Jigglypuff's Diary

TL Note: Sorry it’s a few minutes late, but here it is! Enjoy~

Chapter 26: Legend

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 26
[Class] Duke; Horde Chief
[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<Insurgent Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship B->> <<Insatiable Desire>> <<King’s Soul>> <<Ruler’s Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> <<Dance at Death’s Border>> <<Red Snake’s Eye>> <<Magic Manipulation>> <<Soul of a Crazed Warrior>> <<Third Impact (The Third Chant)>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)
[Attributes] Darkness; Death
[Subordinate Beasts] Kobold (Lv9)
[Abnormal Status] <<Charm of the Saint>>

Amongst the newly added horde of druids, 30 could be counted as warriors. Within that 30, 25 are able to actually use magic in combat.

I gave a name to the goblin rare leading that horde.

“I name you Gi Za,” I said.

The goblin rare thanked me, but at the same time, he made a difficult face. This is the first time I’ve gotten this sort of response.

“What? Unsatisfied?” I asked.
“No… I just realized that there really is no such thing as a perfect man,” shrugged Gi Za.

Well I’m sorry I have no taste!

The non-combatants from the new horde along with the combatants total to 50.

We took all those goblins along with us, and we returned back to the settlement.

◇◆◆

With the druids added, we now number 142 goblins in total.

92 combatants, and 50 non-combatants that include the female, the elderly, and the larvae. We’ve become quite the big family now.

Gi Gu also fulfilled his task of protecting the village with no problem, and our hunting right now is proceeding favorably as well.

I reformed the three-man cells with the druids, then I showed them how we hunted, and the day ended.

The next day, I used the [Skill] <<Red Snake’s Eye>> to evaluate the goblins, picked out the promising goblins, and then had them form three-man cells under Gi Ga.

When the sun began to set, I led Gi Ga and his group to hunt the south. And when the sky began to turn dark, we took our spoils and went back to the village.

When I got back, I followed my usual schedule, and went over to Reshia’s jail. But then I noticed that someone had gone ahead of me.

“Gi Za, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“Nothing in particular,” he replied.

Gi Za seems to hunger for knowledge quite a bit. Even in our previous duel, it was for that reason that he had asked for Reshia to be his reward.

But because of that, it seems Reshia’s come to hate him, and has been refusing to talk to him. Unfortunately for him, Reshia is the king’s treasure, leaving him at a standstill, unable to do anything. It’s quite rare actually, seeing this goblin make such a bitter smile.

It must be because his features resemble humans that his expression now strangely reeks of humanity.

“You got here at just the right time. I was just about to visit Reshia. Come,” I said, to which Gi Za replied with a bow, saying, “Thanks.”

A rather rare sight seeing this goblin bow. But then again, I wonder just how exactly you rejected this goblin, Reshia? For this overconfident goblin to be troubled so.

I’m actually more concerned about that than my discussion with Reshia.

As I entered the jail, Reshia saw me. Then quickly after, she saw Gi Za follow from right behind. Immediately, a deep valley bore through her forehead.

“Why is that goblin here?” she asked, visibly irritated.
“He wants to talk too, apparently,” I replied.
“I’m talking because it’s you. I don’t want to talk with that goblin,” bluntly replied Reshia.
“Oh, come on, don’t say that. Consider it as a request from me,” I said, trying to coax her to agree.

Reshia mumbled to herself, then replying in a faint voice, almost whispering, she said, “Fine… But only when you’re around.”

“Looks like I’m hated,” shrugged Gi Za, bitterly smiling.

Ｗhat a persistent man, I thought. Then continuing, I said,

“Today I want to talk about the gods.”
“You mean, their legend?” asked Reshia, curious.
“Yes, especially the story of the god who birthed the earth and his daughters… Hmm? What’s the matter?”

For some reason, Reshia was frozen still, shocked, with a strange expression on her face.

“Ah, no… I was just a bit surprised. I didn’t expect that you’d actually be interested in the pedigree of the gods,” she replied.

I looked back towards Gi Za, and asked,

“Is it that strange?”
“Well… you’d normally ask for something more normal. Like the practical uses of magic for example,” replied Gi Za.

Hearing that, I thought, Oh, so that’s what he’s after. Then I asked Reshia,

“Hmm… Reshia, do you also find the stories of the gods to be meaningless?”
“Ah, no. I don’t think so at all. After all, to gain knowledge from the study of the history of the gods is the raison d’etre of us, apostles,” replied Reshia.

The raison d’etre of apostles?

“That apostle of god of yours… is there some special meaning to it?” I asked.
“Yes. In our world, that is to say in the human world, there is something which we call, religion. Do you have something like that as well?” replied Reshia.
“Do we?” I asked, throwing the question to Gi Za.
“Nope,” curtly replied Gi Za. “Our way of living is simple. Those with no power, die. Those with power, we obey. But of course, we do also have some hint of love for the gods that grant us their divine protection.”

There are also cases like me though, where we don’t find ourselves having any sort of attachment or gratefulness even after receiving divine protection like the one I got from Altesia. But then again, I’m probably in the extreme minority.

As I thought that to myself, Reshia said,

“I see. Then it might be difficult for you to understand, but amongst humans there are those that receive, and those that don’t receive the favor of god.”

Well this discussion has turned rather troublesome. Reshia doesn’t look like she’s planning on stopping any time soon either.

I feel like I’ve pressed a dangerous switch. Not good, I’m starting to regret bringing this topic up.

At that, I decided to interrupted Reshia. Hesitating, I said,

“W-Wait Reshia.”
“… In other words– Yes? What is it?” said Reshia as she shot me a gaze that looked like it said, even though we were at such a good part!

“I know I don’t understand religion well; that’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about the gods,” I said.
“Sigh… Alright. Let’s talk about religion some other time then,” she replied, a little downhearted.

