The feast roared on into the night, and although there wasn’t any alcohol involved, it didn’t stop the Goblins from having a raucous night. If the current situation was compared to the morning, one would immediately be able to tell that the tension that seemed to linger in the air had long since dissipated as the night went on and roast meat was passed around until every Goblin in the Village could genuinely claim to be full.
Even the Guards who were still posted in the cave were fed before eventually being relieved so that they could enjoy the festivities as well.
It was a good night.
But of course, that night had to pass.
“So Rogu, I know I apologized last night, but to take it a step further, if Loruk is alright with it, he could follow me around as I continue my own training. Of course, I don’t expect him to be there and do nothing. He will be training too.”
“My Lord. First of all, let me once again express how much your apology means to me. I don’t deserve it, and I swear it will never be forgotten. Never. I promise. Loruk will be honored to be your guard as you further your training, and I’m sure he will have to work hard to contain himself once he learns of it.”
“No worries at all Rogu, alright let’s go give him the good news then.”
….
Eventually Rick could be seen walking towards the northern part of the forest with a Tier 4 Goblin trailing a respectable distance behind him.
‘Why is following me and not walking next to me?’
[It probably has something to do with respect of some sort. Walking next to you could imply that you two are on equal footing.]
‘So complicated. If that’s the case, then he is equal to me. We’re both Tier 4 Goblins.’
[Rick, you know that it’s not so simple.]
‘I know, I know just complaining.’
“Loruk.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“We’re going to visit the Fox. You’ve already met it right?”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Yes, I have My Lord. When we first arrived at the forest, it greeted us.”
“Alright, it’s good that you already met it. Don’t do anything weird alright? We’ll be fine.”
“Understood My Lord.”
[It’s not too late to turn back Rick. Even if the Fox doesn’t do anything to you or Loruk, I still don’t think it’s wise to go seek out Tier 5 Beasts. You have seen firsthand just how much power is stored within Rogu’s body. Do you think that’s something you are ready to fight against?]
‘Velora, we discussed this. What if that level of an Orc is in front of me? I’m not na?ve enough to not know that life can be very unfair, let alone a war. We still don’t know the extent of the Orc’s forces. What if they attack us with nothing but Tier 4s and up? What the hell would we be doing then? We would have no choice but to be slaughtered. I have to take Risks Velora. I have to. I have no choice. It’s either I risk it all now for a chance to survive what’s to come or be safe and not take the type of risks where my life is on the line and just hope for the best when the time comes. I can’t do that Velora. I won’t do that.’
[I understand.]
‘Thank you.’
….
Rick continued to walk up around to the northern part of the forest, whilst doing his best to ignore looking towards the left that was to his right. Though Loruk was the complete opposite of Rick in that sense. He periodically stared at the lake intently as if preparing himself to attack the water itself if it looked funny in his eyes.
He knew of the terror that dwelled within, but he was determined to not let anything touch Rick if he could avoid it…
POV Loruk
‘I was chosen to be our Future King’s personal Guard. I can’t miss this opportunity, and I especially can’t allow harm to come to him. My father would be the proudest man in all of the Clans if he heard I was the Personal Guard to the Future King himself! And I would get to train alongside him!
‘I truly hope Captain Rogu won’t hold it against me. I know for a fact he would much rather do this than train the so called Royal Guards. They are a failure in my eyes. While I do understand that they don’t have the same history and training we do back home, but to die while protecting the Future King, should be expected. Yet they let one death shake them. That is unacceptable.
‘The Future King deserves better. Not a group of guards who flinch at the sight of death. I truly hope Captain Rogu is able to make something out of them. In the meantime, I will do my best to prove to the Future King that I would be a good fit for the position. Even if that wretched Serpent comes out of the lake, I will not hesitate to lay my life down for the survival of the Future King.
‘Though…based on our interactions thus far. I’m confident that he would likely stay and fight alongside me. It warms my heart, and it is not my place to order him around, but I don’t think the Captain fully explained to him the importance he holds for our race. He must live at all costs. He must be selfish. His life is worth more than mine is. Such is the life of the Monarch of Goblins.
‘I can only hope that he is able to understand that with time, and once he finally meets my father and the other Chiefs, they will properly express it to him.’
“Loruk, be ready.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
‘The fox could sh…-’
“Ah you have finally visited again. It’s been too long. I told you it’s a bit boring to have no one to talk to, didn’t I? You should come more often.”
