Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Disturbance of the Heart
▯Ezra | Ra | Day 11 | Kuuderun Great Forest, Southern Area
A man without balls is a eunuch.
But a man without a soul is a soulless bastard.
It doesn't add up.
I mean, truly.
The emotions in my heart have dried up.
The creases on my brain have smoothened out.
And my testicals have become a wasteland.
I'm actually a bitch.
"Sir...…"
I've been sucked dry, drained of even the slightest bit of precum.
I say the world is to blame, but they say it's because you're a useless sack of shit.
Really.
I'm actually quite ignorant.
"....Sir."
No different from an animal with rabies.
Biting anything I can get my paws on.
Hey, guess what they call a female dog.
—A bitch.
"Sir...….!"
—*Thud*
My body shook slightly as a slender arm hooked around my own.
I looked down.
"Hm...? Oh, it's you....."
An extremely pale-skinned girl with blonde hair and frosty blue eyes stared back up at me.
"Indeed. It is I, your subordinate who you barely pay attention to."
That's not even remotely...….
"If you're finished daydreaming, Sir, then could you please give your instructions for—owha nex cowse ah acshin (our next course of action)."
As she spoke, both of my hands accidentally squished her cheeks, puckering her lips out like a fish.
I met her puzzled gaze.
We stared into each other's eyes momentarily.
"First of all...…"
".....?"
"I wasn't daydreaming."
"....."
"Second of all...…."
"....."
".....I was just about to tell you what I have planned."
"...."
"It's true—I'm actually telling the truth right now. Seriously."
".....Ah swee (I see).
"That's not the tone of an understanding person."
"..."
".....What?"
"Pwease rewoove yoah hanns (Please remove your hands)."
"Should I.....?"
"Swir (Sir)...….."
"You're quite charming in this position, actually."
"..."
Silently.
—She averted her gaze.
...Alright, I quit.
You beat the game.
With that—Just that single gesture, you won.
You've mastered the art of 'Bashful yet not Bashful', and therefore I lost automatically.
That's a critical hit.
Congratulations, the game ended with no cut-scenes.
I leaned forward and, to her surprise, I nibbled on her supple, pink bottom lip for a moment before letting go.
Soft and warm.
Right.
I just did something I'm completely unashamed of.
"...Are you finished?" Rin asked.
"Not necessarily."
"Then we have no choice but to conclude this matter swiftly. The others are awaiting your orders." She spoke, somewhat subdued.
".....Hey, Rin."
"Please speak, Sir."
"Has anyone ever told you that you look perfect next to me?"
"....I'm afraid not.
She chewed her bottom lip for no more than a second, fighting back the encroaching redness that dyed her ears.
"—What if I get you pregnant?"
"...It….It is not currently appropriate for such things to be considered."
My lips slightly arched upwards against my will.
This is too...…
"Hm~ But thinking about it differently, it is actually quite appropriate."
"Please be serious...…"
"When am I not serious...…?"
I leaned forward.
…..She leaned back.
Placing her hands on my bare chest, she turned her head as if to restrain me from coming any closer.
I reached out and grasped her slender waist.
"Ah...…"
Immediately, our bodies overlapped.
Her petite figure was brought close, overshadowed by my slightly larger build.
My chin rested atop her head, tickled by her pale strands of hair.
Hmmm~
I inhaled her scent.
It was the fresh scent of nature.
It brought a sense of wildness that blended well with her delicate female scent.
She shuffled in my arms momentarily.
Quite tender.
The softness of a young woman.
I'm unconsciously but consciously getting hard.
Thinking about it again, each of my hobgoblin subordinates had become extremely attractive after evolving.
Yea...
No matter how you look at it, it wasn't normal.
Although it was said that hobgoblins took on more human-like appearances and became attractive-looking, this situation was entirely different.
Don't get me wrong.
I'm okay with this 'not normalness,' but it still has to be acknowledged.
Not to mention that each of them became 'Variant' species with divine protections from different gods.
It couldn't be defined as merely special.
Even little Protagonist-kun in the original story had only managed to become a variant species as a hobgoblin after fulfilling certain conditions.
Whatever talents each of my eight subordinates might've had, it seemed that the gods of this world, who possessed similar expertise, would flock to them regardless.
Yea, everyone except me.
That's not…..
That isn't fucking—
...!!
Hoo~
Calm down.
I.....I don't need any divine protection anyway.
Silently, I folded one of my hands, displaying only the middle finger.
I sighed as I held the restless Rin in my embrace. She was no match for my savage strength.
Bastards...
It really doesn't feel good to be left out.
But that's beside the point.
Despite the extravagance, this occurrence was beneficial to me.
If I were to make a guess, this was 'probably' brought about due to the existence of the system.
Jokes aside.
The chances were literally over 95%.
