33 Prince of Argoa (1/2)

Dark Knight Kroki

Flying over the Acheron Mountains in Glorious. In the mountains, where the terrain gets a little steeper, there is a large hole in the ground.

Inside this hole is a nest of goblins. Goblins are not nocturnal, but they are dark. For this reason, they often live in caves and other places to prevent light from entering.

Drop Glorious at the entrance to the goblins' lair.

I get off first and drop off Kuna, who was riding behind me.

'Kuroki. Is this the Kingdom of Karon?

Coona says, looking at the side hole. I nod to myself at the question.

'I'm pretty sure that's what it's supposed to be: ....... It's the first time I've come here myself.'

The Kingdom of Karon is a goblin kingdom located on the north side of the Acheron Mountains, or the Nargol side.

And it is a goblin kingdom under the control of Modes. This Goblin's Nest is also known as the Kingdom of Karon. I don't know how many goblins there are, but it seems to be the largest tribe of goblins on the Nargol side.

When you stand at the entrance, five goblins will soon be approaching.

Your eyes are drawn to the goblins standing in the middle of them. When they reach adulthood, the goblins are only about the height of a human child of 10 or 12 years old. But the goblin in the middle is one size larger than the surrounding goblins.

''We've been expecting you, Lord Dihardt Gob. My name is Ken Eo, Gob.

The big goblin in the middle bows to himself.

'Gob?'

Goblins' words are often hard to hear, but this Ken'eo's words sounded good. But was it my imagination that he had a strange word at the end of the word?

The big goblin bows his head to himself, then glances to the side. Coona is there, of course.

'And your wife, Gob,'

He also bows to Coona. Then the weird endings don't seem to be my imagination.

'Mistress ....... You have an eye for detail.

Coona mutters. Why is that? Coona looks a little pleased.

'Here, my queen is waiting for you, Gob.

Ken Eo leads them through themselves.

They are led through the Goblin's Nest. It is dark inside the Goblin's Nest, and the only light is a lantern containing a glow-worm, held by the one leading the way. I can use night vision, so I have no problem with the lack of lights, but I'm sure Kuna is saved.

As I walked, I passed many goblins.

Goblins are only the size of an adult human 10-12 year old child, but they are as powerful as a human adult. Their heads are as hard as stone and cannot be bladed by conventional weapons. When they attack, they have to aim at places other than their heads. But if you want to avoid a fight, all you have to do is sing. Because they are not good at beautiful singing.

As for the life of goblins, they basically live in caves and forests during the day. Their level of civilization is about the same as the cavemen we are taught in textbooks.

That's what I learned about goblin life from Lugas. In fact, the goblins I've seen so far have been just as I was taught.

But the goblins of this Karon Kingdom seem to be different from ordinary goblins. Their standard of living is high, and the clothes they wear are no less than those of the humans I met in the Rox Kingdom. The walls of the cave are not just dug out, they are also well maintained and leveled.

The equipment of Ken'eo walking in front of me is also comparable to that of a human knight.

Eventually, they come out to a large place. The room was brightly lit with glow-worm lighting everywhere.

At the back of that room sits a huge goblin. It was about the same size as me, but it was very fat and seemed to have difficulty moving. This fat goblin has long hair, while the other goblins have bald heads. And this goblin gives off a powerful magical power. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

Big ......

Coona mutters. I don't know if I can call this a goblin, but is this the Queen of the Kingdom of Caron?

”My lord. This is our queen, Lady Dathier Gob.

Ken Eo says, pointing to the giant goblin. This fat goblin must be the queen, after all. To be honest, she doesn't look like a goblin or a woman, but I won't say that.

'Welcome to the Kingdom of Karon, Your Excellency Dihardt.

Datier bows his head.

He removes his helmet and holds it aside. In a manner of speaking, I'm the superior person, but it would be impolite to speak while wearing a helmet.

''It's Dihardt. There seems to be a problem, what happened?

However, Datier is looking at you without speaking. For some reason, a cold sweat runs down my spine when I'm exposed to his gaze.

''What do you mean Kroki is listening and not answering anything!　If it's something trivial, Kuna will never forgive you!

An aggressive magic power emanates from the Kuna.

''Hey!　Kuna!

I panic.

The goblins in this room, such as Datier and Ken Eo, start to get scared by Kuna's swordsmanship.

For some reason, they don't seem to care about Datier.

''I'm sorry, my lord,''

Datier apologizes.

No, no. 'Kuna, calm down. 'What happened?'

I quieted Kuna myself and urged Datier on.

'Yes, actually. The humans have been attacking the Acheron Mountains recently.

Eh, .......

I couldn't help myself at Datier's words. It was a big deal.

'Ma......, you don't think it's Rage and the others?'

In case you're wondering, Rage is supposed to have Nat and other guards monitoring their movements. I'm told they are currently on the west side of the continent. When did they get here?

'No, my lord. It wasn't the brave men of light who attacked us. Originally, it might not be something worth telling you about, but I thought it would be a good idea to go to ...... just in case.

They say that they called them because it's hard for them to judge for themselves.

If Rage and the others attacked, this Karon Kingdom would be the first to deal with them. Last time, they let them through before they could resist.

