Rogu and his team progressed through the Nameless Forest in extremely tense states. They were excited at the prospect of finally meeting their Future King, and were obviously eager to make a good impression, but they didn’t let the excitement cause them to lower their guards. If anything, it simply made them far more alert as not only was the Future King nearby, but they had little to no information about these lands they walked in.

Although the journey before this point was just as perilous, the dangers they faced, or potentially could’ve faced were mostly known, and thus could be planned for to some extent. Here that level of planning was nonexistent. They moved forward steadily during the day and rested at night, with Rogu constantly checking the stone which was shining brighter than ever before at this point.

They moved like this for a few days. A few monsters that weren’t smart enough to recognize the difference in strength attacked them and were quickly dealt with and discarded or turned into provisions, but they had finally run into a beast who simply couldn’t be tossed aside.

“Wow…quite a bit of Goblins are showing up in my territory these days. Though some of you look a bit different. Perhaps some sort of Goblin variant? Interesting. Plus, you at the front…your quite strong. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Goblin quite as big and strong as you. So…why are you all in my territory?”

A large fox with eyes the color of blood was standing not too far from the group as it stared intently at Rogu as it finished it’s greeting with a question directed at him.

Rogu of course could tell immediately this fox was far stronger than him. He was firmly within Tier 5, with only the Chiefs of the Clans being stronger than him…but this fox…he wasn’t too sure, but it felt stronger than his father. All Goblins knew they weren’t strong enough to walk out into the world with their heads held high. There wasn’t just one or two Tiers that they knew of, that was above Tier 6. If Tier 6 alone was all it to be considered a power strong enough to not be bullied are wiped out, then they wouldn’t be hiding in forsaken lands.

Rogu has never meant anyone stronger than his father but, this fox…it was likely Tier 7…Rogu was nervous, but his mission was too important. While he wasn’t confident in killing the fox. He felt at the very least he could severely injure it at the cost of his life. A small price to pay in his mind.

Of course he wasn’t dumb enough to start fighting immediately.

“Great Fox. We are merely passing through to our destination. We did not know this was your territory and apologize for any offense. We will leave your territory as quickly as possible.”

“Ooo, just passing through huh. What is your destination?”

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Rogu was hoping the fox wouldn’t get curious about his mission, but he needed to walk the line of peace for as long as he could. He would not tolerate undermining the mission, but if he could find a way to resolve this peacefully, he would do so to his upmost ability.

“We are seeking our brethren.”

“I see…where are your brethren?”

“…We do not know the exact location, just the general direction.”

“This is getting more and more interesting…and how do you know the general direction of your brethren?”

At this point Rogu’s body was tensing as if ready to explode forward at a moment’s notice. He was mentally planning just how he could catch the fox off guard if needed. He was practically doing everything necessary to prepare for one devasting attack with the exception of rousing his mana due to fear of the fox sensing it and taking offense.

He took a few moments to decide what to say.

“We have ways to sense our brethren.”

“Ways to sense them? That’s new…how is it that you’re doing that?”

This is a question that Rogu would never answer.

He felt regretful at the idea of not being able to meet the Future King, but he knew it was likely that he died at this moment. He would not provide a favorable response to the fox, and the chances the fox returned his answer with violence was extremely high.

While he was better than his father when it came to politics, that wasn’t saying much. His father would have likely attacked the moment the fox showed itself. He couldn’t help but think to himself that perhaps if he was better at said politics, this interaction could’ve gone in another direction.

No matter though. His resolve was firm, and his decision was final. The Goblins he led should also be aware of the situation, they would know to run while he bought them time.

“Unfortunately, Great Fox, I cannot share that information. I humbly ask for your understanding in this matter.”

Time seemed to slow to standstill as the fox looked at Rogu and Rogu looked back unwaveringly. The other Goblins began flexing their muscles as they prepared to dart in different directions to maximize survivability and Rogu finally began rousing his mana.

These moments of calm while Rogu awaited the response from the Fox felt like an eternity in the mind of Rogu, but only a singular minute has passed, before the fox finally responded.

“Ah some sort of Goblin secret, eh? Fine, I’ll give up on that for now. Well, I’ve learned enough, head south for another day or two and you will reach a lake, then south of that lake is where you’ll likely find your brethren. In fact, please deliver a message for me. I asked one of those Goblins to return so that we may talk as it gets bored in this forest at times, but he never does. Please remind him of my request.”

After saying that the Fox vanished as if he was never there in the first place. Even Rogu at Tier 5 couldn’t follow him with his or sense anything about his disappearance.

Speaking of Rogu…he appeared frozen in place for a moment before his shoulders seemed to slowly unwind as the all the built pressure of that meeting took its time in leaving his body.

It wasn’t just him.

All of Goblins took a mental sigh of relief as they digested the fact, they were all still alive and together.

“Don’t relax too much. We will continue to move forward.”

And so, after somehow surviving that encounter, the team moved forward once more. No one mentioned it, but they all heard what the Fox said. Their brethren weren’t far. Just a few days of travel away at most. Of course it could all be an elaborate ploy from the Fox, but for now they would have hope.

Hope to see their Future King.