With an instant, we arrive at the demon's territory. I have to admit, I kind of jealous of Godin for he obtains such a useful skill for the moment he born. I wish I can do something like a flashy spell too, but knowing the ugly fate, I can't.

Hmm? something off here. Wait...

"Oi Godin, this place is far to Janjar's nest!"

"Are you gonna enter his place with your human form? sorry but even I do not want to fight his rats"

Ah, that's right! I forgot to change myself earlier, close call. Somehow this human form is like my second nature. I close my eyes and chant the spell. A beautiful purple light circle keep spinning and slowly coating around me

Garrhh! ha.... arghhh!!!

My knee has landed on the ground with blood flowing out from my mouth. It's hurt! my skin felt like burn and I feel a pain all over my body! The orb of the purple light shattering my human skin to pieces. I haven't felt this such a pain for decades, 

After a moment, the 'purify' has finally ended, but it cost me a lot of mana and the injuries all over my body

"Sheron! are you-"

"I'm fine... just let me... sit for a while to recover my injuries"

"If you say so"

I crawl slowly, headed to the big tree near me and lean my body. As I breathe with calm, Godin carries my sword and he sits near me. I focusing all of my mana, and send it to all over the injury parts. It will cost a bit by this regen skill, but at least I'm not dying in a pathetic state when the time forces me to fight him. Who knows what that goblin think when he saw me.

"Say, Sheron... are you gonna kill the demon lord?" Godin says with a serious look

"why are you saying that?"

"You know, this is just my gut's feeling, but whenever I see you march with the human's army... slaying our own kind... it's telling me that one day, your sword will pointing at him, wearing a killing intent as your eyes were not shown any hesitate nor kindness"

Well, I did say that I want to fight a strong opponent, but never across from my mind to kill the demon lord, that would be a suicide. After all, it was his generous act that my house was built by it.  He even let his precious warrior, the Old Gray to watch over me.

So, for now, I just want to fight the twelve with my human form and my army.

"Godin, listen... I-"

"Oh, do not misunderstand. Whatever you choose to side with... remember, this demon name Godin will show his unwavering loyalty to you, even if you confronting the demon lord"

Seeing his dazzling smile, makes me think that I'm lucky enough to have such friend as him. I only can reply his loyalty with a sincere smile of mine as I lose of words

"O-okay, my body has fully recovered. Let's go, Godin"

"Sure!" he cast another hole on the mid-air and we jump into it

..................................................

A circle of light has emitted under my foot, and we fall into it and with a sudden, our legs have reached the ground. Just that... we're in the middle of the goblin's nest... or should I say... fortress It's so different than I imagine. And of course, we were surrounded by the goblin's guard, aiming their sword at us.

"What's your business here, you shits!?" that goblin knows how to speak in our language

"My name is Sheron Hunr, one of the 12 demons, just like your leader. I've come here to meet him, so bring me to him"

"Sheron? as the weirdo who uses his spear to lunged only the holy knight? are you him? kakakaka" that goblin laughed hard I see, and so his companions

"The softie has shown his face to meet his superior, kakaka"

Seriously, that's why I hate those underlings for the twelve, they think their leader is the same page as that Old Gray, so they act as the top being to the other demons.

"Can you take me to meet him?"

"kakaka, why not, if it's you the softie...kakaka. Follow me~" one of the goblin guards lead me, heading to where the leader of these bastard sitting. Not to mention, along our way, they continue to laughing as they speak in their native language. Judging their act, I know that they badmouthing me

We arrive at the strong looking building where the archers standing on the top of the wall, aiming us as their target. A mere arrow wouldn't budge me even a little, you kids. As I passed the gate, I can see three of the huge cage, filled with human and elves woman. Not that I care though.

We enter the building and went to the highest floor. On my way, I can see they rape their victim merciless. The smell of fear and urine awfully stinks, enough to make those slaves vomits, Those women were non stop begging and crying as their body being held by those goblins.

The moment we arrive at the top floor, I can see him sit on his 'pride' chair, with his punch standing as the pillar for his cheek. He looks bigger than before, his arm shows his strength.

