«Saraon?»

Go Byeonggap echoed the word reflexively.

‘So that’s the true name of the goblins?’

He wasn’t dense enough to miss it—he already knew ‘goblin’ wasn’t their real name.

«I was meaning to ask but it slipped my mind. Is that your real name? Not goblin?»

«Goblin is—!»

Merilin shot up as if suddenly ignited.

«Goblin is… an insulting nickname! A mocking label those vile minions use to belittle us! Like those humans and their kind—»

Her voice trailed off as she shot a wary glance at Go Byeonggap.

«You—no, I don’t mean the Lord.»

«Forget it. But what’s this about minions?»

«It’s a continuation of the war history I told you earlier. When we Saraon fought the Holy Warriors, every demi-human on the continent turned their backs on us. They once received our care and protection. Yet they forgot all favors and raised their spears against us!»

Merilin ground her teeth. Her eyes blazed with unconcealed fury.

‘Now that I think of it, I read something similar on those stone tablets.’

The temple’s stone tablets had borne these words:

-All races who once shared our purpose turned away.

From the above, one could surmise the following situation.

Ages ago, many races lived together on this continent. They likely maintained friendly relations with the Saraon.

That talk of favors and debts suggested the Saraon might have helped other species plenty.

But after the war with those ‘Holy Warriors’ broke out, the other species seemed to abandon the Saraon. In simple terms, they sided with the stronger force.

Not that it was anything strange. That was just how the logic of power worked.

‘I’ll have to talk about the war separately.’

«Well, enough of that. Time to tell you what you want to hear. Dorma.»

«Yes, My Lord.»

«Tell me. What happened.»

«As you wish.»

Dorma, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. Merilin shot him a sidelong glance, her expression deliberately dubious.

«I do not know the exact time, but Asvillam met its end.»

Dorma began.

His story continued for a while. It was content Go Byeonggap had already heard once before.

Asvillam fell, and the goblins, having lost their females, borrowed the power of sorcery to stave off extinction.

They barely managed to preserve their bloodline through sorcery, but with each generation, the goblins grew more degenerate. Their numbers also dwindled more and more.

A long time passed that way. Dorma used the phrase ‘several hundred years.’

Before long, the goblins had completely lost their former form, transformed into the hideous creatures they were now. They had lost all central cohesion, scattered to every corner of the continent.

When the story reached that point, Merilin denied reality with all her might.

«W-We Saraon—we, who had no rival race in virtue, intellect, and strength across the mortal realm—became a form like yours? Th-That’s nonsense. I can’t believe it!»

«And what will you do if you don’t believe? I, and the countless kin outside, are the evidence of the age.»

«Ahh…»

Merilin pressed a hand to her forehead. Her pupils trembled as if she had seen an earthquake.

«I heard the name ‘Saraon’ for the first time today. We had even forgotten our true name and called ourselves goblins. To be honest, I am more familiar with the name goblin than Saraon.»

«I truly cannot accept this.»

«I understand. You live in the past; I live in the present.»

The story continued.

The goblins lived in a manner not much different from beasts. Around that time, the mortal realm was thrown into chaos, and the goblins were hunted by a ‘terrifying something.’

«‘Terrifying something’? What in the world is that?»

«I do not know. My memory is not complete either. However… it was a nightmare itself.»

Dorma paused for a moment, then continued.

«There is a spirit woman here. She said that demons invaded the mortal realm and eventually even claimed the heavens. That is beyond my understanding, but if her words are true, I think what chased us back then may have been demons.»

«Demons?»

Merilin’s face twisted harshly.

«Nonsense! How could lumps of thought dwelling in the underworld possibly invade the mortal realm?»

«That is why I said I cannot understand it either.»

«Who is this spirit? Summon them here at once!»

«It’s no use asking me. Seek the Lord’s permission.»

Merilin flinched, then turned her head to look at Go Byeonggap.

«Who is that spirit woman? Please, call her here. I need to question her from beginning to end!»

«You saw her earlier.»

«I did?»

«Yeah. The one who stopped me when I threw you — that’s the spirit. Her name’s Ea.»

Merilin’s eyes rolled for a moment before she recalled Ea. She muttered in disbelief.

«Th-that was a spirit? What in the world is going on in this world?»

«I can’t call her right now. Ask her when the sun rises tomorrow.»

Go Byeonggap said as he rose to his feet. Glancing at his wristwatch, he saw it was past two in the morning.

They’d shared enough information for now. Whatever gaps remained could wait — this wasn’t their only day.

«It’s late. Let’s call it here. Doran.»

«Yes, My Lord.»

