Chapter 38

In a forest not far from Zeato, goblins were greedily devouring meat. It was an ordinary day, but this time, the scene was abnormal.

The goblins were killing and eating their own kind.

Goblins are omnivores, but they primarily hunt and feed on small animals. Therefore, eating their own kind is almost unheard of. However, the goblins were indeed eating their fellow goblins.

Goblins would only eat their own kind in extreme cases of hunger. This meant that the goblins were so famished that they had fallen into a state where they would even eat their companions.

Eventually, after finishing their meal, the goblins, feeling satisfied, soon began to drool like hungry beasts and search for more prey.

Then, the hungry goblin found its prey. In front of the goblin was an orc, a creature much stronger than a goblin.

Even when hungry, goblins would not attack orcs, but the goblin, in its extreme state of hunger, could not make a rational decision.

Driven by the desire to satisfy its hunger, the goblin, now vicious, attacked the superior monster, the orc.

However, a single goblin was no match for the orc. The orc easily crushed and killed the goblin.

Normally, the orc would have left, but it was also hungry like the goblins. So, the orc picked up the dead goblin, opened its large mouth, and began to eat it voraciously.

After swallowing the goblin with a gulp, the orc, still unsatisfied, wandered through the forest in search of the next prey. The direction it was heading was toward Zeato.

While this strange event was unfolding in the forest, Leord, who was solving the water shortage problem, was energetically being thrown around by Gilbert and being crushed by Barbarot.

“Buuuuuuuuuuu!!!”

“Can’t you do something about that scream…?”

“Probably not…”

Under the scorching sun, Leord, covered in sweat and mud, was diligently practicing what he called "dieting."

As always, his screams when being thrown were pig-like. Gilbert, who sighed in exasperation, and Barbarot, who was unimpressed, could only let out sighs.

Unaware of their feelings, Leord, who had been thrown, used his wooden sword as a cane to stand up. Shelia, who was peeking, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Leord’s trembling legs, which looked like those of a newborn fawn.

“Haha! Go for it, Lord Leord!”

Her voice was trembling from laughter. Unaware that Shelia was peeking, Leord, with unsteady steps, returned to his training partner, Barbarot.

“Next…!”

“Then, let’s go!”

The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed through the mansion, which had become a daily background noise for the servants.

“Huff!”

“Too soft!!”

“Gah…!”

“There!”

“Gah!?!”

Leord, who was attacking, allowed Barbarot to counterattack by targeting his weak spots, and his hand was slapped, causing him to drop his wooden sword.

“You still have a long way to go.”

“Grr…”

In response to Barbarot’s words, Leord, with a look of regret, picked up his wooden sword.

“However, Lord Leord has improved quite a bit.”

“That may be so, but you haven’t managed to land a single hit yet.”

“Well, I’ve been practicing with a sword regularly. It wouldn’t be right for me to lose to Lord Leord, who only recently resumed his sword training.”

“Mmm. You don’t want to let your student shine, do you?”

“If that’s what satisfies you, I don’t mind.”

“Tch. Just wait. I’ll definitely land a hit on you guys.”

Leord’s bold declaration made both Barbarot and Gilbert smile.

“Haha. You still have plenty of energy, young master.”

“It seems so. Let’s do it again, shall we?”

“Wait, why are you both smiling like that?”

Despite their sinister grins, Leord, trembling, faced them.

The result was the same as always: Leord was thoroughly beaten by the two of them.

“Ouch…! I have a lot of bruises today.”

Leord, wiping his mud-covered body with a wet towel, sighed as he looked at the bruises on his body.

“Sigh… When will I be able to land a hit on those two?”

Unfortunately, that day was still far off.

For Leord, who was a legendary assassin, Gilbert, and the top knight of Zeato, Barbarot, landing a hit was still difficult.

However, if Leord continued to train without giving up, there was a possibility. But because of the gap in their skills, it would take time to close the gap.

So, it would be a while before Leord could land a hit on the two of them.

After cleaning himself up, Leord changed into the new clothes that were prepared and headed to the dining room.

Leord, who had been moving around during the morning training, was hungry and couldn’t resist the delicious smell coming from the dining room.

He opened the door with a bang, startling the servants inside.

“Master. I understand you were hungry, but please open the door quietly so as not to surprise everyone.”

“Ugh, yes. I’m sorry.”

Leord, reprimanded by Gilbert, sat down at the table.

The meal was ready, and Leord began to eat alone.

Just as Leord finished his meal, Barbarot rushed into the dining room. It seemed that something urgent had happened, as he was accompanied by a servant.

“What is it, Barbarot?”

“Gilbert! I need to speak with you in private.”

Gilbert, who had been glaring at Barbarot, realized that something was seriously wrong from Barbarot’s anxious expression and approached him.

“We received a report from a patrolling knight that there are signs of a monster panic.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes, it’s certain.”

“Then, we must immediately inform Lord Beluga.”

“Please do. I will be away for a while to defend, so please convey the message to Lord Leord.”

“Understood. Good luck.”

After their secret conversation, the two parted ways. Barbarot returned to the barracks, and Gilbert went to Leord.

“What was Barbarot’s business?”

“Let’s discuss it in the study.”

“Huh…?”

Leord, surprised by the unexpected response, looked bewildered.