Chapter 24: Goblin Politics and Unexpected Allies
The moment Hiroto and his group entered Valerion, the capital's myriad scents captivated them. The tantalizing aroma of grilled meats, exotic spices, and sweet pastries wafted through the air. Riku's feline ears perked up instantly, his whiskered face glowing with an insatiable hunger. "Food!" he practically sang, darting off like a child spotting a candy store.
"Riku, wait up!" Hiroto called, though his words were lost as the feline disappeared among a flurry of stalls and the sea of city-goers.
Luna, her silver hair reflecting the sunlight, chuckled lightly, "I did warn you about city adventures with him. His culinary desires know no bounds."
Before Hiroto could respond, a figure approached them, the crest of Valerion's Council embroidered on his robe. "The Council wishes to meet the 'Human Goblin King,'" he said, offering a curt nod to the gathering of goblins trailing behind Hiroto.
Hiroto's mind raced back to his previous encounter with the Council. The laughter, the ridicules, the not-so-subtle jabs. The memory of being perceived as a mere oddity was fresh. But now? With a dedicated goblin entourage and the whispers of his feats echoing in many ears, Hiroto felt a different kind of energy coursing through him.
Inside the grand council chamber, debates ensued. "A human ruling goblins? Preposterous!" an elderly councilwoman said, her voice dripping with disdain.
Another member, younger and more open-minded, retorted, "His achievements speak louder than our prejudices."
The bickering intensified when a gentle, whimsical voice intervened. All eyes turned to the fluttering fairy leader, her wings shimmering like a mirage. "The boy has the essence of both worlds, a rare blend," she spoke in her characteristic playful tone. Beside her, an imposing Orc Chieftain cleared his throat, recalling a past encounter with Hiroto that had altered the course of a crucial battle.
The Council, after a heated discussion, came to a consensus. Hiroto would undergo the trials—both grueling and goofy—to prove his worth.
Meanwhile, Riku was on a gastronomic adventure of his own, narrating tales of each dish he sampled. "This pie," he exclaimed, taking a generous bite of a creamy pastry, "sealed a peace treaty between two feuding bakeries!"
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Luna pulled Hiroto aside for a quiet walk. Their footsteps echoed on the cobblestone path as she recounted tales of past leaders, their victories, follies, and moments of humanity. In the midst of their heart-to-heart, Luna, in a burst of spontaneity, attempted to teach Hiroto some dance steps. The sight of him tripping over his feet left both in fits of laughter.
With the night blanketing the city, the group set up camp near the outskirts. The evening was filled with laughter and camaraderie: goblins clumsily imitating Hiroto's dance moves, Luna's melodic tunes, and Riku's elaborate tales of his culinary escapades.
Underneath the star-studded sky, Hiroto lay down, surrounded by his motley crew, eagerly awaiting the trials and tribulations the new dawn would bring.