Goblin Kingdom

In the black of the night, just as I was about to retire, a goblin from Ganra came rus.h.i.+ng to me.

"K-King! The enemy has come!" he said, visibly panicked.
"Take a seat first," I replied.
"But!"

The goblin tried to complain, but the pressure I gave left him unable to endure, so he sat in front of me.

Once his breathing settled down, I asked him.

"How many are there? Where are they coming from? I believe I left Gi Za in charge…"
"Y-Yes. The enemy are coming from the west. We don’t know how many there are, but they’re the riders of Paradua!"

The west, huh?

"Did they come to attack us?"
"N-No… They’ve gathered at the boundary of the village, and are merely watching us."
"I see."

The goblin tried to argue again, but I stopped him.

"I should go then."

Although it’s possible that they’re in cahoots with the Gaidga and are merely waiting for their arrival from another direction, it might also be possible to negotiate with these Paradua goblins.

I’d rather avoid sending my subordinates carelessly, and creating unnecessary enemies.

The Ganra seem to be expecting the Gaidga to attack in the near future, so they’ve been rather restless.

"Fighting’s forbidden until I go. But if they attack, then feel free to fight back. Understood?"
"Y-Yes."

As my tail struck itself against the ground, I stood up, and left.

My tail seems to be in a good mood.

Now… just what sort are these riders of Paradua?

In the black of the night, I walked, unfazed by the darkness.

Unlike humans. goblins have eyes that work well even in the dark. The dark doesn’t bother us.

"Ho…"

The Ganra have built a wall around their village using the fences and the tress that naturally grow nearby. The village itself is situated higher than the surrounding area, so it is possible to look down at the enemy from above.

The natural walls that were built by the Ganra were vines wrapped around the budding sprouts of the toppled trees. It was above such walls that I stood and oversaw the enemy below. Truly, the sight that greeted me was nothing short of spectacular.

"So those are the riders of Paradua," I muttered to myself.

Riding on the back of magical beasts were goblins holding the beasts’ bridles in their hands.

The beasts they rode on were like tigers with long fur. Whose length was such that it was a size bigger than the beasts themselves, covering even their mouths and their feet. And a gleam in their eyes that was reminiscent of cats shone.

And being three times the size of the goblins, those beasts of yellow and black stripes could easily tower over their masters.

They were lined up around the village, surrounding it as they exuded a fearsome aura. It was a sight that would undoubtedly leave the fainthearted in a daze. But what burned within my heart was instead that of joy!

–––These riders are mine!

That burning desire was just like that of an adventurer who’s spotted a treasure.

These so-called riders were simply that irresistible.

"Is it true!? Has Paradua’s riders come to attack us!?"

The noisy one who said that was none other than Narsa who climbed up the walls to a spot near me.

"Not yet," I calmly replied.
"Why are you taking this so leisurely!?" she complained. "If you don’t attack them from a distance now, we’ll get trampled underfoot their beasts! They’re different from the Gaidga, their legs are fast!"

Anxiety could be seen on the faces of the people of Ganra as they listened to the exchange between Narsa and I. It can’t be helped, after all, they were attacked and had their village taken from them just a few days ago.

"I’m waiting for Gi Jii’s return," I said.

As Gi Jii could use the stealth skill, I sent him ahead to scout the area. There’s no reason to go ahead and attack now. Even as a prank, there’s nothing funny about attacking the enemy, and exposing Gi Jii to danger.

Narsa bitterly hung her head.

"If it does turn into a battle, I’ll have to borrow Ganra’s forces. Just wait until then."
"…Understood."

As Narsa unwillingly backed down, I internally heaved a sigh of relief.

What a pain, I thought. So this is what’s it like to deal with a subordinate who isn’t fully devoted to me.

Should I deal with her with a more imposing aura like that of one leading a tribe?

Hmm… regardless, I need to think of a way to better things.

Sooner or later, the goblins will multiply. So it would be best if I can have goblins who can see what is beneficial and what is not, and follow me even without being fully devoted. But we still haven’t reached that point. We are still at the preliminary stage, so for now, everything must be decided with a hierarchical system that goes from the top to the bottom.

