The alarm blared once more, this time summoning every single reservist to arms, demanding readiness for confrontation. However, since the threat didn't originate from a dragon, Bell casually strolled towards the gate, clutching a steaming mug of coffee. A group of riflemen and armored vehicles stood at the ready, while Eldrin had the elves on high alert.
"Colonel Moore, what's going on?" Bell inquired, gazing out over the gate as he took a sip of his coffee.
The scene beyond the gate was truly remarkable. A line of goblins filled the main road, brandishing a white flag. The front of the group bowed, appearing to request something within the base. Goblins, known for their green skin and diminutive stature, were distant descendants of elves, though the origins of their lineage remained a mystery. The newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel could only scratch his head, as if he had already experienced more than his fair share of bizarre encounters in his lifetime.
First, it had been the elves, and now he found rows of goblins bowing before him in prayer. Moore couldn't help but wonder what in the world was happening. His team had detected a horde of goblins approaching the base, so he had dispatched a helicopter. However, instead of hostility, the goblins were waving a white flag, and the pilot had guided them to the base. Now, he had to deal with the goblins while being accompanied with Lieutenant Colonel Morreau from the Mechanized Strategic Response Division.
"Well, Colonel Morreau can provide the details, can't you, Linda?" Moore added.
Linda nodded in agreement. "The village chief, Shruss, expressed a willingness to cooperate with us."
"Cooperate? Are they expecting us to enslave them?" Bell protested, but then he remembered that goblins were often viewed as subhumans rather than demons. Human adventurers even hunted them for sport, and some goblin tribes resorted to raiding and banditry. "What does Shruss want? Invite her here."
"Her, sir."
"Her?" It only added to the peculiarity of the situation. How had a goblina become a village chief? It was highly unusual in their tribal society, which was even more matriarchal than Eldrin's. The circumstances must have been incredibly dire for them to trust a goblina to approach him. Not that Bell had any reason to doubt her, but it was undeniably unusual.
Still holding onto his coffee mug, Bell made his way through the security checkpoint and crossed the border between the inside and outside of the base. The goblins were accompanied by soldiers whose faces were concealed by balaclavas, but for the goblins, these masks only added to the aura of intimidation. Questions must have been racing through their minds. What did the demon have in store for them? Would he kill them all or enslave them? It was a mystery.
Approaching Shruss, Bell knelt down. "Hey, stand up. Would you like some coffee?" He locked eyes with the fearful female goblin. Her gaze was filled with desperation, and her expression mirrored her emotions. What should Bell do with the goblins? Enslaving them went against the principles of the Federation, even if they were willing to join.
"Oh, great demon lord, we are willing to become your subjects. Please use us as you see fit, but before you do anything to my tribesmen, please use me first."
Bell gently urged Shruss to stand. His gaze softened as he addressed the goblin chief. "We're not here to subjugate or exploit anyone. You and your people are welcome here as equals, not as subjects," he stated firmly.
"Equals?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, equals," Bell reiterated. "We can provide you with safety, a place to live, and opportunities for work. In return, we ask for cooperation and peace. We're working to build a better community here, one that includes everyone, including goblins. Just follow our rules, and you can be a part of our Federation."
Shruss's eyes widened, and she glanced back at her fellow goblins. They were still weary and scared, but a glimmer of hope had begun to emerge in their eyes. She nodded slowly. "We... we accept your offer, Bell."
Bell winced slightly at the "great demon lord" title but let it slide. He wondered how outdated their knowledge of demons must be. "Just Bell is fine. Now, let's discuss how we can integrate your people into our community. Do you have a headcount, including details of men, women, and children?"
At that moment, Lisa came running toward the gate, still in her pajamas and shoeless, her metallic feet thudding against the concrete road. The goblins looked at Lisa in fear, as her appearance was unfamiliar and unsettling. A demon was already frightening, but now they saw a demon with seams in her face.
"RAA just sent me a report this morning. Apparently, we'll have incoming goblin refugees," Lisa added, providing more information to the situation.
