“Gukuruku ha kurugu gahgaruzao…”

“Err…”

“Kagaruguha uhugu shgaga fuku zuzushga amagukuruku.”

“Sorry, I don’t get it.”

“Afarufugu kaogurugu hugu zuku ha,” the leader of the small green creatures started to add body language to convey what he meant. Not that it helped, as I still didn’t get the slightest.

I looked one more time at the creature, who was looking back at me with awe while prostrating on the floor. Green skin, bald head, two long pointed ears, large and beak-like nose, with needle-like teeth. The top of his head only reached slightly more than my stomach when he stood straight, and all of his hands had sharp nails. Behind him, his brethrens were also all prostrating.

Unfortunately, although the younger generation of the green skinned creatures did have a monster core, the older generation including the leader didn’t. After all, unlike the young ones, they weren’t born in my dungeon. And because of that, communicating by thought through the link was also impossible.

“Shruru biririzu ga kuuga,” the leader talked again.

Scratching my head, I gave up trying to understand the words by myself. Instead, I turned to the female demon beside me, expecting a help. She, who had a complete human appearance with a golden tiara adorned her beautiful black hair, was the one I had entrusted to train the younger goblins. I believed she would understand their language to some extent.

“Hey, Queen, do you understand what the guy was trying to say?” I inquired.

“Hmm,” she mumbled, not answering right away. Then, while licking her own lips in a seducing manner, she said, “It’ll be depend on what you’re going to offer in ret-- Aaaa… just kidding. I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Uu, that hurts, master.”

I pinched her cheek hard and stopped only after she apologized. “We’re pressed in time, just tell me already,” I told.

“Fu~ You’re no fun. Aa, don’t pinch me again, I get it. Geez. He said, they’re honored that the god was visiting them. Not only the god has spared their pitiful lives, he also has sheltered them in this safe haven and taught them many things. They’re forever grateful and will do anything to repay the god’s kindness.”

Huh? Wait, god?

“Are you sure it’s the right translation?”

“More or less,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

“Did he really refer me as god? You didn’t make it up, did you?”

“No, I didn’t.”

God, huh? I’m not a believer of this world’s religion, but I do believe the one and only God. To be called god here, it feels so weird. Oh well, let’s play along for now.

“… Hmm. Tell them, this so called safe haven is about to become a battlefield. If they really value it, then fight! Fight for me, their god. Fight for themselves and their new home. Prove it that his words weren’t just a lips service!”

“Okay,” she complied. “Kakagu hugu ha gukuruzukaku,” she said to the goblin leader.

“Hugu kakugao?” the leader asked back in surprise.

“Deki,” the woman answered firmly.

“Uz,” the leader said and hurriedly stood up. “Ha shgarauruzu,” he said again while bowing to me.

Only after I replied with a nod did the goblin move. He, now facing his people, started his speech. “Ha hugu gurgagazh! O dekigu tatagakaku! Hugu! Hugu! Ha shgaramaruzku!”

““Oooooo! Hugu! HuGU! HUGUU! HUGUUU!!””

The goblins returned the speech with enthusiasm. They were raising their fists to air and yelling a word together. A battle cry of some sort, perhaps.

It didn't last, though. It suddenly turned silence, although not completely, as some growlings were still heard. However, their eyes were emitting a same bloodlust, all of them, including the children. Even for me, it was quite intimidating. The savages were ready to fight.

Satisfied with their reaction, the leader turned to me. “Ha hugu uz,” he lowered his head again while reporting.

“Good job,” I said and nodded, pretending to understand. “Queen, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Yes.”

Hmm. Those reactions, not bad at all. Maybe they’re more useful than I first thought.

Goblins, a pest of the world, just like dungeons. Heh, aren’t we a good match?

They’re nothing tough like the war-freak orcs and well known for their cowardice, but they pullulate and grow very fast. Although, in a sense, it’s more problematic for other races. That’s why guards will come to hunt them periodically, to at least keep their population in check since wiping them out is almost impossible. And, if I’m not mistaken, there’s always an active reward for every killed goblin in every adventurer guild too.