"Sheron, welcome to my place.It's been a while, I may be forgotten about your face, but I cannot forget how strong your presence is" 

"What business did you have to meet me here?"

"Janjar, I-"

Before I knew it, my head being forced down by a large hand

"Kneel! you shit!" apparently it's the goblin champion, He's twice bigger and taller than me

Those goblins were cheered as they jump in excitement when he saw me in this state. And Godin is powerless when it comes to fighting the crowds since his speciality is assassination.

That goblin grips my head to the fullest of his strength, and its hurt a bit... also, I'm no longer cant hold this anger of mine. I stab his body with my bare hand and crush his heart. I can hear his screaming in pain, and in a second, he dies. I push that large body to the ground.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Who's next?"

Those goblins were stunning for a moment, and then they roared with anger as all of them charge at me at the same time. Good decision by your small brain.

I draw my sword and chop them with fast. Right after I sheath my sword back, those guys are already dead. Can't you see our different strength for the moment our eyes meet? I forgot... goblin are stupid after all

"Your hospitality is sure never change"

"Kakaka, that's where the fun is~"

Among all the twelve, the most I chatting with a familiar tone is Janjar and Yalyamarec. They are talkative and less proud so I find it easy to talk.

"Haven't you heard? Fhartu the general has died. And the cause of it is human, can you believe that? a human!"

I'm the one who kills him though but to keep my identity from being revealed, I act like usual of myself" So they finally have a human who strong enough to defeat our general huh? praise to that warrior. Now I feel like to hunt that human"

"Kakaka, that sure like you, always aim the juicy prey. But to think that Fhartu has died...hmm"

"Do you mourning his death?"

"Me? kakaka! it is not like that, my fellow twelve. I always knew that Fhartu is weak, but thanks to his skill in swordsmanship, he's being placed as the general. He's quite good, but not even a close match to me of course. To be frank, I hate those who only knew nothing other than a brute strength"

"Including me?"

"You are an exception, but for the rest of the twelve, I don't think that they have a similar thought like mine about you"

"Well, likewise, my thought and feeling about them is mutual"

"No argue about that, kakaka"

"Enough this empty chat, I've come here to ask you"

"Sure, anything for little Sheron"

"Have you engage the human's hero this morning?"

"Human's hero? ah... you mean them? not quite sure if its the hero or not, but yes, we caught them...actually my warriors did"

So I was late, I'm sure they were forced into having 'fun' with his warriors right now

"So where are they?"

"Well, my lust for breeding has not awakened yet, so I keep them for me to feeling good later. They're beautiful, do you want to join me later?"

"I have to pass. You know me, Janjar. I'm not interested in something like violating other female races. In fact, I rather interest to know them, since they are the hero of human"

"As usual, you really like to fight someone stronger, huh, well... your decline has benefited me too as I already expect your answer, after all, I'm greedy, Kakaka. You guys! bring me those human and their weapon"

The remaining of goblin in this floor rush out, and back with their chain on their hand... pulling something from the different side of the wall. And its two women with their neck being put a choker. They only wearing a plain and torn looking clothes

"This is them? the three heroes that you've mentioned before, Godin?"

"Yup, without a doubt. The other one is a man, not sure why he's not here"

"Janjar, where the other one?"

"The other one? Are they three of them? never thought about that. I do not know. All I know is my warriors bring back these human to me. And, I receive this too"

Eight goblin walks with a two-man line, carrying the attractive looking weapon. The long sword, large shield pair with a sword, and a bow

"Why do you ask, Sheron?"

"Ah. My friend has reported me about the human has sent a hero to annihilates you for good, so I thought that you might in a trouble so I come to lend a hand"

"Is that so? then your visit is worthless"

"No kidding, ah and by the way, they also sent some army as well to rescue them. Don't let your guard down, for as my scout reports, they also bring with them a holy knight, and some strong adventurer from the guild, and even worst, they might send their royal guard too"

"Royal guard?"

"Their strongest warrior. so it might the best that you sent your full legion to intercept them"

 A goblin scout has come with running, breaking our conversation with his loud shouting. He looks terrified by something, did he encounter some Rasin-ru on his journey? that goblin keeps speaking with loud by their language and Janjar only smirk when hearing it.

