<h4>Volume 1, Chapter 19: Gray Wolf</h4>


    [Level] 12


    [ss] Duke; Horde Chief


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


    [Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld, Altesia [Attributes] Darkness, Death


    [Subordinate Beasts] Kobold (Lv9) [Abnormal Status] >


    It took us around a day of walking west before we finally found a cave.


    That cave had an extremely narrow entrance, making it look like nothing but a crack in a giant piece of rock. But interestingly enough, its interior is actually quite wide.


    “Gi, Gii!?”


    Arge number of goblins were hanging out by the entrance of the cave. It should be fine though as I highly doubt that they’d attack.


    “Gi Gu, Gi Gi,” I said, calling out to the two goblins. “Go inside, and ask their chief toe out.”


    “Understood,” replied the two.


    Then from the goblins I’ve brought with me, I picked eight more and made them go as well. As for the remaining two goblins, I had them patrol and hunt some preys while we waited for the others to return.


    I could’ve gone to the cave myself, but I didn’t because of the cave’s entrance. It’s too narrow.


    In fact, it’s so narrow that a goblin rare is about all that could fit. Even a goblin noble who is only one size bigger would find itself hard pressed to try and pass through. What more someone like me who is pretty much a walking mass of rock? I’d have to whittle myself with something first if I wanted to pass through that.


    But that’d be stupid and inefficient, so instead of doing something so pointless, I sent the two to ask their chief toe out instead.


    Besides, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about since Gi Ga possesses the skill, >. With that skill he’s able to take a triple boar along.


    It’s also partially due to his limits that we brought that thing, but surprisingly, it’s actually proven to be quite the boon to us. In a narrow cave like that, who’d be able to dodge the triple boar?


    So with that, I was able to patiently wait for them without any worries. And after some time of waiting, voices reminiscent of jeering reached my ears.


    “It would appear that they’ve arrived,” muttered the old goblin.


    At his words, I turned my head, and there, a goblin rare stood in between Gi Gu and Gi Gi.


    “Are you the chief of this horde?” I asked as I looked down on it, exuding an aura of dignity.


    “On- your knees!” yelled Gi Gi as he forcibly made the goblin rare kneel.


    While Gi Gi was manhandling the goblin, I couldn’t help but catch something quite curious. The goblin rare in front of me seems to be severely scarred. Some, old. Some, new. And some were even fresh.


    “Answer the king’s question!” pestered Gi Gu.


    “I am indeed the chief of this horde,” said the goblin proudly as it courageously gazed at me. Its firm resolve could be visibly seen reflected on its eyes.


    Although only a little, I suddenly found interest for this goblin sprout from within me. And to think I was actually thinking of just lopping its head off.


    “What kind of goblin is the chief of this horde?” I asked.


    Having had a change of heart, I decided to approach things a bit differently.


    “A friendly goblin we have known for generations. He is gentle. His feelings of camaraderie are strong even amongst goblins and…”


    Before the old goblin could prattle on, I interjected, saying,


    “In other words…”


    In other words the old goblin does not want to kill this goblin.


    “This goblin is exceptional,” I continued.


    “Yes, that’s exactly it!” agreed the old goblin.


    I nced at the goblin rare once again, and then said,


    “Be my subordinate.”


    I don’t need unnecessary words.


    Whether you reply with a yes, or whether you reply with a no. That is everything to me.


    “Under the condition that you save the goblins under me,” bargained the goblin.


    Without any hesitation, I nodded at the goblin rare who had its head still bowed on the ground.


    Save, huh? Come to think of it, all of the subordinates of this goblin rare are thin all over. In fact, even this goblin rare itself is thin.


    “I’ll give you food,” I said.


    Then along with those words, I had the food we smoked prior toing here along with the preys we had hunted along the way brought out, showing it off to the goblin rare and its horde.


    “And I’ll even give you a name,” I added.


    Dumfounded, the goblin rare could only stare at the food before it. Then when I called out to it, it looked up to me in surprise with its mouth still hanging.


