‘That was a close one huh Velora.’

  [Close one? Meegra over there is practically freaking out because she almost watched you die.]

  ‘I’ll apologize properly to her later since I’m still alive after all.’

  [If you manage to survive to this ‘later’ you speak of.]

  ‘Sounds like you don’t believe in me anymore Velora.’

  [No. I simply share the same worries as Meegra. The opponents your fighting are not the kind that should be done in quick succession. Every single one of them are battles you should be carefully preparing for. Not just going into one after the other without much rest.

  [You have already activated Ruknar three different times since the journey of yours began. Your body won’t keep up forever Rick.]

  ‘I’m aware Velora. Which is why I’m resting right now.’

  [You are only ‘resting’ because you literally cannot move. Meegra had to literally drag your body from the sight of the last fight into this cave. She then had to fight the monsters that came rushing out of it by herself to protect you.]

  ‘Well…you are not wrong there. I’ll try to take a small break to rest for real this time Velora. I am not trying to risk my life for fun here though. The longer I spend here, the more lives are at risk. So I can’t on my ass for too long. My people need me.’

  [I am sure they need you alive far more than they do dead.]

  ‘Fine you win this round. I will take a small break. I promise.’

  [If you say so.]

  ‘In the meantime can you show me my current progress please.’

  {Status}

  {Name – Rick}

  {Age – 22}

  {Race – Goblin King}

  {Tier – Six}

  {Strength – 470}

  {Agility – 290}

  {Dexterity – 295}

  {Intelligence – 170}

  {Endurance – 400}

  {Mana Pool – 190/1800}

  {Essence – 0}

  {Evo Points – 28,570/90,720}

  {Skills}

  {Velora}

  {Ruknar}

  {Will of the King}

  {Khaal’drez}

  ‘We’re getting there…just have to kill a few more Tier Sevens without dying. Nothing too crazy.’

  […]

  …

  While Rick, Velora, and Commander Meegra were going through their own struggles, the factions of the continent directly involved with the war on Goblins were going through some of their own.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  The Shadows of Verdan and the Black Wolf Tribe hadn’t kept it a secret that the Goblins were proficient in arts similar to their own. The leaders of all groups involved would need to now factor this information into all of their decisions going forward.

  Well, not so much the leaders, but all of the respective strategists that would call the shots for the movement of the joint task force born of the Goblin Eradication Summit.

  While both the Shadows of Verdan and the Black Wolf Tribe had a lot of freedom in the actions they took, at the end of they day, both groups reported to someone else. They would both have to act within whatever confines were set for them by these leaders.

  And that of course included the joint decision to scout the peripheries of the Dark Lands of Mir together.

  Now, while they were doing that, there was also other actions being taken in other parts of the Continent.

  Mainly, it was the gathering of troops which had mostly taken place already by this point. All forces that needed to muster had done so in their respective nations and were all moving to gather at a singular point by now.

  That point being just outside what would be considered the Wild Lands. No nation in the area had any real ownership of the area and it was perfect staging ground for that reason.

  Even though a soft alliance was in place, having thousands of other troops within their own borders was an immediate no from all parties involved.

  The first to arrive to this meeting point was of course the ones who were both closest and the fastest.

  The North Balarian Riders.

  They arrived at the location in strong numbers, atop what Rick would likely describe as raptors of some sort. Two legged beasts that quite literally looked almost like perfect matches to the raptors once seen on Earth.

  Harkenians

  Though there was one main difference between Earth raptors and these Harkenians. The latter had massive horns protruding out of their heads. It was tough too. Balarian Riders would often use their mounts to break through barricades and either break apart or impale whatever was placed in front of them.

  It was these creatures that allowed them to ride on virtually any terrain.

  Eventually the group dismounted and allowed their treasured mounts to rest and feed, whilst also setting up a singular command tent. Apart from a few guards, all of these riders would be deployed in full so there was no need to set up long term lodging for the rest of them.

  There would only be one person sleeping in the command tent. An older man who had definitely seen his fair share of wars. The man was only of the Sixth Tier and there was another Rider of the Seventh Tier in the camp, but there was not a single rider in all of North Balarian would dare show him an ounce of disrespect. Including the Tier Seven.

  He led many successful campaigns back in his time. Most of which were against seemingly insurmountable odds, but it was cunning and keen sense of strategy and purpose that he was able to find unseen paths to victory time and time again. It was him that helped to spread the claim that Balarian Riders could ride on any terrain.

  Which is why even now in his old age he was the one that was responsible for the movement of the troops. Although he wouldn’t ride into battle himself, there would be other decisions leading up, in the middle of, and after the battle that would need to be made.

  He would be a key part in all stages.

  “Sir, all Harkies have been fed.”

  A young Balarian reported to the tall man in front of him who simply nodded before walking purposefully to the Command Tent.

  “Permission to enter Sir.”

  “I told you to stop calling me Sir, Grafai. Come in.”

  The tall man entered.

  “I cannot do that Sir, it is rude.”

  “You know what’s rude? Forcing an old man like me to work. That’s what rude.”

  “…You volunteered Sir.”

  “I didn’t think Her Majesty would actually accept! It was just supposed to be a show! So I can officially pass on these responsibilities to you finally. And stop calling me Sir before I drive a sword up yer ass dammit.”

  “I’m sorry Uncle.”

  “And stop apologizing! You’re one of the strongest people on the whole continent! The only time I ever see you act your station is when your on mounted with a blade in your hand. Would it kill you to do the same outside of that?”

  The tall man simply smiled wryly at his Uncle.

  Of course this tall man was none other than Grafai, one of the High Harks. One of five individuals who held that title in all of North Balarian. They were to North Balarian what a Knight Commander was to Verdan.

  But far more important, due to the value placed on Harkenians and their riders.

  So while North Balarian held one only 5 Tier Seven Generals, one would still be foolish to attack them with just that information in mind.

  Because they would fail to consider the mount that such a powerful being would need to handle their own power.

  Harkenians grew just as strong.

  Anyway, the Uncle to someone this important, was a legend in all of North Balarian. The Old Fang, Prufan.

  “Bah whatever, you’ll learn one day. Did you already send out scouts?”

  “No Uncle, we are waiting for the scheduled report from the Shadows of Verdan.”

  “Hmm…a report that should’ve been waiting for us here was it not?”

  “That was the agreement in place.”

  “Are we early Grafai?”

  “No Uncle. We were expected to arrive first and we did not show up before the time we communicated.”

  “Say Grafai…have you ever heard rumors of those blasted shadows being late?”

  “…No Uncle.”

  “Neither of I…it seems this war won’t be so simple after all Grafai.”

  “No it doesn’t Uncle.”