Chapter 103
The [Goblin] is to make it easier to CTRL+F
[Goblin]Gi Ga
The goblin in that estranged group that was with the protagonist when he defeated an orc. He is currently a n.o.ble cla.s.s, the highest amongst the protagonist's subordinates. He prefers to use the spear.
[Goblin] Gi Gu
The former leader of the village. He was pressured by the protagonist in his goblin n.o.ble form, and was added to his subordinates. He uses the long sword, and is relatively smart for a goblin rare. Became a goblin n.o.ble in chapter 39.
[Goblin] Gi Gi
He evolved while hunting spear deer with the protagonist.
He prefers to use the axe. His goblin cla.s.s is rare.
[Goblin] Gi Go
A goblin with many wounds on his body. The food of his horde was stolen by the gray wolves, so he made a decision to follow the protagonist. He is the most experienced amongst the goblin rares. His weapon is a curved katana. He acts like a samurai.
Recently became a n.o.ble, and received the divine protection of the Sword G.o.d, Ra Baruza.
[Goblin] Gi Za
The druid goblin rare that recently joined them.
[Goblin] Gi Ji
A goblin rare. He evolved in chapter 37 after hunting with Gi Ga. He has the skill which makes him great for scouting.
[Goblin] Gi Do
Druid. Uses wind magic.
[Goblin] Gi Jii
Goblin Rare. From Gi Gu's Faction. He is known for his which allows him to see his opponent's weakness.
[Goblin] Gi Da
Goblin Rare. From Gi Ga's faction. Notable skills are and.
[Goblin] Gi Zu.
Goblin Rare. The goblin favored by the Mad G.o.d (Zu Oru). Has the skill.
[Goblin] Gi Zo
Druid. Water magician.
[Goblin] Gi De
Beast tamer.
[Goblin] Aluhaliha
Leader of Paradua, one of the four goblin tribes and are known for their use of rider-beasts, which are essentially giant tigers.
[Goblin] Rashka
Leader of Gaidga, one of the four goblin tribes and are known for their valor and brutish strength.
[Goblin] Gilmi
Receiver of the t.i.tle, The First Archer. He is the second in command in Ganra, one of the four tribes known for their rare ability amongst goblins to use bows.
[Goblin] Narsa
Spoiler Inside: Other Characters SelectShow
Humans
Res.h.i.+a Fel Zeal (17 years-old)
The priestess known as the saint. As the Healing G.o.ddess' follower, she lives to spread the word and teach righteousness. She has the divine protection of the G.o.ddess, and can heal others.
Lili (21 years-old)
She studied the famous sword style, Zweil Style, in the capital. She has sworn fealty to Res.h.i.+a. And while she may have lost to the protagonist in one hit, she has proven herself strong enough to easily defeat three normal goblins.
Mattis (26 years-old)
The second son of a farmer. He's largely responsible for drying the meat to preserve them.
Chinos (24 years-old)
The third son of a farmer. He plows the fields and is close to Mattis.
Keifel (28 years-old)
An adventurer who took on a request to escort Res.h.i.+a through the Forest of Darkness. He's strong enough that he could easily wield a steel great sword, but the protagonist still managed to kill him.
Zeon (32 years-old)
A follower of Ativ. He specializes in fire magic. In his battle against the protagonist, he used his fire magic, but still lost. In the end, he tried to blow himself up along with the protagonist, but the protagonist's words agitated him, causing him to lose the opportunity.
Tinra (23 years-old)
A villager. She is one of the women used by the goblins as a breeding machine that the protagonist killed.
Ashtal Do Germion (59 years-old)
The king that rules the western region of the continent in which the Forest of Darkness and the connecting borders are included. He is a powerful ruler with seven holy knights under him. He has recently ordered three of those holy knights to search for the saint.
Gowen Ranid (45 years-old)
The feudal lord that rules over the region next to the Forest of Darkness. As one of the country's strongest powers, he is renowned as the Iron-Armed Knight. He is currently leading his soldiers in a quest to find the saint.
