The hydra or the commander system of the goblin army was brought forward to deal with the now bigger and multifaceted battlefield.
Pale’s objective is to suppress the south and conquer Germion Kingdom.
Although the Goblin King’s army was indeed strong and represented the greatest of the goblins’ might, it made it impossible to make subst.i.tutions. In the final battle with the Red King, although the only objective was to slay King Brandika, and although the rare goblins had gathered together, the goblins still lost 100 goblins.
This was despite the Goblin King calling upon the power of the underworld, and Gi Ga Rax the Knight Cla.s.s and Gi Be Slay the One-Armed Goblin fighting to quell the powerful foes. With such losses, it was evident that fighting consecutively wouldn’t be possible, and so was pursuing the Red King single-mindedly on a land as vast as the southern territories.
It is imperative that the goblin forces be able to preserve their strength for the coming decisive battles while advancing. Since the fall of the Red King, chaos has been spreading among the southern countries, but the problem now was Germion Kingdom, whom they would be facing next.
Known as the Land of the Holy Knights, in Germion Kingdom, one can find glory and honor even as a mere adventurer. So long as one possesses power, in Germion Kingdom, it is possible for one to climb society regardless of one’s pedigree. And it was that very policy that allowed Germion Kingdom to become the power it was now.
Though Germion Kingdom may have lost Gene Marlon the Lightning-Fast Knight and Gowen Ranid the Iron-Armed Knight, it stands strong yet. As Pale tried to work out a plan according to the Goblin King’s intentions, it became apparent that the current system which focused the strength of the goblins onto the Goblin King wasn’t going to work.
Moreover, the Goblin King himself was unwell.
Each time he mustered the power of the underworld, he would incur an irreversible wound that cut away at his life.
The king’s pride was real, and Pale herself thought that was something to be treasured, but it was not easy to use the power of the king.
As it stands, the Goblin King is a sword that would cut even his own body.
Often times, it would not be the blood of his foes that would dye him, but that of his own.
Pale doesn’t believe that the current situation could be maintained without the Goblin King.
“Watch and I shall make this world kneel before me.”
Pale didn’t hate the Goblin King that laughed fearlessly.
He carried with him a pride that allowed him to laugh while saying he would conquer the world.
And with that pride, he also carried with him a firm will that loathed sacrifices.
The Goblin King was indeed blessed as a king.
But going beyond one’s limits comes at a price. Pale knows that the king would eventually have to use his power, but as much as possible, she wanted to keep such instances to a minimum. It was her job to achieve the greatest results with the least sacrifices.
To that end, she came up with the new system.
Procuring soldiers was easy. Not to mention that the enemy soldiers could also be added to the human army. And as long as they could secure enough food, the goblins would rapidly increase in number. In order to use these forces well, Pale came up with the Commander System.
Fortunately, the initiative in the coming wars would lie with the goblin forces. Now that the Red King’s forces have been driven into a corner, any move they make will only cause them to lose more of their strength. Moreover, the old king of Germion Kingdom was not the proactive sort.
The Merchant Country of Pena also had no army to rely on, and their government wasn’t even in a state where they could initiate a war.
Right now, the goblins were free to choose where and when they wanted to attack. If they could keep the initiative every time, the scales of victory will swing greatly toward their favor. Pale could already see the goblins cheering in victory at the castle of Germion Kingdom.
◆◆◇
Word of the Red King’s defeat at the hands of the goblins had spread not only to the nearby country, but even to the distant small country of Orphen. The Council of Three Towers was the pinnacle of authority within the ivory tower that held a unique position among the nations. The three educational inst.i.tutions: the Blue Tower, the Red Tower, and the White Tower would regularly hold a meeting.
The topic would normally be decided by the elder, but this time the topic was brought forward by the small country of Orphen. Although the council had no lack of topics to discuss, from time to time, a country would seek their counsel and they would discuss that instead.
The topic was regarding the flourishing demihumans.
The over 70-years-old elder of the white tower, Tanya Fedran. The handsome and ever young wizard, the elder of the blue tower, Floyd Berchen. The highest archbishop of the ‘church’ and elder of the red tower, Serion Harlon, who believes that the Ancestor G.o.d Who Birthed the Nations, Ativ, is the greatest of the G.o.ds.
It was under the name of these three elders that the council was held, and they had no choice but to make an unpleasant conclusion.
“The southern countries have been overrun with demihumans.”
Serion’s already grim face became even grimmer as he said that.
“Good grief. There’s really no other way to put it other than that things are really getting bad. By the way, Lady Tanya, what has Lady Reshia been up to lately?”
The over 120-years-old Floyd asked in that curious manner he usually adopted.
“…Playing with dirt and planting crops or visiting the orphanages…”
“That can’t be all. I hear she’s taken a demihuman servant,”Serion said while Tanya was still talking.
“She seems to have purchased a slave,” Tanya said.
“Considering what we’ve been discussing just recently, can’t you turn a blind eye to it, Serion?” Floyd said, amused.
“That girl—” Serion was about to say, but Tanya cut him off.
