Clarifications:
-"Character Speaking."-
-(Character Thinking.)-
-
[Skills or Magic]
<<[Great Sage] Speaking.>>
(A.N.: Author's Notes)
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Let's begin
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Several days had passed since I appointed my pseudo cabinet of Oni.
Just as they had said, things seemed to be going quite well between them and the Hobgoblins, including Rigurd. Souei was supplying raw materials to Shuna, and she was already successfully spinning silk thread from them. The fabric she produced quickly became the center of amazement among the Goblin women of the village. And it made sense. Compared to the simple hemp of the Goblin era, this was in a completely different dimension.
Shuna was now instructing the Goblin women under Lilina's leadership, with Haruna always at the forefront, in the art of sewing. The ogre acted as the de facto head of the clothing workshop, organizing tasks with an almost noble serenity. She also worked closely with the armorer Garm, exchanging ideas on how to craft comfortable clothing without sacrificing functionality, constantly seeking to improve results.
It wouldn't be long before we had a full line of formal and everyday clothing available.
In a very similar way, Kurobe was leading our weapons forge. It was a learning experience for both him and Kaijin, and both were growing as craftsmen because of it.
Kaijin focused more on overseeing our mass production efforts. It wasn't as if a single person had the stamina to hammer metal every day for weeks, but there was still a tremendous amount of knowledge he could pass on. He probably thought it was better to leave the technical details of weapon manufacturing to Kurobe while he concentrated on his passions within the realm of research and technical refinement.
And it was already yielding results.
I caught them talking about some kind of weapon that Goblins could use while mounted. Hopefully, they would remain a solid team for a long time.
Kurobe, meanwhile, was still working on the katana I requested. In his own words, he needed time to create a weapon truly worthy of my hands.
I didn't care much about luxury or prestige. But I deeply appreciated the effort and devotion he put into his work.
Souei, meanwhile, was leading a small group of Hobgoblins as they built a kind of security network in the city: small-scale devices that emitted an alarm whenever someone approached. At the same time, he constantly gathered information and relayed it to me when necessary.
That was possible thanks to [Double Body], a skill that now allowed him to create up to six copies of himself at the same time. Additionally, we remained connected through [Telepathic Communication], and since there didn't seem to be any distance limit for those clones, he could send them through the forest or even underground to conduct espionage as needed.
It's worth noting that the clones generated through [Double Body] possessed exactly the same combat ability as the original body. The difference lay in stamina—or rather, the lack of it. The clones practically had no energy reserves, which meant they couldn't use any Mystic Arts. Skills, however, were another story. Using techniques like [Shadow Movement] or [Sticky Steel Thread] posed no problem.
And they were tremendously useful.
Souei's Skills seemed to have inherited more than one thing from mine, partly thanks to [Beast Tamer], and he had already mastered them completely. It was interesting to observe how different individuals could use the same Skills with such varying levels of virtuosity. I don't consider myself incompetent… But Souei was, without a doubt, a genius in this field.
To be honest, I had sent out one or two scouts even before formally recruiting Souei. Intelligence gathering was an essential component of my mission. If the Orcs or the Lizardmen acted suspiciously, I couldn't simply assume our area of the forest was safe.
However, the Hobgoblins were still inexperienced in that kind of task. At most, they could observe their distant neighbors from afar.
And, frustrating as it was, if they got too close, they risked being captured. Even if they managed to escape, they might reveal our existence to potential enemies.
Assigning that job to Souei was, without a doubt, the right decision.
After all, clones created with [Double Body] could disappear instantly if discovered. And having [Telepathic Communication] was a huge advantage; in a world without cell phones, we could now exchange information almost instantly.
-"Should I go conduct reconnaissance, Yukimaru-sama?"-
-"Would you mind?"-
I remember asking him with complete calm, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to have your own personal spy entirely at your disposal.
He replied immediately:
-"At once, my Lord"-
And simply disappeared.
A flawless execution of [Shadow Movement].
