Chapter Volume 1, 68: The Unfortunate Kuzan

Volume 1, Chapter 68: The Unfortunate Kuzan

Race: Goblin

Level: 15

Class: Lord; Horde Chief

Possessed Skills: Ruler of the Horde; 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; Third Impact (The Third Chant); Instinct; Ruler’s Wisdom II;

Divine Protection: Goddess of the Underworld

Attributes: Darkness; Death

Suboridnate Beasts: High Kobold Hasu; (Lv1) Gastra (Lv20) Cynthia (Lv20) Orc King Bui; (Lv36)

In the dark and damp cave were glowing mosses that lit the endless path. From up above were icicles, hanging, and beads of water dropped down from them, echoing a dripping sound in the ever quiet cave.

After accepting the Gordob’s invitation, we travelled here to this cave, situated two-days north of Ganra.

“This way.”

Guiding us was Yellow, who had borrowed the form of a Bird of MisfortuneSkyura.

I don’t know what manner of logic or sorcery he’s employed, but he is somehow able to make corpses lead us around. My fellow goblins that came from the Eastern Village like me, were all wary at the odd sight. But the goblins from the tribes all seemed to be used to this as they only laughed, saying, ‘They’re that kind of people’.

With the now one-eyed chief of the Gaidga, the hero of Ganra: The

First ArcherGadieta, Gilmi, and the oldest of the four tribal chiefs: the chief of the riders, Aluhaliha, we headed for the cave of the Gordob.

Along the way, the leader of the druids, Gi Za met up with us. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, so in the end, we had to take him along as well.

Eventually we reached a stair-like path that descended to the lower levels of the cave. It was dark, but that wasn’t a deterrent to us goblins. Unfortunately, the path was narrow, so while normal goblins

didn’t have a problem, Rashka, who was exceptionally big, found the path uncomfortably small.

“This path’s too narrow! And too long!” He complained.

Hearing that, the older chief, Aluhaliha, spared no mercy as he jokingly said, “Why don’t you go on a diet then?”

“I’m not fat, I’m too tall!” Rashka retorted.

Hearing the banter between the two, Gilmi couldn’t help but join in on the fun.

“I hear Lord Gi Go is an accomplished swordsman. How about having him whittle you down?” He said.

“I see,” Rashka nodded. “There was also that option.”

I didn’t say anything, but at the back of my head I threw a tsukkomi[simple_tooltip content='(Japanese comedy style. One guy says something crazy - this person is called the boke; also known as the funny man - and then another person corrects him; usually hitting him in the head - this guy is the tsukkomi; also known as the straight man.)’](?)[/simple_tooltip] , saying, ‘From where are you going to cut him? The legs? The head?’

Thinking to myself, ‘I can’t get caught up with this goblins’ sense of humor’, I asked Yellow, “Is the way still long?”

“No, we’ll be there soon,” he curtly replied.

This is the fourth time I’ve asked that question, and that’s the same answer he’s given each and every time. Seeing how pointless asking was, I stopped bothering, and I just looked around and observed the Gordob’s houses that made use of the limestone cavern.

The stalactites that’ve formed in the many years, encroached into the cave like bamboo shoots here and there. They stretched out from the ceiling to the ground, and were all over the place; a truly magnificent sight. This place definitely seems like the sort to be a tourist spot. Of course, the small underground lakes scattered throughout the caves are also worth mentioning. In any case, I’ve counted about 4 or 5 of those stalactites so far. They’re not transparent, and are instead brilliantly glowing a faint green hue.

This place is truly beautiful. It’s almost as if everything’s an illusion.

As I was thinking that, I noticed something move at the edge of my vision. When I looked toward its direction, what I saw was a small, white lizard, running away.

“We’ve arrived.” The bird of misfortune in front of us bowed its head.

In front of us was a gaudy door. It was black and ominous. Without the slightest sound, it opened by itself. On the other side of the door were two goblins, both of whom were small and white.

With a thud, the bird of misfortune fell to the ground.

“It’s a pleasure having your acquaintance, King. I am Yellow. This one here is the present head, Master Kuzan.”

Present Head, so in other words, the chief of the Gordob tribe is hereditary.

The goblin innocently bowed its head. I snuck a peek at Kuzan’s eyes, and I saw something close to fear and curiosity in them.

“I come from the Eastern Village.”

When I tried to make a short introduction, Kuzan nodded.

“My deepest apologies. Master Kuzan was born unable to speak.”

Seeing Kuzan bow so much, I generously bowed back.

