After the matter with Shinki was settled, I was finally able to discuss my plan with papa.
The process was tedious with lots of pushing and shoving. Papa found my plan interesting, and I was able to make full use of my otaku knowledge to smooth out the rough parts. Somehow I was able to get the "go ahead" to start it out.
Soon after, it was decided we should head to the next inspection area. But there was a problem...
I wanted Shinki to come with us when chosing a potential area.
However, we can't simply leave the goblins in the cave alone.
Even if Sol is a cheat, there is no way he can deploy defensive magic for days on end. In the first place, his magic is being chanelled through the dragon orb I'm carrying, so that would be impossible.
So, Shinki took the matter on his own hands...
First, the cave will be reinforced by earth spirits. Next, if anyone other than goblins come near the cave, they will be attacked by wind spirits.
Finally, the strongest goblin of the pack, aside from Shinki, will be given a name.
And as a bonus, said goblin will be named by me.
[Eh? Why me?]
[Because master is the head of the pack.]
...Wait a minute...
Master?!
That gave me goosebumps!
No, no, no! I'm not a "master" type of character. That kinda creeps me out.
[Stop with the mashta!!]
[...But, you are my master.]
I don't mind being adressed by "Nema", but I don't think Shinki will do it.
On the other hand, being called "my lady" feels weird as well.
Or rather, Shinki doesn't match the image of a buttler saying "master" or "my lady" to begin with.
He is more like a warrior, so, "lord"? Or maybe "princess"?
...So, will I become the goblin princess? No! Rejected!!
[Then, can it be "lord"?]
It is fine for the servants to call me "lady", since it is part of their job.
But Shinki isn't a servant, he is a comrade. Although we are in a master-servant contract.
Being called "master" by your comrades doesn't sound right.
For now, I managed to persuade the reluctant Shinki to change his form of adressing me from "master" to "lord".
It was time to meet the second strongest goblin, so I headed to the cave again.
This time, Sol gave me a lift, so it was easy-peasy.
I jumped off Sol when we were near the cave, and a wind spirit slowed my landing down.
However, that gave me a sense of déjà vu...
Jumping off something and landing softly. I experienced it somewhere. Where was it?
well, no matter.
Leaving that aside, which name should I choose?
I can't wait to see what that child is like!
I go to the cave in high spirits, waiting for Shinki to intruduce us.
After being called by Shinki, the goblin that came out was actually female.
It is very easy to tell males and females apart.
Male goblins have two horns, while females only have one. Besides, females are smaller and have a rounder shape.
That is unexpected. I was surprised the second strongest goblin was female.
Just how weak are the other males?!
...Lame goblins... Instead of monsters, they are more like mob characters. Yup.
[Did... call... boss?]
[You can talk!?]
Another surprise!
Her speech is awkward and unsteady, but there is no mistake she can talk.
[She is the one I've been keeping as my assistant. She is a goblin born from a human, and it won't take many more hunts until she can evolve.]
Ugh... I wish she stays small like she is now... Her eyes are big and sparkly. And since her body is round and smooth, it makes her seem friendly.
If she becomes a hobgoblin, she will be too big and bulky... Her cuteness will decrease!
well, I've never seen a female hobgoblin, so, this is just my guess.
It is said that names and natures do often agree1. So, if I give her a cute name, will she evolve into something cute?
Cute name... cute name... cute...
Hum. Nothing comes to mind.
And all the names I had prepared were for boys.
I need some sort of hint!
[What is your favorite thing?]
Therefore, I decided to ask the person in question.
[Gi?]
After tilting her head, she starts looking around.
She kinda looks like a puppy.
The female goblin caught sight of a flower and pointed at it.
The flower was similar to a Lily of the valley, from cold regions. It is called Bercy, and it is famous for the toxin present in its petals and nectar.
I assume she doesn't mean she likes poisonous plants, so I take she likes flowers.