Bell nodded at Lisa, appreciating the additional information. "Thanks, Lisa. This confirms what we were expecting." He then refocused his attention on Shruss. "It appears that your arrival was anticipated, at least to some extent. Our first priority is to get your people settled. We'll need an accurate count to ensure we have enough resources for everyone."
Shruss, still somewhat overwhelmed but visibly relieved, began conversing with her group in their native language. The goblins, who had been cautiously observing the interaction, started to organize themselves into smaller groups for the headcount. Lisa and the soldiers with red cross arm bands began the process of counting them.
Bell already had a plan in mind. If what the goblins were saying was true, it might be wise to enlist them as reserves, taking advantage of the educational opportunities and guaranteed benefits. Goblins were much more tribalistic than elves, and integrating them into Bell's government without a well-thought-out plan would be challenging. Fortunately, the system provided a solution. It would be a comprehensive mobilization plan, similar to what had been done before.
Essentially, the adults would be enrolled in the reservist program, ensuring they received the necessary support to integrate into Bell's administration. Their children would be placed in the state's schooling program. Bell couldn't help but recognize the incredible advantage of the immediate educational advancement granted to reservists. It was a powerful tool, particularly given the years it took to transition an illiterate population into a literate one.
A soldier then reported to Bell, "The quick headcount is complete, sir. We have a total of 200 families, with 200 minors, 450 women, and 350 men identified."
"Alright, let's start with the unmarried individuals."
Turning to Lisa, he instructed, "Organize a meeting with all the unmarried goblins. We'll introduce them to our reservist program. They need to understand that this is an opportunity for education, training, and becoming a part of something bigger than themselves."
Lisa nodded, the faint clinking of her metallic feet accompanying her movements as she set about executing the orders. Bell observed as the goblins were gathered, their expressions reflecting a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Once the group was assembled, Bell addressed them with a firm yet reassuring tone. "I understand that this is a significant change for all of you. However, in our Federation, we believe in giving everyone a chance to grow and contribute. As reservists, you'll receive education and training, acquiring skills that will benefit not only you but also help in building a better future for your people. Please, don't worry; you will all be treated equally."
The goblins murmured among themselves, but the overall sentiment appeared to be one of welcome. Their families were directed to a temporary check-up area for health assessments, where twenty doctors from the hospital were stationed. Meanwhile, Bell conducted a headcount and found that there were a hundred individuals in this group.
[Summoned Personnel Menu] [EP: 930,080,000]
[Specialized Personnel Sub-Menu]
Standard Equipment: H&K 416, MG4, SR-25, IOTV + Level IV Plates, RCHHC+ , Basic Comms
New Personnel Cost: 6,000 EP / 4,000 EP Equipment Only + 4,800 Training Cost
Training Add-on: ◄5 Level Upgrade► [Tier-3 Special Forces]
[Train ◄400► Soldiers] [3,520,000 EP] [Warning, Officers Required!] [64 Soldiers Would Be Taken As Officer] [+ 6,400,000 EPs For Training]
Bell clicked a button, and a white, ethereal glow enveloped the group of goblins before they vanished into thin air. In the medical check-up area, the goblins whispered in fear, but the surrounding soldiers did their best to reassure them that nothing would harm them. The demons had experienced the same process before, and there was a clear reason behind Bell's actions.
[48:00:00 Until Training Is Complete]
Among those individuals was Shruss, who had also disappeared. For the next two days, Bell's main concern was ensuring that the goblins didn't cause any disturbances. By the time they returned, he would have 400 soldiers ready for action, and he already had a plan for which unit they would be assigned to. Currently, the regular mechanized division was operating well below its normal capacity, so that seemed like the best fit, although they would start in the reserve division.
Colonel Morreau volunteered to manage the refugee situation with her unit, seeing it as an opportunity for her soldiers to gain experience in volunteer and humanitarian work. Bell approved of this, as long as she coordinated effectively with the medical team. So far, everything was going smoothly, especially after the successful elimination of three dragons without significant difficulty.
With the crisis resolved, Bell returned to his apartment, eager to enjoy his holiday.
