The Lizardmen speak the dragon language, and they believe it was taught to them by ancient Red Dragons.
Lizardmen tribes residing within Red Dragon territory usually offer tributes to the dragons to win their favor. Evil dragons also exploit the Lizardmen to achieve their nefarious goals, turning them into raiders and plunderers.
And so, this Old Shaman made a perhaps correct judgment based on ancient traditions.
"I hope so."
"I just want to lead the tribe to survive."
Looking at the nearly full valley, Ake silently led his tribe to a more secluded corner.
In the previous cave, more than twenty members of the tribe were devoured by monsters in the darkness; they could not afford any more losses.
"It will be as you wish."
The Old Shaman watched the coming and going of the dependents, speaking calmly.
Unlike inherently evil races, these Lizardmen are more akin to cold-blooded reptiles.
They have no traditional moral concepts, considering good and evil to be entirely external concepts. They are truly absolutely neutral creatures, yet they will still kill when expedient, and will stop at nothing to survive.
And the struggle for positions continued.
"Awooo—"
The twelve wyverns roared as they landed, irresistibly occupying the widest rock in the valley.
Goblins and Kobolds scattered, fearing being crushed by an unwary wyvern, which would be a catastrophe for them.
But then, an even louder roar came from above.
As the undisputed hero of this battle, the Chimera, despite being covered in wounds, arrived aggressively at the gathering, driving away a few wyverns.
He occupied a wide space with his massive body, and no one dared to approach him.
"Brainless beasts."
Langpu stood at the very front, seeing the swaggering Chimera beside him, and deliberately pushed his disproportionate silver-rimmed glasses up his face, adopting a superior attitude.
However, as a true elder of the valley, and also the chief steward within Ember Nest, one of the few spellcasters, he indeed had this qualification.
"Exactly, exactly."
"Who doesn't know that you are the master's true confidant?"
Jin Ya, the Kobold, squeezed his way to Langpu's side, fawning with a beaming face, his body appearing even smaller and more hunched against the backdrop of the over three-meter-tall Ogre.
Ever since he angered Dolo, the Earth Goblin leader, last time, he had resolved to cling to this Ogre Mage's coattails. Only by doing so could he stabilize the Kobold's own position in the lair and barely contend with those Goblins.
Langpu snorted noncommittally, but his heart was already blooming with joy.
"Boss, I'm so hungry."
"Is the master going to give us meat?"
"With so many Goblins called over, the master must have agreed for us to eat Goblin meat."
The Ogres discussed loudly without restraint, making the nearby Goblins' scalps tingle, and they couldn't help but move further away from them, some even thinking of reporting the situation to Dolo.
Langpu's face instantly darkened at the sight, and he struck Big Head, the Ogre who started the topic, on the head with a stick.
"Eat, eat, all you know is eat!"
Big Head rubbed his head, his face full of grievances, and still wanted to argue.
Langpu, with a serious expression, called a group of Ogres.
He first drew a Goblin on the ground with a branch, then wrote a general language word beside it, pointing to it, and said in the gentlest possible tone:
"Come, repeat after me: companion."
"Food!"
The Ogres shouted in unison.
Langpu's smile froze, his face clouded over, and the veins on his hand holding the wooden stick bulged.
Although they had been companions for a long time, the Goblins watching nearby were even more terrified, wishing they could sneak away immediately, fearing that some simpleton would really grab them to eat.
And Dolo, the Earth Goblin leader, stood not far away. He watched Langpu, who was disciplining the Ogres, and a hint of resentment flashed in his small yellow eyes—it was this Ogre who had stirred up trouble last time, making him lose face in front of the master.
"Look at these Ogres."
"I really don't know what else is in their heads besides food."
"How can something like this manage Ember Nest well?"
The Earth Goblin crossed his arms and said to the Goblin beside him, seemingly unintentionally. His voice was not loud, but exceptionally clear, allowing everyone nearby to hear him clearly.
Although these Ogres didn't quite understand what he was saying, they could tell from his tone that he was mocking them, so they all raised their great clubs and surrounded him, confronting him.
"Roar, roar!"
"Do Goblins want to become snacks?"
Several strong Goblins immediately stood in front of the Earth Goblin. Although they were not as tall as the Ogres, they were no less strong physically and were more well-trained.
Even the ordinary Goblins timidly stepped forward, barely providing assistance.
"What do you mean?"
"Ugly big guy, get out!"
The Ogre Mage coldly watched the Earth Goblin, who was blocked behind the Goblins, and then spoke:
"Leader Dolo, the master already warned you last time. I hope you can learn your lesson and not casually stir up trouble again."
These words seemed like advice, but to Dolo, they were veiled sarcasm.
The Earth Goblin instantly flew into a rage, his already red skin turning even redder.
"Langpu, what do you mean?"
The Ogre Mage looked down at him and said, "This is a gathering personally announced by the master. If you dare to stir up trouble here—I don't need to say what the consequences will be, do I?"
"Hmph, we'll see."
"Follow me."
The Earth Goblin snorted coldly, then turned and left with his subordinates, going to other positions.
Dolo's face was exceptionally grim at this moment.
He hadn't intended to conflict with the Ogres at such an important occasion; he merely wanted to gain an advantage verbally and diminish Langpu's prestige. He never expected to try to steal a chicken and lose the rice instead, ending up in a worse position himself.
Jin Ya, with a few Kobolds, gathered around Langpu, their expressions even more fawning, continuing to flatter him shamelessly:
"These crude Goblins really don't know what's good for them. How can their wisdom compare to yours?"
Seeing the Goblins who had caused the conflict getting a taste of their own medicine, the Kobolds were delighted.
"Roar—"
A long, powerful roar echoed from above, full of majesty.
Instantly, the various monsters in the valley, whether they were arguing, cursing, roaring, or wrestling, all involuntarily stopped what they were doing and collectively looked up at the sky.
The valley became silent for a moment, the noise ceasing.
Only a Red Dragon descended from the sky, spreading its wings, and landed on the highest point of the cliff.
Its shadow fell, covering many dependents.
—The master of this gathering had finally arrived.
