chapter 39 importance

Securing his importance was just the first step—Kaelith had to make sure he didn't just fade into the background once the goblin prince returned home. If he wasn't careful, he could be brushed aside as just a fortunate bystander who happened to help.

That wasn't going to happen.

If he wanted access to the Goblin Kingdom's resources, he needed to ensure that he wasn't just treated as a helper, but as someone the kingdom owed a debt to. A VIP. A hero. An honored guest.

Kaelith's mind worked fast.

He needed to position himself as irreplaceable. And to do that, he had to make sure that:

1. The goblin prince saw him as an ally worth keeping.

2. The goblin king and nobles viewed him as someone of importance.

3. His presence in the Goblin Kingdom wasn't just welcomed—it was necessary.

The Setup: Sowing the Right Narrative

As Valtar prepared to activate his communication talisman, Kaelith acted quickly.

He reached out and gently pushed the prince's hand down, stopping him.

Valtar shot him a glare. "What now?"

Kaelith smirked slightly, his posture casual but his voice firm.

"Think about how you're going to phrase your message."

Valtar frowned. "I'll tell them the truth. I was kidnapped by bandits, and you saved me."

Kaelith shook his head. "Too simple. And too easy to twist."

Valtar's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Kaelith leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"If you just say that you were kidnapped and I saved you, your enemies can still twist the situation."

"How?"

Kaelith gave him a knowing look. "Because they'll ask: why would a human save you? Why would some outsider risk his life for a goblin prince?"

Valtar opened his mouth to respond, then stopped. His brows furrowed. He hadn't considered that.

Kaelith continued, smoothly filling the silence.

"They'll assume I had an ulterior motive. Maybe I'm working for someone. Maybe I'm part of the reason you were kidnapped in the first place. If your enemies are smart, they'll spread doubt—turning your 'rescue' into something suspicious."

Valtar's grip on the crystal tightened. He knew Kaelith was right.

Kaelith tilted his head slightly, his smirk growing.

"But… there's a way to stop that before it even starts."

The Persuasion: Rewriting the Story

Valtar exhaled. "What do you suggest?"

Kaelith raised a finger. "You need to make sure your family and court see me as someone trustworthy. Someone valuable. Someone who isn't just some random outsider, but a warrior who fought for you."

He tapped his chest lightly, emphasizing his next words.

"Tell them I fought off an entire group of enemies to save you. Tell them I risked my life against overwhelming odds. Make it clear that without me, you wouldn't have survived."

Valtar frowned. "You expect me to exaggerate?"

Kaelith chuckled. "Call it… setting the right narrative."

Valtar studied him carefully. He wasn't stupid—he knew Kaelith was carefully crafting his position. But at the same time, the logic was undeniable. If he framed Kaelith as a lifesaving hero, then there would be:

No room for suspicion about his motives.

No easy way for enemies to discredit him.

A solid reason for the Goblin Kingdom to welcome Kaelith as an honored guest.

Kaelith took a slow step back and crossed his arms. "Of course, if you don't want to, you don't have to. But consider this—if your enemies try to question you, having someone else to vouch for what happened might be the difference between survival and assassination."

Valtar's lips pressed into a thin line. Then, after a moment, he let out a low chuckle.

"You're clever, human."

Kaelith grinned. "I try."

Valtar sighed. "Fine. When I call my kingdom, I will make it clear—you are my savior, my ally. Someone who fought beside me."

Kaelith nodded in satisfaction.

Now, he wasn't just a rescuer. He was an essential figure in the prince's survival.

With his strategy in place, Kaelith watched closely as Valtar raised the enchanted crystal to his mouth. The prince's fingers trembled slightly—not with fear, but with restrained emotion.

A deep breath. A moment of hesitation.

Then, he activated the communication talisman.

The crystal pulsed with a faint emerald glow, the runes carved into its surface igniting like veins of fire. The surrounding air grew heavy as the magic took effect, creating an invisible link between this abandoned hideout and the distant Goblin Kingdom.

A few tense seconds passed before a voice crackled through the crystal—deep, sharp, and commanding.

"Who dares use this line? Speak!"

Kaelith raised an eyebrow. The voice carried the weight of authority, but also raw urgency. Whoever had answered wasn't some mere servant—it was someone with power.

Valtar straightened, his posture shifting into something more regal, more composed.

"General Draskar, it's me."

A long, stunned silence followed. Then, the voice returned, laced with barely restrained shock.

"…Prince Valtar? Is this truly you?"

"Yes," Valtar confirmed, his voice steady. "I am alive."

A sharp intake of breath.

Then, the deep voice erupted into a mix of emotions—relief, rage, and urgency all at once.

"By the ancestors! We thought you were dead! The entire kingdom has been in turmoil! Where are you? Who did this?"

Kaelith noticed Valtar's grip tighten around the crystal. The prince was choosing his words carefully.

"I was ambushed while traveling. Kidnapped by bandits. They planned to ransom me… or worse. But I survived because of one man—my savior, my ally, Kaelith."

Kaelith smirked slightly.

Good. He's following the script.

On the other end, the general was silent for a moment before responding.

"…A human?"

Kaelith could practically feel the suspicion in those words. He knew how goblins viewed humans—as opportunists, backstabbers, and enemies more often than allies. This was the real test.

Valtar's response would determine everything.

The goblin prince didn't hesitate.

"Not just any human. A warrior who risked his life to save me. Without him, I would not be speaking to you now."

The weight of that statement hung in the air.

The general was quiet, clearly processing the information. Then, his tone softened slightly.

"…Then the kingdom is in his debt."

Kaelith's smirk widened.

That's what I needed to hear.

Valtar continued, pressing the advantage.

"I need an escort. I am with Kaelith, and we must be brought back safely. Prepare a force."

The general's response came swiftly.

"At once, my prince. Stay where you are. I will personally lead the retrieval force. Expect us within the hour."

The crystal dimmed as the connection severed.

A heavy silence followed.

Then, Valtar exhaled slowly, lowering the talisman. His tense shoulders finally relaxed.

Kaelith chuckled. "Well, that went well."

Valtar shot him a side glance. "I hope you understand the weight of what just happened. My kingdom now owes you a great favor. But that doesn't mean all of them will accept you so easily."

Kaelith shrugged. "I don't expect them to. But I don't need their trust—I just need the right opportunities. And thanks to you, I'll have them."

Valtar studied him for a long moment before shaking his head with an amused smirk. "You're dangerous, Kaelith."

Kaelith grinned. "I know."

Now, all that was left was to wait.

Within the hour, the Goblin Kingdom's elite warriors would arrive. And once Kaelith stepped foot in their land, the real game would begin.

Note: this time prince called his trusted general so he can be safe