Berganda sat down in the dim, great hall, and let out a sigh.
Aside from Comos, the strategists and aides were also standing there. Hobgoblins and goblin sorcerers. They all looked at him with nervous expressions.
“I’ll hear your reports on the current situation now.”
“Yes.”
A map was carved into the giant wooden board, and different pawns were placed on top. At the Demon King’s castle, images could be projected with magic. But this was the most he could do.
“The burning down of the enemy was a success. Several enemy troops were driven back, but…there were many casualties at the towns along the road…”
“Comos!”
He turned to the hobgoblin who was moving the pawns.
“I demand a proper report. Do you think the Demon King would be satisfied with such vague words!”
“Forgive me. We try to be thorough, but…”
“…What happened to Kesh’s team that was sent to Kaines?”
It was a town along the wide road that extended from the port town of Zaneji.
“Aye. They returned last night. Their numbers were down by four, but they were otherwise in good condition.”
“And what of the Gor team in Puropone fortress?”
“Apparently, they were unable to stop the rampage. Aside from his younger brother, they were all killed without being able to take the fortress.”
“So that leaves Gaide. He gets along with Kesh. Have them regroup. Also, let them all drink tonight.”
It was troublesome work.
Having to keep track of and organize everything. Knowing who was best for what work.
He had heard that a good general should listen to the advice of his subordinates.
“Lord Berganda. Tzork’s unit tried to sneak into the storage house again… What should be done?”
“This is getting out of hand. Demote Tzork, disband his unit, and assign them to carry supplies.”
“We’ve received a request for weapon resupply from Iribin’s unit.”
“There have been a lot of reports from the spear units recently. I will check on the forge later, but let the workshop crew know. If I catch them slacking off, I’ll wring their necks.”
“Lord Berganda, the entire poison-concocting unit is down with stomach aches…”
“Those idiots again! Demote all of them to foot soldiers! Send them on patrol outside the castle!”
“Message! Message! The Hero’s army has taken the Eloice fortress!”
A frantic hobgoblin messenger rushed in while shouting.
That being said, this was not exactly unpredictable. A fortress close to Zeneji had fallen by them not long ago.
“…I see. And how are they now?”
“After taking the fortress…they have set up camp there… What should be done with the soldiers who are waiting?”
“Have them retreat. Now that I think about it, there is a kobold settlement in that area. Also…a village with weak defenses.”
The attempt to launch a night ambush on the fortress had ended in failure. And so he must think of a way to make up for that loss. After quickly remembering information on the nearby fortresses, Berganda gave the orders to the messenger.
“Burn down a part of the village to create a distraction, and then take their food. And once that is finished, head to the kobold village in order to secure some laborers.”
“Understood.”
He had managed to finish commanding over ten units. The minotaur slumped tiredly in his chair and drained his mug.
“Well done, Lord Berganda.”
“Aye… You should also keep a better eye on your subordinates.”
“Indeed. Perhaps we should learn from the humans and keep a ledger.”
“Do it. By the way, how are things with the dungeon expansions?”
He was exasperated, but continued to give out orders.
“They are going smoothly, Lord Berganda.”
“…I will ask you again. How much progress has been made. I want a detailed report from every region!”
He shouted, and they frantically began their reports. Comos listened while writing everything down.
In truth, the intelligence of the monsters was not that low.
Hobgoblins had a lot of self-control, and were able to make quick decisions. And while goblins and orcs tended to be pleasure-seeking, they generally were able to follow orders.
It was just that being aware of everything and giving out orders was terribly tiresome work.
“That is the current situation in each dungeon. Do you have any other orders?”
“Not in particular. As always, continue to give regular reports on the Hero’s army.”
“…Lord Berganda. Are you sure that you do not have any other orders?”
It wawa unusual for Comos to look at him like that.
Berganda let out a sigh.
“Shelban. You stay. The rest of you can leave.”
The goblin looked anxious, as he did not know why he had been singled out. The others made their exit. Berganda looked at his subordinate with a bitter expression.
“I believe I left you in charge of the dungeon near Lindle village.”
“Ye-yes. I am sorry! The Hero there was stronger than expected. Subjugating it while protecting the dungeon was difficult and…”
“I am not blaming you. You have done well. However, I will now have to give you even more difficult work.”
The goblin was relieved for a moment, and then looked confused.
“I am going to send about twenty soldiers to your dungeon. And you will help them with a certain mission.”
“What…mission?”
“You know of the mountain range that is south of Lindle? The highest mountain there is called Elephas. That is where you will be headed.”
“I see… And what will we be doing?”
If he was being honest, Berganda did not like giving out this order.
In the first place, this Shelban was quite useful. He might one day get promoted to working the castle as an aide.
That being said, he could not ignore the Demon King’s command.
“You will find a kobold.”
“A kobold…but why?”
“It is not just any kobold. A strong kobold who can kill Heroes.”
Shelban was too well disciplined to burst into laughter. Besidess, he had heard the rumors.
“But…could such a thing really be true?”
“I am telling you to find out. This order is directly from the Demon King.”
Shelban shuddered and went pale.
“Do not worry. You just need to tell me what you see. If you do happen to find this kobold, you will only watch from a distance, without doing anything.”
“And then…what do we do after that?”
He did not know the truth. But if the rumors were true, ordinary soldiers would be pointless. And he doubted they could be calm enough to take a prisoner alive.
And so…
“I will go. And with my own hands, take this kobold as a prisoner.”