"Hah! human! just a pebble from a side of the road. Always talk mighty when their strength was no match for me. I will slaughter them with my army!"

"What's this all about?"

"You're right, Sheron. They have come to me with a large number. Very well, come at me, you low human. I will show you the 'heaven' created by us the moment we clash"

"I'm sure you will, but know this, Janjar. Don't underestimate them. I fought them often, more than you and more than the twelve. I tell you, killing the holy knight was pretty hard for me at first, and that reason should fit you too since you have no experience on fighting them."

"Are you saying that I'm not capable of defeating them? your jokes are off the line!" he began to look furious, not that I am intimidated by him

"Calm down, friend. That's not what I mean. I said that because all this time you have experience in fighting the magic weapon, but not a sacred weapon. Believe me, those weapon of human are really bad news when you confront it, especially when the wielder is highly capable of it. And this is only the holy knight, but as the royal guard... even I cannot say the same" 

"Even you have an army of ten thousand or more... if your army was easily being taken down, then your legion is nothing than an easy enemy. This is not a youngster adventurer or a bunch of old timer from the guild that you can take on, this is a soldier... an army with a full protection of armour from head to toes, plus with a sacred weapon wielder and the strongest warriors of a human. Your legion will end for sure if you do not carefully think a plan"

Although I do want to kill the twelve, I will spare him since he does not even reach my ground, when he's alone of course.

"Then what should I do? they already enter Svvalis area"

"Svvalis is a wide plain ground, so they might rest their men since that place is allowed them to prevent any surprise attack. And your nest was far from their place, so that will give you a plenty time to organize your army. And to begin with, isn't goblin-like to do a surprise attack on their enemy? and in front of your nest is a thick forest, so use it as your battleground"

"Yeah... Yeah! you're right, Sheron. That's not a bad plan. I'll do it! Guys, rouse our men, we have a 'festival' waits for us!" the goblins understood and running with excited

"Sheron, thanks for your advice. do you want to come with my battle against them?"

"Nah, I'm just coming here to remind you, that's all. Besides, as if your men allow me to fight alongside you"

 "You're right. As a token of a friendship, you may have these humans, but only this two. The others from the outside are for my men" that elder goblin hop off from his stage and leaving me with Godin and this two human girl

As I approaching them, they began to cry and wet themselves. Maybe they have witnessed their 'future' on their way here. I squat in front of them

"That's what you get when you act strongly in a wrong place" I speak in the human language who I already accustom it

"Y-you can speak human words? please release us!"

"You ask for the impossible. I'm a demon and you are a human. A good deed from both of us is most likely will never happen"

"But-"

"You are their slave, so act as one" I do not know why, but I do hate those who always boast themselves without knowing their limit

They began to cry in sorrow as their head on the floor. 

"Says, whats on your mind when you deciding to attack this goblin. You're the hero, am I right? so surely you know your own gap between you guys and this goblin. Depend on your answer, I might be helping you"

"O-okay. We have been ordered to slay the elder goblin, who keep destroying and cause a chaos to a countless village. And of course, we also have asked the other adventurer if they want to tag along, but knowing who we will face with, they suddenly turned down"

I see, so they do not act according to their pride but by order," who's the person in charge of you human?"

"It's our guild master, Raven of the Rossac"

Strange... should their leader at least have a brain for this matter. No one sane enough to send them to fight against the whole legion of goblins. Wait... Come to think of it, it's quite similar to my first campaign against the demon.

First, the four battle organization have their own task, except Rossac who kindly accept the peasants... the other three only helping when they gain a huge reward in return. Two, their strongest warrior choose to live by not engage any demon. And now, sending the hero to facing their certain death?

If sum all of this, it looks like this kingdom somehow trying hard to evade, to not fighting the demon clan. But, aren't they fancy about their tales of a prophecy knight will slay the demon lord? so why not aiming to become one? it's not like we're the one who starts the war first though

The more I dig into this matter, I become more suspicious about this kingdom's true nature