The opinions of weaker goblins, of others, aside from me is not yet needed.

…As expected, Gilmi should be the one to lead Ganra. But then the problem is how…

"King, I have returned."

Gi Ji’s voice woke me up from my pondering, and I sent my gaze to him.

"How is it?" I asked.
"There are about 30 Gaidga goblins to the south," he replied.
"I see."

Goblins have good eyes even in the night.

So their plan must be to have the Paradua attract our attention, and then during that time, have the Gaidga attack the village.

"A rider from Paradua!"

Looking toward the direction of that voice, a lone rider could be seen approaching, requesting for negotiations.

"That’s… Lord Aluhaliha?"

The words of the princess of Ganra, Narsa, made my mouth twist.

"An unscrupulous man, huh?"

If you want to pull one over me, then I’ll respond in kind.

"Good. Narsa, why don’t we pay them back in kind."
"Eh? Are they planning to take us by surprise?"
"Exactly. And in order to use that against them… call Gi Za."

Gi Za had already finished deciding the formation of his subordinates when he arrived with them. At the middle was also Ganra’s Gilmi, so I suppose it’s only expected that they were able to finish the preparations well and fast.

"Looks like you know what to do."

Gi Za nodded as if it to say it was a given.

"The target is Gaidga. Do that, and Paradua should feel threatened."

A mischievous smile appeared on Gi Za’s face. And I smiled a smile just as mischievous back at him.

As a crowd gathered, I gave my orders the to my subordinates.

"Gi Go Amatsuki, Gi Gu Verbena, it’s unfortunate, but you two will have to accompany me. It wouldn’t be appropriate if it was just me after all."
"Understood."
"As you command."

The curved sword-wielding goblin who had received the divine protection of the sword G.o.d nodded with dignity along with the goblin who is the former leader of the village.

"People of Garna, protect the village. There’s no need for you to attack, but don’t do anything that might allow the enemy to know that we don’t have much men."

The goblins turned pale as they nodded. As I nodded back, I looked to Gi Za.

"Gi Jii, lead the way. The rest of you, follow Gi Za’s commands."

At Ganra’s village, by the Forest of the Twisted Giant, were the curtains on the second battle lifted.

Accompanied by the n.o.ble cla.s.ses, Gi Gu and Gi Go, as well as Narsa, I went to meet with Paradua.

The place where the negotiations were to take place was the point halfway between the village and the army of Paradua.

It was the best place considering Ganra’s bows and the mobility of Paradua’s riders.

Also, although we were negotiating, we were still armed.

I had my great steel swordIron Second on my shoulder, Gi Go had his two curved swords sheathed by his waist, Gi Gu had his long sword on his back, his axe on his waist, and Narsa also brought her Meteor BowByunei Bow with her.

Meeting us was the representative of Paradua who was riding on his giant magical beast.

That giant magical beast was like a tiger with stripes of yellow and black, black being the more dominant of the two colors. Its two eyes shone brilliantly as the light of the moon reflected on it. As its claws firmly stepped on the land, it exuded the aura befitting that of the king of the forest. And though its whiskers hid some, its great fangs could be seen peeking out.

Riding that was a blue goblin.

It was a n.o.ble cla.s.s. The goblins of the tribes might be somewhat different from us normal goblins, but the color of their skin is the same.

Wrinkles could be seen drawn on the goblin’s face, it was not a youthful face, but the face of one who has lived many moons and years. And even the fur that extended from his head to his back has already turned white. The goblin was old.

He held the bridle on one of his hands, while the other was placed on the sword by his waist. With his mouth drawn like a straight line, he gave off the impression of one who was hard to please. He looked straight at me with a gaze so potent it seemed to make a sound.

"So young…" muttered the n.o.ble cla.s.s before me.

His voice was deep. It was the sort that reverberated all the way one’s body.

"It’s been a long time, Lord Aluhaliha," greeted Narsa.