“I don’t mind. All that matters is that we’re able to understand each other.”

But for a moment, I did feel a bit out of place. The appearance of these two is far too tidy for a goblin. They don’t have the goblins’ usual hideous faces and muscular bodies. Their eyes are big, and although their expressions are close to a human’s, they’re mostly expressionless.

They’re also smaller compared to other goblins. Even when compared to the Ganra and Gilmi. And as for Kuzan, he’s just been looking around with those big eyes of his. And then there’s that skin of theirs. It might be because they’ve lived away from the sun for so long, but their skin is so pale. Seeing how different they look, I just can’t help but find myself a bit shocked.

Honestly, if you were to ask me, they look a lot more like the dwarves of the sprites spoken of in legends rather than goblins.

They don’t look like they could do well at physical labor either.

“So about you submitting to me…”

At my words, Yellow prostrated himself and Kuzan stood attention.

“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to speak with you about your plans to become king.”

In a daze, Kuzan looked up, not to me, but to something. His face was still, without even the slightest ripple on it.

If the odds of this being a trap is low, then this goblin might just be planning to test me.

Would that mean then that my strength is only enough to have me recognized as a chief on the level of Rashka?

“What is Kuzan’s sickness?”

Just as they offered, we moved our location to the dwelling of the Gordob. And in a place which could be called a shrine, I sat myself on a chair. The chair was big and comfortable, so I happily listened to their story.

I want to settle all issues before I become king.

“As you might’ve noticed from looking at our skin, we are different from the other goblins.”

From Yellow’s story, the Gordob Tribe is a ritualistic tribe assigned to protect the entrance of the Fortress of the Abyss.

“Is this true?” I asked the others, and they all solemnly nodded.

“It is said that once the one who shall become our king appears, the gate will open…”

As the youngest, Gilmi, spoke, Kuzan inclined his head, seemingly distressed.

“I’ve seen the Fortress of the Abyss, and was able to enter it though.”

Gi Za added, also confused.

“That’s because the building that is called the Fortress of the Abyss can be entered. But that’s only one part of it. Master Gi Za, when you say fortress, you’re referring to the fortress a day’s distance north from here, right?”

Gi Za nodded.

“But of course, it was such a grand structure. There is nothing more fitting of a king.”

Gi Za once referred to that fortress as the symbol of the goblins’ unification. I don’t think he said that because it had some strange power or anything. He just said it because of his own judgement and prejudice… and maybe because it’s his hobby? I mean, he was really happy when he had the biggest house in the village made.

As I remembered Reshia’s unhappy face, I wryly smiled.

Hmm… I’ve grown quite fond of that girl, huh?

“While it’s true that the fortress is certainly fitting of a king, what we tribes are looking for is what’s beneath it. The Door to the Underworld lies at the bottom, and it is inside that that our goals lie.”

Looks like we’re getting to the crux of the story.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“On the other side of the door is where the Blight LordDiskorado lives. And it is because of the miasma that seeps out from the other side that our lives have shortened and our powers have grown weaker. Lord Kuzan’s illness is that he cannot be hit by sunlight.”

Hmm… certainly. If he’s telling the truth, then Kuzan definitely can’t come to me by himself.

The most he could do is invite me to this dark cave.

“I understand the matter about your illness now. So what’s the condition to accept my kinghood? Do I need to subjugate the Blight LordDiskorado?”

For a moment, the Pitch BlackVerid coiled around my right arm, throbbed.

“Absolutely not! We are the guardians of the Blight Lord, why would we attack him?”

Oh, he looks quite serious. Kuzan’s shaking his head, and Yellow is really panicking.

According to their story, all it’s brought to them so far is misfortune, but it seems they’re still planning to protect it. Well, even if I get mad here nothing will change, so let’s just keep the conversation moving.

“The condition to become a king is to defeat the giant demonOgre inside the fortress.”

Ogre, huh? Haven’t met one yet…

“If you could accomplish that, then we could once again hear the voice of the Blight Lord. And if you do us this favor, we will acknowledge you as king.”

This story is really fishy.

If they’re that troubled, then why didn’t they ask the other tribes for help? From what I’ve seen, Rashka, Aluhaliha, and Gilmi are all concerned about Kuzan.

If Kuzan felt like it, it should’ve been possible for them to subjugate the ogres.

“Your story is fishy.”

Starting from Kuzan, I looked at each and every one of the chiefs around me, then I spoke.

