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Me? Dragon
Chapter 46: Industrious Offerings

Chapter 46: Industrious Offerings

Rue ripped into the carcass of another dead goblin, this one she had come across in the caverns alone, its throat cut and body pinned to the floor by wooden stakes. They had been pushed deep into the earth through their forearms and calves. This spread-eagled goblin was quite tasty and having it pinned down allowed her to savage its soft innards and succulent flesh. It was an evolved goblin but not one of the warriors, their flesh was tough but what her jaws shredded now was moist and tender with lots of fat, a perfect specimen for consumption.

Some small part of her wondered why it had been left out in the open for anything to feast upon but apart from a few tiny lizard creatures that she could feel with den sense no other creatures were nearby. Well, she was satisfied with the tasty food so with a low satisfied rumble and a snort to get some blood out of her nostrils she kept eating.

It was when she broke into its internal organs that she got a surprise and flinched back from the body.

Ding! For Slaying [Hobgoblin Lv14] In Assisted Combat +0xp

It hadn’t been dead? But even as she had been tearing into its flesh, it hadn’t moved. No, she must have killed something else. It had still been warm, but she’d assumed that was simply due to freshness. Rue swiveled her head, scanning back the way she had come for another goblin. Perhaps she had stepped on one and it had died? Yet no matter how much she paced and searched, she could find no other corpse.

Well, it was certainly strange—but it had been tasty. Very tasty.

Rue returned to her meal, her senses on high alert, and resumed eating. The caverns were unnervingly quiet. There were no other creatures around, just a faint background hum of insects and plant life stirring in her awareness. The blood was beginning to thicken, and the muscles of her meal stiffened beneath her teeth. The once rich and vibrant flesh started to fade, losing some of the flavor that had so thrilled her.

As she considered abandoning the remains of her meal to continue her journey, a distant clamor echoed from the tunnel ahead. The sound of approaching creatures stirred her instincts.

Rue whipped her bloodied snout up, flaring her wings as a thrill shot through her spine at the thought of combat. Could this be the creature, or creatures, that had been killing the goblins? Or were these the goblins themselves, fleeing from some greater threat? Perhaps that greater threat would prove a worthy opponent, one capable of providing her with strength.

She extended her dense sense, sending her mind’s eye rushing forward to meet the approaching presence. But for the first time, she encountered an invisible barrier. She pressed harder with her skill, but the obstruction remained unmoving, impenetrable. Her awareness barely reached the bend in the tunnel, a hundred meters ahead, leaving her blind to what lay beyond. Resolving to wait, Rue crouched low, her muscles tense with anticipation, ready to confront whatever emerged.

She didn’t have to wait long. Her sharp eyes caught the movement of small, lizard-like creatures rounding the corner. As they came into view, their numerous eyes widened, and they quickened their pace. More and more appeared, pouring around the bend. Each one walked upright on two legs, clutching a small spear in clawed hands. Their long tails dragged behind them, swishing like tiny serpents.

The creatures’ scales varied in color though greens and browns dominated, occasional flashes of red and black stood out. Some bore mottled patterns, individual scars, and shades that stood out to her as marks of battle prowess or meaningful events. The familiar distribution of colors stirred a vague sense of recognition, though the connection eluded her grasp.

Each small lizard was only two feet high and she dwarfed them, with her flexible neck she could easily achieve twice the height they could see, even the bulkier individuals were only two and a half feet tall.

She picked one of the scarlet kobolds heading a small group of green and brown and [Identified] it.

[Kobold Pack Leader: Red Lv8]

That was... low. She flicked her gaze to the other kobolds behind the pack leader.

[Kobold: Green Lv6]

[Kobold: Brown Lv9]

[Kobold: Green Lv3]

[Kobold: Green Lv4]

[Kobold: Green Lv4]

[Kobold: Brown Lv3]

It was a varied mix of colors, but their levels were pitifully low, even the horned rabbits she had slain were at a higher level than them, how had they persisted in such a harsh environment? Surely these creatures could not have been the ones to kill the goblins. That was her line of thinking until she noticed that they were still coming around the corner, squad after squad each led by a pack leader. The leaders usually being the rarer colored variants. When dozens of groups had emerged from the tunnel a small group of black and red kobolds came around the corner. The block of ten red kobolds stood far taller than other members of the army, they guarded a small group of black-scaled kobolds.

[Kobold Warlord: Red Lv21]

[Kobold Warlord: Red Lv24]

[Kobold Mage: Black Lv23]

[Kobold Advisor: Black Lv26]

She identified some of the group before her gaze was drawn to a large creature moving behind them. No, it was not a creature, but a huge sleigh, for the kobold throne dragged atop it. It was made of a dark metal engraved and furnished with weapons and other combat-focused imagery. The huge throne was carried atop a team of over a dozen brown-scaled kobolds. The creature that sat atop the throne was large but not as huge as some of the red kobolds she had seen, but it had the calculated grace of the black variants as well. Its deep blue scales created a shimmering pattern with the magical light from the ceiling. Rue could see many scars and missing scales on its cunning face, its reptilian eyes darting around with noticeable intelligence.

