Island God: Going From Level 1 To World Ruler-Chapter 54: Path To Victory
Yemo wore large goggles that he had fashioned himself. He was in leather attire, a big upgrade from the previous clothing of the goblins.
In fact, all those in the area, including Midas, were now also clad in leather armor.
Midas still wore his chitin armor on top for more protection.
There were ten total catapults, all made to perfectly hoist a bog-plant which was the size of a football.
Alongside them, however, there was more war machinery.
"What’s this?" Midas walked up to a machine made of wood and rope that resembled a massive crossbow on wheels.
"That, my lord," Yemo said with a proud smirk, "Is a goblin ballista. It can shoot large, powerful arrows that can even tear through an orc with good enough aim."
Midas’s eyes widened, a smile forming on his face, "Good work, Yemo!" He said.
Midas had tasked Yemo to build catapults, as they were clearly useful weaponry during wars and sieges.
Midas was planning on doing just that, so after seeing the catapults being used during the battle between Sergalas and the white orcs, he copied the idea.
On top of that, however, Midas tasked Yemo with another job. Since he knew that the goblin was seemingly talented in machine technology, he asked if Yemo could make another type of weapon that could help the company during hard battles.
The ballista wasn’t something Midas was expecting, but he wasn’t complaining whatsoever. It was perfect, in fact.
’I’m lucky to have such a smart goblin by my side.’ He said to himself, turning and returning to the map on the ground.
"Listen up!" He shouted, capturing the attention of all goblins as they neared him and huddled around.
"You heard me correctly. We will be launching a siege upon the mosquito population!" He said. "The path to victory is simple, but before I tell you of that, I will tell you what exactly victory will mean for us."
Everyone nodded, agreeing that the definition of their goal was important to know first.
"We don’t want to wipe out the mosquitoes. As far as I can tell, I think choosing that path would be highly risky and potentially cause all of us to get wiped out. On top of that, attempting to kill all of the mosquitoes is meritless. We may gain a bit of status in the West, but that doesn’t mean we actually grew in power at all. The mosquitoes are powerful due to their ability to fly and power in numbers... that’s something that can allow us to dominate this entire island if we were somehow able to harness that power." Midas paused, a slight smile pulling at his lips.
By now, everyone understood what the goal was...
"We will launch an attack when they least expect it. Their lives should be dealt with mercy, since they are going to be under me after all this. However, if need be to secure victory, I don’t care how many bugs need to die." Midas’s tone became more serious at the end.
"I see..." Gool was the first to reply, "It’s an admirable plan, but I’m afraid we may not have the necessary tools to defeat those mosquitoes."
Midas narrowed his eyelids as he and the rest of the goblins listened to what Gool had to say.
"Sure, the machinery we now have is strong. We may even be able to kill hundreds of mosquitoes. However... the mosquitoes are no pushovers. They do not forget, and nor do they give up. If one chases you, it will do so until it dies." Gool said, his tone almost somber.
The atmosphere changed, and many goblins looked more worried.
"Hmph! That’s easy to solve, Gool." Midas replied with sudden enthusiasm.
Gool raised a brow, "How can you say that so easily?"
"Because I’ve already figured it out. These plants right here... they are the solution." Midas walked over toward the bog plant farm and presented it to the group.
"T-those plants?" Gool retorted, confused. "I was meaning to ask why you were growing those plants anyway. How could they possibly help us?"
"These are bog plants. When stepped on and triggered, they release a cloud of green bog smoke that is putrid in smell." Midas began to reply, all the goblins listening along with intent, "The bog acts as an absolute repellent to mosquitoes." Midas stated with confidence, glancing at Gool.
All the other goblins gasped slightly with surprise.
"Gool... you said a mosquito chases you until it dies, but I’ve scared off mosquitoes in seconds by simply using the bog in this plant," Midas said.
Gool’s eyes widened with surprise. "Wow... I can’t believe I never knew such an easy solution to the mosquitoes was on our doorstep all along. I guess it makes sense, though, since these plants never grow anywhere else on the island except for in the south. Even if mosquitoes are to come across them every now and again, no one would be there to notice their effects." Gool said, amazed at this fact.
"Well then... It’s settled." Midas placed his hands on his hips, "Get your weapons and armor ready. We will march to the domain of the mosquitoes as soon as we can." Midas said, facing the new machinery made by Yemo. "The catapults will be filled with rocks tied with bog plants. The arrows on the ballista will be pierced with bog plants. We will unleash a storm of bog all across the mountain of mosquitoes and knock as many as possible unconscious." Midas continued explaining each part of the plan vaguely. He was going to explain further details as time went by during their travel, but he wanted to let everyone in on the most important details immediately.
"The terror will cause havoc and panic. And that is when we will make our next move. A request of council with the leader of mosquitoes, and a threat of destruction if that request is denied. However, we most likely can’t fully defeat the mosquitoes with the weapons we have. If they find out that we number fewer than a hundred men, and that our weapons are limited, they will find the morale to fight back and crush us. So, until our request for council is accepted, make sure none of you show yourselves." Midas finally finished, his eyes gazing through the crowd.
The goblins clenched their fists with conviction.
Midas noticed that the goblins clearly struggled between fear and courage, yet still all decided to choose to be brave.
He could see the intent and ambition in their eyes and body language. He could see that they were simply waiting for the command, and they would give it their all to help him.
He wanted to honor this energy. To strengthen it and forge it into a wall of unbreakable morale within the group.
He raised his fist in the air and clenched it tightly, capturing everyone’s attention as they looked up in awe.
"For victory!" Midas shouted, his simple words sending shivers up Gool’s back.
A pause occurred for a few seconds, silence falling over the area. Then, the excitement of the goblins bubbled out of control as all raised their fists, pumped out their chests, and roared with pride:
"FOR VICTORY!"
