Chapter 29: The Seventh Goblin War

The dwarven leaders came to my castle to discuss the campaign.

In a few weeks, the abandoned outpost became a formidable citadel because of the dwarven supervisors and tireless skeleton workers.

I knew before that multiple wars have already been waged to defeat the race of the goblins.

The dwarves lost every one of them because of various reasons: supplies, miscommunication, and strange behavior and tactics used by the goblins, which caught them off guard.

The very first war waged was almost successful, it’s just that they lost supplies when they were about to siege the last remaining goblin stronghold.

They decided that they would not pose any threat to the dwarves, so they retreated.

A few months went by, and they regretted it. The goblins regained their land and armies after that timeframe.

The succeeding wars were messy because the goblins started to adapt strategy into their tactics and even outwitting the dwarves at some points.

They are destroying the dwarven supply storages, setting a lot of traps, and even using hand-made bombs to destroy groups of dwarves.

They told me that the black powder that I saw in their camp is called gunpowder. You can ignite it to set it aflame or compressed it in a container to make a bomb.

The dwarves use it to load their cannons and guns.

The humans back then also used guns, but most of their firearms are magic based. They didn’t use gunpowder.

Wargh: “I propose that we hit multiple strongholds this time.”

Dwarven Commander: “What!? We don’t have enough men!”

An objection to the king right away came from his commanders.

Idmon: “(t) I agree with the king. We should split their forces; I believe that we can take on huge armies with small groups of ours.”

I get some nods from the other leaders.

Urah voices his opinion.

Urah: “Ahem, and also even some of the groups are not able to take down a stronghold, they can just hold out until the other groups finish their jobs and come rushing to their aid.”

Wargh: “Hmm… Sounds reasonable. This strategy might work. The problem before is that they keep hiding and escaping to different strongholds.”

Wargh makes an approving nod towards Urah.

Wargh: “Now, let’s choose who will take on the strongholds. Currently, they have three strongholds at the borders of our territories. We are in the north part of the region, and the strongholds are positioned southwest, south, and southeast of us. Who wants to volunteer?”

Dwarven commander: “I’ll take the south path.”

A commander stands up with his great battleaxe.

Idmon: “(t) I’ll take the southeast.”

Urah: “I’ll go with you, Lord Idmon.”

Urah offered his help.

“Okay then, my group will take southwest.”

The king then issued the orders, and on the next day, we started our march.

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Riding on top of one of the Bone Behemoth, I look at our group. We are to attack the southeast stronghold with this group consisting of my army of 500 plus and most of them being skeleton goblins together with Urah's group of 300 dwarven warriors.

We do have our bone golems and bone behemoths to increase our chances.

After a few hours of marching, we arrive at the perimeter of the stronghold.

The dwarves would rest first while I lay out the strategy to Urah.

Idmon: “(t) Not having any problems on the commanding side?”

Urah: “Not at all. I don’t remove my full armor and helmet so that it won’t get awkward when the soldiers are talking to me.”

Idmon: “(t) That would be best.”

First, my scouts came back with reports on how strong the defenses are.

They said it had a low wall made of wood and an average wall made of stone. They have multiple watchtowers that hold around 50 goblin archers each.

They appear to have cannons too.

As for the traps, it’s just metal stakes outside the walls, so the best way would be to destroy it with spells or break-in from the main gate.

Idmon: “(t) Okay, Urah, We’ll do it like this; first, I’ll start combat by raining spells on the watchtowers with my mages. We’re going to use and spells. Both of them are strong against groups of enemies so that we can remove the watchtowers from the threats already.

Next would be charging at them straight at the main gates. We’ll provide covering fire with spells and bows while your men destroy the gate with your siege equipment.

So, are we good?”

Urah: “Absolutely. It’s simple; I like it.”

I had the mages form a line. Bon and Lina joined in too.

It seems they haven’t noticed us yet, and scouts didn’t spot us.

Okay…

! I raise my staff and cast the spell. There is a total of 5 watchtowers, so I gave different targets, so we’ll get them all in one shot.

It’s a good thing I brought all of my weapons, including my staff collection.

One by one, the mages cast their spells and fired.

You can see the watchtowers going down and goblins jumping down to avoid the incoming spells.

There was a single watchtower that barely survived. I used my new spear, which I now called Void Lance. I charged the embedded energy crystal inside and cast one of its trademark .

The watchtower collapsed, and darkness swallowed the area where the bolt exploded.

Idmon: “(t) Charge now, Urah!”

