Kin Assembly

Kin Assembly

Lizardmen spoke Draconic, which they believed had been taught to them by ancient dragons.

Lizardmen tribes living within a dragon's territory would usually offer tribute to win the dragon's favor. Evil dragons, meanwhile, would use Lizardmen to achieve their wicked aims, turning them into raiders and plunderers.

Based on traditions passed down since ancient times, the Old Shaman had made what might have been the correct judgment.

"I hope so."

"I only want to lead the tribe... to survive."

Looking at the valley that was nearly full, Ake silently led his tribe to a relatively secluded corner.

In the earlier cave, more than twenty members of the tribe had been devoured by monsters lurking in the darkness. They could no longer endure greater losses.

"It shall be as you wish."

The Old Shaman watched the kin milling about and spoke calmly.

Unlike races that were evil by nature, these Lizardmen resembled cold-blooded reptiles more closely.

They possessed no traditional moral concepts and saw good and evil as wholly external ideas. They were truly absolutely neutral creatures, though when expedient, they would still kill and do whatever it took to survive.

Meanwhile, the struggle over territory continued.

"Awoo—"

The twelve Wyverns descended with howls, irresistibly claiming the broadest stretch of rock in the valley.

Goblins and Kobolds scattered aside, terrified that some careless Wyvern might crush them. To them, that would be utter disaster.

But then, an even more thunderous roar came from above.

The Chimera, the undisputed hero of this battle, arrived at the gathering in spite of its wounds, driving away several Wyverns with fierce momentum.

It monopolized a broad expanse with its massive body. No one dared approach it.

"Mindless beast."

Standing at the front, Lang Pu saw the swaggering Chimera beside him and deliberately pushed up the disproportionately large silver-rimmed glasses on his face, wearing an aloof expression.

Yet as a genuine elder of the valley, Ember Nest's chief steward, and one of its few spellcasters, he indeed had the standing to act that way.

"Exactly, exactly."

"Everyone knows you are the master's true confidant."

The Kobold Gold Tooth squeezed through an opening to reach Lang Pu's side, smiling obsequiously as he flattered him. Beside the more than three-meter-tall Ogre, his body appeared even smaller and more hunched.

Ever since he had offended Commander Dolo, the Hobgoblin, last time, he had resolved to cling to this Ogre Mage's thick leg. Only then could he secure the Kobolds' position in the nest and barely contend with the Goblins.

Lang Pu gave an ambiguous snort, though inwardly he was already delighted.

"Boss, I'm so hungry."

"Is the master giving us meat?"

"He called so many Goblins here. The master must be letting us eat Goblin meat."

The Ogres discussed it loudly without restraint, making the nearby Goblins' scalps prickle. They could not help edging farther away, and some even wanted to report the matter to Dolo.

Lang Pu's face immediately darkened. He brought his club down on the head of the Ogre called Da Tou, who had started the topic.

"Eat, eat, eat! All you know is eating!"

Da Tou rubbed his head, his face full of grievance, and tried to argue.

With a stern face, Lang Pu called the Ogres over.

He first used a tree branch to draw a Goblin on the ground, then wrote a Common Tongue word beside it. Pointing at it, he said as gently as possible, "Come on, repeat after me: companion."

"Food!"

The Ogres shouted in unison.

Lang Pu's smile froze. A shadow fell over his face, and veins bulged on the hand gripping his wooden club.

Though they had lived together as companions for quite some time, the watching Goblins became even more frightened. They wished they could sneak away at once, afraid some blockhead might truly seize and eat them.

Commander Dolo, the Hobgoblin, stood not far away. He watched Lang Pu disciplining the Ogres, and a flash of resentment passed through his small yellow eyes—this Ogre had stirred up trouble last time and made him embarrass himself before the master.

"Look at these Ogres."

"Who knows what else is in their brains besides food?"

"How can creatures like them possibly manage Ember Nest?"

With his arms folded, the Hobgoblin seemingly casually spoke to the Bugbear beside him. His voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear, allowing everyone nearby to hear it.

Though the Ogres could not fully understand what he was saying, they could tell from his tone that he was mocking them. They immediately raised their clubs and surrounded him in confrontation.

"Roar, roar!"

"Do the Goblins want to become little snacks?"

Several strong Bugbears immediately stepped in front of the Hobgoblin. Although they were not as tall as the Ogres, they were no less physically powerful and were far better trained.

Even the ordinary Goblins timidly stepped forward, barely serving as support.

"What do you mean?"

"Ugly giants, get lost!"

The Ogre Mage coldly watched the Hobgoblin shielded behind the Bugbears, then said, "Commander Dolo, the master warned you last time. I hope you have learned your lesson and will not stir up trouble again."

Though the words sounded like advice, Dolo saw them as veiled mockery.

The Hobgoblin immediately flew into a rage, and his crimson skin reddened even further.

"Lang Pu, what do you mean?"

The Ogre Mage looked down at him. "This gathering was personally called by the master. If you dare stir up trouble here—you do not need me to tell you what will happen."

"Hmph. We'll see."

"Come with me."

The Hobgoblin snorted, then turned and led his subordinates away to another spot.

Dolo's expression was especially ugly at that moment.

He had not intended to clash with the Ogres on such an important occasion. He had only wanted to gain a verbal advantage and undermine Lang Pu's prestige. Instead, he had failed to gain anything and only made himself look inferior.

Gold Tooth brought several Kobolds over to Lang Pu's side, looking even more fawning as he continued showering him with free flattery:

"These crude Goblins truly do not know what is good for them. How could their wisdom possibly compare with yours?"

The Kobolds were delighted to see the Goblins they had previously clashed with suffer a setback.

"Roar—"

A long, majestic cry echoed from overhead.

At once, every kind of monster in the valley—whether arguing, cursing, roaring, or brawling—instinctively stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky.

For a moment, the valley fell completely silent, its clamor gone.

The Red Dragon descended from the sky, spread its wings, and landed upon the highest point of the cliff.

Its shadow fell over the many kin.

—The master of this gathering had finally arrived.