[Kobold King: Blue Lv33]

This was their leader and following to the side of the throne were more packs of kobolds, these ones brown but with bulky builds, they drew the throse along, draging it over the ground.

If this was their attempt to clear her from these tunnels it would be rebuffed, despite their numbers in the hundreds they would quickly fall before her fire and claws. Rue raised her wings and gripped the ground with her claws preparing to leap off and begin her slaughter when she paused. The king kobold had raised his hand and the huge procession of kobolds creased to advance and parted into two columns before lining up in neat columns and facing her.

The king dismounted and was flanked immediately by the group of high-level black and red kobolds. They formed two lines on either of his flanks and he walked up the path between the army of kobolds, their ranks filling the whole width of the considerably large tunnel.

Rue walked forward, lowering her wings, and met the procession at the head of the army, now no more than 10 meters separating the king and her. She looked into his blue-scaled face and saw his slitted and slightly dilated pupils looking back.

“Ohhsss my highnesss, this ones humbly greets and welcomes you. Thanksss youss for accepting ourss tributes”

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The sibilant and low voice of the kobold surprised her, she could understand him perfectly, and unlike with speech she had experienced before it contained understandable emotions and inflections. He was speaking draconic, her language, the one passed down from dragon to dragon through her skill.

He was speaking with extreme deference and gratitude and he followed his words with a bow that placed his scaly snout on the ground in complete submission. Like a tidal wave, the entire army of hundreds of kobolds adopted identical postures. All of the swords, spears and other weapons were laid flat on the ground in a show of deference.

Tribute, so she had killed that goblin…these creatures had left it there paralyzed and helpless as an offering to her. Rue mulled this thought over in her mind and found that it did in fact appeal a great deal to her. As pleasant as it was hunting for her own food, and the thrill of killing she felt her very being resonate with the actions of these creatures. It was as if her blood recognized theirs, much like with fellow dragons but this dynamic felt different.

Rue felt for her draconic heritage skill and queried it for tributes and offerings. It came up with surprising information, upon finding an offering to be acceptable and feeling the beings worthy, many dragons would grant them a boon. It was quite traditional according to her skill and many dragons accepted regular offerings for the right to live in their territory. She considered this and the thought of regular meals of this quality delivered to her... well, she had just conquered this new territory, and having some servants was the next logical step.

Deciding that she felt the delicious meal was indeed worthy of a boon, the impressive display of supplication had put her in a generous mood.

“Kingss Of Kobaldss, yours offering wass most tasssty, speekss of a boon and I sshallsss grant itss”

___________________________________________

King Kaliorax kept his snout firmly on the ground and his eyes lowered just to observe the claws of the divine presence. It was not every waking that a literal god would grace you with their presence. The majestic being had even agreed to grant him a boon just as the lore keepers had said. Now came the difficult task of requesting a being of such power to allow them to serve her. Such an aura of power radiated from her that he was sure she lacked no servants.

He spoke for every kobold when they looked upon her gleaming form and felt their blood boil with passion and reverence.

“I thankss you your highnesss, I would begs your generosssity to come to out ssstronghold and claim our territoryss as your own, so that we may sssserve you”

_______________________________________________

Rue heard the request and felt her instincts and draconic knowledge skill slide over the suggestion. It was very agreeable. yet It did not feel right to accept such a request as part of a boon. Rue brushed the instincts aside and decided that if the lands were good and she found a place to settle she would reward the kobold by re-asking her question and perhaps granting him a proper boon.

“Very well, king of koboldss. I sshall accompany you to yourss domain, lead the way” She let her voice echo with gravelly tones as she felt it fit the occasion.

The kobold king seemed to approve as he perked up and made a signal to his attendants. They also raised from the floor and in short order, the whole army was once again standing before they turned to face inwards. All of the kobolds then took a knee creating a passage of homage that the king and his guard led her up. Once they were halfway he remounted his throne and the whole army formed a cordon around her, fierce admiration showing in their eyes as the procession, now including her went back the way they came.

It was a long and silent walk back to the kobold territory; Rue could hear the rank-and-file kobolds chattering and caught them taking sneaking glimpses of her frequently. The kobolds nearest her seemed to bask in the warmth and power her presence provided. She pumped a small trickle of mana into her aura to increase the temperature by about 10 degrees. The kobolds seemed to relax and bask in the warmth. She saw the pack leaders creating orderly rotations that would allow all the members to spend some time in her presence.

After observing the kobolds for a while, she turned her attention to the entrance of a new cavern looming ahead. Kobolds at the front of the army rushed forward and began marking the sides of pitfalls, rock slides, and other traps whose exact nature she could not determine. The rest of the army advanced cautiously, avoiding these hazards, and moved into the cavernous entrance where two stone towers and a wall stood guard.