However, from the goblins’ point of view, being hunted everytime must be frustrating. It’s all better for me, though. I’ll give you an opportunity to release your frustrations, please wrack those invaders to your hearts’ content. I’m counting on your leadership, Queen.

With that, I walked away from the center of the goblin village to inspect the surrounding area. The room it was located was the new biggest room in level one and served as a hub, where most passages ended up and the only passage to the last room started - which was hidden behind the goblin village. I had no doubt the place would play an important role if I wanted to stop the elves.

Hmm. I wonder… They’re specialized in conquering dungeons, right? Maybe… I should make it least like a dungeon? Let’s see. A wall-protected village, no, a fort? They shouldn’t be experienced in taking out forts as well, should they?

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

… Alright. Even if it fails to completely stop them, but if it’s proven to trouble them enough somehow, I can make a stronger fortress in level three. All good.

With the next action decided, I began to solidify the village’s defenses. First, I raised stone walls high to replace their poor fences, along with the stairs and guard towers. Of course, I also dug a deep and wide, and I meant deep and wide, moat outside the wall. It should be too far for anyone to jump it over, even with applied, and hurt much anyone who fell. To add the damage, I created spikes in various sizes on its base that would impale the fallens.

‘Send me tens of goblins with core, I’ll teach them how to handle machine guns,’ I told Queen through our link.

I materialized machine guns and ammunitions to fill each of the guard tower, the same type that were attached to the sky fighters, and added a holder and a chair for their operators. When the young goblins arrived, I used of how to use the weapons and sent them to their respective posts.

Finished with the wall, I moved to its outer side and took a good look. The goblin village looked completely different with its majestic walls now.

Good. Rather than goblin village, let’s call it goblin fort from now on.

Not that I satisfied, yet. Using the , I changed the entire cave floor of the room into sands. The elves were famous with their agility, after all. Therefore, even a little, I wanted to reduce it. After that, I carefully added various traps, leaving almost no gap on the ground; landmines, pit holes, teleport traps, and mind-disturbers. The goblins mightn’t be able to hunt for food for the time being, but I would see they had enough food supply.

I worked on the ceilings afterward, installing boulder-drop and water-drowner traps. Finished with them, I opened a portal and called in gargoyles. I had them hang on ceilings before they turned into stone statues.

Done, for now. All that left are materializing enough rifles for the goblins and call Haz, Ken and father home.

‘What a bizarre preparation. Do we really need all of this, master? You don’t even prepare this kind of things when we go against Fantastica,’ Queen asked through our link.

‘Our mana was more limited back then,’ I replied, as I walked back to enter the fort again.

‘Still, is it really necessary? They’re only few in numbers, aren’t they? Are you saying they’re more dangerous than the White Wizard?’

‘… Queen, by chance, do you know what the elves are called?’

‘No?’

‘Children of nature,’ I told. ‘It’s said that their golden eyes represent the bless of sun, and their silver hairs represent the bless of moon. Every one of them has beautiful yet strong physique, stronger than the average humans, in addition of talent in magic. In other word, they’re blessed by nature in every aspect. Although, most are pacifists who don’t want to be involved in the world’s affairs and thus rarely leave the Elven Forest.

‘From what I can see, there’s no druid - their mages - among the Dungeon Hunter’s group, which is fortunate. But for your question, yes, these seasoned warriors are likely more dangerous than the lone White Blizzard, especially with their record of conquering the Mount Naar Dungeon.’

‘I see…,’ was her reaction after the explanation. ‘By the way, I’m finished dividing the goblins in groups. You may want to improve the quality of their weapons, though.’

“That’s what I’m about to do,” I said it loud as I reached the center of the goblin village. The queen gi-ant and the goblin leader were standing there, in front of the rest of goblins who lined up in columns, who each holding a stone spear.