Souei was unflappable. He wasn't the type to make reckless moves or leave loose ends. In other words, he was perfect for reconnaissance.
The ideal undercover agent.
Benimaru, meanwhile, was speaking with Rigurd and the other elders about how to strengthen the city's security.
He had established a new army department and I put him in charge of it, although for the moment the only other member was Hakuro. Rigur and the rest of the security force were busy securing food and natural resources; I couldn't just recruit them into the army outright. I would probably have to reorganize the forces at some point, as well as call for local volunteers.
That seemed to be exactly what Benimaru was discussing with Rigurd.
-"I would like to create a proper combat organization"- he told me firmly. -"Selecting worthy candidates willing to fully dedicate themselves to battle service. Would that be acceptable to you?"-
-"Sure"- I replied. -"Sounds great. Let me know when you have a list"-
I honestly wanted to leave the whole matter to him. But that felt a bit irresponsible on my part. So I decided to at least handle the final decisions. As a leader, that much I had to fulfill.
We were still, essentially, a group of monsters governed by a teenage human… But little by little, I was beginning to feel like we were forming something real.
A nation.
None of this would have been possible—or at least not this quickly—without Benimaru and the other Ogres. I hoped I could count on them for a long time.
That only left Hakuro.
He was standing before me even now, a wooden practice sword in hand. He was a master swordsman; there was no doubt about it. Underestimating him would be a fatal mistake. Though he was elderly, his spirit burned with an intensity few could match.
I thought I might polish my sword skills under his guidance. Perhaps even learn new Arts in the short term.
I knew it wouldn't be easy.
I was wrong…
I thought it would be slow and tedious training. I even imagined this Oni would beat me for an hour before I managed to grasp the basics.
But barely ten minutes had passed when I received a message.
<
Yes.
[Prodigy] had done its thing again…
After that, I began testing the Arts one by one.
Each step, each slide, each change of stance was executed with absurd naturalness, as if my body had always known how to do it.
Hakuro, who witnessed everything, had his eyes completely wide with astonishment.
-"In- Incredible"- he murmured, impressed. -"You learned the Arts in just ten minutes… You truly are incredible, Yukimaru-sama"-
-(No, no, no… I'm not incredible. I just have a completely broken Skill…)-
Arts are normally acquired after years of discipline, rigorous training, and concentrated effort. It wasn't something just anyone could master easily.
But apparently… I was the exception.
-"I believe you are the first to learn Arts in such a short time"- Hakuro added. -"Well… You and young Night"-
-"Yes, Nig-Wait, what?"-
I blinked, confused and surprised.
-(What do you mean, Night!?)-
Hakuro simply pointed behind me.
And when I turned around, I saw him.
At that very moment, Night was leaping toward a massive nearby rock. His front paws were wrapped in an intense white aura—compact, vibrant.
Within seconds, the enormous rock was reduced to rubble after Night struck it with his front paws.
It wasn't a simple crack.
It was a clean demolition.
The impact didn't just split it: it pulverized it from the core, sending fragments flying in all directions as if it had been struck by an invisible battering ram fueled by pure will.
He had used [Exemplary Will]…
-(How did he learn it so fast!?)-
I knew Night had been with me during training, watching every movement. But I never imagined he was absorbing the technique as well… Much less that he could execute it with such precision in a matter of minutes.
-"Night"- I called out. -"How did you learn it so quickly?"-
Night simply sat where he was, tilting his head with a confused expression.
It was adorable.
But it didn't give me any useful answer.
-(Meh, who knows…)- I shrugged mentally. -(Maybe Night really is a true prodigy… Unlike me)-
-"Yukimaru-sama"- Hakuro called my attention.
I looked at him. He had already taken his stance, holding his wooden sword firmly.
-"Why don't we test your new Skills in a small spar?"-
-"Heh..."-
I smiled, feeling a slight tingle of excitement run through my body as I prepared Kuroma for combat.
-"Sure. Why not?"-
Knowing Hakuro's talent, I couldn't afford any carelessness.
