"You killed him?" I struggled to believe Grer's words, but I knew well his personality; he cannot lie.
A brief silence resounds our thoughts, and the only audio that we can hear were the footprints approaching a designated location. There are no birds in the vicinity. It was just us, humans and goblins, roaming around towards their camp.
"We did." He said while glancing back from the rear, trying to recall what had happened back there. "We did not want to die, so Izz and I desperately faced him upfront. Before we knew it, I landed a hit on his chest and head."
"I took care of the rest," Izz joins in our conversation with a worried expression painted on her face. "Because we are so afraid of death."
"Death" I repeated.
Not too long ago, I embraced this possibility of ending my life together with my problems. However, reincarnated as a malodorous sprite by a peculiar deity from above, I had been lucky enough to receive a second chance to make my life anew. It was also a chance to reunite myself with my deceased family, says the old geezer who threw me here in the forest.
"You did well, both of you." My two hands find its way on top of their head as I rummage their unruly hair. A hideous but warm grin escapes from their face as I continue to rub the palm of my hands on their foreheads.
"I will make the most of my life," I grumble to myself while pumping my chest and instil confidence in my heart.
After a few more minutes of walking on the road, we finally arrived at the temporary base designed by the otherworldly humans.
Their bivouac comprises tents made of polyester similar to what I had back in my world. They also have hanging poultries and vegetables at the centre where the campfire roasts their meals. At each end of the base are scouts stationed at various places, alerting the nearby troops to defend their grounds.
A scout saw us coming and ordered everyone to stay wary. But with the presence of the leader himself guiding us on the way, the tension gradually decreases.
"Welcome, sire!" A female scout slides over from the summit of the tree. She brushes off the branches and leaves covering her body and abruptly kneels before the captain.
"Any worthy information you can share?" The old-man evenly said while gazing around the quiet yet busy encampment.
"None, sire!" The girl said. "However, we witnessed explosions and arcane frequency from afar. The battle must have been your doings, commander."
"It was." The graybeard quickly replied as he took off his armour on the nearby log.
"By the way," The captain added while waving his hands to the three of us. "These are my guests. They are not hostile or dangerous. Opposite to what you might expect, they are more of a human than we think."
His words were a compliment for our conditions. After all, we are just wandering sprites who had to save the prominent yet confined people.
"Your kind words are a waste for us, your highness," I utter while gently resting my fist on my heart as a sign of courtesy to a high rank noble or king.
All the guards watching the scene raise their brows simultaneously. They cannot believe a goblin myself knows chivalry and well-mannered behaviour.
The two of my comrades does the same as they each introduce themselves to the surrounding people.
"My name Izz. I am a female goblin, loyal to my comrade, Grer and Brother."
"My name is Grer, a male goblin. I am loyal to my friends, Izz and my brother."
"We humbly desire to coincide in peace with your platoon. We also wish to form a treaty to your group, your highness, and remain this tranquil engagement between our groups."
After hearing my thoughts, the aged man raises his brow, confused at a particular thing I have yet to say.
"What is your name?"
Lost in thought, I stare at the man before me, waiting patiently at a response that I have to make. Cold sweat runs through my skin as I wonder for the name I will use living in this uncharted world.
"Our king asked you a question, you foul creature!" One of the impatient guards aims the edge of his bastard sword and simultaneously prepares a smell aimed at our direction.
"Not again," I can hear Markus whisper while casting yet another arcane.
However, with a flick of a finger once more, the magic activates no more together with his agitation.
"Do you want me to relieve you from your post?" Annoyed, the king vanishes from our sight and teleports behind the maddened serviceman. With a blade angled at his neck, the soldier who threatened us stood still motionless in fright.
"I apologise for my actions, your majesty." The man pleaded with his life, accompanied by the salty tears raining from his eyes.
"Good." A single sentence was enough to confirm his life, as the king sheaths his dagger back from his scabbard.
He then looks at me in the eyes, telling me that his question has yet received an answer. At long last, I made up my mind and disclosed everyone my present name.
"You can call me Lake. Lake White." I wanted my cognomen akin to my actual name from my previous world. I added white as my last name only because it sounded cool.
"Lake White?" The old king asks once more, confirming what I had told.
"Yes, my eminence." I signal my friends to bow their heads with me as gratitude to the royal man at our fore.
With an eager face of satisfaction, the man pivots and heads straight to the campfire. "Come join us for our meal." He said, inviting us to repose for the rest of the eerie night.
By the time we arrive at the campfire, we notice a variety of cuisine lay on broad leaves. A mixture of herbs, berries, and fresh scarlet flesh greets our eyes with our watery mouths. As a goblin who has yet eaten anything for a long time, I ponder what the food would taste like as soon as it reaches my tongue.
"So, you're called Lake?" A feminine, youthful voice resounds behind my ear and asks me an abrupt question.
"Aye, milady," I replied to the voice while shifting my gears and met her eyes, staring eagerly at my figure.
She shuffles her way and sits beside me while taking some reserved quality of food to her liking.
"Please, enough with the formalities." The princess utters while pouring the mushroom soup inside her gaped mouth. "I am Therese Windsor. My mother's name is Clare Windsor."
She lifts her hand together with the bowl and points at the appearance of her mother conversing with the king. They must have been a busy and lovely family, with the king getting involved personally in this kidnapping scene.
I wanted to know the story behind the abduction of these two prominent ladies, but I am afraid I cannot ask for their situation for the time being.
"My father, Markus Windsor, is over there. I have disappointed him that her daughter could not defend herself amidst the chaos." She said and snivelled while curling her knees like a threatened armadillo. Her tears slowly slide down on her face and turn her cheeks into a colour akin to a Bella rose.
My hand ineluctably reaches for her eyelids and wipes the rest of the raining salty tears. To her surprise, she opens her globes and sees my worried look written on the freckles of my forehead.
"It was not your fault, your highness, and you did well for a princess," I said in the sincerest way that I can. We both gaze on each other's eyes for five seconds straight, unsure of what to do.
Flustered by the event, the princess hurriedly averts her stare and resumes back in eating her unfinished meal. Without even tasting the rest of her dish, she stands up from her post and leaves the fray.
"Thank you," She stops in her tracks and glances back to me one last time. "I will remember your kind words." and finally leaves.
Nothing much had happened afterwards as I consumed my last piece of meat on my hands. Grer and Izz did not hide their hunger as they unlawfully digested the leftovers on the plates. The surrounding soldiers share the same amazement in their eyes as they watch my two friends devour the meat.
Suddenly, a shadow figure catches my interest between the sea of trees. From there, I spot a familiar armour clad in silver and gold standing at the top of the hill.
"I will be right back in a second," I said, and steadily stride over to the place and meet with the king.
The scenery changes as I enter the outside field of the woods. My mind feels in reverence as I unravel the glittering stars and the starry night.
"Who told you to come?" The old man said without batting an eye to my existence.
Before answering his crude query, I march towards his flank and gaze at the same stars his eyes linked to.
"You did," I simply answered without restraint while still staring at the wonderful night sky.
Searching through far and wide, I notice a group of houses and forth stationed from a distance. Lights are swirling through from here and there, showing that the world surrounding me is alive. Markus beside me points his forefinger to the same direction and turns his face towards me with a barren expression.
"I am the king of that kingdom," He stated while altering his directing hands from before on my stiff shoulder.
"I am willing to invite you there to my homeland."