The Demon Who Cared

His lips curled into a wry smile.

But the challenge would be worth it if he could permanently recruit such a powerful demon.

With her epic rarity, he didn't doubt she could become one of his army's trump cards if he nurtured her correctly.

'I'll show her we can build the best place. Not only for demons but for every species!'

His fists trembled as a grand ambition sprouted in his heart.

"Today, we'll subdue a goblin encampment. Want to join?"

"Humph. It's not like there is anything to pass the time in this desolate territory."

Luna shrugged, her green hair fluttering with every step she took.

A bitter taste filled his mouth as he followed her.

'I just started yesterday, ok? I can't build castles, aqueducts, and temples with a snap of my fingers!'

A moment later, they regrouped with Shihan and the others.

Garduck took out the six goblins' rusted swords and distributed them.

He gripped one, its stats appearing in a fiery holographic window.

Rusted iron sword:

Attack +1

Note: Worse than a stick, this scrap will collapse after a few blows.

"Use them for the range they provide, but don't count on them too much. Rely on your claws and other traits to defeat the enemies. Asna and Puck, keep an eye on the territory."

He gazed at his eight subjects, his eyes firm and his tone commanding.

"Satyr boy, rush first and scout the area surrounding the ambush points from yesterday. No deaths and no wounded on this expedition. If they are too numerous, we'll change strategy."

He swung his arm, focusing on showing charisma and confidence before his troops.

"The rest follow me!"

As they stepped out of the ethereal walls and into the forest, confusion creasing their brows into bizarre grimaces, Garduck peered at his back.

"Don't you think this lord is strange?"

"Ay. I've never seen a demon take time to motivate his troops or show concern for their safety. He shared food with all of us, too."

Bart's firm hand met Garduck's shoulder as he nodded.

No one here was worth a lord's attention. They were all lesser demons, the bottom of their society's barrel. Instead of care, the higher demon took pleasure in seeing their struggles and suffering. Yet, Adam only showed concern for their well-being. Something alien to them.

"It's because he is a proper lord. Who says we have to live in constant violence and depravity because of our race? We can have a taste of happiness, like humans!"

Shihan interjected, her emotions spilling after hearing their critics.

As a Bai Yexiaojing, fate planned for her to be a seductress. Yet, was it what she wanted to do as an individual? No! Adam's rebuttal when they first met warmed her heart and made her realise she could be something else. And that's what she would do while supporting him!

"Focus on how you can help him instead of calling him names. I'm sure we'll build a great demon kingdom one day. One in which people are beaming and carry good intentions."

"Is it even possible?"

Garduck shook his head, his guttural voice resounding with a hint of sadness.

Despite her speech, he didn't believe their nature could change. After all, he had lived in darkness his entire life as a match rigger.

"You'll see."

Luna listened to their discussion, brows creased and silent.

'These fools. They fell for the imp's manipulation. They'll see the treatment they'll receive once his population increases.'

An awkward silence descended on the demon's group as Adam led the march like a fearless general until they returned to yesterday's area.

Dried blood drooled over the nearby trees, and paw prints littered the soft soil, making him realise wild beasts fed on the goblins' remains after his departure. 

'It can be a clever trap in the early stages.'

He massaged his cheeks, an idea blossoming in his mind.

Simultaneously, he snapped his head upwards, the noise of branches bending and cracking alerting him.

"It's me, my lord."

The satyr's voice resounded as he revealed his goat's hooves and human torso.

"Did you find it?"

"Yes. The goblin camp is two kilometers west. I counted twenty of them, plus a larger one."

"Hmm. Their leader? Maybe a hobgoblin?"

He tapped his finger on his cheek, mind racing as he gazed at his troops.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, each could kill five creatures without trouble, perhaps even more.

'I don't want to endanger them.'

He shook his head. Even if they had a ninety-nine percent chance of victory, he preferred to be safe than sorry.

"We'll lure and ambush them out of the camp. Show them no mercy. If you feel tired, retreat to recover."

A wave of warmth spread through their fiery hearts.

They could hear the concern in his voice and see his phalanxes whiten as Adam gazed at them as if they were close friends.

Friends? What a stupid notion in the demon realm. They were all enemies. The considerate lady you met on a bright day would turn into a cold-blooded murderer who was after your demonic essence ninety percent of the time. The kind man who offered you real-life advice would corner you once you trusted him, only to devour you.

Yet, If against all odds, this uncommon imp proved genuine, they wouldn't mind doing something they had never considered in their lives: follow him wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, five notifications appeared before Adam, showing the demons' loyalty increased by two points.

'Heh? Why? I did nothing.'

His hand rose in confusion before he hid it with a swing and a forceful command.

"Let's go!"

Eyes burning and heart drumming in preparation for combat, their determined steps resounded in the forest, shattering its tranquillity.

Fifteen minutes later, their eyes landed on the camp's rough wooden walls and houses as shaky as his hut. 

The green creatures walked around, butchering the beasts they hunted on bloody tables or clumsily chopping wood.

A few stood guard, sword in hand and jagged teeth visible in a threatening show to deter any potential attacker.

Hidden behind a tree, he whispered, his muscles tense and eyes narrowed.

"Satyr, provoke them from a safe distance until they sound the alarm. Retreat to us next."

Then, he turned to the others.

"Don't aim to have fun. End them in a single strike. Regroup after taking care of the small fries. We'll tackle the hobgoblin together."

Their lips twisted in a disappointed grimace, but they nodded.

To ask another demon not to have fun with prey? Their lord was really one of a kind.