"That’s not right!"
"The number two human form is just a juvenile dragon; to be worshiped, it should at least be an adult giant dragon, right?" Duncan was quite curious.
Unknowingly.
The catman priest in the distance began to approach, walking cautiously and observing the juvenile dragon’s reactions.
Giant dragons are very intelligent, and even juvenile dragons possess an intelligence close to that of humans.
The distance was gradually closing.
The elderly Catman Priest paused every fifty meters to observe the juvenile dragon’s reaction. Once he confirmed there was no hostility, he would inch closer, conveying that he too harbored no ill intentions.
This fellow was extraordinarily patient, it took him several minutes to cover over a hundred meters.
"Great Giant Dragon!" (in the Catman language)
The Catman Priest wasn’t certain if the juvenile dragon could understand him. Rumor had it that Giant Dragons mastered all languages and could even use magic to transform into the likeness of other creatures, but after all, what stood before him was just a young, inexperienced dragon.
Dragons were innately arrogant, enjoying when other beings expressed submission, so one had to adopt a humble posture in their presence and know how to flatter them.
The Catman Priest recalled the legendary knowledge about dragons. Before even getting close, he lowered himself into a half-kneel on the ground, almost crawling, speaking in a language the juvenile dragon would not understand: "We did not know this was the territory of a great giant dragon."
"We beseech you to allow the Catman tribe to live on this land."
"To that end."
"We are willing to offer regular tributes to you!"
Temporarily unable to understand.
But it didn’t matter when the attitude and actions could be observed, for the Catman Priest had already knelt, and the juvenile dragon was curiously watching him.
— Oh! Little fellow!
— Didn’t expect you to conquer a vassal helper tribe so quickly.
— Look, he’s about to offer tribute.
— Some shiny treasures. My, what a sorry sight, you being a giant dragon without your own treasure trove yet.
— Accept it. Even as a juvenile dragon, you should have some shiny treasures.
Strings of bubbles floated up.
Even just the inherited memory of the dragons, the bubbling frequency was influenced by treasure, becoming somewhat greedy.
Indeed.
The Catman Priest spread his palm open, revealing a nugget of gold, a chunk of native gold, and a few pearls, along with bits and pieces of gemstone scraps. To make it appear more plentiful, he mixed in a few worthless agate stones, plus some brightly colored shell currency.
The juvenile dragon instinctively felt a rush of impulse; it surprisingly wanted to act on its own.
Was it a bodily instinctive reaction?
But all of this was restrained by Duncan; the juvenile dragon seemed to activate its dragon genes at once, trying to snatch away the treasure and gulp it down its throat. Its throat and abdomen could store a bit.
"It truly is a greedy reaction from dragon genes!" Duncan looked surprised.
The juvenile dragon craved the treasure.
The Catman Priest took a few steps back voluntarily. Under Duncan’s control, the juvenile dragon used its claws to pick and choose, contentedly swallowing all the valuable items.
Forming a relationship with a giant dragon couldn’t rely solely on food; substantial gifts were necessary.
The Catman Priest nearly ransacked the entire tribe’s gold and silver treasures.
But it was just this little bit.
Success!
Since the juvenile dragon accepted it, for now, at least, they could coexist peacefully. The Catman hunters nearby breathed a sigh of relief, prepared to rescue the Priest at any sign of trouble.
"Great Giant Dragon."
"As long as this altar stands, we will regularly offer tributes to you."
"Furthermore, if you require it in the future."
"We can ignite the sacrificial fire for you, as long as you allow us to live on this land."
Regardless of whether the juvenile dragon understood, the Catman Priest said a lot in one breath, then reverently knelt to the ground, awaiting a response from the juvenile dragon with anticipation in his eyes.
Duncan was a bit bewildered too.
A dragon’s linguistic aptitude required maturity, but with the emergence of dragon inheritance memory, he quickly controlled the juvenile dragon to use a sharp dragon claw to pluck an ice-blue dragon scale from the tail area, tossing it in front of the Catman Priest.
This was the ritual for forming a vassal contract in the Ancient Era, a dragon scale serving as a token of proof.
A cheer erupted from the distant Catmen.
The Priest, using his wisdom, found a way to form a contract with a giant dragon. They need no longer worry about being casually preyed upon by the juvenile dragon.
"Did you surrender to me so easily?"
"Darn it."
"Dragons are truly blessed."
Duncan’s first human form couldn’t recruit subordinates and followers this easily; the Catmen had completely offered themselves voluntarily.
The legendary terror of the dragons was indeed so.
This was even without having encountered creatures like Kobolds. If Duncan encountered them, even if the opposing strength was far greater, those elite unit Kobold leaders would voluntarily submit to a juvenile dragon, and might even fight to protect it.
Famous lapdogs in fantasy, not without cause; they would guard and tend to abandoned dragon eggs, nurturing them until the juvenile dragon hatched, instantly recognizing the dragon as their master.
Kobolds recognized dragons as their masters and considered it an enormous bargain.
The entire Kobold tribe would cheer and celebrate, even attracting nearby Kobold tribes to join their group of devoted followers. Of course, exceptionally powerful Kobolds might still manage to overcome their ingrained behavior as lapdogs.
In terms of dragon vassal races, Kobolds were amongst the most loyal.
The Northern Land was still too cold.
In such frigid conditions, many weaker races struggled to survive, and the Catman Tribe found it extremely challenging to live here.
.........