CHAPTER 45: SACRIFICE
Goblin Name Cheat Sheet:
The [Goblin] is to make it easier to CTRL+F.
[Goblin] Gi Ga
The goblin in that estranged group that was with the protagonist when he defeated an orc. He is currently a noble class, the highest amongst the protagonist’s subordinates. He prefers to use the spear.
[Goblin] Gi Gu
The former leader of the village. He was pressured by the protagonist in his goblin noble form, and was added to his subordinates. He uses the long sword, and is relatively smart for a goblin rare. Became a goblin noble in chapter 39.
[Goblin] Gi Gi
Known as a beast warrior, a goblin with the ability to tame beasts.
He evolved while hunting spear deer with the protagonist.
He prefers to use the axe. His goblin class is rare.
[Goblin] Gi Go
A goblin with many wounds on his body. The food of his horde was stolen by the gray wolves, so he made a decision to follow the protagonist. He is the most experienced amongst the goblin rares. His weapon is a curved katana. He acts like a samurai.
[Goblin] Gi Za
The druid goblin rare that recently joined them.
[Goblin] Gi Ji
A goblin rare. He evolved in chapter 37 after hunting with Gi Ga.
Chapter 45: Sacrifice
[Race] Goblin
[Level] 5
[Class] Lord; Horde Chief
[Possessed Skills] <<Ruler of the Horde>> <<Insurgent Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship B->> <<Insatiable Desire>> <<King’s Soul>> <<Ruler’s Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> <<Dance at Death’s Border>> <<Red Snake’s Eye>> <<Magic Manipulation>> <<Soul of a Crazed Warrior>> <<Third Impact (The Third Chant)>> <<Instinct>> <<Ruler’s Wisdom II>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)
[Attributes] Darkness; Death
[Subordinate Beasts] High Kobold <<Hasu>> (Lv1) Gastra (Lv1) Cynthia (Lv1)
[Abnormal Status] <<Charm of the Saint>>
After having walked some distance from the village into the forest.
“Here’ll be fine.”
I confronted the goblin rare that’s been enthralled by the Mad God (Zu Oru).
“Ah, Ah, chief…”
The eyes before me swayed back and forth between various negative emotions. That jumble of emotions revolved around hostility.
“Mad God, I do not know why you have taken a liking to this goblin, but I won’t let you do as you please!”
“Gu. GU, GUuuVRv uAuuuV!”
Drool slobbered out of the goblin’s mouth as his eyes turned into two dots.
The goblin’s body recent wounds gushed opened, causing blood to splatter and his body to convulse.
Mad God.
According to Reshia, the Mad God is a god born during war. Originally, he was a compassionate god, but after having his friend fall in battle, the gravity of the sorrow he felt broke him, and he turned into a Mad God.
“A A, Ah chief, …W-Why?”
The goblin’s mind continued to be eroded by the Mad God, but it seemed to want to say something to me.
“LORD GIGIGI GAaaA HAsssSs!”
Gi Ga has…?
But then the pressure finally proved too great for the goblin, and the goblin swung his fist.
“AaaA aaA!”
That fist driven only by emotion tore the air.
But I couldn’t just leave what his saying alone.
“What happened to Gi Ga!?”
I dodged the descending fist.
“WHy DIddD YoUu!?”
The descending fist crushed even the ground, brying into it.
“AaaA Aa AaAAA!”
With his fist still bured into the ground, the goblin flashed his sharp fangs as he tried to bite the back of my neck.
What happened to Gi Ga!?
A moment after blanking out, I suddenly remembered the voice that called out to me while I was fighting the Orc King.
That voice was Gi Ga’s, wasn’t it?
The worst possibility flashed through the back of my mind.
Then while I was blanked out, thinking to myself, the fist enthralled by the Mad God landed itself into me. My brain, shaken, I was sent fling away.
I know he’s borrowing the power of the Mad God, but who would’ve thought that he would be this strong?
That power that could cross over two class differences made me wonder of its possible applications.
But!
“GIGIGIiiiGii!”
I held back the goblin’s fists. I can hear the sound of his teeth grinding. I suppose it’s expected of a mad man.
“What happened to Gi Ga!?”
Gradually, I pushed back the goblin’s fists.
“AaaA aaA!”
As the goblin’s fists were pushed back, the goblin swung his own head wildly in an attempt head-butt it into me. I lightly clicked my tongue.
I could only blame the shallowness of my own foresight.
If this goblin were an actual enemy, he wouldn’t pose a problem for me. But as I don’t want to hurt him, the battle is quite troublesome.
Strength and agility empowered by the Mad God. A maddened goblin that only recklessly wishes to crush the enemy before him. To make things worse, I can’t focus because of Gi Ga.
The goblin’s fist filled my vision.
–––Not good!
