Chapter 216: Two Conditions and the Oath
If the Throne Tribe was besieged, holding out would hold no meaning.
At that time, he would lose everything.
In this world, the strong would never allow themselves to be alone.
Because being alone greatly limits what one can achieve.
"Master, you need powerful subordinates, and that human woman is the perfect host. I will gradually transform her, making her your most loyal servant. Through her identity, she will serve you."
Wasn't this the classic infiltration method?
Acting in the shadows, and when the enemy realizes it, they'll find everything already belongs to their foe.
"Will it work?"
"It will. If your wish is to dominate the world, you must build your own forces."
"It might take a long time, though."
"Master, time means nothing to you."
"Fine, then we'll retreat tomorrow."
"Wait a bit longer. Let that woman come to see you!"
"Will she come? I'm just a goblin."
If they occupied the Garrison Fort, perhaps she would seek him out.
By then, she'd know he was in the Garrison Fort.
But if they withdrew, where would she find him?
And as the victor, she might never have intended to fulfill her promise.
"She will come!"
"Alright, then wait three more days!"
Li Meng looked down at Margarita.
"It's late. You should both go rest. I'm going to sleep!"
Hearing this, Margarita let out a sigh of relief.
She had been truly afraid the king would demand she undress and accompany him.
Margarita bowed deeply, placing her hand over her chest in salute to the king.
Then, together with Emma, she exited the tent one after the other.
Once the two women left, Li Meng lay back and immediately fell asleep.
Time passed slowly as the night deepened.
---
Garrison Fort, Morning
In a room within the Crystal Temple:
"High Priest, Mors..."
Sandra looked at her unconscious husband on the bed, her face filled with worry.
Although his external wounds were no longer visible, Mors remained in a coma.
Sitting by the bed, Efrideet smiled faintly.
She wore a platinum, low-cut robe-like gown.
The exposed snow-white skin of her chest and her lightly revealed white-stockinged legs added a touch of allure to her presence.
Her light, melodious voice filled the room.
"Don't worry. He's fine now and will wake up soon."
Hearing this, Sandra breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sandra, how is the battle outside?"
Though within the temple, Efrideet was still concerned about the situation outside.
As the High Priest of the Crystal Temple in the Garrison Fort, she naturally didn't want the fort to fall into the hands of the demons.
Sandra sighed, shaking her head.
"The demon army fell into chaos, and the Ghost Beastmen were driven out. Now the Savage Tribe's army is stationed outside the city."
"Oh? Such a thing happened?"
A trace of surprise flashed in Efrideet's eyes.
She hadn't expected such an unforeseen turn in yesterday's battle.
"High Priest, I'll leave Mors in your care!"
Without saying more, Sandra turned and left in a hurry.
With her husband still unconscious, she, as the Countess, was the only one capable of managing affairs in the Garrison Fort.
Currently, the fort's walls were breached.
If the Savage Tribe launched an assault, the fort might not hold.
Sandra knew very well that she had to stop the battle from continuing.
Although she had agreed to withdraw humans from the fort as per the Goblin King's terms, she didn't have the authority to abandon the fort with her husband incapacitated.
---
Afternoon, Gale Valley
"Report! Report, Your Majesty!"
The curtain of the tent was violently lifted as a large goblin rushed inside.
"Your Majesty, a human woman has arrived outside. She looks delicious!"
A human woman?
Li Meng's eyes lit up as he gnawed on dried meat.
"Bring her in!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The large goblin turned and dashed out, feet pounding the ground.
Outside the encampment, in a great canyon:
A group of goblins surrounded Sandra.
Under the goblins' greedy gazes, Sandra frowned.
"Get lost, you brats. This human woman belongs to the king!"
A large goblin hurried over, yelling curses along the way.
The goblins quickly cleared a path.
Reaching Sandra, the large goblin gestured toward the camp's direction.
It beckoned to the human woman, then turned and headed for the camp.
Although Sandra couldn't understand the goblin's speech, its gestures were clear enough.
Expressionless, she followed the large goblin.
The camp was vast, a dense sea of black.
Among the throngs were burly Beastmen, Pigmen, and furry Gnolls.
Occasionally, a Centaur galloped by.
Sandra followed the large goblin through the camp, eventually entering a massive tent.
Once inside, darkness enveloped her as she once again faced the massive steel figure.
As if recalling something, Sandra's heart sank.
Taking a deep breath, she maintained a calm expression and walked forward.
Standing before the Goblin King, Sandra met his gaze directly.
"I am Sandra Oled, wife of Count Mors. Goblin King, I..."
"I can retreat!"
Sandra was stunned, her words cut off by Li Meng.
Had she misheard? The Goblin King said he could retreat?
"But I have two conditions!"
Sandra collected herself.
No matter what conditions the Goblin King imposed, it was better than abandoning the fort.
"First, within six months, you must come to the Goblin Forest to find me. This was your promise. The time should be extended—not one month, but three. No, it must be six months."
Hearing this, Sandra paled.
She wanted to speak but hesitated, ultimately staying silent.
Sandra bit her lip, fearing she might say something to refuse.
She couldn't reject the Goblin King's demands.
As Countess, she had to protect her husband's family domain.
Without the Garrison Fort, they would have nothing.
Accustomed to noble life, they couldn't adapt to an adventurer's lifestyle.
"Second, for the next ten years, the Garrison Fort must not allow any forces to pass through!"
The two conditions made Sandra's expression shift repeatedly.
She wanted to refuse the first condition but couldn't.
As for the second condition, she lacked the authority to agree but hoped the Goblin King assumed she could.
"Swear an oath, on the Crystal!"
Without hesitation, Sandra raised her hand.
"I, Sandra Oled, swear upon the Crystal to abide by the agreement made with the current Goblin King. Within six months, I will travel to the Goblin Forest and accompany him for six months. For the next ten years, the Garrison Fort will forbid passage to any forces. Should I violate this oath, may my soul be forfeit!"