<h4>Volume 1, Chapter 49: To the West</h4>


    [Race] Goblin [Level] 5


    [ss] Lord; Horde Chief


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


    [Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia) [Attributes] Darkness; Death


    [Subordinate Beasts] High Kobold > (Lv1) Gastra (Lv1) Cynthia (Lv1) Orc King > (Lv36)


    [Abnormal Status] >


    Cynthia and Gastra yed about with my tail that was like a toy for cats as I swung it.


    The two gray wolves, Cynthia and Gastra, have gotten bigger recently. They’re about 50 centimeters long now. And although it’s wrong, they’re big enough to ride.


    Even their levels have risen too. They started at one, and now they’re twenty.


    I can’t let them act like babies forever.


    From time to time, when Hasu, the high kobold, would drop by, they’d end up grappling with each other. But as it wasn’t anything serious, just friendly rough y, I’d just quietly watch over them.


    I guess if anything, they must’ve been deciding the ranks. They are all simr dog-type races after all. I mean kobolds and wolves are all dogs after all, right?


    Anyway, it’s been three days since the messenger came, and we’ve been repairing the vige since.


    During that time, I ordered the orcs that are now living by the base of the great tree to the north to pick up the corpses here at the vige. They were a great help.


    Half of the pitfall traps we made have also be functional again. Moreover, 10% of the fences have also been repaired.


    We also began arge-scale acquisition of food resources. As we did, I ascertained the course we would be taking.


    The n is to leave the minimum number of goblins with the humans in the vige, while we head west. Once there, I n to turn Ganra’s Vige into my base of operations as I attempt to have Gaidga and the other tribes under my rule.


    Of course, I didn’t mention that part to the messenger.


    Ourst destination will be the acquisition of the Fortress of the Abyss, the home of the goblins. It is there where I will build my kingdom. Afterwards, I suppose I’ll take with me the promising humans and the kobolds too.


    Once I put this n into action, the vige will be left unattended for a long time.


    At that time, the one to protect the humans will be…


    My gaze shifted toward the gray wolves that were ying with my tail. Cynthia was lying on her back, being yful as always, while


    Gastra seemed to have grown bored of ying, and was lying down, yawning.


    They’re resembling the high kobold, Hasu, more and more. I won’t say of what exactly, but I should be careful.


    “Protect the hum-- No. Protect Reshia. Protect her well, alright?”


    I rubbed Gastra’s small head as I spoke those words. And he barked back, saying, woof! Good. Although I don’t really know whether he understood or not.


    In any case, I’ll have to leave some rare ss goblins behind to manage the vige.


    The question is… who should I leave behind?


    I could leave a noble ss, but then considering the humans, I should probably leave behind a druid.


    What a troubling question.


    “King, did you call?” said Gi Za as he entered the house of the king. “Yes, there’s something I want to ask you regarding the tribes,” I replied.


    With his hands folded and a robe over his body, he looked like a schr. I wonder why he’s even a goblin.


    “What is different from us, normal goblins, to those of the four tribes?” I continued.


    “What’s different, you say? Right…” as he pondered the question, he sat before me with his eyes closed. “Right, I think I’ve mentioned it before, but the four tribes are Gordob, Gaidga, Paradua, and Ganra. Each one of these tribes carry with them the blood of the goblin ancestors.”


    A story I’ve heard before. Regardless, it’s an introduction to their fighting style, so I kept it in my mind as I continued to listen.


    “As for their features,” said Gi Za. “Well it’s different for each tribe.”


    That’s precisely what I wanted to know. That is that these so-called tribes have turned themselves into factions of sort. With something like that, it wouldn’t be strange if they managed to attain a peculiar evolution path.


    Gi Za continued.


    “The strongest amongst the four tribes is Gaidga, boasting superhuman strength, while the Paradua tribe manages the rider- beasts?”


    Rider-beasts?


    “What are rider-beasts?”


    “If you’ve never seen one, it might be hard to exin, but they’re basically four legged beasts. The Paradua goblins ride them like Lord Gi Gi would one of his beasts.”


    So they’re riders in other words.


    “The Gordob Tribe excels at raising and using magical beasts. Then as for the Ganra Tribe, they’re the most dexterous with their fingers amongst the tribes. Even amongst the tribes, they’re the only ones who can craft and use bows. “


    “So the Gordob Tribe are all beast tamers then?”


    “I’m actually not that well informed either. How about asking that messenger instead?”


    That’s difficult, but… true. If needed, I should ask.


