Chapter 56

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“Attack. There shouldn’t even be any other choice.”

The higher-ups of Ganra all looked at each other when they heard my words.

After the success of our operation, we decided to discuss our next course of action.

Right now, we’re discussing by the village so everyone can hear.

It was Narsa’s suggestion.

She said that it’s better this way since it’ll make it easier to inform everyone, but as for what she’s really thinking, I don’t know.

There are two main points in this meeting. One, what to do with all the prisoners. And two, what to do next. If it was back at the former village, then it would have been just a question of how to make my plans succeed, but in this case, we’re discussing the plan itself.

“…But then what should we do about the prisoners? Ganra can’t feed that many.”

Negotiate!

The representative will be Narsa.

As for whether she’s really eager to do that or whether she’s just saying it to let the meeting proceed smoothly as a form of rebellion against me, I don’t know.

What’s certain is that Narsa has the support of the old goblins, while I have Gilmi’s and the younger goblin’s support.

“Then should we kill the prisoners?” said Gi Za nonchalantly with a mischievous smile.\nLooks like he wants to break apart the current attitude toward the four tribes. He wants to stand out with violence, so as to make my opinions pass easier.

He’s working hard as always.

“Ridiculous,” curtly refused Narsa.

Gi Za glared at her coldly, but Narsa repelled it easily.

“Then let me ask you, how do you plan on dealing with those prisoners?” asked Gi Za.

“We’ll negotiate. It can be Paradua or Gaidga, whichever’s fine. We’ll talk to them, and negotiate for peace.”

Hmph. As soon as Gi Za heard the word “peace”, he snorted.

“Peace? Have you forgotten what happened just a few days ago? They attacked your village without any warning! If it weren’t for us, you would have all long been driven away! Have you already forgotten the many sons of Ganra who sacrificed themselves?”

Voices of agreement resounded from the younger ones. Tears could even be seen at the corner of their eyes.

“Of course, I haven’t! But at this rate, more and more will suffer!”

Narsa’s words aren’t thoughtless either.

My final goal is to conquer the Fortress of the Abyss, and build a kingdom of goblins. So of course, less casualty is better. After all, if I am to create a strong kingdom, then I’m going to need every useful goblin I can get.

While I quietly thought to myself, the meeting continued.

However, the two sides were at a standstill, and time only trickled by with nothing getting done.

“Elders, warriors of Ganra, please lend me your ears.

Gilmi spoke.

With his head bowed, he looked like a criminal burdened with some great sin. It was as if he was a failure of some sort, and was so discouraged that he wouldn’t even feel any sense of inferiority even if he were to be told to humble himself.

“If the Chief of the East were to step down now, would we still be able to stand against the Gaidga?”

The faces of Ganra’s elderly all began to cramp at his words.

“Right now, we are weak. We cannot protect this village alone.”

Those honest words blew the flames away, leaving the once rowdy meeting, quiet.

“I was picked up by the late Master Gilan. I owe this village something I can never pay. And that’s why, I can’t stand the thought of this village withering away.”

His words gradually became fiercer. And they became so fierce to the point where it seemed as if one could see flames, burning, within Ra Gilmi’s chest.

“…Gilmi,” muttered Narsa.

She closed her eyes tight as if enduring some sort of great pain. For a moment, only a moment, Gilmi looked at her.

He continued.

“Even Lord Gilan, the great Gadieta, the First Archer… even he could not win against Gaidga.”

The First ArcherGadieta? Is that an honorary title of some sort?

“At this rate, we are certain to lose. We will be driven out of the village, and then we will die!”

Even the elders of Ganra who were against fighting couldn’t help but keep quiet.

“Then what should we do? What should we do to live, and inherit the will of Lord Gilan? What!?”

Fight! Replied a lone, young goblin.

The falling rain grew stronger, but gradually… that one voice spread amongst the goblins like fire… until eventually, all of Ganra was swallowed in it.

◇◆◆

“I have to hand it to you, that was really something.”

After the meeting came to a pause, the leader of the druids, Gi Za, called out to Gilmi.

Gilmi never liked this goblin with a contrived smile and a human’s appearance.

“…Was that good enough?” asked Gilmi.

Then again, he didn’t really want to reject her. After all, he couldn’t really blame the chief he served.

“Yes. My apologies if this sounds rude, but Lord Narsa is still too weak to lead Ganra. If you truly wish to support Lord Narsa, then it is wisest to first buy enough time for her to grow.”

