18 Pride? Can you eat it?

Alaric took in the view of the cave. The slip slime, Sonic, was cowering in a corner beneath a giant figure. This figure had the head of a dragon, and a rather long neck, with four bulky legs and a very long tail. It had scales covering its entire body, the scales were brown, thick, and ragged, reminding Alaric of rocks and boulders.

'A false dragon1... and not the kind you see pulling carriages, this one obviously has more true dragon blood in his veins, and is beyond rank-1.'

The giant figure turned its head towards Alaric, its red eyes glowing with malicious intent, "You must be this slime's pet human? You dare to intervene in a matter between higher lifeforms?"

'Pet... human? I can understand it? I thought only rank-4 magical beasts could speak the language of humans! Rank-4s have long since been removed from this forest!' Alaric thought, quickly analyzing the best way to get out of this situation.

Assuming that the giant figure in front of him was a rank-4 magical beast, escaping would be impossible. He could defeat storm wolves with some tricks, but the chasm between rank 3 and rank 4 was so deep that most people and beasts alike never climbed out from it.

Sonic argued against the giant's words, 'Kri!'

"Slime, you say that he is not your pet, but your liege? The mighty Grander looks down upon you! A superior lifeform submitting to a human?!"

Alaric was immediately thankful that he obtained a name for this beast, "Grander." This would allow him to suck up much more efficiently. The information that this false dragon found magical beasts to be "superior lifeforms" was just as useful.

Alaric knelt on the ground, while a hint of reverence dawned upon his face, "Sir Grander... was it? No, Emperor Grander! Your magnificence is as deep as the ocean itself! I'm astounded at the fact that I was able to see your majestic display on this day, and it has affected me very deeply. Your majesty and charm has absolutely encapsulated me! The tides of time may very well not diminish the sheer power and authority you represent! And your threatening visage may even drive away the gods themselves! I simply ask that you may allow me to thank you, as I have been allowed to breathe the same air as one such as yourself!"

For a moment, Alaric could have sworn that the slip slime seemed a bit disappointed in him, but it didn't matter. Shame? Pride? Were they nutritious? Did they keep you alive?

'Of course, having knelt down, I am prepared to engage in battle at any moment. I'm stupid, but I'm not dumb!' Alaric thought.

The false dragon, Grander, stared at Alaric dully for a few moments, before erupting with laughter.

"You and this slime are simply too alike, human! Knowing just what to say to make a mighty being such as myself happy! How about this, despite you being an inferior lifeform, I am giving you the opportunity to join my ranks! You shall be given meat, and treasures!"

Alaric was a bit surprised that the dragon's reaction was so positive, but lowered himself even more and continued to hug its leg, "Simply wondrous, my lord! To be allowed into your ranks, an ant such as I, has neither the choice nor the thought to reject! This opportunity, this chance, this luck! I have never felt such magnanimity from another! Thank you! I shall accept this request!"

Sonic seemed even more disappointed in Alaric, but Alaric simply gave it a look that said "shut up, I'm saving you!"

The false dragon laughed once again, saying, "You're simply too correct! Your ability to recruit this slime is now understandable! You may be a human, but you're also smart! To see how low you are when compared to me, a mighty dragon, is simply too intelligent! Welcome to my forces, human! I shall grant you the opportunity of letting me remember your name! Speak!"

At this point, Grander had only been posturing. His tail went back into a relaxed state, and he purposefully positioned himself in the way of the sunlight, leaking through an opening at the top of the cave. He was showing off!

Alaric spoke quickly, yet simply, lest Grander realize he was playing a trick, "This humble one's name is John, my lord!"

This sort of cliché where giving away your name would result in disastrous consequences, Alaric already knew of it. A fake name, and if you were extra prepared, a fake face. If Grander had a backer outside of the forest, it was suicide for Alaric to release his real name.

"Yes, John, you shall be rewarded with the position of my personal chamberlain! Your intelligence, although not as magnificent as mine, could benefit me!"

'The hell! I didn't hug your leg for this!' Alaric thought.

He needed to get away, not stay here forever! Alaric looked at the slip slime, signaling for it to inch closer to him.

"My lord, while this suggestion allows for my ancestors to be immensely proud of me, for serving one such as you is the greatest honor I could receive, I would like to exit the forest and bring my subordinates to serve you as well!"

Grander's eyes became a little vicious, "Leave... the forest? Are you trying to trick me, human?!"

Soon, Sonic had arrived behind Alaric, getting inside the leather bag he always kept on him, as discretely as possible. With the slime nearby, and Grander still posturing, they were prepared to run whenever necessary.

"Of course not, my lord! My subordinates would be immensely useful to your cause, their intelligence is nigh inferior to my own!" Alaric said, shamelessly. The slimes could be said to have such low intelligence that the human IQ scale would have to calculate it in the negatives.

Grander seemed intrigued, "I see! A group of intelligent workers serving me would indeed allow for me to progress my plans of breaking this bastard of a formation!"

Alaric went wide-eyed, both in shock that the dragon wanted to break the formation, and in glee that his suggestion seemed to be received positively. Instead of speaking, he lowered his head, suggesting that Grander continue.

"John... although human, you prove to be immensely useful. I shall imprint my brand on your soul! Open up your internal defenses! If I deem you to have taken too long on the trip back, I will immediately use my powers to destroy the soul residing in your body, killing you!"