Chapter 27: Horizon

On a room that was adorned by armors and weapons, was a chair that seemed to be custom-made just for its owner and there sat Prawler Benson with his large body. Around him sat his adjutants and the commanders of the army that he led.

On the table that seemed to compete with the size of Prawler was a map drawn by Guy. The map was a map of the forest and it had few circles and x marks that could be seen around the entrance. Those were the evidence gathered by the scouts of Guy who had noticed the immediate danger.

Prawler spoke to the guy in front of him.

"So it was indeed true."

…

Prawler was getting ready for the subjugation when suddenly Guy came back without notice. As Guy was ordered to bring back the nobles, they thought that something happened but the reasoning of Guy was something that couldn't be believed even if he was a brilliant one.

"There is an enemy marching on us. I believe they have the same number of forces as ours, if not larger."

That was the report of Guy who came back. Usually, a man who didn't complete their orders and came back with no real good reason will get punishment but they gave him a chance to prove his word.

Guy couldn't provide evidence but what he stated next had the same weight and impact or perhaps even greater.

"If I am wrong about this and it comes to pass that there is no such forces, I will gladly accept to start over my career as an infantry."

Guy's voice was calm when he said those words but for the men who made the battlefield their home, those were words enough to ignite a flame within them. However, it's not like because Guy said something like that, they will accept his words, only fools would do that and so, Prawler wanted a piece of the puzzle.

Guy proceeded to explain the events regarding the 'messenger' of Riagas Mane. He told them every detail and the misgivings he had with the man. Even the abrupt killing was reported. That was how much sure he was of his conjecture.

"You have a point but it's nowhere enough to have us fall back."

Was Prawler, the commander's reply for the words of Guy.

Guy was vexed but he couldn't push it any further as it was true that he didn't even have concrete evidence. One could say that he was lucky enough to be able to explain his piece. Guy was ready to give up there and bid his time for when the enemy decides to attack them but it seems the heaven hadn't given up on him.

"Commander, I have brought them back."

The words that he was waiting for was said by his friend, Raizen, who had just finished their mission and had returned to the headquarters. What's more was that, it was only after a day that he reported the situation that Raizen came back. The speed of which Raizen completed the mission that was supposed to be completed by the both of them was just lighting fast and even Guy didn't expect that.

Guy however didn't have time to be amazed as he presented his facts right then and there.

"Sir, I would like to ask Riagas Mane about it."

Many of the brass didn't want to waste their time on Guy's rumblings as they already gave him a chance but the truth was dissolved in an unexpected way and by an unexpected guy.

"Commander! We could have won and finished our mission! Why must we go back?!"

The one who shouted that out loud was Riagas Mane, the commander of the said messenger.

Of course, the men in the army weren't fools. They understood what those words meant. Rey, the vice commander of the southern army, 'asked' Riagas Mane.

"You could have won?"

Rey spoke with a voice so low that it was cold enough for Riagas to step back however he didn't want to let go of this chance.

"That's right. If we had more time…We didn't need to be saved!"

Rey who asked the man immediately offered his opinion to Prawler.

"I believe Guy's correct on this matter sir."

Prawler wasn't a fool to not know what those words meant so he gave his consent regarding the retreat. At the same time, he asked Guy to present evidence so they could have an official and reasonable reason as to why they retreated.

As they were busily walking around and suddenly saying retreat and going back, Riagas Mane was flustered. He didn't expect that just because of his words that they will be going back. He didn't know what was going on.

Amidst in his confusion, Guy came up to him and told him.

"You have my thanks."

And so, he was thanked by the guy who set him up with Raizen.

…

As of now, Prawler was looking at the map presented to him by Guy and he just finished hearing the reports of the scouts.

"What do you think they will do after this?"

Prawler asked Guy, the one who reported the matter to him.

"I have no idea. It is true that they are willing to ignore the words of the church but I am sure that they have something to fall back on. It may be a trump card that the enemy country is hiding or a secret dealing. Either way, we don't have time. We still haven't verified which country that does army belongs to but we are certain that they will attack us."

Guy reported what was on his mind and the facts gathered. The men allowed to participate in this meeting were all renowned men in the battlefield but even they don't have a single clue on how to respond to this situation.

"If there are certain points to attack, where will it be?"

Prawler asked the men but none could give an answer. They didn't know anything. Even Guy was perplexed about it. There's no way he could have expected to receive an attack from the forest.

There, Rey offered his opinion with a dark expression.

"If I may speak, there are two points. One is us, the one who is guarding the borders and the other…"

Rey gulped his saliva before continuing.

"The people that we are supposed to protect."

With those words, the expressions of Prawler and the men grew pale as they realized the situation, a situation that they didn't have a clue on who the enemy was and where they will attack from.

One man held the thoughts of all and said it out loud.

"The forest…is a scarier place when haunted by man."

****

Karkas was walking down the forest with the others who had evolved just like him however it wasn't so nice for him.

"I expected it from you, Una!"

"Haha! I can't be compared to you though, Didi."

The ones talking were the goblins that had attained the rank of Big, Didi and Una. And their laughter reached the sky as they complimented one another.

Karkas noticed them and he thought.

'Before, we goblins couldn't be like that. I am sure this is another effect of the king.'

The goblins weren't some happy-go-lucky people who could just brag about their ranks and so. They had various reasons why but the biggest one was that they could not in the first place. That was why Karkas was sure they were progressing as a race with the king around. And that was also the reason why Karkas had a gloomy mood to him.

'From here on out, I don't know how to support the king…'

He was happy and delighted at the fact that they were improving but it was lamenting him more that he didn't know how to support the king, what with his new rank.

"Don't worry about it, Dal. I'm sure the king doesn't want you to sulk about it."

"I know but… haah. Just thinking about it makes me…"

He heard the conversation of Hig who was comforting the sulking Dal. He could sympathize with Dal at that one.

Karkas was troubled by his rank and without noticing it; he wandered around the area where the Elder was.

"Karkas, what's wrong with you?"

He was surprised by the voice of the Elder but he soon shook his head.

"It's my rank…I don't know anything about it and even more so, I don't even know if it will be useful to the king"

The goblins were overly loyal to the king and Karkas could be said as a goblin who only had the king on their eyes. Without batting an eye, he will do everything for the king. Though that was the case with the other goblins, Karkas was even more extreme, now that the opportunity to serve has come before him.

"Don't worry about it so much. The king treasures you so as you gave a huge contribution to the last battle."

Indeed, the one who set the board called the battle was Karkas and he even triggered it. There's no way that kind of guy will not be useful.

"Even so…I don't feel any strength coming from the blessings. I'm not even sure if you could call this a blessing."

The stern Elder laughed a little at his words, shocking Karkas for this was the first time that he heard it.

"The king will still treasure any goblin. He doesn't realize it yet but in the ancient times, the king was said to be…"

"Karkas!"

The Elder who was speaking about the ancient times happily was disturbed by the loud voice of the king. He was calling for Karkas, it seems.

Karkas didn't even give any parting words to the Elder as he immediately run off to the direction of the voice. The Elder didn't seem to be too offended with that as he smiled and spoke with a low voice.

"The king will…"