“Alright, so what’s the plan, Chief?”

“L-L-Lord? What do you mean?”

The subdued chief widened his eyes and asked. Karos chuckled and spoke up.

“Why are you even asking something so obvious? You’ve been abandoned by that Demon King, and you’re under my control now. If I go to my trapped comrade with this antidote, all of you will die.”

“P-Please…”

“So, I’m offering you a chance, Chief.”

“A chance?”

The chief scratched his head in confusion. Karos clicked his tongue. He might be considered clever among goblins, but by his standards, he was rather dull. Nevertheless, that’s why he was making this proposal.

“It’s simple, Chief. You used to be under Borcania. You probably didn’t even realize it, but anyway, now you’ve been abandoned by her. So, I have a proposition for you.”

“P-Proposition? What…”

“Become my subordinate, Chief. Unlike other Demon Kings, I won’t demand your loyalty with your life on the line. Just join my forces and do me a small favor in return. You already know what will happen if you refuse.”

Karos grinned and approached the chief.

“So, what’s your answer?”

* * *

“…You accepted these scoundrels as subordinates? Are you insane?”

Bathesia stared at Karos with wide eyes full of disbelief. Karos stroked the chief’s head and replied.

“Why would I be insane? It’s a reasonable choice.”

“These creatures tried to kill you and me! And now you want to team up with them? You’ve lost your mind!”

Bathesia was furious.

Karos sighed deeply and opened his mouth.

“Don’t be so judgmental. Goblins are inherently like that.”

“What are you saying?”

“Goblins may have limited intelligence, but they don’t engage in scheming or plotting like humans or our kind. They are simply loyal and won’t betray you when their lives are on the line. It’s straightforward. Their own survival comes first.”

“So, that makes them even less trustworthy! That’s why Demon Kings often discard goblins once they are established.”

Unlike other monsters, many Demon Kings abandoned goblins once they gained a foothold, knowing that they had no reservations about betraying their masters.

But Karos clicked his tongue.

“You also don’t know how to use goblins properly. You underestimate them.”

“What?”

“Anyway, just wait quietly. I’ll explain it later. There are things we need to discuss.”

Karos frowned, thinking about Borcania. But would she believe him if she spoke? She had always been stubbornly loyal to Borcania.

Well, it didn’t matter whether she believed him or not.

Karos shook his head.

“Let’s go back to the demon castle, then.”

* * *

“Ah, this place is the best after all.”

Karos sprawled on the sofa in the Demon King’s office. He enjoyed the comfortable feeling and closed his eyes slowly.

“The cave was too uncomfortable… I stayed there for over a month. Ugh.”

“Kyu! Kyu!”

“Kyu…”

“Oh, right. You guys also did well this time. Do whatever you want… but don’t follow me.”

“Kyu…”

Karos, with a lenient heart, didn’t brush away the clinging slimes but instead gently caressed each one. Soccu watched from a distance, nibbling at her sleeve. Lilith looked at Karos with relieved eyes.

“Demon King, you’ve returned…”

“Yeah. It almost went south.”

“Anyway, I’m relieved. You could have become the third Demon King killed by goblins at any moment.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“No, just stating a fact. And I’ve heard the news about Lord Bathesia. You’ve taken goblins as subordinates?”

“That’s right, more or less.”

“Not bad at all. With about two hundred of them, it should be enough to establish a base. They’re not near any villages, so the risk of exposure is low.”

“That’s true. But now it’s time to make some moves.”

“Hey! Karos!”

Crash!

The door burst open as Bathesia stormed into the office. Karos gave her a look that said he expected her to come.

“What’s going on? Why are you here?”

“G-Grr!”

Bathesia raised her hand, and there, the chief struggled, held tightly by his head.

“Mi-Master! Please spare me!”

“Enough!”

Watching that scene, Karos clicked his tongue.

“Let him go. He’s going to live here with us from now on.”

“What?”

“Oh, this seems to be the best way.”

Lilith nodded in agreement.

“As expected, you’re not just a lunatic. Ordinary Demon Kings wouldn’t understand.”

“…Are you picking a fight?”

“No, just admiration.”

Seeing that Bathesia was urgently asking questions, Lilith explained.

“I’ll explain, Lord Bathesia. Goblins have a somewhat peculiar intelligence. So they entrust everything to their chief—decision-making power, property rights, and even their lives. It’s a rather abnormal structure. Therefore, if we manage to control the chief, we can make him betray his kind at will. This means that if we protect the chief, the risk of betrayal disappears.”

“…Is that true?”

Bathesia asked in bewilderment. It was the first time she had heard of this. Karos chuckled.

“It’s in the monster encyclopedia, the first line of the goblin description. You probably haven’t even looked at it, just like you skip over everything else.”

“Yes. Most Demon Kings are unaware of it, but a few use it to their advantage. If we can control the chief, we can use them as a special task force. It’s fine. Above all, we lack manpower at the moment. It’s better to have reinforcements like this.”

“Is that so?”

Bathesia had a conflicted expression, but she didn’t argue. Karos smiled and spoke seriously.

“Bathesia, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Not something for open ears. Well, Lilith, take the chief and the slimes outside.”

“Yes, understood.”

Lilith took the chief and the slimes out of the room.

Karos’ expression became grave, and Bathesia followed suit.

“What’s wrong? You seem uneasy.”

“Bathesia, do you know who the mastermind behind this was?”

“I don’t know. Did you see them? Tell me. I’ll kill them.”

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!