Noa's thoughts were in complete disarray.
I want to end this… Why does this pain keep burning me…
At that moment, two goblins entered the hut. One of them was Gobuta.
"We brought you food."
Gobuta froze as he stared at Noa's injuries.
"So this is the new lord's companion… What happened to him? His eyes are blindfolded, his left arm is bound… Did they flee from battle?"
Noa slightly turned his head.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Gobuta, Lord Rion's right hand. If you need anything, just call for me."
"Right hand…" Noa's voice was cold, yet carried a hint of respect.
Gobuta remained silent, unsure what to say.
"Leave me alone. Pretend I don't exist," Noa whispered.
Gobuta bowed his head slightly in response.
"But Lord Rion ordered me to look after you."
"Is that so? What is Rion doing right now?"
"He is walking around the village, observing the locals."
"Listen, Gobuta. If you keep disturbing me… you will regret it," Noa said coldly.
Gobuta took a step back.
"U-understood!"
He hurriedly left the hut.
Noa spread his arms toward the ceiling and whispered,
"Now I'm beginning to understand… what hatred truly is."
In the Dragon's Spirit book, it says a dragon leaves no one with an empty heart — whether it's pain without cause or pain with cause. This is probably what they call anhedonia. My mind has blocked off all emotions because I couldn't bear them anymore.
He let out a deep sigh.
In the silence, he fought with his own thoughts — the wounds inside him screamed louder than any voice.
Outside the hut
Rion stood in the center of the village square, surrounded by goblin warriors.
His voice was cold yet sharp with authority.
"From this moment on — we put an end to disorder!"
Gobuta stood beside him.
"Gobuta, how are these warriors currently organized?"
"Twenty of them go hunting. The rest guard the village," he replied.
Rion glanced at the warriors, then looked back at Gobuta.
"What do the hunters do in their free time?"
Gobuta thought for a moment. "They rest."
Rion tilted his head slightly.
"Nothing else?"
"They also help with breeding."
Rion covered his face with his hand.
"And the guards? What do they do when there is no attack?"
Gobuta answered with slight embarrassment,
"They rest, help with breeding, and train the young."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Now I will reorganize everything."
His voice cut through the air like steel.
"First — formation. Each line will consist of ten warriors in four rows. Or five warriors in eight rows.
Two goblins will permanently guard the village entrances — in positions where they can always see each other. Seventeen will be responsible solely for defense. Watch over one another. Stay alert. The safety of the village is our top priority.
The young — a total of twenty-eight — will be trained by three instructors. Two instructors will each take nine, and one will take ten.
Since Gobuta is with me, each of you will have nine.
The remaining eighteen will go hunting.
There will be no rest during the day. Rest only at night.
At night — you will help with breeding.
Do not consider this a burden I impose, but a reward for your labor.
Two goblins will stand permanent guard beside my companion's hut.
You will rotate with the defense team every four hours. Stay vigilant near the hut. If anything happens, you will answer with your heads.
Hunters — you will be divided into two teams!"
The goblins shouted in unison:
"Yes, Lord! We will obey your command!"
Rion turned to Gobuta.
"Gobuta, reports will be your responsibility. One day, if you prove your ability, you will become the leader of these goblins."
Gobuta's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Y-yes, my lord! I will give my all!"
Gobuta looked at Rion with pride.
This lord… is different from the others. Our village is developing. A true leader has come — we will rise.
Just as my mother used to say, he thought to himself.
He quietly entered the hut, holding a small steaming bowl.
Inside, Noa lay motionless, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the wall.
Rion stepped inside and said gently,
"Are you awake, Noa? I brought food."
Noa did not turn. His voice was cold and trembling:
"Get out…"
Rion sat down and placed the bowl beside him.
"You need to eat, Noa. I understand. It's hard… but how long do you plan to lie like this?"
Noa clenched his fists.
"Don't talk as if you understand me!"
A flash of pain crossed Rion's face. He stayed silent for a moment, then spoke softly:
"I want you to know, Noa — I am your friend. And I will always be with you."
