Chapter 189 : Chapter 189
“Letting monsters in is never an easy task.”
I nodded at the Count’s worry-filled words.
“There will inevitably be opposition.”
Whatever Teheki says, Goblins are enemies who have fought the fortress for decades and are monsters.
The case was different from Dark Elves who possess reason and can communicate.
As most of the residents living in the fortress lost family to monsters or hate monsters, we had to prove Teheki’s clan is different from regular ‘Goblins’.
“Right. This isn’t a simple matter. Can a soldier immediately distinguish between Goblins of that forest and Teheki?”
Ian’s gaze turned to Teheki.
Even Teheki, who possesses reason and can communicate, would only look like a Goblin wearing quality leather clothes in the soldiers’ eyes.
“Hmm…….”
What is the criterion dividing monsters and species?
‘Language?’
No. Reason and language are important, but would there be a soldier attempting to converse with a monster?
‘Ultimately, is it appearance?’
Ian realized instinctively.
“We need to clothe them.”
“That would be okay too.”
No matter how much a soldier bears a grudge against monsters, they wouldn't shoot a Goblin wearing silk clothes.
A clothed Goblin is harder to shoot than a Goblin raising both hands trying to communicate.
Because wearing clothes would seem to imply a connection with human society.
Soldiers might not think that deeply, but just putting on a set of clothes could raise the suspicion, ‘Isn’t that a pet monster of some noble family?’
Just like dressing a stray dog makes it look like it has an owner.
“It will be uncomfortable, but it can reduce immediate hostility. Next is language. If we show that communication is possible, people’s perspectives will change a lot too.”
Glancing at Teheki, Teheki nodded.
Since he said about half of the tribe already learned the continental language, there shouldn't be a problem with language.
“Next, if we prove they are helpful to the fortress, we can put out the urgent fire.”
After that, it’s a matter of time.
Teheki’s clan might adapt and take root in the fortress, or fail to adapt to human society and wander the forest.
The time ahead will be the time to decide that.
The Count nodded with a heavy expression.
* * *
We tried to hide the information as much as possible due to the Count’s advice that there might be opposition from residents, but we couldn't completely stop rumors about Teheki’s clan from spreading.
“Did you hear that? They say Goblins are…….”
“Ah, stop that stupid talk about Goblins immigrating. Where in the world is there a talking Goblin? Why? If they can talk, tell them to just build a house in that clearing and live there.”
Of course, since a rumor is a rumor, almost no one believed it literally.
“No, Tom really heard it?! He said they are coming next week! He said the Young Duke ordered it directly!”
“…The Young Duke? Tut-tut, man! Even if it’s the Young Duke, how can he teach a Goblin! He’d rather teach Deok-gu to speak!”
“Maybe it’s possible! It’s that Young Duke!”
Unexpectedly, the one who changed people’s thoughts was Ian.
To be precise, the eccentricities Ian had shown so far.
“He’s someone who beats up even Demonkin, so couldn't he teach Goblins to speak?”
Ian, hearing the rumor, couldn't understand the correlation between beating up Demonkin and teaching speech at all, but it was true that teaching speech seemed easier than hunting Demonkin.
“Certainly, if it’s the Young Duke…….”
Residents, half in doubt, surprisingly didn't dislike the Goblins joining.
“That’s great. There’s a hell of a lot of work to do.”
“Exactly. Dogs and cats are useless, but Goblins could at least move weapons, couldn't they?”
Because they were in a state where they wanted to borrow even a cat’s hand for the piled-up post-war cleanup.
Since they have limbs, if only communication works, doesn't it mean immediately usable manpower (?) increases?
These rumors grew bigger and spread even to the barracks.
“…Goblins?”
“Yes. It is said the Goblin clan plans to immigrate inside the fortress.”
“Bringing monsters inside the fortress? What crazy guy made such a plan?”
“That… The Young Duke…….”
Initially, they expressed dissatisfaction at the news of eating from the same pot as monsters, but knowing it was Ian’s plan, most commanders changed their minds.
“Hmm, if the Young Duke said so…….”
To the fortress commanders who experienced the war, Ian was an existence like a hero who makes the impossible possible.
“They say those guys are so good at slingshots, they have to eat and live too, right? Couldn't we raise them as troops somehow?”
“Hmm, even so, putting monsters on the wall is… They say those guys handle iron so well, shouldn't we send them there?”
“Well, were we ever worried about lack of work? We were worried about lack of hands.”
Contrary to the Count and Ian’s worries, there was surprisingly little opposition in the fortress suffering from chronic manpower shortage.
If there was any opposition.
“So when on earth are they coming!”
“There’s so much work to do, can't they come a bit faster!”
“Damn Goblins! They were so quick when running away!”
It was only complaints about Goblins who were rumored to come but unseen.
* * *
“Grrrk, everyone stop.”
Teheki, stopping the clan at the fortress seen in the distance, exhaled a deep breath.
‘Is this the right choice?’
It was a question he couldn't easily answer even after living for hundreds of years.
