Whispers of Destiny [Chapter 14]

As I sat there, a sudden awareness washed over me, sharpening my senses to the world around me. Until this moment, I had been blissfully unaware of anyone possessing knowledge of my unique abilitiy, and now, curiosity ignited within me. Could the Guildmaster hold vital information that might aid me in my future battles? 

He began to share a tale from his childhood, a story recounted by his parents that spoke of the first god, a being endowed with the power to summon souls from the realm of the dead.

"I don't know if it relates to Your skill but he was indeed associated with necromancy. The tale describes how the first god emerged from the void, creating water, the sun, land, and eventually, the other gods."

"Hmmm, the first god," I replied, intrigued yet skeptical. "It's an interesting story, but merely a tale, nonetheless."

The conversation flowed naturally, with the Guildmaster probing deeper into my origins, inquiring about who had sent me to this place, and posing a myriad of other questions. I answered each with grace, but then he posed a question that pulled at the strings of nostalgia within me.

"Master, you seem like an intriguing individual. What is your goal?"

"Ah," I replied, a smile creeping across my face. "In my previous life, someone once asked me the very same question."

"Who was it, Master?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"It was my best friend—the only true friend I ever had. My goal? It was simple: to indulge in the company of beautiful women and savor exquisite food."

I chuckled, recalling the carefree days of my past. Yet, as I spoke, I couldn't help but ponder if that was still my true aspiration. Perhaps my current goal was to fight for freedom and liberation, but a part of me longed for the simplicity of my previous desires.

Our conversation faded into silence, and we found ourselves seated on the cold, hard ground, gazing up at the endless expanse of the sky. It was then that he shared a poignant memory of his own. After the birth of his first child, he and his wife would often come to this very dome, where they would marvel at the beauty of the infinite sky. The sentimentality of his words tugged at my heartstrings, and I realized that this man had stirred emotions within me more than once. If I continued to engage with him, I might find myself shedding tears.

"Master, we have returned," a voice called out, breaking the reverie.

"Lord, I am back with Artha," came another voice, filled with warmth.

It was a heartwarming sight to witness a father reunited with his child after so many years apart. The Guildmaster cradled the child in his arms, holding her close to his heart with an expression of pure love. After that tender moment, we set our course toward the goblin village, but as midnight approached, we halted beneath a grand tree, its countless branches providing us with shelter for the night. Gloom and Gooby busied themselves gathering branches to kindle a fire while we prepared a meal. Only I, the child, and Lilly partook in the food, as the undead had no need for sustenance. 

Exhaustion washed over me after the meal, and I decided it was time for rest. The Guildmaster had already fallen asleep, his child nestled securely in his arms. In this moment, he was not just my slave but a father, and Lucas stood watch over us, vigilant and unwavering.

"Lucas, we are going to sleep. Don't even think about dozing off during your night watch," I warned, my voice a mixture of jest and seriousness.

"As you command, my lord. I won't sleep".

Another day had come to a close, and I found myself once again sleeping on the ground. I should have grown accustomed to it by now, but the reality of my life still brought a chuckle to my lips. "Goodnight," I whispered to the stars above.

The following morning, we resumed our journey toward the goblin village. Lilly, Artha, and I rode atop the Bison King, and with its furious speed, we reached our destination in no time. We decided to camp beneath the same tree where Gobby and I had once stayed, making it our base camp.

"So, any suggestions on what we should do next?" I inquired, looking to my companions for their thoughts.

The responses I received were as varied as they were unexpected. 

"Let's barrage the attack!" Lucas exclaimed, his enthusiasm bordering on reckless. 

"Really, Lucas? A direct assault? Who does that?" I retorted, shaking my head at his foolishness.

"Let's run!" Lilly suggested, her voice tinged with an unexpected note of fear. I was taken aback; this was so her.

"Let's kidnap the goblin king and kill him!" Gobby chimed in, his plan surprisingly solid. Perhaps he was beginning to think strategically. 

"I believe we should first send a message to the goblin king to negotiate,If he dismisses our offer, then my lord, there is a ritual for claiming power among the strongest male goblins. You could consider that. The ritual is called AWAHAN." 

