Chapter 47 Tiefling (I)A freezing cold wind blew through the entrance of the rock fortress, and the cold air rushing out of the gaps made the goblin guarding the gate sneeze. "Damn, it's so cold..." "Yes." The goblin next to him echoed, he couldn't help rubbing his red nose, but accidentally scratched a long mark on his face with his claws. "Ouch!" The goblin uttered a cry of surprise. Blood flowed out but quickly solidified. After several months, many of the followers of the Burning Embers have begun to show "dragonization" characteristics. Although these changes are not as drastic as those of their leader, they also show some characteristics unique to red dragons. For example, the occasional sparse scales, the sharpened claws, the frills on the ears, the preference for warm or even hot climates... The red dragon that has been sleeping in the cave for a long time is like a huge radiation source, influencing and transforming all the followers in the Burning Nest with the gift of blood.
Cassius was still lying on his side in the cave, his huge body rising and falling slowly. When the weather turned cold, as a red dragon that liked heat, he was tired of going out and preferred to stay in the cave, eating and sleeping all day like any native red dragon of Erezega. Cassius stretched lazily and slowly opened his eyes: "But some things still need to be done." He called softly in Dragon Language: "Chimera——" The three-headed monster immediately flew out from a cave in the rock wall and lay obediently in front of Cassius like a loyal dog, waiting for its master's orders. Since receiving the "Gift of Blood" last time, this unruly beast has become extremely docile, even making Cassius feel uncomfortable. Cassius continued in Dragon Language, "Take me to those tieflings." "what?" But when he saw the three Chimera heads tilted in confusion. The red dragon was speechless for a moment, then picked up an old, horned skull from the corner of the cave and placed it in front of the Chimera. "Take me to these people." The Chimera's lion head leaned forward and sniffed carefully, then spoke in the still unskilled Dragon language: "Horned, human, not tasty." Cassius said impatiently: "That's them, take me there." Seeing this, Chimera quickly and obediently crouched down to show that he would obey the order. "Yes, Master." It then let out a low roar, flapped its wings and flew up. Chimera flew out of the warm cave, left the wide Giant Valley, and came to the sky where the wind and snow were blowing. Cassius followed closely behind, flying in the wind and snow. In an open space hidden by layers of mountains, many simple tents were stationed on the snow. Not far away, there was a spacious cave with bright lights on. It was surrounded by walls barely built with stones on all sides - this was the refuge called "The Ruined House" by the tieflings.
Tieflings with long horns on their heads and red skin live here. The mountains can protect them from being discovered by pursuers, but they cannot protect them from the cold and snow. The tieflings were still wearing ragged clothes in the severe cold. The men were chopping trees and firewood in the forest in the wind and snow. The women were building a bonfire in front of the tent and roasting the prey they had hunted. The children were also picking up some dry firewood and dead grass nearby to add fuel to the bonfire, doing what they could. Several injured tieflings were placed in a warmer cave and wrapped in several layers of animal skins and grass wool, but these measures could not prevent their breathing from becoming increasingly weak and their eyelids from trembling and about to close. "Medrolash, we won't survive the winter if this continues." "The wounded are dying. We have to go to the nearby town." A female voice came, her voice hoarse from the cold. The tiefling called "Medrolash" turned around. There were marks of burns on his tough face, and his tall body was covered with bloodstained armor with many dents from being hit. At this moment, his tone was heavy: "Leresa, you still have illusions about those humans." The female tiefling shook her head and said in defense: "No, I didn't." Medorash interrupted her rudely, his tone becoming increasingly fierce: "Have you not seen their true colors through the pitchforks, the stakes, the burning houses, the naked bodies hanging at the city gates, and the cheers and curses of the citizens?" "This is human, Leresa." "If we go to any town now, we won't be treated to fine wine. Instead, we will be ruthlessly driven away and hunted down by the old vampire's lackeys." Leisa's voice trembled, with a hint of tears in her voice: "They just don't know the truth, but maybe, maybe we can resolve this misunderstanding and explain it to them." "You should understand how humans view us, son of the devil." Those cold black eyes seemed to pierce right into her heart, and the sudden seriousness in his voice startled her. Medrash continued: "One person is curiosity, two people is conspiracy." His tone paused. "Three people is a curse." "When all of them were incited to raise their butcher knives against us, there was no longer any misunderstanding." After Medoraash finished speaking, he no longer paid attention to the sobbing Leressa, but just silently wiped his silver sword covered in blood. His weather-beaten face was reflected on the polished sword. With horns that curve like ram horns, pure black eyes with no visible irises, sharp canine teeth, and scarlet skin, he still looks roughly like a human, but his devil bloodline still leaves a clear mark on his appearance. "What a naive guy." Medrash couldn't help but recall his past life, memories that were intertwined with pain and suffering. When he was in North Wind Castle, the young boy was often stared at and whispered about because of his identity as the "descendant of the devil". He always endured violence and insults on the streets and always saw distrust and fear in the eyes of others. But he still has human friends whom he can trust.
This is a blessing. It is also a cruel fate. The genuine care from his partners ensures that there is still kindness and trust in the heart of the former Medjolash. He joined the city guards and became a paladin at a young age, taking the oath of redemption. - Paladins of the Oath of Redemption confront evil creatures, hoping to convert their enemies to the good, resorting to violence as a last resort. And they will never kill their enemies unless it is clear that doing so will save other lives. Young tieflings believe that anyone can be redeemed, and that all people can walk the path of mercy and justice. Medoras believes that he can correct all the prejudices of the world against his devil bloodline with his kind actions, and he seems to be moving towards this goal. (End of this chapter)
