“In 20 days, we shall march our forces into human territory.”
The gathered people stirred. That included the noble and duke class goblins, as well as the orc king, Bui, the elves, and the various demihumans.
The gathered people looked at each other, then they looked up to the heavens.
When things began to settle down, I spoke. “I’m thinking of splitting our forces into 2 main groups. One group to surround the colonial city and another to deal with the enemy reinforcements.”
Normally, we would move together, but without any siege weapons, we can’t really attack the colonial city effectively.
With high walls occupied by archers and deep moats below which are beds of swords, it’s simply too difficult to fight a straight-up battle. And even if we do try to force our way through, losing too many men will leave us too weak to stabilize the city. Worse, the reinforcements might end up just sweeping the floor with us altogether.
Fighting a battle with exhausted warriors against a group of vengeful humans is a situation I really don’t want to imagine.
My end goal is to defeat the humans and create my own kingdom. My first step towards that goal is to defeat the western feudal lord and take his territory.
That being the case, the lifeline of the western region is not actually the colonial city itself, which is essentially a vanguard, but the western capital, their home base. The fall of the colonial city would mean little so long as the western capital is able to continue sending forces. They would just rebuild it as many times as they need. On the other hand, if I could destroy the west capital, supporting the colonial city would become a difficult endeavor, not just supply-wise but also in terms of morale.
Morale isn’t an easy thing to keep up during extended periods of battle.
When people don’t know when help is going to come, everyone is starving, and friends are hurt, the only thing that can really keep people together is hope for reinforcements. Without that hope the only thing left is defeat.
“…Are we only going to ignore the enemy in front of us?” The Orc King, Bui, asked in that unchanging timid fashion of his.
“We will be surrounding the colonial city to seal their movements. If the opportunity to destroy it presents itself, then by all means,” I said.
That being said, we would have to attack to some extent. We can’t just surround the colonial city and stare at them like scarecrows.
After all, we need to live up to our reputation as monsters. The more fearful and panicked they become, the quicker they will call for help.
We’ll try to limit our casualties as much as possible, but zero is impossible.
“The force that will be surrounding the colonial city will be led by Ra Gilmi Fishiga of the Ganra Tribe. Within the same force, Gi Gi Orudo will be leading the beast army; and then the araneae, the minotaurs, the tarpidae, the rizalat, and the papirsag along with the orc forces,” I said.
The force surrounding the colonial city will strike fear into the enemy while attacking them from a distance. There will also be a support team to distribute supplies. Frankly, it would be ideal if I could get Ganra and the beast army to break through, but unfortunately, the circumstances won’t permit it.
The mad lion, Gi Zu Ruo, has yet to return, so I’m unable to incorporate him into this force.
“Gi Gu Verbena will be leading the vanguard against the enemy’s main forces,” I said.
That is the reward I promised him for gathering the most subordinates among the goblins I’ve sent out. This honor is his.
“Our main force will have Gi Jii Yubu’s army, Gi Za Zakuend’s Druids, and the Gaidga Tribe,” I said.
Gi Jii Yubu’s army has been trained well to adapt to unexpected situations. Although not yet completed, his army is one of the few forces that actually act like an army as opposed to a horde. It would be a waste not to have them be a part of the main force.
The druids too. Magic is too great of a trump card to leave unused.
As for the Gaidga, they’re a tribe that specializes in brute force, so naturally they’ll be added too.
“The mobile unit will be handled by the Paradua Tribe, the centaurs, and the fang tribe.”
Naturally, it would be filled by those with the most mobility. That means the Paradua and their beast riders, the gray wolves and the werewolves, and the centaurs who make a living running through the plains.
“The rear guard will be filled by the elves, Gi Ga Rax’s imperial guards, and my own platoon.”
When worse comes to worse, the deciding pieces will be the ‘wounded ones’ who are more persistent than any other. I will be leading them personally as I want to decide when to send them.
“Gi Jii Arsil’s unit will be working alongside the harpies for reconnaissance.”
