While staring at the passing clouds, Adeltrud was sitting on the edge of the cart. Her Ejection Gear is also placed beside her by kneeling on the heels.
âEru-kun has stopped movingă»ă»ă»ă»â
After the clash, every Rubel Clanâs member were eradicated. The carts which had been carried by the Rubel Clan are now in the hands of Kaellous Clan. Using the four-legged demonic beast to pull the cart, they are going at slow pace. Alongside the cart was Ernesti who had recovered Ikarugaâs wreckage.
âEru-kunïœ. Ikaruga wonât recover even if you held it that much, isnât it?â
âIt doesnât matteră»ă»ă»ă»I cană»ă»ă»ă»I can feel the strength coming from itâ
âAah. Eru-kun has turned into a good-for-nothing personâ
He was refusing to leave Ikarugaâs side and didnât even trying to move either. Seeing Eru in that such state, Addy let out her breath on a sigh.
Thereâs nothing she could do right now, the best way she can do is leave him alone while riding the cart to pulled them away. After absentmindedly without doing anything, a voice come down from their overhead.
âItâs not the time to sleep, goblin Braverâ
Beside the cart, there is the Third-eyed Seat of Brave who took a peek at them while running along the cart.
âWe will soon arrive at capital of the Hundred. However, we canât keep to bring these carts foreverâ
They are heading to capital of the Hundred to fight the Rubel Clan. There is no fighting power for a such inanimate object like these carts. No matter how strong Eru and Addy are, they sure canât afford to protect them all.
âIt would be good if we leave it somewhereă»ă»ă»ă»â
Of course, Eru has shown extreme reluctance to his statement.
âI cannot leave Ikaruga just because it got broken! I must have to keep it from being stolen again!!â
Addy shook her head in the front of reluctant Eru who was still hugging the wreckage.
âThis is not good. If you wanted to force Eru-kun in that state, you will need to resolve yourself to fight himâ
âTo that extend?â
Even for the Brave, he doesnât want to fight Eru for no such reason. And Eru might even opposing him seriously.
âFumu. But, wonât it hard to move while bringing these carts?â
By using their small number and sneak into their baseââ is one of strategy that had been suggested by no other than Eru himself. While the titans are still need his advice, it would be difficult too if they leave the cart along with Eru.
âIn other words, it would be okay if we have a reason to not throw it, right?â
âI wonder if thatâs the case?â
Although Addy was tilting her head, Eru was rather oddly motivated.
âLet see about that. First, this cart is the one which have been brought by Rubel Clanâs soldiers. I mean, they wouldnât be thinking to throw this cart if they really need it rightă»ă»ă»? Second, wonât be more valuable for us to keep the Stained Beastâs material rather than throwing them up?â
Not only Silhouette Knight wreckage, but the Stained Beastâs carcass also loaded in the cart which had been carried by Rubel Clan.
âFine. I know, I know. Leaving aside we canât throw it away, however, we canât also leave it as it isâ
It can be said Eru has a silver tongue when it comes to a humanoid weapon. Meanwhile the warrior who had always been come to fight; the Brave cannot refute back to argue with Eru. And the brave was rather quickly given up after remembering about Eru nature.
âI agree too. At least we must create a base somewhere in this forestâ
When theyâre looking around the surrounding, nothing but a dense trees and tropical ground can be seen. Although one can assume if they proceeding the forest without leaving a mark is same like throwing them away. At any rate, they must create something as a landmark if they decided to hide it in the forest.
âUnderstood. Letâs start with proceeding furtherâ
The titans began to continuing their advance with the four-legged demonic beast along them. Eventually, the road has gradually changed into wide and firm place. Granted, itâs a place where many other titans who were also using that place. By knowing that, the Third-eyed Seat of Brave has begun to increase his cautiousness and nervousness.
âă»ă»ă»ă»We will arrive at the capital of the hundred. Do not lost your sightâ
All of the Kaellous Clanâs members were nodding their head in agreement. Still no one knows when they will encounter someone in Rubel Clanâs members. Its not weird given the situation they are already in the enemy base.
By using the stolen helmet and armor, they are gambling how far they can go and if they were fighting in here, they will easily be crushed by sheer number of the enemy.
âIf we have to fight, we canât protect it alone goblin Braverâ
âI donât mind. I will destroy every existence who want to touch my belonging without mercyâ
They had not understood the reason but, it seems they are not worrying about it anymore.