“The saint’s decision will not change. She will accept it. Can’t you just watch over her for now?”
Serion inhaled deeply before speaking firmly. “At this rate, the humans will lose their hold over the world. We must make a decision. As the highest archbishop of the church, and as the elder of the Red Tower, I will not budge from this position.”
“Archbishop Serion,” Tanya said.
“But my thoughts as Serion Harlon is different. I still remember when that girl was brought to the Ivory Tower still in her tender years. I don’t believe there’s any reason to burden her any further as long as the demihumans don’t thrive any more than this,” Serion said.
“I will let her know just how heavy the words she has spoken are,” Tanya said, leaving Serion with no choice but to agree as well.
“But if we turn away from something just because it is unpleasant, then for what reason have we aged? We should support Germion Kingdom a little. And should the demihumans continue to thrive, then the saint will have to act like a saint whether she wants to or not. And should their fangs reach even the Holy Shushunu Kingdom, then…” Floyd said.
“I understand,” Tanya said.
Floyd turned to Serion. “Shall we takes this is an opportunity to announce that it would be a good time to stop the conflicts in the small country. Highest Archbishop?”
The moment the blue elder called Serion not by name but by his occupation, he had already donned the mask of an experienced machinator that sought to steer the Ivory Tower where he wished it to go.
“…We can invite the Holy Kingdom Alsas and the Holy Shushunu Kingdom,” Serion said.
“Very well.
Well then, Highest Archbishop, Lady Tanya, it was a pleasure.”
Before the ageless and handsome wizard, Tanya and Serion could only hang their head.
The goblins are coming. And with the retreat of Germion Kingdom, the Kushain Believers quickly became elated. To the Kushain Believers, who were hopeless from dealing with the siege, such good news was no different from the teachings of their G.o.d. Their voices under the castle were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with praise.
The soldiers had fought with the goblins against the Red King, so they recognized the goblins as their comrade-in-arms. The little anxiety they had in regards to them was quickly blown away by the retreat of Germion Kingdom.
Not to mention that the Cultidian Believers did not even think that the goblins would be so dutiful toward their alliance. Because of that, innocent happiness filled the believers, and an atmosphere akin to that of a festival filled the city. The governing body, however, didn’t make as big of a ruckus, as they watched the goblin army approach half-doubtful-half-hopeful that they had truly come as an ally.
When Saint Mira got word of the goblin army’s approach from a soldier, she went and locked herself in her room under the pretense that she needed to prepare a messenger to send to the goblin army.
When Vilan Do Zul followed her in, she had already thrown herself into bed. He could tell that she was crying from her slender shoulders that were shaking.
A young man like him did not know what he should say at a time like this. All he could do was remain fl.u.s.tered. Still, he was able to muster a smidgen of courage, and after coupling that with the so-called ‘man’s duty’ that he heard from others, he was able to call out to Mira.
“Milady.”
“…Vil.”
Mira’s voice couldn’t be further from joy.
“Are you… shaking?”
When Vilan said that, Mira embraced her shaking shoulders.
“What do you think the goblins will demand from us?”
When Vilan heard those words said in a shaking voice, he couldn’t help but consider Mira’s position. Goblins going to war was already an unprecedented event, so he could not imagine what they could possibly want.
Perhaps they want food? Or maybe money? Maybe they want land? And then… he thought of another possibility. It was something that Vilan did not want to think about.
Woman. And as that thought appeared within his mind, his gaze turned to Mira.
If there is such a thing as a Goblin King, then the only woman that could possibly satisfy him in Cultidian was none other than Mira herself. Though it would be best if they could give him something else. But really… When the word ‘goblin’ comes to mind, nothing could be a more obvious partner than women.
Vilan shook his head and brushed away the thoughts of the goblins humiliating his lord, but it was hard to argue against the possibility. At the very least, it was true that the goblins had a stronger army than the Kushain Believers.
The Red King that neither Mira nor Vilan could defeat despite all their efforts had been defeated by the goblins. As for the things that they could give to the goblins, in terms of territories they had none. After all, they had been driven all the way to their castle. What could they possibly entice the goblins with on that front?
As for food, they had used much of it during the siege. Considering the coming winter, they did not have much to spare. As for precious stones, they could lend them some, but if they asked for a lot, that would again be difficult.
As for why, that’s because most of the treasures they had gathered during the holy war have already been exchanged by Mira for food.
And from Mira’s perspective, she had no choice but to entice the goblins and use them as a shield for the believers. The Kushain Believers no longer had any power left after all the holy wars.
“…Say something, Vil.”
As fantasies of the worst possible situation flashed through Vilan’s mind, he did his best to brush those thoughts away, but before he knew it, Mira was already standing before him.
Inadvertently, he turned his eyes away from her and stepped back, as if trying to run, but then Mira weakly held onto his clothes.
“M-Milady!?”
As Vilan cried out, Mira jumped into his chest.
“…Hey, Vil. Vilan Do Zul. Won’t you take me away?”
Hearing those words that the young general had never even once dreamed off, left him too shocked to reply.
“…Coward.”
“…My… apologies.”
