‘There’s no way she’s serious, right? Her evolution one hundred and ten percent caused her to develop a weird sense of humor, right? Did she listen to a single word I just said about having children?’

  [She looks serious.]

  ‘She does, doesn’t she…

  ‘Out of all the problems I thought could possibly happen from this conversation, this was not one of them.

  ‘Am I that captivating of a Goblin? Maybe it’s because I’m a Royal? Am I giving off mating pheromones or something?

  ‘Or maybe it was the fight against the Golems. Even Jaba said I recognized my strength after that fight, so maybe it woke something up inside her as well?’

  [So, you're going to accept her request.]

  ‘No, I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to understand where she’s coming from! Yes, that's what I’m doing…’

  [Then why not ask her? She’s been staring daggers at you while you’ve been lost in your own delus-...thoughts.]

  ‘You were going to say delusions, weren’t you?! I’m on to you, Velora!’

  [I’m just a skill and she’s still staring at you.]

  ‘I’m starting to think otherwise! Whatever! Maybe she has a good reason for causing my mental stress.’

  “Geedi, do you understand what you're asking? If you do, why are you asking that?”

  “Lea...der...smart...stro..ng...look..goo..d...fi..ght...stone...mon..sters..”

  ‘So, it was because of the fight against the golems!! I knew it! But how do I deal with this?

  ‘I’m not planning on being that cliche dense Isekai main character type of Goblin that doesn’t know how to deal with the opposite sex, but that doesn’t mean I want to have children with Geedi.

  ‘Plus, it seems like she values power and strength more than anything. Even Jaba used to say similar things before he became a Hobgoblin. Actually, he still kinda says things like that.

  ‘I wonder if it is because she’s not a Hobgoblin and her mind isn’t so complex that a small show of power is enough to bring her to that decision.’

  [So, what are you going to do?]

  ‘Well, I’m going to turn her down. Hopefully, it won’t cause her to hate me because it seems she really wanted me to agree to that.

  ‘I’m forgetting one big ass reason for turning her down...

  ‘I’m not ready to be a dad!

  ‘You can’t get the great Goblin Rick that easily Geedi!’

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Okay, I understand, but I’ll have to deny that request Geedi. It’s not time for me to focus on having children yet. Focus on getting stronger for now.”

  ‘I’ve never actually rejected someone like that before, but it should be fine, right? That shouldn't cause her to hate me or anything like that, right?’

  [Maybe.]

  “Then...if...get...stron..ger?”

  [She doesn’t seem to hate you.]

  ‘Yes, but this is a problem too!’

  [Her mind should evolve once she becomes a Hobgoblin, so there’s a chance she won’t want your children anymore at that point.]

  ‘That makes sense, but what if she does?’

  [Then you can reject her again if you're still opposed to it.]

  ‘You know Velora, SOMETIMES I’m actually thankful for the advice you give.’

  [Then why ignore my advice to train?]

  ‘Annnd, now I’m not so thankful. I’m going to train soon!’

  [Sure. By the way, it is now 1300.]

  At least you can tell the time properly!

  “If you can become a Hobgoblin, then I’ll consider your request.”

  “Hob..gob..lin?”

  “Ah! Wait before we continue… Jaba! Do you know what your race is?”

  “A Goblin right?”

  ‘Hmm…Velora are the races I see in the statuses of various beasts and monster races like us actually known in the world? Or is it just something to make it easier for me to understand?’

  [The races you see are the classifications created by the being who created both me and the status you possess, so they should also exist in the world. Though it is possible other races may call them different things.]

  ‘You mean that rude voice that called itself a god?’

  [Yes.]

  ‘I see, then I guess that could definitely mean that some people of this world might actually classify us as something else.

  ‘Guess that makes sense. I’ll stick with what I see in the statuses, though. I’ll even pass it on to my fellow Goblins.

  “Jaba, both you and I are more than just Goblins. We are Hobgoblins which are Goblins that have gone through two evolutions and became the Tier Two versions of our race. We initially started at Tier Zero and the form you were in before your current state was Tier One.

  “Although we are still Goblins at heart, we’re a much stronger version than the normal Goblins training outside. We are even still leagues above High Goblins, which is what Geedi, Dal, and Tars are.

  “You three have only gone through one evolution, but you are still far stronger than what you were before. Every evolution you go through can only be achieved with hard work, so take pride in being a High Goblin!

  “That goes for you too Jaba, as far as I know, you're at the apex of the Goblin race! Take pride in being a Hobgoblin!”

  “Yes!”

  “Yes!”

  “Yes!”

  “Yes!”

  [That was a good speech. Geedi seems to be even more determined now.]

  ‘Don’t remind me…’

  “Ahem! Alright, we got a little side-tracked but hopefully, that answers your question, Geedi. Both Jaba and I are Hobgoblins. Reach our level before bringing that request back to me.”

  “Under…stood!!”

  “Good. Unless you all have any more questions, I think we’ve covered enough for now. Go outside and give the Goblins a break from training. Then take your time to explain to your squads about everything we went over in this meeting.

  “Jaba go with them to make sure the information is passed down properly. Also, don’t forget to bring the squads out to hunt some more Horned Rabbits.

  “Be careful, but the squad captains should try not to help as much as possible.

  “The more High Goblins we get the stronger we’ll be.

  “Once all that’s done, do all the preparations you need to go on your training trip, Jaba. I’ll accompany you as far as the lake first thing in the morning.”

  “Understood, I’ll be ready. Squad captains, let's go.”

  [You know Geedi still looked determined as ever as she walked out of the cave.]

  ‘I noticed. I’m starting to wonder if she’ll give up on that idea once she becomes a Hobgoblin.’

  [I don’t believe she will.]

  ‘Yeah, probably not. I’ll have to remind her not to do anything reckless to get stronger once we go on those hunting trips in a couple of days.

  ‘Seems like I have got a lot more stressful days ahead of me, but whatever. Gang green will still find a way on top!’