Goblin Kingdom (Part 1)

Goblin Kingdom - Volume 2: Chapter 112: Scarlet Maiden

StatusRaceGoblinLevel45ClassKing; RulerPossessed SkillsRuler of the Demon Children of Chaos; Defiant Soul; World Devouring Howl; Sword Mastery A-; Dominator; King's Soul; Ruler's Wisdom III; Household of the Gods; One-Eyed Snake's Evil Eye; The King's Dance at the Edge of Death; Magic Manipulation; Soul of the Berserk King; Third Impact (The Third Chant); Instinct; Blessing of the Underworld GoddessDivine ProtectionGoddess of the Underworld (Altesia)AttributesDarkness; DeathSubordinate BeastsHigh Kobold Hasu (Lv77); Gastra (Lv20); Cynthia (Lv30); Orc King (Bui) (Lv82)Abnormal StatusBlessing of the One-Eyed Snake; Protection of the Twin-Headed Snake

I spent the days until the meeting either hunting or talking to Nikea.

Most of it was me trying to convince her to allow the goblins free passage. Originally, we wanted to expand, but with no contact in the west, the path to the elves couldn't be maintained.

There's also the war with the humans. It's necessary to have free passage, so as to easily be able to muster troops from the demihumans. I used the threat of the humans to swing her opinion to my side. I told her of their great influence, of how they cut down the forest, and of how strong their country was.

Nikea's expression gradually changed for the worse.

"The human threat is real. It would be best to work with me." I was like a serpent whispering at her ears.

Except for that one incident with Gene, Nikea and her people haven't crossed swords with the humans for over a hundred years. At that time, they lost countless times because of their failure to unite themselves, only winning once at the end.

But now, a threat greater than that approaches.

"If it weren't for us, goblins, the humans would have already reached you," I said.

That was no more than a prediction, but it was most likely what would have happened. That human commander was really greedy for more land.

"...It's hard to believe all these all of the sudden," Nikea said.

"Then you should see for yourself what has happened to the east. Selena can speak for us too. She saw our battle with the humans."

Nikea turned to Selena, a member of the elven race whom the demihumans held in esteem. "Is this true?"

Selena nodded and Nikea's brows furrowed.

"We have spent the past decades, bridging the gap between our races. We had to, lest we wished to invite a rebellion. Yet it seems the humans won't even let us do that," Nikea sorrowfully said as she closed her eyes. "King of Goblins, what is it that you wish of us?"

Filled with resolve, she looked me in the eyes.

"I wish to borrow the strength of the descendants of the crystals to create my country," I answered.

"You want us to fight as your soldiers?" Nikea asked.

"To fight with us, side-by-side as friends, not as slaves. I have no intentions of harming you. I only wish to defeat the humans and build up my country."

"Please give me time to think."

The impending threat of the humans was inevitable. They would have to face them eventually, one way or another, and to go against them alone was a fool's errand. Of course, there was always the possibility of the demihumans uniting themselves to battle the humans, but... the odds of that happening were exceedingly low.

—Because Gurfia's dream has long ended.

The centaur who once tried to unite the demihumans was corrupted by the very humans he sought to destroy, and in the end, burned up in his own flames. Ever since then, the demihumans have been floating aimlessly, not knowing what to do with their incomplete union.