“First, why did Rashka attack Ganra? If it was someone as strong as Rashka, then killing the ogres should’ve been a trifle task.”

Rashka frowned.

“You said it from the start, right, Gilmi? That because there is a curse since ancient times upon the four tribes, a king will arise to whom the four tribes shall kneel.”

Gilmi nodded with a stiff expression.

“Aluhaliha, you didn’t say anything, so I’m sure you won’t mind if I ask you a question. As the oldest of the of the four chiefs, what do you know about the king?”

With his eyes cast down, I couldn’t see his expression.

“And lastly Kuzan… Or should I ask you instead, Yellow? What exactly is it that you want me to do? The other tribes are clearly paying respect to you. If you move from the start, this whole mess shouldn’t have even happened, right?”

I know it’s as if I’m interrogating them, but it’s imperative that I find out their motives.

I don’t think they’re planning to rebel against me, but it seems

there’s more to this ‘king’ than meets the eye. I want to know exactly what that is. That and the reason why they lied to me.

Kuzan stood up in a daze, and for the first time, he looked at me.

As he kneeled down on one knee toward me, Yellow opened his mouth.

“…It is as you’ve said. We indeed concealed some things regarding the king. Do you know of the treasures we of the four tribes possess?”

I know about Ganra’s Meteor BowByunei Bow.

“Aside from Ganra, the Gaidga have with them the Choker of WrathVidol Amulet, the Paradua have the Curved Spear of the SnakeOgre Lance. and we, the Gordob, have the Crystal Ball of DeathDeath Crystal. Without these four treasures, winning against the ogres is impossible.”

I knitted my brows at Yellow’s words. No matter how hard an enemy the ogres may be, how are the four treasures supposed to help? The Meteor BowByunei Bow I saw from before didn’t seem that strong.

“It’s because of the weapons’ blessings. Ether and skills can’t be used inside the Fortress of the Abyss.”

I moved my gaze from the prostrated Yellow to Gi Za, but he only shook his shoulders. It seems he doesn’t know either.

“The only things that won’t lose power inside are these four treasures. So without these four treasures, no one can gain the right to be king. This is also the reason why Lord Rashka attacked Ganra. Because the meteor bow shouldn’t have been handed over to another so easily.”

Hmm… now that he mentions it. Is it because of my fearful nature that I ended up doubting everything after doubting once?

“Lord Aluhaliha agreed to work with Rashka because the miasma coming from the Fortress of the Abyss is reducing the number of beasts to hunt. At this rate, the Paradua Tribe will lose their rider- beasts.”

Aluhaliha added.

“As for Lord Gilmi’s story about the curse, that goes back to Rashka’s story. Lord Gilan most likely purposely misled you with that story.”

“I did hear it from Master Gilan, but…”

“And lastly, regarding your question about the Gordob appealing to the other tribes… We aren’t able to unify the tribes.”

“Why is that?” I looked at Yellow whose voice was shaking.

“Because we are weak… In order to unify the tribes, sufficient power is an absolute necessity.”

It’s a simple reasoning, but it’s something I can agree with.

“O king, we have been waiting all this time. Free us king, we who are weak and frail.”

After paying his respects, Kuzan approached me. He took my hand and placed his own palm against it.

“O king of goblins with the heart of man.”

I was unfazed by those words. Ever since the day I’ve been born to this world, the sensation of having been once human has been slipping away from me by the day.

“Please forgive us.”

The resounding voice was high like that of a girl’s.

“I know there is no karma between us. But please… please save us.”

When I looked into Kuzan’s eyes, what I saw was a gaze full of sorrow.

They’ve been suffering since long ago. And because of the miasma, their bodies have grown weaker and weaker, and now, they are at the verge of destruction. He wants me to save them from that.

When our palms separated, Kuzan once again paid respects to me.

“Very well. Gilmi, call Princess Narsa and tell her to bring the Meteor BowByunei Bow. I will open the path to the Blight LordDiskorado.”

I called out to Pitch BlackVerid in my mind. The legendary twin- headed snake who dried the waters, isn’t that the true form of the Blight Lord?

But the only reply was a low-pitched laugh.

Oh, how nostalgic. How nostalgic---Right, my little brother?

As Verid laughed, I knew now for sure that he was with me.

Anger welled up from inside me.

Damn you Goddess of the UnderworldAltesia! You dare leave me something so troublesome!?

What’s the point of leaving behind suffering!? Is that something a god should do!?

If you’re going to call yourself a god, then you should at least bring happiness to your people!