[You like flowers!]
[Gi]
Flowers... I think Lily might be too literal...
Suzu... Suzu... Suzuko2?
If I'm going for a Japanese name, this one sounds the cutest.
Suzue, Suzumi, Suzuko... Yeah. I will follow my intuition and go with Suzuko!
[Your name is "Suzuko"!]
[Gii?]
[Su-zu-Ko]
[Su... Zu... ko?]
Oh! She said it! I was worried she couldn't pronounce Japanese sounds yet.
[Yes! Suzuko! That is how you will be called from now on.]
After naming her, the expected crest appeared on Suzuko's forehead.
Yes, yes. She is going to be a cute little hobgoblin.
I was going to pat Suzuko and play with her, but Shinki stopped me.
Looks like we are going to have a meeting to discuss the preparations for when he is not around. Darn.
A goblin came running towards Shinki while I was lost in thoughts.
It seemed to be complaining about something, but I couldn't make out what it was. All I could hear were squeaks.
Shinki looked a little troubled and Suzuko seemed angry.
Or rather, looks like she limits her talk to squeaks with goblins who can't speak. A new discovery!
Ah! That is not the time to be enchanted by that.
Shinki is looking at me and wondering what to do.
Wait. What do I have to do with this?
Despite my confusion, Shinki came over after saying a few words to the male goblin.
[My lord, this one wants a name.]
Eh? A name?
I thought it would be something more imoportant.
[...This one, no. Can't!]
Suzuko was angry because she doesn't want me to name him.
[Why do you want a name?]
When I asked the male goblin, he tried his best to explain... with squeaks.
...Yes, yes. Translator Shinki, please!
[From what I heard, the previous pack this guy was in was almost wiped out. So, he wants more power to protect his current one. But as Suzuko said, this guy is weak. Even if you give him a name, it is unlikely he will achieve much.]
Well, I undertand what Shinki is trying to say. But I also don't want to dismiss his request, just because he has low potential.
However, if you are really determined, you have to show it.
[I will give you a name, but with a condition.]
The condition is that by the time we return, you must be able to hunt giant boars by yourself.
For a small goblin, just being hit by the body of a giant boar could lead to death.
And if you can't do it, I will have you become my guinea pig.
I explained it like that. Either way, I can't guarantee his life.
In fact, it is more like a threat. Yes.
Even without having a name, the right person in the right place can still be usefull.
I made the giant boar as the condition, because I want to see his resolution.
Does he want to protect his own life, or risk it in exchange for strength?
Even after I said I couldn't guarantee his life, the male goblin's determination did not change.
I decided to name him "Touki"3, hoping he would become strong.
After his crest had appeared, I said to him:
[It is important to always think before acting and to stay focused.]
The first thing is choosing a weapon. Which type of warrior are you? Which type of weapon suits you? After choosing and dedicating yourself to practicing it, you still need to think. How many enemies are there? What are their weakeness? What about the terrain? These and many other factors must be taken into account to seize the advantage.
If you can do this, you will be ready for the battlefield.
Think, focus and observe. We have no need for the muscle-brain, reckless type at the moment.
[Let's do our best together, Touki.]
[Gii!]
After leaving the group in the hands of Suzuko and the others, Shinki and I returned to the village.
Traslator's Notes:
1. It is a Japanese proverb. I couldn't think of an English equivalent.
2. This is entire part is kinda tricky. "Suzuran" is "lily of the valley". So, she combines that with "ko", the kanji for child to get Suzuko. It is very common to use "Ko" on Japanese female names ( though this custom is fading over time ). Later on she uses the same start "Suzu" with other kanjis common for Japanese female names, like "e"(bay) and "mi"(pretty). Funny enough, I think just "lily" would have been better in this case.
3. It means "War Oni". Very nice name.
Thank for your good work and good luck whith your Blog i hope you will be able to continue
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I hope so too. I'm having fun.
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