At the time, there was no communication network in place with Nargol, and when Rage and the others broke in, they didn't notice it for a while and were behind the scenes.

From that lesson, in the event of an emergency, Nargol will be notified by a magical alarm system. And even if it's not an emergency, it will inform you when there's something wrong.

And this time, he didn't use the alarm system. It may be an abnormality, but it is not an emergency.

'It started out with some of the southern tribesmen coming over the peak and into Karon. At first I thought there was a dispute between the southern tribes. ...... Apparently it wasn't, so they sent their messengers south.

That's where they found out they were being attacked?

Datier nodded.

'They don't come over the peaks, but they seem to have attacked the south side of Acheron many times. I don't know what they want to do ....... It is very frightening, my lord.

Dathier wiggled his arms around and shook his body. It was creepy.

And indeed, what was the purpose of this? Is it simply to defeat the goblins?

You said it wasn't Rage, but do you have any idea what they are?

I don't know if they goblins can tell the difference between humans and goblins, but I'll ask them just in case.

''A good man like the brave man of light will know right away, my lord. If they attack again, this time I will offer myself and beg them not to attack Nargol: ......

I wince at Datier's words. I'd forgotten that the humanoid races of this world have the same aesthetic sense as humans for some reason.

And I feel sorry for Rage, too.

I've been informed that the attacker is a hero of Argoa, a man named Parsis. I had a master painter draw his likeness and bring it to you. He's not a hero. I'm sure Palsis is a good man too, but he's a lot inferior to the brave men of light.

Datier says, still shaking his body eerily.

I think that Datier's words contained a noun I've heard before.

'Argoa...... the country where Regina was.'

Kuna's words remind me.

'Yes, the country where Regina was.

The Kingdom of Argoa was supposed to be the country that Ligena's father ruled over.

Ligena had forgotten about it because she didn't talk much about it before she came to Nargol.

Why would that Argoa hero attack the goblins south of the Argoa Mountains?

Maybe he could ask Rigena about it, but he didn't feel like asking. Rigena's family was as good as killed by the people who now ruled Algoa. Asking might bring back painful memories.

Besides, it is possible that the hero could be complicit in the expulsion of Regena's clan. I can't ask any more.

Does Regena want to take revenge on them? I don't know because Rigena doesn't say anything and we don't want to hear it either.

I'm not going to tell her not to hold a grudge, but I didn't want to help her get her revenge either.

I don't know what to do with her. I didn't think I could keep her, a human, in Nargol, the land of demons, for long. Someday she would have to find a good reception somewhere in the land of humans.

I think to myself.

Then I suddenly feel a glance. I look up and see Datier looking at me.

'What is it?'

''No, I thought His Excellency was as good a man as the brave man of light. Gufufufu.

Datier laughed as he licked his tongue. His gaze was sticky, catching her.

A cold feeling runs down your spine.

'Enough of that eye!　The Goblin Queen!　Kroki is Kuna's!

Cuna gets angry at Datier's stare at her.

'Ick!　Come on, Kuna!　Yes, sir!　Let us take care of that Algore hero!　Let's go Kuna!

I appease Kuna and leave as quickly as I can.

Datien tries to hold him back, but he doesn't care.

It's dangerous if we don't retreat here in a hurry.

I left the Kingdom of Karon in a hurry.

Prince of Argoa, Omiros.

Flash!

GGAA!

Guaaaah.

The flash of magic released by Parsis explodes.

The goblins who received the strong light began to suffer as they held their eyes. The goblins of the darker nature are vulnerable to strong light. They will be blind for a while.

''Now!　We have to take them down before they regain their sight!

There are 7 of us and at least 20 goblins. It's tricky when your eyesight is restored and you're outnumbered.

With a command, I raise my sword and charge into the goblins.

”Don't aim at them because their heads are hard!　I'm going for the body!

I didn't know that!

They argue with each other and cross swords with the goblins. The goblins rampage and try to duck their attacks.

A goblin's head is as hard as a stone, making it impossible for a sword to pass through it. For this reason, you must aim from the neck down. Humans are taller than goblins, so they are harder to aim at, but it's not a problem for a warrior with some skill.

And they are Algore warriors themselves. A goblin of this caliber will be able to handle it.

Being strong is an important value in Argoa, which is close to Nargol and is constantly under threat from demons. Boys in Argoa are destined from birth to live as warriors.

Every man in Argoa is a warrior and a strong man. And when I say Argoa warrior, I mean the strongest in the region.

Therefore, we will not be defeated, even by this number of goblins.

The battlefield is advancing in our favor. However, the number of goblins is so great that it is difficult to defeat them.

''Gaaaah!

The goblin, whose sight has finally been restored, raises his club and attacks you.

You block the goblin's club with your shield, then turn your body and slash the goblin's body.

The slashed goblin is kicked away and hit by another goblin, and the goblin comes from the side and is killed.

”You're very good at it, Prince Omiros.

Parsis says with a laugh.

Well said, I think to myself. This man has taken on and defeated far more goblins than he has.

Parsis was not originally from Algore. He is a man from another country who became his father's guest because of his skill.