I released [Magic Perception], expanding my awareness like an invisible net covering the surroundings. At the same time, I activated [Heat Detection] and [Supreme Sense of Smell].
The world changed.
Streams of Magic Energy danced before me. Hakuro's body heat burned like a concentrated flame. The air vibrated with every slight movement.
Then…
<
-(Ah. Good work, [Great Sage]. Just what I was hoping to hear)-
I thought of [YES].
Instantly, a new sensory layer unfolded before me.
Sound stopped being mere noise. It became form.
I could "see" vibrations bouncing off the trees, feel the slightest shifts in the ground, perceive alterations in air pressure. Movement, temperature, scent, sound, Magic Energy… Everything merged into a single absolute perception.
Now there was nothing that could escape my senses.
Hakuro took a step.
I slightly tensed my legs.
The tension between us was thick. A clash between refined technique and absurd talent was about to begin.
But before either of us could move…
A bell rang.
Something had triggered Souei's alarm system.
-(What bad luck… I was really looking forward to a sword fight… Maybe next time)-
I sighed internally.
Without wasting time, I picked Night up in my arms. Hakuro and I immediately headed toward Rigurd's residence.
As soon as we entered his field of vision, he began running toward us.
He did that quite often. Maybe my mere presence stressed him out a little.
-"I have news to report, Yukimaru-sama"- Rigurd said, clearly agitated. -"A Lizardman envoy has come to visit us!"-
-(Lizardman?)-
I had expected that unwanted visit sooner or later… But I didn't think they would arrive before the Orcs.
Well…
If they were here, it meant the board was beginning to move.
And I was ready to play.
-(Let's hear what they have to say)-
....
.....
...
....
.....
I headed to the village entrance to receive this envoy.
They hadn't arrived yet. Instead, they sent an advance messenger who demanded that we gather all the residents at the front of the village. When I asked the reason, the guard simply avoided the question. What I did notice was that he was riding a war lizard.
And not just any mount. It was large, sturdy, clearly reserved for the knight class.
That, I'm sure, was what made Rigurd start sweating.
If this was a knight-level Lizardman troop, no Goblin village would stand a chance. They would be wiped out without even understanding what hit them. And if a knight was the one sent as our diplomatic advance…
Then the main unit had to be something far more serious. We would have to mind our manners.
At the entrance, there were five of us: Night, Rigurd, Benimaru, Hakuro, and me.
I made sure everyone understood the situation.
-"Absolute courtesy"- I ordered firmly. -"Unless I say otherwise"-
-"Yes, my Lord"-
Rigurd responded immediately. The others nodded.
-"Hmm? Where's Shion?"- Benimaru asked.
Apparently, the word "courtesy" had reminded him of something.
-"Oh, I think she's been cleaning my residence since this morning, but…"-
-"W-What?!"-
Hakuro reacted with unmistakable alarm.
-"Um… Is that a problem?"-
-"N-No… Not at all…"-
-"Indeed"- Benimaru added with a tense smile. -"She has grown. She should be fine…"-
-(Okay. They're hiding something from me…)-
An uncomfortable suspicion began settling in my mind.
And as it turned out…
I should have been far more alarmed.
Shion appeared shortly afterward at the entrance. She was carrying a tray with tea.
Working hard as my secretary, I thought for a second. I was even about to praise her.
Then I smelled it.
A… questionable fragrance.
-(Um… This is tea, right?)-
I looked at the drink with extreme suspicion.
Strange leaves, similar to seaweed, floated and hung over the rim of the cup. The color wasn't exactly reassuring. The surface had a consistency not normally associated with liquids meant for human… or monster consumption.
I looked at Rigurd.
He looked away.
-(What the hell?)-
Benimaru had his eyes firmly shut, as if deeply meditating. Hakuro, meanwhile…
Had disappeared…
Literally.
He used his Arts to become one with the wind.
-(They knew… Didn't they? All this time)-
As I hesitated to take the cup, Shion stared at me with shining eyes, waiting for praise.
