POV Rick

‘Velora…what the hell?’

[It appears you are far more important to Goblins that you previously realized.]

‘I mean sure…but what the hell is this. This Goblin…who is far stronger than me by the way, shows up out of nowhere, takes a knee, then lists off a bunch of cool sounding titles I barely understand and then tops it off by saying he is ready to serve me? I mean what the hell.’

[A king does indeed have servants. Plus, didn’t the god mention there was a group of Goblins that was fairly strong? Maybe this is them?]

‘I mean…yeah, they technically do and yeah it could be…but this is a lot all at once! What am I even supposed to say to him?’

[Well, don’t leave him kneeling there forever.]

‘Ah your right.’

“Ahem…Rogu was it? This is a lot, please stand.”

“Yes, Future King.”

‘Ah Velora I don’t know if I can deal with that.’

“Is it possible for you stop calling me that for the moment?”

“Ah…I can’t…My father would skin me alive if I called you anything less than Future King, Please forgive me.”

“I see…everyone here calls me Chief, would that for you too?”

“The 14 Clans are already home to 14 Chiefs. You are above them Future King.”

‘This is going to stress me out. Do you have any suggestions, Velora?’

[What about Lord? Or Young Master?]

‘Wait! Young Master?! Am I going to finally be one of those Young Masters??’

[Once again, I don’t understand you.]

‘Ahem…you wouldn’t get it.’

“What about Young Master? Or even Lord? Pick one of these.”

“I believe Lord will suffice. Thank you for understanding my Lord.”

‘Ah no Young Master for me just yet…and the ‘my Lord’ thing is still cringey…but it’s better than Future King…Though I noticed something else. Velora…this Goblin is stronger than me, isn’t he?’

[He should be at least one full Tier higher than you.]

‘I see…’

“Now Rogu, as you can see this isn’t the best time to discuss all the things you have mentioned. We will do so at a later time. For now, please just observe. Though you also stated you were the captain of a team, are those members here? And Geedi you may back off for now.”

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“Yes Chief.”

“…I understand my Lord, and I did not come here alone. Is it alright if I call the rest of my team here?”

“Yes, quietly.”

“Come.”

‘What the…where the hell were all of these guys hiding? And why the hell do they all look so cool?! I kind of ignored the Rogu fella because I thought he was just abnormal, but everyone has beautiful, crafted leather armor. They look very different from each other, but no one lacks in quality. Even the weapons that everyone’s carrying. It’s all iron of some sort! I’m getting kind of jealous Velora, we are still using wooden weapons with animal parts attached to them!

‘I mean they’re expertly made by Wala and Dran, but still.’

[You will get here eventually.]

‘I know I know…though it really was cool how they showed up out of nowhere…though it’s kind of a security risk that they were just hiding this close to us, and we knew nothing about it...’

[That is most likely the reason why Geedi’s fists are clenched as tight as they are right now.]

‘Hm...? Oh, your right…best to leave her alone in that state.’

[Are you sure?]

‘Yes, the last time I tried to tell her it was okay, she went off on a lengthy speech about how she was weak and that she will do everything to get strong enough to protect me better. Then she went off on a training montage and came back as a Tier 3 Hobgoblin, plus the large scar across her abdomen, that proves she almost died.

‘Can’t have that happening again.’

[That is fair.]

‘Anyway, I live that fancy dressing team and their mysterious way alone for now…these Orcs…they are testing my patience. I think we need to accelerate the plan a bit. Previously I thought it would be a problem to incorporate everyone, but we are strong enough now. There’s no reason why we should leave any Goblin tribes alone in the plains anymore.’

[I understand your frustration, but that might not be the best path forward. Moving one tribe might be fine, but all of them? It would take time. And of the Orcs caught wind of it before we are done…that type of battle would be too much for the tribe. You’re the only one in 4th Cycle, and only two others are 3rd Cycle.

[I’m sure you’ve realized it by now, but you improve way faster than the others. It’s going to take time for the entire group to be strong enough to handle the plains and everything it might bring. Just be patient Rick.]

‘I know…I know…but seeing Jala get hit…’

[Your aura is leaking again.]

“Ah my apologies everyone. I’ll restrain my au…ra…”

‘Velora look at them! All those new Goblins, their eyes are sparkling! Especially that big one…Rogu! Look at his eyes!’

[….]

‘I don’t know how you don’t see it…

‘Though that got me thinking…wouldn’t having them here help with getting all the Goblins out of the plains?’

[Their strength would help of course, but we still don’t know how strong the Orcs are. Let alone the other races living in the plains. I recommend taking more time to think this over.]

‘…I will wait. At least until we make it back to the Village. Oh, here comes Jala now. His face is still bruised…Velora…I know what we just discussed…but this is the last time I will sit idly by and watch a Goblin get beat down like this in front me. Never again.’

[I understand.]

Eventually Jala found his way to the spot in the forest where Rick and the rest were waiting.

“Ah Ric…er no its Chief now right, sorry. Thank you for upholding your promise to wait and not attack no matter what you saw. It was close to the time of tribute collection, and I didn’t want them to see us sending Goblins into the forest, and potentially spot you.”

“Enough of that Jala, how are you? Why didn’t you bandage the wound?”

“Ah if they come back and see it bandaged so soon, it might set them off. Better to wait a few days.”

“No. Get yourself proper medical care now.”

“Chief I understand how you feel, and I appreciate it bu…-”

“Jala.”

[Your aua is lea…-]

‘Let it leak.’

“…I understand Chief.”

“Good.”

‘I changed my mind, Velora. If starting this war early makes me a fool, then I’ll be a fool, but I can’t stand to see this type of behavior anymore. Not accepting medical help, because you’re scared of retaliation? That’s insane Velora. No more…no more…’