Chapter 37: Gathering of Minions
The lizardfolk spoke in Draconic, believing it to be a language imparted by the ancient dragons.
Lizardfolk tribes living within a dragon's domain often offer tribute to gain its favor. Evil dragons, in turn, utilize lizardfolk for their own sinister purposes, turning them into raiders and pillagers.
Thus, the old shaman made what might have been a wise judgment, drawing on ancient traditions.
"Let us hope so."
"I only wish to lead our tribe… to survive."
Seeing the valley already filling up, Ack quietly led his tribe to a more secluded corner.
Previously, they had lost over twenty members to the monsters lurking in the darkness of the caves—they could not afford further losses.
"It will be as you wish."
The old shaman observed the various minions moving around and said this calmly.
Unlike inherently evil races, these lizardfolk were more like cold-blooded reptiles.
They held no traditional moral compass, considering good and evil to be foreign concepts. As true neutral beings, they would kill when necessary and do whatever it took to survive.
Meanwhile, territorial disputes continued.
"Raaaawr—"
Twelve wyverns roared as they descended, claiming the largest rock in the valley.
The goblins and kobolds quickly scattered, fearful of being crushed by an unwary wyvern, which would mean certain death.
But then an even louder roar echoed from above.
The chimera, indisputably the hero of the recent battle, arrived to join the assembly, still scarred but brimming with a fierce aura, driving the wyverns away.
Taking up a large area for itself, the chimera lay there, and no one dared approach.
"Brainless beast."
Langpu, standing at the forefront, glanced sidelong at the boasting chimera and deliberately adjusted his disproportionately small silver-rimmed glasses with a lofty air.
Yet, as the official elder of the valley and the Ember Nest's steward—and one of its few spellcasters—he had every right to feel superior.
"Indeed, indeed."
"Everyone knows you're the master's true confidant."
Kobold Gold-Fang squeezed next to Langpu, grinning obsequiously, sycophantically praising him. Standing beside the three-meter-tall ogre mage, his own stature appeared even smaller and more hunched.
After offending hobgoblin leader Dolo last time, Gold-Fang had resolved to cling to the ogre mage's "mighty legs." Only by doing so could he secure his position among the kobolds and barely compete with the goblins.
Langpu snorted, but his heart brimmed with smug satisfaction.
"Boss, I'm so hungry."
"Is the master gonna give us meat?"
"With so many goblins here, surely he'll let us feast on goblin meat."
The ogres discussed their hunger loudly, sending shivers down the spines of the nearby goblins, who instinctively moved further away. Some even considered reporting this to Dolo.
Langpu's face darkened as he saw this, smacking the ogre "Big Head" on the head with his staff.
"Eat, eat! All you think about is eating!"
Big Head rubbed his head, looking aggrieved, and tried to speak in his defense.
Langpu sternly called the ogres over.
He drew a goblin figure on the ground with a stick, writing "ally" beside it in Common and pointed to it, saying as gently as he could:
"Now, repeat after me: ally."
"Food!"
The ogres shouted in unison.
Langpu's smile froze, and his face darkened, his grip tightening on the staff as veins popped on his hand.
Although they had been allies for some time, the goblins nearby felt even more terrified, wishing to slip away immediately lest they become some ogre's snack.
Hobgoblin leader Dolo stood not far off, watching Langpu's efforts with the ogres, and a flicker of resentment crossed his small yellow eyes—after all, it was this ogre mage who had recently embarrassed him before the master.
"Look at these ogres."
"I wonder if their brains can hold any thoughts beyond food."
"How could creatures like this ever manage the Ember Nest?"
With his arms crossed, Dolo muttered to the nearby bugbears, his voice low but clear enough for everyone nearby to hear.
The ogres couldn't quite understand his words, but they picked up on the mocking tone, hefting their clubs and glaring in response.
"Roar! Roar!"
"Keen to be goblin snacks?"
The bugbears instantly formed a protective line in front of Dolo. Although not as tall as the ogres, they were just as brawny and far better trained.
Even the regular goblins hesitantly stepped up, standing as a reluctant support.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ugly giant, back off!"
The ogre mage eyed Dolo coldly from behind the bugbears before saying:
"Leader Dolo, the master already warned you last time. I hope you've learned your lesson and won't cause trouble again."
Though phrased as advice, Dolo took it as a veiled insult.
He immediately flared with anger, his already red skin darkening further.
"Langpu, what do you mean by that?"
The ogre mage looked down at him and said, "The master personally called this gathering. If you cause trouble here—well, I don't need to spell out the consequences, do I?"
"Hmph, we'll see."
"Follow me."
Dolo snorted, then turned and led his followers to another spot.
His face looked especially sour.
He hadn't intended to clash with the ogres at such an important gathering; he'd only wanted to score some points verbally to undermine Langpu's influence. But instead, he had lost face entirely.
Gold-Fang sidled up to Langpu with a few kobolds, smirking and continuing his flattery without restraint:
"Those rude goblins really don't know their place. Your wisdom is beyond anything they could hope to match."
The kobolds found great amusement in seeing the goblins get put in their place.
"Roar—"
A distant, imposing roar came from above.
Instantly, the various monsters in the valley, regardless of whether they had been bickering, shouting, or scuffling, stopped what they were doing and looked skyward.
Silence fell over the valley; the cacophony ceased.
From above, the red dragon descended, spreading his wings as he landed atop the highest cliff.
His shadow stretched out, blanketing his gathered minions.
—The host of this assembly had finally arrived.