Chapter 69: THE ART OF SCHEMING

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)

A year has yet to pass since Kuzan was born.

With her weak body, it wasn’t possible for her to go out. So all her life, her playground’s always been this dark and narrow cave.

Originally, the name Kuzan belonged to the founder of the Gordob Tribe. But since then, it’s been passed down for generations.

When the current Kuzan received that name, it brought with it a grave duty. A duty she had to carry with her weak and frail body. That duty was to hear the voice of the Blight Lord.

And 10 days after she received the name ‘Kuzan’, she heard the voice of the Blight Lord for the first time.

“Evil shall hail from the East… With four treasures… Before me…”

When that fragmentary voice reached her ears, her whole body shook before the door.

The blood of her ancestors which was sleeping within her veins, awoke, banishing the anxiety that filled her heart when she was suddenly made Kuzan, and reliving within her the memories of her predecessors. Though her own memories have been left untouched, the warmth of her ancestors now fill her.

With gladness, she accepted the duty of watching over the gate.

But…

What does the Blight Lord mean by “evil”? The four treasures are definitely the four treasures of the four tribes, but… what does he mean by “evil”?

The girl who had just heard the voice of the Blight Lord for the first time, didn’t know what to do. So she turned to her aid and father, Yellow. But in the end, they couldn’t figure out what exactly would come from the East. Moreover, when she went to the door to ask, she saw figures of giant demons lording over the fortress. Not just one, but a whole pack of ogres. One of them distinctly stuck out from the pack, possessing greater power than the rest. Most likely, it was the leader of the pack.

After seeing that, she quickly fled from the fortress and consulted Yellow.

They concluded that the help of the tribes was necessary.

So they called forth the chiefs of the three other tribes: The strongest of them then, Gilan of Ganra, the strongest now, Rashka of Gaidga, and the oldest of them, Aluhaliha. But in the end, they could not come to an agreement.

Without the strength to lead, goblins won’t listen. Having been told that, Kuzan proposed a plan under the pretense of a prophecy.

They announced that the 400 years of ceasefire that theGoddess of the Underworldtesia left them has been overturned. But of course, with the temple now overrun by ogres, such a prophecy wouldn’t be accepted.

The goblin most favorable amongst them when it came to prophecies, Rashka of Gaidga, spoke.

“Evil” must be referring to an enemy.

---It is only with the help of the king that we will be able to stand our ground.

Those words became an impetus, causing the ambitious Rashka to bolster his forces. Seeing that, Kuzan, who was aware of his talent in ether, taught him how to use it. Then she told him to say this.

“I have succeeded the seat of the underworld gate’s oracle.”

The oracle of the underworld. From the very beginning, that was a seat that the Gordob was meant to carry. So declaring that was the same thing as saying that the Gordob Tribe was now under their rule. As for any rebellion from the Gordob Tribe itself, Kuzan’s words would immediately silence them.

Rashka was shocked, but Kuzan and Yellow only nodded to him.

---The time has come. You shall become the king and save the four tribes.

Those sweet words were like honey, and Rashka fell to her temptation.

“There’s no need to rely on some fairytale king,” Rashka decdlared. “I will open a path with my own power!”

Young and ambitious, Kuzan who had gained the memories of her ancestors played him like a fiddle.

Rashka led the forces of Gaidga, challenging the strongest tribe then, Ganra. And facing him was none other thanthe First ArcherGadieta and the chief of the strongest tribe, Gilan.

At first, the battle favored the veteran, Gilan, but with Rashka able to use ether, the battle eventually ended in his favor.

But then a problem arose.

The ogres by the gates of the underworld began to move out of the Fortress of the Abyss.

Rashka and his tribe tried to stop them, but he couldn’t come up with any remarkable results. But that wasn’t too surprising, after all, every single one of the ogres were strong.

So even with Rashka’s magic, and with Aluhaliha on a rider-beast, and even with all the goblins behind them, the ogres’ threat wasn’t something they could easily vanquish.

It was around that time that Gilmi of Ganra asked for help from a goblin from the east.

---There is an invader coming from the east.

When Kuzan heard of the goblin’s strength from Yellow, she finally realized what that prophecy truly meant.

