They numbered 2,300 in total and among those, 300 were rare cla.s.s. There were also all kinds of goblins among Gi Gu's army, and their platoons included even beast tamers and druids. It wasn't wrong to say that it was just a little smaller compared to the king's army.

　Being the last surviving member of the Ashunasan Alliance, although weakened, the merchant country of pena hung onto life yet. In order to defeat this colossal enemy, the Goblin King has decided to spare the best among his forces.

　Gi Gu Verbena himself thought that and he puffed up his chest at the joy of having been entrusted a powerful foe. Although Gi Gu Verbena steadily advanced, his progress was a lot slower compared to the other goblins.

　One reason was because his platoons were composed solely of goblins.

　Another reason was because the leader of the Ashunasan Alliance, Pena, despite being weakened, was still in good health. At first, Gi Gu wanted to imitate the king and do as Gi Ga did when he conquered the Labyrinth City, but while Gi Ga had Zaurosh with him, Gi Gu had no humans to cooperate with. The effect of this one factor was huge, and managing the cities that had capitulated greatly impeded their progress.

　Because of the slow progress, the Goblin King sent Gi Za Zakuend as an envoy of consolation. His purpose was to see how Gi Gu was doing, as well as to ascertain if there was a need to send reinforcements. When he arrived, it was just right after the city that surrendered to Gi Gu rebelled.

　Given that the clan leaders they relied upon were still alive and well, they could not accept submitting themselves to the goblins, so the capitulated city drove out the influential people and the young and vigorous youth took over the city.

　When Gi Gu heard of the results of the other three generals through Gi Za Zakuend, he couldn't help but twist his lips and mock himself.

“It seems I'm not as shrewd as the others.”

　Seeing Gi Gu so dispirited, Gi Za frowned.

“…Did you think that everything will go well just because you did as the king would? That is no more than a fantasy. Isn't the most important thing to be able to think on your own and then act?”

　When Gi Gu heard the words of this goblin that looked so much like a human, he closed his eyes.

“Indeed. It might be just as you said.”

　Gi Gu looked at the goblin before him, who once challenged the king, with awe and reverence. Those emotions might apply to Rashka and Gi Go Amatsuki as well, but he himself could not do it.

　When Gi Gu first met the king, the fear he felt was so great that he knelt before him without even fighting. Gi Za's words weren't only meant for a comrade in arms who fought honorably under the king, but also for a goblin he believed was worthy of his respect. They were words meant to help Gi Gu strengthen his resolve.

　What spurred Gi Gu the most was Gi Ga Rax, who himself was one of the four generals. Gi Gu himself was became a rare-cla.s.s goblin earlier, and it was only later that a loyal one appeared from the group of eccentrics that he led.

　Although Gi Gu envied Gi Ga's way of life and even respected him, that did not mean that his sense of rivalry had vanished.

“So the quick spear tamed the humans with wisdom…”

　After closing his eyes for a long time, Gi Gu suddenly opened them. Not a trace of that disheartened spirit from before was left.

“In that case, I shall become an axe of fear that will strike terror into the hearts of the humans.”

　After Gi Gu had made up his mind, he quickly went into action. He called for a war council and announced that he would change how he's been doing things until now.

“I was wrong. Even if I copy the king, I can't become the king! We are goblins. From now on, I will use the savage strength that has made the humans call us monsters and display it for all to see.”

　At that declaration, unbeknownst to the king, the ferocity that had been suppressed all this time was – with the cry of the goblins -unleashed. The goblins under Gi Gu's direct command Gu Tough, Gu Long, Gu Big were also taken over by his zeal and they all approved his decision.

“For the sake of our elder brother.”

“Let's do this!”

“Elder brother! Elder brother!”

　From that moment on, the state of the war at Pena quickly s.h.i.+fted.

　Gi Za looked on with a cold gaze.

◇◆◆

　The name of the city that had rebelled was called Hildor. It was a small settlement with a population of only 2,000, but unlike most of the cities in the south, they had walls and weapons to protect themselves from outside threats. By hiring adventurers, they were able to bring their numbers up to 400.

