Goblin Kingdom (Part 1)

Goblin Kingdom - Volume 2: One Thousand Li to the North, a Meeting at Dawn (1/2)

StatusNameGi Go AmatsukiRaceGoblinLevel2ClassDuke; Wandering SwordsmanPossessed SkillsSword Mastery A-; Purple Flash; Forsake; Sense; Discern; A Master Swordsman's Proof; Silent Nature; VeteranDivine ProtectionSword GodAttributesNoneSubordinate BeastsNoneAbnormal StatusSworn to Spare; Sworn God's Control

Beyond the cave full of glowing moss, where the light of the fire god's body shone brilliantly up in the sky, the former slave, Yoshu's, eyes were blinded by the great light.

He implored the goblin walking ahead of him, Gi Go Amatsuki, to stop, but the goblin waved him off.

"It's fine," the goblin said.

Seeing the goblin walk unguarded, Yoshu followed after him as he thought of a plan in case things turned for the worst.

"Lord Gi Go!"

A great horde of beasts was accompanying a goblin that looked to be a noble class.

From what Yoshu recalled, this goblin was none other than Mr. Gi Gi.

Beasts of all sorts frolicked about around him.

Yoshu asked if it was safe, and Gi Go told him it was with a glance.

"Normally, people would be a bit more surprised, but..." Yoshu said.

When Yoshu got a closer look, he noticed that there were some monkey-like animals mixed with the horde who would either feed the young or scratch each others backs. It was a peaceful scene; at least, as long as he did not look through those lenses called prejudice that humans had of beasts.

Gi Go received something from Gi Gi, then they bid each other farewell.

Yoshu wasn't close to Gi Gi, so he quickly followed after Gi Go.

"You sure are close," Yoshu remarked as they followed a distinct beast trail up to the north, most probably a trail left by Gi Gi's beast horde.

"Our relationship is actually one where we're one misstep away from killing each other," Gi Go said.

"Didn't look like that to me..." Yoshu said.

"...Before I met the king a kind of beast known as 'gray wolf' wreaked havoc on my turf," Gi Go said.

Yoshu and the goblin walked while paying attention to their surroundings.

"Half the horde had been done in and we couldn't hunt. We were left with only two choices: either starve to death or eat each other. But then the king came."

Gi Go's voice was heavy. Was that regret weighing upon him or something else? Yoshu did not know.

"Hungry and weak, I was mercilessly beaten by Gi Gi and Gi Gu. I didn't even have the opportunity to stand before the king," Gi Go said.

"It was vexing, wasn't it?" Yoshu asked.

"...Perhaps," Gi Go said.

As they continued along their path, their feet began to make slushing sounds.

"Since that day I've been keeping something locked up within me. That something was with me even on that day I gave Gi Gi food as proof of our friendship..."

Gi Go continued talking, but as he did, Yoshu was more and more surprised.

The sword is my way of life.

Yoshu had always believed Gi Go to be completely devoted to the sword.

But now... It seemed that this goblin was actually more human than he ever imagined.