Lord: Starting from a Goblin Nest

This time, it was the Young Black Dragon’s turn to be surprised. ”That’s it. What else do you want to hear?”

”I thought the Dragon Race usually had... longer, more complicated names,” Aive said, looking down at him with a complex expression. ”Like a whole long string of them, you know?”

”Shouldn’t the Dragon Race have a true name like that?” Victoria was also baffled. ”Both Tiamat and the Lord of the North Wind are exceptionally powerful beings. Our scholars have passed down legends that your bloodline and names contain a wondrous power, allowing you to surpass other mortal races...”

Aiksuuri sneezed. ”I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why must one have a long name?”

”Some dragons might choose to add the names of their ancestors, titles they’ve earned, and the name of their territory to their own name. But I’m only eight, I’ve never met my parents, and I’ve already added the name of this place to my name—what else could you possibly want to hear?”

”As for your scholars, while they are certainly much older than me, I can tell you this definitively: a name is just a designation. It’s the same for Dragons, humans, Elves, or goblins. A name itself holds no special power.”

”Power comes only from the owner of the name. For example, if I were to chant the name of the Lord of the North Wind, Bahamut, that great being might hear me and instantly pinpoint my location. But that’s definitely not because I spoke its true name. Bahamut, Platinum Dragon, Lord of the North Wind, King of Good Dragons... or even if I were to call Him the Master of Hypocrisy, Bamhardt, or the Hypocritical Platinum Giant Lizard—that’s just a figure of speech, I hope He doesn’t mind—in short, as long as my address is directed at Him, He will perceive it. It’s absolutely not because His name itself has any special power.”

”The significance of a true name is like an index in a library or a table of contents in a book. It helps others clearly identify the target. But if you’re very familiar with a book, just saying ’that page’ has the same effect.”

”I’ve heard that some evil beings can cast curses on you from afar just by knowing your name...” Ron said thoughtfully. ’I’m sure I’ve heard of a creature or a spell like that.’

”That’s because their Casting itself has the power to curse. The success rate and potency simply increase as their knowledge of the target deepens,” Aiksuuri explained. Though he claimed to be only eight, as a member of the Dragon Race, he clearly possessed an intellect and understanding far beyond that of an ordinary person. ”Let’s use an analogy. Say I want to cast a curse on you—of course, I don’t know how yet, and I wouldn’t do it anyway. If I only knew you were a human male, you might just have a little bit of bad luck, like waking up to find the shine on your horns has dulled, or kicking a clump of mud off your bed.”

”I don’t have horns!” Ron retorted.

”It’s just an analogy. But if I knew your name, you might choke on mouthwash or bite your tongue while Casting.”

”And if I managed to get some of your hair or fingernails, your luck would be even worse. If I obtained your flesh and blood, or even a piece of your soul, the curse could kill you instantly.”

”See? The so-called ’true name’ isn’t as mystical as your legends make it out to be. It’s just that the Dragon Race is naturally stronger than you, so your scholars latched onto a reason to explain it, just to make themselves and their peers feel better.”

Everyone immediately felt that Aiksuuri was right, because right now, they were definitely feeling that imbalance!

”Alright, I believe I’ve answered all your questions. So, isn’t it about time you introduced yourselves?” Aiksuuri pawed a pit in the dirt, then settled down comfortably. ”I’m very interested to know what kind of people my new neighbors are.”

”Ron, human, current leader of a group of Pioneers. Some disasters occurred up north, so we’re hoping to settle down in the Delusional Land and find a place to call our own.” Ron briefly introduced himself and his companions.

”This is Aive, a Half-Elf from Rose City.”

”I’ve heard of that place!” Aiksuuri interjected. ”My ’teacher’ told me about it. He said he loved drinking at a tavern there, and that its spices are also very famous.”

”It feels wonderful to hear a True Dragon praise my hometown out here,” Aive said with a faint smile. ”You’re welcome to visit if you get the chance. As it happens, my family also runs a tavern.”

”This is Delaford. As you can see, he’s a goblin, and a veteran Hunter.”

”The goblins once had a glorious past. I’m glad to see you have returned to the embrace of civilization.” Aiksuuri bared his teeth in what seemed to be a smile. To him, it made little difference what race these creatures before him were.

’Better than beasts, fish, shrimp, and Mire Throat Monsters, but not as good as the Dragon Species.’

”Her name is Sera, from the Ocher Tribe in the north. I’m sure you witnessed her prowess earlier.”

”Indeed,” Aiksuuri said, sizing up the sturdy woman with a curious gaze. ”You’re from the north? Have you seen any of my White Dragon cousins then? What do they look like? Compared to me?”

”Um, I haven’t seen any,” Sera said, scratching her head in embarrassment. ”But I did once see a huge Frost Giant from a distance.”

”Hah, those big oafs,” Aiksuuri said, seemingly frowning. ”The aversion in my bloodline makes me uncomfortable. Let’s not talk about them.”

”And finally, this is Victoria. She’s our Priest.”

”A follower of the Watcher,” Victoria added. ”I am glad to hear you are willing to follow in the footsteps of the Lord of the North Wind.”

”It’s not really like I have a choice...” Aiksuuri sighed. ”My ’teacher’ would be displeased.”

It seemed that ”teacher” had left some deep psychological scars on the Young Black Dragon.

”Besides us, we also have a trade post, a village, and a goblin territory,” Ron added. ”They’re all on the edge of the Delusional Land. We haven’t had a chance to explore deeper yet.”

”Got it. So those were the creatures I saw. You took care of the Lizardmen and the Mad Frogmen. That means a lot less work for You.” Aiksuuri nodded.

”I’ll be careful. I’ll try not to eat your people—and please forgive me if there are any accidents. Even though I’ve started worshiping the Platinum Dragon, my diet won’t change overnight.”

”Besides, I’m still young and growing.”