From what I know, the gods were special beings who still had to compete in order to gain power.
They were all by no means equal in strength.
It's likely that the system rejected the influence of the gods, resulting in me receiving not a single divine protection.
Though it's not like they're necessarily useful to me either.
That being said.
If I were to make a guess, because of my presence, the gods chose my subordinates to support as a form of investment.
I'm not assimilated with this world's system or rules, but due to this uniqueness, my underlings received a bit of favor.
Anyone with eyes and at least half a brain could see that my previous performance as a goblin wasn't something that could be replicated.
Ever.
Thus, I've become somewhat of an important 'piece' in this world.
Y'know, someone to look out for.
That's just my guess, but going by my godly level of intellect, there's a 99.9% chance that I'm right.
And that's just me being humble.
"Ahem....!"
An endearing high pitched voice.
The sound of a feminine entity clearing her throat rang out.
—My perception returned to normal.
I craned my neck.
It wasn't Rin.
Next.
I looked over my shoulder whilst the startled Rin swiftly unentangled herself from me with feigned composure.
My gaze rested on a green-skinned girl with a voluptuous figure, situated beside a tall tree amidst the surrounding forest.
"Ah…no, don't get me wrong...…I'm not jealous or anything."
Rai, who stood watching from a distance, voiced nonchalantly.
Awkwardness.
A sense of awkwardness could be found in her fidgeting hands, which ultimately found their resting place behind her back.
A wandering gaze, a twitching smile, and a somewhat feverish breathing pattern.
Why...are your cheeks red? Are you a voyeur? Are you really into voyeurism?
It seems that she may be 'that' kind of person.
"Yo."
I closed one eye and lazily greeted her with a peace sign.
Scanning her from head to toe, a sigh escaped my lips.
"You're so shaky, Rai. Are you nervous?"
My foot landed atop a soft patch of grass, stepping over a particularly large stone as I strode toward her.
"N-no, you're totally mistaken. Those goblin brats are getting restless without anything to do, so I, the ever so dutiful Rai-chan, came to check up on you. I just didn't expect that the Leader would be out here...alone with Rin....."
She trailed off, smirking suggestively as she looked between the both of us.
Don't smile like that. You'd be better off not smiling.
"If that is all, then please return and inform the others that Sir and I will arrive shortly. I believe you should be capable of at least that much, yes?"
Rin spoke coldly, a hint of a threat hidden in her emotionless tone.
She had an irritable look in her eyes.
Almost as if…someone had interrupted a good time.
Is that it....? Can't be helped, I guess. People have a hard time resisting me.
Especially when I assault them.
"Hey, hey, hey, Calm down~ I'm leaving, I'm leaving, alright? Don't keep us waiting too long, though. Some of us just aren't that patient~"
Rai snuck a meaningful glance at me upon finishing, before turning around and prancing off free spiritedly.
How careless.
I…..
Even if I didn't want to know what she meant by that last statement, I have no choice but to know.
The image of a girl with short black hair and vibrant orange eyes popped into my head.
While girls like Mei, Sui, Rai, and Haru may not express an 'advanced' level of fondness toward me, Kanami and Fuuka are different.
This is mainly because I've interacted with them far more consistently than the others.
You could say we share more familiarity.
At the same time, I just haven't gotten around to bonding with the other girls as much.
I've only been in this world for so long, after all.
Thus, the dynamic of my current inner circle has become:
Rin, who tries her best to be serious but still largely admires me.
Kanami, who gets jealous quite easily but still just relishes being in my presence.
Fuuka, who's a closet pervert that lusts after me but is still equally as affectionate.
And Eri....who secretly enjoys my attention but is still unsure of how to treat me.
It's not like the others are excluded, though.
The progression of our relationship just isn't at that level yet.
—*crnnch...*
A dried leaf crumpled beneath Rin's feet as she followed along behind me.
She seemed strangely aware of servant etiquette for some reason.
Like walking a step behind at a perfect distance. Servants don't usually walk or stand side by side with their master. Despite not receiving education of any kind, I guess Demi-humans possess some form of basic inherited or intuitive knowledge.
Many aspects of this world are really mysterious.
Though if you were to ask me if I cared about uncovering them, I'd have to give an elegant 'No' in response.
I've only been alive in this world for what—
I counted on my fingers
—Eleven days or so.
Yea, I haven't been here long.
If these mysteries wanna be uncovered, they'll know where to find me.
Otherwise...
—*crnchhhh...…*
Another dried leaf fractured beneath Rin's feet.
"Enjoying yourself...?"
"Surprisingly so. I've seemed to develop a fondness for crushing things underfoot. Does the sound bother you, Sir?"
"Not at all."
"Very well then...….."
—*crnnchhh....*
Another leaf died tragically.
