In the frontier city of Lauhr, which served both as an outpost to keep the Desert of Death under close observation and a commercially important place where materials from the monsters were gathered before being sent south to other cities for trading and processing, multiple people were on the move.

Each group had different goals.

Some were in the shadows, carrying their activities in secret, others were out in the open. Some had good intentions while others were plotting death and destruction. Whatever the case, they were all in the same city and despite all carrying out their objectives apart from the rest, they affected each other in some ways.

Amir Aal Majid, Prince of Sahbadia, stood in front of the mirror in his room with half of his personal retinue by his side. There were two outside the room as guards, and one sent to ask for any developments to the last member of his retinue, who had been tasked with keeping an eye on the strange foreign boy Ethan.

The two members of his retinue that had abilities in magic, Anwe and Rufus, were reciting incantations after placing an array on the mirror.

Anwe took out a small piece of glass, a piece of a mirror without any ornaments. He carefully placed it on the center of the bigger mirror where they had placed inscriptions and the two objects fused into one. Then he and Rufus stepped back to stand behind the prince.

The mirror rippled like the surface of a lake as the runic inscriptions shone with power. When the ripples stopped, what reflected in the mirror was the image of another room. A two-ways scrying link had been formed for communication.

On the other side of the link, stood a middle-aged man dressed in a pure white long-sleeved tunic and black pants. Black hair dropped over his shoulders and a carefully trimmed beard. His skin was of a brown tone, further tanned by a lifetime under the glaring sun of the desert, though not as dark as the Amir’s skin, who had inherited it from his mother. His eyes were warm and kind as he looked at the prince, the same brown color as Amir’s own eyes.

He was tall and had broad shoulders with a frame of solid muscle built for the battlefield. His back was straight and while the man had a kind expression on his face, his body emitted an aura of strength that was undeniable. This man had the body of a warrior and the composed poise of a ruler.

He was Nasir Aal Majid, the ruling King of Sahbadia.

As soon as his figure was clearly shown in the mirror, every person in the room except for Amir lowered their heads and put one knee on the floor, genuflecting in silent reverence to their king.

“Father, it’s good to see you.”

Amir smiled and bowed. His father smiled back fondly.

“My son, you had me worried. What happened? I received vague reports from the region and thought you would contact me yesterday.”

There was no reproach in the king’s voice, just the calm relief over the safety of his son. His voice was calm and deep, compelling in a different way from the authoritative tone that was so common in other monarchs.

“I apologize, father. Scrying from here to The Capital is a tiresome matter that puts a strain on my attendants since they aren’t specialized in this type of magic. We were too tired and wounded after the battle against the Feld-Ehian troops, though nothing serious. I deemed it necessary to wait until we were recovered. I didn’t trust the Mages here for this session of scrying.”

Amir said in an apologetic tone. After the battle, they had few wounds that were troublesome, but both Anwe and Rufus had exhausted their Mana. It would have been possible for them to carry out the ritual, but Amir was unwilling to put them through the task when they all deserved a good night of rest.

Besides, there were some matters that he had wanted to clarify in the city before contacting his father.

“I understand. It’s good that none of you had any grave wound. I don’t think the soldiers were any weaklings, how were the casualties on the Hunters’ side?”

“Yes, father. We were fortunate indeed. There were no casualties in the city, actually. We received unexpected and very useful help.”

The king’s face showed surprise upon hearing his son’s words. This should be interesting.

“Tell me everything, my son.”

“As you wish.”

Amir started the recounting of his journey to the city, the interception midway and the events during the attack to the city. Both the coordinated attack of the beast horde and the Feld-Ehian soldiers, and the surprising help from the foreign boy named Ethan Bhreg.

“We are still trying to ascertain his origins, but so far he doesn’t seem to have any hostile intention to us. The Hunters had taken a liking to him out of gratitude and respect for the bravery shown when he helped the city. He was also contacted by the Sword Dancers led by Elder Edek Konal.”

Amir finished his words on the matter. There wasn’t much to report about Ethan since there wasn’t much known, yet at least a favorable impression of him could be presented. It was Amir’s personal assessment that Ethan and whatever influence was behind him had no hostile intention to Sahbadia, and he told so to his father.

“If he has no underhanded plans towards us, nothing is lost by befriending him.”

