Chapter 277: A slew of rewards (1) (1/2)

”[Orc] Rise, Roas. It is me who should be apologizing to you, my first one. I have neglected you and because of that, you suffered greatly. I hope you can forgive your foolish master.”

After pulling the kneeling Roas from the ground, Aiden bowed deeply, as an apologetic gesture, causing great shock to all of his servants.

Roas, who was the most affected, was flustered, unsure of how to react to the gesture, he stood still, frozen on the spot. After a few seconds, however, awakening from his stupor, he hurriedly reached for his master, pulling him up from the bowing posture he kept.

”[Orc] P-please, master… there is no need for that. It is my duty as your guard to keep you safe. Wherever you point is where I should be striking. It is my failure that I was unable to complete the assignment you have entrusted me with.” He stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath to settle his thoughts.

The glint of determination shined in his eyes as he continued with conviction and fervor. Straightening his back, he hit his chest with his right fist.

”[Orc] Today's failure will serve as the fuel to propel me forward. I will strive to not be a useless waste as I was today. I promise you that from now on, I will not just meet your expectations but even ascend higher!”

Aiden did not interrupt his servant's vow, and while he did not expect such a thing from any of them, he was very happy to see the conviction in his first creation's eyes. He kept a gentle, friendly smile on his face, as he listened to his exclamation, only nodding at the end.

”[Orc] I will accept your declaration, Roas.”

After gently patting his minion on the shoulder, he turned towards the trio who stood still in their shock from all they witnessed. The evolution of Roas was truly a special one, gaining traits similar to Glohn, but at the same time, he seemed to have reached a unique stage. Something different, something exceedingly powerful. He had an aura similar to the master, an aura of dominance, power.

They kept looking at Roas incredulously, still trying to come to terms with his gains. Their trance was broken with the words of their master.

”[Goblin] You all did a great job as well! Glohn, you are very strong, you managed to keep up with the enemy even after he powered up, and even without my intervention, I am sure you would have come out as the victor! I am proud of you!” He started, praising the eldest of the ex-goblins first.

Glohn, hearing his master's words, immediately knelt, lowering his gaze, plastering it on the ground. Just like Roas, he began hitting his chest with his right fist as he spoke with a loud, reverent tone.

”[Goblin] This one is undeserving of your praise, Master! Even if I failed today, I will work twice as hard as anyone else and promise to be worthy of all the help you have offered to this worthless one!”

Following their teacher, Gob and Galina also quickly knelt down and spoke in unison.

”[Goblin] We also promise to grow stronger, Master!”

”[Goblin] Rise my friends, there is no need for any of that.” Aiden spoke in a calm, warm tone as he helped Glohn up from the ground. ”You have all done well. The enemy was stronger than we expected, not to mention this was your very first battle since your change. Getting used to your bodies and abilities takes time.”

Taking a little pause in his speech, Aiden glanced over at Galina, who from all of them, seemed to be the most affected by everything that happened. She had a guilty, troubled look on her cute, youthful face, she was clearly battling with her own emotions.

”[Goblin] Come here, Galina.” With the same friendly, gentle smile on his face, Aiden called out for the troubled girl, reaching his left hand towards her to grab into. ”Don't feel down, you did nothing wrong.”

Aiden's words seemed to hit the core of the issue, as at the next moment, Galina's emotions erupted, her eyes watered, she cried out.

”[Goblin] That is not true Master! I was the weakest amongst of all of us! The others had to spend time and energy protecting me from the arrows! I didn't know what to do, and because of that, Senior Brother Roas was hurt! If I wasn't such a waste… If I…” Before she could finish her thoughts, she was suddenly pulled by Aiden, causing her to fall into his young master's embrace.

As her head hit the young master's strong chest, her emotions reached the critical point, and with a violent, tempestuous explosion she burst into a bitter cry.

”[Goblin] Master… I'm just a bu-urde-en!!!”

”[Goblin] Now now, it's okay, don't be sad. We all care about you, nobody thinks you are a burden. You are important to us!” Looking up, he gleaned at the guys who were looking at the sad girl with great concern. ”Right guys?”

Glohn, Gob, and even Roas who didn't have much interaction with the newcomers nodded at their master's question.

”[Goblin] Yes, we do!” They spoke, not just to blindly follow their young master's words, but from within their hearts. The trio was already a close, tight group as they suffered together, but even for Roas, the girl and the others were already important members of their increasing family. If nothing else, this battle they went through helped him to understand and get closer to these three.

Roas stepped closer, placing her large right hand on the sobbing girl's back. With gentle caresses, he spoke in a warm, caring tone, in their native, [Goblin] language.