CHAPTER 33: INFLUX

Goblin Name Cheat Sheet:

The [Goblin] is to make it easier to CTRL+F.

[Goblin] Gi Ga

The goblin in that estranged group that was with the protagonist when he defeated an orc. He is currently a noble class, the highest amongst the protagonist’s subordinates. He prefers to use the spear.

[Goblin] Gi Gu

The former leader of the village. He was pressured by the protagonist in his goblin noble form, and was added to his subordinates. He uses the long sword, and is relatively smart for a goblin rare.

[Goblin] Gi Gi

Known as a beast warrior, a goblin with the ability to tame beasts.

He evolved while hunting spear deer with the protagonist.

He prefers to use the axe. His goblin class is rare.

[Goblin] Gi Go

A goblin with many wounds on his body. The food of his horde was stolen by the gray wolves, so he made a decision to follow the protagonist. He is the most experienced amongst the goblin rares. His weapon is a curved katana.

[Goblin] Gi Za

The druid goblin rare that recently joined them.

VOLUME 1

[Race] Goblin

[Level] 60

[Class] Duke; Horde Chief

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

[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)

[Attributes] Darkness; Death

[Subordinate Beasts] High Kobold (Lv1) Gray Wolf (Lv1) x2

[Abnormal Status] <>

It was the high kobold, Hasu, who informed me of the humans’ presence.

“The humans are here!” he said.

Cold sweat drizzled down my back.

“Their numbers?” I asked as I threw food at Hasu.

I waited for him to chew it before he finally replied.

“15,” he said.

Tch, that’s a lot.

Are we a match for them right now if all those 15 are adventurers?

It might be possible if we could just strike them at their weak point… But either way it’s a huge gamble.

“Alright, let’s go!”

I have to prepare myself for the worst.

It’s been around a month and a half since Reshia’s group was captured by us.

I don’t know whether 15 is actually a lot or not, but the goblins I’ve been preparing to fight with the orcs have mostly learned the three-man cell.

There’s no telling whether that will be effective against the humans, but if we retreat, there’s no telling how far they’re going to chase us either.

We can’t retreat. There’s no other path for us but to fight.

“Gi Ga, gather everyone.”

“As you command.”

When all the goblins that were rare class and above were gathered, I gave my orders.

“Gi Go, protect those that can’t fight.”

“Yes, chief.”

“Everyone else, gather your men. We’re going to intercept the humans.”

“Yes, chief!”

Three were visibly fired up, while Gi Za quietly burned, ready to fight.

I made 5 three-man cell groups, totaling to 15 goblins. Then I left the remaining goblins under Gi Go to protect the village.

I gripped Iron Second. Then I petted the gray wolf pups playing by my feet, and handed them to Reshia.

“Quite a large group you have here,” remarked Reshia.

“It’s because I don’t want to fight needlessly. Take care of these guys until I come back.”

Reshia took the gray wolf pups that were playing around, and embraced them in her arms.

“Don’t worry, I don’t mind taking care of Gyunei and Cynthia.”

“What’s with the names?”

“Are they not to your liking? Gyunei means Vanguard God, and Cynthia, the lady of the lake shore.”

Those names are no good.

Especially Gyunei. That one definitely needs to be changed.

“It doesn’t seem like you have the time to argue though. Let’s talk about it when you come back,” suggested Reshia.

“Of course, I don’t like the names. Don’t you think it’s pitiful to name this pup a vanguard god?”

“It’s a good name though in my opinion… Right, Gyunei?”

The two gray wolf pups wagged their tails as they followed Reshia.

Is that alright? I hope you two realize that you’ve just been named something absurd.

“We’ll be waiting,” said Reshia.

For a moment, I was speechless when I heard those words. She’s encouraging me.

“Don’t worry, I plan to minimize the casualties on the human’s side. Right now, my enemy are the orcs, and not the humans.”

