Arrangements on All Sides

Keosius gazed at the brand-new follower panel before him. This fellow had truly leaped through the dragon gate, soaring to great heights in a single bound.

Dragon Wing Kobold Sorcerer

Medium Humanoid (Kobold), Lawful Evil
AC: 16 (Natural Armor)
Speed: 30 ft., fly 50 ft.

STR—15 DEX—14 CON—16 INT—10 WIS—8 CHA—11
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 8
Languages: Common Tongue, Draconic

Proficiencies: Construction +4, Traps +4, Excavation +6, Stealth +6
Traits: Pack Tactics, Fire Resistance

Actions: Dagger, Sling, Claw Attack, Bite

Class Level: Sorcerer 1
Caster Level: 1
Cantrips: Fire Bolt, Light
1st Level: Burning Hands
Challenge Rating: 5 (1700 XP)

This Kobold's Challenge Rating had leaped from a pitiful 1/8 to 5. It was now capable of contending against a squad of well-trained soldiers, barely joining the ranks of Ember Nest's high-end combat forces.

Below, Dolo watched the transformed Kobold with his arms folded, his expression rather grim.

"Gold Tooth."

The Dragon Vein Hobgoblin murmured the name.

He had once been able to kick this fellow flying with ease.

But now, the Kobold—or rather, Erde—stood nearly two meters tall. He could fly and wield magic, making him an exceedingly troublesome opponent.

Ever since that conflict, this Kobold had firmly latched onto the Ogre Mage. It could be said that Lang Pu's status within the current Ember Nest remained unshakable.

Lang Pu, who was observing from nearby, merely curled his lips slightly. His eyes flickered, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"Not bad at all."

The Ogre instinctively tried to adjust the glasses on his nose, only to discover that the exquisite silver-rimmed spectacles had long been crushed to pieces during his transformation.

He could only lower his hand regretfully, silently deciding to steal a sturdier pair.

The bestowal ritual finally came to an end.

Keosius slowly spread his Wings, casting their shadow over the many monsters below.

He fully unleashed his Leader Aura, radiating an absolute authority that inspired trust and left every follower present sincerely convinced.

"A soldier who does not wish to become a general is no good soldier. My Ember Nest needs only the strong, never useless trash that muddles through life."

"Continue to fight for me."

"Prove your loyalty to me with blood and fire."

"You, too, can gain great power and endless lifespans."

As those who had already benefited, the several follower leaders who had received the blessing were the first to erupt into cheers.

The wyvern spewed blazing fire into the sky, the Kobold spread his newly acquired Wings, and Lang Pu displayed his enormous body and hard scales.

With Keosius's tacit approval—and even encouragement—they freely displayed their newly gained strength.

The monsters of Ember Nest also began cheering and celebrating. Whether Kobolds, Goblins, or Ogres, they howled and shrieked madly, their hearts filled with boundless yearning and fervor for power.

The clamorous sounds of celebration echoed through the valley for a long time.

January.

Goose-feather snowflakes drifted through the sky, whirling wildly with the howling gale. The pervasive icy fog reduced visibility outside to less than a hundred meters.

It was clearly the coldest season in the Anzeta Great Wasteland.

More than three months had passed since that memorable "bestowal ceremony."

Not long after his transformation, Gold Tooth had been sent to the dark mines. Along with more than three hundred of his kin, he dug gold for the Red Dragon in the warm underground.

When spring came the following year and the snow melted, the Kobolds would transport the gold back to Ember Nest.

At the same time, they had also received the task of searching for elemental ores—Keosius was seeking energy for the Storm King's Eye.

During this period, many creatures had heard the news and come to join Ember Nest.

Skull Face, a Hobgoblin Warlord fleeing the Northern Kingdom's wanted pursuit, arrived seeking refuge with an army of over a hundred Hobgoblins and a considerable amount of wealth. Yet only a week later, the unfamiliar Hobgoblin Warlord accidentally drowned in a cesspit, and his remaining forces naturally fell under Dragon Vein Hobgoblin Dolo's command.

Dolo had finally gained the excellent soldiers he had always dreamed of, rather than those weak and cowardly ordinary Goblins who did not even dare step onto a battlefield.

Later, more than thirty Half-goat Humans came seeking refuge, hoping to spend the winter in the warmth of Ember Nest.

These Half-goat Humans were weak by nature and had little concept of good or evil. They were noisy fey driven by curiosity and hedonism. However, their panpipe performances resembled those of bards and could produce certain wondrous magical effects, so Keosius accepted them as well.

Even in such a frigid season, Ember Nest remained fairly warm.

On one hand, the Storm Highlands were not at Anzeta's northernmost edge. On the other, the rolling mountains blocked the invading Cold Wind, preserving what little warmth remained within the valley.

The Red Dragon's dwelling was especially warm.

At that moment, within the Giant's Maw cave, Keosius slowly opened his bleary eyes. His enormous body lay stretched across the area where the cave's geothermal heat was strongest.

"Master, I have brought you the man you wanted."

Dolo entered the cave respectfully, leading several Hobgoblin guards.

The guards supported a ragged human with disheveled hair. He was Hart, the slave trader whom the Red Dragon had personally captured earlier.

"Have you completed the task I gave you?"

"It was a complete success, Master."

Dolo replied.

With that, the Hobgoblin guards on either side drew several scrolls from behind their backs and handed them over. They were written in Common Tongue, with messy handwriting and a few crude illustrations.

Hobgoblins were proficient in every skill related to the military and warfare, interrogation included. The task the Red Dragon had given Dolo was to extract every piece of information from the human's mind and ensure its truthfulness.

Hart was merely a slave trader who feared death. Dolo had not needed to use any special methods; the simplest threats alone had made him spill everything he knew in one breath.

"Then withdraw."

"Yes."

Dolo calmly took his guards and departed.

Keosius looked at the nervous human before him and said, "It has been a long time, Hart."

Hart trembled all over. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees, his voice shaking as he spoke.

"L-Lord Keosius, master of Ember Nest, mighty Red Dragon, I understand my mistakes now. I am willing to compensate for all losses. I only beg you to spare my insignificant, humble life."

The Red Dragon grinned, revealing his sharp dragon teeth. The smile made Hart's scalp crawl.

Keosius said, "Not only do I have no need for your compensation, I am going to let you go back."

Hart froze, then instinctively asked, "B-back where?"

"Sigg Town. Your Baron and I may have some common ground."

The Baron's cold gaze surfaced in Hart's mind. He muttered, "Lord Baron... he, he will kill me."

The Red Dragon rose slowly and unhurriedly, looking down upon the shivering human. An intriguing glint flickered in his golden vertical pupils.

"No, he will not."