[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-43":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ember Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1161859,1504,"Chapter 43: Arrangements on All Sides","ember-dragon-chapter-43",43,"\u003Cp>Cassius gazed at the new follower information panel in front of him, this fellow had truly risen to glory in one leap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Draconic Winged Kobold Sorcerer】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medium Humanoid (Kobold), Lawful Evil\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AC: 16 (Natural Armor)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speed: 30 feet, Flight 50 feet\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength — 15\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dexterity — 14\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Constitution — 16\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligence — 10\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wisdom — 8\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charisma — 11\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 8\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Languages: Common, Draconic\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skills: Construction +4, Traps +4, Excavation +6, Stealth +6\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Traits: Pack Tactics, Fire Resistance\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actions: Dagger, Sling, Claw Attack, Bite\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class Level: Sorcerer 1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spellcaster Level: 1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cantrips: Fire Bolt, Light\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1st Level: Burning Hands\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Challenge Rating: 5 (1700xp)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kobold’s challenge rating had leaped from a measly 1\u002F8 to level 5, making him capable of taking on a squad of well-trained soldiers, just managing to join Embers Nest’s high-ranking combat power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, Dolo watched the newly transformed kobold with his arms crossed, his expression far from friendly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gold-Fang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragonblood hobgoblin muttered the name softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he could have easily sent this guy flying with a single kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, this kobold—or rather, Urd—stood nearly two meters tall, could fly, and had learned magic, making him a rather troublesome opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since that conflict, this kobold had clung firmly to the ogre mage’s leg, and now, it could be said that in Embers Nest, Langpu’s position remained unshakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a short distance away, Langpu looked on with a slight smirk, eyes glinting with some unspoken thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ogre instinctively went to adjust the bridge of his glasses, only to remember that the delicate silver-rimmed frames had been crushed during his transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He regretfully dropped his hand, mentally noting to acquire a sturdier pair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blessing ceremony finally came to a close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius spread his wings slowly, casting a vast shadow over the gathered creatures below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fully unleashed his【Leadership Aura】, emanating an irresistible influence that compelled every creature present to submit wholeheartedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A soldier who doesn’t aspire to be a general is no good. My Embers Nest only needs the strong, not idle weaklings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Continue fighting for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prove your loyalty with blood and fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you, too, can gain great power and endless life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the direct beneficiaries of the blessing, the newly empowered clan leaders were the first to cheer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyverns breathed fiery displays into the air, the kobolds spread their newly acquired wings, and Langpu showed off his massive frame and resilient scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Cassius’s approval and even encouragement, they reveled in their newfound might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creatures of Embers Nest erupted into a frenzy, kobolds, goblins, and ogres alike howling and shrieking with an insatiable longing and fervor for power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noisy celebrations echoed throughout the valley, lingering for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One month later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluffy snowflakes drifted from the sky, swirling in the howling wind, while dense ice fog reduced visibility to less than a hundred meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, it was the coldest time on the Anzeta Wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That impressive “blessing ceremony” was now over three months past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after his transformation, Gold-Fang was dispatched to the shadowy mines, where he and his three hundred kin tirelessly dug for gold beneath the warm earth at the dragon’s behest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When spring came and the snow melted, the kobolds would transport the gold back to Embers Nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also received the task of seeking out elemental minerals—a step Cassius took to power the Storm King’s Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, many creatures, hearing of this, came to join Embers Nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hobgoblin warlord “Skull-Face” sought refuge after fleeing the Northern Kingdom’s pursuit, bringing with him an army of over a hundred hobgoblins and significant wealth. Just one week later, however, this stranger “accidentally” drowned in the latrine pit, and his remnants were naturally absorbed under the dragonblood hobgoblin Dolo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dolo finally acquired the elite soldiers he had longed for, rather than the weak, cowardly goblins who didn’t even dare enter the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, more than thirty satyrs arrived, hoping to spend the winter in Embers Nest’s warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These satyrs, though weak, lacked any concept of good and evil. Driven by curiosity and hedonism, they were rowdy fae beings. However, their flute-playing had bard-like qualities that could produce certain magical effects, which earned them Cassius’s acceptance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even during this frigid season, Embers Nest remained relatively warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Storm High Cliffs were not located at the northernmost end of Anzeta, and the mountainous terrain shielded the valley from cold winds, preserving a small amount of warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius’s lair was particularly warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Giant’s Maw Cave, Cassius slowly opened his groggy eyes, his massive form stretched out in the warmest spot in the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I’ve brought the person you requested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dolo entered respectfully, leading a few hobgoblin guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards supported a ragged, disheveled human—the slave trader Cassius had personally captured earlier: Hart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you completed the task I assigned you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, successfully, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dolo replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the hobgoblin guards pulled several scrolls from their packs, handing them over. Written in Common, the text was scrawled with rough sketches and notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hobgoblins excelled in all military and warfare-related skills, including interrogation. The dragon had tasked him with extracting every piece of information from the human’s mind and ensuring its accuracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hart, a cowardly slave trader, hadn’t required much effort to crack. Simple threats had made him spill everything he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dolo and the guards exited calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius fixed his gaze on the nervous human before him and spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long time no see, Hart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hart trembled, his legs giving out as he sank to his knees, his voice shaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ka-Cassius, Lord of Embers Nest, mighty dragon, I have realized my mistakes, I am willing to compensate for all losses, I beg you to spare my worthless, pitiful life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius grinned, baring sharp dragon teeth in a way that sent a shiver down Hart’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius said, “I don’t need your compensation. I’m going to let you go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hart stared blankly, reflexively asking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go… go back where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To Sager Town. Your baron and I may have some things in common.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The image of the baron’s cold gaze flashed through Hart’s mind, and he muttered, “The baron, he… he’ll kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red dragon rose slowly, towering over the trembling human, his golden eyes glinting with a curious light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, he won’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1058,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.671Z","2026-06-03T12:47:06.781Z",1,"novelbin.me","de25fc60a5e0db54f4c60ad2b591d1ac3038247f0798841b132448450fa2d2a5","ember-dragon-chapter-44","ember-dragon-chapter-42",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]