Right. It’s not time to fight the humans yet.

Yet, that is.

I don’t know how Reshia took my words, but she nodded.

“Lili, do you want to come?”

“…To fight with humans?” she asked.

Her eyebrows lifted up.

“I thought to have you ask for their surrender,” I replied.

“…Alright,” replied Lili.

“Ms. Lili?” asked Reshia.

Lili calmly shook her head.

“Lady Reshia, please wait here. I will keep the casualties to a minimum.”

This will be a good opportunity to find out if she’s scheming anything. Cleaning up all the problems here in one swoop is a swell idea if I’ve ever heard of one.

Right, I should put out a bait.

A chance to kill me. That should bring out whatever Lili’s scheming.

“Hurry up and prepare,” I said.

Then I left the jail.

◆◇◇

We sprinted away from the village into the forest with the druid, Gi Za, the beast warrior, Gi Gi, the former leader of the village, Gi Gu, the only noble class, Gi GA, and Lili.

Hasu led the way, bringing us through a path that was so narrow it could be called an animal trail.

It wasn’t until half a day had passed that we finally spotted the humans.

Along the way we met some double heads and triple horns, but we ignored them, and we continued on our way. There was no need to hunt them as the smoked and dried mead that were prepared by Mattis was enough to stave off our hunger. We ran like this for several hours.

And just as what one would expect from adventurers, Lili kept up with us despite her heavy breathing.

After a while, Hasu stopped. We reached our destination.

I ordered Gi Gi and Gi Gu, who were the first to arrive, to search the surroundings. Then I ordered them to go first. Afterwards, I gave orders to Gi Ga and Gi Za.

“Gi Ga, go with Lili. Gi Za, cover our backs.”

More units came later, and I gave them their orders too. Then Gi Gi’s squad returned.

“Humans, ahead,” he reported.

They’re near.

“Good, let’s continue like this. Don’t make any noise.”

Gi Gi’s squad followed closely behind me while keeping low.

A little later, I heard some noise from ahead of us. Some sort of fight.

“What happened to Gi Gu’s unit?” I asked.

According to Gi Gi, they’re already positioning themselves behind the humans.

“Alright.”

We saw the humans right after that.

“This is…”

The humans were fighting with an orc. The center of the forest where there are little trees are, after all, the orcs’ turf. I thought it was rather reckless of the orc to face 15 all by itself, but unexpectedly, the orc’s the one winning.

Well that’s not really surprising as the humans were visibly tired.

–––But why? Didn’t they come here to rescue Reshia? Aren’t they adventurers?

I can see a woman feeding her babe, a man carrying a heavy bag, screaming. They had at most only two men to fight off the orc.

“Lili, come here for a bit,” I called.

Lili came out of the bushes to take a look.

“What are they?” I frankly asked.

Lili knitted her brows.

“They’re most likely… refugees.”

Oh? There’re refugees in this world too?

“People whose homes were burned, and were driven off into the forests, you mean?”

Lili reluctantly nodded.

I guess she doesn’t want to accept it.

I might be able to use this.

“…I wonder if I should kill them,” I quietly whispered to myself.

Let’s lead Lili around, and make her show her true colors.

Lili gazed at me, dumbfounded.

“Didn’t you promise Lady Reshia not to cause unnecessary casualties!?” she asked, her voice, tinged with anger.

“It’s better to have less mouths to feed,” I snapped back.

Then I began to compress the encirclement we had laid out.

“Gi Gi, go to the left. Surround the humans. Gi Za, to the right.”

The goblins nodded without saying a word.

“…Even then, you’re!”

“Then are you going to save them?”

Lili looked furious.

“I don’t mind sparing them, but you’ll have to be the one to persuade them. And naturally, you’ll also have to look after them yourself. If you’re fine with that, then fine… I’ll spare them.”

The humans were gradually being driven into a corner by the orc.

“I got it! They won’t do anything to trouble you!”

