I ordered a huge fire to be lit and a cauldron brought.
From all directions, I summoned the goblins to gather in a circle around us.
Valeria stood focused, probably confident in her thoughts. I, on the other hand, was wracking my brain, trying to figure out how to convince this green mass. I recalled documentaries about savages and a few psychology podcasts I had watched as a human.
I decided to improvise as best I could — some kind of shamanic ritual.
"Throw in the wet leaves!" I roared "Let the smoke rise to the heavens!"
The goblins kept throwing in wood and damp branches. The flames soared high, and the smoke thickened, stinging eyes and throats. Chaos would certainly help my little performance.
When they brought the cauldron — a heavy, blackened thing, probably as old as the first goblins — I nodded. I approached it and nudged the vampiress lightly with my tail to make her step closer as well.
"Blood. Let the ancient Behemoths see us" I said in a solemn tone.
So far, it was going surprisingly well! Many goblins knelt, others slammed their foreheads to the ground — I honestly couldn't believe they were taking me seriously!
Silence fell, broken only by the crackle of burning wood and the thankful chants of the elder goblins. The armed guard approached, swords clashing against shields, carrying a vessel of Hakku's dark, thick blood. I bit my second head into my neck, and it growled in anger. Her blood mixed with mine, dripping into the cauldron.
Hakku's blood merged with mine, and Valeria, surrounded by all these staring eyes, didn't protest. Calmly, she cut her hand with a knife. Her blood — lighter, almost gleaming — slowly dripped into the cauldron, mixing with the water, oils, and the blood of Hakku and me. Everything was ready. Now, I had to play the role of a lifetime.
"Spirits of the Behemoths… Untamed powers… Can you hear them!? Do you see them reaching for the sky!? Listen to their voice!" I pretended my voice broke. My second head roared so loudly that the goblins trembled in fear. I shook my whole body on purpose, heads bowed low as if listening to something no one else could hear. I whispered unintelligible words like a madman, while the other head growled and bellowed.
Every goblin — even Doirak — dropped to their knees. Many wept, others begged for the blessing and favor of the mightiest beasts.
Yes! It worked! The fools fell for it.
"Blood is strong" I croaked "The Behemoths are pleased! Hakku was worthy of death! The vampire's blood has not been rejected"
A murmur ran through the crowd like a wave.
"What should we do with her? What do the Behemoths say? What does the chosen of Zod say?" Doirak asked, standing closest with his trusted guards behind him.
Valeria looked at me then, her beautiful eyes serious. Dirty and tired — defenseless, yet focused.
"The spirits demand a trial" I returned to my usual self. The smoke had hit me hard — I thought I might pass out! I spun toward the crowd, slammed my tail against the ground, making it tremble. I roared with my second head "If Valeria Nocturne kills the boss of the wild dungeon, who threatens the goblin lands with its minions"
I paused, building tension, watching the terrified faces. I wondered what to say next. Finally, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind:
"She will become the Queen of this forest and all its inhabitants! By Zod's will, she shall be entrusted with uniting these lands and avenging the wrongs done to the goblins!"
Euphoria erupted. Valeria froze for a moment, then burst out laughing and smiled at me. Goblin soldiers slammed their spears into the ground, wails echoed, and the crowd parted, making a path for us.
It just hit me — I might have gone too far with my idea!
The vampiress was escorted to the armory, where her armor and swords were returned. She slung the massive Nocturne sword across her back, and took the smaller one, with its dark blade, in her right hand. She washed her face with water, combed her hair.
She looked beautiful again.
Alright. Now they would most likely lead us to this wild dungeon. I still had no idea what it was. Perhaps something like the Ancient Dungeon of Light and Sword where I was born, or maybe some larger pit they considered a dungeon?
I quickly formulated a plan to escape. I wanted to repay Valeria, help her flee somewhere in the wilderness. The journey could take many days. I didn't know yet. If so, we'd have plenty of chances to sneak away. Unfortunately, something completely unexpected happened as we approached the gate with the large group.
Valeria, full of excitement, bounced from foot to foot, like a spoiled child dragged to an ice cream shop by her mother after school. I barely managed to keep my composure.
The goblins whispered among themselves; most were mounting wolves or boars. Only Valeria and I were on foot. Fearful of their numbers and the fierceness in their eyes, I hatched one more sneaky plan.
"Doirak Ironflank! I entrust you with the task of rebuilding this stronghold! I appoint you its commander. Form squads, repair the damages, and restore the buildings to their former glory. Send your people south, as far as possible, to gather the scattered goblin tribes. Every pair of hands is precious! I am the chosen of Zod! I don't need such a large escort. Only the oldest and most experienced shall accompany us on this long journey"
I hoped the oversized hobgoblin would take the bait. He shook his head, wanting to come with me, but I didn't want him along when I made my escape. Level [31] — I hadn't expected that from anyone of his kind!