    “I name you Gi Go. After this, leave this cave ande live in my vige,” I ordered.


    At those words, Gi Go prostrated itself before me. Satisfied, I began to walk out of the vige. But at that moment, Gi Go suddenly spoke.


    “Ah, chief. Please wait,” said Gi Go as it quickly followed after me.


    At that, I turned back to it. Then with a stiff posture it began to talk about the dangers of thisnd.


    Apparently there is a dangerous beast living in this part of the forest.


    And ording to the old goblin, it’s known as the gray wolf. With a number of subordinates under it, it’s reputed as the forest’s hunter.


    Then Gi Go continued in fear, mentioning that the gray wolf eats enough food to feed its pack. Even going as far as to eat its own kind.


    Curious however is that for some reason we still haven’te across that ferocious beast.


    But if that beast is really around, then wouldn’t that mean that we wouldn’t be able to go back to the vige unless we deal with it first?


    The food I gave them won’tst long either.


    I need to do something about that beast or I won’t be able to leave.


    “Hmph, then in that case, I just have to kill it, right?”


    At that bold promation, I ordered Gi Go to bring goblins that can fight. At the same time, I ordered Gi Gu and Gi Gi to stand guard.


    Counting our forces, the goblins that can fight from Gi Go total to 28. With my own goblins, that numbers to 38.


    The number of goblins that can’t fight is 20. And we need to protect all 20 goblins from the beasts while we move out.


    After thinking for a bit, I decided to divide the horde into four squads.


    Gi Go will be leading the main unit. Being the most appropriate person for the job, I decided to leave to it the duty of protecting the group that can’t fight while they evacuate to my vige.


    Then escorting the main unit is Gi Gu’s group who will be there protecting their nks. Having originallye from my vige, the goblins in Gi Gu’s squad excel at rock throwing and covering for others.


    Should the gray wolfe to attack, then Gi Gu’s squad will hold them off while the main unit escapes ahead.


    Thirdly, Gi Gi’s beast warrior squad will be leading the whole horde.


    The beasts’ noses are good, so with them leading, they should be able to detect the foes from a distance.


    And finally, thest squad will be led by me. Stopping the wolves will be my duty.


    With the strategy decided, I distributed the goblins to their respective squads. Then afterwards, I immediately ordered Gi Go to have everyone prepare for departure.


    Right, we can’t afford to waste even one of these goblins.


    ◆◇◆


    It will take us around a day of walking to get to my vige from the cave.


    Unlike humans the goblins don’t have any valuable possessions, so if it weren’t for the differences between the warriors and the non-batants, then we would be able to get to the vige in only one day.


    In fact, we didn’t even bring any unnecessary food with us either as it’s imperative that we get to the vige as soon as possible.


    The one leading is Gi Gi’s beast warrior squad. His triple boars and his wild dogs lead the way, using their senses to ascertain that the path is safe. And from behind that squad followed Gi Go’s squad.


    And protecting the nks is Gi Gu who paid careful attention to its surroundings as they gathered food along the way. Gi Gu is quite the


    honest goblin, so Gi Gu made sure to get the gathered food distributed to the main unit.


    As for me, I was walking at the very back, paying careful attention to the surroundings as I followed the rest of the group.


    There are only five goblins around me, but should the worst case happen, then these guys might have to sacrifice themselves in order to thwart the wolves’ pursuit.


    Then halfway through our path, Gi Gi contacted me.


    Apparently, the beasts won’t proceed any further.


    ---Is iting?


    “Gi Go, take the rest of your squad with you and go ahead!”


    At those words, the squad in front became noisy. With the main unit being that noisy, it would normally be the center of attention, but…


    “Gi Gu, escort the main unit!”


    But if my prediction is correct, then---


    “Uwooooo!”


    As a great howl resounded from the back.


    I unsheathed Iron Second, and firmly wielded it in my hands.


    Then with its pack following from behind, the gray wolf appeared.