â
As far as theyâre proceeding it further, finally the time has come. A huge shadow has appeared beyond the roadside. A giant-like humanoid form mixed with lump of metal. The closer they came at it, the more they realize it was an armed Rubel Clanâs member.
âIt would be nice if we can ignore it, but at least I want to gather some information about themâ
âYou want to ask them? I think notâ
Behind his helmet, the Brave shows his bitter face. It was unlikely for the Brave to exchange words with the loathing Rubel Clanâs soldiers. And so, the One-eyed Seat of Servant who had been carrying their baggage all this time, come before the Brave.
âLeave it to me Braveâ
As he said that, he takes the lead. Eventually, closing up their distance and close enough to exchanging words. As for Eru and Addy, they are secretly hide in the wreckage. Because they are not sure if they should be seen to them.
âHalt. You there, what are you carrying on that cart?â
Just as they thought, one of the Rubel Clanâs members start talking to the one in the lead. In response to the question, the One-eyed Seat of Servant from Kaellous Clan replied.
âAgreed. We brought the Stained Beast and Mystic Beastsâ corpse hereâ
When the Servant pointed his finger in the cart direction, the Rubel Clanâs member smirked after taking a glance.
âHmm. That was goblinâs food, wasnât it? Then just carry it at onceâ
In the shadow of the wreckage, Eru and Addy look at each other. They have realized something on the titanâs word. And the Servant continued to ask a question to the Rubel Clan without knowing there is someone who heard their conversation secretly.
âUnderstood. Then, where should I carry it?â
âAs usual. To the goblinâs settlementâ
As if they were saying the most obvious thing, soon theyâre leaving and spits without interest.
âRight. Then, which direction is the goblinâs settlement?â
After continuously asking a question, the Rubel Clanâs members stopped their advance and looked back slowly. A slight nervousness runs through the Brave guts and withdrawing his weapon whenever he ready to strike them down. As he thought they had asked them too many questions.
However, although they have tilted their helmet a bit, the next moment, they are responding with a mocking voice and told him bluntly.
âHmm? Given by your eyes, I thought you are smarter than that? Obviously, it was over there. Did you have not opened your eyes properly?â
While they glanced at him with a sneering expression, they had pointed to the other separated road.
âI see. Thank you, I must go nowâ
Although his response is kind of laid-back, every Kaellous Clanâs member continued moving the cart forwards. Behind them, a faint laughter can be heard as they could imagine it clearly what are the Rubel Clanâs members talking about.
Then, after passing over the Rubel Clanâs members, the Brave went to the Servantâs side. Even though the Brave was doing his best to keep quiet, his face now looks something like a dreadful criminal beyond the helmet.
âIâm sorry to have you close your eyes to face the Rubel Clană»ă»ă»ă»â
When the Brave grabs his axe tightly, the Servant understood what he means and shook his head in disagreement.
âI am the Servant, the one who will follow its master. The Brave duty is to fight. Therefore, other than fighting is my role. I do not mind itâ
âă»ă»ă»ă»Leave it to me. When the time for enquiry has come, let us fight with all of our mightâ
Once again, the Brave has renewed his resolution. He cannot betray the expectation from his own clan.
âNee, Eru-kun. Its look like we will head to the goblin placeâ
âLetâs see, when they were looking at the wreckage, they are immediately point to the goblinâs settlement direction. Iâm grateful for it but, what else could they have in there?â
While they were being drifted away by the cart, Eru and Addy are lost in the train of thought after proceeding through to the forest.
Anyway, the Kaellous Clan had no idea where this path will lead them to, still they have no other choice than moving toward the direction indicated. Also, when the road divided into other path again, for the time being they had to choose the same direction like before. The road they had took before were already headed into different direction, of course.
âLooks like we have arrived. Hou, is that what they call goblinâs settlement?â
The treeâs density had become sparse, entering the open spaced place.
In there, there are a small building obviously too small for a titan which had been lined up. And there was a thin smoke rising from all over place, they even could feel the breath of life between them.
âWell then, weâve found it. Whatâs to do next?â
âYeah, we canât hand over our baggage to them thoughâ
Thereâs no way for Eru to hand over his precious treasure which had been carried in the cart. But at that time, he suddenly raised his face and twitched his nose like he smells something.
