The Battle Demon, Gi Jii Yubu, led the assassin, Gi Ji Arsil, and the wrathful demihumans as they chased after the Symphoria army all the way to the Symphoria forest. Along the way, they captured the forests of Sheng and Jirad, leaving only Symphoria on the resistance’s side.
Many elves was defeated in the battle at Sinfall, bringing the casualties and number of captured soldiers to approximately 200 men in total. Because of that they had no choice but to flee to Symphoria.
The gates of Symphoria were shut tight, not opening even once since the elves returned.
As for me, that just means I have more time to examine the newly evolved goblins and formulate a new plan.
“If they won’t attack, we’ll have no choice but to attack,” Shure said.
There’s just no other way, but on the other hand, if we attack recklessly we might just get done in by Pale’s schemes.
“But sheer brute force isn’t a strategy,” Shure added.
A meeting was currently being held in one of the houses of Sinfall. The one talking was Shure, who had been a great help in these past few battles.
“In other words, attacking head on would be inane,” the representative of the demihumans, Nikea, said, causing Shure to nod.
“What a pain, just beat them up be done with it already,” Mido complained.
“And add more corpses to your dead brothers? Imbecile,” Nikea spat as she glared coldly at the werewolf.
“They’re scared!” Mido argued. “We should attack while the war favors us!”
He had a point, however. If we kept wasting time like this, we might end up throwing away the momentum we’ve gained.
“We should surround Symphoria then,” I said, causing all eyes to gather on me.
Symphoria was big, so big that the southern part of it was a desert while the northern part of it connected to Sheng. The boundaries on its flanks were ambiguous.
“How?” Mido asked with a stiff voice; and that was not because of his wounds.
“We can clear a path through the forest.” I drew a circle with my fingers on Shure’s map.
“…Is this feasible?” Nikea asked.
For a moment, Shure became thoughtful with a hand on his chin, then he turned toward me with a clever look on his face. “It should be possible so long as we concentrate our forces. If nothing gets in our way, we should be able to execute within 20 days.”
Of course, this whole plan was actually a bait to lure out some prey. To that end, we needed to ensure that word got out.
“There’s no need for us to go about this quietly. If anything let’s execute our plans boldly in the light of the day with loud voices and cheering. In fact, we should do it while yelling ‘At this rate, you’re all going to starve!'”
The demihumans gradually understood what I was aiming for.
“Hmm, will it really be that effective?” The only one who couldn’t quite comprehend yet was Shure.
It’s not surprising though, after all the elves have never understood what it meant to starve. They don’t understand how terrifying it is.
He probably didn’t think much of the blockade last time either. At most, he probably only thought of it as a mild annoyance, though I thought it was quite sinister myself… Did I overestimate him?
“There’s no need to actually starve them, just the fear of it will do,” I said.
Compared to actually starving, the fear of starving would demoralize the enemy much faster.
“I see, so you intend to flush them out by scaring them with the threat of starvation,” Nikea said, thinking out loud with her arms folded.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Shure quietly interjected as he looked at Symphoria on the map. “They are not so foolish as to fight a losing battle. Falun Gastair is with them.”
Shure’s sworn friend was still within Symphoria, playing his part as a chief who had surrendered.
I don’t understand that old man well, but if he can somehow prove useful in collapsing the enemy from within, I won’t complain.
“Let us hope he comes through then, but until then, it would be foolish for us not to have a contigency plan. I take it we are fully prepared for the last battle?” I said.
“Of course!” Mido said.
“Naturally,” Nikea said.
I turned to Shure. “Let us make the last battle a spectacular one.”
“As you wish. With this, we will finally be able to put an end to this fruitless war, and I will finally be able to show you that your investment was not a waste,” Shure said.
After the meeting, I went outside and bitterly smiled at Rashka and the other goblins waiting.
“Unfortunately, it seems we will have to wait a bit longer,” I said.
“Hmph… It seems the fun will have to wait,” Rashka said.
“A pity, my lord,” Gi Jii said.
Then I turned to the gathered goblins and said, “What happens next depends on how the elves will move, but…”
◇◆◇
I examined the newly evolved goblins and gave family names to those worthy.
Realized Wings
Can fly for a short duration.
Researcher
Higher chance to stumble onto a new discovery.
Protection of the Wind
Incurred damage can be rendered null. (LOW)
Wind Spear
Conjures a spear made out of wind. When used accuracy and power are both increased.
His ability to wield the spear and cooperate with others have both increased. He has also acquired a new skilled called ‘Hero of the Battlefield’.
Hero of the Battlefield
When fighting a lone enemy alone, attack, defense, and critical rate are increased.
King of Tyranny
In exchange for inflicting damage on oneself, one’s physical abilities are heightened.
After seeing everyone’s status, I began organizing the soldiers. I reorganized the druids with the newly evolved Shaman, Gi Do, as one of the main pillars. I moved the wounded to the back and had those still able to fight to form new three-man cells, then I created a new unit with ten such cells.
I distributed the soldiers in order to the Battle Demon, Gi Jii Yubu, the assassin, Gi Ji Arsil, and to the rest of the noble goblins.
When all was done, I went to the house the elves gave me.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
“You’ve been spoiling me a lot, Boss,” Shumea wryly smiled as she raised herself up on the bed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll work you lots once you’re up and running.”
It would be a pity to lose her. I still need her in the war against the humans.
I know full well from this war against the elves just how difficult it is to gather intel in a war between different species.
Before the war against the elves had broken, while we were still fighting the demihumans, what would have happened if one of my allies happened to slip into the enemy lines?
It wasn’t exactly Shure’s idea, but after one of ours infiltrated the enemy lines, the enemy became divisive and the war progressed smoothly.
Still, I didn’t expect someone like Pale to join the fray. Symphoria’s resistance was a lot greater than expected.
In any case, there is one thing to learn here: I cannot fight a united human race.
They must be divided.
“…Is that my punishment?” Shumea asked.
“Yes, so you should heal up until then,” I said.
“Being tolerant is good and all, but… Don’t you think you’re being too lenient, Boss?”
I raised one of my brows and wryly smiled. “Then I’ll have to think of a better punishment. I know, shall I whip you in the plaza for all to see?”
“W-W-Wait a moment! I’ll die if you do that!’ Shumea said in panic, arms flailing.
I folded my arms. “If you think my punishment is too light, work yourself hard enough to make up for it. But right now you should rest. I can’t have you work while injured. I mean you can’t even use your strength, can you?”
“Well, alright. Can’t say I really have anything to complain about when you’re feeding me all the yummy stuff and letting me sleep on this fluffy bed,” Shumea said, then she heaved a sigh and looked up at me. “Hey, Boss, about Selena…”
“We don’t know yet. If it’s something I can help, I’ll try to tide things over, don’t worry.”
“This debt is going to be heavy.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll work you so hard you’ll start screaming.”
“Ooh, scary… Then I guess I’ll have to rest lots.”
“That’s right. Rest. Rest well.”
The war against the humans aside, I do hold her tendency to risk her life for others highly. Besides, I didn’t exactly want to see a young woman die anyway… It would’ve reminded me of Reshia, after all.
I failed to save her.
Try and try as I might to forget, the events of that day continue to haunt me.
A little glance away from the battlefield, a moment of negligence… and all of the sudden, the worst possible end flashes through my mind.
Gripping my hands tight, I desperately denied such a conclusion.
“Wait for me…” I whispered.
Brushing away the cries of remorse welling from deep within, I moved on.
