Noir watched the group of goblins from a distance, standing still; to be honest, he was a little curious.
The advancing goblins stopped when they saw a small black dragon; some even took a step back.
Neither side seemed willing to make the first move.
Noir blinked, waiting for some reaction from the green monsters. After all, goblins were usually creatures of limited intelligence.
The situation began to feel awkward; for a few seconds, he seriously considered attacking them or, perhaps, running away.
The little black dragon had no idea how to handle a situation like this. These were the first intelligent beings he had encountered since leaving the cave.
And he didn’t want to start an international war accidentally.
One of the goblins—a short, older man with several white feathers adorning his head—stepped forward.
Noir clenched his claws slightly, ready to attack at the slightest sign of danger.
The old goblin raised both hands... then bowed, and all the goblins did the same.
Something happened that Noir would never have expected. Thirty goblins bowed to him at the same time.
"..."
Noir froze. Why had they suddenly bowed before him? Was this the "fear of dragons" he’d read so much about in novels? It felt as if his brain had short-circuited.
’Huh?’
The scene was so unexpected that it took him several seconds to process it.
The old goblin remained bowed as he spoke several words in a respectful tone.
"Oh, great and majestic dragon..."
’What? Me?!’
Noir blinked, even more confused. Great and majestic dragon? It had only been nearly two months since his reincarnation!
He looks behind him; there’s no one there... He looks to the sides; nothing there either. The goblins were clearly talking about him.
Still, part of him accepts this with pride; after all, he is a dragon, a proud creature, just as Chrysola had told him and just as he had read.
The golden sphere spun around his head as if it were thoroughly enjoying the situation.
The old goblin spoke again.
"Our tribe is grateful for the blessing of your presence."
Noir stood still. Part of him expected someone to shout:
"Attack!"
But no one seemed to have any intention of doing so. In fact, several goblins avoided looking him directly in the eye; others seemed nervous... And some even looked scared.
’Wait...’
’Do they think I’m important?’
The realization slowly dawned on him. And it was dangerous, because a smile began to appear on his face. A smile he immediately tried to hide.
’Calm down.’
’Act like a dragon.’
’Dragons are noble creatures.’
’Dragons are dignified creatures.’
’Dragons don’t start wagging their tails just because someone compliments them.’
His tail began to twitch. Noir pinned it to the ground before anyone noticed.
The old goblin bowed again.
"Our village is nearby. If the great dragon permits, we would be honored to offer you food and shelter."
Noir’s eyes lit up; that sounded extremely appealing to him: food, shelter, civilization, and, most importantly, information. He had no reason to turn down the offer.
But he tried to keep a serious expression. For at least three seconds, then he nodded.
The effect was immediate.
The goblins seemed overjoyed. Several began chatting among themselves; others rushed forward to clear the way. And some stared at Noir as if a living legend had just visited them.
The little dragon began to walk behind them.
The golden sphere floated proudly above its head, as if accompanying a king.
As they made their way through the forest, Noir couldn’t help but watch the goblins with curiosity. They were very different from the brutal monsters that appeared in many novels.
They carried tools, gathered fruit, hauled hides, and chatted with one another. Some even looked after the younger ones; they seemed like a real community.
And the more he watched them... the more he realized something.
Those goblins didn’t look like monsters.
They looked like people.
For the first time since he came into this world, Noir felt he was taking a real step toward civilization.
And, for some reason, that stirred a strange emotion within him. Because it meant that the real adventure was about to begin.
***
A few hours later, they arrived at the goblin village, which was in complete upheaval.
Noir had thought they would take him to some chieftain, offer him some strange food, and then go about their business.
He was completely wrong.
The moment he stepped through the wooden palisade surrounding the settlement, the goblins began running in all directions, shouting words he could barely make out.
"The Black Dragon!"
"The Black Dragon has arrived!"
"Call the boss!"
"Call everyone!"
Noir watched the chaos for several seconds, then looked at the golden sphere.
’I think I broke them.’
The sphere spun merrily.
As always.
A few minutes later, a goblin with a strong, muscular build appeared, leaning on a staff decorated with feathers, fangs, and small sparkling stones.
His ears were covered in scars. And his yellow eyes seemed surprisingly intelligent.
He approached slowly, then knelt. The entire village did the same.
Noir nearly choked on his own saliva.
The goblin leader raised his head.
"Great Dragon. The Green Fang Tribe welcomes you."
Noir stood motionless. His mind tried to process the situation.
And failed miserably.
’I was just taking a walk in the woods.’
The goblin continued speaking.
"Our ancestors taught us that dragons are children of the sky. They bring prosperity. They bring blessings... And they also bring destruction."
Noir decided that the last part sounded worryingly specific.
However, before he could think any further, the goblins started moving again.
And then the festival began.
***
The celebration was called "The Night of a Thousand Flames." It was a tradition they observed whenever something extraordinary happened.
The birth of a leader, a great victory, or the appearance of a being considered sacred.
For example... A dragon.
Dozens of small wooden stakes were driven into the ground around the village. At the top of each stake, they placed clay pots filled with vegetable oil.
When night fell, hundreds of small flames lit up the entire settlement.
From above, it looked like a sea of stars.
Noir watched it all with fascination. It was simple, very primitive... but beautiful.
The goblins began beating drums made from monster hides. Others used hollow bones as flutes.
The children ran everywhere, chasing fireflies.
The women prepared food.
The hunter goblins told exaggerated stories about their adventures.
And the elders laughed around the campfires.
For the first time since he had come into this world... Noir felt he was seeing a real civilization.
However, several kilometers from the village.
A group of figures was moving through the trees. Their armor glinted in the moonlight.
A gray-haired man studied a map before pointing toward the horizon.
"The goblin village is nearby."
Several people nodded.
"Are we sure this is the place?"
"Yes."
"The scouts confirmed the location three days ago."
The man put the map away. His expression remained cold.
"Then we’ll set out at dawn."
One of the young adventurers hesitated.
"What if there are young monsters?"
Silence fell for a few seconds.
Finally, another man replied.
"Monsters are still monsters. And remember, we’re going to rescue the children who were kidnapped a week ago."