His voice was calm, yet filled with quiet sorrow.
Noa took a deep breath; his lips trembled.
"I know, Rion… You saved me twice. I'm grateful.
But the life you saved… is now useless!"
Suddenly, he turned and hurled the bowl. It smashed against the wall. A heavy silence fell.
Rion looked at Noa's hands — the bindings had been removed. Fresh wounds and reopened scars were weakly bleeding. His broken arm was twisted.
Rion quickly approached.
"Noa… show me your hand."
"My mother is dead, my father is dead, my brother sold me, and since that day I haven't seen my sister — I don't even know if she's alive. Do you understand?!" Noa said, bending his broken arm unnaturally as he glared at Rion.
Rion grabbed Noa's uninjured hand.
"Hurting yourself won't change anything."
Noa lowered his head, his voice dropping.
"You had a family. No one ever hated you. You are talented. You can't understand me."
Arguing now will only make things worse. He needs time, Rion thought.
"I don't need anything!
Just leave… or kill me!"
His voice broke. Rion stood up silently and bowed his head slightly.
"I'll leave… but I'll send goblins to bandage your wounds. Allow them to help you."
Noa wrapped himself tighter in the blanket.
"Fine. Just go."
Rion stood up and walked toward the door. Before leaving, he glanced back — his eyes heavy with pain and regret.
He took a long breath.
Rion's thoughts became tangled.
Now is not the time to break… I cannot show weakness to them.
He closed his eyes for a moment, composed himself, and stepped outside.
Outside
Rion stood unarmed beneath the dim sky, wrestling with his thoughts.
Noa will never return to how he was before… will he? The question echoed inside him.
Gobuta approached.
"Send someone to the hut — those who know how to treat wounds. Do not disturb him more than necessary."
"Understood, my lord. The elders will handle it."
Rion nodded and returned to the training ground.
He sat on a rock and watched the goblins train — every movement answered the unease stirring within him.
Inside the hut, two elderly goblins entered quietly.
Noa raised his head slightly, his tone icy with rage.
"Didn't I say not to disturb me? Have you come to test your luck?"
The elder goblin spoke:
"Lord Rion sent us to bind your arm."
"Rion sent you? Fine. Do it quickly and leave."
He sat up.
One goblin took a piece of cloth and a straighter branch and carefully approached.
"May I have your hand?"
Noa extended his broken arm.
The goblin placed the branch and began bandaging the wound.
The goblin looked at Noa cautiously.
"Does it hurt?"
Noa gave no answer.
The goblin said nothing more, finished bandaging, and quietly left.
Noa lay down again.
Inside, words burned like fire:
Pain… not sharp, but endless.
Breaking my bones would be better than living with this pain.
The sun set.
Rion returned to the hut. Through a small gap he saw Noa lying motionless.
He stood there for a while, then left.
Later that night
Rion sat in his own hut, gazing at the star-filled sky.
Outside, the faint conversations of the goblins drifted in with the wind.
"My lord!"
"Come in."
Gobuta asked hesitantly,
"May I ask you something?"
Rion looked mildly curious.
"Go ahead."
"Your companion… who is he to you?"
Rion's voice was low.
"You mean Noa? He… is my friend."
Gobuta spoke with a faltering voice:
"Noa… yes. I was with you all day and observed everything.
You seemed… different, quieter.
Noa does not deserve a friend like you.
I heard how he spoke to you. You were kind, and he was rude.
He insulted you.
After lunch, your mood changed.
We should punish him. He does not respect your kindness —"
Rion suddenly stood up, his gaze fierce, fists clenched.
"Gobuta, if you say that again — I will kill you.
And feed your flesh to the warriors."
Gobuta froze, trembling.
He bowed his head to the ground.
"F-forgive me, my lord… I spoke wrongly."
Even as he said this, something else stirred inside Gobuta.
My lord… I have seen enough in one day.
Serving you is an honor.
But that dragon… Noa… he hurt you.
One day, I will make him pay.