Chapter 52: Tiefling (VI)
Suddenly, a child’s cry rang out at the camp’s entrance.
The Tieflings turned sharply toward the sound.
“Heyo, heyo, heyo…”
Three massive, powerfully built Ogres lumbered into the camp, grunting in unison as they carried thick, heavy logs, completely unfazed by their surroundings. The Tiefling guards at the gate didn’t dare stop them.
“Form ranks—!”
Then, over thirty Half-Dragonized Earth Gnomes appeared at the entrance of The Ruined Home, marching in perfect formation, preparing to settle into the camp.
Following closely behind came a hundred or so Dragonline Goblins—natural diggers and builders by instinct—who would become the backbone of the town’s construction.
“ROOOOAAARRR!”
Ancestral Wyvern shrieked from above, its voice echoing across the sky. Any Snowman foolish enough to approach would be reduced to ash by its fiery breath.
“Good heavens… Ogres are actually our allies?”
“Will these Goblinoids steal from us?”
“Is that a Two-Headed Dragon?”
“We’re going to be working alongside these monsters now.”
The Tiefling refugees reacted with mixed emotions—some thrilled, others terrified, many uneasy, and all utterly stunned. But one thing was certain: they couldn’t stop the monsters from entering.
Even Meizhuolashi, usually so composed, was taken aback by the sheer scale of the force. He couldn’t help but speak:
“Lord… this wasn’t a spontaneous decision.”
“This… was all part of your plan, wasn’t it?”
Kai Xiusu stood motionless, surveying the arriving followers, his breath a hot, sulfurous plume.
“I told you before—you have no bargaining power.”
Meizhuolashi let out a dry, bitter laugh.
“Your Majesty… you truly don’t act like a pure Red Dragon. If not for your overwhelming strength, I’d almost suspect you were a Green Dragon… one who delights in manipulating fate.”
Kai Xiusu merely replied, calm and unyielding:
“So you’re still alive to say that. If you’d spoken those words a moment earlier, you’d already be ash.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your extraordinary mercy.”
Meizhuolashi realized his words had crossed a line. He bowed deeply, apologetic.
Kai Xiusu waved it off.
“Take me to your cave. I have interest in something within.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Meizhuolashi said nothing more, simply turning and leading the way.
Deep within the camp, in the heart of the cavern, Kai Xiusu finally saw what he’d been searching for.
—Ancient Teleportation Array.
Purple runes flared across the stone walls, their patterns chaotic at first glance, yet radiating an eerie, soul-deep sense of order.
This was the so-called “respawn point” from the old Player era—something countless mages had studied in vain. Despite the absence of any detectable magical resonance, these formations could summon Stellarfallen from the void.
And this very array was the original birthplace of every Player who ever stepped into this world.
Meizhuolashi said, “Forgive us, my lord. Even our wisest elders cannot decipher the purpose of these ancient runes.”
Kai Xiusu replied, “You will. In time.”
“Guard this place. No one—not even a shadow—must discover or destroy it.”
Meizhuolashi nodded solemnly. “As you command.”
Then, Kai Xiusu paused, as if remembering something.
“…That Pact. Still in your possession?”
The Pact. The dark contract signed between Duke Lakanman and the Entity in the Darkness—one that traded a thousand lives to turn them into vampires.
Meizhuolashi had once risked everything, chasing the truth through the duke’s estate, barely escaping with the document in hand. That act had cost his entire family their lives.
He nodded, face darkening at the memory.
This wasn’t just a piece of paper. It was proof. A blood-stained record of guilt.
Kai Xiusu’s tone left no room for refusal.
“Three days from now. Bring the Pact to Ashen Hollow.”
With that, the Tiefling Holy Knight turned and departed, returning to organize the Tieflings in building the town.
Kai Xiusu narrowed his eyes, scanning Meizhuolashi’s profile.
The Paladin’s Divine Perception had sensed the Red Dragon’s gaze—but he dismissed it as nothing more than routine. No reaction. No alarm.
> [Target category: Follower. You may discern the following information.]
> Sword of the Oathbreaker – Meizhuolashi
>
> Type: Medium humanoid (Tiefling), Lawful Neutral
> Armor Class: 17 (City Guard Armor)
> Speed: 40 ft.
>
> Strength: 19
> Dexterity: 16
> Constitution: 15
> Intelligence: 12
> Wisdom: 14
> Charisma: 17
>
> Class Level: Paladin (Oathbreaker) 11
>
> Combat Weapons: Longsword, Greatsword, Heavy Crossbow
> Simple Weapons: Dagger, Light Crossbow
>
> Skill Proficiencies: Military +7, Hunting +6, Insight +6, Athletics +6, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Leadership +4, Survival +4, Stealth +2
>
> Senses: Passive Perception 17
> Languages: Common Tongue, Infernal
>
> Abilities:
> - Divine Supremacy Slash
> - Divine Perception
> - Guardian Aura
> - Courage Aura
> - Oathbreaker Divine Channeling: Horror Manifestation
> - Oathbreaker Divine Channeling: Control Undead
>
> Feats: Alert, Seizing Slash, Defensive Duelist, Master of Heavy Weapons, Heavy Armor Mastery
>
> Combat Gear: Bloodstained Greatsword, City Guard Armor, Paladin Cloak, Tiefling Ring
>
> Oathbreaker Spells (3rd): Infernal Roar (damage)
> (5th): Crown of Madness, Shadow Veil
> (9th): Animate Dead, Curse
>
> Challenge Rating: 10 (5,900 XP)
>
> Assessment: When the Crimson Veil falls, the Paladin breaks every oath he once swore—his final act of rebellion.
>
> “Of all the Follower in Ashen Hollow, aside from Lanpu, none come close to matching him.”
>
> —Kai Xiusu’s judgment.
In Kai Xiusu’s eyes, Meizhuolashi’s stalemate with the Giant Malevolent Snowman wasn’t due to strength—but inexperience. He had only recently become an Oathbreaker, still mastering his abilities.
If he fully mastered his spells and powers, he could slay the Giant Malevolent Snowman alone.
Paladins had once been a staple class in the old world—versatile, powerful, often jokingly called “Holy Dad” for their balanced mix of melee prowess and divine magic.
Though the Oathbreaker path wasn’t as strong as Oath of Vengeance or Oath of Conquest, it was far from weak.
“Still, we need the Player…”
Kai Xiusu felt a flicker of anticipation.
These so-called Fourth Plague—if properly harnessed—could be an unstoppable force.
And the first batch of Internal Test Players would soon emerge from within The Ruined Home’s Ancient Teleportation Array. Many of them would go on to become legends.
Kai Xiusu ascended into the sky, surveying the humble beginnings of The Ruined Home.
Ogre tribesmen drove logs into the ground as pillars, framing the skeleton of new structures. Dragonline Goblins scurried within, hammering, digging, building—efficient, instinctive, relentless. Meanwhile, the Tieflings stood frozen on the sidelines, unsure how to help.
Beyond the camp, Goblin workers had already begun laying roads, connecting this place to the Giant’s Vale. But progress was slow—buried under snow.
In time, this would become Bathor City. Towers would rise. Streets would flourish. A haven for Stellarfallen. The first capital of the Players.
---
(End of Chapter)
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