Chapter 43: Arras on All Sides

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

  【Draiged Kobold Sorcerer】

  Medium Humanoid (Kobold), Lawful Evil

  AC: 16 (Natural Armor)

  Speed: 30 feet, Flight 50 feet

  Strength — 15

  Dexterity — 14

  stitution — 16

  Intelligence — 10

  Wisdom — 8

  Charisma — 11

  Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 8

  Languages: on, Draic

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

  Traits: Pack Tactics, Fire Resistance

  As: Dagger, Sling, Cw Attack, Bite

  Css Level: Sorcerer 1

  Spellcaster Level: 1

  trips: Fire Bolt, Light

  1st Level: Burning Hands

  Challeing: 5 (1700xp)

  This kobold’s challeing 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 ’s high-ranking bat 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.

  inally, 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 oppo.

  Ever sihat flict, this kobold had g firmly to the ogre mage’s leg, and now, it could be said that in Embers , 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 gsses, 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 influehat pelled every creature present to submit wholeheartedly.

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

  “tinue fighting for me.”

  “Prove your loyalty with blood and fire.”

  “And you, too, gai power and endless life.”

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

  The wyverns breathed fiery dispys 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 encement, they reveled in their newfound might.

  The creatures of Embers 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 ter.

  Fluffy snowfkes 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 Aa Wastend.

  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 fold beh the warm earth at the dragon’s behest.

  When spring came and the snow melted, the kobolds would transport the gold babers .

  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 .

  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 signifit wealth. Just oer, however, this stranger “actally” drowned iri, and his remnants were naturally absorbed uhe dragonblood hobgoblin Dolo.

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

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

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

  Even during this frigid season, Embers remained retively warm.

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

  Cassius’s ir articurly 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 sve trader Cassius had personally captured earlier: Hart.

  “Have you pleted 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 on, the text was scrawled with rough sketches and notes.

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

  Hart, a cowardly sve 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 , mighty dragon, I have realized my mistakes, I am willing to pensate for all losses, I beg you to spare my worthless, pitiful life.”

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

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

  Hart stared bnkly, reflexively asking:

  “Go… go back where?”

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

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

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

  “No, he won’t.”