Because I couldn’t concentrate, I left an opening. And the arms that were being held down by me hit me.
That attack was far heavier than I’d expected it to be, and I ended up letting go.
“Tch”
“AagaAaA A aaA!”
Putting this guy down comes first.
The goblin was exactly like a maddened beast with his limbs on all fours as he stared at me.
“Sorry… Forgive me.”
I’m well aware that the goblin’s gathering strength in his limbs, so I took advantage of that opening and activated <<Overpowering Howl>>.
“GURUuuAAaA!”
But it had no effect on the goblin that had activated <<Mad Dog>>. But I knew that.
The mad dog of a goblin wouldn’t remain quiet after hearing that overpowering howl, and just as expected,
“GIGIGUuAAAaA!”
A howl that strained even his own soul bellowed as the goblin pounced toward me.
With as little movements as possible, I dodged that atta ck by sidestepping to the side. Then I struck the back of the goblin’s neck with full intention of breaking it.
I had taken the 40% damage reduction form <<Mad Dog>> into account with this attack, but if I were to make even the slightest mistake, this attack would undoubtedly leave a fatal wound.
This fearful attack… no, rather than to the goblin, this attack might be actually scarier to me.
But fortunately, the attack I let loose successfully knocked the goblin’s consciousness away.
Carrying the goblin’s body up, I ran back to the village.
The worst possible situation flashed through the back of my mind.
Gi Ga, please be safe!
◆◇◇
After the war, I had left a building to Reshia to use for healing the wounded. I entered that building with the goblin in my arms.
What I saw left me speechless.
“Gi Ga…”
At those muttered words, Gi Ga opened his eyes. His right arm was missing from his right shoulder. His left leg was also gone from his left knee which was dressed in bandages stained in blue blood.
“Chief… are you well?”
“Yes… I’m alright! I’m alright thanks to you!”
As I lay the goblin in my arms, I rushed up to Gi Ga’s side. The other goblins also opened their eyes, and they looked at me, but I couldn’t say anything back to them.
“Then… that’s good.”
Relieved at my words, Gi Ga closed his eyes.
“…Right… From now on too, continue to work for me! This isn’t the place for you to die.”
Gi Ga smiled, but only one side of his cheeks rose.
“Chief… how strict.”
“…Of course. The enemies that we will face from now on will only grow stronger and more numerous. If at that time you’re not around, then who will protect me?”
“I’m happy, chief. To hear those words.”
Quietly, I nodded.
“Chief, please…”
“What is it?”
“Please congratulate these men as well.”
At the other end of his line of sight were the goblins who were looking toward us.
“Right, of course. Of course.”
With my shaking legs, I stood up, and I went to each of the goblins.
Some had lost their legs. Some had lost their arms. Some had taken a hit to their head, making it a wonder how they were still alive. I walked to each and every one of those goblins. And then as I looked them in the eye, I patted them on their shoulder, and I thanked them for their service.
Then I went to Gi Ga again.
“Gi Ga, live,” I ordered him. “You have to.”
“But my body is…”
‘Can no longer fight’ is what he seemed to say as he struck his own shoulder.
“I will think of a way. So… stand with me once more, and fight with me!”
“Chief…”
As I said that, I left the building.
“…Well? Was that leg hopeless?” I inquired Reshia when I went out.
She must’ve been trying to be considerate as she leaned her back to the wall while she looked up to the sky.
“Yeah… I can’t compensate for the loss of a limb.”
“I see.”
Having heard only that, I left.
The fire that blazed within my chest could not be quelled.
So I ran. I ran and ran. All the way from the village to the lake.
As I neared it, I yelled.
“GUuuOAOOOAaAaAA!!”
I want to spit out my soul!
He can’t fight! He can’t fight anymore! The warrior who lives to fight can no longer fight!
I want to scream! I want to howl, and spit out this anguish!
Reshia can’t restore limbs. Even if she uses her power it’s impossible!
Of course, I thought of it.
And I was supposed to have been prepared for it too!
But… somewhere sometime, I turned my face away.
Intoxicated by the heat of battle, drunk in the fervor of defeating a worthy adversary, I failed to think of the result.
If I had only thought of it for a little, then I would have understood…
What it meant to sacrifice…
And its weight…
I… I…
The one who took his limbs away was me!
I didn’t understand it! I didn’t understand it at all!
The weight of 20 goblins’ lives!
I can’t waste it. No, I can’t waste their sacrifices.
So I mustn’t forget. I must never allow myself to forget this pain!
I will not run! I will not run away from this pain!
And I will definitely… definitely become the king!
“RUuuAARURURUAAaAA!”
Facing toward the calm lake, I howled.
Author’s Note:
He might not have been the protagonist, but I didn’t let him die yet.
Sorry if I misled some people with my suggestive words.
TL Note:
I added the smiley face. (´･ω･`)