Gulland Rifenin (31 years-old)
A former adventurer. As one of the country's strongest powers, he is renowned as the Storm Knight. He'd been stationed in the northern mountains, but the king called him back to send him off in a quest for the saint.
Gene Marlon (24 years-old)
As one of the country's strongest powers, he is renowned as Lightning-Fast Knight. He was previously stationed at the south, but the king called him back to send him on a quest to search for the saint. Killing is his favorite past-time. Whether it's a man, a demihuman or a monster, they're all just pieces of meat to be cut down before him.
Herculean Wyatt (40 years-old)
A member of the Blood Oath of the Flying Swallow. He specializes in handling great s.h.i.+elds. He has a gentle personality, but beware for his anger isn't one to be taken lightly.
Mage Killer Mill (19 years-old)
A member of the Blood Oath of the Flying Swallow. She is an a.s.sa.s.sin that favors the use of talons. Renowned as the mage killer, she is a mage's worst nightmare.
Wand of Destruction Bellan (37 years-old)
A member of the Blood Oath of the Flying Swallow. He wields a fire staff. As a former knight, he cares a great deal about honor.
Hawk-Eyed Fick (31 years-old)
An adventurer with two names. He has exceptional perception and skill. He is currently searching through the Forest of Darkness under Gulland's lead.
The White Hand of Life (Previously translated as divine hands) (Age Unknown)
A priest robed in white. She specializes in healing and support. Her age, name, and origin are all unknown.
Vitz (25 years-old)
A talkative sword-wielding adventurer. He's actual strength isn't bad, but he's still far from being deserving of a second name.
Yugil (26 years-old)
An adventurer and an unwilling s.h.i.+eld bearer. He might appear old, but he is actually still young.
Yoshu (26 years-old)
The younger brother of the slaves Gene purchased. The collar of obedience around his neck keeps him from going against Gene's orders. Healers are rare, so he's been made into a s.h.i.+eld bearer.
Shumea (28 years-old)
The older sister of the slaves Gene purchased. The collar of obedience around her neck keeps her from going against Gene's orders. Contrast to her brother who bears a s.h.i.+eld, she uses a spear.
Altesia.
The G.o.ddess of the Underworld and the G.o.ddess of Valor. As the G.o.ddess the snakes serve, she has given her blessing to the protagonist. She is a dangerous woman with her deep jealousy and fierce temperament.
Zen.o.bia
The G.o.ddess of Healing. She has given her blessing to Res.h.i.+a. She has also warned the protagonist to protect her. Altesia might hate her, but she doesn't feel the same way toward Altesia.
Pitch Black (Verid)
A one-eyed red-eyed snake that belongs to the G.o.ddess of the Underworld.
Twin-Headed Snake
Known to the goblins as the Lord of Decay. He is one of the snakes that fought the world with the G.o.ddess of the Underworld.
Selena
The elven woman Gene purchased. She became a slave after running away from her tribe.
Hasu
The protagonist managed to tame her by giving her orc corps and other meat as bait.
She is a fortuitous kobold who somehow managed to become the leader of her pack.
Cynthia
As the pup of the gray wolves, she has been given the elven name that means lady of the lake. Res.h.i.+a, Lili, and other children and women are quite taken by her lovely fur.
Gastra
As the pup of the gray wolves, he has been given the name of a wise human monarch that means sovereign of the wind's howls. His uninhibited personality leads him to battle Hasu for ranks on a daily basis.
Bui
A timid orc. Gol Gol had taken a liking for him despite his small body. After Gol Gol died, he led the orcs to the west, but the protagonist managed to capture them.
Gol Gol
The orc king that attacked the village. He is a berserker who can use skills. He was defeated by the protagonist.
Tl Note: It just occurred to me that Bellan’s wand would’ve been better translated as staff. It turned into a naginata after casting that fire sword spell, so duh… but apparently that slipped past me. Oops. ;P Anyway… a wand is still technically a staff, so just keep in mind that Bellan’s wand isn’t a tiny itsy-bitsy magic wand, but a thick, long, fully grown staff that can leave even the ancient beast warrior, Gi Gi, numb.
