Chapter 53: TREASURE

Race: Goblin

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 Altesia

Attributes Darkness; Death

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

After driving away the Gaidga goblins from the village of Ganra, we went to the center of the village, and I asked them to show me that so-called treasure.

Narsa was against it at first, but Gilmi convinced her, and she handed me the bow on her back.

“This is the treasure that was bestowed to Ganra, the Meteor BowByunei Bow,” said Gilmi.

It doesn’t really seem that valuable from the outside, but there should be something special to it. I still can’t see it as anything else except for a normal bow though.

“This bow can a light a fire on the arrowhead of an arrow,” he continued.

So it can create fire where there’s nothing.

What’s so amazing about that?

“Chieftain, could you please demonstrate the bow’s power?” petitioned Gilmi to Narsa.

To which she then wordlessly took the bow, and nocked an arrow.

The arrow loaded, the bowstring creaked. Then with the release, the wind echoed and the sound of something being ripped resounded, and the arrow was in mid-flight, drawing a parabola in the air. With its tip clad in flames, it was indeed reminiscent of a falling star or a meteor.

“Shoot your bows at that arrow!” ordered Gilmi.

When I heard that, it hit me. So that’s what it is, I thought. This arrow is a marker.

Several people responded to Gilmi’s call, and they shot an arrow at that bright mark.

“Do you understand now the value of this bow?” he asked me.

In other words, what you mean to say is that the only ones who can properly use this treasure are the Ganra Goblins who are able to use bows, right? Which then goes to mean that there’s no value in taking it save for satisfying one’s greed for collecting strange artifacts.

What a clever goblin.

“Yes… I understand it very well,” I replied.

That and the value of the Ganra Tribe that controls it.

Gilmi heaved a sigh of relief at my response, but Narsa could only look at us with a puzzled gaze.

I suppose it’s a bit too hard for normal goblins to understand, but to make the long story short, Gilmi just ensured the safety of all of Ganra.

If one can show their worth, then one won’t be persecuted.

It’s because of that line of thinking that Gilmi did what he did. It’s a good decision. After all, I am gathering the strength of goblins to rule as king.

To these goblins who live in a society dictated by power, being able to stand at the top of that society is what decides heaven or hell.

Ra Gilmi is undoubtedly a tough goblin.

“Let’s change the subject,” I said. “I want to hear about the other tribes.”

With the food supply of the tribe, a banquet was held at the Village of Ganra. It was during that banquet that I inquired of the other tribes.

It’s imperative that I know who the enemies are and who might be willing to become allies.

“…The chief of Gordob, Kuzan, will most likely remain neutral,” said Gilmi. “He doesn’t have much interest in worldly matters, you see. Lord Alihaluha of the Paradua tribe on the other hand, might be hostile. He’s a proud man, after all.”

Seating at the chief seats, surrounded by flames, were me and Narsa. Then surrounding us were the higher ranked goblins amongst the Ganra Tribe and the rare and nobles class goblins that I had brought with me.

The arrow Narsa shot before proved to be quite the entertainment.

Everyone was stiff at first, but after eating some meat, everyone grew lively.

Meanwhile, Gilmi’s words made me think.

The Gordob Tribe is a tribe that handles various magical beasts. The Paradua Tribe is a tribe of riders. And the Gaidga Tribe is a tribe of goblins with herculean strength. Considering the few men I have with me, fighting head-on might not be the best of ideas.

“What’s the power relationship between the tribes?” I asked.

Gilmi glanced at Narsa’s direction for a moment before immediately opening his mouth.

“There wasn’t such a thing in the past, but in present times, the Gaidga Tribe is suppressing the other tribes. The Paradua Tribe might go under the Gaidga Tribe if they see just how strong they are,” said Gilmi.

“Didn’t you just mention that the Paradua Tribe is prideful?” I asked.

“That’s precisely why,” he immediately said back. “My apologies if this might come off as rude, but they’d probably rather join with someone they know rather than kneel to an outsider.”

Makes sense.

“Is the Paradua Tribe’s village nearby?” I asked, my mouth twisting into a smile.

“Their village is about two days to the west from here,” answered Gilmi. “They live by the foot of a mountain range.”

“I see. How many people from Ganra can I take with me?”

Gilmi’s downcast glance carefully scrutinized me.

“15 goblins,” he answered. “But only from the troops of our Ra Family.”

It’s a rare opportunity, so I might as well get the troublesome stuff out of the way.

“I see… Speaking of which, Gilmi, from now on will you“

“Unfortunately…”

I was just about to ask him to gather Ganra, but then he stopped me, a gleam of desperation visible in his eyes. And then he spoke.

“Only those that carry the blood of Master Gilan may rule the Village of Ganra,” he said.

“Hmm… Is that so.”

Well, there’s no point in pushing the matter here.

He is a stubborn goblin after all. About as stubborn as Gi Za. Although it does make me wonder. Why Narsa? Why is he loyal to her?

Wasn’t there anyone more suitable to swear fealty to?

At the very least, if it were up to me, I would have given him a higher position.

“I’m going to sleep,” said Narsa as she stood up displeased.

As I watched her walk away with Gilmi, I wondered to myself why Gilmi chose to follow her.

“You look like you didn’t want to see them off,” said an astonished voice.

As I looked up back in front of me, what greeted me was Gi Za, standing with a slab of meat in his hands.

“I was just wondering what sort of thing this so-called relationship between master and servant is.”

“What? Are you jealous, king?” he sarcastically remarked, causing my eyes to open wide in surprise.

Seeing that, Gi Za couldn’t help himself but laugh.

“It’s not like there’s any need for all goblins to swear fealty to the king, right? Even if their loyalty lies elsewhere, as long as they give their power to you, isn’t that enough?” he said.

“I was thinking of having all the goblins swear fealty to me though,” I said back.

“Seriously?” he asked as he sent a gaze at me that was more resigned than astonished.

“…Yes,” I curtly replied.

“Then it won’t be enough. No matter how many bodies you have, it won’t be enough. Of course, even your life.”

Really?

Come to think of it, I do recall pushing myself a bit.

“Just do as you wish, king. If anyone stands in our way, then we’ll consider that person our enemy.”

So it doesn’t matter whether it’s a goblin or an orc, huh?

“Hmm… Oh, come to think of it, have you sworn fealty to me?”

I know it sounds stupid, but if I don’t take this opportunity and ask now, then I might never get a second chance.

“The words I spoke when I lost weren’t a lie.”

Having finished the meat in his hands, Gi Za stood up.

“I’ll be going now,” he said. “I need to change the guards keeping watch after all.”

He called out to the Ganra and my goblins, and ordered them to their post.

“Don’t cause them trouble,” I told him.

He has to order them because I can’t order the goblins to go to their post myself. If I order them myself, they won’t be able to relax.

“Remember king, just do as you want,” shrugged Gi Za as he vanished into the darkness.

No words left my lips, but I thanked him nonetheless.