“Elder Jolen, have you lost your mind?” Elder Moss’s furious voice thundered through the meeting hall.

  “Not at all. I simply believe that serving the Fire Dragon would bring great benefits to our tribe,” Elder Jolen responded calmly.

  “Are you betraying our people by offering us to a dragon? Has age dulled your reasoning, leaving you incapable of sound judgment?” Elder Moss asked, his anger unwavering.

  “I assure you, my mind remains sharp,” Elder Jolen replied with composure.

  “Then how do you expin the nonsense you’re spouting?” Elder Moss demanded.

  “For the prosperity of our tribe, we should recognize the Primordial Dragon as our lord,” Elder Jolen stated firmly.

  “You were the one who taught us about the being that dwells within the great forest, helping us understand its nature. And now, you suggest we submit to it? Are you truly the Sage of Insight we once revered?” Elder Moss shouted.

  “That is what my insight tells me—to follow this being for the well-being of our people,” Elder Jolen responded without hesitation.

  Elder Jolen was renowned for his extraordinary insight, possessing keen perception, sharp discernment, and great wisdom. It was these qualities that earned him the title of the Sage of Insight within our tribe. His abilities were so refined that he even discerned my lord’s true intentions simply from a story I had crafted.

  Right now i was in the meeting hall of elders, unexpectedly summoned to the elders’ meeting. With no choice but to obey their command, I attended as ordered.

  “You yourself expined that a Primordial Fire Dragon is known for its arrogance, pride, and short temper. Just trespassing upon its territory is enough to invoke its wrath. And after knowing this, you still expect us to serve such a being?” Elder Moss reminded him, his anger still evident.

  “Yes,” Elder Jolen replied without hesitation.

  “Only fools or those with a death wish would submit to such a creature. Take this meeting seriously, Elder Jolen!” Elder Moss demanded.

  “I am taking this seriously, Elder Moss. Perhaps you have forgotten that Warrior Faul has already become a servant to this being. He cims that this dragon is different from others of its kind,” Elder Jolen countered.

  “And you believe that absurdity?” Elder Moss shouted.

  “Are you questioning my lord’s generosity, Elder Moss?” I asked, my voice firm.

  Though Elder Moss was the youngest among the elders, he had attained his position due to his intelligence, second only to Elder Jolen’s wisdom. However, I could not stand by as he equated my savior with selfish, ruthless dragons.

  “Yes, I am. As an elder, my duty is to ensure the well-being of our tribe. Naturally, I must question the nature of your so-called ‘lord.’ It has already demonstrated its cunningness when it maniputed the situation with the ants as an excuse for the disturbances in the forest. Do not think you can deceive me, Warrior Faul.” Elder Moss’s sharp gaze turned toward me.

  “I won’t deny that my lord attempted to deceive us, but he did so for a good reason,” I retorted.

  “A good reason? And what might that be? Just admit that it deceived us for its own benefit—that’s all there is to it.” Elder Moss scoffed.

  “He also saved me from the jaws of the ants and treated my wounds until I recovered,” I countered.

  “Oh? So, does that one act of kindness make it a ‘good dragon’ in your eyes? Are you so blind that you cannot see the bigger picture? It merely used you as a pawn in its scheme.” Elder Moss accused.

  “Elder Moss, be mindful of your words. Your hostility could lead to unnecessary conflict with a Primordial Dragon,” Elder Nard interjected, clearly stepping in to defend his son.

  “I am merely presenting a logical interpretation of the dragon’s actions, and we all know it,” Elder Moss stated firmly.

  “Then do you have any idea how we should interact with the primordial dragon that has settled near our home, Elder Moss?” Elder Jolen inquired.

  “We could simply go about our lives as usual and avoid provoking it,” Elder Moss responded absentmindedly.

  “Elder Moss, I don’t think that’s a viable pn. What if it decides to expand its territory and cims our nd? Do you really want our people to be dispced again, just like our ancestors were?”

  The forest elves had originally been forced to flee their homend due to a devastating racial war. They had wandered in search of refuge until they found this forest and made it their second home.

  “As of now, the primordial dragon remains within its current domain, keeping a low profile because it is still young. However, what if it grows stronger and more intelligent? According to Warrior Faul’s account, the dragon has been growing at an astonishing rate—far faster than normal. Moreover, it isn’t just a beast driven by instinct; it is civilized, much like us.”

  “Civilized? What do you mean by that, Elder Jolen?” I asked, perplexed.

  “Dont' you find it odd that a dragon cooks its food?” Elder Jolen replied, as if testing my knowledge.

  “…” I was left speechless.

  “That’s why I’ve always considered your lord strange and odd,” Elder Jolen continued.

  The moment he mentioned this behavior, I realized how peculiar it truly was. Dragons typically consume their prey raw, without any preparation. Even if my lord was a fire dragon, which might accidentally cook its meals, he rarely used fire to kill. Instead, he relied on physical attacks.

  “Now you all see that the primordial dragon in this great forest is no ordinary fire dragon. It is a civilized being, much like us. It even seasons its food before cooking. Isn’t that right, Warrior Faul?” Elder Jolen questioned.

  “Yes, my lord keeps a stockpile of rock salt in his dwelling, which he uses to preserve the creatures he hunts,” I confirmed.

  “It even knows how to season its meals?” a stunned warrior excimed in disbelief.

  “That’s correct. Not only is the primordial dragon intelligent, but it is also wise and tolerant. For instance, it endured the disrespect of a tree nymph without retaliation. Any other dragon would have killed the nymph on the spot,” Elder Jolen expined. His keen insight left everyone speechless, even Elder Moss, who had been voicing his concerns moments before.

  “That is why we must seek an audience with the dragon and earn its favor. Even if it means offering ourselves as servants, there is a chance we could receive its blessings,” Elder Jolen urged.

  Then, turning to his son, he continued, “Doren, share the news about the barren nds.”

  “Yes, Elder. Our scouts have spotted a group of orcs moving near our territory. Upon further investigation, we discovered that an entire orc tribe is approaching the great forest. We believe they may be seeking a new home,” Warrior Doren reported.

  “Orcs? They usually avoid this forest. Why the sudden change?” one of the warriors asked.

  “We do not yet know their exact intentions, but it’s clear that potential trouble is brewing,” Elder Jolen stated gravely.

  “For now, our priority must be addressing the presence of the primordial dragon and securing its goodwill,” he reiterated.

  “Elder Jolen, I still believe that serving the dragon poses a great risk to our tribe,” Elder Moss protested once more.

  “I understand your concerns, Elder Moss,” Elder Jolen conceded, “but my instincts tell me this dragon is far from ordinary. There is a possibility that it will one day become the ruler of this forest.”

  “What!?” gasps of shock and disbelief erupted from the gathered elves.

  “What do you mean by that, Elder Jolen?” Elder Moss asked, now more curious than opposed.

  “All I can say for certain is this: we must ensure that we leave a favorable impression on the primordial dragon and strive to earn its blessings.”

  Silence fell over the group as the weight of the discussion settled upon them. The intensity of the meeting finally eased, but the new revetions left everyone deep in thought.