Urah: “Charge!!!”

Hundreds of dwarves came out from the forest nearby. They positioned themselves there earlier.

While that is happening, I had my army charge from the other side of a stronghold.

The Bone Behemoths just charged the walls and brought it down. It just destroyed everything in its path, rendering the traps useless.

The hole made by the Bone Behemoths was an opportunity not missed by the other ground forces.

Thousands of arrows and some stones came from the fort. However, the dwarves' heavy armor and the skeleton's resistance to piercing damage were able to handle it.

They swarmed the hole: skeleton Hobgoblins, goblins, warriors, and Bone Golems. The archers and mages supported the dwarves on the other side.

It just took only a few minutes. The dwarves took down the main gate and had the thousands of goblins inside trapped and taken care of a few more minutes later.

The plan was a success, so I had sent my messengers to King Wargh and the commander of the south stronghold group.

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I searched around the fallen stronghold and saw these weird totems all around the place.

The goblins this time was the same too. They fought up to the last goblin without a shred of fear or desperation.

It made the job easier since they kept charging without thinking.

After a few hours, the messengers returned. King Wargh told the messenger that they were about to finish the southwest stronghold and would go straight to the southern stronghold to support the group there.

The other messenger said that the south group was trapped. They charged recklessly and got themselves ambushed.

They dug in deep and are holding out for reinforcements.

Idmon: “(t) Let’s move out quickly!”

I told Urah that we would be moving at top-speed non-stop, and the dwarves should catch up and not force themselves.

The Bone Behemoth moved at top speed, causing small earthquakes around the area.

Even though we are rushing, I had them run in an orderly fashion to avoid stampede and unnecessary loss of soldiers.

We arrived at the south stronghold an hour later.

Idmon: “(t) We’ve arrived!”

I tried contacting the leader a small distance away.

He looked at me and waved his arms, asking for immediate help.

The goblins were attacking in swarms, and they even had mages that are sending in a salvo of spells.

Their trusty shields kept them alive, so that’s good news.

When I tried to close the distance with them, an army blocked us.

It consisted of huge trolls and ogres. Some of them bigger than our Bone Golems.

“(t) Engage!”

They exchanged blows, the enemy giants against my golems. The battle looked even, but our mages are healing my Bone Golems, so I believe they are at an advantage.

Meanwhile, I had the 2 Bone Behemoths charge the stronghold on their own to distract the enemy and possibly make the enemy retreat with the loss of their base. I jumped off earlier because I need to lead the others.

I tried to encircle the battles between the golems and trolls to relieve the south group, but we got blocked by another army of countless goblins and hobgoblins.

Their eyes were glowing red this time. I looked at the trolls, and theirs, too, were red.

It seems that they are berserk right now. Someone cast a spell on them, that’s for sure.

They were quicker and stronger this time.

They destroyed the first wave of my skeleton goblins, which was made up of 50 men.

I had to fight this battle myself.

Idmon: “(t) Lina, Bon We’re going!”

I leaped in front and blasted the enemy group with my charged Void Lance.

Lina wielded two different staff and cast Blizzard and spells.

Lina: "Die, you ugly beast!"

It destroyed hundreds of them and made some areas too dangerous to fight in, so we reduced the number of their vanguard.

Bon used a spell I have never seen before, and he called it . It was similar to the blizzard spell, but it was made of flames instead.

It burned the goblins and the ground beneath them.

I charged the remaining areas along with the best Skeleton warriors that I had. Some skeleton hobgoblins followed us from behind too.

Chargeeee!!!

I positioned my Void Lance in front of me and ran, and I didn’t stop running.

! !

Small purple flames appeared in the eyes of my soldiers. They, too, are going to fight to the death even though they are undead.

My command was,

Idmon: “(t)Fight until there is no one left to fight!”

They raised their weapons for a moment and roared or what sounded like a roar.

We made a path in the middle of the enemy army, destroying everyone in front of us.

We broke through! I can see the other group now.

Idmon: “(t) 4 of you Warriors come with me; others help finish up the enemy army.”

Skeleton Warriors: “Yesss… Milord!”

Now my group had reached the other group to reinforce them.

They were being harassed by mages from a distance while being pummeled by trolls. They could do nothing but hunker down in their fortifications.

Oryahh!!!!!

I quickly charged in and jumped on the shoulder of the troll.

I stabbed my bone-white Void lance into his thick neck, and he fell.

I kept leaping from one troll to another, dodging them when they try to grab or hit me. I finish the monsters with a Thrust to their vital points.