His skills are tremendous, and in a one-on-one match, no one would be able to match Parsis.

Recently, his name has been resounding in other countries as well, and he has even been called a hero of Argoa.

I didn't like this man called Parsis very much. He was a rascal and a womanizer. This man seems to have his hands on not only the women of our country, but also those of other countries.

Unlike the previous king, my father's policy of building friendly relations with neighboring countries sent me to the neighboring countries. And this man came along as an attendant. It was as if he had made a move on some other country's daughters at that time.

Parsis is so beautiful that it's hard to believe he's a man. The women wouldn't leave him alone either.

''Then this Parsis can't afford to lose to the prince. Let's go!''

When he says that, Parsis goes towards the group of goblins. Then he slashed through the goblins one after another.

That movement was truly a gale.

''Amazing ......''

That's Master Parsis!

Everyone there praised Parsis with their mouths.

Parthys is really strong, just because he's called a hero. Rumor has it that he can fight a weak ogre all by himself.

I roll my tongue. He has a good face and is strong. He looks like a brave man of light.

Soon, thanks to the work of Parsis, there are no more goblins in motion.

''It's over, but do you still want to go on?　Prince Omiros?

Parsis looks back and asks himself.

'Yes, I'd like to go a little further.

When I say that, I hear myself complaining.

'Young Master ...... let's go back. If you stay here any longer, you'll die.

Balthazza, who has been following along, proposes a retreat. He's my father's man and his own bodyguard.

'I'm sorry, Balsazza. I'm sorry, Balsazza, but you're going to have to stick around.

Come on, Omiros. I don't care where the Princess of Cupius is. The goblins have already killed her.

Macusis!

I grab Macusis by the chest. He's my cousin, the one who followed me here.

”Goblins don't necessarily kill humans!　Sometimes you have to keep them alive!

'Hey, that's more miserable than being alive ....... I can't believe they're giving birth to a goblin baby. ......

There's only one reason why goblins should keep human women alive and not kill them. I almost cry at the words of that Macusis.

'Still, I'm going to ...... regena .......

The last was speechless.

'Lord Macusis. I don't bully the prince so much, sir.'

When Parsis says this, Macusis sighs.

'I'm sorry, Omiros. I've said too much.'

Macusis apologizes.

'There was a hole leading to the outside on the way here. We'll rest there.

Everyone voiced their approval of Parsis' proposal. It was selfish of me to be here originally.

We turned back ourselves.

When we reached the hole and stepped outside, the sky was lightly cloudy.

They put out the fire in the canteens and each sat there.

'Prince Omiros. Not Lord Macusis, but how long do you intend to keep this up?

Parsis's question made me ponder my own.

'Excuse me, Lord Parsis: ....... At least I want to know what happened to Regena: ......

When I say it, everyone shuts up.

I know that I don't have to say it. They are probably imagining the worst of a woman captured by a goblin.

'But, Omiros, we should have mowed down all the goblins around here by now.

I nodded at Macusis' words.

Yeah. So I'm going to go a little further.

When I say it myself, the warriors voice their objections.

'That's no good!　If we go any further, we'll be in the north side of the mountain!

''Can you give that guy a break, Prince, the goblins on the north side are far stronger than the goblins on the south side. It's dangerous indeed!

Those under my command had a point.

The goblins on the north side are strong. The goblins in the north have the skills to make iron weapons and armor, while the southern goblins' weapons can only make a club or so. With the exception of Parsis, they will surely die if they go.

Their subordinates grumble about it. Balthazza and Macusis don't say anything either, but they're not happy.

The only one who does not complain is Parsis.

It's not something to complain about, gentlemen. I can understand how the prince feels. Princess Ligeena? I'm sure you're right, she was a beautiful princess. I can understand why he would be so adamant.

Pulsis chides everyone.

But I felt my blood flowing backwards at the words of Parsis.

''Lord Parsis!　If you think so, then why didn't you help Regena!　In the den of whispers and goblins: ......

'It was your father, the king, who decided that. What can I do?

That being said, I have to shut up.

Pulsis was right. It was my father who had banished Ligeena to the goblin den.

Originally, there was internal strife in Algore.

The cause of the conflict goes back to the founding of the country.

Argoa originated 400 years ago as a stronghold that served as a base for the knights and warrior groups of the Eastern Continent nations that gathered to defeat the Demon King.

At first, it was a temporary fort until the time of the capture of Nargol, and then it became a country by getting the era.

Before long, the commander became the king, and the knights and warriors of each country became their own clan.

At first, the clan from St. Renaria became the king, but the other clans were not happy and fought each other. As a result of the discussions, it was decided that each clan's chief would take turns being king for 10 years.

Gradually, however, this decision was not followed, and one clan, which was especially powerful, began to monopolize the throne. This is the clan that Regina was from.

Some people were not happy about it, but the conflict never came to the surface because of the power of this clan.

However, one day a problem arose.

The king of the time, Cupius, fell in love with the fiancée of the prince during his stay in the great kingdom of Velos, and afterwards, they eloped and brought her back to Argoa.

Naturally, the kingdom of Velos was angry and demanded that the prince's fiancée be returned.