Chapter 386 - 316: An Ordinary Goblin

Chapter 386: Chapter 316: An Ordinary Goblin

When Shire heard Broken Tooth’s report that a portion of the invading goblins had actually set off on a detour, his jaw dropped in shock.

Recalling how the enemy had even tried a tactic like demanding surrender, Shire couldn’t help but smile. He figured that for all the goblins in the Nightmare Forest, battle was just a matter of swarming forward, regardless of age or gender. Win, and you absorbed the enemy. Lose, and you joined them. Get killed, and you joined them in pieces. This had become an iron law of the Goblin Race.

But now, to actually encounter a goblin attempting to use "tactics" and "strategy," this genuinely piqued Shire’s interest. However, the moment he considered their level of competence, he found the whole affair rather dull.

It was simple: their intelligence was limited. They hadn’t quite graduated from the realm of idiocy.

’Since they’ve split their forces to attempt a pincer attack, I’ll just pick them off one by one.’ Acting on Broken Tooth’s report, Shire dispatched him and Nine-finger with a group of goblins to intercept the flanking enemy force.

He already knew that Nine-finger had developed a new Magic spell. Combined with their other armaments, dealing with those goblins shouldn’t be a problem. He had even gone out of his way to get a Magic Staff for Nine-finger, though it was a pity the thing didn’t seem to give him any kind of boost.

There were now only three individuals in the tribe who could use Magic, all a result of Shire’s experiments. Thanks to the [Blessing of the God of War and Glory], the three of them had undergone some changes. Nine-finger had learned a new spell: "Fire Pig Technique." Lame Leg had refined his "Secret Servant"; his "Big Treasure" had not only grown larger but could now carry him as it floated in mid-air. It seemed Lame Leg was still discovering new uses for his Secret Servant. As for Buck Teeth, ever since Shire had granted him the "Wind of Nature" to look after the Tree-man Race, he had gradually developed a unique Ability of his own: "Poem of Encouragement and Happiness." Its effect was that anyone who heard Buck Teeth’s original poetry would feel a strange sense of comfort and bliss, regardless of whether they actually enjoyed the poem or found it utterly grating.

’I can’t shake the feeling that my subordinates are heading down a very strange path.’

The thought gave Shire a bit of a headache every time it crossed his mind. He had some understanding of this world’s Magic Apprentices. He knew that each one strictly followed their master’s guidance to learn Magic. The spell Models they used had been gradually perfected over thousands of years of refinement and were the universally acknowledged, most efficient way to learn.

Of course, he had also heard of some Mage Apprentices developing their own personal little spells, but they were just that—little spells. After all, the ultimate goal of every Mage Apprentice was to become a High Tier Great Mage, and relying on minor magic alone wouldn’t cut it.

But the goblins in his tribe had learned Magic only through the Abilities he had granted them. This left Shire unsure of what to do next. Should he let them develop freely, or should he find a way for them to receive a formal magical education?

’It’s just a shame that only three and a half members of the tribe can speak Common Speech.’ Shire and Buck Teeth each counted as one. Lame Leg, Nine-finger, and Broken Tooth were still learning and could only be counted as half each.

’Forget it. I’ll just let them develop on their own for now and see what happens.’ After some careful consideration, Shire decided to wait. He would hold off on making any new plans until Uncle Musa managed to get the ingredients for the Naga Magic Potion, at the very least.

Gazing at the sky, he watched as the Flying Goblins were continuously blasted down by the Rune Ah Pi Chickens. Many of the enemy goblins had already turned and fled. The Petrifying Lizards no longer posed a threat. And though there was still no word from his other force, he remained confident. After all, it was led by the ever-loyal Nine-finger and Broken Tooth; they would never turn tail and run.

"Bro, what’s next?" Pazani asked excitedly, lowering the telescope.

"Stop. Don’t call me Bro," Shire corrected, then looked toward the distant forest. "Have the Centaurs move out."

At his command, Evita and Ocorre each led a troop of Centaurs toward two white Stone Rings. After a moment’s work, they were teleported deep into the forest.

’This "Transport Captain" on the other side has brought me a huge crowd of goblins, and I don’t intend to let a single one get away.’ Although he’d found that the Snake Shedding Garments couldn’t be used on surrendered goblins, perhaps the Petrifying Lizards could be tamed. If he could capture some alive, Shire wouldn’t mind starting a Petrifying Lizard breeding farm.

He’d imagined it before: equipping the Petrifying Lizards with a Rune Language: Mind Headband and then mounting a Rune Mortar on their backs. Couldn’t he then employ tactics like "rapid advance and fire," "shoot and scoot," and "small-unit fire support"?

’Out of 100 Petrifying Lizards, at least a few will survive.’ Shire had some confidence in this.

FWIP— Two faint whistling sounds echoed from the distance. They were the Signal Arrows fired into the sky by the Centaurs. ’Looks like they’re all in position. In that case... time for the final assault.’

The words were barely out of his mouth when the Naga Prince beside him yelled excitedly, "Final assault! The boss says it’s the final assault!" A Signal Arrow shot into the sky. Immediately, Red Eyes tossed the Rune Ah Pi Chicken from his shoulder, drew his Black Sword, and charged forward with a roar. Behind him, a great horde of goblins shrieked and waved their weapons, scrambling to keep up on their short, stubby legs.

"Let’s go. We should get a closer look," Shire said to Pazani, a Short Sword in one hand and a Hand Crossbow in the other. All traces of his earlier fear were gone, replaced by an eager expression. Three spheres of water now floated around him, and he clutched an Ice Spear in his hand. "Bro, I’m ready."