-(How am I supposed to compliment this?)-
My instincts as a cook screamed at me to throw the cup to the ground before that thing developed self-awareness.
But… was I doomed to this from the very beginning?
-(Why the hell do I have to deal with this?!)-
Too late to curse my luck.
I took a deep breath.
With solemn resolve, as if accepting a tragic fate, I reached out toward the cup.
At that very moment…
-"Ooh, some tea? I was just getting thirsty!"-
Gobuta, freshly returned from his patrol, appeared like an unintended hero… And emptied the cup in a single gulp.
-(Perfect! Right on time, Gobuta!!)-
While I celebrated internally, Shion's face turned into a mask of barely contained fury.
Gobuta, however, didn't seem to notice anything.
Or rather…
He wasn't in any condition to notice anything.
A small stream of foam escaped from his mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, convulsing slightly.
-(Good heavens… That could have been me…)-
Shion looked at him in surprise. She clearly hadn't expected that result.
I had harbored the naive hope that she might possess even a shred of culinary talent.
I was a fool.
From that moment on, she was officially banned from any activity related to food or drink.
-"Shion…"- I spoke with absolute gravity. -"The next time you prepare something that someone has to eat or drink… Present it to Benimaru first. Understood?"-
Benimaru shot me a look of genuine horror.
-
He lowered his gaze along with Shion, defeated.
Even so, I felt vindicated. If someone had truly gotten hurt, what would have happened then?…
-(Oh, right. I suppose Gobuta kind of did… But… Ahh, he'll be fine)-
I'd have to thank him later for serving as my involuntary taste tester.
And I would definitely have to rely on Benimaru to keep the casualty count from rising any further.
....
.....
...
....
.....
By the time we were informed that the full Lizardman envoy was advancing toward us, about an hour had passed since the initial alarm.
We all remained gathered at the entrance.
Shion stood right behind me. Too close. Far too attentive. As if anything that breathed too loudly would receive a blow. She was extremely enthusiastic about her role as my guardian, and I had no reason to reject her dedication.
-(Besides, I bet she wants to make up for the tea disaster… Though now that I think about it… What condition is my house in after her "cleaning"?)-
No…
I couldn't afford to think about that right now.
I shoved that dark premonition to the back of my mind and focused all my attention on the approaching group.
There were around ten Lizardmen.
Their formation was orderly. Their mounts advanced with steady steps, kicking up dust with each heavy movement of their scaled legs.
After a few seconds, one of them, chest puffed up excessively, dismounted his lizard and stepped forward.
-(The leader?)-
Without wasting time, he spoke.
-"Thank you for receiving me! I shall also grant this village the opportunity to submit to my rule and authority. I hope you consider it an honor!"-
What a way to start.
That wasn't a negotiation.
It was a proclamation.
It took me a second to process it.
-(What the hell is this guy talking about?)-
None of my companions seemed to know how to react either.
Rigurd stepped forward, trying to maintain composure.
-"I apologize, sir"- he said cautiously. -"But to ask us out of nowhere to submit to you like this—"-
-"Pfft!"- The Lizardman interrupted him with disdain. -"Have you not heard yet? Those pigs, the Orc race, are on the move! They will attack this village very soon! And I am the only one who can save your insignificant and pathetic hides!"-
According to him, we were already little more than his loyal subjects.
If an Orc horde was truly about to invade, seeking protection under the Lizardmen might be a strategic option. I was still waiting for Souei's report, but until we knew the true scale of the threat, cooperation wasn't unreasonable.
Even so…
-"Ah, yes!"- he continued, as if doing us a tremendous favor. -"I understand that some among you have tamed the Direwolf race to carry out your orders. Whoever accomplished that feat, I shall gladly appoint as one of my chief advisors. Bring him forth at once!"-
-(Hmm…)-
All right. We could cooperate.
But…
What if the side we aligned with was led by an idiot?
"The great thing to fear is not a competent enemy, but an incompetent ally."
Napoleon said that.
