Standing atop the city's walls, I turned my gazed across the plains to the Green Forest where countless monsters reside. Currently, thousands of these monster, weaker on the food chain are spilling out between the trees, driven by hunger towards the city behind the walls. On our side is a never ending stream of little figures rushing out the gates to face off against the monsters. The sound of metals clashing resound as a colourful display of spells flies toward the enemies. Explosions charred the earth black as both sides die in droves.
That is not a problem however. The little figures on our side has green skin, short height, slight hunch and a slightly disfigured skull. They are goblins known for their inexhaustible population. That is not to say it's okay for my kin to die. While low level goblins are difficult to distinguish, if you look closely you will realise that the same dozens of individuals are repeatedly rushing out the gates. The corpse dyeing the battlefield belongs only to the beasts from the forest. Even though they are dying they never truly die.
These unkillable kinsmen are Wanderers. Humans from another dimension, invited by the Creators to our world. They possess bodies crafted by the Gods, avatars that they can control with their consciousness so they will not face any danger from this world. Dying results in their body being reconstructed in a Church at the cost of some strength, but with their accelerated growth, it is something that is regained by slaying a few monsters. And even though their bodies are brutally torn apart, they show no pain and only excitement, they must be able to adjust the sensory intake from their consciousness. What an enviable constitution. Are the Gods and Creators trying to make supersoldiers? The world is changing real fast huh.
Right now there are about a hundred wanderers standing on the battlefield. The warriors at the front are dying constantly but they were always able to replace the gap in formation quickly and continue fighting. They show fearsome coordination that belies their race and stature, mostly attributed to one goblin shouting in their midst. The archers, mages and healers are standing on the wall to reinforce the front line, bombing areas where monsters concentrate and sniping troublesome enemies before they engage. Though I say healers there is actually only one healer on this wall, but she shows surprising proficiency that made me think there were more. Then if any monsters leak through an expert hunter from the city will take them down, and that sums up the impenetrable formation we currently possess.
Casualty rate: zero. Injuries: none. Damage to city: zilch.
How envious~ , so convenient~, those wanderers~. Haaah, it'll be over soon. Was there any point in coming here?
"Lord Aruk, a message from the King to open the Academy."
"Ho, Finally about time." The gloom away from me as I stand up brushing my robes. "We will be turning my residence into the Academy."
"Yes."
"And it's quite late already so send the enrolment… if you can call it that, to the wanderers tomorrow."
"Understood."
I stepped down from the wall as I confirmed the end of the stampede, walking down the streets full of pristine houses made of wood and stone. They look simple but clean and neat, showing off the dextrous hands that built them. Shops and stalls can be seen selling a variety of products buried in green figures of varying size, bustling around the streets as if the battle outside was all a lie. It wasn't a huge event anyways, it happens once a year and occasionally more due to hunger and territorial disputes. Every goblin in this city had once lived through the environment as a wild goblin. Even if the monsters break through the wall, everyone can easily hold their own.
I continued to weave through the noisy group of goblins as they thin out the closer I reach to the center of the city. This is the oldest part of the city and where some important facilities can be found, like the library I manage. A bit further from the library is my place of residence, an old two-floor building and a courtyard, and even further is the royal castle.
While my home is also made of wood and stones it looks more sophisticated than the ones before. You can tell by the nature blending into the design and a wide balcony on the second floor off to the side. Unfortunately the nature will have to be flattened to turn the courtyard into a training field. We can use the one in the city but it is closer to the gates than here, so it's more convenient to have one close by. The terrace is good for some tea but I will probably use it as an elevation for target practice. Ah, might as well connect it to the roof, need to reinforce it too.
As I was happily refurnishing the academy, I came to face with the bare-bodied interior. It was fine when I lived alone but an academy should be furnished.
…I'll leave that for later. For now, it needs to be practical.
The next day.
Noon.
I am standing in front of the new academy, greeting the entrees. Too excited while thinking up the curriculum, I found myself brainstorming through the entire night and early morning, only to snap out after the same messenger from yesterday came. He was making a really awkward face when he reported that all goblin wanderers were contacted and has accepted enrolment. It is good news that everyone would join the academy, but he was awfully shifty. Now I understand, since the grand total of goblin wanderers, as of today, now, is 4.
Thinking about my useless and idiotic enthusiasm last night, my vision blacked out.
Then recovered.
I just thought of something good.
… Operation Supersoldiers, Online.
Gwehehehe.