I jolted awake, my breathing heavy as I tried to recall my last memory from my own mind.

  …. Damn him! He knows exactly what that name is all about! ARRGGHH if he wasn’t in my head I would hav-

  I finally realized my surroundings. It seems I was deep inside the forest with the many trees blocking most of the sky from view up above. Not that it would help much since the sky was dark, telling me that it was nighttime. But instead of laying on the flat grass, it seemed my body was leaning next to the soft texture of fur.

  At first, I thought I was laying on some bed but realized that wouldn’t make much sense. Then I considered that I was currently dealing with another of Damian’s hug fest. But not only was the air not being squeezed out of me, but the color of the fur was also brown instead of black as well.

  ...But then exactly what or who am I laying on?

  I turned my head around and I was a bit surprised to see that it was Mordred I was resting on. Granted we always liked having me ride on his shoulder, but I never really considered my Minotaur henchman as the affectionate type.

  He was currently fast asleep, evident by the loud snoring that could make one wonder how they could sleep through that. And yet, when I looked around us, I could see a lot of my followers soundly asleep. They were all laying on the ground or leaning next to a tree.

  Considering I am the one who usually supplies everyone’s shelters, and I could only count on some of them being crafty enough to build them themselves, I guess they didn’t have much choice on that matter.

  What really concerns me though was that there seemed to be less people than before. I nearly panicked before I remembered to check up my [Game Screen] and see their current status. I sighed a bit of relief when I saw that none of their names were colored red or any new ones that would have been concerning.

  But then, what happened? I was getting ready to wake everyone up but stopped when I saw how soundly asleep, they all were. Things must have been more exhausting then I thought it was.

  …. Fine, I guess they can rest for now. Not like it isn’t something I can find out on my own.

  I took the time to properly count out who was here or not. After a minute I concluded that at least most of my minions are safe and sound. The only ones missing were a few fellow kobolds and goblins, one wolf and Orc. Of course I couldn’t forget about the three stooges. Hopefully they’re with one of my other henchmen so I can at least get their input on their whereabouts.

  As for any missing henchmen I have Mordred of course who was still loudly snoring away and making an echo through the forest. Though I can’t help but notice he had his arm wrapped around me.

  Then there was Paimoth, he was just standing by and not really moving an inch. With his obscured face of his I can’t quite make out whether he was even awake or not. The only indication being his wings, which were lazily fluttering behind him, which I have to assume was in sync with his breathing. I guess he just likes sleeping standing up.

  And that was it. No Zephyrus, Jordan, Damian, or even V in sight.

  I decided it was best I at least send them a message notification.

  {“Any of you awake? I need a status report”}

  There was silence at first, no response from anyone which concerned me. My mind started to think of the worse and I was ready to move. But just as that worry started to build up, I finally met with a message from V themself.

  {“Mr. Vlad! You’re ok!!”}

  I could imagine the young goblin bouncing around in pure joy now. Just the thought of that put my mind at ease. Then I was met with other messages.

  {“VLADY!!! I MISSED YOU!!”}

  {“Glad to see things are fine on your end Bossman~”}

  {“Ch-chieftain, I’m glad you’re awake. Are you hungry? I can come over to cook for you if you need.”}

  My body instinctively tensed up. That was enough to let me know that Damian was fine if he could message me like that. It seemed they’re all accounted for which was good.

  {“Good to see you all are fine as well. But back to business. I need a recap of what happened after I sent you all the order to retreat. I’ll give you all a call now”}

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  Feeling that ding in my head as I made the group call, I was practically bombarded with different voices as I grabbed my head in a failed attempt to quiet them down. Damian was practically smothering me with his affections while V was expressing their worry and excitement. They were drowning out Zeph and Jordan. Jordan being too quiet to hear much while Zeph was waiting for things to die down before speaking.

  It didn’t take long before I spoke out in my mind. {“Calm down, it’s hard to hear everyone like this. Now let me ask again, what is everyone’s current status?”}

  Hearing the seriousness on my tone they all quiet down. Finally, the first one to speak was Jordan. {“U-uhm right now me, Damian, and V are together. We were together when we got your message. Our opponent seemed a bit disappointed when we retreated…. B-but it didn’t look like he followed us at least.”}

  If all three of them were together, that would mean those two had come into Damian’s Dangerous Affectionate Aura…Wait! That means-

  {“….Jordan…. Does that mean you put V in danger even though I left them in your care?”} I was barely able to keep my thoughts subdued but my Gnoll chef picked up on my tone.

