Page 43

Cassius gazed at the new follower information panel in front of him, this fellow had truly risen to glory in one leap.

【Draconic Winged Kobold Sorcerer】

Medium Humanoid (Kobold), Lawful Evil

AC: 16 (Natural Armor)

Speed: 30 feet, Flight 50 feet

Strength — 15

Dexterity — 14

Constitution — 16

Intelligence — 10

Wisdom — 8

Charisma — 11

Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 8

Languages: Common, Draconic

Skills: Construction +4, Traps +4, Excavation +6, Stealth +6

Traits: Pack Tactics, Fire Resistance

Actions: Dagger, Sling, Claw Attack, Bite

Class Level: Sorcerer 1

Spellcaster Level: 1

Cantrips: Fire Bolt, Light

1st Level: Burning Hands

Challenge Rating: 5 (1700xp)

This kobold’s challenge rating had leaped from a measly 1/8 to level 5, making him capable of taking on a squad of well-trained soldiers, just managing to join Embers Nest’s high-ranking combat power.

Below, Dolo watched the newly transformed kobold with his arms crossed, his expression far from friendly.

“Gold-Fang.”

The dragonblood hobgoblin muttered the name softly.

Originally, he could have easily sent this guy flying with a single kick.

But now, this kobold—or rather, Urd—stood nearly two meters tall, could fly, and had learned magic, making him a rather troublesome opponent.

Ever since that conflict, this kobold had clung firmly to the ogre mage’s leg, and now, it could be said that in Embers Nest, Langpu’s position remained unshakable.

From a short distance away, Langpu looked on with a slight smirk, eyes glinting with some unspoken thoughts.

“Not bad at all.”

The ogre instinctively went to adjust the bridge of his glasses, only to remember that the delicate silver-rimmed frames had been crushed during his transformation.

He regretfully dropped his hand, mentally noting to acquire a sturdier pair.

The blessing ceremony finally came to a close.

Cassius spread his wings slowly, casting a vast shadow over the gathered creatures below.

He fully unleashed his【Leadership Aura】, emanating an irresistible influence that compelled every creature present to submit wholeheartedly.

“A soldier who doesn’t aspire to be a general is no good. My Embers Nest only needs the strong, not idle weaklings.”

“Continue fighting for me.”

“Prove your loyalty with blood and fire.”

“And you, too, can gain great power and endless life.”

As the direct beneficiaries of the blessing, the newly empowered clan leaders were the first to cheer.

The wyverns breathed fiery displays into the air, the kobolds spread their newly acquired wings, and Langpu showed off his massive frame and resilient scales.

With Cassius’s approval and even encouragement, they reveled in their newfound might.

The creatures of Embers Nest erupted into a frenzy, kobolds, goblins, and ogres alike howling and shrieking with an insatiable longing and fervor for power.

The noisy celebrations echoed throughout the valley, lingering for a long time.

One month later.

Fluffy snowflakes drifted from the sky, swirling in the howling wind, while dense ice fog reduced visibility to less than a hundred meters.

By now, it was the coldest time on the Anzeta Wasteland.

That impressive “blessing ceremony” was now over three months past.

Shortly after his transformation, Gold-Fang was dispatched to the shadowy mines, where he and his three hundred kin tirelessly dug for gold beneath the warm earth at the dragon’s behest.

When spring came and the snow melted, the kobolds would transport the gold back to Embers Nest.

They also received the task of seeking out elemental minerals—a step Cassius took to power the Storm King’s Eye.

Meanwhile, many creatures, hearing of this, came to join Embers Nest.

The hobgoblin warlord “Skull-Face” sought refuge after fleeing the Northern Kingdom’s pursuit, bringing with him an army of over a hundred hobgoblins and significant wealth. Just one week later, however, this stranger “accidentally” drowned in the latrine pit, and his remnants were naturally absorbed under the dragonblood hobgoblin Dolo.

Dolo finally acquired the elite soldiers he had longed for, rather than the weak, cowardly goblins who didn’t even dare enter the battlefield.

Then, more than thirty satyrs arrived, hoping to spend the winter in Embers Nest’s warmth.

These satyrs, though weak, lacked any concept of good and evil. Driven by curiosity and hedonism, they were rowdy fae beings. However, their flute-playing had bard-like qualities that could produce certain magical effects, which earned them Cassius’s acceptance.

Even during this frigid season, Embers Nest remained relatively warm.

The Storm High Cliffs were not located at the northernmost end of Anzeta, and the mountainous terrain shielded the valley from cold winds, preserving a small amount of warmth.

Cassius’s lair was particularly warm.

In the Giant’s Maw Cave, Cassius slowly opened his groggy eyes, his massive form stretched out in the warmest spot in the cave.

“Master, I’ve brought the person you requested.”

Dolo entered respectfully, leading a few hobgoblin guards.

The guards supported a ragged, disheveled human—the slave trader Cassius had personally captured earlier: Hart.

“Have you completed the task I assigned you?”

“Yes, successfully, Master.”

Dolo replied.

With that, the hobgoblin guards pulled several scrolls from their packs, handing them over. Written in Common, the text was scrawled with rough sketches and notes.

Hobgoblins excelled in all military and warfare-related skills, including interrogation. The dragon had tasked him with extracting every piece of information from the human’s mind and ensuring its accuracy.

Hart, a cowardly slave trader, hadn’t required much effort to crack. Simple threats had made him spill everything he knew.

“Then leave.”

“Yes, Master.”

Dolo and the guards exited calmly.

Cassius fixed his gaze on the nervous human before him and spoke:

“Long time no see, Hart.”

Hart trembled, his legs giving out as he sank to his knees, his voice shaking:

“Ka-Cassius, Lord of Embers Nest, mighty dragon, I have realized my mistakes, I am willing to compensate for all losses, I beg you to spare my worthless, pitiful life.”

Cassius grinned, baring sharp dragon teeth in a way that sent a shiver down Hart’s spine.

Cassius said, “I don’t need your compensation. I’m going to let you go back.”

Hart stared blankly, reflexively asking:

“Go… go back where?”

“To Sager Town. Your baron and I may have some things in common.”

The image of the baron’s cold gaze flashed through Hart’s mind, and he muttered, “The baron, he… he’ll kill me.”

The red dragon rose slowly, towering over the trembling human, his golden eyes glinting with a curious light.

“No, he won’t.”