Phobio crossed his arms, looking down with disdain at Rigur and Gobta as they drew their swords.
As a member of the Three Beastketeers, the amount of magicules within him far surpassed that of Rigur and Gobta, two mere goblins. His presence alone pressed down on the surrounding air—a silent reminder of the brutal gap in power.
Over the years, he had followed Carrion through numerous battles. He had every reason to be arrogant.
"I can sense several powerful beings in this city. Aren't you going to call for reinforcements?" Phobio mocked, his smile curved like someone who already considered himself the victor.
Rigur was already in a combat stance, posture firm, gaze focused.
"There's no need… I also want to see how strong I've become." Rigur replied.
He wasn't boasting. Ever since Hakurou began training them, Rigur had wanted to measure how much he had improved.
Without another word, he charged at Phobio.
Phobio merely kept his arms crossed, showing no intention of dodging or defending.
On the contrary, he smiled broadly, evaluating Rigur's advance with experienced eyes.
"Not bad. For a mere goblin to reach such a level of skill is something to be proud of!"
However, at that very moment—
A powerful kick struck the back of his neck, sending him several meters forward.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Gobta behind him, wearing a strangely satisfied expression.
"I like to call that move: Open and Fair Ambush." Gobta said as he landed on the ground.
He rubbed his nose with his thumb as if he had just executed some legendary technique.
"You damn goblin!" Phobio roared.
That ridiculous, comical-looking goblin had actually hit him?
Still, it posed no real threat to Phobio.
He threw a punch to meet Rigur's fist. With his other hand, his palm burst into flames as it clashed against Gobta's sword, the metal hissing under the intense heat.
Fighting two at once would be annoying—but not a problem.
Yet in that instant, he looked up—and was shocked to see a black bolt of lightning descending from the sky straight toward him.
"GAHHHH!!"
He roared in pain as the powerful lightning struck him, the scent of ozone spreading through the air.
That black lightning had been summoned by one of the Tempest Wolves!
"Don't think you can just come here and do whatever you want, kitty." The wolf sneered, eyes crackling with electricity.
Though increasingly irritated by the mockery, Phobio managed to remain calm enough to evade the combined assaults of Rigur and Gobta.
But even if he had dodged—for Phobio, this was already a defeat.
Just two goblins and a wolf were forcing him back.
It was humiliating.
As much as he disliked it, he had to admit they were not only strong but also worked together with remarkable synchronization.
Still, that was no excuse for losing.
"You managed to push me back. You should be proud!" Phobio declared.
Gobta shook his head with an almost serious expression—almost.
"We goblins are the weakest in Nova Uruk. If someone like you gets driven off by the weakest, you shouldn't be talking so arrogantly."
He crossed his arms and puffed out his chest… only to add:
"If you're already out of breath fighting us, imagine if Shion shows up? I recommend running while you can still walk."
"…I'll kill you!" Phobio roared.
"What can you do? You just got repelled by us." Gobta taunted.
Phobio: "…"
Boom!
The ground beneath Phobio's feet suddenly collapsed, and he lunged at Gobta with explosive speed.
"Secret Technique: Nigerundayo!" Gobta shouted as he ran away, laughing desperately.
He sprinted in a zigzag pattern.
"This isn't cowardice! It's advanced tactical repositioning strategy!"
At the same time, Rigur charged at Phobio again, taking advantage of the distraction.
Outside the battlefield—
Milim was crying with laughter, rolling through the air.
"Father, you are a bad influence on them," Angelica said expressionlessly while looking at Arthur.
"I have to agree. What exactly have you been teaching the goblins?" Shizu asked.
"I haven't taught them anything. I'd say it's Gobta's natural talent to get on people's nerves," Arthur replied, shaking his head.
Shion and Shuna nodded immediately, speaking with absolute conviction.
"We fully believe you, Master Arthur… We know you only talk to them when you have nothing better to do."
Arthur covered his face and looked up at the sky, exasperated.
The fact that things had reached this point was entirely due to Gobta's inherently perverse nature.
After sighing again, Arthur finally decided to explain everything clearly to them.
Some time later, Phobio and his subordinates—questioning reality after a series of humiliations, including a "warm greeting" from Benimaru that nearly turned him into charcoal—were escorted to the main mansion of the citadel.
Benimaru had only stepped in when he felt Gobta was about to push the humiliation too far.
Now, they stood in the reception hall of Arthur's residence.
"You're the leader of this city?" Phobio asked haughtily, despite his charred state.
"Correct. My name is Arthur Morgan," Arthur replied, crossing his legs as he sat on his throne.
The atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly.
"I am Phobio, member of the Three Beastketeers, direct subordinate of Demon Lord Carrion. I advise you to release us immediately. If anything happens to us, Lord Carrion will reduce this city to rubble," Phobio threatened.
Benimaru, Shion, Souei, Hakurou, and Angelica immediately flared with anger.
"Know your place, you filthy mongrel," Arthur replied coldly.
His voice wasn't loud.
Yet the pressure that spread throughout the hall made even the air tremble.
"Do not think I will tolerate a mere invader acting arrogantly in my presence," Arthur said.
Snap!
Snap!
Snap!
Shion cracked her fingers, a fanatical smile slowly spreading across her face.
Her eyes shone.
It was the look of someone who had been granted the chance to serve.
"Don't worry, Master. Leave him to me. I guarantee he won't die," Shion said.
Phobio was stunned.
His face twisted in panic—and his heart was in even greater turmoil.
"Aren't you afraid of starting a war with Eurazania over this?" Phobio demanded.
Shion hesitated.
"War?"
Arthur scratched his chin briefly and pulled several healing potions from the Gate of Babylon.
The vials gleamed under the hall's light.
Seeing the potions, Phobio smiled triumphantly.
"That's right. Don't think you can harm us without consequences. If you know what's good for you and your people, hand this city over to Lord Carrion!"
"Who said I'm afraid of Carrion?" Arthur replied, raising an eyebrow.
Then, with absolute nonchalance:
"Shion, take him away from the city and fight him as much as you like. When he's on the verge of death, give him a healing potion and continue until you've vented your anger." Arthur tossed the healing potions to Shion.
The hall fell silent.
Shion held the potions with both hands as if she had received a sacred treasure.
Her eyes filled with tears of pure devotion.
"I love you, Master Arthur!" Shion exclaimed.
To her, this wasn't merely permission to fight.
It was proof that her master fully trusted her.
An oppressive, vibrant aura began to emanate from her body.
"Your name is Phobio, correct? Don't worry. I'll make sure you receive the finest and most hospitable treatment Nova Uruk has to offer," Shion said, her face radiant with happiness.
Phobio's face turned pale.
He finally understood.
Those potions weren't meant to save him.
They were meant to prolong his suffering.
He let out a phrase he had once heard from a human adventurer:
"YAMETE!"
(End of Chapter)