Goblin Kingdom (Part 1)

Chapter 24: Duel I

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 22
[Class] Duke; Horde Chiefs
[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<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>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)
[Attributes] Darkness; Death
[Subordinate Beasts] Kobold (Lv9)
[Abnormal Status] <<Charm of the Saint>>

Our expedition to the north proceeded smoothly.

After a day and a half, we continued to move north of the lake, hunting beasts at our leisure as we progressed. During this time, we didn't encounter any strong beasts.

But along the way, I realized that I hadn't taken Reshia's pace into account.

Even with a guide, walking these parts of the forest is quite tough for a human, so her pace was quite slow.

If we were to continue like this, we would end up taking too much time, so I picked Reshia up, and carried her instead.

Immediately she complained, but I ignored her and sped up the army's pace.

"We'll march till noon," I declared.

The crying wind breezed throughout the desolate lands, singing a hymn for all to hear.

These winds might have been hailed by the power of magic, I thought. It could be here to show that the druids rule these lands, but even so, we marched on.

From here on, we need to exercise great caution.

Under the guidance of the old goblin, I threw Reshia away, and led the horde to proceed cautiously.

"So this is where the druids live?" I asked to the old goblin.

"Yes. Ahead is the area where the giant tree absorbing this land's nutrients is... The Great Heaven-Piercing Tree, the home of the druids."

According to the old goblin, the druids dug a cave at the roots of that giant tree, and they created their base there.

"So that's where they are," I muttered.

From a distance stood a great tree that reached the heavens, towering over everything around it. As we gradually neared it, the tree and its surroundings grew fuller. A green lush could be seen spread around the tree, while the roots sprouting up were hugging the nearby rocks. The new trees of the giant tree were being cultivated in that land. It was as if it was trying to create a new forest with nothing but its own kind as it caused an invasion of foliage that extended 30 meters around it.

And then out of that tiny forest within this giant forest came out a goblin.

It looked over to where we were, then it panicked, and it quickly came back in and called for its friends.

"Good. It did our job for us," I remarked.

Then in order to make them surrender, I ordered the army to be deployed. After all, there's no quicker way than scaring your foe.

Gi Go's army of 10 marched to the right, Gi Gi's army of beasts marched to the left, Gi Ga's army of 10 took the rear of the tree, while I took the front. Like this we surrounded the giant tree of this small forest.

I stood there quietly, waiting. Wondering to myself how the opposing goblins will come out, when the old goblin suddenly came over.

"O king, please here my request," he said.
"What?" I curtly replied, my eyes remaining fixed on the giant tree.
"Please let me be the one to demand their surrender."
"What?"