Volume 1, Chapter 63: A Demand for Surrender
Volume 1, Chapter 63: A Demand for Surrender
Race: Goblin
Level: 10
Class: Lord; Horde Chief
Possessed Skills: Ruler of the Horde; Insurgent Will; Overpowering Howl; Swordsmanship B+; Insatiable Desire; King’s Soul; Ruler’s Wisdom I; Eyes of the Blue Snake; Dance at Death’s Border; Red Snake’s Eye; Magic Manipulation; Soul of a Crazed Warrior; Third Impact (The Third Chant); Instinct; Ruler’s Wisdom II;
Divine Protection: Goddess of the Underworld
Attributes: Darkness; Death
Suboridnate Beasts: High Kobold Hasu; (Lv1) Gastra (Lv20) Cynthia (Lv20) Orc King Bui; (Lv36)
After sealing the movements of the Paradua goblins, the whole army confidently marched toward their village. Leading the way was the newly appointed Paradua chief, Hal.
He kept whatever uncertainties he had buried at the bottom of his heart as he led the horde. He chose the shortest route just as I had asked him. And he even chose the routes easiest to walk on. He did his job well.
Although I gave the Paradua goblins two days - the extra one day for rest - we ended up arriving at the Paradua Village in no time at all.
Looking at the village from afar, the Gaidga could be seen gathered at the center of the village. From amongst that crowd was one particular goblin who stood out, it was probably their chief, Rashka.
Although their numbers have greatly dwindled, they were still not something that could be taken lightly.
Besides, I don’t actually want to reduce their numbers any further.
“You’re going to demand their surrender?” Gilmi wasn’t sure if he heard right. But that’s only to be expected, after all we’ve already attacked their village. There’s no way they’d easily forgive us. It didn’t matter even if it was the wiser Ganra in their position, they still wouldn’t forgive us.
Hearing that, even the normally calm Gilmi couldn’t help but doubt my judgment. The reactions of the other Ganra Goblins could easily be guessed.
“Right. If possible, I don’t wish for anymore casualties,” I said. But unlike usual, Gilmi didn’t immediately agree. He looked troubled for a moment before eventually nodding.
“If it’s the will of the king, then I suppose it can’t be helped.” Gilmi Reluctantly agreed. “But if a battle does break out, then!”
That hounding response of Gilmi’s showed just how fierce his fury was.
“When that time comes, then I will personally defeat Rashka.” “I understand.”
With that, he withdrew from my presence, and I quietly sent him off as he went to explain to the other Ganra.
◇◆◇
I had a hard time deciding who to send as messenger, but then Aluhaliha of Paradua personally asked to be sent. I guess from his perspective, he would want to get out of his newcomer position as fast as possible. If he could get some kind of achievement his and his tribe’s position would be secured.
But there’s another reason why it makes sense to send him.
The four tribes are arrogant. They look down on other goblins, and they have a tendency to want to do things themselves rather than leave it up to their subordinates. Princess Narsa of Ganra is similar. Besides, it looks to me he personally wishes to make a sacrifice for the tribe.
“Very well, Aluhaliha. I leave it to you.”
This move will shake them mentally. After all, the oldest chief of the four tribes himself is the one sending the message. When the very superior they’ve looked up to all this time visits himself as the
enemy’s messenger, will they lash out in anger? Or will they shiver in fear, imagining, ‘How strong could the enemy be?’… Naturally, I’m hoping it’d be the latter, but the former isn’t so bad either.
The ability to attack from a distanceGanra and the ability to move through the battlefield with nimblenessParadua, both have already fallen into my hands. Should the Gaidga decide to fight, I will have more than enough to meet them head on.
Charging straight ahead like a bear, clearly too ill fit for schemes and trickery.
“Gladly.”
As that ashen head of his rose, Aluhaliha climbed up his beloved steed, Jirouou, and he gallantly set off for the village. In the worst case, Rashka will take him in as a hostage, or he might even kill him, but either case could be used to unify the hordes.
An enemy that’s too easy to understand will allow us to unite. The small gap that exists between the Paradua, the Ganra, and myself will be filled by Aluhaliha’s sacrifice.
Aluhaliha himself understands that.
It could even be said that this former chief was basically ordering me to unify the hordes through his sacrifice.
Be it success or failure, the consequences are of little harm to me.
Understanding and yet not comprehending… this is all because of my naivety.
“What a despicable thought.” I breathed out a sigh and changed my thinking.
Aluhaliha asked, and I gave my permission. When he came to talk to me, although it was just a little, I felt relived. Seeing how weak my heart was made me want to spit on it.
“Gi Gu, Hal, Gilmi, Gi Za, Gi Go, ready yourselves. The battle will soon begin.”
