Chapter 62

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I internally breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Aluhaliha nod.

Honestly speaking, the sacrifices in this battle were just too much. The newly added Ganra are all half-dead. And although I’ve laid out an encirclement with Gi Gu and Gi Go coming from around the back, that encirclement is actually nothing more than a thin sheet of paper.

“Stop fighting! Paradua has surrendered! It’s our victory!”

With victory declared, enemy morale plummeted.

As my subordinates cheered, the Paradua grew solemn. We gathered the defeated goblins into one area, and then I had my subordinates monitor them.

“Well done, Gilmi.”

“Too many lives were lost.”

As Gilmi hung his head, I told him.

“But no one else has been able to make Paradua surrender with just these many losses, right? So it’s a job well done.”\nTo be honest, I was half-dubious whether Gilmi could come back alive. So I had the stealthy Gi Ji hide himself in their escape route to serve as decoy should Gilmi and the others be annihilated.

Yet two out of three of the Ganra goblins actually managed to survive. Although that’s only about 10 goblins, that’s still a lot.

“We’ll talk about your reward later. You should think about it well.”

Rewards should be properly given to the successful. It could be said that Gilmi’s results so far are unequalled. If he can show that strength as my follower from now on, I’ll have to give him a suitable reward.

“Now then, Aluhaliha of Paradua.”

Gi Go with his curved sword and Gi Gu with his axe were standing around the captured Paradua Goblins, paying careful attention to them.

“I’ll give you my life. In exchange, please save my subordinates.”

As Aluhaliha sat on the ground, he had an expression on him that seemed to say he would accept anything.

“Hmm, very well.” After a little thinking, I nodded.

“Go save their wounded,” Gilmi said to one of the Ganra Goblins.

Hearing that, Aluhaliha and his adjutants heaved a sigh of relief.

The Ganra Goblins uses some kind of salve made from herbs to tend to their wounds. They handed that over to the Paradua Goblins, who immediately rubbed it over their wounds. They also used the leaves of the trees to cover the wounds.

I’ve always been relying on Reshia’s healing ability, so seeing the goblins use medicine shocked me. Of course, I didn’t let that show on my face. I just naturally glanced at the medicine.

If the effects of those medicine are good, then the value of the Ganra will go up again. After all, we’ve always only been relying on Reshia’s ability.

“You have my gratitude. Now, kill me.”

Aluhaliha who sat cross-legged on the ground shot a stern gaze that even looked somewhat challenging. In response, the corners of my mouth rose. I figured I should show as fierce a smile as possible.

“Just killing is boring, don’t you think?”

When I said that, the one to be startled was not Aluhaliha but his adjutants who were behind him. Their eyes darted back and forth between me and Aluhaliha.

“I don’t mind.” As if responding to my provocation, the corners of Aluhaliha’s mouth also rose. “Aluhaliha of Paradua is no coward. I’ll show you that I can endure any kind of death you wish to inflict upon me.”

He really doesn’t disappoint.

On the other hand, the goblins behind Aluhaliha grew noisy. The Ganra Goblins behind me also grew noisy. As the oldest chieftain within the four tribes, that resolve of his was enough to make even his enemies admire him.

“Then how about I have you fight against Gaidga?”

“…Are you mad?”

Aluhaliha answered my question with a question. I carefully observed Aluhaliha who was at a loss. It seems he’s a lot more lost than expected. Him being confused here is part of my plans, but I have no intention of telling him that.

“Well, there’s nothing I can do about it if you don’t want to. You can sit back and watch who exactly it was whom you chose to fight.” I said out loud as I ignored the wincing Paradua Goblins.

“Release the Paradua Goblins!” I commanded.

Paradua and Ganra alike were confused. But that’s only natural. After all, that enemy whom they have been fighting with just some time ago are suddenly being forgiven. It’s only a given they’d doubt their ears.

“Are you letting us go?” Aluhaliha asked.

“I don’t have any intentions of fighting you until the bitter end. My goal is the Ganra behind you.”

Then in front of the astonished Paradua and Ganra, I said out loud.

“I am going to become king. The king who shall lead you and your people to build a nation.”

“That’s impossible…”

“Do you really think so? That I am an untalented fool who does not know his place?”I said as I appeared weak as if everything I said just a while ago was a lie.

I need to persuade them that I am the only king.\nI looked down on the astonished Aluhaliha who was looking up to me.

“…In the case we do follow you, what will you do?”

“I will rule over everything. The forest, the humans, even the beastmen and even the elves! I will rule all of the land even until the very ends of the world! Beyond the ocean and even the heavens in which the birds fly! I shall rule over even the subterranean world where the giants sleep!”

“Something like that is…”

“I can do it! Gather under me, prideful Paradua!”

I shall carve my name upon this beautiful world. For the sake of that ambition, everything shall be sacrificed. I shall walk the path of conquest – For that is the very reason why I am here.

When Aluhaliha heard my words, he looked down to the ground and hung his head.

“I am old,” he deeply sighed. At those words, the Paradua Goblins finally regained themselves after being shocked by my words.

“If I were only a little younger… Perhaps 10 years younger, then I would accompany you in your quest for world domination.”

Did it not work? Well, that’s fine too. Although it’ll take more time, it’s not like I don’t have other tricks. While everyone was focused, Aluhaliha continued.

“King of the East, I shall take off my helm. I leave my people in your care.”

After deeply bowing, he turned to his tribe.

“Prideful Paradua. My brethren, on this day forth, I am stepping down as your chief.”

Goblin Name Cheat Sheet:

The Paradua Goblins grew noisy as they looked at each other.

“My successor shall be Hal. And from this day on, this goblin here shall be one of the leading pillars of our tribe. If there are any of you dissatisfied, you may leave. I won’t mind.”

Not a hint of that oppressive aura he had been using until now could be felt in his words. He was like a tired old man with that earnest speech of his. The Paradua Goblins all listened attentively, not even whizzing a cough.

After some time passed and no one left, Aluhaliha once again looked at his brethren that he fought to protect.

“You don’t mind, right?”

Aluhaliha looked around once again to check. After which, he turned to me, and said.

“King, from this day forth, Paradua shall raise its spear in your name.”

Aluhaliha deeply bowed, and I quietly nodded.

And so… I acquired one of the pieces I sought.