The following dawn was thick with smoke and rumors.
The surviving PigMen had regrouped in the nearby forest. Their wounded leaders argued among growls and harsh gestures. Some were furious, others afraid—but all of them understood one thing:
The small goblin and his army had won the previous battle.
And no one could ignore his power.
"The Evil PigMan… has fallen!" one roared, his voice trembling despite the attempt at strength. "That strange fruit… the one that devoured the lives of our brothers… was taken by the Goblin!"
Another muttered uneasily, "What if that goblin does not stop? What if he becomes just like the tyrant? We won't be able to stop him… that power is… different."
The air was tense.
Many of them had escaped the claws of the Evil PigMan. They had resisted his reign, endured the oppressive system of monstrous crystals forced into their flesh. And now, just when freedom seemed possible, another unknown being had appeared.
The former tyrant had relied on monstrous crystals.
This goblin possessed something else.
Aura.
Another strange system of power.
Some had already begun to consider surrender.
From among them stepped an older PigMan, his body marked with deep scars, one eye permanently damaged by a cracked crystal embedded long ago. His gaze was cold—calculating.
"Listen," he said, his voice rough but steady. "We do not know if he is our enemy. He may be an ally. After all… he defeated the tyrant. You see only fear. I see possibility."
A murmur spread through the group.
Some frowned.
Others lowered their heads, thoughtful.
"Are you suggesting we join him?" a young PigMan shouted, disbelief evident in his tone.
The older leader nodded slowly.
"Yes. That goblin is not ordinary. His power… is different. If we join him, perhaps we will not become slaves again. Perhaps we can become part of something greater."
He paused, letting his words settle.
"My scouts reported that his base is not far from here. And among his group… there are Murlocs."
The name caused visible tension.
To kneel before goblins was already humiliating.
To stand beside Murlocs?
Unthinkable.
Their history taught them that surrender was shameful. That they should never submit to another race.
But fear—and the logic of survival—began to outweigh pride.
That very night, a small group of surviving PigMen approached César's settlement.
They walked cautiously. Their weapons were hidden, but their intentions were clear.
César was waiting for them.
He sat calmly upon a stone beside the river, the faint pulse of his new power flowing steadily within him. The fruit's influence had settled—but it had not weakened.
Luna stood nearby, her eyes sharp and observant. Asia remained slightly behind, silent but attentive.
"So," César said, a faint smile forming on his lips, "you came to talk. What is it you seek?"
The older PigMan stepped forward.
"We seek…" He hesitated briefly. "We wish to join you."
The surrounding PigMen lowered their heads slightly—not in full submission, but in acknowledgment.
César crossed his arms and studied them one by one.
He could feel it.
Some were desperate.
Some were pragmatic.
A few… were ambitious.
Interesting, he thought. Not broken. Just cautious.
"Very well," César said at last. "But understand this clearly—if I sense a second intention, there will be no mercy."
His gaze sharpened.
"You will follow my orders. Completely. If you are prepared to obey, you will become part of my empire. If you betray me…" His voice lowered slightly. "There will be no forgiveness."
Silence fell heavily between them.
The PigMen exchanged glances.
Then, one by one, they nodded.
The decision was made.
Luna stepped forward, standing beside her son. Her presence carried quiet authority.
"There will also be benefits," she said firmly. "You will learn to control Aura. You will learn discipline. You will fight with strategy—not blind brutality."
The PigMen stiffened at the word Aura, but none spoke against it.
The older leader lowered himself slightly—not kneeling fully, but bowing his head.
"Understood. We are prepared to follow you… sir."
César allowed himself a small smile.
Today has been a good day.
Not only had he obtained the fruit—
But the PigMen who once suffered under tyranny had chosen to stand beneath his banner.
The river flowed quietly behind him.
And in that moment, the foundation of something greater solidified.
This was no longer merely a goblin settlement.
It was becoming something else.
Something that would one day shake the continent.