The following dawn was thick with smoke and rumors.
Not far from the village César had destroyed, a small and desolate camp of surviving Pigmen had gathered—those who had never submitted to the tyrant Pigman and had refused to accept his so-called divine gift.
These survivors had regrouped from different Pigman clans and chosen a new leader among themselves.
The wounded and exhausted Pigmen argued in low growls and sharp gestures. Some were furious, others afraid—but they all understood one thing:
The little goblin and his army had accomplished what they themselves never could.
They had won.
And because of that, no one could ignore their power—even if it came from a race they had always despised.
"The evil Pigman… has fallen!" one roared, though his voice trembled. "I heard the main reason was that many of his allies mysteriously disappeared… but even so, that goblin proved powerful. They use mana—something only lycanthropes and dark elves could control. And they wield a new power never seen before!"
Another muttered uneasily, "What if that goblin doesn't stop? What if he becomes another tyrant? We won't be able to stop him… that power is… different."
The air grew tense.
Many of them had escaped the Evil Pigman's rule. They had resisted his reign, rejecting the system of monstrous crystals. When they noticed the absence of many warriors, they had prepared to strike as well—but when the goblins attacked, they chose to wait.
And now, just as freedom seemed possible, one tyrant had fallen…
But another unknown force had appeared.
The old tyrant relied on monstrous crystals.
This goblin possessed something else.
That energy they called Aura.
Another strange power system.
Some had already begun considering surrender.
From among them stepped an older Pigman—their current leader. His body was marked with deep scars, one eye permanently damaged. Yet despite that, his imposing figure radiated authority. His gaze was cold and calculating.
"Listen!" he said, his voice rough but firm. "We don't know if he's our enemy. But he could be an ally. After all… he defeated the tyrant. While you see fear, I see possibility."
A murmur spread through the group.
Some frowned.
Others lowered their heads in thought.
"Are you suggesting we join him?" a young Pigman shouted, disbelief clear in his voice.
The older leader nodded slowly.
"Yes. That goblin—no, those goblins—are not ordinary. Their power… is different. It does not carry that disgusting energy the evil Pigmen released. If we join them, perhaps we can become part of something greater."
He paused, letting the words sink in. Many were already considering it. They were too worn down to keep fighting.
"My scouts reported that their base is not far from here. And among them… are murlocs."
The name caused visible tension.
Kneeling before goblins was already humiliating.
Standing beside murlocs?
Unthinkable.
But it also proved something—they accepted vassals.
Normally, they would never even consider surrendering to another race—much less goblins.
Their history taught them that surrender was shameful. That they must never submit to another race.
But their situation was dire.
Fear—and the logic of survival—began to outweigh pride.
That very night, a small group of surviving Pigmen approached César's settlement.
They walked cautiously. Their weapons were hidden, but their intentions were clear.
César watched them carefully, wondering what they wanted. He knew they did not belong to the evil Pigmen—none bore monstrous crystals.
He sat calmly on a stone by the river. Though he was not fully recovered, he had regained enough strength.
Luna stood nearby, her sharp gaze studying the newcomers. She had already scolded her son harshly after discovering he had infiltrated the enemy alone.
Asia, the second strongest in the clan, remained slightly behind—silent but alert.
"So," César said, a faint smile forming on his lips, "you asked to meet me. What is it you seek?"
The older Pigman stepped forward.
"We seek…" He hesitated. "We wish to join you."
The Pigmen behind him lowered their heads slightly. Some were clearly ashamed to even say it.
César crossed his arms and studied them one by one.
He could feel it.
Some were desperate.
Some pragmatic.
Some… ambitious.
Interesting, he thought. They're not broken. Just cautious.
César could not truly trust them—but once they joined, he could "persuade" them into obedience. Their numbers were small; they would not pose a real threat.
So he accepted easily.
"Very well," César said at last. "But understand this: if you harbor a second intention, there will be no mercy."
Though his words sounded severe, they were empty. He had already decided to control them.
The Pigman leader's gaze sharpened, but he did not dare argue.
"You will obey my orders to the letter. If you are willing, you will become part of my clan. And if you betray me…" His voice lowered slightly. "There will be no forgiveness."
Silence fell heavily.
The Pigmen exchanged glances.
Then, one by one, they nodded.
The decision was made.
Luna stepped forward, standing beside her son. Her presence radiated calm authority.
"There will also be benefits," she said firmly. "If you investigated our battle, you should know we control a new power."
At that, the Pigmen's eyes lit up. Aura seemed far more tempting to them than monstrous crystals—even more than mana.
César smiled slightly. He had expected this.
"You will learn to control Aura."
The Pigmen stiffened at the word, but none spoke. The excitement in their eyes was obvious.
The older leader bent slightly—not fully kneeling, but lowering his head.
"Understood. We are prepared to follow you… sir."
César allowed himself a small smile, ignoring the incomplete bow. He would correct that later.
Today had been a good day.
Not only had he obtained the magical fruit that would grant him a powerful army—
The Pigmen who once suffered under tyranny had chosen to submit to him.
And in that moment, the foundation of something greater solidified.
This was no longer just a goblin settlement.
It was becoming something more.
Something that would one day shake the continent.