I left the position of the representative to Narsa, so I only quietly watched them converse.

"King," whispered Gi Gu, who was standing by my side.

There were three escorts near the goblin called Aluhaliha.

Every single one of them was riding on a magical beast. Retreat was not an option, so there was only one option left to us.

"If it comes to that, suppress the escorts," I said.

Gi Gu quietly nodded as he backed down, and informed Gi Go of my orders.

"What brings you here, Lord Aluhaliha?"

Aluhaliha snorted uninterestedly at Narsa’s words, and his gaze grew sharper.

"Let’s stop with the needless act…" he said.

It was apparent that he was not amused as he scowled strongly at Narsa.

"Surrender," he demanded. "Do so, and I’ll spare your life."
"Has Paradua surrendered to Gaidga?" asked Narsa.

Narsa’s supplicant gaze was met with Aluhaliha’s scorn that was much like a laugh as he stared at her grimly.

"Hmph. Someone who asked for help from an outsider to intervene in the tribes’ matter has no right to criticize me."

So he did surrender.

"What happened to protecting Paradua’s pride that you inherited from your ancestors!?" questioned Narsa.

Aluhaliha laughed.

"Something like that… is better off thrown to the dogs!" he snapped as the pressure he gave off increased.

As Narsa was taken aback, speechless, I steeled my nerves to prepare for battle.

This goblin wants to fight.

Well… at least his intentions are clear. The only problem is whether I abandon Narsa here or not.

Narsa is the reason why Ganra is unable to meet my demands.

As an army, it isn’t good to have more than one will.

But does that mean I should throw her away? If I were to ask myself whether such an action is right or not, then… the answer is clear.

I am the king.

He who has lost his pride is no longer a king, but a mere monster with power.

So I will save her. I should do at least that much.

Aluhaliha must’ve seen the smile on my face as he sent his sharp gaze my way.

"Young one, if you have something to say, then say it."
"Someone who has lost his pride is not a king."

His teeth gritted.

There was some distance between us, but the sound of his teeth grinding against itself clearly reached my ears.

"Brat!" yelled Aluhaliha.

As bloodl.u.s.t emanated from him, the three guards behind him grabbed their weapons.

Meanwhile, Narsa couldn’t utter out a singled sound as the bloodl.u.s.t was too great for her to bear.

Gi Gu and Gi Go stepped in front of me.

I wielded my great sword.

My little finger… my ring finger… my middle finger… as I ascertained that my power gradually filled my grip on my blade, I measured the distance between me and the enemy.

The tension was like an ice upon a pond as we each measured the distance between us.

Affected by my bloodl.u.s.t, the beasts began to growl.

Then suddenly, from faraway, shouts began to echo.

Aluhaliha couldn’t help but wordlessly turn toward the direction of those shouts for a moment.

"Unfortunately for you, your plan has already been seen through," I told him.
"What?" asked Aluhaliha as he glared at me with a look that could make even a demon run away barefooted.
"You were planning to call us to negotiate while Gaidga took the village, correct?"

Aluhaliha turned his gaze away for a moment to think.

The voices from faraway started to near us.

"…We’re returning," said Aluhaliha. "Negotiations has broken down."

As he pulled on the bridles, he turned, and left with his escorts.

As I watched his back vanish into the distance, I asked Gi Go.

"…What do you think, Gi Go?"

I wanted to hear Gi Go’s honest thoughts, so I asked him.

"If you order me to cut, then I will, but…"
"But what?"
"He’s quite strong," smiled Gi Go Amatsuki ferociously.
"How about you, Gi Gu?" I asked.
"With those three escorts together, he’s definitely a troubling opponent… He should be a bigger problem than Gaidga, no?"

My thoughts are mostly the same.

The old goblin of Paradua, Aluhaliha.

He’s old, but he’s definitely not weak.

"Interesting," I muttered.

How interesting… if I could add them to my army, then my kingdom will certainly grow.
"We’re returning. Narsa, you as well."

As I called out to Narsa who was still in a stupor, we returned to Ganra’s village.