King Nasir nodded. The presence of an unknown foreigner in the region at such a key time was suspicious, but he had helped them so there was no point in being hostile to him, though a careful approach would be needed.

“Father, what will be our response to Feld-Ehia? Elder Edek assured me that the Assembly of Clans in Thaliss would readily support military retaliation since this attack endangered both one of the Elder Warriors and the heiress of the Klaidev Clan. An attack on our cities is enough reason for war.”

The king was silent for a moment before replying.

“Where is General Jiten?”

“He is watching over the captured spy and the commander.”

Larin Maprak and Otto Rembert, respectively. That a high-level spy and a powerful commander had taken part of the same military operation was blatant proof of Feld-Ehia Kingdom’s intentions.

“I would have liked for him to be here, but it is no problem. My son, hear my words, for this is a matter of importance.”

The King of Sahbadia’s face turned more serious. When he spoke again, it was no longer addressing Amir as his father, but as the monarch of the nation.

“Feld-Ehia’s actions are a declaration of war, and we will respond in kind. However, not right now. There are some matters we need to have in consideration before we commit to the offensive. There are other pieces at play here. I wish you could return immediately to the Capital. But I know you hold an important mission and are determined to achieve success.”

Amir bowed when he heard his father’s words. He trusted his wisdom, if he said that there were other things to consider then he would trust his father to handle those matters and prepare appropriately. In the meantime, Amir had a personal task to carry out here.

The King’s face softened as he looked at his son.

“Please be safe and return alive. That’s all I ask of you. If you succeed then it will help us greatly, but failure would not harm us, your life is worth much more.”

“I understand father. Have faith in me and await my successful return.”

Amir replied with a confident smile. His father looked him directly in the eyes and saw unyielding determination there. The king nodded slowly.

“Always.”

The king turned his gaze at the kneeling guards of his son. He smiled and called each of them by name.

“Anwe, Rufus, Zain, Elif. Thank you for protecting my son, make sure his bravery doesn’t surpass common sense and keep him safe.”

Amir winced when he heard his father’s words. His guards covered their smiles by lowering their heads. Only Elif, the only female in the room, raised her head and replied to the King.

“You can count on us, Your Majesty. We’ll tie him up if necessary. I have learned a new restricting technique just for this journey.”

“Ah, you are reliable as always, Elif. I can be at ease then.”

Nasir replied with a laugh as Amir let out a sigh. He traced the runes on his side of the link.

“I will pray for your soon and safe return. Be careful, all of you.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Amir and his guards replied at the same time. The image of the king faded and the small magic mirror was extracted from the bigger one.

“Alright, let’s go. We have things to do.”

Amir said and took a deep breath. He was already at the door of the room when he turned around to glance at Elif.

“Did you really learn a new technique to restrain movements?”

Elif looked at him and offered the most innocent smile she could, which he would have trusted if he didn’t know her so well. As it was, that smile only made her seem more suspicious.

“I only said that to give His Majesty peace of mind.”

She replied putting a hand over her heart.

Amir stared at her for three seconds before turning around with a sigh. He decided it was better if he didn’t actually know.

The four last members of his retinue awaited him outside the room. Amir frowned when he saw them, they all had a serious expression on their faces. They were not really concerned, but rather as if they were seriously pondering something.

“Tek, what’s going on? I sent you to ask Samir about Ethan, not to bring Samir back here.”

Tek and Samir both bowed before replying.

“Yes, Your Highness. But something came up, there was no need to be still watching the Inn. Ethan Bhreg never came back to the Inn.”

Tek replied with a serious face. Despite his short discussion with Ethan, he was well aware that the boy had some importance and could be a valuable asset for the prince to gain a new ally due to the influence behind him.

His disappearance after talking with the Sword Dancers could complicate things.

Amir stood in silence for a moment. And without any response, he started walking with a steady stride down the hallway.

His retinue walked behind him. They didn’t need to ask him where they were going.

Issima was gleefully smiling as she walked down the streets towards the Condor Inn, accompanied by her fellow Sword Dancers and Elder Edek.

Her mood was great, after practicing the dance that Ethan had discovered inside the Dance of Four Forms, Issima had gained new Skills.

[Wind Slash] and [Feather Steps].

Two Skills at the same time!

