Looking toward the second wall, Elijah saw smoke and flames. Before Elijah lost control of his senses that was all he would be able to see. However, after Elijah’s recent roller coaster ride, his senses, for the most part, had made a complete recovery.
Focusing his gaze, Elijah could vaguely make out the short figures of the goblins through the thick smoke. They were entering through a hole in the wall that had flames flickering around its edges. As Elijah watched the goblins make their way through the smoke, a hint of hesitation could be seen on his face. After a few seconds passed, Elijah put on a determined expression and activated his talent.
Supreme Eyes
Once again, Elijah gained the ability to see the world in a way that a normal person never would. He could see the smoke and flames in front of him, but he could also see how the flames were burning the wood of the second wall and he could make out the fine hairs on the green skin of the goblins making their way through the smoke. Elijah only kept his Supreme Eyes active for three seconds, but in those three seconds he was able to take in several details.
Detail number one would be the number of goblins that came through the hole. There were one hundred and eighty-nine goblins in total. Of those goblins seventy-eight were male and the remainder were female. The level of all of them fell between level thirty and level forty.
All of the small green bodies of the goblins were injured in one way or another. They had arrows sticking out of there body, cuts, scrapes, bruises and several other types of injuries. Although Elijah didn’t look at their status in his brief look, he was still able to tell that all of them had low health. Elijah was willing to bet that none of them had more than half of their health left.
None of these details were important to Elijah. They were simply things he picked up on when he used his Supreme eyes to obtain the information that he thought was important. What Elijah was really focused on was the mental state of the goblins.
Bloodthirst, excitement, and victory. All these things were visible on the goblins faces and when he saw them Elijah knew they would be victorious. The goblins would definitely charge into the traps they prepared.
When Elijah stopped using his Supreme Eyes talent, he quickly shut his eyes and did his best to sense if there was any damage done to them. When he didn’t sense any pain or discomfort Elijah decide to slowly open his eyes. He quickly realized there was nothing wrong with his vision and let out a sigh of relief. His ability to use his Supreme Eyes talent without injury was a good indicator that his sense had fully recovered. With the return of what he considered to be the most powerful weapon in his arsenal, Elijah experienced a brief surge in his confidence.
Returning his attention back to the battle, Elijah saw dozens of goblins rushing toward him and his people. All of the goblins charged forward full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately for them their enthusiasm would only be met with pain and death.
Goblins recklessly charged forward falling into trap after trap. Wails of pain resounded through the air and the stench of blood became harder to ignore. Suddenly, Elijah heard the twang of bows and saw arrows flying toward the goblins from behind him.
“No need to attack,” Elijah commanded. “We’ve already won. We can stand here and wait while the traps do their work.”
“Uh, Eli, do we have to stop?” Tyler asked. “I got a quest for defending the village. The rewards I get are based on the number of goblins I kill. I have enough to pass but I might meet some hidden requirement if I kill more.”
“I’ve also received a similar quest Chief.”
“My quest is a bit different, but I received a quest for defending the village as well.”
Several villagers spoke up to mention a quest they received. Elijah was caught off guard and he didn’t know how to respond. The reason he told everyone not to attack was because he really didn’t think there was a need for them to do so. However, Elijah did have another reason for halting their attacks.
Once the battle was over, Elijah was planning to take the goblins that were still alive as his slave. In order for a territory to develop it needed to meet certain requirements in terms of population. Elijah was planning to use the goblins to help him fill those requirements.
Many of the goblins on the battlefield weren’t dead. Some of them were knocked unconscious due to pain from the traps or lack of energy to keep fighting. Some of them were stuck in pits and unable to get up. If he let his people start attacking, many of those goblins would be hit. Also, the goblins that are still on their feet that might have passed out or fell in hole would definitely be killed.
After giving the situation, some thought, Elijah decided to let them kill the goblins. In Elijah’s mind it was more important to prioritize the benefits of his people and not get in the way of their growth. He felt that letting the goblins live would mainly benefit himself and only focusing on his own benefits would be very un-becoming of a ruler.
“Okay. You guys can kill-”
“Cowardly humans!” The goblin leader screeched in the human language. “All you can do is hide behind your traps. Do you dare to face us in combat? Does your leader dare to face me in single combat?”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
You have been challenged by the enemy leader to a duel to decide the outcome of the battle between your opposing forces. In this duel the first person to have their health be decreased to one will lose. The winner will be able to pose any conditions he wants to the loser. It is possible to set the condition that will be accepted upon victory before the duel begins as well. If the loser refuses, the loser and his people will receive a debuff that will significantly impair all of their abilities.
Do you wish to agree to the duel? Yes, or no?
Reminder: Your decision will affect you and your people.
“Woah, it looks like your being challenged to a cockfight.” Boss Bitch stated. “Are you going to agree?”
“Of course, he’s going to agree,” Atom said. “A man should never back down from a challenge.”
“Don’t forget to use your hacks when you fight,” Tyler said. “I’m sure you’ll be able to one shot the boss.”
