Chapter 13: Subduiainers
Cassius stepped forward, removed the badge from the carriage wall, and used a trip to i with fire elements. In the fmes, a message appeared.
"The Aa Chapter cordially invites you to join."
"Meeting Date: December 1, 1723"
"Location: Stravb"
"Teleportation Coordinates: ******《
"An Are Hermitage identification badge—iing. This gathering should be in a few years." Cassius pocketed the badge with satisfa.
"And the books?" the red dragon asked.
"Right here, all hidden away. I was afraid those fools would use them for cooking fires." Langpu chuckled awkwardly, shuffling aside the pile of boo reveal a camphorwood chest stuffed with finely bound books.
《The Noble’s Manual on Military Drills: Building a Regiment That Looks Impressive》
《A Foolproof Guide to Fireball》
《The Apprentice’s Encyclopedia: How to Expin the Weave to Your Son》
《Sian’s Adventure Log》
《The Bard’s Court Poetry Colle》
《How to Be a Real Noble》
《Surviving in the Wilderness: A pendium of Wild Herbs》
《Power and Discord: A icle of the Court Intrigues of the Kingdom of Aras》
《A Guide to Female Giants》
Seeing this absurd assortment of books, Cassius was stunned. He finally uood why this ogre had such a bizarre, bard-like manner ahat this noble mage appreruly hadn’t died in vain.
Even if he hadn’t perished in an ogre’s belly, he would’ve likely met his end due to his strange hobbies.
"Uh… not bad. Keep colleg," Cassius said, still speechless but polite praise.
Langpu scratched his head bashfully, and for the first time, Cassius realized that the word "bashful" could apply to a three-meter-tall, oon ogre.
"Langpu, I need you to establish camps and fortifications in the Giant’s Valley."
"From now on, this pce will be the base of my retainers. Iure, it will no longer be known as Giant’s Valley; instead, it shall be called..."
The red dragon pondered briefly, deg to adopt the name from his previous life.
"Let it be known as the of Embers."
"Yes, my lord," Langpu replied, his face alight with excitement. In his mind, visions of world quest arose once more. Sadly, the rowdy ogres nearby had no grasp of the refined ses of a thinker, promptly shattering his fantasy.
"Boss, when’s dinner?"
"Yeah, I’m starving! I used to be so full I couldn’t see my toes—now I !" pined an ogre called Longfang, his yellowed tusks quivering in frustration.
"Eat, eat, eat—that’s all you think about! Get to work!" Langpu roared, waving his club with a fierce expression.
Yet, aside from the more absurd titles, Langpu’s, or rather, the young noble’s colle of books indeed tained valuable information.
For instance, 《A Foolproof Guide to Fireball》 and 《The Apprentice’s Encyclopedia* tained detailed and accessible descriptions of magic application, which greatly beed Cassius, enhang his uanding of the Weave.
With his so-called "New Era" ogre tribe, thirty-odd ogres and a fireball-wielding ogre mage, Cassius had established a notable force within several miles.
After subduing both the Chimera of Giant’s Mouth Cave and the ogre tribe in the Valley of Gluttony, the red dragon finally had a retinue and firmly established his name.
of Embers.
Within just two days, the hobgoblin warlord arrived at Giant’s Valley with over four hundred goblins seeking allegiance.
The goblins chattered incessantly, but upon seeing the imposing figure of the red dragon t above them, they fell silent; a few even fainted in terror.
The one leading them was not a goblin but a tall hobgoblin warlord.
Reted but distinct from goblins, hobgoblins were much stronger and far more intelligent.
Apanying the warlord were a few tall, muscur creatures—bear goblins, the warlord’s personal guards.
The hobgoblin warlord had reddish-brown skin, dark gray hair, and yellow eyes under a pronounced brow, and his rge mouth dispyed sharp yellowed teeth.
It was evident he was male, as his face sported a rge red nose—a mark of hobgoblin masity and strength.
At this moment, he k before the red dragon, humility etched on his face.
Cassius looked down at him from above.
[Based on your strength, you gain the following information.]
【Hobgoblin ander】
Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid), Lawful Evil
Race: Hobgoblin
AC: 17 (Half-pte Armor)
Strength — 14
Dexterity — 13
stitution — 14
Intelligence — 12
Wisdom — 10
Charisma — 11
Perception: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 10
Skills: and +6, Hunting +4, Military Tactics +4, stru +4
Languages: on, Goblin
Features: Battle Advantage, Military Cohesion
As: Multiattack, Greatsword, and
Challeing: 4 (1,100 XP)
Evaluation: “The war horns sound, trebuchets hurl boulders, hobgoblins marto the battlefield, their boots thundering across the nd. In frontier settlements and outposts, inhabitants must stantly tend with these humanoid invaders and their endless lust for quest.”
The red dragarded the hobgoblin leader and asked slowly, "Why do you wish to bey retainer?"
The hobgobli his head bowed, expression unged. "Goblins always submit to the strong."
His tone paused briefly. "Moreover, you are a mighty red dragon, driven by boundless ambition."
"I, too, serve under you and make full use of my talents."
The red dragon narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think I trust you, a mere goblin?"
The hobgoblin remained unfazed by the term and responded deliberately:
"I will prove my loyalty with blood and fire."
Cassius thought for a moment, ultimately deg to accept the goblins. His domain was still in its infancy, and a workforce of goblins would be invaluable, especially one led by a capable hobgoblin.
Hobgoblins possessed an intense desire for quest and often didn’t live to die of natural causes due to their aggressive ways.
Pg him in and of troops was far more preferable than relying on the half-baked tactics Langpu had gleaned from 《The Noble’s Manual on Military Drills.》
"Well said, but time will tell."
"I grant you and your kiry to my domain. Seek out my retainer, and he will instruct you on what to do."
"At your and."
Hearing that the mighty red dragon had accepted them, the goblied into a cheer.
As weak creatures barely a meter tall, a single goblin could hardly eve a human farmer.
Only by grouping together and tg onto the strong could they barely survive in the wilderness, and now they had tched onto the sturdiest pilr—a red dragon.
It was little wohey were so ecstatic.
