The door slammed violently against the wall.
A bearded, massive dwarf with eyes red with anger stormed into the forge.
"ASUDAR! I WARNED YOU!!"
The dwarf children jumped instinctively.
His gaze immediately fell on Alex, still in ghoul form, and he paled for a moment, his hand instinctively reaching for his belt.
"Everyone, step back! Get behind me!" he shouted.
Asudar, panicked, raised his hands.
"Dad! Calm down, he's a friend! Look, even the slimes like him!"
As if to confirm his words, the little slimes hopped happily around Alex.
Asudar's father, wary, abruptly grabbed his son by the ears.
"Ouch, Dad! Let go of me!"
"Everyone go home! Your parents are waiting for you!" he ordered the other children.
The children didn't wait a second longer before running out of the forge.
"Dad, wait! I'll explain!" Asudar pleaded.
For a good five minutes, Avudar scolded his son like never before, repeating that he was too young to hang around a forge, let alone with a stranger with red eyes.
Alex stepped forward slowly, embarrassed.
"It's my fault. I provoked him. You shouldn't be mad at him…"
Asudar's father squinted, sizing Alex up.
"Who are you?"
"Alex. I'm… a sort of blacksmith."
"Hm. I'm Avudar."
"Ah, really? How original… Avudar, Asudar… Is that a trend with you guys?" Alex said with a half-smile.
Avudar crossed his arms, trying to stay impassive… but he smiled despite himself.
Asudar ran to fetch the sword Alex had forged. He proudly handed it to his father.
"Dad, look at this sword! Alex made it!"
Avudar examined the blade. He stayed silent for a moment, eyes narrowed, before murmuring:
"Take him to your room, feed him, and let him rest."
"But Dad… we almost don't have any bread left…"
"Give him some anyway," Avudar grunted.
Then, turning to Alex, calmer:
"Join us in the village center after you wake up, please."
"Alright. If it means I can stay here to forge…"
"Of course," Avudar replied.
His gaze was drawn to a strange object next to the table.
"Wait… Is that… a dragon egg?! How is that possible?"
Alex's eyes instantly turned a vivid, icy red.
"Don't touch that," he growled.
Avudar stepped back, fell on his rear, eyes wide.
"S-sorry…"
Asudar intervened, trying to lighten the mood.
"Coming, Alex?"
Alex smiled again.
"I'm coming."
Asudar's room was modest, with an old bed without a mattress at the back of the room.
"You can sleep here," said the dwarf.
Alex shrugged, placed the egg next to the bed, and settled down. The slimes all jumped into the room.
"Ah, you want to sleep with me? Very well, but gently! Gently!"
Some jumped onto his stomach. Alex burst out laughing, then created a small magical dome around the egg to protect it.
Shortly after, he fell asleep, defeated by exhaustion.
When he woke up, the slimes still seemed asleep, curled up in little balls. He deactivated the mini-dome and picked up the egg. A small loaf of bread had been left near the bed.
He ate it slowly.
"Hmm… That's good. I'm glad I can still taste food… Blood wasn't bad… but food is better."
He left the room, the slimes lazily following him.
"Ah, offended that I left without you? Right, now I'm your leader… Sorry. Next time, I'll wake you up."
They arrived at the village's main square.
Fifteen dwarves were waiting. Some were adults, others barely teenagers.
Then, in unison, they bowed.
"Please… help our leader!"
Alex froze, eyes wide open, unable to say a word.