Chapter 68: A Dangerous Welcome

Talia stepped forward, placing herself between the female goblin and the rest of us.

"He’s the chosen one," she declared, pointing at me. "The one who will lead our people out of this darkness."

For a moment, the red goblin stared at her. Her crimson eyes moved from Talia to me before her lips curled into an amused smile. A soft laugh escaped her, gradually growing louder until she tilted her head back.

"He’s the chosen one?" she repeated, looking at me as though Talia had just told her the funniest joke she’d heard in years. "Is that what you’ve been telling yourself?"

Several of the red goblins surrounding us chuckled. A few exchanged amused glances, while the tall guard who had confronted Talia earlier grinned openly.

I glanced at them, wondering what was so funny.

Was there something on my face? Had I accidentally walked around with a piece of boar meat stuck between my teeth?

I looked at Talia, but she appeared just as offended as I felt confused.

"What’s so funny?" she demanded.

"What’s so funny?" the female goblin repeated, wiping the corner of her eye with one finger. "You truly believe that?"

"Of course I do!"

The woman’s smile widened.

"Your people have been driven from their homes. Your chief is dead, your warriors are wounded, and you’re standing here with a handful of survivors, begging another clan for shelter. Yet you’ve convinced yourself that some chosen one will appear and solve all your problems."

Her gaze returned to me.

"I’ve heard stories about this supposed chosen one. Apparently, he’s destined to unite the goblins and lead them to greatness. How convenient. A beautiful little myth for a desperate people who have nothing left to believe in."

The red goblins laughed again.

I scratched my cheek.

Well, that explained it.

They thought the chosen one was nothing more than a fairy tale the goblins had invented to keep themselves hopeful. Considering our current situation, I couldn’t exactly blame them for being skeptical. If I were in their position, I might have laughed too.

The female chief folded her arms beneath her chest, studying me with renewed interest.

"Tell me, green goblin. Do you believe this nonsense as well?"

The attention of everyone present shifted towards me.

Talia looked at me expectantly, while Gunther stood a short distance behind her with his enormous fists clenched. The other goblins appeared equally tense. Some were gripping their weapons, while others looked ready to defend themselves despite their injuries.

I stepped forward.

"Well, first of all, my name is Sylas."

I paused, allowing the name to settle.

"Some people also call me the Brain Eater."

The red goblin’s eyebrows rose slightly. A few of her guards looked at one another, while the tall one who had been mocking Talia earlier frowned.

I smiled.

"Yes, I know. It’s a rather unpleasant nickname. I didn’t choose it, but I suppose it has a certain ring to it. Besides, I’ve grown rather fond of it."

I rested one hand on the handle of my Doom Axe.

"As for your question, I agree with you."

Talia turned towards me.

The female chief’s smile faded a little.

"You agree with me?"

"Of course. I don’t believe I’m some great saviour who has descended from the heavens to rescue a bunch of helpless goblins. That sounds exhausting, to be honest. Imagine having to carry the hopes and dreams of an entire race on your shoulders. I’d rather not have that kind of responsibility."

A few goblins stared at me blankly.

I continued before anyone could interrupt.

"However, I do believe these goblins have what it takes to fight back. They have strength, courage, and the ability to become stronger. They only need a reason to stand together and the willingness to do something about their situation."

I looked towards Talia, Gunther, and the others.

"They’ve already lost their homes. Some have lost their families, and others have watched their friends die. Yet they’re still standing here, carrying their weapons and refusing to give up. You can laugh at their belief in a chosen one all you want, but I don’t think they’re as helpless as you seem to believe."

My gaze returned to the female chief.

"I don’t particularly care whether I end up following someone or leading them myself. If there’s someone capable of taking us in the right direction, I’ll gladly walk behind them. If there isn’t, I’ll take the lead. Either way, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to make these goblins understand that their future isn’t already decided."

I tapped the side of my axe.

"And if anyone has a problem with that, they’re welcome to come and discuss it with me. I’m quite good at discussions."

I gave her a cheerful smile.

"Especially the ones involving axes."

Silence settled over the clearing.

I couldn’t tell whether my little speech had accomplished anything, but the female chief was no longer laughing.

Her crimson eyes remained fixed on me, studying my face as though she were trying to determine whether I was serious or simply an unusually strange goblin.

I met her gaze without looking away.

