“Food is procured locally”

The one entrusted with the subjugation of King Portree was Deas, the strongest among the vassals who had no subordinates.

Since Erntal has become difficulty level ☆5, players have rarely dared to challenge it. Occasionally, there are daredevils who jump in, but they seem to unknowingly suffer from unexplained slip damage. By the time they lay eyes on the Skeletal Ghidorah, it appears they lose their will to fight and retreat without engaging in battle.

Because of this, Deas' strolls have been unproductive lately. When approached with a conversation, he seems to have a liking for words like retaliation and revenge, eagerly engaging with high enthusiasm.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Deas and Sieg were also strengthened. They were previously reincarnated into [Immortal Ruler], but apart from that, they haven't done much. Even if they are formidable calamity-class monsters, Rare knows that it's not enough to truly become a calamity. Especially this time, she plans to let them invade the capital, where there will likely be artifacts. She wants to ensure that both Deas and Sieg have combat abilities at least equal to or even surpassing Rare's past abilities. On the other hand, Sieg, in his position defending a capital where artifacts can be used, also needs strengthening for the same reason.

They are knights and commanders. Deas seems to lack awareness as a commander, but even if they were to acquire new skills like magic at this point, it doesn't seem very effective. Sieg might handle it adeptly, but it would be difficult for Deas.

For these reasons, the focus of their enhancement was on strengthening martial skills using swords and shields. They also focused on sensory and body manipulation skills that complement these, such as [Agility] and [Sturdy]. Deas is likely to charge solo in times of crisis, so adjustments were made to ensure he doesn't die even if he charges in alone.

The debuff that Rare received from the artifact at that time limited the attribute values. If it's a part supported by skills, they might be able to overcome it.

As an additional means of attack, they also acquired an active skill that can blow away enemy lines with a single swing of a sword. The principle is unclear, but it's written in the help section, so that seems to be its performance.

Including bare hands, direct attacks with weapons are nowhere near magic in terms of extermination power and impact. It might be that unless they have such outrageous skills, there is an imbalance. However, these skills are few in number and consume a lot of experience points. Close-quarters physical roles mainly focus on approaching and attacking, with long-range or area skills limited to a few special skills, like secret techniques.

If such skills exist, close-quarters physical roles might be able to shine against giant enemies like Ururu. It suggests that you can't let your guard down just because the opponent is mainly close-quarters roles.

Some Adamant troops are standing by in the capital in case of emergency, but everything else has been left to Deas.

Considering the combat he once had against the knights in La Colinne, I can say that he might not be very good against Portree's soldiers. A person who managed to wound Ururu's leg can probably cut Adamantite as well.

Unlike the Carknights, Adamants are units that are not intended to operate in peacetime. There's no need to over-strengthen them and make it difficult to use them.

We should use this expedition to identify any problems that surface and strengthen them collectively once the situation is settled.

＊

While leaving the invasion to Deas, Rare has things to do as well.

The strengthening of Gaslark and the verification of being reincarnated into a giant goblin.

Disappearing with [Camouflage], Rare summoned herself to Gaslark's location in the Golf Club tunnel.

"Your Majesty, thank you for coming to such a humble place."

The destination was inside a cave. Along the walls, there were benches made of rocks, resembling a waiting room in an arena or something similar. It might even be more secure than the resting place for players in the external safety area. Probably the work of the engineer ants stationed for support.

"Good job. It seems like you're doing well. As a test case, it's commendable."

The feedback from players posted on social media was satisfying for Rare. For a first attempt, it was well done.

"I appreciate it."

She wanted to reward him for his hard work. However, whether out of reluctance or lack of material desires, he didn't seem to want anything in particular. Even if forced to say, the expressed wish was for "strength".

"In that case, I'll provide it as necessary expenses, not as a reward."

"No, considering the meaning of our existence in this cave, our current combat power is just right. Wanting to become stronger is just my selfishness."

The fact that they can have such thoughts indicates that they already possess abilities beyond the job assigned to them.

However, looking at the radar chart shape of the ability values for typical goblin-type monsters, Gaslark's current state stands out only in INT. This may also be making him aware of his own weakness.

In that case, it would be good to choose Gaslark himself and a few of his subordinates for enhancement and turn it into a reward.

First, Gaslark himself. Originally the leader of the village and a goblin leader, he was reincarnated as a Goblin General for this mission. With the added meaning of a reward, Rare used the Great Philosopher's Stone and, as expected, Gaslark was reincarnated into a [Goblin King].

The requested experience points were only 300, but considering the original goblin status, it might be on the higher side. No, thinking calmly, 300 is not a small value.

Originally, using the Great Philosopher's Stone, they could have reincarnated two stages higher. Still, since there were no other choices, this route seems to end with at King.

His body became about a size larger, slightly larger than the average human—just about the same size as the large goblin foot soldiers fought in Neuschloss.

However, the intimidation was completely different.