… About two hundreds adult goblins, huh? Excluding the ones who handling the machine gun. Although I’ve been speeding up their growth, they’ve multiplied by four times in only a little more than a week? Really?

Light particles gathered as I materialized rifles with bayonets and their ammunitions, including the spares. As they watched the phenomenon for the first time, the goblins’ eyes looked like they were about to jump out from their sockets. Fear were reflected clear on their faces and shaking ears, obviously they wanted to run but, somehow, managed to retain their formation until the phenomenon ceased.

Wow, Queen, wow. You’ve managed to ingrain such discipline into the race famous for their cowardice like that? Good job.

“I’ll leave the commanding of goblins to you, Queen. Make sure they know how to use the weapons properly in time. Tell me whenever you need more ammunitions.”

“Okay~”

With a nod, I left to my throne chamber through a portal. I would double check the rest of my dungeon’s traps thoroughly, and would probably make some layout changes as well. After all, my dungeon had originally been designed for training purpose. Meanings, it had been made to be solved. Although I had added several teleport traps that transfer into a room filled with water without a way out after the incident with Maa’, I could make use more of these sure-kill methods.

However, first thing first.

‘Father,’ I contacted through our link. ‘Can you hear me? How’s there in [Rahziel]?’

‘Arz? Mwa Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, it’s done, of course!’

‘They’ve agreed?’

‘Hmph, obviously. They’re collecting mana to pay the first tribute as we speak.’

‘Cool. Please head home as soon as you can, though, father. I’ll need your help here.’

‘What’s the matter?’

‘The Dungeon Hunter and company is coming. I’ll explain the details later, please come as soon as you can.’

‘Dungeon Hunter? You mean the elf, whatever his name, who destroy every dungeon heart he has conquered?’

‘Yes. Do you know him?’

‘Only heard the story. Bah, how dare for a forest bumpkin to aim for my son’s live. I’ll be back right away.’

‘Yes, thank you.’

Finished with father, I contacted my other two demons. ‘Haz, Ken, where’re you?’

‘Keek. I’ve heard the situation, master. I’m in the subway train now, heading home.’

‘Good. What about you, Haz?’

…

‘… Haz?’

‘Yes.’

‘Where’re you?’

‘[Jowsar].’

‘What? What’re you doing there? Have you finished spreading the transceiver orbs?’

‘It’s done. I’m here to do some scouting, since I’m curious about the enemies.’

‘Hey, that’s what the s-flies for, you don’t need to be there. Come back here, Haz.’

‘…’

‘Hey! You hear me? Come back here!’

‘There are only five of them. I think I can handle them by myself.’

‘What’re you saying? Come back, NOW!’

‘They’re passing the town’s gate. I’m going.’

‘This stupid… I said come back here, you DARE to defy my order!?’

‘Fufu~ Isn’t it fine, master? If he succeed, it’s all good,’ Queen suggested.

‘And if he failed, we can all laugh on him. Kee kee keek,’ Ken supported.

… If he failed, the lost is big. No, wait, maybe not. I just need to make sure I can retrieve his core back. But, for defying my direct order and risking my plan, I’ll make sure you’re punished thoroughly after this, you imbecile.

‘Fine,’ I agreed. ‘Let’s see how good these elves really are.’

From the shared vision, I saw how the dragonoid blocked the elves’ path, between the town and the forest. He didn’t even bother to ambush them. On the other side, if the elves were surprised from his sudden appearance, it sure didn’t show on their calm expressions. They swiftly prepared their preferred weapon, the bows, and nocked the arrows.

Eh? Now that I watch them closely, why do I feel familiar over that one woman elf? And only her alone, the others don’t give the same familiar feeling. Did I meet her somewhere before? No, that can’t be, I’ve never met any elf since coming to this world. From book? Hmm… I can’t seem to remember at all.

While I was busy musing, the battle had begun.