The warriors that were with me went ahead to take out the mages from a distance.

Also, from here, I can see King Wargh’s army engaging the other enemies on the western side of this stronghold. I can see the Behemoths are making good progress too.

I reached the trapped dwarves.

Idmon: “(t) Hey, are you all right?”

Dwarven Commander: “Thanks, Lord Idmon.”

He was bowing to me now to express his gratitude, unlike before they avoid me and are awkward when I’m around.

Idmon: “(t) You should regroup wit-”

Roar!!!

Suddenly a giant troll appeared. I mean a huge one came from underground!

It flattened the group leader and killed the other remaining dwarves by sweeping them with its enormous arms.

What the hell is this guy?

Bon and Lina caught up with me a few seconds later.

Idmon: “(t) Bon, can you analyze that guy?”

Bon: “Hmm… Colossal Troll!? Its strength its 7th tier! Endurance is also 7th tier.”

Idmon: “(t) You can’t see its weakness?”

Bon: “I’m sorry, Lord Idmon. This skill is still low level to be determining weaknesses.”

So, this troll is as strong as the Skeleton Duke. I mean, that guy was so strong.

Idmon: “(t) Let’s test its combat ability. I’ll charge in and harass it with spells.”

Lina: “Idmon…”

Lina suddenly spoke up. It was a chilly voice that felt warm even though I can’t feel temperatures.

Idmon: “(t) Yes?”

Lina: “Take care. This time, you could disappear from existence if it catches you off-guard.”

Idmon: “(t) I’ll do my best.”

Although Lina always had a rough attitude, she has this caring side of her.

Lina: “Thanks.”

Bon: "Don’t worry too much, Lord Idmon has me.”

Then they looked at each other for a moment filled with hostilities.

Geez.

Let’s start!

I came in, running.

I draw its attack by stopping in front of him.

It made a sweeping attack with its arms, and I jumped on it.

I tried to stab it then and there, but the Void Lance didn’t pierce it.

It tried to grab me with its other hand, but I swiftly jumped away from there.

Even while wearing a full-plate, my evasion skills are still in good condition.

! !

A fire spell exploded on the Colossal troll’s face, and its right leg was frozen at the same time.

Trying to push it down while its leg was frozen, I jumped in front of its face. I charged my Void Lance while approaching it, the bone-white spear turned black, and I blasted it directly on its face.

Smoke and darkness covered its face.

I didn’t see it, nor did my evasion triggered, but a punch came from the smoke and hit me mid-air.

Ughh!!!

I was thrown to the ground with tremendous force.

Luckily, I made a good landing because I regained my posture mid-air and did not take much damage from the fall.

Still, this armor is really tough. Not even a crack or dent could be seen on it.

By the way, that guy really is shit. I blasted it point-blank, and it looked like it didn’t even feel it.

Bon: “Lord Idmon! Lina and I will cast multiple high-level spells to take him down, but it’s going to take us time! Please protect us while we chant!”

Idmon: “(t) Okay! Go ahead!”

I draw the attention of the Colossal Troll by blasting him continuously with small Ice Bolt spells.

I tried to gauge my remaining energy, and I believe it’s only around 80 percent now. When I used to Strengthen Undead, I felt a large amount of my strength left me to empower my soldiers.

It chased me, continually punching at the ground, missing me all the time.

It’s slow, but even the shockwave is giving me damage. I can feel the wind cut me when its fists hit the ground.

Let me try something here,

I approached it again. Jumping on its arm and leaping from one body part to another.

It was getting irritated and tried to punch even its body just to get rid of me.

Then, I jumped to its face. I blasted its eyes with a spell.

It roared from the pain, and I felt a punch coming. I gracefully leaped away, and it hit itself.

I saw a significant wound on its face.

But unfortunately, only after a few seconds later, it was already healed!

Damn.

At least Bon and Lina should be ready by now.

I looked at them.

I saw multiple storage crystals on the ground beneath them. And above them.

Huge spears of energies were formed. for Lina and for Bon.

Go!

They released the spell, and as it traveled, the froze everything in its vicinity, and the burned everything. In the space between them, large amounts of steam could be seen.

Lina’s spell hit the left chest, and Bon’s hit the right.

It exploded and enveloped the Colossal Troll with ice on the left part of its body, and the right part was covered in flames.

It kneeled, and it was over.

Or I thought it was.

Its eyes turned red.

RAGHHHH!!!!!!!

