Chapter 294 - 267: The High Priest’s Heir

Chapter 294: Chapter 267: The High Priest’s Heir

As Bald Hide’s voice faded, the High Priest rose from his high seat. Leaning on his Bone Staff, he slowly descended the steps and walked to a corner of the stone chamber where a dozen or so books were stacked.

The books varied in thickness, but their spines were all inscribed with Common Speech, suggesting they were products of the human world.

The High Priest’s fingers slid slowly across the books as he murmured, "So another goblin raised by humans has appeared in this forest. And he wasn’t killed, but released."

’But why would he live there? Why choose to live in the forest? Isn’t he afraid of being killed by Adventurers?’

His finger finally stopped on a book titled *Nightmare Forest Monster Atlas*. The High Priest applied a bit of pressure, pulled the book out, and used the table of contents to flip to the section on Centaurs. ’He can command Centaurs, which means he was also trained by humans. He has a certain level of intelligence, unlike the original goblins of the forest.’

After a careful reading, the High Priest closed the book. Frowning slightly, he mused in a low voice, "He can use Magic and even raises Giant Eagles... no, perhaps the Giant Eagles and Owl Bears are raised by the Centaurs. The book says Centaurs raise animals, but that they live by following the steps of the Unicorns."

’If Bald Hide is right, then how did this goblin convince those Centaurs not to follow the Unicorns?’

The High Priest slid the book back into place and stood there, contemplating the mysterious group of goblins. ’Maybe he wasn’t released after all. His master simply placed him in the forest temporarily, while also commanding those Centaurs.’

The more he thought, the more certain the High Priest became of his idea. He tapped his staff on the ground again. ’Those Giant Eagles and Owl Bears are probably just pets raised by humans for fun, and the Centaurs are simply helping the humans herd them. As for that clever goblin, it seems his master trusts him a great deal, enough to send him into the forest without any fear of him running away.’

"Sigh," the High Priest let out a long sigh. ’The one who trifled with the gift of the Feathered Serpent God must be his master, and he was just the scapegoat. But since he has returned to the forest, why didn’t he run? Why is he still willingly working himself to the bone for humans?’

He shuffled toward the other end of the stone chamber, slipping a hand inside his clothes as he walked.

The High Priest stroked his left shoulder. Through the opening of his robes, a circular scar was visible—it looked like a pattern, a special brand.

"He should have a mark like this on him too," the High Priest murmured. "After we’ve traded the bubbling leaves, I may need to make a trip myself to meet that goblin."

The High Priest withdrew his hand and wrapped his clothes tighter around himself. Unlike Bald Hide and the other goblins, he was more heavily dressed, even draped in a mismatched animal hide. The recent movement, however, made him cough a few times. ’I’m old. I don’t know when I’ll die. If that goblin is truly an intelligent fellow, perhaps he could really succeed me and become the next High Priest.’

’I’ll wait for the Feathered Serpent God to ask about it next time,’ the High Priest thought, slowly exhaling. ’With 800 goblins lost, we shouldn’t need to draw lots for a while. No one will be driven out of the Kingdom for the time being, either.’

He gazed blankly around the stone chamber before his eyes settled on a specific direction—toward the tallest stone tower in the Kingdom. Beneath that tower lived the Feathered Serpent Evil God.

After staring for a long time, the High Priest closed his eyes, his tone tinged with melancholy. "I hope the Feathered Serpent God no longer remembers this matter."

...

Bald Hide walked out of the High Priest’s stone chamber. He was now standing at the top of a tower. These towers were all step pyramids of no great height; the tallest and largest stone tower in the Kingdom was the one inhabited by the Feathered Serpent God.

But that didn’t stop Bald Hide from looking down upon the Goblin Kingdom before him. He surveyed the creatures huddled in their burrows, the green heads peeking out, and the goblins walking cautiously outside.

The corners of Bald Hide’s mouth twisted into a smug grin. ’Looks like the High Priest bought my story. So, when’s the next time we get to go after those goblins?’

Full of anticipation, he glanced back into the stone chamber, a hungry look in his eyes.

’I may have failed this time, but it was all the fault of those Dongtou. If I bring goblins over again, I’ll definitely succeed in capturing them.’

Bald Hide clenched his fists and threw a few punches. ’As long as I win, the High Priest will have to acknowledge me. In the future, when he’s dead, maybe I’ll be the one to take his place.’

He stood on the stone tower, greedily eyeing the dilapidated stone houses below. His own burrow-house wasn’t far off. ’It’s better to live up here. You can see all the goblins in the Kingdom at a glance.’

’Next time, I’ll definitely suggest to the High Priest that he give me the authority to kill those Dongtou. Only then will every Dongtou listen to me. And I need to bring more goblins next time. This time it was only...’ He wiggled his fingers, then looked down at his bare feet. ’The number of dens for this expedition was only as many as the toes on two goblins—far too few. I’ll bring more next time.’

A single den housed 20 goblins. After counting on his fingers for a bit, Bald Hide declared with certainty, "Next time, I’ll bring enough dens for the toes of five goblins."

After all his calculations, he decided to bring 2,000 goblins next time. Of course, in his calculations, he completely failed to consider that sending out 2,000 goblins would require a full day just to gather food for them. He had also completely forgotten the exhausted looks on his subordinates’ faces when he led the 800-strong army. Those goblins had barely had a full meal, unlike the Dongtou like himself, who ate their fill every day, even on the march.

’Don’t think you can look down on me just because you’re standing on a high platform,’ Bald Hide thought, a surge of bravado welling up inside him as he scanned the stone houses below. He recalled the way Shire had looked down at him from a platform, an expression that had made him extremely uncomfortable, like he was being treated as a fool. ’When I return with my goblins and more big lizards, you’ll be on your knees, clutching my ankles.’

It never once occurred to him that he might lose again. After all, the Feathered Serpent God was his backing. No matter how strong the enemy was, could they be stronger than a "Divine Being"?

"Overestimating yourself," Bald Hide scoffed and started down the steps. After taking two steps, he suddenly tried to remember. ’What did the High Priest ask me to do just now?’

’Who was I supposed to find? What was I supposed to do?’

He wracked his brain to no avail, then raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face.

"Oh, right! The bubbling leaves."