GOBLINS

" Hey I know,why don't you teach me " Reynolds said.

"Eh?"

" Yeah,you're way stronger than I am . You're performance in the tournament made that fact Al too clear. I you were to teach me some if you're techniques..." Rey stopped talking, looking down.

" Yh,I dunno man I don't know if your dad's gonna approve" Kojo said.

" Why wouldhe not?"

" Ok I suppose but on one condition"

"Hm?"

" I'll teach you some tricks if you can beat me in a game if rock paper scissors " Kojo said holding out his fist.

" I don't know what that is"

" Where I come from,it's a technique used to settle serious matters among men. It's like fighting but with your fingers." Kojo said.

"Ok so this is rock,the .this is paper then finally scissors" Kojo saidshiwing him the signs used.

" Ok let's go " Kojo said raising his fist.

" But I don't know the rules." Rey protested.

" It's easy, Rock crushes Scissors,sciccors cuts paper,and paper covers rock" Koji said raising Rey's hand.

" I don't understand " Rey said.

" Exactly. Now let's go on sciccors. Rock paper scissors " Kojo said throwing scissors.

Rey brought rock.

A breeze blew between them.

" So did I win?"Reynolds asked with uncertainty.

" yeah" Kojo said with a hint if annoyance. He noticed Jack enter the Dukes Estate. He was accompanied by two men clad in armor.

Kojo noticed that they werw identical twins,the had the same features and even walked the same. He also sensed a large amount of Arcana coming from them.

" Oh, guess they're back" Reynolds said, following Kojo's gaze and seeing the trio.

" Those are the captains of the forces that guard Opal. Mordecai and Malakai Tristan. They're normally based here in Ekron but they had to attend to the unrest in the northern part of the province." Rey said.

" Unrest?"

" Yeah, apparently some goblins in the north began to show hostility towards humans. "

" Ok now that you mention it I haven't seen a single goblin since I came here. I thought they were a common species in all other worlds. Guess manga and anime lied to me." Kojo said sadly.

" I don't know what you mean by that. Well goblins are a humanoid race with some level of intelligence. Like humans they were able to build a city complete with rulers and laws to govern it's peaple. In order to avoid conflict between the two races, leaders of both sides came together and signed an agreement preventing cinfkict. There were other benefits like us having access to skilled crastsmen who could extract Mystium since they also fend if monsters."

" I thought Mystium deposits were like a magnet for monsters and other beasts. How can these tiny guys extract it without getting attacked?" Kojo asked.

" They are intelligent enough to make weapons and devise strategies to fend off Thier enemies." Reynolds answered

" I doubt that would do them any good against a Chimera."

( True. But what really makes them terrifying is Thier affinity for fire magic. They have the strongest fire mages on the continent. Its said that the current goblin King and the first hero both studied under the same tutor.)

" No way" Kojo said indisbelief.

" Huh?"

" Nothing"

" Well,we also protect them from the Empire." Reynolds said.

" Empire?"

"If you go beyond our kingdom of Archadia, you'll enter the empire of Adonis. Its a kingdom that's been strongly influenced by the church. They believe that other races are an abomination to the Goddess Shrena and must be purged."

" That's Horrible."

" I hear some goblins have started a revolt,saying that this is Thier land and we should be made to keave.The situation almost escalated into a full blown war so father dispatched the captains and the raid chief to go and negotiate. I don't know the details but I think they've been settled." Rey said.

" Hopefully "

" Hmm.i think I'll need to talk to Jack later." Kojo said. A maid walked up to him and bowed.

" Lady Adriana summons you." She said.

" Alright." He turned to Reynolds. " I gotta go . Later"

Reynolds watched him walk away then looked at his hand.

" Rock, paper, scissors" He muttered." Wait, don't tell me" He raised his head and looked in. Kojo's direction.

"Right,thank you" He said retuing to his training.

Oslon sat in a chair sipping some wine. A crystal ball glared in the table Infront of him.

" Are you done with preparation" A shadowy figure said from the ball. His features were distorted. The only thing that could be made out was a ring with a ruby embedded in it in his finger.

" why yes. I'll send over a batch through the usual means. I'll be expecting my payment"

The ball went dark.

Oslon raised the glass yo his face and began to swirl it

Kojo stood infront of the bedroom. He was about to open the door but stoped and knocked.

"Come in" Sharone said.

The girls sat on the bed . There was a single chair facing them.

" Have a seat." Adriana said. Kojo gulped and went to sit down.

" Ok Kojo,we have one question for you" Lin said.

Kojo began to sweat expecting the worst.

" Um,ok" He said nervously.

" Which one of us do you like the most?" Koniko asked

" Eh?"

" Don't worry just answer truthfully." Sharone said.

"And herw I was, panicking." He cleared his throat.

" I can't answer that question. We haven't known each other long but I can say that Iike you all. If youre worried about partiality in the near future then don't.I don't work like that."

" So you're saying you'll love all of us equally including Sasha?" Lin asked.

( Listen to what they're saying.)

" Yes. I may have just met her but I know well all get along or be able to figure something out. This contract things still pretty confusing."Kojo said.

" So, you, Kojo Atari will show no partiality and love us equally, putting our feelings into consideration?"Adriana asked.

" Yes." Kojo said without hesitation.

They all spang on him causing him to fall backwards.

" What's the meaning of all this?"

( I told you to listen before answering)

Kojo then remembered what Adriana had asked a few seconds ago.

" Wait that's not..."

" Well try to get along for your sake. Darling" Sasha said kissing his cheek.

The Duke,the King , Mordecai,Malakai Yukio and Leo walked in.

" Oh dear,I hope we aren't in anything." The Duke Said mischievously.