Its roar stunned us momentarily. Its skin turned red when trolls usually have blue skin.

It grabbed a tall tree nearby and threw it at me.

I destroyed it by blasting it with my Void Lance. Some smoke and the darkness covered my vision, but I felt it.

It used the tree as bait, and a punch was already coming at me.

I jumped backward with the help of , but I still got hit.

I was blown away to the place where our armies are still fighting.

Bon and Lina were exhausted and is currently down on the ground.

They are going to be crushed!

Luckily, the Bone Behemoths arrive!

They charged the red Colossal Troll at the side using its horns.

The troll was pushed back!

I ordered some of my nearby soldiers to retrieve Bon and Lina. Mel, Ran, and Mag did the job for me.

But,

As I was ordering my men, I could not believe what I saw.

The Bone Behemoth was flying in the sky.

The troll threw it up in the air.

Gshhhhhhhhhhhh!!! It made the ground shake and flattened a lot of soldiers when the Bone Behemoth dropped to the ground.

The other Bone Behemoth was slammed to the ground with the Colossal Troll’s bare hands.

It jumped here after that.

All the fighting around me stopped. The goblin army falls back while my army stood there frozen.

Its punch was on to me now. Its angle was from above to the ground, so if it hits me, I’ll become bone powder.

It was too fast to evade, and its fist is too large for a small leap.

I conjured a out of desperation. I was so panicked that I used half of my remaining negative energy to form it.

It came out as a shield that blanketed us from the attack.

Ah… That was close.

“RAGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!”

After putting the mantle on me, I saw its fist. The flesh was falling off.

I see! I could use negative energy to burn down its thick skin and flesh.

While it was roaring in pain, I steeled myself for my final attack.

I covered my spear with the remaining energies from the mantle.

I kept putting additional energy, depleting my health to the lowest point.

I could barely stand, but my Void Lance was emitting negative energies. It had some shadows that looked alive and was raging.

Damn… I need to stab this into him, but I can’t move!

Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy.

I looked behind me. My soldiers were falling one by one.

They had their hands facing towards my direction. I could feel them transferring their energies towards me, like how I empower them using the spell.

This time though, the soldiers are giving me all of their energies.

AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The mantle increased in size.

You could not even see the Void Lance anymore. It was now darkness in the shape of a spear.

The mantle spread even to my body. I could feel extraordinary strength enveloping me. Carrying my body, the cloak of darkness allowed me to move.

I was now but a shadow with a shadow spear. None could be seen but darkness.

“DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” A heavy voice came out from me. It was made from a collection of voices that made it eerie.

I run to him at full speed.

As I was running, the ground was turning black, and dark substances were spreading everywhere.

I could hear the screams and wails of the souls that were input in this spear.

This spear is for all of my men! For the future of the Undead!

ORYAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

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With the shout of all the souls in this spear, I made the attack.

AHHH!!!!!!!!!

The Colossal Troll was frozen in fear just by looking at me. The screams seemed to get to him.

SHWUCK!

It pierced its body. You could see the flesh and skin instantly falling off.

“I’M NOT DONE YET!”

RELEASE!

I blasted all the stored energies in the Void Spear inside of its body.

A series of dark explosions covered its body. Souls were coming out of their eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.

The explosion released the energies that were stored.

After that, only the bones remained.

I absorbed the negative energy from the mantle on and the spear to restore my negative energy.

There was still a lot, so I was able to restore myself to a reasonable condition.

Everyone…

I look around.

There are countless bones around the battlefield. My army was as good as gone.

I won’t let it end here. No.

I thrust the ground. I tried to distribute the energies on the spear to all the bones in the field.

I was not aware of what I did at this time.

I did a high-level raise dead spell. .

I fell to my knees because of the sudden loss of my negative energy.

My soldiers slowly get back on their feet. I was relieved. At least 200 of my men were able to get back.

As for the others, may their souls' rest peacefully.

Then my leg and arm bones started to disintegrate.

Lina and Bon quickly rushed to my aid. However, Lina was faster because she's a ghost.

She catches my body, which barely had any N.E. left.

Both Bon and Lina scolded me for being so reckless, but I just laughed.

Today we have won. However, will it still be the same tomorrow?

Will I be laughing, or will I mourn for the loss of someone? No one knows.

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While this battle was happening, King Wargh already took the stronghold from the enemy and saved the remaining dwarves from the south group.

He never saw anything like that Colossal Troll.

But he was more concerned about Idmon.

The Lord of Death.