Bai Shi slammed the heads of the two Demi-Human chieftains into the ground, leaving them battered and bleeding.
The two chieftains, still unsure of what had just happened, were pinned down, unable to resist.
They had hurried over after hearing reports from other Demi-Humans about a human invading their cave.
Yet, the moment they arrived, they were thrown to the ground, utterly baffled by the situation.
But this single action made it clear: this was not a man they could fight.
The surrounding Demi-Humans stood frozen. Once they recovered from the shock, they all dropped to their knees in terror, clutching their heads and begging for mercy.
To them, their chieftains were the most powerful beings in the world, second only to their queen.
But with their leaders subdued in a single blow, they didn't dare even think of resisting.
With his back to Boc, Bai Shi asked:
"Boc, did these ones bully you before?"Boc, startled by Bai Shi's voice, quickly replied.
"No, no, the chieftains never did such things."
Indeed, the chieftains on the ground had not taken part in the bullying.
With so many mouths to feed in the cave, the simple task of finding enough food each day was already enough to overload their simple minds.
They had no time to meddle in the squabbles among the younger Demi-Humans; as long as no one was killed, they didn't care.
"I see. Alright then."
"Boc, translate for them."
Boc nodded eagerly.
"Of course. Say what you will, I'll relay it to them."
Bai Shi considered for a moment, then realized there wasn't much to say to creatures like the Demi-Humans. Conquest by force was the simplest method.
"Tell them I'm in charge here now. There will be many rewards if they submit to me."
"But if they don't submit, their heads will be forfeit."
He had no intention of mistreating them later; securing their submission was the first step.
Bai Shi tightened his grip slightly.
The chieftains trembled on the ground, terrified he might misjudge his strength and accidentally crush their skulls.
Boc spoke, exchanging a series of guttural sounds with the chieftains in the Demi-Human language.
Hearing Bai Shi's demand, the two chieftains agreed without a moment's hesitation.
Only then did Bai Shi remove his hands from their heads.
The two chieftains didn't dare to rise immediately. They slowly lifted their heads but remained cautiously prostrate on the ground.
"Where are the others? Tell them to gather everyone here."
Boc relayed Bai Shi's words to the chieftains, who did not dare to delay. They let out loud howls.
The cries echoed through the cave, quickly spreading both inside and out.
Upon hearing the call, the Demi-Humans hurried out and gathered behind their chieftains.
The number of Demi-Humans was large; there were at least eighty or ninety of them.
And this was just a narrow passage, unable to accommodate more.
The true number was probably much greater.
When these Demi-Humans saw their chieftains prostrated before Bai Shi in submission, they also knelt without hesitation.
One chieftain let out a few cries, and after listening, Boc relayed the message to Bai Shi:
"Lord Bai Shi, he says you should go to the depths of the cave. The space is widest there, a large cavern."
"Whether you want to take stock of our numbers or have other plans, that is the most suitable place."
Bai Shi nodded, but there was something to do before going to the cavern.
He hadn't forgotten the Demi-Humans who had bullied Boc; they deserved to be punished.
"Have these two chieftains identify all the Demi-Humans who bullied you. Punish them according to your own Demi-Human ways."
Boc hesitated upon hearing Bai Shi's words.
"I don't think that's necessary... They did bully me, but I have no intention of taking revenge."
But Bai Shi wouldn't hear Boc's plea. Boc was simply too kind.
Not killing them was already an act of great mercy; a simple punishment was more than lenient.
"No, Boc. They must be punished. This way, the other Demi-Humans will know such actions are forbidden."
"In the future, Stormveil will be home to many different races, each with their own temperaments."
"If they don't learn their lesson, it will make ruling them very troublesome for me later."
Boc scratched his head with his claws.
Matters concerning the governance of Bai Shi's city were indeed important.
"Is that so? Then I'll tell them."
A moment later, the Demi-Humans who had been singled out scrambled to their feet in terror and tried to flee.
But the chieftains grabbed them, one in each hand, and stopped them all.
Ignoring their struggles, the chieftains dragged the culprits along and took the lead, guiding Bai Shi.
Soon, the large cavern they had spoken of appeared before Bai Shi.
The space was indeed quite vast, with an opening at the front and back. The other opening likely led to the isolated island where the Church of Dragon Communion was located.