The alarm blared once more, this time summoning every single reservist to arms, demanding readiness for confrontation. However, since the threat didn't originate from a dragon, Bell casually strolled towards the gate, clutching a steaming mug of coffee. A group of riflemen and armored vehicles stood at the ready, while Eldrin had the elves on high alert.
"Colonel Moore, what's going on?" Bell inquired, gazing out over the gate as he took a sip of his coffee.
The scene beyond the gate was truly remarkable. A line of goblins filled the main road, brandishing a white flag. The front of the group bowed, appearing to request something within the base. Goblins, known for their green skin and diminutive stature, were distant descendants of elves, though the origins of their lineage remained a mystery. The newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel could only scratch his head, as if he had already experienced more than his fair share of bizarre encounters in his lifetime.
First, it had been the elves, and now he found rows of goblins bowing before him in prayer. Moore couldn't help but wonder what in the world was happening. His team had detected a horde of goblins approaching the base, so he had dispatched a helicopter. However, instead of hostility, the goblins were waving a white flag, and the pilot had guided them to the base. Now, he had to deal with the goblins while being accompanied with Lieutenant Colonel Morreau from the Mechanized Strategic Response Division.
"Well, Colonel Morreau can provide the details, can't you, Linda?" Moore added.
Linda nodded in agreement. "The village chief, Shruss, expressed a willingness to cooperate with us."
"Cooperate? Are they expecting us to enslave them?" Bell protested, but then he remembered that goblins were often viewed as subhumans rather than demons. Human adventurers even hunted them for sport, and some goblin tribes resorted to raiding and banditry. "What does Shruss want? Invite her here."
"Her, sir."
"Her?" It only added to the peculiarity of the situation. How had a goblina become a village chief? It was highly unusual in their tribal society, which was even more matriarchal than Eldrin's. The circumstances must have been incredibly dire for them to trust a goblina to approach him. Not that Bell had any reason to doubt her, but it was undeniably unusual.
Still holding onto his coffee mug, Bell made his way through the security checkpoint and crossed the border between the inside and outside of the base. The goblins were accompanied by soldiers whose faces were concealed by balaclavas, but for the goblins, these masks only added to the aura of intimidation. Questions must have been racing through their minds. What did the demon have in store for them? Would he kill them all or enslave them? It was a mystery.
Approaching Shruss, Bell knelt down. "Hey, stand up. Would you like some coffee?" He locked eyes with the fearful female goblin. Her gaze was filled with desperation, and her expression mirrored her emotions. What should Bell do with the goblins? Enslaving them went against the principles of the Federation, even if they were willing to join.
"Oh, great demon lord, we are willing to become your subjects. Please use us as you see fit, but before you do anything to my tribesmen, please use me first."
Bell gently urged Shruss to stand. His gaze softened as he addressed the goblin chief. "We're not here to subjugate or exploit anyone. You and your people are welcome here as equals, not as subjects," he stated firmly.
"Equals?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, equals," Bell reiterated. "We can provide you with safety, a place to live, and opportunities for work. In return, we ask for cooperation and peace. We're working to build a better community here, one that includes everyone, including goblins. Just follow our rules, and you can be a part of our Federation."
Shruss's eyes widened, and she glanced back at her fellow goblins. They were still weary and scared, but a glimmer of hope had begun to emerge in their eyes. She nodded slowly. "We... we accept your offer, Bell."
Bell winced slightly at the "great demon lord" title but let it slide. He wondered how outdated their knowledge of demons must be. "Just Bell is fine. Now, let's discuss how we can integrate your people into our community. Do you have a headcount, including details of men, women, and children?"
At that moment, Lisa came running toward the gate, still in her pajamas and shoeless, her metallic feet thudding against the concrete road. The goblins looked at Lisa in fear, as her appearance was unfamiliar and unsettling. A demon was already frightening, but now they saw a demon with seams in her face.
"RAA just sent me a report this morning. Apparently, we'll have incoming goblin refugees," Lisa added, providing more information to the situation.
