413 Traveling to Drulgen (2/2)

Finally, the visitor took one final sniff in the last part of the village. His frown was deeper than ever and his fists were clenched tightly. Doing his best to keep from lashing out in anger, the stranger suddenly snarled and shouted, ”Rikko! I know you can hear me! Come out your coward!”

Pestro remained standing there, still breathing heavily. As no response came, He snarled again and retrieved his halberd. In a single swing, Pestro carved a crevice straight through the center of the goblin settlement. The attack didn't hit a single home but it confirmed the goblins' fears about the stranger.

”I said come out! Come on, are you scared?!” yelled Pestro. ”I'm not here to fight! I just want to ask you something! Now come out!”

Still, no response came and Pestro's patience was wearing thinner and thinner.

But the Demon God sniffed again, suddenly catching a new scent. He looked to the outskirts of the village, spotting a goblin with dark blue skin, something that didn't match the other goblins of that settlement. Also, that goblin had three eye-catching earrings, two golden hoops in his left ear and a silvery corkscrew that ran through the bottom half of the goblin's right ear. Apart from a storage ring, the blue goblin only wore a white, silk loincloth with golden embellishments and finely made black, leather shoes.

Finally, a slight smile appeared on Pestro's face. The tall god sauntered over toward the blue-skinned goblin. ”Finally, I've been trying to find you for a while now.”

The blue-skinned goblin kept an emotionless face and turned around. He waved his hand, wanting Pestro to follow him.

As the two of them left the common goblins of the village speechless, neither of the two gods said a word until they could no longer be seen or heard by wandering ears. Now that they were completely alone, Pestro asked, ”Can we talk now? I'm on a tight schedule.”

”What you want?” Rikko asked in a high-pitched voice, still not facing Pestro.

”I'm investigating something for my faction and want your permission to do so,” stated the Demon God.

”Hmm? You ask permission?” Rikko broke into laughter. ”You funny Pestro! You always funny! Ugly too!”

Pestro sighed and snarled, ”This involves a few gods so I'd rather not get you involved. I just want you to know that I'll be here. It's best to have your permission but I'll do stay whether you like it or not.”

”That was fifth village. What else you need?” asked Rikko, teasing with his high-pitched voice and peeking back at Pestro over his shoulder.

”That's none of your business!” replied Pestro. ”Now that you know I'll be here for a while, I should get going. I still have a ways to go.”

”Pay Rikko.”

Pestro eyed Rikko, who was eagerly holding his hand out toward the hulking Demon God.

”Pay Rikko. Or face consequences,” Rikko stated, not intimidated at all by Pestro's size or the halberd in his Pestro's hand.

”Fat chance! What are you going to do? Fight me?” Pestro laughed.

”Okay… But no be mad later…” Snickering, Rikko turned back around and starting skipping away.

”Hmph!” Pestro grunted and started walking toward the next settlement. He paid no mind to Rikko, confident that his own strength far out rivaled the tiny Goblin God. Just the thought of Rikko trying to attack him made Pestro laugh heartily as the Demon God thought it impossible.