They were acquired as a reward for embracing a long-forgotten art of her Ancestors. To receive two Skills at the same time from the Ordinance of the Heavens could only mean that the [Dance of the Wind] – as the Ordinance had called it after she had learned it together with Elder Edek – was a powerful art.

She and the Elder had performed the dance in front of their astonished fellows and they too had learned it and acquired Skills.

However, only Issima and the Elder had gotten two Skills, though he hadn’t told her what he got. He might still be a bit miffed about the stone she threw at him last night.

It didn’t matter, they were all rejoicing and already wishing they could arrive as soon as possible to Thaliss and show the discovery to the Assembly.

In this good mood, she and her group moved through the city of Lauhr, in search of the young man that made this possible.

Issima had Ethan’s robe folded and carried it on her arms, it was a very soft fabric, and enchanted too. Warm at night and cool during the day, keeping a fresh state for the wearer. It was so comfortable that when she tried it last night out of curiosity she hadn’t been able to take it off. Well, she could. She just really hadn’t wanted to take to take it off, she had a great night of sleep thanks to it.

Elder Edek had said that such robe also had a high defense, but they hadn’t tested it, obviously. What if they had damaged it? No, they hadn’t done such a thing.

It even cleaned itself! This was a very convenient piece of equipment, which probably made it extremely expensive and had convinced the Elder that Ethan must be the heir of some powerful family or something.

Too bad they had to leave the city so fast, she would have liked to get to know him a little better, a lot of what he had told to her last night was fascinating, and becoming friends with someone so talented was something encouraged for everyone in the Clans. But they had duties, and after trade in the city had been completed their group had no need to remain here. Now they even had a reason to hurry back to Thaliss and it was Ethan who was responsible for that.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice her group had stopped and almost slammed her face on the back of Taus.

The dark-skinned man was the tallest member of their team, even taller than Elder Edek, and was a ferocious fighter with his two sabers. He was extremely well-mannered and calm for a man with such an imposing body.

Issima glanced around and saw that Qasim and Carina stood by the sides of Elder Edek as he looked ahead.

In front of the group stood the Second Prince of their nation, Amir Aal Majid. His eight guards were standing in a subtle formation behind him.

The prince smiled politely, yet there was something cold in his expression, like a hidden hostility in it.

“Your Highness, it’s good to see you in good spirit in this morning.”

“Good morning, Elder. I hope that I’m not interrupting anything. You seemed to be walking with a bit of haste.”

The prince cast a glance at the four young Sword Dancers. His eyes paused slightly when he looked at Issima, or rather, at the robe in her arms.

“None at all, Your Highness. This is a wonderful morning; we are feeling full of energy today.”

Edek laughed, but he too had realized there was something odd about the prince.

“It’s good that you are in such great health, Elder. May I inquire where are you going? Surely you aren’t leaving the city so early in the morning, right?”

“Actually, we were planning to meet with that young man, Ethan. The inn where he is staying should be just a little further down this street. But we will be leaving soon afterward, Your Highness.”

The smile in the prince’s face didn’t change much, but in a subtle way, there was less hostility in him. Elder Edek kept smiling broadly, there was no reason for hostility between them, had something happened?

As Issima wondered what this was about, the prince glanced again at her and spoke again.

“I am actually looking for him, you see. I wonder where he is right now, after all, the Innkeeper informed me that Ethan hasn’t returned to the Inn since he left for the feast last night.”

Now Edek’s smile faded. Ethan hadn’t returned to the inn? Maybe he had stayed in some other place? Surely Ethan couldn’t have left the city in the middle of the night, right?

Or had someone harmed him?

The Sword Dancers looked at each other, surprise and questions filling their minds.

“I was actually wondering if you knew anything about this, after all, you and Miss Issima were the last people to spoke with him right after leaving the plaza. Is that Ethan’s robe that Miss Issima is carrying on her arms?”

Prince Amir lightly pointed at the robe Issima was holding. While his tone of voice and words remained polite, the smile had faded completely from his face. The implicit accusation was not unnoticed by them all.

Edek frowned. This wasn’t a matter they could just overlook, though the first thing to do was clear the prince’s misunderstanding.

“Your Highness, I assure you that we don’t know anything about where Ethan is right now. We had an agreement to meet in the morning.”

