44 Asking the Iron Guard a duel

They were utterly shocked by the turn of events. No one expected this to happen! There were at least few hundred Goblins with enough weapons to overthrow and kill them within a minute and yet they are kneeling before them.

All four of them looked at their Goblin partner and he smiled awkwardly. "I once told you guys right? About the Goblin Iron Guard? Well, here they are" Vik said with that awkward smile.

They were surprised once again. "Care to explain?" Saito asked. Vik shrugged and looked at the Goblin in that came first, "Can you explain what's going on? We heard that there were Goblins occupying this fort, it can't be you by any chance right?" he asked.

The Goblin lifted his it's head and looked at him, "No your Highness, it is true that there were Goblins occupying this fort but we tried to reason with them but they proved themselves as mindless monster, so we killed them all" the Goblin said.

Saito and the rest thought to themselves, 'Goblins killing Goblins...? This is new'. Vik then asked, "Then why have you cone here? What is the reason for the Iron Guard to come all the way here?".

The Goblin stood up and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty dispatched us to search for you and bring you home". Vik was shocked, "Wait! What do you mean by bring me home!? Wasn't it him who told me to go on an adventure and learn about the world outside and come back when I fell like it!? Why would he call me back now!".

The Goblin took off his helmet and said, "I don't know the details your Highness, but there is a chance it may be related to the Orc valley". The Goblin was unlike other Goblins, it was very green not brown. His eyes were sharp and had pupils unlike most Goblins who have no pupils. His ears were sharp like elves.

Vik didn't say anything but was thinking about it. While he was thinking, the rest of them were scanning the Goblins. Full Iron armor, Iron Helmet, Iron weapons and Iron shield with a fully trained body with good looking muscles, even human kingdoms could not get something like this easily and yet Vik's home had thousand of these Goblins.

Only now they understand the power Goblinia posses. They now understood that Goblinia is not just any country to mess with and if someone does mess with them then they better have a damn good military.

Saito got triggered by their grand entry since he was also a soldier in his past life and couldn't help but ask, "Can you have a spar with me?". The whole fort was silent. "HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Goblins all started laughing like mad.

One of the Goblins said, "Human, do you know who you are challenging? He's our captain! And one of the best warriors in our kingdom! Do you even think you can stand against him? HAHAHA! Don't make us laugh!". The Goblins looked down on him but he just smiled.

Vik couldn't take them insulting his friend, "Do you all think that you are a match for him? He can disarm me with ease and still look normal! Do you think anyone one of you here is a match for him!? If yes then be my guest and challenge him! If you were to make him sweat even a bit then mark my words! I'll make that one the next Captain of this battalion!" he shouted.

Saito pulled him back and asked, "Oii Vik! Do you think that is a good idea? Making someone Captain just because he made me sweat?". Vik took Saito's hand of him and said, "If someone here can make you sweat when I can't even make you pant, that one is more than enough qualified to be the battalion Captain" his voice sounded more serious.

The Goblins were talking among themselves. Getting the Captain position is not easy because a battalion Captain is supposed to the strongest and the smartest in the whole battalion. Moreover, battalion Captains get to enjoy their special perks that normal soldiers couldn't.

This is a great opportunity but the main problem is, the prince himself said that if anyone can make him even sweat and by that meant to say this human with him is probably stronger than him and the prince was considered as the fourth greatest warrior and third best swordsman. To be stronger than him means no one here is a match for this human.

"I'll accept your challenge!" someone said. They looked at the Goblin before them. He put on his helmet and said, "Your Highness, I'll accept your challenge since I'm the Captain of this battalion it's a challenge to my position, can I fight a duel with you?" he held his battle Axe with both hands tightly.

Saito smiled and said, "I accept challenge!". The Goblins started to cheer for their Captain while Lily and Minos cheered for Saito. They made a circle with twenty meter radius and both of the contestants stood at the center.

Vik walked front and announced, "This fight will end when one of the contestant is unable to fight anymore! Any means fighting is allowed! Do you understand the rules now?". Both fighters nod their head and took their stance.

The audience cheered loud and that include both Minos and Lily while Herjar just stood near the wall with his hands folded. Lily was the most excited while Minos just accompanied her along. The Goblins hit their chest and shouted, "BATTLE AXE ROU! BATTLE AXE ROU! BATTLE AXE ROU!" they shouted madly.

Saito was yet to draw his blade while the Goblin Captain was ready to pounce at him any moment. "I would like to know the name of the human who won the friendship of his Highness" the Goblin said. Saito smiled and said, "Saito, Saito Araya! I would like to know the name of the one I'm about to fight!".

The Goblin said, "My name, is Gobu Rou! Son of Gobu Rah! Axe warrior of Iron Guard! Remember it well!". Saito finally drew his blade out, "Yeah! Don't forget mine either!".

Rou lunged at him while shouting, "COME AT ME, HUMAN!!!!!!!!!!!". Saito smiled and tackled the Axe with his blade. *cling*. Sparks flew, both of them faced each other. Rou had a helmet on while Saito had a scarf around his neck.

Rou used his strength to push Saito away and then hacked his Battle Axe at him with all he had. Saito moved to the side at last second and the Battle Axe landed on the ground. But to Saito's surprise, Rou let go of his Axe and punched Saito with his fist! His Gauntlet was about to hit him but Saito stabbed his blade on the ground and answered Rou's punch with his own.

*BAM*

The impact from both the punch sent out shockwave that blew air towards everyone. Both of them looked each other right in the eyes, their look said everything.

They finally found their pair!