God Agent: All Hail The Great Kobold

"So this is what you have been doing in the past week. And I wondered if you forgot this old man." Kong’gong muttered absentmindedly while staring at the several sheets of paper spread across the table before him, each one filled with detailed instructions, diagrams, formations, and explanations written in Ka’z’s handwriting.

There were pages covering military formations, the fundamentals of Mana Body cultivation, rune structures, magical arrays, and even simplified instructions for various techniques Ka’z had learned from the Red Scripture.

The sheer amount of information was enough to make even Kong’gong pause.

Apart from the Ashmork artisans, he was the only person in Vaal’kor capable of reading English well enough to understand what Ka’z had written, which meant that until Ka’z returned, Kong’gong would effectively become the bridge between the knowledge he had prepared and the warriors who were supposed to learn it.

"Please, make some time to tutor our warriors." Ka’z bowed slightly, his expression carrying none of the hesitation his words suggested.

Kong’gong laughed and waved his hand dismissively. "I already asked to be one of your tutors when the academy is created. You don’t need to beg me to assume a role I asked for."

He picked up another sheet and examined the diagram drawn across its surface, his brows slowly rising as he followed the instructions. "But truly, the volume of information you put out is astronomical. Did you get any rest in the past week?"

"I can rest on my way to Galoria. I have my mount North prepared for the journey and enough supplies, so I won’t be doing much walking." Ka’z shook his head.

His departure was already weighing on him, and he had no intention of leaving behind unfinished preparations simply because his body needed sleep. There were too many things that could go wrong while he was gone, and he wanted the people staying behind to have enough knowledge to continue progressing without him.

Kong’gong let out a long sigh and slowly lowered the sheet of paper, his tired expression becoming noticeably more solemn. "I’m truly grateful that our clan has you. You have done more than we all expected of your prophecy, yet we have done little to appreciate your contribution."

His eyes lingered on Ka’z for a moment before he continued. "Even now, in a time where you resent our people, you still step out to fight for them. Even if no one will say it, I will say it. Vaal’kor is grateful."

Ka’z stared at him blankly. The words should have meant something. If they had come from Kong’gong alone, they probably would have moved him. He respected the old kobold more than almost anyone in the clan, and he knew Kong’gong genuinely appreciated everything he had done. But hearing him speak on behalf of the entire clan only made the words feel hollow.

Kong’gong was one of the few people who had consistently shown him gratitude, while the majority of Vaal’kor had spent months questioning him, challenging his decisions, attacking the people he protected, and treating his efforts as though they were things they were entitled to receive.

Trying to loop the entire clan into his display of gratitude despite being one of the only people who actually showed it killed whatever warmth the words might have carried.

"I’ll get going now. I’m sure the Gnolls are still waiting for me. I’ll see you when I get back." Ka’z said, turning toward the entrance.

Kong’gong could only let out a bitter smile as he watched him leave. He had heard about the saddle incident and how Ka’z had ordered his warriors to chase away every civilian who came to watch him ride the wild boar. Even without being told directly, Kong’gong understood what that meant.

Ka’z’s resentment toward the clan had gone far beyond simple anger. He was becoming indifferent to them.

And that was far more dangerous.

Even if Ka’z was not the current Chieftain, when he eventually turned this village into the kingdom he constantly spoke about, there was little doubt in Kong’gong’s mind that Ka’z would eventually become its King.

His descendants would inherit that position as well, meaning his lineage would become the royal family. If that happened while Ka’z remained emotionally detached from Vaal’kor, then the future of the kobolds could become painfully uncertain.

There were already other races that had proven themselves more cooperative and useful to Ka’z than many of his own people. The goblin artisans were already living under his protection. The Gnolls were willing to trust him with their lives. If more races entered his kingdom and proved themselves willing to work alongside him, what reason would Ka’z have to prioritize Vaal’kor?

Kong’gong’s expression darkened as the thought settled in his mind. Vaal’kor desperately needed Ka’z to love them, or at the very least care about them enough to keep them close to the center of his future kingdom. Otherwise, they could eventually become nothing more than an abandoned people living inside a kingdom built by one of their own while possessing little real influence over it.