In a certain room, where statues of demons lined up, was a beautiful woman peeking through a giant mirror.
"That child sure seems lively," the beautiful woman said.
"Indeed," the one-eyed red snake said.
He’d made his body smaller to make himself presentable before his master and was peeking through the mirror alongside her. Reflected on that mirror was the forest and the road where a vicious battle was
The mirror reflected the battlefield from above, making it easy to see the whole situation. The one road stretching through the forest was the life line of the humans. It connected to the world of the humans beyond the forest, where flatlands, forests, and farmlands were spa.r.s.ely scattered. Then roughly 40 kilometers beyond that break was a human settlement, one of the countless ones near the forest.
"…Hmm."
The forest was not always this small. But in time, the humans gradually cut down the forest and hunted the monsters to create more land suited for themselves. The scattered forests beyond the Forest of Darkness was proof of that.
Altesia unhappily snorted before turning back her gaze to the battlefield.
Dotted on the mirror were those who had received the divine protection of the G.o.ds. Blessings from the mad G.o.d, the sword G.o.d, a member of the fire G.o.d’s household, the flame G.o.d, the wind G.o.d, and…
"The Fire G.o.dRodo, huh."
Altesia looked down on the world through the eyes of the Corpse BirdHaien.
The fire G.o.d who has given much to the humans. The G.o.d who created the sun, gave birth to the spirits, and taught the humans how to forge weapons and cook food. The accursed G.o.d who tore apart the G.o.d, Kutiarga, and the mother G.o.d, Deetna. The old G.o.d who gave birth to Ativ and Hera.
His head became Ativ, his left hand became Hera, and his two legs became the twin G.o.ds of the moons, Ervi and Navi.
Altesia muttered those things out with a pained look on her face despite the fact that G.o.d she was speaking of was her ancestor.
"I was never good at dealing with him."
He was one of the few people, the G.o.ddess of Vengeance, ruler of the underworld, had difficulties with.
Knitting her pair of beautiful brows, she looked into the world where a vast amount of power drew from the G.o.ds.
The G.o.d of Wind, Castor, who created the demihumans with the G.o.d of Earth, Nmaro, was for some reason, particularly attached to a certain elven maiden.
A mischievous smile appeared on the underworld G.o.ddess’ lips
Halfway through the road leading out the forest was a battle between the denizens of the forest and the humans. Those battling closer to the village tried to run, and the goblins gave chase, turning their battle into a game of tag. But regardless, the battle had gone past the point where the humans could still hope to turn it around. In fact, the goblins blessed by the G.o.ds even fought in the parts of the forest near the break, where the cavalry was waiting.
The G.o.d of Wind, Castor, seemed to have started using his power. Then from among the humans waiting just outside the forest was a familiar resonation that made Altesia narrow her eyes. It was the power of the G.o.d of Healing, Zen.o.bia.
"Even though I warned him, he still lost her… It seems he doesn’t have the power to fight the G.o.ddess of Destiny, Liuryuna, yet. Poor child," Altesia laughed when she thought of his despair.
"Has the G.o.d of WindCastor talked to the Forest G.o.dChenzhen? If the forest is changed this much without permission, it’ll turn into a fight."
That would be fun too though, the G.o.ddess muttered as she turned her gaze to the floor. Her eyelashes were so long it almost seemed like they sounded when they closed. The pondering underworld G.o.ddess looked just like the the G.o.ddess of WisdomHera.
"Verid, do you think Chenzhen is interested in the forest?" She asked the loyal snake.
"…But of course, unless the G.o.ds have forgotten it after 400 years," Verid replied. He had that much confidence as one of those who antagonized the whole word 400 years ago. His black flames seethed when he recalled those times.
"Very well," the G.o.ddess of the Underworld seemed pleased at his answer.
She pointed to one of the hundreds of snakes prostrated by her feet. "Apostle of that which is faster than the windGawyn, spread your wings, and send word to Chenzhen. Bring fear and judgment to the children of the fire G.o.d!"
