CHAPTER 36: MADNESS

TL Note: By the way, a wiki for GK was started here: LINK

Shoutout to Destined King for letting me know and to kamerond5 for starting it.

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. He acts like a samurai.

[Goblin] Gi Za

The druid goblin rare that recently joined them.

[Race] Goblin

[Level] 61

[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] <>

I had the goblins hunt lizard doubles and pickle snaps as we headed home.

My worries haven’t been eased, but there’s no helping it right now. All the worrying in the world won’t change anything.

I should focus on what I can do for now. And that thing I can do is to raise everyone’s level.

I watched over the fight of the goblins as I thought that to myself.

The prey today are two lizard doubles.

Gi Go, the samuraish warrior, and his three goblins surround the prey from the left, while the leader of the former village, Gi Gu, and his three goblins, surrounded from the right. The two groups attacked the lizard doubles from both sides, repeatedly aiming for their feet.

The lizard doubles have six feet each.

The attacks of the two groups aimed for those feet at almost the same time. The attacks coming from both directions disoriented the lizard doubles, leaving them helpless.

There, Gi Go’s curved katana and Gi Gu’s long sword struck out, and blood spurted out into the air. The open wound left by their attacks were then stabbed incessantly by their subordinates’ chipped sword.

As the lizard doubles screamed and writhed in pain, two blades struck at their necks, and the battle ended.

Looks like the goblins have gotten used to fighting together.

At this level, they should be able to deal with at least two orcs. Any more than that though is still a problem…

We hurried on our way as the goblins ate the lizard doubles’ meat.

At our hurried pace, we managed to reach the village by midnight, and Gi Za welcomed us.

“I see you’re in quite a hurry,” Gi Za said, as he eyed the knackered goblins lying on the ground. He is a druid and a goblin rare, but his appearance looked much closer to that of a human’s.

“Well there’s something bothering me,” I replied.

“Hmm… I don’t know what’s bothering you, but that aside, how about seeing the newly made house for the king?” he said back.

What?

“Newly created?”

“The humans you brought here have been working hard since the village has been left in their hands. They even tried building houses for the goblins,” proudly replied Gi Za as he led me to the king’s house.

As we walked, I listened to his report on the things that happened while I was out.

The route leading to the hunting grounds of the spear deer have apparently been widened. Goblins have been hunting spear deer for a while now, so they looked for a way to make it more convenient to get there. With that, they were able to answer to my orders regarding securing a good route toward the spear deer.

The spear deer are situated north west from the lake. The goblins love to eat them for their large body. Moreover, their hunting grounds are also frequently used to raise levels. But because their bodies are big, it takes a considerable amount of effort just bringing them back. With the widening of the road toward them, securing food should be much more convenient now.

As I listened to Gi Za’s report, we eventually reached the previously mentioned house of the king.

It felt like the house I was using before had gotten bigger. The work put into this bigger house is about what you’d expect from a three-day work that took place while I was gone.

“Isn’t this too extravagant?” I asked.

“You’re too naïve. You should at least use your resources like this,” replied Gi Za.

I’m aware, but…

“I have my own methods,” I complained.

“That might be so, but isn’t it fine?” shrugged Gi Za as he opened the door.

Inside was Reshia, sleeping with Gastra and Cynthia curled into a ball in her arms. Cynthia and Gastra both looked much bigger than when I had left.

Lili was also there along with the other women.

As soon as we entered, the pups’ ears perked up to the sound of the door opening, and the two pups looked my way.

“Woof!” barked the two pups.

The two pups’ voice woke Reshia up.

“Oh… welcome home,” said Reshia as she rubbed her sleepy eyes, then she went back to sleep.

Contrary to Reshia’s attitude, the other women were looking at me stiff with fearful eyes.

Cynthia and Gastra frolicked by my feet.

“…Can you explain exactly what is going on here?” I asked as I scowled at Gi Za.

A mischievous smile appeared on Gi Za’s face.

◆◇◇

I explained the results of my reconnaissance to Gi Za and the old goblin, and they both knitted their brows.

“…I don’t know anything aside from the information I have,” said Gi Za. “But a new king might have been born amongst the orcs.”

A king? Hmm… well if the goblins can have a king, then I suppose they can too…

It’s not that strange.

“Just as the goblins have four big clans, the orcs have their own clans as well,” began the old goblin as his wrinkled face wrinkled even deeper.

According to the old goblin, when a king is born, the orc clan that lived next to us, along with the rest of the orc clans, will all gather under the orc king.

“The orc that leads the orcs is known as the orc king. That being will lead the orcs out of the forest, and attack the human world.”

A sort of mad phenomenon apparently.

Butthe scariest part is that the orcs won’t stop until the orc king is dead. The orcs led by the orc king will keep moving forward even when their legs are struck, even when their arms are lost, and even when magic is casted against them. The orcs won’t stop unless they’re dead or the orc king is.