The wall stretched over 30 meters to cover the tunnel entrance before it began to widen. For the kobolds, it was an imposing fortification, standing 7 meters high and constructed from solid stone blocks over 3 meters thick. It was formidable enough to withstand attacks from most creatures Rue had encountered.

Atop the wall, more than a hundred kobold archers, slingers, and rock throwers stood ready, alongside mages wielding orbs and staffs, making it a truly hellish obstacle. The wall was also adorned with racks of spears, indicating that the kobolds were prepared for melee combat as well as ranged attacks.

For her, it would have been a simple matter to jump over or onto the wall. With the aid of a few flaps of her wings, it was entirely possible. The spears and projectiles would likely do little more than annoy her, but for many other beasts, they would be reduced to battering at the solid stone in a futile attempt to breach the gate, all while the towers and wall rained fire and metal upon them.

Something glinted with a metallic sheen atop the 13-meter gate towers, but Rue couldn’t see it clearly from her angle.

With her sharp senses, she heard the kobolds on the walls cheering and gazing in her direction. She had to admit, the reverence and worship were satisfying. It filled a part of her she hadn’t realized was empty, stroking her ego in a most delightful manner.

Draconic Arrogance [1] -> Draconic Arrogance [2]

Draconic Arrogance [2]

It is the strong that often become arrogant. A hallmark of most draconic breeds, you feel superior to those with less [Attributes] than yourself. Your feeling of superiority causes you to take less notice of inferior beings.

She snorted at the skill increase it was no consequence that she should take notice of those lesser than her. She looked around at the myriad kobolds and didn't notice any difference.

The rest of the army halted and once again formed a walkway for her to approach the wall. At first, she saw no opening, and for part of her approach, she thought a jump and climb might be necessary. However, when she was only 20 meters from the wall, she noticed mana flickering atop it as two black-scaled kobolds appeared to invoke some form of magic.

The stone arch at the center of the wall became more pronounced as the blocks within it tipped, rotated, and interlocked in a spinning, coordinated pattern. The transformation revealed a massive gate, easily large enough to accommodate Rue and a dozen kobolds walking abreast. The displaced stone blocks seemed to redistribute into the archway on either side of the new entrance, a display of magical coordination that Rue recognized as truly impressive.

The king and his entourage formed a protective detail around her as they walked through the stone arch. Inside, the area was filled with support structures and defensive buildings clearly designed to aid in repelling attacks on the wall.

Stone buildings emitted a strange but enticing food smell, and brown and green kobolds bustled about, carrying supplies. The ringing of metal and the general clamor of activity ground to a halt as she stepped through the arch. Many kobolds dropped to their knees, prostrating themselves, as she was led down a cobblestone road that wound deeper into the gargantuan cavern.

This cavern was larger than the goblin cavern she had seen before. Its walls soared upward, climbing hundreds of meters toward the mist-shrouded ceiling. The faint light sources from that great height were dimmed and distorted by the vapors drifting through the upper reaches. The cavern as a whole was dominated by stone, with less light and a heavier, more enclosed atmosphere.

She couldn’t see the far side of the cavern, but ahead, toward the center, stood a tree line. The trees here were different, taller and thinner with darker needles, interspersed with massive rocky outcrops and boulders scattered throughout the forest. Leaving behind the buildings and homes clustered near the wall, they entered the forest along a well-maintained kobold path, free of overgrown foliage and evidence of the forest’s careful taming.

Less than an hour into their journey, Rue’s sharp ears picked up the sound of metal striking stone and the rumble of collapsing rock. Soon they came upon a large clearing where a mining operation was in full swing. Wooden and metal carts emerged from the ground on iron tracks, loaded with heaps of black rock. Teams of up to ten kobolds pulled the empty carts back into the mine, while the full ones were dumped into an ever-growing pile of dark, glistening stone.

The sight intrigued Rue. She had never seen creatures construct such elaborate infrastructure. Studying the black rocks briefly, she found her draconic greed strangely unprovoked. It was of no concern to her now, though she made a mental note to return and use [Mineral Assay] later to satisfy her curiosity.

Continuing along the cobbled road, they occasionally passed wagons pulled by kobold teams. The drivers respectfully steered their wagons off the path to make way for the procession.

The road began to curve leftward, and the forest thinned. Emerging from the tree line, Rue caught sight of the largest settlement she had ever seen. Surrounded by towering walls and turrets, the city was a hive of activity. Thousands of kobolds scurried about, carrying goods, shopping, and working in the bustling town center.

From their vantage point atop a hill, the view was breathtaking. The king gestured for her to continue, and they passed a massive tower on the hill before descending the cobbled road toward the city’s entrance gate. Already, crowds of kobolds were beginning to gather, their eyes filled with awe and reverence.