Rin carried her usual emotionless expression.
A dainty hand was positioned comfortably atop the pommel of the long sword at her waist.
She gazed warily at her surroundings even while chatting.
I felt a bit of satisfaction deep down in my kidneys.
Really.
I would applaud her caution if not for the exasperated stare I'd get in response.
Truth is, while we have indeed risen quite a few steps up the food chain, we ultimately aren't that powerful.
They may not know but I do.
The monsters in this forest are strong.
Especially the big red grizzly called the 'Mountain Lord' or something.
I estimate he's at least 'C' Rank or above.
Though I wouldn't be so wary if that was the end of it.
There's also 'Heroes' in this world.
The kind of bastards who're favored by this world's system.
Yes.
They are strong.
Far stronger than my current self.
I can't joke around with those kinds of bastards.
They actually have plot armor.
It's not like I'm afraid or anything.
Okay, maybe just a teensy bit, but nothing I can't overcome.
If I didn't have my shadow soldiers then it'd be a situation for sure.
Hmmmm.
Well, depression aside, I think I can afford to be more optimistic.
We're starting off on the right foot.
There's no need to worry too much.
We still have some time.
Think happy thoughts.
Yep.
Always works.
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▯Rin | 1st Division Commander, General of the Army | Day 11 | Kuuderun Great Forest, Goblins Den
Sir and I had returned from our brief excursion.
Although it was more so that Sir had wandered off without any particular objective. His actions were rather unpredictable when lost in thought, so I was left with no choice but to follow after him.
It couldn't be helped.
I was undoubtedly the most responsible of the group.
The most diligent.
The most intelligent.
The most—
"It's loud inside..."
Sir stated casually as we arrived at the original cave's entrance.
I nodded.
It was indeed so. Even from outside, a cacophony of jumbled sounds could be heard from within.
Upon stepping through the passage, we were greeted by a crowd of noisy goblins.
They were huddled around Kanami, Fuuka, and the others. Haru seemed to have taken her position as a teacher seriously. Starting from how they should formally address their superiors, to how they ought to move when greeting them.
According to Sir, this was how a proper chain of command was established. And I had to agree that it was a rather brilliant idea.
While some caught on quickly, some were also incredibly slow in comprehension.
Quite the clueless bunch.
So much so that I found it hard to believe I was also once such a clueless being.
What use might they have.....?
As they were, there were no redeeming qualities to speak of. Save for a couple, they currently could not be relied upon for anything other than eating and defecating.
That was sure to change.
There was no place for the inadequate.
At least, not within my Division, Ragnarök.
I didn't believe I was any less capable of fulfilling the roles of each of my comrades' Divisions, but the authority to distribute positions belonged to Sir alone.
I dared not refute him.
He was the only lord I could ever serve, and the only lord who would ever deserve such.
"Ah, Rin…Don't stare at me so intently. I'm getting embarrassed."
He smiled 'sheepishly' as I dodged his incoming grasps.
A hint of bitterness arose in my chest when I thought about what had transpired throughout all of last night.
I suppose this was what they called 'Jealousy.'
Its ugliness was unpleasant.
This unpleasant emotion seemed to fill Kanami's heart more than anyone else's at the moment, though.
That is, if her pouting expression was anything to go by.
I may not have been the type to let emotions get the best of me, but the same couldn't be said for others. Regardless of what my heart manifested, I had a duty to fulfill. But for others, they may not be able to fulfill their duties without satisfying their heart.
How troublesome.
Things had become a lot more complex after evolving. I suppose the only thing worth envying from a goblin is the simplicity of their lifestyle.
I found it laughable to have even thought like this.
"Alright, let's begin splitting them up into groups, Rin-tan. There are only 15 female goblins in total. 12 of our generation and 3 older. 38 males in total, 31 younger and 7 older. Some Divisions will be left with minimal to no subordinates with just this much. There aren't enough of them, and we definitely don't want them spread too thin."
Sir spoke contemplatively, observing the lively group from beside me.
"What you've said is reasonable, Sir. Am I to believe the majority will be left to Ragnarök?"
"You catch on quick."
He looked at me with gratifying eyes.
"We'll prioritize manpower to suit the current situation. Those who need it will have it. Oh, and….military training will be compulsory for all Divisions. Be prepared, Rin-tan. I can only lay the groundwork. The rest will be up. to. you~"
He leaned down toward me, pointing his index finger at me whilst wiggling it around.
Looking at his half-smile and expectant bright-red eyes, I sighed wearily.
It wasn't that I'd shy away from something like this.
Just…
'Stop making me weird...'
I turned away from him and had no intention of looking back.
Sir had a bad habit.
A bad habit of destabilizing the heart.
Making it greedy.
Making it…..Insatiable.
Indeed, emotions were troublesome.
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