Book 9- Insomniac Goblin Slayer in the Demon Castle-IV

There was a collective holding of breath as they saw Goblin Slayer turn and look intently at a cowering Castle Goblin Grunt, who for his part wondered what sin he done to deserve this.

A little known fact was that Goblins where the pinnacle of 'evolutionary potential'. Not the strongest or the smartest of races created by their mysterious progenitors, but the most adaptable.

That was why goblins where as they were, almost seem suited to prosper in these chaotic times where the rich had little interest in defending villagers if it cost too much or too focused on bigger monsters.

But because of the emergence of Slayer Keep that 'evolutionary potential' became manifest. First they tried to create heroes that could counter the sheer speed and brutality of their mass purges.

First there was the attempt to create Goblin Kings and Goblin Emperor with Rou and the War boss Goblin, those had failed.

Night Goblin was an antihero goblin and a female that could sire hundreds if not thousands of Goblins in her lifetime, but that failed because of the two Wizard Siblings. So they tried again with this time moving Goblin underground, but that failed due to a combination of the Skaven and Slayer Keep.

So while many goblin offshoots tried to adapt by fighting harder than Slayer Keep, one branch though to adapt by working smarter instead of harder.

Thus a fraction of the Goblins evolved into Castel Goblin Grunt, taller, more intelligent, less prone to mass multiplications, more human like, able to reproduce with female goblins and with a human like moral compass. He was the first wave of a new breed that removed almost every potential reason for goblins to be a threat to the Slayers.

And now he was face to face with the most dreaded Slayer of all. The phrase of 'may you live in interesting times' came to mind and Castle Goblin Grunt wondered what did he do to deserve such interesting times happen to him.

All he could do was stay quiet and silent from fear as Goblin Slayer looked him up and down and circled him like a leopard circled a new creature, wondering if it was prey or not.

Demon Cleric and Red Siberian moved to intervene, but a hand from Midnight stopped them as they all silently watched what was going on.

Finally Goblin Slayer spoke.

"You... what are you?"

"I..I am Castle...Castel Goblin Grunt...your highness..." Grunt said and closed his eyes in anticipation for the blow, he only hoped it was quick and painless.

"No."

Those words from Goblin Slayer made Grunt open his eyes in surprise and confusion.

"To big, to intelligent, to...different...you are not a goblin." Goblin Slayer said and Castle Goblin Grunt did not bother to try and correct him. He was not stupid enough to try and argue against Goblin Slayer.

"But...you are similar enough to be confused for one at first glance...even by other goblins...yesssss...confused...element of surprise...perfect." Goblin Slayer said as Grunt gulped in fear as he saw the Eye of Terror shine.

The legendary sight of Goblin Slayer's one red eye in battle was just as terrifying as the stories said.

But...this was different. Goblin's Slayer's tone and gaze seemed...almost proud of Goblin Grunt.

"You are not a goblin, you look like them and you are not a goblin...but you will be Doom...their Doom. Since you look like them you can get close...let them drop their guard...and strike..." Goblin Slayer said as he put two friendly, yet firm, hands on Castle Grunt Goblins shoulders and he...smiled...

"My...apprentice..." Goblin Slayer said with a cheerful tone, friendly smile and with the Eye of Terror blazing away.

"W...wait a minute lord Slayer, this...my kind...I" Castle Grunt Goblin said as he was wishing for Goblin Slayer to go back to his usual psychotic genocide filled self, him being friendly was worse than being his enemy!

"Goblins...they are rage, brutal, without mercy, but you will be worse..." Goblin Slayer said as he gathered Grunt Goblin and put top tier armor on him, on a confused and terrified Grunt Goblin.

Sky Queen was only too happy to aide with this amusing display and Cow Girl just shook her head in exasperation at her old friend's antics as Goblin Slayer equipped Castle Grunt Goblin with armor, a shotgun, sword and buckler similar to his and a anti poison gas glass eyepiece over the helmet visor

He then turned Grunt towards the hive lands, the goblin territory that sat apart from the Chaos and Demon lands, where the other strands of goblins reside.

"Rip and tear till it is done." Goblin Slayer said as he gave a light shove, making Grunt Goblin go and...kill Savage Goblins. Goblin Slayer then turned towards the group made out of other Castle Goblins and he...smiled.

At that smile Goblin Grunt decided there and then that he had a better chance of taking on the entirety of Savage Goblinhood that refusing Goblin Slayer, so with fear in his soul he took a step to...slay goblins.

"You all and myself...we will be the bestest of friends."

Goblin Slayer said with a small chuckle that send chills down the demon's spines.

"Oy...isn't he supposed to be the hero? Are we really the bad guys here?" Demon Cleric asked Midnight.

"Who knows?" The king replied as a bead of sweat drop formed on his head

Needless to say the Gods where very much amused by the fact that Goblin Slayer just pulled a fast one on evolution itself.

Goblin Slayer would have trouble sleeping that night as well, but not from worry, but from eagerness, he could not wait until he heard news of his latest apprentices deeds on the battlefield.

And so...there it was that Goblin Slayer pulled the ultimate Goblin Slayer move by getting Goblins to slay other Goblins.

Interesting times indeed.