Chapter 75 – For the Fatherland!

All the goblins came out of Pandemonium.

Although there were some who could not open their eyes due to the sunlight they were seeing for the first time in their lives, they soon adapted and were busy looking around at the scenery of the sky and the ground.

Se-min spoke to Korox.

“Elder. What do you think of my idea?”

“It makes sense. I agree as well, but there are procedures, and the other candidates…”

“I will handle that.”

Se-min looked around for Kaorak. He soon found Kaorak looking at the goblins with a pleased expression, his hands clasped behind his back.

Se-min gestured to him.

“Hey, Kaorak!”

“What is it?”

“Come over here.”

Kaorak approached Se-min. Se-min whispered something in his ear. Kaorak wore a strange expression, but soon nodded.

“I agree. You are right.”

“Right?”

Se-min turned his head.

Dozens of dragons, including Izergazin, were conversing with Kartoros.

The dragons had been hibernating deep underground in Pandemonium and were awakened by Izergazin’s call.

And the one who awakened Izergazin was none other than Kartoros of the Dragon Tribal.

Since Kartoros was a goblin fascinated by dragons, he knew their culture and physiology well, and could converse with them without fear.

Se-min approached him.

“Kartoros!”

Kartoros looked back. He confirmed Se-min’s face and wore a reluctant expression.

“What is it, Emperor?”

Se-min pointed at Izergazin.

“Isn’t that guy far from the great Dragon God you mentioned?”

“It doesn’t matter. Meeting the great dragons is enough. The Dragon God was merely an illusion created by my fear.”

“Yes. So you do know. That aside.”

Se-min whispered in his ear. Kartoros thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I’ll do that. I agree as well.”

Watching that scene, Izergazin spoke.

[Emperor. What do you intend to do in the future?]

“I’m going to meet the other ancient races. Goblins were the first. What about you?”

[We…]

He flapped his wings. A cool wind blew in.

[Will stay with the goblins until then.]

Although their luster had faded upon being defeated by Badurbarok, the goblins had protected the sanctuary of the dragons for a long time. Now was the time to repay that debt.

The dragons decided to help the declined goblins settle on the surface.

Kartoros bowed his head in emotion.

Se-min understood the meaning of what Izergazin said and grinned.

“Yes. Wait until then.”

He had been disappointed because the goblins were weaker than expected, but like a miracle, the dragons appeared and relieved his concern.

“Then that is fine. Kartoros, come here.”

“I am conversing with the Dragon Lord right now…”

“You’ll be able to do that until you’re sick of it later anyway.”

Se-min dragged Kartoros along. Although his body was not intact due to injuries, Se-min did not go easy on him. Kartoros kept groaning.

Se-min scanned the goblins and approached Korox.

He hadn’t known when they were underground, but once everyone was brought up to the surface, the number of goblins was large.

“Elder. These fellows have gathered their intentions.”

Se-min pushed Kaorak and Kartoros in front of Korox. They looked at each other once, looked at Korox, and then nodded.

“It was a position I did not want from the beginning.”

“I have nothing more to wish for now that I have met the Dragon Lords.”

Korox looked up at the sky.

“Is that so.”

The sky was blue, and the sun was brightly illuminating the earth.

The words Kaorak had said came to mind.

You have to see the sun.

Not the dim light of Pandemonium, but the sun that illuminates the surface must be seen.

Those words were correct. The fear that had been eating away at him in the darkness melted away without a trace the moment he stood on the surface.

Could that life of barely scraping by in Pandemonium really be called living?

It was not goblin-like.

What was truly goblin-like was not surviving while crouching and trembling, but fighting the enemy to the end and dying with a laugh.

Korox opened his mouth.

“We have just come out to the surface, and the situation is highly chaotic. So wouldn’t you speak to the goblins directly?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You are indeed the most suitable person.”

Korox bowed his head to Se-min. The meaning of this gesture was no different between goblins and humans.

It meant respect.

“O Emperor who saved us from the darkness.”

“Understood. Please raise your head. I will do it.”

“Thank you.”

Se-min gestured to Izergazin. He furrowed his brow and snorted, but soon flew down and landed where Se-min stood.

Se-min climbed onto his body and stood on top of Izergazin’s head. Izergazin walked to the front of the goblins.

Se-min closed his eyes.

He felt the Imperial Throne of Sargassonia. They were always connected. The authority of the Emperor flowed out from Se-min’s body.

When he opened his eyes again, all the goblins were looking at his face.

Countless eyes were staring only at him.

This was the scenery the Emperor had to face.

Could he take them and cross the troubled times?

Se-min opened his mouth.

[I, Emperor Lee Se-min, declare that humans and goblins have become blood allies.]

Se-min declared the blood alliance first.

[The traitor Kiplo summoned the demonic beasts of Badurbarok, and the goblins bravely stood up and fought. Great goblins, now that we must return to the surface and oppose Badurbarok, the goblins need a goblin lord who will be the focal point.]

The goblins buzzed.

Due to this incident, Kiplo and Kukri had disappeared. Now only Kartoros and Kaorak remained.

[And…]

Se-min paused, looking down at Izergazin’s feet. Kaorak and Kartoros were standing there.

[The two candidates, Kartoros and Kaorak, have given up their candidacy for the goblin lord.]

The confusion grew.

Then who would become the goblin lord?

Se-min continued.

[Do not worry. While resigning, they decided to recommend another goblin, and both designated the same person. They judged that that man was by no means lacking as the true leader of the goblins.]

The goblins fell silent.

[If you ask who that is…]

Kartoros, Kaorak, and Korox looked in one place. Se-min also turned his gaze there.

At that spot.

Calpacino, the godfather of the underworld, was looking up at Se-min with an expressionless face.

