‘No one would be able to stop me huh…The more and more I talk to Rogu, the more and more the reality of my position is setting in. A King Velora. A King. And it wouldn’t be just a King to a country, but to an entire race! An entire race depending on me to lead them. To bear their burdens, to protect their rights, to secure their futures, all of it would be on my shoulders Velora.’

  [It’s a good thing you are understanding the scope of your responsibility Rick. I know you’ve always had goals to bring Goblins to the top, but it’s a bit more weight on your shoulders when it is expected of you to do that. Especially when it’s heard so plainly.]

  ‘No, you’re right. You’re completely right. I’m not getting cold feet though, it’s just a lot to hear the scope of everything all at once like this.’

  [That is a logical reaction you’re having, but you aren’t alone Rick. You have countless other Goblins willing to help you advance, grow, and complete your duties as King. This isn’t a burden you have to carry all by yourself, because you also have me.]

  ‘Are you bragging on yourself Velora?’

  [No, I am simply stating the facts.]

  ‘Whatever you say Velora, but either way you’re right, I do have help and I’m not alone in the journey. Nor it is a journey I plan on giving up on halfway, but…there is something I’m worried about. BLOOD?!!! What did Rogu mean by giving them my blood?! I took everything in me not to make a face when he said that.’

  [It’s likely not as bad as you think it is. It’s perhaps just a few drops needed. You will be able to handle that without issue.]

  ‘But what if it’s more? What if they need a whole bucket of it?’

  [Why not just ask Rogu.]

  ‘Good point…’

  “Rogu, a question for you.”

  “Anything My Lord.”

  “How much blood would take it help the Goblins evolve past Tier 6?”

  “I am actually not sure My Lord. This ritual has not happened in a very long time, and no one alive in the Clans have ever witnessed it, but it is apart of our recorded history, and it has been proven over many generations that reaching Tier 7 is impossible without intervention, and according to our records, that intervention is the ritual with the Monarch.”

  “I see…ah something I’ve been wondering. Why did you initially refer to me as the Future King? If there are no other Royals, can’t I be crowned here? I don’t think it’s 100% required that I do that in the Clans right? There are Goblins here too.”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Unfortunately, My Lord, there is a reason for it. It is more than a simple crowning or coronation, there is an actual ritual involved with the process, and it is not that I am able to perform her since I don’t actually know it. In fact, it is a very secretive process, and it is not wildly advertised within the Clan who knows it and who doesn’t. It is thought that all the Chiefs know it, but that is not the case, and it is only passed down verbally to a select few.

  “The only reason I know this is because I am my father’s heir, and it was passed down to him. Though it is no guarantee that it is also passed down to me.”

  “Hmm, I see. There are a lot of Rituals among our people huh.”

  “It seems My Lord. They have been passed down for generations upon generations.”

  “That’s amazing…but I understand. I will do my best to travel to the Clans as soon as possible.”

  “That’s all I can ask for My Lord.”

  “Mm. Though you mentioned something earlier that I’m a bit curious about. You mentioned Monster Races, and that we’re not a part of the officially recognized. Who is able to officially recognize races? That doesn't seem right to me.”

  “It is the Continental Conference My Lord. It happens once every 10 years with every officially recognized race on the Continent. Based on our small understanding, it has nothing to do with alliances or anything of the sort, in fact we believe sometimes wars start from the conference, and they can also be ceased there as well.

  “We don’t know all the topics that are discussed at the conference, but we do know it involves every official race on the Continent. Goblins have never been invited to such a conference. In fact, long before I was born, there were attempts to be able to attend and we are dismissed as monsters and hunted, with the latter still happening today.”

  “I see…and these other Monster Races, they don’t try to speak up for us?”

  “Goblins have no allies that I can speak of My Lord. Maybe some races would be more so inclined to tolerate us or ignore us, but none of them will ever consider us allies. In most circles we are looked down upon and treated like dirt. Even the nicest of people become vile creatures when forced to deal with Goblins.”

  “Even the nicest of people become hostile when it comes to us huh…”

  Rick and the others kept walking and moving along for quite some time before they finally ran into traces of the group and by the time it reached morning they had found the others.

  From there the group progressed steadily deeper into the forest as they planned to find the perfect location about a week away from the plains to build the Outpost. Of course, the awareness of the group hadn’t dropped at all, and scouts were being sent out at regular intervals just to verify if the Orcs had entered the forest or not.

  Though even after traveling for a full week, there was nothing. Not a single peep from the Orcs the entire time.

  If anything, the only weird thing about this journey came from Rick.

  Apart from his initial talk with Rogu, he hadn’t spoken much after that. He just silently walked with the group, and he always seemed to be thinking about something else. Even as the groups took breaks to rest or eat, he mostly stayed silent.

  Rogu could easily tell there was a lot going on in his mind and instructed the others to leave him be until he is ready to talk again. It was to be expected that a lot would be on his mind after this.

  And he felt it was a good thing that he was taking the time out to think and consider his options instead of making a decision that didn’t have much thought to it.

  Of course, only time will tell what Rick’s thoughts in this moment will mean for the future.

  ‘Velora, I’m telling you, we need a spy department!’

  …Only time will tell.