Chapter 141: "Grave visitation"

Chapter 141: "Grave visitation"

"I get the story."

I nod in agreement, having finished listening to Abdullah's mountainous half-life in a nutshell.

The goblin king sitting opposite me waits patiently for my reply with a somewhat refreshed expression.

Now, what is my decision?

If I believe what I've heard, I'm sure that the elves are under the control of the Gnosis, or some similar organisation.

...Well, I mean, how many people could use such a distinctive symbol?

Definitely Gnostic.

How did those people powder the elves?

It would be difficult to cross the mountain range without the inhabitants noticing, and first of all, what would be the benefit of taking in people who live in such an enclave...

Sigh.

It's hard to say at the moment.

We were going to see them either way, we should probably include confirmation of that.

"As I recall, you want us to wait until the elves are destroyed, but we can lend a hand in some cases."

Abdullah's eyes widen.

"I can't just take your word for it though ....... You understand that, don't you?"

There is no reply to my words.

He just stares at me with a probing gaze.

"I'm going into the Elven Forest in a few days to do some research. I want to put negotiations with the goblins on hold until after that. In relation to that, I'd like you to stop the invasion for a little while... well, I'm not asking you to stop the invasion itself, whatever the outcome. I just need a little time."

"So you want us to wait until you have a better idea of the elves?"

"You can take it that way. If I can use them, I will find a way to bring them in. If not, you can destroy them as you like. But if they are harmful to me, I will help you."

I say, "Well?" I ask.

Abdullah opens his mouth after a short pause.

"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Go ahead."

"Can I take your decision as your consensus?"

"Yes, I'll make sure that whatever we decide here is thorough and I'm capable of doing that. You can trust me on that."

"......, what is your definition of useful or useless at ......?"

This is another difficult question.

In short, what is the basis for the decision?

To be frank, I don't really care, but they are a potential threat, considering what would happen if the elves were Gnostic and found out about me.

I'm going to need them to disappear from the world peacefully.

Using the goblins as a cover, it would be convenient for me to destroy them.

I'd like to see the elven realm as a confirmation, ...... rather than simply because I want to.

Perhaps, but Abdullah's story was not false.

There were no discrepancies with what I had heard about the Death Worms before, and from my memory of the goblins I had pulled out so far, I didn't find anything odd about them.

As for the dwarves and trolls, that's none of my business as I'm going to leave them to Fatima.

Well, they will do well.

I'll just have to put the goblins on hold for a little while.

"Either they're a threat to me or they're not."

"And if they don't, will that prevent me from getting my revenge?"

"...... probably not. Unless you're lying to me, there's a high probability they'll be a hindrance to me."

I can honestly say that.

The elves have a high probability of finishing them off.

"Do you expect me to believe that?"

"If you don't want to believe it, that's fine. But before you get your revenge, your assurances of a better tomorrow are gone."

"...... can I have one last question?"

Go ahead.

At present, the Tierdras Mountains are busy with the post-war process.

Fatima is currently working out the details with representatives of the Trolls and Dwarves, and she is doing a lot of work without a break.

She's handy in times like these.

I wouldn't want to have her anywhere near me, though.

Incidentally, the orcs have been brainwashed, so there's no need to even discuss it.

Radeeb will handle it well.

A lot has changed, but the territory's inhabitants have been kept in the dark about this, so the oratorium is running normally today.

Occasionally, people passing by look at us with a suspicious expression, but it is probably because the Lords' procession is unusual.

Abdullah, like the others, hides his identity by wearing armour and clothes, so there are no particular problems.

The fact that they honestly follow the instructions to disguise themselves may indicate that they have a large heart.

Or is he too worried about the grave to do anything about it?

As I was thinking about this, I began to pass more and more people on the road.

It's about time the village came into view.

The village had been completely rebuilt, as it had been a long time.

The population has also returned to normal, but not quite.

Well, most of the damage was caused by my magic!

I asked if they wanted to pause in the village, but Abdullah shook his head and said no.

I could tell he was fidgeting a bit.

He seems to be more concerned about the graves.

I decided to keep going too, especially as I don't have any problems without a break.

After leaving the village, we entered the forest and proceeded deeper into the forest.

After a few hours of going through the forest, I saw the grave I wanted to go to.

"Here it is."

I said and got off the rickshaw.

Abdullah gets out of the rickshaw and follows me inside.

Inside, nothing had changed at all since I last entered.

I proceeded down a straight corridor and descended a flight of stairs.

After going down for a while, I came out into a large space.

I stop in the middle of the space.

"Oi! Are you here?"

I shout out in Japanese.

After a while, I heard a crawling sound from the back and the small death worm appeared.

"Oh... oh ......"

...?

Looking back, Abdullah shudders and rushes to Death Worm, taking off his helmet.

"Mister Bichiren!"

Death Worm turns his head towards Abdullah as if startled by his voice.

"Are you ...... Abdullah?"

"Yes, that's right! Yes, Mister Bichiren! I... am..."

As he approached Death Worm, he knelt on the spot.

"I am sorry... sorry! I left the great Hironori-sama, to whom I am indebted, and fled, and have lived in shame until this day... if only I had... gone with you... then..."

Death Worm shakes his head as Abdullah kneels down.

"I'm so glad you're safe. He was worried about you to the very end."

Abdullah sobs, perhaps overcome with emotion.

I let out a small breath and go back the way I came.

Let's not do anything wild.

I go straight out of the cemetery.

There seems to be a lot to talk about, so let's just kill some time until they come out.