"Hold on a second, your majesty," I accidentally let out a nervous laugh while gesticulating my hands from left to right. "You must have been mistaken!"
"But what I am saying is true,"
"I am a mere goblin. Although your offer will benefit my friends and me, I cannot take such an opportunity," my mind went blank, thinking of ways to squeeze some vital information on what was happening to me.
The look on the soldier's eyes condenses like snakes, leering at any of my figure together with the King. I pay them no mind and continue arguing about the conditions, whether this is truly beneficial to both parties.
As the conversation continues, Claire Windsor, his wife and Queen of the kingdom, steps foot and speaks with dignity and elegance.
"I do not see any issues regarding the matter," She said while locking eyes with the three of us, sprites. "However, once you are in the position, you must meddle with the political affairs and the whatnot of the empire."
Her words are static inside my mind, contemplating the difficulties once I accept their proposal. The Queen was right to her deduction that I will be a part of their powerful positions on maintaining the country.
"But the ministers would not accept a goblin-like official," I retorted, trying to find any answers to the questions unasked.
The two nobles glance at each other and nod in agreement that I do not know. Eventually, the pair walks up close to me and flashes me a smile.
"Our family will protect you," Says the King, Markus, with his elite knights saluting at the back.
Queen Claire gently places her hand on top of my head despite the dirty and oily liquid oozing out of my spores.
"We welcome demi-humans or any other races in our territory, "She utters while continuously rubbing her palm on my scalp. "Will you accept our request? We wanted to repay you for saving our daughter."
Thinking back, they talk to me in their most parent-like fashion, similar to what my parents always say to me. Their eyes share the exact expression filled with a worried yet cheerful demeanour. The same characteristics go with Therese, who was standing at the corner observing the fray.
I turn around and face my two friends, confused about what was happening in the present. Briefly explaining the invitation, they all jumped with joy and agreed to their plan.
"It's an honour working for the kingdom," regardless of knowing what state we are going, I nonchalant accepted and got the position as a viscount. Luckily, the rankings of nobles differ little in the same world where I came from.
Having a title of my own will speed things up to find a meaning to my life and soon revive my deceased family.
I am a goblin, clear from my greenish and misshapen appearance, yet I do not hold potent feelings to my species. For now, I will put that notion aside and figure out the things of what I can do for my kind. Today, I must first tour the city and learn more about this world that I live in, concealing that I came from another universe.
_______________________________________________________________
Everyone who had taken part in the battle wears a worn-out mien in their eyes. Even Grer, the offish person in the party, cannot seem to expel his overzealous humour after the skirmish. Before we can resume our journey, Markus and his men insisted on burying the remains of the dead soldiers. To those who had some valuables with them, Claire took them away and would return them to their respective families.
The sight was unbearable for me to watch, so I requested to sit in the carriage and wait for them. I am not afraid of the slaughtered humans, but the carcasses outside remind me of the faces of my parents.
Therese, who had happened to be inside, scuttles around and fiddles inside a leather bag. She reaches out for an amulet-the same crest of a bird she wears around her neck.
"A pendant," I stated while watching her actions closely.
Therese gazes at the necklace and imbues it with arcane. She mumbles some phrases, sways her hands, and allows the radiance to fill the bronze locket.
After Therese confirms her magic incitations, she hands over the necklace to me in an oafish approach.
"Tada~" She happily said while waiting for me to try the pendant on.
"But princess, I-" Before I can even retort, her hand, already wrapping my neck, awkwardly places the necklace on me. It was a rude thing for me to remove the torc without her given permission.
I can only let out a bashful smile while looking at the tiny glass window.
"Are you sure your father, Markus, would not get furious about this?"
"I don't know." She said, doubting her actions.
I let out another exhale and wonder about the results of Markus seeing me with their family's crest. Speaking of the devil, Claire and Markus, who had finished burying the dead in the graveyard, open the sliding door and notice something different.
Markus shifts his eyes over to his daughter, sinking her head under the goose-feather pillow.
"I cannot hear you," She said in advance, expecting a roundabout scolding from her parents.
A faint grin from ear to ear escapes my face, as I ready my hands to take off the necklace given to me.
"Don't bother," He grunted while ordering the soldiers to advance on the road.
