Chapter 52: The Bearer of the Sacred Stick II
Kael watched the scene for several seconds.
Then he looked back at the dog.
Then at the cat.
And again at the dog.
Finally, he let out a long sigh.
"No...
I’m not going to ask how you did it."
The Fat King closed his eyes with absolute tranquility.
As if that had always been the plan.
Sir Dogerino trotted happily along the path, completely convinced that this new way of playing was fantastic.
Every few meters he would drop the stick in front of Kael.
Wait a few seconds.
Kael would throw it.
The dog would run excitedly.
And the Fat King would enjoy the ride without moving a single paw.
"You’re an evil genius..."
"Meow."
"That wasn’t a compliment."
The cat pretended not to hear him.
After several minutes, Kael ended up accepting that it was impossible to separate those two.
Every time he tried to lower the Fat King, Sir Dogerino would immediately come back close so he could get on again.
He even seemed proud.
As if transporting the cat were a mission of enormous importance.
Kael began to suspect something.
"..."
"Isn’t it that you also think you’re a knight?"
Sir Dogerino proudly lifted his head.
"Woof!"
"That was a yes, wasn’t it?"
The dog wagged his tail.
The Fat King let out a small meow full of satisfaction.
"Meow."
Kael shook his head.
"One is too noble.
The other too lazy.
And for some reason, they make a good team."
They continued advancing along the path.
The forest began to grow thicker.
The enormous trees slowly hid the sunlight.
The voices from the main road disappeared.
Only the sound of leaves moved by the wind remained.
Kael took out the guild parchment again.
"Let’s see...
Goblin colony.
East of the old forest.
They shouldn’t exceed a dozen."
He looked up.
"I hope that, for once, the information is correct."
The Fat King opened just one eye.
As if saying:
"That never happens."
Kael decided to ignore him.
He didn’t want to jinx the mission.
Not yet.
Sir Dogerino kept walking with an almost ridiculous elegance.
Even carrying the Fat King on top, he seemed to maintain an impeccable posture.
The stick remained firmly held between his teeth.
Every time Kael looked at him, the dog lifted his head a little higher.
Proud.
As if he wanted to prove that he could perfectly fulfill both tasks.
The cat, on the other hand...
Was already asleep again.
"Incredible...
He got himself a personal ride and now he’s sleeping too."
"Meow..."
"Don’t answer me while you’re asleep."
The path slowly began to descend.
The roots protruding from the ground formed natural steps.
Kael advanced carefully.
That forest was known for hiding small groups of weak monsters.
Nothing especially dangerous.
But a careless mistake could end pretty badly.
Suddenly...
Sir Dogerino stopped wagging his tail.
He stopped.
His ears perked up.
He sniffed the air several times.
The Fat King opened both eyes.
Woke up immediately.
Without a trace of sleepiness.
Kael felt a chill.
He already knew that reaction.
It always meant the same thing.
Trouble.
"What’s wrong?"
The dog let out a small growl.
Very low.
It was the first time Kael had heard him make a sound like that.
The Fat King didn’t look relaxed either.
He remained lying on the dog’s back.
But his eyes slowly scanned the forest.
Analyzing every corner.
Kael swallowed.
"I don’t like that either."
A noise.
Among the bushes.
Another.
Then several more.
Kael instinctively brought his hand to the handle of his weapon.
Silence.
Everything went completely still again.
Too still.
Not even birds could be heard.
Sir Dogerino slowly lowered the stick to the ground.
His posture changed completely.
He no longer looked like a playful puppy.
Now he gave the impression of being a true guardian.
The Fat King calmly descended from his improvised transport.
Landed softly.
Shook a paw.
And walked a few steps forward.
"Meow?"
He didn’t sound confused.
He sounded... curious.
Kael followed his gaze.
He pushed aside some huge branches.
And then he saw it.
A giant clearing.
Much bigger than what the map indicated.
Makeshift houses.
Watchtowers.
Campfires.
Weapons.
Dozens...
No.
Hundreds of goblins moved back and forth.
Some trained.
Others carried boxes.
Several watched the surroundings.
In the center of the camp stood a stone structure built over ancient ruins.
And in front of it...
A creature almost three meters tall watched the place with his arms crossed.
His skin was darker than a normal goblin’s.
He wore armor made from monster remains.
He carried a huge club resting on one shoulder.
He didn’t look like a simple colony chief.
He looked like a commander.
Kael slowly lowered the parchment.
Read it again.
"Small goblin colony."
He looked at the camp again.
Then back at the parchment.
"..."
"I’m going to kill the guild employee."
Sir Dogerino tilted his head slightly.
As if he didn’t understand the problem.
Kael pointed at the clearing.
"That’s not a colony!
That looks like a city!"
The Fat King looked at the enormous camp.
Then at the parchment.
Back at the camp.
And let out a meow that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
"Meow."
"Don’t mock me.
This isn’t funny."
The cat meowed again.
Clearly, he did find it funny.
Kael took a deep breath.
"Alright...
Let’s think.
We can go back.
Report to the guild.
Let them send higher-ranked adventurers.
No one is forcing us to—"
A huge explosion interrupted his thoughts.
BOOOOOOM!
The entire ground shook.
The three looked up.
In the center of the camp, the gigantic goblin had just crushed an enormous rock with a single blow.
The other monsters roared in celebration.
Kael felt a drop of sweat slowly run down his forehead.
"..."
"Definitely...
That wasn’t on the report either."
Sir Dogerino began to slowly wag his tail.
But this time it wasn’t out of happiness.
He looked excited.
As if he had found a new challenge.
The Fat King, on the other hand, simply climbed back onto the dog’s back.
Settled comfortably.
And closed his eyes.
"You’re seriously going to sleep now!?"
"Meow..."
"Don’t answer me with such a relaxed meow!"
Kael looked back at the camp.
There were too many enemies.
Many more than a novice adventurer could handle.
And yet...
Something didn’t quite convince him.
Why would such a force remain hidden so close to the city?
Why did the guild know nothing?
Why did they seem so organized?
Then...
The enormous goblin slowly lifted his head.
His yellow eyes turned exactly toward the bushes where they were hiding.
He smiled.
A slow smile.
Cruel.
As if he had known all along that they were there.
Kael felt his stomach shrink.
"..."
"I think...
I think they spotted us."
The gigantic goblin raised his enormous club.
And pointed directly at them.
A deafening roar shook the entire forest.
Instantly...
Hundreds of eyes turned toward Kael’s position.
Silence lasted only a second.
Then the entire camp began to move.
"..."
Kael swallowed.
"I think this mission just went up about ten ranks."
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