    In any case, it appears the four tribes have strength, mounts, bows, and beasts, huh?


    I want them.


    A frontline of powerful goblins. A mobile force of beast-riding goblins. Goblins that could fight from a distance. And goblins that possess special skills. If I could have all these, then building my kingdom won’t remain just a dream.


    Finally, finally the pieces needed to fight the humans have gathered.


    All that’s left is to acquire them. I must acquire them!


    And riding… If… if even normal goblins like us could fight on mount, then… I would like to acquire that skill.


    If… and this is hypothetical, but what if… such a thing was possible… then wouldn’t it be possible for a goblin who has lost his legs to fight once more?


    …


    Gi Ga Rax


    The corners of my mouth twisted into a smile.


    Wait for me.


    ◇◆◆


    Amongst the emotions that humans possess, empathy was the most uniquepared to the other races.


    Who knows whether it’s affinity or not, but ever since the attack of the orcs, Lili hadn’t had to help the other humans too much. The need for that had greatly decreased.


    “Big sis,” called out Bern and Neumann who had a sword strapped around each of their waists.


    Lili couldn’t help but pout in dissatisfaction when she heard their words.


    “Didn’t I tell you to stop calling me, ‘big sis’!” she snapped. “Ahh, sorry. I, uh, slipped,” said Bern as he scratched his head.


    Neumann could onlyugh at his friend’s blunder.


    With Lili having saved them, 15 vigers all in all, these people naturally came to rely on her.


    Before, Lili had to be the one to meet with the goblins even for the pettiest of things, but ever since the orc attack, the people have gotten less timid.


    Bern and Neumann are the only ones among the vigers who know how to wield a sword. But the extent of their knowledge is only from the bare experience gained when they were conscripted in the past. The difference between them and Lili, who is an adventurer that makes a living through her sword, is like night and day.


    Because of that, despite Bern and Neumann both being older than Lili by five years, they greatly respected Lili’s swordsmanship.


    “How’s Palone? And is Mill alright? He didn’t get hurt from ying all the time did he?” asked Lili.


    Palone is Bern’s wife. She’s currently pregnant. As for Mill, that’s Bern’s oldest son. He’s still a babe though. He’s turning five this year.


    “Nah, although we are expecting soon. Unfortunately, even if it’s the second time already, there’s not much a guy could do to help. As for Mill, well he’s the same as always. Always ying with the goblin masters. I told him it’s dangerous, but he just won’t listen,” said Bern, clearly perplexed. His friend Neumann could only pat his shoulders.


    “It’ll work out,” Neumann said.


    “I hope it does, I hope it does…” said Bern back.


    Seeing the two like that, Lili narrowed her eyes.


    “Come to think of it, have you two gotten used to this vige?” she asked.


    It’s been almost half a month since they came to this vige.


    “…Well, we can’t put our guard down, but it’s not bad,” said Bern. “They don’t make us pay taxes like humans do. They also don’t make us fight,” added Neumann.


    Apparently, the goblin king didn’t have any intention of levying taxes. Lili’s expectation of a wretched life where they were treated as ves waspletely off.


    The king was generous.


    His only demand was that they produce what he wants. That’s all.


    What the king wanted was food and the methods of preserving it.


    Whenever she talked with the goblin king, Lili would mistake herself to be talking with royalty. An extraordinary one at that.


    The world outside the forest was in distress.


    Out there, chaos ran rampant with many of the chiefs in constant war with each other. And evil masters were like the grains of the sand, far too numerous to count.


    She knew how filthy humans were. It was precisely because of that that she could not understand the goblins.


    Defeating monsters wasmon sense.


    Monsters are creatures with no other way of life but evil.


    Or at least that’s what it should have been. Yet these past days have been telling her that that mon sense’ was nothing but a ‘public stance’.


    If so, then what should she do?


    She thought back to her respected employer.


    They have probably already sent out a group to retrieve Reshia.


    “Saint” Reshia Fel Zeal.


    The Ivory Tower’s youngest graduate. A prodigy. Zenobia’s young follower. A cardinal candidate for the church. A woman blessed with power and authority regardless of her will.


    She doesn’t know whether Reshia herself was aware, but Reshia’s influence was one such that it was enough to move a nation.


    Right now is still fine.


    But once that goblin makes man his enemy… where will Reshia turn?


    And Lili herself as well… where would she go? She had to prepare herself.


    But just a little bit, she thought. She’d like to keep living in this miracle-like peace.


