CHAPTER 60: BOW AND PRIDE

Goblin Name Cheat Sheet:

The [Goblin] is to make it easier to CTRL+F.

[Goblin] 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.

[Goblin] 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. Became a goblin noble in chapter 39.

[Goblin] 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. His goblin class is rare.

[Goblin] 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. He acts like a samurai.

Recently became a noble, and received the divine protection of the Sword God, Ra Baruza.

[Goblin] Gi Za

The druid goblin rare that recently joined them.

[Goblin] Gi Ji

A goblin rare. He evolved in chapter 37 after hunting with Gi Ga. He has the <<Meld>> skill which makes him great for scouting.

[Goblin] Gi Do

Druid. Uses wind magic.

[Goblin] Gi Jii

Goblin Rare. From Gi Gu’s Faction. He is known for his <<Wide-Open Eyes>> which allows him to see his opponent’s weakness.

[Goblin] Gi Da

Goblin Rare. From Gi Ga’s faction. Notable skills are <<Knowledge of the Spear>> and <<Unreasonably Stubborn>>.

[Goblin] Gi Zu.

Goblin Rare. The goblin favored by the Mad God (Zu Oru). Has the <<Mad Dog>> skill.

[Goblin] Gi Zo

Druid. Water magician.

[Goblin] Gi De

Beast tamer.

[Goblin] Aluhaliha

Leader of Paradua, one of the four goblin tribes and are known for their use of rider-beasts, which are essentially giant tigers.

[Goblin] Rashka

Leader of Gaidga, one of the four goblin tribes and are known for their valor and brutish strength.

[Goblin] Gilmi

Receiver of the title, The First ArcherGadieta. He is the second in command in Ganra, one of the four tribes known for their rare ability amongst goblins to use bows.

[Goblin] Narsa

The Princess of Ganra. She is the only female goblin rare introduced so far.

CHAPTER 60: BOW AND PRIDEStatusRaceGoblinLevel10ClassLord; Horde ChiefPossessed SkillsRuler of the Horde; 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); Instinct; Ruler’s Wisdom II;Divine ProtectionGoddess of the UnderworldAltesiaAttributesDarkness; DeathSuboridnate BeastsHigh Kobold Hasu; (Lv1) Gastra (Lv20) Cynthia (Lv20) Orc King Bui; (Lv36)

After literally bathing in the blood of the remaining Gaidga, we returned to their cave.

“Did anything change?”

“Nothing in particular.”

Gi Go Amatsuki, the sword god’s blessed one, went out to meet me. As I nodded to him, I left the security of the surrounding area to him in order to let the other goblins rest.

“Understood.”

He left the cave with his men. There was a visible trace of weariness on him, but he didn’t show even a fraction of discontent to my command.

I went to one of the rooms of the cave and called out to Gilmi. “This is a bit sudden, but are there any core members that could be moved to Ganra Village?”

I want to preserve the fighting force that hasn’t participated in the war yet. I want to keep their strength for defending the Ganra Village.

“There is. About 30 goblins all in all.”

30, huh.

If so, then the problem should come down to the distance between Ganra and Gaidga. There’s also the speed of the Paradua riders to take into consideration.

I should be letting the tired goblins rest. If possible, I’d like to keep Ganra safe, but the Paradua riders are an issue.

According to the wind magician, Gi Do, they were attacked a half day’s distance from Gaidga’s cave. We know that Paradua’s Village should be a 2 day’s distance to the south. But if so, then it doesn’t add up.

Although of course, these are all just speculations, but still…

Regardless, there are two issues we’re facing now.

The first issue is the possibility that they’re already en route for this village.

But if so then why would they stop pursuing us? We even stirred up a blood bath with the Gaidga, and yet they’re just quietly watching.

No matter how you look at it, it’s strange.

The other issue is whether the Paradua moved right after receiving the report of our attack on the Gaidga Village.

If so, then the speed of the Paradua riders are far beyond our expectations. To think they could actually shorten a two-day distance into half a day. What frightening speed.

At this rate, the only possible result is us being on the receiving end of a surprise attack.

And that’s with us being inside the forest. In here, there are many trees, and there aren’t any roads being maintained. This isn’t the kind of place a horse could leisurely move around in, yet as long as there’s an animal trail, the rider-beasts of Paradua could leave us in the dust.

While we’re still moving, they can move with those beasts of theirs at double our speed, and tear apart at our weak spots.

In other words, guerilla warfare. They could easily avoid a direct confrontation and slowly whittle down our forces using their superior mobility.

If that’s what they’re aiming for, this battle is going to be tough. Of course, when I say weakness, I’m referring to the Ganra Village.

I should prepare for the worst.

I’ll have to put my hopes in the wounded Gi Za.

We stirred up a bloodbath yet they let us go, so they might not know about our main force’s movements.

“…Gilmi. Don’t leave any regrets.”

Gilmi seemed to have remembered something when I said that as he gritted his teeth and nodded.

“Please don’t mind our sacrifice.”

Looks like he knows his place. In order to win the trust of the stronger ally, you must first pay the price with your own men’s blood.

Seeing him so tragically resolute left me with no more words to say.

“I want to lure out Paradua and Gaidga, so you’ll have to play the decoy.”

“…I shall fulfill this task even at the cost of my life.”

