Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Soul of a King

[Race] Goblin

[Level] 14

[Class] Duke; Horde Chief

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

[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld, Altesia

[Attributes] Darkness, Death

[Subordinate Beasts] Kobold (Lv9)

[Abnormal Status] >

Three days has passed since Gi Go and its horde has come to our village .

I had the new comers form three-man cells along with the rest of the goblins . At first, they were confused, but after seeing for themselves the effects of using traps, and how it can easily corner preys to secure food, they seem to have appreciated it .

The fact that there’s no friction is proof of that .

I ordered the goblins to focus their hunting on the east and west . At the same time, I warned them not to hurt the kobolds .

If we hunt too much, we might just break the barrier that’s protecting us from the humans .

I also reminded them not to forget my orders to run if they come across any of the orcs coming from the west, or if they happen to meet a giant spider .

Of course, they would probably still run even if I hadn’t ordered them to . But lately, Gi Ga’s been challenging the stronger beasts in the area, so just in case, I made sure that they wouldn’t do anything stupid .

After I was sure that the goblins could do their rounds around the village well enough, I headed over to the old goblin’s .

Naturally, my objective is to gather information for the next village . My plan won’t change; I will still start with the closer villages .

“There is someone, but…” said the old goblin, slightly hesitating . “But he’s a bit dangerous . ”

Those words full of bitterness brought a smile to my face .

“Irrelevant . I will make it understand my power,” I replied .

I need to make those gray wolves who attacked us pay . For the sake of that goal, I need to gather the strong and not the weak .

“There is a village of goblins opposite the lake with a group of druids living in it . ” said the old goblin .

In other words, a village ruled by magic users .

From what the old goblin told me, these druids seem to look down on all goblins other than their own class .

“Druid, huh?” I muttered .

It’s a kind of goblin my village doesn’t have . And since he says it’s a group of druids, then there should be a number of them there . Even just one of those druids would greatly strengthen my forces if I were to add them .

“The next prey’s been decided then,” said .

The land they rule is at most about a day’s distance . The hesitant, old goblin can just lead us . Getting there safely is important after all .

Still it would be great if I could get a map, but unfortunately such luxuries aren’t possible .

After all, this forest here is the forbidden forest of darkness . Humans don’t come in here .

Well, as soon as I walk it, I’ll remember the way .

Speaking of which, who should I take with me?

Gi Gi has just recently caught some new beasts, and is currently busy, so it won’t be possible to take it along .

Gi Go and Gi Gu on the other hand, have their hands full teaching the new goblins how to hunt . The former leader teaching brings the best results after all .

So that leaves…

“Gi Ga!” I yelled .

Gi Ga’s been greedily wishing for a fight ever since the orcs’ raid, so I decided to have it come with me .

“By your will!” replied Gi Ga .

And so I left the village with Gi Ga to scout .

◆◇◇

We know that there’s plenty of spear deer to hunt until the lake, so we didn’t get lost on the way .

Then we got to the lake, we did our reconnaissance by walking around it, observing the surroundings to try and get a grasp on the area, answering questions such as “Is there a path a large number of goblins can use?” “Are any strong monsters? Or conversely, are there any preys that we could hunt easily?” questions like that .

Hmm… When it comes to fighting, the forest is probably better .

The druid’s magic is worrying too . It’s something I haven’t fought against yet, so I’m both anxious and excited .

Then while I was absorbed deep in my thoughts, Gi Ga called out to me, “Chief,” it said

Looking over to Gi Ga, I noticed it pointing its spear towards a direction . Following that, I saw a monster that I have never seen before .

As I looked closely at it, the [Skill] > activated, and its status came up .

[Skill] > has activated .

[Race] Lizard Man .

[Level] 10

[Class] Larva

[Possessed skills] > > >

[Divine Protection] None

[Attributes] None

The monster that lived on the lake roused wariness in me .

At that moment, Gi Ga asked me excitedly, “Chief, fight, let me!” it said .

Gi Ga was so eager to fight it was about to jump into the fray, but I stopped it, and continued to observe the lizard man . Then I asked Gi Ga, “Why?”

Why are you so eager to fight? To be honest, I really don’t understand Gi Ga’s feelings .

Then Gi Ga replied, “I, become, chief’s strength!”

Hearing that caused my eyes to open, moving the pair from the lizard man to Gi Ga .

Looking at it like this, Gi Ga’s as excited as usual . It really isn’t one to lie, so… It’s telling the truth?

“I, gain power . King, help,” it continued .

“Am I that unreliable?” I asked .

Gi Ga shook its head, and I breathed a sigh of relief .

Looks like it just likes me .

…

Dammit, this is embarrassing!

But still…

So you’re going to follow me, huh?

I looked at the lizard man again .

With its alligator-like exterior bathed in beach’s sunlight, the lizardman actually looked to be quite charming . Only there was a sharp, curved sword in its hand . And on its other hand was a sharp nail extending .

And those scales…

It doesn’t look like it’s been cut by a hard blade, so it must be because of the water that there’s a part that’s somewhat swelling . Is there such a thing? How curious .

Then Gi Ga yelled again, trying to hurry me in its excessive excitement .

“Chief!” it said .

Gi Ga was panting in excitement .

“Don’t, push yourself too much,” I said .

Gi Ga shook its head up and down so vigorously it made a buzzing sound .

“Also, I won’t lend you a hand, ok?”

At those words, fighting spirit lit within Gi Ga’s eyes .

This is the battle Gi Ga desired, so I made sure to make it understand that it should accept the results no matter what it may be . Harsh as this may seem, it is imperative that Gi Ga understand this .

The goblins under me… I wonder, will they remain as nothing more than livestock under my rule? Or will they grow into full-fledged warriors?

