The Wise King Rumi

The floating leaf glided silently over the jagged borders of the Monster Kingdom.

Suddenly, the sky darkened as a massive swarm of flying drakes and dragons erupted from the clouds above, weapons drawn.

Amber’s hand instantly went to her staff, her magic flaring. "Dragons approaching!"

"Wait, Lady Amber!" Suzuki shouted, stepping to the front of the leaf.

"Let me talk to them."

They slowed down their flight as a colossal ancient dragon led the vanguard, diving out of the clouds. Riding upon its neck was the Goblin God, Rumi.

Seeing Suzuki, the massive green-skinned hero signaled his guards to halt, steering his mount down toward a forest clearing below.

Amber brought the leaf down to the grass.

Behind Rumi, an immense army of trolls, high goblins, and monster elites fell into formation. Suzuki stepped forward with a weak smile.

"Hey, Your Highness Rumi, sorry for coming unannounced."

"Not at all, Brother Suzuki," Rumi replied, his voice deep and resonant. 

"You are a Hero of the Council. You are always welcome. But..." His sharp gaze shifted behind the high schooler. 

"The Grand Mage is here as well?"

"Yes. How are you doing, monster-loving kid?" Amber called out with a smirk. "You've grown quite a bit."

Rumi offered a soft smile. 

"Not many people can call me a kid in this kingdom." He then gestured for her to stop before she could speak further. 

"Before you say anything, let me get away from here. I have already told my farewells to my people. They only came this far because they were worried about me."

Amber was surprised. "So you know why we are seeking you?"

"It is obvious," Rumi sighed, looking back at his quiet army, "The Gate plan must have gone wrong. I always knew the High King was delusional."

With a final wave of the hand from Rumi, the monster army stopped at the edge of the clearing. Rumi turned back to the duo. "Let's go, we should walk further in the jungle."

They walked deeper into the thick jungle in absolute silence for some time. Finally, Amber broke the quiet. 

"We should do it here."

Rumi flinched slightly, taking a heavy breath. "Ah... you are right. This is far enough." 

He turned to Suzuki, his expression turning sincere. "Lady Amber is a non-hero, so she can't do it. You are the one who will kill me to take the mana, right, Brother Suzuki?"

Suzuki stared at him, shocked. "Kill?! Who? You? Why?!"

Rumi froze, his cool expression falling into complete confusion. "Wait... you aren't here to kill me?"

"No?! Why would we kill you?" Suzuki asked.

"Well, because of the Mana Gate Plan," Rumi stammered. "Don't you need to kill me and take the mana?"

"No," Amber spoke, crossing her arms. 

"I can simply seal your otherworldly powers. You will turn into a normal goblin after it though."

Rumi looked at them both with wide eyes, his green goblin physique shining in the sunlight. 

"Is that really true?" He asked Suzuki, "Suzuki... are you also powerless right now?"

"Yep. I'm a simple high schooler now. Wassup?" Suzuki made a peace sign pose.

Teary eyes filled the Goblin God. He had been ready to die for the greater good, having already said his goodbyes to his kingdom.

"Do it," Rumi commanded, his face determined, "Seal my system skill and cut off the mana."

Amber’s eyes flashed white with magic. Her silver hair flew with the wind as a sudden gale tore through the trees.

*BOOM*

A huge blast of magical energy erupted through the clearing. 

When the light faded, Rumi was turned back into a normal adult goblin. He was skinny and a bit tall, but nothing like he was before.

"Goblin God!"

Suddenly, a goblin woman ran from the trees, followed by the elites of Rumi’s round table. The powerful monsters surrounded him in the clearing. 

Rumi was embarrassed, wanting no one to see him like this, but everyone surrounded him anyway.

"We are so glad you are safe!" the goblin woman cried, clutching his small hands. "Please never say you will go away. The kingdom needs you. I... need you!"

All his loyal people were crying tears of joy. Rumi’s eyes got wet as he saw the true face of his people. For a powerless forest goblin, they still wanted him to be their king. 

Because he was still Rumi the Wise.

Amber and Suzuki quietly left the happy scene of reunion so as not to ruin the cheerful mood. Amber was about to use her conch to contact Stacy about any changes, but before that, it rang on its own.

"Master! Don't do it! Don't seal the powers!" Stacy’s voice frantically echoed through the shell.

"What?!" Amber asked, her voice sharpening. "Stacy, speak clearly."

"Just now Goddess Seya sealed Lady Horngold and her gem went white!" Stacy shouted, speaking frantically. 

"But the purple gem still grew much brighter! And just now... I see that one more gem turned white, and the purple hue is the brightest right now! Master, it seems we have made Nero stronger by ourselves!"

Amber was too stunned to say anything. The skill-sealing spell was permanent and could not be undone. Before they could process that sudden anomaly of the mana gems, Stacy shouted once again.

"Master!! The purple gem just went white... and the blue gem near it gained all of its glow!"

"What?!" Suzuki gasped, his face turning pale. "Did someone else seal Nero?"

"No," Amber said, looking slowly in the direction of the capital. 

"The only two people who can do that, aren't in the Capital right now..."

A cold sweat rolled down Suzuki's neck. "It can't be..."

"Yes... Nero is slain!"