Ka’z could surround himself with goblins, Gnolls, and every other race that eventually came under his banner, while the kobolds slowly became another population within their own homeland.

’No one seems to see how bleak this single conflict made the future of Vaal’kor.’ Kong’gong sighed inwardly.

Ka’z turned around just before reaching the entrance and stopped when he noticed Lan’ka, Tong’a, O’nil, and Lady Zira standing not too far away. They had apparently been waiting outside the chamber, and their collective gazes shifted from the sheets of paper scattered around Kong’gong to Ka’z.

For a brief moment, nobody said anything. The atmosphere was awkward enough that even Ka’z could feel it.

"We heard you are heading out to fight in the west. Good luck, kid." O’nil finally said with a smile, trying to keep his tone light.

"I’ll pray for your safe return." Tong’a smiled warmly.

"Keep safe always. And if anything happens, just come back. We will find a way to defend our home together." Lan’ka beat his chest firmly, his voice carrying the determination of someone who still saw Ka’z as part of the family despite everything that had happened between them.

Ka’z gave them a blank stare for a moment before nodding indifferently. "Okay."

The short response made the elders’ smiles stiffen, but Ka’z didn’t seem interested in dragging out the conversation. Instead, he walked straight toward Lady Zira and stopped in front of her. His expression softened slightly as his eyes dropped toward her pregnant belly. He reached out and gently placed his hand against it.

"I was going to take Za’r with me, but she wanted to stay back and help with the birth of your child. Take good care of her until I get back." Ka’z flashed a rare smile.

Lady Zira smiled back and placed her hand over his. "I will. But you should take care of yourself too. We need you to come back in one piece."

Ka’z chuckled softly and nodded firmly. "I will."

Without hesitation, he pulled his hand away and walked out of the chamber, leaving the elders and Lan’ka behind. They had expected the cold response, especially after everything that had happened, but knowing it was coming did not make it hurt any less.

Kong’gong looked toward the four of them and offered a small, reassuring smile. "Reconciliation takes time. It’s not something that will be achieved overnight."

Meanwhile, immediately after leaving the chamber, Ka’z headed straight for the Treasury, which was still located deep within the caves. Almost everything else had been moved outside after the village was completed, but the Treasury had remained here for a very specific reason.

Kong’gong still lived within the caves, and the Treasury was situated close enough to his residence that he could keep an eye on it. The prison cells had also been left behind for much the same reason. The cave system remained the safest place in Vaal’kor, heavily protected by the kobold in the history of the clan.

When Ka’z entered the massive Treasury, he was greeted by the sight of countless valuables accumulated. Aether crystals were stacked in designated areas, weapons rested against stone racks, iron ore and other useful minerals occupied several corners, and countless smaller treasures filled the chamber.

The Gnolls’ recent gifts had also been added to the collection, including jewelry, weapons, Galorian longbows, and the chunks of gold, silver, and bronze they had brought with them. For a moment, the sheer amount of wealth gathered in the chamber made it obvious just how far Vaal’kor had come in such a short period.

Ka’z ignored all of it. His attention was fixed on the magic weapons.

His eyes immediately settled on Ashin Grim, the weapon he had taken from the Ashmork after the final battle. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he approached it. His time with Ashin Grim had been short, but the weapon had still become a memorable part of his journey.

He reached out and briefly brushed his fingers across the dusty weapon, remembering the battle where it had nearly killed him. A faint smile crossed his face before he finally pulled his hand away.

His attention shifted toward the short axes hanging from the wall.

Ka’z stepped closer and reached for one of them and the system notification popped up.

Ding!

[Name: Crow]

[Weapon: Twin Short Axes]

[Grade: Common Grade]

[Spells]

[Shadow Blade: Causes the blades of Crow to vanish, rendering the weapon invisible.]

[Pestilence Blade: Encoats the blades of Crow with the power of darkness, embedding each wound inflicted with this weapon with unique ailments which can range from simple diseases to life threatening viruses.]