Chapter 68 The Subjugation Of The Goblin King (5) The Separation

Inside the royal castle of the Astellia Kingdom, the prime minister, the nobles, the military officers, and the cabinet ministers had all gathered inside the throne room to discuss the matter on hand.

With everyone gathered in the throne room, those with sensitive eyes could perceive the tense atmosphere together with some hint of hostility from a certain group towards the others could be sensed.

"It seems that the goblin king subjugation at the south had been thoroughly handled by the council of Arkansas. I heard that their advance is proceeding very smoothly," The prime minister opened the conversation with the goblin king matter.

"Yes, indeed. What a wonderful thing it is. The eastern army's advance had been proceeding rather smoothly as well. It looks like this matter with the goblins won't be something that we need to bother the king with," The one who spoke these words is one of the nobles that hold the highest nobility rank, and is the one who lead the Eastern army of Astellia Kingdom, Duke Ravindor. The hint of sarcasm could be sensed in his words.

In face of his sarcasm, the prime minister didn't even flinch. He continues to wear his indifferent expression. The reason why the duke mentioned about the king is because currently, the king isn't present inside the throne room. There is only the prime minister standing beside the throne while folding his hands behind his back.

"Surely so, Duke Ravindor. It will be great if we could continue to give pieces of good news to his majesty," The prime minister replied with a smile.

"It's been almost half a year that the king had been sick, prime minister Letmian. To add the heat even further, Prince Erich had also gone missing from the castle! This will be a great disaster if the other countries heard it!" The one that let out such a commotion is a count on the Duke Ravindor's side, Count Berthnand. He strokes the tip of his mustache as he complained.

"Yes, prime minister. I've heard that Prince Erich went personally to the city of Arkansas to join the goblin subjugation. For the crown prince to went directly to such a great danger is too reckless. Isn't he usually not the type that acts recklessly as so?" (Duke Ravindor)

"The king's recovery term had almost ended, Count Berthnand. About prince Erich, I've dispatched some of the royal knights to escort and bring the crown prince back, and considering the prince's strength that is comparable to those Mythril-ranked mercenaries, I believe there is no need to worry that much," The prime minister continues to answer calmly.

"But if this continues, then who will be leading the royal court and handle the other grave matters our kingdom is facing!?" (Count Berthnand)

"What a peculiar question, Count Berthnand. As the prime minister, it's my duty to assist the king in handling the state's matters. More so when the king is ill, in the king's stead, I will be leading the royal court. And rest assured, I'm not alone," (Prime Minister)

The prime minister suddenly makes a confident smile on his face.

"Princess Anastasia had been assisting me by giving me her brilliant inputs regarding the issues we're facing," (Prime Minister)

Hearing the name mentioned by the prime minister, the nobles that are trying to pressure the prime minister went into silence. It's obvious how much weight the name mentioned is inside the head of those who are present.

"I believe all of you remember that the brilliance of the princess is something that won't pale even when compared with the crown prince," (Prime Minister)

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---Back in The Subjugation---

"Is it fine to leave the main army to Borton, Alice?" (Alice)

"It's fine. We're currently still at our very first plan, which is my plan A. In case the course of things deviated, I've already given him the book containing all of the plans all the way to plan E. The Astellia Kingdom's army is also taking the attention of the goblin army from the south anyway. And I can't trust my two hot-headed friends in such a dangerous mission, so I'm going as well," (Alice)

"Heh! If you're worried about us then just say about it. No need to talk in such a roundabout way, you cute thing," Emilia chuckled as she rustles Alice's head.

After finished clashing with the army of hobgoblins and wiping them out, the elite group split up according to the group, but Alice left the main army to the Brave Ring's leader, Borton, with half of the Brave Ring's members and join the elite group to advance towards the goblin king.

(But as expected, the army of hobgoblins' appearance did surprise us. Their strength and agility are higher than normal goblins or even the red goblins, and they are more skilled in fighting as well. We got more casualties than in the battles before as result) (Lyan)

"Rookie," (Alice)

(Well, casualties are common in wars like this. The other mercenaries didn't seem to be bothered by it, well the casualties could be said very low if we compare it with other kinds of war, though) (Lyan)

"Evocatore," (Alice)

(I guess as expected of mercenaries, huh. They look like they are used to these kinds of things. The army still has its morale at its peak even after encountering that army of hobgoblins. It would still be better if Jean stopped showing the others his sex with his girls in the middle of the night, though) (Lyan)

Lyan remembered last night when he wandered around the camp, he heard moans and the sound of flesh colliding from the bushes, only to hear Jean's groan coming from it.

