The outcome of the brown kobold rebellion was an interesting one. Half of the brown kobolds recognised the prowess of the Kobold Leader, no, Kobold King, and pledged their loyalty to him. However, the other half wished to serve what in their eyes was a dragon – the Great Desert Wyrm. Even if it meant that they would definitely lose in another fight they still chose the wyrm; this was proof of their loyalty and resolve.
“No-no! I can’t have this. Everyone must come to Kobold Capital.” The Kobold Leader protested.
However, the Spider King had a different opinion. “I don’t think forcing them would be good. If they want to play with the wyrmling they can. It’s their choice.”
“Hmm… If the King says so… I can’t protest, no-no.” After all, in the end, the kobolds had pledged their allegiance to the Spider King, no, to the Monster King. And, even under wyrmling the browns will still serve him. “Yes. I can make this work.” The Kobold Leader nodded to himself.
“Of course. I’ll make sure they don’t cause you any trouble. Yes?” The King gave his pet a meaningful look.
“Yes, meow, I won’t fight Kobold Leader anymore.”
“It’s the Kobold King now, please show some respect.” He scolded the juvenile wyrm.
“I won’t fight Kobold King. No, meow, we should be Allies.”
“That’s a very adult thing to say. I’m proud of you.” He petted the wyrmling on its head.
“Meow! Of course, I’m an adult.” It purred all pleased about it.
And with that, the things were settled, at least for now. The Spider King bade a farewell to the Kobold King, and then proceeded further deeper into the tunnels. Apparently, the Oberon Mega Tunnel was all done and completed. The wyrmling was in charge of that project, and since it was finished the wyrmling, presumably out of boredom, stirred some trouble with the rebel kobolds. He’ll have to give his pet another task to keep it distracted.
“You know, since they are your people you will have to look after them.”
“I will, meow, they are my minions now. Dragons look after their minions.” The wyrmling said it as if it was obvious.
“Are you thinking of bringing them to MegaFarm?”
“No, meow, I was thinking of making a lair close to the mountain.”
“Good.” After all, kobolds were agoraphobic. “Then I have a proposition.”
“Meow?”
“With the tunnel completed I expect the trade with the Scorpions to boom. We need a trade hub.”
“Meow?” The wyrmling tilted its head to the other side.
“What I’m saying is that you could set up your lair by the end of the tunnel. This way we could control what came in and out. We could carve space for storage. Maybe even set up some type of market to attract the desert denizens. I’ve heard they have some interesting monster materials.” He gave his pet another meaningful look. “From the spider explorer reports, it’s unlikely this will bring any gold, but I’ve heard they have some pretty insect shells.”
“Meow! I could do that.”
“Of course, you would need to protect the hub. Defeat any other desert monsters which came for it. Maybe even protect the trade caravans.”
“No problem, meow, I’m the Great Dessert Wyrm, the most feared monster in the desert. No one would dare to challenge me.”
He shook his head, he doubted the wyrmling had any reputation in the Scorpion Desert, but yes, other wyrms had a reputation there. It was likely that his pet would need to fight off the other wyrms who would target the trade hub. But confidence was good.
“Anyway, I will assign some spiders for construction and protection.”
“No! Meow! I can do it myself.”
“You mean your minions?”
“Yes, meow, I have minions now. You can trust me with this, I’m an adult.”
“Well, maybe I can see how it goes and then…” He became thoughtful for a moment. “Sure let's see how you handle it.”
“I won’t disappoint you, Master.” The wyrmling announced proudly with the head raised high.
“I look forward to it.” Just as he said that he spied a Fennec camp which was being set up right outside the entrance to the tunnels. “Oh look, someone is already encroaching on our turf. What are you going to do?”
“Meow? Leave this to me.” The wyrmling slithered to the group.
The King was taken aback slightly at how calmly the wyrmling approached this situation, he had fully expected it to make a fuss and chase the Fennec away, but instead, it initiated a conversation with the furry creatures. As if it was completely natural, the wyrmling spoke their language and already knew how to interact with them. Now and then the Fennec would make a high-pitched giggle; a good sign, right?
“Is this because they both are desert monsters?” He had to wonder.
Of course, he had Language Comprehension perk and could talk with the Fennec too, but he wanted to see wyrmling doing its thing.