Since Elijah’s people would be affected by the outcome of the battle, it was natural that they receive some information about the duel. However, the final decision would still ultimately be determined by Elijah. As Elijah finished reading the message in front of him, he thought about his decision for a few seconds before he made his choice.
You have refused the duel issued by the enemy leader.
“I would have fought him,” Atom said a few seconds later.
“You would have died,” BB said.
“It looks like hacking can’t solve every problem.” Tyler said.
“Cowardly humans!” the goblin leader screeched. “I demand you face me in single combat.”
“Who do you think your talking too,” Elijah answered with a smile on his face. “Do you think I’ll run to fight you just because you’re throwing a tantrum. You’re the one who wanted to attack us with your army. Don’t try to change the rules now that you’re losing.”
“Nice save,” BB said.
“Yeah, a great excuse for getting out of a fight,” Atom added.
“Hmph, do you think I’m an idiot. I can definitely beat him in a fight, but it's obvious that a one-on-one battle would be more beneficial for him right now. Besides, I’m a chief. If I wanted to run around killing bosses single handedly, I wouldn’t have worked so hard at leading this village. I’m a ruler not a hero.”
“Wise words Chief,” Elder Jeb said. “And an even wiser decision. We don’t need to engage on single combat to win. Also, you’re still recovering, and it would be terrible if you lose control of your senses in the middle of the fight.”
Elijah didn’t bother correcting Elder Jeb about the state of his injuries as it wasn’t important at the moment. Instead, he focused his attention on the frustrated goblin leader and the demoralized goblins. After activating his Supreme Speech skill, Elijah continued to speak.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to choose one of the three paths that are in front of you. Path number one, you continue trying to fight and you die. Path number two, you try to run away, and you die. Path number three, you become my slave and live. I’ve told you your options. Now the choice is up to you.”
Elijah maintained eye contact with the goblin leader that had eyes full of hate, frustration, anger and helplessness. Elijah didn’t feel any satisfaction when he looked at the goblin leader. Instead, he was confused because he felt like he said something wrong.
“No, it's not your choice,” Elijah commanded. “You will all become my slaves. Even if you want to die, I will not allow you to. You will surrender.” As Elijah spoke, he could see the little desire to fight that the goblins still had, began to erode with each word he spoke. At this moment, Elijah decided to activate his Supreme Will talent and exert even more pressure on the goblins. “Drop your weapons! Now!”
The goblins obeyed his command. Elijah wasn’t surprised when he saw all of the goblins shivering in fear as they dropped their weapons. The goblin leader dropped his weapon as well, although he did look like he was reluctant to do so.
“All of you will be slaves for one year. I will not do anything to harm your growth or purposefully send you to your death. If you do not agree to these terms, I will force you to agree to terms that are far worse. Now let’s begin with you.”
Making eye contact with the goblin leader Elijah began the process of turning him into a slave. The process was over in an instant and the goblin leader didn’t refuse the conditions Elijah put forward. After Elijah finished making the goblin leader his slave, he received several notifications.
Congratulations! You have made someone that is one cultivation realm above you into your slave. You have gained the title Master of Slaves
Title: Master of Slaves
A title awarded for successfully enslaving someone one realm above you.
10% decrease in the cost for owning a slave
You have met the requirements for the Slave Owner Job. Do you wish to change your job? Yes, or no?
You have met the requirements for the Slave Chief Job. Do you wish to change your job? Yes, or no?
Congratulations! You have completed the Village Defense quest!
Congratulations! You have reached level 32 in the Ruler specialty. +1 to all stats, +1 to attack and +1 to defense.
Congratulations! You have reached level 33 in the Ruler specialty. +1 to all stats, +1 to attack and +1 to defense.
Congratulations! You have reached level 31 in the Chief job. +1% to all stats.
…
Congratulations! You have reached level 35 in the Chief job. +1% to all stats.
Congratulations! Your Supreme Speech has reached the next stage.
Elijah commanded the goblin leader to help his people turn the remaining goblins into slaves. He reminded them to check and see if any of the goblins that fell into the pits were still alive and to bring all the injured people to Jenny. Also, he mentioned that he sensed the goblin slaves that were captured a few days ago in the distance. He sent someone to go find them and bring them back.
Once that was done, Elijah turned his attention to the gains he received from the battle. It was always nice to see his level increase, but Elijah wasn’t focused on the numbers in front of him, Instead, he was focused on the changes happening within his body.
Currently there was a unique and mysterious energy taking form within Elijah’s body. The energy was the same energy he felt during his first spar with Elder Jeb. Elijah new this energy was extremely important to him, and he couldn’t wait to gain control of it. However, he knew that forcing things would harm him instead of helping him. The only thing he could do at the moment was patiently and quietly wait for-
“Chief!!!”
“Fuck!” Elijah shouted as he sensed the mysterious energy slipping away.
Elijah took a deep breath to compose himself. Once he calmed down, he looked at the person that disturbed him. He saw the worried look on the persons face, and he asked him what was wrong with a neutral expression on his face.
“I’m sorry for disturbing you Chief, but there are people coming! More than a hundred of them are coming this way!”