“Gigiuagia… gire, giirugizerudorasuh!!” (What is the meaning of this… how, how has Heavy been killed!?)

Indignant, Brave looked towards his fallen brethren whose faces have been crushed.

By nature, Goblins are not that strong as monsters, and thus are creatures who are insensitive to the high mortality rate of their kind at the hands of other species, but that did not seem to be the case with the horde that Brave led.

“… Giiru, gyagigiu?” (…Heavy, what happened to you?)

A tall, skinny Goblin Swordsman picked up the unresponsive large Goblin’s helmet and stroked it once before reluctantly placing it near the bodies.

“Giiguu gerea…” (They didn’t leave any survivors…)

Looking around, the Goblin Warlock mutters and points to the center of the square.

“Gaoagire giwegiiuzu, gigirurausu…” (It looks like their feet were bound with Earth Magic and then they were killed…)

One of the corpses of their compatriots who were skewered by the earthen clods had a gaping chest wound caused by a blade, while the others were also pierced by a piercing type weapon… Even Heavy’s legs had multiple stab wounds, but some of those were probably caused by the earthen spikes as well. 

The Goblin Hero Brave who carried a Greatsword on his back deeply thought for a while and summarized their current state after the losses related to the recent attack.

(In our first battle with the Werecats, at least 12 have been killed. And now, even the 13 men we left in the village, including Heavy, have all been wiped out, and from the squad that had been assigned to the ambush, 5 haven’t returned yet… Should I think that they were already killed? Dammit!) 

His sharp gaze, which was laced with anger turned to the captured and bound Werecat women.  Some of them were girls who even seemed to still be too young to be considered women.

“Uwah……”

“Hiuuh!

“Uuuh……”

(Even if we impregnate these bitches, it would still take time before our numbers return to what they were…This raid was not worth it, it’s a failure.)

Most of all, it was painful to see Heavy, who was part of the higher ranks, among their lost comrades, so a reduction in their strength was inevitable, as their original force of about 80 had been reduced to about 50 personnel. Moreover, the fact remained that with the losses they suffered, they should consider a retreat. 

“Giaua gea giiigiru?” (Have we underestimated the Werecats?)

“Gigiu, gaa kyuau.” (Brave, we should get out of here.)

After similarly surveying their surroundings and pondering, the Goblin Swordsman, Sword, suggested.

(As I feared, it’s time to move… but it’s impossible to do it right now.)

The Goblins’ base of operations was a cave in the forest about a full day’s walk east of this place. Originally, the Goblins had been moving from place to place in the forest in search of prey, and it was only recently that they began to focus their activities around that location.

Yesterday, they camped at a place a short distance away from the Werecat’s village, and since they moved from there and began their raids in the early afternoon, it was now time for the sun to set in another hour or two.

Besides, their fatigue from moving and raiding had already accumulated. If they started moving right away, then the odds were good that they would be ambushed in their fatigued states by the Werecats who had the advantage of moving in the night.

(…The Werecats have the advantage at night after all.)

It was for the same reason that they avoided a night raid this time. The Goblins can see a bit at night, but it was not as good as the Werecats’, so a night-time raid would work against them. 

If that’s the case, then it is not wise to retreat under the moon, or to camp in the dark forest.

Even if there was some risk, they planned to light a campfire in an area with a good view of the village as originally planned, and after recuperating their strength and energy, they were to retreat as soon as possible.

“Giiido, gian giigugia, giiigugia gigusu…” (Sword, everyone is tired, and those guys have the advantage at night…)

“Gea, gausu giiusu?” (So should we make camp here?)

Brave nodded at the suggestion, and the Sorcerer Rock gave instructions to their gathered comrades.

“Kuadou goaozu giiigiruh!” (Go in groups of four and search the houses!)

“GIUH!!” (AYE!!)

Responding to the orders, the Goblins called out to their nearby compatriots and formed more than a dozen groups of 4 each to go around and check the houses all over Lucua village.

Some of the houses were locked, but they smashed them down with their hand axes and stepped in. They also checked if any Werecats were lurking inside, and secured any food, water, alcohol, tools, and other necessities at the same time. 

After a few moments, numerous reports that no Werecats were lurking in the village were brought back by the groups sent out by Brave, along with the loot they gathered.

“Giuu…” (I see…)

“… Gii, giirugu gaagua gireuzesutoru?” (… Hey, should we just leave Heavy and the others like this?)

Only a few Goblin hordes have the custom of mourning for their dead, so the custom had not taken root in them either, but Sword, who felt uncomfortable spending the night while leaving the bodies of their friends unattended, asked.

“Gua gireusu giiresu.” (I will send them off with my flames.)

“… Giia.” (… I’ll leave it in your hands.) 

The bodies of the Goblins lying all over Lukua village were gathered in one place, and Rock held out his wand toward them.

“Gia, gireusuh.” (Burn, Raging Flames!)

The flames released from the wand burned their brethren’s bodies, and with the smell of burning flesh, smoke rose into the evening sky. As he watched the smoke rise, Brave sent a silent prayer. 

The principle behind their actions was no doubt a Goblin’s, and Brave, impelled by instinct, attacks and eats other creatures, but in a corner of his mind, he harbored love and sympathy for his comrades. With that kind of mindset, there was no doubt that he was indeed the “Hero” of the Goblin Race.

Under his command, the Goblins were divided into rest and night watch teams while spending the night in the village.