“Hmph.”
Mira lightly pushed Vilan’s chest, then she brushed him off and she gallantly walked away.
“When you think about it… I could save the lives of 10,000 people in exchange for my body. From that perspective, I suppose it’s not such a bad deal. It’s basically no different from prost.i.tution.”
Not a hint of that earlier weakness could be seen in Mira as she brushed up the golden hair on her shoulders.
“…Milady, I…”
“How long are you planning to stand there? I still need to prepare for the negotiations with the goblins. Get yourself together, Vil! The only one who can protect me is you.”
“…Yes!”
Vilan shook his head as he warned himself not to think of anything unnecessary for now.
Negotiations were also a kind of battlefield, after all.
The young empress embellished her own body as she set off for war.
Negotiations were set to be held at a town that was within a former territory of the Kushain Believers. It was about a day’s distance from Cultidian. The this place was chosen was partly because of the Goblin King’s consideration that made him wonder if he should bring in the army or not and partly because of Mira wanting to get as much of an advantage as she could in the negotiations.
It was at the highest place of the town, within the mansion of the feudal lord that the meeting was held.
The Goblin King couldn’t sit on a normal chair, so Mira and her people hurriedly went to prepare a special chair. Unfortunately, the chair still creaked, causing the feudal lord’s face to pale. Present in the meeting were the Goblin King himself, his tactician, Pale, Gi Za Zakuend the Shaman Cla.s.s Goblin, and Felbi the Elven Warrior.
On the Kushain Believers’ side was Saint Mira, Vilan the Young Tactician, and the old commanding officers that organized the army. Around the manor were the soldiers of the goblins and the Kushain Believers. Both forces glared at each other.
“Greeting, Goblin King. I am Mira Vi Burnen.”
Mira gazed into the Goblin King’s red eyes without cowering, earning the Goblin King’s nod.
“On behalf of my people, I thank you for coming to our aid as allies and rescuing us.”
“It is only right that we help you. We value integrity, after all. Still, we too have something we seek.”
When the Goblin King suddenly brought up the critical part of an alliance, Mira couldn’t help but gulp. Although the Goblin King had said what he said, to Mira it sounded like he was demanding them to give them something worthy of their integrity. Mira continued to smile, but behind that facade, she was desperately racking her brain, trying to figure out just what it was that the goblins wanted.
“So, you say, but did you not kill the late patriarch after betraying him?”
It was an elder who yet remembered fighting the goblins who said that with a calm but poisonous tongue.
“It is only natural that death be given to the insolent. To dare demand tribute from my king is more than enough reason to be bestowed death.”
Gi Za Zakuend smiled coldly as he glared at the three people in front of him. That was a threat. Should they act rudely before the king, the same fate shall await them, is what he was basically saying, though he did not say it out loud.
As Gi Za tussled with the old man, Mira sighed and looked at the Goblin King with resolve.
“King of Goblins, your majesty, if you could please allow us some privacy, there is something I would like to ask of you.”
Most of the people from the goblins’ side were confused. But they did not think that these representatives would try to harm anyone during negotiations. In the first place, the person asking for privacy was none other than a young woman.
“Are you saying that this request of yours cannot be given with these people present?” The Goblin King asked with much confusion.
How could they negotiate if they were alone? The Goblin King knew that the goblins weren’t trusted. But without witnesses, even if they successfully formed an agreement with the Kushain Believers, they wouldn’t be able to change that commonly held prejudice against them.
The Goblin King’s real objective was to use this negotiation as a way to gradually strengthen their alliance. An alliance wherein the goblins were masters and the Kushain Believers were subordinates.
“Yes…”
Mira replied in a small voice with her eyes downcast.
The Goblin King was very confused, but try as he might, he couldn’t possibly think of a way for this little girl to be able to hurt him. They call her a saint, but he couldn’t feel anything that could charm him like he did from Reshia.
Since he couldn’t even sense the blessings of the G.o.ds on this girl before him, the king didn’t think there was anything to be feared.
“Very well. I shall ask them to leave then.”
Gi Za looked at the humans with suspicion and confusion, his gaze bare with displeasure, but he said nothing as he exited the room. Felbi didn’t particularly care and simply left as told. Pale, on the other hand, could tell that one of the men from the Kushain Believers were staring daggers at the king, so she walked up to the king before leaving and whispered at his ears.
“I hope you don’t let your l.u.s.t get the better of you and attack the girl. It simply wouldn’t do if we had to kill everyone who came to negotiate with us.”
Pale said those things without the slightest hint of concern, leaving the Goblin King even more confused.
“You think this is a honey trap?” The Goblin King asked. “But I can’t even sense the slightest trace of the G.o.ds from that girl.”
“Sometimes, humans do really foolish things even when they’re aware of how foolish it is. No matter. Remember, you mustn’t succ.u.mb to your l.u.s.t.”
“…You know I’d appreciate it if you could trust me more. Don’t you people call me your ‘wise king’?”
“I beg your pardon then.”
Pale chuckled a little before exiting the room and leaving the Goblin King and Mira to themselves.