From up close or a distance. Whatever angle it was observed from, my crafted katana looked sharp and dangerous with the curved bladed type edge.
However, only I knew that this katana in reality was as blunt as would be an abandoned knife.
They do not know that, they don't have to know that. Right now, the truth can only be what it is I want them to see.
From the looks on their faces and how they immediately obeyed, they care about the life of this person.
"Look. I understand why you would make haste to attack me seeing as how I killed your distant brother over there".
If they are of the same race but from different species, that would make them distant relatives. Does it not?!
"Look here. Right now, I am going to drop my weapon and free your comrade to show I mean you all no harm, alright".
The goal had never been to win. Well, it is, but winning here can be interpreted in varying forms.
It can also be considered a win if I get them to submit, make peace with me and we all go home happy.
Slowly, I retracted the dagger from his neck, placed it on the ground and freed the goblin with both hands up in the air.
"See, I mean you no harm. I am a friendly visitor lost in this tragic woods".
I said, my expression stern and straight.
The goblin I freed had run over to the two. They looked at themselves, making conversation with eye gestures.
Please folks, just understand that I mean you no harm already. I mean my purpose is of good will to save you from whatever primitive sickness you are suffering through.
I hoped I could just tell them my true intentions and get things cleared. That though would only put me in an even greater trouble.
I assumed.
"Where are you from?".
Hmm... If they are asking, does that mean they are willing to let bygones be bygones?!
"I don't know. I was somewhere else when I fainted and then I just found myself here. I think I must have been kidnapped or something".
I don't know the terrain around here or which part leads to which. Pointing to one side would do me no good.
"And who brought you here? Is there anything you can say to that".
"Well I~~
About to talk, I was interrupted by my growling stomach.
"Uhm- Well... Would you guys please help me out with something to eat".
I bickered, revealing my glistening teeth with a crackled laugh.
...
The goblins took pity on me?... If tying my arms to the back and promising to escort me to their village is pity, then yeah they took pity on me after revealing I haven't had much to eat recently.
"You know, I already showed you I had no intent of harming you or anything".
I spoke, nudging my arms that were tied behind me.
"Forgive Laden for his abrasive behaviour. He is sensitive to intruders due to the ongoing war between the Greytooth clan and the Abilion clan".
Laden?! I looked forward, noticing the sword goblin that led the way.
"The Greytooth clan and the Abilion clan? Is that a goblin clan or?...".
"Yes. Both clans have been in a silent war for as can remembered. Only recently did they escalate to a physical war.
News is, the chief of the Greytooth clan butchered the son of the chief of the Abilion clan during his coming of age ceremony".
Clan war?! Isn't that a hard-core starting phase?
"Everywhere has been dangerous since then. The smell of blood has filled the forest, and the dead contaminated the soil".
Smell?!
Goblins Are A Specie With High Sensitivity To Smell
Oh. Lucky them. All I smell around me is the pleasant call of nature.
"So, who is winning".
To my question, the goblin gave me a pondering look.
"It is evident. The Greytooth clan will triumph over the Abilion clan".
If he says that so confidently, the Greytooth clan must be that strong.
"Yes. But at what cost?! Hundreds of lives would be lost, valiant warriors dying to satiate their chief's desire for greed.
A bunch of ridiculous fools they are".
The sword goblin vented, stopping for a while to slam his side fist on a tree bark
Didn't expect to hear that from someone who took the initiative to tie me up. But it's good to know he has that kind of opinion.
I am of the same thought.
Wars should be fought for the greater good of everyone involved, not for the ambition of the leader alone.
That wouldn't be a war, it would be senseless massacre.
"That is Laden. He one day aspires to put an end to all wars and unite the goblin clan under one banner.
He believes by doing so, we will have enough manpower to contend with the Orcs".
No offence but I am starting to not like this guy very much. His goal contradicts mine. In which case?...
"I have to say, you are one amusing creature. Defeating an Orc all by yourself".
"Eheh. It was no big deal. I struggled a bit but well... You know the rest".
This one with the hammer, I like. His appearance looks ragged and could give off a wrong first impression. But he is actually nicer than he appears.
"Your name, what is it".
I asked, matching his pace.
"I am Krevin, an Earth attributer. And that over there is Idon".
I looked to where he pointed.
"You mean that one jumping from tree to tree".
I wonder why he did not just follow us on the ground and instead took to latching from one tree branch to another with his bow.
What is he, a ninja?! Or a monkey?!