Aren't humans beings whose front and back are different?
Now that the war with Orcs ended in victory, there is no certainty that humans will keep the promise.
‘Arrows might fly immediately.’
That would be better.
Because if something happens after entering the fortress, they would be isolated and die without a place to run.
‘Maybe they will work the tribe like slaves.’
Teheki wasn't naive.
The history of grudges built between humans and Goblins was as long and huge as Moner’s history.
Even if they could cross the fortress gates, humans would surely demand the price of that grudge.
That could be discrimination and persecution, or they might try to work Goblins like slaves or restrain them.
Even during that time, Goblins of the forest would target the fortress, and every time, humans would suspect his clan.
‘Stupid act.’
Really.
It’s a stupid act.
Because if they return to the forest right now and live breathlessly like before, they could live for at least a few hundred more years.
Doesn't he also lack the conviction that leaving the forest right now means escaping the ‘Forest's Curse’?
Nevertheless, the reason he couldn't give up.
‘If I miss this chance, there is no next chance.’
Because he knew there wouldn't be such a chance again.
‘Even if I live hundreds of years again, I won't be able to meet a human who can communicate like Moner’s young master.’
Teheki turned his head and looked at his clan.
The Goblins, wriggling their bodies repeatedly perhaps uncomfortable in the first clothes they wore, were merely two hundred.
His clan that started with thousands and now barely exceeds two hundred.
Even if they remain in the forest, they won't escape annihilation before a hundred years pass.
Ahem! Teheki, clearing his throat, spoke in a deliberately serious voice.
“Everyone be careful. Don't fluster like idiots. It is a chance for us to escape the Forest's Curse. Even if angry, endure three times.”
Even if there is discrimination.
Even if humans persecute his clan.
If only they can escape the Forest's Curse.
They can endure.
“Let’s go.”
* * *
As Teheki approached the wall with his clan, chaos ensued on the wall.
Clang─! Clang─! Clang─!
Loud bells rang out, and soldiers, one after another, announced the appearance of Goblins.
“Goblins! Goblins have come!”
“Everyone to positions!”
At the shouting heard from afar, Teheki stopped the clan with a miserable face.
‘In the end, it comes to this.’
Even though they came wearing ill-fitting clothes, those bells were clearly signaling the appearance of an enemy.
‘Must return…….’
When Teheki, enraged by human betrayal, was glaring at the fortress silently, suddenly the gate opened and soldiers popped out.
“Wow! Really Goblins wearing clothes!”
A human approaching with a silly smile on a surprised face extended his hand and said.
“Ah, excuse me. I heard about it, but didn't know so many cool people would come. Hehe…….”
As Teheki, unable to grasp what was happening, put his hand on his sword hilt, the human scratching the back of his head awkwardly continued.
“I am Hoodwock of the Special Mission Unit. Welcome to the fortress.”
“……?”
Only then, surprised Teheki scanned the wall.
“Wow! Really Goblins!”
“Can they really speak too?”
“Just learn! Did you know how to speak from birth?”
“Uh! Seems like looking this way? Idiot, wave your hand at least!”
Humans giggling as if finding something fascinating and humans waving hands.
‘What is this…….’
In a situation completely different from expectation, Teheki blinked blankly.
“…I don't know what’s going on. I clearly heard you would hide us as much as possible.”
The initial plan made with Ian was like that.
Informing only a very small number of soldiers and hiding Goblins inside the Lord’s Castle.
“Ah… But rumors spread. Hehe, since the fortress is narrow, once a rumor spreads, it can't be stopped.”
He nodded at Hoodwock’s explanation.
Because he heard from Ian that rumors might spread.
There was also a plan for that situation.
That if opposition is severe, instead of immigrating inside the fortress, they would stay near the western forest where the Dark Elf clan is.
So, he needed to grasp the situation.
“By the way, why is everyone laughing like that?”
“Ah, that is…….”
At Hoodwock’s troubled expression, Teheki braced himself.
If that laughter meant criticism and blame, he had to lead the clan and settle in the western forest as quickly as possible.
Although it was questionable if the Dark Elf clan would accept unpleasant neighbors.
However, the returning answer was completely different from expectation.
“Everyone is happy, that’s why.”
“Happy?”
It was a word he heard for the first time in his life.
Happy to see Goblins.
“Do they consider us toys……?”
As enraged Teheki raised his aura, Hoodwock quickly continued.
“No! No! How could that be! Absolutely not. really, everyone is happy.”
Then he began to explain slowly.
That everyone couldn't sleep properly due to post-war cleanup continuing all night for days, was in a situation desperately needing help, and their eyes were flipped by the rumors Ian spread.
“Everyone was already excited at the news of Goblins coming, but rumors spread that the Young Duke’s sword is a sword made by a Goblin…….”
Amidst wanting to borrow even a cat’s hand, the news that able-bodied Goblins, and blacksmiths at that, had come made the entire fortress festive.
“Anyway, welcome to the fortress.”
Thus─
Teheki clan’s move-in, completely different from expectation, began.