âThis is, the smell, of blacksmithă»ă»ă»ă»â
âEru-kun, did you get any strange quirks againâ
Despite Addyâs confused looks, Eru has begun to think about that village. The existence of goblinââthe similar shape which had been carried in the cartââand the technique of blacksmithing.
âă»ă»ă»ă»Perhaps, they were the one in charge to process the material. So, I could fathom why we must bring the material here. If I am right, we might able to persuade them to help with anythingâ
The answer is clear.
With a big grin, his face has changed to form a (evil) smile.
âTo the goblin? But we wonât know if the Rubel Clan really keep them that wayâ
âYes. Thatâs why letâs us suppress it. Their scale seems small, and we could easily conquer them with our small numberâ
âTheyâre the same race like you, arenât theyă»ă»ă»ă»?â
Although the surrounding titans seems taken back, only Eru who was full of motivation.
â
On that day, the goblinâs village was hit by sudden uproar. The heavy footsteps can be heard from the other side of the road which the only path leading to them, as if it was driving away the tranquility while they are still working in the middle of the day.
âIs thată»ă»ă»ă»huh!? A giant!?â
âWhat they want in our lowly villageă»ă»ă»ă»the âpaymentâ day hasnât arrived yetâ
âI donât knowă»ă»ă»ă»ă»inform this to the chief, quickly to the village chief!â
They were in havoc after seeing a group of titans who wearing an armor approaching to them steadily, because it was very rare for a titan coming to this distant land. The villageâs resident, regardless of adult or children, were forced to lock their doors and windows while shutting themselves away in their homes. Although, thereâs no meaning to lock themselves in their homes, but for now, they had no other place to flee from them.
The village has engulfed in tranquility, as if they were living to hold their breath from the approaching titanâs footsteps.
âWhat a small settlement for a goblinâ
At the end of the road, the Brave sighed after looking around on the entrance of the village. Still, this village is not much different from a small scale like the Kaellousâs settlement among the other clan. Moreover, their buildings are just for a goblin, so it was rather hard to stand out.
When they were waiting at the villageâs entrance, a few goblins tottered unsteadily while coming to greet them. Apparently one of them is already old and walk slowly than the other.
âă»ă»ă»ă»ă»So that was a goblin. They are truly a normal human after allâ
Eru who was watching quietly from the shadow in the cart, uttered a groan after looking at them. No matter how they look, everyone who had lived in this village and been called as a goblin were just a normal âvillagerâ. There is no difference between the people who lived here and the people who lived in Flemmevira Kingdom or in the west. However, they seem wearing rugged clothes which likely have been worn out many times in the past. Although their atmosphere was even worse than the rural area in the kingdom.
Then, among the gathered attentions, the elderly people had come to the titansâ feet on their knees and lowering their head into the ground. Although their shape was already small, they are even smaller as if the ground itself.
âOhă»ă»ă»ooh, m, may I ask what kind of business for Your Grace to come to this lowly village? Perhaps, we still have a time before the payment day for this yeară»ă»ă»â
As they spoke with a trembling voice, they canât even lift their own faces. There is a 18m titan before them, and they could be easily crushed even if they slightly worsen the titan mood. However, they seem have another reason beside their excessive fear.
Well, so far, the Kaellous Clan had to come here for no specific reason. Although the one who seriously planned to conquer the village is only Eru.
âThatâs wrong. We were just carrying the materialâ
âI, I, I am afraid Your Grace has mistaken for lowly village like usă»ă»ă»ă» According to Your Grace, the right path to take would be the âupper townâ directionâ
The surrounding titans look at each other face. Of course, they donât know the goblin have a multiple settlement.
âI see. But, must we carry this to upper town-or-somewhat too?â
Soon after that, their faces come in bewilderment. For a titan, they donât really care about the goblin society.
At that time, a bell-like voice can be heard in the cart direction.
âThen, how about we took a rest in here?â
âHmmâ
Clearly, another voice can be heard among the surrounding titan. When the village chief raises its fearful face in astonishment, a small shadow standing on the cart could be seen.
A small figure standing out among the group of intimidating titans with armor. No matter how they look at it, the small figure that looked like a child was standing there beside the surrounding titans confidently.
The village chief opened his mouth after comparing the small figure with the titan, shortly after that he had noticed something different between the hair color and attire.
