92. And for the Goblins
April 25th.
“Come on, let’s go!”
“Yep!”
“Let’s go!”
The Giant Goblins moved forward in unison. The ground was dug evenly, and furrows were completed in an instant. After half a day of farmland clearing work, the prepared farmland alone exceeded 3,000 pyeong. A rice paddy field was constructed outside the fortress walls, allowing for a very large crop yield. Of course, there was a consequent risk.
“Lord, Gruggles appeared in the east forest!”
“Everybody, stop!”
Ko Byeong-gap stopped the Goblins and looked back at the guard who ran to report.
“Gruggles? How many are there?”
“I’m trying to figure it out, but I think it’s about fifty or sixty.”
“Fifty or sixty…”
He was gloomy.
“Did you report to Doran?”
“Oh! I told the Lord first…”
“Hey, Hob friend.”
“Yep!”
“I told you last time. Report to Doran first about security. She’s the captain of the guard.”
“Oh, yes…”
“Go back and ask Doran. Should we bring in the personnel outside the fortress walls, or just let them work? Come back when you hear the answer.”
“Ah, I see!”
The guy hurriedly ran away. Ko Byeong-gap sighed a little.
“I want to see Gobung.”
“Lord, what are we going to do?”
“What do you mean what are we going to do? We have to plant all of these by the end of the day. Let’s stop fooling around and finish what we’ve been doing.”
“Yes!”
The dozens of Goblins continued planting in the furrows. Ko Byeong-gap went around to show them how to do it or demonstrated it himself. The guard he sent back earlier came back to him. He stretched his back for a moment and asked.
“What did Doran say? Did she say to get back inside?”
The guard replied with hesitation.
“The captain of the guard said she’d take care of it, so the Lord has nothing to worry about.”
Only then did Ko Byeong-gap smile with satisfaction.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
May 13th.
New family members came to Ashvilam. They weren’t human, but that didn’t mean they were Goblins either.
“Me-e-eh.”
“Moooo.”
“Kuckoo!”
They were livestock, about 500 cows, goats, and chickens altogether.
“Where did you get all these animals, Lord?”
“Where did I get them? I paid for everything. In the world I live in, there is nothing that money can’t buy.”
Ko Byeong-gap made a coin shape with his thumb and index finger. The livestock entered the cages under the guidance of the Beast Goblins. He selected about 50 people to oversee raising livestock, giving them special lectures on making fodder, feed, and manure.
“From now on, you’ll take responsibility for the livestock. I spent a lot of money buying these guys.”
“Yep! We’ll do our best!”
“Okay.”
Ko Byeong-gap glanced at the caged livestock and smacked his lips. He felt like something was missing.
“How many dogs should I bring in?”
The next day, Ko Byeong-gap brought ten mixed-breed dogs from the market in Ashvilam.
May 26th.
“Oh, Gobung, Gobung, Gobung. Long-time no see.”
“Gasp, gasp. Lord… Lord!”
Gobung opened the door, panting. He came running when he heard that the Lord had arrived while he was working.
“What brings you here without warning?”
“What do you mean? When did I ever do that?”
“Oh… I just thought so…”
“Never mind, take this.”
Ko Byeong-gap handed over a box. Gobung looked at it with a question mark forming over his head.
“Eh, what’s this?”
“Can’t you tell when you’re looking right at it? It’s a puppy.”
“But why would you…?”
“Ah, it’s a gift. Just raise it and play with it.”
Gobung’s reaction showed that he didn’t understand it at all. Ko Byeong-gap presented a miraculous logic to him, saying, ‘Dogs are cute and loyal, so living with them will make you feel better.’
“It’s boring to only work with a pickaxe in the mountains. I’m telling you to cheer up by looking at this puppy.”
When he said so, Gobung looked very moved.
“Thank you! I’ll keep it forever!”
“What do you mean forever? Anyway, how are you doing these days?”
“Hehe, how we’re doing? Everyone is doing well.”
Ko Byeong-gap sat face to face with Gobung and caught up on their backlog of conversations. Whenever he came to Somnium, he realized how much he liked the place and felt an unknowable warm feeling.
“Is there anything you need or lack?”
“We’re fine! Nothing at all.”
“Really? I did see earlier that everything’s fine. The kids look healthy.”
“That’s right.”
“What about the new ones?”
