Chapter 178: Call Me King
For a moment, the place was filled with the cheerful laughter of Li Meng and Benben.
Vanessa and the Ogres behind her wore puzzled expressions.
Although they had no idea why Ammon was laughing, seeing his unrestrained joy, Vanessa couldn't help but smile slightly as well.
"Woof woof!"
Wangwang also opened its mouth and barked happily, running circles around its leader with delight.
As Li Meng and Benben's laughter echoed throughout the canyon, several kilometers away, on a high mountain peak, five figures stood at the edge of a cliff.
Leading them was a burly Ghost Beastman clad in black armor.
To his left and right stood Agatha and Iron Mask.
"Years of preparation gone in an instant, all because of those wretched goblins!"
Iron Mask scowled as he gazed at the distant canyon.
The annihilation of the "Death Scourge" had turned the demon race's plans to ashes.
How could Iron Mask not be furious and frustrated?
His fists clenched tightly, and his eyes were filled with killing intent.
If he had known earlier, he would have paid any price to kill that goblin.
Next to him, Agatha looked toward the distant canyon with keen interest.
"That goblin is truly extraordinary, hiding its strength. How intriguing!"
The goblin she fought last time was just a goblin leader.
But the goblin appearing now was a Goblin King, standing nearly five meters tall—a truly imposing figure.
Although she had only observed from a distance, Agatha was certain this was the same goblin she had fought not long ago.
Agatha turned to look at her brother.
"Brother, I think that goblin is far more useful than the uncontrollable 'Death Scourge.'"
The "Death Scourge," while terrifying, was uncontrollable.
Once unleashed into human territory, it would undoubtedly cause chaos.
However, its effects might not be as catastrophic as anticipated, and allowing it to grow unchecked would create significant challenges in cleaning up afterward.
Agatha's words made Douglas's lips curl into a faint smile, his deep crimson face showing a meaningful expression.
"Iron Mask, your efforts in the Goblin Forest were commendable!"
Iron Mask froze upon hearing this.
He immediately realized that Lord Douglas had accepted Lady Agatha's suggestion.
Iron Mask hurriedly dropped to one knee.
"As long as it brings victory to Lord Douglas, Iron Mask will give his life without hesitation!"
Douglas spread his arms wide, slightly tilting his head to bask in the sunlight.
"Let this world become more entertaining. The demon race will surely rise again!"
The others knelt on one knee.
"The demon race will surely rise again!"
They shouted in unison, echoing Douglas's final words.
---
In the Ogre Mountains, within a certain canyon, Li Meng suddenly stopped walking, turning to look at the distant mountain range.
"Ammon, what's wrong?"
Li Meng frowned slightly as he gazed at the distant peaks.
"Nothing!"
Li Meng turned back and continued walking.
"Was it just an illusion?"
He muttered to himself as he walked.
A strange feeling of being watched had come over him briefly.
Shrugging off the thought, Li Meng pushed it out of his mind.
In the days that followed, Li Meng led the group of Ogres southward.
It wasn't until the fifth day that they finally left the Ogre Mountains.
---
That afternoon, outside the Iron Cavern.
"Benben, take them inside. Teach them how to forge when you have time!"
Under his guidance, Benben had long since become a competent blacksmithing ogre.
With Benben's instruction, the Ogres would quickly learn a new skill.
Benben nodded, roaring at the Ogres before leading over a hundred of them into the Iron Cavern.
Watching the Ogres file into the cavern, Li Meng grinned.
This trip to the Ogre Mountains wasn't fruitless after all.
If these hundred or so Ogres could be armed, their combat power would surpass that of ten thousand goblins.
---
"My heavens, Boss, oh Boss, you… you've become a 'King'?"
The commotion at the Iron Cavern caught Gobuge's attention.
Sticking close to the wall, he ran out nervously, only to be shocked at the sight of the massive goblin outside the cavern.
But the familiar aura surrounding the leader quickly helped Gobuge recognize him.
"Boss, you're amazing!"
Gobuge ran toward his leader with feverish excitement.
Sliding on his knees, he stopped at Li Meng's feet, bowing low and kissing the top of his foot fervently.
"King! King! King!"
Gobuge trembled with excitement, his eyes rolling back as he fainted in a frenzy, his body twitching as he muttered gleefully.
Li Meng looked down at Gobuge, lying there like a dead pig, and felt at a loss for words.
Vanessa, perched on Li Meng's shoulder, chuckled softly.
The goblin's reaction was truly over the top.
Shaking his head, Li Meng turned and strode toward the direction of the tribe.
---
Ten minutes later, in the northern forest of the Throne Tribe.
Li Meng emerged from the forest, a red-skinned Skurg following behind him.
"It's the boss! The boss is back!"
"No… that's not the boss!"
The sight of their leader caused a ruckus among the goblins on the wooden wall.
The massive figure left them all slack-jawed.
"It's the boss! It's the boss!"
"No, it's not the boss—it's the King, the Goblin King!"
"It's the boss—it's the Boss King!"
"Right, right! The Boss King!"
"The Boss has become the Boss King!"
"That's wonderful! Boss King! Boss King!"
The goblins on the wooden wall cheered enthusiastically.
The commotion drew the attention of more goblins within the tribe, who swarmed onto the wooden wall.
Seeing the towering green figure approaching the northern gate, they all joined in the chant.
"Boss King! Boss King!"
The unified chant grew louder and louder.
In the southern area, the male Lizardmen looked northward in confusion, unsure of what had sparked such uproar among the goblins.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Li Meng entered the tribe through the northern gate.
At the sight of their Boss King up close, the goblins trembled, kneeling in unison with fervent gazes fixed on the massive, imposing green figure.
"Boss King?"
The title made Li Meng frown slightly.
Realizing something, he grinned.
"Call me King!"
Li Meng roared, his voice thunderous as it echoed through the tribe.
The goblins erupted like a tidal wave.
"King! King!"
They shifted their chant, shouting "King! King!" with great enthusiasm.
Grinning broadly, Li Meng strode down the main path into the inner district.