Kapitel 8: A New Leader

The crackling of torches illuminated the goblin camp as the female goblins celebrated their victory. After waiting throughout the day, the male goblins had returned with more warriors. Unfortunately for them, the goblins were ready, and this time, more than the first, Lance's strategies were enacted to their fullest potential. They succeeded in killing most of the male goblins, leaving only a few of them to escape.

At the moment, Lance watched something completely out of anything he could have thought of.

Before his very eyes, around the main camp fire, the goblins danced and sang, their cheers echoing into the night, punctuated by wild laughter and the rhythmic clap of their hands. It was simply a sight to see, as the goblins started resembling humans the more Lance studied them, just those with green skin.

'It's like visiting the village back on earth.' Lance thought to himself.

He leaned against a splintered barricade, watching the celebration from a distance. Even though it looked interesting and he would want to join in, his muscles ached, and his mind was weary from the day's events. Honestly, he couldn't tell where the rest got their energy from.

The goblins danced and sang, their movements wild and unrestrained, but Lance could see the shadows of fear lingering in their eyes even at such moments of joy.

"They're still scared," he said softly, more to himself than anyone else.

Lia appeared at his side, her yellow eyes almost gleaming in the torchlight. "Of course they are. Those bastards will come back, and we all know it."

Lance nodded, his gaze distant. "Then why celebrate?"

Lia smirked. "Because tonight, we're still alive. Let us have this."

Lance thought about her words, and though he wouldn't adhere to such logic himself, he could understand their reasoning. 'So, their more like barbaric or dumb humans more than anything.'

As the night wore on, the celebration began to wind down. The goblins gathered in small clusters around the fires, sharing food amidst discussions. Lance sat on a log near one of the smaller groups, his presence drawing wary glances. His legs had grown too tired from standing, he had to sit.

Even now, Lance couldn't help but study the goblins before him while his minds races with different thoughts, especially what his fate would be once this threat they faced was over.

"You're staring again," Lia said, appearing at his shoulder like a shadow.

Lance almost jumped, nearly dropping the piece of bread he'd been nibbling on. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—" He replied instinctively before realizing it.

Lia waved him off, her expression amused. "You're an odd one, human. Most would've run screaming from here by now. But you remain, sitting with us like you belong."

Lance hesitated. "Hahaha, what choice do I have?" he admitted softly.

Lia's eyes flickered with something unreadable, but she didn't press further. Instead, she gestured toward the largest fire, where the elders were gathered.

"They want to talk to you," she said.

Lance was a bit hesitant, but he got up swiftly and followed behind Lia. These goblin elders, unlike what one would think, were not old and wrinkled women in shamanic clothing, instead, the oldest among them looked to be around thirty something years of age when compared to human age.

The elders sat in a semicircle around the fire, their expressions serious as Lance approached. One of the elders seated gestured for him to sit.

"You've done well, human," one of the elders began, her tone measured. "Your traps, your strategies, they've saved us."

Lance shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't just me. Everyone played their part." He answered, his mind racing, as to what was going to be said next, or what would happen next.

"Don't be modest," another elder said with a grunt. "Without you, we'd all be dead."

The first elder to speak leaned forward, her sharp eyes boring into his. "We need someone like you. Someone who can think, who can lead. Stay with us, Lance. Help us rebuild. Help us survive. It's not like the humans will accept you either, you can't even speak their language and talk like us, you'd be killed before the sun rises in the sky."

Lance blinked, caught off guard by the directness of her request and analysis of his situation. He had already thought of it himself, and truly, there was no way his life would be good if he was to meet humans, he would be lucky to meet those with kind hearts. "I… I don't think I can. I'm not one of you." He said.

"No, you're not," the elder admitted. "But that's why you're valuable. You see things we don't. You can make us stronger."

Lance hesitated, his thoughts spinning. He had no ties to this world, no home to return to. But the idea of staying… of being responsible for these people, felt overwhelming.

"I don't think I'm the right person for this," he said finally.

"Then who is?" Lia's voice cut through the quiet. "You've proven yourself, Lance. You saved us. You've earned our trust, whether you realize it or not."

The other goblins nodded, their expressions solemn.

Lance ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. 'Even if I wanted to help, I'm not a leader. I don't know how to run a tribe or make decisions for other people. I'm just… a guy who died at an early age.'

"A leader is not something I think suits me, I wouldn't know what to do half the time, I can just assist as a strategist or something else."

"You think we know what we're doing half the time?" Lia said with a snort. "We're goblins, Lance. We survive because we adapt, not because we follow some grand plan. And you? You've already proven you can adapt better than most, and we trust you can give us that grand plan."

The other elder nodded. "We're not asking you to become something you're not. Just be what you've already been, someone who helps us survive."

The fire crackled between them as Lance weighed their words. He thought of the battles he'd fought beside them, the traps they'd built together, the trust they'd placed in him despite their suspicions. These weren't just goblins, they were like people.

Despite his best rationale, he sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Fine. I'll stay for now. But I'm not making any promises."

The first elder's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good enough."

Lia stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "It's not just staying. You'll need to lead us."

"H-hey," Lance blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "I didn't agree to that."

"You don't have to," Lia said, her tone firm. "This tribe needs a leader, someone who can see the bigger picture. That's you."

"I told you, I'm not qualified for that," Lance protested.

"No one ever is," Lia replied. "But then, when you stepped into our camp, we were on the verge of collapse. Now? We have hope. That's because of you."

Lance opened his mouth to argue, but no words came. How could a goblin produce such concrete logical arguments?!

He looked around the circle, at the elders who had once been so hostile toward him. Now their gazes held something new—respect.

The decision was made before he could object further.

That night, while everyone slept soundly, Lance found his mind unable to rest, with the weight of his new responsibilities weighing on him. He never would have thought that this would be the direction things went.

The goblins gathered at dawn, forming a loose circle around the central fire. Lia stepped forward, addressing the tribe with her usual confidence.

"This human has saved us twice now," she began, her voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "He's not one of us, but he's proven he belongs!" She said. Lance who stood close by watched to see the reaction of the goblins, and weirdly enough, none of them seemed to show any signs of protest, instead, it seemed more like they agreed.

"From this day forward, the human, Lance, is our leader! He will guide us, and we will follow!" Lia said.

Though the first half didn't draw any reaction from the goblins, this final half was different. The announcement was met with a mix of cheers and muttered grumbles, but no one openly objected.

Lance stood awkwardly at Lia's side, his mind still reeling, and his eyes saggy and tired from a night without sleep. He'd come to this world with nothing, and now he was being given everything, a tribe, a purpose, a chance to make a difference.

'Is this how others get isekiaed?' he thought to himself.

"Fine," he muttered, barely loud enough for Lia to hear. "But if this goes badly, it's on you." He said, just loud enough for Lia to hear him.

Lia smirked, her yellow eyes gleaming. "Don't worry, human. We'll make sure you don't screw it up."

For the first time in days, Lance smiled, accepting the responsibility thrown at him.