She was beautiful. Even with the hostile atmosphere surrounding us, it was difficult not to notice.

Her crimson hair flowed over her shoulders, framing her sharp features, while the dark horns curving backwards from her temples gave her an appearance that was both elegant and dangerous.

The fitted black armour accentuated her slender figure, and the curved dagger hanging from her waist reminded me that she wasn’t merely someone who enjoyed looking intimidating.

Her lips parted slightly.

"You’re an interesting one, Sylas."

"I’ve been told."

"You’re standing in front of an entire armed clan, surrounded by warriors who could cut you down where you stand, and you’re speaking as though we’re having a casual conversation."

I glanced at the goblins around us.

"Well, I could start trembling if that would make you feel better."

A quiet chuckle escaped her.

"You’re either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish."

"I’ve been called both. Sometimes by the same person."

Her crimson eyes lingered on my face. There was a subtle change in her expression, a curiosity that hadn’t been there before. Her gaze briefly travelled down to my Doom Axe before returning to my eyes.

I couldn’t help noticing the way she looked at me.

It wasn’t the same mocking expression she’d worn when speaking to Talia. There was something warmer beneath her curiosity, although she seemed determined not to let it become obvious.

I found myself smiling.

Perhaps this meeting wasn’t going as badly as I’d expected.

"You’re not afraid of me?" she asked.

"Should I be?"

"Most certainly."

"That’s unfortunate. I was hoping we could become friends."

Her lips curved.

"Friends?"

"Yes. I hear having powerful friends is a wonderful way to improve one’s chances of survival."

This time, her laughter was quieter. She lowered her arms and took another step towards me, stopping just outside the reach of my axe.

"You have a strange way of speaking, Sylas."

"I’ve been working on it."

She studied me for another moment before glancing at the goblins behind me.

"We’ve come a long way, and we’re asking for shelter," I said. "We have no intention of causing trouble."

"I’m not sure I believe you."

I took a step towards her.

"How about I convince you?"

How the hell was I going to do that? I had no idea.

The woman’s expression became more serious. For a moment, I wondered whether she intended to dismiss my request, but she surprised me.

"How about we discuss that somewhere more comfortable?"

I was stunned. I hadn’t expected her to give in so easily.

"Lower your weapons."

The tall red goblin hesitated.

"Chief?"

"You heard me."

The guards gradually lowered their bows and spears. Some looked confused, while others seemed unhappy with the decision. The tall guard, in particular, appeared reluctant to obey, but he eventually lowered his weapon as well.

The female chief turned back towards us.

"You may enter my clan."

Talia’s shoulders relaxed slightly, although she didn’t look entirely convinced.

"All of us?" she asked.

"All of you. Your wounded will be given somewhere to rest, and your people will receive food and water. We can discuss the rest after you’ve recovered from your journey."

"Thank you," Talia said cautiously.

The woman waved a hand as though dismissing the gratitude.

"Don’t thank me yet. You’re entering my territory, and there are rules you will have to follow. I won’t tolerate fighting, stealing, or anyone attempting to cause trouble within my settlement."

Her eyes briefly settled on me.

"That includes you, Brain Eater."

I placed a hand against my chest.

"Me? I’m a very peaceful goblin."

She gave me a knowing look.

"Of course you are."

I grinned.

She turned and began walking towards the settlement, her crimson hair swaying behind her.

The red goblin guards moved aside to create a passage, although several continued watching us with suspicion.

Talia waited until the chief had moved a short distance away before approaching me.

"Sylas, what was that?"

I glanced at her.

"What was what?"

"You just agreed with her. Do you know how difficult that is?"

"Oh, that."

I had to admit I was surprised by it as well.

"Maybe it’s because I’m the chosen one."

She squinted.

"You know, for someone who denies that title, you sure refer to yourself as it a lot."

I was about to respond, but the words vanished from my lips.

She walked away, and only after she had left did I come up with a reply.

"I call myself that as a joke, not because I believe it. There’s a difference!"

Unfortunately, Talia was no longer around to hear me.

I adjusted the Doom Axe on my shoulder and began walking.

At least we’d managed to avoid a fight. That was a pretty good start.

Although I doubted Zervessa was inviting us in for a good reason.

I raised my head and looked towards her.

She glanced back at me with a smile.

Yep. Definitely not for a good reason.