And it made sense.
An incompetent ally was nothing but a burden. Especially on a battlefield. And even worse if that ally was the one supposed to give orders.
Just imagining it gave me chills.
I looked at Rigurd. He was silent, completely dumbfounded.
Night… looked one second away from leaping forward to bite the Lizardman leader's throat.
Benimaru scratched his head, looking at me as if asking for permission to split him in two.
I wasn't willing to give it. Not yet.
But I didn't know exactly how to respond either.
I was just as speechless as when I faced Shion's "tea."
Hakuro crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
-(Is he… Sleeping?)-
Shion, on the other hand, opened and closed her fists with contained fury. The pressure was such that the cracking of her knuckles echoed with unsettling clarity.
I coughed lightly to remind her that I was still standing right in front of her.
Shion jolted and apologized, beginning to sweat coldly.
She clearly had an explosive temper.
I would have to keep that in mind.
She had obtained the dual Skills [Steel Strength] and [Body Reinforcement], making her a book impossible to judge by its cover. And as if that weren't enough, thanks to [Beast Tamer], she had also acquired [Monstrous Strength].
The good thing was that I had received [Steel Strength] and [Body Reinforcement] from her.
Although, judging by her recent performance… She still hadn't fully mastered her power. I would definitely have to watch my back around her.
-(But… Good grief. I had no idea the envoy would be a complete idiot)-
I decided to take the initiative before the situation deteriorated.
-"Very well"- I said in a controlled tone. -"I suppose I'm the one who tamed the Direwolves. Or rather… I befriended them"-
-"Huh? You? An inferior human?"- His voice dripped with contempt. -"Enough jokes. Show me some proof. Then I will decide whether to believe you"-
He had the irritating habit of speaking as if he stood at the top of the world.
It was starting to seriously irritate me.
Refusing to listen to the other side… Giving orders without considering responses…
Someone needed to knock him off that imaginary mountain.
I had dealt with arrogant teenagers before. I learned something important from them:
You either refused to play their game…
Or you defeated them on their own ground until they were forced to swallow their pride.
Allying with idiots gained you absolutely nothing. So I changed tactics.
-"Ranga"-
-"Here, my lord"-
He emerged from my shadow.
He had grown accustomed to using it as a waiting point lately. Another refined application of [Shadow Movement], I suppose.
The Lizardmen's reaction was immediate. Several hands moved toward weapons.
I smiled faintly.
-"Good. This gentleman wanted to ask you a few questions. Would you mind hearing him out?"-
That's right, I tossed the responsibility to Ranga. Not because I was lazy… But because, honestly, I thought he would be far more effective dealing with this idiot than I could be.
Assuming I wasn't even worth the space I occupied in the world just because I was Human was even ruder than Rigurd's initial reaction when we first met.
Could anyone blame me for stepping back?
Besides… This guy hadn't even noticed my aura yet.
He couldn't be anyone truly special.
The whole thing was rather strange, to be honest.
Ranga accepted my order without hesitation and turned toward the Lizardmen.
A single glance from him was enough. Even the sturdy-looking guards, their chests covered with iron plates, instinctively stepped back.
And why wouldn't they?
Ranga wasn't shrinking himself.
He wasn't hiding his presence.
His enormous, majestic, power-filled body was completely exposed. His silver mane flowed with wild dignity, and his gaze… His gaze was that of a true alpha predator.
-"My master has ordered me to interact with you. Speak. I shall listen."-
As he uttered those words, he activated [Coercion].
The invisible pressure fell like a slab of stone.
The very air seemed to grow heavier.
The Lizardman warriors froze on the spot. Their muscles tensed, their pupils shrank, and several began to sweat coldly.
Only one endured.
The envoy.
Gabil seemed shaken, but he still maintained his puffed-up posture and haughty expression.
I had to admit it…
Perhaps he possessed more willpower than I had given him credit for.
