Goblin Village

"M-My nest, L-Lord Beast? It's… it's not f-far, but… b-but…" He swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Are you s-sure y-you want to go there, Lord? I-It's just a s-small place, not w-worthy of someone as m-mighty as y-yourself!"

The beast's expression didn't change, and the goblin's heart pounded louder in his ears.

"I said, take me to your nest."

"O-Of course, L-Lord Beast! I-I'll take you there right away! P-Please… f-follow me!" he stammered, his voice barely holding together as he forced himself to turn and lead the way.

What to do? What to do? screamed the goblin in his head as he reluctantly moved toward a path that led in a particular direction. The path seemed to have been walked on constantly.

Is this why the magical beast didn't kill me right away? Did it keep me alive just to lead it to the nest? To kill everyone in the nest!?

With that terrifying thought, the goblin halted his steps for a few seconds, trying to muster the courage to confront the beast. He wanted to say that he would rather die than lead it to the nest. But then a strong gust of air came from the beast's nostrils, and his little courage collapsed instantly. His legs started moving again. I'm sorry, everyone! Red Arrow is too afraid!

But as the goblin grew more and more depressed, the voice reappeared in his head—this time, its words were comforting.

Don't misunderstand, Red Arrow. I'm going to your nest just to meet your chief and question him about the Re-Estize Kingdom. Since you don't know much, I'll have to ask him instead to learn more.

After hearing those words, the goblin's chaotic heart immediately regained some peace. He answered in a relieved, high-pitched voice:

"Lord Beast, Red Arrow doesn't dare to guess your mighty thoughts. If Lord Beast wants to ask the chief questions, Red Arrow is honored to bring Lord Beast to the nest!"

Sigh. This is getting annoying, having to speak with this scared goblin who thinks I'm out to kill him every moment. I'm not a killer! I just look like one. Well, that pig creature might not agree with that, but that was just an accident! I said to myself, as if I needed to prove that I wasn't as ruthless as I looked. Instead, I was still the same librarian I always was—just in a different form.

Looking toward the sun that was slowly beginning to descend, I realized that this was still just my first day in this strange new world. But the constant string of events and emotional turmoil made it feel like weeks had passed. After we reach this nest, I'll ask the chief if I can rest there for a few days. I need a break—not because my body was tired, as it was brimming with strength and energy, almost as if it had an endless supply. No, it was my mind that needed rest. I still needed to sort out my thoughts and emotions properly. I desperately needed some peace.

In the ancient forest near Death Mountain, a special goblin village was located with an impressive population of around 2,000 goblins. Among them were many fighters, including goblin riders and goblin archers. However, this normally peaceful village was now experiencing a crisis like never before.

"Chief! It's bad—ogres have been spotted coming toward the village!" said a goblin with a spear in hand, clad in leather armor.

Red Skull, the goblin chief, sat on his throne, playing with his favorite golden coins. Adorned in red-scale armor made from the hide of a fire serpent, a scar running from the corner of his lower lip toward his chin gave him an intimidating look. Feared and respected, he immediately jumped up upon hearing his subordinate's words. The gold coins he had looted from some unfortunate merchants clattered to the ground, ringing against the hard rock of the chief's hall.

"How many are there?" asked the chief, his voice hurried.

"It's bad, Chief! Twenty ogres have been spotted near the village. They'll arrive here at any moment!"

The chief, hearing this, almost smacked the goblin with his club. "Twenty ogres!? That's not an amount my 300 goblin fighters can handle. Even taking down a single ogre takes 20 of our goblins! This is going to be a bloody fight that might lead our village to ruin!"

"Prepare all fighters to defend the village and keep the fight outside the barricade. We can't let the ogres into the village—we must protect the altar at all costs!"

"Yes, Chief! I'll go prepare the warriors." The goblin wielding an iron spear was about to turn around when the chief stopped him with another question.

"Has Red Arrow returned from scouting Death Mountain?"

"No, Chief. Red Arrow still hasn't come back since he left this morning."

"No matter. Go now and prepare the warriors," said the goblin chief with an exhausted voice, clearly showing how deeply worried he was about the upcoming battle.

"Yes, Chief." With that, the goblin left the chief's hall.

Now alone, Red Skull bent down to pick up his fallen golden coins, thinking, It seems that arrogant little goblin archer has met his doom. Serves him right for getting too close to my precious daughter. If it weren't for her, I would've fed him to the wolves long ago and wouldn't have had to use such methods to get rid of him.

Still, now that danger is about to befall the village, I would've preferred to have him here to help. Despite his talk, his skill with a bow is unmatched. No matter—he's most likely dead. Who knows what horrors reside on Death Mountain to create such terrifying sights? Deciding to ignore the presumed dead Red Arrow, the goblin chief finished gathering his precious coins and stored them in a chest near his throne.

Instead of heading outside to his men, Red Skull walked toward a metal door in the back of the chief's hall, right behind the throne. A place only he was allowed to enter. Pushing open the heavy doors, a dark room appeared, and within it stood an altar. Atop the altar was an ancient statue depicting a beast transforming into a humanoid creature. Half of its face showed madness, while the other half showed deep wisdom.

When the chief's eyes fell upon the statue, they brimmed with light, as though he was gazing upon his most precious possession.