The wyrmling slithered back to him. “Master, can I have my allowance now?”
“Ah yes, the tunnel was completed, so…” He pulled out a very heavy sack out of his inventory. Unsurprisingly, being a type of dragon, the wyrm had asked for gold and gems. “…here’s your reward.”
The wyrmling took it into its maw and slithered back to the Fennec. The little fuzzy creatures danced at the sight of coins.
“Huh, but the spider report told me that desert races had no interest in the gold.” He himself had that experience with the scorpion traders. “Ah, but maybe Fennec are different.”
The wyrmling slithered back with a visibly lighter bag. “They are my minions now.” It announced proudly.
“Is this how it works? You just bribed them? You bought minions?”
“Yes, meow, why are you so surprised.”
“Buying minions…” He was thoughtful again. “No, what am I even thinking? It’s basically just hiring people. Yes, you employed them.”
“Meow?”
“Anyway, I’ll trust this to you. I’ll pop back to see how it goes sometime later.”
“Worry not.” Even if the King said it so the wyrm must have seen his anxiety. “I know what I need to do. Dig warehouses, set up a market, maybe make walls. Set up a Trade Hub, meow, I know!”
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
The King nodded with a smile. “Yeah, you get it… Man, the pets grow up so quickly. Just a while ago you were just an egg.”
“I’m an adult now, meow!”
“Yes, yes you are.” He petted the juvenile wyrmling, it was barely bigger than a large dog.
…
The good times were once again upon the Spider Kingdom; it was expanding. The path to the desert was opened and the Trade Hub was under construction. The Oberon Mountain soon will also be claimed; the human volunteers were working diligently in the Dark Fortress. Really, it couldn't be better.
The Spider King was in his office going through the routine reports the Trusty Advisor had prepared.
*Knock *Knock – A sound demanded his attention.
He looked up to see the Centauri Champion standing at the door frame.
“Well, the doors are wide open, come in.” He encouraged setting the report papers to the side.
“We’ve made you this.” The Centauri Champion put a tray on the table. The tray was covered with blue cloth, there was something under it.
“What is it?” He pulled the cloth off. “Food?” He looked at the slightly off-yellow cubes.
The Centauri Champion looked at him expectantly. “Go on. Try it.” She urged excitedly.
The King put one of the sliced cubes in his mouth. “No!” He exclaimed. “This can’t be.” His face underwent a series of complex emotions: shock, surprise, nostalgia, pleasure…
“Yes, it is.” She smiled at him knowingly.
“Cheese? But how?”
“To be honest, the Drow Assistant helped us with the process, but otherwise it is made entirely by us, The Centauri.”
“Wow, this tastes really smooth and creamy.” He ate one cheese cube after the other.
“Hi-Hi…” She nickered happily. “I can see you like it a lot.” She puffed her chest. “This batch was made by me.”
He moved his eyes from the cheese and found the Centauri Champion blushing.
“Oh… Oh!” Yeah, it’s not like the Spider Kingdom had any cows or goats, admittedly, his mind was late in that realisation. Huh, but they did have a rather well-endowed Centauri. Was it weird for him to eat their milk products? “Well, it does taste amazing. Thank you, Centauri Champion.” He put the last cheese piece into his mouth.
“I can make more if you want.” She said it somewhat bashfully.
“Thinking about it… Don’t you have to be pregnant to produce milk?”
“My King!” She snorted excitedly. “Are you suggesting something? But your wife…”
He raised an eyebrow unable to follow her trail of thought.
“Ah, I remember. It’s a side effect of Fertility Potion. Or is it the intended effect?” He mused it over. “So, with this, we can make them: Cheeseburger, Cheesecake, Cream Cheese!” He didn’t think he will be able to taste them again.
“My King, you want three?” She nickered excitedly. “And you already have the names for them. But will your wife approve of this… No, I will raise them to be your servants. They won’t have a claim on your royal legacy. Yes, it will be alright. Hi-hi.” She finished with a giddy giggly.
“Centauri Champion, what are you talking about? Maybe you should go easy on that Fertility Potion?” His wife, the Lamia Queen, would also say crazy things after drinking it; yet another side effect.
“But I need it to make you your…”
“No, having only you making milk for my cheeses would be unfair. Really, too demanding for one person.”
