After seeing the flames in the area finally dissipating and the wailing screams of her brethren at long last ending, the Warden clenched her fists and singled that the Goblins in their custody to be handed over to Rick.

  The Elves that stood behind her were all still a bit shocked at the situation taking place in front of them, so it took them a second to realize an order was given but all it took was one glare from Rick and the floating bodies began moving.

  A few moments later and the unconscious bodies of the two Generals of the Shadow Clan were gently placed near Rick. He looked towards them for a moment before signaling to the Goblins behind him, they didn’t need words to understand what to do at that point.

  Loruk and the others quickly rushed to the sides of the Goblins and carried them back a bit, before immediately doing what they could with very limited resources to apply first aid. Only General Lago didn’t move from his position just behind Rick.

  As much as he wanted to go provide assistance as well, he had a duty to support Rick first and foremost unless otherwise told to do something else.

  Of course, the General could not understand anything the Elves were saying but for some reason he could understand clearly what Rick was saying even though he was talking to the Elves, and based on everything he could not only see, but also hear, the situation was a dire one.

  General Lago knew that the goal of their mission was to reinforce the Future King to ensure he reaches the Clans safely so he was prepared to meet him at some point, but this situation was beyond anything he could imagine.

  And part of him felt a tinge of regret when he thought about the fact he led the Elves to the Future King all on his own.

  If he knew he was already this strong, he would’ve taken the Elves on a wild goose chase as far as possible from the South ensuring they never ran into each other, at least not on his account.

  But he knew he had to verify the situation of the Future King before any further decision could be made. There was also the fact he would have not got to see the sight of the Future Kings mana encompassing what seemed like everything in his eyes.

  His duty would always come first, but General Lago knew that if he died without witnessing the power of his Future King on display like he just had, then he would roll in his grave for a thousand years.

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  It was beautiful.

  Part of him felt like he should be fearful of the flames and show them due reverence, he just couldn’t bring himself to do so. They were a beautiful shade of green as if born of Goblins themselves, and no matter how long he looked at them, they never once evoked fear in him.

  Even when he himself was included in the flames, there was no pain, and all of the suffering the Elf that was chasing him was going through was nowhere to be found on his own body. It showed just how much of a hold and high levels of control the Future King had over his mana.

  But General Lago couldn’t dwell on his thoughts about the Future King’s power for too much longer. While it no longer seemed as if a fight would break out at any moment, it felt like the tension had only risen after his counterparts were returned.

  The Warden looked towards Rick with a steely gaze before talking once more.

  ”We have released your Goblins. Remove your hands from my brethren.”

  Rick thought about the state of the ‘released’ Goblins for a moment before shaking his head.

  “The deal was putting away my flames for the ‘release of my Goblins.’ That deal is completed. It is time for a new one. We will leave this place with this Elf here in custody. Once we leave your borders he will be released without further harm.”

  With each word Rick uttered, the Warden clenched her fists even tighter. It was already hard enough to swallow the pill of negotiating with a Goblin, but now he wanted to take one her people hostage. She was almost at the point of forgoing all political niceties and just attacking right here and now.

  “Do not test my patience any further Goblin.”

  Rick immediately bit back.

  “You have already tested mine, and this is the result. Do not forget Elf. All I simply wanted to do was leave with my people. Nothing else. I didn’t want to fight; I didn’t want any problems. I just wanted to leave. It was not me that first threatened to kill you or take you back to my nation for questioning. Do not forget.”

  “…How can I trust that you will keep your word.”

  “Goblins are not liars.”

  Rick didn’t even hesitate in giving that response. He hadn’t met or known of every single Goblin on the continent, but from what he had seen, Goblins had not been very fond of lying.

  Rick didn’t add anything else and instead chose that moment to stand up with the Elf still in his grasps.

  “…Answer my next question honestly then we have a deal. I will know if you lie.”

  “Ask.”

  “This chase started because we felt a small spike of unnatural mana in our outer forests. Upon investigation your Goblins were spotted in the general area. What caused the spike in mana?”

  Rick looked a bit confused for a moment until General Lago quickly stepped over and whispered in his ear. Of course, the Warden could hear the whispers but had no idea what was being said.

  It was only at Tier Seven that one could use mana to communicate between species without knowing the other’s language and without the aid of tools and other mediums.

  Eventually clarity reached Rick’s eyes, and he looked towards the Warden.

  “It is not something I will share with you, but I assure you it has nothing to do with you, your people, or your nation. It is something that only affects Goblins.”

  “….Fine. Depart immediately. Should any further harm come to your hostage, I will no longer care about the cost I have to pay to kill you.”

  “That’s fine with me.”

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