"I'm calling you!!" (Alice)

Alice headbutts Lyan's back in anger, only to bounce back because of the hardness of his body.

"Hm?" Lyan got brought back to the reality and turn his back.

"Shit... Is your body made from stone or something? Why it is so hard!?" Alice shouted as she rub her forehead that sore because of headbutting his back.

"Ah. Do you need something from me, Small General?" Lyan asked her respectfully.

"Hm. Your respectful tone is pleasing to hear, but hearing you call me Small General when you're this tall are making me feel that you're mocking me..." (Alice)

Lyan's height is around 183 cm, while Alice's height is around 155 cm which made Alice need to look up to look at Lyan's face.

"Ah, forgive me about that," (Lyan)

Lyan bends his body down and makes sure his eye level is at the same height as Alice's.

"Now. Do you need something, Small General?" (Lyan)

"Grrrrrr! Hyah!!" Alice let out a cute shriek, but her action is the opposite of her cute voice.

"Gah!" Lyan groaned as his head got a direct attack from Alice's headbutt.

(W-What just hit me? A rock!? No, it's her head, right!? Why is it so hard!?) (Lyan)

Lyan holds his head which got attacked by a headache for a while because of the headbutt.

"Hmph! That's for mocking my height, you bastard," Alice said with a smug grin on her face as she folds her hand before her modest chest.

"What was that for you little brat..." (Lyan)

"Huh!? You wanna go at it? Come! I'm not scared!" (Alice)

*Smack!*

"Ouch! What's that for, Surena!?" Alice held her head that suddenly got smacked by Surena.

"That's not good, Alice. He's not even mocking your height in the first place. He's just making sure that you don't need to tire your neck to look at him," (Surena)

"Hmph! As if I care!" Alice snorted.

(Eh~? Did she really call me just to deliver a headbutt to me? This snotty brat) (Lyan)

"Sorry, Lyan. It's just that this girl is very sensitive about her height and easily gets mad when she felt offended because of it. Alice, you're about to thank him for notifying you quickly about the red goblins that attacked from behind, right? Don't forget your gratefulness because of your height, would you?" Emilia scolded her just like a big sister.

"Ah. You're right," Alice shifted her gaze towards Lyan.

"Your call really helped us minimize the casualties from the battle back then. If you notify me even a moment late, the light cavalries would get considerable damage and lose more people, and at the worst case, the supply unit might get the damage as well," (Alice)

"It was just a coincidence," Lyan replied with a shrug.

"No. I doubt it's just a coincidence. Your war instincts must be on the same level or even better than Surena's. This is the second time that you noticed incoming danger faster than the others and made us didn't lose our composure," Alice mentioned about their raid towards the goblin lair near the Mercenary city.

"I would say that I'm obligated to praise you as the commander of the army. If this is a military army of a certain kingdom, then you would grant a medal of honor considering your achievements," (Alice)

"You're exaggerating it too much," (Lyan)

"Say what you want. This is my honest opinion. Well, that's all I wanted to say- What's with your annoying grins, Surena! Emilia!!" Alice shouted angrily towards her two friends.

"Well, well. It's been a while since I heard my dear Alice praise someone that much. But that moment where you rush together with your horse really is an epic moment, Lyan. I felt like I got slightly wet when I saw that," (Emilia)

"You and your dirty old men jokes..." (Alice)

"Well, thanks for your compliments, I guess. I just happened to spot the incoming goblins, and happened to be the one the goblin champion is aiming for. You can just say that it's my luck working," Lyan shrugged.

The reason why they are capable of having a leisure chat as they proceed is that the elite group's aim for today is to have a good rest and save their stamina and the stamina of their horses for tomorrow's big battle. So they are currently walking on feet rather than riding their horses. Tomorrow, they'll be galloping their horses at full speed towards the goblin king's lair and finish the battle while the goblin army got their attention on the main army.

"Let's continue the good work and finish this quest perfectly," (Alice)

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Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Gold-ranked Mercenary

Money: 49,722,400 Elnes

Weapon: None

Equipment: Black leather cloak, Leather Armor, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 2 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 2 Health potions, 2 Poison Vials

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, Shadow Hobgoblin, Papilio Slime, Galewing Butterfly, Rock Golem, Deadlight, Moonlight Butterfly, Ice Golem