Listening to Se-min’s story, he gradually recognized the gazes gathering on him and looked around.

Se-min stared, and the goblins stared. Before long, the entire goblins looked toward Calpacino.

He felt the anomaly and looked around, but never lost his composure or wore a flustered expression.

He maintained his calmness as always, accepting the unfolding situation as it was.

Se-min smiled.

[It is that man.]

Calpacino was someone who possessed the quality to handle the gaze of everyone as the lord. Such a person would not collapse under heavy pressure. He would not flee from his approaching fate either.

Just like Se-min.

[Calpacino. Everyone has chosen you.]

Although it seemed like a sudden decision, there were several grounds behind it.

Calpacino had shown the qualities of a leader as the Sawtooth Angels, and when the demonic beasts invaded, he directly stepped forward to lead the goblins. He was an object of fear, but at the same time, an object of trust.

Without him, the goblins of Pandemonium would have been wiped out by the demonic beasts long ago.

Even if Se-min had returned with Izergazin, what they could have protected would have been nothing but the corpses of the dead goblins.

The goblins saw that.

[Since there is only one candidate, we will take a vote of approval or disapproval. If there is any goblin who opposes Calpacino becoming the goblin lord, please raise your hand.]

It was quiet. No one raised a hand. Se-min changed his words.

[Then, goblins who agree, please raise your hand.]

Saying so, Se-min raised his hand first.

[As an honorary goblin, I will also cast one vote.]

Kaorak, Kartoros, and Korox raised their hands.

Goblins of the Sawtooth Tribe raised their hands, and goblins of the Blue Droplet Tribe who had watched him raised their hands. Goblins whose lives were saved by Calpacino raised their hands.

Everyone raised their hands.

Izergazin also sheepishly raised his claw.

[There is no need to count. From now on, Calpacino is the goblin lord.]

Se-min tapped Izergazin’s head.

Izergazin lowered his head toward Calpacino. As Se-min stretched out his hand, Calpacino caught his hand and climbed onto Izergazin’s head.

Izergazin grumbled.

[Both of you, regard this moment as the honor of your lives.]

“It is your honor to carry the Emperor and the goblin lord.”

[I am also the Dragon Lord…]

As Izergazin raised his head again, Se-min, along with Calpacino, looked down at the entire goblins.

It was a massive number.

In the darkness, so many goblins had been living, holding their breath.

“Emperor. Did you truly recommend me?”

Calpacino asked. Se-min put his arm around his shoulder.

“Yes. I am always serious.”

“I was a gangster. Do you think a guy like me suits being the goblin lord?”

“The world is in this state, so what’s wrong with a gangster becoming the lord?”

“Talk is easy.”

“Just think that the gang grew larger. All the goblins here are now the Sawtooth Gangsters—no, the Sawtooth Angels. Just do what you’ve done so far. You’ve done well, haven’t you?”

Calpacino smirked, brushing back his hair fluttering in the wind. Most goblins were bald, but Calpacino had a rich head of hair.

Se-min continued.

“Calpacino. Do you remember trying to fabricate the donation records to elevate Kaorak?”

“Yes.”

“You tried to bribe the anonymous donor and lie that it was Kaorak all along. Because you handled the work too easily, I got curious and tracked down that anonymous donor.”

“…”

Se-min lowered the arm around his shoulder and poked his flank.

“It turned out to be you.”

“…”

“A gangster boss who secretly performs good deeds, isn’t that too much of a cliché?”

“Don’t poke me. It tickles.”

“From then on, I began to think you suited being the goblin lord. Think about it. If that bastard became the goblin lord, wouldn’t the future of your race be dark?”

Se-min pointed at Kaorak. He was grinning and waving his hand at Calpacino.

Calpacino nodded.

“That is true.”

This time, the opinions of the two coincided.

Se-min poked Calpacino’s flank again.

“Inaugural speech.”

“What inaugural speech do you mean?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

“D-don’t poke me.”

“This guy is sensitive.”

“S-stop!”

“You have to make a speech. Weren’t you thinking about what to say when you were pointed out earlier? Right? You prepared it, didn’t you?”

“It, it, tickles…”

Calpacino, who was flailing to avoid the touch, lost his footing.

“Whoa!”

Se-min stared blankly at the sight of Calpacino disappearing from Izergazin’s head. Soon, a thudding sound was heard.

“Sorry.”

Thus, the goblin lord was injured in a fall accident simultaneously with his inauguration.

***

The goblins decided to reclaim the Cloud Mountains, which had been their home. The dragons decided to help them.

The demonic beasts of the Cloud Mountains would taste the rage of the goblin warriors and the breath of the dragons.

“Let’s depart now.”

Se-min said.

It was time to leave.

He put on the sukajan, and slung the backpack and Lupus on his back. His group was no different from when they came to Pandemonium.

Shozen, Gulad, Bi-ryu.

And even Kaorak.

“I wish you luck.”

“Be careful.”

Calpacino, who had a splint on and was on crutches, said. Korox stood beside him. Because they were departing secretly, the send-off was simple.

Se-min shook hands with the two in turn and bumped shoulders.

Korox asked.

“Are you truly going to them?”

“Yes.”

“Be careful. They are different from us. They are wildness itself. You might not be welcomed.”

“I am prepared for that.”

“May fortune follow your journey.”

Se-min also responded.

“I hope the goblins reclaim their hometown. See you then.”

“Yes. See you then.”

Then.

It meant that period of waging the final battle against Badurbarok.

Se-min locked eyes with them for the last time, then turned around.

The journey started again.

Gulad asked.

“Emperor. Is the second ancient race that scary?”

“I only saw them once, but I almost pissed my pants because it was scary.”

“Is it that much…”

Se-min nodded.

“Of course. It’s Orcs, after all.”