NOVEL NEXT Chapter 48 - Episode 48: Testimony of an Earth Soldier
Episode 48: Testimony of an Earth Soldier
~~Earth Soldier Dosuke’s Perspective~~
Well, well…
What a surprise, Earth.
To think there’s such a strong goblin out there. Truly a wide world.
I believe it was Gobtarou, yes.
He thrashed our captain, Kakgaridan-sama, Earth.
We’re the elite vanguard of the Demon Lord’s army, the Soil Unit.
So, we’re a small unit of just a little over a hundred, Earth.
But still, every one of us surpasses level 100, Earth.
We’re the elite of the Earth Soldiers, Earth.
And yet, such elites, Earth.
To be wiped out by just one goblin, Earth.
And then, I felt a sharp pain in my side, Earth.
My insides are completely wrecked, Earth.
Kakgaridan-sama escaped using Pegasus’s Wing, Earth.
This is a complete defeat for our unit, Earth…
“You guys surrender, gob?”
N-No, surrendering isn’t an option when your body won’t listen, Earth.
Your attacks are too strong, Earth.
A level 560 goblin is just too powerful, Earth.
It’s over… we’re done for, Earth.
The Earth Soldiers are finished, Earth.
I’ve been a Earth Soldier for 45 years.
Never thought it would end so tragically, Earth.
If I could just return to my cave… My 5-year-old son, my adorable 4-year-old daughter, and my beautiful wife are waiting, Earth.
Ah, never thought I’d be defeated by a goblin, Earth.
I trained desperately to become stronger, ran down the path of an elite Earth Soldier, but… never thought I’d be killed by a goblin, Earth.
“So, is everyone surrendering, gob?”
Haha…
There’s nothing left for us to do, Earth.
If you’re going to kill us, do it quickly with one blow, Earth.
“So, Gobuko~~, I’m counting on you~~!”
“Yes, gob~”
What’s this?
A female goblin wearing a hood is approaching from behind the trees, Earth?
Is that a Goblin Mage?
Goblin Mages are known for their proficiency in support magic, Earth.
Their attack power is low, so it’s difficult for them to level up, Earth.
I see! I’ve figured it out!
They’re planning to finish off us near-death soldiers to gain experience points, Earth!!
Never thought I’d be dealt the finishing blow by a female goblin mage, Earth!!
“High-Level Healing Heal”
Huh?
“Ah~~. Gobuko’s healing is on a first-come-first-served basis, gob. Raise your hand if you’re in severe pain, gob. We’ll prioritize healing for those, gob.”
W-What the heck is going on!?
T-Two minutes later.
Gobtarou showed a big smile, Earth.
“All right. Everyone’s healed, gob. No casualties!”
Haaa~~.
Never thought we’d survive, Earth.
“All right. Follow me.”
Huh?
W-Where are we going, Earth?
“Um, Gobtarou-san… Are we going to be killed, Earth?”
“Haha. If I did that, I’d get in trouble with Lord Zaus, gob.”
“Huh?”
What does that mean, Earth?
Several hours of walking later.
“We’re here, gob.”
“Wow~. It’s a magnificent castle, Earth~!”
“Hehehe. Welcome to the Demon Duke’s Castle, gob.”
“Huh!? I-Is this…?”
T-The enemy’s stronghold…?
Huh?! I see!
We’re going to be sacrificed, Earth!!
For magical rituals, Earth!! And we were healed and made to walk, Earth!!
That’s the only explanation, Earth!!
Before us stood a nobleman dressed in splendid attire.
“Welcome to the Demon Duke’s Castle. I am Duke Zaus.”
Whoooooa!!
S-So this is Zaus…
Blue skin. A horn visible on his forehead. A cape that looks expensive…
The hero of the demons who defeated a hero.
And… the fool who defied the Demon Lord. Our enemy.
“From today on, you all are under my command.”
Huh?
“W-Weren’t we supposed to be sacrifices, Earth?”
“I won’t allow such wastefulness.”
We Earth Soldiers have entered into a slave contract with Zaus, Earth.
The slave mark appears on the back of my right hand, Earth.
“Hehehe. With this, I am your master. If you dare to rebel, come forward. I’ll gladly slaughter you anytime.”
Hiiiieeeeee!!
T-This is terrifying, Earth!!
Such immense pressure, Earth!!
Even scarier than the Demon Lord, Earth!!
“Hehehe. You all are my labor force. Live for me. And work until you die.”
Hiiiieeeeee!!
W-We’ve made an unbelievable contract, Earth!!
W-We’ve been deceived, Earth!!
We’ve made a choice scarier than death, Earth!!
“First, clean yourselves up.”
“Huh?”
“You’re dirty from battle. It’s unsanitary to wander around the castle like that.”
We wiped ourselves clean with fresh well water, Earth.
I haven’t felt this refreshed in a long time, Earth.
Never thought I’d feel this good in enemy territory…
“All right. Next is food.”
Eh!?
“Y-You mean we’re getting food, Earth!?”
“It’s only natural as a ruler. Providing food for subordinates is the duty of a ruler. After fighting, you get hungry. Eat to recover. And then, level up.”
“O-Ohh…”
I-I never thought you’d say something like that, Earth…
In the Demon Lord’s domain, we ate dirty mud. If we could eat it every three days, it was considered good, Earth.
That’s why, you see, both of my kids at home are always hungry. They’re both skinny as sticks, Earth.
“Don’t look so anxious. I’ll provide three meals a day.”
“Eh!? Th-Th-Three meals!?”
“Yeah.”
“F-For a month, Earth?”
“Huh? It’s obviously per day.”
“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?”
T-Three meals a day!?
I-I-I can’t believe it, Earth!!
“Tch. Is that not enough?”
“Eh? N-No, um, it’s just…”
“As for dessert, that’s negotiable. Consult with the caretaker Meel. I don’t know the details of food supply.”
“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?”
“I’ll tell them to provide as much as possible.”
T-Three meals a day… Dessert is negotiable…
I-I can’t believe it, Earth…
“What’s with that dissatisfied look…? You want snacks at 3 o’clock too? I’ll tell Meel to take care of it. Be satisfied with that.”
W-What’s going on…?
This demon… Is he really the villainous traitor they say he is, Earth?