novelraw Chapter 110: The Warhosts and the Dragon-Vein Gluttonous Ogre
Chapter 110: The Warhosts and the Dragon-Vein Gluttonous Ogre
"By flame and iron as witness!"
Garoth declared solemnly, "I, Garoth, the Dragon of Red and Iron, shall lead you to glory! Granting you rebirth!"
The monsters knelt one by one.
"By flame and iron as witness, the People of Molten Iron pledge eternal loyalty to you across generations!"
They felt as though witnessing a moment of history worth remembering, their hearts swelling with unfamiliar emotions.
"Remember your oath this day." The dragon's roar pierced the heavens: "When my wings eclipse the sun, your names shall be forever etched into history alongside the People of Molten Iron!"
Garoth proceeded to appoint roles among his vassals.
He abolished clan divisions, but recognizing their differing habits and social customs that could cause conflicts if mixed, he reorganized them into distinct warhosts instead.
The warhost names remained provisional, temporarily retaining their former clan titles:
—The Bonegnaw Warhost, Redeye Warhost, Rending Claw Warhost, and Howling Moon Warhost.Gluttonous Ogre Karu was appointed as Grand Warlord.
Former clan leaders like Bloodfang Hodge, Russell, and lizardfolk Nala became secondary Warhost Lords, who in turn would appoint their own subordinates.
Each warhost also contained a Molten Iron Priest position, filled by sorcerers and shamans personally selected by Garoth.
These priests held veto power over Warhost Lords' decisions and could appeal directly to Garoth for arbitration, placing them above the Warhost Lords in authority—though they couldn't command troops directly. Functioning as Garoth's eyes and ears, they swore allegiance solely to him.
"Calling our current forces 'warhosts' seems overly ambitious," Garoth mused.
"But the future holds promise."
After appointments, Garoth rewarded the bravest and most cunning gluttonous ogre by formally initiating its dragon vein transformation.
He granted Karu supreme authority over all warhosts, second only to himself.
Absolute loyalty had to be ensured—thus the transformation was essential.
Moreover, Garoth's injuries from battling the Diamond Stone Giant had spilled much dragon blood. Rather than waste it, this became perfect material for creating his first dragon-vein vassal.
Several Warhost Lords and Molten Iron Priests accompanied Garoth to the crater where the Diamond Stone Giant had fallen.
There lay a pool of Garoth's blood.
He brought the other leaders specifically to witness Karu's empowerment firsthand—motivating them through envy.
As the others watched from the crater's edge, Garoth led Karu downward.
Under their covetous gazes, Garoth began the ritual according to ancestral records.
Ancient draconic syllables rolled from his maw.
Magical energy coalesced around his claws, dipped in dragon blood, as he inscribed arcane sigils across the blood pool. The symbols and incantations conjured an invisible vortex, churning the liquid.
Within moments, all blood condensed into a hovering sphere.
As Garoth uttered the final syllable, the sphere ignited—twisting the air with heat like molten rock.
"Karu, consume it."
The gluttonous ogre hesitated not. Staring at the dangerous lava-like orb, it stepped forward and swallowed the mass whole.
"Tastes like nothing," Karu grunted, smacking its lips.
Then came the response—searing heat erupting from its gut.
Karu's skin flushed unnatural crimson, as if magma flowed beneath.
Its pupils shrank to pinpricks while guttural pain sounds escaped its throat. Falling to one knee, it vomited a stream of fire—the first sign of its life essence being rewritten.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Agony drove it to pound the earth madly.
As tremors shook the crater over time, Karu's gray hide cracked away, revealing emerging red scales.
Certain teeth thickened into jagged fangs jutting from its jaws.
Horns elongated backward, growing more menacing.
Its spine burst through flesh, sprouting three rows of spikes while the tailbone extended into a whipping appendage.
Limbs and torso swelled with layered steel-corded muscle.
Finally, Karu bore draconic traits—specifically red dragon features. Beyond its ogre stench now lingered sulfurous fumes. Its veins carried pure red dragon bloodline, unlike Garoth's dual heritage.
The transformation complete, Karu rose panting, radiating intensified aura and dragon might.
After steadying itself, it roared skyward—a hybrid of dragon and ogre—announcing a new being's birth.
Suddenly Karu knelt again, cracking stone beneath its knee, its new tail gouging earth.
"By molten iron and dragon blood as witness—"
It renewed its oath solemnly:
"—May my flesh become foundation for your throne, my soul the gale beneath your wings!"
Garoth gazed at his dragon-vein gluttonous ogre, sensing its thoughts clearly.
Its awe, respect, and loyalty had peaked—willing to die for him without hesitation.
Thus Garoth gained a powerful lieutenant—his first dragon-vein vassal.
Future minor troubles could now be delegated, letting him focus on personal growth and evolution.
A slight regret lingered—Karu inherited red dragon blood rather than iron dragon lineage. The latter might have enhanced its intellect, particularly for territory management.
Most iron dragons dreamed of draconic empires, excelling at governance. The Iron Dragon Mother's domain proved this—meticulously organized with clear divisions:
Pastures, outposts, armies, logistics.
Structure and order prevailed.
Garoth's knowledge from On Lordship and The Prince stemmed from iron dragon heritage.
As for red dragon teachings on governance? Simple—kill!
Disobedient? Kill.
Incompetent? Kill.
Displeasing? Kill!
Red dragons ruled through brutality, inviting rebellion. Garoth preferred iron dragon methods.
Afterward, vassals hauled the Diamond Stone Giant's remains back to camp for cleanup.
A Bonegnaw Warhost ogre detachment remained behind, guarding the Geosymbiotic Pool under Karu's brother, Ogre Ugor's command.
This nameless plateau witnessing the Molten Iron Clan's birth was thereafter christened by Garoth:
Tempering Heights.