âH, howă»ă»ă» can be for an upper townâs ânobilityâ like yourself in this lowly place?â
In the amazed elderly and the groaning village chief. Eru who still doesnât really understand whatâs going on, start to tilt his head while the villagers were lowering their head to him.
Aside from their situation, the surrounding titan began to discuss each other.
âWhat are you going to do, Brave? Build a base in here for a while?â
âToo small for us. However, I do not mind at all. I think the goblin Braver will be satisfied if we leave it hereâ
For the Kaellous Clan, they didnât really mind at all about the village itself.
âI hear there is no other clan who comes here. In that case, encountering them would be unlikely thenâ
âLetâs go for a hunt first. We have eaten too much in these past few days. We need to replenish back our reserveâ
While the goblins are having conversation, the titan was trying to give a breath among themselves. Thus, the group began to settle down in the village of goblin for a time being.
â
Without troubling the villagers, the Kaellous Clan have begun to hunt in vicinity after dropping their baggage. Even though there were not too many, with reasonable results they are lining up their prey in satisfied looks. First, they need eat a food for today. When they are handling the prey by chopping them, they pass it to the fire for a while. As always, the titanâs cuisine was truly astonishing.
âThis is yours Braverâ
âThank you as alwaysâ
After receiving suitable piece of meat, Eru and his company will prepare the dinner. For a titan, one slice of meat is same as huge-pile of meat for a human being, which had been cut nicely by Addy. Although she was trying to cook using many different kinds of herbs, her expression becomes cloudy soon after that.
âHmmm, as I thought thereâs not enough seasoningïœ. I wonder if I can trade something hereâ
When the Kaellous Clanâs settlement was attacked, they had lost a lot of luggage because of that. And without any supply, their food is become more and more tasteless. But now, they have come to this far, there are many things they wanted to replenish in this full of lifeâs place.
While thinking about that, Addy shook her head by looking around. Soon, her eyes meet with a villager. Although the villager was rather a small child thought.
The children who had been watching them for a long time, were staring at the meat which has been cut off by Addy.
Eru and Addy looked at each other face without nothing but unshaken enthusiasm.
âă»ă»ă»ă»Nee, want to eat this?â
â!? Ahă»ă»ă»ă»uuâ
The children didnât expect being called up by them, as if they were wanted to run away, soon they are immediately stopped in hesitation. Their gaze now reciprocates between the lump of meat and Addy.
âWhat should I do? Trade and exchange it with some-kind of materials?â
âThatâs worth considering bută»ă»ă»ă»before that. I will give you a meat in exchange would you hear my story?â
The children were even more puzzled and hesitated for a while, eventually they had come closer. Even if given a meat that have been cooked, they didnât even mind the heat.
âDo you like this meatâ
âYesă»ă»ă»ă»yes!! Itâs delicious!! Very delicious!!â
Although, without much seasoning but only cooked by a fire. Eru had narrowed his eyes after seeing them eat like a feast.
âAre you usually doesnât eat that much meat?â
âYes! Because we need to hunt for thatâ
âă»ă»ă»ă»ă»Houâ
Eru was listening with a slight smile on his faceââbut, for Addy who had always be with him, know what he will thinking for. Thatâs a face when he started to planning something.
âEru-kună»ă»ă»ă»?â
âI see. I think this will be a good âbusinessesâ for usâ
When the children were eating with them, the adults who looks like their blood had been drained from their face, ran through to them.
âWh, what areă»ă»ă»ă»ă»!! What are you guys doing here!!â
Their face turned to white when they are seeing Eru and Addy after appearing in anger. They soon bow down on the spot as if they were rubbing of their head into the ground.
âHow can you so rude to the nobles!! Howeveră»ă»ă»ă»however they are still a children, please! Please be mercy at usă»ă»ă»ă»!!â
âI hear this village is forbidding to huntâ
Eru asked them while ignoring their beggar.
The villagers trembled in fear, because they could not ignore his question and raises their head.
âă»ă»ă»ă»We are not only one who live in here. If we enter the forest carelessly, we will easily become the beastâs prey. Therefore, the honorary âKnightâ forbit us to huntâ
âI see, it would be dangerous if you encounter demonic beast, right?â
Although Addy was convinced after hearing that, Eru has sensed something wrong in the story.
âIâve been thinking since the first time I come here but. Slightly, feels off, right?â
âWhat are you mean?â
âWhy the giant wonât live together with the goblin in this village?â
This is a village only for a goblin. A village dedicated to a small person which located in the corner of the demonic forest; Bocuse Sea of Trees.
