Noa's inner voice:
I want to end it... It hurts. It hurts so much. It's not my eyes that ache—it's my heart. But somehow... this pain in my eyes dulls the agony inside. The torment in my chest... is it any different from physical pain?
Just then, two goblins entered the hut. One of them was Gobuta.
**Gobuta:** "We brought you food."
*He thought to himself:* So this is the new lord's companion... What happened to him? His eyes are bandaged, his left arm bound... Did they flee from battle?
Noa turned his head slightly.
**Noa:** "What's your name?"
**Gobuta:** "My name is Gobuta, Lord Rion's right hand. If you need anything, call me."
**Noa:** "Right hand..." His voice was cold, but deep inside, there was respect. *Yes... he's better than me.*
Gobuta fell silent, unsure how to respond.
**Noa:** "Leave me alone. Pretend I don't exist," he whispered bitterly, trying to force a smile.
**Gobuta:** "But the lord ordered me to take care of you."
**Noa:** "Is that so? What is Rion doing now?"
**Gobuta:** "He's touring the village and meeting the locals."
**Noa:** "Listen, Gobuta. If you keep disturbing me... I'll kill you."
Gobuta froze in fear.
**Gobuta:** "U-understood!"
He hurried out.
Noa spread his arms and stared at the ceiling.
**Noa (thinking):** I think I understand now. I don't need anything... But why do I feel pain instead of hatred or revenge? Normally, people would scream... or rage...
Maybe it's good that my eyes are gone—they hide the pain in my heart.
*I read in some book that a dragon leaves no one feeling nothing in its heart—pain without cause, or with cause. In psychology, it's called anhedonia, I think. My brain blocked emotions because I couldn't bear them.*
He exhaled deeply.
In silence, he wrestled with his thoughts—the wounds inside screamed louder than any voice.
---
**Outside the hut**
Rion stood in the center of the village square. Goblin warriors were gathered around him.
His voice was cold but sharp with command.
**Rion:** "From this moment on—no more disorder!"
Gobuta stood beside him.
**Rion:** "Gobuta, how are these warriors assigned?"
**Gobuta (obediently):** "Twenty are responsible for hunting. The rest guard the village."
**Rion (looking at Gobuta):** "What do the hunters do when idle?"
**Gobuta (embarrassed):** "They rest."
**Rion (disappointed):** "Nothing else?"
**Gobuta (hesitating):** "Well... they also help with reproduction."
Rion covered his face with his hand.
**Rion:** "And the guards? What do they do when there's no attack?"
**Gobuta (firmly):** "They rest, help with reproduction, and train the young."
**Rion (exhausted):** "That's it?"
**Gobuta (uncertain):** "Yes, my lord."
Rion exhaled in frustration.
**Rion:** "From now on, I'll reorganize everything."
His voice cut through the air like steel.
**Rion:**
"First—formation discipline. Ten per row, four rows. Or five per row, eight lines. No more chaos!
Your current structure is idiotic.
Two goblins will guard the village entrances—always within sight of each other. Seventeen will focus solely on defense. Watch one another. Stay alert. Village security comes first.
The young—twenty-eight in total—will be trained by three. Two instructors take nine each, one takes ten.
Since Gobuta is with me, each of you will have nine.
The remaining eighteen will hunt.
No resting during the day. Rest only at night.
At night—you'll help with reproduction.
See this not as a duty I impose, but as your reward.
Two goblins will stand permanent guard near my companion's hut.
Rotate every four hours with the defense team. Stay vigilant at the hut. If anything happens, you answer with your heads.
Hunters—divide into two teams!"
The goblins cheered:
**Goblins:** "Yes, Lord! We obey your command!"
Rion turned to Gobuta.
**Rion:** "Gobuta, reports are your responsibility. One day, if you prove capable, you'll lead these goblins."
Gobuta's eyes lit up.
**Gobuta:** "Y-yes, my lord! I'll give everything!"
*He thought:*
This lord... he's unlike any other. Our village is evolving.
A true leader has arrived—we will rise.
The sun hung high, but the goblin village already felt different.
Rion had been here less than a day, yet the air itself had changed—sharper, disciplined, alive.
He quietly entered the hut. In his hand was a small steaming bowl.
Inside, Noa lay motionless, curled under the blanket, facing the wall.
Rion spoke softly as he entered:
**Rion:** "Are you awake, Noa? I brought food."
Noa didn't turn. His voice was cold and trembling:
**Noa:** "Go... leave me alone."
Rion sat down, placing the bowl beside him.