◇◆◇

The ancestor god, Kutiarga.

It was he who created the world.

He created the land within the great sea in seven nights and eight days. Then he cut off a part of his body to create a new god that would watch over his creation.

The mother goddess, Deetna.

Kutiarga worked together with the mother goddess that was born of a part of his own flesh, Deetna, to create new life one after another.

The god of water, the god of forest, the god of wind, the god of land, the god of illusions, the god of dreams, the god of starfaring… many, many gods. For where there is life, there is a god ruling over it.

The world became filled with gods, and Kutiarga and Deetna were satisfied. But when the mother goddess gave birth to the god of fire, she was burned. That wound became the reason for her death, and her trip to the world of the dead.

Kutiarga was saddened.

After all, he had just lost the person he had created life with, his literal other-half.

In his grieving, he sank his body into this world, leaving only behind the order to create more life to his children. And his wish for him and Deetna to become a part of the world they had created together, came true.

Following his wishes, the remaining gods worked together to create new life.

The gods of forest and water created the elves after the mother goddess they had looked up to.

The gods of land and wind shaved ores to create the demihumans.

The gods of illusion and dreams weaved together the dreams and illusions, creating the dragons.

The gods of starfaring passed through the different stars, gathering resources. And with those, they created the giants.

All that remained was the god of fire.

It was because of him that the mother goddess who had given birth to him, died. All alone and the youngest, he was the only god who could not create new life. For the other gods knew that it was because of him that the father and mother gods had died.

And his brothers and sisters refused to work with him
.
The oldest amongst the gods, the god of water, felt pity for the god of fire. He called the other gods, and everyone gave what they had left over to the god of fire.

The god of forest gave a long vine. The god of water brought cold water. The god of land brought a lump of land… and so on. Each of the gods brought to the god of fire the parts that they could not use.

But the god of fire persevered.

With his clumsy hands, he mixed water with the lump of earth, and kneaded it. He wished with all of his heart to mix that with all of the excess things he had received.

He recalled the figure of his father that he had once seen in his younger days.

Please, he wished. Let me give birth to life just as my father had.

And so… the humans were born.

And the gods scattered the lifeforms that they had created all over the land that their father had created.

The elves were sent to the deep secrets of the forest. The demihumans to the windy meadows. The dragons to the colossal mountains whose heights were almost dreamlike. The giants to the ground beneath. And the humans to the small beach.

As the different lifeforms worked together, they prospered, and grew in number.

Satisfied, the gods gradually made more life.

Beasts, magical beasts, and even those that the gods thought to be a failure did the gods bring forth into the world.

But the god of fire was sad.

For the humans he had created were far too weak compared to the other races.

So the god of fire consulted the god of water.

What should I do, he asked. And the god of water spoke of the time their father created their mother.

The god of fire cried and complained to the god of water, saying, but no one wants to work with me.

And the god of water suggested, why don’t you take half of your body and distribute it?

The god of fire was overjoyed.

Ahh, I see, he said. If I do that I won’t be alone anymore.

And so the god of fire used his own legs, and created the two moons. He used his right arm, and he gave man the God of Knowledge. He used his left arm, and he created the spirits. Then he used his own head, and gave birth to the God Who Birthed the Earth. And lastly, he used his body and created the sun.

The spirits broke contact with the humans as soon as they were born.

They were saddened by the death of the fire god, so they changed their form, and melded into the earth to save their creator, giving birth to the volcanoes that would birth new land.

Then the gods born of the fire god’s right arm and head came to be called the new gods.

The God Who Birthed Nations came to be known as Ativ. The Goddess of Wisdom, Hera.

The two gods wedded each other, and gave birth to the gods and goddesses that would guide humanity.

The eldest daughter, Altesia, took charge of valor. The eldest god, Gurdika, took charge of weapon and magic. The next daughter, Hekaterina, took charge of victory and glory. The third daughter, Liuryuna, ruled over destiny. And the fourth daughter was the goddess of healing, Zenobia.

They guided humanity. And Ativ and Hera worked together to create the concept of kingdoms.

But as the humans were developing, the gods’ world were on the verge of destruction.

The gods who had birthed life thoughtlessly began to argue amongst themselves who’s creation was the greatest.

Eventually the argument grew, and though the god of water, the eldest amongst them, tried to quell the fighting. Gradually, even the older amongst them were dragged into the fight.

Until eventually, the gods came up with an answer.

They told amongst themselves, let us find out whose creation is the strongest.

And so began a gruesome exchange of life and death.

The elves and the demihumans, the giants and the dragons, without mercy did the races kill each other. Yet within that chaos, that war of races, it was the humans protected by their gods that triumphed.

Clad within the valor of Altesia. The weapons and magic of Gurdika in their hands. The promise of victory and glory from Hekaterina. And through the guidance of the goddess of destiny, Liuryuna, humans known as heroes appeared to sacrifice themselves, saving humanity as Zenobia’s love saved the wounded.

And before anyone knew it, the humans held the biggest land and influence. They burned the forest, they shaved the mountains, they dug the earth and gathered precious ores, expanding their dominion.

The other races hated each other just as their gods had willed, but they possessed no power to fight the humans.

The power of the new gods led by Ativ was simply that powerful.

One of the gods looked on at that in annoyance, and eventually, that god proposed to the gods an idea.

Let’s have our mother, Deetna, return and bring peace to our world. Fighting is stupid after all, said the god.

The other gods agreed as even their power had fallen after all the killing.

And so the door to the world of the dead opened.

The gods prayed.

Mother goddess, Deetna, they prayed. Please guide us this one time.

But what greeted them from the other side was a den of snakes.

The snakes feasted upon the gods, and the world descended into darkness.

