Lord: Starting from a Goblin Nest

Creatures from Purgatory, especially a high-ranking devil like Desire Demon Kaogu, were naturally different from mortals. The rules of the Material Plane could hardly restrain her when she wanted to teleport, even if she was bringing several people along.

A few minutes later, a huge Magic Array was drawn on the ground of the trading post. Kaogu dusted the material powder off her hands and gestured for everyone to step into the Array. ”If I were teleporting by myself, I could do it anytime, anywhere. But with this many people, I have to use the clumsy method.”

”But luckily, you’re the one in charge here. I doubt anyone will accuse you of making a deal with a devil, right?”

”I want to go too!” Aiksuuri tried with all his might to squeeze into the Array, but was pushed out by Ron’s foot.

”Sorry, you’re a bit too big. Besides, I have something more important for you to do,” Ron said, bending down to pat the Black Dragon’s rugged horns. ”This place is my home base. I need someone to help guard it, don’t I?”

”Well... all right then,” Aiksuuri said, subconsciously nuzzling against Ron’s palm. ”But I’m not working for free!”

”Don’t worry. When have I ever mistreated you?”

After receiving Ron’s promise, the content Young Dragon wagged his tail and moved away from the Array. He returned to the small nest he had temporarily dug out in the courtyard and lay down in a more comfortable position. An unknown amount of time passed. Only after the lingering traces of the Array on the ground and the smell of sulfur in the air had nearly dissipated did a drowsy Aiksuuri suddenly wake with a start.

”Damn it, Ron!” The lone Black Dragon raised his head and let out a dissatisfied growl. ”I’m not a dog! I don’t like having my head patted!”

Outside New Green Swamp Town, as a searing whirlwind gradually dissipated, Ron and his group, along with Kaogu and the other devils, appeared out of thin air in a swamp. The Desire Demon, Jilannis, and others accustomed to hovering immediately took to the air, while the boots of everyone else were inevitably caked in thick, wet mud.

”Why didn’t you let Aiksuuri come with us?” After the teleportation, Delaford looked up at Ron in confusion. ”This is his home, isn’t it? If someone had to stay behind, it didn’t have to be him.”

’Besides, facing Centaurs or Beastmen, if Aiksuuri were here, the Goblin Hunter could indulge his ”Barbecue Knight” fantasy again.’ This was what he was thinking, but Delaford didn’t say it to Ron.

”Probably to keep that little dragon from getting dragged into a fight.” Behind Kaogu, her dark wings beat slowly. She narrowed her eyes, staring at the small town in the distance. ”This is your new town, isn’t it? It looks like you’ve run into quite a bit of trouble.”

Upon the ruins of Green Swamp Town, the new town stood amidst the swamp. Thanks to the efforts of the construction team led by Annie and Mazarino, its houses and streets had all been redesigned and rebuilt. Ron could even see the beginnings of an unfinished tower—the new home Mazarino had promised Aiksuuri.

In the swamps and dense forests of Delusional Land, the old ruins had disappeared. In their place... were new ruins.

BOOM—

Before Ron and the others could even figure out what was happening, a giant hand suddenly reached over the houses and smashed a brick chimney. The owner of the hand used the shattered stones and other debris as makeshift projectiles, hurling them violently toward a spot on the ground. Even from outside the town, Ron’s group could hear the miserable shrieks of those who were hit.

”This...” The still-bound Beastman Priest and Zandia glanced at each other. They could both see the shock, and a bit of confusion, in each other’s eyes.

’There are giants in Delusional Land? Is it an invader, or a defender?’

’And who is it fighting against? Why do those voices sound somewhat familiar?’

”The stench of the Abyss!” After taking a few deep breaths, Kaogu and the other devils all showed expressions of anger and a hint of fear. ”Ron, you guessed right. It really is them causing trouble!”

Before Ron could say a word, the Little Devils and Kambions Kaogu had brought with her quickly flapped their wings and flew toward the battlefield. The rest of the group followed close behind, charging into the burning town.

On the streets and alleys of New Green Swamp Town, the situation was much better than Ron had expected, but also far more chaotic. The owner of the giant hand was indeed a massive Hill Giant, and a small squad of Centaurs and Beastmen was skirmishing with it. However, they were unable to achieve any significant results beyond inflicting a few superficial wounds. The giant, on the other hand, used the surrounding buildings with every move, easily launching terrifyingly powerful attacks. One Centaur had its two hind legs crushed and was left half-dead, pinned beneath the rubble.

Delaford drew his bow and nocked an arrow, about to take the Centaur’s life. But before he could release the shot, a huge Fireball swept down the street, engulfing the entire squad of bandits.

”Attack, attack!” A sharp, high-pitched voice rang out from around the corner. A Kobold with a strip of red cloth tied around its head appeared, holding a wooden staff high. While chanting a spell, he commanded more Kobolds to pour out of the alley, surging toward the invaders like a tide!

”This is the town of the great Aiksuuri! No one will lay a finger on it!”

”Is that... Morlo?” Aive stared in surprise at the Kobold Sorcerer directing the battle. She never would have thought these little creatures would help them again.

”And that’s not all!” Delaford seemed to sense something. He suddenly pointed at the nearby rows of houses and burst out laughing.

As the Kobolds were locked in a fierce battle with the Beastmen and Centaurs, the town’s doors, windows, and sewer grates were thrown open. Goblins emerged howling from the buildings and joined the fight.

Among them, however, one goblin didn’t join the fight. Instead, it ran up to Morlo, slapped the Kobold across the face, and nearly caused the Sorcerer’s Fireball Magic to explode in his own face. ”Nonsense! This is Lord Klade’s territory!”

Ron and the others recognized the shaman-dressed goblin. His name was Anpbi, and unlike most goblins, he worshiped the Queen of Void and Darkness, not Maghreb.

”Bullshit! Compared to the great True Dragon, your master is nothing!” As he brought his wooden staff down, the Kobold Morlo immediately started brawling with Anpbi. The two of them brazenly fought right there on the battlefield, leaving Ron and his companions speechless.

”They mean well, but this is...” Victoria couldn’t bear to watch any longer. The Priest of Heim shook her head, turned, raised her shield and Hard Head Hammer, and joined the battle. The others had much the same reaction.

Ron helplessly watched the two bickering endlessly. He was tempted to ignore them, but in the end, he shot an arrow to land beside them, to prevent them from giving each other a concussion with their staffs. ”Morlo! Anpbi! What are you two fighting about? This is my damn territory!”