  He nervously apologized. {“I-I-I’m sorry Chieftain! I sh-”}

  But then he was interrupted by V’s thoughts. {“It’s not his fault Mr. Vlad! I’m the one that wanted to make sure Mr. Damian was ok!! Please don’t be mad at him….”}

  ….I sighed to myself, the way they were speaking makes it hard not to picture the young goblin from tearing up.

  {“….Alright it’s fine V. Just please be more careful next time. Back to the topic on hand, where are you all at?”}

  They then explained their current whereabouts. It was thanks to V’s [Map] ability, they were the closest back to the Mivtic Kingdom. I decided it was best they continued their path back but insisted they take a break for the night. I rather not let V exhaust themself, especially since they’re going to be the main source for getting back.

  As for Zeph, once he noticed I was done with my discussion with the rest he spoke on his current situation.

  {“Well bossman, I’m with the three kobolds and even this small group of your followers. They must have come our way in a panic and got separated from the rest.”}

  Then there was silence, something probably occupying his attention at the moment. Then he continued. {“Yeah, they’re all getting emotional. They seem worried about the rest of you, so I had to relay them about you all. That seemed to put them in a better mood.”}

  I could only shake my head over their predicament. What will I do with my followers. Still, they are mine after all. I’m glad to see that the rest of them were accounted for.

  {“Don’t worry about your short self, bossman. I know my way back so I can lead them back to the kingdom easily. But I do have a favor to ask you.”}

  Interesting, Zeph isn’t really one to ask for favors. At least not unless it’s either for entertainment or payment. I decided to listen to what he had to say.

  {“I’ve been growing fond of these three guys you left with me. I think they deserve to get promoted to the same as me and the others. You were thinking the same thing, right bossman? ~”}

  …. I swear I can’t tell if it’s dangerous or not for him to figure me out that easily. I have been considering it so it’s not like I’m against the idea. I even memorized how the system has designated them as, so it was easy enough to find them. There was just one issue.

  {“What am I going to name them?”}

  Zeph suddenly laughed, that surprised us all. {“I’m sure you’ll think of a great name for all three of them, right guys?”}

  The rest of my henchmen agreed, V and Jordan expressing their joy over their names while Damian simply focused on how cute the idea of three more kobolds joining in the ranks would be like.

  Hearing that last part only made me more excited with the idea. But what kind of name would be perfect for the three stooges….

  Wait….

  …. Maybe……

  Yes, that’s perfect! I could use that as a basis for their names!

  {“Alright I thought of the perfect names!”} I announced and immediately went through the process of promoting those three.

  Once I was done with that, I added them to the call, not caring much about how much it was going to freak them out. They have Zeph there to help them through it after all.

  It didn’t take long before they joined in and I greeted them. They of course reacted like I expected most to do.

  {“W-what is this?!”}

  {“I can hear the Chief in my head!”}

  {“This is too weird!”}

  And as usual they were having the usual three-way bit. Not wasting any time brought their attention. {“Alright you three, in recognition to your hard work I have decided to make you into my henchmen with the perks that come with it. For example, this communication feature.”}

  I heard their cheers in my mind, and I had to quite them down so I could continue.

  {“Another thing that is included with your own names. I shall message you each your new names, so you know what they are.”}

  I thought of each of their individual messages with their names included as well as describe what they should expect to appear in front of them. Once I sent it, I gave them a moment to let it sink in before they spoke, their voice sounding rather confused and dejected.

  {“I’m Mo….”}

  {“…and I’m Lou?”}

  {“…. What’s a Cu? ….”}

  At Zeph’s end I could hear his chuckles coming through my mind. I can already picture him trying to hold back his laugh from those three already. ~

  {“What an…. Interesting set of names you came up with bossman. Pfft! ~”}

  Although, I couldn’t exactly hold myself back well myself. {“Glad y-you agree with me Zeph. Hope you three enjoy your new…names…. Hahahahahaha!! ~”}

  {“Hey! The Chief is laughing at us!”}

  {“Definitely making fun of us!”}

  {“I want a name change!!”}