was remarkable how distant the chaotic rabble was from the castle in which the king lived as they haggled for weapons, armors, miscellaneous goods, magic books, and various other things.

Amongst that crowd was a muscular, young man, walking, dressed in an armor filled out by his brawny stature. He had an amazing jaw that looked like it could crush even metal itself. As his arrogant gaze darted left and right, ambition could be seen burning brilliantly in that pair of ferocious blue eyes of his. In fact, even his shortly cut hair stood in opposition to the heavens.

That man stopped before a single store.

If a man who could read the continent’s common character were to see the characters drawn on the signboard, he would definitely be shocked.

Because below that wooden signboard that had been deformed by sword and magic were the characters “Adventurer’s Guild”.

“Anyone here?”

“Oh! If it isn’t Gulland!”

At the store owner’s voice, almost everyone in the shop turned their heads. Gulland Rifenin. Also known as the Storm Knight, a brave warrior whose famed name was known even in the surrounding kingdoms.

“What’s up? Did you get fired?”

The man enclosed in several tables, who seemed to be a veteran, frivolously talked. But Gulland only showed a fierce smile in response.

“Nah, this time I’ll be doing something a bit more heroic.” “Hero? You sure you don’t mean thief?”

The store burst laughing. As the word ‘Adventurer’ implies, adventurers were people who ventured into the unknown. And naturally, any treasures they found along the way would belong to them. They also took quests, but that’s a matter that the guild handled. Gulland is a holy knight who used to be an adventurer.

The Adventurer Knight. Gulland of the Storm. He has many names.

“Unfortunately, this time really is hero work. I’m going to save a captive maiden from the forest!”

The store grew noisy.

“And so, as someone who started off an adventurer, I’d like to put in a request for the guild. I’m looking for people to take with me as members of my hero’s party. I need 30 men… And the reward is one gold coin.”

“Well, if it’s the hero, Gulland’s, request, it’s not like I would say no…”

At the storeowner’s voice that was mixed with a sigh, Gulland wryly smiled.

“I’m counting on you.” “Yeah, I’ll put up a request.”

Thinking of the many applicants to come and how busy the days will be from now on, the storeowner sighed.

The public order of the capital is being maintained by the guards, but it’s not easy to eradicate all crimes. Which is why the farther one goes from the castle walls, the worst the public order becomes.

The area farthest from the walls is the slums where the poorest reside.

Next to them is the district of the commoners with jobs.

Each level closer to the castle walls brings one to people with more money and influence.

And in that capital where a boundary exists between the commoners’ district and the merchants’ district is a certain place belonging to a group of merchants with a particularly, unique atmosphere.

What these merchants handled were none other than humans, demihumans, and elves.

With the title ‘slave’ as their shackles, even these people’s lives were already considered as goods. They were sold for labor, for war, and even for entertainment as toys.

Gene Marlon came here to this store that dealt with slavery. Normally, he would send his servants, but this time around, he went out of his way to go here himself as he needed to see the goods himself.

He was a long-haired man dressed in an armor of red. With his pair of dazzling golden eyes, he was beautiful to the point that he was often mistaken for a girl. His slender body and pale skin that seemed to have never seen the light day made him even more like a woman, but that sarcastic smile of his and those long slits he had for eyes that looked down on everything, failed to hide the scorn in his heart.

What he needs are slaves that could search the forest. They might be a bit expensive, but as someone intending to compete with a small group, he has no intentions of being stingy in exchange for slaves with special skills.

An elven woman would be best.

There’s nothing better than more fun after all…

As he thought that, he started searching the store.