Chapter 43: Arrangements
Kai Xiusu stared at the newly awakened Familiar Interface before him—the transformation was nothing short of a dragon soaring from the depths to the heavens.
【Dragonwing Gnome Warlock】
Medium humanoid (Goblinoid), Lawful Evil
Armor Class: 16 (Natural Armor)
Speed: 30 ft., Flight 50 ft.
Strength — 15
Dexterity — 14
Constitution — 16
Intelligence — 10
Wisdom — 8
Charisma — 11
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 8
Languages: Common Tongue, Draconic
Proficiencies: Architecture +4, Traps +4, Digging +6, Stealth +6
Traits: Swarm Tactics, Fire Resistance
Actions: Dagger, Sling, Claw Attack, Bite
Class Level: Sorcerer 1
Spellcaster Level: 1
Cantrips: Fire Bolt, Light
1st Level: Burning Hands
Challenge Rating: 5 (1,700 XP)
The creature’s Challenge Rating had skyrocketed from a pitiful 1/8 to a formidable 5—now capable of holding its own against a disciplined squad of soldiers, barely qualifying as a high-tier combatant within Ashen Hollow.
Below, Dolo watched the transformed Goblinoid with arms crossed, his expression dark and displeased.
“Jinya.” The Dragon-blooded Great Goblin murmured the name under his breath.
Once, he could’ve kicked this creature aside with a single foot.
Now, the creature—now known as Eud—stood nearly two meters tall, capable of flight, wielding magic. He was no longer a plaything, but a dangerous adversary.
Since that confrontation, the Goblinoid had firmly aligned himself with the Cannibal Magician. In the current state of Ashen Hollow, Lanpu’s status remained unshaken.
And nearby, Lanpu merely tilted his lips upward in a faint smirk, his eyes glinting with unreadable thoughts.
“Quite impressive.”
The Ogre instinctively reached up to adjust his glasses—only to realize the delicate silver frames had been shattered during his transformation. He sighed, disappointment flickering in his eyes. A sturdier pair is in order, he thought.
The Bestowal Ceremony had concluded.
Kai Xiusu slowly unfurled his vast wings, casting a shadow that swallowed the gathering monsters beneath. With full force, he activated 【Leader’s Aura】, radiating an undeniable, magnetic authority that compelled every follower to bow in sincere reverence.
“An army without ambition is no army at all. My Ashen Hollow needs only strength—no weaklings, no wasted lives.”
“Fight for me.”
“Prove your loyalty with blood and fire.”
“And you shall gain power beyond imagining, and endless life.”
As beneficiaries of the boon, the newly anointed Familiar Chieftains were the first to roar in triumph. The Two-Headed Dragon blasted twin jets of flame into the sky. The Goblinoid spread its newly forged wings. Lanpu flexed his massive frame, displaying his thick, armored scales.
Under Kai Xiusu’s silent approval—and even encouragement—they reveled in their newfound power.
The monsters of Ashen Hollow joined in the jubilation—Goblinoids, Goblins, Ogres—howling, shrieking, their hearts ablaze with hunger for strength and glory.
The cacophony of celebration echoed through the valley, lingering long after the last shout died away.
One month had passed.
Feather-light snowflakes swirled through the air, torn by howling winds, while thick ice fog blanketed the land, reducing visibility to less than a hundred meters. This was the coldest stretch of the Anzeta Great Wasteland.
More than three months had passed since the unforgettable “Bestowal Ceremony.”
Shortly after his transformation, Jinya was dispatched to the Dark Mines, leading hundreds of his kin deep beneath the earth. There, they labored in the warmth, mining gold for the Red Dragon. When spring thawed the snows, they would return with their haul.
They were also given a new mission: to seek out Elemental Energy ore—part of Kai Xiusu’s growing quest to gather power for the Eye of the Storm Sovereign.
In the meantime, word of Ashen Hollow’s strength and prosperity drew many.
The Dwarf Goliath Warlord “Skullface,” fleeing a bounty from the northern kingdom, arrived with over a hundred Great Goblins and a fortune in coin. But only a week later, he met a grim end—drowned in a sewage pit. His remnants were absorbed into Dolo’s growing force.
At last, Dolo had the elite troops he’d long desired—no longer the feeble, cowardly Goblins who trembled at the sound of battle.
Later, over thirty Semi-Goatfolk arrived, seeking shelter from the bitter cold. They were weak, fickle, driven by curiosity and hedonism—chaotic little tricksters. Yet their flute-like music bore strange, magical effects, reminiscent of a Minstrel’s art. Kai Xiusu accepted them without hesitation.
Even in this freezing season, Ashen Hollow remained relatively warm.
Storm Ridge wasn’t at the extreme northern edge of Anzeta, and the jagged mountains blocked the worst of the wind, trapping just enough warmth within the valley to sustain life.
Nowhere was warmer than the Red Dragon’s lair.
And within the Giant’s Maw Cavern, Kai Xiusu slowly opened his bleary eyes, his colossal form stretched across the chamber’s geothermally heated core.
“Master,” Dolo announced, leading several Great Goblin guards into the cave.
Between them, a ragged, disheveled human—Hart, the slave trader captured personally by the Red Dragon.
“Did you complete the task I gave you?”
“Yes, master. It was a success.”
Dolo gestured, and the guards stepped forward, presenting several scrolls. The texts were written in Common Tongue—rough, messy handwriting, dotted with crude sketches.
Great Goblins were masters of war and warfare, including the art of interrogation. The Red Dragon had tasked Dolo with extracting every scrap of intelligence from the man’s mind—truth verified.
Hart, a cowardly slave trader, hadn’t needed torture. A simple threat was enough to make him spill everything he knew.
“Then you may leave.”
“Yes, master.”
Dolo and his guards departed with calm dignity.
Kai Xiusu regarded the trembling human before him.
“Long time no see, Hart.”
Hart collapsed to his knees, trembling uncontrollably. “K-Kai Xiusu… lord of Ashen Hollow… mighty Red Dragon… I know my sins… I’ll repay every loss… just… spare me… my wretched life…”
The Red Dragon grinned, revealing jagged, gleaming fangs. The sight sent chills down Hart’s spine.
Kai Xiusu said, “I don’t need your repayment. In fact… I’m letting you go.”
Hart blinked, stunned. “G-go… where?”
“To Skrag Town.” Kai Xiusu’s voice was calm. “There’s something… shared between me and your Lord Baron.”
Hart’s mind flashed to the cold, calculating gaze of the Baron. His voice cracked. “H-h-he’ll kill me…”
The Red Dragon rose slowly, towering over the man. He looked down, golden vertical pupils glinting with amusement.
“No,” he said softly. “He won’t.”
(End of Chapter)
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