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【Side：Gobsuke】

“Well… I guess we’re screwed.”

Luka Anego said as she walked through the Lord’s den.

Thanks to my master, I can’t speak to her, but I can somewhat understand what she says.

I can’t help but understand that feeling. Because the Lord’s den was a series of unbelievable things from our Goblin’s point of view. The passageway of the den was made of bricks, right? They were paved with the same kind of squared-off stones that humans use to make their nests, and the flickering lights, cleared the darkness.

We had been walking for at least ten minutes and still had no destination in sight.

Most of the Goblins I see along the way are evolved, and even the occasional normal Goblin is being guided by a Goblin with a role to play.

The Goblins here are of the same race, but they are from a different dimension than those of us who used to live in natural caves to get food for the day. It was easy for a mere Goblin like me to understand that much.

“What is this nest? Why are they all evolving?”

I had to get as much information as I could for my master. With that in mind, I asked a Knight, who was leading the way in front of me.

“…Hmm. It’s simple. Our king will give you the power. Well, there are some scum that are still useless, but they will be reused as workers for the producers. If you don’t want to be one of them, show your talent.”

The Knight replied with a brutal smile. To be honest, I didn’t understand half of what he was saying, but I’m sure my master would understand. He grabbed the pass that was tied to him and handed over bits of information as he got them.

“That’s terrifying.”

“Sorry to scare you. Well, don’t worry. If you can hold a conversation with him, you’ve got it in you. Even if you don’t, your livestock are still very good.”

The Knight looked into Luka Anego’s face with a lowly smile.

“Well, it’s a little lacking in flesh, but… this will please the king. The king is a big believer in the concept of “merit and punishment,” and it would be bad for morale if he were to treat you, a man who has paid his dues, with impunity.”

“Master…? What is that?”

“Well, he praises those who do good things and discourages those who fail. That’s all there is to it.”

Hmmm? Isn’t that a normal thing? No, Isn’t it a matter of course and should be cherished? I don’t understand it at all.

In the meantime, after many trips up and down the nest, we seemed to have arrived at our destination. I gulped, and I suppose it was understandable. I’ve never seen anything like this before.

There was a compartment covered in smooth white stone, with a large door at the back. Is there a king or something behind this? While I was dumbfounded by the sight, the door opened with a loud bang.

A Goblin in black armor, about the height of a man, appeared.

The figure was that of the legendary Goblin Black Knight, who was said to have destroyed the human settlements, captured many livestock, and established the golden age of Goblin.

‘What’s going on?’

From his words, he spoke the same human language as Luka Anego. Knight, who led the way, replied in Goblin’s language.

In the middle of the patrol, this thing came to us with a gift of livestock and asked us to protect it, saying that the Wolf’s remnants had taken over their settlement, and they had nowhere to hide. The livestock he is offering is quite good, so please be generous.”

I couldn’t understand all the difficult words. But they didn’t say anything bad about it. The Black Knight looks at Luka Anego’s face with some concern, and then narrows his eyes.

“Young lady, you don’t look scared, but aren’t you afraid?”

He spoke to Luka Anego.

“Oh? I’ve never seen a Goblin who can talk before, but in short, I’m supposed to deal with you guys, right? Don’t worry, I know what I’m talking about. I know what I’m getting into. I just need to be quiet, and I’ll be able to eat, right?”

Luka Anego said this in a faltering tone. It seems that she has been domesticated since she was a child. Her clothes are tattered, her hair is shaggy, and yet she was made to look as if she had been carefully tended and cared for.

I really don’t understand how people think.

However, my master admires Luka Anego as a great person.

Perhaps this is the attitude of a respectable person.

“Hmm, they are well cared for for outside livestock…and well-disciplined. What kind of village would raise livestock like this… those filthy Wolves.”

With a look of disgust on his face, Black Knight gives instructions to the Knight.

“It’s been well taken care of, but we can’t let it go to the palace like this. First, take him to the stockyard and have him clean himself up. Also, that little Goblin boy should stay in his quarters for now, let him rest for today. If he’s hungry, you can feed him.”

“Ha!”

Knight replied shortly to Black Knight’s words.

It seems that the nest has welcomed us safely, but… no matter how strong the Master’s group is, will they be able to defeat Black Knight? I know the master’s friends are strong, but the Black Knight isn’t just a legend to the Goblins.

As I was pondering this, Luka Anego quietly approached me and whispered in my ear what I should tell my master.

“What! Then you’re…?”

Of course, all I could hear was a squeal that would only be heard by humans.

Of course, I personally had no authority over the operation, but I couldn’t help but say it out loud.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got an idea…and besides, even if I say so, they’ll get involved, so that’s more of a problem. I’ll leave it to you then.”

She said this matter-of-factly, and Knight took her to the stockyard.

And then, as I could not hide my confusion, a girl-shaped Goblin appeared. Her long pink hair was tied up in a haphazard bun, and her body was clad only in underwear and a robe. I don’t know what role the Goblin was assigned to, but since it looked almost human, I guess it was a very high ranking being, just like Black Knight.

‘Hmm, you’re the new one, aren’t you?’

And the Goblin also speaks human language fluently, just like Black Knight.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll take care of you from now on.”

‘Yeah. I’m Liz, nice to meet you. Now, I’ll show you to your quarters.’

With a smile, Liz pulled me by the hand and headed back down the same path we had come down. At first glance, she looks like an innocent girl, humming as she walks, but the power in her hands does not seem to allow us to resist. This is what I mean when I say I don’t feel like living.

I wondered if she suspected me of something.

Such doubts welled up in my mind. My heart is racing, and my hands are sweating. It’s a good thing I know what I’m doing.

But Liz is oblivious to all of this and says, “What? Is she embarrassed to be holding hands with me? You’re so cute,” she said with a teasing grin.

“That’s… right.”

I have a feeling of dread rising in my chest, but it seems more convenient to pretend that I don’t. As Luka Anego had told me, I would have to give a message to my master in a little while. Until then, I’m not going to die, no matter what.

“Oh, really? I heard that you came here riding that cute little livestock. You’ve had sex with her many times, haven’t you?”

“Na, nanana! That’s not true”

“Eh… maybe Go, bu, suke, kun is a virgin?”

“No… eh?”

Why did you mention my name…?

When I said that I was upset, Liz’s face twisted into a grin.

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