Edek replied and Amir silently looked at him. Hesitantly, Issima stepped forward.

“Ehm… Your Highness, Elder, I think he might be with his Master.”

Both men turned around and looked at her. A second later, everyone else in both groups turned to her too.

“What makes you say that, Miss Issima?”

Amir asked as Edek recalled their conversation last night.

“Oh, that’s right. Ethan said he would speak with his Master before talking with us today. You think he may be with him, Issima?”

“Maybe? I’m just saying it’s possible.”

Issima replied to Edek’s question.

“He mentioned yesterday that he and his Master separated in the Desert of Death, though I’m not sure if he had any way to contact him. Unless his Master had entered the city without us knowing?”

Amir considered the matter. He didn’t want to doubt an Elder from Thaliss, but he had to cover the most obvious possibility first.

Then the question remained, where was Ethan?

And just at that moment, the young man turned a corner towards them. Wearing sandals and some strange short pants and a simple blue shirt while holding two bags made of an unknown material filled with what looked like a couple of boxes.

The strange boy, wearing strange clothes and holding strange items, smiled at all of them and said strange words as he raised the bags in his hands.

“Hi, everyone. I have ice cream!”

Early that morning, deep inside a series of caverns, while many Goblins carried out some activities and others simply slept, one goblin got out of bed.

The piece of furniture that was his resting place was actually a hammock, but it was where he slept, so it was his bed.

He stood up with dreamy and excited eyes, careful to not wake up the other occupant of the hammock.

Kar laid eyes on Mimi, who was completely naked, yet his gaze remained fixed on her face. He smiled fondly. The sight of his lovely partner sleeping peacefully warmed his chest in a different manner than the heat of sexual arousal.

It was a softer and in some ways more pleasurable kind of warmth. Purer, perhaps, without the savage drive of their racial instincts.

After a few more seconds, Kar turned around and walked away from the hammock, then rummaged inside his bag in search of the stone tablet.

The Book of Kobe, as Sage Navin had called it. A simple black stone tablet with strange inscriptions imprinted on it, yet it was so valuable and powerful.

Kar placed the stone tablet on a wooden stool, placing a rock behind the tablet to keep it straight. He found to his pleasant surprise that there was no need for such support, the tablet kept itself standing without needing to lean on anything.

He sat on the ground, the stool making the tablet be at the height of his eyes, and started to read it.

The experience was different from when he read his old stone tablet, which was damaged. There was no need to remain focused on it to start to glimpse the contents, which was certainly an improvement.

Instinctively, Kar’s eyes shone as he circulated energy across his body. A soft ray of light was emitted by the stone tablet and Kar’s mind was inundated with information.

The Book of Kobe unfolded itself to share its mysteries with a seeker of the secrets of Goblinkind.

In his mind’s eye, Kar no longer was sitting in front of a stone tablet, but a broad and tall stele of black stone. A gigantic monolith with grand inscriptions and marvelous ornamentations.

In there, Kar saw history and glory, war and horrors, peace and prosperity. Goblins standing tall as Titans and wise as the greatest wizards. He saw machines, artifacts built by Goblin hands that could destroy fortress and pave ways through mountains, Alchemy that could burn the world and fetch life from the hands of the Grim Reaper.

He saw dreams and ambitions of the past, and also the hope for the future.

At the center of it all, one depiction captivated him, demanding his attention. A strange smiling Goblin, not much taller than the average Human, yet he seemed to see beyond everyone else. He was not very muscular either, yet he seemed capable of shouldering the burden of his entire species.

He was but an engraving on the stele, but those powerful eyes were blazing like they were more alive than anything else in the world, because what burned in them was not a simple soul, but the hope of his people, and that would not be extinguished even if his soul was shattered.

It was an image of Kharsfal Tehrek Kobelin, and on his face, Kar felt kindness and intelligence. Then he realized that the carved image was looking back at him, like it was studying Kar, evaluating him.

A heartbeat passed as Kar went completely still.

Then the Goblin on the stele smiled in approval and the Goblin God’s legacy revealed in front of its accepted successor.

Kar entered deep meditation as comprehension filled him, feeling every fiber of his body tensing and relaxing alternatively. His acupoints opened and power flooded into him.

When he opened his eyes again, Kar was a Hobgoblin.