I don’t mind either way . You goblins can become livestock for all I care .

Your lives are no different from the pigs served on the table .

But… Should you happen to acquire the honor of a warrior, then…

At those thoughts, I made my decision .

–––I won’t let even a single of you to die meaninglessly!

The warriors that once existed in my country . Those brave, gallant figures that I never had the pleasure of seeing . If you can make me feel even a trace of their glory, then you shall become my pride .

Even if I come to be called, the king of monsters . Even if I come to be ridculed, the King of Pygmies . I will not abandon you .

I will lead you and your people, and I shall raise a new country!

To follow me is to walk the path of war . You shall fight foes leagues above you to no rest .

So…

“Go!” I yelled, and the goblin rocketed off .

And I watched over it silently .

This might be a detour, but it’s a necessary one .

As I told myself that, I gripped Iron Second tightly .

I’m worried about that lizardman’s > skill . If that’s something that could call others of its own kind, then I might have to risk my life .

◆◇◆

Gi Ga’s spear grazed the lizard man’s scale, and green blood oozed out .

But the lizardman was, by nature, a race above the goblin rare, and it did not falter . Instead it gripped its curved sword tight, and it slashed towards Gi Ga .

The thrust spear returned to Gi Ga’s hands, and the goblin blocked the curved sword .

Supposedly, in a battle between a spear and a sword, the spear should win out in range . However, Gi Ga’s excessive fighting spirit caused it to challenge the lizard man in a close fight instead .

Not good, I thought .

The battle continued, and the lizard man closed in . In a series of attack, the battle-hungry Gi Ga was driven into a corner . Even if Gi Ga blocks one attack, another blow follows right after it . Curved swords were originally made to make cutting easy .

The sword flew in a flurry, uncontested, striking from above, from below, from the right and from the left .

The lizard man was clearly not just superior in race, but it also made full use of its own advantages .

I gritted my teeth, but I wasn’t going to join the fray .

Just as I had said, this is the battle Gi Ga wished for .

So I will only look on, quietly, without lifting a finger .

Even if death shall visit you, I will remain still .

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a monster or human . Once a man decides to fight, he must see it to the end .

That’s what I believe .

The blade of the lizard man has finally begun to wound Gi Ga’s body gradually . And the goblin’s red blood spurted into the air .

My brows furrowed, and my glare intensified . So much so that I was certain my looks could kill . And sweat gathered at my palm that tightly gripped Iron Second .

Gi Ga pulled its spear back . And the lizard man’s sword came swinging at it .

Panicked, the goblin took some distance, and I finally felt a bit of relief .

Good, I thought . That’s exactly what you should be doing . Take some distance, and fight from there . If you do so, you’ll have a chance at winning .

From the looks of things, even the lizard man’s at a lost at what to do with Gi Ga’s spear handling . Gi Ga definitely isn’t behind in skill .

But the wall Gi Ga needs to overcome is that overwhelming difference in physical abilities .

After Gi Ga took some distance, the lizard man immediately tried to close it .

At Gi Ga’s one-sided defensive battle, my patience began to approach its limits .

The lizard man slashed from below upwards, cutting Gi Ga’s feet . Red blood spurted out of them, and the curved sword drew a circle as it flashed .

But Gi Ga only gripped its own spear again .

At the same time, the brandished curved sword swung down

––That’s not good!

As those thoughts exploded within my mind, I rocketed towards the lizardman and Gi Ga . I knew I wouldn’t make it, but still!

But then all of the sudden, Gi Ga suddenly… took a step forward!?

The descending curved sword cut Gi Ga’s shoulder, and more red blood gushed out .

“Tch!”, clicked my tongue .

Don’t die Gi Ga!

But then right at that moment, the bellowing sound of a howl suddenly entered my ears .

“GURUAAA!”

Then Gi Ga put all of its strength into the spear, and thrusted it, leaving me surprised, and the lizard man’s eyes, opened wide .

The thrusted spear pierced into the lizard man’s chest, and blood gushed out a pool of red .

Then Gi Ga fell to its knees, and it looked dumbfounded towards the lizardman that took its spear .

“Gyu, GyuAAeAAa!”

The lizard man shrieked an ear-piercing scream, and then it breathed its last .

“Gi Ga!” I yelled .

“Chief, I, won…” said Gi Ga, weakly .

“Aah, it was a spectacular victory,” I replied .

Then as if having lost all strength, Gi Ga bowed, and fell to the ground .

Quickly, I ran to where he was, and when I got to him, he was deep asleep .

I felt relieved from the bottom of my heart when I saw that .

“I guess even I don’t understand my own feelings,” I muttered .

“GyuAA–“

As I held Gi Ga up, I heard something shriek .

I left Gi Ga somewhere around the lake, leaving him there to rest, then I looked back .

And there, before me, was a lounge of lizardmen crawling from the waterside .

Five lizardmen .

“…Coming?” I asked, my face twisting into a smile .

I wielded Iron Second over my shoulder .

I can’t lose . Not to five lizardmen whose power is equal to that of goblin nobles .

The gallant figure of the man who said he would become strong for my sake scorched within me .

I am the king of that man, the proud king of monsters!

Be it Zenobia! Be it Altesia! None shall stand before me!

“Turn me into a blade (enchant)!!”

The abyss-like flames of darkness clad my sword .

And as my heart burned, so did the flames of enchant rage .

◆◇◇◆◇◇

[Level] has risen .

14 -> 22

[Skill] > has evolved into [Skill] > .

Because of having adherents within your horde, magic power UP . Every time you gain an adherent, your total magic power will increase .

However, each time your magic power increases, so will the ability of the goddess of the underworld to control you increase .

Loyalty from subordinate monsters UP .

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