«You’re off duty tonight. Take Merilin and sleep with her.»

«S-sleep with her?»

Doran echoed, flustered. But when Byeonggap fixed her with a steady look, she reluctantly nodded.

«…Understood. I’ll do that.»

«Everyone, withdraw.»

«Yes. Rest well, My Lord.»

«Good night. …You, follow me.»

«Ah, uh-huh. Let’s go, then.»

The three goblins rose from their seats. They offered their evening respects and withdrew.

Go Byeonggap called out to Merilin just before she passed through the door.

«Merilin.»

«Ah… yes, speak.»

«I know you’re unsettled. Still, take a few days to rest properly and steady your mind. If anything troubles you while you’re here, tell me anytime. I’ll accommodate you as best I can.»

«I will.»

«Good. Go rest.»

«Rest well.»

The three goblins vanished. Byeonggap, as if he’d been waiting, placed a cigarette between his lips.

‘Tough.’

The more he held in his hands, the heavier his shoulders grew. The truth of it pressed against his skin now. He pretended at detachment, but he was still just a green kid.

Yet he could never collapse. If he was going to break, it should’ve happened long ago. Go Byeonggap tempered himself again today.

Elsewhere.

Doran, Dorma, and Merilin — the three goblins left the house and returned to their respective places.

Merilin looked around the darkened Baltadren with wide eyes. She marveled inwardly — it was better put together than she’d expected.

Her gaze shifted to Doran walking ahead. Doran didn’t spare her a single glance. Merilin wanted to speak to her, but for some reason her mouth wouldn’t open.

«You’re Dorma, is it?»

So she turned to Dorma walking beside her. Dorma responded flatly.

«That’s right.»

«Is that man trustworthy?»

«That man? Are you referring to the Lord?»

«Yes.»

Dorma’s eye twitched.

«That’s a strange way to address him. From now on, speak with proper respect.»

«Do you truly believe in him? A human male?»

«And what would you have us do if we didn’t? Besides, didn’t you see it with your own eyes? He is our Lord.»

Merilin let out a long, heavy sigh before answering.

«I don’t trust other races. And humans—among all demi-humans, they’re the most cunning and vile. When we Saraon prospered, they fawned and groveled, but the moment our power wavered, they were the first to turn their backs. During the war, they even volunteered to lead the enemy’s vanguard!»

«……»

«I don’t know what trick he used to inherit the Emperor’s spirit, but something is deeply, deeply wrong. And as long as he’s human, he’ll betray us someday—»

«Enough.»

Dorma stopped dead in his tracks.

That was the moment.

‘Hah!?’

Merilin felt an immense murderous intent. It was so thick, it pricked at her skin.

Having served as vice-commander of the Mandala Knight Order and faced countless enemies, Merilin had never encountered such a dark aura.

The source of that killing intent was Dorma.

He fixed his bloodshot eyes on Merilin, glaring. Instinctively, she took a step back.

Doran flinched and jumped in to stop him.

«Hey hey! Don’t! If we fight among ourselves, the Lord will get mad!»

«Let me give you one warning. Never speak ill of him in my presence again. And don’t let me catch you at it, either. I’m not as merciful as the one I serve.»

«Ghk…»

«Hey, you idiot! I said stop!»

Only when Doran shouted did Dorma finally withdraw his killing intent. But his mouth kept moving.

«I don’t know what’s filling your head with all these complications, but for us, there’s only him. He gathered our scattered kin who were living like beasts and let us live with our backs warm, our bellies full, and free from the fear of death. That’s the Lord we have now. Not some Emperor you talk about!»

Merilin wanted to argue back, but no words came. So she just bit her lip.

As she stood there, Dorma abruptly turned around.

«My quarters are this way, so I’ll take my leave. Good night, Doran.»

«Uh… yeah. Rest well.»

Dorma disappeared into the darkness. The two women stared after him for a long moment.

«That’s the first time I’ve seen him that angry. He barely talks usually…»

Doran muttered in a deliberately subdued tone. Then she suddenly glared at Merilin and raised her voice.

«But he’s right. Don’t badmouth the Lord!»

«No, Doran. I just…»

«Shut up! Just follow me!»

She stomped ahead, fuming. Merilin hurried after her, the words tumbling out like excuses.

«I only said it because I’m worried. This is a matter of life and death for our race. Entrusting the fate of the Saraon to another species — to a human, no less — isn’t right. Even the Emperor couldn’t have foreseen this situation.»

«Ah! Emperor this, Emperor that — I don’t care about any of that. And what’s the problem with our Lord being different from us? The Lord is just the Lord!»

