Chapter 6: The Goblin That Shouldn't Exist

The Hidden Sovereign: Beyond Fate

The forest fell silent.

Only the sound of rustling leaves remained as the last goblin disappeared into the trees.

Lyra stared at the crater where the first goblin had landed.

"..."

"...You defeated it with one punch."

Abster scratched the back of his head.

"I didn't mean to hit that hard."

Lyra looked at him as if he had said something unbelievable.

"Goblins may be weak, but they're still monsters. Most F-Rank adventurers need weapons to kill one."

Abster looked at his own fist.

"Am I... really that strong?"

He still had no idea.

---

"I'm returning to the guild," Lyra said. "Would you mind walking with me?"

"Of course."

The two followed the forest path together.

Along the way, Lyra introduced herself.

"I'm studying at the Royal Academy of Magic."

"Today was supposed to be my first field assignment."

Abster smiled.

"It didn't exactly go as planned."

She laughed softly.

"Not even close."

For the first time since arriving in Aetherion...

Abster felt like he was talking to a genuine friend.

---

Suddenly...

Fenrir, the giant Moonfang Dire Wolf, stepped silently out of the trees.

Lyra immediately raised her broken staff.

"S-S-Class Monster!"

Abster calmly raised a hand.

"It's okay."

Fenrir walked toward Abster, lowered his head, and sat beside him like a loyal dog.

Lyra's jaw dropped.

"..."

"...It obeys you?"

Abster sighed.

"I honestly don't know why."

Fenrir nudged Abster's shoulder, as if asking for permission to follow.

"I guess you can come with us."

The wolf wagged its massive tail.

---

As they approached the road leading back to Valoria, they noticed something strange.

A merchant caravan had been destroyed.

Broken wagons littered the road.

The guards lay unconscious, but none had been killed.

"What happened here?" Lyra whispered.

Abster knelt beside one of the guards.

The man slowly opened his eyes.

"G-Goblins..."

"There were... dozens of them."

"Dozens?" Lyra frowned. "Goblin tribes rarely work together."

The guard swallowed hard.

"There was..."

"...one wearing black armor."

"He carried a sword."

"And..."

"...the others obeyed him."

Abster exchanged a glance with Lyra.

Neither of them had ever heard of such a thing.

---

Deep within Eastwood Forest...

A lone goblin knelt before a stone throne.

Seated upon it was a towering figure clad in dark armor.

Its eyes burned crimson beneath a horned helmet.

The goblin trembled.

"M-My Lord..."

"The human defeated us."

The armored figure remained silent.

Then...

It laughed.

"So..."

"The Sovereign has finally appeared."

The goblin looked confused.

"My Lord?"

The figure slowly stood.

His overwhelming aura filled the cavern.

"Continue watching him."

"Do not interfere."

"I wish to see..."

"...whether he is worthy."

The goblin bowed until its forehead touched the ground.

"Y-Yes, Lord Zarek."

---

Back at the Adventurers' Guild...

Helena Frost listened carefully as Abster and Lyra explained everything.

"A goblin wearing armor..." she muttered.

"That shouldn't be possible."

Garrick, who had joined the meeting, crossed his arms.

"If what the guard said is true, this isn't an ordinary goblin attack."

Helena nodded.

"I'm promoting the quest."

She looked directly at Abster.

"This is no longer an F-Rank mission."

"It's now an investigation."

"And I want you to be part of it."

Abster blinked.

"...Me?"

"You've already encountered whatever is happening in Eastwood Forest."

Before he could answer—

A messenger burst through the guild doors.

"Guild Master!"

"The watchtowers have spotted a monster stampede heading toward Eastwood Village!"

The room froze.

Helena's expression hardened.

"Sound the emergency bell."

"Call every available adventurer."

"This is no drill."

Outside...

The loud ringing of the guild bell echoed across the city.

For the first time in years...

Valoria declared a state of emergency.

---

End of Chapter 6

New Character Introduced:

Lord Zarek – A mysterious armored figure commanding intelligent goblins. He knows of the "Sovereign," but his true identity and motives remain unknown.

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