NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
Survival of the fittest.
This is a fundamental principle in the wild for beasts, and it’s a theory that easily applies to demon beasts and the demon race as well.
Natural selection.
The strong survive, and the weak are eliminated or come under the strong—this is human nature.
The goblin race embodies the concepts of survival of the fittest and natural selection more than anyone else.
Even though they form groups, if their group is stronger than the opposing group, they will tear them apart and devour them.
Naturally, if they are weaker, they will scurry away and bow their heads submissively.
Thus, the goblins have managed to survive on the continent.
They may be weak, but they’re slightly smarter than other demon races, so they concocted means and methods to survive against one another.
“Grghgh.”
The goblins gathered in one place.
Along with the Elder Goblin, strong warrior-class goblins convened in the Elder’s hut.
They gathered for one reason.
“I can’t resist that delicious smell. Kerekk.”
A mouthwatering aroma wafted through the air.
No matter how hard they tried to ignore it, the scent was unavoidable.
“It’s the smell of demon kind. Krng.”
“A weakened demon.”
“Surely, a strong entity was summoned to the Intermediate Realm and possessed a human body for some reason, losing all its magical power. Kerekk.”
“””That’s not it.”””
The goblins were troubled by the scent of this ‘weakened strong one.’
No matter how strong a beast may be, if it’s bleeding and on the verge of death, the goblins could easily stab it in the neck if they approached cautiously.
Goblins are weak, yet they only engage their opponents when victory is possible.
“Can we defeat it?”
“If we fight now, we can win.”
“That demon is practically powerless. Krng.”
The weakened demon isn’t the problem.
The real issue lies with the human village where that demon is likely hiding.
“Hero’s Village, can we really attack it?”
“Isn’t it a village without a hero? This is our chance. Let’s go down and attack right away.”
“How?”
“We’ll sneak up on the village with the Holy Sword at night, set it ablaze so no one can escape, and then feast on the well-roasted humans. Kerekk.”
“””Don’t spout nonsense. Krng.”””
The risk was far too great for the goblins.
Even if it’s a Hero’s Village that nobody wants to look at, there are still humans living there.
With just a few dozen goblins, it would be woefully inadequate to raid a village.
“What should we do?”
“I can’t resist the prey. We can capture even that demon.”
“I can’t hold back either. Kill all the humans first, and then we just split the demon among ourselves. Krng.”
“No, we sneak in while the humans are fast asleep in the early dawn, set the place ablaze in a circle so they can’t get out, and then throw rocks inside.”
“””Let’s attack immediately. Krrrr.””””
In the end, the goblins couldn’t hold back.
Whether the opponent is a human or whatever, they simply could not resist the scent of delicious prey.
“If we eat the demon, our status might rise. Kerekk.”
It was said that a rotten fish is still an image of one.
Even if that demon is on the brink of extinction with all its magic depleted, if a goblin consumes its ‘core,’ they too can evolve into a stronger race.
Yes, just like the legendary goblin chieftain in the Demon World, one goblin could transform into a powerful muscular race rivaling an Orc.
“Elder, what should we do?”
“Let’s gather together and attack at night. End of discussion.”
“Uoooh! A perfect plan, Kerekk.”
The goblins clapped and got ready for battle.
They’re aiming for just one thing.
The heart of the demon.
Focusing on the smell that tickled their noses, the goblins silently began to move in the darkness.
*
Something is approaching.
There are multiple presences, not just one or two.
“…….”
Lucius is currently asleep.
He had given up his bed and lay on the floor atop leather.
Those outside entered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The door…
Creeeak.
Wasn’t locked.
In the first place, there wasn’t even a lock.
In a kind-hearted rural area, perhaps they could live plentifully, but the sensation emanating from the ones entering like thieves set my nerves on edge.
They are targeting me.
They’re aiming for my body.
‘What do I do?’
Should I scream and wake Lucius?
No, even if I do, they are in the majority.
The rustling sounds likely indicate they brought some tools with them.
In this situation, there’s only one way to respond.
‘I have to use the magic stone.’
I need to use the magic stone Lucius acquired from hunting demon beasts.
My mana was already fully absorbed, now I must use the magic stone to drive them away.