To win against an opponent with superior mobility while protecting the Ganra village at the same time… I can think of no other way.

◇◇◆

The young goblin who was also Aluhaliha’s right hand man, Hal, was the one chosen to be the messenger.

“Have you memorized the message?”

“Yes, father.”

It was common for the younger goblins to lovingly refer to Aluhaliha as father, but even then he couldn’t help but worry for Hal seeing how obedient he was.

If the worst case were to happen, Hal would definitely be killed.

But despite knowing that, somewhere in his heart, he believed that that three-horned gray goblin wouldn’t do something so cowardly.

“Good, now go!”

“I shall!”

They met their spears, and Hal left.

Telling the boorish Gaidga to send a messenger is the same thing as telling them to fight, so if a messenger were to be sent, it had to come from Paradua.

There’s no reasons to feel shame for sending one’s loved one straight into danger. This was war after all.

Paradua’s riders will not fear in the face of war.

It is because of that very pride that they are able to crush their enemies.

But this time was different. Because the strategies they will be using are not fitting for the riders of Paradua.

“This debt is big, Rashka.”

Although he was old, his will had not once weakened. If they were to win, yet still fail to receive their king, even if it was the strongest of the four tribes, Aluhaliha would not simply let it pass.

He would take the bridle of his beast and strike with his spear.

As he watched Hal’s back disappear into the depth of the forest, Aluhaliha grit his teeth.

◆◆◇

Gilmi led the elites of Ganra to the Paradua’s territory. They gaudily ran, making sure that their movement could be heard throughout the forest.

The 15 goblins following Gilmi had already been informed beforehand of the plan. They knew exactly how dangerous this mission was.

But they had to do this. They had to take the risk and show their power in the most dangerous place in order to raise their standing before the Chief of the East. In so doing, Narsa’s position would change for the better.

The law of the jungle was true for everyone; the goblins were no exception.

Although Gilmi didn’t know what the East Chief was thinking, at the very least, he understood that as long as he could make him understand that Ganra wasn’t worth trifling with, their future could be secured.

“…Something’s ahead.”

The sound of a giant beast parting the trees, rustling their leaves, reached Gilmi’s ears.

“Wait for my command, draw you bows,” Gilmi ordered without uttering a word. At the same time, they immediately split and hid behind the shadows of the trees.

Although they were decoys, they couldn’t openly show that to their enemies. They had to fight at full force.

The bow sounded as the string was drawn to the limit, Gilmi’s consciousness focused.

What appeared was a lone rider. It was a young goblin. And on his spear was a white cloth, which meant that he was a messenger. The respected title of The First ArcherGadieta as it implied meant that its bearer would be the first archer to shoot, thus deciding who the target of the horde was.

At the arrival of the messenger, Gilmi drew his bow to its limits and stared daggers at him.

“I know you’re there, goblins of Ganra and the outsiders! I am the fifth spear of Paradua, Hal! I’ve come here as a messenger!”

As the beast spread on its four legs, the young goblin loudly spoke. He was the very image of the prideful Paradua.

“Show yourselves!”

“Keep your bows on the ready.”

Gilmi wordlessly ordered his men with a sign, and then he walked toward Hal.

“I am the First ArcherGadieta of Ganra, Gilmi!”

Gilmi’s entrance was also grand. When Hal moved his gaze that had been looking all over just now to Gilmi, he was relieved.

“Ho! So you’re the first archer of Ganra! I have no complaints then. I’ve come here to pass a message from our chieftain, Master Aluhaliha!”

Gilmi quietly listened.

To summarize the contents, the Paradua goblins are asking for a pact of nonaggression and the release of the Gaidga prisoners.

“Think carefully.” Hal struck his spear on the ground and folded his arms.

He was a gutsy goblin no doubt.

Countless bows were aimed at him, yet despite being alone in the face of countless arrows, he was still able to keep up his attitude. He was not a common goblin.

Gilmi was vexed.

Why did he have to fight with such a youngster?

This young goblin would one day carry Paradua on his back. In Master Gilan’s in time, he would become a hope not just for Paradua but for all the four goblin tribes.

But despite thinking that, Gilmi already knew what his decision was. It was too late for peace. Even if he accepted, how was he supposed to answer to the Chief of the East?

We’ve resolved our differences, so just please go home. There’s no way he could say that.

The Eastern Chief has already suffered some losses in this war after all.

“I understand the conditions, but, I, Ra Gilmi, have made up my mind!”

In that instant, he drew his bow to the limit and released it, letting loose the bow toward a single point.

The bow released, only the sound of the wind being cut was left. It flew straight into the handle of Hal’s buried spear. What frightening skill.

“Pass this on to Lord Aluhaliha and Lord Rashka. We will not retreat. If you’re planning to surrender, do it quickly. Otherwise, their opponent shall be I, Ra Gilmi of Ganra!”

“Very well.”

Hal glanced at the arrow pierced upon his spear. As he took his spear, he removed the bow and snapped it.

“I have received your response!” Hal waved his spear, then he left as he hung his spear by his back.

To that goblin’s back, disappearing deep into the forest, Gilmi quietly mumbled.

“Would you think me weak for not shooting at him now, Lord Gi Za?”

First think, then act. But should you fail to produce the best results, everything will be meaningless. Those words struck at Gilmi’s chest like a fish’s bone.

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