Chapter 40: You Are...!
Byung was shaken by what Murkfang had told him, but Murkfang granted his request to explore the farms since they had the necessary tools to mine properly. It was also because Murkfang knew Drekk could pay them a visit at any moment. Byung realized this was Murkfang’s way of covering his tracks so he could hide the fact that he had given him his own personal free-use orc.
He knew he had to keep his discussions with Murkfang to himself, but life here was far calmer than the mines. The goblins here lived more like people. They had shelter, food, and the freedom to sleep whenever they wished. After all, farming didn’t demand much labor once the groundwork was done, except for the harvest.
He also noticed that the goblins here didn’t try to take his orc by force. Instead, they all showed him respect, as if Maui herself was a mark of his status. This was to be expected as this goblins were a lot more timid than the ones in the mine.
Maui had never come this far before. She was older than most of the current goblin population, as goblins rarely lived long lives due to their way of living. She quickly noticed their farming techniques were horrendous. These creatures were centuries behind, and she couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.
How were they even feeding themselves? Half of what they planted would never ripen, since they had buried it in barren, heavy clay soil. Still, not all of it was hopeless—there was more fertile land only a few paces away.
She had no intention of correcting them, but she couldn’t help noticing that Byung had been acting strange ever since he was transferred here. She had no idea why he was here in the first place, considering he was far more useful in the mines thanks to his unusual physical strength.
A phenomenon she still didn’t understand, because there was no reason a goblin should be this strong in the first place but she was going to get to the bottom of it all.
Byung’s body was also changing. His face was becoming less rigid, and his muscles were growing more defined.
Maui was supposed to report back to Kragg about her findings, but she had to find a way to do so without alerting Byung. She had stayed with him for a few days and already had an idea of what he was like. He was incredibly curious, but she suspected he wanted more than just to conquer the goblins.
He had asked countless questions about her kind—questions no one else would even think to ask—and for some strange reason, she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him.
She told him everything, including the weaknesses of the tribes. Yet she also realized that if the goblins and orcs ever joined forces, their potential would be limitless.
Byung was lying in the room, resting in his usual spot against her breasts. He had even given the farmers here advice, along with a few herbal medicines they could use to treat their young.
"Are you happy with me, Maui?" Byung asked her. The question surprised her. She had been given to him as a gift—what she felt shouldn’t matter.
"That is a strange question..." Maui answered. But Byung didn’t see it that way. He understood that their relationship needed more than just sex if it was ever going to work.
"Is it?" Byung pressed. Lying against her chest had its advantages—he could hear her heartbeat.
"Who cares what I feel? Fuck me as you please!" Maui tried to dismiss the moment, letting out a small giggle. But before the laugh could grow, she froze. She had heard something no goblin ever had.
"I do..." Byung whispered. He felt it instantly—Maui’s heart skipped a beat when he said those words.
Maui remained quiet. She had no idea how to respond.
"I do not understand why the orcs and goblins hate each other when we could be so unified..." Byung’s words slowed as he tried to shift and look her in the eyes. Instead, he accidentally slipped right between her cleavage.
Maui sighed and picked him up, setting him back down beside her. Byung’s cool moments always seemed to get ruined.
"Thank you," Byung said awkwardly before clearing his throat.
"Where was I?" he muttered, losing his train of thought.
Maui had no trouble reminding him.
"Tell me, why do you hate my kind?" Byung asked softly.
"I hate them because they exist," Maui responded without hesitation. But even she knew she had been taught this. Hate without reason was primal instinct—and instinct was not easily conquered.
"I see... But I do not hate you..." Byung said, knowing he had to make her realize how pointless this feud was. He planned to use her as a bridge to win over other orcs.
He had already shown her that goblins weren’t senseless monsters, but a race capable of evolving. He was placing a lot of faith in her, because he had no choice. It was also an extension of his will.
No goblin alive could hate an orc like Maui, not with her beauty, but that meant little to her.
"Do you want to know a secret?" Byung asked suddenly. Maui leaned forward, offering him her ear.
Byung hesitated, thinking carefully. It was a risky move, but there was no downside.
"My mother was an orc," Byung revealed. Her eyes widened, excitement turning to shock.
"That is impossible. You wouldn’t be able to recall," Maui snapped back quickly.
"I do... I recall everything," Byung insisted.
Maui studied him carefully. She already knew he was abnormal, but now she felt closer to figuring out what made him tick.
Her face darkened into horror as she did the math. There had only been one orc given to the goblins in recent years.
"Wait... how old are you?" Maui demanded, her voice sharp with urgency.
"I am four months old," Byung answered.
Maui recoiled instantly, her body stiffening.
"You are the son of...!"