Goblin Kingdom (Part 1)

Chapter 65: The First Defeat

The instant Rashka's shockwave crashed into the king's descending great sword, a violent tremor shook the earth. Aluhaliha who was sitting by the side on his rider-beast called out to Gi Gu Verbena, who was leading the horde in the king's absence.

"Are you sure you don't need to save him? Rashka's strong, you know."

But Gi Gu did not move an inch

"It is the king's will. We shall obey. If you try to interfere, I will use all of my power to stop you. Even if your purpose might be to save the king's life."

With his arms folded, and his eyes looking down, he watched the battle between the king and the enemy general unfold.

"The king will win. Today's no different. And from now on too, that is how it should be."

A glint like burning fire shone within his two eyes as Gi Gu Verbena gritted his teeth tight and folded his arms even stronger.

He wanted to move. He himself wished to do so, but he desperately kept that urge at bay.

"Right..."

Since that's how this goblin who is his senior in service to the king, then he, Aluhaliha, could only do the same.
As he stifled the stirring of vexation within, he kept watch over the king's duel.
In the background, the bird of misfortuneSkyura, provokingly sang.

◆◇◆

My sword slammed into the shockwave, and an explosion of dust literally blew up in the aftermath.
Shockwaves continued to fly toward me. But each and every time, I would swing my sword and crush the shockwave head on.

"Nu."

For a short moment, Rashka's pained voice leaked. It seems he's realized that that magic he's so proud of isn't working.
Long Range attacks are impossible for me. So there's no other choice, but for me to slip through these attacks, and challenge him to a melee. Unfortunately, it'll be a narrow margin even in a close fight. But I mustn't think of losing.
If anything, if I end up distancing myself from him, all it means is that a shockwave will come flying at me again.
As my great sword met his shockwaves, I resisted the pressure of the exploding wind, and I stepped forward.

"Laughable."

An attack that looked to crush me, descended. Be it strength or speed, Rashka was indeed above me, however...

"My life is like a cloud of dustAccel!"

With my magic supply bolstered by the[Skill] <<Ruler's Wisdom II>>, I increased my speed to the limits. As a shockwave resulting from the explosion of ether hit me from behind, I rocketed off. Then in an instant, I suddenly stopped the ether.
By the time my sound and vision returned to me, what was before me was Rashka's figure, swinging his club down.

"Tch!"
"Turn my body into a blade!Enchant"

—Make it in time!
I swung the blade at my side to meet the descending club. The two enchanted weapons crashed into each other, causing black sparks to scatter. Both weapons were blown away, but the one to recover his posture first was... the enemy!?

My great sword, held by both of my hands, was blown away, while the enemy swung down his club one-handedly. If the two forces were the same, then of course the resulting shock would be weaker on the enemy's side.
I needed to leave the range of his club, so I separated from him to shake off the force I received just now. As I gradually managed to stifle the strength of that force, I immediately fixed my stance as soon as I stepped out of his range,

In front of me was a black shockwave, let loose from a downward swing. That attack that was strong enough to hollow the earth, crashed into the ground and caused an explosion, giving rise to a tempest. For an instant, our eyes met.