All the Demi-Humans were standing in the cave. Bai Shi did a rough count: about one hundred seventy or eighty, not quite two hundred.
The few Demi-Humans who had bullied Boc were hung upside down from the cave ceiling by ropes. They would remain that way for many days.
They wouldn't die, but it would certainly be uncomfortable.
The heirlooms from Boc's mother had also been recovered and returned to him.
Boc clutched the small pouch containing sewing needles and other tailoring tools, his eyes welling up with tears.
"Oh, this is wonderful, wonderful!"
"These belonged to my mother. She was a seamstress, so I've always strived to become a fine tailor just like her."
Boc wiped away his tears, looked at Bai Shi, and said seriously:
"Lord Bai Shi, I wish to serve you as a tailor."
"Although my skills are not yet perfected, I believe I can still be of help."
"Please, accept Boc's allegiance, my king!"
Bai Shi nodded in acceptance.
"Yes, I accept your allegiance."
"From this day forward, you are the king's tailor. Your mother would certainly be proud of you."
Boc jumped up and down with excitement, then suddenly realized how impolite it was before the king and quickly stopped.
Bai Shi turned to the Demi-Humans and gave his final instructions:
"For now, you will all stay in this cave. When I have use for you, I will send for you."
"If I find suitable crops, I will have someone come and teach you how to cultivate them."
Boc translated his words. The Demi-Humans looked at each other, not expecting such favorable terms.
They were naturally delighted. Though they now had a master, not only was he not enslaving them, he was also promising benefits.
Bai Shi paid the Demi-Humans no more mind and headed for the other exit.
The path had no forks, and after a short walk, light appeared ahead.
Stepping out of the cave, the first thing he saw was the magnificent, majestic Erdtree, and then Stormveil perched on the nearby cliff. Bai Shi surveyed the isolated island; it was much larger than in the game.
The beach was vast, and the island had forests and wildlife.
In the distance stood the ruins of a dilapidated building. From it, Bai Shi felt an ancient, savage pressure.
While the pressure had no effect on Bai Shi, it was a different story for Boc.
Boc's legs began to tremble. The place filled him with immense fear.
No wonder the Demi-Humans passed down warnings not to go there.
"My king, I... I'm a little scared. That place is terrifying."
"It's alright. Don't force yourself. Wait for me back in the cave. I'll be back soon."
After speaking, Bai Shi walked toward the Church of Dragon Communion.
Boc watched Bai Shi walk away before ducking back into the cave.
——
Bai Shi walked for a short while before entering the ruins of the Church of Dragon Communion.
Throughout the church, headless stone dragonkin statues lay scattered.
In the very center, the petrified corpse of a small ancient dragon rested against a pile of rubble.
Beneath it was a ritual altar from which a red aura swirled.
That strange, crimson energy was the source of the pressure.
As he approached the red aura, the method for performing Dragon Communion inexplicably appeared in Bai Shi's mind.
‘Hm? It can transmit the method directly into my mind?’
It seemed this ritual altar in the Church of Dragon Communion was quite extraordinary.
Lacking a dragon heart, Bai Shi did not touch the altar carelessly.
The heart of the dragon Godrick had grafted was seemingly grafted along with the rest of it, which was why he could use Dragon Communion incantations.
Although Godrick had not performed the Dragon Communion ritual, his Great Rune allowed the dragon heart to function as it should.
Bai Shi, who also possessed a Great Rune, had no need for the ritual either. The Great Rune he wielded was far more potent than Godrick's.
Bai Shi touched the ancient dragon's corpse; it was completely turned to stone.
It must have died so long ago that it had completely petrified.
It seemed he wouldn't be able to use its materials to reinforce his armor. He'd have to find another dragon or ancient dragon to kill.
Bai Shi wanted to get his hands on some dragon materials.
Dragon scales and hide would be excellent materials.
Not just to reinforce his current armor; Bai Shi also wanted to forge a new, exclusive set.
Although the Storm Knight set was quite striking.
But now, as the King of the Storm Knights, he needed to wear something that set him apart.
As for which set to craft, Bai Shi had already made his choice. Once the materials were gathered, he could hand them over to Hewg to forge.
Just as he was thinking this, a black shadow moved across the distant sky.