But the snakes were not the only ones to pass through the door. Magical beasts, monsters, and even the dead, all passed through.

The filthy and the corrupted beasts were released into the world.

The god of water who had somehow managed to survive along with the elder gods all felt fear at this crisis.

At this rate the world our father had created will be filled with death, they cried.

But the elves, demihumans, and giants that they had given birth to were powerless against the ceaseless forces of death.

It was then that a ray of light shot before them.

The humans that Ativ led, although only a little, were able to fight against the forces of death.

So the gods focused their powers towards the gods of the humans

And the demihumans, the dragons, the giants, the elves, and the humans were all unified under Ativ.

Ativ and Hera placed Altesia as the vanguard, allowing her to lead the coalition.

Show your courage!

Draw your weapon!

Believe in your destiny!

To victory and glory!

Altesia led the coalition, and with Gurdika, Liuryuna, and Hekaterina, they desperately fought the endless army of death.

Altesia was the vanguard, leading from the front with her sword brandished. Gurdika was at the center, creating weapon and magic one after another. Liuryuna would save those who would die from their destiny, and Hekaterina would sing praises of victory and glory, lifting everyone’s spirits.

After a hundred years of fighting, they were finally able to drive back the army of death through the door they had come from.

As Altesia’s sword pierced into the remains of Deetna’s corpse on the other side, the battle ended.

The old gods thanked the new gods, and they all returned to their respected regions without arguing. And they decided to live onwards without choosing a path of conflict.

It was the same for the lives they had created as well.

The elves went to the deep secrets of the forest.

The demihumans to the meadows and forests.

The dragons to the high mountains.

The giants went beneath the ground.

It was the age of the new gods.

When distressed, Altesia would come. And Gurdika would solve problems with his magic and weapons. While Liuryuna would lead the destiny of the people, and Hekaterina would promise glory and victory.

But their age of prosperity would not last long.

For the God Who Birthed the Earth, Ativ, was charmed by the beauty of Zenobia.

The goddess of wisdom, Hera, changed her appearance at Ativ’s change of heart, while Altesia burned in jealousy.

The weapons and magic Gurdika created eventually brought chaos to the world, and he stopped. Liuryuna who should be saving humans from death found herself intoxicated with the death of humans.

Hekaterina found herself in a dilemma in who to provide victory and glory to that she eventually forgot to bless anyone at all.

With the gods in that state, humanity gradually fell.

Depravity, putrefaction, and jealousy spread like the plague, and the humans grew to forget the pride they once carried with them as they grew fearful of sickness and death.

And Altesia continued to burn even more in jealousy.

The one who led the army, and drove away the army of death was her. Not anyone else, but her.

And yet, why is it only Zenobia? Why is it only her that is loved by Ativ?

The flames of jealousy burned within Altesia, and Ativ grew to become sick of her. So he handed to her the country of the dead for her to rule.

The country of the dead was left alone since the passing of Deetna, and was currently on the way to destruction.

At this rate, the country of the dead will be completely destroyed.

When their country is destroyed, they will leave theirs, and find themselves into the country of the humans again.

Altesia went to the country of the dead by herself, pulled Gurdika’s blade from the corpse of Deetna, and slayed the snakes.

Her wrath was terrifying, and eventually she came to rule the country of the dead.

And this time, the one to attack the country of the humans was her.

In the blink of an eye, she conquered the human world.

Ativ who had forgotten everything because of his love for Zenobia.

The goddess, Hera, who had changed her form.

Gurdika who had already decided not to create any more magic or weapons.

Liuryuna who found herself amused toying with destiny.

Hekaterina who had forgotten to bless victory and glory to anyone.

It was only when they were pierced by Altesia’s sword did they understand the depths of Altesia’s anger and despair.

The gods awoke when half the world had been taken by Altesia, and they put their powers together, and fought Altesia.

Ativ remembered to work with the people.

Hera shone the light of knowledge upon man again.

Gurdika began to create weapons and magic once more.

Liuryuna began to weave the threads of destiny, guiding the “heroes”.

Zenobia healed the wounded.

With the gods working together, they were able to fight against Altesia.

But there was no one who could fight against Altesia in the front lines.

The giant snake that would break the earth as it crawled. The black dragon that ruled the sky as it flew. The twin-headed snake that would rot the waters, and the snake that burned everything with its black flames.

With them, no one could stop Altesia.

Ativ was greatly perplexed; it was, after all, a disaster he had caused.

So he asked the old gods for help.

Many of them hesitated, but it was a fact that they owed him from the previous war.

So they joined the fight as Ativ’s allies.

And together, they were able to push Altesia back to the country of the dead.

Ativ and the other gods then swore an oath not to interfere with the humans too much. And then in order to weaken Altesia’s power, the gods went to sleep.

Here ends the age of the gods.

And the curtain on history is drawn.

◇◇◆

It was bright already by the time the story ended.

The only ones awake were me and Reshia.

Even Gi Za and Lili, who should’ve already been used to this, were asleep.

“Do you understand?” asked Reshia.
“Yeah…” I replied.

There’s just one thing that I absolutely have to confirm.

“Have you ever met Zenobia?” I asked.
“No? I’ve said it just now, but the gods hate to interfere with us,” she replied.
“Is that the same with Altesia?”
“Of course. That’s the very reason why the gods went into slumber.”

I see.

So for the humans, this is nothing but a legend. Or is Altesia just generally uninhibited? In any case, she’s not as distant as the humans say the gods are.

Which also goes to say that those heroes that I must kill might appear.

–––Show your courage, huh?

Why is it when I hear those words, I can’t help but see Altesia’s dazzling, gallant figure clad in armor at the back of my head?

*Thump

As I thought that, I felt an itch rise up from the coiled red snake on my right arm.