Ko Byeong-gap asked the question, recalling the King Goblins he sent to Somnium.
“Well, everyone seems to have adjusted well. They take the lead in their work and are hard-working and smarter than the rest of our kind, so it helps a lot.”
“That’s a relief. Are you learning how to write?”
“Yes! Before lunch, we all get together to study writing. Everyone enjoys studying.”
Gobung spoke proudly. The corners of Ko Byeong-gap’s lips rose unbidden. He took a cigarette from his pocket, put it into his mouth, and exhaled smoke.
“Whoa, you’re doing great on your own. You don’t need me anymore.”
“I… Lord.”
“Oh, what?”
“Why do you sound like you’re leaving all of a sudden? I got a little scared.”
Gobung’s voice held obvious concern. Ko Byeong-gap stared at him for a few seconds and smirked.
“Ah, there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be with you for a long time.”
“Phew…”
“But I do have to leave one day.”
Gobung’s expression quickly grew solemn. Ko Byeong-gap couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hey, Gobung. It’s harsh, but I can’t be here for you forever. Because I have a life outside.”
“You’re right.”
“I don’t know when, but when my mom leaves the hospital, I’ll go down to the quiet countryside and live with her. I’m quitting my job as a hunter. If there’s a nice girl out there, I could get married and have a small garden. Don’t you think that’s okay?”
“Yes…”
Gobung nodded soullessly. He then suddenly looked at Ko Byeong-gap and spoke.
“If the queen gets better, can’t you both come to Ashvilam and live with us together?”
“Tsk, tsk. Hey, it would be nice if my mom didn’t pass out once she sees you guys.”
“Oh…”
“Don’t be so sad. Even if it’s not as often as it is now, I can come and hang out sometimes.”
After a moment of hesitation, Gobung smiled brightly and nodded.
“Yes! I’m fine with that!”
“Oh, and in six days, we’ll have a feast in Valtadren. You guys come too.”
“A feast?”
“It’s not much. It’s June now, so let’s take a few days off and take a break while eating something delicious. You’ve all been running nonstop, right?”
“I think the Lord worked the hardest.”
“Alright, dude. What did I do?”
“No! If it weren’t for Lord, we’d never have made it this far!”
“Huh… you’re good at talking.”
He usually heard a lot of slurring from him, but he was better now for some reason.
“Anyway, I’ll pick you up in five days. Be ready to leave by then.”
“Yeah! I’ll make sure to remember.”
Ko Byeong-gap, who spent some time in Somnium, left at sunset. As he passed through the dark streets with his old car, he suddenly remembered what Gobung said earlier.
‘Living in Ashvilam with my mother? Well, that doesn’t sound bad either.’
It had the best air and water. He was sure that his mom, who liked the countryside, would be satisfied there. If there was one thing left, wouldn’t it be finding a wife?
‘Hm, I’m just going to have to live with a Goblin wife. We could raise Doran together… phew, I’m crazy. What am I thinking?’
He entertained the silly thought for about five seconds and laughed it off. No matter how hard he thought about it, to have a Goblin wife would be too much.
[Active Note: MYBOYSUS]
***
Six days passed and June dawned. The Goblins busily prepared for the feast as informed in advance. The busiest one was Ea. She oversaw the kitchen, so she woke early in the morning and cooked all kinds of dishes. The Goblins from Somnium were like hillbillies in Seoul. They were fascinated by the power of Valtadren.
Anyway, the Goblins helped each other create a festive atmosphere. Of course, Ko Byeong-gap just opened his wallet today.
“Boss, can I leave them here?”
“Yes, yes, please drop everything there.”
“Oh, is there a festival or something?”
“Haha… well.”
4,000 pints of 1.5-liter beverages. 4,000 cans of 500 mill beer. 300 pizzas, 400 chickens, and 250 plates of jokbal. All in all, it was a little less than 3 million won.
‘Being on the throne is expensive.’
In the past, when Ashvilam’s family was less than 100 people, a few pounds of pork was enough…Ko Byeong-gap missed that time.
The day went on, and it became evening.
“Hey!”
“Hyak!”
The Goblins sat around and ate their food. Then, they sang and danced. Everyone’s face turned red after a few cans of beer, but he was glad they weren’t any accidents.
“Phew, they’ve all been drinking for a while.”
“Lord, you’re here.”
“Oh, Dorma?”