In the end, it worked. I was left alone with the vampire and seven other hobgoblins on wolves. Before we set off for real, I pulled Valeria aside, a bit worried about her childlike optimism. I checked if anyone was eavesdropping, and whispered as best I could:
"Do you really believe it was the spirits speaking to me? It was just a bluff to escape"
She blinked, tilted her head like a little girl, and smiled, her expression serious "No" she said softly "But I want to believe"
I was dumbfounded by her stupidity. How could she possibly control such a large group for long? Eventually someone would discover we were lying. In no time, a rebellion would rise, and we'd end up like Hakku — or even worse.
Her answer irritated me. She was like a closed book. She constantly did unpredictable and unsettling things. I stood in complete silence, thinking of what to do. She just stared at me, baring her teeth, as if taking endless pleasure in toying with me!
It reminded me of all those girls in school and university who thought nothing of me, and in the end, I looked like a fool trying to hang out with them…
The vampire broke the stalemate. She stepped closer and nipped my neck again, licking her lips. She thanked me politely and giggled. Then, to my surprise, she grabbed my neck and jumped onto my back, as if I were some beast!
"Let's go, sir—" she whispered "Wait! You know my name. I don't know yours"
Great. Dealing with a crazy woman and forced small talk, like back in school… Every skill has its drawbacks I guess.
"Artax" I blurted. I stuck to the version I had established with Zod and presented to all the goblins "You can call me Artax"
She shook her head. She knew I was scheming. I felt her eyes drill into me, examining every flicker of aura that happened when I felt stress… She had to know I was a Reborn. It was only a matter of time before she learned I was a loser from Earth. She was impossible to deceive.
"Beautiful name! Sounds majestic. Perfect for a majestic beast" she continued, spewing rainbow-colored light at me. She laughed and spun stories about hydras on this continent, probably trying to butter me up.
This continent. Then it hit me — there was more than one, probably more than three. I feared to think how many strange creatures and monsters this world held. Imagine, there were even more humans from Earth…
For now, I didn't want to think ahead and worry.
I turned toward the wolf riders, who were slowly moving north along the worn path. Valeria still sat on my back, leaning comfortably, pressing her small body and expensive dress against my neck.
"Come on, Artax! Let's go" she called, laughing. She stomped her heels into my sides, infuriating my second head! She kicked repeatedly until, completely annoyed, I just moved forward. I concluded she was just an annoying girl by nature, who liked teasing others.
I remembered how she had smashed goblin heads and slaughtered humans during the river battle. I had to be careful with this "girl"…
We rode for over two days. The forest grew thinner; we passed streams and clearings. Around us, I felt the auras of countless weak animals and minor monsters.
I think I could have spent the entire spring and summer here, all the way to autumn. No caves needed. Beautiful place. The wind gently caressed my body. Valeria's hair flew in every direction, and the flowers in the meadows, of every color, helped me forget my worries.
Unfortunately, all good things must end.
We saw a tall fence reinforced with earth in the distance. The sun set, painting the world red. Inside the enclosure, deformed monsters wandered, fairly weak, but their purple-black aura made my heart pound. Every step brought us closer to the wild dungeon I didn't yet know, while Valeria sat on my back, as if waiting for the show.
She looked at me. Her eyes gleamed in the sunset light.
"I can't wait" she whispered, smiling widely, as if this was all just a game for her. I had no strength left for her. I decided to accompany her to the very end, wait until she emerged on her own, and either bid her farewell or, sensing her aura vanish, head east where the forest was denser, and the wildlife more abundant.
I heard terrifying noises, like deformed roars of animals of all kinds. The riders beside me exchanged grim looks. Without waiting, I ran to the top of the slope; the vampiress jumped off me and overtook me.
At the top, I saw her, completely satisfied. I looked down and saw something like a portal, purple-black in color, with deformed abominations spinning like pigs in a pen, howling and gnawing at the stakes and earth around them!
Hakku must have been cunning enough to fence the portal, so these abominations wouldn't scatter in the forest. Occasionally, one would enter and vanish into the strange aura radiating from the portal — round like a typical portal from anime Solo Leveling, wide and tall enough for two people.
"Nice draw" said the silver-haired girl, stamping her boot impatiently. She looked like she wanted to jump down and slaughter that horde. "Now I know I can become Queen. Maybe not of vampires yet, but one must start somewhere! Holy City wasn't built in a day" She laughed.
Crazy! Absolutely crazy! Maybe forty monsters below, each from level [15] to [25], waiting for some poor soul, and she laughed like a psychiatric patient. I couldn't believe her stupidity.
"You're insane, girl!" I snapped, my second head nodding oddly. "Nothing awaits you down there but senseless death. You can still escape — turn into mist"
"You know, Artax" she started, her sword enveloped in mist, filled with her aura "Sometimes you have to be a little crazy! Fortune favors the bold"
Her optimism was overwhelming. I was speechless. She knew perfectly well she wouldn't get out of this unscathed! If it were that easy, Hakku would have killed the boss himself…
"How could someone like that become Queen of the Goblins!?"