“…It was a good lesson,” I said, thanking Reshia.
“Right?” replied Reshia with a smile as she went to sleep.

I need to remember to exercise enough caution when talking to Reshia.

Anyway, I better sleep…

Author’s Note:

Reshia-sense’s lesson on the story of the gods.

The entire lecture lasted a total of 8 hours. As for breaks, they took 10 minute breaks every three hours.

TL Note: Just a short reminder, the druid chief is a goblin rare class. So when protag is talking about goblin rare during the fight, that’s him.

Chapter 25: Duel II

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 22
[Class] Duke; Horde Chiefs
[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<Insurgent Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship B->> <<Insatiable Desire>> <<King’s Soul>> <<Ruler’s Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> <<Dance at Death’s Border>> <<Red Snake’s Eye>> <<Magic Manipulation>> <<Soul of a Crazed Warrior>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)
[Attributes] Darkness; Death
[Subordinate Beasts] Kobold (Lv9)
[Abnormal Status] <<Charm of the Saint>>

Kicking myself off the ground, I filled my body with power, and accelerated.

The ground broke, and I turned into a blur. At the same time, I raised Iron Second (Great Steel Sword), and with a growl, I swung it down, seeking to cut the goblin rare into two.

Surprised, the goblin rare quickly retreated.

But he was too naïve.

Does he think I can’t chase such a slow retreat!?

Iron Second crashed into the ground. And using the force of its recoil, I swung the great sword and slashed at the goblin rare.

The [Skill] <<Swordsmanship B->> guided my sword, leading it towards my foe.

And with the mere legs of a goblin rare that’s inferior to mine, he couldn’t possibly dodge.

But just as my blade was about to hit him, the goblin rare chanted a spell,

“My vessel is clad in the wind (Accel),” he chanted.

And suddenly, the goblin before me vanished. And the blade I had swung, hit nothing but thin air.

“What splendid swordsmanship,” remarked a voice from behind.

A vicious smile appeared on my face. Then remarking, “…I see you’re quick on your feet,” I turned towards the goblin.

But at that same moment a blade of wind flashed towards me. Quickly, I swung my sword to repel it.

Then I gripped my sword with both of my hands, and I looked on at my foe.

As I thought, this one can’t be dealt with by ordinary means.

[Skill] <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> activated.

When the numbers favor me, this skill can show me the weaknesses of my enemy.

His weaknesses: The head, the heart, the staff… Hmm… So his staff is his weakness even though we’re both goblins.

As I was thinking quietly to myself, analyzing the goblin, he yelled, “Nothing will happen if you just stand there!”

As he yelled, the goblin thrust his staff into the ground, and chanted another spell.

“My heart rides on the wind (Windea).”

As soon as he chanted those words, the atmosphere shook, and four small tornadoes appeared around the goblin rare.

Are you planning to suffocate me!!? I thought to myself.

“Turn me into a blade (Enchant)!” I chanted.

Seeing the goblin rare conjure those gusts of wind, I cast my own spell, and clad my sword with the flames of darkness.

“GURUuuAAA!” I howled.

With the flash of my spirit, I crushed those tiny tornadoes with the great sword. But one of the tornadoes managed to cut through, and like a blade it struck me a wound.

It’s hot, I thought, as I felt the warm sensation of an open wound upon my feet. But contrary to those feelings, the goblin rare before me was quite happy.

“So you can also use magic!” he happily exclaimed.

Then the goblin rare began to chant a more powerful attack.

“O wind, let the wings–––“

But I wasn’t having any of that, and I immediately charged towards him with my sword wrapped in black flame, leaving the goblin rare no other option but to run away.

“Tch, my vessel is clad in the wind (Accel)!”

I wielded my great sword at my side. And I thrusted at the goblin rare as fast as I could, trying to catch him as I thrusted a thrust that could pierce even the wind.

Yet the enemy was still faster.

The goblin rare channeled the power of accel, and moved at a speed that made him seem as if he had vanished.

But as soon as I lost sight of him, I quickly reacted by swinging my sword as I turned back. Yet I felt no resistance as my blade swung through the air.

Did I miss!? I asked myself.

The resounding chant answered that question.

“Like a strong wind. Like a whirlwind (Wind Cutter),” chanted the goblin rare.

And immediately, two blades shot at a speed undiscernible even by the eye, stirring up clouds of dusts in its path. Behind those two blades, the goblin rare began to chant again

I yelled at the back of my mind, dodge!

Then as I took a step with enough power to bore a hole in the land, I howled, “GURUUuUAA!”

I swung my great sword at the nearing blade, crushing it. Then as the wind blade vanished, I rushed to the enemy with my sword still raised.

And just when I thought the goblin rare would take a step back, he took a step towards me.

Fuck, that was a good call! I thought to myself. But it’s still too slow!

It takes great courage and insight to make the decision to take a step forward and aim for your enemy’s defenseless bosom instead of running away.

But even so, my sword is still faster than he gave me credit for. And I swung my sword down with a force that could crush even boulders, but then the goblin rare chanted another spell,

“By the authority of the Wind God (Boost),” he chanted.

And suddenly a film of wind appeared around him, causing my attack to slip, while his own attack continued to make its way for my chest.

No! Screamed my instincts as the swinging staff continued to move, and immediately I chanted, overlapping with the goblin rare’s.

“Let my body be inviolable (shield),” I chanted.
“The wind bird’s scythe sings (slash),” he chanted.

Our chants overlapped, and as my body was wrapped in black flames, the surging wind of scythe my foe had conjured crashed into me.

The force of that power was such that it sent me flying. But somehow someway… I managed to stand up.

I had braced myself for an attack as soon as I got up on my feet, but what came instead was the goblin rare’s voice.

“Not bad,” he said.