«But still…»

«The Lord is great. That’s why everyone follows him. Sure, the little idiots don’t seem to think about it much… but anyway, everyone loves the Lord!»

«Everyone loves him?»

«Not ‘him’ — the Lord!»

Merilin bit her lip, her face troubled. To her, there was only one Lord: Emperor Landriol.

The thought of serving anyone else as her master had never even crossed her mind.

But stubbornly clinging to the past wasn’t wise either. After all, that human man did possess the Emperor’s spirit.

Her lips parted and closed several times before she finally nodded in resignation.

«I see. So the Saraon are fond of their current Lord?»

«Of course!»

Doran pointed at the neatly lined houses on either side of the street.

«The Lord built all of these.»

«All… all of them?»

«Yeah! And that’s not all. The Lord brings meat every day to feed us. If a monster shows up outside the walls, the Lord is the first to fight.»

Emboldened, Doran recounted the Grugle attack from a few days ago.

Over a thousand monsters had swarmed them, but thanks to Go Byeonggap’s efforts, they’d won a complete victory with zero casualties.

As she listened, Merilin’s expression grew subtly complex.

Dorma’s earlier words and Doran’s story now — there was no doubt that this man Go Byeonggap devoted himself to the Saraon.

In the end, Merilin conceded.

«…I see. He is a wise ruler.»

«Right. You’ll love the Lord soon enough, too.»

«But, Doran.»

«What?»

Merilin paused for a moment.

«In the old days, you called me ‘Godmother’ and were very polite. But your attitude now feels… unfamiliar. Could you perhaps speak to me like you used to?»

«Huh?»

Doran blinked a few times, then scrunched up her face.

«What are you talking about? Just follow me!»

And so, Merilin never did get her formal address.

* * *

The next day dawned.

There was no rooster to crow the sunrise, but the goblins rose diligently to prepare for the day.

«Time to eat! Time to eat!»

Instead, Ea’s clear voice announced the morning. The goblins gathered in the dining hall for breakfast.

«Oh! The Lord’s here. Lord, come eat.»

«My Lord, have you eaten yet? Would you care to join us?»

The goblins spotted Go Byeonggap and greeted him in a chorus. He waved a hand dismissively, as if annoyed by the fuss.

«Enough. You lot focus on eating. I don’t touch that stuff.»

By now, he’d grown accustomed to living among the goblins, but two walls still stood unbreached.

Letting them see him naked, and sharing their food. Those needed more time.

Byeonggap hefted a large sack and stepped into the kitchen.

«Ea, you said we ran out of sugar, right? Where should I put this?»

«Ah! Over here! What brings you to carry it yourself?»

«Hey… ‘What brings me’—what’s that supposed to mean?»

‘…’

Merilin leaned against a wall, watching him closely.

She then swept her gaze across the dining hall. Saraon sat in small clusters, laughing and chattering as they ate.

The dishes and food were neatly arranged. Their bodies and clothes were clean.

Her face grew thoughtful.

A moment later, Byeonggap emerged from the kitchen. Merilin strode over to him at once.

«Ah, you’re here too. Sleep well? Nothing uncomfortable?»

‘…’

«Looking for Doran, I bet? Anyway, sit down and have a meal.»

‘…’

Byeonggap had tossed out a casual greeting when he spotted Merilin, but no reply came. She stood with her lips pressed tight, meeting his eyes in silence.

‘What’s her deal this early in the morning?’

Unease sprouted in his chest. Then, without warning, Merilin dropped to one knee and bowed her head.

Eyes across the dining hall naturally turned toward them.

«What are you doing?»

«Please forgive my past insolence.»

«What?»

«To be honest, at first I didn’t trust you. I thought you were someone unworthy of belief. But that was my own flawed judgment.»

She lifted her head. Her expression carried a solemn resolve.

«I, the maiden Merilin, swear to devote the rest of my life to you. Please accept me as your retainer, My Lord.»

«You’ve got a talent for making people uncomfortable.»

Byeonggap let out a rueful laugh and tried to help her up. But she resisted, staying put.

«That’s enough. It’s fine, so get up already.»

«I haven’t heard your answer yet.»

«Ha!»

He looked down at Merilin with an exasperated expression. She was as firm as stone.

Giving up, Byeonggap let out a sigh.

«Aish, whether you devote your life or not, that’s up to you… But welcome to the family, Merilin.»

«You’ll accept me?»

«Yeah.»

«Thank you! I’ll serve you with all my might!»

Only then did Merilin rise, beaming. Byeonggap figured he’d just gained another fanatic as he hurried out of the dining hall.

On the other side, Dorma watched with a satisfied smile.