As I ordered to my second-in-command, Gi Gu Verbena, to Hal, the leader of Paradua, to Gilmi, the leader of Ganra, to Gi Za, the leader of the druids, and to Gi Go Amatsuki, a noble class, I patiently watched Aluhaliha’s battle.
◆◇◆
“Master Aluhaliha has returned.”
A Gaidga goblin reported to their leader, Rashka.
“Then let us go out and meet him.”
As Rashka stood up and led the young of the Gaidga, a rider entered from the edge of the village. When Rashka confirmed it was Alihaluha, his brows knitted.
“…Just one rider?”
“Was Paradua defeated? That’s impossible…”
The surrounding goblins spoke out their fears. But with a glance, they were quickly silenced by Rashka.
“I hereby announce to Rashka of Gaidga.”
Stopping halfway to the village, Aluhaliha spoke in a voice so loud it made one wonder how he was able to do so with that aging body of his.
“Surrender your weapons now and kneel before the king! If not, the tragedy of complete annihilation shall fall upon your Gaidga.”
“Did Paradua surrender to the enemy?” “Master Rashka, let’s…”
That young goblin was about to say, ‘Let’s kill him’, but when he saw Rashka’s gaze, he found himself unable to open his mouth. There were also other goblins who went mad with fury, but there were also just as many who lost the will to fight. Those around Rashka wer no exception. It was just that they were too shocked and couldn’t help but stare blankly at Aluhaliha.
“Annihilation…”
When Rashka saw the number of goblins who went pale, anger stirred in him.
To begin with, Aluhaliha already knew of the plan since they formed an alliance. They would gather the power of the four tribes, and they would conquer the Fortress of the Abyss.
If they didn’t do this, the four tribes would have no future. At the very least, they wouldn’t be able to face their ancestors.
He knew the plan and yet… Why? Rashka was at a loss. But then he remembered Aluhaliha’s unconcerned manner of speech, and with that, he realized it.
-The goblin from the east, the one who helped Ganra. That goblin with gray skin, three horns, and a tail.
For Aluhaliha to do something like this, something must’ve greatly influenced him, if so, then…
“From the east… a goblin.”
Impossible, he thought. The very throne that he dreamt of himself, that fabled existence he despaired for, the king who would save them.
“…Why now? Of all times…”
It was precisely because he despaired for the king that he formed an alliance with Paradua and tried to forcefully take Ganra.
“What is your answer!?”
A spear in hand, only Rashka walked forward.
“Shameless Aluhiha, we will not live alongside a coward who has lost his pride! Leave and be gone! Pass that on to your master, mutt!.”
In his anger, Rashka threw his spear. It drew a parabola in the air before piercing through the ground before Aluhaliha.
“You won’t regret?”
“I regret forming an alliance with shameless cowards like you!”
Rashka spat insults as he swung his arm, but Aluhaliha only ignored him, turning around after a light nod.
And then Aluhaliha raised a spear.
At that moment, shouts erupted around the forest. The earth shook, the trees shook, and the Gaidga Goblins all panicked as they ran about in all directions.
Although Rashka knew they’ve lost the psychological war, he still continued to rebuke and gather his men. He had no other choice after all.
“You bastard, Aluhaliha!”
He stared hatefully at Aluhaliha’s back, but when he did, he saw that figure.
“Chief of Gaidga!”
If only he wasn’t so focused on Aluhaliha, then perhaps he might have been able to leave through the forest when the enemy goblins weren’t looking.
Gray skin and three horns, a swaying tail, a black mane that fluttered to the wind, and a great sword over his shoulders. The intimidating aura that seeped out of him spoke of his strength.
“…”
At this point, Rashka managed to regain himself from his anger. They who were called the strongest of the four tribes did not only possess herculean strength. They also possessed a sound mind and a resolute will.
The goblin before him was most likely that same goblin who claimed himself the king of the Eastern Gi Village. Although Rashka himself had gone through countless battles, when he saw this figure before him, he couldn’t help but stare in amazement.
He was speechless. Just a while ago he was burning furiously at Aluhaliha’s betrayal, but now he understood. This goblin had a charm about him. A charm so strong he didn’t want to pull his eyes away.
“Chief of Gaidga!”
A voice that shook even the earth, what splendor!
“I’m here!”
He had to respond. As he let the emotions stirring within him take control, he bared his fangs.
“Do you dare challenge my sword!?”
Facing toward the great heavens, clad in pitch black flames, that great sword gradually pointed toward him. At that moment,
everything disappeared. His tribes, the danger of Fortress of the Abyss, it all vanished.
And it was replaced by a desire to win. To claim victory over the goblin before him. The nobility of the goblin before him was just that strong.
“Rashka, child of Mishka, accepts your challenge!”
His fangs bared, he roared.
He would prove his strength to the mighty one who stood before him.
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