-"Ah… Yes. So you are the 'alpha' of the Direwolves?"- He forced a smile. -"I am Gabil, Warrior Lord of the Lizardman tribe. I am delighted to meet you. As you just heard, I am a named Lizardman. Will you abandon this Human and join me instead?"-
What absolute audacity.
I wanted to punch him. I truly did.
But I held myself back.
I had to do the right thing here.
Let it go.
-(I'm better than that… So relax. And you too, Shion. You're going to break your hands if you keep clenching them like that)-
I shot her a glance.
Shion immediately bowed, sweating slightly as she struggled to contain her fury.
-(I really wish she could control her temper a little better)-
And yet…
-(Why is this lizard, Gabil, acting like he owns the world? I didn't even know him from a hole in the ground)-
I silently encouraged Ranga.
-(Go get him, boy!)-
Ranga's fangs showed as he growled low.
-"Filthy lizard… How dare you mock my master?"-
His eyes turned red.
A silent rage began to boil within him. The magical pressure rose another level. The ground beneath his paws cracked faintly.
-(Uh… Not too much, okay, Ranga? I'm not sure this lizard can handle it)-
If he tried something stupid, well… He would have it coming, but I preferred to avoid a complete diplomatic massacre.
Gabil, however, didn't seem to understand the concept of survival.
-"It seems"- he said, forcing confidence into his voice. -"That you have been deceived. Very well. Allow me to use my power to defeat this so-called master who has taken control of you."-
He struck his chest arrogantly.
-"Who wishes to face me? I would be delighted to deal with all of you at once, if you so desire!"-
-(Whoa… What the hell is he saying now?)-
This was bordering on comical.
-(This lizard really needs to learn his place. He's the weakest one here…)- I paused. -(... All right, I take that back. There's Rigurd. He could probably beat him.)-
But even so, Rigurd was B-rank. King of the Hobgoblins. The strongest warrior of his race.
If an average Hobgoblin was C+, that was an enormous leap. And with the armor forged by Kaijin… It would easily place him at a solid B.
The problem was something else.
Rigurd had not received formal training in advanced swordsmanship or refined combat tactics. Against a professional… I didn't like his odds.
I had recently learned that the presence—or absence—of Arts could completely change a combatant's true value.
And though Gabil had a big mouth and irritating arrogance… His movements were firm. His stance balanced. His breathing steady.
He was a trained fighter.
He exuded confidence.
Our eyes met.
The challenge was clear.
-(So… Who do I send first?)-
Just then…
-"Huh? What are you guys doing?"-
Gobuta.
Of course… If there were a Skill called [Appearing at the Worst Possible Moment], he would have mastered it at maximum level.
-"Are you okay?"- I asked him.
-"Oh, you've gotta hear this!"- he replied with a carefree grin. -"I was swimming on the other side of the river, and a kind voice said I had obtained Poison Resistance or something! So I felt much better and then I woke up!"-
Something told me it was fortunate he hadn't managed to cross the entire river…
I figured it would be kinder not to say that out loud.
-"Wow! Poison Resistance? That's pretty impressive. I don't even have that one."-
-"R-Really? Oh, awesome!"-
Gobuta looked genuinely proud. Unfortunately, his legendary Skill of appearing at the worst possible moment had already sealed his fate.
-"Hehehe…"- Ranga growled, baring his fangs. -"Very well. If you are capable of defeating one of us whom we deem worthy, we shall hear your story."-
And then…
He gestured toward Gobuta.
I knew he would.
-"W-What?!"- Gobuta protested, eyes wide. -"What are you doing?!"-
But it was already decided.
And honestly, that helped me. I wasn't sure whom I would have chosen myself. Everyone on our side looked ready to pounce on Gabil, their gazes lowered and their stances tense.
In a way, seeing them like that helped me keep a cool head. When someone is visibly angry… It tends to restrain the others.
Funny how that works.
Though, to be honest…
Ranga can be quite cruel when he wants to be.
I could see it in his eyes. He was placing Gobuta as a sacrificial lamb.
It wouldn't be honorable to injure the envoy… But if he attacked first, that would be justification enough.
