The Forest Feeds No Idle Goblins

"The Naga Race used to live in the ocean," Pazani said, leaning closer to the table. He reached for the red wine and poured himself a glass. "But we were constantly hunted and slaughtered. In the end, our only choice was to flee up the Darren River and hide in Darren Lake."

"But our bodies are adapted to saltwater. Living in the lake is... difficult, especially our need for salt." He took a sip of red wine, then glanced at the Goblin Leader across the table. "I could taste salt in our lunch."

Shire nodded. "That’s right. Goblins need to consume salt as well."

"That’s incredible," Pazani breathed out, a dejected look on his face. "You’re a group of goblins, yet you can get your hands on salt. The Naga Race has tried everything, and we can only get the tiniest amount. But you... you can just put it in your food freely."

"Actually, we have a lot of salt," Shire said calmly. "Speaking of which, why didn’t you use Shui Yumo to find it?"

"We tried," Pazani said with a frown, "but what you may not know, Leader, is that Shui Yumo has two other names. One is Divine Revelation..."

He held up two fingers, then lowered his middle finger, leaving only his index finger raised. His expression turned grim as he said, "And the other is Demon’s Smile."

"That name..." Shire’s lips moved, but he didn’t finish his thought.

"After you casually ask it a question, the hint Shui Yumo gives you will linger in your mind day after day. It’s like the alluring smile of a beautiful woman. Once you know that you only have to follow its instructions to achieve success, you will one day be unable to resist the temptation. You won’t be yourself anymore. You might become a thief, or an arsonist."

Pazani glanced at the stone wall behind Shire, as if lost in a memory. "A long time ago, the use of Shui Yumo was strictly controlled within the clan. Now, our supply is so low it’s barely enough for the Naga Race’s coming-of-age trials."

"You’re right," Shire nodded. "Unrestrained desire would have a terrible effect on your people. Your ancestors made the correct decision."

"So, even though you’re hiding in Darren Lake now," he took a small sip of red wine, then continued slowly, "the Feathered Serpent Kingdom has found you?"

"Yes," Pazani nodded. "We’ve hidden ourselves away in this remote place, avoiding the Elves and humans, but still, others covet what we have. They’re like pesky little fish that you can’t drive away, always circling you, always trying to snatch a piece of seaweed or fish from your jaws."

"You said before that the Naga Race’s Water Magic is useless against them. I was wondering," Shire paused, then asked, "have you tried any other kind of Magic?"

Pazani was taken aback for a moment, then answered quickly, "No, the Naga Race doesn’t know any other Magic. You see, when we are young, we ingest a Magic Potion. Only then can we awaken our Water Control Magic Ability."

"A Magic Potion?" Shire raised an eyebrow. "That’s interesting. I thought you were born with Magic."

He recalled the rumors he’d heard: that the Naga Race was born with Water Magic, that they were masters of Water Control. But now, it seemed that wasn’t the whole story.

"We aren’t born with it, exactly," Pazani shook his head. "Our Race is naturally attuned to the Water Element, but not everyone can cast Magic. The clan elders say that a long time ago, we didn’t know how to use these Water Attribute spells at all."

"Then who taught you?" Shire asked, looking at the Naga Prince with great interest. "Or how did you learn? I’d always heard that every member of the Naga Race could use Water Magic."

Pazani looked up at the glowing Mushrooms on the ceiling, trying hard to recall what he’d been told. "A long, long time ago—this is just what I’ve heard—someone taught our Race Water Magic, including some Moldable Magic. Later, they developed a Magic Potion that could awaken the Magic Ability within our Race."

’Someone?’ Shire narrowed his eyes. He was thinking that if his subordinates could use those Magic Potions, they might also be able to awaken their own Magic Ability. He currently had many Magic Abilities stored in his consciousness, like Rocket Technique and Wind Blade Technique, which he’d acquired from the Adventurers he had defeated. After that, he had tried to grant these Magic Abilities to his subordinates, but he didn’t know if it was because the goblins’ Intelligence was too low or if they simply lacked the genetic disposition for Magic Power. So far, only three goblins had awakened their abilities: Nine-finger, Lame Leg, and Buck Teeth.

’If those Magic Potions could awaken the Magic Ability in my subordinates, it would be a massive boost to the clan’s strength.’

"Mm," Pazani nodded, then fell silent, trying hard to remember. Just as Shire was about to tell him not to worry about it, that it was fine if he couldn’t recall something from so long ago, Pazani looked at the goblin before him with certainty. "I remember now. The elder said that group called themselves High Elves."

Shire’s eyes widened when he heard that. "That must have been a very long time ago."

"Yes, thousands of years ago." Pazani took a sip of red wine and sighed. "We were still living in the deep sea back then."

Shire smiled faintly. ’If the Naga Race really possesses both the Magic Potions to awaken Magic and the Shui Yumo,’ he thought, ’it would be stranger if other Races *didn’t* hunt them down. Frankly, if I were a powerful leader and knew a neighboring clan had such incredible items, I would do everything in my power to take them.’

"It’s like that old saying: ’How did my oil end up in your country?’" Shire said with a slight shake of his head and a wry smile. "As for the Feathered Serpent Kingdom, I think we may be on the same side."

"If, as you said, they’re marching south—and from what I know, that’s not something they do lightly—then if they continue advancing, they will eventually encounter my people." Shire tapped the table lightly, thinking for a few seconds. "When that happens, they will definitely attack us."

He clenched his fist. "No one knows goblins better than I do. It will be an all-out war."

Pazani nodded as well. "I imagine so. Does this mean we’re allies now?"

"Not yet," Shire said, waving his hand dismissively. "We have to see how things develop first."

"Hmm..." Hearing his answer, Pazani clutched his wine glass and fell into thought, but his contemplation was soon interrupted.

"Leader!" a goblin cried, running in. He was panting heavily, as if he’d just completed a long journey.

"Broken Tooth?" Shire looked at his subordinate. He’d sent him to scout the territory formerly controlled by the Evil Throat Army. He hadn’t seen him in days and hadn’t expected him to appear now.

"Goblins... so many goblins," Broken Tooth said urgently. "And some of them... they were..."

"Flying."