I Am Not A Goblin Slayer

The first to experience the sheer power of the Extraordinary Centaur were none other than the Demons blocking its path. Naturally, it wouldn’t slow its thundering momentum for a few insignificant Demon servants. The unfortunate monsters caught in its way, whether large or small, exploded into a fine crimson mist the instant they touched the blue-green aura radiating from its body. Viewed from high above, a distinct, perfectly straight trail of intertwined red and blue light tore across the battlefield.

Several fierce clashes erupted across the battlefield almost simultaneously. The leaders of the major adventure groups and the military’s top brass clashed with the Extraordinary Demons that had mobilized in unison.

Gauss cast a brief glance before retracting his gaze. His current opponent was the massive centaur hurtling toward him from the distance.

"Gauss, you have to be careful," Aaliyah’s voice rang out.

She and Ying had accompanied Gauss during their previous trip to Black Water Town, allowing them to experience the sheer terror of that Extraordinary Centaur up close. It was no exaggeration to say that an ordinary Adventurer would struggle simply to stay standing under its oppressive aura. Back then, their group had been forced to flee for their lives. Had Gauss not diverted the Extraordinary Centaur’s attention and lured it away, their strength at the time would have meant certain death.

But now, it was facing Gauss head-on as his opponent. Even though she knew his recent journey had drastically improved his strength, their past encounter with the beast still filled her with dread. After all, that Extraordinary Centaur was no ordinary Extraordinary Creature.

"Don’t worry," Gauss replied, his eyes burning with intensity.

His golden, slit-like pupils gleamed brilliantly, and a heavy, tangible dragon’s aura began to emanate slowly from his gaze. He yearned for a worthy opponent—especially a formidable foe he had previously been unable to defeat. Defeating such an enemy would grant him a true sense of accomplishment, proving to himself just how much his strength had grown.

Despite the vast distance between them, the massive centaur Isetor, unleashing its war trample across the earth, seemed to sense the burning battle intent in Gauss’s eyes. A sudden surge of unwarranted anger flared within its heart. Not long ago, this human had been nothing more than a panicked little mouse fleeing from its spear. Now, he dared to stand tall and face it head-on in front of an entire army. To Isetor, this blatant display was an insult to its strength—especially since it was happening in front of so many Extraordinary Demons.

When the centaur Isetor had received the orders to storm the mountain stronghold and execute Gauss, it accepted without the slightest hesitation. Their recent clash in Black Water Town had burned the human name "Gauss" into its memory. Had His Majesty the Green Dragon not ordered it to garrison Black Water Town—with strict instructions not to stray far from its perimeter unless absolutely necessary—it would have relentlessly hunted down the human who dared to mock it with Spatial Magic.

It had assumed there was little chance it would ever cross paths with that human again in this lifetime. Unexpectedly, fate had thrust them together once more.

According to the vanguard general, its comrades would hold off the strong human fighters; all Isetor had to do was kill this particular human. The target had just recently wreaked havoc deep within the heart of the Jade Forest. Though His Majesty the Green Dragon was not yet aware of this news, the human was undoubtedly already a sworn enemy of the entire Green Dragon Army.

This was a rare opportunity to prove its merit. If it could slay this audacious fool, it would undoubtedly earn a handsome reward from His Majesty the Green Dragon. It could be granted a much richer territory as its fiefdom, and perhaps His Majesty the Green Dragon would even bestow another blessing upon it...

At the thought of this, its heart—already pounding rapidly from its high-speed charge—burned with an even fiercer passion.

Of course, it could sense there was something slightly suspicious about the arrangement. Such a precious opportunity for glory was being casually handed to it—a mere commander of the Black Water Legion who had just joined the Green Dragon Army and had yet to achieve any notable feats. But it was still willing to gamble on it.

One shouldn’t mistakenly assume that the Dragon’s Nest was a united front simply because everyone swore fealty to His Majesty the Green Dragon. In reality, the internal competition within the Jade Forest never ceased. The forest was vast, but its resources were finite. Surrounded on all sides by the territories of other Lords, any attempt at easy expansion required waging outward war. Furthermore, the northern border faced the direct threat of the Carlos Kingdom’s Cold Jade Province.

With the borders relatively stable, the territories closest to the heart of the Dragon’s Nest had long been granted to the more powerful and senior Extraordinary Demon Lords. They basked in the bounty of their fertile lands and commanded legions of monster slaves. Aside from having to obey the decrees of His Majesty the Green Dragon, every one of them lived like extravagantly wealthy local emperors. Their monster servants meticulously maintained lush pastures, selecting the tenderest, most succulent food to deliver right to their mouths daily. Meanwhile, their tribes constantly mined rich veins of iron, jade, and Magic Stones in the surrounding areas. Although the lion’s share had to be offered as tribute to His Majesty the Green Dragon, the tiny fraction that trickled down into their own pockets still amounted to unimaginable wealth.

Compared to the veteran Extraordinary Demons, the centaur Isetor’s time in the Jade Forest was incredibly brief. Acutely aware of its lack of seniority, it remained fiercely subservient to His Majesty the Green Dragon. Not long ago, it had even been dispatched to the other Lords of the Borderland to act as a mercenary, amassing a vast hoard of treasure for His Majesty.

His Majesty the Green Dragon had always believed in rewarding merit. Because Isetor was fiercely loyal and willing to risk its life, Her Majesty the Green Dragon Queen had ultimately baptized and blessed it. She had gifted it with the noble Dragon Descendant bloodline that now flowed through its veins, earning the deep envy of countless Extraordinary Demon Lords.