“I see, you’re right...” She said it with a tinge of disappointment. “It can be demanding on a woman's body. And to make all three would take at least three years. But I assure you I can do it.”
“Three years… That is a long time to realise my dream.” Maybe the Centauri didn’t produce as much milk as he thought, after all, they weren’t industrial-grade cows. Nor should he treat them like that. “Hmm, also, there were potion side effects to consider, and I need you to keep your mind sharp since you are in charge of item transportation to the Aurelian Kingdom. I can’t have someone so important be weakened by Fertility Potion.” He reasoned out loud. “That’s exactly why we should recruit more Centauri. With your permission of course.”
“Yes, I understand King.” For some reason, she was clearly in the dumps now. “I might be out of place to say this, and you can reprimand me, but can I at least select the candidates? You wouldn’t want it coming from a mare of low stock, would you, the results might be disappointing.”
“Yes, I’ll leave it to you. After all, I don’t know what makes good milk to be good. And I wouldn’t want it to taste any less better than the exquisite cheese I just had. Honestly, that was amazing.”
“Then why won’t you let me make at least one… Cream Cheese, I like that name.”
“Just as I said, I doubt you alone would be able to keep up with my demand. I am a greedy person, ha-ha.” He part joked part didn’t, he doubted he would be able to stop eating once he tried that. The cheese he just had was that good.
“What are you saying, King!? I am a strong woman; I have a lot of stamina. I could go all night, every night, for weeks! Actually, I insist. Yes, it’s only right for me to set an example for other Centauri. If that’s what you want.”
He was confused. So, do Centauri produce a lot of milk or not?
“Only if you insist. Okay, I let you make Cream Cheese. I’ll write a short recipe for you to follow in the evening. And once again, ask the Drow Assistant for clarifications, after all, she did manage to make the Ice Cream.”
“Ah! So, you two already…” She lowered her head once again disappointed.
“Well, yeah. She did help me a lot. But granted the food you just made was as good as Ice Cream, if not better, no need to feel disheartened. I’m sure your artisan culinary skills are on par.”
He didn’t even know the Centauri Champion liked making foodstuffs, but here he was with an empty tray and craving for more.
“I know you’ll make the best Cream Cheese in the whole of Spider Kingdom.”
The Centauri perked up again wagging her tail. “Yes, King. My body is yours.”
He blinked twice slightly embarrassed by that vigorous proclamation. That came out strong, but the Centauri was eccentric, and he was eating her food, so maybe it wasn’t wrong to say that. Oh boy, it was kind of weird to eat a foodstuff made from a sapient, as well as an ethical and moral dilemma, but hey, it did taste very good!
“I just want to make sure about one thing.” He spoke.
She looked at him intently.
“I’m not forcing you or anything, alright. If you or any other Centauri don’t want to do this, it’s okay.”
“What are you talking about, King?! This is an honour.”
“Alright then,” he beamed a very bright smile, “and go easy on that Fertility Potion.” He warned.
“Then, I’ll see you in the evening, yes?”
“Yes, I’ll get the recipes done by then. But of course, since the milk is different you might need to experiment a little bit. And it might not work out on the first try.”
She smiled. “I don’t mind trying again and again…” And here she was blushing once more.
“Wow, you Centauri are really something. Very dedicated to the task you take.”
She simply bowed in thanks, swaying her weapons in the process. Wow, dangerous!
“Now then, I need to finish my reports.” He dismissed the Centauri Champion.
Only in the evening did he realise that there was a massive misunderstanding to clear up.
…
Centauri Champion, loyal servant to the Spider King, proud leader of the surviving Centauri, in charge of logistics and transport to Aurelian Kingdom. Age 25 cycles, mare. Hair colour yellow, fur colour white. Loves to do long-distance running. Loves to make food for the King. Loves the King. Current life goal is to have a child.
Monster Race: Centauri
Variant: Champion
Magic Affinity: None
🐎
🏇🐴🏇
🤠
HP:250/250
MP:50
STA:250
Active Perks
[Relentless Charge], [Trample], [Overwhelming Force]
Passive Perks
[Swift Hooves], [Agile Manoeuvres], [Lance Proficiency]
Resistances
[Dark Weakness: Lesser]