Black Iron Magician Chapter 55

They appeared out of nowhere. At first, it was a small group of monsters led by a Goblin Commander. All of the goblins were equipped with dirty swords and spears, indicating that they were somewhat skilled. However, that's not particularly unusual and even an average adventurer can deal with them. Normally, they would be defeated by someone before they attacked the surrounding villages.

The change happened a little after that. A red-skinned goblin has joined the group. Even if goblins evolve, none of them change skin color and are known to be always green. It's common to think that it could be a sub-species that had adapted to the environment like the Ash Kobold. But, sub-species monsters usually don't want to interact with other species, so the sight of a red-skinned goblin mixed in with the green-skinned goblins is unusual.

A little later, the size of the group had tripled. As if summoned, the goblins gathered in their nest, the ruins, and they submitted to the red-skinned goblin one after another. He found himself with three goblin commanders under his command, and his force is equal to the monster force that a Goblin King would lead in terms of size.

However, their growth did not end there. The goblins began plowing fields in the ruins, their stronghold, creating armor with their own hands, and training in anticipation of battle. Goblins' staple food is basically nuts from the forest and raw meat of small animals that are weaker than themselves. The weapons they carry are usually obtained from the corpses of defeated adventurers or from discarded items that have been broken. There has never been a report that monsters, much less goblins, forging their weapons and doing such things. However, they obeyed the orders of their leader, the red-skinned goblin, and worked diligently.

During this period, they were being careful to avoid making their presence known. They stayed away from villages to prevent rumors from spreading, and supplemented their food supply with fields and hunting. They would occasionally attack bandits in the mountains to procure weapons and train again. Such a life passed in a blink of an eye.

Eventually, they were transformed from a group of goblins into an army of goblins. All the goblins at least became goblin leaders. They are fully armed and their equipment are as good as those of adventurers. They faithfully follow the orders of their troop leader, the Goblin Commanders, and act in an organized and rational manner. The three original Goblin Commanders evolved further and became Goblin Kings. They are entrusted as a commander in charge of a battalion. There even ogres, powerful monsters that exceed goblins, joined them.

So, what happened to the red-skinned goblins, which may be the beginning of the remarkable evolution of these goblins? The red-skinned goblin, no, he was the only one who hadn't changed at all. He wears a blue mantle and has a mysterious circlet on his head. His weapon is also different. He's carrying a sword that's as tall as a goblin. He's now walking in the center of the marching goblin army while observing the surroundings. There's a portable shrine carried by many goblin soldiers near him, but the one sitting on the throne is his body double, the Goblin King.

He has been giving false information to the fort's guards sent to investigate the goblins. The Goblin King is placed on a conspicuous portable shrine to conceal his presence. By having his subordinates learned the word 'Demon King' and making them frequently say so, he's making the Goblin King a self-proclaimed Demon King. As a result, Adelheit's soldiers recognized it just as a large group of monsters led by a Goblin King. In fact, it's an armed organization that has the potential to shake up the country….

「Fort, saw. Meat, smell, good!」

The Goblin Commander, who returned from the scouting with small troops, reported the results to the Goblin King. It couldn't get the point by arranging the words side by side, but it seems that the necessary information was brought back without any problems.

「Fumu. Hero-sama, we will be able to see the human fort soon. However, there are a few knights and adventurers waiting to intercept us, and it could be a trap. They are now carefreely having a meal. What should we do?」

The Goblin King asked for instructions from the red-skinned goblin. The Goblin King is in a superior position from the top of the portable shrine, but his attitude is as if he is prostrating. Also, the king called the red skin 'Hero'.

「A few people, huh? Even if they were to believe the false information, isn't that too few? Could it be that the rumored Nell is there? If so, I'll have to go to….」

「No, no, we don't want to cause trouble for you. The orcs are approaching from the south, so it's possible to do a pincer attack. Even though she's rumored to be strong, she won't stand a chance against this.」

「That's what you call self-conceit, you know? As a king, you should always assume the worst case. Let's see, for the time being, let's assume that she's as strong as me.」

「Y-Yes! I'm sorry…」

「… But, it's fine if it's just to see the situation. Alright, please deploy the troops as originally planned.」

「Understood. Oi, deliver this order to each unit!」

Receiving the order from the red skin, the Goblin King begins to gather the Goblin Commanders and issue their instructions.

From the north, their troops move southward, and from the south, the orc troops move northward. At first glance, it seems that there is a conflict between the two races, but the truth is that they have been conspiring from the beginning. Their real goal is not to look for nests to breed, but to destroy the border fort.

(If the border between the two countries is broken, the bond between them will be pretty rough. After that, we will occupy the fort and further increase our strength. Then, all we have to do is wait for that person…. Still, a hero makes his loyal retainer call himself the Demon King, huh? Haha, isn't that ironic?)

The red-skinned goblin, his race is Goblin Hero. He's the first goblin in history that evolved into Goblin Hero, a level 6 goblin.

「Report! Saw! Intercept, three people!」

Another Goblin Commander brought the news. He held up three fingers and frequently emphasized the numbers.

「Three people…!? H-Hero-sama, should we exterminate those foolish people before attacking the fort?」

「… Rather, it catches my interest. Yeah, if we got that Nell's head, the morale of the enemy soldiers will drop. Alright, attack them with everything we have. Don't go easy on them, okay?」

「Yes! Everyone, now is the time to clear away our grudges that has piled up for a long time!」

All the goblins raise a fierce cheer. Some raise their swords and some keep shouting from the bottom of their stomachs. Their morale is enough and there's nothing that they lack now. With that kind of powerful feeling in their bodies, they resume their vigorous march.

Ahead of them are the disciples of the adventurers 『Black Iron』 and 『Massacre Princess』, who once shook up the demon king world. The Goblin Hero felt a slight bad premonition in his chest, but more than that, he believed in his subordinates that he had raised.

Chapter end

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