The Monster King's Legacy

Chapter 54 Rising Concern

Deep in the ancient Elven forests the Elven council convened beneath the towering branches of an unreasonably massive and tall tree that if anyone from earth was to look at, they would shout "World Tree!"

Well, saying they were convened beneath it would be a slight misunderstanding, as in reality, they were under the canopy of the tree which grew into the skies, there was no way they would sit for a meeting on any of its branches.

The soft light of glowing crystals illuminated their somber faces as they discussed the new interesting information they had received not long ago.

"The human we've heard so much of as of recent," one elder began, his voice low and measured, "leads a tribe of goblins with a cunning and smarts that defies their nature. He even repelled a human force without bloodshed, using strategy alone. That shows a strategic mind."

"Goblins should not possess such organization," another elder said, her silver hair shimmering in the soft light despite her age and wrinkling skin. "It sure is unnatural, not to mention a human leading monsters. I've never heard such a thing in all my years."

Another elder, his green eyes sharp, leaned forward. "Unnatural or not, we cannot ignore this. If he is to continues to expand, his influence may reach the borders of our lands."

"And what would you have us do?" another elder replied. "Strike them down before they become a true threat? What if this human's intentions are not as nefarious as we assume?"

The other elder scoffed, a disdainful look on his face. "What if, you say? Has there ever been anything involving monsters that led to anything good? Seems like you have become too old, Caladorn. Besides, why would there be a human in their midst? As a leader, no less. This is obviously a ploy by the humans looking to control the monsters."

He elders continued the meeting, their words and ideas coming more as subtle jabs at one another than anything else.

Seated in their midst was a younger elder, one of the few younger ones. He had a much youthful look compared to the others who looked either old or at least in their middle years. As he listened to everything without contributing a word himself, he gradually grew irritated. 'These old fools are so shallow and behind... they've become too senile.' He thought to himself.

"Elders," he finally spoke. His voice was calm, but it drove into everyone present, catching their attention.

The female elder from before turned towards him with a hidden disdainful look that only showed through her eyes. "What is it Ithil?"

"I'm telling ya, the goblin girl can craft with amazing skill! It's more than just impressive, more than!" Tharok argued with two of his buddies.

The other dwarf scoffed. "Goblins forging weapons worth mentioning? I'll believe it when I see it."

"Right? Tharok, yer sure yer didn't have one of those jungle mushrooms? Heard those can bring illusions to the mind, ya know?"

"Ah! This mine rat! Even if I was to eat a mushroom and hallucinate, it wouldn't last for week now, would it?" Tharok retorted.

"Who knows? Maybe you ate more than once?"

"It's not just the weapons," Tharok said, a little more serious this time. "Grannik hasn't told you anything yet, has he? If not, you wouldn't be talking like this now. These goblins, they are not like the goblins we normally run into from the south... these goblins are from the east." He said, his gaze meeting the others' eyes.

"You're not kidding, right? Tharok." One of them asked.

"Of course not. It may be a little difficult to note, but anyone who knows the difference will see it clearly after one look at their faces." He said. "I'm telling ya, it's true! Grannik should have reported this to the king too."

"If it's true, then that explains their ability to make fine weapons." The other said.

"Hey, I didn't say they all can handle the heat..."

"Wow, this is impressive." The other said.

'They're not listening.'