“That’s true, but…”

“It’s fine to worry. That’s a special privilege given to those with knowledge. But it won’t do if you can’t make a prompt decision because of it. There’s no point to thinking if you can’t act, and get the best results, right?”\nGilmi could only cast his eyes down as he searched for the words to speak, but before he could say anything, Gi Za continued.

“And besides, you’ve already taken the first step. Right now, the best path for you and your village is to fight and win.”

“I know that. If we were to lose, the village would be destroyed. And Lord Narsa would…”

Satisfied at Gilmi’s answer, Gi Za nodded, and took his leave.

Gilmi who was left behind could only hit his hand against a tree and wallow in his worries.

He recalled Gi Za’s words before the meeting began.

“You should take control of Ganra. If you don’t, the king might just abandon you.”

Of course, the Chief of the East now knew about the Meteor BowByunei Bow. But what meaning is there if the tribe won’t move according to his will? There wouldn’t be any meaning at all.

Gilmi understood that well. Which is why Gi Za’s words had struck fear in his heart.

The goblins of the eastern village were strong. And for that, Gilmi both admired and feared them. If they were to leave the war, Ganra would surely fall to the hands of Gaidga and Paradua.

Especially to Paradua with their mobility that could easily let them run around their enemies.

If they were to fight without the help of the eastern goblins, then this time, they might just be annihilated. If they are to save Ganra, which has already been driven to a corner, then there’s no other choice but to fight and win.

But there’s still one thing bothering him.

What is the Chief of the East aiming for?

He showed no signs of desire when Gilmi mentioned the elf princess. So why would he bother to save Ganra?

An enigmatic existence.

While he was deep in thought, a voice called out to him, snapping him back to reality.

“Gilmi,” it said.

It was his lord.

“Milad… I mean, Chief.”

Seeing Gilmi kneel on one knee, Narsa couldn’t help but shake her head and laugh, feeling a bit lonely.

“Just call me as usual.”

“…Why are you here, Chief?”

“Because I thought you’d be here.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Unconsciously, he raised his head.

“I played here a lot in the past,” she said.

“…You did,” he replied.

It was back when her father was still alive. When she received a bow, and competed with Gilmi. Those were warm memories.

“When dad first picked you up, I thought I’d made a younger brother.”

“Your words are wasted on this lowly one.”

“You were amazing today. It felt like I was looking at my late father.”

“…I could never reach Master Gilan. Just the thought of being compared scares me.”

“Hey~ Gilmi.”

As she leaned against the giant tree, she held in her hands the meteor bow.

“Is this village worth protecting to you?”

Those words pierced at her and his’ chest. Gilmi had always felt admiration for Narsa’s father. But he passed away, and the one to succeed him was Narsa, who was raised like a sibling to him.

But she was weaker than Gilmi. In her bow handling, and even in her leadership.

“It is worth protecting. No matter what the price may be,” answered Gilmi as he looked straight into her eyes.

Narsa met his gaze, and her gaze appeared both relieved and sad.

“Then I should give this to you,” she said.

It was the proof of being a chief in the village, the Meteor Bow.Byunei Bow

“Ganra’s village will never wither and die, right?” she said. “And the one to carry this is the chief…”

“Don’t say it anymore. I’m tired already. I’m weak. I’m not like you or that eastern chief… I can’t become strong. Even back there in the meeting… I was just acting as a mouthpiece for the elders.”

As her cramped voice leaked, all the pain she’s been hiding broke free, and Gilmi couldn’t help but feel his chest ache.

“I can’t accept this,” he said.

“No matter what?” she asked.

“You are the chief, Master Narsa. You cannot give that away.”

Narsa wants to retire now because of the hardship. But if she were to truly lose the title of “chief”, then she wouldn’t have a home to come back to anymore.

If so… then for what purpose would Gilmi continue to fight?

“But if it’s possible. If I could ask for one thing, then I would like to receive the title of The First Archer (Gadieta).”

“If you want it, then I’ll give it to you. You have that much strength after all.”

As Narsa looked up to the giant tree, she said to Gilmi.

“Hey, Gilmi. Am I good enough to be your chief?”

“…You are my pride. There is no one more fitting.”

“I see.”

“Yes.”

And like that, Ganra’s night came to an end.

The next day, the goblins from Ganra’s village attacked the Village of Gaidga.

TL Note: What do you guys prefer? The First Archer or The First Shooter? The latter is technically more correct, but it doesn’t really matter, since the shoot there refers to arrows anyway. And they do specialize in bows. Let me know in the comments as I’m wondering whether to revert it back to shooter or just keep archer.

Also, sorry for the delays, but the schedule will probably continue to be a bit iffy due to constructions. As I mentioned before, I’ll make up for the chapters once everything settles down. The queue too.