The goblin rare looked to be enjoying himself from the bottom of his heart.

Is that because of his unwavering confidence? I wondered. But not forgetting my manners, I replied, “You too.”

After taking a short rest, I sprinted to close the distance between us again. I won’t let myself get caught up in his pace. Or more specifically, I can’t afford such luxuries.

Being a goblin rare, he might not know this, but the heightened vision of a goblin duke is nothing to scoff at. I didn’t miss the slight weakness he showed when he was bluffing a while ago, his shaking leg. The proof of his fatigue.

Now, I’m going to have you let me take advantage of that, goblin!

“Why the rush!?” asked the goblin rare.

But without stopping, I swung my sword again. And with it I chanted, “Turn me into a blade (Enchant).”

Black flames clad itself around my blade as I swung it.

My physical abilities are far beyond the goblin rare’s, so I’m going to make full use of that and vanquish your magic.

The goblin grew more exhausted with each slash brimming with the power to finish him in one hit.

“My vessel is clad in the wind (Accel),” chanted the goblin rare.

A war of attrition will only lead to my victory. The goblin rare knows this, so he will definitely take a gamble sometime during this fight. A gamble that will lead to my instant defeat.

So I kept my eyes open, paying careful attention for any signs of such a plan. But at the same time, I’m not so nice as to let this goblin take that gamble.

If you’re not planning on anything, I thought. I’m going to cut you down right here!

And I chased after the goblin who had just vanished again.

I slashed and slashed, never letting him rest, a ceaseless flurry of attacks.

“What’s wrong!? Your movements have gotten slower!” I taunted, trying to provoke the goblin in the midst of the onslaught. But he only replied with a sarcastic smile.

–––I guess I still can’t let my guard down then!

“Like a strong wind. Like a whirlwind (Wind Cutter),” he chanted.

The goblin rare casted another wind blade, and I dodged it by moving only half of my body. At the same time, the enemy accelerated.

“My vessel is clad in the wind (Accel),” he chanted.

And in the next instant, he vanished from my vision. immediately, I swung my great sword behind me as I turned, but the goblin managed to dodge my attack.

The goblin rare turned around, heaving, breathless. He was clearly exhausted.

“Surrendering?” I asked him, as I gripped the great steel sword tightly.

But the goblin rare only laughed as he raised his staff towards me.

––– If you’re not surrendering, then I’m going to see this through till the end!

I should get rid of his staff, I thought. So I mustered my strength, and directed it to the soles of my feet. Then with a step, the ground cracked, and in the next instant, I rocketed towards the goblin rare.

But then at that moment, I saw the goblin rare stick his hand inside his robe.

Not good! I thought, my instincts screaming for my life.

What the goblin rare took out was a glittering, silver jewel. Then he began to chant,

“Exalted name of god, hear my call (Kryz).”

Immediately, I used all of my strength to break my charge, and then I rolled off to the side.

But the goblin rare still thrusted his staff into the ground as he continued to chant,

“Thy name… Wind God (Castor)!”

Immediately, a tornado with a radius of 4 meters appeared with the goblin rare at its center.

The tornado stood tall, towering over everything in the shape of a dragon. It groaned there high up above the sky as it looked down on me.

I couldn’t help but gulp at its dignified appearance.

When I saw it come down to attack me, I felt cold sweat permeate my back.

My mouth alone smiled.

Magical energies flowed from the red snake on my arm, filling me with energy. It was as if it was urging me to howl at the monstrosity before me.

“Right, let’s tear it apart,” I said to myself.

––– It’s only a wind right? Then let’s go crush it!

I took a step with my left foot forward, and held the sword upright. Then I mustered up all of the magic within me, and transferred it to my sword.

As the dragon of wind descended, it opened its mouth, aiming for my head.

“Turn me into a blade (Enchant)!” I chanted

This is the third time I’ve used this chant, but this time, I used a great power incomparable to anything so far.

“OOoOOooAOOooO!” I howled

Then with all of my strength, I met with the dragon of wind, and I cut it.

With all of my strength, I cut it. Just one slash.

The raging storm covered my vision. It lifted up the fallen rocks in its rampage. And at the great loss of magic power, I fell to my knees, the angry cries of the billowing wind, echoing in the background.

Until the wind ceased, clouds of dust enveloped the area.

Then when the winds ceased, I stood up, and swung my sword, sweeping the dust away. And then I wielded my sword in front of my chest once more, and I waited.

“The wind bird’s scythe sings (slash),” chanted the rare goblin.

Believing this to be the end, the goblin rare used the rest of his remaining strength to finish me off. That attack of his was like a great sword.

I calmly parried his attack with my own sword, and the goblin’s eyes opened wide. Then I pulled back my sword, and I swung it.

The goblin rare no longer had any strength to dodge, and he flew into the air, drawing an arc.

A foe I could not let my guard down even for a moment.

The goblin rare gazed at the sky as he fell down to the ground.

Then I touched his neck with my sword.

“To think I would misread at the last moment,” he said.
“I just got lucky,” I said.
“Heh, luck?” replied the goblin, seemingly dissatisfied.
“If you can’t accept that, then it’s simply the difference in the object we seek,” I said.
“The object we seek?” he asked.
“Ambition, in other words.”
“Ambition, you say?”

The goblin rare looked up despite his anguish. And knowing that the goblins in the village were also listening, I said out loud,

“I am going to build a country. I will gather all the goblins and create a mighty country. So follow me! I need your strength!”

The goblin rare had a hard time just breathing, but as if there was nothing funnier that what I had just said, he laughed.

“A goblin’s kingdom, you say? Ha ha ha… I see, no wonder I lost.”

The goblin rare closed his eyes quietly, and then he took a deep breath.

“Alright, go. Go and take everything that I have.”