Orc king… that’s an existence that’s more handful than running triple horns.

“So that’s how it is,” I nodded.

There’s definitely a possibility that the surrounding orcs disappeared because of the birth of the new orc king.

The orcs under the orc king will become maddened, and they will run together as one horde.

I don’t know what their goal or purpose is.

–––Well isn’t this a lovely situation?

I cursed to myself as the edges of my mouth curved.

“All of the orc clans, huh?” I muttered.

The orcs normally move in hordes of 2 to 6. But with the king’s appearance, they will march as one horde.

If that frightening battle prowess of theirs that’s strong enough to threaten the human world is pointed toward this village… it won’t be something to scoff at.

“Can you pinpoint the course their horde will take?” I asked.

The old goblin shook his head.

“Well, in any case, it’s not something we can make light of,” shrugged Gi Za.

Make light of? Exactly how are we supposed to make light of a horde of maddened cows?

“Do you know anything else about the madness of the orcs?” I asked.

Gi Za and the old goblin both shook their heads.

We lack information.

But in the worst case, we’ll have to at least strengthen our defenses.

“Make holes outside the village tomorrow. We’ll make pitfalls,” I ordered.

If it was just me and the goblin rares, avoiding the orcs would be an easy task. We could scout, and just simply avoid them.

But the settlement also has humans, noncombatants, and female goblins. Their legs are too slow; running won’t be an option with them around.

So there’s no choice but to strengthen the settlement as quickly as possible.

“Understood,” nodded Gi Za. The old goblin quietly nodded too, and we ended the discussion.

Still… For a king to be born amongst the orcs…

I was beaten to the chase, but… madness?

If that is something that occurs when one becomes a king. If that is something that occurs involuntarily… If that is something that occurs regardless of the goblins will’ or perhaps even my own, causing us to move by instinct, then…

When I thought of that, the sound of gritting rose as my teeth gritted against itself.

I closed my eyes, and confirmed <> written there on my status.

If that phenomenon does occur, how far will I be able to resist?

It feels as if the more my magic power increases, the more I hear the footsteps of that woman (Altesia) coming from the darkness. Her influence has been kept away because of Zenobia’s power. If so, then wouldn’t the power of her interference become even stronger the next time she tries to interfere with my thoughts?

I need more power.

A power that does not belong to anyone else. A power that belongs to me. My own power.

“Excuse me, may I take some of your time?” said a voice.

I opened my eyes. There, Gi Ga was meekly standing before me.

“Go ahead,” I nodded, as I kept my anxiety hidden within me.

“Lord Gi Za said it was not necessary, but…”

I asked him what he was talking about, and when he explained, I was shocked.

Apparently, there was a goblin who tried to attack a human female while I was gone. Gi Ga executed that goblin.

“Actually, the one who ordered the execution was Lord Gi Za,” said Gi Ga. “Lord Gi Za said that since he was in charge while the king was gone, he should take on the thankless role.”

I closed my eyes with my arms folded.

I did think that a situation such as that might occur one day, but I wanted to believe in the goblins, so I closed my eyes. But apparently… I was too naïve.

I recalled Gi Za’s vow of fealty and his wry smile.

“I didn’t believe that Lord Gi Za should be the only one responsible for the execution, so I took it upon myself to share the burden. So I came here today to ask you, o king. Please, please, be lenient with Lord Gi Za,” begged Gi Ga as he prostrated himself before me. Reflexively, I looked up this building.

So that’s why he made a new house.

It would appear that the goblins have been looking after me a lot more than I thought they were. And apparently, I’ve also been blessed with subordinates better than I thought.

“I understand. I’ll close my eyes to this matter this time,” I told him.

“I am grateful for the king’s generosity,” thanked Gi Ga.

“You did well informing me, Gi Ga.”

“No… And regarding my punishment…”

“Since I won’t be punishing Gi Za, naturally, I won’t be punishing you as well, right?

“Thank you, king.”

I had Gi Ga withdraw, then I fell into deep thought again.

–––I need to tighten the bridle again. And then…

I looked toward the nearby Reshia and the curled up Cynthia and Gastra.

I can’t be as soft to Gi Ga and Gi Za all the time.

The matter needs to be investigated as well.

There’s the possibility that a truth opposite to what had been stated might come.

It’s possible that contrary to what Gi Ga said, Gi Za himself executed a goblin at his own leisure.

It would be better if that’s not the case, I wished that from the bottom of my heart. But I have to consider the possibility.

And the fact that I had to consider that possibility made me disgusted with myself.

Author’s Note:

The king’s house has become the biggest building in the settlement. It’s now big enough to accommodate all of the female and children slaves.

Unfortunately, though, there are barely any furniture.

In fact, the bed in it is just straw with greenery spread on top of it.

Really, the interior gives off a, “Desk?” “Chair?” “Bed?” “What are those?” feeling.

The only thing it really has is a door.