What they have been yearning for all this time has finally come.

When she realized that, shame filled her for the foolish scheme she pulled. But still, she needed to fulfill her duty.

She needed to fulfill the words of those who protect the gates of the underworld.

The “evil” goblin shall gather the four treasures.

Under her orders, Yellow used the Puppeteer skill to control a bird of misfortune and track his movements.

And time after time, the goblin’s actions pulled on their heartstrings, confirming their suspicions.

Ahh, they thought. This is the goblin who shall save us.

And so they invited this goblin who defeated Rashka to the Gordob’s home.

And in the walls of their ever dark cave, his words resounded.

“I will open a path to the Blight Lord!”

Ahh, what strong words.

Indeed, for these weak and frail goblins, salvation has - at long last - come.

◇◆◇

I’m just human, so of course, there’s no way I could predict everything. The only thing I can do is to do my best to create the best result. Or at least, that’s what I believe. But… is this really the best result I’ve been looking for?

Unneeded friction between the goblins, and a blood bath shed.

I knit my brows.

If it’s just the result we’re talking about, then I have indeed managed to unite the goblins.

If it weren’t for them fighting amongst themselves, I probably wouldn’t have been able to unify them.

The Great Gilan of Ganra. He would’ve led the four tribes, and although, Rashka’s ambitions may have been great, I doubt he would’ve actually started a revolt.

But, still… Still… For some reason, I just can’t shake off this disgust.

This scheming and plotting that Yellow and Kuzan told me - No, that’s not quite right. They didn’t tell me, I asked them about it. I asked, so they answered.

I was at a loss.

Kuzan was prostrated before me, but… what should I do?

“O king. Please exact judgment upon the ogres that’ve taken the fortress.”

That’s also been bothering me.

Why? Why now? Of all times, why did the ogres suddenly appear?

Strings are being pulled…

As I thought that, it felt as if someone was laughing inside me.

---The Red Snake,Pitch BlackVerid, who was coiled around my arms like the very incarnation of black flames. It felt as if he was laughing at my troubles.

As expected of the Goddess of the Underworld’s That woman’s gift. How irritating!

“Fine.”

I need to pull myself together. I need to find out who exactly is on the other side of the Underworld Gate.

“After Narsa arrives, we’ll head for the Fortress of the Abyss.”

Kuzan is the most familiar when it comes to the Fortress of the Abyss. I’m definitely going to need her knowledge as a Kuzan. But I wonder… Is embracing this disgust a threat to my plans of creating a kingdom?

No, let’s put that off for later. Meeting the so-called Blight Lord to solidify my position amongst the four tribes comes first. After that, I’ll make a decision.

A decision on what I should do with her.

But then again… I’m not exactly innocent myself.

I would sacrifice anything for the sake of my goals after all.

So knowing that… can I really judge her?

On Kuzan’s eyes are reflected only one thing: A wish to talk with theBlight LordDiskorado on the other side of the gate.

Or perhaps, instead of a wish, I should call it love.

Regardless, is that really something I have the right to judge?

Is that the sort of king I aspire to be?

Without an eek of an answer surfacing, I waited for Narsa to arrive.

◇◆◇

“Long time no see, Chief of the East.”

It took two days for Narsa to bring theMeteor BowByunei Bow.

Her face was much calmer now, as if she has finally freed herself from some kind of doubt.

“Did… Did something happen?’

Without thinking about it, those words slipped out. Narsa glanced at Gilmi for a moment, then she wryly smiled.

“No. Nothing in particular.” “I see.”

I wonder if something happened between her and Gilmi. Well, that’s probably not something I could understand. In any case, if it’s beneficial to her, it shouldn’t be a bad thing.

“Do you know why I call you here?” “Yes.”

Immediately, she kneeled down on one knee.

“I’ve heard from Lord Kuzan that we will be subjugating the ogres in the Fortress of the Abyss.”

I see… So her change was because of Kuzan.

“Because of that our four treasures will be necessary. Please make use of them.”

In the past, she treated me as her equal due to the alliance, but now, she’s acting like a servant.

“I will definitely take back the Fortress of the Abyss. Lend me your power, Narsa.”

“As you will!”

With this, Ganra officially came under my rule.