chapter 107 valtar

After leaving the Old Merchant's hideout, Kakeith traveled swiftly toward the Goblin Palace. Unlike most who feared the goblins or sought to avoid them, he was coming here deliberately. He had business with Prince Valtar, the seventh prince of the Goblin Kingdom—one of the most cunning and unpredictable members of goblin royalty.

Valtar was different from his brutal and war-hungry brothers. He was a strategist, a manipulator who preferred using words and deals rather than sheer force. If Kakeith wanted something done in goblin territory, Valtar was the one to speak to.

The Approach to the Goblin Palace

The Ragged Fang Mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks casting dark shadows under the moonlight. Hidden beneath them was the entrance to the Goblin Palace—an ancient stronghold carved into the rock, guarded by goblin sentries who watched every movement with suspicion.

As Kakeith approached, two goblin warriors blocked his path, their rusted spears crossed in front of him.

"Outsider, turn back! No one enters without permission!" one of them growled.

Kakeith remained unfazed. "Tell Prince Valtar that Kakeith is here."

The goblins hesitated before one of them scurried inside. Moments later, the large stone gate creaked open.

"Prince say come. He waits for you."

Inside the Goblin Palace

The palace halls were dark and damp, the air thick with the scent of mold and something foul. Flickering green torches lined the walls, casting eerie shadows.

Kakeith was led through winding tunnels before arriving at a lavish underground chamber. The throne room was unlike the rest of the palace—decorated with exotic furs, stolen treasures, and weapons from fallen enemies.

At the center sat Prince Valtar, lounging on a throne made of dark stone, his long fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. Unlike his brutish brothers, he wore a finely crafted robe, and his piercing golden eyes gleamed with intelligence.

As soon as Kakeith stepped in, Valtar gave a knowing smile.

"Kakeith… I've been waiting for you."

His voice was smooth, his tone unreadable. It was impossible to tell whether he was pleased or simply amused.

Kakeith smirked. "Then I won't waste your time."

Valtar leaned forward slightly, interest flashing in his gaze. "Good. Speak, then. Let's see if your words are worth the wait."

Prince Valtar took the encrypted letter from Kakeith, his golden eyes narrowing as he turned it over in his hands. He didn't open it immediately; instead, he studied Kakeith for a moment, as if weighing his trustworthiness.

"You found this in the bandit occupation?" Valtar's voice was calm, but an unmistakable edge lurked beneath his words.

Kakeith nodded. "This is all I found there," he said evenly. "If you're looking for more, you'll be disappointed. The bandit camp was wiped clean—no other documents, no loose tongues left to question. Just this letter."

Valtar's fingers tightened slightly on the parchment. He broke the seal and unfolded it, his sharp eyes scanning its contents. His tapping fingers stilled, his expression unreadable.

A low chuckle escaped him, though it lacked amusement. "So that's how it is," he murmured. Then, his golden gaze lifted to Kakeith.

"I hope this can satisfy you," Kakeith added, his voice neutral but firm.

Valtar exhaled slowly, tapping the letter against his palm. "That depends, Kakeith… on whether this letter tells me what I want to know. Because I don't deal in half-answers."

For ten long minutes, Prince Valtar remained completely absorbed in the letter. His golden eyes flicked over the carefully inked words, scanning every line with meticulous precision. His fingers traced the edges of the parchment, feeling its texture as if the paper itself could reveal secrets beyond the ink.

The flickering green torches cast shifting shadows across his sharp features, making his expression unreadable. His long fingers tapped against the armrest in an irregular rhythm—first slow, then quick, then stopping altogether. A deep, thoughtful silence settled over the chamber.

Kakeith, standing a few feet away, did not move. He did not shift his weight, did not adjust his stance, did not so much as exhale loudly. Silence was often a weapon in such meetings, and he wielded it well.

Then, abruptly, a sharp chuckle broke the stillness.

"Haha… I see." Valtar's voice, soft at first, carried a strange amusement, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. His fingers tightened around the parchment, crinkling the delicate paper as his laughter grew.

"I see, I see." He stood up, his dark robes shifting with the motion. The sound of his movement echoed faintly through the cavernous chamber. His laughter was neither joyful nor bitter—it was something else entirely.

He lifted the letter closer to the torchlight, tilting it at just the right angle. His sharp gaze focused on a particular section of the text, and a slow, knowing smile spread across his lips.

"The Fifth Prince… he wants to kidnap me?" He chuckled again, shaking his head as if he found the very notion absurd. "How bold… and how utterly foolish."

Then, his gaze sharpened further as he tapped the paper with a single, long finger. "And this handwriting… haha. I recognize it. His personal maid. How careless of her."

The amusement in his voice did not reach his eyes. There, only cold calculation remained.

"So, my dear brother truly thinks he can make a move against me." Valtar exhaled slowly, rolling the parchment in his hands. "How… disappointing."

Prince Valtar let out a final amused chuckle before his expression cooled into something unreadable. He rolled the parchment between his fingers before tucking it away into the folds of his robe.

Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small, engraved badge. The metallic emblem glinted under the eerie green torchlight—an intricate crest bearing the Goblin Kingdom's royal insignia. Without a word, he tossed it toward Kakeith.

The badge spun through the air before landing neatly in Kakeith's palm. It was heavier than it looked, cold to the touch, the edges worn from countless hands having held it before.

"A gift," Valtar said, his voice smooth but laced with meaning. "An invitation to the Royal Training Grounds. You may stay for three days."

Kakeith turned the badge over in his fingers, inspecting the craftsmanship. The emblem was unmistakable—only those personally invited by a member of the royal family could step foot in the training grounds. It was a place where goblin warriors, commanders, and even nobles tested their strength, refined their skills, and prepared for war.

This was no simple reward.

Valtar leaned back onto his throne, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the armrest. "Consider it my way of showing… appreciation. Few outsiders get such an opportunity, Kakeith. Make use of it wisely."

His golden eyes gleamed with intrigue, watching Kakeith's reaction carefully. Was this a favor? A test? A challenge?

Kakeith met Valtar's gaze, his grip tightening slightly on the badge. He knew better than to mistake generosity for kindness, especially from a goblin prince. But an opportunity was an opportunity.

After a brief pause, he gave a small nod. "I'll make the most of it."

Valtar smirked, clearly pleased. "Good. Then we'll see if you truly have what it takes."