Meet (4)

With his chin resting on his palm, Dawn was currently in a state of dilemma.

Naturally, with the hunt's success, one would think that he and his goblins would feel happy.

However, even though a day hadn't passed yet when they returned, a meeting with the Elder, Karkas, Didi, and Dawn was taking place.

In his village, the three goblins he was meeting right now were the goblins that always gave advice or answers to his questions.

If there were a hierarchy in the goblin's society, these three would be the highest-ranking goblins, second only to the king.

Anyways, there's only one reason as to why they were having a hard time.

That was because no matter where they searched, they couldn't find the monster that did a small crater in their backyard.

Forget the humans or some other goblins; if a monster strong enough to do that was wandering around, that was, of course, only bad news.

"I am ashamed. The goblins have scoured the area, but none of them reported having difficulties in fights. Only some had died because of numerical disadvantage, not of overwhelming strength."

The one who spoke with a dejected look was Karkas. He was the one who overlooked the goblins during the entire hunt but still, he didn't see anything suspicious.

"Me too. There were no noteworthy monsters during the hunt. There were strong monsters, but those who have evolved once didn't have a problem."

Didi spoke, hearing the opinions among his comrades. Even though the overall mood is quite sour in the room, Didi was the only one to accept that they were unable to find a strong monster.

After all, not finding one is the same thing as being safe. This also means that no threat strong enough to kill the king has appeared.

Incidentally, not many have been blessed by the battlefield this time. As it was recognized as a 'hunt committed by Dawn's village,' the experiences needed to bless an individual was shared among many.

This means that large-scale battles would result in a lesser rate of goblins being blessed. It also means that a goblin surrounded by many enemies would receive far more blessings than what could in a normal hunt.

"What do we do, king? Do we hunt once more, or we end it here?"

Karkas couldn't help in this matter as they were no information to be processed. Even though he received the blessings for thinking, he is basically a free man if there is nothing to think about.

"Hmm, Elder, what do you think?"

Dawn asked the Elder, hoping to find an answer in the old's wisdom. He was the most trusted when it comes to things like this; he is quick-witted and has the ability to understand the situation in just one glimpse.

After all, the Elder is the one who immediately succumbed to Dawn when they first met. In a sense, that decision saved them any trouble and earned them a strong fighter.

"If it is not here, it is not here. I think it would be best that we tighten up our guard for the moment and observe the forest."

Indeed, they cannot find something if it is not in their area. The move given by the Elder was a good one; however, Karkas didn't find it so.

"But what will we do if it is just hiding from our eyes? We need to kill it as soon as possible for the stability of our territory. Besides, we also have the problem of that cheeky goblin."

"That is why we need just to observe and react when something happens. If the goblins attack, then we need only respond; if that unknown monster shows itself, we need only to hunt again."

Dawn was flustered about the two goblins bickering at each other. Of course, there was no hostility in their voices, but this was the first time the two smart goblins split opinions about something.

One wants action while one wants to wait and see; as a king, Dawn needs to satisfy his people's safety and desires. At least, the minimum amount of fighting and patience must be observed.

His pride wouldn't...no, he wouldn't forgive himself if he did a half-assed job just because he wasn't experienced with something like this.

In truth, no one would refute if he just supported one side or decided to do another thing altogether. No goblins would want to disobey the orders of the king.

On the other hand, Didi was just watching this scene unfolding. Thinking about how he's gonna tell this to his comrades, he chuckled.

Perhaps because of their enhanced senses and hearing, the three goblins heard that small laugh as they all, at the same time, turned to look at him.

Didi immediately felt the gazes and acted normally. He pushed his chest out and just sat still.

'W-why...'

If the two goblins were the only ones looking at him, he wouldn't feel a thing, but with Dawn included, he suddenly felt the pressure.

That pressure became fear, and even though he didn't know what he was fearing, that fear became a reality.

"You have a good plan?"

Dawn spoke calmly, but to Didi, under pressure, the calm voice transformed into a low growl that sweat formed on his forehead.

'P-plan?'

He tried to think of something, anything to say, but as expected of his rank name, Goblin Big, he couldn't answer the question/threat.

The three goblins didn't question any further as it seems like they decided to wait for Didi to answer. After all, from the outside, it looks like Didi was thinking hard.

When the sweat on Didi's forehead made a 'Twak!' sound as it fell on the ground, he finally spoke hurriedly.

"Goblins! And then...numbers!"

He then crossed his arms as he nodded his head while repeating the phrase that he just spoke.

'W-why aren't they saying anything...'

As he became nervous, he tried to look up, and when he met the Elder's fierce eyes, he became scared. To the point that he couldn't hear the excited voices of the goblins.

While Didi couldn't understand a thing even though the others talked loudly, he only nodded his head when he heard the sound, Di.

And when some time passed, a mysterious thing happened.

"Good job, Didi."

"Yeah. I never expected a method like that."

The Elder and Karkas suddenly rained praises for Didi. When he became even more nervous just thinking he did something wrong, Dawn's voice tickled his ears.

"Good. We will do as Didi suggested."

"Yes, king."

After realizing what Dawn said, Didi's nervousness grew into confusion as his mind went blank.

Well, it was already blank from the start.

****

After the conclusion of the abrupt meeting, the goblins dispersed. Karkas was walking when it happened.

"Karkas."

The Elder approached him without him noticing, causing Karkas to be startled at the fact that an old goblin could do something like that.

When he got his wits back, he turned his body to face the Elder and asked, 'Yes, Elder?'

"There's something I want to talk about."

Karkas was about to say something, but the Elder quickly turned around and gestured for Karkas to follow.

They soon walked quite far in the forest, and the surroundings have grown dark.

It was when the voices of the goblins grew distant that the Elder finally talked.

"Do you know why I called you here?"

"No. It can't be for disagreeing with you, right?"

Karkas chuckled after throwing a joke out of nowhere. Of course, the Elder knew that it was only a joke as he cut to the chase.

"It's about Dawn."

"The king? What is it?"

"He is..."

The Elder showed signs of hesitation as he trailed off his sentence, but after organizing his thoughts once more, he continued.

"The king needs to be coronated as soon as possible."

"..."

"If the title of his, the fake king of the goblins, stuck to him any longer, it might become 'true' and hinder his path. Even though he is showing no signs of being the 'king,' I believe he is."

"I also believe that he is the king, Elder. But, what are you getting at...?"

The Elder was talking about the charm and the power to bend any goblins to his will. As Dawn wasn't showing anything like that, it seems that he was anxious about it.

"The king must meet the Five Great Clans, as soon as possible. However, Dawn seems to be considerate of us, so considerate that he is steering off his path."

"Considerate?"

"He is not showing any progress. I heard about how he became a Baron in just two days. Then he became a Viscount after the battle with Raen, but now...all he can do is increasing his rank."

Karkas knew how the king didn't participate in the hunt as he oversaw the battles' activities. He thought it was all good since the king didn't have to fight, so what the Elder said was quite a mystery to him.

However, Karkas knows that if one thought about the Five Great Clans, one would think of the king.

When his thoughts reached up to that point, Karkas suddenly had an inkling.

'Come to think of it, isn't the king supposed to be with the Five Great Clans...?'

According to the legends or knowledge passed down, the Five Great Clans were supposed to be the ones to help the king, yet Dawn appeared out of nowhere.

'Why did the King...'

"Karkas, the king needs to meet the Five Great Clans. For that, we need to accomplish the next mission and convince the king to move further south."

"For us to move south..."

Karkas smacked his lips, and the Elder continued his words.

"Dawn needs to get stronger."