    “Woof!” barked Gastra as he swayed his tail.


    She carried him up.


    “You’ve also gotten heavier,” she said.


    Who knew those fierce gray wolves could actually be this adorable?


    As she thought that, she quietly prayed.


    I wish this days would continue forever.


    As Gastra rubbed his cheeks on her, she sighed.


    ◇◇◆


    As the evening wind gently caressed my cheeks, the bell crickets’ song could be heard both near and far.


    Even though I have no sense for seasons, I can tell… the seasons are changing.


    As I absentmindedly stared at the moon, I felt a presence near me.


    “Moon-viewing?” asked Reshia.


    I only raised my tail in response.


    “If you’re thatzy, you’ll be hated by women, you know?” she said. “Unfortunately… I’m not fated to be with one,” I wryly smiled. “Well, whatever. Can I sit next to you?”


    “Do what you want. This vige will soon belong to you all.” “Not yet, you mean. That’s a bit wrong, right?”


    Well that’s true.


    We absentmindedly watched the moon together.


    “How’s Gi Ga?”


    “I’ve never treated goblins before, but his life should be fine.”


    His life… huh?


    “…Are you regretting?” she asked. “Nah… I’m not.”


    If I’m going to regret, then I wouldn’t have thought to fight from the start.


    My resolve is justcking is all.


    The pain in this chest of mine is because I can’te to terms with living on despite others sacrificing themselves for me.


    Something like that should have been obvious from the start. But I can’t help but have my heart torn because of it.


    This way of living… it’s as if I’m cursed, unable to live without hurting those close to me.


    But I have to endure…


    I have to endure, and move forward. Otherwise, there’s no meaning to it.


    “I wonder why you’re so strong… Anyone would cry if they were sad. Anyone would run when in pain. No one would scorn you for doing so. No one has that right,” said Reshia.


    “…It’s because I’m a monster,” I said back. “I won’t forgive any weaknesses from myself. Strength… Strength alone… will I carve upon this world as proof of my life. Until then… I won’t shed any tears. And neither will I run.”


    Am I man? Or am I a monster?


    I have the memory and thoughts of man, but the body of an abnormal monster.


    I decided it then when I chose to live this life. I don’t need the weakness of man.


    “Even if someone were to stand before you?” asked Reshia. “Yeah… that’s right.”


    With her eyes cast down like that… Reshia, what is she thinking?


    This wise girl who’s praised as a saint, and bound by the chains of destiny… what do you think?


    Of your destiny? Your life? Your will?


    “I never wanted to be a saint,” she said. “I want to run. I want to be just Reshia!”


    As she stood up on her knees, she faced toward me, and rested her hand on my chest.


    The sound of shattering entered my ears.


    “With this there’s nothing left to bind you… You can even kill me if you want,” she said.


    As her eyes looked up, her gaze met with mine. Ardor filled her eyes and her cheeks stained with red.


    The breath she breathed woke up a force within me.


    ---I want to kill and eat this woman.


    ---I want to eat and vite and kill this woman! What are you hesitating for? Isn’t she giving you her body!?


    As that force twisted my thoughts, I looked back at her.


    “Then you should fight. Against Zenobia. Against man… For that… is the will of man.”


    When I recalled the calm expression of the healing goddess’ upon seeing Reshia’s face, I couldn’t help but scowl.


    “I said it, right?” said Reshia. “No one’s that strong. People are weak.”


    Her amethyst-like eyes, moistened and saddened… they shot at me.


    “Please kill me,” she said. “If you don’t, then one day… I will surely kill you.”


    For that is my destiny, she muttered under that frightened, quivering voice of hers.


    “I refuse,” I replied. “You are only running away. If you are human, then show me the will befitting that of man!”


    “King…” she said. “How strict.”


    A sorrowful smile painted her lips.


    In turn, I could only caress her head.


    “Tomorrow, I head west. When I return, I will return as the king of the goblins. Until then… please take care of Gi Ga and the others.”


    I brushed off the dust as I stood up.


    “…Ah,”


    I felt Reshia gaze at my back when I stood up, but I left without saying a word.


    I will be king.


    For the sake of those who’ve sacrificed themselves…


    For the sake of those who will die from here on…


    Until then… I shall seek no one.


    ◆◆◇◇◆◆◇◇


    [Abnormal Status] Charm of the Saint released.


    ◆◆◇◇◆◆◇◇


    Author’s Note:


    The protagonist didn’t want to abandon the wounded, so Reshia had to stay behind.