Chapter 66: AN ARROW IN RETURN

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)

“Are you telling us to forgive the Gaidga who murdered our brethren!?” Gilmi asked in a voice so low it seemed to come from hell.

“Right,” I replied.

Sorry, but I have no intention of changing this. I’ve already made up my mind.

Gilmi exuded an overbearing pressure as he protested, causing the Gaidga goblins huddled together uncomfortably to shake.

It would appear that the first amongst the Ganra, The First ArcherGadieta, truly does have something that makes him special.

“Why? Why would you…”

Madness uncoiled within the eyes of the goblin before me who’s longed for nothing but vengeance.

There is no denying it, this goblin is definitely amazing. But could it be that even with that knowledge of his equal to that of the druid chief, Gi Za, he is still unable to let go of his anger?

“Their strength as the vanguard will be necessary in the days to come.”

“But!”

“What I seek is the ends of the world, Gilmi.”

The goblins lined up looked at each other as they broke out into a commotion. Ganra, Paradua, Gaidga, and even my own goblin subordinates.

“Are you saying our power is not enough!?” “That’s not it, but—“

“…If I may be allowed to speak.”

As Gilmi and I were talking, the person himself, Rashka, interjected.

“You!”

Gilmi snapped, enraged, but Rashka only quietly approached him.

“I tried to become king.”

With a calm tone, his voice naturally reverberated, and the surrounding goblins’ commotion grew louder.

“But I failed.”

Every time Rashka opened his mouth, the surrounding goblins would grow a little quieter as they reflexively tried to listen.

“I’m prepared to lose everything. So I would like to request my tribe to be spared.”

“You’re saying that now!?”

“Shoot that arrow of yours into my eye.”

At those words, everyone’s eyes opened wide.

Even Gilmi who was clearly furious was shocked.

“I will receive that arrow without blinking once. If I fail, even a little, then I shall hand to you my life. If I don’t blink, then I would like for us to leave our respective enmity to rest.”

All eyes gathered on Gilmi. It was an unreasonable request. None of the options presented were what Gilmi asked for. But all that was forgotten before Rashka’s foolhardiness, and everyone waited for Gilmi’s reply.

If Gilmi were to reject this, then he would be accused of being so poor at archery that he didn’t have the confidence to hit Rashka’s eye. Refusing was the obvious answer, but Rashka’s foolhardiness blocked that option.

As expected of one of the four tribes’ chiefs.

He knew when to show his courage. It seems Gilmi was still unable to win against him in a battle of negotiations.

“…Very well. Prepare yourself.”

But one step wrong, and Gilmi’s arrow will pierce through Rashka’s brain. So I signaled with my eyes to the blessed of the Sword God, Gi Go Amatsuki.

Gi Go nodded to show his agreement.

Rashka and Gilmi faced each other from roughly 20 meters apart. In Gilmi’s hand was his favorite bow. Around him were his tribesmen. They called out to him, asking, “Are you really going to do it?” Gilmi’s expression was a lot closer to confusion than anger.

He wrinkled his brows after being asked, but he didn’t give them an answer. He just drove them away under the pretense of needing to concentrate.

On Rashka’s side were the teary-eyed Gaidga Goblins. There was nothing but confusion written over their grim faces, as their respected chief was about to sacrifice himself for them.

Some suggested to run away now. But Rashka expressionlessly shook his head. He was the same as always, so the Gaidga couldn’t help but show their bewilderment.

“It’s time,” I declared. “Allow me to confirm. Regardless of the results - whether Rashka lives or dies - all enmity will be put away, correct?”

“Of course,” Rashka answered calmly with his arms folded. “Then let us begin.”

As I said that, the two goblins separated. Even I’m helpless during times like this.

“From the Tribe of Ganra, adopted child of Ra Gilan - I, The First ArcherGadieta, Ra Gilmi, shall take this arrow and demand justice from the accused!”

Kicking the rocks by his feet, Gilmi levelled the ground.

He drew his bow to its limits, there was only one aim: the death of his enemy. As he carefully aimed his bow toward Rashka’s right eye, his breath was steady, there wasn’t the slightest error in his movements.

In that moment, when all goblins watched carefully for that one arrow, not a sound was made.

◆◇◇

Gilmi grinded his teeth.

How? He asked. How could this man before me keep his composure? He should know very well that I have no intention of missing.

Gilmi’s mind and emotion were on fire as they fought each other inside him.

He knew in his mind that offending the Chief of the East was a foolish move.

He knew it, and yet!

He couldn’t agree to it.

This was the enemy he detested the most, the enemy responsible for taking Gilan’s life.

At long last, he could finally take vengeance.

Just how many of his people died in Gaidga’s attack? Just how many of his people died in their attempt to lure Paradua into a trap?

This is not someone he should forgive. This is the enemy who killed his brethren!

His brethren whom he shared a meal with, whom he hunted with! And even those who saved his life! And the one responsible for their deaths is none other than this enemy right in front of him!

He needs only let loose this arrow, and it will fly through the air, penetrating into the enemy’s eye. Without even breaking a sweat, the arrow will drive itself all the way into the enemy’s brain, and vengeance would be his. Yet why? Why were his eyes growing hazy?

“The bow is something you shoot with your heart.”

The image of Rashka in his heart turned murky.

“Don’t hate him, Gilmi.”

Those dying words once again echoed within his mind.

Hate, and your heart will weaken. When the heart is weak, your arrows will miss their mark.

As the image in front of him distorted, Gilan’s figure filled his vision.

The warmth of that big hand over his head… The devotion he had when he taught him the bow… As the memories filled his head, they touched his heart.

Why? Why Master Gilan? Why is it that no matter how much I hate Rashka, his figure only grows murkier?

Am I wrong, Master Gilan?

Why!? Why do I have to remember Master Gilan happily talking with Rashka now of all times!?

Master Gilan!

◆◇◆

“…Master Gilan, I’ve made my mind,” Gilmi whispered as he slowly lowered his bow.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. Me included, the Gaidga Goblins included, and even those of Ganra.

“Rashka, accept this.”

That was truly an instant. I did not shift my eyes away from the scene before me, but regardless, I couldn’t respond. That arrow was just that fast. And that very arrow pierced itself into Rashka’s right eye.

“…!!!”

But what was really surprising was that Rashka didn’t blink.

“Did I blink?”

Although the arrow had thrusted right at his eyeball, Rashka’s figure with his hands folded did not sway even the slightest bit.

“…Amazing,” Gilmi whispered as everyone glanced at each other. “If there is still anyone who wishes to continue the enmity between

Ganra and Gaidga after this, then I Ra Gilmi shall be your opponent. Step forward now if there is anyone amongst you dissatisfied!”

At Gilmi’s voice, the surrounding crowd cheered.