Ashen Dragon

Cassius stared at the brand-new retainer panel in front of him; this guy had truly leaped over the dragon gate, soaring into the skies.

[Dragon Winged Kobold Warlock]

Medium humanoid (Kobold), Lawful Evil

AC: 16 (natural armor)

Speed: 30 ft, Fly 50 ft

Strength: 15

Dexterity: 14

Constitution: 16

Intelligence: 10

Perception: 8

Charisma: 11

Senses: Dark Vision 60 ft, Passive Perception 8

Languages: Common, Draconic

Proficiencies: Construction +4, Trap +4, Digging +6, Stealth +6

Traits: Pack Tactics, Flame Resistance

Actions: Dagger, Sling, Claw Attack, Biting

Occupational Level: Warlock 1

Spellcasting Level: 1

Cantrips: Fire Arrow, Light Spell

1st level: Burning Hands

Challenge Level: 5 (1700xp)

This kobold's challenge level had soared from a pitiful 1/8 level to 5th level, now capable of contending with a squad of well-trained soldiers, barely making its way into the high-level combat strength of the Ashen Nest.

Dolores gazed at the transformed kobold below, arms crossed, with a rather unpleasant expression.

"Jin Ya..."

The Dragon Vein Goblin murmured the name.

Before, this guy could have been kicked away effortlessly by him.

But now, the kobold, or rather Urd, was about two meters tall, capable of flight, and mastered spells, becoming a rather troublesome opponent.

Since that conflict, this kobold had firmly clutched onto the thigh of the Ogre Mage, making Ramp's position within the Ashen Nest unshakable.

Ramp, observing from not far away, merely raised the corners of his mouth slightly, his eyes glimmering with unknown thoughts.

"Not bad at all."

The Ogre instinctively tried to push up his spectacles on the bridge of his nose, only to find that his delicate silver-rimmed glasses had long been shattered during his transformation.

He regrettably lowered his hand, secretly planning to snatch a more durable pair.

The gift ceremony finally concluded.

Cassius slowly stretched his wings, casting shadows over the myriad monsters below.

He fully harnessed his [Leader's Aura], exuding an indisputable influence that made all the retainers present submit from the depths of their hearts.

"A soldier who does not aspire to be a general is not a good soldier. My Ashen Nest only needs the strong, and absolutely no useless fools."

"Continue to fight for me."

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

"You can also gain immense power and endless lifespan."

As the beneficiaries of the gifts, the clan leaders were the first to cheer.

The wyvern spewed scorching flames into the sky, the kobold unfurled its newly acquired wings, and Ramp showcased his massive body and sturdy scales.

With Cassius's tacit approval and even encouragement, they flaunted their newly acquired power recklessly.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The monsters within the Ashen Nest cheered along as well. Be it kobolds, goblins, or ogres, they roared and screeched wildly, their hearts brimming with fervor and a boundless yearning for power.

The clamor of the celebrations echoed within the valley, lingering endlessly.

...

January.

Feather-like snowflakes drifted in the sky, dancing wildly with the howling gale, while the pervasive ice fog reduced the visibility outside to less than a hundred meters.

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

That unforgettable "gift ceremony" had been over for more than three months.

Shortly after his transformation, Jin Ya was dispatched to a dark mine, leading his over three hundred kin to dig for gold for the Red Dragon in the warm underground.

When the snow melted in the coming spring, the kobolds would transport the gold back to the Ashen Nest.

They also received the task of searching for elemental ores—Cassius was seeking energy for the Eye of the Storm King.

During this period, many creatures heard of it and joined the Ashen Nest.

The goblin warlord "Skull Face" fled to escape the Northern Kingdom's pursuit, bringing his hundred-strong goblin army and a large amount of wealth to seek refuge. Just a week later, the strange goblin warlord drowned in a cesspool due to an "accident," and naturally, his remnants fell under the command of the Dragon Vein Goblin Dolores.

Dolores finally had the exceptional troops he had yearned for, rather than the weak and cowardly common goblins who dared not even step onto the battlefield.

Later, more than thirty half-goat people came to seek refuge, hoping to spend the winter in the warm Ashen Nest.

These half-goat people were physically weak with no clear moral compass, driven by curiosity and hedonism, a noisy race. But their pan flute performance, akin to bards, could produce certain magical effects, thus they were accepted by Cassius.

Despite the cold season, the Ashen Nest remained relatively warm.

Partly because the Stormy Ridge wasn't at the northernmost end of Anzeta, and the undulating mountains blocked the invading cold wind, preserving a slight warmth in the valley.

Especially in the Red Dragon's abode, it was particularly warm.

At that moment, within the Giant's Mouth Cave, Cassius slowly opened his sleepy eyes, his massive body lying in the place with the most abundant geothermal heat in the cave.

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

Dolores, leading several goblin guards, respectfully walked into the cave entrance.

The guards were carrying a ragged, messy-haired human, the very slave trader Hart whom the Red Dragon had personally captured earlier.

"Did you accomplish the task I gave you?"

"It was very successful, Master."

Dolores answered.

After speaking, the goblin guards on both sides pulled out several scrolls from their backs and handed them over. They were written in Common, the handwriting was scrawled, with some crude drawings.

The goblins were well-versed in all military and war skills, including interrogation. The task given by the Red Dragon was to extract all the human's knowledge and ensure its accuracy.

Hart, merely a craven slave trader, succumbed to the simplest threat, revealing everything he knew without any harsh methods from Dolores.

"Then withdraw."

"Yes."

Dolores and the guards retreated leisurely.

Cassius gazed at the anxious human before him and said:

"Long time no see, Hart."

Hart trembled all over, his legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground, his voice quivering:

"Lord Cassius, master of the Ashen Nest, mighty Red Dragon, I realize my mistake. I am willing to compensate for all losses, just spare my insignificant life."

The Red Dragon grinned, revealing his sharp dragon teeth, a smile that sent chills down Hart's spine.

Cassius said: "Not only do I not need your compensation but I will also let you go back."

Hart was stunned and subconsciously asked:

"Back, back where?"

"Sgurr Town. I might have some common ground with your baron."

Hart's mind recalled the baron's cold gaze, and he murmured: "The baron, he, he will kill me."

The Red Dragon slowly got up, looking down at the trembling human, with a playful glint in his golden vertical pupils.

"No, he won't."