Vilan Do Zul, who managed the Kushain Believers all by himself, was able to sense Elrain Kingdom’s movements earlier than the goblins. Not long after that, he got word from a messenger that some people from the goblins’ side had come out waving a white flag and surrendered.
He was an understanding boss, so without hesitation, he immediately ordered the commanding officers of the entire army to head south.
“We’ve already pushed them so far, though. Don’t you think it’s a waste?” Some of the commanding officers said.
But they too knew that Vilan’s orders, which were from Saint Mira herself, were a priority, so they didn’t openly refuse the order. But more than Saint Mira’s name was Vilan’s achievement of defeating Elrain Kingdom in the last battle. Despite so many of the bigwigs of the Kushain Believers struggling in the last battle, this youth before them had risen to fame. Currently, the influence this youth possessed was too great to ignore.
But be that as it may, there were still those who opposed the idea.
Perhaps, the commanding officers who were directly under Vilan wouldn’t dare, but what of the staff officers with the same rank as Vilan who would end up with no opportunity for achievements were they to follow Vilan and the matriarch, Mira?
“While it’s true that we might win if we push the goblins further, but the goal of our expedition is first and foremost to secure the border cities, and the second goal is to suppress the expanding Elrain Kingdom,” Vilan said, pausing for one moment to take a breather before continuing. “The goblins will also most likely head south after finishing up the battle here. All we need to do is to watch from the sidelines as the goblins and the Elrain Kingdom kill each other.”
“I see. So, in other words, we can join the battle depending on the situation.”
The staff officers nodded unanimously, but Vilan’s attention was elsewhere.
Where would the battle take play? How long before it starts? How fast could they carry their cargo? How many soldiers will they need? Which weapons? How much food…
Vilan Do Zul was a calm and collected young man known for his persistence. As proof of his skills, he would send just enough of his people at the right place and only when needed.
The Kushain Believers had more soldiers than the goblins and the Red King; hence, there was no need to pull any tricks. He would defeat them with the raw might of numbers.
Without the knowing of the goblins nor the people of Germion Kingdom, a successor to the old dream of Gowen Ranid – to become a peerless tactician – had appeared.
◆◇◆
In the end, both sides’ expectation happened. The goblins and the Kushain Believers agreed not to attack each other, and then the goblins took their army and headed south.
From the perspective of the humans, the goblins were attacking fiercely, but from the goblins’ perspective, they were retreating and were wary of being attacked from behind.
Everything happened just as the Kushain Believers wanted it to go. And although they had agreed to a ceasefire with the goblins, they had no intention of keeping it to the very end. For one, the world was currently in chaos. But other than that, the goblins weren’t even humans. What betrayal? What breach of contract? No one would accuse them of such. If the goblins can’t make them keep the ceasefire, then that only means they weren’t strong enough.
The Kushain Believers gently chased after the goblins as they too moved south.
When the Goblin King confirmed that they weren’t being pursued, he told Felbi to catch up later since they wouldn’t be able to keep up with them, then he moved at full speed with his goblins.
A distance that would have taken the humans 5 days took the goblins only 2 days. As soon as they reached Razuel, they started building a military camp again.
The Goblin King decided he would stop Elrain Kingdom here. Unless they fight at least once, the maneuvering of the various powers will never stop. After all, they themselves probably couldn’t attack even if they wanted to when things were peaceful.
As the battlefield developed according to the predictions of the Goblin King, he sent out Gi Jii Arsil and his group of assassins.
As for the Goblin King, he stayed behind to watch over the construction of the military camp.
“The humans will probably come in droves once they attack. We’ll have the monster beasts go underground and take them by the legs.”
After receiving the king’s instructions, Gi Ji Arsil gave orders to his own men. And when they had formed three man cells, they each went their own way, keeping their eyes peeled for any monsters that may be lurking in the grass-covered plains.
“Dig those moats deeper! Erect those fences! Don’t let the bastards near our home!”
The Goblin King sent one order after another to his subordinates.
The goblins cut the trees from the nearby forest and used them to erect fences. They used their sharp nails and strong muscles to lift up rocks from the ground and dig holes.
The goblins did not have tools, so they had no choice but to use whatever they could. They would use their iron helmets to scoop the earth. They would take off their armor, combine it with some wooden rods, and use them in place of straw baskets. And while the goblins were hard at work, the Goblin King desperately pestered them to work even faster.
And perhaps his unceasing pestering was of good, after all, for when Gi Ji Arsil came back after catching a whiff of the enemy’s trail, the military camp was already ready. Of course, it was crudely built.
“Good. Is Hal here!?” The Goblin King called for the Paradua’s chief, Hal, and personally gave him his orders.
“Attack the enemy cavalry and lure them here!”
“As you command.”
Hal was elated to receive a mission directly from the king. He rode upon his black tiger in high spirits and led his tribe through the grass-covered plains.
After he left, the Goblin King ordered the goblins to fortify the camp, then he looked at his surroundings. He had to prepare ways for when the enemy attacks them. Unfortunately, time was running out.
“King of Goblins,” Zaurosh called out to the king, who was currently examining the surroundings. “Lord Felbi and his elves have arrived.”
“I see,” the Goblin King replied.
“And…”
In the next moment, Zaurosh knelt before the Goblin King, causing the latter to raise his brows.
“What are you doing?” The Goblin King asked.
“If you can, please send me to battle,” Zaurosh said.
“That’s…”
This was all too favorable for the Goblin King, but why? Why would the Leon Heart Clan wish to put themselves in harm’s way? The Goblin King also had far less soldiers compared to the other powers.
“Your Majesty is right to be confused, but at this rate, the Red King will conquer the south, and when that happens, I and my brethren will have nowhere to go.”
I see, the Goblin King thought, but he still wasn’t convinced. If Zaurosh were to make a stand with them here, it will become harder to gather intelligence on the human armies later. And as for them, they will never be able to go back to the human world.
“…You ask this of me knowing full well the consequences?”
“Yes.”
“Then I won’t say any more. I welcome you as a friend. Let’s fight a good war.”
“We will fight with all of our strength and meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”
Zaurosh bowed deeply to the Goblin King and left, then he sent a message to the guards accompanying the feudal lords. The contents of that message were as follows: The Kushain Believers have seen through our collusion with the goblins. They want to hire us in exchange for their silence.
2 days later. Zaurosh stood before a Leon Heart Clan that was ready for war.
“I’m sorry, but this it. The scheming, the lying, the hiding! All of it is over! All we have left is this battle! Our survival and the survival of our comrades to the east now rest upon your shoulders!”
Before the Leon Heart Clan had gathered here, Zaurosh negotiated with the Goblin King regarding their renumeration. As a result, whether today ends in victory or defeat, they will stand with the goblins as equals.
“For our loyalty!”
As Zaurosh brandished his sword, the Leon Heart Clan howled as one.
