After a week of travel, they returned to the goblin village.
"Welcome back, my Lord. How was your trip?"
Skitz was the first to greet him, eyes sharp as always.
"It was good. I met an old friend, if there's a chance, I'd like to introduce you sometime."
"It would be an honor, my Lord."
"Also, assign some of our stealth scouts to monitor the nearby human village. Their mission is to watch for bandit or monster activity and report immediately if anything unusual happens."
Skitz tilted his head. "Oh? Someone important in that village?"
"There is," Lumberling said simply. "But back on track. We've got a lot to prepare. A large-scale war is underway, and it's a good thing we stocked up on weapons. Gather the captains. We're holding a meeting."
"At once."
Inside the meeting hall, the captains gathered around the wooden map board.
"It hasn't been long since our last assembly," Lumberling began, "but recent developments require a shift in our plans."