As he was about to smoke a cigarette in the corner, Dorma approached him. Unlike the little guys who got drunk on a few cans of beer, Dorma was fine.
“Did you eat a lot?”
“Yes, I’ve had enough. But how can you stay here alone?”
“I just came out to get some fresh air. And you?”
“Heheh, I left because I didn’t like the noise much.”
“Really? Don’t stand there and sit here.”
“Yes.”
A smile spread across Dorma’s face. He stared at the noisy room and muttered.
“It’s been a long time since we had a party like this altogether.”
“Right. In the past, we often had time like this.”
“You’re talking about when you were in Somnium?”
Dorma sighed.
“When I look back in time, the days that have passed are like a dream.”
“Hm?”
“I’m so glad I got to meet you, Lord.”
“Hey, hey. You’re going to say something cheesy, so that’s fine. It’s disgusting for guys.”
“I’m sorry.”
Dorma and Ko Byeong-gap laughed.
“Oh! Looooord! Lord!”
Suddenly, something came limping up in the distance. On closer inspection, it was Doran.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“She has been drinking the beer Lord gave us. I think she’s drunk.”
“Lord, why are you here? Play with us!”
Doran tripped and collapsed in Ko Byeong-gap’s arms. He clicked his tongue.
“Hehehe! I fell.”
“I have a headache whenever I see you. Doran, what should I do with you?”
“Why does the Lord always say those things to me? I’m disappointed…”
“What? Disappointed?”
“Lord is really bad. I like Lord… hmm?”
“Dorma, I can’t do this. Take her and put her to bed.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Ugly fool, go! Get out of here!”
Doran growled like a wild cat and dug herself into Ko Byeong-gap’s arms. Dorma looked his way, asking him what to do. Ko Byeong-gap sighed and hugged Doran.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Come on, what are you sorry for?”
“Lord, let’s play together.”
“…Should I just throw her off the walls?”
“In that state, she could still easily kill a hundred Gruggles and then climb up the fortress wall.”
“I’m sure.”
Ko Byeong-gap took up Doran and headed to her residence. They moved from the hustle and bustle of the feast and entered the residential area. He opened the door and went inside. Someone must’ve left the light on since it was bright.
“Why are you here?”
“Oh, Lord.”
It was Marilyn, and she was sitting alone in the empty house.
“What brings you here?”
“Because she’s so drunk, I brought her to put her to sleep.”
“Oh! Sorry, I’m sorry. I should have taken care of her. Please hand her over to me.”
“Lady, get your hands off me!”
“Eh, lady?!”
“Hmm…”
“Leave it. I’ll do it.”
Ko Byeong-gap laid Doran on her bed after many twists and turns. She fell asleep as soon as her head met the bed. Marilyn kept saying she was sorry.
“By the way, what are you doing here? Did you eat?”
“Yes, I’ve had enough.”
“Why don’t you go out and have fun? Why are you stuck in your room like this?”
“Oh… I’m fine.”
Marilyn glossed over his concern. Ko Byeong-gap nodded as if he understood.
“You’re in the Dorma department, aren’t you?”
“What? What do you mean?”
“It’s nothing. Anyway, I’ll be resting for the next few days, so make sure you get some rest too.”
“Yes, sir. May Lord rest in peace.”
Ko Byeong-gap waved his hand to answer and grabbed the doorknob. Suddenly, Marilyn called him from behind.
“Excuse me… Lord!”
“Oh, yes?”
She hesitated for a while and watched him quietly, trying to say something.
“That… that’s what I told you before.”
“What did you say?”
“Going to the Holy Land of Vervonia. I’d like to tell you something else about it—!”
“Oh, don’t worry.”
Ko Byeong-gap answered, cutting her words off.
“I was going to go soon. Valtadren stabilized faster than I thought. Let’s go as soon as the party is over.”
“Well, I’d like to tell you…”
“Hey, we’re not old men. Let’s not talk about work when we have a day off. Okay?”
“Oh, yes. I see.”
Ko Byeong-gap suddenly looked back and smiled brightly as he left the front door.
“Take a good rest, Marilyn. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“…”
The feast, which was full of laughter, came to an end on the third day. Somnium’s Goblins returned to their original positions, and Valtadren returned to its usual routine. Five days passed.
Ko Byeong-gap, Marilyn, and Dorma went on a long journey.
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