The reconnaissance mission, which has the greatest influence on the battle, will be handled by Gi Ji and Yushika. They will be ascertaining the enemy position from the sky and from the ground.
This is the formation I came up with that allows us to exhibit our mobility even while prioritizing damage.
There wasn’t anyone who excelled in defense, so I decided to just give the iron equipment to the vanguard.
“Our path to world domination begins with this war. Let the proud humans know the might and fury of our blades!”
With this our course has largely been decided. All that’s left now is to deal with the small details, such as the timing of the surround, when to break through the humans’ main force, and deciding the routes we will be taking up to the western capital.
The old goblin, Kuzan, and Yellow are in charge of dealing with the reserve force and those that will be left behind.
All the big players will be coming out in this battle.
We will use all the power of the Forest of Darkness to deal a mighty blow to the humans.
◆◆◇
The goblins within the Fortress of the Abyss were as busy as bees due to the coming war. Of the busied people in the fortress, one person was on her way away. It was none other than Pale.
She hadn’t said goodbye to anyone even Selena.
“Are you going?” Felbi asked.
The only one sending her off was her comrade in arms, Felbi.
“Sorry. I’m not scared that the elves have chosen to walk with the goblins. It’s just that…” Pale said.
“I know. There are things we can’t abandon. Even if we want to, it’s not easy,” Felbi wryly smiled.
He looked young on the surface, but he had already put on many years.
He rarely showed this side to him.
In response, Pale looked down on the ground. “Felbi, I…”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Felbi said. “Even if you worry, no one’s going to die.”
All of the sudden, Felbi was back to that jovial attitude of his, keeping Pale from saying anything more.
“The problem with you is you’re too serious,” Felbi said. “You should live more selfishly from time to time. No one would blame you.”
“Felbi…” Pale said.
“Live as you wish, Pale. That’s why you left in the first place, right? When you come back, we’ll accept you, and even if you end up fighting against us, I won’t blame you. That’s what veraltas (comrade in arms) are for, right?” Felbi said.
Right, Pale said as a tear leaked from her closed eyes.
“Thank you, Veralta (Comrade in arms),” Pale said.
“Don’t call me that right to my face. It’s embarrassing!” Felbi scratched his head.
Pale bid farewell to Felbi.
◆◆◇
Within the morning haze surrounding the Fortress of the Abyss was the mighty coalition army consisting of the goblins, the demihumans, and the elves.
There were 10 days left until the appointed day of the Goblin King. They would have to send an advance party to begin the war, so considering the time, they had no other opportunity to meet up together except for this.
A large black body with a lone horn on his head reaching for the heavens and a tail that slammed against the ground… On his body, he wore a set of leather armor and an overcoat made from the pelt of a red-speckled bear. Two great swords were sheathed by his waist. He seemed to be the very embodiment of power.
On his right arm was a symbol of a coiled snake blacker than the tone of his skin, and on his left hand was the blessing he received from the twin-headed snake. His features were miles away compared to any goblin.
That goblin climbed up a hill, and with his red eyes, looked down beneath him.
“On this fated day, we shall change history!”
At his voice, the heavens trembled and the earth quivered. His majestic presence bore so strongly upon the goblins that they were forced to kneel.
His voice was like the very act of rebellion against the heavens itself. The Goblin King bellowed at the morning sky.
“You who have lost your homes to the humans!”
The demihumans looked zealously at the king.
“You who have lost the war for supremacy!”
The elves clenched their fists.
“You who have been hunted as monsters!”
The goblins could not contain their emotions as they waited for the king’s words.
“Our paradise is a long way away. We cannot even see its silhouette, but… No matter how steep the path, one day, we will find it. To us godless ones (goblins), divine protections are worthless; therefore, without any prayer, with only the might of our unrelenting wills… we shall crush the human race!”
The Goblin King raised his fist toward the heavens.
“Defeated ones! Let the proud humans taste our might!”
With a howl the whole forest shook.