Claire, who sat idly for this matter, slowly averts her eyes and covers her mouth with the same fan to hide her amusement.
Looking at the windows on the side, I discern the abrupt change of the environment. It replaced the woodland with sets of mountains towering side by side, reaching for the clouds. From afar, I could hardly see an obelisk stagnant at the centre. Markus told me everything about the land, which we are getting closer to their kingdom.
"That obelisk right there is our landmark for lost adventures." He said with her lips gleaming in relief.
The three of us goblins cannot get enough about the green field with diverse sets of flowers welcoming our arrival.
"Look, father, it is snowing outside!" Therese said while attempting to catch one of the wandering seeds of the white dandelion.
"Therese, close your eyes and make a wish," I said, urging her to follow my instructions.
"For?"
"Trust me."
Hearing my command, Therese closes her eyes and makes a solemn wish. Her face says it all. What she had wished for is a long life together with her family and her people. The guidance she needs, the confidence she must get, and the intelligence to govern the kingdom; these are the covets of the princess, I think.
"Your highnesses,"
"Please, call me Claire," The Queen asseverates.
"Markus. Just Markus." The King also added, making my face blush in embarrassment and joy.
"Markus, Claire, please make a wish with us," I said, hoping they would know the meaning behind the hovering petals outside.
In a few moments, the soldiers outside guarding the gate call the attention of the carriage. One of the knights stationed for us kindly asks Markus to reveal himself for the identification. With leisure movements, the King gets out of the landau in conjunction with the Queen.
I can hear it from the inside of the wagon, the forces of the army aligned in uniform, greeting the royalties of the kingdom. Some people were wandering outside from a crowd, watching from the distance to see the nobles.
Suddenly, my body jolts out from the caravan and intuitively catches a stealthy arrow heading for the head of Claire. The angle of the thrown arrow was off the mark, but would still hit the target.
The soldiers from outside caused a panic, thinking that I summoned the shaft.
"Seize the goblin!" yells one knight embroidered with luxurious equipment.
With the help of Windsor's family, the turmoil created within an instance has finally toned down, letting us focus on the lost arrow that nearly impales Claire's skull.
"Thank you," Markus said while caressing the hair of the traumatised Claire.
I slightly lowered my head and did not say another word. "It's for your family," I utter.
Prior to returning to the carriage, the blue and azure screen scares me to death as it shows another skill that I promptly learned.
[Congratulations! You can now scan the area!]
-Unlocked Skill [Scan]
{There will be a map on your right, placed on the side of your perspective, showing you the areas who have
Already discovered. Upon levelling up, your scanning radius will also enhance!
Experience to level up: 0/1000
Since I coincidentally earned a useful prowess, I immediately searched the area for the suspect of the problem. However, by the time that the scanning ability reaches for the enemy, the same blue screen alerts me that the skill is not in effect. It almost feels like that the foe I witness has an ability of its own that can counteract my special skills.
"Did you find anything?" Markus, who noticed my peculiar actions, interrogates me.
"I may have found the culprit," I said. "But it got away. My apologies."
"No, it's not your fault," Markus said while directing five of the elite knights to come to his aid.
"Where did you last see the enemy?"
"Over the near the obelisk," I point my finger towards the mountainous and isolated building. The perpetrator is not yet far away and only concealed his presence. But, judging from this world alone, he may know an ability or two to hasten his speed or teleport between obstacles. Having these thoughts align, it will make the chase harder for these footmen of Markus.
Let us just wait and see.
"Alright." With a single word, the five elite men hurriedly use their wind enhancement and hover at the direction where I earlier pointed out. Within seconds of flying and searching around, they withdrew from the scene and reported their findings.
"We found no one, sire." The leader of the small group steps in front and exclaims his findings.
"However, just as the goblin, Lake had said, there are multiple clues that can defend his claim." The second soldier in command states while glancing over my tiny body staring right back at him under his armour.
"Very well," Markus replied, and issues once more a search and confine group among the rest of the men in the setting.
"Thank you once more, Lake." The King turns around and faces me yet again, sending me his kind gratitude for saving the women he loves.
"It is my pleasure, my king." With that, we finally proceed at the entrance gate of the kingdom, Joker.