A gray snake wriggled as it coiled itself.
"I have received thy bidding," the snake said before turning into a gust of wind.
The G.o.ddess turned her gaze back to the mirror.
"Consider this a gift, little boy. Now, kill the humans as much as you please."
I cut down enemy after enemy with the long sword in my hands, and before I knew it, less than half of the human soldiers remained. I didn’t even need to use the Soul of the Berserk King. This monstrous body was more than strong enough to deal with the average human soldier without any special skill.
I enchanted my long sword with black flames.
The commander was done in just a while ago, causing the humans’ formation to collapse. Some of them ran to fight, while some of them ran to flee. Without any order, the humans were no threat at all. I could easily fight them one at a time like this.
The Protection of the Twin-Headed Snake gave me seemingly unlimited stamina and life. It didn’t matter how many times my body was wounded. It didn’t matter whether it was a great sword or a rapier that wounded me either. The power of that protection would heal me as soon as I was wounded. In fact, the power welling up now was greater than before. Just what is going on?
Is this the power of the G.o.ds?
—But with this I can do it. I can wipe out the humans!
The moment I turned my gaze up, the forest exploded.
To be more precise, a part of the forest grew with explosive vigor to block the road. Vines and treeroots gathered together and encroached onto the road.
The humans screamed in despair as they ran. Actually, I’m shocked too. And I’m sure everyone else is too after such a sudden change in the forest.
"d.a.m.n it! We can’t even get near!"
"Sis, calm down!"
When two humans came tumbling out of the forest, seemingly unaware of what was going on, I sharpened my ears to listen to their conversation.
"Oh, hey! This is the army of the feudal lord. Good timing. Hey! Can you guys help us out for a bit!"
When the female of the two humans said that, it was as if the human soldiers realized something, and when they turned around for just one moment, what they saw was…
"UuuU… u, Uuu!"
A body entangled in a great number of vines.
It seemed to be in pain as it held down its head, then it tried to approach the female of the two humans that came tumbling just now, and called out to her.
"Selena…?" The female human asked.
"UuUGAa!" But the response of that thing couldn’t really be called a response. Then as if responding to the pain of that thing, the trunk of a tree slammed itself into the ground just like a person would his own arm.
When the earth trembled upon impact, the humans finally awoke from their daze and they went off screaming.
Suddenly, I wasn’t sure what to do anymore.
Apparently, that thing wasn’t some secret weapon the humans were hiding.
Regardless, however, that didn’t change the fact that it was swinging those overgrown vines around like some whip against the humans in its way as it headed my direction.
I turned to it to cut it down.
As that monster and I approached each other, we cut down the humans in our way.
In between us were those two humans, who were most likely a pair of siblings.
"—Looks like it’s not their ally either."
What a pain, seriously… Bringing something like this into my battle.
"Hey, how do you stop that thing?"
In a twisted sense of irony, the human forces were now truly in ruins. Their commander was gone and an unknown monster has even made an appearance. All that’s left is to catch them later, but that won’t be a problem. All of the sudden, it feels as if all that anger that had condensed into a mist within my mind, clouding my judgment, has been blown away.
The older sister of the two kept looking at the monster as she spoke. "You’re actually going to help us? Great! And here I thought the soldiers of the feudal lord were all pushovers."
"…Enough chatter. Tell me how to deal with this."
"Selena… If you can just clear a path for me to that girl suffering there, I’ll take care of the rest."
"Got it."
d.a.m.n, this situation is getting weirder by the second.
"My name is Shumea. That one over there is my younger brother, Yoshu. We’re both former battle slaves. Thank you for a.s.sisting us, Mr… oh…"
When she finally turned around, she froze.
An understandable reaction, but considering the pickle we’re in right now, I’d rather she didn’t react normally.
"My… what big muscles you have."
I take back that previous statement. It seems she has more guts than I give her credit for.
"Keep your word… Enchant!" Swinging my blade to shake off the blood, I invoked Enchant and clad my sword in flames.
