Lord: Starting from a Goblin Nest

When Ron and the others rushed into the main hall of the trading post, a Dragon Descendant covered from head to toe in glittering golden scales was waiting for them.

”Mr. Ron, I presume?” The Dragon Descendant stood up as he saw them, his calm gaze sizing up the young human male before him.

”Aiksuuri mentioned he had a very pleasant conversation with you, so I grew curious and came to see for myself. I also wanted to observe the state of your supplies.”

”And from what I’ve seen—they aren’t exactly abundant.”

”They would be if you didn’t eat so much!” Buni snapped, puffing out her cheeks in a huff.

While Ron and the others were away, she, Klade, and the others had been forced to reluctantly host this picky fellow. But now Ron was back!

”I take it you’re Aiksuuri’s teacher?” When Ron heard the other party mention the Young Black Dragon, he had a pretty good idea of what was going on. ”According to his Ghost Fire, you were the one who convinced him to ’turn over a new leaf’.”

’No matter how powerful a Dragon Descendant was, it was difficult for them to gain the acknowledgment of a True Dragon. It was just like how the Dragon Race would never admit that Lizardmen or Kobolds possessed draconic blood. Therefore, this person’s current form was clearly just an illusion or a disguise. His true identity was, in all likelihood, a Gold Dragon.’

”No, that was actually my... elder. That great one has more important matters to attend to, so I am serving as his Commander and as Aiksuuri’s teacher to educate the boy.”

”My true name is—, and I am pleased to see that another ambitious and benevolent Lord has appeared in the Delusional Land.”

Whether it was out of draconic arrogance or personal pride, the Gold Dragon stated his name using a long string of Dragon Language. As a result, no one present understood what he was called, because that long string of sounds was simply impossible for the vocal cords of humans and Elves to replicate.

”I am also pleased to meet with a benevolent Gold Dragon,” Ron said with a slight bow before pulling up a chair and sitting across from him. ”Your Excellency can’t have come all this way just to take a look at our outpost, can you?”

”That is the main reason. I heard you’ve recruited a number of goblins as allies.” The Gold Dragon’s golden, slitted pupils fell upon Delaford. Despite showing no hint of hostility, the Goblin Hunter cried out as if scalded and hastily ducked behind the others.

Silvia and Seymour were also uncomfortable, but their reactions weren’t as extreme as Delaford’s. They merely took a small step back to stand behind Victoria and the others.

As for the others, Ron, Aive, Victoria, and Sera showed no reaction at all to the Gold Dragon’s gaze.

”It seems my concerns were unwarranted,” the Gold Dragon said, retracting his gaze and taking a sip of water. ”I offer my sincere apologies to you and your companions for my rudeness, but I must ensure one thing: that the Delusional Land does not fall under the terrifying rule of an evil monarch. This land already has enough darkness.”

”Before you returned, I inspected the trading post, the village, and the goblin den. The results were astounding. You’ve actually managed to get them to live together peacefully. It’s truly a miracle.”

”Therefore, I decided to stay for a couple of extra days so I could meet you in person.”

”So, what is Your Excellency’s opinion of me?” Ron smiled. ”A bandit? A robber? An opportunist? Or perhaps just another run-of-the-mill Adventurer, lost in the crowd?”

”A Mage in possession of the *Weaving Introduction* can hardly be called ’run-of-the-mill’,” the Gold Dragon said with a hearty laugh. ”The previous owner of your Spellbook was once incredibly famous, you know.”

”Although the memory of her has faded among your races since the fall of the Hailan Empire, for the Dragon Race, her glory feels as if it were only yesterday.”

”As for you... while I’m still not certain whether you possess the talent to govern the entire Delusional Land, that doesn’t affect my overall assessment of you.”

”I believe we can discuss some agreements and terms for our mutual benefit.”

”Gold Dragons—or rather, Metal Dragons—have interests in the Delusional Land?” Ron rested an elbow on the arm of his chair and propped his head up with his fist. ”Now that’s something I truly didn’t expect.”

”The complexity of the Delusional Land far exceeds the information you currently possess, Mr. Ron,” the Gold Dragon said, his expression turning solemn. ”Our Dragon Race alone has incredibly significant stakes here.”

”What are they?”

”My apologies, but I am not at liberty to disclose that.”

”Alright,” Ron said, shifting his position. ”Then can you tell me what’s so special about Aiksuuri? Why are you going to such great lengths to train him?”

”My apologies, but I am not at liberty to disclose that.”

”...What about the darkness that exists beneath the Delusional Land? That must be your ’significant stakes,’ right?”

”My apologies, but I am not at liberty to disclose that.”

Ron: ”...My apologies, but perhaps you should see yourself out?”

’You’re not saying a thing. Aren’t you just wasting my time? We rushed home through the night, didn’t rest, didn’t wash up, didn’t even eat, all just to sit here and listen to you say ”not at liberty to disclose”?’

”Well...” The Gold Dragon looked troubled, putting down his cup and wringing his hands. ”Please forgive me, but I truly have my reasons.”

”The three questions you asked are, in essence, all the same question. Can you understand what I mean by that?”

”I hate riddles,” Ron scoffed. ”If you can’t speak plainly, then don’t say anything at all. Otherwise, I’ll just assume you’re trying to interfere with my judgment.”

”Very well, very well,” the Gold Dragon nodded in resignation. ”In that case, allow me to make another proposal.”

”You must have already read the stone tablets left behind by the Elves of the Hailan Empire, the ones inscribed in their Xinliu Library. That being the case, would you agree to slow the developmental progress of you and your people, and to allow me to supervise it, so that I may halt any exploration or research projects in your territory at the appropriate time?”

”I hope you can understand. This proposal is not without basis, nor do I wish to interfere in your internal affairs. We should both be able to agree on one thing: if you develop too quickly, your territory and your people will attract the prying eyes and covetousness of the darkness. So, in doing this, am I not actually offering you protection and care?”

The Gold Dragon’s words were exceedingly sincere and humble. In his speech, his gaze, and his gestures, Ron could find no trace of malice or any hint of a conspiracy.

Every word he spoke seemed to be for their sake. It was as if his intentions were entirely for the good of the people in this small trading post and its surrounding settlements.

The goodwill the Gold Dragon was exuding came through loud and clear to Ron. In turn, he was confident his own response would be equally clear:

”Get lost.”