Chapter 52: Reformations
Kong’gong could not argue with Ka’z’s logic, but neither did it erase the dangers he had just laid before him. The child had vision, perhaps greater vision than anyone in the colony, but vision alone had never been enough to build a civilization. History, whether written by humans or remembered by beasts, was littered with dreamers who failed because they overlooked the nature of people.
"I agree our colony needs to grow beyond this if it wishes to survive," Kong’gong said after a long silence. "But how do you plan to do it?"
Ka’z’s face lit up immediately, as though he had been waiting for that exact question since the conversation began.
"The Red Scripture."
Kong’gong’s gray eyes narrowed, the warmth leaving them almost instantly. He had listened to every conversation Ka’z had shared with Boi. He knew the mysterious book existed and he also knew it was responsible for transforming an insignificant goblin settlement into a force capable of threatening the entire southern Evergreen Forest.
Unfortunately, acquiring it meant defeating the Ashmork Clan. At present, Vaal’kor could barely defend itself against them.
"And do you have a way of defeating the goblins in war?" Kong’gong asked calmly.
Ka’z nodded with complete confidence. This was the opportunity he had been searching for. If he could convince Kong’gong, then convincing Tong’a, O’nil and Tud’or would become far easier.
Without another word, Ka’z stood up and drew one claw across his palm. Blood immediately welled from the fresh cut before he calmly whispered.
"Lumen Carn Kael."
The ancient words carried an indescribable weight as though they did not merely leave his mouth but resonated with the world itself. A faint golden radiance briefly enveloped his wounded palm and before Kong’gong’s eyes, the torn flesh slowly knitted together until not even a scar remained.
The old kobold stared quietly.
Although he already knew Ka’z had begun studying under Boi, he had never imagined the boy’s comprehension had reached such a terrifying level in barely a day.
That method of casting, it resembled the records describing how humans cast magic during the ancient ages.
"Vaal’kor Colony no longer has to remain chained by its old limitations," Ka’z continued, lowering his healed hand. "We can train elite warriors capable of using every element. Not only can we defend our home, we can take the fight to the Ashmork Clan, destroy them and claim the Red Scripture."
Kong’gong remained silent for several moments before finally asking another question.
"Have you ever wondered why only a handful of goblins possess magic despite owning the red scripture?"
Buzz!
Ka’z’s pupils contracted.
The question struck him so suddenly that he genuinely had no answer. Throughout all his discussions with Boi, throughout every battle he had fought, he had never stopped to question why so few goblins wielded rune magic despite possessing the Red Scripture.
"Goblins are stupid?" Ka’z guessed uncertainly.
A chuckle escaped Kong’gong.
"Do you truly believe that?"
He slowly shook his head.
"Goblins may be crude and short sighted. But they are not stupid."
He rested both hands upon his knees before continuing.
"Even among humans, magic is never handed to everyone freely. Kingdoms establish academies, noble families guard their knowledge and guilds decide who is worthy to inherit certain arts. Power without structure destroys nations long before foreign enemies ever can."
Ka’z’s expression slowly changed. The confidence he carried moments ago gradually gave way to contemplation.
He had been looking only at what magic could accomplish. He had never considered what it could destroy.
"Exactly," Kong’gong said after noticing the change in his expression. "The reason kobold society became communal is because we are weak. We depend upon one another for survival. Builders rely upon warriors. Warrior’s rely upon physicians. Gatherers rely upon everyone else. That dependence forces us to remain together."
He looked directly into Ka’z’s eyes.
"Now imagine every kobold capable of wielding all six elements. Do you truly believe Vaal’kor survives that?"
Before Ka’z could answer, Kong’gong continued.
"Or do you see ambitious kobolds abandoning these caves in search of glory? Others pursuing wealth? Others challenging the Chieftain because they finally possess the strength to do so?"
Silence filled the crystal chamber and Ka’z slowly lowered his head.
For the first time since learning the Language of Power, he questioned whether his dream truly led toward salvation.
Kong’gong calmly spoke once more.
"Power is not dangerous because it makes people stronger. It is dangerous because it gives people choices."
"Today every kobold depends upon Vaal’kor to survive. The moment that dependence disappears some will leave others will seek authority and others will chase glory beyond these mountains."
He let those words settle before finishing.
"A society built upon necessity cannot survive the day necessity disappears."
Ka’z remained completely silent.
Everything Kong’gong said made sense. Yet, everything he wished to accomplish also remained necessary.
How was he supposed to balance both?
Suddenly his eyes widened. He looked at Kong’gong as though he had just uncovered a buried treasure.
"Then we don’t teach everyone. We create an academy where only a selected few can attend." His voice regained its certainty.
Kong’gong chuckled softly. This time he did not immediately challenge the idea. Instead he folded his arms across his chest.
"And who decides who learns?"
"The elders."
Ka’z answered without hesitation.
"They already decide who becomes hunters, healers and scouts. Let them decide who is worthy to inherit this knowledge as well."
"And what exactly would these people learn?"
"Only what their duties require."
Ka’z leaned forward slightly, his thoughts becoming clearer with every word.
"A healer has no reason to learn battle magic. A builder has no need for healing spells. Teach each person only the runes that improve the work they already do."
Kong’gong nodded thoughtfully before raising another objection.
"But there are no professions. There are only kobolds performing different tasks."
"Then we give those tasks names," Ka’z answered immediately. "Every craft should have someone responsible for preserving it. Someone who teaches apprentices, settles disputes, protects the knowledge of that craft and answers directly to the Chieftain."
Kong’gong’s smile slowly widened.
"You would divide the colony."
Ka’z slowly shook his head.
"No. I would organize it."
He pointed toward the countless tunnels stretching throughout Vaal’kor above them.
"Right now knowledge dies whenever an experienced kobold dies. If our best builder dies the colony loses its greatest builder. If our greatest trap maker dies the next generation begins from nothing. If our greatest healer dies everyone else struggles to relearn what was already discovered."
His voice became firmer. Now he understood why education was very important.
"But if every craft has a keeper whose duty is to preserve that knowledge and pass it to the next generation then no knowledge ever dies with its owner."
The chamber fell silent once again and Kong’gong simply watched him.
The more he listened, the more convinced he became that Ka’z had been born for something greater than commanding soldiers. The boy thought like a ruler. Perhaps, the Child of Prophecy truly had come to change everything.
A warm laugh escaped Kong’gong before he folded his arms comfortably across his chest.
"Personally... I like this plan. You have my support."
Ka’z’s shoulders relaxed noticeably.
He had not realized until that moment how badly he wanted someone from the older generation to understand his vision.
Kong’gong looked toward the crystal ceiling above them, an unfamiliar sense of relief settling within his heart.
Since achieving the gold realm and gaining an additional fifty years, he had dreaded the day Tong’a and O’nil will pass away. He feared becoming the last survivor of his generation.
Now, that future no longer felt lonely.
If it meant living long enough to witness the world this remarkable child intended to build, perhaps growing old with a different generation would not be so terrible after all.
Ding!
[New Achievement Unlocked: Age Of Reformation]
[Description: For the kobold race to survive, it must abandon its old way of life and embrace change. You have taken the first step toward that future. Congratulations.]
[Reward: New Module Added to System Store]