　It was that very city that Gi Gu attacked in the night.

　He had beast tamers take the lead with giant monster beasts that were peculiar to the south, and as they attacked the city gates, they slipped into the dark of the night and climbed the city walls from every direction. Their great numbers were not something that a mere 400 adventurers could deal with. In just one night, they once again took over Hildor.

“We were wrong. Please save us!”

　The humans cried mercy, but Gi Gu only looked down at them coldly.

“Then gather everyone who has surrendered to the city square.”

　At Gi Gu's behest, the representative humans took all the surviving adventurers and residents and gathered them all at the designated place.

“Look! We did as you told us! So please spare our— GU.”

　The representative couldn't even finish what he was saying before Gi Gu smacked him.

　If it were the Goblin King, he might have been generous enough to give them a chance to earn forgiveness. But Gi Gu had been ordered to take Pena. There were no goblins here who would betray him to save the humans.

　As Gi Gu took a deep breath, he faced the goblins and the humans and said.

“Kill them! Kill them all! Any and all who betray our king need not live!”

　At his behest, the goblins shouted and the humans screamed.

　As axes were swung, the crown of the human heads were crushed. As their corpses fell languidly, the goblins kicked them aside. Be it the men or the women or the children or the elderly, not a soul was spared as the goblins sought to pluck out every life from the city. Babies that yet drank milk from the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of their mothers were skewered dead with the thrust of their spears and men that fled were struck from behind with the swing of their swords.

　After confirming that there was no one left moving anymore, Gi Gu led his soldiers out of the city and ordered his soldiers.

“Set the city on fire! Let the humans know what fate awaits those who betray us!”

　The goblins surrounded the city and literally tried to burn the city down completely. Those that had hid in their houses had no choice but to flee. When the goblins caught them, they were brought to Gi Gu, who then gave a grim command.

“Cut off their heads. Just one human will be left behind.”

　There were 100 humans left in the city, but not a single one of them was able to flee. Instead their heads were loaded onto a carriage and the only survivor was made to drive it.

“In the next village, you will speak to the representatives and tell them this. You will tell them what happens when they try to stand in our way. You will tell them that no man no child no woman no elderly – not one – will be left alive. You will tell them that the only path to survival is to prostrate themselves before the glory of our king and beg for forgiveness.”

　As the sole survivor trembled like a broken doll and nodded his head, he drove the carriage and followed Gi Gu to the next city.

The results were immediate.

　The cities near Pena were divided into two groups: those who surrendered to the goblins and those who resisted. Hildor was only the beginning, and when three settlements near Pena had been wiped out, fear of the goblins spread far and wide, and the settlements near Pena finally understood.

　Whether they liked it or not, when the goblin army came, they were left with two choices.

　Obedience or death.

　On one hand, the cities that surrendered were greeted with generosity. So long as the city operated well, the goblins did not even bother to interfere with their leaders.h.i.+p, giving them autonomy. The only thing they would ask from them is to send a messenger to the next village, who would then ask them to choose.

　Surrender and live? Or die. Most of the settlements chose to surrender, as most of them were simply not equipped to deal with 2,000 goblins, and thanks to the human messengers, they at least knew that their lives would be spared.

　Gi Gu dyed the battlefield of the south in his color. In the blink of an eye, the territories they had occupied spread, and eventually, they found their way to a city that was relatively bigger than the rest that was known as Gerlend.

　Boasting a population of 10,000 and being surrounded by walls, they openly rejected Gi Gu's demands. One reason was because it was the city from where the influential elders of Pena came from, so they could expect reinforcements from Pena. Another was because the villagers that left their settlements out of fear had taken refuge in the city, so they did not lack soldiers.

　With walls three times the height of the goblins and enough soldiers and weapons to take full advantage of them, they were able to successfully defend against the goblins twice.

　From how they defended the goblins as they attacked from the black of the night, it could be seen how desperate their resistance was. If they lost, only death awaited them. Gi Gu's cruel methods may have caused many to surrender, but it also showed everyone that resistance would not be forgiven.

