The Monster King's Legacy

Chapter 53 A Sanctuary

"You mean to tell me," Darric began, his tone dry than anything, "that a group of goblins outmaneuvered you? Of course, I mean my soldiers." Darric clarified as he spoke to the knight who stood before him in his throne room.

"That is correct. They are alright, the human is just as weak, but he might have some potential." He said, looking at Haos who was also in the throne room.

"You have more to say? Let us hear it, don't hold back." Haos said, reading something else in the knight's eyes.

"I just don't understand... the human with them is weak, very. This process was unnecessary." He said, his voice steady and his posture firm.

Haos's eyes squinted slightly as he listened, "Falmur, are you questioning His authority?"

"Of course not. My lord, don't twist my words. The human certainly has potential, but not enough to warrant our action and evaluation." Falmur said with his usual stoic expression.

"I've warned you, that attitude of yours will bring you an early grave. The Godking had his own reasons and sees what we don't." Without waiting for anything else, Haos stood up and left.

As Haos left, Darric leaned into his throne. "A human leading goblins," he said, the silence stretching for a bit. "Indeed, the Godking has his own reasons."

...

The morning sun bathed the camp in a warm glow, its light reflecting off the sharpened stakes of the walls and the busy goblins tending to their tasks. Despite the lingering tension from the confrontation with the humans, the tribe carried an air of determination and unity.

Throughout the day, Lance spent most of the time alone and in thoughts. It was more so resolving himself for a selected path for the future than anything else. As the day wore on and night approached, Lance had made up his mind towards a single path in his mind.

He stood at the edge of the camp's central clearing, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched his people, well, goblins... his tribe. A fire burned low in the center, its embers glowing faintly, casting faint light around.

"If it's some kind of partnership you're hinting at, forget it. We're just a small tribe compared to others." Kaeli said.

"For now," Lance said, meeting her gaze. "But what if we became something more? What if this tribe wasn't just a home for goblins, but a sanctuary for anyone who's being casted aside by the major races? A place where they could live without fear, where they could grow strong and stand tall... a place that offers peace, peace of mind and security?"

Kaeli crossed her arms, her tone skeptical but intrigued. "I see. Not an alliance. You're talking about building a kingdom, aren't you?"

"Not just a kingdom," Lance replied. "A sanctuary. Key word, 'sanctuary'."

Lia spoke, her eyes thoughtful. "After we spoke about the possibility of this last time, I gave it some thought. The other races won't just let us rise without a fight. Even they will want to go against us."

"I know," Lance said. "But, our main play will be during the coming war with the demons. During that time and after, we won't need to do too much. For now, we can just work on expanding as much as possible."

Zarra sat on the ground crossed legged and cross armed, her sharp eyes fixed on Lance. "You're asking us to follow you into something big. Bigger than anything we've done before. You really think we can pull it off?"

His gaze steady, Lance answered her without hesitation or doubt in his voice. "I don't just think we can. I know we can."

They all remained silent for a while, letting Lance's words settle in.

Then Lia stepped forward, her voice calm but filled with conviction. "You've led us this far, Lance. And you've never let us down. If this is your vision, then we will follow you, chief."

Rynne clapped her hands, fist to palm, her grin fierce. "You've got my spear, anyday, even if you walk to your death, I will never stop following you." She said, a sudden aura seeming to follow her words.

"I don't think that is exactly correct, you should pull me back if I'm heading to my death, right?" Lance said a little dumbfounded, bringing everyone to a light laughter.

"Well, that is the long term goal. For now... we have to do everything in our power to get stronger so that the same event from last time doesn't repeat itself."