Growing Threats
Besides the durability, he also noticed the narrow kitchen that had emerged. The fireplace and counter to work with the ingredients reminded him of those moments passed cooking between two games.
A nostalgic sigh escaped his lips as he stepped out, attracted by loud noises in the distance.
Soon, he noticed his citizens discharging logs one after another. A cloud of dust rose with each collision as the ground trembled, sending noises shattering the forest's peace.
With a bright smile, he rushed to them, ready to examine the haul before they left to bring the rest.
"We'll need two more trips, my lord," Shihan said, her green eyes sparkling as she dropped a log no one would believe someone her frame could carry.
"We also captured a pair of twelve rabbits and killed four more. Bart said he'll raise them and produce rabbit meat in a month or two."
He gazed at the muscular demon, noticing the poor creature dangling from their ears in his firm hand.
"Good job. I have a mission for everyone. We have six summoned imps. Take them out and teach them to behave. Each one of you will supervise one."
Instantly, the demons frowned at him.
"My lord, how should I put it..."
Garduck held his forehead, shaking it.
"They'll never evolve without feeding on other demons or in a really long time without demonic essence in the air. You'd better kill them to absorb their essence."
A wry smile stretched his lips as even Garduck saw them pessimistically.
"Listen, everyone. They are citizens, too. I won't give up on them until they commit a crime, and I won't believe they can't learn how to behave. I know the task might not be pleasant, but let's all progress together..."
'and hope I don't summon more imps.'
Of course, he kept the last part to himself.
But he already knew how to prevent them from flooding his territory.
'I won't summon tier-one demons anymore. I'll sell the cores, stack resources and focus on the demons I already have.'
With their innate strength, he believed he had to adapt his strategy. Instead of a vast army of a thousand weak demons, he would rather have a powerful group of ten.
He knew his approach could raise hours-long debates in the gaming community, but his case was different.
The more demons he summoned, the more he would have to convince them. Meanwhile, by focusing on and ensuring loyalty from those he had, he'll raise generals he could trust. In turn, they would persuade the newcomers in his stead, freeing his hands from a tiresome job. He would also save on food and abuse the market this way.
'Who said a lord has to do everything by himself? I'm a gamer! Of course, I'll optimise my time!'
He clapped his hands, an ambitious smile stretching his lips as he focused on Garduck.
"You're exempted from this job. Stay behind. The others, fetch an imp and continue."
The demons left, dragging their feet with deep frowns as they heeded the command.
Meanwhile, Garduck scratched his head. Lips twitching, he observed Adam.
"I want you to train me. Teach me your fighting style and combat tactics."
His voice echoed, forcing the colors from the demon's face to drain and his lips to quiver.
Garduck's legs buckled next as he kneeled.
"I'll teach you. You are the most uncommon demon I've ever seen. For better or worse, I want to follow you."
A lord seeking a lesser demon to learn? When did it ever happen?
Yet, it did right before his trembling eyes, from the territory's lord no less. An honor that would raise his name for ages if Adam's ambitions blossomed.
Simultaneously, Adam coughed as a notification appeared before him.
[Garduck's loyalty reached the maximum.]
'Why is their loyalty increasing when I'm not doing anything?'
To him, the demons were weird. But to them, he was, creating a confusing relationship of initial distrust progressively shifting to something more.
"Nice. Take the cleaver. I think you're the most able to use it. We'll train every evening for an hour."
He pointed at the dark cleaver encased in the ground before moving to touch the logs and the four rabbits' carcasses.
[Obtained: unit of wood x70.]
[Obtained: unit of food x8.]
Then, as he rushed back to the campfire, Garduck's shoulders trembled. Maybe Adam didn't understand the implications of his demand, but it warmed his heart. From a lowborn match rigger, he would hold the most coveted job in the demon realm. The lord's instructor!
Meanwhile, Adam retrieved the goblin hut's blueprint by the campfire.
[Proceed with the construction of ten huts for fifty wooden units?]
"Only ten?"
His face darkened for a moment. He had thought he could build them without limitation as long as he provided the materials.
'Doesn't matter. Luna will take one alone while the others sleep with an imp.'
He pressed on yes, witnessing the familiar scene of dancing lights around the place.
Soon, ten shaky buildings accompanied his hut, making for a picturesque sight that warmed his heart.
After a moment of patting himself on the back mentally in pride for the quick development, he sat on the ground and pondered.
He had settled his population's basic needs with the rabbits' meat, running river, and housing. Therefore, he now had to upgrade his facilities, build new ones, and promote cohesiveness among his troops.
As his mind wandered, a blur sent the campfire into a wild dance as the satyr's hooves echoed.
"I scouted the surrounding area in a ten-kilometer radius."
His human face hardened as he continued.
"The south is fine, with the forest's entry and wild beasts roaming. However, we are surrounded from the north, east, and west."
The demon crouched before him, drawing a circle on the ground and three arrows.
"Human bandits claimed the north. They are well-equipped and number in the hundreds. Fortunately, they are the furthest away from our position."
The satyr pointed to the east.
"I noticed a small village there inhabited by goblins. But they differ from the ones we faced this morning. They have real technology and ramparts. We have no chance against them."
His face darkened. Those smart goblins were a real menace that would haunt his nights if he didn't wipe them out before the grace period's end.