Chapter 22: Outpost

It is called the Dwarven Kingdom, but it is undeniable that the name was given a long time ago.

The territories that they have now only had two outposts before the actual capital.

Idmon and the group are now at one of those outposts.

Dolf: “Stay here first for a few days because I need to convince the king. The king and the old advisors are not fond of the undead.”

Idmon: “(t) I understand.”

Dolf: “Very well then; I believe you will find enough rooms and accommodations for a group of 100 or even 200 in this abandoned outpost.”

We are now in an outpost that was abandoned decades ago because of its proximity to multiple goblin bases. This outpost is only 2 hours away from the other one.

Idmon: “(t) Is it okay to station my group here?”

Dolf: “Absolutely, but I advise you to be discreet because if you get spotted by a goblin warband, it’s going to be a long day for you guys.”

Idmon: “(t) Okay, I understand.”

After that, the dwarf group went on their journey home.

I told Lina to scout the area from east to south, while I would scout the city from west to north.

A few hours ago, one of the Skeleton Marksmen (who will be named Ran) went to me to report how Bon was doing.

The resurrection of the enemies to be under us is going well, and they have already moved to the cave where I instructed them.

I told the Skeleton Marksman to have them report here to this outpost once everything is finished.

Looking around here, this place is sturdy—ddwarven craftsmanship at its finest. The walls are made of high-quality stone and even have high-quality steel on top of them, making them almost impenetrable by either physical or magical means.

Mana-powered ballistae. Pitfalls. Moat. This outpost is one solid fortress, and its position is also good if you’re aiming to mine the surrounding mountains.

Before going out on my scouting mission, I tried using the ballista. I infused my power into the handle, and a large purple arrow started to load on the weapon. It was automatic, and I had the feeling that the aim would be where I wanted it, so I fired it at a tree.

Zoom! It went fast and destroyed the tree. I also felt drained after that, maybe because I input the maximum energy required.

Now for the scouting mission. We are starting from the west.

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Goblin villages here and there could be seen minutes away from the fort. They are always running around, either fighting each other, eating each other, or picking up materials to build new huts.

It seems the food source here is cave mushrooms for the dwarves and fellow goblins for the goblins.

Hmm. That’s right. I haven’t seen any wildlife here aside from the behemoth.

Goblins reproduce fast, so they can eat like 8 out of 10 babies and keep the other 2.

Goblins, Hobgoblins, and Trolls!? And maybe some ogres?

They have a lot of variations in the monster registry, but seeing it myself made me realize that if there are that many, I wonder why the dwarves haven’t lost yet. They do have Berserkers, but I believe there aren’t that many of them.

The problem here is: how could we hold on if we get noticed?

I was able to spot a goblin village nearby.

After looking at it a few more times and seeing that no one seems like a real leader around here, I proceeded to go north.

Same things. Same activities. I wonder what’s the reason for the goblins making new villages and rapidly reproducing. They are taking over the lands of the southern region at an alarming pace.

There was one fat goblin here that was being carried around while shouting orders.

Leader? Or just a supervisor?

Okay.

As I was about to pull out, I saw something that froze me for a minute.

There was a cage. A large cage. Inside was,

A Behemoth! Two of them.

WHAT!!?????

Calm down. Calm down.

I looked closer. The enemies had some goblin beastmasters trying to whip the beast. Some were also playing some weird tunes.

Are they trying to control the behemoth? That’s crazy.

Trolls and ogres surround the area to keep the behemoths in check in case they get out. Right?

Okay. Now let’s get out of here for real.

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I met up with Lina a few hours later.

She said that she saw the same things as in the western villages.

It seems like the northern villages are valuable or somewhat unique.

Lina: “(t)Idmon… Are you okay? Why don’t we rest for a bit?”

It was a chilly voice, but I felt warm since it was full of concern. Weird. Warm.

Idmon: “Yeah, let's.”

So, I lay down for hours in one of the rooms in the outpost.

Lina said she would keep a lookout in the area, and she could pretend to be a ghost that’s haunting this area to keep others away.

I wonder how well that works out.

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I was in a dream now.

I know because, right now, I have skin and flesh.

“IDMON!!!”

“RUN!!!”

Huh? I turned around, and I saw an old man shouting at me. I was in someplace like a castle. I was on the stairs, and I fell while running.

“How could you do this!? Ughh!”

I heard some weird conversations on the top of the stairs, so I looked up.

There was a man there.

He was a well-dressed man who looked like a butler or a royal servant of some kind.

He killed the old man who was shouting at me earlier.

“R-run!”

AHHHH!

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Ughhh.

I felt like I was forcefully pulled out of that dream.

Isn’t that the place where I died the first time? Now that’s tricky, Old man.

Butler.

Lina: “(t) Idmon! Come out quick!”

I got a telepathic message from Lina.

What is it? Invaders!?

I quickly picked up my makeshift spear from the claws of the fallen Behemoth.

I call them claw spears now. There is no time for creativity here.

I picked up a small round shield for mobility and wore light armor.

I wonder how I even fell asleep earlier. I’m undead!

As I reached the highest point of the outpost, which is a watchtower, Lina pointed to where something big was happening.

We saw an army marching towards the Dwarven capital.