While his Goblins were beginning the battle for their survival, Rick was doing his best to get strong enough to be a factor on the battlefield. Both he and Commander Meegra had nearly lost their lives many times by now.
There were even a few occasions when both of them had accepted the fact they would be dying, only to somehow escape or turn the tides of battle at the last second.
It was a sort of dance they found themselves in, one on the knife’s edge of death. The humor in all of it was gone now, and the lively energy that Rick had when he first entered had dissipated as well.
From the beginning, that liveliness in Rick was nothing but a mask to not only ease the mind of Commander Meegra but also help him to not focus on the fact that his people could be getting slaughtered right this second.
Rick knew for a fact that he was taking a massive risk by leaving and seeking strength. There was no doubt about that, but he truly felt that he didn’t have a choice in the matter.
Of course, on one hand, someone could make the argument that he would still be effective in the battle even as a Tier Six Royal Goblin. There was no secret he could punch above his weight, and it could be something of a tipping point in the battle.
Plus, there were his flames.
An ability that simultaneously empowered allies whilst weakening the enemy was one that could also play a deciding factor in any battle. It also couldn’t be ignored, the type of motivating factor his presence would be for the Goblins.
They would rally around him with the intensity and passion expected of warriors fighting alongside their King. It was the type of mental aspect that simply couldn’t be quantified properly.
With all of these factors at play, there was a very real argument for Rick to stay and fight. Yet, Rick still decided to leave.
Because of the reasons he made very clear to his Chiefs.
Ones that were extremely valid when looking at the bigger picture. He was the target. The entire GES force would be doing their best to eliminate him. They were already at a disadvantage in overall quality of troops.
There were far more than 10,000 Goblins in the Dark Lands of Mir, but the Goblins themselves would be the first to tell you that throwing a bunch of Tier Ones and Twos against Tier Fours was like throwing a pebble at a massive wall.
It would hit the wall, maybe it would even leave a little scratch, but the wall would stand. It wouldn’t even budge.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Of course, if you had enough time and pebbles, eventually there would come a day when the pebbles won just due to wearing down the wall, but this wasn’t that type of story.
The Goblins had neither time nor enough pebbles to attack the wall that they were facing.
Perhaps Rick’s presence would’ve helped to make a bigger dent into the wall initially, but eventually, they would encircle Rick and his Goblins like a hare stuck in a ditch as foxes closed in on it.
So a decision had to be made, and Rick made his.
…
“Meegra… how is it?”
Commander Meegra, who was currently being carried by Rick on his back, grit her teeth tightly and barely squeezed out a reply.
“Please forgive me, My King, for being so helpless that you need to carry me.”
Perhaps if it was back when they had just entered the Dark Lands of Mir, Rick might’ve been quick to cut her off and tell her she never needed to apologize for something like this, but he was too tired.
Just talking at all was draining enough. There was no need to spend it saying things that weren’t vital. Or at least, what Rick thought was vital. Clearly, both he and Meegra had different definitions of the word.
“…No, Meegra. How do you feel?”
Once again, she spoke through gritted teeth.
“…I will survive for now, My King.”
“Good… that’s good.”
Commander Meegra closed her eyes tightly as she listened to the weak and tired voice that belonged to her King. Even though resting on his back felt nothing short of comfortable and safer than anywhere else in the world, more than any of that, she felt shame.
A significant amount of shame at that.
In all honesty, she knew every single Goblin in the Dark Lands of Mir would probably all fight for the position of being carried by their King like this. His back was as wide as it was firm.
And regardless of Tier and age, all of them would feel safe here. Even the big ones.
But Meegra could not allow herself to feel the same way. She was not a regular Goblin.
She was not only a member of the Royal Guard, but she was also their commander. They were an entirely separate force of Goblins within the Dark Lands of Mir. They obeyed no Chief, they no longer called any one clan home, and most of all, they were both the first and the last line of defense for their King.
Before their King could die, every single one of them would have to be dead first.
Death is a small price to pay.
That was the vow she took, and it was one that she took with utmost seriousness. If Rick couldn’t walk, it was because she had lost her legs already. If Rick couldn’t swing his spear, it was because she had lost her arms already.
If Rick couldn’t see, it was because she had lost her head already.
That was what she believed in.
Yet time and time again, it was Rick, her King, who was putting himself in harm’s way just to save her.
“…Stop thinking stupid things, Meegra.”
“Yes, My King.”
Rick continued to walk forward with Meegra on his back. They had only just finished a battle against something that looked to be a blend of a deer and bear all in one. Of course, it was another Tier Seven creature, and one that might’ve been close to the peak of the Tier.
It was the reason why Rick felt so weak, and why Meegra could not walk.
Even though he took breaks on the recommendation of Velora, Rick was still required to spam the use of his active skills, even when he was already running on empty in the stamina and mana department.
It was part of the reason why Meegra felt so ashamed. Rick should be resting. He needed it more than ever, but here he was, carrying her and walking.
But Rick would have it no other way.
He was a King.
And his people needed him.