"I can't believe all those goblins in Neuschloss were [Goblin Kings]. The size is similar, but they must be a different race. Ah, right."

She took out the corpse of the boss Neuschloss.

"Your Majesty, what is this?"

"It's the corpse of a larger goblin from another location. Unfortunately, it turned into a corpse on its own before being defeated."

Rare tried to [Appraise] the goblin mummy. While ability values and skills were not displayed, it showed [Deovoldraugur's corpse – Status: Inferior].

The skin surface was scorched by [Sacred Magic], and it was in bad condition.

"… It's not even a goblin. What was this thing?"

Certainly, it was only players who said it was a goblin or something. If that's the case, those goblin impostors might not have been goblins. It might be better to give up on using them as a reference.

In fact, Gaslark has [Necromancy] to [Control] for 'raising the dead', but the skill [Necro Revival] has not appeared in the previous or current acquisition, whether looking again. There's a possibility that the player's goblin changed the skill name, but there's no other skill with the effect of reincarnating into an undead.

"I guess there's no help for it. Let's choose two subordinates for now. Goblin General and another magic-type monster for reincarnation."

Using the Great Philosopher's Stone on Gaslark's chosen goblin leader, they were each reincarnated. The magic-type monster seems to be called [Goblin Great Wizard].

Now, they were reincarnated from [Goblin Leader] and [Goblin Mage], but come to think of it, were they originally leaders or mages? No, at the point when they left the Liebe Great Forest, Gaslark was the only leader. So, did they reincarnate on their own in this cave?

As NPC Gaslark is their lord, there is no need for permission for the reincarnation process to proceed automatically. It's not strange in itself, but if so, there must be specific conditions for reincarnation only within this cave.

"Gaslark, by the way, do you remember when and how these two reincarnated?"

"Yes. It was when we defeated enemy goblins and ate them."

"Eat… what?"

In summary, it seems that by eating something like a stone in the goblin's forehead lump, they can reincarnate. Come to think of it, the lump in the forehead of the large goblin in Neuschloss also contained a strange stone.

"…In that case, let's see if verification is possible. [Summon: Amalie]."

"–Did you call me, Your Majesty?"

In the inventory of Mare, there were a large number of mysterious stones received from Tankman and the others at that time.

If he gives one of those to the goblins here, some change might occur.

The leader or mage might have different reactions. For now, a regular goblin would be fine.

I tried giving the [Big Goblin Stone] to a regular goblin.

The goblin is trying hard to bite and crush it, but its teeth literally can't make a dent.

"Your Majesty, it seems to be much harder compared to the regular goblin's lump."

"Does that mean it usually breaks more easily? Oh well."

I raised the STR of the goblin, who was trying hard to crush it. If the biting force increases a bit, it should break.

With a small sound, the goblin finally crushed the stone while munching on it.

While still chewing and moving its mouth, it began to react as it was surrounded by light.

"It hasn't swallowed it yet. Maybe the condition is not eating but crushing?"

When the light subsided, a monster of about the same height as Gaslark stood there. It was the large goblin that Rare killed many in Neuschloss.

It seems it was called a [Hobgoblin].

After a few more experiments, several things were clarified.

The goblins' reincarnation condition was indeed to crush that stone. It didn't matter if they used teeth or tools. [Appraisal] revealed that the stone is called the [Hobgoblin Core Stone] and is necessary for the reincarnation of some races.

Even if a philosopher's stone is given to a regular goblin, it cannot be reincarnated into a [Hobgoblin]. So, using that core stone is one of the essential conditions. It's like the Dark Elf Lute for the Elf race, although the conditions for Dark Elves are still unknown.

Also, by giving the Hobgoblin Core Stone to a Goblin Mage, it was possible to reincarnate it into a Hobgoblin Mage. The body size became human-sized, and the ability values were boosted.

After trying to crush another Hobgoblin Core Stone for the reincarnated Hobgoblin, nothing special happened. However, it seems acquiring skills is one of the conditions. For example, giving it to a Hobgoblin with a magic skill allowed it to reincarnate into a Hobgoblin Mage.

If goblins follow the same specifications, it's clear that Gaslark's goblin became a goblin leader by crushing the enemy goblin's core stone.

If these creatures suddenly appear in this cave where Hobgoblins have never appeared before, it might raise suspicions among players. To prevent them from being found by players, Rare strictly instructed them to participate in battles only when Gaslark is in danger.

Perhaps if Gaslark himself is given this, he might be reincarnated into a Hobgoblin King or something, but if he were to become gigantic like the boss at that time, it would be uncontrollable. The cave would collapse.

"We've learned quite a few interesting things. The player who was the boss goblin probably reincarnated like this."

"However, why were you eating defeated goblins? Is that a habit?"

"No, there is hardly any food in this cave other than bats and moles. It's not enough to satisfy the hunger of all of us."

It's unacceptable to let the subordinates go hungry. It's an area that needs reflection.

I decided to send the ant queen, who is the lord of the engineer ants, periodically to deliver food here.