In exchange for inflicting damage on oneself, oneâs physical abilities are heightened.
After seeing everyoneâs status, I began organizing the soldiers. I reorganized the druids with the newly evolved Shaman, Gi Do, as one of the main pillars. I moved the wounded to the back and had those still able to fight to form new three-man cells, then I created a new unit with ten such cells.
I distributed the soldiers in order to the Battle Demon, Gi Jii Yubu, the assassin, Gi Ji Arsil, and to the rest of the noble goblins.
When all was done, I went to the house the elves gave me.
âHow are you doing?â I asked.
âYouâve been spoiling me a lot, Boss,â Shumea wryly smiled as she raised herself up on the bed.
âDonât worry, Iâll work you lots once youâre up and running.â
It would be a pity to lose her. I still need her in the war against the humans.\nI know full well from this war against the elves just how difficult it is to gather intel in a war between different species.
Before the war against the elves had broken, while we were still fighting the demihumans, what would have happened if one of my allies happened to slip into the enemy lines?
It wasnât exactly Shureâs idea, but after one of ours infiltrated the enemy lines, the enemy became divisive and the war progressed smoothly.
Still, I didnât expect someone like Pale to join the fray. Symphoriaâs resistance was a lot greater than expected.
In any case, there is one thing to learn here: I cannot fight a united human race.
ââŠIs that my punishment?â Shumea asked.
âYes, so you should heal up until then,â I said.
âBeing tolerant is good and all, but⊠Donât you think youâre being too lenient, Boss?â
I raised one of my brows and wryly smiled. âThen Iâll have to think of a better punishment. I know, shall I whip you in the plaza for all to see?â
âW-W-Wait a moment! Iâll die if you do that!â Shumea said in panic, arms flailing.
I folded my arms. âIf you think my punishment is too light, work yourself hard enough to make up for it. But right now you should rest. I canât have you work while injured. I mean you canât even use your strength, can you?â
âWell, alright. Canât say I really have anything to complain about when youâre feeding me all the yummy stuff and letting me sleep on this fluffy bed,â Shumea said, then she heaved a sigh and looked up at me. âHey, Boss, about SelenaâŠâ
âWe donât know yet. If itâs something I can help, Iâll try to tide things over, donât worry.â
âThis debt is going to be heavy.â
âDonât worry. Iâll work you so hard youâll start screaming.â
âOoh, scary⊠Then I guess Iâll have to rest lots.â
âThatâs right. Rest. Rest well.â
The war against the humans aside, I do hold her tendency to risk her life for others highly. Besides, I didnât exactly want to see a young woman die anyway⊠It wouldâve reminded me of Reshia, after all.
Try and try as I might to forget, the events of that day continue to haunt me.
A little glance away from the battlefield, a moment of negligence⊠and all of the sudden, the worst possible end flashes through my mind.
Gripping my hands tight, I desperately denied such a conclusion.
âWait for meâŠâ I whispered.
Brushing away the cries of remorse welling from deep within, I moved on.