At first, Bai Shi couldn't see it clearly, only thinking the shadow looked different from the usual hawks.
When he focused his gaze, he realized it was a flying dragon.
And it appeared to be an injured one at that.
One of its wings seemed to be damaged; its flight was strange, dipping and rising erratically.
Bai Shi blinked.
"?"
Is my luck this good today? I get whatever I wish for?
Bai Shi looked at the direction the dragon was flying. It seemed to be toward Agheel Lake. So, was this dragon Agheel?
But a named dragon like Agheel wasn't weak. Why was it injured? Did it fight with another creature?
Whatever the reason, I should go take a look.
Bai Shi returned to the cave, told Boc to wait a while longer, and then sat before the Site of Grace at the Church of Dragon Communion.
"Melina, take me to the Site of Grace by Agheel Lake."
Melina had also seen the dragon and knew Bai Shi needed materials from it. Without hesitation, she teleported him to the Site of Grace near Agheel Lake.
Once Bai Shi arrived at the shore of Agheel Lake, he immediately locked onto the flying dragon's figure.
The dragon was large, much larger than the one Godrick had grafted.
The dragon's right wing had several holes in it, with a few large arrows sticking out.
These injuries were the cause of its unstable flight.
Not only that, but the wounds on its torso were even more severe.
One of its talons was missing, and there were several massive wounds on its torso. One on its neck was particularly deep, having cut halfway through, and blood was pouring out incessantly.
These were obviously wounds inflicted with a weapon, not by another creature.
The person responsible for these wounds soon appeared in Bai Shi's line of sight:
He was dressed in the attire of a Storm Knight, but the ancient dragon crest on his helmet—a symbol of faith—had been sheared off. In its place, his helmet was wrapped in a crimson, gold-trimmed scarf.
He carried a grease-coated greataxe on his back and was currently wielding a greatbow, continuously shooting at the dragon in the sky.
He rode a powerful steed with a fiery red coat. The horse's eyes were also crimson as it galloped relentlessly along the shore of Agheel Lake.
Bai Shi had no memory of anyone dressed like this.
This was not one of the Storm Knights under his command; he had no idea where this person came from.
But in Bai Shi's memory, Storm Knights who cut off the dragon ornaments from their helmets in the game were all users of Dragon Communion.
This fellow was likely no exception; otherwise, he wouldn't be hunting a dragon. He just didn't know how many dragon hearts the man had consumed.
Bai Shi became interested. This was the first time he had seen someone who practiced Dragon Communion.
Since it was someone else's prey, Bai Shi had no intention of stealing it.
As a king, he wouldn't do something so petty.
The Dragon Communion warrior's gaze swept over Bai Shi. Seeing he made no move, the man remained wary but turned his attention back to his hunt. He drew another large arrow and dipped it into a small bucket hanging at his side.
Only when the arrowhead was coated in gravel and grease did he nock it and fire.
Bai Shi recognized the grease—it was Dragonwound Grease.
This person was well-prepared. It seemed he had hunted dragons many times.
This arrow finally brought the dragon down from the sky.
With a sorrowful cry, the dragon crashed into Agheel Lake, struggling to get back on its feet.
But the Dragon Communion warrior had already drawn his greataxe and was steadily closing in on the fallen dragon.
Just as the dragon was about to be finished by the greataxe, a draconic roar resounded, piercing the minds of all living creatures.
The roar sent waves across the surface of Agheel Lake, and massive prawns and crabs fled from its depths.
Bai Shi stood calmly on the shore, unaffected.
But the Dragon Communion warrior was stunned by the roar, freezing in place. By the time he recovered, a massive, hill-sized dragon had landed in Agheel Lake.
It was the master of this place, the dragon so powerful the lake was named after it: Agheel.
The previous dragon was like an infant before Agheel; this was the true size of a flying dragon.
Agheel breathed fire at the Dragon Communion warrior, a torrent of destructive power that boiled the lake water and sent clouds of white steam rising into the air.
The warrior tried to counter with dragonfrost, but was consumed by the flames in two or three seconds.
Bai Shi reckoned the man wouldn't survive. In that case, Agheel and the smaller dragon were now his for the taking.
A body this large... not only would it be enough for his own exclusive armor set, but there would likely be enough to upgrade all the equipment for his Storm Knights as well, right?