Despite their terror, the goblin brother still stood his ground, shielding his little sister with his body while gripping his wooden club until his knuckles turned pale. Both of them trembled as they faced the wolf. Even so, he clearly had no intention of dying without a fight.
But his body betrayed him first.
He had lost too much blood.
With a weak gasp, the goblin dropped to his knees, chest heaving as he struggled to stay upright.
The wolf answered with a low, rumbling growl and began to creep closer, step by slow step.
The goblin brother clenched his teeth, forcing himself not to fall.
Then—
The little goblin sister suddenly stepped forward and placed herself in front of him. She spread her small arms wide, her thin body shaking as if it might snap at any moment. It was like she was saying:
If you want to eat my brother… then eat me first!
The goblin brother's eyes flew open in shock.
I was surprised as well.
After all… were these really the same foolish goblins I had killed before?
Even with death staring them in the face, their courage was undeniable.
The wolf did not hesitate. It lunged!
Both goblins turned away at the same time, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for the end they could not escape.
But of course, I had no intention of letting them die so easily.
They were inside my castle now. And that meant they were under my protection!
BOOM!
A massive slab of stone crashed down from above, smashing straight into the wolf's head.
It died instantly.
Just like that.
The goblins slowly opened their eyes.
What greeted them was the crushed corpse of the wolf.
Needless to say, the sight sent a jolt of terror through them. Both shrieked and scrambled backward, losing their balance and dropping onto their backsides.
Outside the gate, the remaining wolves reacted as well. Seeing one of their own slain so suddenly, they whimpered and edged away, teeth bared as they snarled and barked in unease.
But the fear soon outweighed their aggression. Realizing there was nothing more they could do, the pack released one final, mournful howl before retreating into the depths of the forest.
And just like that…
The goblins were safe.
****
For the next few minutes, I simply watched and allowed the two goblin siblings to calm down. Their terror slowly faded, replaced by the fragile realization that their lives had been spared. They looked at each other in silence, then, all at once, threw their arms around one another in a tight, trembling embrace.
The sight tugged at something inside me. I felt my non-existence chest tighten just a little.
Still, sentiment could wait. I needed to get them inside. I couldn't leave them out there, soaked and shivering in the cold rain. More importantly, the brother was injured, and he clearly needed rest.
So I opened the gate leading into my main hall.
The heavy doors groaned as they swung open.
I even lit the torches along the walls, warm light spilling outward to show that it was safer inside.
However, the goblins did not seem to understand my good intentions. If anything, the sudden movement of the doors only frightened them again.
They didn't step forward.
Instead, both of them dropped to their knees and bowed deeply, their bodies trembling as if they were facing a god.
Oh god.
I froze for a moment, completely taken aback by the sudden act of worship.
But then… I realized it.
Wait a minute.
This is it.
My long-awaited moment!
After all, I had just saved them by displaying an overwhelming power. To them, I must have looked like some kind of higher being, a mysterious god-like entity that had protected them from certain death.
That meant the conditions were met.
Intelligent enough. Check.
Aware of my existence. Check.
Possessed sufficient affinity. Check.
Able to recognize and accept me as their Sovereign. Check.
It was time.
My first citizens!
"System. Grant these two citizenship."
[Ding!]
[Would you like to use Citizenship Granting on these two Forest Goblins?]
[Cost: 13 Points]
"Do it!"
I pressed the confirmation.
The bodies of the two goblins flickered, faint light rippling across their forms as the citizenship process began.
The next few seconds felt far longer than I expected.
Come on…
Come on!
Then, all at once, both of them flared with brilliant light.
And at the same time, the system's cheerful chime rang out.
[DING! Congratulations!]
[You have successfully granted citizenship to a Level 8 Forest Goblin!]
[You have successfully granted citizenship to a Level 5 Forest Goblin!]
[Ding! Achievement Unlocked: First Citizens! Points +20]
[You currently possess no Sovereign Skills. The system recommends visiting the Sovereign Shop to acquire skills for managing your citizens.]
Oh hell yeah!
Finally…
FINALLY!
Needless to say, I was overjoyed.
Excitement surged through me like a raging fire. I had done it. I really did it.
Without hesitation, I purchased [Eye of the Overlord].
With this skill, I would finally be able to see the stats of my citizens.
Now then…
Let's see what you've got, little goblins!