‘Should I kill them?’
Killing them is also an option.
A single stab of an ice needle to the heart would suffice to kill a human, and the villagers here are no stronger than mere farmers.
But.
‘I can’t just kill humans, especially since I’m a witch who vowed to seal the Demon King.’
I’ve messed up the setting.
Before sleeping, I had to intimidate that I could eliminate all obstacles to the Demon King’s seal, but Lucius is such a fool that I lost my timing.
If I were to wake up and kill them, what would Lucius think upon seeing the villagers’ corpses?
-How could you kill people?!
He might fly into a rage.
‘Endure.’
I’ve finally acquired a rare fool.
If this were poker, I’d have a three Aces and two Kings, like a full house.
Do I really change a King when aiming for a poker?
I don’t have that many chips to take such a risk.
‘So, I should endure for now.’
Those humans are just stealthily delivering a gift at night.
Thinking like that, I tried to remain still and alert….
“Hey, he’s definitely asleep, right?”
“Yeah. Tie this bastard up.”
“Where’s the girl?”
“She probably thought she could be good and is sleeping in the bed.”
How unfortunate.
They were robbers.
As I initially thought, those coming here carried malice.
‘What to do?’
Checking with my sensory skills, I confirmed that there were two people inside the house.
And two more outside.
One seemed familiar with a mana signature; it must be the Village Chief.
‘This old man is up to something!’
He’s certainly attempting to commit lewd acts, looking at my body with a face identical to Zephar!
‘Should I switch bodies?’
If I were to inhabit a little beast like a dog or cat, I could avoid such humiliation.
I felt my stomach churn in anger, but having steadied my heart, I attempted to cast magic towards them—
“Hey, be careful, this bastard could—”
Wham—!!
A clean hit.
Lucius kicked the guy who had reached out to him with a rope, and his foot connected right with the young man’s jaw.
Crash!!
Furniture toppled, and I seized the moment to rise.
Carefully pulling the blanket, I opened my eyes wide and shouted.
“W-what the?!”
“Damn!!”
One of the robbers swung something at Lucius.
Swish!
A sharply honed dagger reflecting moonlight was swung wildly, but it didn’t reach Lucius.
‘Oh.’
It seems the magic stone was not just something picked up off the ground.
Lucius evaded the dagger swung by the young man and took a position like he was protecting me, soon grasping a wooden staff off the wall like a makeshift sword.
“What are you doing?!”
“Ugh…!”
“What the hell is going on at night! Among villagers!”
This man’s angry voice is quite something.
Hearing Lucius’s angry voice for the first time, it reminded me of a well-behaved Cerberus growling at Demon Lords.
“Calm down, Arthur. We’re not here to fight.”
“Then what?!”
“We’re here to capture that girl!”
“…Why?”
Lucius took his stance to protect me again.
The one who had been punched in the jaw was spitting blood on the floor as he stood up.
“Of course, she’s an outsider! I don’t know where she’s from, but we can’t leave her alone!”
“You came here with weapons over that? Make sense!!”
“If making sense would make you step back quietly?”
Creeeeak.
The door opened, and the Village Chief entered the house.
At the Chief’s appearance, Lucius froze, and the Chief grinned, pointing at me.
“Beware of the cursed witch entering Hero’s Village. A cursed witch will bring the end of this village.”
“…What does that mean?”
“It’s one of the legends passed down in this village for ages. I’d have forgotten it if I hadn’t rummaged through old books.”
“I’ve never heard such a story!!”
“Naturally, it’s a secret that has been passed down through the Chief’s family. What meaning is there in talking about disasters the village may face?”
“…You made that up.”
I rose from the bed.
“Don’t be fooled, Lucius. They’re just spinning tales to confuse us with nonexistent legends.”
“Shut up, cursed witch! You’re the calamity destined to bring ruin to our village!”
“This old man….”
It seems I might have to fight, after all.
If that’s the case….
“Surrender quietly!!”
The Village Chief pulled something from his robe.
The metallic item resembled a massive finger and had a hole aimed right at me.
“You coward!!”
Lucius, in a panic, covered me with his body.
“How dare you whip out a gun!!”
“……?”
Gun?