Cassius gazed down upon his assembled retainers from on high and caught sight of the new faces watching from a corner. Langpu had briefed him earlier; they had to be the so-called "Black Tooth" lizardfolk tribe.
Noticing their robust physiques—far better suited for an army than the goblins and kobolds he currently had—the red dragon spoke:
"Why have you come?"
The retainers parted of their own accord to clear a path.
Ak Longtooth, chieftain of the lizardfolk, stepped forward with nervous hesitation, while the elderly shaman calmly followed behind him.
Ak knelt to the ground, took a deep breath, and said, "Driven from our homeland by monsters lurking in the caverns, we fled here. Your overwhelming might has won our complete submission.
"The Black Tooth tribe wishes to bow beneath your great wings and become the most loyal retainers of the glorious red dragon.
"And this is the greatest show of our sincerity.
"We offer it all to you."
The old lizardfolk shaman gestured behind him with his wooden staff, and several burly lizardfolk carried forward a heavy treasure chest.
The chest was thrown open, revealing gleaming yellow gold.
The surrounding retainers could not help but widen their eyes at the sight, though they snatched their gazes back an instant later.
This was treasure meant exclusively for the red dragon; anyone bold enough to covet it would face his wrath.
Even the notoriously greedy chimera turned its dragon head—the very embodiment of avarice—away, deliberately avoiding looking directly at the chest and peeking only from the corners of its eyes.
High above, Cassius's expression remained unchanged, though the brilliant sheen of gold reflected in his vertical pupils.
Yet the first thing to catch his attention was not the gold, but the old shaman behind the lizardfolk chieftain.
[Based on your personal power and the target's state of "Submission," you can observe the following information:]
Lizardfolk Shaman
Medium humanoid (lizardfolk), true neutral
Name: Keda Blackscale
AC: 13 (natural armor)
Speed: 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 13
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 15
Charisma: 9
Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +4, Survival +6
Senses: Darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages: Draconic
Actions: Multiattack, Bite, Claws
Special Traits:
Hold Breath: The lizardfolk can hold its breath for 15 minutes.
Change Shape: Magically polymorphs into a crocodile, maintaining the form for 1 hour.
Class Level: Druid 5
Spellcasting (Lizardfolk Form Only):
As a 5th-level spellcaster, the lizardfolk shaman has prepared the following druid spells:
Cantrips: Druidcraft, Produce Flame, Thorn Whip
1st level: Entangle, Fog Cloud
2nd level: Heat Metal, Spike Growth
3rd level: Conjure Animals (reptiles only), Plant Growth
Challenge Rating: 5 (1,800 XP)
Evaluation: "Lizardfolk shamans are the most exceptional members of their race—often wise and powerful, guiding the entire tribe."
*A druid delivering himself right to my doorstep?*
*Interesting,* Cassius thought.
"Shaman, you are a spellcaster?"
The old lizardfolk shaman stepped forward, bowed slightly, and answered with unhurried composure, "Lord Red Dragon, your strength and wisdom fill me with awe.
"I have merely set a modest foot upon the path of nature and mastered a few petty tricks."
With that, he raised his withered staff and casually pointed at a patch of open ground.
"Entangle."
The power of nature answered the old shaman's call. The Weave stirred with an imperceptible ripple, and intertwined vines and weeds sprang rapidly from the barren earth.
Unlike the arcane magic of sorcerers and wizards, druid spells were categorized as divine magic. These casters required the divine power of nature to commune with the Weave, channeling the natural world to stir its currents.
Faced with a spellcaster who had arrived of his own accord, Cassius spoke directly: "A fine spell. The gates of Cinder Nest shall open to you.
"I hope you will prove your loyalty to me."
"Praise be to you, great master."
The lizardfolk quietly withdrew, melting back into their shadowy corner, taking no part in the other clans' squabbles over territory.
Cassius took a great liking to subordinates who knew their place.
Lizardfolk were true neutral, cold-blooded creatures of scarce desire. They viewed good and evil as foreign concepts, acting strictly for survival—a disposition that aligned remarkably well with Cassius's own principles.
When it came to governing human cities or even managing players in the future, lizardfolk would make excellent administrators. At the very least, they would uphold fundamental order without ruining plans out of personal greed.
"Simple, handy tools."
Such was Cassius's high praise for them.
Winning over the lizardfolk was merely a minor prelude; what followed was the true centerpiece of the assembly.
The Bloodline Boon.
Looking down at his retainers' expectant, puzzled, and anxious expressions, Cassius finally spoke under their collective gaze:
"I once told you that my retainers must never resign themselves to weakness. I promised to grant you formidable power and enduring life.
"Today is the day that promise is fulfilled.
"I shall bestow upon the finest among you—the dragon bloodline!"
Instantly, an uproar swept through the retainers. Any among them possessed of even a shred of intellect found it incredible.
Tears welled in the ogre Langpu's eyes, deeply moved by the grace of this bestowal. The kobolds, distantly kin to dragons, were stunned, and even the lizardfolk—once worshippers of dragons—shook their heads in disbelief and wonder.
"H-How can this be!"
"That is a true dragon's bloodline!"
"Our master's generosity leaves me speechless!"
Dragon bloodlines were exceedingly rare across the whole of Elezerg.
Apart from mating, the standard method of imparting a dragon bloodline required the dragon's true blood. Yet every single drop within their great vessels was a wellspring of dense, concentrated magical power; even if a true dragon chose to bestow it willingly, the loss would leave it grievously weakened for days.
Thus, none had ever imagined that a notoriously miserly true dragon could offer such a generous gift.
What they did not know was that Cassius required only ordinary blood as a catalyst. The actual Bloodline Boon was a special ability derived from his achievements.
It was a venture that cost him virtually nothing.
Furthermore, the Bloodline Boon was divided into a potent active bestowal and a subtle, passive one. Cassius intended to grant the former only to select standouts among his retainers, while the latter would permeate the entirety of Cinder Nest.
At the very center of the valley stood a massive boulder over three meters high, its top flat and broad.
In the middle of the rock was a shallow hollow.
Cassius had notified Langpu in advance to issue a decree in his name, forbidding anyone from approaching the boulder.
The retainers had assumed it was merely Cassius's landing perch, so none had dared defy the ban. But now, their gazes turned toward the rock with burning fervor. That was no forbidden ground—it was the "Promised Land of Boons."
Be they goblins, kobolds, or even wyverns, their breathing grew rapid with excitement.
Chapter 38