Overlord: Start from the Goblin Lair.

Chapter 93 A Guest Arrives from Afar
Generally speaking, no matter what kind of dragon, black dragons are especially reluctant to have humanoid towns near their lairs.

For ordinary black dragons, ideal neighbors are creatures that are easy to control and not easy to betray, such as undead creatures, shambling monsters, carnivorous plants, mud monsters, and constructs, etc., while those creatures with a little intelligence generally worship and submit to the majesty of their dragons, such as kobolds and lizardmen.

Gold dragons, on the other hand, prefer to separate themselves from the world they protect, living in isolation and trusting only a few close allies and guardians. Whether by nature or nurture, the Exuri probably don't like living on the edge of town.

Ron estimated that the young dragon would take some time to adapt, and then move farther away on its own due to various reasons.

Considering the situation of the second team, Ron and his team did not choose to continue exploring the surrounding area, but quickly returned to the trading post. When they came back, a group of acquaintances also came here.

“Oh, we’ve been waiting for you here for two days!”

When Ron stepped over the threshold, the whistle of the Bronze Dragonborn was heard in the hall. In addition to the two merchants Shuke and Salovey, there was also a little girl, a dwarf blacksmith and an old dwarf with pale hair and beard who looked unhappy.

The little girl was probably less than 20 years old. At first glance, she was obviously the assistant of the Bronze Dragonborn Surina. The dwarf blacksmith had a big beard and was holding a glass of beer. He was probably in a cooperative relationship with the equipment merchant Shalovey. As for the dwarf, Ron looked at him more like their leader or boss than a companion of the three merchants.

In his previous life, Ron could occasionally see this kind of temperament in some "leaders", but he couldn't tell exactly which kind they were.

Anyway, this kind of temperament cannot be felt in the boss of his research group, the dean and professor of the college, those kind of real scholars.

"This dwarf has depigmentation," Sylvia whispered, "His curiosity and creativity have been lost over time. He won't live much longer."

Depigmentation is a peculiar symptom only seen in dwarfs. Since the origins of dwarfs in different worlds are different, whether this symptom will occur varies from world to world.

One theory claims that the ancestors of the dwarves migrated from the First World, the only world that ever existed. As descendants of the elves, the dwarves inherited the excellent qualities of their ancestors that they almost never age or die, but they are also constantly plagued by a curse called depigmentation.

Without the ability to dream, innovate, or engage in new experiences, depigmentation literally drains the color from a dwarf's body, causing them to fall into a deep depression that eventually kills them. The few dwarfs who survive become the dark, wise survivors known as the Depigmented.

To this end, gnomes have vitality, enthusiasm, impulsiveness, and joy etched into their culture and blood. Dwarves consider being alive a wonderful thing, and they will squeeze every drop of joy out of their centuries of life. While humans feel bored with such a long life and elves spend a lot of time appreciating the beauty of the world, gnomes seem to worry that even such a long life is not enough for them to have enough time to complete the things they want to do or see the things they want to see.

But this kind of joy that is not entirely natural is difficult and may not always be maintained, just like the old dwarf who is standing in front of Ron and the others, with his hands behind his back, looking serious and depressed.

"I told you, Shuke," the dwarf spoke before Ron could ask, "This barbaric and remote place can't produce alchemists, and people who hang out with goblins and mountain villagers can't have extraordinary talents."

"You're just wasting my time by pulling me over here."

"Mr. Shuke, you wouldn't..." Ron roughly guessed what happened after hearing what the dwarf said, "You seem to have violated the agreement, right?" "Yes, yes, I betrayed your trust," Shuke lowered his head in shame, "I couldn't resist the temptation, and I sent the sample you generously gave to Elden College for identification."

"I am willing to accept any punishment you propose, but I also hope that you can have a chat with Dean Elden. I believe you will both benefit greatly from it."

"My Lord, this is Dean Elden, the most knowledgeable and wise man in the [Western City-State Alliance] and the founder of Elden College."

"Dean, this is the young man I mentioned to you, the pioneer of Delusion Land, Mr. Ron."

"Good day, Mr. Dean," Ron bowed politely to show his respect. "I have heard of you for a long time. Your presence makes my little place shine."

"I can at least point out three mistakes in your etiquette just now." The dwarf's expression was like a statue, without any change. "Based on this point alone, you are not even as good as Shuke. My academy will never recruit someone like you."

No wonder Shuke had to give Ron's potion to him for identification and analysis even though he had to break the contract. It turned out to be his alma mater, and the dean might even be his teacher.

"Mr. Ron, please don't mind," Shuke said with a wry smile, "My teacher has a bit of a strange temper..."

"It's okay. I have a good temper." Ron pulled a chair and sat opposite the old man. "But if you brought him here just to pick on me, please go back. We have come back from a long journey and urgently need to rest."

"Find fault with you?" The dwarf raised his chin and looked up at Ron. "Your movements are not traditional! Your grammar does not conform to the norm! Even the racial composition of your place is unethical - how can you allow goblins to live with other races?!"

"Old man, if you're here to cause trouble, I don't mind beating you to pieces!"

The first person to be angered by the dwarf's words was Driver. The goblin hunter jumped out with a dagger in his hand, waving the knife in front of Elden: "Do you want to try, old man? Come on! Let's see who of us is better at fighting!"

"Your threats have no effect other than making me despise your miserable race even more." Elden looked at Ron without blinking. "Your name is Ron, right? Is this how you, as a lord, allow your subordinates to threaten guests?"

The old dwarf turned to look at Victoria again; "I saw the holy emblem of Helm on your collar. You are His believer, right?"

"Very well, now there is a rude and ferocious goblin threatening an old and helpless dwarf. Are you going to just stand by and watch?"

(End of this chapter)