"Hmm," I mused, considering the suggestions laid before me. "Some of your ideas are indeed more astute than I initially realized. Let us proceed with the guild master's proposal. Gobby, you shall convey my demands to the Goblin King. Should he refuse, I will challenge him to a duel."

With a sense of determination, I turned to Gobby, who stood ready to relay my message. "As we have discussed, I will articulate my demands clearly. The Goblin King must recognize me as his superior and submit to my rule. Should he decline, he will face the consequences of AWAHAN—a fate I do not wish to elaborate upon."

"Go now, Gobby," I instructed, my voice firm. "Ensure that you communicate every detail to the Goblin King. Take Wooble with you; his presence will serve as a reminder that I will not be taken lightly."

Time passed slowly, each moment stretching with anticipation until Gobby and Wooble returned, bearing the weight of the king's announcement. I had hoped that the formidable presence of the Bison King would dissuade the Goblin King from engaging in combat, but as Gobby approached, I noticed his left hand was regenerating—a clear sign of the turmoil that had transpired.

"What happened?" I inquired, a knot of concern tightening in my stomach.

Gobby grimaced, recounting the tale. "The fool was so incensed by your message that he hurled a knife at me. I barely managed to block it with my hand, but the blade found its mark, and now I'm left with this injury."

"Everyone, listen closely. The king's message is unequivocal: if you desire the kingdom, you must seize it by force. If it is a fight he seeks, then a fight he shall have."

As if summoned by his words, two goblins approached, sent by the Goblin King to escort us to the battle ring. We followed without hesitation, confident in our strategy; goblins were notoriously foolish, and trickery was seldom on their minds. As we entered the village, I was struck by the scene unfolding around me. Goblins lined the streets, their faces twisted with mockery, jeering and throwing spoiled fruits our way. It was clear they were resolute in their belief that their king would emerge victorious.

"Are you certain, Sir Red, that you can win this?" Lilly's voice trembled beside me, her anxiety palpable. She glanced nervously at the confident goblins, who reveled in their king's impending triumph.

"Do not fret," I reassured her, though a flicker of uncertainty ignited within me. "He may pose a challenge due to his size, but I am confident in my abilities. When the dust settles, I will stand victorious."

Despite my bravado, a tremor of apprehension coursed through me; this would be my first significant fight against a leader. The guild master had imparted valuable tactics, though he had never directly faced the Goblin King. He had fought goblin mages in his youth, sharing tales of their cunning and deceit.

I was jolted from my thoughts when Wooble, irritated by the barrage of rotten fruit, let out a thunderous roar that resonated throughout the village. The sound was so powerful that it silenced the mocking goblins, their jeers replaced by an uneasy stillness.

"Excellent work, Wooble," I praised, my spirits lifted by his display of strength.

At last, we reached the battle ring. It was an open expanse, surrounded by a sturdy fence, where the Goblin King and an elder goblin awaited us. The atmosphere crackled with tension, and I scanned the crowd, noting the absence of the two commanders who usually accompanied the king. Yet, the focus was on the impending confrontation—one that would pit me against the king of the goblins.

The elder goblin began to speak in a guttural language, a dialect that only Gobby and I could understand. "All goblins present here are witnesses to the battle that shall soon unfold. The challenger, a human, has dared to confront the mighty, brave, and wise king of goblin history for the throne of this illustrious village."

A roar erupted from the audience, their cheers echoing through the air as the Goblin King waved to his subjects, his gaze fixed intently upon me. 

"This battle shall conclude only when one participant is slain or surrenders," the elder declared, his voice booming with authority.

With that proclamation, I stepped forward, the weight of my destiny pressing down upon me. Lilly, Wooble, and Gobby offered me their encouragement, their thumbs raised in solidarity.

"Win this, Master," Wooble urged, his voice filled with fervor. "Defeat the king of these fools!"

As I approached the ring, I could feel the eyes of the goblin populace upon me, their faith in their king unwavering. The time for words was over; soon, it would be time for action.