The Monster King's Legacy - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: A Cold Night Chapter 61: A Cold Night The forest was especially cold that night, but the dancing singing and general celebration of the goblins made for a rather strong counter to the cold, outside their usual adaptation to it.

Lance now stood away from the rest, watching as everyone enjoyed themselves in a peaceful atmosphere.

It was a calming sight for him, seeing his people in such light and merry mood, knowing that they could find such times to kick back and relax amidst the dangers of the forest.

‘Soon, a bigger problem will start, if the demon lord threat has any merit to it.’ He thought to himself, though, the smile on his face didn’t fade.

Finishing the drink he had in hand, Lance decided to go have a soak in the small lake that was practically at their backyard, only three minutes away on foot.

He brought with him a dagger, just in case he had to protect himself.

He could leave the camp, knowing that there were enough capable goblins that could protect the tribe in case of any unlikely event.

Even then, someone had to know that he was leaving, it was customary.

Lance easily found Rikka who sat alone away from the rest.

She appeared to be lounging, comforting herself in her own presence.

Lance found it a bit off, but Rikka was that kind of character, so he didn’t bother much of it.

Rikka noticed Lance approaching when he got close, prompting her to get on her feet as she bowed slightly in show of respect, a small smile finding its way to her face.

“Chief, the celebration is wonderful.

Do you need me for something?” She asked.

Looking at her, Lance couldn’t help a light chuckle seeing her suddenly become lively.

Apart from the elders, she was the next goblin he was close to, and she has always been a great assistant with different things.

Their relationship did start off rough at first, but they warmed up to each other over time, especially through sparing.

“No, how are you enjoying the night?

You’re all here by yourself.” Lance said.

Rikka’s smile broadened a little as she turned to look at the different gatherings, “I’m ok chief, gatherings like these aren’t where I fit in the most.” “I see.

Well, make sure to relax and enjoy yourself, this won’t last until the morning.

In case anything is to come up, you can find me in the back lake.” Lance said.

Rikka’s eyes lit up briefly as he listened to Lance, dropping the cup she was holding on the nearby log.

“I will come with you then, chief.” She said, reaching behind her back to check that her daggers were in place.

Even during such an event, she still walked around with them.

“Hm?

Don’t worry about it, you don’t need to, today.” Lance said with a small smile.

“But, who will protect you if anything was to happen?” “I’m only going to have a quick dip in the water.

Besides, I can handle any beast that may appear, I beat you in a spar now, don’t I?” Lance said, his hand almost instinctively moving to pat her hair, ruffling it a little before leaving.

As Rikka watched him leave, she almost pouted, ruffling her own hair as she did, mumbling to herself, “I’m not a child.” After Lance disappeared from her zone of view, she returned to her former lounging beside the wooden stool, watching the different gatherings with disinterest, simply relaxing.

‘What’s he doing?’ Rikka thought to herself after noticing something that caught her attention.

Dran seemed to be waving at her to come over towards the gathering he was with where everyone was laughing.

‘Sorry, I’m not engaging in any jokes.’ She thought to herself, making a shuuing gesture with her hand and then lying down on the grass looking at the sky, her thoughts mostly blank.

… In mere minutes, Lance had reached the lake.

He didn’t hesitate, taking off his clothes which he hung on a nearby branch, a brown trouser and patched robe.

He got the clothes from the beast men merchants, something he was needing severely after the hospital wears he normally used had become too ragged to wear.

After testing the water with his hands, Lance went in, having a feel for it first before he started swimming.

He soon came to a stop near the more shallow part of the water where his legs touched the ground.

“This isn’t half bag… wait, what are those bubbles?” … “It’s good I learnt how to swim from Lance, I never imagined it would be such a relaxing thing.” Rynne said to herself as she floated about the body of water.

After drinking more than ten cups of the juice, she was starting to feel slightly different from normal and needed to cool her head, not that she understood what had happened.

Just as she thought, the water helped a lot to clear her head.

The water felt great as it was warmer also, so she quickly found herself not wanting to leave even after her head was clear.

She started diving, the darkness brought by the lake strangely calming.

‘What is that?

A beast?’ Rynne thought to herself as she saw a strange shadow in the water.

Slowly, she came to the surface, but the closer she got, she realized it was not a beast, and the familiar male part below gave her a good idea.

Even then, at that moment, her usual boldness was not all that present.

She wouldn’t mind the upper part of her being seen, but she wasn’t wearing anything down either.

Despite her best attempt to remain under water until the other party left, it didn’t seem possible as the other party had no plans of leaving it appeared.

Soon, her breath was out and she needed to resurface before she drowned.

“Rynne?” Lance said, eye brows raised in surprise.

He wasn’t expecting to see her at all.

Rynne caught her breath first, her surprise mixed in with relief.

‘Lance…’ Lance swarm towards her to help, as she appeared to be struggling a bit while out of breath, especially since she was at a deeper part than where Lance was.

“Take it easy, I’ve got you.” He said, bringing her back towards the shallow parts.

It was only after she had stabilized that she realised that both of them were naked and so close together, but it didn’t bother her at all as it was Lance.

Following a cough, Rynne looked at him, “what brought you here at this time?” she half expected it to be her, but she also knew that wasn’t the case.

Lance had no reason to be so sneaky after all, and he seemed just as surprised as her.

They both spent a minute with each other submerged half way in the water, seated, before Lance leaned in for a kiss, a gesture Rynne returned easily.