"The Tengu's territory is near Demon Lord Frey's nation."

Snow Empress memorized the Cardinal World's map. "Hakurou and the others will take a while."

"Then we'll wait until the Goblins submit."

Damien used the time to study his Planeswalker skill.

He discovered opening otherworld gates wasn't entirely random; there was some control.

Instead of using Planeswalker directly, he could disperse Magicules to sense world gates in the void.

This let him glimpse fragments of the target world, gauging its nature.

Best of all, it didn't consume Planeswalker's travel charges.

He didn't need to worry about being unable to escape danger.

"Let's see what the next world looks like."

Damien closed his eyes, focusing entirely on Planeswalker.

Images flashed rapidly in his mind... worlds teeming with monsters, universes twisted by bizarre rules.

A flood of information overwhelmed him, forcing him to cut the connection.

"Huff! Huff! Huff!"

Eyes open, Damien panted, sweat beading on his forehead.

"You okay?" The source of thɪs content is novel★fire.net

Snow Empress rushed to check on him.

His distress was felt keenly by Ice Empress, Ogerpon, and other subordinates, but he reassured them he was training.

"I'm fine."

Damien smiled at Snow Empress. "Got lucky... caught an interesting world."

"Interesting world?"

"Not sure yet."

This new world was unique. "It has a strong barrier. I can't enter as easily as before."

Contacting or entering it directly was impossible.

When Planeswalker touched it, the world's will resisted fiercely.

It wanted no outsiders, content to exist in isolation.

"Forcing entry won't work either."

"That world is vast."

Damien couldn't gauge its full scope, but it rivaled the Cardinal World in scale.

Sneaking in like he did with Douluo Continent was tough.

"Then the second method?"

"No."

Damien shook his head. "If it's as I suspect, entering in person is too risky."

"So, we use the second method, but safer."

"Safer?"

Snow Empress received Damien's shared intel on the new world.

Like him, she recognized its vastness and danger.

"What's the plan?"

"Remote projection."

In other worlds, projection wouldn't work.

But with this world, Planeswalker might exploit a loophole.

"I need to prepare."

"Not just me... you, Ice Empress, Ogerpon, Shuna, everyone."

Damien declared, "We're all fighting this battle together!"

"Sounds fun."

Snow Empress grinned, catching his intent. "That world likely has abilities perfect for you."

"Yeah."

Damien said, "We wait patiently for our chance to descend."

While Damien and Snow Empress planned for the new world, the Kijin team with Treyni reached a Goblin village.

The Goblin settlement wasn't far from the Kijin's.

At A-rank Kijin speed, a day and night could cross half the Jura Forest, let alone this short trip.

They left at noon and arrived by evening.

"So scary."

"Why are such strong Majin here?"

"Is our village doomed?"

In the village, Goblins... child-sized, clutching short sticks and rusty blades... stared at Sakurako and her team in terror.

"Who are you?!"

Despite trembling, an elderly Goblin spoke. "Please don't hurt us! We have nothing, but we'll give up our food!"

"This is the Goblins' state now?"

"So pathetic."

Sakurako was disappointed.

The silver-haired girl brushed her locks, stepping forward despite her discontent. "I am an envoy of the Kijin, here to convey my lord's will!"

"Submit to my lord, and you'll gain protection and food!"

"Huh?"

The Goblin chief thought he misheard, turning to his scrawny son. "What did she say? Submit?"

"Yes, Father."

The young Goblin's voice held excitement. "She said they'll give us food and protection!"

"Is that true?"

"Someone would protect us?"

"The Kijin are super strong monsters!"

"…"

Submitting to the strong came naturally to Goblins.

They'd never refuse an offer.

Sadly, no one valued Goblins.

At the bottom of the monster hierarchy, their existence value barely reached 1,000.

During their peak, individual Goblin existence values hit E-rank, over 1,000.

That was their last glory.

Now, the forest's 8,000 Goblins had at most 500 Magicules... solid F-rank.

A farmer could thrash four or five barehanded.

Such weak creatures, useful only for wasting food?

"Too weak."

"For Lord Damien to shelter them shows his mercy."

The three Kijin with Sakurako marveled at his kindness, recruiting even Goblins.

"Enough!"

Sakurako cut them off, warning, "Don't question our lord's decisions!"

"Yes."

The three bowed, apologizing.

Sakurako led the team.

Their mission: protect her and escort the Goblins safely back.

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

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