**Rion:** "You need to eat, Noa. I understand. It's hard... but how long will you lie here?"
**Noa (snapping):** "Don't talk like you understand me!"
Pain flickered across Rion's face. He was silent for a moment, then said softly:
**Rion:** "Maybe I can't share your pain... I've never been in your situation. But I'm your friend. Know this—I'm always with you."
His voice was calm, but filled with quiet sorrow.
Noa took a deep breath; his lips trembled.
**Noa:** "I know, Rion... you saved me twice. I'm grateful.
But the life you saved... it's useless now!"
He suddenly turned, hurling the bowl. It shattered against the wall. Heavy silence fell.
Rion looked at Noa's hands—the bindings were gone. Beneath them, fresh wounds and reopened scars bled faintly. His broken arm was folded.
**Rion (urgently):** "Noa... show me your hand."
**Noa:** "Leave me alone, Rion. You'll never understand."
**Rion:** "You're right... I can't share your pain. But even so, I won't let you hurt yourself. Please—let me rebind it."
*Inside, Rion thought:* Arguing now will only make it worse. He needs time.
**Noa:** "Why? What does it matter if I heal? I need nothing!
Just leave me... or kill me!"
His voice broke. Rion stood in silence, then bowed his head slightly.
**Rion:** "I'll go... but I'll send goblins to rebind your wounds. Let them help."
**Noa (unwillingly):** "Fine. Just go. Leave me."
Rion rose, walked to the door. Before stepping out, he looked back—his eyes heavy with pain and regret.
He drew a long breath.
**Rion's thoughts:** Now is not the time to break... I can't show weakness to them.
He closed his eyes for a moment, steadied his breath, and stepped outside.
---
**Outside**, Rion stood under the dimming sky, unarmed, wrestling with his thoughts.
Noa will never return to who he was... will he? The fear echoed inside him.
Gobuta approached.
**Rion:** "Send someone to the hut—elders who know how to treat wounds. They must not disturb him unnecessarily."
**Gobuta (obediently):** "Understood, my lord. The elders will handle it."
Rion nodded and walked back to the training ground.
He sat on a stone and watched the goblins practice—every movement whispering an answer to his inner turmoil.
---
**Inside the hut**, two elder goblins entered quietly.
Noa lifted his head slightly, his tone icy with anger.
**Noa:** "Didn't I say not to bother me? Are you here to test your luck?"
**Elder Goblin:** "The lord sent us to bind your hand."
**Noa:** "Rion sent you? Fine. Do it quickly and leave."
He sat up.
One goblin took a strip of cloth and a straighter horn, approaching carefully.
**Goblin:** "May I have your hand?"
Noa extended his broken arm.
The goblin set down the horn and began wrapping the wound.
**Goblin (nervously):** "Does it hurt?"
**Noa (with regret):** "If only it did..."
The goblin said nothing, finished the binding, and quietly left.
Noa lay down again.
Words burned inside him like fire:
*I'm useless. My life has no meaning. I want to die.*
*It hurts... not sharp, but endless.*
*Breaking my bones would be better than living with this pain.*
The sun set.
Rion came to the hut once more. Through a small crack, he saw Noa lying motionless.
He stood there for a while, then walked away.
---
**Later that night**
Rion sat in his own hut, staring at the star-filled sky.
Outside, the faint chatter of goblins carried on the wind.
**Gobuta:** "My lord!"
**Rion (surprised):** "Come in."
**Gobuta:** "May I ask something?"
**Rion (curious):** "Go ahead."
**Gobuta:** "Your companion... who is he to you?"
**Rion (with respect):** "You mean Noa? He... is my only friend."
**Gobuta:** "Noa, huh... I was with you all day, watching.
You seemed... different, quieter.
Noa isn't worthy of a friend like you.
I heard how he spoke to you. You were kind, he was harsh.
He insulted you.
After lunch, your spirit changed.
We should punish him. He doesn't respect your kindness—"
Rion stood abruptly, his gaze wild yet filled with pain.
He clenched his fist.
**Rion:** "Gobuta, if you ever say that again—I'll kill you.
And feed your flesh to the warriors."
Gobuta froze, trembling.
**Gobuta (bowing):** "F-forgive me, my lord... I spoke wrongly. I was unjust."
*Inside, Gobuta thought:*
My lord... one day was enough to see.
Serving you is an honor.
But that dragon... Noa... he hurt you.
One day, I'll make him pay.
---
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