I carried the bloodied, weakened goblin rare, and I carried him to where Reshia was. Reshia puffed her cheeks but ignoring her I said,

“Heal this one.”

As the goblin rare opened his eyes, he asked,

“Why did you save me?”

And I answered,

“Your so-called everything… That includes you yourself, right?”

The goblin rare stared at me blankly, then he broke out into laughter.

◆◇◇◆◆◇◇◆

Magic manipulation has advanced.

The Third Impact (The Third Chant) acquired.

Your level has risen.

22 => 26

◆◇◇◆◆◇◇◆

Author’s note:

I’m going to leave the relationship between the old goblin and his child for later.

My apologies to those who were expecting it.

The next opponent is finally the awaited rematch with the gray wolves.

TL Note: Sorry mistranslation in CH. 22.

Old line: Enough about the old goblin leading the way, even I don’t want to expose it to too much danger.

Should be: Enough about making the hesitating old goblin lead the way, even I want to ensure that we get there safely.

But to fit the sentence I put it in as: The hesitant, old goblin can just lead us. Getting there safely is important after all.

New Schedule: Three chapters for either series. Chapters will be posted alternately. GK this day, then TMPG next, etc…

Queue has also been reopened. Every time the queue reaches 70$ an extra chapter will be added to the queue. Two of these for both series each week at least.

When donating, make sure to mention which series you want the donation to be added to. If you don’t, don’t worry, I’ll email you.

As it is the holdays, do check my twitter @NeoTranslations for any news or announcements on delays. Most likely no chapters on the 25th and the 31st and 1st.

Duel I

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 22
[Class] Duke; Horde Chiefs
[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<Insurgent Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship B->> <<Insatiable Desire>> <<King’s Soul>> <<Ruler’s Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> <<Dance at Death’s Border>> <<Red Snake’s Eye>> <<Magic Manipulation>> <<Soul of a Crazed Warrior>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)
[Attributes] Darkness; Death
[Subordinate Beasts] Kobold (Lv9)
[Abnormal Status] <<Charm of the Saint>>

Our expedition to the north proceeded smoothly.

After a day and a half, we continued to move north of the lake, hunting beasts at our leisure as we progressed. During this time, we didn’t encounter any strong beasts.

But along the way, I realized that I hadn’t taken Reshia’s pace into account.

Even with a guide, walking these parts of the forest is quite tough for a human, so her pace was quite slow.

If we were to continue like this, we would end up taking too much time, so I picked Reshia up, and carried her instead.

Immediately she complained, but I ignored her and sped up the army’s pace.

“We’ll march till noon,” I declared.

The crying wind breezed throughout the desolate lands, singing a hymn for all to hear.

These winds might have been hailed by the power of magic, I thought. It could be here to show that the druids rule these lands, but even so, we marched on.

From here on, we need to exercise great caution.

Under the guidance of the old goblin, I threw Reshia away, and led the horde to proceed cautiously.

“So this is where the druids live?” I asked to the old goblin.

“Yes. Ahead is the area where the giant tree absorbing this land’s nutrients is… The Great Heaven-Piercing Tree, the home of the druids.”

According to the old goblin, the druids dug a cave at the roots of that giant tree, and they created their base there.

“So that’s where they are,” I muttered.

From a distance stood a great tree that reached the heavens, towering over everything around it. As we gradually neared it, the tree and its surroundings grew fuller. A green lush could be seen spread around the tree, while the roots sprouting up were hugging the nearby rocks. The new trees of the giant tree were being cultivated in that land. It was as if it was trying to create a new forest with nothing but its own kind as it caused an invasion of foliage that extended 30 meters around it.

And then out of that tiny forest within this giant forest came out a goblin.

It looked over to where we were, then it panicked, and it quickly came back in and called for its friends.

“Good. It did our job for us,” I remarked.

Then in order to make them surrender, I ordered the army to be deployed. After all, there’s no quicker way than scaring your foe.

Gi Go’s army of 10 marched to the right, Gi Gi’s army of beasts marched to the left, Gi Ga’s army of 10 took the rear of the tree, while I took the front. Like this we surrounded the giant tree of this small forest.

I stood there quietly, waiting. Wondering to myself how the opposing goblins will come out, when the old goblin suddenly came over.

“O king, please here my request,” he said.
“What?” I curtly replied, my eyes remaining fixed on the giant tree.
“Please let me be the one to demand their surrender.”
“What?”

The old goblin assertively bowed his head toward me. A complete change from that old goblin that fervently contested going here.

“Why?” I asked.
“It’s difficult to say, but the leader of druids is most likely my son,” replied the old goblin, a hint of hesitation in his voice.”
“You would demand their surrender? Even though it’s your own blood and kin?”

I’ve never heard of a goblin having emotion as a father.

How could goblins have any emotion of fatherhood when they make their children hunt as soon as they are born? Such a thing shouldn’t be possible.

For humans, they develop such emotions since they need to protect their own children after birth. But for goblins who need to hunt immediately even as a newborn, such emotions shouldn’t exist. So why?

“…It can’t be helped. Someone needs to go,” replied the old goblin.

The old goblin did not falter from my displeased voice, instead it tenaciously faced me.

Something tugged at me. Something that caused me to find displeasure in the old goblin’s proposal. But what that something was, I didn’t know. So I only stared at it coldly as I gave my approval.

“Fine,” I said.

I watched the old goblin’s lonely back as I saw him off into the large tree by himself.

–––Wrong! What is it that’s troubling me!?

It was as if there was a black mist within my head, suppressing my thoughts.

Is it you? Altesia!?

[Skill] <<Insurgent Will>> activated.

“You don’t think the goblin will betray you? How cute,” said a voice inside my head.

Shaking my head, I shrugged that voice off, and looked towards the departing old goblin.

