Chapter 4

"We've made you wait, dear guest."

"You're still fast for a senior, I'm Mamoru tempest a vampire as you can see." replied Mamoru gesturing the elder and his son to sit down.

"I'm really sorry we don't have much to serve you with. I'm the village elder here."

"That's okay, don't worry about it. So why do I have the pleasure of meeting the elder?" Mamoru asked the goblins, who had finally settled down.

*Slam!* the elder prostrated himself, nearly burying his head in the ground, and said "I've already heard about your strength from my son. Could you please listen to a request from us ?"

"I am willing to listen, but my actions will depend on its content."

"About a month ago the dragon god that protected this place suddenly disappeared without reason.."

"Without a reason huh.." muttered Mamoru.

"And so monsters who wanted to expand their turfs started to eye this place. That even included monsters such as the direwolf, it's a tough battle even if ten of us faces against a single wolf.."

Direwolves are indeed powerful dogs, and it doesn't help that goblins are one of the weakest races among monsters.

They have only enjoyed a peaceful existence thus far due to their proximity to the place where Veldora was sealed.

'I don't understand why they would attack. When I encountered them before, they immediately fled. Perhaps it's because of their sheer numbers. Doesn't quality over quantity matter the most in this world..' pondered Mamoru.

Now was the moment to make a decision. The goblins had to decide whether to offer their loyalty to a vampire.

Their lord wouldn't be a slime, and thus, it would come with its own unique requirements and expectations.

"Elder, you're aware that nothing comes for free. What do you have to offer in exchange for my assistance?" asked mamoru.

Father and son exchanged glances, wordlessly communicating with each other.

Reaching a mutual understanding, they redirected their attention back to Mamuru and proclaimed:

"Strong one, we will offer you our loyalty!"

As announcing the conclusion of the meeting, the leader of the direwolves let out a resounding howl.

This made the goblins running around in fear.

Mamoru thought that it's kind of them to warn that they will attack soon beofre speaking out:

"Fear not! Your request, I, Mamoru Tempest, will accept it in Veldora steads!"

Feeling a bit embarrassed to utter such a shameful statement, but if it's all it takes to calm them, he might as well do it.

...

Before giving orders and organizing for the upcoming battle, Mamoru gathered all the goblins at the center of the village.

Beginning his speech by introducing himself to those he hadn't met yet, all the goblins happily listening Mamoru.

He then proceeded to explain how they would strengthen the village's defense, assigning their respective tasks such as cutting wood and transporting it.

Before letting the goblins to begin their tasks, Mamoru had one final important message for them.

"Before starting, I have one last and important thing to tell all of you."

He said, capturing everyone's attention once again.

"I'm truly grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I will always be there to protect you, but it's important for you to develop the strength to protect yourselves when I'm not around. I will help you grow stronger! As the saying goes, being weak is not a shame, but staying weak is. As a symbol of your trust and to mark the beginning of your journey towards peace and strength, I will give each of you a name!"

Staring in disbelief, the goblins were at a loss for words, unsure of how to react.

Mamoru wore a broad smile as he observed their wide-open eyes. With a firm nod of his head, he signaled that his statement was to be taken seriously.

Cries of happiness echoed throughout the entire village.

...

If Mamoru wanted the allegiance of the direwolf, he would need them to attack.

Even at the sight of the newly evolve goblins to hobgoblins and Mamoru,he wasn't worried about the direwolves retreating.

Why, you may ask?

The answer is simple.

The leader of the direwolves is a complete fool, excessively overconfident and blinded by his own arrogance.

Engaging in battle against stronger foes not only puts your own life at risk but also endangers the lives of your subordinates.

That clearly indicates shortcomings in leadership, which greatly disappoints Mamoru.

But he had to thank him, as he would gain strong doggos.

...

The village elder, despite his previous cheerful demeanor, was now filled with worry for Mamoru.

He slowly, using his cane, walked up to Mamoru and expressed his worries, "I know that Mamoru-sama possesses immense magical power, but giving so many names at once..."

Mamoru was aware of the elder's concerns, knowing that naming so many monsters was uncommon in this world.

However, being born from Veldora's magicules gave him a tremendous boost in his magical capacity.

He could even be regarded as a unique monster, as he wasn't a typical vampire and could replenish his magicules reserve with his fangs.

"I'll be fine, and don't forget that I can refill my magicules with these fangs," said Mamoru, pointing at the two teeth poking out from his mouth.

The elder and Mamoru had already discussed his nature as a vampire and his need for blood.

Until his next evolution, he still had to consume blood to sustain himself.

Giving blood has to be done willingly, Mamoru won't take blood from anyone that doesn't want to.

But of course, they all agreed, even bickering to get the chance to give him their precious blood.

Mamoru almost teared up at that sight.

The elder was relieved as he remembered that.

Mamoru clapped his hands to get the attention of goblins and said, "Now everyone form a line!"

Every goblins formed a line in front of Mamoru.

Before beginning the naming process, he asked Shrewd One, 'Can you provide them with the exact amount of magicules needed for evolution?'

{Acknowledged. Using the exact required amount of magicules necessary for the evolution of Goblins into Hobgoblins.} answered Shrewd One.

What a nice skill.

Then let's get started.

Watching the line in front of him he pondered about the names he will give them.

It would feel wierd to change the names he is used to. what if he named the elder Bob instead of Rigurd. Mamoru quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head to brush away such ideas.

"Village elder, you shall be named Rigurd," Mamoru said to the elder, and then turned to his son. "And you shall bear the name of your honorable late brother, Riguru, in his memory."

He proceeded to name others: Gobta, Gobuchi, Gobtsu, Gobte,...

Naming them wasn't a difficult task, but it did take time, which was crucial for strengthening the defense.

It was worth it, as Mamoru gazed at the newly evolved Hobgoblins, he couldn't help but think,

'Damn, they're hot (except for Gobta, of course. I'm not even surprised). Rigurd is absolutely ripped, like he's been hitting the gym since he was five, and the Goblinas... Well, everyone's blood must have become finer and tastier, yeah..'

...

With the assistance of Shrewd One, he managed to conserve a reasonable amount of magicules.

The remaining magicules he had, along with the natural production of magicules, was sufficient for tonight's battle.

Once everyone had regained their composure, it was now time to make preparations for the incoming battle.

The sun had now set.

Standing in front of the freshly constructed fence, Mamoru gazed straight at the pack of direwolves.

AN: I'm sorry idk how to properly finish a chapter yet