Bab 26: Cheers and Sphere Barrier!

After thoroughly inspecting his new goblins, Gray quickly called for Gobusuke. It only took a minute before Gobusuke arrived, bowing in respect to Gray.

Gray began to explain the unique abilities of his new acquisitions to Gobusuke, who listened intently, nodding his head in understanding. Once Gray had finished his explanation, he instructed Gobusuke to find a task for the goblins to do at the upcoming feast.

"But before that," Gray added, "make sure to introduce them to the other goblins. We don't want any misunderstandings or fights breaking out."

As Gray approached the new goblins with Gobusuke, he gestured towards the Gobusuke and spoke up, "Hi, my new summons, allow me to introduce you to Gobusuke, one of the most respected and capable goblins under my command. He will be leading you from now on, so be sure to show him the respect he deserves."

The goblins nodded in unison, muttering a polite greeting to Gobusuke as they bowed in respect. One of them, Gobmir the Miner Goblin, piped up, "Pleased to meet you, Sir Gobusuke. We are eager to learn from you and serve our lord with loyalty and devotion."

The Barrier Master Goblin, Gobun, added, "Indeed, we understand the importance of a strong commander in achieving success. We are honored to be under your guidance, Captain."

Gobusuke smiled, pleased with their show of respect and enthusiasm to work. "It's a pleasure to meet you all too. Follow me, and I'll introduce you to the other goblins in the territory, as well as show you around and give you your first assignment."

The goblins nodded at the same time, and with that, Gobusuke led them away to begin their work in the territory.

After seeing Gobusuke and the goblins off, Gray decided to lend a hand in the preparation for the feast. He wanted to ensure that everything was in order, Gray knew that this was an important celebration - the first time his territory had ever conquered another in battle.

A few hours had passed, and the preparation was finally complete. The open area was lined with rows of wooden tables and chairs. The smell of freshly baked bread, succulent chicken meat, and juicy boar meat wafted through the air, making the goblins' mouths water in anticipation. Colorful plates filled with vibrant vegetables and fruits were artfully arranged on the tables, inviting the goblins to dig in.

Gray had spared no expense in celebrating the victory of his territory against the lizard men. The goblins' morale was at an all-time high, and they eagerly sat down to feast and revel in their triumph. Gobusuke sat at the head of one of the tables, directing the goblins to their seats and ensuring that everyone had plenty to eat and drink.

Gray rises from his seat and walks over to where Gobusuke and the other goblins are gathered. He pulls out a large bottle of wine from his inventory and holds it up with a smile.

"I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of you. Your hard work and dedication have helped us build and upgrade this territory. This wine is just a small way for me to show my appreciation for everything you've done for me and our community."

The goblins look at Gray with grateful expressions, their eyes shining with a mix of happiness and pride. They raise their glasses, toasting to their victory and the camaraderie they share as a group.

Gray's heart swells with pride as he watches his goblins celebrate their victory. He reaches for another bottle of wine from his inventory, uncorks it, and pours himself a glass. The rich aroma of the wine fills the air, and Gray savors its deep, ruby color. He takes a sip, closing his eyes in pleasure as the flavors dance on his tongue.

Gray takes another sip of the wine and allows the flavors to fully develop on his palate. He detects notes of dark cherry, plum, and a hint of vanilla. The wine's smooth texture coats his tongue, leaving behind a long-lasting finish. As he swallows, the wine's warmth spreads throughout his body, and he feels a sense of relaxation wash over him.

In this moment of relaxation and celebration, Gray feels grateful for the bond he shares with his loyal goblins. He raises his glass and joins them in a toast to their success.

After taking a few sips of wine, Gray's mouth began to water as the aroma of the Fried Scorchfeather Chicken wafted up to his nose. He reached for a piece of the crispy, golden chicken and brought it to his lips. As he bit down, the crunch of the skin gave way to the juicy, tender meat inside.

The flavor exploded in his mouth, a perfect combination of spices that made Gray feel as if he had ascended to heaven. The heat from the spice tingled on his tongue, but it wasn't overpowering, just enough to leave a pleasant warmth.

Gray then reached for a piece of freshly baked bread, its crust crackling as he tore a piece off. The steam rose from the soft, fluffy interior, and Gray could smell the buttery goodness. He spread some herb butter on the bread, and as he took a bite, the butter melted in his mouth, complementing the bread's chewy texture perfectly.

Finally, Gray turned to the plate of vegetables, a colorful array of roasted root vegetables, and sautéed greens. He speared a piece of tender, roasted carrot with his fork and savored the sweetness of the caramelized surface. The sautéed greens were perfectly seasoned with garlic and chili flakes, providing a delicious kick to balance the sweetness of the carrots.

Gray sat back, feeling fully satiated and content. The combination of the juicy, spicy chicken, warm, crusty bread, and roasted, caramelized vegetables had been the perfect meal.

As the feast came to an end, Gray leaned back in his chair, feeling fully satisfied. The goblins quickly got to work, clearing the table of plates and glasses. One goblin picked up the roasted vegetables that had fallen onto the table, while another carried away the now-empty dish of chicken. They even took the chairs and table, placing them back in their proper spots.

Once the area was clear, Gray called for Gobun, the Barrier Master Goblin. Gobun approached Gray respectfully and asked, "What do you need me for, my lord?" Gray replied, "I need you to construct a barrier all around our territory. It doesn't need to be very strong, just enough to cover all of our land. Do you think you can do it?"

Gobun replied confidently, "I can confidently say I can do it, my lord."

Gray nodded in approval and said, "Good, you can do it now. Go to Gobusuke if you need something."

Gobun bowed and said, "Got it, my lord," before heading off to start working on the barrier.

As Gobun stood at the center of the territory, Gobun took a deep breath and closed his eyes, feeling the energy flow through him. As he opened his eyes, he focused his gaze on the sky and raised his hand, palm facing upwards.

Gobun could feel the mana coursing through his body, and he concentrated it into his hand. A faint humming sound could be heard emanating from his palm. The sound grew in intensity as a small white-blue sphere started to form in his palm, slowly growing in size until it was the size of a baseball.

Gobun concentrated his energy, controlling the sphere with ease as it started to elevate slowly into the sky. He guided it higher and higher until it reached a considerable height.

With a calm voice, Gobun said, "Sphere Barrier, Release!" as he closed his palm. The sphere immediately expanded, growing bigger and bigger until it covered the entire End Forest City. Gobun watched as the sphere stabilized in position, and the white blue-ish color started to fade, turning into a transparent barrier.

Gobun lowered his arms and let out a deep breath. "That should do the job," he said, relieved that his task was complete. The transparent barrier glowed with a faint light, casting a soft glow on everything around it.