âFor us, we had to use Silhouette Knight to repel the demonic beast. But there is nothing here. Although I can understand if they are scared being protected by the giants but, thereâs nothing like thatâ
While looking around, Eru let the villagers raise their head and stood among them.
âWhy they forbit to enter the forest because it was dangerous but was forsaken in the forest? Itâs almost like, they had been treated like no one cares if they died in here?â
âThat would be right if you say it like that. But, what should we do?â
With a kind smile, Eru slowly stands in the front of the villagers. They donât know what kind of speech he would give to them while trembling in fear.
âI have something to discuss with the villagers here. Would you like to have a deal? I will give you enough foot and securityâ
Eru put the cooked meat in front of them. And the villagers who saw it got their stomach pangs.
âIn return, I want you to provide blacksmithing technology for usâ
Ah that was your aims from the start
At that time, the first one who notice that was Addy.
â
âYes, yes. Line up properly please. Itâs okay, we still have many so please be patient. Itâs not like we normally can eat the whole duel class demonic beast at allâ
In the next day, a duel class demonic beast which had been hunted by the titan placed in the center of the village. By Addy command, the woman in the village were taking it apart and dismantling it together.
âWell then. Because the demonic beastâs muscle is hard, it would be troublesome if we donât handle it properly!â
In the first place, Addy has considerable cooking skill, and she has completely mastered dismantling a demonic beast while living among the titan.
She had to arrange the unskilled villagers without a miss.
The line of sight of the women who were following Addyâs command was oddly glistening. With a knife in the hand and a basket in the back, they were participating in a war to get as much meat as possible. For the villagers, the opportunity to get enough meat was valuable enough to think it like a battle.
âIâm sorry for asking to hunt more for usâ
âI do not mind. We didnât have any trouble to cover for a whole goblin. Moreover, it was natural to get reward from the hard workâ
This is not just a good intention. But it was a contract and business negotiation. The villagers who had received the meat will fix the Kaellous Clanâs armor.
âBecause the âspoils of warâ we get from the Rubel Clan were different size with usâ
âPlease leave it to us! We already used to make an armor for Your Grace to wear!!â
The men who were gathering at the titan continue to appeal one after another. Rather than appealing to work hard, it was an attitude to give them more meat after all.
And then, the duel class demonic beast is dismantled before the villagerâs appetite. At that night, a banquet was held in the center of the village. Drinking the treasured alcohol and eat the cooked meat.
Addy was also happy to get their seasoning, including the herb they had used first time in their live. It was better to cook with a proper seasoning after all.
âWell then, we can make the Outer Skeleton with thisă»ă»ă»ă»â
In the loud voice, Eru has deeply smiled in satisfaction.
â
Thus, the time has flown so fast.
âHow about that masterâ
âFumu, this is good. It wonât get in my way. Hmm, I cannot underestimate the goblin skill at allâ
âWell, we are eating a meat nowadays. So, everyone were also motivated by thatâ
The villagers have worked hard. In the first place, this village has many blacksmiths and their main livelihood were producing an armor for the Rubel Clan but got replaced by a deal with Kaellous Clan.
As a result, not only meat, but their food situation was also had been improved at once. Because blacksmithing is a physical labor and their food had increased, the blacksmiths are getting better and healthier. So, they can move more energetically.
The one who have increased their work is not only the blacksmiths. Everyone in the village were making a dried meat after getting the meat from the demonic beast. They intend to use the food without exception. In their eyes, there was a glimpse of an extraordinary obsession in them. At the same time, they were also preparing to make a dried meat for the Kaellous Clan.
In the busily village, Eru and Addy have visited the village chief.
âAah. My, my. We are really grateful for a noble like yourself and of course without the giant help we still able to live to this extendâ
âNo, no. This is what they call a business. More importantly, we have a few things to ask you todayâ
The old village chief nods in smile while advising Eru and Addy to take the brewed tea.
âYes, Iâll answer it everything I knowâ
âI am probably not a noble like you have knownâ
Unable to understand the sudden released words, the village chief blinked his eyes.
âWe might even not a goblin either. I want to know about the tribe called goblin who looks like ours, and able speak in the same language like oursâ
With a fluffy smile, Eru has done taking a sip of tea.