“Good. There’s not much time though, so hurry.”

This area is too close to the human region.

“GURUuuAAaa!”

As my mouth twisted into a grin, I stood up and activated the [Skill] <>.

“Gi Ga! Kill the orc!”

I ordered Gi Ga, who was still next to me, to kill the orc. Accompanied by his subordinates, Gi Ga quickly bolted out into the fray, and pierced the orc. As a pained scream rose, the orc was mangled by Gi Ga’s subordinates.

I left the bushes as the orc continued to scream, and I made my appearance before the humans.

I wonder what the humans thought of Lili, a human, following me.

The two warriors that were fighting the orc a while ago turned pale as they wielded their swords again.

“What is that!? Isn’t that a high-class goblin behind you!?” one of them asked.

Lili was visibly perplexed, not knowing where to begin explaining. I silently cursed the humans’ incessant vilifications.

But I am the one who made her do this.

Still, I don’t like these humans, but if they’re useful, then I’ll use them.

I’ll use them until their lives are torn and ragged.

“I don’t wish for all of you to die,” Lili said.

The humans and the warriors glanced alternately between me and Lili. The non-combatants at the back froze.

“So please, shut up, and obey,” she continued.

But the humans were not pleased.

“You think we’ll do something like that!” one of them yelled.

“You call yourself human while being tricked by goblins!?” yelled another.

Lili couldn’t stand up to the humans’ abuse.

So I decided to help her out a bit.

“Oi, Lili. You don’t have much time left.”

“Tch…”

Lili’s impatience grew, and I called out the goblins in the surrounding thickets.

“Show yourselves,” I said.

The goblins who were hiding by the thickets all this time, all stood up at the same time. And they shrieked at the humans.

“W-What is with this number!?

I can hear the screams of the warriors.

I did my best to calmly observe them. Especially, the warriors.

How much can I use these humans? Are they worth the risk?

“Tch, there should still be time. Please, don’t lay a finger on them,” said Lili.

The humans should know now that Lili’s just barely hanging onto me.

I smiled at that thought.

“What will it be, humans?” I asked.

Then wielding Iron Second on my shoulder, I continued,

“Obedience? Or death?” I asked.

10 seconds is all I’m giving them.

So I decided to put on another show. And I took a step forward in front of Lili, standing right before the humans.

“Which will it be?” I asked. “Is it death you wish?”

And Lili began to beg as she pointed her sword at me, saying,

“Please stop. Please.”

She knows she can’t win, yet she still dares to point her sword at me. It’s clear as day that she’s afraid. Even the tip of her sword is shaking.

All the while, the humans were at a complete loss, not even able to come up with an answer.

“You wish to fight me?” I asked Lili. “I won’t be sparing you this time.”

Around this time, Gi Ga, who had just defeated the orc, wielded his blood stained spear. But I signaled him with a raise of my hand to stop.

Now, Lili. Show me your true nature.

If you think you can defeat me, then come! I will take you on whenever you please!

But Lili begged again.

“…I beg you, please.”

Lili struck her sword into the ground, and she fell down on her knees. That last act of hers doused whatever will the humans had in them to fight.

“…Very well. Bring all of these to the village. If anyone tries to rebel, I will kill him.”

I swung the great sword on my shoulder.

That swing was only to threaten, but the sharp wind pressure that came from that swing was enough to rouse fear in their hearts.

“Lili, you’ll be responsible for guiding these humans. Understood?”

“I understand,” she replied as she sheathed her sword with her face down, keeping me from seeing her expression.

“Gi Ga, watch over these humans, and make sure they don’t run.”

“As you command.”

“Gi Gi, go feed meat to the kobolds.”

“Yes.”

“For everyone else, hunt as you go back to the village.”

When I finished giving orders, I went back to the village.

The refugees are as follows:

Adventurers: 2

Farmers(Male): 6

Women: 4

Children: 3