　Hence, it could be said to have also caused the enemy to defend desperately.

　After two consecutive days and nights of fighting, Gerlend had successful defended against the goblin army twice, but the third battle was intense. Gi Gu's ability to attack with over 2,000 goblins organically and without waste proved that he was indeed more skilled than the other three generals. Gi Gu, who has been a general for a long time, was able to fully demonstrate his abilities.

　For example, even if Gilmi, who was praised by the king as cunning, were to be asked if he could control 2,000 goblins as if they were his limbs, he would have no choice but to say no. It's true that Gilmi has indeed led a mixed army close to 2,000 soldiers, but that was only possible because there were other leaders that could lead the other races.

　By cooperating with the leaders of the other races, it became possible to move a large army of 2,000. But Gi Gu was different. Because he could unite 2,000 goblins under one will and turn them into either murderers or heroes. His outstanding leaders.h.i.+p skills were second only to the king.

　By the third attack, Gi Gu was able to successfully force Gerlend to capitulate.

　As usual, he was about to wipe out the resident humans, but Gi Za Zakuend stopped him.

“Why are you stopping me? I didn't think that you of all people would hold some sentiments to the humans, Gi Zdono…”

　When Gi Gu asked that, Gi Za's eyes narrowed and coldly looked at the prisoners of war.

“My loyalty is ever with His Highness. It is the duty of the king's retainer to provide whatever he is lacking,” Gi Gu said.

“But… of course,” Gi Za replied.

“The king is too kind. Perhaps, that is why he is able to charm the other races, but if so, then it is my duty to make up for his gentleness with my cruelty.”

“Then might I ask why you believe these humans must die?”

“One, there are too many enemies. It would take too much time to kill the prisoners one by one. Reinforcements are coming from Pena,” Gi Gu said. “And we can't just leave them be either.”

“Of course,” Gi Za agreed. “But what you fail to see is that we can take advantage of the so-called 'emotion' of humans.”

　As a cruel light filled Gi Za's eyes, he proposed a very cruel plan.

“…Interesting. As expected of you, Gi Zdono.”

　Of the people gathered in the city square, men with families were taken in as soldiers, while those without were executed. Those with families were then taken out of the city walls.

“I will give you an opportunity.”

　The contents of Gi Gu's speech could only be described as cruel and heartless.

　The men brought outside the walls were to be turned into battle slaves. If they did not want their families to be killed, they would have to fight the reinforcements from Pena. Gi Gu promised to return them to their families if they could survive a second battle. The humans had no choice but to believe him.

　Two days later, the reinforcements that came from Pena to save Gerlend were attacked by the soldiers from Gerlend who's had their families taken hostage.

“W-What are you doing!? We're your reinforcements! We're—!”

　The reinforcements of Pena fell into chaos, but they were soldiers who have been properly trained, so naturally when they clashed against untrained militants, they were the ones to claim victory. Unfortunately, the only thing waiting for them after staining their hands with the blood of their friends was the goblin army and the Flag of Felduk.

“KU, the goblins are coming here!?”

　The forces of Pena didn't even have their formation anymore. They had fallen into chaos because of the fight with the battle slaves. And then Gi Gu Verbena came along, killing both foe and ally alike.

　Pena's army was half destroyed as they retreated. The surviving men from Gerlend were taken in as battle slaves and made to fight at the front lines. This victory had a decisive influence on the surrounding situation.

　Word of Pena army's defeat at the hands of the goblins quickly spread to the surrounding territories and Gi Gu's territory quickly expanded. After even Pena's satellite city surrendered, Gi Gu's army – including the battle slaves – now numbered 3,000.

“Though others might call me a devil, my loyalty will not waver. Behold my king! I will bathe Pena in blood and they will be knelt before you.”

　After Gi Gu's mad charge, all that was left now was the Merchant Country of Pena itself.

　The residents of Pena looked on with fear at the Flag of Felduk.

　Will you obey? Or will you die?

　As the choice approached them, the blood-stained flag of Felduk swayed before the pa.s.sing wind of the desert.