Goblin Kingdom (Part 1)

Chapter 15: A New Power

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 10
[Class] Duke; Horde Chief
[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<Insurgent Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship B->> <<Insatiable Greed>> <<Distant Soul>> <<A Ruler's Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> <<Dance at Death's Border>> <<The Red Snake's Eye>> <<Magic Manipulation>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld, Altesia
[Attributes] Darkness, Death

Passing over the lake, the gentle wind blew past me, a gentle caress.

The image reflected on the lake's mirror-like surface was nothing like that of a goblin noble's.

Tawny skin and a human adult's height. The image of a spiraled red snake on the arm, a lone horn reaching out to the heavens from the head, black fur much like that of a horse's mane reaching from the head until the hips, and that nostalgic sensation of having five fingers... Is this really a goblin?

The image before me is enough to make me doubt that fact. But since my goblin subordinates have become more subservient, I shouldn't dwell on it too much.

The changes truly are quite shocking though. Look, even my face has changed! That expression that once couldn't be thought of as anything but brimming with repugnance has now turned into this turtle-like apathy.

A smirk surfaced at that thought.

But then at that, a dreadful, brutish image reflected on the lake's surface...

Don't say anything.

One's appearance is the shape of one's soul... was it? Hogwash.

Speaking of which, I've started to use the loincloths Lili's sewn. I've always been naked all this time, but lately, I feel like I've begun to regain my sense of shame.

It might be because I've started talking to the humans again.

◆◇◇

After repelling the orc leader who had attacked the village, and after my class had gone up and after going through that unpleasant experience again, we went to the hunting grounds right outside the village to aid Gi Gu.

I could barely feel the weight of the Iron Second on my shoulder.

After reaching the hunting grounds, I managed to find some good targets to test my body out.

Those orcs that were trapped and unable to move were literally felled in one sweep. With my new strength, I can now tear through the orcs and crush even their bones easily.

Having confirmed that is enough for now.

Regarding the female swordsman, Lili, who was knocked out in the village... well she's safe.

Not that I care, but from the looks of things, the orcs prioritize food over women.

Taking only the unconscious Lily into custody, I ordered the surviving goblins with overpowering howl to gather.

Amongst the gathered goblins there's Gi Ga who's been healed, Gi Gu who would obey despite his injuries, and then the rest of the other goblins. The number's visibly decreased.

The horde that once numbered 50 has gone down to 40.

And the number that can fight, number to 30 at most.

The injured goblins that can't move number to 7. Aside from the ones healed by Reshia, the number of subordinates that can be used to hunt has significantly decreased.

The numbers could reach only this much even after including the surviving larvae and females as part of the war forces, showing just how much damage the orc attack did.