That must have been Ranga's logic.
Smart.
I hope he learned that from me.
-"Are you certain?"- Gabil looked at me with a triumphant smile. -"I would much prefer to challenge you instead. Unless, of course, you would rather hide behind your subordinates than reveal to the world how powerless you truly are."-
Now he was really irritating me.
He truly believed I was manipulating Ranga and the others.
I wanted to punch him with all my strength…
Definitely, my head was no longer as cool as before.
-"Show him no mercy, Gobuta. Go get him! Lose, and I'll have Shion prepare you a five-course meal!"-
-"W-Wait a second, sir! I-I think he already made his choice… But I'd like some kind of reward if I win! And please, anything but Shion's cooking!"-
-"I do not appreciate this line of conversation."-
Shion added darkly, with a smile that promised nothing good.
Though Gobuta had a point. He already had the punishment; what was missing was the reward.
I had thought Shion's culinary threat would be enough to make him fight as if his life depended on it—which, technically, it did—but I needed to offer something more appealing.
-"All right."- I agreed. -"In that case, I'll have Kurobe forge you a weapon. What do you think?"-
His eyes lit up. -"R-Really?"-
-"Come on, Gobuta. Have I ever lied to you?"-
-"N-Not exactly lied… Maybe withheld a few things from me, but…"-
-"You're imagining it."-
-"I am? Oh! Then it's fine!"-
That's why I liked talking to Gobuta. He was absurdly easy to deal with.
Sensing the conversation had ended, Ranga shot me a glance.
I nodded.
-"If you wish for us to acknowledge your power,"- Ranga said to Gabil in a low, dominant voice, -"then show us what you are capable of first. You may begin."-
The air shifted.
The battle began.
Gobuta took a low, firm stance. Gabil advanced calmly, his spear spinning with professional elegance.
Gobuta was also wielding a cavalry spear.
A duel of long weapons.
In theory, an absolute disadvantage for him. His usual weapon was a dagger.
-"Hmph."- Gabil moved forward, even lecturing as he did so. -"You may have evolved beyond a mere Goblin, but you remain insignificant. We, the Lizardmen, are the proud descendants of the Dragons—"-
-"Not coming? Then I'll go!"-
Gobuta didn't wait for him to finish. With an explosive twist of his torso, he hurled his spear like a bolt of lightning. The force behind it was surprisingly solid.
More serious than I expected.
-"Foolish and reckless."-
Gabil struck the projectile with a clean, precise motion, deflecting it with ease.
But…
That was exactly the point.
For a fraction of a second, his attention centered on the deflected spear.
And in that instant…
Gobuta vanished.
-(Wait… Was that…?)-
Yes.
Without a doubt.
[Shadow Movement].
And not a clumsy one—one executed with near-perfect precision. Even Gabil lost sight of him.
-"Where are you?!"-
He snapped his head around, pupils dilated, searching for a presence that was no longer in front of him.
Too late. From the shadow behind Gabil, a figure emerged.
Gobuta burst forward, wrapping his arms around the Lizardman's torso from behind, securing the hold with a surprisingly clean technique.
-(Wait… Is he thinking of…?)-
-"[Goblin Suplex]!"-
He shouted with heroic enthusiasm.
With a roar, he tensed his entire body, planting his feet into the ground. His muscles compressed like coiled springs and, in an explosive motion, he lifted Gabil over his own head.
The world seemed to spin.
Then…
With a brutal arc, he hurled him backward. The nape, shoulders, and upper back slammed violently against the hardened ground.
The impact rang out like a dry thunderclap.
Dust burst upward.
And the earth cracked beneath the force of the blow.
The attack from behind had been an absolute surprise. Gabil didn't have even a fraction of a second to react.
The impact struck directly at the back of his neck. An exact point—precise and brutal.
His eyes flew open… then dimmed.
His body went completely limp before he even finished falling.
Gobuta had aimed precisely where neither armor nor helmet could protect him. Between the plates. Beneath the rim of the helm. Where a cluster of vulnerable nerves connected to the base of the skull.