"After me! Shumea!"
"Ahh! Darn it, I don’t care what happens anymore! let’s go! Yoshu, follow!"
"Huh? Wait! Sis! Waaaait!"
For the meantime, I decided to ignore the confused voices.
Footsteps followed from behind as I ran toward that woman named Selena. In response, as if to protect that woman, the vines, the branches, and the trunk of trees gathered together to form a blade, but I cut it down.
"Wow! Sweet moves!" Shumea said.
"You know that’s a goblin, right!?" Yoshu complained.
"Don’t be picky! That boss is going out of his way to save us. And besides, goblins aren’t that much different from demihumans!"
If you have the leisure to argue, how about lending a hand over here?
"Yoshu, s.h.i.+eld! If he can get us to Selena, I’m going to try and bring her back! Make sure you protect me then!"
"Well, sure, but how are you going to wake her!?"
"When a woman has guts, there’s nothing she can’t do!"
…
I acted like I heard nothing and just cut open a path like we planned. If worse comes to worse, I’ll just have to cut down that girl called Selena.
Just a little bit more.
Then vines gathered from all four directions to form a wall. A last stand, huh? A bit weak against me though.
I invoked Third Chant (Third Impact), and the black flames clad around my sword burned fiercer.
"GURUuuuAAaAa!"
One slash to cut down the wall of vines, and a body slam to break open the path.
Vines reached out for my feet immediately after.
"Boss!" Shumea yelled.
Keep quiet!
Gathering ether onto my feet, I forcefully tore free from the vines’ clutches with brute strength.
"Ha ha, that’s something, eh…"
"Hurry up and go."
The path is clear now. There’s no reason for me to play around with them any longer. If they fail, then I’ll just have to kill that girl, Selena.
"I owe you one!" Shumea tore away the vines around Selena, then hugged her, while Yoshu protected her from the whipping vines with his s.h.i.+eld.
On my end, I continued to cut down the vines around.
Virtually limitless stamina, wounds that heal nearly instantly, and an inhuman power, and yet…
With the anger from Res.h.i.+a’s kidnapping gone, I could once again think logically.
Could I really rule over the humans with just this strength?
If I kept going like this and conquered a village, will the humans really just sit down and accept it? Will we be able to procure basic goods by trading with a merchant?
Watching over the humans individually isn’t possible, hence it is imperative that I find something to bind their hearts.
That something could be fear or it could also be admiration and devotion. But would the humans respect a goblin?
Impossible.
That leaves only fear.
I would have to kill countless humans in broad daylight to strike fear in their hearts, but… What about deserters? The moment we leave the forest, the number advantage will fall heavily to the humans. Even if the goblins try to monitor them, it’ll be difficult. Especially, with all the casualties.
The goblins might reproduce quickly, but it’ll still take some time before a goblin can become a full-fledged warrior.
It’s impossible. Right now, the goblins don’t have enough strength to rule over the humans.
Regardless how strong I am, regardless how strong my subordinates are, if we leave the forest now and attack the humans, only destruction awaits us.
How am I supposed to end this battle then? Where am I supposed to end this battle? When am I supposed to sheathe my sword?
"Umm… Goblin boss?" When Shumea called out to me, it finally occurred to me that the treeroots had stopped attacking.
Selena appeared extremely haggard on Shumea’s back, but she was clearly breathing.
Her long ears had been cut in half… A slave.
"Allow me to express my thanks again. You helped us a lot," Shumea said as she impressively thanked me.
For a moment, I wondered just how this woman was able to be so fearless, but I quickly stopped bothering.
I’m sure women like her come around once in a while.
"Where are you going after this?" I asked.
"Nowhere in particular, actually," Shumea answered.
"I see. Well, in any case, don’t approach the forest exit."
Shumea was wide-eyed, clearly confused, while her younger brother looked at me meaningfully, clearly understanding the meaning behind my words.
"Though unintended, I did save your lives. Don’t waste it."
Turning my back on them, I ran.
How and where should I end this battle?
I thought hard as I made my way through the forest.