Evolving by devouring from a young dragon

Grimm immediately lowered his body, waiting for what was to come.

"Keep your mouth shut about the territory. You're not allowed to utter a single word about mine production, workshop capacity, or my strength. If anyone asks, say you don't know. If anyone inquires, say you can't make the decision. If I find out that any outsiders have found out the details from me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Alduin's tail tip slammed heavily onto the stone surface of the platform, instantly cracking the hard stone slab.

This startled Grimm, who immediately lay down, forehead to the ground, and said in fear, "Grimm swears on his life that he will never reveal this secret."

Auduin nodded in satisfaction.

This golden banquet, though merely a self-entertainment for the goblins, still revealed their exceptional business acumen, unlike the dragons who only knew how to plunder…

As long as you know how to handle things properly, you can also reap real benefits from this party.

"And your identity is also important; you must not attend the meeting in the name of a subordinate of the dragon."

Alduin said calmly, "To the outside world, he is to be a trade envoy of the Emberfang Orcs."

Grimm's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately bowed his head in agreement.

He instantly understood that the great dragon did not want to expose its existence to the public.

Alduin did indeed think so, although his existence was likely already known, otherwise Grimm would never have been able to obtain the invitation to the Golden City.

But knowing something and making it public are two completely different things.

The goblin royal family may have vaguely sensed that there was a powerful figure in the Sunken Basin, which is why they made an exception and sent a high-level invitation, but this is nothing more than suspicion.

However, once Grimm openly appears at the Golden Wine Party as his dragon servant, it will confirm the news that he is based there, instantly turning vague suspicions into concrete facts.

Even if the upper echelons of the goblins knew that there were powerful figures guarding the basin, they would only turn a blind eye due to the distance and the cost.

Humans are far away and won't make a big fuss about this; the goblins themselves are weak and have to depend on the whims of humans and dwarves, so they don't dare to offend the powerful local tribes.

But once one puts their identity as a dragon on the table, the nature of the situation completely changes.

Implicit consent can turn into overt fear, and since the party is under the control of both humans and dwarves, it will inevitably create countless additional constraints and surveillance.

He can be vaguely detected, but there's no need for him to actively reveal his true nature and needlessly invite unnecessary trouble into his territory.

"Grimm has noted it down." Grimm lay prostrate on the ground, his voice steady. "Emberfang Orc, trade envoy."

Alduin stood up, his tone indifferent: "As for accompanying you, let Blue go with you. Also, take three of the most reliable orc scouts with you."

Grimm was taken aback, but nodded without asking any further questions.

Bringing Blue along was to use Blue's epic and powerful combat strength to intimidate others and show confidence. With this strong person by their side, no one would dare to easily attack them, which would be enough to protect them on this trip.

As for sending three trusted orc scouts, it was to secretly gather information, collect intelligence from all sides both inside and outside the goblin-controlled territory, and obtain more accurate first-hand information.

"Also, is the list of items to be brought ready?"

Grimm quickly pulled a piece of scrap paper from his pocket and handed it over.

In his mind, the Golden Cocktail Party was a big deal, and he had already made all the necessary preparations.

Auduin looked at the inventory list, his expression calm.

The goods list was neatly arranged, with one hundred ordinary magic crystals listed separately as tribute.

Although these goblins were his servants, Alduin never mistreated them; as long as they worked, they would receive rewards.

He knew that the most effective way to manipulate people's hearts was always through self-interest.

This offering was entirely the old goblin's own property; he didn't use any of the resources from his territory's warehouses, and prepared everything himself.

Other goods used for trade include not only various ores mined from the territory, but also finished ironware, raw materials for fur, dried herbs, and a certain amount of magic crystals.

Of course, most of the magic crystals are ordinary magic crystals. It would be inappropriate to offer top-grade magic crystals when doing business with such a large number of goblins.

Among them are some high-quality items, such as rune scrolls, superior adamantite weapons, and some alchemical items and equipment.

These kinds of high-quality supplies can demonstrate the strength of a territory and make the other side wary, without being too conspicuous.

These things can be produced in most complete territories, it's just a matter of quantity, so they are not considered rare or secret items, and are perfect for trade.

It seems this old goblin has considered things quite thoroughly...

After reading it, Auduin nodded slightly and then looked away.

"very good."

He said something indifferent.

However, to Grimm, these words were an immense honor, and he bowed his head even lower.

"And also, voluntary contribution." Auduin's tone shifted, his vertical pupils narrowing slightly. "Are you planning to contribute?"

Grimm paused slightly, hesitating for a moment.

He raised his head, lowered his voice, and cautiously began, "Grim wants to... pay a little. If he doesn't, he's afraid he won't have a say at the banquet. If he does, the major tribes will at least take a second look at him."

"Take another look, and then what?"

Alduin's voice instantly turned cold, and his aura deepened.

"If you take one more look, they'll come to you to form an alliance. Once you're allied, you'll have to choose a side. And once you choose a side, you'll have to provide them with resources, manpower, and money."

He paused, his tone tinged with disdain, "Can you afford it?"

Grimm immediately fell silent, his back taut, unable to utter a sound.

"Contribution is voluntary, and no formalities are made."

Auduin raised his paw, lightly sweeping it over the list in front of him, and continued speaking.

"You don't need to have a say at a party. The power of speech is always in your hands, not in your mouth."

Grimm lowered his head again, his forehead almost touching the ground.

He remained silent, engraving every word Auduin uttered into his mind.

Alduin nodded, said nothing more, spread his wings, and turned to fly towards the dragon's nest.

Grimm breathed a sigh of relief and stood up after seeing him leave.

……

The next day, Grimm got up before dawn.

He set off with several nimble goblins and three orc scouts arranged by Alduin.

Before the dawn had fully broken, the sky was a pale gray, and the gravel path outside the camp gate stretched into the darkness, its end invisible.

After walking less than a hundred steps, a huge rock appeared by the roadside, and I slowly turned around.

Blue.

Grim stopped and looked up at Blue. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw a dark red ball of light above Blue's head.

He was taken aback.

He had seen that thing on Alduin before. He had heard the orcs say that it was the former god of the Emberfang orcs, but now it had become a vassal of the dragons.

But upon closer inspection, it seems that this thing has no intimidating power at all.

Although it was strange that the little guy was here, he didn't ask any more questions, and Blue didn't mention it either.

Afterwards, the group continued on their journey.