“Follow your heart’s lead!” I yelled, sweeping away Altesia’s interference.

Then the old goblin bowed toward me, and it entered the giant tree alone.

◇◆◆

After a while, the old goblin came out with another goblin beside him.

“Oh? There’s quite a bit, aren’t there?” said the enemy goblin as it smiled defiantly.

But I know very well that contrary to that smiling façade of his, the goblin carries with him great confidence. With a robe wrapped around him, and a staff in one hand, he exuded great pressure. And this goblin… rather than a goblin, he’s appearance is much closer to that of a human’s.

With his red skin, he’s most likely a goblin rare.

But this atmosphere that I can feel on my skin…

This goblin is strong; my body is telling me that.

“Are you the chief?” I asked.

The goblin that stood before me, his bold appearance made it clear that he would not bow his head.

But that’s that.

I’ll still advise him all the same.

“That’s right. I am the chief of the druids,” replied the goblin.

There’s a distance of 20 steps between us. It’s too bad, but that’s not a distance I can close in an instant.

“Surrender, and offer yourself to me,” I declared.

“Ku ku ku ku… You know it to be meaningless, and yet you bother anyway?” Replied the druids’ chief as he laughed. “But fine… If you can defeat me, I’ll give you everything.”

A duel between two beings that call themselves king. Just like the history books. But with this the casualties will be few, and the gains will be great.

“If I win, you shall give me everything. But then if you win?”

When I said that, it was only for a moment, but the druid’s chief stared at me blankly. Then quickly, he broke out into laughter, and then said,

“What a funny guy… You plan to die!?”

A smile like that of a beast appeared on my face. It was as if a delicious prey had just been thrust before me. Then with that vicious smile, I answered the druid’s chief.,

“We can gamble precisely because there are two equal things sought.”

Even I didn’t know I would feel like this. Perhaps it’s because this goblin’s visage is so close to that of a human’s.

“I see… Then in that case…”

As the druid chief was thinking, Reshia suddenly came out.

“Hello? Do you mind? I can’t see a thing!”

Without a care in the world, Reshia’s voice resounded throughout that tense atmosphere. And the goblin in front of me froze.

“… Oi, gramps, what is that thing?” asked the druid chief to the old goblin who was behind him.
“The king’s treasure, a human female,” replied the old goblin.
“A toy, in other words?”
“No, the king doesn’t engage in such activities… Rather he seems to be quite fond of talking with her.”
“Oh?”

A sharp light shot from the druid chief’s eyes.

“I’ve decided. I want that girl!”

Reshia froze.

I gave her a sidelong glance, and clicked my tongue at the back of my head. Then I looked at her and sarcastically said,

“Congratulations, you’ve been personally requested. You must be jumping for joy.”
“W-W-What are you talking about!?” asked Reshia, not following what’s going on as she compared me and the druid chief.

“The reward for our duel. If I win, I’ll have his horde. If I lose, I’ll hand you over.”
“W-W-W-What are you deciding by yourself!”

This girl has absolutely zero awareness of being my prisoner. Well I’m not treating her like one after all, so it’s only expected I suppose.

“Don’t worry, I’m not planning on losing. I have no intentions of handing you to anyone either,” I said, trying to comfort her.
“Tch!?” replied Reshia, clearly still panicked.

Gripping Iron Second (Great Steel Sword), I stared at the foe before me, and calmed my burning heart.

He probably didn’t hear Reshia’s mumbling, I thought to myself.

Then steeling myself, I focused all of my strength to face the fitting opponent before me.”

“Come!”

At the resound of my voice, the battle beneath that tense atmosphere began.

Author’s Note:

It’s a druid fight.

Who would’ve thought that the old goblin would have a family!?

The old goblin’s ability to talk so well right from the start is because of its high intelligence.

But it is after all only a normal goblin, so it can’t match up to the druids.

TL Note: Reserved… for edits.

Chapter 23: Deformity

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 22
[Class] Duke; Horde Chief
[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<Insurgent Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship B->> <<Insatiable Desire>> <<King’s Soul>> <<Ruler’s Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> <<Dance at Death’s Border>> <<Red Snake’s Eye>> <<Magic Manipulation>> <<Soul of a Crazed Warrior>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)
[Attributes] Darkness; Death
[Subordinate Beasts] Kobold (Lv9)
[Abnormal Status] <<Charm of the Saint>>

After taking care of the lizardmen, I carried the sleeping Gi Ga back home.

I had to stop the reconnaissance of the druid village halfway through, but it’s fine since I got something good in exchange.

And after a night passed since returning to the village, Gi Ga evolved. Confirming his status with the [Skill] <<Red Snake’s Eye>>, the class that came up on his status window was a little different from mine.

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 1
[Class] Noble; Guardian
[Possessed Skills] <<Swordsmanship C+>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Omnivorous>> <<Instant Kill>> <<Adherent of the King>> <<Spear Throwing>> <<Warrior’s Soul>>
[Divine Protection] None
[Attributes] None

He has a number of skills I don’t have. But by focusing my will, I was able to see the various skill descriptions.

[Skill] <<Instant Kill>> An attack that aims at the foe’s vital points.

[Skill] <<Adherent of the King>> When fighting near the king, strength, dexterity, and fighting spirit will increase by 10%.

[Skill] <<Spear Throwing>> Can throw spear from a long distance.

[Skill] <<Warrior’s Soul>> When dueling with someone, stamina and skill proc rate will increase by 10%.

Spear throwing and the likes are technique class abilities… It works similarly to swordsmanship.

His skill class is basically decked out to peak when fighting near me.

As long as I don’t misuse his abilities, he could become a huge power in my army.

Especially in our coming rematch with the gray wolves.