And he did not miss.
Not even the toughest Lizardmen could withstand a direct strike to that area.
His scales prevented the damage from being lethal.
But the loss of consciousness was immediate.
And it would take time for him to awaken.
Which meant…
Gobuta truly won.
Now, speaking seriously. -("[Goblin Suplex]"?)- It's not that I particularly like the name.
But what truly surprises me is something else.
-(When the hell did he learn to do that?)-
Had he been training it in secret? Or did he simply copy it after seeing me do it that one time?
Knowing him… either was possible.
Perhaps I'll never know.
-"It is decided! The victor is Gobuta!!"-
Ranga's proclamation was nearly drowned out by the eruption of cheers and applause.
Gobuta stood frozen for a second or two, absorbing it all.
-(Gobuta… Of all people… Overpowering a Lizardman Warrior Lord?)-
Gabil was at least B+ rank, and he had been taken down in a single blow.
I had to admit it: Gobuta had matured.
And not by a little.
It surprised me.
And I was certain I wasn't the only one.
-"Well done, Gobuta,"- said Ranga, nodding with barely concealed satisfaction. -"I always knew you were capable."-
-"Excellent!"- added Rigurd with visible pride. -"You have shown the world what Hobgoblins are truly capable of!"-
-"He may have a point,"- Shion commented with her arms crossed. -"I suppose I'll forgive what you said earlier… after all."-
-"An unorthodox attack… but effective,"- Benimaru observed. -"You've grown stronger since the last time we fought."-
-"Indeed."- Hakuro fixed him with sharp, analytical eyes. -"Most impressive. I wonder how you would respond to further training."-
-(Damn it… For Hakuro to say something like that…)-
That old master did not hand out praise lightly. If he saw potential in Gobuta…
Then today might very well change his life.
But then something struck me.
-(Wait… Were they all expecting him to win?)-
I looked around.
Yes.
That was the vibe.
I had been the only one who doubted him.
Well, I knew how to read the atmosphere.
And I knew when something needed correcting.
-"Yes, good job, Gobuta. You truly impressed me. I'll have Kurobe start on your weapon before nightfall."-
His eyes almost shone brighter than before.
Now then.
And Gabil? The Warrior Lord showed no external injuries.
Only unconscious.
Breathing steady.
No visible damage.
As for his entourage… they had frozen in place before they could even form a cheering section.
They still hadn't processed what had just happened.
-"Hey! We won, alright?"- I shouted at them. -"And I'm rejecting your offer as well. If you want help against the Orcs, we'll consider it. But for today, I expect you to leave us in peace. And don't forget to take your leader with you."-
That was enough.
They hurried.
They picked up Gabil with clumsy movements and withdrew with whatever dignity they could gather.
And so…
Our attempt at an interspecies summit came to an end.
-
-(Ddraig! You finally show up.)-
-
A chill ran down my spine.
-(Go through… my memories?)-
-
-(All of it?)-
-
Silence.
-
-(Oh? And what would that be?)-
-
-(That was… unexpected.)-
-
-(Yes… I did say that. I never realized it. Or at least, I don't think I did.)-
-
I fell silent.
-(Seriously…?)-
Thinking back…
There had been strange things.
Odd moments.
But I always dismissed them.
-(I had suspicions… but I thought it was nothing.)-
-
My mind went blank.
-(What!? Who!?)-
-
He dropped the subject just like that.
Typical.
-
-(Yes. A messenger from their species.)-
-
I looked toward the horizon where they had disappeared.
-(Yes… And I think you'll find out soon enough.)-
After all…
We need to convene a meeting.
There's an important matter to discuss.
And it won't be small.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
**********************************
Author's Notes
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Upcoming chapters (Spoilers):
Chapter 24- The Meeting
Chapter 25- Disconnecting Gears
Chapter 26- The Great Clash
Chapter 27- The War Begins
Chapter 28- The Devourer of Everything