Bell nodded at Lisa, appreciating the additional information. "Thanks, Lisa. This confirms what we were expecting." He then refocused his attention on Shruss. "It appears that your arrival was anticipated, at least to some extent. Our first priority is to get your people settled. We'll need an accurate count to ensure we have enough resources for everyone."
Shruss, still somewhat overwhelmed but visibly relieved, began conversing with her group in their native language. The goblins, who had been cautiously observing the interaction, started to organize themselves into smaller groups for the headcount. Lisa and the soldiers with red cross arm bands began the process of counting them.
Bell already had a plan in mind. If what the goblins were saying was true, it might be wise to enlist them as reserves, taking advantage of the educational opportunities and guaranteed benefits. Goblins were much more tribalistic than elves, and integrating them into Bell's government without a well-thought-out plan would be challenging. Fortunately, the system provided a solution. It would be a comprehensive mobilization plan, similar to what had been done before.
Essentially, the adults would be enrolled in the reservist program, ensuring they received the necessary support to integrate into Bell's administration. Their children would be placed in the state's schooling program. Bell couldn't help but recognize the incredible advantage of the immediate educational advancement granted to reservists. It was a powerful tool, particularly given the years it took to transition an illiterate population into a literate one.
A soldier then reported to Bell, "The quick headcount is complete, sir. We have a total of 200 families, with 200 minors, 450 women, and 350 men identified."
"Alright, let's start with the unmarried individuals."
Turning to Lisa, he instructed, "Organize a meeting with all the unmarried goblins. We'll introduce them to our reservist program. They need to understand that this is an opportunity for education, training, and becoming a part of something bigger than themselves."
Lisa nodded, the faint clinking of her metallic feet accompanying her movements as she set about executing the orders. Bell observed as the goblins were gathered, their expressions reflecting a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Once the group was assembled, Bell addressed them with a firm yet reassuring tone. "I understand that this is a significant change for all of you. However, in our Federation, we believe in giving everyone a chance to grow and contribute. As reservists, you'll receive education and training, acquiring skills that will benefit not only you but also help in building a better future for your people. Please, don't worry; you will all be treated equally."
The goblins murmured among themselves, but the overall sentiment appeared to be one of welcome. Their families were directed to a temporary check-up area for health assessments, where twenty doctors from the hospital were stationed. Meanwhile, Bell conducted a headcount and found that there were a hundred individuals in this group.
[Summoned Personnel Menu] [EP: 930,080,000]
[Specialized Personnel Sub-Menu]
Standard Equipment: H&K 416, MG4, SR-25, IOTV + Level IV Plates, RCHHC+ , Basic Comms
New Personnel Cost: 6,000 EP / 4,000 EP Equipment Only + 4,800 Training Cost
Training Add-on: ◄5 Level Upgrade► [Tier-3 Special Forces]
[Train ◄400► Soldiers] [3,520,000 EP] [Warning, Officers Required!] [64 Soldiers Would Be Taken As Officer] [+ 6,400,000 EPs For Training]
Bell clicked a button, and a white, ethereal glow enveloped the group of goblins before they vanished into thin air. In the medical check-up area, the goblins whispered in fear, but the surrounding soldiers did their best to reassure them that nothing would harm them. The demons had experienced the same process before, and there was a clear reason behind Bell's actions.
[48:00:00 Until Training Is Complete]
Among those individuals was Shruss, who had also disappeared. For the next two days, Bell's main concern was ensuring that the goblins didn't cause any disturbances. By the time they returned, he would have 400 soldiers ready for action, and he already had a plan for which unit they would be assigned to. Currently, the regular mechanized division was operating well below its normal capacity, so that seemed like the best fit, although they would start in the reserve division.
Colonel Morreau volunteered to manage the refugee situation with her unit, seeing it as an opportunity for her soldiers to gain experience in volunteer and humanitarian work. Bell approved of this, as long as she coordinated effectively with the medical team. So far, everything was going smoothly, especially after the successful elimination of three dragons without significant difficulty.
With the crisis resolved, Bell returned to his apartment, eager to enjoy his holiday.