A crowd was formed around Gi Ga. Not just because goblin nobles are rare, but also because he looked different.

His skin’s bluish-black just like my time as a goblin noble, but his arms are completely different from what mine used to be, being long enough to reach even the ground. At the same time though, his body is also smaller than a duke’s. So if it’s just length we’re comparing, mine’s longer.

“A deformity,” muttered the old goblin.
“That’s that, but first comes rejoicing,” I replied, patting Gi Ga on his shoulders, as I granted him the long spear we got from the orcs.

This could prove useful when we go meet the druids.

“Take it, Gi Ga,” I said.

Humbling himself, Gi Ga gratefully accepted the spear. Then he said,

“By this spear, I swear absolute fealty to the king.”

Oh? He’s speech has gotten quite smooth. So this is also one of the benefits of evolution.

After that I went out again to scout the lake’s path.

Going around the lake, and then going north of it, I passed by the lands of the lizardmen, and reached the north area of the lake.

The atmosphere of that place was different.

The ceaseless cries of the wind played with the scraggy rocks, resounding a tune that took the whole land. Its lands were barren despite being inside a forest. The few trees that grew in it were at most a man’s height.

Looks like it’s here, I thought. Well then, I should withdraw–––.

Discreetly, I left the lands of the druids, and hurried back to the village.

◆◇◇

Gi Gu and Gi Go both managed to ready their respective hordes.

It’s been a mere three days, but plenty of results have been had.

I still have some concerns regarding cooperation and leadership, but that can’t be helped. I do think it’s a bit premature, but I want to deal with the druids quickly, and challenge the gray wolves again.

So we’ll strike now.

Honestly speaking though, I think even in our current state, we’re more than good enough to challenge the gray wolves.

But doing that will inevitably result in large numbers of casualties.

My army’s finally starting to gain momentum, decreasing it at this point… That’s not exactly the wisest of ideas, is it now?

As for the battle against the druids, we’ll take them with sheer numbers.

They will fall before our overwhelming numbers, and then I’ll add them to my army.

The old goblin mentioned that the druids looked down on other goblins. To despise means to have emotions close to that of humans. So it might be amongst the druids that I find someone capable of leadership.

I went back on the battle with the gray wolves several times, and the conclusion I came to was that our loss was a result of a difference in the number of leaders.

That time’s defeat was both from my incapability to predict the gray wolves’ movement, and my lack of manpower able to oppose the gray wolves. There were other problems as well, but because I was too busy fighting one of the gray wolves, I couldn’t lead the horde.

Times such as that where I’m unable to lead the horde will definitely come. Who will lead then? And besides, even if I had fought with the gray wolf until the end, I might have not gotten off lightly either.

The way I am right now would, at most, lead to a draw.

But despite that, I have to win.

And for that, I need stronger men. Gi Ga is fool hardy, but Gi Gu and Gi Go can do things he can’t do as well. Gi Gi is currently desperately raising new beasts.

What I have to do right now is to strengthen the horde.

To add something to the horde that it doesn’t have now. A new factor like the druids, for example.

According the human, Mattis’ guidance, we made some smoked fish and meat to prepare for the battle.

We didn’t just use smoke though, we also used the sun to preserve some of the food. Also, because the armor rabbit apparently had some salt mixed in its blood, we were able to preserve the meat by rubbing that on the meat.

Who would’ve armor rabbit blood could be used in that way?

The knowledge of man is really hard to despise after all. There are so many things that even I don’t know. And the one race that’s been given plenty of opportunity to retain that knowledge is man. In the form of books, by mouth, or even in the form of tales, man is able to preserve a great number of their knowledge.

Gi Ga and the rest of the goblins thought Mattis was using magic. They even actually went to ask him whether he could use magic. Of course, Mattis just told them that it’s not magic and was just a skill. A reply to which the goblins were utterly dumbfounded.

Well it’s not surprising. The techniques that goblins know are mostly destructive after all.
The fact that there could be skills that could create instead of destroy, that fact left a deep impression to Gi Ga.

Incidentally, I had the man named Chinos make some farmland. Of course, with a body guard watching over him.

Then under his instructions, we cut trees around the village, and uprooted the stumps, changing the land into one for cultivation. The land’s not that big, but it might prove useful.

As for Lili, she’s in charge of sewing. Using the hide of armor rabbits and the fangs and leather of shape alligators, she’s able to make us some nice armor.

Lili, being an adventurer, knows much about the vital points to protect, so I left it to her to decide which parts to cover with her armor. But as expected, it would take quite a bit of time to complete. That’s most likely a side effect of having her made it to specialize for each individual. As a result, I had no choice but to put it on hold for the meantime.

Six days since Gi Go’s horde has arrived in our village, and seven days since I embarrassingly lost to the gray wolves, I gathered most of the village, and gave out the order to take the north.

“We shall march for the north, and make the druids one of us,” I declared. “Gi Ga, Gi Gi, and Gi Go, you three shall ready your men. Gi Gu, you shall stay to protect our village.”

Everyone bowed, and I gave out instructions for our formation.

“Each one of you shall take 10 goblins with him. And I will also do the same, taking 10 goblins under me that I will directly control. Now, Gi Gu, should the kobolds contact you, informing you that the humans have entered the forest, immediately abandon the village.”

Then I showed Gi Gu where to run.

Most of our men are coming with me on this expedition.

We have to win.

“Tomorrow, on daybreak, we march!”

And so, the expedition to take the druids began.

Incidentally, Reshia will also be coming with us, but for some reason, she didn’t voice any complaints.

Regarding the setting:

The goblins currently under the protagonist are:

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.

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.

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.

The strongest known tamed beast is currently the triple boar, but for the sake of the coming battle with the gray wolves, he’s raising different beasts.
His goblin class is rare.

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.